To wonder if package holidays are worth it?

Just to throw something else in the mix.... You can (I think, still) take your car on the train, as far as Avignon, in the South of France. It's gorgeous there. I've been three times now, and although not on a beach, there's lovely spots for swimming nearby - or you could drive the extra 1.5 hours down to near Marseille. Might be worth looking at Eurocamp, or a villa even, as accommodation.

I didn't go on a package holiday until I was 19, and paid for it myself. Yet, as children, we had lots of lovely holidays, abroad most years, with our tent, or even to Eurocamp. For a family with three kids, it was a cost-effective solution, as we could take the car, and although it was a long drive at times, it was an adventure. Not sure my parents completely enjoyed the long drives, but we were, on our first trip to Denmark (first time overseas!) 6,7&9, and packed into the car with the sleeping bags, and enough food for 2 weeks; it was an adventure! Still amazing memories.

We had our first family holiday abroad and AI this year (two kids 5 & 7). It was £3700 - in August as I can’t take time off in term time - but I’d definitely suggest this as a cheaper option if you could?

We loved it - the kids were happy all day in the resort swimming and with the evening entertainment. I loved guaranteed sun (which unlike uk breaks meant we weren’t spending our unexpectedly as the weather was rubbish and we needed something to do). I was also worried it wouldn’t feel like a break which is why we did AI and it was great - we weren’t cooking or cleaning and just had relaxed family time. I’ve decided it is a priority for our family now as it was really quality time.

Maybe we've been lucky but every package we've been on has been fab! Do your research well, transfer times, reviews etc. Sunshine, a nice hotel/apartment, pools, variety of food, shows, exploring. They cater to families xx

Yeah 2 extra definitely adds on a lot! Plus a lot more to handle while away 😬

OP, EJ and Jet 2 are both out for 2027 holidays now, and the latter have a sale. Have you checked out either website? If not, I'd have a look now and see what's available. You'll usually get better prices if you're able to take a couple of days outside the school holidays. Then you'll have more idea where things are at financially.

I honestly think you are over thinking it.
We took our kids (5 & 7) at the time on an AI holiday last year for the first time, and have just returned from our second a couple of days ago. I'll admit, the first time I over thought everything... what to pack, what will the kids eat, will they like flying etc etc
Kids have ways of surprising us, they were perfect on the 4+ hr flights each time.

I would recommend Jet 2. The app is easy to use and has all the info you need on it. The planes feel spacious compared with some others I've been on. I find the prices of everything quite reasonable too. (3 children rather than 2 like us obviously will be more expensive but you shpuld het one free child place). I factor in picking seats together into the price range im looking.

Mumsnet can be quite snooty when discussing AI package holidays but I dont know why! Kids get to try different foods, they have various facilities and are generally in locations where you can explore as little or as much as you want.

Costs do vary depending on who you go with though, Jet2 for example includes transfers and luggage and doesn’t have to cost £5k upwards, have a good luck around before deciding, it is true you’re not going to get an all inclusive for the same price as eurocamp but they’re not really the same kinds ofholiday

I tend to buy flights and accommodation separately as this works out much cheaper, I also don’t overpack - you don’t need a whole suitcase each especially as it’s light summer wear rather than the jumpers and coats needed for uk holidays just in case the weather turns.
AI, SC, aparthotels, villas all bring something different to the table and you won’t know which is best until you have tried some, we did SC when children were small then AI when they became bottomless pit teens, now we are back to SC mostly

You need to decide what is important in life.

What are kids going to remember - what car you drive or a family holiday?

OK, so as 10 year old me I remember my dad had a Ford Mondeo, but I can remember in vivid detail the holiday we took in Sardinia that year, the hot sand, the sea urchin I stood on, the lizards in the grass, the food, the people that tried selling you things on the beach etc...

And the bathroom? Well it had a shower, toilet, sink and a bath like any other bathroom... colour? Er... possibly a beige suite. Dunno.

We really enjoyed all inclusive packages when the kids were little ,up to mid teens to be honest , there was plenty to do and we didn’t have to worry about a food and drinks budget . We particularly loved going to turkey with them as they really catered for families and the staff were wonderful with the children . We did go out and explore the areas and ate out and the kids were welcomed and made a fuss of everywhere we went . Our all time favourite was Paloma Grida village close to Antalya, they had the Polly kids club and children had an early open dining room just for them if you wanted to eat earlier then the main evening restaurant . The water park was fab for little ones and the food was plentiful and varied .

Like anything else with small children you can make life easier by throwing money at the issue.
We always took ours on beach holidays abroad from an early age( as well as UK holidays).
We also took my parents when DC were toddlers so four adults to help.
We booked a two bedroom apartment on a resort so the children could have a separate bedroom.
When they were a little older we did AI which was perfect from age 7 to mid teens.
You can book flights, transfer and accommodation separately or you can book a package with someone like Jet2 or TUI. It's not always cheaper either way but I find packages are generally cheaper than booking direct. That may be because I want a local airport and a civilised flight time.
All is made more difficult by having a long journey to the UK airport or flying at 6am or 10pm for example.

Absolutely for us! Several times a year.. but we only have one child (7) and he's pretty chilled

For £4-6k (!!) you could have an incredible holiday. Does it have to be a package holiday? What do you want to do?

I’ve gone to Europe loads of times with dc, never booked a package holiday and never spent close to that.

It’s really not that tricky to organise. We usually just take whatever baggage is included or I’ll book 1-2 carry ons (big rucksack). We usually fly Ryanair or easyJet so don’t take much. Usually just take the local bus or train from the airport to the city centre or get a taxi when we get there, nothing special to arrange. We get an Airbnb and I pretty much never pay more than £100 per night total. If you need 4 bedrooms, you’ll end up paying more, but depends on sleeping arrangements.

I don’t want to be in a resort because beaches and pools and entertainment isn’t really why I go away, so we do have extra costs for days out and food, but it’s not much. We go to the supermarket and have fun trying all sorts of new things. That way we only eat out usually one, sometimes two meals a day. We go off exploring and do lots of markets and gardens and playgrounds and we go to the beach. All that stuff is free. And then we have money to spend on the fun stuff like the aquarium or a water park or a tour. It does not cost anything close to £1000 per person for a week and we have a fantastic time. My 8 year old still talks daily about our trip to Valencia 2 years ago! It was literally the best thing he’s ever done because of all the fruit in the markets and the best playground ever (normal city playground) and all the seafood he ate. 😂

I think package holidays particularly if AI attract people who want to sit around and drink by the pool all day. Fine if that’s your thing, but I want to actually do things and explore and speak the local language and show the kids new things. We have pools and beaches here.

We did our first trip flying when our son was 9 (he is an only child though so probably a lot easier than taking 3, though many do!).

We didn't book a package, we booked the hotel direct (DH family had been before), then flights and sorted own transfers.
I was worried about the faff of it all but it was actually really easy with a bit of careful planning.

We did day before bag drop and fast track security to reduce queuing times. Our flight was 7.30am so we had breakfast in the airport. Would any of this be an option to make it easier?

Obviously every family is different but we booked a place with lots to explore nearby. We love walking/outdoors so booked a place in the Austrian alps. Food at the hotel was amazing so we were well catered for there and could go out every day exploring. Used public transport to get about which worked well.
So, think about what you and the family want and book accordingly!
Consider what your kids eat - I'm lucky that DS eats anything and is adventurous with food so he loved eating the hotel food (local dishes) but if your kids are less keen, book somewhere that caters to their needs.

Basically, do your research according to your family but go for it! Chances are you'll have a great time!

Kids club, entertainment, food available all day, no cooking, no cleaning. Absolute heaven!

We've had two weeks AI the last few years for the 6 of us for less than 6k.

@Werehalfwaythere well it’s definitely cheaper if you drive down -areas around Royan or La Rochelle are good if you don’t want to drive too far and that way you can get the ferry to Brittany/normandy too which our son enjoyed. Last week in August often good as European schools go back. Before then unless of course you are in Scotland- as Scot’s go back before , I reckon it will be around £2.3k ferry and site and fuel and then maybe £700 or so when you are there with food. So still somewhat cheaper I think but with more space and flexibility to stop , or drive out if you get any shit weather etc and take home comforts in the car

I've done loads of AL holidays. The attraction for me is the weather, having breakfast outside with a nice view and good weather. I love the evenings no cardigan. Kids club is a winner and the sport activities. Waterpark is a winner all onsite.
I like the huge selection of food and not having to budget and plan meals out if I don't want to. The people I've met are lovely too. I've never had any bad holidays tbh.

Tbh it's the 5 people that makes package holidays even more expensive - we're also a 5. There's just less choice unless you are ok spreading out into 2 rooms. There are not a huge amount of hotels that have rooms for 2 adults and 3 children and often they get snapped up. We love our holidays though, definitely worth it for us. We tend to do an AI then a villa next as I like aspects of both types of holidays, although an AI is more relaxing. It does take some research to make sure you pick a good hotel.

Out of interest why were your children up at 5am Greek time when that would be 3am UK time? Travelling East works in your favour with young children normally..