Parents issued warning over school rule that risks £160 fine if broken

With the January sales well underway, families up and down the UK are eager to take advantage of these offers when planning their next getaway.

In the past, many parents would opt to book holidays during term time and pull their children out of school for a week or two to avoid the extortionate costs of peak travel seasons.

But under recently updated legislation, parents now face increased fines for this, potentially increasing the cost of a holiday whether in term-time or not.

Since August 2024, parents who remove their children from school for five days during term time can expect a penalty fine of £160 per child, reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.

For larger families, these penalties can quickly add up, making it far less tempting to book a holiday during term-time.

Nick Drewe, a discount expert at said: “We’re living in particularly tough times financially, so term-time holiday deals have often been a lifeline for families who want to get away without breaking the bank. These new fines [increases], however, make that option much harder for many households.”

To ensure that struggling families can still enjoy a fun-filled getaway, Nick has offered a number of tips for booking an affordable holiday during the school holidays.

Look for last-minute holidays

While it may be a bit risky, Nick suggests booking holidays last minute, when airlines and travel companies will be trying to fill up their seats and rooms. He says: “It is much more cost-effective for them to make some money than no money, so most of the time, customers can take advantage of last-minute discounts.”

So if you’re flexible with dates within the school holidays then this could be a perfect way to score a low-cost holiday, although may be a bit more difficult if you have a large family or are picky about location.

Opt for all-inclusive or package holidays

“With all-inclusive holidays or flight, hotel, and transfer package deals, the majority of your expenses are grouped together, making it easy for you to save,” explains Nick, adding that if you’re lucky enough to find a last-minute all-inclusive holiday, you can save even more money.

Be open-minded about accomodation

While booking a week in a resort might sound tempting, Nick suggests being more open-minded about accommodation, pointing out that apartment hotels, bed and breakfasts, and Airbnb can allow for a much cheaper holiday.

Take advantage of reward schemes

During the last year you may have been accumulating points via reward schemes that can now be used to lower the cost of your holiday.

Nick said: “For instance, Nectar points can be spent on a number of travel-related things, from flights to supermarket holiday essentials.

“So, if you’re aiming to keep holiday costs low in the six-week holidays, take a look at your reward scheme balances, as there may be some unexpected help at hand.”

Avoid tourist hotspots

One way to book a more affordable holiday is to avoid the classic touristy hotspots, like the popular holiday destinations of Paris, Rome, or Barcelona. Instead, Nick suggests opting for smaller destinations, recommending Bologna, Granada, and Dubrovnik as places that are still beautiful but a fraction of the cost of elsewhere.

Don’t fly to your destination

Nick said: “Flights are often one of the most expensive parts of a holiday, but it’s not necessary to fly to enjoy a getaway. Holidays can be more affordable when using other transportation methods, whilst not compromising on fun.

“Ferries, campervans, and coaches can get you to a whole host of destinations on a budget, from staycations to European getaways.”

Choose affordable activities

Keep costs low while on holiday by opting against amusement parks and expensive guided tours; instead, take the time to look into free parks, museums, and walking tours.

Nick added: “Not only is this a great way to save on your travels, but it is also a great way to soak up the culture!”