Under £100

Flybe (flybe.com has the ultimate in low-cost travel. Book before 30 September and there is no charge for the flight itself. You need only pay tax. The routes are UK only and include Southampton to Manchester, Exeter to Belfast and Belfast to Glasgow.

Under £300

How about a short break to the party capital Madrid where two nights at the two-star Hotel Asturias near Plaza Mayor costs £207pp with Thomas Cook Signature (0870 443 4570; tcsignature.com) including Heathrow or Gatwick flights.

Soak up sophisticated Copenhagen with a four-night cruise break from £229pp with DFDS Seaways (08705 333222; dfdsseaways.co.uk ). Enjoy two nights onboard and then two nights at a hotel on a half-board basis up to 21 December.

Two nights in New York is on offer from £285 with Travelocity (0870 111 7087; travelocity.co.uk if you book by 28 September. Fly from Heathrow and stay at the three-star Wellington hotel.

The Watermark Club (01285 869181; watermarkclub.co.uk) in the Cotswolds has up to 20 per cent off for weekends until 10 October. Prices per lodge start from £284 for six people.

Under £800

Travel an ancient route for less with The Adventure Company (01420 541007; adventurecompany.co.uk). A nine-day journey departing 16 October along the silk road in Central Asia costs £779 including flights from Heathrow, all other transport, hotel, breakfast and the services of a group leader.