Tours from Astana are ready-made packages where the flight, hotel, and transfer are already bundled into one price. Departures are most often at night, so no day of vacation is lost. High season on the beaches is December–March and July–August, in the mountains — December–February. In winter and during holidays, hotels are booked up months in advance; in spring and autumn the choice is wider and prices are lower. Choose your dates in advance if your vacation dates are fixed.
When is the best time to plan a trip and how to choose departure dates?
Departure dates determine how much you pay for your package and how successful your holiday turns out. Let's look at how to choose the time and not lose a day of vacation on travel.
Night departures and saving a day of vacation
A night departure saves a full day of rest, and for short tours this is a decisive argument. The plane leaves around midnight, you sleep in your seat, and by morning you are already there. The return night flight gets you home by the start of the work week. There is one downside: getting to the airport at night is harder than during the day. Buses do not run at that hour, a taxi will have to be ordered in advance, and you will have to wait in the departure hall for several hours. If the departure is early and the package tour includes a transfer, check the pickup time at the hotel. For families with small children, night flights are less suitable: the child will not get enough sleep, and the first day of rest will be spent on tantrums. Count not only the savings but also your strength.
High and low season: when hotels are cheaper
Tour prices change noticeably depending on the season, and the difference reaches up to half the cost. In high season, hotels by the sea are booked up months in advance, and available rooms are sold at the top price. In low season the choice is wider, and the same hotel is offered cheaper. Here is how the picture looks by type of destination.
Flexibility with dates gives a chance to catch a discount, a rigid vacation schedule — the opposite. Plan in advance if you are traveling during school holidays or on public holidays.
How to get to the airport and survive the flight?
The road to the airport and the flight itself are part of the holiday that many underestimate. We will tell you how much time to allow and how to make the time zone change easier.
Transfer from the city and time buffer
Allow at least two hours on top of the usual travel time for the road to the airport. Capital traffic jams are unpredictable, and check-in closes forty minutes before departure. It is better to order a taxi in advance, especially for night flights. If you are driving your own car, leave a buffer for finding parking. At the check-in desk you will need identification, a voucher, and insurance. Printing everything is not mandatory, but copies on your phone are more reliable than paper ones. For a connection in another country, the time between flights should be at least two hours. A shorter interval is risky: the first flight will be delayed, and you will miss the second. In winter, add a buffer for aircraft de-icing.
Adjusting to time zone changes
The time difference with Turkey and Egypt is small, but with Thailand and Vietnam it is significant. In the first case, the body hardly notices the flight. In the second, the first day is spent on adjustment, and this is worth taking into account when choosing a tour. On the day of arrival, do not go to sleep during the day, even if you really want to. Take a walk in the fresh air, have dinner according to local time, and go to bed in the evening. A hearty dinner and a warm shower help on the first night. Reverse adjustment is usually harder and takes two to three days. Do not plan important matters for the first work day after returning.
What to consider before buying a tour
Before paying, it is worth checking a few things that people remember at the last moment. Let's look at what to clarify in advance and how not to be left without money on the spot.
Validity period and visa formalities
The validity of documents is checked in advance, not on the day of departure. Many countries require that it be valid for several more months after return. Look at your identification and count the months until expiration. Blank pages are also important: some authorities do not put stamps on filled pages. Check the exact requirements on the website of the destination country's authority.
Insurance, currency, and first expenses on the spot
Medical insurance is often already included in a package tour, but the coverage should be clarified before departure. Look at which cases are included and whether there is a deductible. Exchange currency in parts: some cash for the first days, the rest by card or on the spot. The exchange rate at the airport is always worse than in the city. Cover the first expenses — taxi, water, tips — in cash. Check your card in advance: some banks block transactions abroad without notification. Keep a small amount separately from the rest of the money.
How to prepare for a trip with children
A holiday with a child requires separate preparation, and it is not only about the suitcase. We will tell you how to save on accommodation and what to take in hand luggage.
Discounts and child accommodation at the hotel
Children under a certain age are often given a discount or accommodated free of charge with their parents. The conditions depend on the hotel and the child's age, so clarify them when selecting a tour by parameters. Usually the child sleeps on the same bed or on an extra bed. An additional charge is made for a separate crib in the room. Meals for children may also be included partially or fully. Family rooms and apartments are suitable for families with two children. When choosing a hotel, look at the distance to the beach and the availability of children's infrastructure. All of this affects the price of the package.
Hand luggage, baggage, and necessary medications
Hand luggage is limited by weight and volume of liquids, and this is the first thing checked at security. Medications that may be needed during the flight should be placed only in hand luggage. They cannot be put in checked baggage: the suitcase is checked in, and access to it appears only at the end of the journey. Take liquid medications in small bottles. Batteries and chargers should be carried in hand luggage. Take a change of clothes for the child and a snack. Everything else can be bought on the spot.
What to put in the suitcase and how to behave on the spot
Packing depends on the destination, but there are things that will come in handy on any trip. Let's break down what to take with you and how to take local customs into account.
Packing for warm countries and the mountains
For warm countries, take light clothing made of natural fabrics and a head covering. Sunscreen and insect repellent will come in handy on any beach. For the mountains, you need warm layers, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable shoes. At night in the mountains it is cold even in summer. Take a first aid kit with painkillers and cold medicine. Do not take extra things: you will have to carry the suitcase yourself.
Features of holidays in Muslim countries
In Muslim countries, during Ramadan the schedule of cafes and sightseeing tours changes. This affects the holiday program, especially if you are traveling in spring. During this period, some establishments open only in the evening, and sightseeing tours are moved to another time. Dress modestly outside the beach: covered shoulders and knees are more respectful of local customs. Alcohol is not sold everywhere. Check the hotel rules in advance.
Briefly
- A night departure saves a day of vacation, but requires a pre-arranged transfer.
- In high season, hotels are more expensive and sell out in advance; in low season, they are cheaper and the choice is wider.
- Allow a two-hour buffer for the trip to the airport.
- With Thailand and Vietnam, the first day is spent on adjustment.
- Check the validity of documents and blank pages in advance.