Australia to Eurpore travel - best options

[eastley1]

Hi. We are a family of three, two adults and one child aged 9 travelling to Europe in late Sept 2016 and returning late Oct. We have two events that we need to be at. One in Manchester UK around 5/6 October and the other in Bergamo Italy around 11 October. In the 4-5 weeks of out trip we would also like to visit Singapore (help to break up the long trip to Europe), London and Rome. We are confused about what would be the best value with flights. Is it more cost effective to get a simple return flight to London or Rome from Australia and try and do the rest via train and domestic flights ending up back in London for the flight back to Australia. Or would it be better to do something like, Australia - Singapore- London, train to Manchester, flight to Bergamo, train/bus to Rome via some other cities in Italy, Rome - Australia. Any thoughts and suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

[OATEK]

Hi. We are a family of three, two adults and one child aged 9 travelling to Europe in late Sept 2016 and returning late Oct. We have two events that we need to be at. One in Manchester UK around 5/6 October and the other in Bergamo Italy around 11 October. In the 4-5 weeks of out trip we would also like to visit Singapore (help to break up the long trip to Europe), London and Rome. We are confused about what would be the best value with flights. Is it more cost effective to get a simple return flight to London or Rome from Australia and try and do the rest via train and domestic flights ending up back in London for the flight back to Australia. Or would it be better to do something like, Australia - Singapore- London, train to Manchester, flight to Bergamo, train/bus to Rome via some other cities in Italy, Rome - Australia. Any thoughts and suggestions would be very much appreciated.

You should try some dummy Finnair bookings, SYD-MAN, and then FCO-SYD. We had all 3 legs each way included in a recent "open jaw return fare", namely SYD-xx_-HEL-CDG, TXL-HEL-xx_-SYD. Finnair offers flights via BKK, SIN and HKG out of Australia, using QF, BA and CX. We went out via HKG, and back via BKK, but you could go both ways via SIN.

If you want to break the journey in SIN on the outward leg, then try a multi-city such as SYD-SIN, SIN-MAN; and then FCO-SYD. Depending on class of travel you could get a stopover each way.

 

[Mattg]

I would personally look at booking separate tickets from Australia-Singapore and Singapore-Europe (return) if it works out cheaper. For the Asia-Europe flights, try to book an open-jaw routing SIN-MAN (or LHR) and returning FCO-SIN.

If you'd prefer to book it all on the one ticket, just do a multi-city booking with an airline that flies from Australia to Europe via Singapore. SQ and BA are obvious options, but I believe QF will allow this. (With QF you'd probably have to fly from SIN to MAN via DXB on Emirates metal though.) Again, just book an open-jaw. And to save on UK taxes, try to depart Europe from outside the UK. (Arriving in the UK is fine though.)

Once in Europe, you should have no problems getting around fairly cheaply and efficiently by train or plane. Just book these legs separately.

 

[albatross710]

As SIN is a preferred stopover, Singapore Airlines would also be an obvious choice, even perhaps with more flexibility that BA or QF.

Previously I've done a few SQ open jaw bookings which have worked out well. Into MAN, out of MXP.

Internally in Europe do consider the LCC market. Often the flights are very cheap. Depending on exactly where you are going though, you need to check the cost of getting to/from their sometimes out of the way airports. Sometimes it has worked out better to use trains as they depart from and arrive into the city centres and don't require you be there 2 hours before.

Breaking the journey in SIN is good idea, my preference is to break it on the return though. Generally the excitement of the journey and the trip ahead keeps me going and I am exhausted on the return.

Alby

 

[jgm]

You can also book a Singapore stopover from S$80 if travelling SQ (check the singaporeair website for details).

 

[justcallmeryan]

As mentioned previously, avoid departing London on long haul as the taxes are ridiculous. Shouldn't cost much more (if at all) to fly in to UK and out of somewhere in Europe.

For intra Euro flights check EasyJet and Ryanair as flights are super cheap, as long as bought well in advance and you are prepared to follow the T & C's to the letter! Bergamo has an airport that is very well served by Ryanair from all over Europe and is also very convenient.

Enjoy!

 

[Isochronous]

Given the fall in the AUD, ex-Australia Finnair Business pricing as one ticket is now competitive when its on sale. I would recommend that option.

 

[kevinkhchan]

I left it with my trusted travel agent and we are doing SYD-SIN-HEL-AMS-HEL-HKG-SYD on Finnair Business. Amazing price as he scored I for us. Pity we only had time to use one of the two included flights within Europe.

 

[nonpop]

I left it with my trusted travel agent and we are doing SYD-SIN-HEL-AMS-HEL-HKG-SYD on Finnair Business. Amazing price as he scored I for us. Pity we only had time to use one of the two included flights within Europe.

Great outcome. If you manage to get the A350 it is a very nice product (have just experienced it myself).

Do you mind me asking, what did it set you back ?

 

[awkwardpaws]

I would personally look at booking separate tickets from Australia-Singapore and Singapore-Europe (return) if it works out cheaper. For the Asia-Europe flights, try to book an open-jaw routing SIN-MAN (or LHR) and returning FCO-SIN.

Mattg - wondering why you prefer breaking up the two (Australia-SIN; SIN-Europe) into separate tickets? Would it be more cost effective?

 

[OATEK]

I left it with my trusted travel agent and we are doing SYD-SIN-HEL-AMS-HEL-HKG-SYD on Finnair Business. Amazing price as he scored I for us. Pity we only had time to use one of the two included flights within Europe.

That sounds a very good outcome. And the HEL-HKG flight is very likely to be an A350 with the new J fitout. SIN-HEL is likely to be an A330/340, but having travelled those recently the J fitout is still very good. Please tell us all about it during/after!

 

[Mattg]

Mattg - wondering why you prefer breaking up the two (Australia-SIN; SIN-Europe) into separate tickets? Would it be more cost effective?

It can be cheaper, yes. Especially if you're going in Business. Also gives you more flexibility to stopover as long as you want, though with some airlines that isn't a problem anyway.