Help-International travelers!

[iwannbindisnee]

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Thsi is OT, & MODs, certainly move it to an appropriate place....
My son & a couple friends are looking to go to Belgium next summer for a few days (they are 25-what will they think of next) & we were wondering when is the best timing to buy airline tickets from the east coast of the US (NY, PA or MD) to Brussels? Are the best deals now (10 months out) or better at 6 months--I know its just a guess, but historically, for people who travel between the US & Europe? They are finding tickets through Iceland or Dublin, Ireland for about $1000 each. I just don't have any idea if that is a decent rate for them...They have asked for my opinion, since I plan all our trips in the states...

 

[Chilly]

Are you looking at an American Airline or European Airline?

 

[iwannbindisnee]

They are looking at Aer Lingus, Air Berlin & Icelandair so far...That's what "kayak.com" gave them he said...! Of course, I don't know if other European airlines are like our "Southwest"-they don't give their rates to such travel sites; you have to go on their own website...DO you know if that is true of some European airlines?

 

[thepreciouspea]

We are American military living in Germany. We have only visited home once, but whenever I search I get the best rates through, United or Lufthansa (they partner together) The last time that I searched British airways was the lowest. Delta is fairly inexpensive too. I have found that the general internet sites aren't always the least expensive. I see who Kayak, cheap tickets, etc say is the lowest then check their site directly.

It depends on when they are visiting too. I'm sure you know this but traveling June-Aug is the most expensive.

My sister and BIL came to visit in March of this year and their tickets were around $700-800 each.(Booked with cheap-o-air, I think they booked about 3 months out?) When my mom and sister came in May the lowest they could find was $1200 each. (Booked about a month out through a travel agent, but found the same prices on the web )

 

[thepreciouspea]

I just saw you asking about a "southwest" type of airline in Europe. Ryan air is the discount airline here. The rates are typically very low, especially with sales. But you are only allowed a small carryon for free. If you want to check bags it gets a little more expensive but still cheaper than the big airlines. They only fly within Europe though, not internationally.

Price examples-

We flew from Frankfurt/Hahn to London/Stansted for $400 round trip for 2 adults a child and an infant with 2 checked bags.

I looked into flying from Frankfurt/Hahn to Milan or Pisa for 12 euro a person round trip, this was no extra baggage.

The airports are usually a bit out of the way but there are inexpensive bus or other transfers offered on the plane or on the site as well.

 

[disneyholic family]

some airlines offer student/ youth rates..

for example, the airline we use offers reduced rates for travelers up to age 28....(basically the backpacking crowd)..

so if i were your son, i would contact a travel agent that specializes in that sort of thing - or maybe any travel agent - to determine if there are any special reduced rates for travelers his age..

 

[iwannbindisnee]

Thanks everyone--you have been a great help--I have passed these ideas onto him...Debbie
(they are flying in July-so yes, the most expensive time!!)

 

[tennisfan]

Another idea is to fly into London & catch the Eurostar train to Brussels, it may work out cheaper that way