In a year of disrupted holiday plans, travel search engine KAYAK, has revealed British holidaymakers are turning to domestic travel to help secure a much-needed getaway this October, as domestic car hire sees a surge in searches.

With fluctuating travel restrictions and an ever increasing list of destinations requiring self-isolation on return, KAYAK has scoured the UK to collate an inspiring list of the most popular road trips, providing inspiration and top tips for those looking to take a break closer to home.

As the summer holiday period drew to a close, travellers explored domestic alternatives when looking to plan October breaks. The latest KAYAK data reveals that domestic car hire searches for the final two weeks of October are up 18.2% year on year, with the Scottish cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness all appearing in the top 5 list of hire locations.

When looking at the most searched hotel destinations within the UK for the October break period, the nation’s continued love of a seaside holiday was clear to see, with St Ives, Blackpool, Whitby and Weymouth all appearing in the top five hotel searches of the key October travel period.

Most searched domestic hotel destinations in the UK for autumn half term are St Ives, Blackpool, London, Whitby, Weymouth, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Windermere and York.

For those looking to create the perfect multi-stop getaway, KAYAK’s new road trip planner tool makes the perfect travel partner. With guides including all of the key information for holiday planning, from mileage to duration and beauty spots to visit along the way, the best dining establishments and recommended accommodation spots for those looking to break the journey,  the new tool provides a one stop shop for those looking for a readymade road trip.

Alongside the existing guides, KAYAK’s road trip planner allows users to build their own journey from scratch, flagging popular points of interest along the way, and provides full integration for booking your accommodation along the way. With recommendations ranging from the Cornish coast to the Isle of Skye, this new tool helps potential travellers map their route and pit stops along the way for the perfect break within the UK.