Should I Book a Flight or Hotel First?

Booking flights and accommodations are critical procedures in planning trips. However, a majority of people are never sure of whether to book a flight or hotel first. Generally, most travel experts recommend that you should book flights before hotels. But, certain factors may affect the decision including timing, travel regulations and funding for the trip. The following are some of the key elements that will determine whether you should book a flight or hotel first. 

Timing of the Trip 

The cost of air tickets and hotel accommodations often fluctuate depending on the travel destinations and seasons. That means you should know the best times to book flights and hotels. According to the latest travel reports, the best time to book flights should be about 70 days before the travel date. 

You can either book earlier or a little later but, just do not wait until three weeks of departure since airfares often skyrocket at such times. Although airfares can be costly during those periods, hotels usually offer relatively cheaper deals. Thus, it is important to plan your trips around the times for booking flights. 

For hotels, the best time to book is one month before departure. Based on the above guidelines, it means you should first book flights then; wait for a little more time to book hotels. However, there are a few things to consider. For instance, if you are planning for a vacation, it is advisable to book hotels much earlier to avoid the last-minute rush. 

On the other hand, you should also book accommodations as soon as possible in case there is a major event or gatherings scheduled to take place near the hotel during your visit. Besides, some hotels provide standard rates for customers that book months in advance. If that is the case, you should never wait to book one month to departure. Other hotels also offer last-minute deals but, those are only recommended if you are sure that the accommodation will not be sold out before your trip. 

It is advisable to book flights first because they have readily available deals and can also be easily modified if the airfares are non-refundable. However, you should consider booking a hotel first if the fees are refundable. 

Questions to Ask Before Traveling with a Friend

Going on adventures with a friend offers both of you the best moments to get to know each other better and create memories. However, there are a few things that you should know about your travel companion to ensure a remarkable trip that will be enjoyable for both of you. The following are the main questions to ask before traveling with a friend. 

How do you like to Travel?

People have different preferences when it comes to traveling. For instance, some people fear flying and would only feel more comfortable traveling by road. Besides, some people may not love cruises. As such, knowing how your friend prefers to travel beforehand will enable you to determine the particular type of trip to plan for. 

What Kinds of Activities Interest You While Traveling?

Although the things to do while traveling will depend on the destination and type of adventure, you must always know the activities that your friend loves to take part in before the trip. Remember that some love to do as much as possible while on the road and, others that would rather simply relax at the beaches or hotels. Knowing your travel companion’s favorite activities will enable you to put together an itinerary that everyone will enjoy. 

How Long Would you Want to spend on a Trip?

The duration of your trip will depend on the goals of the adventure, your budget and the schedules of the people that you travel with. Nevertheless, it is still important that you agree on the exact duration of the trip to budget well for the entire adventure. 

How Do You Prefer to Stay When on the Road?

Some people opt to stay in hotels, resorts or Airbnb while others prefer cheaper accommodation options like hostels. Knowing your preferred accommodation alternatives will make it easier to narrow down the search when booking for the trip.  

There is more that you may still want to ask your friend before taking a trip together. Nevertheless, plan the trip with their interests and desires in mind. 

What Makes Traveling So Interesting?

If you have never taken a trip even locally, you are missing out on some great life-changing opportunities. Traveling is one of the most exciting experiences with endless sights, sounds and activities to enrich your life. The following are some of the key perks of traveling that make it very hard to drop. 

Unique Things to See and Do 

Spending all your life in just one location is no doubt very boring. Besides, it also limits your imaginations, which only keeps your mind confined to the ordinary. Traveling enables you to experience new environments, cultures, and activities outside your comfort zone. During your trips, you can visit historical sites, museums, natural sceneries, wildlife parks, and other attractions. 

Besides, you can also take part in various activities that interest you including hiking, water sports, shopping, wine-tasting, dining, and others. The experience that you get from those unique attractions and activities will not only bring you joy but, also so much enlightenment. 

Endless Learning Opportunities 

The main reason why most people travel is to learn new things and ideas. As they say, the world has something for everyone and, it is up to you to discover it. Traveling the world offers you incredible opportunities for gaining new knowledge and skills to develop your life in various ways. Immersing yourself in completely different environments is the best way to discovering the unique offers of the world. 

There are many things that you can learn when traveling including new languages, different aspects of various cultures, new cuisines, new leisure activities and appreciation of beliefs. Apart from the fun of engaging in these activities, the knowledge and skills acquired during the trips could also prove quite valuable in your career and life. 

Relaxes and Rejuvenates the Body 

Traveling gives you a temporary disconnect from the usual pressure of your day-to-day schedule. Whether you are out wandering in the parks, enjoying the sun on the sandy beaches, shopping, hiking or just taking some alone time in the hotel, the shift from normal routines allows the body to relax and re-energize. 

Generally, there are lots of other things that also make traveling so exciting. But, the ones discussed above are a sure bet for anyone that dares to take a trip.  Plan your trip using the tools available at https://www.travelocity.com/