See this real example of my friend's package trip from Newcastle to Seville with my alternative (booking each section individually).
Newcastle to Seville Package Deal
A friend of mine, who lives in Newcastle (in the north of England), was very proud to tell me today that he had found a deal for 600GBP for two people for three nights in Seville.The deal included trains from Newcastle to London, a flights from from London to Madrid and another on to Seville (with a night's stay in Madrid), a four-star hotel for three nights in Seville and then two more flights to get from Seville to Madrid and then back to London, followed by another train back to Newcastle.
A good deal, eh? But look what I found for him instead...
Newcastle to Seville: Plan It Yourself
All prices are the total cost for two people combined.- Newcastle to Malaga 208GBP return with Jet2.
- Malaga to Seville 80€ return by train.
- Three nights in a four-star Hotel in Seville for 240€ from Venere.
- TOTAL: 489GBP (555€)
Newcastle to Seville: Travel Times Compared
But when you're paying for a package, you can expect all the hassle to be taken out of your journey, right? Perhaps not. Take a look at the travel times for these two journeys:Package Vacation Travel Time
- Train from Newcastle to London: 3h
- Underground and Train from London to Heathrow: 1h
- Check-in time for flight to Madrid: 1.5h
- Flight to Madrid: 2.5h
- Baggage pick-up and transfer to Madrid: 1h
- [Night in Madrid]
- Transfer to Madrid airport: 1h
- Check-in time for flight to Seville: 1.5h
- Flight to Seville: 1h
- Baggage pick-up and transfer to city center: 1h
- Taxi/bus from city center to airport: 0.5h
- Check-in time for flight to Madrid: 1.5h
- Flight to Madrid: 1h
- Layover in Madrid: 2h
- Flight to London: 2.5h
- Baggage pick-up and transfer to train station: 1.5h
- Train to Newcastle: 3h
- TOTAL: 26.5h
DIY Vacation Travel Time
- Transfer to Newcastle Airport: 30m
- Check-in for flight to Malaga: 1.5h
- Flight to Malaga: 3h
- Baggage pick-up and transfer to train station by taxi: 1h
- Train to Seville: 2.5h
- Transfer to hotel: 15m
- Transfer to train station: 15m
- Train to Malaga: 2.5h
- Transfer to airport: 30m
- Check-in for flight to Newcastle: 1h30
- Train from airport to city: 30m
- TOTAL: 14h
Still, there's got to be something good about the package vacations, right? Here's the pros and cons for each type of trip:
Advantages of Independently-Planned Vacation
- You spend 30% less money. That's a pretty huge saving in anyone's books.
- You spend 40% less time traveling and waiting at airports.
Disadvantages of Package Vacation
- You might need to visit two or three websites.
- Your flight necessitates an early rise.
- Nothing free on the plane.
- You have to go out for breakfast.
Advantages of Package Vacation
- Only have to visit one website.
- Not such an early rise
- Something free to eat and drink on the plane (flight is with British Airways/Iberia)
- Breakfast is included at the hotel.
The stop in Madrid could be seen as an advantage to some, but you won't see much in a night. To most, if their trip is about Seville, not Madrid, the stopover will be a disadvantage.
Disadvantages of Package Vacation
- You spend 30% more money.
- You spend 40% more time traveling and waiting at airports.
Conclusion
If, like my friend, you are not particularly internet savvy or you are too proud to travel by a budget airline, then the package tour is for you.But if you want to save money, not waste hours at airports, then organize the trip yourself. You still get the same quality hotel but have more money to spend elsewhere.
But while flight+hotel packages are generally overcharged, a good tour guide when you're already in the country can really make your vacation. Check out my Essential Guided Tours of Spain.
The links below are all you'll need to book your own trip to Spain:
