5 Ways to Book the Ideal Summer Holiday
For most of us, the summer is a time when dreams come true and we jet off for a few weeks of sun, sand and indulgence. Despite what you may think, there are ways to keep booking costs to a minimum, leaving all the more money for ice cream and sunset dinners! Here’s how to do it –
1. Book at the start of the year
Flight prices vary depending on the destination, and often so-called freak deals will pop up offering a continent-crossing ticket at half the price of a shorter flight. But why jeopardize your long-sought summer getaway when you can stick to a few basic ground rules and plan in advance? Lock in where you want to go, and book before the mad rush leading up to vacation season.
2. Fly around popular holidays
Image by Hernan Pinera, used under CC License SA 2.0
Come summertime, all of the schools in the country break up for the holidays, spiking demand in flights. If you can, snap up some tickets which work around the most popular dates. Bear in mind that many people go away for Christmas, New Year and Easter and other public holidays as well, so if you’re able to get away outside of these dates, you’ll be able to save yourself some money.
3. Avoid weekend flights
This may be hard when you’ve got to schedule your work hours according to your trip, but your wallet will reap the rewards. Every Friday, hundreds of thousands of people descend upon airports, driven by the excitement of visiting foreign lands. Prices tend to be less expensive for those who are willing to compromise, so catch the Wednesday morning flight and reward yourself with an extra cocktail or two by the pool.
4. Don’t stick to the status quo
Image by Win_Photography, used under CC License 2.0
When planning a break, many people tend to stick to fairly conventional structures. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to book trips away that branch beyond the standard week, two week or 10 day time frame. If you’re lucky enough to have a flexible manager who’ll give you the time off, take an 11 day trip rather than a 10 day one, or an 8 day adventure over a week long one. By doing so, you’ll have more time away AND potentially save money. Sounds like a win-win, no?
5. Use your imagination
You’d be surprised at how far a little creativity can get you. Scan around for flights, and don’t rule out getting a transfer. Often these can be cheaper than flying direct, and can be a great way for young couples or those travelling without children to cut back on expenses. Worried about how you’ll get to the flight? Call in favors from family and friends, and get yourself a lift to and from the airport.
Making savings like this may not seem important when broken down, but when looking at the wider picture, you can put more of your hard earned money aside to spend on enjoying yourself.
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