Is it always more expensive in the school holidays?

[meryll83]

Just wondering if prices always go up in the school holidays (be it easter / summer / whenever) or has anyone managed to get good deals?

We normally travel at off peak times, but if we go with dbf's parents, they both work in schools, so we may be restricted to the school holidays.

 

[carolfoy]

best value in school holidays is absolute last minute, easter rarely has bargains as its only a two week break and not all charters fly during march and april anyway so august is a better bet, but be prepared to leave for the airport tomorrow!
October half term used to be reasonable but more and more operators sre catching on to the fact that october is undoubtedly the best time to go.

realistically, better to book way in advance or try and use frequent flyer miles

 

[wayneg]

Generally package deals are more expensive in School hols but booking things seperate and spending LOTS of time searching the deals are there for all school hols. Also willing to put yourself out eg indirect or offsite(which we prefer)
2 examples we have done this past 12 months for 3 adults.

last August for 25 nights BMI flights, 4 star courtyard by Mariott, Full size car, platinum insurance, 4 night Royal caribbean cruise £2,589 (£863 each)

This Easter 14 nights Virgin flights (used Points) Same car and Ins. have a choice of hotels but cant decide all are under £30/night £1,571 max(£523each)

Priced up packages and the were both almost double these prices.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Our next booking is for March 2008 with Virgin.
By going the day before the Easter price-hike we are paying £499 instead of £799, 20 nights.

 

[Pootle]

Our next booking is for March 2008 with Virgin.
By going the day before the Easter price-hike we are paying £499 instead of £799, 20 nights.

Good to see you around these boards again Johnny

Sounds like you got a good deal for next year too. Will it be a villa? Fingers crossed Joshua will be happier with the whole experience next time - the less hot/humid weather will help I'm sure.

 

[Ralpher]

I booked all ours independantly and will be there for part of the Easter holidays below are our prices for March/April this year. Booked approx JUne last year.

Flights just short of £2,000 -VA
Villa £1,654 (18 nights) - Private found on Internet Sleeps 8 with Pool
Car hire and insurance we will pay on arrival approx £370 inc insurance -n Villa owners are arranging this for us and collecting us from the airport

Total £4024.00 for Family 4 for 18 days (1,006.00 per person 2 ad 2 ch)

However, thats just getting there we also have paid over £1,000 in attraction tickets.....lets hope we have good weather and get our money worth!

 

[wayneg]

Total £4024.00 for Family 4 for 18 days (506.00 per person 2 ad 2 ch)

:

should it be £1,006pp hope the weather is good we go the 7th April

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Good to see you around these boards again Johnny

Sounds like you got a good deal for next year too. Will it be a villa? Fingers crossed Joshua will be happier with the whole experience next time - the less hot/humid weather will help I'm sure.

Hi Moira,

Haven't thought about where we are staying yet, probably a villa and a few days away from Orlando too.
The cooler weather will hopefully mean Joshua can have a good time, which wasn't the case last August.

 

[Ralpher]

should it be £1,006pp hope the weather is good we go the 7th April

Whoops thought that sounded good... LOL sorry!