ilene

My friend is getting married in Anguilla in mid-December and am trying to decide whether to buy a plane ticket now (from Boston) or whether I will get a cheaper rate if I wait until the end of the summer. Rates are around $800 now which seems high. I would be going around December 8 so I assume the higher holiday fares won't kick in by then. I have never traveled to Anguilla but have traveled to Puerto Rico several times during December and January and I can usually get a ticket from Boston for about $400 (purchasing it in November). Thanks!

Shari

Check airfare to St. Martin/St. Maarten. You can often get direct charter air to St. Marten, and from there it is $12 and 20 minutes to Anguilla by ferry. You would need to get a taxi from the airport to the ferry dock in Marigot.
Or, you can take a short air hop from St. Marten to Anguilla, but I don't know what the price would be.

Most commercial air to Anguilla would otherwise be routed through San Juan with American Eagle flights from San Juan to Anguilla, often with a stop in St. Thomas just to drop off and pick up passengers.
Email me directly if you have more questions. You will love Anguilla, can't think of a better place for a wedding!

Rachel

Ilene: I agree with Shari about booking from Boston to St. Martin. As for when to book, I wouldn't wait too long if you find a rate that's compatible with your wallet. Only a guess, but I feel rates will start to go up again soon. By the end of summer, folks are already thinking about their winter vacations and airlines will pounce! Good luck on finding a good fare...check Orbitz..it's brand new. Maybe something there.

Karen

AEagle flies to Anguilla directly and doesnot stop in STT. Some people prefer the St. Martin route but the switch in San Juan, especially in Decmeber when it is not as busy as high season, is not bad! Travel on other than weekends for reduced rates as well sometimes. Last year, early December fare was priced out at $750 from NYC so your $800 doesn't seem much out of line with other fares. Higher rates usually kick in the beginning of 'season' which this year is on about December 17.

Shari

Hey Karen,
Sorry to disagree, I'm sure YOUR experience was that your flight from SJU to AXA didn't stop in STT, but mine did. Maybe you would be more accurate in saying that SOME flights are direct.
Also, about the price, hey, last January we got to AXA from MSP for $475 per person. So I'm glad I do my own research. BTW, read that again, last JANUARY, definitely high season. $475. enough said

ilene

Shari,
What airline did you fly on and when did you buy your ticket for January?
General question -
I know the same tickets I am finding now for $800 to San Juan, I have purchased in the fall for $400. I wonder whether the same is true for Anguilla where the tickets are now $800-$950 from Boston. Or is Anguilla always that expensive?

Shari

Hi Ilene,
Please e-mail me directly and I will give you the details, plus some other strategies I have found successful in the past.
Too much info for a BB posting. Thanks!

cmb

As a frequent traveler to Anguilla, generally speaking there are not that many flights so you need to take your chances. My guess for December would be to wait no later than the Sept-Oct timeframe. We either go through San Juan or St. Marteen. Sometimes you can book a direct flight to San Juan and it is cheaper to buy a separate ticket to Anguilla via American Eagle, as there are many more flights by major carriers to San Juan. Keep in mind that Anguilla
is a small island and works to keep it that way---so there are not plentiful
options with flights---and thats a good
thing sometimes....