Summer holidays 2026

The state of summer 2026

Two big shifts drive the 2026 picture. First, capacity in Turkey and Egypt is up sharply, which has pulled short-haul prices lower for families willing to fly a bit further than the Balearics. Second, the Greek islands have absorbed a wave of family demand, keeping their prices firm despite that extra capacity elsewhere.

The result: Turkey and Egypt are the value stories of the year, Greece is stable, the Balearics are 6 to 10 per cent up on peak-week pricing, and Florida is quietly the same price it was in 2024.

School holiday windows

• End of term: Friday 17 July 2026 for most English state schools; Scotland breaks up earlier, from late June.
• Peak family weeks: 25 July to 22 August. Prices sit 30 to 50 per cent above late-June rates.
• Back-to-school: most schools return Monday 31 August or Tuesday 1 September. A late-August departure with a Saturday return is the last of the peak pricing.

Where to consider

For a first family summer abroad, Majorca and the Algarve are the low-friction options: short transfers, big family portfolios, everything reachable in English. For value, look at Antalya (Turkey), Sharm (Egypt) or Kos. For older families, Croatia and Sardinia sit outside the peak-week price surge and reward exploring.

What a good August week looks like

A mid-range four-star half-board for a family of four for a week in peak August should land £2,600 to £3,800 all-in. Above £4,500 you're paying for brand or beachfront; you don't have to. Below £2,200 you're either flying midweek from a smaller airport, or the flight times are unfriendly (late arrival, early return), so read the itinerary carefully before you commit.

Practical planning

• Passports must have at least three months' validity on the return date for the Schengen zone. Renew by March if there's any doubt.
• Travel insurance is worth arranging at the point of booking, not just before departure, because it covers pre-holiday illness or job change too.
• Airport parking booked in January can be a third of the price of week-of parking. Pre-book, cancel later if plans change.

Booking rhythm for the year

January: cast wide, price three or four options, hold a deposit on the shortlist. February to April: watch for the percentage-off deals that align with your choice. May: last window for genuine August reductions. June: prices harden, availability thins. July: what's left is what's left.