Easter holidays
- Book by mid November the year before for the best prices
- Egypt, Turkey and the Canaries are warm and significantly cheaper than the western Med in April
- Family of 4 to Lanzarote, 7 nights all-inclusive, Easter: typically £2,200 to £2,600 when booked early
Summer holidays
- Book between January and the end of February for the deepest discounts
- Late August is often £400 to £800 cheaper than the last week of July
- Bulgaria, Albania and northern Crete consistently undercut Spain by 30 to 40 percent
October half term
- Book by July, prices climb sharply from mid August
- Costa del Sol, Algarve and Fuerteventura still have reliable warmth at half term
- Disneyland Paris is busy and expensive at half term, the week before or after saves hundreds
Christmas and New Year
- The most expensive week of the year. Going in early December saves 40 to 60 percent
- Lapland day trips are cheaper than 4-night packages and often more enjoyable for younger kids
- All-inclusive Canaries over Christmas can actually beat staying home with all the trimmings if you plan early
February half term
- Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura are reliable winter sun for the UK
- Ski holidays drop sharply if you book by October the previous year
- Disneyland Paris in early February is often the cheapest week of its entire calendar
Smart dates inside the same break
The first and last weekend of any school holiday are the most expensive. Travelling Monday to Monday or Tuesday to Tuesday inside the same break is typically £100 to £300 cheaper per person.
Frequently asked questions
Why are school holiday prices so much higher?
Operators know UK families are constrained to specific weeks and price accordingly. The hike can be 60 to 150 percent over neighbouring weeks.
Is taking children out of school worth the saving?
Financially yes, but you risk fines up to £160 per parent per child. We help you find the cheapest legal dates instead.
Which UK school holidays are the cheapest to travel?
October half term and February half term are usually the best balance of weather and price. Easter and summer are the most expensive.