Honeymoon Cost

• An extensive review of wedding-industry sources found estimates for the average cost of a typical honeymoon vary from $3,400-$5,100 for a trip of six to eight days. However, those prices are reported by the companies catering to newlyweds and generally do not include low-cost trips by couples using frequent flyer miles, driving their own vehicle or staying in a vacation home or timeshare unit owned by a family member or friend. And the "average" price may be increased by couples who take longer and more expensive honeymoon trips. Anecdotally, couples report spending $1,500-$15,000 or more, depending on the length of the trip, the distance from the departure point to the destination, and the type of accommodations.
• Directly booking flights and lodging at a hotel or bed and breakfast for a week can cost $1,000-$2,500 with red-eye flights and standard accommodations, or $2,500-$5,500 or more for peak travel times and dates, a suite in a five-star hotel and/or luxury meals and excursions. For example, at TheKnot.com, a Wisconsin bride[1] reports spending $3,000 for flights, transfers, excursions and a week at a five-star resort in the Riveria Maya[2] district of Mexico.
• A week at an all-inclusive resort typically costs $2,000-$3,500 for a basic room in the off season or shoulder season (between peak demand and true off-season, when the climate may be less desirable). Upgrading to a suite or villa during peak season can bring total costs to $4,000-$8,000 or more. For example, the online calculator for Sandals[3] estimates costs for a week in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in August 2012 at $3,000 for a seaside room or $7,000 for a beachfront suite. Airfare for two can add $500-$2,500 or more to the total cost. Some couples choose package deals with airfare and an all-inclusive resort so they don't have to budget for incidentals.
• A four- to seven-day cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean can cost $600-$1,500 for two people in a tiny inside cabin on a large ship or $2,000-$10,000 or more for a luxury suite with a balcony view on a smaller ship. When evaluating prices, remember that many cruise lines have an automatic extra charge for tips. Watch for cruise deals on Cruise Compete[4] , Cruise Direct[5] , Expedia[6] or Travelocity[7] .
• A honeymoon can cost $500-$1,500 if the couple is willing to travel locally and possibly camp, stay in hostels or rent a modest cabin or home. VacationRentals.com lists affordable honeymoon locations[8] in the United States.

• Always compare the cost of a hotel's "honeymoon package" to the cost of buying or booking each item separately. The package may include needed extras, like breakfast or a rental car, or potentially unwanted perks, like a bed covered with rose petals. The package can cost more than buying needed items separately.

• If the wedding ceremony and/or reception is held in a hotel that is part of a chain, ask if they offer incentives for booking a honeymoon package with an affiliated hotel or resort.
• Some couples create a honeymoon registry so guests can choose to pay for part or all of the honeymoon instead of more traditional gifts. A honeymoon registry can be set up with a specific destination resort or at sites like TheBigDay.com[9] or HoneymoonWishes.com[10] for a small fee (typically a percentage of the money given or possibly free if the trip is booked through the site).
• Save money by using frequent flyer miles or traveling at non-peak times. TheKnot.com lists budget honeymoon ideas[11] .
• Watch for online or last-minute deals at Expedia[12] , Travelocity[13] or similar travel sites.

• First, discuss what type of honeymoon would be best. Brides magazine describes all-inclusive resorts[14] and humanitarian honeymoons[15] , just to name a couple possibilities, and explains what to do when the bride and groom disagree on the honeymoon destination[16] .
• Weather can be a key factor in deciding where to go. TheKnot.com lists destinations by month[17] based on typical weather patterns.
• Ask recent honeymooners for ideas and recommendations. Although travel arrangements can easily be made online, some couples prefer having a professional handle the honeymoon details while they concentrate on the wedding plans -- and travel agents or honeymoon specialists may have access to or knowledge of deals that aren't otherwise available. TheKnot.com explains how to work with a travel agent[18] and outlines a honeymoon planning timeline[19] . Brides magazine offers tips for planning a honeymoon[20] .

1.  forums.theknot.com/discussion/63521/average-honeymoon-cost
2.  www.rivieramaya.com/
3.  www.sandals.com/main/montego/mo-home.cfm
4.  www.cruisecompete.com/
5.  www.cruisedirect.com/
6.  www.expedia.com/Cruises
7.  www.travelocity.com/Cruises
8.  www.vacationrentals.com/media/affordable-honeymoon-locations-in-the-us.htm
9.  www.thebigday.com/registry-menu/742-honeymoon-registry
10.  www.honeymoonwishes.com/
11.  wedding.theknot.com/honeymoons/honeymoon-planning/articles/15-honeymoon-budget-tip...
12.  www.expedia.com/Deals
13.  www.travelocity.com/Travel-Deals
14.  www.brides.com/honeymoons/2009/06/find-an-all-inclusive-resort-for-your-honeymoon
15.  www.brides.com/honeymoons/2007/10/honeymoons-with-heart
16.  www.brides.com/honeymoons/2009/07/the-great-honeymoon-debate?printable=true
17.  wedding.theknot.com/honeymoons/honeymoon-planning/articles/best-honeymoon-weather-...
18.  wedding.theknot.com/honeymoons/honeymoon-planning/articles/working-with-travel-age...
19.  wedding.theknot.com/honeymoons/honeymoon-planning/articles/a-honeymoon-planning-ti...
20.  www.brides.com/honeymoons/2008/02/how-to-plan-your-honeymoon

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