Go Long-Haul for This Year’s Package Holiday? It May Cost Less Than You Think!
Publication Date: Thursday, July 03, 2008
Bored by the idea of the usual Mediterranean package tour for this year’s hols? Fancy jetting off farther afield instead but are worried about the cost? Confused.com may have a solution.
First off, a long-haul package will most likely be more expensive than a short-haul package – even after finding a great deal. Therefore, savings will have to be grabbed back elsewhere. That means finding a destination with bargain accommodation, food, drink and a weak currency compared with our pound – in other words, the USA.
Destination Sunshine State
Straight across the pond and down a tad you can find scalding temperatures, white sand, and palm trees a-plenty in Florida. Packages are popular in this part of the world thanks to the huge family interest in visiting the mega-theme parks that sprawl around the Orlando area. But lots of packages means lots go unsold, which is why you can find some surprisingly good deals.
The exchange rate is pretty good at the moment as well (£1 = $1.97 on 08/07/08), which means your pound should go far. However, holiday on the Continent and your pound will have sand kicked in its face by a currently very strong Euro (£1 = €1.27 on 0/07/08).
Where to Find Great Deals
Currently on Expedia you can take advantage of a week in Orlando staying at the Howard Johnson Inn – Kissimmee Heritage Park for £428* per person including resort swimming pool and fully inclusive car hire. They also have a deal for the same price but staying at the Quality Inn Maingate West, just two miles from Disney World. Flights for both deals leave from Gatwick on 17th September.
Icelolly currently has a seven-night deal flying from Gatwick on 11th September staying at the 4* Bahama Bay resort in Kissimmee for £399* per person based on two sharing, including car hire. For all these holidays, flights outside London are available for a little extra.
If you have the flexibility to go for a late deal you could find an even cheaper Florida break. Simply trawl the travel websites and click on their late deals sections, or look up old favourite Teletext, which is still one of the best places to bag a late, great bargain.
Other Reasons to Go West
If one of your holiday musts is clothes shopping then you could offset a fair whack of the trip’s cost on a visit to the States. The US in general is considerably cheaper than the UK for clothes, and cheap outlet malls are ubiquitous – though shopaholics beware hefty airline excess baggage charges, you’ll find it much cheaper to post your purchases home if seriously overloaded.
Food and drink costs slightly less over there and the food portions are generally much bigger, so the plane will definitely be taking the strain on the return leg.
Petrol – though expensive by US standards – is still cheap compared to what we pay at the pump. The country is up in arms at the moment because gas recently hit $5 a gallon for the first time, but when you consider that we’re paying over $10 a gallon, you may feel inspired to hit the road for some sightseeing. Top tip would be to head south from Orlando to the Everglades – the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. It’s also home to countless crocodiles so be careful not to accidentally lock yourself out of the car when stopping for a photo op.
So if you’re feeling more Florida than Fuerteventura this year but don’t want to break the bank, keep an eye out for some bargain transatlantic package deals.
A Few More Tips to Help Cut the Cost of Your Long-Haul Trip
- Cheap Travel Insurance – the holiday company you book through will try to sell you its own travel insurance. It’s no longer compulsory so don’t do it. Instead, shop around for great deals on travel insurance.
- Change Currency Online to Get Top Dollar – internet Bureaux de Change usually have the best rates and the lowest fees. Most also charge a delivery fee so this may make it less of a good deal. However, if the company also has high street or airport branches, you can usually order online in advance and pick up in person over the counter.
- Take your own food to the airport – airport food is REALLY expensive!
- Don’t take cash out on a debit card when abroad – your provider will charge an extra fee for this on top any exchange rate charges.
- Avoid using your mobile phone when abroad – texting is much cheaper so always let your fingers do the talking when overseas.
One more thing… Bon voyage from Confused.com!
*prices correct 08/07/08
Come to Confused.com for price comparisons - another great way of saving money!
