Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

24  VISITING EUROPE

Europe by Air cheaper. With these there is
a minimum stay requirement
With its network of international flights, Europe is one of the of 7 days, but they can still be
most accessible parts of the world to reach by air. Compared good value. It is cheaper still
with North America and Australasia, European flights are a to buy air tickets through a
relatively cheap, quick and convenient way to get to and travel agent. Be aware, however,
that the cheaper the ticket, the
around Europe. In an industry previously dominated by more inflexible it usually is. You
state-run carriers and major private airlines, the recent rise may not be able to alter,
of budget airlines offering “no-frills” flights has opened up transfer, or cancel your flight,
many new destinations and made air travel more affordable. or if you do there may be
stiff penalties, so check the
conditions beforehand.
Flying to Europe
(the Netherlands), Lufthansa It is always cheaper to book a
If you are traveling from a major (Germany), Alitalia (Italy), and return (round-trip) ticket with
international airport, you will SAS (Scandinavia). fixed dates rather than an “open”
usually be able to find a direct return. You can also get an
flight to many European cities. Flight Times “open jaw” return, which allows
Main destinations include you to enter via one city and
London, Paris, Amsterdam, As a rough guide, flights from exit via another (not necessarily
Rome, Milan, and Frankfurt. New York to London take about in the same country). This is
Most of the major North 6 hours 30 minutes, to Paris and useful if you are doing a grand
American airlines, such as Delta, Frankfurt 7 hours 30 minutes, tour, but “open jaw” tickets are
Air Canada, American, and and to Rome 8 hours 30 often more expensive than
United Airlines, have frequent minutes. Flights from Sydney to regular returns. Companies
flights to all parts of Europe, as London take around 23 hours such as Trailfinders in the UK,
do Qantas and Emirates from via Bangkok, to Paris 23 hours and STA Travel offer their own
Australia. For more details on via Singapore, to Frankfurt 22 versions of these.
flights to specific destinations, hours via Singapore, and to Depending on how far you
see the Travel Information Rome 25 hours via Bangkok. have to travel, round-the-world
sections for individual countries. Flights from Auckland to (RTW) tickets can also work out
Although most major airports London take about 24 hours, cheaper than the standard long-
are based on the outskirts of and to Frankfurt 23 hours. haul returns. These enable you
European capitals and other to fly around the world on
big cities, all can be reached specified routes, as long as you
by efficient train, bus, taxi, and Keeping Costs Down don’t backtrack on yourself.
sometimes subway services. As a rule, European air fares are Look out for good deals from
Many of the smaller airlines use cheaper between November established travel agents and
less convenient airports, with a and March (with the exception package operators that are
longer transfer time, but this is of Christmas and Easter weeks), advertised in newspapers and
reflected in their cheaper fares. while the high season is from travel magazines. Airlines will
June to mid-September. A quote you the regular price
“shoulder season” of moderate for a ticket, but they can often
European National prices exists between these reduce this if they have unsold
Airlines months. Try, if you can, to seats. Consolidators, or “bucket
Most European countries have travel mid-week, because shops”, buy unsold tickets in
a national carrier which serves tickets are cheaper and bulk (often for off-season travel)
international destinations, and airports are less busy. and sell them at cheaper rates.
these usually offer frequent Whatever season you travel, Standby tickets are also
flights per day to their home there are ways of saving money economical, but you have to
countries at convenient times. on air fares. A good way to start be flexible about your date
Scheduled flights on national is to contact a travel agent that and time of departure; be
airlines usually provide more specializes in budget travel, aware that you sometimes
legroom (essential on long such as STA Travel. If you are have to wait (possibly for
flights) and a better quality of young (under 25), a student, or days) for a cancellation.
in-flight service than charter a senior citizen, you will usually
airlines, with complimentary find special reduced-fare air
items such as headphones tickets. Otherwise, you save Charter Flights
and drinks. Fares can be more money when you book in It is always worth investigating
expensive, but it is worth advance. If you can book 14 to charter-flight fares. There are
shopping around for the best 21 days ahead, APEX (Advanced quite a few companies that
deals. The largest national Purchase Excursion) or Super book whole planes or blocks of
carriers include British Airways, APEX tickets are available direct seats in advance, then resell the
Air France, Iberia (Spain), KLM from the airlines and are much tickets at more competitive

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