It's still winter, but the first salvo has been fired in what appears to be a new price war for budget packages to London for spring travel. Upstart OffPeakTraveler.com just introduced a six-night package to the city on the Thames starting from just $458 for departures on Air India out of New York City, which is only $59 more than their base-price for their current winter deal to London. If you're flying out of Chicago, the price starts at only $508 before taxes and security fees. Why Air India? Because flights aren't usually filled out of the United States to London on what is a two-part journey: Chicago or New York to London, where you'll disembark and the flight will fill back up, then on to India. (I took advantage of a similar cheap flight to London on Kuwait Airways last fall.) Additional gateways, but on other carriers, are available from 38 other U.S. cities. The package includes airfare and accommodations in your choice of seven tourist-class hotels. Travel is valid April 1 through May 31, perfect for daffodils and tulips. OffPeakTraveler is an Internet-only outfit. For booking, visit them at www.offpeaktraveler.com.
OffPeak's closest competitor is Go-Today, which is offering similar combos starting from $499, still the same decent price they offered for spring deals last year. Or if you can eschew the hotel and swap it out for a week's rental car starting from just $429 for spring travel--but you'll have to spring for your own accommodations as you tour the United Kingdom. To compare, visit www.gotoday.com. All prices mentioned are per person, based on two people traveling together.