Martin Lewis has revealed a two-week rule that could help holidaymakers secure 'far cheaper' flights, particularly for those living in the north of England. The consumer finance expert shared the advice on his BBC podcast, offering a range of tips for summer travel, including avoiding roaming fees and getting favourable accommodation rates.
Parent's Frustration Sparks Advice
A parent submitted a query expressing frustration at the high costs families face during the summer holidays. They admitted they were willing to withdraw their children from school and pay the penalty to avoid peak season charges. Lewis acknowledged this was a result of global market demand but offered a 'clever' workaround to secure significantly better flight rates.
'If you're in Scotland, going away before the English summer holidays start can often be a lot cheaper. If you're in England, then going away in the last couple of weeks of the English school holidays - and the Welsh school holidays are similar as well - can be far cheaper,' he explained.
Timing is Key
Lewis advised defying convention by booking later in the summer. 'People always tend to go away in the first weeks, it's much more expensive. Going away in the last weeks of the summer holidays is often much cheaper to book,' he said. He added that those in the north of England could benefit even more by flying from Scottish airports after Scottish schools have returned, further reducing costs.
Scottish schools typically break up in late June and resume in mid-August, while English schools finish in late July and return in early September. Exact dates vary, so checking with local councils is recommended.
Practical Considerations
For northern English residents, booking flights from Scottish airports like Edinburgh or Glasgow during the last two weeks of August could yield cheaper deals. However, Lewis noted that additional travel costs to reach these airports must be factored in.
Lewis also highlighted that not everyone can afford an overseas holiday. He revealed that in a previous poll, 30 to 40 per cent of his followers said they choose not to travel abroad for holidays.
