Where is hot in February? Cheap holiday deals from TUI, BA and more | Travel News | Travel
February may bring cold temperatures to the UK, but there is still plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed (Image: Getty Images)
February might be one of the coldest months of the year in the UK but there are still plenty of places around the world enjoying toasty temperatures and golden sunshine. And given that it’s far enough outside of the peak holiday seasons, there are lots of discounts to be found, so it’s a great time to scoop up a bargain and start the year in style.
Some of the best TUI deals and Jet2 flight and holiday offers can be snapped up in February and British Airways also has a number of holidays and flights discounted right now. Even if you leave things down to the wire, there are plenty of last-minute holiday options out there too which could even prove more lucrative than booking in advance.
But if you’re struggling to decide where you want to go, and the thermometer is on your mind, there are some locations which prove more reliable for February sunshine. Though most of the best destinations for sunshine are long-haul hotspots, there are some countries a little closer to home which enjoy milder winter temperatures.
We’ve used Met Office data to round up some of the best February sunshine hotspots. Scroll down to find your perfect, toasty February holiday destination, as well as some deals on flights and holidays, or click on the links to jump to the relevant section.
All deals included in this article are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change.
1. Phuket
Phuket might be a long flight time, located approximately 6,225 air miles from the UK and you’ll typically need to stop off for a layover on the way, often in destinations such as UK stop in Doha, Dubai or Hong Kong.
However the long flight is certainly well worth it for the incredible views, culture and of course, those high February temperatures.
Average daily high temperatures in February can reach approximately 33.1C and it’s also one of the best months to avoid rainfall. Sitting at the end of the dry season, you can expect just 30mm of average rainfall for the entire month.
It’s also a great time for those who want to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of some of Thailand’s most-loved beaches, with sea temperatures reaching a toasty 29C.
If you want to take a guided tour of some of the region’s most well-known landmarks, one of the top-rated experiences on Tripadvisor includes a canoe tour of Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave and boat tour of James Bond Island. As the name suggests, James Bond Island, or Khao Phing Ka, are two limestone karst towers which make up part of Ao Phang Nga Bay that was made famous in the 1974 James Bond film.
On land, the Big Buddha Phuket was awarded a Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Award in 2023. The 45-metre-high marble statue is seated atop Nakkerd Hill, offering incredible views across the South of the island.
Phuket is home to some beautiful beaches (Image: Getty Images)
Though many flights are indirect, many popular travel firms offer package holidays to Thailand, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and TUI. Some airlines do offer direct flights to Phuket, but it’s important you check the specifics of your flight before booking.
Express.co.uk has independently searched the web to find some of the best deals on offer for a February holiday in Phuket:
2. Cancun
Located on the southeast coast of Mexico, Cancun is a popular holiday hotspot for tourists from around the world, with plenty of package holiday options available for those who want to make planning their trip easy.
With plenty of golden sand beaches and warm sea temperatures, it’s a great destination for those who want to lounge on the shoreline all day. By day, you can anticipate average daily highs of 32.3C – notably higher than the chilly temperatures back home in the UK.
And to top it off, rainfall is minimal during the Mexican summer, with February being one of the driest months of the year, according to Met Office data. You can anticipate a low rainfall of 28mm this month.
Cancun has a dedicated hotel zone, which frequently hosts entertainment for holidaymakers to enjoy, along with a 22km stretch of beach overlooking turquoise waters.
Express.co.uk has independently searched the web to find some of the best deals on offer for a February holiday to Cancun:
Cancun enjoys summer temperatures in February (Image: Getty Images)
3. Barbados
Despite the winter season arriving in the UK, sitting just 13 degrees north of the equator, Barbados enjoys a hot, tropical climate in the winter months. In February, average highs reach 29.2C, with minimal – just 42mm for the whole month. Even when it does rain, the clouds seem to roll in and back out at rapid speed.
Barbados is known for its stunning, sandy stretches of beach and luxury resorts, many of which have access to their own private shoreline spots. With warm water in February, it’s a great location for those who want to enjoy a dip in the ocean or adventure-seekers looking to take part in water sports.
Each side of the island has its own unique vibe, as Tripadvisor explains: “Romance and adventure are in the air on this lush West Indian island in the Caribbean, depending on your coast. To the west, you’ll find calm waters and good swimming. To the east, there are massive, competition-caliber waves.”
Barbados enjoys a hot, tropical climate in February with highs of around 29C (Image: Getty Images)
Express.co.uk has independently searched the web to find some of the best deals on offer for February holidays in Barbados:
4. Orlando
Orlando is the perfect destination for families, with so many theme parks and attractions to enjoy. Even though it is winter in Orlando, the weather remains relatively warm due to the powerful Atlantic Ocean current which causes warmer waters to be brought from the tropics and the sub-tropical climate.
Temperatures tend to rise throughout February, getting warmer as the month goes on. Similarly, rainfall can be expected but this typically arrives in short bursts.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the theme parks of Walt Disney World are some of the top-rated experiences for visitors to Orlando, according to Tripadvisor. Orlando is also home to Universal Studios, Legoland and a number of waterparks.
According to Tripadvisor: “Orlando is a city that’s powered by dreams.”
Orlando enjoys mild temperatures in the winter getting gradually hotter as the summer creeps closer (Image: Getty Images)
Express.co.uk has independently searched the web to find some of the best deals on offer for a February holiday in Orlando:
5. Egypt
Flights to Egypt take roughly around five and a half hours depending on where you land. Usually, you’ll touch down in either Hurghada or Marsa Alam, on the country’s east coast, or Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula. If you want to explore the city of Cairo, there are also direct flights from the UK.
Though February certainly isn’t Egypt’s hottest month, it still offers warm weather and lots of sunshine. The capital city of Egypt and located on the Nile, Cairo has a desert climate making daytime temperatures warm and nights cool. Here, average daily highs sit at around 20.5C in February.
Along the coastal regions, such as Sharm El Sheikh, average highs sit at approximately 24C.
Where exactly you go will depend on whether you want a beach break or a city escape, but even if you do head to some of the beach resorts, the famous Pyramids can usually reached on a day trip.
“An enigmatic treasure trove of almost unimaginable archaeological and cultural riches, it’s hard not to think of Egypt without imagining the Sphinx, the pyramids at Giza, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and the Nile,” states Tripadvisor.
“As well as being the world’s largest open-air museum, Egypt also offers a slew of luxurious Red Sea resorts, many within reach of spectacular snorkelling, diving and windsurfing.”
Sharm el Sheikh is home to some beautiful beaches perfect for enjoying the sun (Image: Getty Images)
Express.co.uk has independently searched the web to find some of the best deals on offer for a February holiday in Egypt:
How much cheaper are flights and holidays in February?
Flights and holidays typically drop in price at the start of the year, especially with Christmas travel coming to an end and summer so far in the future.
“February is a great time to pick up a bargain flight for a romantic city break for two or some half-term sunshine for the whole family,” explained an expert from Expedia.
“Many airlines offer fantastic February sale flights to great destinations worldwide, with bargains.”
You can expect fairly low prices for the entirety of the month, though prices can rise a little during February half-term to meet demand. However, flexibility is often the key to securing a deal, so if you can be open about when you want to fly you’re likely to see the best prices.
If you want to take your savings a step further, experts from Skyscanner recommend travelling on what data shows to be the “best day of the week” to fly.
Based on Skyscanner’s data and flight price history, mid-week is the cheapest time to fly. Travelling on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday could save you “somewhere between 15 and 25 percent”.
Sitting nicely between the peaks of Christmas and Easter travel periods, there are bargains aplenty to destinations worldwide.
With the holiday season out of the way, cheap flights in February are usually fairly easy to come by, as long as you are flexible. . However, prices and availability are subject to change.
How to find a cheap package holiday in February
Most package holiday arms of major airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, offer their own holiday deals throughout the year. However, the time of year you choose to book can play a big role in just how much you can save on a package holiday, but there isn’t really one set time when holidays are cheaper.
Keeping an eye out for seasonal deals and sales can help you secure a bargain, with major discounts on offer as the seasons change. However, being spontaneous can also pay off.
Many package holiday providers and airlines offer fantastic last-minute deals to help them fill up holidays, but the key here is being flexible with your destination and dates of travel.
How to get the best deal on a flight or holiday in February
You may have discovered an offer that seems too good to be true on a February flight or holiday, but how can you figure out whether or not you’ve managed to get the absolute best price available?
Most travel operators and holiday providers offer the option to sort flights and holidays by price from low to high, which means you can sort through the best available prices. However, if you want to compare them with other airlines or package holiday providers, a price comparison website could be your best friend.
These websites work by pulling data from an array of travel agents and airlines to provide a list of flight or holiday results relevant to your search. From there, you can see whether your holiday or flights are offered elsewhere for a lower price.
Many airlines and holiday providers recommend booking directly with them, rather than with a third party to avoid incurring excess booking fees. Before proceeding at check-out, it’s best to make sure there are no additional fees on your booking which can be avoided by purchasing directly with an airline or package holiday provider.
Holiday and flight comparison websites that can help you search for the best deal include:
