However, 39% admit to blowing the budget once they get on holiday, with many overspending by up to £200 a week.
Visa Europe claims only 22% now book a traditional package holiday, with 42% opting for a DIY package.
Short breaks remain an impulse buy, with 20% of holidaymakers booking just one or two weeks before travelling.
A further quarter book short breaks only two to four weeks ahead, while a third (35%) book one to three months in advance.
Only 13% of short breaks are booked three to six months before travel and just 4% six to 12 months out.
The survey of 1,077 holidaymakers also found 93% think the British airport experience is stressful.
The cost of food and drink at airports is the main bugbear (35%), closely followed by delays (27%).
Overcrowding (10%), bad customer service (6%), uncomfortable seating (6%) and poor airport design (2%) are other key complaints.
See also:
85% make sacrifices to cut holiday budget (27/07/2009)
Recession means one in five won’t take a holiday (27/07/2009)
Families booking later and paying for extras (21/07/2009)
Survey shows Britons still travelling (17/07/2009)