Booking a tour to a new destination or getting ready to revisit an old favourite is an exciting time! With new cultures to experience, sights to see, and even unique foods to try, there’s so much to look forward to. But sometimes, finding the perfect time to book a trip to the world’s top destinations for the best travel deals can be tricky.
That’s why Expat Explore is giving you the lowdown on the best booking times, tips for booking in advance, and useful information about everything you need to consider before your trip. Read on to learn more about the best times to book a tour!
Take a look at our answers to your burning booking questions:
How far in advance should you book?
When it comes to seeing more of the world and learning to open our minds, sooner is always better. But when exactly is the best time to start planning and, for example, booking your flights and tour packages?
To ensure you have enough time for all the arrangements, most travel experts will agree that 6-12 months before your trip is when you should start planning and booking. However, if you’re planning a more elaborate trip and need more time to save, keep that in mind.
Related: Here’s why you can book a tour with Expat Explore with confidence!
When do the best rates become available?
When booking tour packages for your vacation, remember that travel deals are usually the most affordable when they are released. For example, Christmas or New Year’s tours will be most expensive closer to the time and most affordable the moment they’re made available.
In other words, if you have your eye on a tour package, book it as soon as the dates are released, even if it’s far in advance. This way, you get the very best rates before demand comes into play, plus you have extra time to save, plan and get excited for your trip!
If you’re worried about making any commitments that far in advance, just remember that with Expat Explore, you have complete booking flexibility to account for unforeseen circumstances, plus you can secure your booking with just a 10% deposit!
What time of year is travel the most affordable?
If you’re looking to save on your travel expenses across the board, from accommodation and flights to tours and experiences, shoulder season should be your top choice! Often forgotten, shoulder season is an amazing time to travel since it falls right between peak season and low season. For many of the world’s top destinations, that means spring or autumn.
While this may differ between destinations, shoulder season is a lovely time to travel due to reduced costs, smaller crowds and sometimes even more moderate weather. Look into shoulder season for your destination of choice, and decide whether you’ll still get an incredible experience for the price.
Related: Take a look at what to pack for shoulder season travel.
What additional arrangements should you consider?
Now that your plans are more tangible and you’ve secured some travel deals, it’s time to start thinking about the remaining admin arrangements to ensure a smooth trip from start to finish!
Flights
Once your trip is set and the dates are confirmed, arrange your flights around those dates. There are many conflicting and often incorrect views on when flight prices are lowest, such as on Sundays, after clearing cookies, or one to five months before your trip. The best way to secure the most affordable flights is to check at different times, compare prices and book when it’s at a low.
Insurance
Often overlooked, travel insurance is an essential part of ensuring your peace of mind on vacation. There are many different coverage options, depending on the risks you’d like to be covered against. Usually, basic travel insurance would cover cancellations, evacuations, loss or delays. If there are any other risks you need to be covered, look into packages with your desired coverage and compare prices.
Related: Take a look at our travel insurance recommendations!
Visas
Visas can sometimes be an unnecessary hurdle when arranging a trip. Which one do you need? Where do you get it? What do you need to provide? We get it; it’s a lot! That’s why we’ve compiled an exhaustive guide on everything you need to know about visas for your specific trip.
Budget
You’ll likely already have a rough draft of a budget at this stage, as your flights and travel packages are all set and booked! Now it’s time to consider the rest of the expenses during your trip. This includes daily meal allowances, excursion costs, souvenirs, public transport, and more. For more in-depth assistance with budgeting for your trip, read our blog!
Medication
Now that you have a clearer overview of your trip and all the travel arrangements required, you just have to make sure you keep your health in tip-top condition while you travel. If you have any prescription medication, carry the prescription with you while you travel and keep the medication in its original packaging. For extra peace of mind, keep the original and generic names of your prescription medication nearby in case you need to replace something on your trip.
Next, check whether the country you’re visiting has any vaccination requirements. Depending on the vaccines required and whether they have incubation periods, this step might be earlier in the process.
Seasons
Last but certainly not least, consider the best times to visit your chosen destination and try to arrange your trip around those times. Some countries offer incredible winter experiences while others rely on the rays for beach and outdoor activities. It all depends on where you’re going!
Related: Discover the best times to travel in our guide to seasons around the world.
With that, you should be all set for your trip! We hope these tips have helped you manage your travel arrangements and score the best travel deals. If you’d like more travel tips, take a look at more articles on our fun and informative travel blog!
To see more of the world affordably, book a tour with Expat Explore and embark on a guided group tour of a lifetime! So, where will you go?