Saturday, 1 February 2014

Stress Free Air Travel Tips

Stress Free Air Travel Tips

Airports can be stressful at the best of times, especially if you are travelling with young children. We have put together some useful travel tips to make sure that your flight is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. Read our advice below to ensure you are prepared for all eventualities.



·         Check and double check that you have all your important documentation such as passport, traveller’s cheques, foreign currency, credit card, debit card, boarding pass, hotel reservation details, travel insurance and travel visa before leaving for the airport.
·         Most airlines charge an additional fee if your suitcase exceeds the parameters for on-board baggage or exceeds the max weight. Invest in a suitcase weighing scales, they are relatively cheap and can be purchased in most supermarkets and pharmacies.
·         Plan your trip to the airport, if you are considering taking a taxi, ensure you book the day before you travel.
·         Leave well in advance and arrive early at the airport to avoid missing your flight due to public transport delays, adverse weather conditions, vehicle breakdowns, flat tyres and rush hour traffic.
·         If you are driving to the airport, the long term car park is generally cheaper than the short term car park. Once you have safely parked and unloaded your baggage, save the details of the parking space number and location into your mobile phone.
·         Avoid delays at security, have your boarding pass and passport to hand, empty your pockets off all loose change, mobile phone and keys and put them into your hand luggage or the airport security tray. Take off all metallic items such as jewellery, belts, watches etc. Read the packing guidelines carefully so that you are not delayed or even detained while passing through security.
·         Once you have cleared the check in and security desk, its a good idea to purchase snacks for the flight in advance. Unfortunately on board meals can be limited and quiet expensive.
·         Be prepared for flight delays, bring a book, newspaper or download movies and music on your smart phone before you travel.
·         Once you have located you seat, remove your foot wear to let your feet breath, you’ll be surprised at how much more comfortable you’ll feel.
·         If you wear contacts, consider taking a pair of glasses to wear on the plane, as the air conditioning can dry out your eyes leaving them irritable.
·         Most people find it difficult to sleep on long haul flights; it may be worth your while investing in a comfortable neck rest, ear plugs and an eye mask.
·         Take some time to stretch during your trip, this will improve your circulation and reduce cramps, especially on long haul flights.
·         Wear comfortable clothes such as a t-shirt, light weight trousers or a dress. Bring a jumper or cardigan on board to keep warm in case the air conditioning gets cold.
·         If you are travelling with kids or babies bring some toys and colouring books to keep them occupied, consider reserving seats beside the toilet or baby changing rooms which will come in handy especially for little accidents.
·         Pack a change of clothes and toiletries in your on-board baggage, so that you are prepared in the unfortunate event that the airline temporarily misplaces your suitcases.
·         There is nothing more annoying than waiting for your baggage on the conveyor belt only to discover that somebody else has taken your suitcase by mistake. Make you suitcases stand out by tying a coloured ribbon or a piece of material around the handle and ensure you baggage is secured with a good lock.
·         Travel insurance is essential, always expected the unexpected. Holiday insurance will cover you for missed departures, flights cancellations, lost baggage, and medical expenses. Finally always shop around for cheap flights. See you soon and enjoy your trip!

Visit CompareTravel.ie for great deals on hotels, flights and car hire!





Saturday, 25 January 2014

Drive down the costs of your holiday car rental!


Christmas is over and already thousands of rain-soaked people are turning their attention towards warmer holidays in exotic locations! However, one of the least considered parts in the holiday planning process relates to the humble car. The worldwide car hire market is worth over 22 billion, with over 2,500 companies all vying for the business! According to Paul Hudson, founder of popular travel website portal, CompareTravel.ie, the average consumer is unaware of the vast array of packages available and typically loses out by hiring the first car they come across on the internet or at the airport. Making the wrong choice could have disastrous consequences for the holidaymaker or business traveller if the car hire package is flawed.

CompareTravel.ie is an independent car hire comparison website which compares car rental packages all over the world to find the most attractive online deals. Hudson adds “Things to look out for before making your purchase include making sure that there are no hidden charges, including local taxes and airport fees. Make sure the car comes with 24 hour breakdown assistance and most importantly, make sure you are not leaving yourself liable to car hire excess payments in the unfortunate event you are involved in an accident.”


The international car hire market is dominated by two players, Hertz and Avis, who when combined have a market share of over fifty percent. However, competition remains fierce and sites like Hudson’s travel comparison site ensure that the consumer finds the most suitable car hire package at the click of a button. “There are many tricks of the trade, so to speak,” advises Hudson. “For instance, sometimes it is cheaper to hire a car for a week than for a long weekend. You should also book online in advance, as many last minute bookings miss out on the best deals.” Hudson also stresses that, surprisingly, hiring a smaller car can sometimes cost more than a larger model, due to the high demand for smaller vehicles pushing up their rental price. 

The majority of car rental business is generated at airports, but Hudson advises booking online in advance to ensure you get the right car, with the right support package, at the right price. “A major benefit of booking online is that you get a chance to read all the terms and conditions, where you could discover penalising cancellation charges, expensive additional car driver charges or age restrictions, before committing to that particular car hire company.  One final tip Hudson recommends is to bring along your own trusty satnav, as hiring one could set you back over €90 for a week. Compare cheap car rental, hotels and ferries today for great deals.

CompareTravel.ie simplifies the whole car rental process, it’s free to use and is completely transparent. Within seconds, users can have their choice of thousands of car hire offers throughout the world. The comprehensive website also offers visitors the best available offers on flights, hotels, cruises, ferries and travel insurance. Paul Hudson is passionate about all things relating to travel and can be found on Twitter, Facebook and Google+, dishing out advice to those about to leave the comfort of their armchair and see the world!  Visit our cheap car hire comparison website today for great deals!





Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Cheap Travel Insurance Tips Ireland - CompareTravel.ie

Cheap Travel Insurance Tips Ireland - CompareTravel.ie


Do you expect prices to rise, fall or stay the same and why?
Competition in the Irish travel insurance sector is fierce and this is only set to intensify as more providers enter the market. Despite this, I feel premiums will remain stable for the immediate future. This is due to the high number of claims processed in recent years due to third party insolvency, strike and adverse weather conditions.



What are your top tips for reducing your travel insurance costs?
Frequent travel – If you’re likely to take more than one trip this year, you can save money by purchasing a multi trip or annual travel insurance policy rather than a number of single trip policies.

Opt for email – Save cash by opting to receive your insurance documentation via email. Some companies charge a fee to cover postage costs if you select to receive the policy by mail.

Buy online – Many companies offer discounted prices when you purchase online. Be conscious that you may incur additional charges if you book over the telephone.
Buy together – Many travel insurances companies will discount policies for couples and families so put your money together!  Prices may vary so make sure you compare quotes.
Health Insurance – Many travel insurers will offer a discount if you already have health insurance with one of the main insurers e.g. VHI or Aviva. This option should be available on their website.

We have launched a new Irish insurance comparison site. Visit IonInsurance.ie today to compare quotes. The site compares cheap home insurance, car insurance and travel insurance quotes to find you great online deals. 

Travel Insurance useful Tips?
Cover levels - When comparing and reviewing travel insurance products ensure you compare like with like, the main criteria to compare are Cancellation, Medical Expenses and Lost Baggage.

Emergency number - When travelling abroad always bring a copy of your holiday insurance policy and emergency assistance number and keep them safe either by storing them on your phone or keeping the details in your wallet or purse.

Airline report - If your luggage goes missing or is damaged, you will need to report the incident to the airline and complete a Property Irregularity Report. (PIR Report)

Report Incidents - If in the unfortunate event items are stolen, report to the local police station within 24 hours to confirm the incident did occur.

Pre Existing condition - If you have a pre-existing medical condition, contact the insurance company to disclose this specific illness. You may have to call a pre-existing medical screening telephone number or ask your GP for a letter to confirm your fit to travel.

Keep records - If you fall ill abroad ensure you contact the emergency assistance number and keep all receipts from the Health centre, Doctor or Hospital. The emergency assistance number details should be on your travel insurance policy document.

What trends are you seeing in the market?
Many travel providers now offer additional levels of cover that can be added to your policy, these may include, cruise, golf, business and winter sports cover. However I feel that the most important optional benefits would be travel disruption or volcanic ash cover, this will insure the individual in the event flights are cancelled due to volcanic ash or adverse weather conditions. Always read the policy wording carefully to ensure you understand what is covered. If in doubt give the insurance company a call. 









Friday, 27 December 2013

New Online Travel Comparison website saves holiday makers time and money

CompareTravel.ie is a new comparison website established to help Irish consumers save time and money when booking their next holiday. CompareTravel.ie has teamed up with many of the leading travel providers and comparison companies in the industry to provide a quick, comprehensive and easy to use online travel booking site, where customers can tailor all aspects of their trip.
“Whether you’re travelling for relaxation, business or adventure, we will you help you find the best travel deals,” says proprietor Paul Hudson.  “We have put together a range of comprehensive travel products which will allow you to become your own travel agent.” Compare cheap car hire, hotels and ferries in Ireland, the UK, Europe and worldwide for great deals.

CompareTravel has integrated full search engine capabilities for consumers to compare and review low cost hotels, flights and car hire depending on their criteria and budget.

The breezy design of the site allows travellers to simply select their destination, compare and review flights, reserve hotels, and order a car hire online. And even get a great travel insurance deal, because CompareTravel is a sister site of the highly successful travel insurance site, CompareTravelInsuranceIreland.com

Irish travellers will also find a load of useful tips and travel advice, plus a whole section dedicated to travel in Spain.

“Comparetravel.ie caters for Irish residents travelling to destinations in Europe and around the world,” explains Hudson, who has worked in the travel industry for a number of years, has a degree in Travel and Tourism, and is owner of Magenta Online Marketing.