My friend and I are traveling to Europe in mid May and plan to include Santorini Island in our trip. We came across round trip flight and hotel vacation packages from Athens to Santorini for two nights on Orbitz and Expedia. We think they are a good deal, however, they don't include the "city tax" charge on the hotel that can be added upon check-in. We don't want to be duped and suddenly have to pay an outrageous tax when we get there. Is this vacation package a good idea? Does anyone know what the average city tax charge is for staying at a hotel in Santorini?
Posted by
Clarksville, TN, USA
959 posts
Melissa, go to a site like Orbitz, search for a hotel in the same class as the hotel they say will be included and before you get to the end, it should tell you what the hotel taxes are. If you dissect the package into airfare, included meals, and price per night at a hotel, you could get a rough idea of whether the package is a rip-off or a decent deal. Of course, it may come out to a LITTLE more than a la carte because you're paying for convenience. I think packages are a great idea if you don't want the trouble of planning the whole thing (and if you have the cash.) I love to plan trips completely on my own and I'm a bargain hunter, so a package would probably be a lot more expensive than the trips that I plan. But I have a feeling you're going to have an amazing time whatever you decide. Someday I'd like to make it to the Greek Isles!!!
Posted by
Freedonia
16411 posts
Packages can be a great deal or a ripoff.
Dissect the package and see what it would cost to pay for everything separately. If it's less with the package, go with it.
On one of my trips to London, I found a deal through my airline. I got a hotel at 1/3 the normal cost and my airfare was upgraded from unrefundable to totally changeable with no extra charge. That was just because I was traveling on a package.
Posted by
OP
Salem, Oregon
2 posts
Thank you so much! This has been a real big help in our planning!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Package deals can often "save" money by giving you a discount at some of the more pricey hotels, like you might expect to find in a Frommer's or Fodor's travel guide. So yes, you probably will get a better deal than if you tried to book the individual components yourself, but you can probably save more money by researching cheaper alternatives.
Personally, I think Rick Steves consistently makes some of the best mid-priced hotel recommendations in the travel business, but you'll rarely find these accomodations included in any package deal (unless you go on a Rick Steves Tour...).
Posted by
Beautiful Austin TX
582 posts
I've got many great package deals from Expedia. I mean, really low prices! The downside is that if you want to change your plans, you can't. I wanted to add Paris to my trip last year and couldn't, even though I bought insurance through Expedia. So if you buy a package deal, be sure you have all the places where you want to go all thought out before you buy the trip.
I was very disappointed I couldn't go to Paris last year, but I still don't regret the package deal. Lesson learned for me. I know to think things out very carefully before buying.
I also want to add, the package deals (through Expedia anyway) do not only have pricey hotels at a discount. I've stayed in some very good "budget" hotels! That's why my deal was such a good deal!