Flying from LAX to Croatia
Jan 27th, 2017, 01:22 PM
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Flying from LAX to Croatia
Hi, I am trying to figure out a spring or fall trip from Los Angeles to Split and return from Dubrovnik. The airfares are really high, considering that other European airfares seem pretty low this year. I am searching through Kayak. Any suggestions of other routing or ideas? I am usually pretty savvy at this! Hoping to spend 5 nights Splilt with day trips, ferry to one of the islands for a few nights and then 4 nights Dubrovnik with day trips to Kotor and maybe Mostar. Can also do in reverse. Ideas on routing? Thanks.
Jan 27th, 2017, 01:41 PM
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search through www.skyscanner.com, too
Jan 27th, 2017, 02:01 PM
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I used Kayak for years but have recently been liking Google Flights more to check flight connections.
I've never been able to fly directly into or out of Croatia or Slovenia - always had to stage somewhere nearby to be able to do it without two connecting flights in a day or an expensive fare.
First, look at fares to cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt from LAX. (Presumably a lot cheaper and maybe even direct right?) Then look for direct flights between either one of those cities and Split or Dubrovnik. Croatia Airlines tends to have direct flights a few days a week but not every day between the western European capitals. Usually I can conjure up a good incoming connection (land in Amsterdam, find a flight leaving booked separately a few hours later) but need to spend a night or two at the end in the return city. It helps if you wouldn't mind ending up in Paris, Amsterdam, etc. for a few nights - I've never minded that, but some people just don't have the time.
(You could try London too, but you'll probably need to change airports. On the way home, that might work better if you are staying over a night or two anyway.)
Sometimes Rome works too if you can find the connecting flight on to Split or Dubrovnik on odd days. I think you find fewer of these out of the summer high season, too. You might even ferry from Dubrovnik or Split back to Italy and then train to Rome or Venice or something and fly home that way - but that's adding another day at least and some inconvenience. Again, helps if you don't mind spending a few days in Italy at the end.
There's always some risk of missing a connection between two flights you've booked separately if you don't stay over a night in between. If it's 3-4 hours your risk is pretty low, and I've done that with much less layover a few times. I guess I've been lucky; some people would be too afraid to miss the connection.
I've never been able to fly directly into or out of Croatia or Slovenia - always had to stage somewhere nearby to be able to do it without two connecting flights in a day or an expensive fare.
First, look at fares to cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt from LAX. (Presumably a lot cheaper and maybe even direct right?) Then look for direct flights between either one of those cities and Split or Dubrovnik. Croatia Airlines tends to have direct flights a few days a week but not every day between the western European capitals. Usually I can conjure up a good incoming connection (land in Amsterdam, find a flight leaving booked separately a few hours later) but need to spend a night or two at the end in the return city. It helps if you wouldn't mind ending up in Paris, Amsterdam, etc. for a few nights - I've never minded that, but some people just don't have the time.
(You could try London too, but you'll probably need to change airports. On the way home, that might work better if you are staying over a night or two anyway.)
Sometimes Rome works too if you can find the connecting flight on to Split or Dubrovnik on odd days. I think you find fewer of these out of the summer high season, too. You might even ferry from Dubrovnik or Split back to Italy and then train to Rome or Venice or something and fly home that way - but that's adding another day at least and some inconvenience. Again, helps if you don't mind spending a few days in Italy at the end.
There's always some risk of missing a connection between two flights you've booked separately if you don't stay over a night in between. If it's 3-4 hours your risk is pretty low, and I've done that with much less layover a few times. I guess I've been lucky; some people would be too afraid to miss the connection.
Jan 27th, 2017, 02:58 PM
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You should be able to get $1100 to $1400 airfares when flying multiple airlines. I tried Orbitz and that is what I found for May and September.1 or 2 stops each way.
You could fly into Zagreb-Plitvice-Split-Islands-Dubrovnik-Home. Many flights are into/out of Zagreb.
You could fly into Zagreb-Plitvice-Split-Islands-Dubrovnik-Home. Many flights are into/out of Zagreb.
Jan 27th, 2017, 04:49 PM
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If you go in the spring, consider traveling south to north; if the fall, try the reverse.
If you can add time to your vacation, do consider it -- there is so much to see and do in this part of the world! I know that might not be possible; just thought I'd mention it....
I agree that you might consider flying into or out of Zagreb -- particularly if you can add time to the trip.
If you can add time to your vacation, do consider it -- there is so much to see and do in this part of the world! I know that might not be possible; just thought I'd mention it....
I agree that you might consider flying into or out of Zagreb -- particularly if you can add time to the trip.
Jan 27th, 2017, 09:03 PM
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Sign up for the flight deal newsletter - http://www.theflightdeal.com
There was a sale fare to Dubrovnik recently (but I can't remember what city it was from.) I have found a lot of good deals in the daily emails from them. The ITA matrix is also helpful - http://matrix.itasoftware.com/
I live in San Diego and when I fly direct to Croatia it is usually on Lufthansa, LA or SF to Germany then from there to Zagreb or Dubrovnik. But it is a long haul and I don't think I ever paid less than $1100 for it. But at least it is one ticket.
To break up the journey these days I fly into London, spend a night or two in London (Air New Zealand has a special LA to London for $509, got that from the Flight Deal) then take a puddle jumper onward. It takes a lot of research because sometimes the low cost airlines are not that low cost. But I would not do this in the same day, ever. And this method does add days onto the trip... it depends on how much time you have.
There was a sale fare to Dubrovnik recently (but I can't remember what city it was from.) I have found a lot of good deals in the daily emails from them. The ITA matrix is also helpful - http://matrix.itasoftware.com/
I live in San Diego and when I fly direct to Croatia it is usually on Lufthansa, LA or SF to Germany then from there to Zagreb or Dubrovnik. But it is a long haul and I don't think I ever paid less than $1100 for it. But at least it is one ticket.
To break up the journey these days I fly into London, spend a night or two in London (Air New Zealand has a special LA to London for $509, got that from the Flight Deal) then take a puddle jumper onward. It takes a lot of research because sometimes the low cost airlines are not that low cost. But I would not do this in the same day, ever. And this method does add days onto the trip... it depends on how much time you have.
