Spring is still one of the smartest times to travel if you want warmth, fewer crowds and a lower bill. For UK holidaymakers, the weeks outside the Easter rush can offer better-value flights, more manageable hotel prices and live package discounts from some of the biggest names in travel.
MoneyMagpie’s expert take
The biggest travel savings do not always come from hunting for obscure hacks. More often, they come from timing. Shift your holiday out of peak dates and into the spring shoulder season, and you can often cut the cost without giving up the sun, the scenery or the quality of the trip.
Why spring travel can be cheaper
There is a simple reason spring can work so well for bargain hunters: it sits in the sweet spot between winter low season and the full summer surge. Travel firms usually call this the shoulder season, and that matters because demand is lower than it is during the busiest weeks of the year.
When demand is lower, travel brands have more reason to tempt people in with discounts, promo codes, bundled deals and extra perks. Expedia is currently promoting shoulder-season packages with the line “Small crowds. Big savings.” Booking.com also notes that shoulder seasons such as spring usually bring less crowded destinations and can mean more moderate prices, including on extras such as car hire.
That makes spring especially appealing for travellers who want to enjoy the benefits of a proper getaway without paying school-holiday or high-summer prices.
Why this matters in 2026
Spring is not automatically cheap every single day. In fact, current Expedia data shows that late March and early April are where crowds and costs climb most sharply because of Easter travel. The better-value window this year is generally late April into late May, with some of the cheapest international dates landing in early March and late April.
The spring timing sweet spot most travellers miss
If you only remember one thing from this guide, make it this: spring works best when you avoid the obvious dates.
According to Expedia’s current Spring Travel Outlook for UK travellers, the cheapest international stay dates this spring include 3 March and 27 April, while the cheapest international flight dates include 6 March and 24 April. The most expensive international periods cluster around the Easter rush, with 27 March to 5 April among the busiest or priciest points in the season.
That fits exactly with what savvy travellers have long known: you do not need to wait for summer, but you do need to sidestep the peak spring bottlenecks.
MoneyMagpie rule of thumb
For the best chance of a spring bargain, look at late April and May departures, compare midweek travel, and price up a package as well as a DIY trip before you book.
Live spring travel deals in the market right now
Here are some of the main spring and early-season deals currently live from major operators.
Jet2 and Jet2holidays
Jet2.com is currently advertising 20% off all March, April and May flights.
Jet2holidays is currently promoting £75 per person off all holidays, plus an extra £100 off March, April and May holidays with the code SPRINGSUN.
Jet2 also highlights Free Child Places, an exclusive £60 single-parent discount and a £30 solo traveller discount, which is useful for families and single travellers trying to keep spring costs down.
easyJet holidays
easyJet holidays is currently running a spring promotion offering up to £200 off with the code SPRINGSALE.
The operator is also advertising a £60 per person deposit and highlighted short city breaks from £169 per person for two nights at the time of checking.
That combination can make spring especially attractive for travellers who want a lower upfront cost and a shorter break rather than a full summer holiday.
TUI
TUI is currently advertising a discount code offer worth £100 off bookings of £800 for 7- and 10-night holidays, or £150 off bookings of £1,250 for 11-, 14-, 21- and 28-night holidays.
At the time of checking, that offer applies to holidays departing up to 30 April 2026, making it particularly relevant for late-winter and spring departures.
Why packages can sometimes beat booking separately
A lot of people still assume putting a trip together themselves will always be cheapest. Sometimes it is. But not always.
Expedia says travellers can save hundreds on average when reserving their hotel and flight at the same time, and it is one reason package holidays are worth pricing up before you commit to a DIY booking. Beyond the headline saving, packages can also be simpler to manage when you are balancing luggage, transfers, family needs or shifting travel dates.
In other words, a package is not just about convenience. In the current market, it can be a genuine money-saving strategy.
Do not forget protection
For UK travellers, protection matters almost as much as price.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority says the ATOL scheme protects flight-inclusive package holidays, while ABTA explains that package holidays sold in the UK must have financial protection in place. That does not mean every trip is protected in the same way, so always check exactly what cover you are getting before you pay.
What kind of spring trips offer the best value?
From a value point of view, spring tends to work particularly well for three types of trip.
1. City breaks
Spring is ideal for cities because you are more likely to get pleasant sightseeing weather without the peak-season crush. It is also a good time to make the most of shorter stays, especially when operators are actively pushing two- and three-night packages.
2. Early sun holidays
If your goal is to get away for warmth rather than chase the hottest temperatures of the year, spring can be enough. The key financial advantage is that you are buying before the full summer price jump.
3. Family trips outside the Easter spike
Families do not always have huge flexibility, but those who can travel before or after the main Easter pinch point often stand a much better chance of landing lower prices and more choice.
How to save even more on spring travel
- Check late April and May first: current Expedia data suggests these periods can be better value than the late-March and Easter rush.
- Compare package and DIY prices: do not assume separate booking wins automatically.
- Look at midweek departures: flexibility often helps lower the total cost.
- Use promo codes carefully: apply the code and check the final basket total, not just the headline offer.
- Check deposits and extras: a lower deposit can help cash flow, but make sure baggage, transfers and airport choices still work for you.
- Check protection before paying: especially if you are comparing packages with flight-only or accommodation-only deals.
MoneyMagpie verdict
Spring travel can still be one of the cheapest ways to holiday in 2026, but it is no longer enough to book any old date in March, April or May and hope for the best. The real value lies in avoiding the Easter crunch, using live operator deals and pricing up packages before you rule them out.
Final word
If summer holidays are starting to look painfully expensive, spring is where the smarter money is going. You can still find meaningful discounts, especially from the big package operators, and the current data suggests there are genuine value windows for travellers willing to move around the busiest dates.
For MoneyMagpie readers, that is the real takeaway: saving on travel is not just about going cheap, it is about going smart. And in 2026, spring remains one of the best opportunities to do exactly that.
FAQs
Is spring one of the cheapest times to travel?
It can be, especially outside the Easter rush. Current spring travel data and operator promotions both suggest there are better-value windows in late April and May than during the busiest peak periods.
Are package holidays cheaper than booking separately?
Sometimes, yes. Expedia says travellers can save hundreds on average by bundling hotel and flights together, so it is always worth comparing both options before you book.
Which live spring travel deals are available now?
At the time of checking on 17 March 2026, live offers included Jet2’s 20% off spring flights, Jet2holidays’ £75 per person off all holidays plus an extra £100 off selected spring holidays with code SPRINGSUN, easyJet holidays’ up to £200 off with code SPRINGSALE, and TUI’s £100 or £150 discount-code offer on selected package holidays departing up to 30 April 2026.
Are package holidays protected in the UK?
Flight-inclusive package holidays are generally protected under ATOL, and UK package holidays must have financial protection in place. Always check the booking terms and certificate details before paying.
Disclaimer: Prices, promo codes and availability can change quickly and may be withdrawn without notice. Always check the operator’s full terms and conditions, baggage rules, booking conditions and financial protection details before booking.
