April 28, 2004 -- Fly, fly, fly! Airfares are going up sharply in June (as they always do), so if you want a real bargain journey, May is the time. Central Europe is particularly lovely in May -- we hear the hills are alive with some kind of sound at that time.
For the cheapest fares to central Europe from New York and DC, turn to Austrian Airlines' e-specials (https://book.aua.com/an/leisure/US/framesnew/e_specials.htm). They're good for departures through May 15 and returns through the end of the month (sometimes even early June), and rates can be really low -- down to $399 roundtrip. Fares we found on Austrian Airlines' Web site include (all prices roundtrip):
- New York-Vienna: $399 ($485.29 after tax)
- Washington-Vienna: $399 ($486.79 after tax)
- New York-Salzburg, Prague or Warsaw: $459 (around $594 after tax)
- Washington-Warsaw: $459 ($593.94 after tax)
- Washington-Vienna: $499 ($586.79 after tax)
- Washington-Salzburg or Prague: $499 (around $636 after tax)
- New York-Budapest: $528 ($666.77 after tax)
- New York-Moscow: $538 ($677.64 after tax)
- Washington-Budapest or Moscow: $579 (around $716 after tax)
These are the best fares we could find, by a margin from $6 (for New York to Prague) to $70 (for flights to Vienna). Buy now to secure these fares.