annetti

I've been on several websites looking for a good price from LAX to YYZ this autumn.

Most non-stops (RT) are coming in around $620 including taxes, give or take a few dollars.

I've checked Orbitz, Expedia, Air Gorilla, and STA. Does that price sound about right?

Any other suggestions, that is ,websites, would be appreciated.

I only want a non-stop.

Thanks very much.

OceanBreeze1

I just did a random Oct 1-Oct 8, LAX/YYZ return on Air Canada. It's $250 each way. With taxes it's $606.51. www.aircanada.com

I don't know that market...never go YYZ/LAX so I cannot tell you if it's good or normal or what. The dates I used are about 7 months out. Usually w/ Air Canada you get a better deal if you book around 2-3 months out.

annetti

Thank you, OceanBreeze. I, too, had checked Air Canada, and found the same price you noted. (My $620 + or - price above included taxes.)

The problem with waiting 2-3 mos is that I'm doing a house exchange and our exchangers are doing a double exchange, so there is a lot of coordination involved. They need us to buy tickets soon so they can make arrangements with another couple.

irecommend

Is there any possibility you could get transportation from Buffalo to Toronto (its about 1 1/2 drive) Airtran flights from LA to Buffalo are looking to be around $340.

annetti

Thanks, irecommend. I have no transport from Buffalo to Toronto and I imagine renting a car (twice) may not be worth it for us when you add up the inconvenience. I suppose if we were renting a car for our trip, it would be worth it. A good idea, nevertheless, and thank you.

garyt22

There's a bus from BUF airport to Toronto bus station...610 Bay St... several times daily... check www.megabus.com ... prices start at $1 each way...

annetti

Wow, that's cheap enough! Thanks, gartyt22. Something to consider. I'll have to run that by my husband.

annetti

Garyt22: Just went on the megabus website. Prices are cheap, but the shortest trip is 3 hrs, some much longer. I guess, I'm back to LAX direct to YYZ. Thanks,anyway.

annetti

Anyone have some other websites for me to check? Thanks.

RJames

annetti, try www.kayak.com for airfare price comparisons. Sadly, Virgin America is dropping LAX to YYZ so there will be less competion on this route. If you want a non stop flight AFAIK, you only have two choices, American or Air Canada.

annetti

Thanks, RJames. Is there any difference between American or Air Canada? Prices are not that different.

Garyt22: My husband is really tempted by the LAX to BUF price. It's almost a saving of $300 per ticket, but I'm not too crazy about the 3 hr bus ride.

garyt22

the 3 hour trip includes a short stop in Niagara Falls USA and builds in 45 to an hour for Customs and Immigration at the US/Canada border... in a car it might take you 30 minutes to get through in average traffic...

If you are saving that much per ticket, have a look at the Airport website www.buffaloairport.com under Canadian Information for other ground transportation options... you could get a limo, stop and see the Falls and still save money... good luck!

RJames

Yes, there is a difference. I prefer AA because I get some nice perks as I have elite FF status with them. AA only has one daily non stop flight and AC has more, so with AC you'll have more flexibility. If miles are not important, base your decision on price and airline schedules.

One thing to consider is an AC ticket to ???? with a YYZ stop, so you could start or end your vacation by visiting another city in Canada. For example, you could fly LAX - YYZ (connection only) - Quebec City - YYZ (stopover) - LAX. You may find that these prices aren't much more than a LAX - YYZ ticket, so you'll get more value for your $. You wouldn't have this option if you fly on AA, if this appeals to you, check AC's route map and prices for destinations that are of interest. Another option you'd have with AC is an open jaw ticket if you are interested in visiting another city in Canada at the begining or end of your stay in Toronto. Of course, this depends on whether your dates are flexible and how much time you will be travelling for.

You could fly to BUF instead of Toronto, and then spend a day or two in Niagara or the wine region enroute to Toronto.

Also, consider which part of Toronto you are trying to get to, the bus will take you downtown, obviously AC/AA will get you to the airport, which area of the city are you staying in? If closer to downtown a 3 hour bus ride and less transfer time once in Toronto maybe a better option.

RJames

You may want to post a question on the air travel forum asking fodorites for a comparison btw AA and AC.

OceanBreeze1

You did not post your travel dates. When are you traveling? Keep in mind that Canadian Thanksgiving is Oct 10, 2011 so prices around that weekend will be higher than @ other times. Same for Labour Day (Sept 5).

annetti

James and OceanBreeze: You both have given us so much to consider. Thank you. Flying into BUF is a terrific option, price-wise, but I did not see any non-stops. So adding on extra flight/stop-over time and getting to Toronto from BUF, there would be another 5 or so hrs, more, if there's a delay in one of the connecting cities.

I checked into limos and renting a car from BUF. A limo would make the most sense, no car to return and the price is the same with the added benefit of someone else doing the driving. For anyone out there considering this option, the cheapest limo I saw was $190 to downtown Toronto. Most were about $230, but the price would be off-set somewhat, because we would need transit from YYZ to our home exchangers' home, too. However, note that you need to add a gratuity to the limo price and you would not to the rental car, but of course you need to buy gasoline, so I suppose it evens out there, as well.
I liked the idea of visiting the Falls, but then considered that I probably would not enjoy them if fatigued from the long plane/connecting flights. Others would be able to do more justice to an itinerary like that than I would. They probably have more stamina. I tend to find plane travel very fatiguing.

Again, thanks for the thoughtful replies. We're still mulling this over. I'm leaning toward flying directly to YYZ and am wondering what website to use??

irecommend

In that case kayak will give you the best price options. Once you are staying in Toronto it is ver very easy to take a day trip to Niagara Falls.

annetti

Thank you, Irecommend. All Kayak's websites have identical prices for the same flights. Still thinking. . .

RJames

"I tend to find plane travel very fatiguing."

Opps, then none of my suggestions were helpful. Sorry.

I guess it's boils down to AA or AC and who to book with. I can't give you a fair comparsion of both airlines, I get perks from one of them and don't from the other. AA upgrades me, that's one of the perks I get so if I were to compare the two it would be like comparing apples and oranges. Read reviews on www.airlinequality.com, which may give you some ideas on how the two airlines differ. Consider your checked baggage fees and what these would add up to if both airlines have different prices for baggage. And remember, AC has more flights so you can pick your departure and arrival times to suit your needs.

As for who to book with, I always book with the airline directly. I remember there was a thread a long time about whether to book with the airline directly or a third party. You may want to do a search and see if you can find the thread.

irecommend

I wouldnt worry about which airline. They will both be okay for this length of trip.

I also wouldnt rush. Im pretty sure you will have absolutely no problem getting todays price or a lower price in the future. If I check on kayak to fly to LA from TO next week the price is much lower than what August prices are.

Air Canada has seat sales. I would suggest you sign on to kayak to notify you of price changes.