Best family destinations for the October half term holidays

Whisk the family away this autumn with flights from Manchester Airport

Our top picks for the half term holidays

Updated 16 October 2026

With the October half term holidays fast approaching, why not escape the UK's wet and windy weather and jet off to sunnier climes?

We've researched the best half term holiday destinations with direct flights from Manchester, including those with shorter flight times for younger kids who may find flights a bit tricky. Plus we've found places that cater for even the fussiest of eaters.

From sun-drenched beaches to festive Halloween holidays your family will love, our top recommendations will help you make the most of your getaway this autumn break.

Take advantage of our limited time T2 and T3 Escape Lounges offer: kids can enter from just £10* when you use code MANT2OCT26 for the Terminal 2 Escape Lounges and MANT3OCT26 for Terminal 3 Escape Lounges. Terms and Conditions apply.

Limited-time Escape Lounges offer!

For a limited time only, kids enter from £10* T&Cs apply.

For Terminal 2 Escape Lounges use code MANT2OCT26
For Terminal 3 Escape Lounges, use code MANT3OCT26

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Best October half term sunshine destinations

Sun-soaked getaways with beaches and boat trips in beautiful settings

Tenerife - Spain

Flight time: 4 hours 30 minutes

One of the warmest countries in Europe to visit in October is Tenerife. Although the flight time is a little longer than most of our recommendations, the sunshine makes it all worthwhile. The largest of Spain's Canary Islands, Tenerife remains a firm school holidays favourite and is a fantastic place to take the kids this October half term.

Head to the beach, book a boat tour, and enjoy an assortment of food options that appeal to even the fussiest of eaters. So, pack your sun-cream, grab those shades, and enjoy the Spanish sunshine this autumn break.

Malta

Flight time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Sitting south of Italy, Malta comprises the archipelago of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. The temperature in the region can reach highs of 26 degrees in October, making it ideal for families who want to have fun in the sun this autumn. At just 17 miles long and 9 miles wide, the main island of Malta is easily traversed either by car or by bus. Island hop via passenger ferry, fast catamaran, or even take a jaunt in a traditional wooden boat!

Foodie families will enjoy the blend of Sicilian, North African, and Mediterranean cuisines available in Malta. If history's your thing, dive right into exploring 7,000-year-old temples, the 16th century St. John's Co-Cathedral, as well as some incredible megalithic sites.

Best October half term holidays for families with toddlers

Fun for all ages & perfect places for picky eaters

Paris - France

Flight time: 1 hour 30 minutes

For a Halloween treat this half term the entire family will love, book a trip to Paris and visit Disneyland. The resort really pulls out all the stops at Halloween, with spooky tours, chilling characters, and perfectly peculiar performances - even the food is fiendishly themed this spooky season! Halloween lasts from 26 September to 1 November at Disneyland Paris, so you can really get into the spirit of things (pun intended).

Disneyland Paris is a sensational treat for kids and adults of all ages and the short flight time from Manchester to Paris of just 1 hour and 30 minutes is a particular draw for families with very young children.

Antalya - Turkey

Flight time: 4 hours 45 minutes

Besides offering sunshine in October, another great aspect of Antalya is that it’s the perfect holiday destination for families with toddlers and younger children. You’ll find plenty of all-inclusive hotels with pools, play centres, and entertainment, as well as beautiful beaches suitable for families.

Although Antalya is still warm in October with average highs of 26°C (79°F), the night times are relatively cool with lows of approximately 15°C to 19°C (59°F to 66°F). The somewhat cooler temperatures in October make it a popular destination for families with younger children who may be bothered by hotter temperatures.

Best city breaks for families this half term

Castles & secret squares paired with delicious dishes for all

Budapest - Hungary

Flight time: 2 hours 40 minutes

If your holidays are for exploring locations filled with ancient history and awe-inspiring architecture at every turn, consider the captivating city of Budapest.

Not only is the Hungarian capital teeming with stunning structures such as the 13th-century Matthias Church and fairytale-esque, Fisherman's Bastion, it's also home to an exquisite variety of cuisines to suit all tastes. Vegans, vegetarians, and picky-eaters are well-catered for here, with plenty of dishes to tempt even the most discerning of palates.

To top it all off, Budapest is also cited as being an affordable option for half term break abroad, adding to the many reasons to visit this delectable destination.

Lisbon, Portugal

Flight time: 3 hours

Start in Alfama where picturesque alleyways will lead you up to São Jorge Castle. Climb the castle walls and enjoy great views of the city. Amble back down and you’ll discover secret squares, ancient churches, and some of Lisbon’s main tourist attractions. It’s easy to get around on foot but if little legs get tired, you can find hop-on hop-off bus tours, take the tram or even hire a tuk tuk.

Head over to Mercado da Ribeira. Stalls run by some of the city’s top chefs offer all different types of cuisine. And no Lisbon city break would be complete without tasting the world-famous pastéis de Belém - caramelised custard tarts. There are plenty of beaches just a short drive from the city centre. Head to Cascais which boasts a beautiful promenade for enjoying a leisurely stroll and several excellent seafood restaurants.

Vienna - Austria

Flight time: 2 hours 30 minutes

There’s a lot to see in Austria’s grand Imperial capital. The Zoom Children’s Museum (Kindermuseum) has been designed for kids with fun exhibitions and activity areas. Celebrate Vienna’s rich musical heritage, at the House of Music (Haus der Musik) where you can even conduct a virtual orchestra. Book to see the white Lipizzaner ponies ‘dancing’ at the Spanish Riding School and take a ride across the city in a Fiaker (horse-drawn carriage) .

Vienna’s other top attractions include the Natural History Museum, the House of the Sea, and Vienna Zoo where you could spend the whole day. There’s stunning Baroque architecture everywhere from Schönbrunn and the Hofburg Palaces to charming coffee houses where you can order wiener schnitzel and the famous Sachertorte chocolate cake.

Best luxury family holidays

Theme parks galore in opulent settings

Orlando - USA

Flight time: 9 hours

Orlando is tailor-made for family holidays. Its huge theme park resorts, including Disney World, EPCOT and Universal, could keep the family busy for several vacations! Elsewhere, the Kennedy Space Center is a must for those crazy about space travel. At Wonderworks Orlando children can learn through a series of mind-boggling activities. Chocolate lovers can create some personalised chocolate and enjoy some treats at Orlando Chocolate Kingdom Factory Adventure.

Look down on Orlando from above with a helicopter tour, or from the Orlando Eye. Enjoy an airboat experience through the Florida Everglades to see alligators and turtles in their natural environment. It’s free entry at Harry P Leu Gardens with 50 acres of tropical and sub-tropical plant life and butterflies.

Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Flight time: 7 hours 50 minutes

If you’re looking for a luxurious action-packed half term break, head for Dubai. Discover thrilling rides at IMG Worlds of Adventure, movie-inspired attractions at Motiongate Dubai, and LEGO-themed rides and LEGOLAND Dubai. At Dubai Parks and Resorts, visit JumpX at Riverland Dubai, which, according to Dubai's official tourism website, is the world's largest inflatable park.

Wild about waterparks? Visit Aquaventure World or Wild Wadi Waterpark which feature waterslides, water rides, and family-friendly attractions. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to summer just yet, keep it going with half-term sunshine in Dubai.

The school holidays are a great opportunity to create lasting memories together. Remember to book your airport parking, as well as FastTrack and Lounge passes to make sure your journey is seamless.