Newbie needs Europe airfare tips
 

My husband and I are planning to take our 18-year-old daughter to Europe in June/July 2012 -- our first overseas trip in decades. We live in San Antonio, but can fly out of Houston or Dallas to save on airfare. We were hoping to fly into Rome, travel through Italy for about 10 days, take a plane or train to England and tour the U.K. for another 10 days before flying home -- either out of England or Scotland. Today, I looked at sample one-way airfares to Rome for June 2011 and was shocked at the $1,000+ airfare! Is it way more expensive to fly into one city and out of another? I would appreciate any and all tips for finding the best airfares -- how to find out about sales, the best websites for bargain airfares, best time to buy discounted tickets, etc. Thanks in advance for your help!

you may consider doing an 'open jaws' flight plan flying into rome and home from your England/Scotland destination. It would be less expensive than a 'one way' ticket. I don't know which airlines you are considering but I'm sure others on this board will provide further information. Good luck on your trip. it sounds like a nice trip you have planned!

I'm confused. Are you traveling in a year and 2 months or in 2 months? June/July is high season for europe .

BUT more importantly, if you are flying into Rome and out of London you are not looking for two one ways, oyu are looking for "open jaw" tickets, commonly called "multi city" or "multiple destinations" on online travel sites.

That said, I would be surpised if you could get open jaw tix this summer for less than 12-1500 each. I don't know what "discounted" tickets you might expect in high season but with fuel costs on the rise I think it is very unlikely.

And if you are looking for 2012, this is way too early.

I would highly recommend flying from Italy to UK. In Octobervwe are flying one-way from Venice to London on BA for 86 euro each. Very reasonable IMO.

Thank you so much for the quick replies. I appreciate the information about the "open jaws" flights. I will search for "multi city" or "multi destination" flights in the future. mztery, we are traveling in June/July 2012 and I'm wanting to have my ducks in a row so that when flights open for that time period (late summer/fall of 2011?), I'll know how to search for the best fares. I realize that this is the more expensive high season, but it's the only time that will work for my daughter (between school years). Are there certain times when summer tickets are priced lower? For example, we are going on a Caribbean cruise this summer and were told that bookings are cheaper if we purchase them 6 months in advance or more. gh21, thanks for the flight info from Venice to London -- sounds very reasonable to me as well.

Oh I missed the 2012 date. I think you are too early in trying to get a flight. And yes you are looking at prime time flying. Tickets may be a lot more expensive. Good luck in your planning.

Use Kayak.com and input " multi-city" option.
I would hope to buy them 6 months out--look in Jan. It still may be $1200 or more.

London are also hosting the Olympics in summer 2012 so that may drive airfares higher..

Thanks for the additional tips. I had not realized that the Olympics would be in London next summer.