Travel
Apr 8th, 2005, 11:41 AM
#23
Hmmm... don't people usually book flights before hotel reservations?
Seems like the flights are the trickier part of planning IMO. Now you have to find flights that match your hotel reservation dates?
Seems like the flights are the trickier part of planning IMO. Now you have to find flights that match your hotel reservation dates?
Apr 8th, 2005, 12:37 PM
#25
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Thanks, Grasshopper! 
<<Hmmm... don't people usually book flights before hotel reservations?>>
Actually, I have often done - - and recommended - - that the whole trip is roughly laid out before committing to either one, and so, in that sense, I have chosen hotels, and then tried to find flights that work with the entire itinerary.
Perhaps more important than hotels is to look at the entire "big picture" of <i><b>intra-</b></i>Europe travel before committing to the transatlanti flights. I think that too many people look for ways to scalp their transatlantic flights down to the last $50 - - then overspend by $300 on their <u>intra-Europe transportation</u> because the trip hasn't been thought out as a whole.
And yes, in some cases, we have chosen hotels as very much part of the "destination" in cobbling together an itinerary.
<<Hmmm... don't people usually book flights before hotel reservations?>>
Actually, I have often done - - and recommended - - that the whole trip is roughly laid out before committing to either one, and so, in that sense, I have chosen hotels, and then tried to find flights that work with the entire itinerary.
Perhaps more important than hotels is to look at the entire "big picture" of <i><b>intra-</b></i>Europe travel before committing to the transatlanti flights. I think that too many people look for ways to scalp their transatlantic flights down to the last $50 - - then overspend by $300 on their <u>intra-Europe transportation</u> because the trip hasn't been thought out as a whole.
And yes, in some cases, we have chosen hotels as very much part of the "destination" in cobbling together an itinerary.
Apr 8th, 2005, 01:32 PM
#27
There must be 100's if not 1000's of hotels in Rome, but there are only a few decent routing or non-stop flights a day to Europe from my home city.
This method just seems backwards to me, especially if you're seeking cheap air fares.
This method just seems backwards to me, especially if you're seeking cheap air fares.
Apr 8th, 2005, 01:41 PM
#28
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>Hmmm... don't people usually book flights before hotel reservations?<
Depends on your departure point.
I have found that flying out of ATL allows me many more options than arranging for hotels in small towns in Europe.
For our upcoming visit, I arranged for all of our hotels before buying airline tickets.
I might pay $50-75 more for the flight, but I have confirmations for the places where I want to stay.
Depends on your departure point.
I have found that flying out of ATL allows me many more options than arranging for hotels in small towns in Europe.
For our upcoming visit, I arranged for all of our hotels before buying airline tickets.
I might pay $50-75 more for the flight, but I have confirmations for the places where I want to stay.
Apr 8th, 2005, 01:58 PM
#29
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If it's all about going to one (or more) big city destination(s), then I agree, hotels would clearly come after air travel. But it is still important to look at the intra-Europe travel when making your transatlantic travel decisions.
Often I am just going to a "region", and there are multiple arrival (and departure) airports from which to choose - - the whole thing has to make sense before choosing the transatlantic flights.
Case in point: last trip to Europe. Flew into Vienna. Rented car from there into Czech R and Poland, returning into Graz. Flew Ryanair from Graz to London Stansted for less than $125 (family of five). Made a day trip from Stansted area to Stirling, Scotland. Flew home from Heathrow.
Could not have made the transatlantic travel plans without simultaneously getting all the other pieces of the puzzle in place.
Often I am just going to a "region", and there are multiple arrival (and departure) airports from which to choose - - the whole thing has to make sense before choosing the transatlantic flights.
Case in point: last trip to Europe. Flew into Vienna. Rented car from there into Czech R and Poland, returning into Graz. Flew Ryanair from Graz to London Stansted for less than $125 (family of five). Made a day trip from Stansted area to Stirling, Scotland. Flew home from Heathrow.
Could not have made the transatlantic travel plans without simultaneously getting all the other pieces of the puzzle in place.
