europebound

I want to go to London (first trip overseas) in either late September or early October of this year. A friend of mine booked an Orbitz package last November for flight and hotel stay in February from Seattle for $1000 (for 2 people). I am trying to find something similar for me and my husband. We will be traveling from either Newark airport or JFK, whichever would get us a better deal. I haven't been able to find anything close to what my friend booked. The best I am finding is for $800+ per person for hotel and flight. I guess I would prefer to book my flight and hotel together, since I'm trying to get the best price possible. For flight and hotel for 6 nights, I do not want to spend more than $1200 total for two people. I know this can be done, since my friend was able to do it. Are flights and hotels just a lot more expensive in Sept/Oct than in Feb? My friend booked in November and went in Feb. Any advice you can give would be most helpful. Thanks!!

rkkwan

You want to spend $1,200 for two people with roundtrip trip tickets and 6 nights of hotel in London? In September/October? You have a better chance winning the lottery, which can then pay for your trip.

I'm sorry, but your expectation is totally unrealistic.

Gardyloo

Yes, flights are normally considerably more expensive in September/October than in February, and hotels are likely to be higher, too. It's becoming an increasingly popular time of the year. Frankly, at your price point, I'm a little skeptical.

Also if your budget is that tight, I'd recommend doing a major analysis of all costs associated with a London holiday. At the moment it's one of the most expensive places in the world for US dollar-spending folks.

suze

Are you sure... $1000 was the total for BOTH people (i.e., 2 RT plane tickets and a hotel room)??

That seems to good to be true. I pay more than that for my Seattle/London tickets every trip. Just air, one person.

rkkwan

Let's do some calculations.

US and UK taxes on the air tickets is about $150/person, so that's $300 gone, with $900 left.

Best deal in finding a hotel in London is about $80/night on Priceline, or about $100 total. Which is only about 50GBP. If you book locally, even the most basic bed&breakfast in London will cost you at least that much for two people. So, it'd be hard for a package company to offer you anything lower than that.

6 nights of hotel will leave $300 left. I wonder what airline is so desperate to offer travel package companies 2 roundtrip tickets to London for $150 each?

europebound

Are you sure... $1000 was the total for BOTH people (i.e., 2 RT plane tickets and a hotel room)??


Yes I am absolutely positive. My friend got a coupon for $100 off Orbitz, but still $1100 is amazing for 2 people roundtrip from Seattle.

Dukey

Europebound:

WHO have you contacted?

have you included British Airways Holidays.

I agree with the above posters about prices and times of year etc. but before I gave up I would check out airline company offers just to be sure "it can't be done."

daveesl

I have to agree. I'm really cheap and find all kinds of deals, but $500 per person is unbelievable. Even $1,000 per person would be pushing it, but I guess possible.

dave

europebound

My friends fly on United and stayed at the Garden View Hotel, which is no luxury, but better than a hostel.

europebound

So far I have checked package deals on: Go Today, Virgin Vacations, Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline. They were all around $800 per person and up for hotel & flight.

janisj

europebound: I believe you about the friends doing it for $1100. But there is a <b>HUGE</b> difference between Feb and Sept.

Sept is pretty much high season. Feb is the dregs of low season. I just flew rountd trip last month (no package) from SFO to London for $411 including taxes. But you could easily have to pay twice that in Sept. Oct would be a bit better airfare-wise.

There are winter packages all the time that seem too cheap to be true - but they are. Theatre Breaks where you'd swear the hotel is free after deducting airfare and theatre tix. But you will not find anything that cheap in the Fall.

europebound

janisj,
what do you think would be the most affordable timeframe? late october, november?
where can i find these theatre/winter packages that you mentioned?
thanks for your message.

nytraveler

First, September is not November (Nov and Jan/Feb are probably the lowest rates).

second, air fares have been going up - not down.

so wouldn't expect to get anywhere the deal someone did LAST YEAR IN OFF SEASON, this year in high season.

rkkwan

Also keep in mind that the best deals are often last minute. Check sites like go-today.com or site59.com for those cheap packages.

Another cheap travel opportunities come when airlines start new routes. Like Continental's Newark-Cologne was ~$300 roundtrip for many days this winter.

going_places

Even if you could find that really cheap price, don't underestimate the cost of BEING in London. I just returned...the prices for food, transportation and everything else are just about double...when the exchange rate is factored in....from the US. I am including food bought in grocery stores. It is worth it to me, but you don't want to underestimate what you will spend there. the flight is cheap in comparision.

yk

Just to chime in, there is a <b>huge</b> difference between visiting London in Feb vs Sept/Oct.

For Feb, it's cold, damp and dark. You get 8 hours of daylight. Sun sets before 5pm

For Sept, it'll be warmer and sunny. You'll get 12+ hours of daylight. Sun sets after 7pm.

You get what you paid for. If cost is a major issue, then go in Jan/Feb, though I would <b>not</b> recommend that to a first time visitor to London.

europebound

Are prices still very high in mid October? How is late October and early November in London? I assume it's more affordable than September, but is it also &quot;cold, damp, and dark?&quot;

yk

Yes, prices are still high in mid-Oct. The only &quot;low&quot; season in London is either late Nov-early Dec (but before the X'mas shopping starts), or Jan/Feb.

Viajero2

I guess it is a bit disconcerting that it would need to be explained the HUMONGOUS difference between traveling to London in Feb vs. Sept? WOW! BTW, it is a myth that buying flight+hotel together guarantees the best pricing. I've been to Europe 40+ times; only once that was the case.

try go-today.com, evacations.com; again, Jan-Feb travel.

outwest

I wouldn't discount going in February--we've been to London three times in February and had a great time--we've also been lucky and had very good weather and minimal rain. The days are shorter but hotels and airfare are significantly cheaper and the museums etc. are less crowded.