Damn Airfare, I might need to rethink this... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

LostTourGuide · 12-11-2003, 01:26 PM

I know this isnt the best section for this question, but I figured it gets the highest traffic, so here it goes...

I was all psyched to go to Italy and France this June on a backpacking trip, yet all the flights I have found are at least 800 bucks!

EconomyTravel.com has cheaper fares, yet they are all sold out...

I am flying out of JFK into Paris, then leaving Rome and flying back to JFK on/around June 1st to June 23rd

Does ANYONE have any experience with prices dropping as the dates get closer? I know that is the high season, which is why I am gettin a bit frazzled.

Thanks in advance!

**joanofarc** · 12-11-2003, 01:27 PM

i think the 4th month before travel affords the best prices.

**Canadian Dude** · 12-11-2003, 01:57 PM

You could hold out and try to get a stand by seat??? go to the airport, wait around and see what comes up on the day you leave??? With security issues, i dunno if you can still do this in the states, but it might be worth a try...

BUT

you are taking a chance of not getting anything out of the country...is the risk worth it???

iamlindoro · 12-11-2003, 02:33 PM

Now granted, I'm leaving March, so you are going in a busier month, but I got my airfar from JFK to Paris for six months for $274 round trip, plus some tax. (354.51 after tax)

That was through priceline. My tactic was this: first put in a lowball bid (I started at $175) and start moving up in five dollar increments. When you get in the ballpark, Priceline comes back with a result that says "If you would increase your bid to $X, you would get the following flight." Which is a neat way of cheating the system and getting a flight you already know all about. You might try that. My flight is 6 PM departing, arriving at 7:30 AM, and a comparable flight on the way back, leaving at about 6 PM Paris time.

Let us know what you end up doing!

**Sijuki** · 12-11-2003, 08:11 PM

You might want to check out ChearpAir.com. I was browsing around there and their prices seemed a bit lower.

TUI · 12-12-2003, 12:35 AM

LostTourGuide, First I must add that in my current state, your little picture really threw me for a loop :D

I checked a few places for ya!

First of all, Priceline is good if your flexible in the fact that you may leave NY at 2 am and then get shipped to several different airports before actually reaching your destination. In my case, thats not a problem if it saves the bucks, and Ive used Priceline many times with just a complaint or two, but nothing big.

I checked BRITISH AIRWAYS and found NY to Paris for 540.00 bucks on your dates, and you save 100 bucks for leaving on May 30th, so if ya want a seat with your name on it and leaving at a good time of day, then for that time of year this may be a good option.

There will be tons of bargains at the last minute also, but that can be a risky game. June is high season, so if your looking at sealing a good seat at a good time I suggest ya do it with some quickness, otherwise, its rambo style

**llemus7** · 12-12-2003, 05:16 PM

I have to agree with iamlindoro, on this.

85% of the time I travel anywhere, I go through priceline.com. I find it very cheap, and good deals. I suggest you try that.

**worldwidemike** · 12-14-2003, 09:00 AM

Also, don't forget that Europe's own discount airlines. If you can get anywhere at a decent rate in Europe, then you can fly one of the small Euro carriers, like Ryan Air. They have some phenomenal intra-Europe deals.

And yes, June is one of the busiest travel months to Europe, so prices are going to be higher. But wait...all is not lost. Be patient. At the beginning of next year, in late January and February, the airlines usually drop their fares like crazy. You can see some amazing prices, and many of them give you a bit of flexibility in your travel time.

Also, don't fly out and back on a weekend. Check prices on Tuesday-Wednesday, those are the lightest travel days of the week.

Good luck!

worldwidemike

LostTourGuide · 12-14-2003, 08:08 PM

Thanks for all your replies guys, I had the LSATS this weekend, so I was busy with that.

I guess my best bet is to make the reservations in Feb... Lets just keep our fingers crossed. (Well, you guys dont have to, but it would be nice)