Have you booked cheap flights for school holidays (Whit?)

[namechangedtoday15]

We've just returned from Italy and booked flights on the day they were released and got a relatively good deal - but we flew to Milan so not a popular holiday destination really.

We're thinking of one of the Greek Islands next year and having looked today, package deals seem really expensive (as we are a family of 5). Just wondering whether it works out cheaper to get Easyjet / Ryan air flights and then accommodation separately. Has anyone got relatively cheap flights for Corfu / Crete / Zante etc during May half term / summer hols?

Thanks

Whereabouts are you? We got a really good package deal last two weeks of August last year as a family by flying from Edinburgh - because Scottish schools will be back by 14 August. If it's at all doable I'd recommend driving up to fly from there! (We're not far from Manchester)

Oh bless, hadn't thought of that, we are just outside Manchester too!

Check out early booking offers too, we go to the Greek Islands and always book early as there are 8 of us so accommodation is limited. We have to go the 1st 2 wks of August and last year we've paid £2.8K for 2 wks half board in Kalamaki, Zante and this year we are off to stalis, Crete for £2.2K 2 wks self catering. One with Thomas Cook, one with Thomson.

You can get cheap packages if you like popular resorts.

I always book independently as we like quiet Greek resorts but don't want to pay package prices. I normally find something around £2000 for 4 of us SC in school summer hols and book around xmas time.
I look for cheap flights first (sky scanner) before finding accommodation. Crete usually comes up cheaper than other islands.
If you find flights under £250 pp, that's a good price in high season.

How do you find out about early booking offers - am guessing its too late to be "early" now for next May?

we usually book flights & accomodation separate.
tend to go camping (eurocamp or similar though)