British holidaymakers heading to Europe for the October half-term face several major travel challenges. | Photo: Majorca Daily Bulletin reporter
Humphrey CarterPalma21/10/2026 10:57
This coming half-term in the UK which starts this weekend could prove testing for many British travellers. British holidaymakers heading to Europe for the October half-term face several major travel challenges, most notably severe border delays caused by the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), sudden overnight curfews in parts of France, and lingering confusion over inconsistent liquid restrictions at UK airports. Whether you are flying, driving, or catching a ferry, understanding these hurdles will help you navigate your family getaway with minimal stress.
European borders. The rollout has significantly increased passport-processing times, with peak-period border waits stretching up to five hours at some European hubs.
To combat record chaos and missed flights, the EU has authorised 29 countries to temporarily delay biometric checks if queues get too long. Despite potential reprieves, airlines like Wizz Air are strongly advising British travellers to arrive at European airports a full three hours before their flight home to ensure they do not miss connections due to passport control lines.
Many travellers are getting caught off guard at UK security lines due to a fragmented roll-out of next-generation scanners. While some UK airports have upgraded their security technology—allowing passengers to carry up to 2 litres of liquid in their hand luggage without removing them—others have not. This has created a confusing postcode lottery that slows down security lines when people mistakenly bring large liquids to un-upgraded terminals.
Do not assume your departure terminal allows the 2-litre rule. Check your specific UK airport’s current hand luggage guidelines before packing. As with any school holiday window, high passenger volumes across trains, planes, and ferries are driving up congestion. Compounding this, localised European industrial actions (such as ongoing air traffic control or airport staff disputes) are threatening localised delays.