Prices for family holidays often skyrocket during July and August, costing three to four times more than in other months – but don’t worry, some affordable options are still available
Family on holiday(Image: Getty Images)
Irish families who are looking to book a summer getaway but were put off by high prices are in luck, as some affordable options are still available.
‘Sail-and-stay’ packages offer a lower-cost way to travel to France and Spain in July and August, and are available from approximately €800 for short breaks and week-long family holidays from around €1,700, including return ferry travel and accommodation across destinations in France and Spain.
With the cost of flights and accommodation continuing to rise, these packages and fares offer a more flexible and cost-effective alternative. Families can bring their car and travel at their own pace, while the ‘sail-and-stay’ concept combines ferry travel and accommodation in one booking. Options include campsites, French gîtes, apartments, cottages and hotels, with savings of up to 30% on standard ferry fares.
Brittany Ferries is also offering great value short break fares to France, with 3-day, 5-day and 7-day return fares available from just €292, €312 and €342 respectively for a car and up to two people.
Irish holidaymakers can travel directly from Rosslare and Cork to both France and Spain – including routes to Cherbourg, Roscoff and Bilbao, making it easier to reach a range of destinations without flying.
Options include a range of family-friendly accommodation across Spain and France, from coastal hotels to rural stays. Short sail-and-stay breaks are available from approximately €800, with week-long family holidays typically starting from around €1,700, depending on location and accommodation type.
For those looking for a shorter French escape, Brittany Ferries’ duration fares offer another affordable option. Travellers can book a 3-day break to France from €292 return for a car and two people, a 5-day break from €312 return, or a 7-day break from €342 return. Family fares are also available from €368, €388, and €418, respectively, for two adults and two children travelling with a car. The offers are available on routes to France for travel up to 2 November 2026.
Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries, said: “Families are feeling the pinch, but they needn’t forgo a summer holiday if they choose carefully. The regions we serve by cruise ferry are safe and welcoming. Over-tourism is also not a thing in our destinations. If you choose Brittany Ferries this summer, you won’t be disappointed. Crucially, neither will you break the bank.”
Great value sail-and-stay deals from Ireland include:
1. Hotel Picos de Europa, a family-run hotel set in the heart of the stunning Picos de Europa mountains in Asturias. Surrounded by dramatic scenery, it’s an ideal base for hiking, trail running and exploring the great outdoors. A three-night sail-and-stay break from 26 August to 30 August is priced from €921.
2. Hotel Arha Villa de Suances, located just 800 metres from Los Locos beach on Spain’s Cantabrian coast, offers a relaxed coastal escape with access to some of the region’s best surf spots and beaches. A three-night package from 26 August to 30 August is available from €907.
3. Hotel Soho Boutique Salamanca, set in the heart of Salamanca’s historic centre, is perfect for a cultural city break. Known as the ‘golden city’, Salamanca offers beautiful architecture, vibrant food culture and a lively atmosphere. A three-night sail-and-stay package from 26 August to 30 August is priced from €849.
Want to see more of the stories you love from RSVP ? To add RSVP as a preferred source of news on Google, simply click here
