I'm a travel expert - here's how to save £800 on last-minute half-term flights

Daily Mail​

22-05-2025

The school bell rings on the latest term tomorrow for much of the UK - and if you're still hankering after a last-gasp deal to the sun, it's not too late says one holiday expert.
Michael Ryan, owner and CRO of marketing brand Ink Digital, says there's still opportunities for low-cost flights despite the late hour, and has a handful of hacks that he says can help tourists save up to £800 on flights.
Typically, heading abroad in the school holidays is the most expensive time to travel, with families seeing a price surge of around 50 per cent if they want to get away at the height of peak season.
For example, a flight from Heathrow to popular Spanish holiday isle Menorca costs £599 for a family of four for a week but prices soar to £1,112 next week.
Says Ryan: 'Airlines simply charge what parents will pay out of desperation but families can still use clever tricks to find any remaining deals for half-term... or plan ahead for summer.'
The Department for Education (DfE) data revealed 487,344 fines were issued in 2023-24 - up 22 per cent on 398,796 penalty notices in the year before.
The vast majority (91%) of fines issued in 2023-24 were for unauthorised holidays.
In September, school absence fines in England rose from £60 to £80. A parent who is fined a second time for the same child within a three-year period will now receive a £160 fine.
The former Conservative government announced these hikes in February last year as part of a drive to boost post-pandemic school attendances.
It's controversial but Ryan claims some people actually factor in fines, saying: 'With penalties starting at £80 per child, many families calculate they still save money by travelling during term time.'
So, how do you stay within designated school holidays without paying a fortune, particularly at the eleventh hour?
Grab a mid-week discount
The travel expert says look to Tuesday to escape: 'The savings when flying Tuesday to Thursday rather than at weekends can be substantial.
'Our data shows midweek flights can cost half as much as weekend departures even during school holidays,'
Ryan adds. 'A family of four might save £600-£800 just by shifting travel days.'
He adds that booking Monday to Friday holidays instead of popular Saturday departures can often halve the cost, while still giving children a full school holiday experience.
Don't follow the sun
Another tip? Avoid classic Med destinations and head east because 'Eastern European destinations offer great value compared to traditional hotspots.'
Says our expert: 'Cities like Prague, Budapest and Krakow provide cultural experiences at lower prices than western Europe. Flight costs to these destinations rise much less during school holidays.'
Don't fly from your usual airport
'Flying from a less convenient airport can slash costs. A family willing to drive an extra hour might save hundreds of pounds,' Ryan says.
'Check all airports within reasonable distance of your home.'
And take early or late flights, he adds: 'The first flights of the day or last departures often have the lowest fares, even during peak periods.
'A 6am departure might mean an early start but can save a family £300-£400 on the total fare.'
Book separate legs
Don't assume you have to leave and fly back to the same airport, particularly if you're not taking the car and have good bus and train links.
Says Ryan: 'Sometimes booking outbound and return flights separately with different airlines works out cheaper. This takes more time but can bring about big savings.'