| When traveling on a budget, one of the most | | | | Of course, some great deals can be had on |
| often asked questions is whether it is best | | | | your own as well, and this is often a great |
| to travel independently, reserving your own | | | | way to go, especially if you are a solo |
| airfare, hotel stay and sightseeing | | | | traveler. Solo travelers often have |
| reservations, or choose a package tour where | | | | difficulty getting those great deals on |
| everything is set up for you in advance. | | | | package deals, since the required single |
| | | | supplement can often ruin the deal. |
| Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to | | | | |
| this question. It is largely dependent on | | | | It is also important to find out exactly what |
| the location you have selected and dates of | | | | is, and what is not included, in any package |
| travel. For instance, travel to European | | | | you are considering. Many package deals have |
| destinations are often less costly to book on | | | | optional excursions built in, and these |
| your own, especially when the airlines are | | | | extras can add considerable cost. Be sure to |
| running specials of European airfares in the | | | | ask for a detailed daily itinerary to |
| off-season. | | | | determine if you will be left on your own if |
| | | | you fail to take these optional. Also ask |
| On the other hand, travel to many exotic | | | | for a detailed list of these optional |
| locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South | | | | excursions, including full descriptions and |
| Africa, Thailand, and India, are often much | | | | prices, and then carefully compare the total |
| less expensive when booked through a vacation | | | | price to what you could find on your own. |
| package company or travel agent. That is | | | | |
| because these tour operators often have | | | | If you are traveling on your own, be sure to |
| special deals with the national airlines of | | | | start shopping early, especially if you are |
| these companies, and with very nice resort | | | | traveling by air. The important thing to |
| hotels, to provide considerable discounts in | | | | remember is that airlines allocate only so |
| exchange for a steady flow of business. | | | | many seats for those advertised low fares, |
| | | | and if you fail to act quickly, you may be |
| For instance, with a little bit of shopping, | | | | out of luck. It is important to book the |
| you can book a vacation package from New York | | | | airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible |
| to Egypt for a grand total of $1,100, | | | | to ensure the lowest possible prices. |
| including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily | | | | |
| breakfast, airport transfers, and daily | | | | Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose |
| sightseeing tours, including guided tours of | | | | a vacation package deal or independent travel |
| the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is | | | | is up to each individual traveler. It is |
| far less than you would have paid if you had | | | | important to carefully compare package prices |
| booked this trip independently. | | | | with those for independent travel to the same |
| | | | location. It is also important to consider |
| Similar deals exist for other locations, | | | | your own personal travel style. Some people |
| notably India, China, and Taiwan. So be sure | | | | are more comfortable with a packaged tour, |
| to check on the availability of these package | | | | particularly to an unfamiliar location, while |
| deals when shopping for a budget travel deal. | | | | others relish the freedom from schedules that |
| | | | independent travel provides. |