Eager to book a family holiday abroad? The first thing you’ll need to do is to set a date, but when is the best month to choose?

July and August tend to be the most popular choices for beach holidays. Most children are not at school, the weather is more likely to be good and all of the attractions are likely to be open. However, this is also the most expensive time to book a beach holiday abroad due to the demand. You’ve also got lots of crowds to contend with.

To beat the crowds and get access to better prices, it’s often better to book a beach holiday abroad before June or after September, but check when the school holidays are in the country you are planning on visiting.

Peak times are likely to vary depending very much on the destination and type of holiday. For instance, a ski resort is likely to be much busier in February - this is when you expect some of the best snow, the best range of attractions, but also potentially some of the highest prices. 

If affordability is at the top of your priority list, it’s worth finding a month out of peak season. The cheapest month is likely to depend on which continent you’re visiting - check out the infographic below to find out the cheapest month for travelling to each continent. 

Travelling during these cheaper months could mean less chance of good weather and less attractions to visit. You might also have to pay to take the kids out of school. You should weigh up whether this is worth it for a budget holiday.