After the high-energy holiday season, January can feel like the darkest time of the year. While other people are looking to cheer themselves up, it’s one of the most popular months to book a vacation, with searches for “vacation 2024” up 49% in the last 3 months.
But is it a good idea to make plans for your getaway now?According to experts at e-booking site OMIO, this is the case. Here are five reasons why you should book your stay in a European city in January.
“As the holiday season comes to a close, January provides an opportunity to take credit from various airlines and rail corporations offering flash sales and early booking incentives for vacation packages and early bird tickets to work out,” says Veronica Diquattro, President of B2C Europe at OMIO. “However, it is imperative not to rush to buy without having all the options right. “
Diquattro recommends checking comparison sites where you can find a diversity of competitive rates and get the best deals.
While booking at the last minute can lead to wonderful deals, booking early helps avoid disappointment. The longer you wait, the more they’ll ask for raises, reducing the likelihood of getting your desired departure date and time.
What’s more, standard prices tend to increase nearer to the date of travel. “If you’re planning to travel to a European destination via train, early booking is crucial to secure the best possible deals,” says Diquattro. “Prices can surge to double or even triple their initial value if you wait until the last minute, making it all the more important to book well in advance.”
“To combat the winter blues, plan your vacation now so you have something to look forward to,” Diquattro says. “For those who have already set their annual leave dates for 2024 and are contemplating a quick getaway, there’s no better time than to explore the available offers now and e-book your dream vacation. By securing your e-bookings in advance, you can avoid the rush and ensure you get the most productive deals possible.
If you’re thinking about booking a vacation for the summer, finalizing things early in the year will give you time to create a savings plan that makes things less stressful as the holidays approach.
Before you book, think about your budget and how much you can save each month. Once you’ve taken care of this and booked your vacation, you can start setting aside the amount you need to be well. ready when you go.
As a general rule, traveling in the shoulder season is more cost-effective than traveling in the peak season, according to Diquattro. This is because there is less demand and sometimes it can be even less expensive if you decide to travel on less busy days, such as Tuesday or Wednesday.
Choosing to travel around this time will also allow you to be more flexible in your plans, as facilities are less likely to be booked and you will be able to enjoy destinations with fewer queues or crowds.