Articles

Cheap Vacation Travel Packages versus Independent Budget Travel

When traveling on a budget, one of the most often asked questions is whether it is best to travel independently, reserving your own airfare, hotel stay and sightseeing reservations, or choose a package tour where everything is set up for you in advance. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. It is largely dependent on the location you have selected and dates of travel.

For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off-season. On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, and India, are often much less expensive when booked through a vacation package company or travel agent. That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business. For instance, with a little bit of shopping, you can book a vacation package from New York to Egypt for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is far less than you would have paid if you had booked this trip independently. Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China, and Taiwan.

So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal. Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.

It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost. Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optional.

Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, and then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own. If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly, you may be out of luck. It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices. Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a vacation package deal or independent travel is up to each individual traveler. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location.

It is also important to consider your own personal travel style. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides. For more information about budget travel and cheap vacation packages, visit http://www.

budgettravelinfo.com and http://www.cheapvacationpackagesinfo.

com .

By: David Chandler



New York City






Idahos Majestic Landscape Find Adventure Around Every Bend - Travelers visiting Idaho's majestic landscape find plenty of Historic sites and Cultural events to explore.

Vacationers Home CheckList Everything You Should Know BeforeYou Leave - If you are planning on being away from your home for an extended amount of time, it is important that you secure your home.

Looking for Luxury Hotels for Less in Australia - The Commonwealth of Australia is the largest island on earth and the smallest continent.

KANCHANABURI The Perfect Getaway From Bangkok - One of Thailand's premier tourist attractions, Kanchanaburi, lies a mere two hours from the capital.

What to Expect My First Cruise Experience - Some years ago my wife and I decided to take a cruise.

more...


What's UP?

Navigating the Tribeca Film Festival


With more than 200 films and almost as many parties, what to do?
» Read more

Metropolitan Museum of Art

"The Met is a universal museum: every category of art in every known medium from every part of the world during every epoch of recorded time is represented ...
» Read more

YANKEE STADIUM

This 57,545 seat stadium is home to the New York Yankees, baseball's most successful team.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

JFK, in Queens (at the south end of the Van Wyck Expressway), primarily handles international flights.
General Info: 718-244-4444
Parking Info: 718-244-4168

Visitor's centers

Visitor's centers can provide you with free maps and general information about New York.
For information on visiting New York, contact the New York Convention and Visitor's Bureau. You can also call them at 800-NYC-VISIT (U.S. and Canada) or 212/397-8222 (elsewhere). To speak with a multilingual counselor: call 212/484-1222 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST.

© Copyright 2024 York Magazine. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication in part or whole strictly prohibited by international copyright law.