Price the fare with everything you need on it: bags, seats, meals and the cost of awkward timing. Then compare the totals for two. A low base fare can end up above a higher one once extras are added.
This guide is part of our budget topics. It gives you a worksheet to fill in tonight and shows how flight times change your first and last day.
What does the real fare for two include?
Start from the base fare, then add what you will actually use. The worksheet below works for any airline, low-cost or full-service.
| Line | For two, one way | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Base fare | Write it down | Write it down |
| Checked baggage | Count the bags | Count the bags |
| Hand-luggage weight limit | Check the rule | Check the rule |
| Seat selection | Optional | Optional |
| Meals and drinks | Optional | Optional |
| Payment or booking fee | Check at checkout | Check at checkout |
| Transfer to and from the airport | Add | Add |
How do we decide about checked bags?
Think about what you carry after a wedding. Gifts, extra outfits, swimwear and shoes add weight quickly.
Price three versions for both legs: hand luggage only, one shared checked bag, and one bag each. Then choose the lowest total that still lets you pack calmly. Weigh the bags at home before you buy, since overweight charges at the airport can be higher than buying the allowance early.
How does departure time change the value of the trip?
An early flight can give you a full first day, but it asks you to wake before dawn right after the wedding. A late flight is gentler, but the day is lost to waiting.
Compare the first and last day, not only the fare. See flight time versus resort check-in to match your landing with the room being ready.
What timing costs are easy to miss?
Some costs sit outside the ticket. Add them to your worksheet before choosing.
- An extra night near the airport for a very early flight.
- A taxi or private car when public transport has stopped.
- A wasted resort night if you land after check-in has closed.
- A missed meal or an unplanned dinner near the airport.
- A day of leave used for a flight that lands too late to enjoy.
When does the cheaper airline still win?
The cheaper airline wins when you can travel with one light bag, do not need a seat choice and the timings suit you. It also wins on a short hop where the flight is brief.
For a longer journey, compare it against a full-service airline in our guide on full-service versus low-cost airline for a honeymoon. Seat charges are covered in whether paying to sit together is worth it.
How do we budget around flights?
Fix the flights first, since they are the least flexible part. Then the hotel and activities fit around the arrival and departure times.
Our guide on budgeting a honeymoon from flights first shows the method. You can also enter your totals in the honeymoon budget calculator.
What should we do next?
- Fill in the worksheet for the two flights you like best.
- Check the airline’s own baggage and seat pages for your fare type.
- Add airport transfers and any extra night.
- Send us the totals, and we will check them and suggest the better value for two.