Alice9

I've been desperately trying to book decent airfare at reasonable times to Italy late May/early June. I've convinced myself that the prices are what they are, but the times for the less exorbitant prices are really bad.

Air France has just over $800, but you have two choices - leave at 10 p.m (which I like), but have only a 55 minute layover in Paris AND change terminals there to boot. Seems dangerous to me. The other Air France choice, same-ish price, leave at 5 p.m. and then has a 3 hour and 45 minute layover in Paris.

What are the chances that more flight choices will be added? None? The choices seem the same even if I vary my dates by a day or two. I'm not particular as to airline, but from Washington D.C., I want no more than 1 stop. Oh, and I'd like to do open-jaw, Washington to Venice, then Milan to Washington.

Should I just give up and TAKE one of them?

Thanks very much,
Alice

111op

Did you check the AF schedule to see what the flight times to Venice are from Paris?

I'm tempted to take the 10 pm flight. If you miss your connection I imagine that AF is responsible for getting you on the next flight (check that to be sure). Of course the 5 pm flight gives more cushion but you'll have to take half day off work. Is that a problem?

If the flights to VCE are frequent, maybe you should take a gamble with the 10 pm.

LoveItaly

Hi Alice, I am not a nervous flyer but I am one that does not like to feel panicky about catching planes. And although I have never changed planes in Paris (never have even been to Paris unfortantly) I have read so many posts about how difficult it is with a short time period.

Personally I would opt for the 3 hour 45 minute layover. That way if your plane is late you will not have a problem. Also, flying into Venice and out of Milan is a good idea..best wishes to you.

Alice9

How do I check the Air France schedule? All I'm really used to doing is using ITA etc, and the airline sites.

Alice

111op

Go to this link:

http://tinyurl.com/gmvqh

(sorry for formatting -- I am just cutting & pasting)

For May 25:

7:25 AM 9:05 AM 01h40 AF1126 direct flight
9:55 AM 11:35 AM 01h40 AF1426 direct flight
12:35 PM 2:15 PM 01h40 AF1726 direct flight
3:25 PM 5:05 PM 01h40 AF1926 direct flight
6:05 PM 7:45 PM 01h40 AF2226 direct flight
9:05 PM 10:45 PM 01h40 AF2426 direct flight

hazel1

I had a simlar dilemma flying through CDG on my way from SFO to Florence last year, a choice between a 50 minute or 4 hour layover. In the end I decided that I would be too overwrought with worry about the possibility of missing the connection due to flight delay, long lines at passport control, etc. to take the short layover. The long layover wasn't really so bad - I found an ATM to get my first batch of Euros, had a nice leisurely lunch with wine at Brasserie Flo, perused the shops, and then, when it was time to get to the next gate, had to stand in a 40 minute line to go thru security. I definitely would have been a basket case if I'd had to face that line with the shorter layover.

Ivan_Drago

I've been wondering the same thing. Looking for late May, right now Air France out of Dulles looks like the best deal. I'm trying to find an open jaw flight to Rome/from Milan.

rkkwan

There's also an AF25 6:45pm - 8:20pm. That will give you 95 minutes to catch the 9:55am to VCE. Is that flight available for your fare?

rkkwan

Sorry, AF25 IAD-CDG 6:45pm-8:20am.

ira

Hi A,

have you looked at www.kayak.com and www.mobissimo.com?

Alice9

Hi I. Yes, I check Kayak and mobissimo too. A few questions, though.

- I don't see how to do multi-city from Mobissimo, only RT.
- The cheapest options on Kayak are through 1800cheapseats, and onetravel. I'm not sure about booking with these. I've used cheaptickets, and the big 3 (expedia, travelocity, orbitz). What do you think?

A

Alice9

Actually, on Kayak, they show a good fare AND good times through 1800cheaptickets, on KLM Royal Dutch - I don't remember seeing KLM come up AT ALL on the other search engines. Why would that be? Can I book with them directly?

Alice

rkkwan

Try book with KLM directly - sort of. If you're a US resident, the "official site" for KLM is nwa.com.

Alice9

I tried to book directly with KLM/NWA - the tickets were $400 more apiece than on Kayak/1800cheapseats!

Alice

Alice9

DONE. And it wasn't easy. I don't understand why different engines show different things. Oh well.

I ended up backing my itinerary by a day - the times were better, more reasonable layovers. We leave from Dulles at 6:45 pm, to Paris on Air France, 1 1/2 hour layover, then Air Italia to Venice. Our return is from Milan Linate at 12:50 pm, to Paris on Air Italia, 2 hour layover, then Air France to Dulles, home at 7:00 pm.

I used Cheaptickets, paid $822 a ticket. Prices will probably drop tomorrow, but I don't even care anymore! Now I can start booking hotels.

Thanks for all the help from everyone.

Alice