Traveling On A Fixed Budget

It is possible to travel on a fixed budget, but you must consider whether it is better to travel on your own, booking your own plane tickets, hotels and tour reservations, or if you should instead choose an inclusive package where all the details are worked out for you ahead of time.

There isn't an easy way to choose. The biggest factor that will help you decide is the city to which you are traveling. Europe is often cheaper to book on your own if you wait for the off-season airfare discounts and specials.

However, the more exotic locations, including Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, and India, are far cheaper when booked as part of a vacation package. Travel agents often feature special rates with national airlines operated by these countries. They also offer gorgeous resorts, and are able to provide large discounts in exchange for the flow of business that a travel agent can provide.

For example, if you shop around a little, you can find packages from New York to Egypt starting at $1,100. The cost would include plane tickets, a great hotel, meals everyday, airport transfers, and guided tours to the Sphinx and to the pyramids of Giza. If you were to book these services independently, it would cost significantly more.

There are deals like this available for other popular destinations, including India, China, and Taiwan. Shop for deals on packages first, and make sure they are available before you commit.

You can also find other great deals on your own, and if you're planning to travel alone, it may be preferable to look for your own deals. Sometimes, solo travelers can have a hard time finding great package deals because a required single supplement can make the package less cost-effective.

Be sure to find out what is explicitly included in the deal, and what is not included. Some packages offer optional sightseeing stops, but these can raise the price of the package considerably. Make sure you get a detailed itinerary for each day because if you don't take the optional excursions, you may be left on your own for the day. Your travel agent should be able to give you a detailed list of any optional extras, along with descriptions and prices. This will allow you to carefully compare the total price of the package to what you can find on your own.

If you do decide to travel alone, it is a good idea to get your shopping done early, especially if you are planning to fly. Airlines offer only a limited number of seats for their lowest advertised fares, and you may miss out on the deals if you don't act quickly. The lowest possible prices for airfare and hotels are only available if you book as early as possible.

In the end, only you can decide if a package deal or independent travel is better for you. Look very closely at the difference in price between packages and independent travel to the same places. You should also keep your own personal travel style in mind. Some travelers prefer the organization of a packaged tour, especially if traveling somewhere new, and other travelers enjoy the freedom of independent travel.