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Save cash on your half term holiday by flying further afield

Cherry Reynard
Written By:
Cherry Reynard
Posted:
Updated:
13/02/2019

Looking further afield could save you cash next half term, with trips to Abu Dhabi or Dubai or Orlando cheaper than family favourites Menorca, Rhodes or Turkey.

TravelSupermarket looked at over 25 holiday providers and found it is 28% more expensive to take the family from the North West on a 3* package holiday to Menorca than a 4* holiday to Abu Dhabi, in spite of the extra distance. It also beat a 3* holiday to Rhodes (£444p) or to Turkey (from £426pp) on price. A family of four can also get to Orlando for just £92 more than a holiday to Menorca.

Holidays from the South East show similar patterns. It’s cheaper for a family of four to travel to Orlando than Turkey, 18% cheaper than to Rhodes and 10% cheaper than to Menorca. At the same time, petrol is cheaper in the US, which cuts the cost of travel.

Similar savings can be made on 5* holidays. For example, Newcastle airport to Rhodes at May half term will cost £648pp for seven nights 5* half board at the Afandou Bay Resort Suites in Afantou. A 5* half board package holiday to Abu Dhabi costs just £609pp at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal.

Emma Coulthurst, travel commentator from TravelSupermarket says; “It is possible for families to go miles further for less money. At popular, high demand times such as May half term, it is really worth shopping around and comparing short- and long-haul package holiday prices to see how much more you can get for your money further afield. You may be surprised at the savings you can actually make by travelling further.

“People automatically think of short haul destinations for May and expect them to be the most affordable option. But, these comparisons show that this isn’t always the case. There are some great mid- and long-haul options in May. May half term is also a great time for a family to go to many long haul destinations. Orlando isn’t too hot (21 to 31 degrees), has minimal rain and there are less crowds as it a shoulder month. Same for the U.A.E. which also offers a lot for families, from desert safaris and camel rides to theme parks like Ferrari World and culture such as the Louvre in Abu Dhabi”.

Example mid- and long- haul savings compared with a Western Med seven night holiday in Menorca, Rhodes or Turkey (Dalaman) for May Half term 2019:

Savings based on six/seven nights’ 3* room only, self-catering or B&B (whichever is cheapest) for a family of four with school age children departing Sat 25 or Sun 26 May (whichever is cheapest) during May half term 2019 and returning by Sun 2 June 2019. May half term dates 2019 are Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June.

 

Destination Menorca Rhodes  Turkey (via Dalaman airport) Abu Dhabi Dubai Orlando
North West (Manchester or Liverpool) May half term £503pp (3*) £444pp (3*) £426pp (3*) £393pp (4*) £399pp (4*) £525.45pp (3*)
South East May half term £404pp  (3*) £444pp (3*) £466pp (3*) £458pp (4*) £394pp (3*) £363pp (3*)