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Best Holiday Loans UK 2026

Finance a dream holiday without high-rate credit cards

UK personal loans for holidays allow you to spread the cost of flights, hotels, and package holidays over fixed monthly repayments. A fixed-rate loan at 9-12% is significantly cheaper than a credit card at 23%+ for the same trip, paid off over the same period.

Avg APR

9% – 22%

Loan Amount

£1,000 – £10,000

Term

12 – 36 months

Top UK Lenders for Holiday Loans

Top Pick
1

Zopa

Competitive fintech rate

Representative APR

9.9% APR representative

Loan Range

£1,000 – £25,000

Min Credit

Fair

Funding

1–2 days

2

M&S Bank

M&S rewards on travel

Representative APR

6.9% APR representative

Loan Range

£1,000 – £25,000

Min Credit

Good

Funding

1–2 days

3

TSB

Online application, fast

Representative APR

6.9% APR representative

Loan Range

£1,000 – £25,000

Min Credit

Good

Funding

1–2 days

4

Sainsbury's Bank

Flexible repayment terms

Representative APR

6.9% APR representative

Loan Range

£1,000 – £40,000

Min Credit

Good

Funding

1–3 days

5

Lendable

Fair credit, fast decision

Representative APR

24.5% APR representative

Loan Range

£1,000 – £25,000

Min Credit

Fair

Funding

1–2 days

Representative APR shown. 51% of successful applicants receive this rate or better. Your rate may differ based on your credit profile.

Pros

  • Spread the cost of a dream holiday
  • Fixed monthly repayment — no rate surprise
  • Better than credit card for amounts over £2,000
  • Book early with cash — often cheaper fares

Cons

  • Holiday cost increases with interest
  • Committing to repayment after you return
  • Consider ATOL/ABTA protection regardless of payment method

Key Facts

Average UK household spends £2,700 on holidays annually.
Early booking with cash payment via personal loan can save 10–20% on flights.
ATOL protection applies to package holidays — check this is independent of payment method.
A £3,000 holiday loan at 10% over 2 years costs £320 in interest — far less than a credit card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a personal loan better than a 0% credit card for a holiday?

For amounts you can repay within 20 months, a 0% card is better. For longer repayment or larger amounts, a personal loan at 9-12% wins.

Does ATOL protection apply if I pay with a personal loan?

Yes — ATOL protection is tied to what you buy, not how you pay. A package holiday booked with an ATOL-protected operator is covered regardless.

Can I get a holiday loan with fair credit?

Yes — Zopa and Lendable both cater to fair credit borrowers. Expect representative APRs of 10-25% depending on your credit profile.

Other UK Personal Loan Types