Best flights into Europe?

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  stirlo on 19/01/2016 - 11:27

  +1

  You'll need to supply dates and duration for people to give you real help. I would say $1500 is average, an ozbargainer should be able to beat this easily, I'd be looking for $1100 if you don't care much about dates or destinations.

  You can use Adioso which is pretty good at finding stuff http://adioso.com/au/melbourne-au-to-western-europe-return-a…

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  Donaldhump on 19/01/2016 - 11:28

  if you plan to do a big trip… do a open jaw flight.

  how far east are you going… you could fly into turkey (or to far, austria/italy/munich or somewhere ) and fly out of london/paris…

  i think 1500 is reasonable… and thai airways a good airline.. stop in bangkok for a few days..

  i find emirates is pretty good for open jaw flights… avg airline…

  give me ur dates and locations ill look for u

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  Sweet3st on 19/01/2016 - 12:09

  Hi guys. I too am starting to shop around for air fares to Europe, departing May and returning July. I want to stop over in Hong Kong for a few days both ways, and am currently thinking of flying into Amsterdam and departing from Spain if possible, but can be somewhat flexible. Was thinking Cathay Pacific as I think they'll do a free stop over in Hong Kong? Would prefer a comfortable flight but keen on getting the best price (am on a budget). Any suggestions appreciated, especially on how to search, I find the multi trip searches a pain.

  • 

    zappy32 on 20/01/2016 - 02:41

    If you really want to stop in HKG on both legs, then the cheapest would be to buy a return SYD-HKG fare then the onward fare HKG-AMS, MAD-HKG etc. I've just had a look and although you can get it a little cheaper booking via someone like Scoot connecting in Singapore, the price of booking with Cathay Pacific is so good I'd just book it for the $300 or so savings you might make to have direct flights each way.

    I'm seeing $1760 for SYD-HKG, HKG-AMS, MAD-HKG, HKG-SYD in May and returning in July which I think it's pretty damn good value flying Cathay and wanting two stopovers in HKG.

    • 

      Sweet3st on 20/01/2016 - 10:18

      Sounds like what I want :) Where did you find these fares, and how did you search? Thanks!

      • 

        zappy32 on 21/01/2016 - 00:03

        Just on the Cathay Pacific site. Doing a multi-city search with each sector separate. It seemed most or all flights on Tues/Wed/Thurs for each sector resulted in this price.

• 

  inherentchoice on 19/01/2016 - 12:13

  +1

  Norwegian Airlines is a low-cost long-haul carrier and has cheap flights from Bangkok to Copenhagen/Oslo/Stockholm.

  Use www.skyscanner.com.au for searching.

• 

  Make it so on 19/01/2016 - 12:51

  +1

  Some advice:

  • Europe is not a country. It has many vastly differing countries, and which part you fly into matters. No point flying to a country that does not interest you, and which does not allow easy transit to a country that does.
  • Do not underestimate the cost of travel within Europe (both the travel and the accommodation). Take this into account. Rail passes can be great, but may not be usable everywhere, so fly to somewhere where you can use them.
  • Compared to travelling around Europe, your airfare to Europe will pale in comparison.
  • Budgets flights within Europe can be both cheaper and faster than rail.
  • "disjointed" flights are not offered by everyone. I happen to know Air Mauritius flies to Europe at low costs sometimes, and they do offer it. Can have a nice stop-over in Mauritius too. A disjointed flights allow you to do things like landing in London and leaving from Paris.
  • Make sure you check how long you have to wait between flights. Cathay has very long waits in between, and so do others.
  • Malaysia airlines recently stopped allowing people to check in baggage on their flights "for fuel reasons". This would annoy me to no end.

  I normally prefer Singapore Airlines.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 19/01/2016 - 15:46

    +1

    So you are saying Europe isn't a country hey? Next you'll be saying Africa isn't a country too or the sky is blue.

    • 

      Make it so on 19/01/2016 - 16:04

      +1

      Just saying it because "Europe" isn't really a specific destination, within which everything is the same. Some people say they want to visit "Europe", as if it doesn't matter which country they go to. Some countries get you robbed, some get you stoned, some get you drunk, some get you broke… Lots of options, but it's all a matter of which you prefer :)

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 19/01/2016 - 16:09

        So you're saying that the OP should fly to a country that he likes, and not one he doesn't like. Interesting and insightful. Im still astonished that Europe isn't a country.

    • 

      Donaldhump on 20/01/2016 - 22:44

      ftr holland isnt a counry either and it shits me when people say it

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  EG1991 on 19/01/2016 - 15:31

  I am flying to Rome from Melbourne return in July/June could of had a return ticket for $1,650 which wasn't too bad but had to fly on a certain date (a Friday) so costs increased. I would suggest sky scanner and play around with dates most of the cheaper flights were from China Southern which I have never flown but can be extremely cheap. Be careful booking through the agencies that the fares are through they are cheaper but sp,e of the reviews about them are very very bad so my advice would be paying a bit extra and booking through the airline or a reputable agency.

  Edit: Flying Cathay Airlines Route Melbourne - HK - Rome

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  bion83 on 19/01/2016 - 15:31

  +1

  Try Korean Air they have open jaw option, it means that you can fly in and fly out from different locations

  I just book Sydney>Rome & Prague>Sydney for $1440

  Sweet Deal

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  [Deactivated] on 19/01/2016 - 15:42

  Seriously though, airlines are not something you skimp on. Don't fly China Southern or Aeroflot, stick with Qantas, BA, Cathay, Singapore, Etihad, Emirates. You want to get there, some airlines have very questionable safety (coming from people I know who work in airline maintenance) Oh, and don't get me started on pilot training. For every person who agrees with me, there will be 20 ozbargainers who rave about their experience on China Southern or Turkish airlines, but these are the same people who fly to Thailand for major dental work and save teabags so they can be used twice. Do yourself a favour and spend money where it is needed. As an example http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/obama-pilot-unsafe-air…

  • 

    Schema on 19/01/2016 - 15:43

    +1

    " save teabags so they can be used twice. "

    I am so dead.

  • 

    artfuldodger on 20/01/2016 - 13:48

    This is fearmongering. All airlines that fly into Europe or Australia must satisfy our national aviation safety standards. Crashes happen but relative to the number of flights everyday around the globe the odds are very very insignificant. I'm surprised some people have the courage to drive to the shop.

    And there is nothing wrong with using a teabag twice.

    • 

      samfisher5986 on 20/01/2016 - 14:16

      +1

      While you aren't wrong exactly, Qantas pilots for example are very well trained compared to most pilots, especially overseas.

      If you look at airline incidents in general the pilot is to blame a lot even when its not their fault. You will find something bad will happen and they will just make it worse for example.

      My point is there are safer airlines then others, but flying is quite safe based on percentage chance anyway.

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 20/01/2016 - 14:21

        +1

        *than

      • 

        artfuldodger on 20/01/2016 - 15:44

        I'm only referring to airlines that fly to/from EU and Australia. Our national aviation safety standards take pilot training/competence into account. Its a rigorous and comprehensive set of standards. All airlines flying in and out are deemed sate. We pay for service, support, travel times and comfort.
        Everyone makes their own assessment when booking but I don't feel we have to belittle those who fly on a cheaper airline and say "these are the same people who fly to Thailand for major dental work".

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 20/01/2016 - 17:58

        @artfuldodger: We didn't, I did. You fly on whatever airline you want, have to give the forensic coroners something to do
        i guess.

      • 

        samfisher5986 on 20/01/2016 - 18:20

        @artfuldodger:

        There have been tiger pilots in the past doing the wrong thing for example. There are many more examples.

        Just because they are held to a much higher standard it doesn't mean everyone is the same.

      • 

        artfuldodger on 20/01/2016 - 20:05

        @samfisher5986: but they are still safe.

      • 

        artfuldodger on 20/01/2016 - 20:07

        +2

        @thorton82: Any airline can crash. You'll just have a more expensive downward trajectory. lol

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 20/01/2016 - 22:39

        @artfuldodger: I wouldn't fly Tiger if you paid me with all the safety groundings they have had.

      • 

        artfuldodger on 21/01/2016 - 14:18

        @thorton82: Tiger's certainly not on my list of preferred airlines, but then neither is Air France.

        BTW, China Southern's record is pretty good. But, then there's other reasons to not fly with them.

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 21/01/2016 - 15:08

        @artfuldodger: From a mate who worked for Rolls Royce in Hobg Kong, servicing engines, he would never fly China Southern, given the state of the past service life turbine blades he saw when they came into service. Cracks galore he said.

  • 

    Donaldhump on 20/01/2016 - 22:46

    +3

    they clap when you land on e.european airlines….