The Cheapest May Bank Holiday Destinations from the UK

In England and Wales, the 2026 May bank holidays fall on Monday 4 May and Monday 25 May, giving travellers two long weekends to work with. For many families, the later bank holiday also sits around half term, depending on local school dates.

The key to finding a genuinely affordable trip is not just looking for the cheapest flight. A seemingly low fare can quickly become less appealing once you add luggage, transfers, airport parking or a poorly timed flight. The best-value May breaks are usually the ones that combine competitive flight routes, manageable travel times and good accommodation choices.

Alicante

Alicante is a great option for a May bank holiday break because it is easy enough to access from the UK and flexible enough to suit different budgets. Skyscanner currently shows an average of 176 flights a week from London to Alicante, which is exactly the sort of competition that can help keep fares and package deals more attractive.

It is also a destination perfect for whether you want to travel light and build the trip yourself, or book something more straightforward like a package deal. easyJet holidays promotes Alicante city breaks with ATOL protection, ABTA membership, low deposits and instalment options, which makes it a good example of where a package can offer both convenience and value!

• Average temperature in May: around 18°C, with highs of around 23°C.
• Average flight time from London: 2 hours 36 minutes.

Malaga

Malaga is another destination worth checking first if you want a warm-weather break during the May Half Term. It is one of the most popular London routes on Skyscanner, and the Heathrow to Malaga route currently has 16 direct flights a week. This usually gives travellers more choice on departure times and booking styles, and with more flights to choose from, the pricing is more competitive.

It is also great if you’re looking for flexibility. Malaga works as a city break, a beach holiday or a base for a wider Costa del Sol trip, which means there is usually a broad mix of hotels and holiday packages to compare.

• Average temperature in May: around 24°C during the day.
• Average flight time from London: 2 hours 55 minutes.

Faro

Faro is one of the best places to look if you want a classic short-haul sunshine break that still feels easy to price up from the UK! Skyscanner’s Glasgow International to Faro page currently says May is the cheapest month for that route, with direct flights from easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair. Along with good airline competition and direct access, Faro is a destination that suits both resort-style package holidays and more flexible trips.

• Average temperature in May: around 18°C, with daytime temperatures often reaching around 22°C.
• Average flight time from London: 2 hours 56 minutes.

Porto

If you would rather swap the beach for a city break, Porto is one of the better-value May options! Skyscanner says May is the cheapest month for flights from Bristol to Porto, and its broader Porto airport page also says May is typically the cheapest month to fly there.

Porto is a good fit for a bank holiday weekend because it does not need a full week to feel worthwhile. It’s a destination where you can arrive, get into the city quickly and make the most of a few days away, which helps keep the overall cost of the trip under control.

• Average temperature in May: around 15°C, with highs of around 19°C.
• Average flight time from London: 2 hours 27 minutes.

Madrid

Madrid is a good option for travellers who want a proper city break without a bigger budget. Skyscanner’s Cheapest Destinations 2026 report includes Madrid in its top 10 cheapest destinations for the year, which makes it one of the best options if you want a May getaway that still feels affordable. For travellers who want a short European escape rather than a beach holiday, Madrid is worth keeping on the shortlist.

• Average temperature in May: around 15°C, with highs of around 22°C.
• Average flight time from London: 2 hours 27 minutes.

Prague

Prague also features in Skyscanner’s Cheapest Destinations 2026 report, which is a good sign for travellers looking for value rather than just sunshine.

What makes Prague work particularly well for a May bank holiday is that it suits a shorter trip. You do not need to book a long stay for it to feel worthwhile, which can make it easier to keep the total cost of the break at a more manageable level.

• Average temperature in May: around 11°C, with highs of around 16°C.
• Average flight time from London: 1 hour 59 minutes.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer here, which is why it is worth comparing both before you book.

Package holidays can offer better value when you want flights and accommodation bundled together, especially for beach breaks or longer weekends where extras can quickly add up. They are often the easier option too, as you can see more of the total cost upfront rather than building the trip bit by bit.

Booking separately can still work well for shorter city breaks, particularly if you are travelling with hand luggage and are happy to choose your own hotel. This can give you more flexibility, but it is still worth checking the final cost carefully once extras have been added.

It is also worth staying flexible if you can. Skyscanner’s 2026 analysis says Friday is the cheapest day to fly on average this year, which is good to know, as just a small shift in travel dates can make a difference.

In our experience, the best option is usually the one that gives you the clearest overall value rather than the lowest starting price.

If you want a simple shortlist to start with, Alicante, Malaga and Faro are all worth comparing for a May beach break, while Porto, Madrid and Prague stand out for an affordable city escape. These destinations tend to offer the best balance of flight availability, package choice and overall value from UK airports, which is exactly what matters most when you are trying to keep the cost of a bank holiday break down.

The right option for you will come down to where you are flying from, what is included in the booking and whether booking everything together works out better value than arranging it separately.

Before you book, take a look at our Travel deals and discount codes page to see if there is a live offer that could help bring the cost down even further.

All destination, route and travel-provider information referenced in this guide was checked on 23 April 2026 and was accurate at the time of writing. The May bank holidays in England and Wales are 4 May 2026 and 25 May 2026.