1. compare prices
The same trip to the same hotel can cost up to 500 euros less with another tour operator. The most important thing when looking for a cheap vacation is to compare prices. Whether it's a package tour or individual flights, hotels or vacation apartments. You should not only use price comparison portals online. The websites of tour operators can offer special prices that are only available directly from this
available directly from the provider.
2. be flexible
If you have the opportunity to choose the start and end of your trip flexibly, you should take advantage of this. It is best to avoid school vacations and popular flight dates at weekends. And: in federal states where the vacations have already ended or start later, you can fly at a significantly lower price. Savings potential: around 30 percent.
3. prefer package tours
According to tests, booking a hotel and flight separately is often more expensive than a package, sometimes by up to 15 percent! This is especially true for popular beach destinations such as Mallorca. Package travelers are also best protected! Whether there are problems with the flight, construction noise in the hotel or cancellation of a booked excursion - package travelers always have a single point of contact, the tour operator.
4. do not insure twice
Whether it's travel cancellation, accident, luggage or illness cover: tour operators always advertise all kinds of insurance policies. Before you take out anything hastily: It is essential to check in advance whether you are not already insured, for example through health insurance. And calculate whether an annual contract is worthwhile, for example for trip cancellation. This is usually cheaper than taking out new insurance for every trip.
5. take advantage of discounts
Fixed prices for children, savings weeks, anniversary discounts, grandma for free, four days for free: the organizers come up with a lot of ideas. With savings of 15 percent, it's always worth it! That's why: Ask specifically for discounts - and then pick out the ones that suit your trip.
6. caution: hidden costs
Not every cheap offer is one. This is especially true for low-cost airlines. They entice you with low prices on their homepage. But if you intend to take luggage with you or select a seat in advance, you usually have to pay extra. With Ryanair, for example, taking luggage up to 20 kg costs between 25 and 45 euros.
7. choose an economy room
In some catalogs they are also called super economy rooms or low-cost rooms. But they always mean the same thing: rooms next to the elevator or with a view of the parking lot. If you only want to sleep in the room, you should look for them specifically. Savings potential: up to 20 percent. Tip: Find out exactly what the disadvantages of the room are before booking.
8. stay overnight privately
For city breaks in major cities such as Paris or New York, private accommodation is often much cheaper than hotels. You can save up to 40 percent when booking online, e.g. via Airbnb.de! Tip: If you rent privately, you should find out exactly what is on offer. Reviews from other users provide information and help with the selection.
9. better to travel for longer
Nothing is more expensive than a spontaneous jaunt over the weekend. If you need to save money, you can afford a long annual vacation and forgo second and third trips. Overall, the costs for car, flight or train are lower.
10. choose a canceled trip
Accident, illness or separation: every year, thousands of people are unable to go on their booked vacation. Instead of paying cancellation fees of over 90 percent, they use Internet portals such as stornopool.de or storno-kabinen.de to find a replacement vacationer. Nevertheless, please note: To be on the safe side, you should compare the prices offered there with the usual prices for equivalent trips. Savings potential: 30 to 50 percent.
11. book a lucky cabin
Cruises are becoming increasingly popular, with over two million Germans embarking every year. If you would like to spend your vacation at sea and want to save money, you should book a lucky or guaranteed cabin. You only choose the category (inside, outside, balcony), the shipping company decides on the deck and location. Savings potential: approx. 20 percent.
12. book early or late?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to give a general answer as to which is better. As travel companies have adapted to the fact that many people book at very short notice, not every supposed last-minute offer is really cheap. That's why it's essential to compare prices for both early bird offers and last-minute bookings.