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Hi - New to forum - planning a trip to PSA in late July - any suggestions from anyone? I see that Iberia flies there from LON and MAD - but most of AA non-stop flights look full from DFW MAD. Better to do ZED from one of these or just purchase on another airline? Leaving from SAT, but can try to use AA to gateway city - looking for feedback! Any AA-ers have thoughts on flying into FCO or Milan? Thanks in advance!
peak season--tour groups, cruises
Europeans on vacation
Plan B, C, D with a pocket full of zeds
Good luck!! (PS--it's HOT then)
Not the answer I was looking for! :-) We are going for the Bocelli concert, so I MUST go at that time - Thanks for the heads up (esp. about the weather - I'd been wondering about that, too!) How would you get there from the US? (I haven't used my passes for a LONG time - ZED's are still new to me - I miss the ID90 days already!) Thanks for the input!
What about flying in to FCO or MXP and taking the train to Pisa? You can even take the Artesia sleeper from CDG to FCO
DL flies into Pisa seasonally--it's just as crowded on any given date as FCO--hit or miss I guess. Haven't done MXP except during winter season. Actually I've never been able to get to FCO on DL even as spouse w/23 yrs (2 X I couldn't get to JFK during off season!!)
Zeds are just simpler and cheaper than most ID's and agents HATE to do ID tkts.
I'll have to check into the 'Artesia sleeper' - don't even know what that is! :-)
Yikes - this is getting more discouraging by the minute...know of any 'discount' airlines that fly w/in Europe? I'm thinking of trying to find the best full-fare into whatever city and perhaps picking a cheaper rate into PSA (or FCO, MXP etc.)
More info @ How to travel by train from London to Italy | Venice Florence Rome & other cities and Train online booking - ArtesiaQuote:
Originally Posted by ohmiss
Several cheapie airlines in the EU. Check out easyJet (from London-Gatwick, London-Luton and Paris-Orly), Ryanair (from many origins), Vueling (Barcelona), Air Berlin (Cologne). A list of airlines servicing the airport, see Galileo Galilei Airport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaQuote:
Originally Posted by ohmiss
Welcome aboard ohmiss. Always nice to see a member of the "silver fleet" on the board.
Points in your favor--- D1 pass and retired . Although I seldom suggest it, I'm gonna suggest traveling out of DFW, only because of how we board (through pax before local pax) which will give you a leg up on the D1's boarding at JFK and ORD. But with only one flight a day, to FCO/MXP you're going to have to be flexible on departure date and as M767 noted have plenty of backups. Nonreving to Europe in the summer is not for the meek, but then again neither is retirement. http://bestsmileys.com/lol/2.gif
take a look at whichbudget.com for options country to country on LCC's
It's a little tedious to check each country pair for lots of combos
I'd avoid GB due to taxes
My sister did buddy pass few yrs ago into oine of the majors, then flew LCC to Pisa to meet family
Keep in mind if you choose CDG, most LCC's will be out of Orly Airport which adds $20+ OW/pax for bus
Give yourself enough time to arrive at least one full day, pref 2 prior to conocert
Good luck; I'm sure the concert will be awesome!
I need to check out the Artesia Sleeper, too. (Sure that's not a mattress?!!)
Tons of information here! Thank you SO much for the links! Any advice on the 'sleeper' stuff? (i'm a bit confused with all the options listed; 6 sleeper, 4, 2, couchette, etc.) First cabin, 2nd cabin, etc. - altho - I still have not finished doing my research from the 1st link ('How to travel by train from London to Italy...') Do you know if they do airline discounts or I'm guessing it's probably just best (and easiest!) to go confirmed all the way - Kind of wishing I could find a really nice US to Europe confirmed fare and then 'rail it' or local airlines from wherever I could land - was hoping to go in Business or First, but am really more concerned about just getting there! (at least on the outbound :-)
I am LOVING all the info from EVERYONE - thanks so much for all the tips!
Thanks for link - I'm still checking out the ones that Nick so kindly left regarding rail travel - THEN we'll find out about the Artesia Sleeper :-) Looks like I've got a lot of fun research to get buried in! (Can't WAIT for the concert - we've actually already booked a tour that includes the concert - that's why I need to get to Pisa!) Woo-hoo!
Thanks! I hate the idea of DFW, too - it's hard to get there from SAT (or AUS for that matter!) - I'm beginning to see I will need lots of backups - right now, I'm keeping my eye open for ANY great deal to Europe (as a revenue pax) and then taking a train or local air to Pisa - sounds as tho F or B will be out of the question, anyway - oy - I also noticed we have seasonal svc from BOS CDG - ever tried that? Worst thing about standby on retirement is no more CJ - (even tho sitting on the ironing board is so much fun:-) Thanks for your input! I'm so excited I found this site!
look at this site:
The Man in Seat Sixty-One...
one of the best sources for train travel
I seriously doubt you will find a retail air deal for travel at that time. Sure wish you luck with it, tho.
One of the conditions of asking a question here is that you must report back after you travel!! (JK--but do it anyway, ok?)
Luton/Stansted/Gatwick are still less than Heathrow though right? CDG isn't far behind, not sure about Orly.Quote:
Originally Posted by mrs767er
As mrs767er said, the bus is best option... it is run by Air France. I read Qantas used to have those here in Australia, who would have thought. I rode the Finnair one in Helsinki, quite efficient and cheap. You can also take 2 trains (long time) or a taxi (expensive).
Haha sounds more like a magic carpet to me! No I assure you it is a night train run by Trenitalia from Italy - Paris!Quote:
Originally Posted by mrs767er
All GB airport taxes are high--EDI, LGW, LHR
French airports don't charge anywhere near the GB tax rate
Ha! I saw 'the man in seat sixty-one' advertised on one of the links Nick sent w/all the rail info! I will definitely have to look @ the site, maybe even get the book! I have a feeling we are going to be flying revenue (at least TO Europe) because of the concert. Definitely a bit more flexible on the return, but I'm sure my husband can use the frequent flyer points on whoever we end up on. I'm now focusing on looking for the best deal to Europe, and once I have studied the rail links, will see if that makes the most sense to continue on to PSA.
OF COURSE I am going to report back after the trip! I have gotten so much info here, I will HAVE to say how it went :-) (I'm sure I'll still have more questions before we even leave.)
My thanks again to everyone for being so helpful!
This two sites should help with the search Airfare Deals - Cheap Flights - Airfarewatchdog and Cheap flights: compare prices, find airline tickets - Skyscanner USAQuote:
Originally Posted by ohmiss
And Ohmiss, I'm expecting that report as soon as you get back. :)
I do not buy revenue tickets ever.I flew NRSA to my honeymoon, several weddings and even a funeral.But, that's just me.If you HAVE to be there, you should buy a revenue ticket. As others have said, it's peak season for Europeand although it's not impossible to fly nonrev, it is very difficult.Be aware though that even a "guaranteed" ticket is not 100% as many are finding out about now due to acertain volcano eruption.....
Sage advice!!Quote:
Originally Posted by vulindlela
I know you posted that a while ago, but I didn't notice until just now. Keep in mind that on international flights especially, it's often similarly (if not cheaper) priced to fly round trip on a confirmed ticket. Also, if you can nonrev anyway, it might be worth it to do that to a large easy gateway city from SAT, like DFW or JFK, and have your rev ticket from there.Quote:
Originally Posted by ohmiss