The most budget-friendly last minute half term holiday ideas

October half term is fast approaching, and for many families that means scrambling to find a budget-friendly getaway. Prices for package holidays tend to soar during school breaks, sometimes doubling compared to off-peak weeks.

But there are deals to be had if you look around. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the cheapest last minute half term holiday ideas so you can get away with the kids without breaking the bank.

Go camping and make memories outdoors – from £90

Camping can be one of the cheapest ways to get away – if you already have the gear.

The National Trust offers plenty of camping sites with toilet and shower facilities, and even electric hook ups in some cases. Prices for a three-night pitch start from £90 during half term.

If you’re new to camping, consider borrowing equipment or checking local Facebook groups for second-hand gear.

This time of year, it’s worth keeping an eye on the weather before making plans. But if it’s looking like a dry half term, why not head into nature? Campgrounds are located all over the UK, with rolling hills, wildlife trails, and castle ruins to explore.

Go on a city trip and stay in a budget hotel chain – from £250

A city trip is a great way to explore a new place and see nearby attractions. Look out for free or discounted museum entries for kids, and Kids Eat Free offers.

Budget hotel chains like Travelodge and the Premier Inn often don’t show up on booking sites, so you’ll have to go direct for the best deals.

Travelodge and Premier Inn start from £250 for a three-night mid-week stay for a family of four including breakfast. Up to two kids eat free breakfast at the Premier Inn as long as at least one parent buys breakfast.

Cities we looked at to get these prices included York, Manchester, and Liverpool. If you explore other cities, you might be able to find even cheaper deals.

Take the ferry and go on a caravan holiday abroad – from £400

Going abroad might seem out of reach, but there are plenty of caravan holidays abroad during half term.

Here’s what you can expect to pay at some of the more popular caravan parks:

• a five-night holiday in a Eurocamp caravan location is likely to set you back around £200 for a family of four
• options like Huttopia offer wood cabin accommodation but tend to be slightly pricier with costs from £300
• Yelloh caravan holidays also cost closer to £300, but many come with newer facilities

Depending on how far you’re willing to drive, you could visit countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and even Italy.

For some of the cheaper options, the accommodation on offer is fairly basic, but many of the parks come with facilities like:

• indoor swimming pools
• basketball and football pitches
• kids’ clubs
• on-site restaurants

Some even have free Spa facilities. Plus, they’re generally located within driving distance of nearby attractions.

Ferry costs vary, but you can find return options in the region of £200 for one car with four passengers.

All in all, between your ferry cost and accommodation, a five-night caravan holiday in Europe during half term can cost around £400 plus whatever you spend on fuel and food.

Save on the cost of accommodation and take day trips instead - from £0

If splurging hundreds of pounds on a family holiday simply isn’t in the budget right now, you can still get that holiday feeling by taking day trips instead.

Whether you live within a couple hours' drive of a popular city or a National Park, planning a day trip can be a great way to change your surroundings without splurging on hotels.

If the weather permits, a hiking trip with a packed picnic is about as low-cost as it gets – you'll just have to cover the cost of fuel and parking if you’re driving.

Driving is a great option if you have a car, but train travel can be surprisingly affordable if you’re travelling with kids as they can qualify for discounted or free tickets.

Children under 5 generally travel free, while those aged 5 to 15 usually get a 50% discount on tickets. Some railcards offer great discounts for the whole family too; check out the Family & Friends Railcard where children get a 60% discount while adults qualify for a third off the price of a ticket.

Visit friends and family (and return the favour next time) - from £0

If you’re keen to get away for a couple of days but don’t have the budget for a hotel, why not visit friends or family who live further afield? It’s a chance to explore somewhere new and enjoy some quality time together.

Of course, this arrangement only works if they have the time and space to host you. But, it’s worth asking and maybe coming up with a reciprocal arrangement where they visit you next time there’s a holiday.