October half term holidays

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Thousands of holidays

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ATOL-protected holidays

Book your getaway with confidence

Part of MoneySuperMarket

Saving you money for more than 20 years

Compare and save

Save an average of £350 per holiday

We compare millions of holidays from the UK’s leading travel companies

Compare the best October half term holidays

There's an autumn chill in the air, Christmas is getting closer and the shops are already packed with festive goods. Taking a break at October half term is the last chance many will have for a holiday in 2026. Where will you escape to?

Below we've highlighted the main shutdown periods for schools in major cities. However, do check with your child's school or local education authority for exact dates as they can vary dramatically, even within the same area.

Location	Break up	Return
London	23 October	2 November
Bristol	23 October	2 November
Birmingham	23 October	2 November
Manchester	23 October	2 November
Newcastle	23 October	2 November
Cardiff	23 October	2 November
Edinburgh	9 October	20 October
Glasgow	9 October	20 October
Belfast	23 October	2 November

Cheap October half term holiday deals

Blaumar Hotel

4.6

Excellent

Salou, Costa Dorada, Spain

24 Oct 2026
7 nights
Half board
From Edinburgh

Prices from

£339 pp

Checkin Catalonia

3.9

Good

Calella, Costa Brava, Spain

27 Oct 2026
4 nights
Half board
From Bristol

Prices from

£309 pp

Hotel Bernat II

4.3

Very Good

Calella, Costa Brava, Spain

27 Oct 2026
4 nights
Room only
From Bristol

Prices from

£309 pp

Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

Where to go in October during half term?

Getting it right in October can be tricky, but we've rounded up some sure-fire winners for a successful break. October half term is a great time to recharge those batteries ahead of the long winter months - whether you crave sunshine or want to feed your mind and soul.

Many people will opt for some early winter sun at this time of year, trips to the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, Florida and the Red Sea in Egypt are all firm favourites. For those looking to keep costs down, the Spanish Costas, including the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca with perennial favourite Benidorm, are hugely popular and won't break the bank.

Majorca is also a good bet, along with more exotic options such as Morocco. Cyprus is still warm, as are some of the Turkish resorts and Crete in the Greek islands. Malta is also a good option at this time of year while the Algarve in southern Portugal will also give you a well-deserved break without busting your wallet. Just check the temperatures for the resort you plan to travel to.

Another great idea is a city break. Europe's capital cities offer a fantastic short break option for families, as well as people travelling without children. Paris, Berlin and Rome are just a starting point.

Alternatively, head to one of the UK's big cities such as London, Manchester or Edinburgh for sightseeing, shopping and entertainment; book a country cottage to see the countryside in autumnal splendour, or check into a UK holiday park for some family fun.