Airline Flight & Hotel Package Deals May Not The Best Deal For Your Budget

Many airlines, especially low cost carriers, will offer all in deals covering the flights to and from your destination and your hotel accommodation whilst your there. However if you spend a little time researching the the individual components of these deals the total price is are not always as good it may first seem.

To find out whether you are being offered value for money check the final return price for 'flights only' on the dates being offered and take that cost away from the package deal. On 21st 08 July Euromost researchers were quoted £529. 86 for three nights flights and hotel package for two people with easyjet to Prague starting on the 28th of October 08. The flight element of the package was £264.92 leaving a 3* hotel budget of £264.94

Even booking through an agency (Booking.com) we had no difficuty booking the 3* Atlantic Hotel at £203 a saving of £61. We also found a 3 star hotel (the Rezidence Emmy) on the Active Hotels Site for £120.00 which would have been a saving of £140 more than the cost of the return flights for one person. Generally we found we could book number of 3 star hotels on these dates for around £170 - £180.00 without haggling by email or on the phone which almost certainly would have achieved a further 20% reduction.

Obviously airlines package deals save the passenger the hustle of searching and booking hotels and some people will be glad to pay a slightly higher price for that convenience. Those on a budget might be reluctant to pay for this service if it adds 30% to the cost of comparative hotel accommodation. Personally we would happily pay Easyjets air fares £264.92 and the £120 to Residence Emmy. The saving of £140 should cover all other meals and public transport costs in Prague on a three day trip!

So the flight is 1€ or £0.00 plus taxes and charges but what to do about the accommodation? Do you use ask a local company that you are familiar with to book it for you or try finding something on the net? This may seem a difficult decision but in the end it will probably come down to price.

There is an abundance of hotel and apartment accommodation in most Eastern European cities especially in traditionally popular tourist destinations such as Berlin Germany, and Prague the Czech Republic. In cities like these a good percentage of the hotels and probably the majority of the apartments are privately owned. In less popular destinations such as Chisnau Moldova and Skopje Macedonia(though the latter is becoming increasingly popular) the majority of hotels are owned by multi-national companies and private apartments are scarce. Across Eastern Europe the smaller hotels and owners of private often use agencies to act on their behalf. The notable exception is Dubrovnik Croatia which has a significant number of apartments and villas that you can book direct with owners.

Many multi national companies are effectively agencies. Their prices on the surface seem reasonable if compared with Western European or American accommodation but they are because of the commision structures in the pricing often not competitive - though there are some companies such as Last minute, Superbreaks and Wizz breaks who do offer competitive prices. The advantage of these multi-nationals irrespective of their prices, and arrangements made by your local travel agent is that if you have problems you are have some consumer rights to call upon on your return.

The locally based agencies in most Eastern European Cities often offer hotel and apartment accommodation. Their standards of service are as good any where in Western Europe and some such as amoreal apartments in prague are truly exceptional.

More importantly many of the agencies are also for the cleaning and maintenance of apartments and consequently some of these are of the highest standard. Incidentally many apartments in Prague are blessed with powerful showers.

In general hotels and apartments in East Europe booked through local agencies represent good value Budapest Hungary and Krakow Poland are worth mentioning in this respect. St Petsersburg and Moscow however are very expensive with former verging on the ridiculous in some instances.Eastern European hotels often offer generous breakfasts with some available until 10.00 or 10.30. Nowdays most offer free internet access - but tea bags sometimes seem to be in short supply.

If you don't mind self catering Eastern European apartments undoubtedly offer the best value. Even in popular cities like Prague you can easily hire a decent apartment, centrally situated and sleeping two for €40 (£25) even in the summer. One thing you should note - wherever in eastern europe you are going is that the facilties offered in the kitchen will vary enormously. It is not uncommon in for very cheap apartments to have only two or three hobs and no oven. Another thing to note is that many supermarkets shut at 8pm - including Tesco's which seems to pop up in many places.

Companies in the UK that will help you sort out your accommodation are stagweb.co.uk who know where the bargain accommodation is across Europe even if you are getting divorced and fregata travel who offer an extensive bespoke service in about 14 countries for those not minded to go clubbing.

In each of the 39 euromost city guides (see the list and links in the adjacent left hand column) we have a accommodation section, which includes listings of hotels, apartments, hostels and campsites. Most of these are local concerns which we feel we might use ourselves if the need arose. The list is short but to the point. If you feel that we should add or mention a particular company in this section please email us. Details of hotel, hostel, apartment and other accommodation is available for the following Eastern Europe shown in the next column. ( City gudes for are also acessible through these links ).