We don't want to scare you... but you should know the benefits!
It's a question we often get: ''do I really have to book so early, my trip is months away?!''. A lot of people seem to think that travel agents make this up, in order to secure bookings. But there are lots of real reasons why you want to book as early as possible. It's not just about securing a seat on that dream flight or reserving a bed in the party hostel you've been eyeing. It’s a move that can save you money, helps to reduce stress, and makes sure your trip doesn't get ruined by sold out ferries and campsites. But wait - haven’t we all heard conflicting advice? Some say, “Book months in advance!” while others insist, “Last-minute deals are the way to go!” Let’s dive into things and explore why early booking matters more than you might think.
The Booking Early Benefits
So booking early might cost you a little on the flexibility front - there are plenty of benefits that we'd like to talk about. It turned out to be a pretty big list, so here we go!
It can save you money
Do you remember when Last Minute Deals were a thing? Yeah, no grandpa. That's unfortunately not the case anymore - Last Minute means just that, booking at the very last minute. Unless you're very flexible in where you want to go, we wouldn't recommend it.
You get to do the actual things you came here for
Don't be fooled thinking tours don't sell out - they do. And the ones with best value for money, they go first. So once you've figured out you want something, book it! There is no reason to wait, it won't get cheaper, it will just get sold out. We don't want to see your disappointed face in our shop, so trust us. Just securing your tours is what you want to do, to make sure you get the travel experience you dreamed off.
It will save time and help you avoid the lines
Nobody likes to spend precious vacation time waiting in lines or dealing with last-minute hassles. By booking early, you can avoid the stress of rushing and enjoy a smoother journey. Plus, you won’t miss out on popular attractions or activities due to limited availability.
It makes your journey hassle-free
Early planning allows you to iron out all the details. You’ll have adequate time to arrange time off from work, find someone to watch over your kids, pets, and other responsibilities, and ensure everything is in order before you embark on your trip
It will give you loads of peace of mind
Knowing that your travel plans are in place well in advance will give you peace of mind. You won’t have to worry about last-minute availability issues or sudden price hikes. Instead, you get to spend time on researching the fun stuff. Like figuring out which food places to try. And which beaches to visit. And packing your perfect beach outfit. You know, the essentials.
You can avoid the peak season rush
Of course, none of us WANT to travel during the peak season rush - but sometimes it's unavoidable because of work, vacation days, your travel buddy's planning, etc. So if you have to, booking early is definitely recommended. Popular places can get crowded - so booking early allows you to secure hostels and activities before everyone else starts travel planning.
Avoiding Disasters - a Nice Bonus
The biggest one, we haven't mentioned yet. Booking ahead means that planning went into your trip. And while planning might sound boring, it's the best way to avoid unexpected fails while on the go. For this, you can also benefit from the knowhow of our travel experts. Not only will we help you avoid monsoon season (see the picture below for a preview of what that would be like), but we also know our destinations and all the specific do's and don'ts and our itineraries reflect that.
A well-thought-out itinerary makes sure that you don’t miss out on must-see attractions or experiences. Imagine arriving at Yosemite National Park only to find out that you need a reservation and spots are sold out for the day! By planning (and booking!) ahead, you secure things like tickets, reservations, and allocate your time way more efficiently.
Here's what could happen if you don't plan early
We don't want to sound dramatic, but sleeping on securing your travel arrangements can have serious consequences on your trip. As travel agents, we've dealt with the backlash and have loads of stories for you about situations that could have been avoided by booking early.
1. You didn't buy the ferry tickets - and the next available date is in a month...
Imagine arriving at the ferry terminal, excited to travel from New Zealand's North Island to the South one, only to find out that you should have made a booking way in advance, and all tickets for the coming weeks are sold out. The next possible date is almost a month away! Your dream trip is suddenly turned upside down, as you're forced to extend your stay on North Island or worse: miss out on South Island all together because of time restrictions! Booking those ferry tickets early would have saved you from this predicament - and prevented you from a big disappointment.
2. You thought reserving a campsite wasn't necessary, and then you see the queue...
Picture this: you arrive at the Rocky Mountain National Park in Nevada - away from all the big cities and eager to set up your tent and surround yourself with nature. But as you approach the campsite, you’re met with a long line of fellow campers waiting to secure their spots. Without a reservation, you’re left scrambling for alternatives, driving back the way you came in search for a motel with an empty room, or facing the possibility of sleeping in your car on the side of the road. None of these being the perfect solution, but there is no way out. Lesson learned: booking that campsite ahead of time is essential!
Convinced yet?
If not, talking to our experts will surely solve that. Not only can they help you with making your absolute dream trip actually happen, they also have tons of travel stories waiting for you. They know the good and the bad from experience, and are happy to share why booking early matters. It can make the difference between the best memory of your life, and a total disappointment - and nobody wants that.
Let's start travel planning!