Parents planning summer holidays can save significant amounts by choosing the right dates, according to travel expert Dawn Morwood of Cheap Deals Away UK. She advises that while July and August are typically the most expensive months, there are specific days offering better value.
Morwood notes that the most expensive days to fly are July 22, 23, and 29, when flights can cost up to 40% more. Shifting travel by just a day or two can lead to substantial savings. She highlights that the last two weeks of August, often called the 'golden weeks', see price drops for flights and package holidays.
For example, a family of four travelling to Menorca with Jet2 departing July 25 would pay £2,679. Departing July 23 saves £279, while waiting until August 27 saves £543. Parents are advised to check school holiday dates, as some schools break up early due to inset days, allowing earlier departures before prices rise.
Families near the Scottish border can benefit from differing holiday dates; Scottish schools break up from late June to mid-August, making flights from Scottish airports cheaper later in the summer. For term-time breaks, early June offers good weather and prices, but parents face fines of £80 per parent per child for unauthorised absence.
