Which is cheaper: a package trip or a self-guided trip to the Canary Islands

You don’t have to travel to the Canary Islands with a package tour, but sometimes it is the best option.

A package tour has a good price-quality ratio

The Spanish Canary Islands are among the destinations that are traveled to more often on a package tour – even long after Self-Guided Tourism has increased. Kanaria is indeed one of the biggest destinations for tour operators, with many different islands on offer.

A package tour is an easy choice, especially for travelers looking for a resort hotel with services or an all-inclusive package. Such accommodations can be cheaper through a tour operator. If you find a hotel you like in the tour operator’s selection, you should at least compare the prices before booking a self-guided tour.

The article continues after the ad

Package travel is also convenient when you don’t have time to plan a vacation in your busy everyday life. Through the travel agency, you can book transportation directly to the hotel and excursions during your vacation. Once there, the guide gives tips and is available for problem situations.

Shutterstock
Package tours are also made to lesser-known Canary Islands. Pictured is La Gomera.

If your language skills are weak, that package trip will protect you. Help is always available, and you don’t have to take care of the practical arrangements yourself.

Many mistakenly think that package tours are only suitable for families with children and senior citizens. However, tour operators have a huge selection of hotels, with everything from teddy clubs to boutique hotels, golf hotels and adults-only hotels.

Package trips to the Canary Islands are made from October to April. The most common trip lengths are a week, 10 days or two weeks, but longer holidays may also be available.

A package trip to the Canary Islands is right for you if…

The article continues after the ad

  • You want an easy solution and a good price-quality ratio.
  • You want to use guide services at the destination.
  • You don’t have time or you don’t want to plan the details of the trip yourself.
  • You will preferably stay in an all inclusive hotel.

A self-employed traveler puts together his own vacation

Nowadays, it is easy to travel to the Canary Islands even on your own. Direct flights to the largest islands such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria can be booked through Finnair or Norwegian. Round-trip flights usually cost around 200–500 euros.

However, the cheapest flights may be found from tour operators – especially if the departure time is not long. Tour operators also sell just holiday flights, so you can get to your destination, but you arrange accommodation and airport transfers yourself.

Return holiday flights are often easy to find for less than 200 euros, emergency flights even for less than 100 euros.

ShutterstockSelf-employed trip to the Canary Islands
A self-employed traveler can try a road trip or island hopping and spend the night outside the resorts.

The best thing about traveling on your own is flexibility. You don’t have to choose accommodation for a week at a time, but you can divide the holiday into different destinations and different lodgings if you wish. During the same vacation, you can try a resort hotel, city accommodation and a country cottage if you wish.

A self-employed traveler can also combine his vacation with two different islands or try a longer island hopping. In addition to ferries, Binter Canarias, Air Europa and Canaryfly flights operate between the Canary Islands.

For a solo traveler, a self-guided tour is usually more affordable, as the pricing of package tours is designed for two travelers sharing the same room.

A self-employed trip becomes relevant even if there are no package tours to the destination you have chosen. For example, La Palma and El Hierro are more difficult to reach islands.

The article continues after the ad

A self-guided trip to the Canary Islands is right for you if…

  • You have a certain hotel in mind that is not part of the tour operators’ selection.
  • You want to stay in several different destinations or even on different islands.
  • You don’t need guide services and you want flexible travel days.
  • You are traveling alone.

Read also: What is the difference between a holiday and a scheduled flight? Read the facts

A sudden departure is the cheapest option

Is your travel budget small, but would you like to go somewhere? If your schedule is flexible, you should watch for sudden departures. At the most affordable, one-week trips to the Canary Islands can be found for less than 200 euros, including flights and accommodation.

A bit of an adventurous spirit is required from a sudden departure traveler. If the price includes unspecified accommodation, you do not know in advance what your accommodation will be like or where it will be located. A traveler looking for the cheapest price may also not necessarily find an offer for the island he wants.

IstockphotoSudden departure to the Canary Islands
Sudden departures are most likely to be found on the islands where the most trips are made. Gran Canaria is a popular holiday destination in winter.

Kanaria is one of the top destinations for tour operators, and many trips are made to the area. In the winter season, you can therefore assume that you will almost always find a quick getaway to an island. However, during Christmas, school holidays and Easter, demand is exceptionally high and prices are higher.

Travelers planning a self-guided trip should also keep an eye out for sudden departures. At the most affordable prices, tour operators have sold last-minute flights to the Canary Islands for less than 50 euros.

The article continues after the ad

A sudden departure to the Canary Islands is right for you if…

  • You are ready to go on a short notice.
  • You do not set exact requirements for the accommodation.
  • You are flexible regarding the destination and time of travel.
  • You travel on a small budget.

Source: www.rantapallo.fi