Sometimes booking a holiday can feel overwhelming.
There’s so many destinations to choose from. There are many different holiday providers offering different services.
One way to reduce the stress of booking your trip is to choose a package holiday, but what is it and why is it a good option for your vacation?
What is a Package Holiday?
If you want to reduce the time you spend searching for flights, transfers and hotels online then a package holiday is a great option. The idea of a package holiday is that you receive two or more travel services when you book your trip.
The most typical services you receive with a trip of this type is your flights, transfers to and from the airport and your accommodation. The total price of your trip will include all these travel services.
Are Package Holidays More Expensive?
Generally speaking package holidays can be cheaper than booking a DIY break for some destinations, but it’s always worth checking your travel options.
Make sure you know what is included in your package holiday so that you aren’t caught out with having to spend money on travel arrangements you thought were already covered.
If you want the best value for money, be flexible with your dates and look for last minute deals. You could save £££s compared to booking your trip 6 months or more in advance.
Also avoid peak times like school holidays for example. The cheapest holidays are available out of season.
Do Package Holidays Include Transfers?
Some package holidays include transfers to and from the airport, but always check what is included before you book.
Can you Cancel a Package Holiday?
No one wants to cancel a holiday, but sometimes it happens.
Always check the cancellation policy of the travel provider before you book to make sure you are happy with the terms and conditions.
We’d also recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday. A good travel insurance policy will allow you to make a claim if you cancel your holiday in certain circumstances.
There may be other circumstance where you can cancel a package holiday without a cancellation fee:
- if the travel company makes significant changes to your holiday
- the price increases after you book
- you can’t go on your holiday due to exceptional circumstances – like war or a natural disaster
Why Book a Package Holiday
It’s Convenient
Going to one travel company and booking all the things you need for your holiday is incredibly convenient and has many benefits.
You will have one point of contact if you need to discuss any of your travel plans. If anything changes with your trip, it will be down to the travel company to provide an alternative.
You will spend less time online arranging your trip as everything will be booked in one place.
If you have booked a DIY holiday, and something changes, your travel providers will only be responsible for the element of the trip you booked with them and changes could effect other arrangements you have made.
With a package holiday, your travel provider will issue all of your travel documents to you, making the travel administration side of things a lot easier also. In the digital age, you might even get all the tickets and confirmation you need for your trip via the travel company’s app, which makes things even easier to manage.
More Likely to Run Smoothly
Let’s face it, problems can arise with any type of holiday, but if you have chosen to book a package holiday, it reduces the chances of you having issues especially while you are travelling. The trip has been coordinated so that flight times and transfer arrangements run smoothly, for example.
If there is a problem, like a delay in your flight etc, the team looking after your holiday will make arrangements so that you still have access to a transfer to your accommodation and the hotel knows when to expect you.
Peace of Mind
Booking a holiday is a big financial commitment for most people, and booking a package holiday provides travellers with a lot of peace of mind. If for any reason your travel company runs into financial difficulty and cannot provide all or part of your holiday, you will be able to make a claim for a refund for anything you didn’t receive.
You Know What You Are Getting
It is a lot clearer what you are going to receive when you book a package holiday through a tour operator. Everything from your flight times, seat allocations, transfer details and hotel should be clearly laid out for you so you know exactly what to expect.
Tour operators work closely with hoteliers to select the best accommodation and provide full details of all the services and facilities they provide. They will often have a representative at the hotel you can talk to if you need any help or advice.
For Any Kind Of Trip
The other great news is that, as well as all the benefits mentioned above, you can book a package holiday for just about any kind of trip.
Whether you’re looking for a beach holiday, ski trip, cruise or city break – they can all be booked as a package holiday allowing you to benefit from the convenience and financial and legal security this type of holiday offers.
Final Thoughts
Package holidays are one of the most popular types of holiday arrangements you can get and for very good reason. There are huge benefits to holiday makers for booking a trip as a package, not just because it is a convenient and time saving option.
Did you realise you had increased rights when you booked a package holiday?
Does this change how you will book a holiday in future?
