How to save money on family holidays
We all know family holidays don’t come cheap – especially when you’re locked into school-holiday dates. But there are still plenty of ways to make your money go further. Whether you’re a last-minute deal hunter or a super-organised planner who books a year in advance, here’s how to save money on family holidays without cutting corners on fun.
When's the best time to book a family holiday?
There’s no single “best” time, but there are some windows that regularly deliver great discounts. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the January sales are the big ones. Tour operators and airlines use them to shift huge numbers of seats and hotel rooms, often with discounts that cover a wide range of dates.
Booking during these sales means you can secure the exact hotel, destination and room type you want – ideal for families who need space or specific sleeping arrangements. You’ll also find that many travel companies now let you spread the cost over several months with 0% interest payment plans, which makes it easier to budget.
Just keep in mind that early-bird sales don’t always have the absolute rock-bottom prices you might see last-minute. Tour operators often “baseload” their prices when flights and rooms first go on sale, meaning they set them at a sensible starting point rather than a huge discount. Still, for peace of mind and maximum choice, booking early often wins.
Is it better to book at the last minute for the cheapest price?
Sometimes – but not always. It depends on the travel company you book with.
Companies like TUI and Jet2holidays own their own aircraft and have already committed to blocks of hotel rooms (or even own the hotels sometimes). For them, selling a last-minute holiday at a lower price is still better than leaving it unsold, so they’ll often drop prices to fill seats and beds close to departure.
Online travel agents (or OTAs) such as On the Beach or Love Holidays work differently. They don’t actually own the hotel or the flight seats – they package them together from different suppliers – so they don’t take the same risk if something goes unsold. That means last-minute bargains are less common.
If you’re flexible and not too fussy about destination or room type, you can still find cracking last-minute deals. But if you’ve got a specific hotel, date or location in mind (and kids in tow), it can be a bit of a gamble.
Does it pay off to travel mid-week?
Usually, yes. Saturday and Sunday flights tend to be pricier, simply because they’re in higher demand. Travelling on a Saturday or a Sunday means using up less annual leave – if you travel on weekend days, you only need to take five days off for a week of holiday, but you’ll need six if you travel on a weekday. If you can fly mid-week, you’ll often pay less.
The catch? Many school holidays are only a week long, so if you want a full week off, you’ll need to travel on the first weekend of that holiday.
You could still fly mid-week and take a shorter break. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. A four- or five-night break is easier on the wallet and sometimes all you need to recharge, so it’s worth balancing the savings against the shorter stay.
Are longer holidays better value?
It sounds backwards, but in many cases, yes. While a longer holiday costs more overall, the price per night can actually work out cheaper.
That’s because the flight cost is fixed – you pay the same for your plane ticket whether you’re staying four nights or fourteen. Spread that flight cost over more nights, and your “per night” rate drops.
Of course, accommodation and meals still add up, so your total spend will be higher – but you’ll be getting more time away for the money you spend.
Are all-inclusive holidays better value?
It depends on your family and your holiday style. Before booking, compare the prices of self-catering, bed and breakfast, half board, full board and all-inclusive options for the same hotel.
If you enjoy a glass of wine with dinner and the kids like an afternoon ice cream, all-inclusive stays can make sense. You’ll know your total cost upfront, and can relax without worrying about the bill every time you order a drink.
That said, if you’re happy cooking and don’t mind a bit of washing up, self-catering is often cheaper overall – especially if you shop locally. Just remember it’s not exactly a break from domestic chores.
Are short-term rentals like Airbnb cheaper for families?
A few years ago, the answer would have been a definite yes. But prices on sites like Airbnb and VRBO have risen sharply, and the extra cleaning and service fees can really add up. Plus, you won’t get daily housekeeping or fresh towels like you do in hotels.
That said, self-catering apartments and villas still often work out cheaper, and have plenty of perks for families. You’ll get separate bedrooms, a kitchen and a living space – perfect for putting the kids to bed and still enjoying a glass of wine without whispering in the dark.
And while they are fewer than in the past, there are still great deals out there on Airbnb and similar platforms, but you’ll need to search carefully and factor in all those extra charges before hitting “book”.
Are package holidays or DIY holidays cheaper?
A DIY holiday means booking the pieces yourself – flights, hotel, transfers or car hire. It can work out cheaper and gives you more control. For example, TUI and Jet2 include 23kg of checked luggage in their packages. If you’re a light packer and book flights separately, you could skip the baggage cost and save money.
On the other hand, package holidays are ATOL protected, which means you’re financially covered if your airline or travel company goes bust. With DIY holidays, you don’t get that protection, so you’d need good travel insurance to cover potential losses.
It’s always worth doing the maths both ways before you book – sometimes the package wins, sometimes DIY does.
Tips for families to save money
Do your homework – check multiple websites and compare DIY vs package prices
Compare room types – adjoining rooms or family suites might actually cost less per person
Use reward credit cards – like the BA Amex for Avios points, though school-holiday flights are limited
Look at alternative destinations – places like Tunisia or Albania can be fantastic value compared to the Greek islands
Pack light – checked bags are expensive, and kids don’t need as much as you think
Sign up for newsletters – airlines, hotel chains and (of course) Family Holiday Deals often share offers
Use fare-finder tools – easyJet and Ryanair both have great “low fare” calendars
Book flights early – unlike tour operators, budget airlines often start with their lowest prices and raise them as seats sell. Read our guide on low-cost airline seat releases for more information
Check out kids-go-free holidays – some companies offer free child places on selected packages. Read our guide to kids-go-free holidays for more information
Compare transfers vs car hire – for a family of four, hiring a car can sometimes be cheaper than four return coach transfers
Use 0% payment plans – spreading the cost makes big trips more manageable
Find the destinations entering their shoulder season during each school holiday – this is the period just before or after peak season. For example, the Balearics are in their shoulder season during October half-term, and while prices are still high, they are much lower than in summer.
For inspiration, check out our guides to the best destinations for:
And one final tip: don’t overspend. The best holiday is one you can actually relax on – not one that leaves you worrying about your next credit-card bill. Set a realistic budget, find the best deal you can, and enjoy every minute of it.
