We all have that one travel-obsessed friend. She manages to book the best travel deals, find the coolest boutique hotels, and save more money than anyone else. When you're going away, she's full of tips, from where to get your travel money [1] to how to get through a long-haul flight in economy class [2]. But how does she do it? The key is often in planning and research, but you might be surprised how much compromise comes in along the way. To get the most out of your big trip, here are the most important things to bear in mind while you're in the planning stages. Here's to your best holiday ever!
Decide Exactly What You're Looking For
Unless you have a bottomless pit of money, the chances are you will have to compromise on some things, so before you book, have a really good think about the most important elements of a holiday. Do you actually like swimming in the sea or do you always end up in the pool? Do you get bored easily and prefer a city break? How important is good weather? How long are you willing to travel for to get there? Are you confident booking things separately, or do you want a package deal where it's all handled for you? Make a list of your top three to five requests and don't compromise on them. If you do, you'll be spending money on a holiday you know you won't enjoy. Consider reducing the length of your stay rather than picking accommodation you're unsure of. In many cases, it's better to spend one week somewhere amazing, than two weeks somewhere that's just OK.
Check The Small Print On That All-Inclusive Deal
The popularity of all-inclusive deals means you can technically enjoy an incredible package holiday without needing to reach for your wallet once you arrive at your hotel. But do bear in mind that not all all-inclusive deals are quite what they seem.. In these tough economic times, hotels will do anything to make a bit of extra money from heavily discounted package tourists, meaning even those staying on all-inclusive deals may find many food and drink items (or even entire restaurants) come with "premium" supplements, and activities may have added fees. Often it's only the very specialist luxury holidays (think Sandals) that offer a truly all-inclusive experience.
Also bear in mind that though you've paid for your accommodation, food, drinks and entertainment, you're still being served by people who are paid low wages. Travelling all-inclusive does not negate the need to tip generously when you can!
Have You Taken Currency Into Account?
If you're booking with an agency, airline, or international travel website, you'll be quoted the cost in your own currency and the total shouldn't change: you pay exactly what is quoted when you book. But if you book anything direct in local currency, with a balance to settle at the end of the trip, be wary of how the constant changes in exchange rate could affect the total cost of your trip. This may not be much if you're staying in hostels or budget accommodation, but if you're booking luxury accommodation, a drop in the value of the pound could increase the cost of the trip by hundreds of pounds.
Have You Checked About Resort Fees?
Resort fees are a fairly new creation. Hotels advertise low rates to hook you in then charge an additional "resort fee" of anything from £10 to £30 per night on top for things like gym access, use of the pool and other facilities, and wifi, thus bumping up the overall cost. You'll mostly find these at resorts frequented by American tourists (especially in places like the Caribbean, Mexico, and the resort fee heartland of Las Vegas). They are usually not optional, though some people have managed to talk their way out of paying. Read the small print to make sure that wonderful deal isn't hiding a dirty little secret!
Also, remember to look into whether you have to pay anything at the airport. Some countries charge entry fees and departure tax, which can vary wildly. Sometimes it will be included in your airfare, but it's worth checking, as you'll often need to pay it in cash (in the local currency).
Check For Public Holidays and Events While You're Away
Be sure to check the local calendar for any events that could affect your trip. While most local events and festivals just add to the enjoyment of a holiday, sometimes they can mean museums are closed, public beaches are crowded, restaurants are booked up, or transport is difficult.
If you're going somewhere you know is frequented by tourists from a certain country, it's worth checking their calendar too. Mexico in Spring may appeal, but bear it mind that's when thousands of horny American students descend for the infamous Spring break holiday!
Check the Weather. Properly.
A trip to the Maldives is cheap in June. That's because it's right in the middle of monsoon season, when (if you're very unlucky) your entire holiday could be a complete washout. Not everywhere is best visited during the traditional holiday months. Many places can be shockingly hot and humid between May and September. The Caribbean is best at Christmas, not in August. Research the weather in your destination carefully, but also remember that for most of us, 25 degrees is plenty. The sweltering 40-degree heat of Thailand in May might sound good right now, but you wait until you try and walk more than a couple of hundred feet in that humid heat!
Investigate Different Airports
A huge number of UK package holiday prices are based on flights from London Gatwick, with various supplements if you wish to fly from other airports around the country. Being flexible about your departure airport could save you money, but obviously you need to offset this against the cost of getting there, be that train fare or petrol and parking costs. If you're travelling last minute, you can often find amazing deals if you look at different airports (the big ones book up fast!) so take the time to work out if you have any options beyond the obvious.
When it comes to longer journeys, adding a connection can reduce cost or it may even be a requirement for a long-haul trip. A connection could give you a change to explore somewhere new, since a lot of airlines will let you stopover for a day or two without it affecting the cost of the combined flights. Fly to New York via Reykjavik, explore Chicago on your way to LA, stop off in Dubai on your way to China or Thailand, hit up Hong Kong or Singapore before heading to Australia, or have a few days in Fiji on your way to New Zealand.
Plan Those Airport Transfers Ahead
Be prepared for long journeys from the airport to your hotel, especially if you've booked a package holiday. Plan ahead for this, and pack food and drinks to keep you going. You're usually OK if you're travelling to a small island or popular holiday resort, but certain kinds of trips require long journeys after you've got off the plane. Skiing holidays are notorious for this: it's not easy getting up into those mountains! Some airports are miles from their respective cities (hello, Paris Orly), and some islands are much larger than you realise (Crete is 160 miles long). You may have additional ferry, boat, or sea plane transfers to island resorts; or maybe you'll find yourself leaving the airport in a tuk tuk! Your holiday may begin when your flight lands, but it might be a while until you get your first cocktail so make sure you do your research properly before you travel.
Organise Travel Insurance
Travelling without insurance is not worth the risk. It's such a small amount to pay for the confidence of knowing you won't be out of pocket if something goes wrong. If you're not insured, you could find yourself paying thousands in medical bills, accommodation, or flights if there's a problem. Most travel providers will try to sell insurance somewhere during the booking process, but you'll get a much better deal if you shop around. Annual travel insurance starts at less than £20. Book it as soon as you book a holiday, then if anything goes wrong (like your provider goes bust or someone gets ill before you even leave) you are covered. If you're planning to go scuba diving or do any kind of Winter sports, make sure you add the extra cover for this.
Remember, TripAdvisor Isn't the Be All and End All
Doing some online research before you book is a total no-brainer, but don't dwell on that one bad review. Everyone wants something different from a holiday, and there will always be people who find fault. People tend to write reviews in two circumstances: when they love somewhere so much they want to tell the world, or when they want to complain. You'll rarely see feedback from all the people in the middle. Be honest about what you expect: don't expect a 3-star hotel to have 5-star amenities. The major things to look out for are frequent reports of illness, complaints about rude or incompetent staff, dirty or unsafe properties, and bad locations. Most importantly, don't let someone's obsession with things that are out of the hotel's control (weather, insects, etc.) stop you from getting a great deal!