travelphile

While I know I have plenty of time to plan, (10 mos) as I start to look at flights, any search I do for into/out of Milan is cheaper than to Rome or open jaw Rome/Venice.

Is it worth changing our plans - it would mean skipping Rome - for cheaper flights? I've been to Rome, and my traveling companions don't care where we go, just so long as we spend 13 glorious nights in Italy. (for background details see http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...hile&fid=2)

We could find plenty do do without Rome - I'm thinking we would add in Lake Como, but should I give flights more time? Is this a trend those of you who fly to Europe see often?

We're flying from Rochester NY, and with a change of plane in Newark, we can then fly direct for $687. Other option is to take low cost carrier to DC or NYC and then fly direct. (some of you might not be impressed by that price, but if you're used to flying out of our little airport, its decent! And couldn't it be worth the price to stay with one carrier?!)

Anyone have thoughts or advice? Please and thanks!

mgfit

It is my experience that tickets will be less expensive if you wait a little longer. We went in May the first time and were checking tickets for months. Prices dropped in November and the price went from 1200 to about 750. They won't often run specials that far in advance. We also found it cheaper to fly into Milan and out of Venice than round trip to Rome. Milan is not my personaly favorite city. There is so much more to offer in other cities. I would not recommend spending a lot of time there however the duomo is AMAZING and worth the visit. It is spectacular. The last supper painting is worth a visit too - reservations in advance recommended.

Weadles

Another option would be to fly to Dublin or London, then take a low-cost carrier from there to Rome. You can usually save at least a few hundred dollars per ticket doing it this way.

rex

I thyink that this is the URL you meant to give: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34538535 - - the other is simply a search of all your posts.

But it would be even more user-friendly to simply repeat some of the basic details here:

==================================

"I am now in charge of planning a 13 night trip for a group of 6 in Sept 2005. Have so many options, and though flights will not be posted until next week, my head is spinning already!

Group is husband and I, late 20's, grandparents 50+, 60+ and aunt/uncle, 60+. I have no worries about my family's mobility, but do question their stamina and adventurous nature compared to myself and DH. I plan to to coach all into packing with just a rollaboard, and would like to travel by train at least Tuscany to Venice, perhaps from Rome to Tuscany as well (know with a group car can be cheaper).

The only part of the itinerary NOT negotiable is the last 3 nights in Venice, and at least a visit to Civita. Flights not set, but feel like we should visit Rome. I can be convinced not to, and to stay more northern. I have thought about skipping Rome and doing Lake Como, but would like to see Ostica Antica, as well as the catacombs.

We plan to spend some portion of the trip in a villa in Tuscany. I want it to be within walking distance (less than 2 miles) from a town with restaurant options, but am worried that if I plan 7 days there we will all want to do different things and will be stuck. Have thought about renting 2 cars, but not entirely comfortable with that option."

==========================

Best wishes,

Rex

kfusto

If you are going in high season, I would not wait. This is not the "old days" and I find flighte to Italy expensive except in winter and the I still book ahead.

I often take the open jaw route - into Florence out of Rome - and this is not more expensive in general. However, these connections are on local airlines (Alitalia, Cityjet) and the availability will affect price.

Factor in your transport costs from wherever you would go after Milan and also the hassle factor. We prefer to make it easier on ourselves and not have to do the mutilple train thing right after a long flight.

Patrick

Forgive me if you've already thought about this, but what about switching home airports? Can you get better open jaws from say, Buffalo or some where else? Adding a couple hour drive to a bigger airport at home, can be easier than the extra drive over there.
I've dropped flying to Europe from my hometown airport of Ft. Myers, and just add in the drive to Miami for much better flights and much better prices.

SRS

My inlaws live in Rochester. We all went to Italy this past August. We found a great sale one afternoon in January and our flights were about $480 apiece. My inlaws flew on Jet Blue to JFK and then cabbed over to Newark. We all flew into Rome and they flew out of Rome. (My husband and I flew into Rome and out of Venice). The prices were the same either way.

I can't remember what the Jet Blue airfare was, but I would suppose it was round $125 roundtrip. And then they had to take a cab between the airports. So basically they were up to around $650-$700 total anyway.

I think your price isn't bad, but I might consider waiting if it's not the city you want. Just make sure you factor in the extra hassles you might have. Personally, I think if you could use one carrier or a partner carrier out of ROC with a plane switch in New York or whereever, it would be what I would want.

They have also flown out of Toronto into Rome, so you might want to consider that.

Best wishes!

ira

Hi trav,

For what it is worth, I wouold rather spend the extra time in Venice, Florence and Tuscany than in Rome.

Have you considered visiting Bologna?

travelphile

Thanks to Rex for fixing my 'oops'.

Patrick, My family is actually starting from Western MA, so we either leave from ROC, or NYC. They don't want to do Boston (and is hard for us to get there, no low cost carrier), and want us all to go together, so that does limit my Buf or Toronto options. We are also being picky on direct flights into Italy, since ROC is small, we will have to change somewhere in the states, but are trying to avoid changing again in Europe.

I do like Ira's Bologna plan, as I find it to be an intriguing city - that's a new consideration.

I also have a few weeks, as one of our travel options includes the first week in Oct 2005, and those schedules aren't posted yet.

Thanks for the input. Glad to hear the open jaw aren't typically more expensive.