Hi all. I'm sorry to ask such a question that has probably been covered many times already, but I don't have a lot of time to make my decision, and I'm hoping someone can help. A very good friend has offered use of his farmhouse in Portugal (near Faro airport). Any time in July, and the first two weeks in August are available, at no charge. I really want to go, with DH, and I'm looking into airfares. They're all $1200 and up. Are there any tricks to finding lower fares? Should I try a London connection? What about Priceline, can I get a deal there, do you think? I'm just wondering what the average fare is, as I am used to flying to Europe in the offseason at much cheaper prices. Thanks.

Hi C,

Have you checked www.mobissimo.com?

Not that it affects your strategy, but putting what you have found so far into context... it would help to know from where!

And your luck on Priceline will be best n routes for which there is a lot of competition, I think... NYC-LON, for example.

Can you fly Southwest or some other cheaper alternative to a bigger city perhaps?

The website www.itasoftware.com is supposed to be good, like mobissimo.

You might also search this forum for "Gur" (yes - - spelled correctly... Gur).

Best wishes,

Rex

Thanks Ira and Rex. I am flying from NY. I have not checked mobissimo, but will do so now, along with itasoftware. I'm willing to fly into any city on any airline if it makes enough of a difference in the price. Thanks so much for your quick responses!

On ITA I can see any number of fares (for arbitrary dates in your schedule) for under US$1000 from NYC to Lisbon. You'd probably need a car anyway, and LIS is convenient to the freeway southbound, so despite my aversion to Portuguese drivers, that might be a cheaper option than trying to connect directly to Faro. Even routing through London or Dublin and changing to a low cost carrier (Easyjet ot Ryanair for instance) is still hitting the $1100 or $1200 number al in - peak demand on every plane to the Algarve.

Thanks, I'm definitely having better luck on ITA and mossimmo than I was on expedia. I didn't know about these sites. I guess that's what this forum is all about! It's looking like a go.

Gardyloo, how long a drive from Lisbon? This sounds like the best deal.

Probably around 2 1/2 to 2 hours, unless you drive like a Portuguese, in which case 40 minutes plus a week in the hospital.

Sorry, that's mean and stereotyping. Bad dog. No biscuit.

That would be 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Stupid, bad dog.

Portugal has the highest car accident fatality rate in Europe, so you're not sterotyping.

try pricing it out with IBERIA making a connection thru Madrid.

And if you are willing to use a consolidator try using www.onetravel.com

I'm trying to use the iberia.com website, but it's in Spanish and doesn't show NY as departure point. Am I on the wrong site?

go to www.iberia.com. You can click on english icon located on top right of the screen - under iberia plus. Then you can click on the drop down menu next to it for Iberia in USA.

<<...unless you drive like a Portuguese, in which case 40 minutes plus a week in the hospital...>>


<<Portugal has the highest car accident fatality rate in Europe,..>>

I'm thinking that if you suffer an accident fatality, you don't need a week in the hospital. 40 minutes there will suffice also.

I'd like to thank you all for your quick responses and for your help. I have not booked my flight yet, but using your suggestions, at least I can see now that the trip is "do-able".