October half term can be a great time to go away on a family holiday. There are some fantastic holidays with October half term offers, from brilliant UK autumnal breaks to a chance to escape to warmer climes. October holidays often bring less crowds than the summer but sometimes really good weather too. When you’re considering family holidays October is a great month to plan for a big trip as you can get some great prices on accommodation. We have rounded up the best holidays in October, you can click through individual regions (including October half term holidays uk wide) or browse the full list of October half term holidays around the world.
Our recommendations for the best holiday October half term include first hand visits and thorough research to ensure your trip gets off to the best possible start. October half term breaks come in all shapes and sizes so hopefully we’ve given you lots of ideas here but do get in touch if there’s something or somewhere you’re looking at and need help with.
Click the ‘check availability here’ button to find out the cost of the hotel. We don’t link to anything or anywhere we wouldn’t stay in ourselves with our own children (and wherever possible we have).
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October half term holidays uk
When you’re looking at October half term holidays UK wise you need to be prepared for all weathers. While it can be rainy and starting to get colder, UK October half term style can be filled with gorgeous autumn colours and lovely sunshine.
Read more: The best family holidays in the UK
Inverness
Inverness is a great location for a family city break. The city is perfect for a wander through and to pick up some shortbread and other supplies but there’s plenty within day trip distance from the city. Kids will love taking a boat trip out to Loch Ness and see if they can spot Nessy. Take a break at Urquhart Castle and clamber around the ruins. Don’t miss a trip to atmospheric Culloden, the battlefield where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a terrible end. Stay in a central hotel, the Mercure Inverness Hotel is perfect – they allow additional beds in to rooms or have family rooms. With board games to borrow, kids meals on offer and a huge breakfast to set everyone up for a day exploring it’s perfect for keeping the whole family happy. If you’re looking for an October half term UK break then this is a great trip.
Read more: The best family holidays in Scotland
Cornwall
UK holidays in October half term have to rely on the weather but a trip to Cornwall can be invigorating no matter what the sky is doing. A trip to this little corner of the UK can be wonderful in autumn when the crowds have largely gone home. Here beaches are still perfect for rock pooling and there’s always little shops to pick up pasties and fudge as little treats. The Eden Project is largely indoors so is a fantastic visit no matter what the weather. You can often find warm October days though and on these the beach is just the perfect place to be. Budock Vean Hotel is an ideal retreat with beautiful grounds to lose yourself in and the tranquil river idling by. They have great family suites here and also self catering properties which are ideal for those travelling with kids.
Check out all of our top family hotels in Cornwall here.
London
London in autumn is fantastic and when you’re looking at UK holidays half term is the perfect time to be there. London can feel very crowded in the summer months but as the days shorten so do the crowds visiting. There are so many indoor fun places to visit including lots of free museums like the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the Museum of London which can help it be more of a cheap October half term holidays UK style. On bright, clear days it can be lovely to visit London Zoo in autumn, take a trip on the London Eye or stop in for afternoon tea. To keep prices down look at the Aloft London Excel which is slightly out of the main hub of the city but has a great indoor pool for kids and interconnecting rooms.
Check out our list of best London hotels for families here.
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is wonderful for breaks away and autumn a lovely time to be there. There’s plenty to do from visiting Queen Victoria’s beautiful seaside home, Osborne House to the fun theme park of Blackgang Chine. The beaches of the Isle of Wight are beautiful and perfect for a seaside walk at any time of the year. There are some fantastic places to eat and shop on the island making it perfect for a wander no matter what the weather. Stay at the Brunswick Hotel in Shanklin which has indoor and outdoor pools, spacious family rooms and a fabulous breakfast spread.
Read more: The best Isle of Wight family holidays
The Lake District
The Lake District is wonderful at any time of the year, it’s such a dramatic, beautiful backdrop. It’s ideal for an October half term holiday with kids too. When the weather is bright and calm head out canoeing or paddle boarding or take one of the gentle walks that criss-cross the area. If it’s rainy Honister Mine Tour is a great place to head deep underground away from any downpours. Stay at a hotel like the Lakeside Hotel & Spa which has a wonderful indoor pool kids will love. This well place hotel is the perfect autumn retreat no matter what the weather.
Read more: The best family hotels in the Lake District
Holidays October half term – short haul – Europe & beyond
This can be a great time to take a short haul trip to Europe and north Africa. You can get some great deals on flights, particularly if you book early enough (we always check through Opodo). Autumn half term is often not shared with our European neighbours too which means it’s a great time to get visiting some of their great cities and destinations. Compared to a summer holiday October will bring in better prices and less crowds. These are our tried and tested recommendations of where to go on holiday in October half term for a short haul trip.
Lanzarote
The Canary Islands are perfect for some winter sun and can really lift the spirits after a grey start to the winter. There’s nothing better than walking along a beach in October and feeling the warmth of the sun on your face. Stay at the Los Zocos Club Resort in Costa Teguise which has some great sporting activities including tennis here along with some fantastic pools. There’s an outdoor playground along with an indoor play area for cooler days. This is the perfect spot for some winter sun.
Read more: The best family holidays to Lanzarote
Rhodes
Greece in autumn is wonderful with balmy temperatures and bright sunshine. While evenings can start to feel cool there’s still warmth in the air. This is somewhere to come and relax and enjoy the hospitality of this wonderful country. Stay at the Princess Sun Hotel which is set amongst the Greek mountains. Enjoy the beach here and all the onsite facilities including swimming pools, a kids club and playground. This really is a great October half term holiday to enjoy and relax in.
Read more: The best Rhodes family holidays
Paris
Paris is one of those holidays for October which is just wonderful, the city looks so beautiful in autumn. Visit the lakes in the Tuileries to play with the large wooden boats, stop in chic cafes for hot chocolate, visit some of the amazing museums and art galleries including the Louvre and Musee D’Orsay and even take the train out on a day trip to Disneyland Paris. There’s so much to do in Paris and you can get some great October half term holiday deals on hotels. Residence Charles Floquet is the perfect Parisian family bolthole, just 50 metres from the Eiffel Tower and a great price for such a central hotel.
Read more: The best Paris hotels for families
Marrakech
Morocco is the perfect destination for holidays in October half term as it is warm and fairly quiet. Marrakech is a feast for the senses and you’re almost guaranteed great weather, making it a crowd pleaser for the whole family. Weave your way through the maze of souks to barter for bags, olives, trinkets and rugs. Kids will love having a go at bartering themselves. The food here is great for all ages from big bowls of houmus with warm bread to dip in and tagines or couscous. Pick a hotel like the Mövenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech which has multiple pools and a kids club for additional fun in the sun.
Read more hotel choices in our post on finding the best Morocco family holiday here.
Algarve
The Algarve in Portugal is perfect when you’re looking for holiday ideas for October half term. The temperature is beautifully balmy and the beaches much less crowded than in summertime. When you’re considering where to go October half term can provide plenty of options but the Algarve will be one of those places with almost guaranteed sunshine and a great welcome. While many of the activity centres (like waterparks) will be closed for the season there is cycling through the Formosa Natural Park to be enjoyed alongside golf, horseriding and beach walks. Pick a hotel like Pestana Blue Alvor which has a whole range of pools along with a kids club (which goes up to age 16) and an indoor soft play centre for one of the best October half term family holidays.
Check out our full list of Algarve family resorts here.
Ljubljana
Why not head somewhere more unusual like the capital of Slovenia for a city break full of history and adventure. Ljubljana is a real undiscovered gem – a beautiful city full of fun and exciting things to do. There’s a real cafe culture here and they have a great selection of hot chocolates on offer to warm everyone up. Take the funicular up the castle that overlooks the city for amazing views. The House of Illusions is great fun and there’s a great little land train you can take through the city. Pick a central hotel like the InterContinental Ljubljana which comes with its own swimming pool for lots of fun (and an amazing breakfast).
Read more: The best Slovenia family holidays
Puglia
This area of southern Italy is fantastic when you’re looking at where to go in October half term. There is lots to do here from visiting World UNESCO Heritage Sites like the quirky Alberobello to Matera (in nearby Basilicata). The temperature will be warm but not humid and like most places across Europe in autumn the crowds much reduced. There are activities on offer like visiting an olive oil factory or seeing how mozzarella is made. Stay in a traditional masseria (converted olive mills) for a really unique stay that will be comfortable for all the family. Masseria Torre Coccaro just exudes luxury and has plenty of space inside to relax (along with a fireplace in many of the rooms with unlimited logs for chilly evenings). There’s an indoor pool, a fun playground, cookery lessons on request and a wonderful restaurant for all of your meals.
Read more choices in our feature all about finding your best family holiday in Italy here.
October half term holiday ideas – long haul
For our October half term holiday ideas when you are considering long haul we have a selection that can work whether you have 1 week or 2. October half term deals can certainly be found if you’re looking for long haul travel. We usually recommend getting flights in place first, typically around three months before you’re looking to travel. We have pulled together a list of our best October half term holidays if you’re looking to go long haul.
Oman
Oman is a great destination for a family trip and ideal when you’re considering October half term ideas. The weather will be perfect, nice and hot but not too stifling and there will be much fewer tourists. Oman is one of those places that you feel you could spend weeks in but can also work if you’re looking for short breaks October half term style. Stay at the Al Bustan Palace for real luxury, numerous pools, fantastic food and a great beachside setting. From here it will be possible to head in to Muscat to see some of the museums and top sights. There are plenty of day trips accessible from the capital city from visiting the forts and castles near Nizwa to getting in to the desert for some camel trekking. If you’re considering October half term holidays abroad then Oman is a wonderful break.
Florida
Florida has to be in the running for one of the best family holidays in October. The temperature in Florida in October is perfect and nowhere plans for Halloween better than the Americans. The theme parks will be all kitted up for the Halloween season and will be much quieter than other times of the year. Stay at the Rosen Shingle Creek which is a huge hotel with numerous pools and gorgeous grounds. From here you can get to all the main sites in Orlando and also have some down time at the hotel itself.
See all of our recommendations of the best family resorts in Florida here.
Langkawi
For a chance to really relax when you’re looking for places to go October half term style then head to Langkawi. It is certainly a fair distance to travel there but it will feel a world apart from the UK in autumn. One of the best October half term sun holidays Langkawi will feel like a tropical paradise and with beautiful beaches and a warm sea is a lovely retreat. Head to the Westin Langkawi for family rooms that exude space and luxury. There’s a great kids club, numerous pools, fantastic on site restaurants and you might even have monkeys on your balcony. It might feel a little far, particularly just for a one week holiday but Langkawi will be one of those family holidays in October half term you’ll never forget.
Read more: The best resort in Malaysia for family trips
Cheap holidays October half term
if you’re looking for cheap October half term holidays but still want to get away, out of the country then read on. This works if you don’t have a particular city or location in mind to go to. A good strategy is to head to Opodo search from your closest airport and then to “Anywhere, surprise me!” which will give you some cheap holidays October half term will love. Scroll down the list to find a destination and price that works for you. Then come back here and we’ll give you the best hotels in that location for families (if we haven’t yet covered that destination then drop us an email at hello@familytravelexpert.co.uk and we will compile a list for you). We find this is one of the best ways to find cheap holidays in October half term.
Frequently asked questions about trips in October
When is October half term?
October half term can vary and it’s always best to double check with your child’s school. You can also check the government website here. Once you’ve got your dates use our list of holiday ideas for October half term here.
Where is hot in October half term?
There are a number of locations that are hot for October half term from places like Oman in the Middle East to Marrakech in north Africa. We have lots of ideas of sunny holidays abroad in October half term here.
How long is October half term?
Most state schools have a one week October half term break while independent schools traditionally have two weeks. Check with your school and then browse our ideas of great holidays in the UK or abroad here.
Your travel check list –
- ✈️ – Find great flights with Opodo
- 🏥 – Get the travel insurance we use at CoverForYou
- 🅿️ – Book your airport parking at a fantastic rate here with Holiday Extras
- 💳 – Get a Currensea Card to easily pay for purchases abroad
We hope you’ve enjoyed our roundup of the best holidays October half term has on offer. Why not sign up for our newsletter to hear more of our holiday suggestions and great hotel deals from around the world.
See our suggestions for top Christmas family breaks to plan ahead for your next holiday.