Travel made easy

Make sure you've thought of these travel essentials for an easier summer getaway
The best part of booking a holiday is choosing which sunny resort or interesting city you are going to visit. It’s too easy to forget about the less glamorous considerations such as how you will get to the airport or where is the best place to leave the car. With the great August getaway about to start, here are some of my travel essentials.

AIRPORT PARKING
It amazes me how many people don’t arrange airport parking well in advance – it’s so much cheaper. I  nd booking online with Holiday Extras is very easy, and they o er parking at airports and ports around the UK, with savings of up to 60 per cent on standard prices.

Apart from parking only, there are also hotels with parking, plus extras such as airport lounge access and Make sure you’ve thought of these travel essentials for an easier summer getaway travel insurance. The company operates a Free If You Find It For Less guarantee – if you  nd exactly the same product cheaper within 24 hours of booking, it’s yours for free.

0800-093 5478, www.holidayextras.co.uk

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TAKE THE TRAIN
If you don’t have too much luggage, then taking the train is an easy and relaxing way to get around. The CrossCountry network is the most extensive passenger rail franchise in Britain, stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance and calling at more than 100 stations along the way.

Tickets for any rail journey in Britain, with any train company and no booking fee: 0844-811 0124, www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk

Tickets to Europe from the UK’s leading European rail ticket agency: 0844-848 5848, voyages-sncf.com

FIND A FLIGHT
There are a number of helpful websites where you can search for Œ ights, but do check the airlines’ own sites too – sometimes you will  nd that the fares are cheaper.

Instant online comparisons for many flights, car hire and hotels: www.skyscanner.net

For flights, hotels and package holidays: www.travelsupermarket.com

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BOOK A HOTEL
If you have an early Œflight out – or a late one in – it makes sense to book an overnight hotel stay. Many travel websites offer more than just one product, so you can, for example, book a hotel and car parking together.

For a good choice of hotels worldwide: 0800-028 3906, www.hotels.com

Or try Hotel Club: 020-3538 9099, www.hotelclub.com

RENT A CAR
Finally, the issue of car hire. Premium car-rental brand Avis operates in more than 165 countries and the company’s Œfleet of cars includes the Fiat 500, Audi A5, Porsche 911 and now the all-new Mercedes C-Class. 

0808-284 5566, www.avis.co.uk

Or try Holiday Autos: 0800-224 8001, www.holidayautos.co.uk