School holidays cost more. That’s the one certainty in UK family travel. But the question most parents never quite get answered is: how much more, which holidays are worst, and what can you actually do about it?
We’ve broken down the price premiums by holiday period, identified the destinations that hold up best on value, and set out a booking timeline that can save a family hundreds of pounds.
Our guide to school holiday flight prices goes deeper on the flight side if that’s your starting point. For the full picture on cheap family holidays during school time, read on.
How much more expensive are school holidays?
The honest answer: it varies, but summer is the worst of it. A family of four booking a week’s all-inclusive to the Canary Islands during peak August can expect to pay 40–70% more than the same holiday a fortnight earlier or later. Easter is the second-biggest premium period. Most tour operators treat the full two-week Easter window as peak pricing, which means anything from 40% above term-time rates to full peak-season prices on popular package routes.
The February and October half-terms are gentler. Expect premiums of 20–35%, which still adds up but leaves room for a decent deal if you’re flexible on destination and departure airport. The table below shows the typical premium for each school holiday period in England and Wales for 2026.
| School holiday | 2026 dates | Price premium | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| February half-term | 14–22 Feb | 20–35% above term time | Manageable Mid-range |
| Easter | 30 Mar–17 Apr | 40–60% above term time | Expensive High cost |
| May half-term | 25 May–5 Jun | 15–30% above term time | Best value week Best value |
| Summer | 21 Jul–4 Sep | 40–70% above term time | Peak pricing Peak cost |
| October half-term | 26 Oct–1 Nov | 20–40% above term time | Good value Mid-range |
Even at a 20% premium, the maths adds up. On a £2,000 family holiday, that’s an extra £400 for travelling when schools are closed. On a £4,000 summer break, a 60% premium means you’ve paid £2,400 more than you would have in late June or early September.
Booking smartly won’t eliminate the gap, but it can narrow it considerably. Our guide to how to get cheap flights covers the booking mechanics in detail.
Which school holiday weeks cost the least?
May half-term is the best-value week in the school calendar. European school terms don’t align with England and Wales, so many continental schools are still in session in late May. That keeps demand lower and prices closer to shoulder-season rates on popular package routes.
The weather across Mediterranean destinations is already excellent by late May. Warm enough for beach holidays but without the intensity of August. Jet2 and TUI both price May half-term packages well below Easter and summer equivalents, and the gap remains meaningful despite growing demand for this window.
October half-term is the second-best option. It catches the tail end of the Mediterranean season, and Tenerife, Lanzarote, and the Costa del Sol stay warm through October. For context on how flight prices shift through the year, our guide to when flights are cheapest covers the seasonal patterns in detail.
The cheapest destinations for UK families
Destination choice has more impact on your total cost than almost any other single decision. Here’s where the value is for UK families during school holidays.
Albania is the standout budget pick. Saranda and Ksamil on the Ionian coast offer clear water and good beaches at a fraction of the cost of Greece or Spain. Wizz Air and easyJet serve the route from several UK airports, and in-resort costs are considerably lower than Western Mediterranean alternatives.
Turkey delivers the best all-inclusive value of any destination with good UK air links. Antalya and Long Beach have a huge supply of AI resorts, which keeps package rates competitive. A 3.5-hour flight from most UK airports makes it practical for families with young children.
The Canary Islands are a year-round option and one of the few places offering reasonable value even in summer. Temperatures in August are more comfortable than mainland Spain, and the range of package options is extensive. For more on timing your trip, see our guide to the best time to book a holiday.
| Destination | Best for | Best season | Why value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Budget beach | May & Oct half-term | Cheapest beach in Europe for UK families |
| Turkey | All-inclusive | May half-term | Best all-inclusive value of any destination Best A/I |
| Bulgaria | Budget families | May & Oct half-term | Lower costs across the board |
| Spain mainland | Culture + beach | May half-term | Widest choice of budget flights |
| Canary Islands | Year-round sun | Year-round | Good value even in summer |
| Portugal Algarve | Family resorts | Oct half-term | Strong value on half-terms |
How to find the best school holiday deals
The single most effective tactic is early booking. Tour operators release summer holidays from October onwards, with January and February seeing the heaviest discounting. Booking in January for the following summer typically saves 15–25% compared with leaving it until May or June.
January is when Jet2 and TUI both run early booking sales. Jet2’s Price Promise locks in your rate without full payment upfront, which makes it lower-risk than it sounds. These deals sell out on popular routes, so check as soon as your school’s holiday dates are confirmed.
All-inclusive packages deserve a look during school holidays specifically. When food and drink are fixed upfront, it removes the biggest variable cost. In Turkey, the AI package market is large enough that per-person half-term rates can undercut equivalent self-catering once you factor in eating out every night.
For more on catching the best early sales, see our guides to Jet2 sale dates and TUI sale dates.
Consider your departure airport. Families near regional airports with good Jet2 services (Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, East Midlands) often find cheaper packages than those relying on London airports. Higher demand and steeper charges at Gatwick and Heathrow push prices up, and the base fare savings on short-haul routes can be substantial.
What to book and when for each school holiday
Summer holidays (July–August): Book in January or February. January sales from Jet2 and TUI are the best entry point. Prices rise steeply from March as availability thins, and by May you’re paying near walk-up rates on popular routes.
Easter: Book from October the year before. Easter is a fixed demand spike and operators price accordingly. Leaving it to January gives limited choice at higher prices.
May half-term: Book December to February. Six months’ lead time is sufficient, though popular Turkey and Spain packages sell quickly. January sales often include May half-term availability, so check at the same time as summer.
October half-term: Book June to August. September is too late for the cheapest options on popular Canary Islands packages. The summer window gives you time to compare deals before the autumn rush.
Our verdict
School holidays will always cost more than term time. The market isn’t going to change that. But the difference between a well-planned school holiday and a poorly-timed one is real, and for a family of four it can be the difference between £1,200 and £2,400 for the same trip.
The three things that make the biggest difference: choosing May or October half-term over summer where life allows, targeting Turkey or Albania for best all-inclusive value, and booking early. If you do nothing else, check the January sales from Jet2 and TUI for the following summer. That’s where the best school holiday deals are.
For more on the flight side, our dedicated guide to school holiday flight prices breaks down exactly how prices shift across each school holiday week and which airports tend to offer the best fares.
Frequently asked questions
How much more expensive are holidays in school holidays?
During peak summer, expect to pay 40–70% more than during term time. May and October half-terms carry smaller premiums of 15–35%.
What is the cheapest week to go on holiday in school holidays?
May half-term is consistently the cheapest school holiday week. Prices typically sit 15–30% above term time, well below summer and Easter peaks.
Which destinations are cheapest for UK families during school holidays?
Albania, Bulgaria, and mainland Spain offer the best value. All three have strong budget airline connections from UK airports and lower in-resort costs than Western Mediterranean alternatives.
Is it cheaper to go all-inclusive during school holidays?
All-inclusive can save money during school holidays because it fixes your food and drink costs upfront. Turkey and Bulgaria offer the best AI rates for UK families.
When should you book a school holiday to get the best price?
Book summer holidays in January or February to catch early booking discounts from Jet2 and TUI. For half-terms, booking around six months ahead is usually sufficient.
Are there any ways to reduce the school holiday price premium?
Travel midweek, consider self-catering over hotel stays, and look at regional UK airports where Jet2 and Ryanair fares can be significantly cheaper than London hubs.
