Our guide to kids-go-free holidays
Many UK holiday companies advertise free child places – but are they all they're cracked up to be? We spill the beans.
Free child places: a great deal or just clever marketing?
Free child places are a brilliant way to save money on family holidays, especially with travel costs rising.
But they can be tricky to find during school holidays, and some deals come with sneaky terms and conditions that might catch you out. Some companies charge cancellation fees, while others require hefty deposits even for "free" places.
It’s also worth checking prices with online travel agents (OTAs) like Loveholidays and On the Beach. They don’t offer free child places, but their deals can sometimes work out cheaper anyway.
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What are free child place holidays?
Most travel companies that offer free child places include flights, accommodation, and the same board basis as the paying adults. Transfers are usually included too, unless it’s a city break.
But there are a few things to keep in mind:
The age limit for a "child" varies by company, but ultimately it depends on the specific hotel. Some properties define a child as under 12, others up to 16 or even 17
Most holiday companies require two full-paying adults to get a free child place, but some (like TUI and Jet2) allow a free child when travelling with two full-paying passengers. This means a single parent with two children could still benefit
Who are free child place holidays good for?
Any family can save with free child places, but the biggest winners are couples with one child. They essentially pay the same price as a couple travelling without kids.
Larger families can benefit too, but there’s a catch. Many will need bigger rooms, such as suites or interconnecting rooms, which can be more expensive than a standard room.
Some hotels may offer free places for more than one child. Such deals are rare, but it's worth looking out for them if you're a larger family.
What to be aware of with free child place holidays?
While free child places sound great, they often come with strings attached. Here are some key things to check:
Jet2holidays charges an additional £60 fee if you cancel a holiday with a free child place
Mark Warner requires a £200 deposit for a free child place, which is non-refundable if you cancel (but will be deducted from the final balance)
TUI & Jet2holidays assign the free place to the youngest child if you’re travelling with more than one
Some hotels charge for additional extras like kids’ clubs, meaning the “free” place might not be completely free
Are free child places available during school holidays
There’s a common belief that free child places aren’t available during school holidays, but that’s not true.
Most major travel companies offer them for peak travel dates – the problem is they sell out quickly. If you’re planning a trip during the school holidays, it’s best to book early to snap up the best deals.
What holiday companies offer free child places?
Here’s a breakdown of which UK travel companies offer free child places and what’s included:
| easyJet Holidays | One child per two adults, includes flights, 23kg luggage, accommodation |
| TUI | One child per two full-paying passengers (not necessarily adults), includes flights, transfers, accommodation |
| Jet2holidays | One child per two full-paying passengers, villa bookings can get multiple free places |
| Hays Travel | One child per two full-paying adults staying in the same room as the child, ages 2–12 |
| Travel Republic | One child per two adults, ages 2–16 (varies by hotel) |
| First Choice | One child per two full-paying adults, most deals for under 12s but some up to 15 |
| Mark Warner | One child per two full-paying adults, ages 2–11, £200 deposit required |
Why you should always price check free child place holidays
Free child places aren’t always the cheapest option. Online travel agents (OTAs) like Loveholidays and On the Beach don’t offer free child places, but they may have lower base prices.
If you’re booking a holiday, compare the cost of a free child place deal with OTA prices before committing.
When is the best time to book free child place holidays
The best time to grab a free child place is as early as possible, as availability is limited. But travel companies sometimes release extra free child places throughout the year, especially during sales.
A good trick is to sign up for email alerts from your favourite travel companies. That way, you’ll be the first to know when new free child places are added.
