Legally in the UK, everyone who works a standard five-day week is entitled to 28 days annual leave. (Check with your HR department what your exact leave allocation is.) This amounts to 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday a year. If that doesn’t seem like enough, then we have the hacks for you! With a bit of strategic planning, you can make that 5.6 weeks feel like a lot more without burning through your annual leave. 

Don’t forget to get travel insurance to protect yourself against unexpected events, and to give you peace of mind during your short trips. Here’s some tips to optimise your annual leave in 2026.

Use ‘Leave Stacking’ to Plan Around Bank Holidays and Weekends

One of the best ways to optimise your travel time is by planning trips around bank holidays and weekends. If you book your annual leave wisely, you can take advantage of bank holidays to more than double your time off in some cases. This is known as ‘leave stacking’ and in 2026, there are several opportunities to do this, including:

Easter Weekend (30^th March – 12^th April):

• Book off: 8 days (Monday 30^th March – Thursday 2nd April & Tuesday 7^th April – Friday 10^th April)
• Time off: 16 consecutive days (Saturday 28^th March – Sunday 12^th April)

Early May Bank Holiday (2^rd– 5^th May):

• Book off: 4 days (Tuesday 5^th May – Friday 8^th May)
• Time off: 9 consecutive days (Saturday 2^nd May – Sunday 10^th May)

Spring Bank Holiday (23^rd– 31^st May)

• Book off: 4 days (Tuesday 26^th May – Friday 29^th May)
• Time off: 9 consecutive days (Saturday 23^rd May – Sunday 31^st May)

Summer Bank Holiday (29^th– 6^th September)

• Book off: 4 days (Tuesday 1st September – Friday 4^th September)
• Time off: 9 consecutive days (Saturday 29^th September – Sunday 6^th September)

December Bank Holidays

This year as Boxing Day falls on Saturday we get the 28^th December as a Bank Holiday.

• Book off: 6 days (Monday 21^st December – Thursday 24^th December & Tuesday 29^th December – Wednesday 31^st December)
  Time off: 16 consecutive days (Saturday 19^th December 2026 – Sunday 3^rd January 2027)
  
• INote: Always check your contract for your companies holiday policy.

Take Advantage of Early Departures and Late Returns for One Day Trips

To make the most of a single day, book the earliest flight out and the latest flight back. This way, you can spend a full day exploring a new destination and still return home for bed. This also saves you money on accommodation. Websites like ExtremeDayTrips.com can help you plan and make the most of a single day in a new city. They give you itineraries to make the most of low-demand budget flights to Europe!

Don’t Waste Holiday Time Travelling – Choose Nearby Destinations!

Planes:

Why waste a day travelling, when you could be enjoying your holiday? European cities like Paris, Dublin, and Amsterdam are perfect for extreme day trips or long weekends from the UK. Here are just some of the amazing destinations you can fly to in around 1-2hours!

• Dublin, Ireland – Approx 1h
• Brussels, Belgium – Approx 1h 10m
• Paris, France – Approx 1h 15m
• Amsterdam, Netherlands – Approx 1h 20m
• Berlin, Germany – Approx 2h 10m
• Nice, France – Approx 2h 10m
• Barcelona, Spain – Approx 2h 10m

Trains:

If trains are more your thing, the Eurostar leaves from Kings Cross St Pancras International in London and travels to destinations in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The shorter trips come in at around 1-2 hours and can be done in a day easily for early birds:

• Lille, France – 1h 22m
• Brussels, Belgium – 1h 50m
• Paris, France – 2h 15m

Automobiles:

Or why not explore by car and take a staycation in Wales or Scotland? Some of the most beautiful places can be found without leaving the UK. Whether you want to climb a mountain, see a waterfall or paddle in crystal blue waters – here are 8 stunning spots in the UK you can drive to.

Use Travel Apps and Tools

Use flight checker websites to find the best flight deals. Sites like Skyscanner and Google Flights offer great tools for planning and booking the right flights for you.

Hacks for Google Flights and Skyscanner

• Use Explore/Everywhere Search – Find the cheapest flights or find a new city to head to from your local airport. By searching “Explore” on Google Flights or “Everywhere” on Skyscanner, you can see all your options in one place.
• Track Prices and Set Alerts – If you have a particular location in mind, use “Track Prices” on Google Flights or “Price Alerts” on Skyscanner for price changes and new flights.
• Mix up Your Airports – If you can’t find the right dates or times at one airport, mix it up. Flying from and into alternate airports can mean you get the flights you need at convenient dates and times for you.

Save cash too, with our blog on how to find the cheapest flights.

Don’t forget your Travel Insurance

Even on short breaks, things can go wrong. Which is why Travel Insurance is so important. Here are a few reasons why it’s crucial:

1. Trip Cancellation and Interruption: Travel insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable costs if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to covered reasons like illness, injury, or unforeseen events. By purchasing your Travel Insurance through GoSkippy you could be covered up to £12,500 in the event of a cancellation.
2. Medical Emergencies: Medical treatment abroad can be expensive. Travel insurance can cover emergency medical expenses and even medical evacuation if necessary. Buying Travel insurance through GoSkippy gets you up to £15 Million Medical Cover.
3. Lost or Delayed Baggage: Up to £3500 baggage cover. If your luggage is lost, stolen, or delayed, travel insurance can help cover the cost of your belongings and any essentials you need to buy. Smart Luggage cover is included in all Gold Policies, automatically giving you £50 if your luggage is delayed by more than 30 minutes. If you bag is deemed lost after 48 hours you will receive £500* Smart Luggage can also be added on to all bronze and silver policies for an added price.
4. Peace of Mind: Knowing you are covered in case of emergencies allows you to relax and enjoy your trip more fully.

Extreme day trips and long weekends are a fantastic way to scratch your travel itch. With smart planning and by making the most of Bank Holidays, you can explore new destinations and create unforgettable memories. So, pack your bags, book that early flight, and get ready for an adventure!

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[1] UK bank holidays – GOV.UK