The internet is flooded with travel products, promising rock-bottom prices for flights, hotels, excursions and transfers. It’s tempting to try save a buck and DIY your travel booking instead of opting for a package holiday where all or most of the costs are included. But, while booking direct may seem more affordable on the surface, are you really saving when all the hidden costs are tallied up? Let’s take a look…
If you're flying to your destination, you'll need to factor in the cost of airfare, and don’t forget airport and other taxes, as well as baggage fees on some airlines. You’ll also need transport to and from the airport to your accommodation, as well as bus, taxi and/or train fares to get around the destination.
If you’re doing self-drive and hiring a car, the cost of insurance, extra mileage, petrol, tolls and parking can all add up far beyond the advertised rental rate.
A package holiday, on the other hand, will include return airport/hotel transfers and other transportation for your trip, whether that’s by plane, train or bus. Self-drive package holidays usually also work out cheaper in the long-run, as tour operators have deals with car rental companies that providing better, all-inclusive rates.
That hotel may look really cheap online, but is that advertised rate valid for the travel dates you want, or will you get a nasty surprise when it’s time to pay? Remember, too, that for international travel, prices are quoted in foreign currencies and, depending on the Rand’s exchange rate, you could land up paying far more than you bargained for.
There are none of these risks when booking a package holiday, as tour operators lock-in special rates for hotel rooms far in advance. No currency fluctuations, no seasonal price increases, no surprise extra costs – the overall price you are quoted remains the same.
When you book your own travel, you'll need to pay for every meal and drink separately, which can add up quickly, especially when paying in Dollars, Euros or Pounds. And don’t forget about all those tips!
On the other hand, even the most basic packages holidays usually include at least breakfast daily in the cost, while all-inclusive packages will include most or all meals and drinks, plus tips.
Additionally, all-inclusive packages may offer a wider variety of dining options, including specialty restaurants and room service, so you can be spontaneous and order in without worrying about breaking the bank.
Another hidden cost to consider when booking your own travel is the cost of activities and excursions. Firstly, it is difficult to accurately budget if you choose to self-book activities and excursions once at your destination, so you risk going into the red.
Secondly, by trying to save a buck could land you up with some dodgy ground operators who may not follow safety protocols for excursions such as day cruises, or you could be ripped off by ticket touts and other con artists looking for hapless tourists to prey on.
The risks are endless, and simply not worth it when you could have all your activities and excursions included in the package price, usually at discounted rates.
An added bonus is that you won’t have to queue for tickets at many major tourist attractions; the tour operator sorts that all out for you ahead of time so you can skip the line.
Even extremely seasoned travellers get caught out by unexpected costs, like extra baggage charges, parking fees, resort fees, taxes and tips. These can all add up and can blow your budget, especially when you’re converting your Rands into Dollars, Pounds or Euros!
A package holiday eliminates most, if not all, of these unexpected costs – just be sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what is and what isn’t included ahead of the time.
Here’s the big one: when you book direct online you have far less security or recourse when things go wrong, like flight cancellations due to airport chaos due to staff shortages or strikes, or a total cancellation of all your travel due to a global pandemic!
The cost of re-booking can be huge, but not as huge as losing your money entirely if you can’t get a refund. Many travellers learned this hard lesson during the Covid lockdowns, and it is for this reason that more people are now opting to book package holidays, with a recent British travel trade association survey finding that that 29% of Brits are planning on taking an all-inclusive holiday this year to keep costs under control.
One of the most valuable benefits of booking a package holiday via a reputable tour operator is that if your flight is cancelled, your travel company has to rearrange your flight or offer you a refund for your whole package, so there’s no desperate scrambling to rebook.
When you consider all these potential hidden costs of booking direct online, it's clear that booking a package trip gives you the assurance that most of your holiday costs are covered in the up-front price you pay. And, once you pay the price of your flights, hotels, transport, excursions, food and drinks are locked in so there’s no risk of price escalation if the Rand plummets against the destination’s currency.
Lastly, if things go wrong you're covered when you book a package holiday from a reputable tour operator. This is the sort of security you just can’t get when you book direct online, and it’s priceless.
Sure Travel has partnership agreements with a huge range of reputable tour operators around the world, enabling our travel agencies to offer you amazing package holiday deals. Contact your nearest Sure Travel agency to help book your next package holiday.
