Vacation packages vs. independent travel

When traveling on a budget, one of the most often questions is whether it is best to travel independently, making your own airfare, hotel and sightseeing reservations, or choose a vacation package where everything is set up for you in advance.

There is unfortunately no easy answer to this question, as it is largely dependent on the location and the specific deals that are available.  For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off season.  

On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand and India, are often much less costly when booked through a vacation package company or travel agent.  That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.

For instance, last year I traveled solo to Egypt from New York for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.  This is far less than I could have booked on my own, since airfare alone would have run me over $700.  The key to this great deal was the relationship of the tour operator with Egyptair and the hotel at which we stayed.

Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China and Taiwan.  So be sure to check on the availability of these vacation package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.

Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler.  Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on vacation packages, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.  

It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any vacation package you are considering.  Many packages have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost.  Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optionals.  Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.

If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air.  The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly you may be out of luck.  It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a vacation package or independent travel is up to each individual travelers. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location.  It is also important to take your own personal travel style into account.  Some people are more comfortable with a pre-arranged vacation package, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides.

There are sites that specialize in providing you with several vacation package companies to choose from, making it easier to find the right hotel with the right airfare with the right travel budget. One site that offers over 60 major, unique and boutique vacation package companies to choose from is Budget Travel inc.

The best vacation package for your budget

Many budget minded travelers like the safety, security and convenience that comes with booking a vacation package or escorted tour.  A tour can be particularly useful for those traveling to an unfamiliar or exotic location, as well as for those who want to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time.  

There are vacation packages to every conceivable destination, and for every possible budget.  There are packages that specialize in budget accommodations, and there are those that use only the finest hotels and the best restaurants.  When looking for a suitable vacation packages, it is important to take your own tastes and budgets into account.

There are several types of vacation packages available, and it is important to understand the difference, and to choose the type that best suits your interests, travel style and of course your budget as well.

Fully escorted vacation packages

Fully escorted packages are generally the most all inclusive vacation packages.  In most cases, everything is included, from airfare and lodging to sightseeing and meals.  In most fully escorted vacation packages, the entire package is tightly structured, and a full, highly detailed, itinerary is provided.

Many people like the structured and all inclusive nature of this kind of package, but they are not for everyone.  Many independent minded travelers do not care for the rigid structure, or the fact that there is often not time to explore a particular destination more in depth.  Many of these more independent minded travelers prefer the next category, the partially escorted vacation package.

Partially escorted vacation packages

As the name implies, partially escorted tours are not as all inclusive as fully escorted ones.  These vacation packages generally take care of transportation from one destination to another and lodging once you get there.  Unlike fully escorted vacation packages, however, these partially escorted  vacation packages generally provide more free time to explore on your own.

With most partially escorted vacation packages, meals, other than maybe a few, are not included.  The package tour often stops at a particular restaurant or eatery, but the meals are generally at the expense of the traveler.  Many travelers prefer the greater freedom this affords, while others prefer the all inclusive nature of the fully escorted vacation package.  It is a choice each traveler must make for him or herself.

Many partially escorted vacation packages also include optional excursions, and these excursions are also at the traveler’s expense.  It is important for anyone considering such a package to get a list of optional excursions, including the price, and to review the itinerary for less costly alternatives that may be available.

Lodging and airfare only vacation packages

A vacation package that includes only lodging and airfare is the least inclusive, least structured, and generally the least expensive, type of vacation package available.  This type of package generally includes the airfare to your destination, transfer to the hotel, lodging for the length of the stay, and transfer back to the airport upon departure.  In some cases a rental car may be included as well.

While these types of packages can be an excellent deal for the adventurous traveler, it is important to take into account the cost of meals, sightseeing tours, etc., and to compare that cost with the cost of a more inclusive package.

It is also important to pay close attention to the location of the hotel, and its proximity to the sights you plan to see.  Many companies keep the costs of their packages low by using out of the way or unpopular hotels, so it is important to consult a map of your destination and find your hotel before booking the trip.  If you end up in a hotel that is far from the city center, you may end up spending lots of money on taxi far or rental cars.  It is often better to upgrade to a hotel that is closer to town, even if that causes the cost of the package to rise.

To assist in your decision for a vacation package or independent travel, try search engines such as Google, Yahoo or Bing for the search terms ‘vacation package’ or ‘all inclusive vacation package’. You may find sites like Budget Travel inc, Cheap Tickets or Expedia that specialize in providing several vacation package options to keep your vacation budget in check.