Half Term Day Trips Abroad 2026: What a Family of Four Really Pays
For a family of four this half term, Dublin from Birmingham or Manchester on Sunday 1 November costs about £344 to £360 for the whole day. Cork from Manchester on Wednesday 28 October is about £480. Fares checked 8 to 14 Oct.
Half term week. The kids are climbing the walls and a week away costs a fortune. A day abroad doesn't.
These are the same-day trips that work from Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol during half term, with what the whole day costs for two adults and two kids. We've counted everyone as an adult, because budget airlines charge children over two the same seat price. The kids will eat less, so you'll come in a bit under.
What's the cheapest half term day trip?
- Birmingham to Dublin, Sun 1 Nov: £40 each, about £344 for four, all in
- Manchester to Dublin, Sun 1 Nov: £44 each, about £360 for four
- Bristol to Dublin, Wed 28 Oct: £61 each, about £428 for four
- Manchester to Cork, Wed 28 Oct: £53 each, about £480 for four
- Bristol to Alicante, Tue 27 Oct: £94 each, about £528 for four
- Bristol to Ibiza, Mon 26 Oct: £80 each, about £544 for four
All in means return flights plus our estimate for the airport transfer, getting about, lunch, dinner and a drink, for four people. Fares were checked between 8 and 14 October and half term prices move fast, so check before you book.
Want to see where your money actually goes? BudgetBro tracks it in any currency, free.
Which one is best with kids?
Manchester to Cork on Wednesday 28 October. Ryanair out at 07:50, landing at 09:05, back at 20:45 and home by 22:00. That's a civilised start, over nine hours in Cork and the kids are in bed not long after ten. See the Cork day.
The Birmingham to Dublin day is cheaper but the flight home leaves at 23:45 and lands at 00:50. Fine for teenagers, hard work with little ones.
Want sun instead?
Alicante from Bristol on Tuesday 27 October. It's an early one, out at 05:45, but you land at 09:15 and get about seven hours by the sea before the 20:25 flight home. Ibiza with Jet2 on Monday 26 October gives you eight and a half hours, out at 07:15 and back at 22:00.
Quick tips for a day abroad with kids
- Hand luggage only. No bags to wait for means more time there
- Book seats together if you need to. It's the one extra worth paying for with small kids
- Check what ID the airline wants for children, even for Ireland
- Pack the snacks. Airport food for four adds up fast
- Pick the later flight out over the 5am one if the price gap is small
Want to see every day trip from your airport? Search Day Trips and filter by date.
Day trips in this article
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