School holidays often bring excitement… and sky-high flight prices. But with the right strategies, you can score cheap family flights, even during peak seasons. Whether planning a summer getaway, winter vacation, or spring break escape, these tips will help you save big on flights during school holidays.
Why Flights Are So Expensive During School Holidays
Airfare prices rise when demand is high, and school breaks are prime travel time for families. Airlines know this. But don’t worry! With early planning, flexible thinking, and smart tools, you can still find cheap flights for your family.
Book Flights Early—But Not Too Early
- Best time to book: 1–3 months in advance for domestic trips, 2–6 months in advance for international trips
- Set alerts with sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper
- Monitor prices and book when you see a dip
👉 Pro tip: Tuesday or Wednesday flights are usually cheaper than weekends!
Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
If your school break allows a window of flexibility, try:
- Flying mid-week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often cheaper)
- Leaving early morning or late at night
- Returning a day before or after the holiday peak
A single day’s difference can save you hundreds.
Use Fare Comparison Tools & Flight Deal Alerts
Let tech do the work for you:
- Skyscanner (great for “cheapest month” searches)
- Google Flights (powerful map & date tools)
- Momondo, Hopper, Kayak
- Airfarewatchdog for flight deals and mistake fares
Set up price alerts and be ready to grab a good deal when it pops up.
Try Nearby Airports
Sometimes flying out of a neighboring city or into a secondary airport can cut costs significantly.
Examples:
- Instead of LAX, try Burbank or Long Beach
- For NYC, check Newark (EWR) or LaGuardia (LGA)
It may mean a longer drive, but big savings.
Search for One Ticket at a Time
When searching for multiple seats, airlines often charge all passengers the highest fare in the group.
Solution:
- Search for one ticket at a time
- Book separately if it reduces the overall cost
You’ll be seated together anyway—just confirm during check-in.
Use Points, Miles, and Rewards
If you’ve been collecting:
- Airline miles (Delta, United, Southwest, etc.)
- Credit card travel rewards (Chase Sapphire, Amex, Capital One)
School holidays are the perfect time to cash in. You can often fly for free (just pay taxes/fees).
Don’t Forget Budget Airlines
Low-cost carriers like:
- Spirit
- Frontier
- JetBlue
- EasyJet (in Europe)
- Scoot or AirAsia (in Asia)
…often have special promotions during school breaks. Just watch for baggage fees and extra charges.
Book Round Trip + Hotel Packages
Sometimes bundled travel deals (flight + hotel) are cheaper than flights alone. Check:
- Expedia
- Travelocity
- Priceline
- Costco Travel (if you’re a member)
You might get extra perks like free breakfast, airport transfers, or kids-stay-free deals.
Final Thoughts: Travel Smart, Save Big
Finding cheap family flights during school holidays is possible; it just takes strategy. Book early, stay flexible, and use the right tools. Your dream vacation doesn’t have to drain your wallet. ✈️💰
🔁 Quick Recap:
✅ Book smart — not too early, not too late
✅ Be flexible with travel days
✅ Use flight comparison tools
✅ Check nearby airports
✅ Redeem miles & credit card points
✅ Consider budget airlines
✅ Look for package deals
