Fall has the seemingly contradictory honor of being both the most economical and most attractive time to visit Europe. Airfares are significantly reduced, hotels offer lower prices, and best of all, the marauding summer crowds all but disappear as temperatures lower.
This fall, prices seem even lower than last year and, even with currency exchange, you're still going to be doing pretty well. Here are a few deals to get you started.
If you are really quick (i.e. you book today, although they may extend the deal slightly), Air France (tel. 800/992-3932; www.airfrance.us) has numerous bargain one-way fares based on a round-trip purchase. Its Great Fares to Europe sale is valid for flights throughout September and until October 24, 2009 but you must book by September 23. Although fuel-surcharges are included, taxes aren't so factor them in when calculating your final price
Round-trip fares (based on doubling Air France's one-way prices) include:
- Philadelphia to Nice $540
- Washington, D.C. to Paris $576
- New York to Toulouse $592
- Boston to Paris $684
- Los Angeles to Paris $702
It's even cheaper to take Air France to destinations beyond France, flying via Paris. These include
- Philadelphia to Lisbon $418
- New York to Frankfurt $462
- Boston to Barcelona $488
- Washington, D.C. to Athens $530
- Houston to Prague $532
Travelocity (tel. 888/872-8356; www.travelocity.com) also has some budget fares, predominantly to Eastern Europe and from New York flying Czech Airlines. Tickets must be purchased by September 30, three-day advance purchase is required, outbound travel is valid through October 17, and return travel must be complete by October 23.
Here are sample round-trip fares from New York (not including taxes). The first price is for weekday departures, the second is for weekend.
- Bucharest $505/$545
- Berlin $506/$566
- Munich $537/$597
- Sofia $599/$659
- Krakow $657/$697
- Budapest $681/$721
- Tallinn $689/$729
- Moscow $753/$793
1-800-FlyEurope (tel. 800/359-3876; www.1800flyeurope.com) has some super low fall fares to key European destinations. Book by September 30 and fly by October 31 to take advantage of these prices for round-trip flights. Taxes are additional.
- New York to Dublin $359
- New York to Reykjavik $399
- Chicago to London $439
- Boston to Frankfurt $517
- Los Angeles to Amsterdam $587
- Philadelphia to Madrid $634
- San Francisco to Rome $647
Its fall airfare and car packages (three days car rental with unlimited mileage) are equally attractive, including:
- New York to Dublin from $407
- New York to Munich from $529
- New York to Rome from $547
- New York to Paris from $559
All these prices are for departures before October 31, 2009. Airline taxes are additional.
If you are after a no-fuss package deal that includes airfare and hotel, Gate 1 Travel (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) can hook you up with a decent price. For example, travel on September 30, October 7, 14 or 21 and enjoy a six-night Paris and London vacation that includes round-trip airfare out of New York and three nights' accommodations in each city and breakfast daily for $799 plus applicable taxes. You'll have a choice of two hotels in each city, the two-star Les Jardins de Paris Montmatre or the two-star Ibis Paris Bethier Porte de Clichy in Paris, and the three-star Central Park or four-star Thistle City Barbican Hotel in London.
Gate 1's Seven-Day Affordable Greece trip includes round-trip flights from New York to Athens, airline fuel surcharges, five nights' accommodations in three-star hotels (three nights at the Stanley Hotel, Athens, one at the Hermes Hotel in Delphi and one at the Panorama Hotel in Kalambaka), all transfers, breakfast daily, sightseeing in s modern air-conditioned motor coach, services of an English-speaking tour manager, Athens Panoramic City Tour including a visit of the Acropolis and all entrance fees. The November 9 and 16, 2009 departures of the trip cost $999 per person based on double occupancy, plus taxes. Other departure cities are also available for additional cost.
Likewise, European Destinations (tel. 877/267-2247; www.europeandestinations.com) makes it easy to search for affordable European fall getaways, plus it has a nice feature that lets you see all taxes and fees up front so you can make an informed decision before you start making your booking. Currently, its Barcelona and Rome by Air package includes round-trip airfare (into Barcelona and out of Rome flying Alitalia and Iberia) from New York, three nights' accommodations at a four-star hotel in Barcelona, a flight Barcelona from to Rome, three nights in a three-star hotel in Rome, daily breakfast in Rome and hotel taxes from $926 including taxes, departing on November 25. Other departure cities and dates are also available.
Its six-night Berlin and Prague trip includes round-trip airfare from New York, three nights at a three-star hotel in Berlin, ICE High Speed train from Berlin to Prague, three nights at a three-star hotel in Prague, daily breakfast, and hotel taxes. This package is priced from $889 including taxes for over the Thanksgiving period (departing November 25). From Chicago, the same package is $987 including taxes, and $1,039 from Detroit.
Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Europe Forum today.