I'm going on this Trip July, but the only reasonable priced flights from US/Raleigh to Frankfurt get in the same day the tour starts. Our flight gets in 6am, and the tour start 3pm. If we get in a day before the flight price is $450 more each.
My question is if getting in same day doable? I worry about jet lag and flight delays.
Thoughts?
In which country/city does your tour start at 3pm? What is the price difference if you fly in 2 days before the tour starts? Still $450 higher?
Tour starts in cologne germany. So we take 1 hr train Frankfurt to Cologne. I looked even 3 days before and prices are high. The day the tour start is the day the prices drop. I looked into flights Raleigh to Cologne all higher and multiple stops versus direct.
An extra $900 in airfare is a hard pill to swallow. But, if you can swing it, I'd say go for it so you can get over jet lag and be able to experience the entire tour. If not, then go with the flight that arrives the day of the tour and hope for the best. If it is delayed, you might miss seening some of Cologne and one castle. Hopefully you'll be able to get there before the tour leaves for the next location. Another possibility is seeing if there are any flights to Cologne itself. Even if you have to make some connections, it might save some money and get you there earlier.
I would never come in the same day, as I've had an international flight canceled and arrived 24 hrs later. I guess it comes down to cost vs risk. Are you feeling lucky? Also, are you sure you won't be nodding off during the 3pm orientation meeting and following activities? I physically couldn't do that on the same day. What's the price coming in two days early, just curious?
Check flights into Amsterdam, it is only 2 hrs and 45 minutes from Cologne by car, probably quicker by train.
For $900 and no possibility of a less expensive, previous day(s) flight I might risk it. I would be concerned about your Raleigh to FRA flight being delayed but you can have a plan B and C ready to implement.
I would be aware that jet lag could affect your first day or two but our experience has been this. When the 2 of us fly to Europe we almost always have some mild jet lag flying over. When we’ve met up with friends or family members on day one we just roll with it, jump right in and rarely have jet lag. Maybe you’ll be one of those types who will be energized by your enthusiastic group who will be gathered in Köln. It a hard call and I could see myself weighing the risks too. Good luck with your decision.
What's your experience with jet lag? On our tours, some people arriving the same day of the tour were falling asleep at the dinner table. But being awake for the meet-up is not totally necessary. Just let your RS tour leader know (through RSE) if you're going to be late.
Airfare is a moving target, so you never know how and when it might change. But for $900, I too would risk it.
Have you tried adding a leg to your flight, flying into Düsseldorf instead of Frankfurt?
It sounds weird, but sometimes the flight with the extra leg will be cheaper than the same flight, without the extra leg...
Find out how/where to meet the tour if you don’t make it on time. I would think that would be considerably less than $900. It’s not like a cruise where the missed ship is somewhere in the middle of the ocean.
I have not had good luck flying to Europe, almost all of the flights late, but only one has been a day late.
I vote with the try and go earlier. Have you looked 2 days before or does the airline just fly on specific days? I like the alternative to fly to Amsterdam and take the train but I'd want to do that 2 days before!
The RS tour is in Cologne 2 nights for the person asking if you could catch up.
Have you check flying out of Charlotte to Frankfort or Munich? American has daily flights to both cities. Would be a bit of a drive. Living in Western NC we usually have to drive to Charlotte or Atlanta for our European vacations. Just a thought.
