First International Foray - Off to Europe!

[AaronBradford]

Hi all,

I've been a lurker for a little while and have commented on a few things here and there - what I'm slightly ashamed to admit is that I haven't even been out of the country yet! All my travel has been domestic.

I initially planned to travel to Japan in the first half of September with my significant other, but due to personal events and the recent events in Japan, the trip had to be canned. We got decent sale fares on Jetstar back in December, $229 and $249 one-way there and back respectively, so all up the cost was just under $1k. As a sale fare, it's not refundable, however after speaking with Ryan in their call center they offered me a full refund. This was returned to me today.

My grandmother is also planning on travelling this year, in October, to Europe. She's going one of those APT tours starting in Paris, travelling down the Rhine and finishing in Prague. In light of the Japan situation, she has offered to pay for me to accompany her, which is extremely kind. I was thinking that to take advantage of the situation, and also to save her a bit of money, I might go a week earlier and visit some other places, self-funded.

Now, I've got a decent idea on where I want to go and what flights I want to take, but I am wondering if anyone here has any advice, suggestions or warnings for me as I'm a bit inexperienced and possibly naive.

My first leg would take me SYD-AUH on VA and connecting with EY to LHR on October 8. This would be around $1142. I would then stay three nights in London, followed by taking the train to Edinburgh, where I would stay two nights.

From there, I'm thinking of flying to Belfast on BE, spending the day there, and then a late afternoon flight to Gatwick again on BE - total spend for those right now is around 50 GBP. Another two nights in London, and then the Eurostar off to Paris.

In Paris, I would meet with my grandmother and spend a few days there before joining her tour, which would take us by train to Luxembourg to transfer to the boat.

The tour ends on the 30th of October in Prague, so to get back to SYD I'm thinking of taking another couple of detours to mix things up. SU to Moscow, where I would stay perhaps two nights, and then SU again to Hong Kong (thankfully that flight's on a 767, but maybe still a bit ambitious?). These flights would total round $588AU.

Finally, two nights in Hong Kong followed by VS direct to SYD. Here I was thinking about MU to SYD via PVG, but I'm guessing by this time I'd be pretty exhausted and I'd just want to get home. Total spend on VS is around $651AU.

So there are my ambitious plans - too much? Going on current prices, looks like I'll be spending around $2400 on flights.

 

[casanovawa]

Sounds half decent, last year i flew from Dublin to Edinburgh on Ryan Air, so for me personally i would choose Dublin over Belfast but everyone is different... But Edinburgh was good, surprised me somewhat as better than I thought it might be...

My only general tip for airfares in Europe, specially for LCC is to book as early as possible... It locks you in and reduces yoru flexibility as opposed to a rail pass but the prices escalate quickly the closer you get to the date... Because your going a bit later in the year and not peak summer season hopefully all the flights should be a little cheaper and the accommodation as well... Just also make sure you know what you need to get for visiting or staying in Moscow, check the embassy about the visa etc...

And don't worry about being too ambitious, so much to see over there and so little time, even if you get a taste of a few places it can give you an idea of where you might want to go back too and see more of...

Travelled around Europe a few times so if there is anything specific you want to ask let me know... But good luck with it and nothing to be ashamed of, we all had to start sometime...

 

[GT351]

Just have a ball!

 

[sergeyvzn]

a word of caution - 767 on SU won't have an individual screen IFE, just a main screen - make sure you have a good book. Normally, they run an A330 service to Hong Kong, not sure why they change the metal in November, A330 is brand new and has a good IFE on individual screen

 

[Misha]

Hey Aaron,

Congratulations - no doubt this is the beginning of a life-long love affair with international travel

The trick with travelling Europe is do whatever! Once you have been there for the first time - you will keep going back and back. I have been so many times, and once I was there for a couple of months and returned 4 years later

My only recommendation would be avoid Moscow on this trip (other than transit). Apart from the fact that arranging a visa for former CIS nations (you need an invitation from a local - though travel agents can arrange) - I think you will find it is not the best destination on a tight budget.

I love Russia and travel there a lot, but the last few years Moscow has topped international cities in regards to being the most expensive place to live/visit. For a standard (and I use the term loosely) hotel you will be paying far more than any other destination you mentioned. Lower quality hotels in Russia really are a culture shock too. I wouldn't want your 1st international experience to include a 2 star Moscow motel... *shudder* If you can afford the top end - by all means go ahead, otherwise maybe do real Eastern Europe (Rus, Belarus, Ukraine, etc) after seing the west/centre first??

You are young, and out for fun. Head to the Med: Spain/Greece. If you want naughty fun turn left at the lion statue, if you want culture and art - then turn right - it is all there within easy reach

Enjoy every minute of it. Great time to go with our $ doing so well

 

[AaronBradford]

Thanks for the advice guys!

One more thing:
I'm pretty much ready to book as soon as I get the money in my account, which should be any day now. I've decided to skip Moscow and spend more time in central Europe. Once I finish up in Prague, I think a short stay in Warsaw and then back to Paris is ideal, and from there I go home directly.

I've had my eye on flying V Australia and Etihad, which is just over $2000 to fly Sydney to London and then back to Sydney from Paris. I thought I might as well see what the Qantas offering was, and I see I can get sale fares for around $1880, flying Qantas and British Airways, or Qantas and Air France. I'm just wondering that as I usually fly Virgin domestically, with the odd QF trip thrown in, it might be worth it to spend the extra $150 or so and try out the V Australia brand for the first and last time and earn Velocity points rather than QF. Is it also true that the earn rate is higher if I were to book the trip through Etihad rather than V Australia?

Thanks again,
Aaron

 

[TimB]

One more thing:
I'm pretty much ready to book as soon as I get the money in my account, which should be any day now. I've decided to skip Moscow and spend more time in central Europe. Once I finish up in Prague, I think a short stay in Warsaw and then back to Paris is ideal, and from there I go home directly.

I haven't been to Warsaw, so can't say what you'd miss there, but can I suggest visiting Krakow instead? It's a fascinating city with an amazing history. Also, if you're interested, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is nearby, and Oskar Schindler's factory is still there in town.

 

[Maca44]

I'm just wondering that as I usually fly Virgin domestically, with the odd QF trip thrown in, it might be worth it to spend the extra $150 or so and try out the V Australia brand for the first and last time and earn Velocity points rather than QF. Is it also true that the earn rate is higher if I were to book the trip through Etihad rather than V Australia?

Aaron, you might be surprised flying V Australia. With being a Life QP I usually fly QF to USA for the minimal benefits they now offer, but last year flew VA in PE and was quite impressed.