Tag Archives: flying

Tips on Finding Affordable Flights for Your Next International Holiday

Posted on by

The travel landscape has changed immensely over the past few years. New advancements have disrupted the industry, changing international travel from a luxury only few could afford to a more accessible experience for more people, Accommodation apps like Airbnb can connect travellers to low-cost lodging as an alternative to traditional hotels or motels, allowing people to spend more money on experiences and activities, food and drink, or shopping. Expensive airfares were also a struggle for many travellers and continue to be for some, but now there are several ways people can score good deals on their international flights to avoid breaking the bank.

Don’t let flight costs ruin your travel plans; here are a few tips on finding affordable flights for your next international holiday:

Compare low cost flights

If you don’t have a destination in mind yet, it can help you stay flexible so you can compare international flights for various locations and see where you can score low prices. You can find cheap flights using comparison websites or tools that will show you the different prices. This way, you can avoid paying more and pick the most affordable option. easyJet offers a low-fare finder tool where you can get an overview of flight prices to the destination of your choice or other places so you can find the cheapest dates and times available. Compare prices for locations like Greece, Italy, Spain, and more, which can not only guide you to lower costs but also a potentially new adventure. If you’re more of a spontaneous traveller, you can also find last-minute deals that can help you find the most affordable option, even if you’re booking close to your flight date. 

Avoid the rush

Booking a flight time during the airport’s busiest hours or during peak and holiday seasons can increase flight prices due to the demand, and you’ll be competing with large crowds of fellow holidaymakers. Rather than going with the rush, opt for flight times when demand is lower, such as early morning flights or red-eye flights—flights that depart at night and arrive in the morning. Airports charge lower fees for their take-off spots at these times, which is why they’re cheaper. Avoid buying flights during peak travel seasons as well, as demand also causes more expensive airfares. Booking during the off-season can be cheaper, but you can also fly during the shoulder season, which is between the peak and off-season. You’ll see fewer tourists compared to busier, in-demand dates. Shoulder seasons vary depending on your destination, so doing some research can help you determine when to fly for cheaper prices. 

Evade hidden fees

Even if you book an affordable international flight, hidden fees and surcharges can add to your costs, which can be frustrating and affect your careful budgeting. Airlines can charge you for priority boarding, flight alterations, onboard wi-fi, and even blankets; knowing what to expect can help you plan and budget accordingly to avoid these fees. Baggage fees are some of the more common ways you can get charged extra; if your checked-in bag is overweight, you may be charged per extra kilogram, and the costs depend on the airline. You can avoid such costs by purchasing your extras fees in one go when you buy your ticket so you know what prices you expect to pay. You can also pack smarter by wearing additional layers of clothing, rolling and folding your clothes to maximise space, or packing light in your carry-on bag to avoid checking in your luggage if possible. It also helps to be extra careful about planning your flight so you can avoid changing seats or flight details, which also come at a price.

Finding the perfect flight takes time and a little strategic planning. By following these tips and being flexible, you’ll be well on your way to securing affordable flights and turning your international getaway dream into a reality!

Photo is free to use under unsplash licence by Ross Parmly (@rparmly)

Post written in collaboration with Holly Bates.

A Liar’s Autobiography

Posted on by

Anyone who knows me reasonably well will be aware of my penchant for Python (almost to the point of annoyance sometimes to those who don’t share my sense of humour), so, as you can imagine, I was looking forward to this film enormously. Unfortunately, I am still looking forward to it! Due to technical hitches with both the 3d and 2d versions, the press screening failed to take place at the allotted time, and the press conference went ahead with the majority of journalists present (myself included) not having seen the film. Which could be described as just a little bit silly …..
Director Bill Jones described Graham Chapman’s memorial service as the first time he got drunk, and spoke of the film as a way of celebrating Chapman’s life and achievements. Terry Jones spoke of Graham as a complex individual who didn’t really understand himself and who was looking for who he was. Michael Palin described the film as a homage to Graham, and confirmed that it was as close to a Python reunion as we were ever likely to get. Both spoke of Graham’s sense of stillness, and described him as their leading actor. As the press hadn’t seen the film yet, a lot of the questions from the floor were more generally about the Python oeuvre than specifically about the film in question, which led to some interesting reminiscing such as Terry Jones describing smuggling the tapes of Series I out of the BBC to copy on a Phillips VCR before they were destroyed.
The screening has been rescheduled for 4pm this afternoon, but unfortunately one of my other jobs prevents my attending (plug for The Castle at the Lord Stanley in Camden, opening tonight:) but I can tell you that the film uses audio recordings of Graham’s reading of his book, subtitled The Untrue Story of Monty Python’s Graham Chapman, combined with different styles of animation to reflect the different styles of humour, with fourteen different animation studios being involved in the production. Not having seen it yet, I cannot give an informed opinion as to it’s watchability, but with John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Terry Jones all involved (Terry Jones plays Graham’s mother, apparently), not to mention the late Graham Chapman (as himself) I know I definitely will be giving it a viewing as soon as I get the chance.
And now for something completely different.
A Liar’s Autobiography is showing tonight at 9pm at Leicester Square Empire and on Friday at VUE West End at 3pm as part of the London Film Festival.

Passengers Outraged As Rail Fares Set To Rise Above Inflation Again

Posted on by

Rail commuters are outraged as the so called ‘green’ government backed an above-inflation rail fair rise for already overpriced, overcrowded trains. Fares are expected to rise at least 8%.

The formula for fare increases is usually RPI inflation plus 1%, but for the next three years it is RPI plus 3%.

Rail minister Theresa Villiers said passengers were being asked to pay more for the next three years so that the government could “deliver a massive programme of rail upgrades.” However, Villiers was less than impressive while trying to defend the shocking rise in a BBC interview.

Rail fares for Londoners are also set to rise by up to 13% from January 2012, thanks to government changes to the rules on annual fare rise.

“These massive fare rises will be a disaster for people already struggling with rising costs, and risk pricing those on lower incomes out of jobs,” said Alexandra Woodsworth of the Campaign for Better Transport, who was protesting against the fare rises at Waterloo station today.

It is feared that some people will be priced out of being able to work.

Every New Year, train companies are allowed to push up fares based on the inflation rate published the previous August. Today, that figure was 5%.

Previously, the rule was that companies could only increase fares by 1% more than inflation, which would have seen bad-enough rises of 6% next year. But the current government raised the fare-hike limit to inflation-plus-3%, allowing for rises of 8% in early 2012. It also allows for rises of up to 8% above inflation on some routes, giving the 13% figure.

A 13% hike would see the current cost – £3832 – of an annual season ticket from Brighton to London rise to £4291.

The government blamed its lack of finances for the rail fare hike. Rail companies are subsidised by the government, which means unhappy commuters pay for it both through their taxes and when they pay for their fares.

Rail travel is notoriously bad in the UK. Rail journeys from London to Glasgow cost from £100-170 before these rises with trains often so overcrowded, it is usually standing room only. London is not much better, with people paying more money than anywhere else in Europe to ride in a carriage with no air conditioning and in worse conditions than a sardine in a can. Trying to get anywhere on the weekend is worse, as most lines are having maintenance, causing huge service disruption.

The Coalition government has promised to be a ‘green’ government, but rail fares are now so expensive that it is cheaper to fly, I know a number of people who do. Not so green after all.