October half-term bookings up 8% as last-minute bookings soar

• October half-term booked sales up 8% compared with 2025, as families continue to prioritise an autumn break
• Spain and its islands lead short- and mid-haul demand, followed by Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Italy, with Tenerife, Alicante and Mallorca among the standout destinations
• The United States, Japan, Singapore, the Maldives and the UAE are the top long-haul countries, with New York, Orlando, Tokyo and Dubai leading the way
  

• All Inclusive leads with a 33% share of bookings, followed by Half Board at 24%
• Seven nights remains the most popular duration at 36% of bookings, with four-night stays the next largest share as demand for shorter breaks grows
• A third of bookings made more than six months ahead, while 35% were made within 60 days of departure and 15% within just 30 days
  

October half-term holiday bookings are up 8% compared with 2025, with Spain, Turkey and Greece leading short-haul demand and the United States and Japan topping the long-haul charts, according to new figures from the UK’s largest network of independently owned travel businesses, Advantage Travel Partnership.

The figures, drawn from bookings made across Advantage’s network of independent travel agents, show that the October half-term has become a key fixture in the family holiday calendar, with holidaymakers seeking guaranteed sunshine closer to home as well as long-haul adventures further afield.

Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership and Founder of UK Outbound Travel Group, said: “October is increasingly becoming a popular month to get away as Brits work out that you get the sunshine without the scorching heat, the queues or the peak-season prices. There’s something really special about grabbing some final rays of sunshine before winter sets in, and a break in October gives people the best of both worlds: warm days, quiet beaches and a far more relaxed pace than the summer rush.

A third of customers locked in their half-term holiday more than six months in advance, while a similar proportion booked within the last two months. That shows the value of a travel agent who can support customers whether they are planning well ahead or looking for the best available option at short notice.

It also reinforces why we have been calling for a more flexible approach to school holidays. Demand for October half-term shows that families want to travel outside the traditional summer peak, and redistributing some of the summer break into October and February would give them more opportunity to do so.”

SHORT HAUL

Spain leads the way

Spain and its islands are the most popular short- and mid-haul choice for October half-term, followed by Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Italy.

Within Spain, Tenerife, Alicante and Mallorca feature prominently, with Tenerife’s year-round warmth making it a perennial autumn favourite. In Turkey, Antalya and Dalaman are leading bookings, while Crete and Rhodes are the most popular Greek destinations as families look to extend their summer into October by going as far south as possible. The return to form for these destinations, which struggled at the start of the year due to the war in the Middle East, suggests that travellers are growing in confidence.

LONG HAUL

USA, Japan and Singapore

The United States is the most popular long-haul destination for October half-term, followed by Japan, Singapore, the Maldives and the UAE.

New York and Orlando lead US bookings, combining city breaks and theme park holidays, while Tokyo leads bookings to Japan and Dubai leads demand for the UAE, which has picked up significantly since the summer. This is likely due to that fact that since June, the UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) has removed its recommendation against “all but essential travel” to the UAE and has not introduced any new travel recommendations, alongside guaranteed sunshine.

Shorter breaks the most popular

Seven nights remains the most popular holiday length, accounting for 36% of bookings. However, four-night stays make up the next largest share, highlighting strong demand for shorter breaks that fit around the half-term week alongside traditional week-long holidays. With many parents running out of annual leave to spend for the rest of the year, this would explain the shortened nature of getaways.

All-inclusives rule the roost in value economy

All-inclusive continues to lead the way with 33% of bookings, followed by half-board at 24%. Such popularity of all-inclusive and half-board holidays suggests that travellers are increasingly prioritising financial certainty, convenience and overall value when booking their trips. By paying more upfront, holidaymakers can better manage their budgets and reduce the risk of unexpected expenses while away. The trend also points to growing demand for hassle-free experiences, with consumers keen to spend less time worrying about the cost of meals and more time enjoying their holidays.

Early planners and last-minute bookers

October half-term booking patterns show a clear mix of early planning and late demand. 33% of bookings were made more than 180 days before departure, while 35% were made within 60 days.

Within that late booking window, 15% of all bookings were made just 30 days before departure, showing that many holidaymakers are still waiting until the last minute to commit.

John Sullivan, Commercial Director at Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “We’re seeing two distinct types of half-term customer. There are those who book early to secure the right flights, accommodation and price for a busy school holiday week, and those who wait to see how their budget, plans or the weather shape up before booking.

For anyone who hasn’t yet booked, there is still time. Independent travel agents can help customers find availability and value, even at short notice.”