In researching a trip to Rome for late May, the average air fares I'm finding are around $1,500 RT from a major midwestern city.

Is this really high, or is it just me? My European travel is limited to Paris, which cost me just $600 RT in the fall. Should I wait for better prices (possibly) or is this the norm?

Hi jende,

Flights to Rome are not much more than to Paris. Keep checking prices.

That does seem pretty high. We are flying to Vienna and out of Rome in April and our airfare (from St. Louis) was/is under $600. I would keep checking around. You should be able to find some better deals by keeping a watch on air fare sales, etc.

that is WAY too high. Keep looking.

My husband and I will be flying to Rome next month and our tickets (purchased mid-dec) were 374 each.

I wouldn't pay more than $800, but you should be able to find tickets for even less than that. Do a search on this site and get tips on how to find lower airfare.

Hi jende,
I paid 920.00 for a Dec 19 departure and Jan 3 return. This was LAX via Zurich to Florence then return from Rome. That was the best I could find after months of searching and I thought the fare was high.
If you have to travel on a certain day there sometimes is no choice.

Glad to know it's not just me being cheap! I've been searching like a madwoman, though, so I'm not really sure what else to try to get a lower fare. I've used traveloctiy, expedia, orbitz, travel zoo plus all of the major airlines individual sites. All are about the same price.

We planned to leave May 25 (Tue) and return on either June 5 or 6 (Sat./Sun.). Maybe I'll try returning on a weekday.

One catch is that I can use a FF ticket, so I'm really "only" paying $1,500 total for two tickets, but I still feel like I'm getting robbed.

I'm departing from Detroit. Any leads for lower fares would be greatly appreciated!

Jende--- that is high! Wait at least until late Feb for offers on late shoulder season. Delta flights from ATL are priced well when you buy months in advance. Have you checked? (I bought my Mom's RT ticket from San Juan (SJU-ATL-FCO) and it was third of that). Also check cheaptickets.com.

jende--Using Orbitz.com, I just punched in those dates (May 25-June 6) from Detroit to Rome and it came up at $937.

I am inclined to wait a little while to see if prices come down, but I risk losing my FF ticket.

Jocelyn -- thanks for doing this search. True, Orbitz is offering a better price, but the flight is too early. My time off work doesn't begin until May 26. I'm trying to get a jumpstart on the vacation by leaving May 25 after work.

I have no idea why, but I seem to find the best prices very late at night and on weekdays. When I'm shopping a fare I check frequently and at odd hours. They can change, literally, by the minute. You might try registering with Travelocity and any other site that has a fare watcher. You state the price you want to pay and they contact you via emial if the price gets to that level or below.

So you can leave on the 26th--still $937, and only missing a few hours in Italy.

True, but I'm still paying $1,870 total rather than the $1,500 total that I'd pay with the higher fare and the FF ticket. I know I'd get to keep my FF miles, but I hate to sit on miles not knowing when I'd be able to use them again.

I guess the jist of it is that I'd need to find a fare that is under $750 to make it worth my while.

I'm not sure I understand--the FF ticket only works for the higher fare? Which airline is it with? Or do you have to leave on the 25th to use the FF ticket?

The FF miles are with United. To purchase a ticket on the same flight that I'm able to get for free, the cost is $1,500. That's for the dates/times I mentioned, though I also checked departing a day later or earlier and it was the same price.

But, like I said before, I'm not finding anything much cheaper on any other airline.

Jende: I also fly out of Detroit and have found that I get the best fares about three months out. I just got tickets for Paris in March for $490. Since you're not going to Rome until late May, there is probably still a chance to get cheaper fare than $1,500

I am in Detroit also. What you found like everyone else said is way too much. The only thing about waiting is you are taking a chance that the fare may go up. You may want to call Cosmopolitan Travel, they are a consolidator that deals with the public. Their number is 800-633-4087. This is who I used when I was an agent dealing with the public. I also bought a ticket for myself from them. They can be standoffish at times, so ask for Rosalee, she is who I have always dealt with.

Jende this past June I paid $700 for an open jaw ticket.SAT to FCO and CDG to SAT. I came back july 22..$1500 is wayyy tooo muuuch moneys..Keep looking..