With a 55% year on year increase in departures, October is now the 2nd most popular month to travel after July, as reported by Original Travel.
The growth of shoulder season travel continues apace, with new reports from Original Travel revealing a record-breaking surge in October departures last year (up 55% compared to 2023), with 2025 set to follow suit. According to the bespoke travel specialists, the growing trend of schools offering a two-week October half-term, coupled with Britons’ preference for off-peak travel, has propelled October to ‘second most popular month to travel’ status, beaten only by July.
Summer is becoming a less attractive time to travel due to skyrocketing prices, crowds and temperatures, all of which reached record highs in 2024*, in the process prompting more travellers to consider shoulder season travel. October is proving particularly popular; it’s the best time to visit some favourite destinations which are either too hot, too busy or out of season in the British summer, plus more families than ever are increasingly benefitting from a two-week October half-term, now offered by almost a third of multi-academy trusts and one-fifth of local authority schools*.
The shift from the traditional one-week half-term allows families to plan more adventurous longer haul holidays outside the peak season of summer. An extra week opens up opportunities for more exploratory trips, including further flung destinations, without the need to take children out of school – and risk disapproving glances (and fines) from teachers.
Texas Family Road-trip
Texas comes with added yeehaw in October. The cooler temperatures make outdoor adventures more comfortable for children and Texas’ diverse landscape glows with autumnal hues, making for exceptional picnics, fishing excursions and nature park walks. On Original Travel’s 12-day Texas Family Road-trip, explore the solar system with a tour of the NASA Johnson Space Centre in Houston; tuck into maple-syrup drenched pancakes at diner pit-stops; wave your foam-hand at a Dallas Cowboys (American) football game and give your new Stetson a test-run with a 4-night ranch stay. Live your American dreams, with a night of two-stepping at the world’s largest country bar, feast on Texan BBQ spreads, experience bull racing at the iconic Cowtown Coliseum and go riding along the Brazos River to catch the tranquil Texan sunset.
Prices start from £1,870pp, for a 12-day trip, based on a family of four. Price includes return flights, car hire, private tours, 4 nights at a traditional ranch and 4 nights’ hotel accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Natural Autumnal Delights in South Korea
South Korea is a country of ageless beauty, and it shows different, yet magnificent, colours and sights in the autumnal months. Start your 11-day family trip in Seoul, where you will find quieter streets and perfect mid-20s temperatures. Host a family talent show in a trendy karaoke studio; marvel at the regal Gyeongbokgung Palace amid the autumn foliage, or savour steaming bowls of noodles and crispy Korean fried chicken at the bustling street-food paradise of Myeong-dong. From Seoul, your next stop is Busan for a dose of local handicraft shopping, art gallery hopping (Busan has the leading art scene in South Korea) and temple exploring. The cherry-on-top of your October half term is a two-night’s stay on the blissful Jeju Island. October is one of the best times to visit, with the fluffy pink clouds of the pink muhly plant in full bloom. Run around fields of soft cotton-candy grass or grab your wicker baskets and go tangerine picking at one of Juju Island’s citrus farms.
Original Travel’s 11-day itinerary costs from £5,130pp. Price includes all flights, private transfers, high-speed KTX train tickets, private tours and 7-nights’ hotel and 1 night’s hanok accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Exploring Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia and Bodrum
Explore Turkey in all its glory on this amazing 12-day trip. From Istanbul, a treat for all the senses, to the dramatic mountainous landscape of the Cappadocia region, home to surreal ‘fairy chimney’ rock formations, troglodyte rock-hewn houses and ghost towns, the whole family will be ready for five days of downtime in beautiful Bodrum at the end of the trip. Plenty of time to enjoy its sandy beaches and the gorgeous (and still warm) waters of the Aegean Sea.
Prices from £3,835pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, all overland transport, guided tours and activities and 11 nights’ B&B accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Bengal Tigers and Hidden Gems in India
October half term coincides with the best time for sightings of India’ magnificent Bengal tigers because the national parks reopen after monsoon and are at their gloriously lush best. Original Travel’s 11-day trip to Northern India and the Ganges Valleys includes a safari experience in the world-famous Bandhavgarh Park, where your trusty guide will show you the best viewpoints for tiger-spotting. You can also expect a temple-tour of the ancient Khajuraho Group of Monuments, witness the monumental Hindu Ganga Aarti ceremony and enjoy an enriching tour of Calcutta’s colonial past with visits to the stand-out Tagore House, Jain Pareshnath Temple (built by one of Calcutta’s most famous jewellers) and the pottery quarter of Kumartuli.
Prices start from £6,305pp for an 11-day trip, based on a family of four. Price includes all flights, transfers, private tours, a 2-night safari stay in both Panna National Park and Bandhavgarh Park, and 5 nights’ hotel accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Oman Family Adventure
On this fantastic family adventure in Oman the family will enjoy exciting 4×4 drives through rugged mountain terrains and swimming in sinkholes. You’ll visit souks, forts and fishing ports, go on a dolphin search cruise, snorkel over fish-filled reefs, ride a camel through the desert and stay overnight in a Bedouin-style camp.
Prices from £3,560pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, all overland transport and 10 nights’ B&B accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.