Fix the airfare for two first, then subtract it from your total. What remains is the room to build the stay, transfers, food and extras. Working outward from the least flexible cost makes the rest simpler.
This method belongs in our budget topic, and it works best when you already know your leave dates.
Why do flights go first?
Flights have fixed dates and limited seats. A room can often be swapped for a similar one, but a flight changed late may cost more or may not exist.
Flights also decide the shape of the trip. The arrival time sets your first night, and the departure time sets your last day. Our guide on picking a honeymoon by flight time shows how this works for Malaysian departures.
What are the six steps?
Follow them in order. Each step uses the answer from the one before.
- Write your total comfortable amount for the whole trip, for two.
- Choose two or three destinations that fit your leave days.
- Get the airfare for two for each, including baggage and seat choices, from the same airport and dates.
- Subtract the airfare from your total. The result is what is left for everything on the ground.
- Subtract a buffer for fare changes, tips and small costs.
- Divide what remains between stay, transfers, food and activities, with the stay as the largest share.
How do we compare two airfares fairly?
Compare the full fare, not the headline. Add baggage, seat selection and any meal. A low-cost fare with all of these may sit close to a full-service fare that includes them.
Our guide on full-service versus low-cost airlines walks through the comparison, and flight timing and baggage costs covers the details that surprise newlyweds.
When do we lock the flights?
Lock flights once three things are true: your leave dates are approved, the total after the fare still works, and the fare rules suit you. If your leave is not yet approved, wait or choose a flexible fare.
Check the change and refund rules in writing. A cheap fare you cannot change is only cheap if nothing moves.
What if the numbers do not work?
You have four moves, in this order.
- Shift the dates by a day or two.
- Choose a nearer destination with a shorter flight.
- Travel in a lower-price month. See lower-price months for a honeymoon by region.
- Shorten the stay by a night and keep the quality.
Do not cut rest or safety to make it fit. A calmer, shorter trip beats a longer, strained one.
What should we do next?
Use the usable holiday days calculator to confirm how many nights you really have. Then price the flights for two for your shortlisted places, and send us the results. We will build the rest of the total for two around them.