From T.O 2 Europe - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Ambs · 03-19-2006, 10:49 AM

Hey everyone, I'm going backpacking to W. Europe for 2 months this summer, I'm planning to leave first week of July to first week of september from Toronto. I've been looking at the prices and they've started to go up... I checked out Belairtravel.com, they sell cheap charter flights to Europe for Airtransat but the flight that I wanted just went up by $50 (T.O to A-dam)

. There's also Zoom flights and the price seems right, the plane lands in Paris this time and it's $750 tax inc. I also went on itraveleurope2000 and they sell the same flights as belairtravel but a couple of bucks more expensive. So do you guys know of any other company that sells cheap flights to Europe that leaves from T.O? I'm going to Spain, Portugal, France, A-dam, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. I don't know what is consider a good deal since I'm going in high season, but at the same time I don't want to pay more than $1000. Should I just wait until last minute and see if the prices will go down since flights to A-dam are automatic b/c they're connecting points to Africa and other countries, or should I book it now? HELP! Do you guys have any suggestions or refer any other comp. that have good deals? Anyway would be greatly appreciated even if it's $5 bucks cheaper! Every penny counts!

thanks!!! :D

Ambs

futboller · 03-20-2006, 06:08 PM

Try Orbitz and some other "big" sites. Sometimes you can find good deals. I just found Toronto direct to Amsterdam for $729 incl. taxes on Orbitz. But trying to fly to Europe during the last week of the World Cup might push prices up and availability down a bit this summer (not to mention it's July anyway). Prices seem maybe a little lower the week before and always try to search as many days before and after. (If it costs less to spend an additional night in a hostel than to fly a day later... Plus you're spending an extra day there. Why not?)

**simply_angelic** · 03-20-2006, 08:23 PM

hey, I'm not sure if you're a student, but if you are travelcuts has some great deals for students...I wouldnt reccommend waiting till the last minute though b/c the prices tend to go way up then *slightly* lower the week before. You'll most likely get the best deal booking @ least 13 weeks in advance.

**tumblezweedz** · 03-21-2006, 12:27 AM

Would you consider leaving from the States? I almost always fly in and out of Seattle when I'm trying to get to or from Vancouver, because the difference in airfare is usually more than the bus tickets back and forth. And sometimes I can talk my loved ones into picking me up/dropping me off! Last time, a tpunk meet up was even arranged...

Maybe you and some friends could plan a road trip to the US and you could catch a cheaper flight from there?

Ambs · 03-21-2006, 08:49 AM

No i don't drive

so leaving from the States wouldn't be saving me money and even if someone drives me there, gas is 95 cents the litre here in T.O...anyway but i did find that flight on Orbitz THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! :D ít's the same one that i found on belairtravel that went up! I don't know of any other "big engines" that sells flights do you guys have any other ideas but so far I might book the $729 one on Orbitz! I heard of Hotwire but I don't know, it seems expensive or I'm just not looking in the right place...K thanks again! and if you guys have any other sites that I can try i def. will!

ambs

Ambs · 03-21-2006, 08:53 AM

OH Crap i just tried to book it and it went up, it's $800 now

boooooooo

futboller · 03-21-2006, 09:04 AM

Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia, Hotwire, Priceline, Yahoo Travel even. Most will let you know when the fare drops below a certain point (I know Orbitz will, they keep reminding me that I could have paid less for my flight). Airlines use a really complicated algorithm to decide what to charge, so it's likely to fluctuate and you never know.

tuge · 03-21-2006, 01:27 PM

Hey Ambs, I'm in the same boat as you right now. I'm beginning my research to find a ticket and the prices seem to be really high. I'm going to be in Europe around the same time as you, so maybe we'll bump into each other.

Ambs · 03-21-2006, 06:57 PM

Hey maybe we can try to meet up (I'm going by myself) I wouldn't mind some company! I'm still looking but if I find something I'll let you know

thanks!

Quote:

Originally posted by tuge@Mar 21 2006, 01:27 PM
Hey Ambs, I'm in the same boat as you right now.* I'm beginning my research to find a ticket and the prices seem to be really high.* I'm going to be in Europe around the same time as you, so maybe we'll bump into each other.

[snapback]107900[/snapback]

tuge · 03-21-2006, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ambs@Mar 21 2006, 07:57 PM
Hey maybe we can try to meet up (I'm going by myself) I wouldn't mind some company! I'm still looking but if I find something I'll let you know thanks!

[snapback]107947[/snapback]

Yeah that'd be great! I'm still working on my itinerary but as of right now, it's similar to yours except for Portugal. I want to go to Spain to see the running of the bulls, but I don't want to go alone. So Spain is still on my maybe list.

**tumblezweedz** · 03-22-2006, 04:59 AM

tuge, I think several tpunks are planning to meet up for the running of the bulls, so you def. won't be alone for that. Check out the "Running..." thread in the meet ups forum for the latest and greatest.

Ambs · 03-22-2006, 08:09 AM

Yeah Tuge, there's a whole bunch of us planning to meet up! all the hostels are booked so were planning to sleep in the park, it's pretty common to sleep in the park there apparently, no tents allowed. I'm going to Portugal cause I don't know if I'm bringing enough $$ with me so I'm thinking to stay in Spain and Portugal for a good month cause it's the cheapest. Anyway time to check some flights again! ttyl

Ambbbbs

Ambs · 03-22-2006, 08:38 AM

Anyway I'll specify, I'm honestly DESPERATE to find a flight now, if any of you can help me that would be great!!

thank u thank u thank u!!!

Departing from: Toronto Ontario CAN, Pearson Airport (YYZ)
When: Anywhere from July 3rd (first week of July)
I'd prefer to land in: Amsterdam (AMS) not going to London so I don't think landing there will save me $$ considering it's so expensive to stay there.

It's a 2 month trip, so from the time I leave I'd like to be back home first wk of September, considering I start school the second week.

THANK YOU!!!!

Ambs

futboller · 03-22-2006, 06:47 PM

It's 9:45 Eastern US and I just found several direct flights for $728 on Orbitz from YYZ to AMS. I'll give you the depart-arrive date pairs:

3 Jul -- 5 Sept
5 Jul -- 5 Sept
7 Jul -- 5 Sept ($745)
3 Jul -- 7 Sept
5 Jul -- 7 Sept
7 Jul -- 7 Sept ($745)

There are also a couple in the +/-3 day windows for $762.

Everything else I could find was over $1000.

mongo · 06-20-2006, 04:27 PM

Ill be over in europe this summer for 2 months aswell im flying out of TO to London on july 8th till sept 5th comming back through paris i booked my ticket for under 750 with flyzoom.com mind you that was back early in the year prices were starting to climb fast jumping in price almost every 3 or 4 days

**MolsonGirl** · 06-20-2006, 04:43 PM

Yeah unfortunately this is backpacking/travel season.. so no flights are going to be cheap.