Holiday Essentials Explained

By Author: Giovanni Issler
Total Articles: 5
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In just a few short weeks the school holidays will kick off and this means you and your family can get a much-needed break in the sun. The flight, hotel and food are booked thanks to a great all-inc deal you found online, you have the kids'' club is sorted and you''ve even stocked up on suntan lotion and after sun. But surely there is something you are forgetting?

Things like transfers, car hire, insurance and holiday money are often forgotten, but you do so at your peril. Leaving these to the last minute is a mistake, as you will likely be penalised for it in your wallet. But booking in advance will save you money.

Take transfers for example. If you don''t want to pay the extortionate car-parking rates at Gatwick, Heathrow and the other UK airports, then you either book parking in advance, or you do the smarter thing and get a transfer to the airport. If you travel by bus, you can pay just ?2 for your journey to Gatwick airport.

Once you''re at your destination you will need some wheels. If you book your car hire in advance you can save around 50%. For a week''s car hire in Malaga last year for example, ...
... Holiday Autos estimated that you would have paid ?115 if you had booked six months in advance. This rose to ?165 three months prior to arrival, ?218 a month ahead and more than double, ?262, if booking had been left until seven days before departure.

We are often caught out be travel insurance too. Annual insurance is best if you are a regular traveller. You can be covered for an unlimited number of trips throughout the year, each lasting up to around 45 days and is works out cheaper the more trips you take.

However, if you can only just about manage one holiday a year, then get the cheap option and opt for single trip cover. Remember to make sure you take out the insurance when you book.

You won''t necessarily pay more the longer you leave it, but if you take it out when you book, if you can''t travel for any reason, you insurance will cover the cancellation. It won''t if you take out just days before you travel.

Buying currency is frustrating as it goes up and down. But keep an eye on the foreign exchanges throughout the year. For example, the Pound is gaining strength against the Euro right now, however three months down the line this might be a different story. If you can afford to, buy when the market is working in your favour. Giovanni Issler is a freelance writer and expert in aviation. They recommend easyBus for transport to Gatwick airport.