World Traveler is intended to be a reoccurring segment following the travels of a friend. Lyssa will be starting her journey in October by flying to Cape Town, South Africa -- we'll begin there as well. She has no set schedule and plans to spend the better part of a year glob trotting wherever her whims and interests take her (or maybe wherever she can secure visas on short notice!). Each time she's looking to fly from place to place she'll be in touch and with some details so we can follow.
On her first leg Lyssa wants to fly from New York to Cape Town sometime in October. The trip will be one way which poses a problem as one way flights are traditionally more expensive. Fortunately, October being a low month for travel in the U.S., there are still deals to be had.
If your first motivation is economics then all dates in the calendar need to be open to find the best price. KLM-Royal Dutch is running a deal on flights to via Amsterdam on two Tuesdays, the 12th and 26th. Leaving JFK on an evening flight at either 4:20pm or 6:30pm and arriving in Amsterdam the following morning, this combination requires one connection to a direct Amsterdam-Cape Town daylight flight landing in South Africa shortly before 10pm. The earlier of the flights to depart JFK is a code share operated by Delta Airlines and leaves a connection time of around four and a half hours in Amsterdam. The later flight is operated by KLM and leaves a connection time of about two and half hours. This amount of time is probably sufficient for an international transfer but Lyssa should familiarize herself with the procedure prior to departing if she chooses this option. This combination of flights (with either JFK departure) currently runs $731 and can be booked on KLM's website.
Another option which eliminates the need to transfer in a third country is to take the non-stop South African Airways flight from JFK to Johannesburg and transfer to a domestic flight to Cape Town. The flight from JFK departs around 11am, flies for a little over 15 hours, and lands at 8:40am the following day -- take a moment to let the magnitude of a 15 hour flight to sink in. The benefits here are the aforementioned elimination of a third country stop and timing -- it would be nicer to arrive in the morning than late at night. This combination for flights has wider availability (October 6, 18-19, 24-28 and 31) and currently runs a few dollars over $800
A final option which is on sale for only one day in October (the 29th) is on Etihad Airlines. You may not have heard of this airline (or maybe you have) but its among the gamut of classy, middle eastern airlines that have come to prominence in the past decade. Etihad is based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and competes with Emirates Airlines, based in Dubai. The airline is safe and reliable, flying a brand new fleet of Airbus aircraft. This option would have Lyssa flying from JFK to Abu Dhabi on a late evening flight which lands in the evening the following day. She would then board a connecting flight 3 hours later (again departing in the late evening) and arrive in the morning one day later. In total she would depart on the 29th at night and arrive on the 31st in the morning. Obviously timing is less preferential than the other options, which is hampered by the fact that the flight from Abu Dhabi makes a stop in Johannesburg before continuing to Cape Town. This option is currently going for $760.
What should Lyssa choose? If her schedule is completely flexible (or just happens to work out) the KLM flights are probably the best. Most obviously the price is lowest but that's just a bonus. First, Amsterdam doesn't require a visa for U.S. citizens, just a passport which she'll need anyway so connecting here doesn't present a problem. Second she has her choice of flights leaving JFK to give her more time to connect if she needs it, or less if she's confident she can make it on the shorter time. Also it gives her a stop loosely in the middle of the trip (first a 7-8 hour flight, then 10-11). While the South African Airways itinerary is flight is slightly shorter in terms of air time, 60-90 minutes isn't terribly significant on a trip of this length. Plus who wants to spend 15 hours in the same, coach class seat?! Nevertheless this would be a good alternative if the dates of the KLM flights won't work. As for the final option, while I have complete confidence in Etihad Airways, their itinerary simply takes too long. The extra stop is unnecessary when single stop trips can be booked for similar prices.
Showing posts with label cheap flights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheap flights. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
A ticket to Anywhere, Europe please?
One of the biggest pleasures of the modern age is that you can fly almost anywhere... anywhere you can afford, that is. Sometimes the most fun is in the art of the deal. Find the furthest you can go on your budget. The problem with this, of course, is that the cheap flights are often in the off-season or to marginal locations from a tourism standpoint, but this is when some of the best experiences can be had. Wander the misty streets of Venice in December or visit Europe's Christmas markets. Cold snap in Prague or Budapest? All the more reason to enjoy the warmth of the public baths. Snowing while you're in Paris? Take a side trip to Alps for some high altitude skiing. Even if you want to avoid the coldest weather, Europe can be great in the edge seasons. Fall and Spring still offer balmy temps in the Mediterranean and crisp nights in the northern latitudes keep crowds at bay and might even offer a glimpse of aurora Boreas as the days become shorter. Why not travel then? You'll save a bundle on flights which you can use to upgrade your hotel. Or keep the entire trip on a budget so you'll have enough to go again next year.
This is the situation a a couple from New York has found themselves in. With time available to travel in April they'll go anywhere a great deal takes them. April is a particularly good time to travel in Europe. Prices are in toilet even though the weather is warming as far north as the Baltic states. Start by sweeping the major European populations centers for flight deals: Paris, London, Dublin, Amsterdam and Madrid. If your interest lie further east check those as well: Moscow, Kiev, Prague or Budapest. Further south and at the cusp of Asia lies Istanbul. Once a deal has been identified build a trip from there. Enjoy transportation by train or inexpensive intra-European flights on Ryanair, easyJet and others.
This time we're looking in particular at the 3rd week of April, 2011. Its a little too far in advance to catch the really incredible deals -- most airlines don't actively manage inventory six months before a flight actually takes off. Nevertheless, this being edge season, expect some airlines to make an effort to grab revenue early by attracting a few leisure travelers. Carriers trying to expand a market or open a new route will generally offer respectable discounts for those who jump aboard first.
Turkish Airlines is one of those expanding carriers. Istanbul, their home base, is a respectable travel destination in its own right, but is also connected via train, ferry and air to much of southern and eastern Europe. Nonstop flight can be had from New York for about $680.
Iceland Air is another carrier trying to gain market share. While all of their flights connect through Reykjavik, they often offer significantly discounted fares to major European cities. Additionally they allow stopovers in Iceland free of charge if you'd like to enjoy the volcanic hot springs for a day or two. From New York, Paris for $740, Amsterdam for $730 or Oslo for $700 while nonstop flights charge hundreds more.
Air Europe, a Spanish carrier new to the New York market, offers a great deal to Madrid at $696 round trip, non-stop. Spain and the Iberian peninsula are particularly well connected by rail and served by Spanish low cost carrier Clickair. If you want to spend your vacation in Spain, Portugal or southern France this is a great option to book early.
Another way to find cheap flights is to look for carriers operating outside their traditional routes. Singapore airlines offers a tag-on flight from New York to Frankfurt which continues to Singapore. The leg to Frankfurt is bookable alone and is going for $$738 round trip. Air India is another atypical airline frequently operating on this route as mentioned in previous posts.
Moscow is another fantastic option and Aeroflot-Russian Airlines is letting their non-stop flights from New York go for $570. Even if the Kremlin isn't on the top of your list onward connections to destinations all over eastern Europe are only $20 to $40 more. That means Kiev, Riga, and St. Petersburg are all within reach for about $600.
This is the situation a a couple from New York has found themselves in. With time available to travel in April they'll go anywhere a great deal takes them. April is a particularly good time to travel in Europe. Prices are in toilet even though the weather is warming as far north as the Baltic states. Start by sweeping the major European populations centers for flight deals: Paris, London, Dublin, Amsterdam and Madrid. If your interest lie further east check those as well: Moscow, Kiev, Prague or Budapest. Further south and at the cusp of Asia lies Istanbul. Once a deal has been identified build a trip from there. Enjoy transportation by train or inexpensive intra-European flights on Ryanair, easyJet and others.
This time we're looking in particular at the 3rd week of April, 2011. Its a little too far in advance to catch the really incredible deals -- most airlines don't actively manage inventory six months before a flight actually takes off. Nevertheless, this being edge season, expect some airlines to make an effort to grab revenue early by attracting a few leisure travelers. Carriers trying to expand a market or open a new route will generally offer respectable discounts for those who jump aboard first.
Turkish Airlines is one of those expanding carriers. Istanbul, their home base, is a respectable travel destination in its own right, but is also connected via train, ferry and air to much of southern and eastern Europe. Nonstop flight can be had from New York for about $680.
Iceland Air is another carrier trying to gain market share. While all of their flights connect through Reykjavik, they often offer significantly discounted fares to major European cities. Additionally they allow stopovers in Iceland free of charge if you'd like to enjoy the volcanic hot springs for a day or two. From New York, Paris for $740, Amsterdam for $730 or Oslo for $700 while nonstop flights charge hundreds more.
Air Europe, a Spanish carrier new to the New York market, offers a great deal to Madrid at $696 round trip, non-stop. Spain and the Iberian peninsula are particularly well connected by rail and served by Spanish low cost carrier Clickair. If you want to spend your vacation in Spain, Portugal or southern France this is a great option to book early.
Another way to find cheap flights is to look for carriers operating outside their traditional routes. Singapore airlines offers a tag-on flight from New York to Frankfurt which continues to Singapore. The leg to Frankfurt is bookable alone and is going for $$738 round trip. Air India is another atypical airline frequently operating on this route as mentioned in previous posts.
Moscow is another fantastic option and Aeroflot-Russian Airlines is letting their non-stop flights from New York go for $570. Even if the Kremlin isn't on the top of your list onward connections to destinations all over eastern Europe are only $20 to $40 more. That means Kiev, Riga, and St. Petersburg are all within reach for about $600.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
An Opening Word
What has modern travel come to? Waiting in one line after another... Searched like you've already done something wrong... only to spend hours on end in a narrow pressurized tube hurtling through the atmosphere.
This is a new event. A place to vet anxieties over travel conditions. To be clear, lines can't be made to disappear and metal tubes are still the fasted way to move across great distances. But what happened to our fascination with flight? Gone are the days when recliners lined the windowed walls of Pan Am's flying boats but we can still make the best of each experience up in the wide open expanses.
Find a better way to travel. All flights are not created equal.
Feel cramped when flying? Find the newest planes with the softest seats and them most leg room.
Want to get there as fast as you can? Find the best route for your trip with the shortest flight and the fewest connections while avoiding delays.
Traveling on a budget? Find the best deal to get where you're going.
This space will log requests from friends, family and readers for advice and help finding the best travel arangments. Check in to travel vicariously to the latest far-flung locations and the best way to get there. If Expedia has you in need of a second opinon send over your trip details!
This is a new event. A place to vet anxieties over travel conditions. To be clear, lines can't be made to disappear and metal tubes are still the fasted way to move across great distances. But what happened to our fascination with flight? Gone are the days when recliners lined the windowed walls of Pan Am's flying boats but we can still make the best of each experience up in the wide open expanses.
Find a better way to travel. All flights are not created equal.
Feel cramped when flying? Find the newest planes with the softest seats and them most leg room.
Want to get there as fast as you can? Find the best route for your trip with the shortest flight and the fewest connections while avoiding delays.
Traveling on a budget? Find the best deal to get where you're going.
This space will log requests from friends, family and readers for advice and help finding the best travel arangments. Check in to travel vicariously to the latest far-flung locations and the best way to get there. If Expedia has you in need of a second opinon send over your trip details!
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