jennsmischief

I'm planning a trip to London for my birthday in April. I've checked out both websites, along with talking to a travel agent. The flight + hotel package prices from the airlines are much more affordable than the Trafalgar city tour (no flight included, just lodging + a hop off hop on tour) offered by the agent.
Are these prices too good to be true? The lodgings I was looking at were less than a mile from the city center. I've read before that the cheaper motels are further away from the city and things to do. Has anyone had any issues and/or good luck from booking a package like this through an airline? I am a newbie to international travel and would like to minimize major problems and get the most for my $$.
Thanks!

newtome

why don't you post some hotel names on the Europe board and get some opinions?

janisj

This belongs on the Europe Forum -- and when you re-post, included details like the names of the hotels, how much the packages cost. There are really no 'motels' in London, and 'less than a mile from the cite centre' means nothing really. The central city is humongus - several miles across so that description could mean anything.

So re post over on Europe and we can help.

(BTW there is no reason one needs to do a Trafalgar Tour for London - linking accommodations w/ the airfare may or may not save you money - but a tour usually won't)

Odin

I've booked flights + hotels thru Virgin and BA websites countless times over the years, albeit in the opposite direction (ex UK to Caribbean mostly). In fact I am going on a package next week which is booked thru BA's website. What sort of issues do you think you will encounter? Packages are often cheaper than booking separately, so why the concern? If it cheaper, book it, if it's not cheaper, book it another way. BA's website was much better for what I needed to book than Expedia for instance, which didn't offer the same BA direct flights to where I am going.

janisj

>>Packages are often cheaper than booking separately, so why the concern? If it cheaper, book it, if it's not cheaper, book it another way.<<

Odin -- that may be so for the Caribbean. But for London packages the hotels are often crap. To get into decent/well located properties one has to go to the highest price band and one can usually do as well or better just booking themselves.

gerwen

i booked a package to australia with virgin airline that was a great price and the hotels were a mix of ok and great. it included air flights from city to city. i would highly recommend virgin packages. you can upgrade hotels but they were fine. with the tube you can stay out of london center.with this deal you are free to plan your time and see what you want to see