Once the May half-term passes, numerous parents are preparing for the upcoming six-week summer holidays and the need to plan for travel. However, traveling during the summer break can be notably expensive, with holidaymakers facing an average additional cost of £388 per person compared to term-time breaks. The peak in prices typically occurs in July and August for both domestic staycations and international vacations.
Despite the high costs, travel specialist Dawn Morwood suggests strategies to reduce expenses with some flexibility. According to Morwood, there are specific days that offer better value for summer flights, as prices follow predictable patterns. For instance, flights tend to be most expensive on July 22, 23, and 29, with up to a 40% increase in costs on average. Adjusting travel dates slightly can lead to significant savings.
Parents can check their child’s school holiday dates on GOV.UK for opportunities to leave earlier before prices rise, as some schools have inset days that allow for an early getaway. Additionally, waiting until later in August, particularly in the last two weeks, can result in better deals as prices tend to drop during this period, known as the ‘golden weeks’.
For example, a family of four heading to Globales Binimar & Aqua Centre Waterpark in Menorca with Jet2 departing on July 25 could save £279 if they depart on July 23 or £543 if they choose to leave on August 27. Families residing near the Scottish borders can leverage the difference in holiday dates between England and Scotland, as Scottish schools have summer holidays from late June to mid-August, potentially leading to more affordable flights from Scottish airports later in the season.
Considering a term-time break for better prices, Dawn suggests early June as a favorable period for good weather and reasonable costs. However, parents should be aware of increased fines for unauthorised term-time absence, which can amount to £80 per parent per child. These fines can quickly add up for larger families.
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