I know this is the U.S. Board, but I need help getting to...
 

Portugal!

I posted this on the Europe Board, but I need the help of people who have had experience with flights originating in the U.S. Here's my story...

My S&BIL have generously offered their condo to us in Eastern Algarve (Tavira) for a couple of weeks (not sure yet if we will use all two weeks). So, we are planning a trip for 5 adults during the summer (July or August) of 2006.

I have been doing some research on airfares (difficult because we're more than 330 days out). I was wondering if there were any <b>direct flights from NY/NJ/Philadelphia to Faro, Portugal</b> or would be need to fly to the UK and switch flights?

Also, do you think it will be possible to find airfare around $600-$700 per person that time of year?

I need some hints and advice on not only when and how to get the best deal, but making the best of our travel time.

Thanks so much!

seetheworld, I understand your frustration on trying to tentatively price tickets that are more than 330 days out....argh!

That said, ITASoftware.com has been the best tool for me finding airfare especially direct routes.

You can punch in the most centrally located departure airport and then scroll down and check airfare all other airports as far away as 300 miles.

STW--I am not sure if I can help much, but I can share what our experiences were. We went to Lisbon and surrounding areas a few years ago in late August. It was pretty much a last minute trip as we only had less than 2 weeks notice. My ticket was about $900 and was direct from JFK into Lisbon. If you can, definitely take the full 2 weeks as the area is beautiful and we wished we had more time!

Best you probably can do is get to London and fly from there to Faro -- Iberia has some nonstops. TAP has flights to Faro from Amsterdam, Milan, Heathrow, Orly, and Lisbon.

EasyJet and some others also fly to Faro, go to the following website, click on arrivals/departures for Faro, to get an idea of where the flights come from and who flies there: http://www.ana-aeroportos.pt/ANAIngl...o/HomePage.htm

Thanks for the tips!

GoT: Yes, I'm a bit frustrated (and slightly overwhelmed) trying to figure out our transportation costs.

Yikes, I'm hoping it won't cost us $900 per person, mms! I'll have to get creative :D

Cassandra: What's TAP? Thanks :)

TAP Portugal = airline

STW--I would bet you could get a much better fare. We had less than 2 weeks notice, and were not flexible on dates at all. I was meeting my DH there while he was on a port stop during a deployment.

I can't help but have a couple tips.

I usually start with websites such as Expedia to find out all the general routings available. Then work with the airline carriers directly by website or telephone. You can get a general idea of pricing by researching as if you were flying later this year.

Second... beware your use of the word &quot;direct&quot;. What you really mean (I'm pretty sure) is a NON-STOP flight. They can still call a routing direct, even if the plane touches down somewhere in between and loads on passeners then continues on under the same flight number. So a true nonstop is much preferable.

Sorry to burst the bubble, but you will not find $600 airfare to Europe in July or August. That's peak season for trans-Atlantic travel, so no airline with sell a ticket that cheap to you.

You don't have to book this soon. Perhaps wait until late fall or middle of winter.

I was planning to go to Lisbon a couple of summers ago from Atlanta and don't think there was a direct flight-- but I might have been trying to use miles, I can't remember (I never quite made it there...)

You have another problem--you have a free place to stay and you haven't invited ME!!? Tskl tsk.

Seriously, STW, good luck w/this.

What about looking at ABCtours and seeing if you can book just flights through them.... I've never used one but what about consolidators?

Rkkwan: Don't worry, I'm not going to let you burst my bubble :) Maybe I'll catch a sale somewhere during the winter. Or, I might have to use the AmEx points that I've been saving.

OWJ: :&gt;

Thanks for the tips, everyone! I'll be sure to check them all out.

seetheworld, one other thing is check with tour operators in the Tri State area for airfare only.

Because many charter their own jets, they happily sell airfare section only at prices that beat bucket shops.

The biggest downside is that if there is a mechanical problem with the plane, you cannot transfer your ticket to another carrier as they have no reciprical agreements. You can get 'stuck'.

Try Tauck Tours.