Because the French plan their vacations more than three months before their departure date*, it’s time to think about preparing your summer vacation.
Expedia.fr, the online travel agency, suggests ten tips to get organized and travel smart.
Anticipate
Last minute is not synonymous with cheaper: in most cases, the price of airline tickets increases over time more than it decreases. The ideal time to book airline tickets for travel in Europe is 120 days, or 4 months before the departure date**.
Travel from Monday to Wednesday
Many airlines impose additional taxes on weekends, especially for long-haul flights. Thus, it is often cheaper to go from Monday to Wednesday, rather than from Thursday to Sunday. For medium-haul destinations, avoid weekend flights (i.e. departure on Friday afternoon or Sunday evening) in order to obtain better prices.
Staying in a hotel the day before the flight
The first flights of the day are often cheaper and there is less risk of being delayed. However, it’s not worth it if you arrive tired and don’t enjoy your first days off. Also, it is often better to stay in a hotel near the airport the day before departure. Indeed, they often offer competitive rates and discounts on their usual prices, outside of peak periods. It is sometimes cheaper to book an extra night at a hotel than a flight later in the day.
Opt for flight + hotel or car + hotel packages
Only half of French people use this method of booking only for beach vacations or city breaks in Europe, whereas more than a quarter expect to save money by buying a flight + hotel* package. On Expedia.fr, each traveler can save up to 130 euros by opting for a combined package. The traveler chooses his flight schedule and class, his room type, all in a single, customized package. For example, it is quite possible to combine a low-cost flight with a five-star hotel, and vice versa. Moreover, by booking two key parts of the trip together, the traveler will also be covered by European regulations. Expedia has an obligation to provide support and protection in cases such as airline bankruptcy.
Extend your stay without spending too much
Hotels offer great promotions for last-minute travelers, but also for those who book well in advance or take advantage of seasonal offers. Travelers who extend their stay are not left out thanks to “Three nights booked, the fourth night free” packages. Being flexible also means saving money.
Favour certain days depending on the destination
Business hotels are often less expensive on weekends, when business travelers have returned home. It is therefore interesting to compare the rates of these hotels with those of other hotels to check the best offer for the weekend. It also means that the pool and restaurant will be less crowded. Weekday deals can sometimes be cheaper for popular weekend destinations, such as Venice. For example, by going to Verona on weekends and spending weekdays in Venice, you can save about one third of the fare.
Going mobile
The best last minute or same day deals are often communicated via mobile applications, such as Expedia, which allows you to find real bargains in hotels in the area.
Stay in a suite
The biggest savings are often made on rooms that are more expensive. Sometimes the promotions are for the best rooms.
Taking out travel insurance
Travel insurance covers in case of adverse weather conditions or accidents occurring abroad. Indeed, medical costs can be high in some countries, especially in the United States.
Prefer refundable reservations
In the event of a trip cancellation or change, refundable flight and/or air reservations are less expensive than cancelling or changing a trip.
*Vacation booking habits study by Expedia.fr Onepoll, March 2016.
**According to a study conducted by Expedia.fr in partnership with Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC):
https://viewfinder.expedia.com/img/HLG-ARC-Booklet.pdf
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