Cheap flights in May: bank holidays and pre-summer value
Looking for cheap flights in May? May is packed with bank holidays — Early May, Spring, and Late May — plus the late May half-term. These drive sharp weekend and week-long fare spikes on European short-haul.
Where to fly in May from the UK
Mediterranean is at its shoulder-season sweet spot: Greece, Italy, southern Spain, Croatia, Portugal. Warm enough for the beach, quieter than June. Long-haul highlights: the US East Coast in bloom, Japan post-Golden Week, and Turkey pre-summer.
How to save
Book bank holiday weekends 6-8 weeks out — they're among the most expensive short-haul weekends of the year. Fly 5-16 May (between the first two bank holidays) for the softest fares.