Getting summer holiday FOMO? Here are eight Manchester Airport destinations with last-minute flights under £100pp return
We’re halfway through the school summer holidays and hundreds of thousands of families have already jetted off from Manchester Airport for a sunshine escape, with many more to follow between now and the end of the month.
If you’ve not planned a holiday with the kids yet, you might understandably be feeling a little left out – but fear not. Thanks to Manchester Airport’s extensive route network of more than 200 destinations, there is a huge range of places you can get to, and if you’re hoping to bag a cheap last-minute deal, there are still places you can fly to before the end of August for less than £100pp return. From action-packed city breaks to sun, sea and sand, the UK’s global gateway in the North has you covered.
Read on for some destination inspiration – and some top tips on how to keep the costs down if you’re hoping to take the kids on a last-minute break in the coming weeks.
Reus
Fly with TUI on 17 August and return on 26 August from only £75pp return*
Reus is a charming medieval city in Catalonia, about an hour to the south of Barcelona, known for its gothic architecture and narrow bustling streets filled with bars, cafes, ice cream shops and tapas restaurants. You’re also less than an hour by public transport from some of the most popular beach resorts on the Costa Dorada, like Salou and Cambrils.
Menorca
Fly with TUI on 18 August and return on 23 August from only £86pp return*
A popular spot for holidaymakers in Spain’s Balearic islands, but far from the busiest, Menorca is a great option if you’re looking to avoid the crowds on its larger neighbour, Mallorca. There are some stunning beaches here, particularly on the west coast of the island, and the city of Mahon – the island’s capital – has museums, galleries and more.
Olbia
Fly with TUI on 16 August and return on 23 August from only £84pp return*
This city is in the north of Sardinia, an Italian island in the western Mediterranean. Its picture-perfect pebble beaches are framed by dramatic mountain backdrops and some of them, like the Cala Luna and Cala Goloritzé, have become Instagram-famous. As you’d expect in Italy, the food is fantastic – and seafood in particular is a favourite here.
Ibiza
Fly with Jet2.com on 16 August and return on 21 August from only £75pp return*
It might not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a family holiday, but there’s more to Ibiza than just clubbing. The north and east coasts of the island, away from the party scene, are lined with picturesque fishing villages, family-friendly resorts and unspoilt beaches – and accommodation tends to be a little cheaper here, too.
Madeira
Fly with TUI on 15 August and return on 22 August from only £93pp return*
Another destination with spectacular scenery, Madeira is a Portuguese island in the North Atlantic. It is renowned for its black sand beaches, formed from volcanic rock – but a large number of the island’s visitors are here for the incredible views from its lush forested mountains, and the CR7 Museum, a homage to the island’s most famous son, former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Brussels
Fly with Ryanair on 25 August and return on 27 August from only £48pp return*
If you’re not bothered by the beach and you’re just looking to escape the routine for a few days, Brussels is one of the best spots in Europe for a family-friendly mini break. There’s heaps to see and do – from Mini-Europe, a model village made up of famous European landmarks, to the Museum of Natural Sciences and its huge Dinosaur Gallery. Belgium is also famous for chocolate, of course, and Choco-Story will teach you about the history of Belgian chocolate before giving you the chance to sample some.
Cork
Fly with Ryanair on 19 August and return on 24 August from only £56pp return*
Cork, Ireland’s second-biggest city after Dublin, is in the country’s south. The climate is usually a little warmer here than in other parts of the Emerald Isle – and the long-term forecast suggests temperatures are likely to top 20C for the rest of this month. Explore the Fota Wildlife Park, one of Ireland’s best zoos, take a trip back in time at Blarney Castle & Gardens, and enjoy a day at the seaside in nearby Youghal.
Belfast
Fly with Ryanair on 21 August and return on 26 August from only £37pp return*
A nice, short flight with young kids, you can reach Belfast in 40 minutes and there’s lots to keep them occupied when you get here. The huge Titanic Museum on the city’s waterfront tells the story of the iconic ship in the city where it was built, and is packed with interactive exhibits. You can take tours from Belfast up the scenic Antrim coast, to the famous Giant’s Causeway.
Top Tips for keeping the costs down on your last-minute break
If you haven’t booked a holiday with the family this summer, there’s a good chance you’ve been holding off because of the cost – and you’re not alone. A recent poll suggested nearly one in five parents are worried they won’t be able to take the kids away for a much-needed break this summer.
But the good news is that affordable fares to some fantastic destinations are still available – and when you couple these with cost-saving measures, you may find that your much-coveted summer break from the daily grind is very much on the cards.
Be flexible on when you travel
You can often get a better deal by travelling early in the morning, or by travelling midweek rather than at the weekend.
Be flexible on where you travel
When booking at short notice, flight tickets to the most popular summer holiday hotspots will be at a premium, but you can bag a bargain flying to ‘dupe’ destinations or places a little more off the beaten track. If you don’t mind forgoing the beach, you can grab some fantastic deals on a last-minute city break.
Take a mini-break rather than a full week
Travelling for a few days rather than a full week will keep down the amount that you spend on accommodation – and if you pack plenty in you’ll still feel like you’ve had a proper break.
Shop around for the best accommodation deals
Do your research when booking your accommodation and check prices on trusted comparison websites. You’ll get a better deal if you’re willing to be located a bit further from the seafront in a beach destination, or if you’re willing to stay outside the city centre for a city break – and most big cities in Europe will have reliable public transport connections to get you to the heart of the action in no time.
Use public transport or Manchester Airport’s free drop-off facilities
Manchester Airport passengers can benefit from its Ground Transport Interchange, an integrated train, tram and bus station that connects the airport with the city and wider region. You can also use free drop-off facilities in the airport’s JetParks car park, with a short bus shuttle ride to the terminal doors.
Free things to keep the kids occupied at the airport
If you’re flying from T1, check out the Little Flyers Zone, a free play area and entertainment zone for school age children, with activity books also available. Being at the airport ahead of your holiday is an exciting time for families, and all three of Manchester Airport’s terminals offer passenger seating areas with views across the airfield, so you can enjoy watching the planes coming and going. Free water refill stations are also available in all three terminals and you can bring a packed lunch or dinner with you, provided the food doesn’t contain any liquids and is sealed.
* Prices are the cheapest available return flights from Manchester before the end of August 2025 for a stay of at least two nights (accommodation not included). Prices are available when booked directly through the specified airline’s website and are correct at the time of publication. Hold baggage may not be included.