If you re just starting to make plans, you can expect real sticker shock on both airfare and hotel costs. Still, if you shop carefully, you can find some good deals. Airfare sales have been scarce this summer, and non-sale fares are pretty high. Often, tour packagers still have reasonably priced air tickets and hotel rooms after the airlines and hotels have sold out their lowest priced options.
Flexibility always helps keep costs down.
Look at alternate airports although that s not a new suggestion anymore, it remains a valid one. A willingness to drive an extra hour or so at either end of your trip can cut hundreds of dollars off the cost of your air ticket. Alternate airports work in Europe as well as in the United States. If you want to go to London, you may find better deals to Gatwick or Stansted than Heathrow or even to airports as far out as Birmingham or Manchester. Similarly, the ability to adjust your departure date plus or minus a week gives you a big advantage when you re looking for a deal.