Planning a family holiday is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Parents often need to think about flights, hotels, child-friendly facilities, airport transfers, travel insurance, budgets, meal options, and entertainment for everyone. This is one reason Hays Travel has become a familiar name for many families looking for a simpler way to plan their next getaway.
Hays Travel is known as the UK’s largest independent travel agent, with more than 45 years of experience and over 530 high street branches. For families, that combination of experience, branch support, online booking, and wide holiday choice can make the travel planning process feel easier and more personal.
BIO
| Label | Information |
|---|---|
| Topic | Hays Travel |
| Type | Independent UK travel agency |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Headquarters | Sunderland, England |
| Primary Service | Holiday and travel bookings |
| Popular For | Family getaways and package holidays |
| Holiday Types | Beach, cruise, city breaks, all-inclusive |
| Booking Options | Online, phone, and local branches |
| Extra Services | Travel insurance, travel money, car hire |
| Payment Options | Deposits and flexible payment plans |
| Financial Protection | ATOL protection on eligible bookings |
| Best For | Families, couples, solo travelers, and groups |
What Is Hays Travel?
Hays Travel is a UK-based independent travel agency that helps customers book package holidays, cruises, flights, hotels, city breaks, travel money, insurance, and other travel services. The company was founded in 1980 and has grown into one of the most recognised travel agency brands in the UK.
Its biggest strength is choice. Because Hays Travel works across many holiday types and suppliers, families can compare different options instead of being pushed toward one narrow style of trip. Whether someone wants a beach resort in Spain, a cruise, a city break, or a long-haul holiday, Hays Travel offers a wide selection of worldwide holidays.
Why Families Choose Hays Travel
Families often choose Hays Travel because it offers a more guided booking experience. Instead of searching through endless websites alone, parents can speak with a travel consultant who understands family travel needs. This can be especially useful when booking for young children, grandparents, larger families, or first-time travellers.
Another reason is convenience. Hays Travel gives customers different ways to book, including online, by phone, through a personal travel consultant, or in a local branch. For busy parents, this flexibility matters because every family plans differently.
Wide Holiday Choice
One of the main reasons Hays Travel is popular for family getaways is the variety of holidays available. Families can look at all-inclusive resorts, beach holidays, cruise holidays, city breaks, theme park trips, and long-haul escapes.
All-inclusive holidays are often attractive for families because meals, drinks, and some entertainment are usually included in the package. This can help parents manage spending more easily while keeping children entertained throughout the trip.
Beach holidays are another strong choice. Destinations such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, and the Canary Islands are common family favourites because they offer warm weather, family resorts, pools, beaches, and short-to-medium flight times from the UK.
Helpful Travel Experts
For many families, the value of Hays Travel is not just in the holiday itself but in the advice. A good travel consultant can help match a family with the right destination, hotel, board basis, flight time, and budget.
For example, a family with toddlers may need a hotel close to the beach, short airport transfer times, and a children’s pool. A family with teenagers may prefer a resort with waterparks, sports, Wi-Fi, and evening entertainment. These small details can make a big difference to the overall holiday experience.
This personal guidance is one reason traditional travel agencies still matter, even in a world where many people book online.
Package Holidays
Package holidays remain one of the easiest options for family travel. Hays Travel promotes package holidays that combine key parts of the trip, such as flights and accommodation, and also mentions interest-free monthly direct debit payment plans on its package holiday pages.
For families, package holidays can reduce stress because much of the trip is organised in one booking. This makes it easier to understand what is included, what needs to be paid, and what arrangements are already handled.
Package holidays can also save time. Instead of booking flights, hotels, transfers, and luggage separately, parents can compare ready-made options and choose the one that fits their family best.
Family-Friendly Resorts
Family-friendly resorts are often designed around comfort, safety, and convenience. These resorts may include kids’ clubs, children’s pools, playgrounds, family rooms, buffet restaurants, evening shows, and daytime activities.
Hays Travel can help families compare these details before booking. This matters because not every hotel that looks attractive online is suitable for every family. A quiet adults-focused resort may not be ideal for children, while a lively family resort may be perfect during school holidays.
The right resort can turn a normal holiday into a memorable family experience.
Cruise Holidays
Cruises are becoming more popular with families because they offer a mix of comfort, entertainment, and multiple destinations in one trip. Many modern cruise ships include kids’ clubs, swimming pools, family dining, theatre shows, sports areas, and activities for different age groups.
For parents, cruises can be convenient because accommodation, meals, transport between destinations, and entertainment are often part of the same holiday experience. Hays Travel’s wider travel offering includes cruises, giving families another option beyond standard beach holidays.
Theme Park Holidays
Theme park holidays are a dream choice for many families. Destinations such as Florida and European theme parks attract families who want excitement, rides, character experiences, and child-focused entertainment.
These holidays often need careful planning because tickets, hotels, flights, transfers, park access, and travel dates can affect the total cost. Booking through a travel agent can help families understand options more clearly and avoid missing important details.
Flexible Payment Options
Budget is one of the biggest concerns for family holidays. Travelling with children often means paying for multiple seats, larger rooms, baggage, meals, and activities. Hays Travel highlights interest-free monthly payments on its website, which can make holiday planning more manageable for some families.
Spreading the cost may help parents book earlier, secure better availability, and avoid paying the full amount at once. This can be especially helpful for school holiday travel, when prices and demand are often higher.
Financial Protection
Financial protection is another important reason families may choose Hays Travel. The company explains that ATOL protection helps protect customers when they book a holiday with a UK travel company, so they do not lose money or become stranded abroad if the company collapses.
However, it is important for travellers to check exactly what is protected. Hays Travel notes that packages including a flight element are financially protected by the ATOL scheme, but ATOL does not apply to every holiday or travel service. Customers should check their ATOL certificate and booking details carefully.
For families spending a significant amount on a holiday, this kind of protection can offer valuable peace of mind.
Travel Extras
A family holiday is rarely just about the hotel and flight. Parents may also need travel insurance, airport parking, foreign currency, car hire, transfers, or travel money cards.
Hays Travel offers travel-related products such as travel money, travel insurance, and prepaid travel money cards. Having these services available in one place can make preparation easier, especially for families who prefer to organise everything before departure.
Travel insurance is particularly important for families because unexpected illness, cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies can be costly. Parents should always read the policy carefully and make sure it matches their destination and activities.
Support Before Travel
Another reason families appreciate Hays Travel is support before the trip begins. If plans change, documents are needed, or questions come up, many travellers like having someone they can contact.
This can be useful for families who are unsure about passports, baggage rules, special assistance, hotel requests, or transfers. Instead of trying to solve everything alone, they can speak to a consultant or contact customer support.
Good support can reduce stress and help families feel more prepared before travelling.
Popular Family Destinations
Hays Travel offers holidays to many destinations, but some places are especially popular with families. Spain is a classic choice because of its beaches, resorts, short flights, and family-friendly hotels. The Canary Islands are also popular because they offer warm weather for much of the year.
Greece is loved for its islands, clear water, relaxed atmosphere, and welcoming resorts. Turkey is often chosen for all-inclusive value, large hotels, pools, and family entertainment. Portugal is another favourite because of its beaches, calm resorts, and manageable flight times.
For families looking further away, Florida, Mexico, Dubai, and the Caribbean can offer bigger experiences, theme parks, luxury resorts, and winter sun.
How Families Can Save Money
Families can often save money by planning early. Booking ahead may give access to better room choices, preferred flight times, and early booking offers. This is especially important during school holidays when demand is high.
Travelling outside peak dates can also reduce costs, although this is not always possible for families with school-age children. If dates are flexible, even a small change can sometimes make a noticeable difference.
All-inclusive holidays may also help families control spending because food and drinks are often included. However, families should still check what the package covers, as some activities, premium drinks, or restaurants may cost extra.
What to Check Before Booking
Before booking with Hays Travel or any travel agency, families should check the full holiday details carefully. This includes luggage allowance, transfer times, hotel location, room type, board basis, cancellation rules, passport requirements, visa rules, and travel insurance.
Parents should also check whether the hotel has suitable facilities for children. A family room, children’s pool, lift access, baby equipment, nearby medical support, and safe beach access can make the trip much easier.
Reading recent hotel information and asking questions before booking can prevent disappointment later.
Things to Consider
Hays Travel offers many benefits, but families should still compare options carefully. Prices can vary by date, destination, airline, board basis, and supplier. A deal that looks cheap at first may not include baggage, transfers, or meals.
It is also wise to understand payment terms. Deposits, final payment dates, amendment fees, and cancellation policies should be clear before confirming a booking.
Families should also remember that popular resorts can sell out quickly during school holidays. Booking early can help secure better options, but last-minute deals may sometimes work for flexible travellers.
Why Hays Travel Stands Out
Hays Travel stands out because it combines the reach of a large travel agency with the feel of a more personal service. Its high street presence, online booking options, travel consultants, wide supplier access, and travel extras make it practical for families who want guidance and choice.
The company’s growth has also made it a strong name in UK travel. After Thomas Cook collapsed in 2019, Hays Travel acquired many of its stores, helping preserve jobs and expanding its retail presence. This move increased public awareness of the brand and strengthened its position in the travel industry.
For families, the real value is simple: less confusion, more choice, and support from people who understand holiday planning.
Final Thoughts
Hays Travel is a popular choice for family getaways because it offers convenience, expert advice, wide holiday choice, flexible booking options, and helpful travel services in one place. For parents who want a smoother planning experience, this can make a big difference.
A family holiday should feel exciting, not stressful. With the right destination, the right hotel, and the right support, families can spend less time worrying about details and more time looking forward to the memories they will make together.
Whether it is a beach break, cruise, city escape, or theme park adventure, Hays Travel remains a trusted option for many families looking to plan a comfortable and enjoyable holiday.
Conclusion
Hays Travel has earned its strong reputation by making family holidays easier to plan and more enjoyable to experience. From beach escapes and all-inclusive resorts to cruises and long-haul adventures, it offers a wide variety of travel options to suit different budgets and family needs. Combined with experienced travel advisors, flexible payment options, and useful travel services, it provides a convenient way to organize every stage of a holiday.
Before booking, families should compare destinations, review what each package includes, and choose the option that best matches their travel style and budget. Planning ahead can also help secure better availability and value, especially during busy school holiday periods.
Whether you’re planning your first family vacation or your next unforgettable getaway, Hays Travel remains a trusted choice for creating memorable travel experiences with the people who matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Hays Travel known for?
Hays Travel is one of the UK’s largest independent travel agencies. It offers package holidays, flights, cruises, hotels, travel insurance, and foreign exchange services, making holiday planning easier for travelers.
2. Does Hays Travel offer family holiday packages?
Yes. Hays Travel provides a wide range of family-friendly holidays, including all-inclusive resorts, beach vacations, cruises, and theme park packages designed to suit different budgets and travel styles.
3. Can I pay for a Hays Travel holiday in installments?
Hays Travel offers flexible payment options on many holidays, allowing eligible customers to spread the cost over time. Payment options may vary depending on the holiday package and booking terms.
4. Is booking through Hays Travel financially protected?
Many package holidays that include flights are protected under the ATOL scheme, offering financial protection if the travel provider ceases trading. Always check your booking confirmation and ATOL certificate for full details.
5. Why do families choose Hays Travel for their holidays?
Many families choose Hays Travel because of its wide destination selection, experienced travel advisors, flexible booking options, competitive holiday packages, and helpful customer support before and during travel.
