when to book...

Old Jul 9th, 2016, 01:30 PM
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when to book...

Hi all,

Planning a trip to Paris and London, summer 2017. How far in advance should I be booking the flight and the hotel in order to get the best deal?

Thanks.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 01:43 PM
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When we last went to Paris, albeit a few years ago, we booked our hotel about 6 months in advance and got a really good discount; you'll do better if you prepay but there are still bargains to be had even if you don't.

I can't help you about when to book flights, if it's transatlantic flights you're talking about.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 02:01 PM
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We tend to book about three months out.

I just can't imagine booking a year in advance - too much can happen between then and now and I've never seen the financial benefit of planning so far in advance. Your experience may differ.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 02:10 PM
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I just can't imagine booking a year in advance - too much can happen between then and now and I've never seen the financial benefit of planning so far in advance. >>

that's what travel insurance is for - though I agree that a year in advance may be a little unnecessary in these circumstances. And quite a few hotels simply don't accept bookings so far in advance, I know.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 02:35 PM
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air fares go up and down as market demands -set you sights on what you think you want to pay and book it when it comes but no reason to book an expensive flight way in advance.

that said airlines have been slashing capacity and flights so that fewer seats remain unsold but go right to the airline's official web site and see what's up (or down)
Melanq8 makes a salient point - booking a year in advance well things could change and then you're stuck with big cancellation fee.

Compare Paris and London but usually flying into one and out of the other - 'open jaw' flights are best as you need not return to London or Paris for your flight home - these mixing airport tickets are often no more or little more than a return ticket to one airport if the airline serves both.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 02:36 PM
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>> . . . in order to get the best deal?
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 03:29 PM
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For hotels I often book a refundable reservation quite a bit in advance when I have decided where I'd like to stay. I then check back and rebook the reservations if the rates change in my favor.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 03:43 PM
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It's a crap shoot trying to book air fares for the lowest price. It may well depend where you're flying from and how many airlines/ flights a day are offered. As Pal said, flights nowadays are almost always full, and airlines seldom see the need to reduce fares to sell seats. Do as janis said and book when you find a price that you can live with.

I fly from DEN and there is only one non-stop flight to LHR a day ( always fly into LHR ), so flights get booked early. When I took my family in June, there were 8 of us and I booked a year in advance. For most my flights, I book about 5/6 months out.

If you have a special place you want to stay, I'd book a.s.a.p., although some places won't accept bookings more than 6 months in advance. If traveling during the height of tourist season especially in smaller villages etc., you may want to book earlier rather than later.

While there may be no financial benefit to booking months in advance, neither is there a disadvantage.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 03:47 PM
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Thank everyone.

So if I want July 2017, I should be looking to book around March/April of 2017?

Also, have never been to Europe so have no idea what a "good" price for airfare is. Anyone been Toronto to France so I can have a general idea of what a "good" price would be when I see it?

Right now were looking at flying into Paris, (3 days plus the arrival day) in France, one day trip to Giverny/Versailles, then train from France to London on day 6 (3 days pls the arrival day) in London, then flying London to Toronto on day 10.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 03:58 PM
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UM, I hope you're not planning to try to see Versailles and Giverny on the same day. Have you checked a map and read about the logistics of each? Plus, with only 3 days in Paris that is not a great idea. Too much to see right in Paris, and you'll be jetlagged for the first day or two.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 05:50 PM
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I don't think anyone can say what a good airfare will be for Toronto to Paris in July, 2017. I usually go to Orbitz to check on prices then book direct with airline. They'll give all the airlines and various options. Just check every couple of months and you should get a pretty good idea as to average prices.

Agree with StCirq. Trying to visit both Versailles and Giverny in the same day is not a good idea.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 09:56 PM
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If you're looking to visit in July, I would start trying to book in January 2017, since popular places book up quickly.

There is an all-day Viator coach tour which combines Versailles and Giverny, so it is "do-able", if anyone is pressed for time. A friend of mine did this, but was exhausted at the end of the day.
http://www.viator.com/Paris-attracti...9-a571?pref=02
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Old Jul 10th, 2016, 01:39 AM
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I agree with fuzz bucket - i would book my hotel/s at least 6 months in advance - and if you can find a place you like with a good cancellation policy, I'd do it now.

booking.com is my "go to" place for that - it is very easy to book and just as easy to cancel so long as you're within the free cancellation period. It's worth checking that carefully but the website is very clear about the terms of any particular hotel, IME.

you might also think about just doing Paris - you seem to have a lot you want to see there, and London has just as much to offer if not more so a separate trip might be advisable rather than trying to shoehorn them both into one.
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Old Jul 10th, 2016, 02:06 AM
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Also all the airline search engines, orbitz expedia, etc. let you put in price alerts, so that you can have them let you know when a good price shows up.

If it isn't too onerous, you might also check connecting through Montreal. Because of the French connection, they have tend to have sales.
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Old Jul 10th, 2016, 05:21 AM
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If you're spending 3 full days in Paris, then will use another full day to visit Versailles/Giverny, before going on to London, that makes more sense.

Start looking at Eurostar train tickets 90 days in advance, when they go on sale. Make sure to check the time of departure, since if you can avoid rush hours, you'll pay less money.
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Old Jul 10th, 2016, 12:36 PM
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fuzzbucket, yes, that was my plan; day 1 travel day to Paris, days 2,3,4 in Paris, day 5 in Versailles, day 6 travel from Paris to London, days 7,8,9 in London, day 10 travel home.

I personally want to do France only but hubby wants to do both so trying to maximize time spent in both cities that won't be overwhelming for the kids, but allow us to see the most we can in both cities.

Question about beds, some hotels say twin some say single. Aren't they the same thing?

Thanks everyone.
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Old Jul 10th, 2016, 01:00 PM
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Question about beds, some hotels say twin some say single. Aren't they the same thing?>>

twin beds usually mean that there are two single beds, if it says a single bed, there's usually just one unless they specify otherwise.

Are you looking for family rooms?
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Old Jul 10th, 2016, 03:04 PM
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You might look at Citadines apartment hotels in both cities. It could be helpful to have the kitchen and enough space for you all.
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Old Jul 10th, 2016, 03:09 PM
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I'm finding that family rooms don't have the right number of beds. There's usually a sofa bed, but I don't beleive in going on vacation and having someone sleep on a couch. I'd rather have the right number of beds, even if that means getting two rooms, preferably adjoining. I'm picky that way!
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Old Jul 10th, 2016, 03:30 PM
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We have a family of four and have booked Citadines Trafalgar square in London and looked at le Tourville in Paris near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Citadines had a two bedroom and Tourville had a room with a queen and two singles, I believe. Also someone was kind enough to mention to me that many hotels in Paris say sofa bed, but it may very likely be two singles. They are apparently more like actual beds not the US lumpy, skinny, yucky pullout bed. Just an FYI. We travel in October. I can let you know how our stay goes.

Sky scanner also offers price alerts.
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