When it comes to value for money, should you organise your own getaway or is a guided tour the way to go?
There’s nothing like counting down to a holiday, but the reality is there’s plenty of planning to be done before you even think about packing. Not only do you want to ensure that your itinerary ticks all the boxes, but you also want to make the most of every dollar.
With so many travel options available these days, does it pay to go it alone or are you better off embarking on a guided tour and letting the experts lead the way? Here Money magazine weighs up the pros and cons of both and explores how to get more from your budget.
FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATION
They’re the two fundamentals of any trip: flights to get to your destination and a place to stay when you get to the other side. These days there are plenty of ways to source both, whether it’s using an online booking site, dealing directly with the operator or having a travel agent organize it for you.
If you go the DIY route, be ready to commit plenty of time to shop around if you want to get the best deal and stick to your budget. Booking flights and accommodation at the same time, however, has its perks. “If you can bundle your flight and your hotel together at the same time, I know on Wotif, for example, you can save up to $341,” says Chris Milligan, travel expert at Wotif. “Hotels are definitely willing to offer discounts when things are bundled up and packaged together. This makes it a really cost-effective way of booking your travel.”
On the other hand, when you book a guided tour accommodation is taken care of, as are details such as entrance fees to key attractions, and most meals and transfers. While you can’t choose the hotels, you can opt for a tour package that suits your budget, which will be reflected in the type of accommodation you stay at.
Denne historien er fra July 2019-utgaven av Money Magazine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 2019-utgaven av Money Magazine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
An outrageous, beautiful monopoly
Telstra's mobile business is a cash machine with few competitors, giving it the highest returns in the world.
Drop the anchor to judge value
Buying and selling decisions should be based on where a stock price is going, not where it has been.
Powering the AI boom
Beyond the software and chipmakers, where will the energy come from?
Get into life
Tucked inside super are products that can protect you from life's inevitable uncertainties.
Paths to home ownership
Taking the road less travelled can sometimes deliver unexpected benefits.
Sold! Quick ways to add value
Small, strategic changes can have a big impact on the look and feel of your home. And get you a better price on auction day.
Money lessons the kids need to know
Your children can learn a lot from your past money mishaps. Here are eight financial conversations I have had with mine.
Property-investing rules: are they likely to change?
The pressure for the government to curb the tax benefits of tax concessions, such as negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, is unrelenting. Most recently, independent senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie proposed five options for paring back investment property tax concessions, with savings to the Federal budget of up to $60 billion over the next decade.
What's love got to do with it?
A rollercoaster of emotions could be driving poor crypto behaviour.
Are we ready to be cash-free?
Saying goodbye to our piggy banks too soon could leave small businesses in the dark when problems arise.
