Best way to book a flight for long stay overseas

[cruella]

Yay, first post!

I'm trying to find the easiest and cheapest way to arrange my
flights to get to Europe. Unfortunately, I am flying out of a small centre and I am staying for an extended period of time (7 months), so I'm having some difficulties.

I am planning to leave Saskatoon, Canada at the end of March and return at the beginning of November. However, I do need proof that I will be leaving the Schengen zone within 90 days. I figured I could book a flight with a return date within the 90 days (So leave in March and return in June), so that the guys at immigration won't think I'm trying to overstay and then change the return date of the flight once I'm overseas. I know if will probably cost me $200, but I'm thinking that the fare difference should be cheaper since I'm changing to an off season flight. The other way I could do this is to buy the ticket for my actual dates and then buy a cheap Ryanair flight leaving the Schengen zone as my proof that I won't be staying more than 90 days. THe only problem I have seen with this is online booking engines won't let me book a return that far in advance.

I've pretty much given up on the hope of getting an inexpensive flight. Most of the cheap flights leave from major centres and have time periods much less than what I'm travelling. Any difference in cost I would likely spend anyways to get to the major city!

Just wondering if there are people that have been in this situation and what they have done? Will try and post my rough itinerary for your perusal at some point soon. Thanks!

[WillTravel]

I think you would need your cheap ticket for flying sometime around the end of June, based on your plan. If that is the case, why couldn't you buy your ticket from Saskatoon to Europe whenever you feel is best, and then buy the Ryanair (or other) ticket some time around January?

Are you a student, by any chance? Even if you are not, if you have a Travel Cuts nearby, I would stop and ask them for advice about getting a changeable ticket. But don't take anything they say as necessarily the best deal, and they will probably strongly encourage you to buy now. Also, they may push rail passes more than you actually need them. (Not to say their advice will be wrong, but they do have a need to sell stuff.)

[Eagle]

cruella,

First of all, welcome to GFE!

I don't have a specific answer for your question, but rather a few comments and suggestions.

Unfortunately, flights for next March and later will likely not be posted for several months (probably towards December or year end). Also, the majority of flights to Europe with some airlines (especially charters) don't usually start until May or so. Which airline were you planning to use for your flights? I usually rely on information from the airline web sites (ie: Air Canada) rather than "booking engines", as the information tends to be more current and reliable.

I wasn't really clear regarding your comments on booking a ticket to show exit from the Schengen zone on a specific date, and then changing the ticket later on? Were you planning on exiting the Schengen zone for the required period and then returning? You'll need to be very careful to follow the regulations, as the penalties can be severe!

I'm sure the group will have further comments when you post your Itinerary.

Cheers!

[cruella]

I've compared booking engines and airline websites, but I think you're right, that I might have to wait til closer to the end of the year to get the actual dates I'm travelling. Pretty sure I will be flying Air Canada, since I'm trying to have as few stopovers as possible and Saskatoon isn't known for being a connection hub!

Oct 9, 2009 16:00:18 GMT -5 Eagle said:

cruella,

I wasn't really clear regarding your comments on booking a ticket to show exit from the Schengen zone on a specific date, and then changing the ticket later on? Were you planning on exiting the Schengen zone for the required period and then returning? You'll need to be very careful to follow the regulations, as the penalties can be severe!

I just posted my itinerary in the appropriate forum. My plan right now is to be in the Schengen area for 90 days, leave and visit the UK/Ireland for 90 days, then come back to the Schengen area for the rest of my trip.

I was under the impression that when I enter the first Schengen country, I will need to provide proof that I will be leaving the area within 90 days. So I can either book my return ticket to show that I am returning HOME within 90 days, then just change the date afterwards. I thought if I did it this way, I might be able to get a better fair. The other option is to book the flights for the time I am travelling, and then show proof of a cheap Easyjet flight to show that I am leaving the Schengen area at the appropriate time. I wasn't sure if that would be enough though, since my return ticket will still show that I'm leaving from a Schengen country 7 months after I arrive....... Hope that makes sense

[spetz]

I am not 100% sure how it all works but from what i have seen looking for my self its difficult to find return flights more then 3months. You could buy one way tickets which would allow you to leave from multiple destinations. Im not really sure about how to work with the 90 days schengen rule as i dont have that issue.

As for cheaper flights maybe try Regina its less then a 3hr drive? Also since your going for such a long time you may be able to cut costs buy getting a cheap flight with westjet to Toronto and the finding a separate flight leaving some time after that.