Here's why you should book your TUI summer 2026 family holiday right now

We know what you’re thinking: 2026 feels ages away. But booking your family holiday early has serious perks. From big savings and tiny deposits, to the joy of having a trip to look forward to, getting ahead of the game takes the stress out of holiday planning and makes budgeting more manageable. 

With TUI’s early bird offer and using code GETAWAY, you can:

• Save up to £200 per booking with a myTUI account

• Lock it in with a £25pp deposit

• Get first dibs on the best hotels, destinations and flight times

And you’ll have months to build excitement with the myTUI app holiday countdown, giving the whole family something to smile about through the school run slog and rainy weekends.

Here are all the reasons why it makes sense to plan ahead and book a break right now. Plus, we’ve scoured our holidays forum to highlight the destinations that Mumsnet users LOVED this year to provide inspo for the months ahead. Give yourself the gift of knowing summer 2026 is already sorted. Book now and let the countdown begin.

-Mumsnet user, Yorkshiremum80

1. Bag significant savings

Family holidays don’t come cheap, and finding ways to make them more affordable is a no-brainer. That’s where TUI’s early bird offer comes in: save up to £300 on your next holiday by booking with a myTUI account and using code SUMMER.

That’s extra spending money for ice creams, water sports or a fancy family meal. And booking now means taking advantage of today’s prices.

And don’t forget to search for a Free Kids’ Place to secure even bigger savings (the deal is valid across hundreds of family holidays and covers the cost of flights, accommodation, transfers, and food and drink for one child per two full-paying adults). 

Read next: How to save money on a TUI family holiday

2. Secure your holiday with a low deposit

One of the biggest worries about booking a holiday early is paying for the whole trip upfront. But with TUI, you can secure your 2026 holiday for just £25 per person, giving you peace of mind that your dream holiday is reserved without blowing the family budget. 

And you can pay it off in manageable instalments throughout the year thanks to TUI’s handy payment plans. So there are no nasty surprises, and you can spread the cost over time.

3. Enjoy loads of availability

There’s nothing worse than waiting until the last minute, only to find the hotel you wanted is fully booked or the flights are eye-wateringly expensive. Booking now means you’ll get first pick of the lot - from swim-up rooms and family suites to flight times that don’t involve dragging everyone out of bed at 3am.

Popular destinations sell out fast, especially during the school holidays, so early birds really do catch the worm (or the poolside loungers or the sea-view rooms…).

4. Make the most of the holiday build-up

Half the joy of a family holiday is in the anticipation. And booking early stretches out that sense of excitement and gives everyone something to look forward to during the daily grind. You can plan activities together, get inspiration for excursions, and keep the holiday spirit alive long before you’ve packed the suncream.

And it’s well worth setting up a holiday countdown via the myTUI app for a visual reminder of the good things to come. 

5. Plan ahead like a pro

Booking early doesn’t just save you money, it buys you time. Time to budget. Time to research fun activities. Time to coordinate with grandparents or friends. Time to fit other milestones (school trips, festivals, family events) around your big getaway.

Instead of panicking about where to go and what’s left, you’ll have the luxury of knowing it’s all locked in. That’s one major item ticked off the neverending family to-do list, and we all know how satisfying that feels.

Ready to book? Here are the destinations that Mumsnetters LOVED this year

We used our very own MumsGPT tool to analyse thousands of conversations about the resorts, cities, beaches and countries that Mumsnet users enjoyed and recommended this year to fuel your family holiday wanderlust for 2026. 

1. Turkey

What Mumsnet users say 

We went to an all-inclusive in Turkey this year and it was fab. We had one grumpy teen and one lovely one but we still had fun. DS2 said it was his second best holiday - the first was Florida (once in a lifetime as it cost an arm and a leg).” Jorge14

I love Turkey and have been 6 times! 3 before kids and 3 with kids. Weather is always gorgeous, the locals are lovely and there are some fab day trips! Great for scuba diving as well.” ImthatBoleyngirl

Sun, sea and spectacular resorts - Turkey continues to be a family favourite. Mumsnetters rave about the all-inclusive hotels with waterslides, kids’ clubs and endless food options, perfect for keeping teens and tots happy. Add in turquoise waters, long sunny days, lively bazaars and historical ruins, and you’ve got a holiday that combines relaxation and adventure for all. 

Read next: The best TUI BLUE hotels in Turkey

2. Thailand

What Mumsnet users say 

Thailand. Heaven on earth and we’d go back in a heartbeat…” Lamaitresse

We went to Thailand for 3 weeks - it was amazing.” PattySpringsteensHorse

For families ready to go long-haul, Thailand is a brilliant option. Think tropical beaches, boat trips to limestone islands, buzzing night markets and delicious food (pad Thai for pennies, anyone?). Teenagers will love the sense of adventure - whether it’s snorkelling with tropical fish, exploring temples, or trying out street food. And for parents? The stunning scenery and warm hospitality are hard to beat.

Read next: Top long-haul holiday destinations for families

3. Ibiza

What Mumsnet users say 

Ibiza without a doubt. It's not just a party place, and that's all early avoided just don't go to San Antonio. Ibiza town is really lovely, the whole island is beautiful." Yorkshiremum80

I had a week in Ibiza with my 17yo DD (no clubbing) and we had the best time.” parkrunpenny 

It may have a party-animal reputation but Ibiza has a softer, family-friendly side that’s perfect for summer holidays. Mumsnetters love the island’s laid-back beach clubs, calm coves and sunset boat trips. Plus, you can dip into its famous markets and enjoy local food without the pressure of staying up until dawn. It’s chic, sunny and surprisingly relaxed. And it’s a hit with teens who want a bit of cool-factor without sacrificing family fun.

Read next: The best TUI BLUE hotels for families in Spain

4. Slovenia

What Mumsnet users say 

[...] Slovenia and Austria in the summer. Summer was incredible. Gorge walking, zip lining, rafting, lake swimming, paddle boarding! Teens loved it.” Dublassie

Slovenia is beautiful! We go every summer. Sitting in between Lake Bled and Kranjska Gora. We hire a car so I can’t advise on public transport. Ljubljana is nice but there are much more stunning places!” namechangeGOT 

Slovenia is increasingly popular among families. Compact and stunningly beautiful, it’s easy to explore without long drives or overwhelming crowds. Highlights include Lake Bled’s fairytale island, mountain hikes, and outdoor adventures like rafting and cycling. Teens with a taste for the outdoors will thrive here, and parents love the mix of affordability and wow-factor scenery.

Read next: Top lakes and mountains holidays for families

5. Canada

What Mumsnet users say

“We went to Canada - it was incredible!” bringbackthespira

“RV trip in Canadian Rockies with 16yr old. The lack of mobile coverage meant she had to talk to us! Scenery was stunning (Vancouver, Whistler, Jasper, Banff and a few other stops), people lovely, fab campsites. Lots of driving of course and it wasn’t cheap but would love to go again to the east coast.” FishFingerseveryday

For a truly epic family adventure, Canada hits the spot. Whether it’s hiking in the Rockies or exploring cool cities like Vancouver and Toronto, there’s something for everyone. Mumsnetters especially love the sense of space and freedom - active families can get an adrenaline fix from kayaking, mountain biking or skiing, while soaking up the natural beauty. It’s the kind of holiday that makes lifelong memories.

About TUI 

When it comes to booking a holiday, we know everyone likes something different - from great value all-inclusive deals with TUI MAGIC LIFE where kids can go free* at selected hotels to our action packed Holiday Village options and our TUI BLUE hotels with a “Family Fun” label which cater for everyone and are handpicked just for your family.

Our holiday portfolio ticks off everything from beach holidays and city breaks through to lakes and mountains getaways. We also offer tours that let you experience exotic places like Costa Rica, South Africa and Japan in a brand new way, and multi-destination trips with over 5,000 combinations to choose from. As one of the biggest UK holiday companies, we're here whenever you need us - via our stores, website or 24/7 Holiday line. Book now for a £0 deposit* when you pay via Direct Debit*.

About the author 

Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel.

She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for top publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London. She loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far, as well as trawling the Mumsnet holiday forum for inspiration for her next trip away with her husband and two kids.

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