Benefits of Early Booking

What is Early Booking?

The term may be confusing to some people as they sometimes misunderstand that early booking means to “book” and go on vacation “early” in the season.

However, making an early booking simply means to book your accommodation far in advance, as early in the year (or even before the end of the previous year) as possible, regardless of when in the season you then actually go on vacation. By doing so you get the best choice of accommodation at the best available prices.

Why do campsites offer early booking?

Similar to other holiday accommodations, campsites start offering their available units for the new season as early as September or October – almost a year in advance. The peak of the early booking period is December through January; during those weeks the availability and prices for all the units are already set up and the majority of guests start planning their summer vacation. The choice of available accommodation is the largest then and the prices tend to be lower as campsites try to secure as much guests in advance as possible. That helps them with operational planning and possible adjustments regarding prices and availability.

What about last-minute offers? Are those not cheaper as well?

While it is true that you may come across a last-minute offer during the peak of the season, there are several drawbacks to that:

• Uncertainty: Can you really afford to risk not finding an available accommodation for the summer because you were counting on finding a cheap option right before traveling? Last-minute offers are becoming increasingly scarce each peak season. Most of the accommodation are fully booked well in advance.
• First come – first served: When you actually find a last-minute offer online, other people can see it too. By the time you try to make a booking, it might not be available anymore.
• Last-minute VS Early Booking discount: While the discount percentage of a last-minute offer may seem large, you have to understand that it applies to the current price, which is dynamic (meaning: it changes regularly based on demand and availability) and often considerably higher than the standard rate.
  Example: If a standard rate for a mobile home is 150€/night, the dynamic pricing during the season can drive that price up by 30%, which means the price at the time is around 200€. A last-minute discount of 40% then lowers the price down to about 120€/night. However, during the early booking period, a 30% discount applied to the standard rate of 150€ means you would only pay 105€/night for that same mobile home. So even a smaller early booking discount can secure you a better price than a larger last-minute discount.
• You can only book what is left. You cannot choose your favorite unit as your only choice is the accommodation type that becomes available at that given time. During the early booking period you get to choose an accommodation that fits your needs regarding size, location and time-period.

My plans might change during the months after making an early booking and before the check-in date. Will I lose my money?

When booking an accommodation, you usually have several rates available. One option is the so-called non-refundable rate. This is usually the cheapest option but it comes with a risk of losing your money if your plans change and you are no longer able to go on vacation as per your booking. The other option is the flexible rate. When you opt for a flexible rate, the price might be slightly higher compared to the non-refundable rate, but you have the possibility to either change your dates (providing there is availability in the campsite) or cancel your booking and still get your money back. Make sure to check the booking conditions carefully before making a booking and choose the option that suits you best. That way you can easily avoid the risk of losing your money while still saving a hefty amount by booking early.

Early Booking price analysis for 2024

We have analyzed the prices of bookings made for the 2024 season and compared those made 3 months prior to arrival and those made during the Early Booking period of 6+ months in advance. Each anonymized example is based on an actual booking and prices. 

4* family campsite, Istria / mobile home with 2 bedrooms for 4+2 guests

4* campsite, island of Krk / mobile home with 2 bedrooms, 1st row by the sea

While camping pitches are cheaper and less often sold out in advance, compared to mobile homes, you can still benefit from an early booking:

4* campsite, island of Krk / standard pitch, up to 120m2, electricity hookup

If you need any help with choosing the best mobile home for your holiday, contact us. We will be happy to provide you a personalized offer according to your wishes. The earlier you book, the more of those wishes we can accommodate.

CHECK OUT OUR EARLY BOOKING OFFERS