Martin Lewis' 'two-week' rule, which compares the quieter final weeks of school holidays with the busier opening ones, can save families hundreds of pounds on summer flights, according to travel specialists Ski Vertigo.
The financial journalist discussed the tactic on the holiday edition of his BBC podcast earlier this month after a listener raised the punishing cost of travelling during the school break. The listener said the difference was so steep that taking children out of school and risking a fine felt tempting.
How the two-week rule works
For families in England and Wales, the rule involves comparing flight prices during the final two weeks of the summer break — typically late August to early September — with the busier opening weeks in late July. Travel specialists at Ski Vertigo reviewed 2026 term dates alongside published like-for-like holiday checks to test the strategy.
In one January 2026 check, a week at a three-star self-catering property in Lake Garda cost £1,019 per person for a July 29 departure from Gatwick, compared with £752 per person on August 22. That represents a £267 saving per traveller for the later date.
Departure airport makes a difference
Another January check found that the same hotel, date and room type for a week's all-inclusive Rhodes holiday leaving on August 16 cost £1,314 per person from Manchester and £960 from Edinburgh — a £354 saving per traveller, or £1,416 for a family of four.
Alex Dyer, managing director at Ski Vertigo, advised: "Run the same search with the destination, dates, duration and accommodation kept identical, then move the departure by a few days and test nearby airports. Treat the rule as a comparison tool, not a guarantee, because fixed school dates or scarce seats can wipe out the gap, and a lower fare only counts after bags, seats, parking or rail, any overnight hotel and transfers are added."
Additional costs to consider
Baggage beyond a small under-seat bag and some seat choices can cost extra on low-cost fares, so families need to compare the final checkout price before deciding which airport or date is best.
Wider travel cost pressures
May 2026 research among 2,000 UK parents found that 27% said they would not be taking a summer holiday that year, with living and travel costs the main barriers. Among those with a booking, 71% were worried about the cost.
While the two-week rule can help reduce expenses, Dyer emphasised that it is not a guarantee for every route. Fixed school dates or limited seat availability can eliminate savings, and the full price including extras must be considered.
