Cheap airline tickets can ‘ruin’ your vacation

Lee Thompson, co-founder of travel company Flash Pack, said many people are falling into the trap of the “ticket effect”. The state of tourists only focusing on the lowest number displayed on the ticket booking screen and forgetting the accompanying consequences. According to Thompson, the cheapest flights often land at poor quality times such as late at night or when airports are overloaded at passport control.

“I also experienced landing after 5 pm and having to queue for 2-3 hours just to go through immigration procedures,” Thompson shared.

Having to wait too long when the body is tired and hungry after the flight makes the traveler’s mood worse. Leaving the airport and arriving back at the hotel is often midnight. This means you’ve completely wasted the first day of your vacation, which should be spent relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere at your destination.

Low-cost airlines often choose to land at secondary airports, located far from the city center. The cost and travel time from these airports to the center are sometimes more expensive than the money tourists save on tickets.

Thompson said that if asked if they would be willing to pay a little extra to land comfortably in time to enjoy a local dinner, most people would say yes. But that question never appeared at the time of booking.

“The excitement of seeing low prices has completely dominated our minds,” he said.

The expert emphasized that experienced travelers do not compare “cheapest” with “best” but they compare “actual value”. A flight is a bit more expensive, but landing in the afternoon can help travelers save a valuable day of vacation. To ensure a quality vacation, Thompson offers some tips for travelers.

Prioritize landing time. Always aim for flights landing in the mid to late afternoon. This time helps visitors check in to the hotel in time and still have enough energy for a light dinner.

Plan your first evening. Don’t let the first day pass by in fatigue, you need to schedule a simple but special activity, like going for a walk or visiting a famous local restaurant.

Calculate total cost. Add the travel fee from the airport to the center and the value of lost time before deciding on the cheapest flight.

“The first meal at your destination is when you really feel like you’re on vacation. If you miss that moment because you’re busy queuing at the airport or struggling on a cheap bus, getting inspired for the following days will be much more difficult,” Thompson concluded.