What Is A Mid-Haul Holiday? A Beginner’s Guide

If you want to feel like you’ve had a proper adventure without spending days in the air, then we may have the perfect escape for you. But what are mid-haul holidays and exactly how much travelling do you need to do?

Marmaris is a popular mid-haul holiday destination
What is a mid-haul holiday and where can you go? Photo by Simge Işık Karaca

For some people, the thought of putting in a huge shift in terms of travel for your big escape can be a little off-putting. But not all sunny breaks demand a huge flight time. 

Some of the best sun-drenched escapes are actually considered mid-haul. But what is a mid-haul holiday? What sort of locations does it refer to? And where does it fit in terms of long and short-haul travel?

Well, we’ve got all the answers here. Read on to find out, starting with the big question. 



What Is A Mid-Haul Holiday?

A mid-haul holiday is to a destination located around 4-8 hours away by plane. The great thing about deciding on a mid-haul holiday destination is that you don’t have to compromise on sunshine for that shorter flight. 

Travelling long-haul can mean you end up losing the first days of your break to either travelling or recovering from travelling. Meanwhile, shorter flights can mean that you don’t end up far enough away from the UK to guarantee good weather. 

But what’s the difference between short, mid and long-haul holidays?

View of the bay in Santorini, Greece.
Greece is an amazing mid-haul location. Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric

What’s The Difference Between Short-Haul, Mid-Haul and Long-Haul?

When it comes to distinguishing between the three options for your break, it really comes down to travel time. The longer you spend travelling the further up the scale your trip will be, for example: 

  • Short-haul: anything up to 4 hours 
  • Mid-haul: 4-8 hours 
  • Long-haul: 9+ hours 

Experiencing long-haul destinations like Mauritius, The Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Seychelles is undoubtedly unforgettable. And everyone loves a weekend city break to Barcelona, Paris or Dublin with friends. 

But there’s so much more to the middle ground here than meets the eye. Plus, there are mid-haul escapes out there that are perfect for friends, couples, or families. You just need to know where to look! 

White balcony in Santorini
Incredible locations like this, aren’t always on the other side of the world. Photo by Philip Jahn on Unsplash

Where Are The Top Destinations For A Mid-Haul Holiday?

So, now we know the key distinguishing factors between mid-haul hols and the other types of break. But where are the top mid-haul destinations and which ones are best for matching your vibe? 

Mid-Haul Holidays For Couples

  • Cape Verde
  • Greece
  • Bulgaria 

Mid-haul holidays are perfect for spending some time together as a couple. You don’t get much annual leave, so when you do get a holiday on the books, you need to make the most of it. 

Cape Verde, Greece and Bulgaria are awesome examples of 3 different types of destination you can visit on a shorter flight. The first country takes you to the tropical edge of Africa. Meanwhile, the others show the very best Europe with inimitable history, hours of sunshine, and beautiful cities to explore. 

Woman in the outdoor seating area of a restaurant in Greece
You can still grab that city break – but maybe mix in some sunshine. Photo by Cátia Matos

Mid-Haul Holidays For Families 

  • Egypt 
  • Turkey 
  • Cyprus

On the other hand, if you’re thinking of taking the kids away and you know they can handle the slightly longer flight time, then even more doors open to you. 

Egypt and Turkey are family holiday staples. Their ability to offer high-end resorts in beautiful popular locations like Sharm-el-Sheikh or Marmaris means they will always be a strong option. However, the picturesque shores of Cyprus are also an awesome option for treating the family – and with a few more 5-star hotel options too. 

Sunny Beach in Bulgaria
Take the kids somewhere special without worrying about entertaining them for 10 hours. Image by Andrzej from Pixabay

What Should You Pack For a Mid-Haul Escape?

When it comes to packing for a mid-haul trip, although you’re not as far from home, you’ll still encounter some pretty hot locations. So it pays to prepare for the heat. Load up on suncream, hats, and swimwear. 

However, because these destinations often allow you to couple lounging with exciting adventures. You might also want to think about packing some comfortable trainers. This means you can go from snoozing by the pool one day to exploring a local town, city, tour or landmark the next.

But, a shorter flight does also mean you can go a little lighter on the hand luggage. Long-haul flight essentials like lip balm, toothpaste, and blankets become less necessary. 


Start Prepping Your Mid-Haul Adventure Today 

Is there anything better than knowing you have an incredible trip on the calendar? How about knowing you won’t have to lose a whole day to get there and start sunning it up?

Our collection of Mid-Haul Marvels are live now and they’re loaded with incredible resorts from the type of destinations outlined above.

Click the button below to shop the collection now. 

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