When it comes to planning your next trip, it may be easy if you have a list of places that you want to visit and money is no object. But for many people, the type of trip that they can be planning does all depend on what you can afford. Because at the end of the day, you need to live within your means and look for prices that you can pay for. It might be a case of saving up for a while, or just booking somewhere cheaper. Either way, you need to be able to afford what you choose. And if you are someone that prefers to just be going on a trip rather than not, then it can mean some short city breaks closer to home in Europe perhaps. But if you are someone that wants to explore a little further afield, then it will mean holding out for the long-haul flights.
There is no real budget airline when it comes to long-haul travel, so the cost can be something that can really be a factor of if you travel or not. And while the options are endless (hello, London to Perth non-stop), the prices can be the thing that restrict you. Unless you know how to get a bargain when looking at flights, then your wallet can take a bit hit. So to help, here are list of a few ideas, as well as tips and tricks that can help you to cut the cost of travelling long-haul, from flights to costs when you’re there. Hopefully, you’ll be able to get that once in a lifetime or bucket list trip, for less.
Consider a different airport
If you live close by to a specific airport, then naturally, it makes sense to fly from there. But it it is quite possible to cut the cost of a long-haul flight by splitting your flight up or choosing to fly from a different airport. As long as you won’t have to spend the difference travelling to the other airport, then you will still be saving. From the UK, you can get to pretty much most places. But taking a low-cost flight to a European city, before the longer haul flight, can mean some massive savings, rather than a direct London flight, for example. It may seem like a bit of a hassle at the start, but when you look hard enough, it really is possible to save quite a bit.
Include a Layover
Convenience is something that can make the cost of flights much higher. If you have ever used a site like SkyScanner and looked at all of the possible routes, the quickest and shortest routes are the ones that cost the most. As long as you have the time to add to your travel plans, then don’t discount having a layover. It could mean just one night in a city and an affordable airport hotel, and then you can save a fortune. It can be a great way to see a new place, albeit quite a quick little trip.
Travel in the Off-Season
The flight business is a supply and demand industry at the end of the day. So if there is high demand for somewhere, the price is going to go up (as people with children will know when looking for school holiday breaks). There will be reasons like school holidays that make a difference, as well as travelling in the peak seasons, when the weather is going to be the best. If you can be flexible with when you travel, then how about looking to go to a destination in the off-season? Take the Caribbean, for example. The peak season there is November to February really. But even if you went in May or June, you will still get warm weather and sunshine (plus the chance of more thunderstorms). The amount compared to flying in December, though is pretty different. The same goes for things like looking for flights to Thailand in August compared to a cheaper time like October. The only side note with this is to check the climate; a couple of days of rain would be fine. There may be no point saving money if chances are it will rain each day.
Apartments Instead of Hotels
If you want a surefire way to save money on a trip, no matter how long-haul you are going, then staying in an apartment or holiday home is pretty much always going to be more cost-effective than a hotel. This can also really depend on your location as well. Take somewhere like Singapore, for example. As it is one of the world’s most expensive destinations, and classed as a real luxury destinations, the hotels there can be pretty astronomical price-wise. So the savings of renting an apartment or holiday home instead can be pretty significant. And if you looked at the King Albert Park details for apartments for rent, you are likely to see a difference. Staying close to public transport areas is also a good idea, as it can cut the cost of getting around in the city that you are in.
Package Deals
I get it, package deals aren’t going to be for everyone. Many travellers will prefer to do their own thing. But there is a lot to be said for the savings that can occur as part of a package deal. Because flights and accommodation are all thrown-in, then it can be a good way to save, and leave you with not much planning to do. For instance, return flights from London to Cancun could cost over £500 per person, just for the flights. But then you can compare it to a package for flights and a hotel for only £590, it means that you are paying very little for your accommodation. While there are many sites to check and look at online, it can be worth a trip to your local travel agent, as there may be some offers on when speaking to someone face to face.
