SUMMER holidays in Europe are now so pricey that it’s cheaper to travel to Mauritius.
The rising cost of short haul breaks in peak season means that they now match bucket list destinations in price.
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Analysis of bookings by Hays Travel – the high street travel agent giant – has found big changes when it comes to holidaying in 2025 with Brits being tempted to travel further afield during the summer holidays.
Their research found that a seven-night stay in Rhodes at an all-inclusive property for a family of three in July 2025 was priced at £5,698.
In comparison, a similar stay in the paradise island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean for a family of three in July cost £5,359.
Dame Irene Hays, boss of Hays Travel, revealed long haul destinations that Brits think are out of reach are now comparable price-wise with short-haul breaks.
Read More on Summer Holidays
It’s also never been easier to get to Mauritius from the UK with direct flights with an average time of just under twelve hours.
Called “price erosion”, Hays Travel owner Dame Irene Hays explained that with the price difference between short and long-haul holidays narrowing, families are travelling to destinations further away.
Bookings taken at Hays Travel’s 500 high street branches since the start of the year indicated cruise-based holidays are becoming more popular because they’re catering for families.
Hays also discovered that the number of parents taking their children out of school to go on holiday during term time is growing.
Dame Irene added: “From where we are sitting there are some fundamental changes in the way that our customers are booking holidays.
“It is true that significantly more parents today will be taking their children out of school than they have ever done before to book in off peak months.”
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Parents are more willing to pay a fine because booking a holiday during the summer holidays can double the price.
At the moment, parents can face fines if their children miss five or more days at school without the headteacher’s permission.
For a first offence of unauthorised school absence, a penalty notice (fine) is £80 if paid within 21 days.
If not paid before 21 days, the penalty notice rises to £160.
Following that, a second offence within a 3-year period results in an immediate £160 fine.
Travel blogger Helen Wright last year told Sun Travel she would continue to take her two young children out of school for holidays.
She had previously been given a fine, but was willing to take it because “everything from a week in Benidorm to an overnight stay at Peppa Pig World comes at a premium in half-term.”
Helen added that her reason for doing so was because she’s “passionate about the benefits of seeing the world” and added “not everything can be taught in the classroom.”
Here’s what one of our Sun Travel reporters thought when they visited Mauritius, with a view of Le Morne mountain.
And why Mauritius can be a great option for families and not just couples.
How To Take An Break For Less With Children
Head of Travel Lisa Minot has tips on how to get a more affordable holiday…
GO LATER FOR LESS: The first weeks of the school holidays are always the most popular period in the summer to head away and they can be the most expensive time to travel.
However, data from flight-comparison site Skyscanner has found that, on average, people can save 44 per cent by travelling in the last week instead of the first week of the holidays.
HEAD NORTH: For those in the north of England, check prices for departures to popular destinations from Edinburgh or Glasgow airports.
With Scottish schools breaking up earlier – and going back earlier – you might be able to reduce flight costs by choosing to travel from Scotland instead of a north of England airport.
CHECK SCHOOL HOLS DATES ABROAD: Many European countries – including France – don’t have a May half-term so accommodation may be cheaper and the areas less busy.
In the US, many resume class in early or mid-August – good for those travelling to Florida.
WHAT’S IN A DAY? Try not to rigidly adhere to weekend-to-weekend departures.
Data shows it is often cheaper to travel midweek to midweek.
MIX UP THE DESTINATION: Heading to less popular airports abroad is also savvy.
Skyscanner’s travel trends expert Laura Lindsay says: “You may be looking at prices to a popular location like Naples in Italy but is there a better price when you consider somewhere less well known, like Bari in Puglia instead?”
USE FREE CHILD PLACE FINDERS: While you are still paying above the odds, it does pay to look at the early bargains big tour operators offer, including free child places.
There are “free child place finder” tools on websites from major firms including Jet2, TUI and First Choice.
DITCH ALL-INCLUSIVE HOTEL RESORTS FOR VALUE CAMPING PARKS: For families, having lots for the kids to do is essential but it doesn’t have to be at an expensive resort.
Look for deals on mobile homes in European holiday parks through the likes of Eurocamp, Siblu, Canvas Holidays and Huttopia.
Prices for mobile homes with plenty of space for the whole family will be very competitive compared to hotels.
But the sites still have oodles of pools, sporting activities, entertainment and kids clubs.
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