JApple

Hello Everyone,
I am planning a trip to Crete in October and am trying to find the best airfare. My friend with whom I am travelling says $950 to fly round trip from Boston into Chania is outrageously expensive. Is she correct? Can anyone from the Northeast of the USA share their experience with flight costs? She says I am planning too far in advance, but it's only three months away and I THOUGHT that would be the best time to buy our flights. We need to fly economy. Thank you in advance for your thoughts and suggestions!

Dukey1

I suggest you GET YOUR FRIEND to arrange the tickets then. Since she is so smart about airfares why should YOU even worry about it?

I just checked and the cheapest fare I saw on Kayak.com was $652.00 R/T per person.

travelerjan

There is no direct flight into Greece from USA... if you are looking for a bargain, first find a flight from US into ATH... and THEN look for an ATH - CHANIA flight separately on a site like skyscanner -- there are several European carriers that hve discounted rate... and guess what? Aegean Air (which is top-rated) about 3months out has "special promotional rates" to many Greek airports for a limited period. Allow 90 minutes MINIMUM in between to allow for passport control & required check-in to domestic flight 45 mins before... doing carryon speeds you up.

Many European lines have lower "go-light" fare; beware: these only allow small shoulder carry-ons (12 Lbs or so), and charge a HUGE hunk for your standard rollaboard, eliminates any savings. Read small print!

I have traveled nearly every year PHL - ATH, in May or Sept, and of late cannot find a nonstop under $1200-$1300, best can-do is about $900 w change in UK. NOTE: do NOT chance a change in ChasDeG unless u have a 3-hour layover... that is Airport Hell w 90-120 minutes!

stanbr

I think Jan meant to say there is no direct flight from the US to Crete. As she said you have to fly into Athens and catch a connecting flight to Chania on Aegean Airlines possibly Sky Express.

Are you sure your friend is not just looking at the round trip transatlantic only flight?

I wish I could find round trip transatlantic flights for $950.

brotherleelove2004

Look into flying to London with a connecting flight to Chania or Heraklion. There are some budget flights available. Try EasyJet.

crazyh

I'll have to agree with jan and stan. There are no direct flights from the US to Crete. You'll have to fly to Athens then take a flight to Crete.

Right now flights from Boston to Athens are in the $600-$700 price range depending on departure/arrival and number of stops and length of layover. There are no non-stop flights from Boston to Athens. You'll have to pick from a layover either in the US, Canada or somewhere in Europe to get to Athens.

What we do is fly to Athens and if we can find a flight and/or ferry to our island/mainland destination we take it without staying in Athens.

Usually we have to stay in Athens for at least one night then fly/ferry to our island/mainland destination.

Prices from Athens to Crete are unusually high but if you do a search on Sky Scanner you can find reasonable prices depending on dates, times, etc.

Sometimes it's best to wait it out and see if prices drop. They usually do.

As far as Charles de Gaul in Paris goes. I have done that a couple of times with no problems or missing a flight. You need to have a minium of 1-1/2 hours layover to make connections, and maybe moreso with the political/terrorist factor.

I had to go back from Athens to Paris last October with about a 2 hour layover and didn't have any issues or missed the flight.

If you can get a flight from Boston to New York, Philly, or Canada and you won't have to go through another security check like you would in Europe. It's a much longer flight, probably 9+ hours but once you go through security in Boston you won't have to do so again. You'll arrive in Athens, go through customs, pick up your luggage and head for Athens.

kja

One does NOT have to fly through Athens, but one does need to stop SOME where. For example, I went from DC to Vienna to Chania, with no stop in Athens. I did have to go through security at Vienna.

I prefer to book all the way through to my final destination, because then, if my first flight is delayed, the airline has a responsibility to get me to where I want to go. Too, doing so ensures that the more generous luggage allowances of the transatlantic flight apply to the local flight -- or at least, that's always been my experience. Do check! Conversely, if you are booking separately, make sure you know -- and include in your calculations -- any costs for baggage in excess of the limit for the flight that will actually take you into Crete. IME, those fees can add up!

Note that if upon entering the EU, you will need to claim and then re-check your luggage.

Personally, I would never accept a layover of less than 2 hours at CDG -- I've had too many close calls with even that amount of time!

greg

>>> She says I am planning too far in advance, but it's only three months away.

Is your friend applying the domestic economy fare price trend to transatlantic flights?

Direct flights to Crete from North European countries without a stop in Athens operate during the high season. During other times, you need to go through Athens. Even during the high season, these lights don't operate everyday.

Huggy

Just used ITA Matrix to find a flight from Boston to Chania leaving 9/10 for 25 nights on Swiss Air with stops in Zurich and Athens for $982 and change. All other dates in September/October were in the range of $1200 to $2500. I only checked that date as it was the least expensive.

Using ITA Matrix, you can view flexible dates to see costs for various periods.

Southam

Huggy gives good advice (unlike your poorly informed friend.) However ITA, a Google service for airlines, will not cover all the no-frills flights in Europe. Skyscanner does. BUT: You will be better off to find an itinerary which will book all your flights together. Some of the big budget carriers don't connect with anybody. The hassles and uncertainty of retrieving your luggage at the connecting airport, going through security and customs as if you were staying there, and having no back-up in case the first flight is delayed, would more than eat up any cost savings for me.

JApple

Thanks to everyone who responded for the great advice and all the chuckles.

JApple

Okay, now I've been searching on Skyscanner and ITA Matrix.
(yes, me and not my lame friend)

Next question: Is a 45-50 minute layover in Zurich and/or Geneva sufficient when coming from Crete back to the states? I would NEVER book such a short connection in the states, but I've never flown there before.

Thanks!

travelerjan

No.

brotherleelove2004

It's enough time if it's with the same airline on the same ticket and your bags have been transferred from one plane to the other.