On the Beach Holidays 2024: Best Affordable & Safe Deals
Nobody wants to spend their precious summer holiday budget on a place that falls short of the brochure. Whether you are after cheap beach holidays all inclusive 2024 packages or just want to know if On the Beach can be trusted, the data is finally clear enough to make a confident choice.
On the Beach Holidays 2024: Cheapest, Best, and Safest Options
Cheapest beach holiday destination in Europe (2024): Bulgaria (Sunny Beach) – €200–350/week per person ·
On the Beach: total package holidays sold (2023): 1.5 million+ ·
Trustpilot rating for On the Beach (2024): 4.2 / 5 (53,000+ reviews) ·
Average deposit for On the Beach packages: £10–€10 per person ·
Greek island with highest beach satisfaction rating (2023): Crete (4.6 / 5) ·
Cheapest and safest country for beach travel (2024): Portugal (Algarve) – €50/night average
Quick snapshot
- On the Beach is an ATOL-protected travel agency (UK Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL licence holder))
- Cheapest European beach destination in 2024 is Bulgaria (Sunny Beach) per multiple travel indexes (Numbeo (cost-of-living database))
- On the Beach offers packages to over 200 destinations (On the Beach (travel operator))
- Which specific airline On the Beach partners with varies by package and route (Trustpilot (On the Beach reviews))
- Exact cancellation fees depend on chosen package supplier (On the Beach (terms and conditions))
- On the Beach founded in 2006 (Wikipedia (On the Beach))
- First all-inclusive packages at £99 per person launched in 2019 (On the Beach (about us))
- Company reported £1.6 billion annual turnover in 2022 (On the Beach Group (investor relations))
- On the Beach offers low deposits from €10 per person for summer 2024 (On the Beach (low deposit page))
- New all-inclusive properties being added in Turkey and Greece for 2024 season (Travel Weekly (industry trade publication))
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| On the Beach founded | 2006, Manchester, UK (Wikipedia (On the Beach)) |
| Annual bookings | 1.5 million+ (On the Beach Group (investor relations)) |
| ATOL license number | 11070 (UK Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL licence holder)) |
| Trustpilot rating (2024) | 4.2 / 5 (Trustpilot (review platform)) |
| Countries available | 200+ (On the Beach (travel operator)) |
| Cheapest package price (2024) | €149 per person (On the Beach (cheap holidays)) |
Where is the cheapest place to go on a beach holiday?
Top 5 cheapest European beach destinations in 2024
- Bulgaria (Sunny Beach): all-inclusive packages from €149 per person (On the Beach (Bulgaria packages))
- Albania (Riviera): accommodation averages €35–50/night (Numbeo (cost-of-living database))
- Portugal (Algarve): average hotel cost €50/night (Numbeo (cost-of-living database))
- Greece (Crete): packages from €199 per person (On the Beach (Crete packages))
- Turkey (Antalya region): all-inclusive from €250 per person per week (Skyscanner (travel comparison site))
Average costs per person per week
Prices vary widely by destination, with Eastern Europe offering the most affordable packages.
| Destination | Accommodation only (per night) | All-inclusive package (per person per week) |
|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria – Sunny Beach | €25–40 | €149–350 |
| Portugal – Algarve | €50–80 | €400–700 |
| Greece – Crete | €55–90 | €199–550 |
| Turkey – Antalya | €40–70 | €250–500 |
| Albania – Riviera | €35–55 | €280–450 |
Bulgaria remains the cheapest beach holiday destination in Europe for 2024, with On the Beach all-inclusive packages starting at just €149 per person. For families on a budget, the cost difference between Bulgaria and Spain is substantial — roughly 60% cheaper on accommodation alone.
This data confirms that Eastern Europe offers the best value for beach holidays in 2024.
Is On the Beach worth it?
On the Beach pros and cons from customer reviews
Six prices from three aggregators, one pattern: On the Beach undercuts nearly every competitor on deposit size but matches them on all-inclusive package rates. The Grand Oasis Cancun, for instance, offers 4 nights all-inclusive for $688 per person ($172/night) through CheapCaribbean — a similar package from On the Beach runs within 5% of that figure (CheapCaribbean (package holiday aggregator)).
Upsides
- Low deposits from €10 per person (On the Beach (low deposit page))
- ATOL protected packages (license 11070) (UK Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL licence holder))
- Trustpilot rating 4.2 out of 5 from 53,000+ reviews (Trustpilot (review platform))
- 200+ destination options (On the Beach (travel operator))
Downsides
- Customer complaints about flight changes and refunds since 2022 (Trustpilot (review platform))
- Exact airline varies per package — no guarantee of carrier (On the Beach (terms and conditions))
- Cancellation fees depend on supplier, not consistently transparent (On the Beach (terms and conditions))
How On the Beach compares to TUI and loveholidays
The comparison table highlights key differences between the three major online travel agencies.
| Feature | On the Beach | TUI | loveholidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit | €10 per person | €50 per person | €25 per person |
| ATOL protected | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Destinations | 200+ | 100+ | 150+ |
| Trustpilot (2024) | 4.2 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Lowest package price (2024) | €149 | €199 | €179 |
On the Beach wins on deposit size and destination breadth, but TUI beats it on refund speed based on customer complaint data. For budget travellers who care about upfront cost, On the Beach is the clear choice. For travellers who want predictable service and known airlines, TUI may be worth the premium.
The choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritise low deposits or predictable service.
Which Greek island is the best for a beach holiday?
Best Greek islands for families
- Crete: ranked best overall for beach quality by Lonely Planet 2024 (Lonely Planet (travel guide publisher))
- Rhodes: has the most Blue Flag beaches among Greek islands (Blue Flag (beach certification programme))
- Corfu: gentle waters and family-friendly resorts (Lonely Planet (travel guide publisher))
Best Greek islands for couples
- Santorini: best sunset views and romantic hotels (Lonely Planet (travel guide publisher))
- Mykonos: nightlife and upscale beach clubs (Lonely Planet (travel guide publisher))
- Naxos: quieter beaches and affordable luxury (Lonely Planet (travel guide publisher))
Crete vs Rhodes vs Corfu: beach quality comparison
The following table compares Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu on beach quality metrics.
| Island | Blue Flag beaches (2024) | Beach satisfaction (2023) | On the Beach package from (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crete | 120+ | 4.6 / 5 | €199 per person |
| Rhodes | 150+ | 4.4 / 5 | €229 per person |
| Corfu | 40+ | 4.3 / 5 | €249 per person |
So for most travellers, Crete offers the best balance of quality and cost.
Where is the best place to go on a beach holiday?
Best all-inclusive beach holidays 2024
- Dominican Republic (Punta Cana): Riu Republica Punta Cana (adults-only) at $774 for 4 nights ($193/night) (CheapCaribbean (package holiday aggregator))
- Mexico (Riviera Maya): Barcelo Maya Colonial at $737 for 4 nights ($184/night) (CheapCaribbean (package holiday aggregator))
- Spain (Costa del Sol): all-inclusive from €350 per person per week (On the Beach (Spain packages))
Best beach holidays for couples 2024
- Maldives: most romantic, but most expensive (€1,000+/night) (Travel Nation (travel expert))
- Bali: affordable luxury, €80–150/night (Travel Nation (travel expert))
- Portugal (Algarve): best value for couples, €50/night accommodation (Numbeo (cost-of-living database))
Best beach holidays for families 2024
- Crete (Greece): best value all-inclusive from €199 per person (On the Beach (Crete packages))
- Portugal (Algarve): safest destination, €50/night (Numbeo (cost-of-living database))
- Turkey (Antalya): best all-inclusive value, €250/week (Skyscanner (travel comparison site))
For families on a strict budget, the choice between Crete and the Algarve is the difference between spending €800 or €1,200 for a week. For couples, the Maldives offers unmatched romance but at ten times the cost of Bali. The trade-off is clear: budget determines destination.
This reinforces that budget is the primary factor in selecting a beach holiday destination.
Is it safe to book a holiday with On the Beach?
On the Beach financial protection
On the Beach holds ATOL licence number 11070, which means all package holidays sold through the platform are financially protected by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK Civil Aviation Authority (aviation and travel regulator)). This protection covers customers if the company goes out of business or if flights are cancelled due to insolvency.
Customer service and complaints handling
Trustpilot data shows 53,000+ reviews with a 4.2/5 rating, but the breakdown reveals a pattern: 50% of reviews are 5-star, while 22% are 1-star (Trustpilot (review platform)). Complaints since 2022 centre on flight changes without notice and slow refund processing. On the Beach’s terms state that refund timelines depend on the supplier, not the platform itself (On the Beach (terms and conditions)).
Comparison with other online travel agencies
On the Beach matches its competitors on ATOL protection but differs in refund speed.
| Factor | On the Beach | TUI | loveholidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATOL protected | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Refund time complaints | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
| Financial failure insurance | Included | Included | Included |
On the Beach is as safe as any major UK travel agency thanks to ATOL protection. The real risk is not financial collapse but slow refunds when flight changes happen. For travellers who value peace of mind about cancellations, TUI has a better track record on refund speed.
Travellers who value fast refunds may prefer TUI despite higher upfront costs.
“We have seen strong demand for affordable beach holidays in 2024, with customers increasingly looking for value without compromising on safety.”
— On the Beach CEO, via investor presentation 2023 (On the Beach Group (investor relations))
“For budget-conscious travellers, the Algarve in Portugal and Crete in Greece offer the best combination of low prices and high beach quality.”
— Travel Nation travel expert (Travel Nation (travel expert))
“Bulgaria’s Sunny Beach is consistently the cheapest all-inclusive destination in Europe, with packages starting at under €200 per person.”
— Cheddar Budget App editorial (Cheddar (budget travel editorial))
For Irish and UK travellers in 2024, the choice between On the Beach and a traditional operator comes down to a single trade-off: deposit size vs refund speed. On the Beach offers the lowest deposits in the market at €10 per person, making beach holidays accessible to more people. But if flight changes or cancellations matter to you, TUI’s better refund record might be worth the higher upfront cost.
The cheapest European beach destinations in 2024 are Bulgaria, Albania, and Portugal — all well-served by On the Beach packages. For those looking beyond Europe, the Dominican Republic and Mexico offer the best all-inclusive value under $250 per night. For the Irish family looking for a safe, affordable beach holiday, the Algarve or Crete remain the gold standard: safe, affordable, and backed by ATOL protection. For Irish solo travellers on a tight budget, Bulgaria’s Sunny Beach is the clear choice: cheapest in Europe and increasingly well-connected from Dublin and Cork airports.
For more on shifting travel trends, see Why British Tourists Are Abandoning Spain for Africa.
For travel insurance comparisons, visit Compare the Market Travel Insurance.
applevacations.com, youtube.com, allinclusiveoutlet.com, atomictrips.com, expedia.com, costcotravel.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest country for a beach holiday in 2024?
Bulgaria (Sunny Beach) is the cheapest European beach destination in 2024, with all-inclusive packages from €149 per person through On the Beach (On the Beach (Bulgaria packages)).
Does On the Beach offer all-inclusive packages?
Yes, On the Beach offers all-inclusive packages to over 200 destinations worldwide, including Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Turkey, and the Caribbean (On the Beach (travel operator)).
Is On the Beach ATOL protected?
Yes, On the Beach holds ATOL licence number 11070, meaning all package holidays are financially protected by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL licence holder)).
What is the best Greek island for a beach holiday?
Crete is the best Greek island for a beach holiday in 2024, with the highest beach satisfaction score (4.6/5) and the cheapest On the Beach packages from €199 per person (Lonely Planet (travel guide publisher)).
Can I book from Ireland with On the Beach?
Yes, On the Beach has a dedicated Irish site (onthebeach.ie) and offers packages with flights from Dublin, Cork, and Shannon airports (On the Beach (Irish site)).
How do I cancel an On the Beach holiday?
Cancellation policies depend on the specific package supplier. Check your booking confirmation or log into your account on the On the Beach website for details (On the Beach (terms and conditions)).
Are On the Beach holidays cheaper than TUI?
Generally yes — On the Beach packages start from €149 per person, compared to TUI’s €199 starting price, and deposits are lower (€10 vs €50) (On the Beach (travel operator)).
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