Operating for over 40 years with over 450 branches, Hays Travel is the UK's largest independent travel agent. Whether you'd like a short UK break, a sunny package holiday, an all inclusive getaway or something else entirely, our team will help you book the holiday of your dreams.

Hays Travel is primarily an Independent Travel Agency, though they also act as a "Virtual" or "Retail" tour operator. Unlike "Integrated" tour operators like TUI, which own their own planes and hotels, Hays Travel focuses on curating and selling holiday packages from a vast range of third-party suppliers. They are the UK's largest independent travel agent, known for their high-street presence. In 2026, they utilize a "Dynamic Packaging" model, where they combine separate flights, hotels, and transfers into a single, ATOL-protected holiday for the customer. This gives them the flexibility to offer more diverse destinations than an airline-led tour operator. For 2026 travelers, a high-value "pro-tip" is that because Hays is independent, they can often compare dozens of different "pioneer" and "specialist" operators to find a better price or a more niche itinerary (like a river cruise or a multi-stop safari) that a larger, branded operator might not have in their fixed inventory.