Hi. My husband and I need to fly from Barcelona to Istanbul in mid October and return the first week of November. Should I book the flight before my trip or can I be more spontaneous and book the flight a few days in advance in Barcelona. We have never been to either places and we aren't sure how long to spend in Barcelona before we travel to Turkey. Becky
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32320 posts
becky,
Generally speaking, it's a really good idea to book flights on budget airlines as early as possible to get the best price. They often use a "sliding scale", with the price increasing as the flight fills. Those who book shortly before the flight will pay the highest prices.
It's important to note that the cheapest tickets are often non-refundable and non-changeable once booked. Be sure to read the Terms & Conditions carefully, especially with regard to luggage rules. Check www.skyscanner.com or www.whichbudget.com for flights operating on that route.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Not expecting November to be especially busy, but in the interest of budget, I would try to plan the flights and the Barcelona and Istanbul hotels in advance. As Ken said, the cheap airfares you see now can sell out. If the whole trip three weeks? Do you go through Barcelona both ways? You won't exhaust these destinations if you stay 3-4 nights (2-3 full days) in Barcelona at the beginning and another day at the end. Flights within Turkey can also be affordable, such as between Istanbul-Cappadocia-Izmir.