We are traveling to Europe for the first time on the GAS trip this September and I'm trying to figure out our flights. We will fly into Frankfurt and then take a train to Trier, but our departure at the end of the tour is in Vienna. Since it's cheaper to book a roundtrip flight than one-way flights, I need to know how we should travel from Vienna back to Frankfurt to catch a flight back to the U.S. Is it suggested we find our way back to Frankfurt the night before or is this doable all in one day? Questions from a couple who are not "world travelers" but looking forward to this adventure. Thanks!
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5519 posts
Buy an open jaw ticket. Into Frankfurt and back home from Vienna. No need to go back to Frankfurt. Open jaw, or multi-city, searches are available on all travel search engines, like kayak.com.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Vienna to Frankfurt is not a particularly cheap train ticket - many departures on sale now for 80-100 euros per person, or up to 150 as those advance discounts sell out. It takes 6.5 hours by high-speed train, so you would want to sleep in Frankfurt before your flight.
The multi-city flight plan does not normally cost much more.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17572 posts
Ditto what Emily said. You do not book two one-ways, you book "open jaw" ( multi-city on the booking forms) into Frankfurt and home from Vienna. It will then be priced as a roundtrip.
Travel back to Frankfurt by train and an overnight there would add considerable time and expense, wiping out any savings that might be achieved by booking roundtrip to there.
Also note that there are airlines, including some low-cost carriers, that price their booking one way at a time, so there is not advantage to booking roundtrip or even multi-city. You just book the two one ways that suit you. And since these are one-ways, you do not have to use the same airline for inbound and outbound flights.
Take a look at Condor, Iceland Air, and Norwegian Air. If one of these serves your home airport it could save you some money. But make sure you understand what is, and what is not, includednin the booking. Some charge extra for meals, checked luggage, etc. and have strict weight limits on carryon bags.
Posted by
OP
Harrisburg, PA
6 posts
Everyone has been so helpful. Thank you for your comments.