Vent: I thought booking the cheapest flight was always the right move until my trip to Denver
I always went for the lowest fare, no matter what. Last month, I booked a $89 flight to Denver that landed at 11pm. By the time I got a bus and then a rideshare to my hostel, it was 1am and I'd spent an extra $38. A flight landing at 4pm was $115, but I could have taken the free airport train. I finally saw that the real cost is the ticket plus getting from the plane to your bed. Has anyone else added up those hidden costs and changed how they book?
What about the cost of your time and energy? I once took a red-eye to save thirty bucks and was so wrecked the next day I slept through half my plans. That cheap ticket cost me a museum visit I really wanted to make. Now I look at the whole picture, not just the number on the booking site. Being a zombie on vacation isn't a good deal.
My Denver trip taught me the same lesson. I started adding a flat $50 to every cheap flight for ground transport and food delays. It changes which option is actually cheaper.
Interesting take, but I find that extra cost is way too fixed to be useful. My food and transport needs change a ton depending on the airport and time of day. Honestly, I just check the shuttle prices and pack snacks.