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Package holidays: Your ultimate guide to a stress-free getaway

Discover everything you need to know about one of the UK's most popular ways to travel: the package holiday.

Georgia-Rose Johnson
Georgia-Rose Johnson

Updated

Fact checked

Package holidays are a great stress-free way to get away from it all and spend some well-earned time in the sun.

The package holiday industry is booming with companies including TUI and Thomas Cook offering packages to hundreds of destinations around the world. But what exactly should you expect from a package holiday? We’ve pulled together this ultimate guide to package holidays to answer all your questions.

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Everything you need to know about package holidays:

What is a package holiday?

A package holiday is a holiday bundle that usually includes return flights, hotel accommodation and often your food and drinks all for one price. Package holidays are usually booked through a travel company or with a travel agent and are designed to make travelling as stress free as possible.

By taking all the difficulty out of browsing for the best hotel deal, tracking changing flight prices and budgeting for food and drinks while abroad, you can sit back and relax on your holiday knowing everything is taken care of.

What is included in a package holiday?

Generally, a standard package holiday will include the following:
  • Return flights
  • Hotel accommodation
Depending on the package you book, it may also include the following:
  • Limited or unlimited buffet or restaurant food
  • Limited or unlimited alcoholic drinks
  • Selected excursions or day trips
  • Airport transfers

Are all package holidays all inclusive?

Not necessarily. A standard package holiday will probably only include return flights and hotel accommodation. An all-inclusive package holiday will also include all your food (three meals a day) and drinks for the duration of your holiday. When browsing for your holiday, you can usually refine your search by board type depending on what you are looking for.

Half-board vs. full-board

Half-board and full-board describe the amount of food and drink that comes included in your package price. Half-board generally includes breakfast and sometimes extras such as tea, coffee and snacks. Full-board usually includes three meals a day at on-site restaurants and buffets, drinks (although not always alcoholic) and often snacks as well.

Where can I book a package holiday?

How much do package holidays cost?

This will depend on the type of package you want to book. Package holidays range from 5-star all-inclusive resorts in tropical destinations to 3-star self-catered packages in European destinations and prices vary accordingly. A week in a 5-star all-inclusive resort could set you back around £1,500 per person for a week in peak season. A week in a 3-star self-catered hotel could set you back approximately £600 per person.

Approx. prices correct as of April 2019

Top package holiday destinations

Frequently asked questions

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