According to Flight Centre data, nearly half of travellers (48%) say booking well in advance is their primary strategy for making travel more affordable. For 2026’s compressed winter holiday season, that approach may be less of a nice-to-have and more of a necessity.
If a June or July family break is still on your list, there’s still time to book, but only just.
Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa, is flagging this year’s holiday calendar as the perfect storm of concentrated demand, making May the ideal time for families to lock in value before the peak booking window closes.
“While dates vary, public and private schools, and universities will converge on a four-week window from 27 June to 20 July,” she says. “That means families who delay booking could find themselves facing fewer choices, higher fares, and sold-out accommodation far sooner than they might expect.”
For some students, the calendar offers a valuable head start, with select institutions breaking from mid-June, creating an opportunity to travel well before the holiday rush begins. But the smartest travellers are already on the booking path. Here’s how Turner recommends getting ahead.
Turn the school run into a holiday
For university and boarding school families, there’s a smart alternative to the traditional holiday hotspot: book closer to where your children are studying and turn collection weekend into a mid-year escape in its own right.
“Parents can travel to universities and colleges to meet their kids, while holidaying at the same time. Destinations surrounding campuses such as Stellenbosch University, the University of Cape Town, and Rhodes University offer plenty of appeal in winter, from fireside wine tastings and long, lazy lunches to cosy guesthouses and evenings spent around board games,” says Turner.
In KwaZulu-Natal, families collecting kids from schools near Pietermaritzburg, including Hilton College in the Midlands, can also build in a countryside break, making the trip feel like a well-timed holiday.
Beat peak prices with all-inclusive
All-inclusive local breaks can temper the sting of peak travel costs for families watching their budget, with meals, activities, and entertainment bundled in.
Turner highlights Sun City as a strong choice for a June or July escape for Gauteng families. “It’s close enough to keep travel simple yet still feels like a proper break. Winter days are usually mild, sitting around 20 to 25 degrees, which makes outdoor plans far more tempting than hiding under a blanket in Johannesburg.”
Skip the visa queue
Families who want to venture a little further afield should consider visa-free destinations in order to make a June/July holiday happen minus the extra logistics.
With flight capacity continuing to recover and major international carriers restoring much of their schedules, travelling abroad is becoming more accessible again. However, lead times are still tight when it comes to visa applications, making visa-free destinations, such as Phuket in Thailand or Mauritius, especially appealing for local families
“Mauritius, in particular, offers excellent all-inclusive options for families during this time of year,” says Turner, “This means less time spent planning and more of it actually enjoying the holiday together.”
For families considering international destinations, there’s another reason to act sooner rather than later: the rand. Locking in flights and accommodation now means insulating your holiday budget against potential currency fluctuations in the weeks ahead – a consideration that becomes especially relevant during periods of economic uncertainty.
“What you book today is what you pay today. Waiting even a few extra days can mean the same holiday costs meaningfully more, and that’s before peak-season pricing kicks in,” Turner explains.
If travelling outside of South Africa in the coming months, she recommends working with a trusted travel advisor to help ensure a smooth trip from booking to departure. However, right now, the focus remains on taking action.
“Families who know their June/July dates have a real advantage, especially those securing their holidays in May. Yes, the clock is ticking, but you’re not too late. In fact, you’re right on time,” she concludes.
