12% fewer Brits book getaways in the Easter school holidays compared to last year

Holiday bookings in the Easter school holidays are down by 12% compared to 2025, new research from MyVoucherCodes has revealed.

Just 26% of Brits have booked a holiday in the upcoming Easter school holidays (March 29^th-April 9^th), compared to 38% in 2025.

Concerns surrounding global events appear to be influencing travel behaviour. The survey found that 12% of people have changed or avoided holiday plans in 2026 due to world events causing travel concerns. Within this group, 3% say they have cancelled a planned holiday, while 9% say they have avoided booking a trip altogether.

The findings also show a decline in domestic breaks. In 2026, 15% of people say they are planning a UK staycation, down from 25% last year, suggesting that even UK trips are seeing reduced demand.

Spending on Easter holidays has also fallen year-on-year. On average, Brits are spending £965.78 on an Easter holiday in 2026, compared with £1,271.86 in 2025.

Families are also tightening their budgets. Among respondents travelling with children, the average Easter holiday spend for one child is £1054.44 in 2026, down from £1,238.50 in 2025. For those travelling with two children, the average spend is £1,160.86 this year, compared to £1,561.60 last year.

Sarah-Jane Outten, savings expert at MyVoucherCodes, commented on the findings:

"The drop in Easter holiday bookings this year shows that many Brits are feeling cautious about travel, whether that’s due to global uncertainty or simply rising costs. Even those who are travelling appear to be tightening their budgets compared to last year, which reflects a broader trend of consumers becoming more value-conscious when planning trips."

She added:

"The good news is that with some careful planning, there are still plenty of ways for families to enjoy a break without overspending. From using discount codes to being flexible with travel dates, a few smart choices can make a big difference to the overall cost of a holiday. Here are my top five tips to save money on travel this Easter:

• Book flights and accommodation separately Sometimes booking elements of a trip individually can reveal cheaper options than packaged deals.
• Use voucher codes and cashback sites Applying discount codes or booking through cashback platforms can help reduce the overall cost of flights, hotels and travel extras.
• Be flexible with travel dates Travelling a day earlier or later can significantly reduce flight and accommodation prices.
• Consider alternative airports or destinations Flying from a nearby airport or choosing less tourist-heavy destinations can often lead to better deals.
• Set price alerts for flights and hotels Using comparison sites and price alerts can help travellers book at the lowest available price.