why are all the ticket so gosh darn... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

phlipfudge23 · 02-05-2004, 07:30 AM

Hey, looking for tickets for a quickie trip to England over spring break to visit relatives, but I can't find any reasonable fares! Any hints for a poor college student who has to be able to get tickets for parents on the same flight? My trip kinda hinges on the cheapness I can reach...

**space virgin** · 02-05-2004, 09:55 AM

definitely try www.statravel.com - they have good discounts on airfare for students. Where are you going to be flying from, and where do you want to go? Typically London is the cheapest place to fly into (and yet one of the most expensive places to be. Huh.)

And when you say you have to get the tickets for your parents too-- do you mean that you need to purchase the tickets for them??? yikes!

It will also depend on when you're going. If you depart before March 31 you'll save a decent chunk of money.

phlipfudge23 · 02-05-2004, 02:14 PM

I'm trying to fly from Minneapolis/St.Paul International into London. I have to be on the same flight as the 'rents or I will have to go through the non-UK customs line, which is a huge pain

. My break is Mar 13- Mar 21, so if anyone sees any good deals, let me know. I actually wasn't very impressed with STA's site, it was pretty much $300 roundtrip for me, which means rediculously expensive for everyone else. I found one $99 deal through Northwest, but unfortunately it has to be used by Mar 14

Luckily, my only expense is getting there, which is why relatives are an amazing resource! especially if they own restaurants or have big comfy guest rooms!

**space virgin** · 02-05-2004, 04:12 PM

$300 is actually a pretty good deal to London from the Midwest. My r/t ticket to London was $525 from Seattle, and that was a very good deal, especially for a direct flight-- but I'm not a student. After March 31 the price jumped to over $700, which is normal for this part of the country.

You could scour the web for specials but I doubt you'll find anything cheaper than $300, and having to be on one specific flight will definitely hinder you. And by "non UK customs" I assume you mean the line for non-UK citizens? It's actually not that bad, I've done it a few times.

It may take a little longer is all. Good luck!

phlipfudge23 · 02-06-2004, 05:20 AM

Yeah, about it just being longer, I know. I guess I've just been spoiled by the fact that I've gotten through the other ones in about 5 min every time "she has an American passport? but she's your daughter? ok, have a nice trip..." I guess I was surprised by the cost becuase Minneapolis/St.Paul International is a major base for Northwest, thought that would carry over as cheaper. Oh well, time to keep looking...

**worldwidemike** · 02-09-2004, 04:13 AM

I got a really good deal on Virgin Atlantic's web site...you might want to check it out.

worldwidemike