If you’ve ever spent hours searching separate websites for bargain flights and hotel deals, convinced you’re cutting pounds off your summer getaway, you might want to think again. According to travel agent Lucy Hart, that DIY approach could be quietly adding up to £300 to your holiday bill.
Lucy has spent more than a decade arranging trips for British holidaymakers and says booking flights and accommodation separately is one of the biggest — and costliest — mistakes people make year after year. “One of the most common mistakes I see is people booking their flights and accommodation separately — thinking they’ll find better individual deals,” Lucy says. “But what they don’t realise is that many travel platforms and providers offer significant savings when you book both together. You can often save anywhere from £150 to £300 on the total cost.”
Lucy, who is currently working with nature holiday specialist Naturetrek, explains that tour operators and travel sites can negotiate discounts that simply aren’t available to the average traveller.
And it’s not just about the price tag.
“Apart from saving money, you’re also getting ATOL protection if the package is booked through a UK-based provider,” she says. “That gives you more financial security if the airline or hotel goes bust — which is something people don’t think about until it’s too late.”
Then there are the added costs many forget to factor in when going it alone.
“Transfers are a big one,” Lucy says. “If you book a bundle, transfers to and from the airport are often included. But if you go solo, you’ll need to pay for taxis or shuttles separately — and that can add £50 to £80 just in one direction.”
Standalone flights can also come with stricter baggage rules and fewer options to make changes if plans shift.
“Standalone airline tickets are often stripped down. When it’s part of a package, you may get better baggage options or easier changes.”
So, how do you ensure you’re not accidentally spending money on your next break? Lucy’s first tip is simple: always compare bundle deals before you book.
“Before booking flights alone, check if the same dates are cheaper as a package — even if it’s just for the hotel and flight,” she advises.
Flexibility helps, too. Nature-based holidays, like those to Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, or even closer to home in the Scottish Isles, often offer better value when packaged.
Lucy also recommends booking early — ideally six to nine months ahead — and considering off-peak dates to get the biggest savings.
A big misconception, Lucy says, is that doing it all yourself gives you more freedom.
“Many people assume that booking separately gives them more control — but in most cases, it just adds more to your to-do list and ends up costing more,” she says. “Bundle deals don’t mean less freedom. You can still customise things like flight times or room upgrades without paying premium rates.”
“People think booking it all themselves gives them control and saves money, but that’s not always the case,” a spokesperson from Naturetrek adds. “Checking bundle prices first could save you hundreds — and ensure your trip runs more smoothly from the start.”
So before you spend another weekend trawling multiple sites for that ‘perfect’ DIY deal, it might pay to see what a package can do for your wallet instead.