Vacation 2024
How vacations put less strain on your wallet
In 2024, many families will be going on vacation to another country again.
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The Germans’ desire to travel is unbroken. With these tips and tricks you can easily save money on your vacation.
Despite high inflation, many Germans are reluctant to go on vacation in 2024. This is what experts in the The German Travel Association (DRV) is certain “that the majority of Germans will travel again this year despite economic uncertainty.” With these tips you can reduce costs when it comes to vacation.
Travel 2024: The trend is to book early
Traveling to closer areas is often cheaper in terms of arrival and departure than long flights further afield. However, holidaymakers can save when choosing their travel destination, regardless of the distance. Lesser-known destinations are often less crowded than the well-known holiday paradises – and can also be cheaper.
Booking trips in good time has great savings potential. According to DRV President Norbert Fiebig, Germans are booking particularly early this year: “Early booking will be very trendy in 2024.” According to the announcement, early bird discounts are usually available until the end of February or the end of March.
When asked by the news agency spot on news, Torsten Schäfer, head of communications at the DRV, advises going to a travel agency, as interested parties would not only receive comprehensive advice there. The employees “know tricks and tricks to help you go on vacation as cheaply as possible.” For families with children who depend on the holiday season, for example, it is a good idea to book your summer holiday as early as possible. Then the choice is greatest and travelers can also benefit from the various early bird offers offered by tour operators. These are also common with special discounts for children. “Such early bird offers can sometimes be available for only 50 to 60 percent of the regular travel price.
The classic package tour is therefore “high season and is on the way back to its former strength,” as Schäfer explains. “The Germans rely on security and flexibility. This is shown by the increasing demand for package holidays in combination with the so-called flex tariffs. This means that even if you book early, your holiday can be rebooked or canceled until shortly before the start of your trip without any costs.” If you’re flexible, you can “book at short notice and get last-minute bargains. But then I shouldn’t have any time constraints or a specific destination in mind.”
According to DRV information, destinations such as Greece and Turkey are particularly popular in the summer. But be careful with the additional costs: In Greece, tourists will have to pay a climate tax from 2024 – depending on when they arrive and how luxurious the vacation should be. Between March and October this is 1.50 euros per day in one and two-star hotels, and ten euros in a five-star hotel. The ADAC, for example, offers an overview.
Alternatives to flying
As an alternative to flying, depending on your holiday destination, it could be worthwhile to travel by train or car – especially if you are going to a neighboring country or are planning a trip within Germany. Deutsche Bahn always offers offers and booking particularly early or choosing an Intercity (IC) instead of an ICE can, among other things, save your wallet.
Accordingly, getting around on site is also a cost factor. Travelers should find out before their vacation whether they might be able to use public transport, whether they would have to take taxis or, for example, whether a rental car is necessary for planned excursions. Good news: According to a recent report from the comparison portal “Check24”, daily rental car costs in the current early bird season are on average 15 percent cheaper than last year. While the rental car cost an average of 64 euros in 2023, this year it is 54 euros.
A different airport and the correct departure day
Schäfer also reveals other travel planning tricks that are easier on holidaymakers’ wallets: “This includes the choice of departure airport. Here you can see whether another airport in another federal state, which is also easy to reach, might be cheaper , than the one at the front door.” Meanwhile, travelers should “not set their departure day on a Friday or the weekend and should not book exactly two weeks, for example. It is often cheaper for ten, twelve or even 15 days.” If you don’t have to rely on the holiday season, “you should travel in the off-season, that also saves money.”
It is also ideal for an all-inclusive stay in the holiday destination [zu] – this keeps the holiday budget manageable and safe, especially with children. If you do want to go out to eat in the city, you should avoid typical tourist restaurants near attractions or on the main streets and try the local cuisine in restaurants that locals also frequent. Here pizza, moussaka and other typical dishes can be comparatively cheaper – and possibly also tastier.
In addition to food and transportation, there are also other cost factors. For example, holidaymakers often only gain access to well-known sights if they buy a ticket. And are the classic souvenirs really necessary? Many Germans already avoid greetings by postcard. According to a Bitkom survey, around half of those surveyed last year (51 percent) planned to contact friends and family from their summer vacation by letter or postcard.