Searching for the best option for my husband and I to get to Europe in June 2008. We are booked on a Windstar Cruise sailing from Rome to Venice (June 15-22).
Prior to the cruise we would like to visit my family in Geneva and Sion then continue on the train to the Lakes Region eventually getting to the port at Civitavecchia.
Looking at the flights online I am not only surprised by the costs but the endless 'detours'.
Does flying from multi cities raise the price? What might be a better option than to fly from Boston to Geneva, then return Venice back to Boston? Would flying from Boston to Milan and back be better and use the train?
We saved to take the cruise for what will be our 30th anniversary but it seems we will have to spend just as much to fly there.
Are there still days or rather nights that are the cheapest to book flights online? I remember a few years ago finding great prices at 2AM but cannot remember on what day.
I appeal to Fodorites for some suggestions. We have always received great advice from you in the past. I feel a bit discouraged right now and look forward to hearing from you.
Michele

I would definitely look into the budget flight possibilities on www.skyscanner.net

Keep in mind the checked luggage restrictions on any flight operating within Europe.

As to Civitavecchia. It can easily and economically be reached by rail from Rome in about an hour. The rail station is about a ten-minute walk from the port <b>entrance</b> although any ship would be docked further on so with luggage it would be best to take a taxi from the station.

Flying an open-jaw route (Boston - Geneva; Venice - Boston) should be your best route. You can enter open-jaw routings into booking engines by choosing &quot;multiple destinations.&quot;

It should be less expensive than adding the cost of an additional train trip, but even if not, you'd be saving time, your most valuable asset during a trip.

2008! Air travel ticket prices have to increase. Basic oil may cost $100 a barrel. You also have chosen to travel in 'high season'. Your least expensive option may be to buy tickets now. Price, Boston to Dublin or Shannon and return. Then Ryanair to airport near first destination. Later Ryanair or other to Dublin or Shannon.

Yapta.com (free) will track the prices of itineraries in which you are interested and e-mail you immediately when the price drops by increments you designate. It is a great way to get the jump on a price you want without babysitting the computer for a couple months. I too am booking an open jaw flight for next June and I learned about Yapta on this site or FlyerTalk.

Hi BV,

&gt;Does flying from multi cities raise the price?

Not usually.

&gt;What might be a better option than to fly from Boston to Geneva, then return Venice back to Boston?&lt;

You could try flying into Zurich or Milan.

Have you checked www.1800flyeurope.com and www.kayak.com?

You're traveling to peak destinations at the peak period. It's unlikely there will be huge savings regardless of how long you wait. Fuel prices, declining value of the US dollar... it all works against budget travelers to Europe for the coming year. It's true that transatlantic travel is entering a new era, as &quot;open skies&quot; agreements allow more airlines to fly to and from more airports; however it's not too likely that you'll see any great bargains or breakthroughs by next summer - look for 2009 or 2010 for those changes to be felt.

Open-jaw itineraries shouldn't hurt, and yes, it's often cheaper to fly into hub airports like Z&uuml;rich or London and connect to the smaller ones like Venice or Geneva.

From Boston you might look at Iberia to Madrid, connecting to Geneva with a comfortably short stop at Madrid; or a little longer via AA and British at London. Same story in reverse coming back from Venice - Iberia to Madrid then straight to Boston. British Airways still unfortunately doesn't serve Venice from Heathrow, only Gatwick, and you <i>don't</i> want to do the cross-London transfer.