Is travelling in May half term cheaper than summer? We reveal where to go and when

Destinations with the biggest savings in May half term vs the summer holidays

1. Mauritius

Average seven-night holiday in May half term: £1,443pp

Summer average: £1,748pp

Saving: £306pp

Jet off to an Indian Ocean paradise. Mauritius leads our list of the biggest saving by travelling in May half term, offering an average saving of over £1,200 based on a family of four compared to during the summer holidays. Known for its jungle-covered interior, luxury hotels, turquoise lagoons and long stretches of sugar-white sands, it’s what holiday fantasies are made of.

2. Paphos area, Cyprus

Average seven-night holiday in May half term: £817pp

Summer average: £1,101pp

Saving: £284pp

Take the family to Cyprus in half term and save on average £1,136 based on a family of four compared to a summer stay. Base yourself in the Paphos area. While this romantic coastal city is steeped in history, you’ll also find all-inclusive resorts, family-friendly hotels and self-catering apartments lining the surrounding sun-drenched coastline.

3. Larnaca area, Cyprus

Average seven-night holiday in May half term: £872pp

Summer average: £1,111pp

Saving: £239pp

Another Cypriot hotspot, Larnaca is your destination for a laid-back beach break. This port city on the south coast also offers excellent diving, a bohemian old Turkish quarter, and for history buffs, the ruins of the 13th-century city-kingdom of Kition. It’s an average saving of just under £1,000 for a family of four in the May holidays versus the summer break.

4. Corfu, Greece

Average seven-night holiday in May half term: £816pp

Summer average: £1,000pp

Saving: £185pp

Long a family holiday favourite, Corfu’s combination of golden sands, vibrant nightlife and a rich heritage means there’s something for everyone on this Greek island. Think exploring the UNESCO-protected Old Town Kerkyra one day, hiking on the Corfu Trail another and exploring hidden coves and beaches another. You’ll save on average £740 for a family of four versus the summer peak.

5. Zante, Greece

Average seven-night holiday in May half term: £864pp

Summer average: £1,036pp

Saving: £172pp

Though a small island at just 406sqkm (157sq miles), Zante is surprisingly diverse. Aside from legendary nightlife, explore protected beaches with nesting turtles and dramatic clifftop villages. Or simply relax on powdery soft sands. It’s on average £688 cheaper for the family compared to the summer holidays.

Top 10 destinations that are cheaper in May half term vs the summer holidays

Destinations with the biggest savings in the summer holidays vs May half term

1. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

Average seven-night holiday in the summer holidays: £764pp

May half term average: £1,000pp

Saving: £236pp

Head to the summer heat of the Canary Islands. Gran Canaria offers everything that keeps families coming back to this sunny archipelago time and time again, from rolling sand dunes, forested mountains, sleepy villages and of course, excellent beaches. Save on average £944 travelling as a family of four during the summer holidays compared to May half term.

2. Sicily, Italy

Average seven-night holiday in the summer holidays: £809pp

May half term average: £973pp

Saving: £164pp

Escape to the Mediterranean’s largest island. A Sicilian break costs on average £656 less for a family of four over the summer holidays compared to the May half term. Scoff sumptuous pasta dishes, sip local wines, explore historic cities and relax on white-sand beaches.

3. Kefalonia, Greece

Average seven-night holiday in the summer holidays: £796pp

May half term average: £930pp

Saving: £134pp

Known for its relaxed feel, typical Greek landscapes of vast olive groves, dramatic beaches and crisp white villages, Kefalonia is the quintessential Greek island getaway. Head to the remote north and find yourself among few other tourists or stick to the family-friendly resorts of the south. It’s on average £536 cheaper for a family of four over the summer break compared to May’s school holidays.

4. Tenerife, Canary Islands

Average seven-night holiday in the summer holidays: £771pp

May half term average: £891pp

Saving: £120pp

For a family break in the sun, you can’t go wrong with Tenerife. From vast waterparks to a myriad of coastal hotels to suit every budget, it’s no wonder that families love it, from tiny tots to restless teens. Though not as big a saving as some of our other breaks, it still works out on average £480 cheaper to travel there over the summer break as a family of four.

5. Sardinia, Italy

Average seven-night holiday in the summer holidays: £906pp

May half term average: £1,002pp

Saving: £96pp

With more beaches per kilometre than any other part of Italy, many head to Sardinia for its ample coastline. But don’t miss out on its other charms too. From mountains to dense forests, picturesque cities and incredible wildlife – including a flamingo colony, or flamboyance if you will – there’s plenty of opportunities to get back to nature.

Top 10 destinations that are cheaper in the summer holidays vs May half term

Please note: The research analysed average prices based on clicks via TravelSupermarket on seven-night family holidays between 1 March and 22 April 2026. May half term departures covered 23–24 May with returns by 31 May; summer holiday departures covered 21 July to 24 August with returns by 31 August. Departures from airports in England and Wales only.