Home · Blog · /en/Prices
/en/Prices 4 min read

When it's really cheaper: early booking or last minute

Mārtiņš Bērziņš · 18 May 2026

Three years of price data for departures from Riga — and findings that will surprise you.

What this article is based on

We collected prices for the same hotel's offers departing from Riga over three years: early-booking promotions in spring, summer price lists and last-minute deals. The conclusion is simple — there's no single rule, but the trends are very clear.

What usually works out cheaper

  • Early booking in spring — Typically gives 10–25% off summer trips, especially family hotels.
  • Last-minute deals 2–3 weeks before departure — Give the best prices if you're flexible on dates and hotel.
  • September and May — At the edges of the season prices are 20–30% below July.
Price differences are biggest at the edges of the season
First decide how flexible you are on dates. If you can shift a week — last minute usually wins. If not — book early and sleep soundly.

So when do you actually book

For families with fixed school holidays, early booking is the safest choice: more choice, and the price is often 15–25% lower than in mid-summer. Couples and travellers without children who can go any date regularly get better prices from last-minute deals to Turkey and Egypt.

One nuance people often miss: last-minute deals more often leave the worse rooms and later flight times. If you care about a sea view or an early morning flight, the discount may not be worth it.

Other articles

See a good price?

Prices change daily — book while it lasts or let us hold it for you.

View offers