- Holiday prices drop sharply with school return, with flights and accommodation falling 30-50%
- Travel companies cut rates due to lower demand from families with school-aged children
- Mediterranean and European spots keep warm weather with cheaper hotel rooms
- Peak prices lead many parents to consider term-time travel to save thousands
- Education officials warn missing school hurts attendance and learning progress
With students back at school, holiday prices have dropped sharply, with off-peak flights and accommodation frequently falling by 30% to over 50% compared to July and August rates. Travel experts highlight strong value in both Irish staycations and foreign destinations right now, along with practical tips for securing further discounts.
Travel companies cut rates because families with school-aged children are no longer booking trips, while popular Mediterranean and European spots keep warm weather while offering cheaper hotel rooms and empty beaches. Off-peak savings can turn high-priced family getaways into affordable options for adults without children or those with flexible schedules.
High peak prices lead many parents to consider taking children out of class, with surveys showing a large number of families admit to term-time travel to save thousands. Education officials warn that missing school hurts attendance records and learning progress, leading to strict attendance campaigns and fines in other jurisdictions.
August flights and package holiday prices from Dublin are significantly higher than October prices due to peak summer demand, school holidays, and warmer weather. Travelling in October—the traditional autumn “shoulder season”—offers immense savings, with flight and accommodation prices often slashing by half or more.
A comparison of estimated prices for a typical 7-night package holiday (including return flights and accommodation) from Dublin demonstrates the substantial price drop across five popular destinations:
- Algarve, Portugal: August flights to Faro frequently peak because it is one of the top five most popular routes from Dublin. By October, a week’s holiday at properties like Mirachoro Portimao or Janelas do Mar drops to around €280–€300 per person.
- Majorca, Spain: Peak summer family rushes drive August package rates to their absolute highest limits. In contrast, early October package prices for standard resorts like the BelleVue Club fall to around €320 per person.
- Corfu, Greece: Greece experiences immense summer demand. August flights alone can cost what an entire October package trip does. An autumn package to a resort like the Island Beach Resort costs around €351 per person.
- Lanzarote, Canary Islands: Because the Canaries offer year-round sun, August packages are premium tier. In October, flight-and-hotel packages drop significantly, starting from around €289 per person.
- Sorrento & Amalfi Coast, Italy: A premium August trip with a higher-end hotel routinely clears around €1,000 per person. In mid-October, you can secure return flights to Naples and a 4-star hotel stay for a combined total of around €550 per person.
