Flying to Europe - Need some tips on flights

• 

  Stewardo on 03/01/2019 - 23:47

  +3

  Google flights has a feature where you put in your dates
  Then Sydney>Europe and it will give you the cheapest European destination on those dates.
  I would consider a multi city flight for your arrival into Europe flight and your depart Europe flight so your not backtracking to your arrival city.
  Then build internal transport seperate.
  Syd>Berlin
  Train to Austria Switzerland
  Fly Scandinavia
  Then fly to London
  London>Syd on second leg of multi city

  This way you save time and money not returning to Berlin
  It’s not a very oz bargain thing to say but I’d rather pay $200 more and fly with a good airline with good connections than the alternative. Qatar is my favourite for Europe flights

  • 

    jjjaar on 04/01/2019 - 00:10

    +2

    I love google flights but I also don’t find the costs they quote as anywhere near accurate. I use them for timetables all the time, but the second I go to the actual airline the costs are completely different (sometimes cheaper, sometimes more expensive).

    • 

      Stewardo on 04/01/2019 - 00:53

      +1

      Yeah It pays to check multiple sites, they each have strengths and weaknesses for sure.

      • 

        dmb0312 on 04/01/2019 - 10:05

        Didnt know google even had this site.

        • 

          toristo on 04/01/2019 - 11:56

          @dmb0312: Skyscanner is handy too - gives options like whole month search, so you can pick the cheapest day if you want.

          • 

            jjjaar on 04/01/2019 - 14:05

            @toristo: Skyscanner is good but doesn’t always do every airline. Some budget ones aren’t included. Whereas google tends to still show these in the timetable.

            That being said - to understand exactly what you will pay you need to go through with the booking because bags and seats can add on heaps

• 

  Donaldhump on 04/01/2019 - 01:27

  Scoot to Singapore, and Norwegian airlines from there could be a good combo

  • 

    RockyRaccoon on 04/01/2019 - 01:42

    +2

    Unfortunately Norwegian is under a cloud as to its financial strength, so while it’s cheap there is a risk involved.

    • 

      dmb0312 on 04/01/2019 - 09:53

      +1

      Thanks thats good to know

• 

  markb28 on 04/01/2019 - 03:02

  +1

  Too much there for 2 weeks. Leaving out the most expensive places such as Norway will cut down cost considerably. Gothenburg isn't essential (my view - you may disagree).

  I would definitely pay for a decent airline for the sake of $200, sign up for frequent flyer (for instance Virgin velocity). If you pool the status credits on say Singapore airways the chosen recipient will be over halfway to gold status on a return to Europe. If you go back to Europe in 11 months or have significant long-haul travel, one of you could be gold with guest privileges in just two holidays. Harder on Qantas FF to achieve.

  Direct flights to/from London will likely be more expensive than Berlin due to the long haul Passenger taxes. However, there is more Airline competition which may help, although Easter is never that cheap. Set up price alerts for both Berlin/Copenhagen and see which comes up best.

  Consider a 1-night stopover in Asia on the way there if you can - with a packed itinerary you might find yourself fighting jet lag for the first few days and you'll be rested with a night in a "near" airport hotel.

  Travel light if using Euro budget airways, can you share a single suitcase with 2 x 7kg hand luggage? Will save $$$$

  For hopping between cities, don't be tempted to use Ryanair, notorious for poor customer service, sneaky charges, strikes, staff mistreatment and stranding passengers- and the owner is an absolute tool. Easyjet is much better. Book these as soon as possible as Easter is not far away.

  A lot of the national carriers in Europe operate like budget airlines - BA/TAP but still command a price premium. I've found them no better than Easyjet.

  Also there is an outside risk of customs delays at UK airports post 29 March if a no deal Brexit happens and for that reason you may want to avoid entering/leaving via LHR at the start/end of your trip. Flights from Gatwick are cheaper than Heathrow but have higher train costs to reach. Stansted costs considerably more and best avoided (Ryanair hidden costs again).

• 

  dmb0312 on 04/01/2019 - 10:03

  I should mention i have plans in Gothenberg and London so they are musts on the trip but neither are at the start of the trip.

• 

  try2bhelpful on 04/01/2019 - 12:38

  You could look at Qatar airlines, they are having a boxing day sale at the moment. Your itinerary is way too many places for 2-3 weeks. You either need more time or need less places. Have you also considered how you are going to travel within Europe (or whatever England is by then?. I would look at several places within a country rather than picking out cities and then having to travel long distances.

  If you do have some extra time I would suggest looking into the Virgin around the world tickets. It is Australia -> Hong Kong -> London -> LA -> Australia and it is, usually, about the same price as a plane to Europe.

  • 

    dmb0312 on 04/01/2019 - 15:09

    Qatar definitely looks like the cheaper option for a return booking and one of the better airlines

• 

  dmb0312 on 04/01/2019 - 22:26

  What are the best sites to use to book open jaw flights?

  • 

    Stewardo on 05/01/2019 - 02:44

    Google flights
    Skyscanner
    Expedia
    Kayak
    The airlines own website

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  dmb0312 on 15/01/2019 - 17:00

  Considering flying to HK form Syd return and then using points to get a business flight return to europe. Issue is flights to HK are quite exp mid april and return mid may