Are intra-Europe flights REALLY this cheap?

[Febs]

Hi guys,

I've never been to Europe before so I'm hoping someone can help me out.

As there's a chance I'm heading to EU next month, I'm looking at the option of heading to Germany for the weekend (Oktoberfest, Nurburgring...two things on my "To Do" list ).

I decided to check out some intra-Europe airfares, just to get a rough idea of how much I'll be up for. From a huge list of European carriers I picked "RyanAir" (no particular reason, but I've heard of them before) and punched in a return flight from Oslo to Frankfurt, leaving on a Sat, returning on a Mon.

1 NOK each way...which I understand is about $0.20AUD.

I then tried leaving on Friday and returning Sunday...and the airfare came to about $40AUD.

Surely that doesn't include taxes...but apart from that, is that the full airfare? Seems awfully cheap. I do remember hearing something about ridiculously cheap flights within Europe...but this cheap??

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Commuter]

I don't think it would be inclusive of tax and charges, but it does sound like a promotional fare that Ryanair often have. Just make sure that the airports you are flying between are the main airport, and if not, that you are prepared to travel a bit of distance from the airport to the city.

 

[Dave Noble]

I suspect that that could indeed be the complete fare. Do be aware that Ryanair doesnt fly to Frankfurt Main airport but to Frankfurt-Hahn airport which is a significant distance from Frankfurt
Dave

 

[bravoecho1]

You also may want to look into your trip to Germany.

Oktoberfest is actually in September and runs through to October 3, though I do recommend a couple of laps around Nurburgring .

 

[toomuchgold]

Abolsutely recommend Nurburgring. I flew Ryan Air last year to Hahn but then had to drive down to Frankfurt Main to hire a decent car (make sure you dont mention you're going to the Ring). You can get a Porsche for the weekend from Avis (check out avis.de\funcars) or Sixt have some nice cars too.

It's about a 1.5 drive from FRA Main back up to the Ring.

Ben Lovejoy's Nurburgring Nordschleife website


Have fun.

 

[Febs]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Oktoberfest is actually in September and runs through to October 3

Ahh..well then, scrap that idea.

(make sure you dont mention you're going to the Ring)

I remember reading in Motor magazine you can hire a 997 911 with ring insurance for around $500/day.

Mind you...even though I've driven hipo cars around racetracks before, I should probably heed everyone's advice and go with something a bit slower for my first trip to the 'ring. I also remember seeing in the same magazine a photo of said 997 911 on its roof.

I'd love to go for a lap in the 'ring taxi too, but apparently there's a waiting list of about 12 months (and a mate told me it's going to stop operating in Nov).

Thanks for the link.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I suspect that that could indeed be the complete fare. Do be aware that Ryanair doesnt fly to Frankfurt Main airport but to Frankfurt-Hahn airport which is a significant distance from Frankfurt
Dave

Isnt the airport Ryanair uses in Oslo about 100km away from the city?

If you're actually staying in both Oslo and Frankfurt cities, you could easily spend more than the airfare+taxes just in getting to and from the airports.

 

[Dave Noble]

Isnt the airport Ryanair uses in Oslo about 100km away from the city?

Yup. Ryanscare uses Torp airport which is a conveniant 110Km from Oslo ( just a 70 minute drive )

Dave

 

[Mal]

The joys of LCC's dropping you at a non-conventional airport miles and miles away from the city you're visiting. Good for some, but not good for most.

Plus of course possible cancellations to flights, often charges for baggage, tiny pitch, buy your own food and sometimes allegations of questionable safety/crew training.

The sad thing is that for a lot of UK residents, they immediately go to their "favourite" LCC for a price rather than looking around at the best prices. Sometimes BA will come out cheaper than an LCC!

 

[JohnK]

The joys of LCC's dropping you at a non-conventional airport miles and miles away from the city you're visiting. Good for some, but not good for most.

Plus of course possible cancellations to flights, often charges for baggage, tiny pitch, buy your own food and sometimes allegations of questionable safety/crew training.

Hmm.... Are you describing Ryan Air or a certain Australian carrier?

 

[oz_mark]

Hmm.... Are you describing Ryan Air or a certain Australian carrier?

LCC's use similar techniques to reduce costs wherever they may be.

 

[Febs]

Thanks guys. Early days so I'm just starting to look into it, but the info in this thread has been very helpful.

Cheers,
- Febs.

PS: Are there any OW Alliance airlines that do intra-Europe flights regularly (Finnair)? Unfortunately I don't know where in Europe I'm heading, so that makes it a bit hard at this stage.

 

[JohnK]

PS: Are there any OW Alliance airlines that do intra-Europe flights regularly (Finnair)? Unfortunately I don't know where in Europe I'm heading, so that makes it a bit hard at this stage.

BA, AY and IB.

They have some good deals at off peak times but all 3 carriers generally fly from and return to their main hubs.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

And if you are needing to connect, generally HEL very easy, BCN and MAD fairly easy but need more time than HEL due to distances between gates and LHR can be difficult (need at least an hour even if no change of terminal involved). LHR to LGW transfer or vv is probably the worst one to have (need a few hours at least and pay for the bus between).

 

[TonyB]

I'd love to go for a lap in the 'ring taxi too, but apparently there's a waiting list of about 12 months (and a mate told me it's going to stop operating in Nov).

Not sure about the waiting list but the BMW website says that they are all booked for 2006 and will start to take bookings for 2007 on December 1 of this year so all is not lost

BMW Ring-Taxi

 

[Febs]

Not sure about the waiting list but the BMW website says that they are all booked for 2006 and will start to take bookings for 2007 on December 1 of this year so all is not lost

Thanks for the link.

Wouldn't have a clue when I'll be there (or even if I get a chance), so I might just turn up and hope for some availability (apparently they get cancellations occasionally, and can take people at the last minute).

Failing that, I'll just look for a "Ringer" and ask if they'd mind showing me how it's done (they're very accommodating, I've heard ).

Cheers,
- Febs.