To think package holiday are a rip off ?

[Chickaletta16]

Just that really. I've just paid a deposit on an all inclusive holiday to a 5 star resort in Turkey and it's costing me over £4000.

However when I check the prices to book the same hotel on the same dates and the flights separately it's £2500 !! I wish I had the money up front I'd pay for everything now and same nearly £2000 !! The only reason I'm still going ahead with it is I have the option of paying by DD. Does anybody else find that package holidays are a rip off ?

[Backinthebox]

Yes, they are more expensive, but you are paying for someone else’s time and expertise putting in the legwork to put a package together, and also for the fact that the hotel requires paying up front and the travel company does that for you and permits you to pay by direct debit. There will be things you haven’t factored in, such as the transfer from airport to hotel (often surprisingly expensive as the companies that do this know they have a captive audience.)

Now you know what the price difference is, save in advance so you can book for yourself next year and save the extra cost. But enjoy this year’s holiday anyway. Sometimes I book all the components of a ski holiday separately, sometimes I book a package because my brain is full and I don’t have the time to arrange it myself. I always enjoy the holiday when I get there!

[Grumpasaurous]

I looked at doing similar. Also Turkey.

The resort I was looking at worked out more expensive separately as the drinks package bought through the hotel was more expensive than the all inclusive option.

The flights were cheaper, but at rubbish times.

[TapasForTwo]

Not always. I have booked separate elements of a holiday and package holidays. It depends what time of year you go, where you go and which tour operator you go with.

Also, I hate doing all the legwork of piecing a holiday together. Our holiday to Sicily was cheaper with TUI than doing it ourselves because the transfers would have cost £££.

I won't fly with Ryanair either.

[jcq17]

Do it separately and put it on a 0% credit card.

[AguerosAngel]

We fell foul of this a few years ago, and it’s definitely cheaper to book seperately as you’ve found. I found joining FB groups in relation to where we were going was hugely helpful as people were really helpful with recommendations for transfers etc.

We always book seperately now, where ever we go.

[m0therofdragons]

It massively varies. We looked at booking Florida separately but it was actually cheaper as a package. You could always get an interest free credit card - this is what we've done for this year's holiday which we did book separately.

[DesparateDino]

Sometimes not all the time. Last year we got a fantastic package deal with Virgin, first time we have been on a package for years. Also some offer little or no deposits so you can spread paying it out.

We are doing it all ourselves this year as it was cheaper for us.

[SileneOliveira]

You are also paying for:

the benefit of being able to pay a deposit and then make payments whenever you like before the deadline

transfers from airport to resort

ABTA protection which you don't get on individually booked elements

the service of a rep in resort


If you don't want to pay for those things then it's fine to choose to book flights, accommodation, transfers etc separately. You are free to do so should you wish. But lots of people much prefer the reliability and ethos of the package holiday. It's not a "rip off".

[BunsOfAnarchy]

It really depends.
We have booked both package holidays and ones that are 100% researched and put together by us.

The differences are always because;
-Transfers are v expensive but are included in package.

• Package holidays has flight with the upper level of economy so the higher amount of weight/bag allowance plus ability to choose seat.
• last package holiday we had included an airport lounge (pretty sure we conceived DD as a direct result of tonnes of free gin and whisky sex)
• Package usually has the half board/all inclusive option

That being said if u book all that seperately, it might be a touch cheaper but it'll all require paying in advance for the flights, lounge, transfers (some hotels do pay on arrival espactually through booking.com) but its a lot of headache.

My policy is; if its a nice break to Italy then I'd do flights and hotel myself.
If its a proper relaxing holiday where i wanna lay on a beach and not think about when i wanna eat or drink or sightsee...I'd do a package.

Always, however, check other providers and sites too.

[Augustangst]

Not always! I've had some amazing bargains on packages. Some have been just a few pounds more than flight only. Also at least you've got all the ATOL protection even if it has been expensive in this case.

[Cherylshaw]

I prefer to get an all inclusive package holiday as then food drinks and snacks are all sorted and I'd be a fortune paying for meals out at breakfast lunch and dinner for the 4 of us. There was a program on the other night called something like package holidays are they worth it? And it ended up cheaper doing the package even tho it was cheaper booking separate as his food and drinks cost a fortune

[Looobyloo]

I've tried booking separately for flights and accommodation, transfers etc and always found it's been a lot more expensive. I always book with a company.

[Chickaletta16]

I've practically paid for the hotel - and if I'm really good I will be able to pay for the flights by then end of April. That way I can ask the company to use my deposit to pay for the hotel and I'll aim to pay for flights separately. She says lol
Lets see. But it's a lesson learnt. I'm going to start a separate savings account for our holiday next year and try and find myself the best deal !!

[Lonecatwithkitten]

It is variable I have booked a weeks package to Canada later this year it is a third cheaper through the tour operator than doing it separately. I always get s your operators quote and price comparison with purchasing separately and then take a view on how much I want/need ABTA protection depending on the location.

[HarrysOwl]

Yes!

Saw a Europe 5-night break for £499pp.Way too much!

So I booked flights, central hotel, everything else separately to the same location. Including sightseeing, food, travel and extras like a concert I spent £235pp for TEN nights.

Definitely better to book yourself.

[GottenGottenGotten]

You are also paying for the protection of knowing that if anything goes wrong eg the flight company goes bust, the travel company, if atol protected, are legally bound to provide the service, and will provide what you need. So accommodation etc till they can find you a flight home.

You may also have a rep available to you, and for all the infrastructure behind the tour operator.

At the end of the day, you have the choice.

[Chickaletta16]

I have a 34 mile transfer from the airport to side in Turkey- will that cost me loads in taxi fare

[HarrysOwl]

Do you need to take a taxi? There will be a metro for only a few quid.

[Chickaletta16]

Ah ok thanks I'll do that x

[maddiemookins16mum]

Some are, some aren’t.
The big difference is the Package Travel Regulations, they offer huge orotection (basically something goes wrong, you can sue the travel firm). So many people ‘self package’ these days, good luck with suing a Turkish hotel on your own when you get food poisoning.

[IamtheDevilsAvocado]

Turkey is often reasonable prices...

4k??

How many of you are going??

[Purpletigers]

Check out one of the W sites offering transfers . I think I used Hoppa . Worked out about £10pp as I found a code online too .

[Nquartz]

Was going to say the same about Florida, generally cheaper as a package.

We're looking at Tenerife for October, the difference between a package & booking separately is negligible so we'll book a package so we can pay it off gradually.

I always research all different options to get the best deal, it's part of the fun for me!

[BlueSkiesLies]

Not always. Often package holidays can be much cheaper as they screw the hotels so hard, and hold airline seats.