10 Budget-friendly early summer getaways in May & June ☀️ 🏖️

1. The Balearic Islands 🇪🇸

Flight time: ~2.5 hrs

Average temps in May & June: 23–28°C

Why we love it: The Balearic Islands are a great shout for a short-haul early summer break. Holiday destinations like Majorca and Ibiza are great if you want a relaxing holiday in the sun. Majorca especially is a UK fave, and for good reason! Think golden beaches, charming villages and a buzzing restaurant and bar scene. May and June hit the sweet spot: hot enough to tan, cool enough to explore.

How to snag a bargain: Look to book midweek instead of on weekends to save a bit of cash. Flights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays are usually cheaper than weekend departures.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate tip: To search for the best prices, use TUI’s flexible date search and choose +/- 3 or 7 days, so you're able to see the best prices for the week that you are looking to go on holiday. The more flexible you are with your dates, the better the bargain you'll be able to find!

2. Tunisia 🇹🇳

Flight time: ~3 hrs

Average temps in May & June: 26–29°C

Why we love it: While we think Tunisia is a year-round gem, May and June feature some of the best weather for a beach holiday. With Mediterranean beaches, spice markets and all-inclusive hotels for a steal, it’s one of the best-value destinations out there.

How to snag a bargain: The best month to go to Tunisia for a deal is May, when the weather is warm, but not too hot. It's just before the summer rush, meaning there are fewer crowds, and you will get lower prices.

3. Crete 🇬🇷

Flight time: ~4 hrs

Average temps in May & June: 24–29°C

Why we love it: Crete is Greece’s largest island, and there's plenty on the island to keep you occupied. It's the prefect blend of cultural and natural wonders with a relaxing beachy vibe that Greece is so well-known for. Plus, in May and June, the sea is normally warm enough for swimming, and you'll be able to take advantage of shoulder season prices!

How to snag a bargain: While it might be tempting to go to a fancy all-inclusive resort, you can actually save a lot of money by choosing a smaller hotel option with breakfast only or self-catering. You can still eat all your meals out for cheap, just make sure to go to local places that don't overcharge tourists.

4. Canary Islands 🇪🇸

Flight time: ~4.5 hrs

Average temps in May & June: 25–28°C

Why we love it: The Canary Islands are a great choice for guaranteed sunshine, even in the shoulder season. Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife and Fuerteventura are some of the most popular islands in this chain, with plenty of beaches and attractions to enjoy.

How to snag a bargain: If you're not set on a specific island, we recommend looking at where the best deals are for all of them. Lanzarote and Tenerife seem to be the most popular with Brits, but Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura can normally offer the same vibes for £100s less.

Pirate tip 🏴‍☠️ Booking your Canaries holiday with TUI can often come out cheaper than if you DIY it. Plus, they're ATOL protected.

5. Egypt 🇪🇬

Flight time: ~5 hrs

Average temps in May & June: 27–34°C

Why we love it: Egypt is a great shout for those looking to be a baller on a budget. You can often find 5-star accommodation for the same price as 3-star elsewhere. Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada offer luxe resorts without the big price tag in the early summer shoulder season. Marsa Alam is also a great (and affordable) destination for those looking for a more relaxed vibe.

How to snag a bargain: Going all-inclusive will save you money in the long run. Not only will it open you up to more luxe resorts, you'll be able to get a lot of your entertainment as well.

Pirate tip 🏴‍☠️ If you are looking to make your holiday an active one, wait to book any tours until you're on your holiday. Booking at your hotel or through local agents is usually cheaper than booking in advance from the UK.

6. Cape Verde 🇨🇻

Flight time: ~6 hrs

Average temps in May & June: 26–30°C

Why we love it: Looking for a chill beach holiday without the crazy price tag? Cape Verde is where it's at. There's not really a ton to do on the islands, it's more about relaxing and enjoying the resorts! There are two main islands, Sal and Boa Vista; Sal has a bit more action with bigger resort options (and therefore more deals), while Boa Vista tends is a bit quieter and home to luxury hotels. Be sure to check both, as prices can fluctuate.

How to snag a bargain: We suggest you go for an all-inclusive package, as that's where the savings can really come in. Booking something in May will be cheaper than June, when the weather isn't too hot yet.

7. Florida 🇺🇸

Flight time: ~9 hrs

Average temps in May & June: 28–33°C

Why we love it: Florida is our go-to family-friendly holiday destination. Orlando is home to some of the world's best theme parks, and surprisingly (most likely due to the competition) you can snag some great deals, even in May and June.

How to snag a bargain: Booking in May and June means that the weather is warm enough for taking advantage of the pool hotel, which is great for parents that want to keep costs down, but kids still entertained. Look for hotels in Lake Buena Vista, International Drive, or Kissimmee as they often offer cheaper rates with free shuttles to the parks.

8. Dominican Republic 🇩🇴

Flight time: ~9 hrs

Average temps in May & June: 27–30°C

Why we love it: Beachfront accommodation without breaking the bank? Sign us up! Punta Cana is our top choice for a Caribbean holiday. It's got everything you think of when you picture a Caribbean getaway: crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches and plenty of nice hotels with swim up bars. The best thing is that it's often half the price of other Caribbean destinations.

How to snag a bargain: You'll find great deals in early summer, and fewer crowds, too. You can often find amazing last-minute deals for Punta Cana packages from TUI that includes your flights, hotels, transfers, and luggage. We find booking these deals is cheaper than if you were to do it DIY!

9. Mexico 🇲🇽

Flight time: ~10 hrs

Average temps in May & June: 28–32°C

Why we love it: Mexico is a no-brainer. We can recommend setting your sights on Cancun or the Riviera Maya for a holiday in Mexico. The Riviera Maya features a 60-mile stretch of coastline with pristine white beaches and turquoise waters. Expect a more chilled, laid-back vibe than Cancun, which has an active nightlife scene with plenty of all-inclusive hotels.

How to snag a bargain: May is the start of the off-season for Mexico, which runs through October. However, it's still dry in May, with a few days of light showers scattered in June. This means it's one of the cheapest times to go where that doesn't fall into school holidays or monsoon season.

10. Costa Rica 🇨🇷

Flight time: ~11 hrs

Average temps in May & June: 27–32°C

Why we love it: Costa Rica is a great place for Brits looking for a bit of adventure, but who don't want to go out of their comfort zone. Big on nature: think verdant rainforests, volcanoes, sloths, lush beaches ... you really can't go wrong.

How to snag a bargain: Travelling in the so-called "green season" means you'll see lower prices and fewer crowds. If you don't mind a bit of rain on your trip, you'll be able to save a ton. Plus, TUI flies direct to Liberia and often has amazing return flight prices in the £400 range.

Check out these 🔥 deals from TUI