February half term
Usually mid-to-late February
Winter at home; peak dry season in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and South East Asia.
- Canary Islands
- Caribbean
- Maldives
- Dubai
- Cape Verde
- Lapland and ski
Travelling in the school holidays means fixed dates and high demand, so the win comes from choosing the right destination for the window rather than hunting for a cheap week that does not exist. Term dates are set by local councils and by academies individually, and Scotland and Northern Ireland run to a different summer, so treat the timings below as the usual pattern and confirm with your own school before you book.
The windows
Where to go, holiday by holiday
Easter
Around two weeks over Easter
Spring warmth around the Mediterranean; still dry season long haul.
- Southern Spain
- Canaries
- Cyprus
- Morocco
- Dubai
- Florida
Late May half term
A week at the end of May
The Mediterranean is warming up and quieter than July, with cheaper rates.
- Greek Islands
- Majorca
- Turkey
- Portugal
- Sardinia
Summer holidays
Roughly late July to early September in England and Wales; earlier in Scotland
Peak Mediterranean heat and peak pricing. Long haul is mixed — good for the USA, wet season in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean.
- Greece
- Spain and the Balearics
- Turkey
- Italy
- Croatia
- USA
October half term
Usually the last week of October
Still warm in the eastern Mediterranean, and the Canaries, Egypt and Dubai come back into their best months.
- Canary Islands
- Cyprus
- Egypt
- Dubai
- Madeira
- Florida
Christmas and New Year
Around two weeks from late December
Peak season for winter sun and for ski, with minimum stays common.
- Caribbean
- Maldives
- Dubai
- Thailand
- Lapland
- Alps
Save money
Five things that actually cut the price
- ✓Check your own school's dates before you price anything — academies often differ from the council calendar.
- ✓The middle Saturday of a break is usually the most expensive departure of the whole window.
- ✓Scottish summer dates open up mid-August value that English families cannot use, and vice versa.
- ✓Family rooms and interconnecting rooms sell out long before standard rooms in peak weeks.
- ✓Booking a package with flights gives you ATOL protection — worth having for school-holiday money.
Common questions
School holiday travel FAQs
When are the UK school holidays?
Term dates are set locally, so they vary. In England and Wales expect a half term in mid-to-late February, around two weeks at Easter, a week at the end of May, roughly six weeks from late July, a week in late October and about two weeks at Christmas. Scotland breaks earlier in the summer, usually from late June to mid-August, and Northern Ireland's summer break typically runs from the start of July. Academies and independent schools set their own dates, so always check with your school before booking.
Where is hot in February half term?
For guaranteed warmth on a short flight, the Canary Islands are the strongest choice, with daytime temperatures usually in the low twenties. For genuine beach heat you need long haul: the Caribbean, Mexico, Cape Verde, the Maldives, Dubai and Thailand are all in prime season in February.
Where should we go at Easter?
Easter sits in a good window for southern Spain, the Canaries, Cyprus, Morocco and Dubai, and it is still dry season in the Caribbean and the Maldives. Greece and Turkey are pleasant but the sea is still cold for swimming.
How can we save money in the school holidays?
Book early for peak weeks, travel at the start or the end of the break rather than the middle, use a regional airport, and be flexible on the day you fly — midweek departures are often cheaper than Saturdays. Where your school allows an inset day, travelling a day either side of the rush can make a real difference.
Planning a family holiday?
See our family holidays and all inclusive comparison, or send us your dates and we will price the options.