Should you book a package holiday or arrange everything yourself? Both options have their merits. Here's everything you need to know to make the right choice for your Florida trip.
Both approaches can work well. The right choice depends on your priorities, budget, and how much planning you want to do yourself.
Book everything together
Book everything separately
If you want to spread costs but book separately, consider a fly-drive package. Booking flights and car hire together (even directly with the airline) technically counts as a package, which means you can often pay a deposit and spread the cost. You can then book accommodation and tickets separately, many of which also offer their own payment plans.
There's a common misconception that package holidays offer "extra" protection. Here's what these schemes actually cover.
Managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
ATOL only protects against the tour operator failing. It doesn't cover airline failures (that's what your travel insurance is for) or general problems with your holiday. If you book flights directly with an airline, you're not ATOL protected – but you're also not at risk of a tour operator going bust.
Industry trade association
ABTA membership is voluntary – it indicates a company meets certain standards, but it's not a legal requirement. ABTA protection mainly applies to non-flight packages. For Florida holidays with flights, ATOL is the relevant protection.
Package holidays don't offer additional protection – they offer different protection. ATOL protects you if the tour operator fails. When booking directly:
When booking separately, you're responsible for managing changes. Here's what to plan for.
Airlines can change flight times, sometimes significantly. If this happens, you'll need to update:
Have a backup plan in case your flight is cancelled:
Hotels and villas can occasionally have issues:
Flight changes and cancellations are relatively rare, and most Florida holidays go smoothly. As long as you're well organised, keep all your booking details together, and have good travel insurance, you can handle most situations yourself. Many experienced Florida travellers prefer booking separately because the savings often outweigh the small extra admin.
If you decide a package holiday is right for you, here are some of the most popular UK providers for Florida holidays.
Package prices can vary significantly between providers for similar holidays. Use our Holiday Calculator to get a DIY estimate, then compare with package prices to see which option offers better value for your specific trip.
Whether you choose a package or book separately, our tools can help you plan the perfect Florida holiday.
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