Cheap flights to Europe

Hi ab,

www.kayak.com
www.mobissimo.com
www.1800flyeurope.com
www.flycheapabroad.com/default.aspx

i've asked this question before and someone mentioned that i should look on a thread "PSA time flight to paris" but can't find it... can anyone help with that?

Summer always costs more. The deals are probably spring fare sales.

www.airindia.com - checked some dates in Aug ORD-FRA - $921r/t

ORD to CDG
USAir has 700ish RT flights in August

I only saw flights for around 700 one way at USAir

Go to the USAir site, check the low fare finder box when you put in your Aug dates. You should get fares as low as 583/RT--- 700 after taxes

Orbitz has the cheapo US Air flights too. Use the 3rd option on the flexible search page, and plug-in a 30-day range of dates. I didn't check Frankfurt or anywhere in Italy, however, LAX-Paris today was $618 including taxes at that time of year. I'd venture to guess it would be cheaper from Chicago.

IMO, if you see a low fare like this that gets you anywhere in mainland Europe, take it, and deal with a low-cost carrier or train to reach your final destination. I've found this website very helpful for the former to search between two cities for the low-cost airlines that serve them: http://www.flylc.com/directall-en.asp.

Good luck!

Hi -

Check out Vayama.com and put in your criteria. I just checked for Chicago-Frankfurt leaving 8/3/09 and returning 8/14/09 for example:

Air India: direct for $894 total

Aer Lingus: via Dublin for $1,062 total

Air Canada: via Toronto for $1,143 total

Swiss Intl.: via Zurich for $1,146 total

Good luck !

Of course August is High period, but you can find something cheaper if you search (and perhaps wait as well- it's a gamble, but then again it may pay off). Depending upon the city into which you are flying, going to a major hub (Milan, Rome) can translate into cheaper fares. Then take a train from there. examples: by train Milan to Bologna or Venice; Rome to Florence.

Also- the following website provides in one place almost all the other websites (search engines) listed from the other posters. It is the best.

www.bookingbuddy.com

I found globster.com. to have great rates. Also ATI. However before you book know that the dates and rates are not refundable or changeable. This far out I also recommend insurance just in case something comes up. That is in the $30 to $40 range.

I booked a flight through Expedia last week on Iberia Airlines from Boston to Madrid to Rome for $471 including all taxes. They charge a $7.00 book fee. We also purchased insurance for $38. The flight is from March 30 through May 9th. Try it and see what you get. Good Luck, Loretta

Hi Ab

I've always used

www.airfare.com

I have always found flights below $700. I haven't booked for high season, but have consistently found lower fares than anywhere else.

Good Luck

Hi! It's not a dumb question. Flights change so rapidly sometimes, you have to check daily. I've been to Europe 11 times from San Diego and here's my findings.
1. It's always cheaper to travel in the off season - late Oct. to early March (August not in the off season - sorry!)
2. It's cheaper to fly into the bigger airports like Rome's Fiumicino and then take the 1.5 hr. train to Florence - which I did a couple years ago. This only works if you want to see Rome for a day or two because you would be also better off flying in and out of the same airport.
3. I use Expedia to check flights then I go to individual airline's sites to check prices.
4. It's always cheaper (in my experience) to fly on Mon. - Wed.
4. Lastly, I have a credit card that accrues frequent flyer miles for any airline. They build up fast. If you stick with one airline, say Delta, you accrue miles that way too.
I hope all this helps! Ciao!

ab10,

here's the link to "PSA time flight to paris": http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35177506

Monica

ab10-- no, you are not dumb, but may need to be more persistent.

There are also a lot of "show-offs" here at Fodor's, but with time, you learn to "weed-out" the BS. I have read many "$100" RT to Paris who are not telling about the $400+ in taxes.....

I think on this trip, your best bet would Chicago-Frankfurt route; tons of international airlines have this route, which brings the prices down. I found a fare of $946 (tx included) for Chicago-Franfurt first two weeks of August. Orbitz, travelocity, they are all showing it.

Consider Rome and Bologna also. Rome airport is about a 2-hour train ride, and there are typically more options that often take less flying time. Bologna is a quite short train ride too. The more options, the better your chances of a cheaper flight.

I agree...Rome is almost always cheaper. I would try to see if you can find something cheap to get you to NY and search NY-Rome....or even NY-Milan. (I'm sure there would be an Orlando-NY deal in Aug.!) Cheapest August flight I've gotten was $635 with taxes and fees NY-Rome...had to change plans in Amsterdam, but that was worth it because anything below $800 lately is good for August I think. (and that took days and days of searching and getting lucky - most flights at the time were about $1200)Seriously consider Rome or Milan though as they are hubs and neither are TOO far from Florence anyway. OR...try into London where you can get a really cheap discount carrier into Pisa (doesn't RyanAir fly into Pisa) - have to be careful then though with airport because most international flights go into Heathrow (although some do not) and the discount carriers usually do not. Just keep trying different options and be open about it and I'm sure you'll find something

I really appreciate everyone's posts! Thanks so much. Some people are suggesting to fly into Milan, Rome, or Bologna, then take a train to Florence. Does anyone know about how much those train routes would cost?

Also, Ryanair does fly into Pisa, so that is an option. I've looked at flights from cities like Frankfurt and Paris to Pisa from Ryanair. My only concern are the little fees here and there. Lets just say on the website, Ryanair charges $60 for the flight and taxes. What other fees will there be? Any estimates on how much more I will be spending?

Again thank you SO much for your responses!!

Really ck the weight on luggage before you fly Ryainar air,Two years ago i flew them from Ireland to Scotland ticket was $45.00 but it cost $200.00 for my luggage which weighed 45lb,So they are serious about how much weight you can take.

Also try Best travel store for tickets .

If you could fly in September instead of August, you can save close to $300 or more.

USAirways flies from both Milwaukee and Chicago Midway.

I have found that it is better to book direct with the airline than to go through Orbitz, or any of those "discount" ticket sellers. If you have a problem you can handle it easier through the airlines.

From Rome airport, the cost will be about 40 Euros one-way by train to Florence. From Bologna, I think in the range of 15-20 Euros.

I'd only choose the budget airline option if you are happy with the idea of spending at least one night each way in the city you are landing in, if that will be an enhancement to your trip.

For Paris or Frankfurt, Ryanair would generally be a terrible choice as its "Paris" and "Frankfurt" airports are hours away from the city. Take a look at www.whichbudget.com for other airlines with closer-in airports.

I don't disagree with using the airline site if it's the same price or cheaper, but I've also done fine booking with other sites and saving hundreds of dollars per ticket.

ab10,

If you are going for a study abroad, did you check some of the student airfare websites? The one my daughter used was www.statravel.com but I believe there are others. She ended up with a not so great schedule, but a definite bargain price.

h