Booking a package holiday can save travellers up to £378 on European city breaks compared with arranging the same trip independently, according to a study commissioned by easyJet holidays.
The research claims that while many holidaymakers scour comparison sites for what they believe is a better deal, this approach has become a 'false economy'. Booking a package holiday is said to be back in fashion, saving both money and time when compared with buying elements separately.
Package deals beat DIY bookings
A new Price Index, commissioned by easyJet holidays, compared the cost of booking individual travel elements against package deals. It claims to reveal that booking holiday packages 'consistently beats' arranging the exact same trip independently, saving travellers an average of £328 and up to £378 on travel alone.
More than half (53%) of the 2,000 Brits surveyed say they would prefer to spend their money at shops or on holiday experiences rather than paying more for a trip they booked themselves.
Luxury shopping savings
EasyJet's research also found that those travelling to a European destination to shop for designer goods made serious savings. Nearly half (45%) of Brits have made trips overseas to buy designer or luxury items, with only a quarter (25%) saying they booked travel and accommodation as a package.
The new Holiday Index found that when combined with European luxury retail savings, savvy shoppers could unlock total combined savings of up to £1,724.
Examples and partnership
EasyJet's Price Index claims booking independent flights and accommodation to stay in Paris' Avenue Montaigne district would cost £619, whereas booking an easyJet package would cost just £329. A trip to Milan's Via Montenapoleone area is said to cost £693 when booking flights and accommodation independently but only £383 as a package. Both package examples are said to include a 23kg package allowance, which could be used to bring back luxury items found to be cheaper in other European cities than in London, such as a Saint Laurent Sac de Jour (£2,450 in London but £1,747 in Geneva).
Despite these potential savings, 70% of Brits remain unaware that luxury items such as designer handbags often cost significantly less in European boutiques than in the UK. EasyJet Holidays say they have partnered with Expedia Group B2B to expand their city break portfolio, adding thousands of centrally located city hotels across destinations including Paris, Milan, Rome and Amsterdam.
Irene Roberts at easyJet Holidays said: "City breaks are all about making the most of a few days away and we want to make that as easy and affordable as possible. Our new partnership with Expedia Group B2B means that when customers book their easyJet flights, they can now choose to add a hotel from thousands of options across Europe’s best-loved cities. They can do this while getting the value, convenience and protection that comes with booking a package. And with our research showing holidaymakers could save up to £378 compared to booking their flights and hotel separately, that’s more money to spend enjoying the city when they get there."
Holiday hunters can explore the thousands of newly available city hotels and book an ATOL-protected package break by visiting the easyJet holidays website or viewing available city breaks there.
