The internet has opened up a world of choice for the wise traveller. Travel websites and search engines along with direct access to budget airlines mean there is no longer just one way to reach a distant destination, nor just one price to pay. Many travellers are now choosing to create their own travel itineraries, and in some cases save hundreds of dollars of the holiday budget in the process.
In the case of a direct fare from Sydney to London in July, Singapore Airlines has a listed total price of about $2900. By using the combination of three other travel options, the same distance can be covered for about $2100.
While Singapore Airlines provides a full return service to London in less than 24 hours, with only a brief stopover in Singapore, the other itinerary, cheaper by more than $700, involves two airline carriers and a ferry cruise.
Viva Macau Airlines flies from Sydney to Macau ($802 return), with a TurboJet ferry ($50 return) connecting to Hong Kong Airport. From Hong Kong, an Air New Zealand flight ($1233) flies to London Heathrow.
What may not be ideal for those who like streamlined travel connections or who are time poor, is well suited for the more adventurous, keen on a stopover to break up the long journey to Europe. It also saves more than enough money for a two-night stay in a three- to four-star hotel in Macau or Hong Kong.
The same principle applies when heading to North America. If travelling direct to Los Angeles, a listed Qantas price is about $2540, including taxes.
A flight from Sydney to Honolulu on Jetstar added to a connecting fare to LA through a low-cost consolidator travel website such as airtech.com (using United Airlines) brings the total return price for the same distance to about $2043.
And a two-night stay in a three-star hotel Honolulu will not absorb the entire $500 saving, leaving enough change for shopping along the Waikiki beachfront.
This itinerary is an option for the traveller who has time to spare and a sense of adventure and who is not expecting all the frills in airline service along the way.
"We get a sense that this market is growing, particularly with families, students and young singles looking for value for money," Simon Westaway of Jetstar says.
"Customers are now prepared to pick the eyes out of an itinerary and look for the price point that suits them best. And if that is a combination of carriers to a certain destination, then that is something they might consider.
