I need to fly from Rome to Athens on July 19. Are flights usually easily available while in Italy, and prices reasonable? Or would it be best to get it before leaving for Italy the end of June.
I don't think it will cost any less to buy it in Italy. Check the websites for Aegean (my preference) Olympic, Alitalia or Easyjet - fares are pretty much the same across the board. Suprisingly the Olympic flights, which are mostly operated by Aegean, cost more than the Aegean ones - go figure! Flights work out to around US$125 - US$150 including taxes. Fares on the websites are quoted in Euros as you are travelling from a European country. By buying it before you leave you won't have to worry about whether or not you can get a flight on the day you want. And like most airlines, the closer to the flying date the high the fares seem to go.
Also, go to Whichbudget.com to see which lo-cost inter EU airlines ply that route. Read their fine print: luggage size and weight is strictly enforced. When they say one carry-on, your purse is counted. Buy now! the prices go up the longer you wait.
I agree with the other two posts. In 2005, I needed to fly from Vienna to Berlin; when I started looking, the flight on Air Berlin was 40 euros, but I wasn't ready to buy then. When I was ready, a few weeks later, it was 100 euros; a week after I bought it, it was 110 euros, and I stopped looking (I have not idea how high it actually went). Just like in the US, some routes don't sell out, but others do. And, the prices on intra-European routes usually go in one direction only - up. Once upon a time, there were stories about budget airlines having last minute sales, but I haven't seen these for years; now, they just charge more for a last minute ticket. Since you know your travel date, and tickets are all bought online these days regardless of country, there's no advantage to waiting. European airlines use e-tickets just like US ones, so just buy your ticket now (reading ALL the fine print, luggage limits, and extra charges, as said), and bring the printout to the airport. Also be aware that some airlines (Ryanair is notorious for this) charge extra if you don't check in online before you get to the airport. If you can't get a cheap enough one-way flight, you can book a round trip and just not use the second portion. At least, I had a friend who did this with no problems, and others have posted here and elsewhere that it's fine. Sites to look at for intra-European flights: http://www.whichbudget.com/ http://www.skyscanner.com/ http://www.opodo.co.uk/ Once you find the flight you want, you should check directly with the airline's website.
penny, I would highly recommend booking that flight SOON, as it's a popular route! The last flight I took from Rome to Athens via EasyJet was FULL. Also, many budget airlines use a "sliding scale", with the seat prices increasing as the flight fills up. The longer you wait, the more it will cost. If you've never flown with budget airlines in Europe before, it's a good idea to read the "Terms & Conditions" carefully, especially relating to baggage limits. If you think your bags will be over the allowable limit, pay the overweight charges at the time of booking, as the costs will be higher at the gate. Also note that many European budget airlines only allow ONE carry-on item, of the approved size. Happy travels!