Where to splurge on a holiday (and where to save)

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Most travellers do not need luxury every day. The trick is spending on the moments that matter and saving on the rest.

Worth a splurge

• One special stay: a water villa in the Maldives, a palace hotel in Udaipur, a lake-view room in Switzerland or a premium houseboat in Kerala.
• Private guides at major sites: the Taj Mahal, Angkor or the Vatican come alive with a good guide.
• Signature experiences: a hot-air balloon in Cappadocia, a helicopter over Milford Sound or a seaplane in the Maldives.
• Good transfers after long flights, especially with children or elders.
• Location: a centrally located hotel saves time and taxi fares.

Where to save

• Hotels used only for sleeping, such as a one-night stop on a road trip.
• Some meals: local restaurants and street food are often the best food on the trip.
• Shoulder-season travel. See Shoulder-season travel: better prices, fewer crowds.
• Public transport in cities with good systems, like Singapore, Tokyo and Switzerland.
• Free sights: beaches, markets, parks and viewpoints.

Mix and match

For example, three nights in a mid-range hotel and one night in a luxury resort, rather than four nights somewhere in between.

Do not skimp on

• Travel insurance.
• Safety equipment and licensed operators for activities.
• Reliable late-night transfers.

See our Luxury holidays and Budget holidays pages.

A sample split

On a seven-night Kerala trip, for example, stay in good-value hotels in Kochi and Thekkady, choose a premium houseboat with longer air-conditioning hours, and spend the last two nights at a clifftop resort in Kovalam or Varkala. The trip feels luxurious without luxury prices every night.