EasyJet

[bs1313]

Is Easyjet a reliable discount airline??? Or are there cheaper/better ones???

[WillTravel]

EasyJet is one of the largest, and generally does very well. On any particular route, it's possible there's a cheaper carrier. Also, sometimes the mainstream carriers can even be cost-competitive.

With an EasyJet flight, I'd expect it to go as advertised, but as with any flight or travel, I'd also have a backup plan and I would not tightly schedule anything to occur right after the flight.

What route do you want?

[pointofnoreturn]

I've flown with them a couple of times and never had a problem with them. In some cases, we left a bit later (only like 15 mins max) yet we arrived earlier than our ETA. Check-in can be a bit of a hassle because there's so many people and you should get in line at least 2 hours earlier.

I've always gotten priority boarding so it was really useful but of course, there's always going to be people complaining at the gate that they were in line before me and therefore they should get on the plane first.... Oh well.

I'd highly recommend them to anyone but like WT says, always have a backup plan in case of bad weather or delays!

P.S. Book EARLY if you want guaranteed cheap prices!

[bs1313]

Fly into London

London - Madrid (fly)

Madrid - Paris (fly)

Paris - Munich (fly)

Munich - Venice (train)

Venice - Rome (train)

So I should expect to spend my entire day traveling on those days?

[pointofnoreturn]

For the flights, you just need to be in the check-in line 1-1/2 to 2 hours prior to departure, then you'll have to consider the actual flight time, baggage claim, etc then transportation from the airport to your hotel.

So yes, it is usually a good part of your day. Unless you have a REALLY early flight, you'll have to figure out a way to make the travel time feasible. I always try to put in a travel day between cities where I do nothing but travel then relax for the rest of the day.

P.S. the train between Venice and Rome.... you could take a highspeed train (Eurostar) which is just over 4 hours or opt for a REALLY cheap "Regional" train but will definitely be longer.

[WillTravel]

If it's available and cheap enough, I like to take the very last flight of the day (like if one is available at 8 PM or later). Then it doesn't feel like you lose much time. If you do this, though, be sure to check out transport options at your destination.

[herrbert]

bs1313 said:

Fly into London

London - Madrid (fly)

Madrid - Paris (fly)

Paris - Munich (fly)

Munich - Venice (train)

Venice - Rome (train)

So I should expect to spend my entire day traveling on those days?

Some alternatives:

For London - Madrid, you can also check Air Comet.

Madrid - Paris -> Vueling, Air Comet, Air Europa, Condor. (Ryan Air also flies this route, but fly on Beauvais Airport, way out of Paris, so don't do that), and it might be worthwhile to also check with Iberia.

Paris - Munich: Air Berlin.

But wouldn't it be more obvious to go London - Paris - Madrid - Munich ??

When you take a flight, you have to at least take into account that you are underway for around 5 to 6 hours. Of course a lot also depends on how close the airports are to the towns, delays etc.

As an example for my trips to Madrid, from Düsseldorf: I need 1 hour to get to Düsseldorf, than I get there about 1,5 hours before take off, (check-in limit is 45 minutes, but I want to have some margin), the flight itself is 2,5 hours, Bagageclaim and getting to the Metro, about 30 minutes, and then 1 hours by Metro until Tirso de Molina in the heart of the city. So from my place (small town in the East of the Netherlands, to the heart of Madrid takes about 6,5 hours. If I plan an early flight, I have to get up early, but can be in Madrid around Noon. So I have the entire afternoon, and evening). I don't like the late flights that much, as I am looking at the clock the entire day, but that's personal)

[bs1313]

I dont want to go from Madrid to Munich that would be a much longer flight. I understand that London to Paris would be shorter but it is easier going in a cyclical motion...London, Madrid, Paris, Munich, Venice, Rome...maybe its not better idk lemme know.

[pointofnoreturn]

I do think that going in a cyclical motion would work. I did that for my summer trip.

[herrbert]

bs1313 said:

I dont want to go from Madrid to Munich that would be a much longer flight. I understand that London to Paris would be shorter but it is easier going in a cyclical motion...London, Madrid, Paris, Munich, Venice, Rome...maybe its not better idk lemme know.

I don't see much of a circle in that plan ... a flight from Madrid to Paris takes about 2 hours, and a flight Madrid - Munich 2 hours and 40 minutes. So yes, strictly speaking it is a longer flight, but you will be spending around 5 to 6 hours including transport to/from the airports, check-in, bagage claim etc. So if 40 minutes more, makes it a lot easier, why not?

[bs1313]

Honestly I am a little bit OCD and I couln't backtrack. BUT why would it make it easier doing that???

[herrbert]

bs1313 said:

Honestly I am a little bit OCD and I couln't backtrack. BUT why would it make it easier doing that???

London and Paris are really close to eachother and a Eurostar train reaches Paris in about 2 hours. If you first fly South and then North again you make two flights, instead of 1 longer flight and a pretty short trainride. To me that looks easier, as you save time to travel to the same 3 cities.

Trains depart and arrive in the middle of the city, and the airports are way out of the cities, so that also is easier.

[bs1313]

Well that is an interesting take on it. Espscially since the train takes you directly into the city. Can I buy train tickets adhead of time??? I like to have EVERYTHING completly planned out.

[pointofnoreturn]

You can buy a youth ticket (12-25) ahead of time on its website (www.eurostar.com).

Tickets are fairly expensive but you can get them at a deal if booked ahead of time. If you buy a non-flexible ticket, you can get it for about $58 USD one-way but it's non-refundable so you have to make sure you're certain of the dates.

P.S. The amount I quoted is a youth price.

[WillTravel]

Eurostar is deadly expensive if you don't buy it ahead of time. Just remember, you can't change the ticket, so you have to be sure you arrive at the train station in plenty of time. Most problems people seem to have with budget travel involve not getting to the airport or train station in time.