Can you get cheap flights in school holidays?

[Jade+3]

We usually travel off season to take advantage of the cheap fares. Next year will be our first time traveling with kids in school. We are going September, for 4 weeks, so taking the kids out of school for 2 weeks. I am not sure if we should pull them out of school for the last 2 weeks of term 3, or the last week in term 3 and the first week of term 4, or the first 2 weeks of term 4 (they will only be in Prep and Year 1, so as far as the school goes, it does not matter).

Sometimes I wish I was not such a compulsive planner and had the patience to wait for an airfare sale!

 

[aussiegirls]

Jade, I think you can get some cheap airfares around school holidays but I think there are also some tricks to it.

Generally, I have found that if you are looking to go around school holidays you will almost always be better off buying the tickets well in advance. I think also, that if you leave just before school lets out and/or just after they go back you are more likely to get a bargain too.

As for when to take them out of school, it doesn't really bother me. I just do what I want, when I want and school is some sort of vague afterthought

xxx

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I agree with Aussiegirls, booking well in advance would be the key to getting a good deal. Last year we booked in early May for our Sept trip and got a pretty good price. This year we booked in late June for Sept and there weren't as many deals to be had.

I also agree that maybe a week on either side could see you getting a better deal but the great news is that since you aren't locked into specific dates you can really play around with it to get the best deal.

 

[kylieh]

Both times we've booked we've found that prices go up a few days before the start of the holidays (with Qantas.)

Each school is different, but at end of term my DD doesn't do as much work as at the start of the new term (eg, setting up the new term's modules.)

 

[Jade+3]

Thanks for your replies, and experiences! I am thinking of doing a week either side of the holidays, then hoping for the best with the airfares! I am soooo impatient though, and want everything booked now!

 

[battymum]

Im with you Jade - wish I could book now and know I was getting the best fare -couldnt stand to see a special come out after I had booked. I will be taking my kids out 1 week pre holidays and will probably lose a couple of days of term 4 due to jetlag.
This is more of a concern for us as my DD will be in Year 10 and nobody can tell me when exams will be on, but I notice this year they were doing them both last week of term 3 and week 1 - Term 4 - Noone is even sure if there will be school certificate exams at all next year. I see it as our only chance for a big family holiday as after that is Year 11 and 12- it is not worth going for only 2 weeks and we cant go at Christmas - so she will lose time from school whatever time we go, I am just trying to minimise damage. I am even considering asking if she can Skype into the classroom as schooltime in Aus will be evening in Orlando.

 

[Travel Mum]

Battymum, it sounds like you are in a very similar situation to us. Our eldest daughter will be in Year 9 next year and I'm aware that it's only either Year 9 or Year 10 that we could consider taking her out of school. Even a week will apparently put a huge stress on her unfortunately. However, once NCEA starts in Year 11, we will be limited to travelling in the school holidays and so therefore the only time we could go for longer than 2 weeks is during January - not so desirable when that's our summer. Our 3 daughters are spaced 3 years apart so, once our eldest is finished NCEA, the next one will be starting and so on. That means next year and perhaps the one after are our last chances to travel as a family outside the school holidays!

Our school holidays have been delayed next year due to the Rugby World Cup (so stupid but don't get me started! ) so they are 8-24 October. We plan to depart 29 September (last day to check into POR to get free dining) and arrive back on 24 October. That means she will miss 7 school days before the school holidays and either 1 or 2 school days after the holidays , depending on how jet-lagged she is.

I'm dreading telling the high school as apparently they are very strict about these things. Plus it's not as though it's an educational trip. I will feel like such a naughty parent

 

[battymum]

I tried speaking with the school about it yesterday - they thought I was mad and couldnt possibly tell me their schedule for next year - although I need to know as I do have to book before Christmas if we want free dining, (probably staying offsite anyway, but they dont need to know that) DD spoke to her Year Coordinator today and he said it should be fine (well OK anyway) as she can make up the school exams just not external ones that are in November. We feel it is better missing this time than actual lesson time.
And YES any holiday is "educational"

 

[shushh]

I'm watching this thread with great interest and waiting for you guys to keep me updated! Please post prices (if you don't mind sharing) if and when you buy tickets. We are so tempted to go back to the States in Sep/Oct.