Cheap overseas travel Part 1: Okay, can someone explain international airfares to me?

[dpic]

The podcast ABD trip has given me the bug. I love to travel-window shop. I plan trips, some I take, and others get chalked up to research. It's cathartic, though, because just looking is cheap, and it actually makes me think I'm actually going somewhere.

However, I've never traveled overseas. I'm a photographer who takes two types of vacations--month-long photos trips into the mountains where I camp/backpack and mooch off of relatives (my in-laws have a ranch in Montana), or I go to WDW and live in the lap of luxury. That's about it.

So, I'm checking international airfares, and it's perplexing to say the least. I live in Michigan, and one round trip leaves Grand Rapids to London via United--$327+$574 (fees, taxes)=$901. $574 in fees and taxes??!?!? Okay, sip of wine, check out another. Same search, this time I try KLM--$703+$226 (fees, taxes). Okay what the heck is going on here? Why are fees/taxes so different? Most flights from the US/Canada have these outrageous fees/taxes (since I'm in Michigan, I checked Ontario flights, too). However, KLM charges more for the flights and less for the fees/taxes. Are fees/taxes at the discretion of whoever is flying the plane?

So, I'm mystified. Can someone help me out here, please, and give me a primer on the best way to find/make international flights? I plan on doing this myself (instead of a travel company--no offense intended Pete and team) because of my plan.

I'm planning a two week stay in a flat (something with a kitchen) in or around London, and the same in Paris. After hearing about the ABD trip, you know a longer wait in lines here and there compared against weeks exploring on my own sounds like a decent trade-off. Seriously, an hour in the Louvre....? Preliminary checking for accommodations are $600-$1,000/week. Since I'm used to wilderness camping, indoor plumbing is a luxury to me. So, honestly, clean/safe is that starting point. I've even considered hostels--many are starting to cater to the more "genteel" traveler.

I know this has kind of veered away from just flights, but I'm interested in what others think about cheaper overseas travel.

BTW, here's a shot from July/August's trip taken in the Shoshone National Forest on the border of Wyoming/Montana. It has nothing to do with the question other than I "rough it" to be able to have these sights out of my doorstep, and I'm willing to have a little less comfort in a trade for time in Europe.

Thanks

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. Some airlines include the taxes and/or fees in part of their published fare while others do not.

2. I am going to France in April. Using Delta I had about $150 if taxes, but I am traveling using SkyMiles (points).

3. If you do not have a Passport, you need to start getting one now; they take a few months to process.

 

[mikelan6]

So, I'm checking international airfares, and it's perplexing to say the least. I live in Michigan, and one round trip leaves Grand Rapids to London via United--$327+$574 (fees, taxes)=$901. $574 in fees and taxes??!?!? Okay, sip of wine, check out another. Same search, this time I try KLM--$703+$226 (fees, taxes). Okay what the heck is going on here? Why are fees/taxes so different? Most flights from the US/Canada have these outrageous fees/taxes (since I'm in Michigan, I checked Ontario flights, too). However, KLM charges more for the flights and less for the fees/taxes. Are fees/taxes at the discretion of whoever is flying the plane?

Some years ago, an airline called Pan Am got the brilliant idea to begin charging a "security fee" to their international tickets in response to the Lockerbee Scotland incident. Since then fuel surcharges have also been added to these fees and yes, it's each airline that decided how much to charge for this, but competition being what it is, most airlines match the others.

Taxes have also gone up through the years, which include immigration fees, agricultural inspection fees, customs user fees, you get the picture. Foreign airport departure fees are also included in your ticket - something that was charged at the airport upon your return many years ago.

My suggestion to you is to choose your dates and destination, plug them in to a website like kayak.com and watch for any price drops.

Good luck!

 

[mattincanberra]

So, I'm checking international airfares, and it's perplexing to say the least. I live in Michigan, and one round trip leaves Grand Rapids to London via United--$327+$574 (fees, taxes)=$901. $574 in fees and taxes??!?!? Okay, sip of wine, check out another. Same search, this time I try KLM--$703+$226 (fees, taxes). Okay what the heck is going on here? Why are fees/taxes so different? Most flights from the US/Canada have these outrageous fees/taxes (since I'm in Michigan, I checked Ontario flights, too). However, KLM charges more for the flights and less for the fees/taxes. Are fees/taxes at the discretion of whoever is flying the plane?

One thing to consider flying into the UK is that they charge a tax called the Airline Passenger Duty - just this tax alone adds 60 GB Pounds each way, so makes up 120 pounds which is about $180 of your taxes all by itself.

If you fly KLM (which would route you through Amsterdam) the tax drops (its based on the length of flight into the UK) to 12 pounds each way, or 24 pounds of tax in total, which is about $36 in taxes.

Of course sometimes some of the tax amounts aren't really taxes at all, but rather fuel surcharges or other airline fees and charges.

I just priced GRR-LHR flights BTW, and got a fare that included 179.60 in taxes on United. You might want to look at kayak.com to do a simple comparison of all of the flight options available to you.

Matt

 

[paulasillars]

I'm planning a two week stay in a flat (something with a kitchen) in or around London, and the same in Paris. After hearing about the ABD trip, you know a longer wait in lines here and there compared against weeks exploring on my own sounds like a decent trade-off. Seriously, an hour in the Louvre....? Preliminary checking for accommodations are $600-$1,000/week. Since I'm used to wilderness camping, indoor plumbing is a luxury to me. So, honestly, clean/safe is that starting point. I've even considered hostels--many are starting to cater to the more "genteel" traveler.

I know this has kind of veered away from just flights, but I'm interested in what others think about cheaper overseas travel.

I can't help with your question about flights but I'd be using Tripadvisor and Expedia to do a compare/contrast of accommodation to give you a good idea of cleanliness, safety and location.

Hostel/Backpackers are a great option if you are going as a single traveler - why pay for a room for two when you could share with someone else? (Not for everyone but it might be ok). Even paying for a twin room might work out cheaper than a hotel.

There are some good sites with reviews as they very enormously in terms of what you get an some are basically just budget hotels - think no frills but I'm a bit like you, although I like a little luxury now and then, I am happy to "rough" it a little to do a few more trips.

Advantages of hostel and the like is that they have cooking facilities - even just to make a sandwich or to take back food at the end of the day if you wish and have a place to eat it.

Highly recommend Marks and Spencers department store food area for cheap eats

In terms of the lines for places to visit, like anywhere, if you can, travel off season and it won't be an issue - avoid school holidays in the UK and the US and you should be ok. We usually go to the UK in May (spring) or September (autumn). Pick things at the weekends for places that don't matter so much if there is a line.

London has wonderful history, there is so much to see! I highly recommend The Tower of London and also Hampton Court Palace.

 

[disneyholic family]

my advise to you is ignore the components of the price - just look at the bottom line. That's what you have to pay so what difference does it make what they call the various parts of it. Just find out the total that you're going to have to pay and that's what you should compare.

make sure you're comparing totals when you make the comparisons.

as already mentioned, kayak.com is a very good place to look.
you'll see all the airlines come up there.

regarding air canada - if you're planning on traveling in the winter, i'd be wary of Air Canada - to get from GR to Toronto, you'll have to fly one of those toy airlines that are less than reliable once the snow starts falling.
(i live overseas and used to take Air Canada to get me back to windsor to visit my family in detroit - those winter flights between toronto and windsor were hair-raising to say the least....and were often cancelled)...

 

[dpic]

Thanks so much for the great info, everyone. The Kayak.com site looks awesome, and I've never heard of it before. That will be a great spot for more travel-window shopping enjoyment. Thanks again. The Dis people are always awesome

 

[kaligal]

I do not understand the structure of international flights and don't pretend to. Europe is much easier than bouncing around Asia, though.

The different levels of seating on international flights (and fighting about frequent flyer miles) is why God invented travel agents.

I know that loads of people swear that last-minute flights to Europe are always cheaper. I don't know - just have heard it over and over.

I agree that I'd rather take a few weeks than run through zip-zip-zip, though. An hour in the Louve is ridiculous.

I haven't been to London, but I really, really want to go...just don't want to spend all that time on a plane. If you go to the Tower of London, please report back!

 

[kermit116]

1. Some airlines include the taxes and/or fees in part of their published fare while others do not.

This.

I've had a couple of friends tell me they were trying to reserve airfare on British Airways, thought they got a great fare, then went to check out and found that British (in addition to adding all the normal US & European taxes) added an additional FUEL SURCHARGE for EACH passenger. This resulted in about a $100 increase for each person, just in airline fees (not even including the taxes).

Advice I've heard about traveling in Europe is get the cheapest ticket you can to a major hub (London, Paris, etc.), then travel on the European "local" carriers for flights inside the EU. These fares are usually much cheaper. Unfortunately since I haven't done this myself I can't vouch for which local airlines are best in Europe, but I've heard several stories of friends finding airfare to hop from one European city to another for under $100/person.

 

[sayhello]

This.

I've had a couple of friends tell me they were trying to reserve airfare on British Airways, thought they got a great fare, then went to check out and found that British (in addition to adding all the normal US & European taxes) added an additional FUEL SURCHARGE for EACH passenger. This resulted in about a $100 increase for each person, just in airline fees (not even including the taxes).

Advice I've heard about traveling in Europe is get the cheapest ticket you can to a major hub (London, Paris, etc.), then travel on the European "local" carriers for flights inside the EU. These fares are usually much cheaper. Unfortunately since I haven't done this myself I can't vouch for which local airlines are best in Europe, but I've heard several stories of friends finding airfare to hop from one European city to another for under $100/person.

The only problem with some of these "local" carriers is that they are budget airlines, and nickel and dime you to death in fees (such as luggage fees). So what looks like a good airfare to begin with turns out costing just as much as flying a bigger airline in the end.

Sayhello