Families are gearing up to plan their annual holidays in the upcoming weeks, even though the six-week summer break is still a distance away. Traveling during school holidays tends to be pricier, with families of four shelling out an average additional £716 when traveling during these peak times, especially during the peak of July and August.
However, travel experts suggest that being flexible with departure dates can lead to significant savings. Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away UK, highlighted that there are specific days during the summer that offer better value for flights than others. By avoiding peak dates like July 22, 23, and 29, where flight prices can surge up to 40%, families can lower their overall holiday costs.
Checking school term dates for potential inset days before the official holiday period can also provide an opportunity to escape the price hikes. While many parents prefer to travel in the initial weeks of the school holidays, waiting until the last week of August can offer more budget-friendly deals as prices typically drop around August 28.
For those near the Scottish border or willing to travel to a Scottish airport, departing outside of Scotland’s summer holiday period can lead to more economical travel options. Scottish schools break up earlier in June and return mid-August, making mid to late August departures from Scottish airports more cost-effective.
By way of example, a comparison of TUI package holiday prices for a family of four at Zante Plaza Hotel & Apartments on an all-inclusive basis revealed a substantial difference in cost between traveling on July 24 and August 28. The latter option saved nearly £400 on the total holiday cost.
While opting for travel during term-time can offer lower prices, parents should be wary of potential fines. Dawn advises considering early June for a balance between good weather and affordable prices, but the cost of fines, applied per parent per child, can add up for families.
For more information or to share your travel story, contact us at webtravel@reachplc.com.
