Novice Flyers to Switzerland--Help!

Generally speaking, you can buy airline tickets up to about 10 months in advance. You're already inside that window, so you could buy your tickets any time. But you shouldn't necessarily be in a hurry. I know there are some theories about how far in advance to get the best fare, but I usually just watch fares and when I see what looks like a good deal relative to what I've been seeing, I pounce.

I would suggest getting familiar with a few of the online services that will send fare alerts, or you can just manually track fares over time. Some sites to look at are Kayak, Hipmunk, and Google Flights.

But you might want to purchase your actual tickets directly from the airline. This will provide you the best support in case something goes wrong (such as delays or changes).

I suspect you might end up paying upwards of $1000 for a round trip non-refundable coach ticket, maybe a little less.

cmj have you ever booked airline tickets to anywhere, online? If so, it works the same way for travel to Europe. Just don't expect the websites to know what's reasonable for you, or pick workable connections at convenient airports. Thats why Lanes advice is good - use services like Kayak to see who flies where, then go to the specific airlines' site and works through them. There is no way to outguess the airlines to guarantee getting the lowest price, to predict special sales, or any magic time window when prices are absolutely lowest. $1000 sounds low to me, but if you look close, its probably with multiple connections.

PS I hope you're considering their advice to plan on arrival at least a day early.

Using https://matrix.itasoftware.com/, I'm seeing flights on United for $925 neighborhood. At that price, I'd bite. Look to fly over a day early so you will have recovered from jet-lag when the tour starts.

Don't know your exact dates, but I have been tracking fares to Europe from Denver for next summer. Air Canada has fares now in the $930 range with connection in Montreal as does Delta in Atlanta to Zurich. The connections seem reasonable. This is from a Kayak search. We just took Air Canada to Paris for thanksgiving and it was a good experience.

Definitely pay attention to the flight times and especially connection times if you do not fly direct. There is no set rule but leaving 2 (or more) hours between your arrival back to the first US airport and a connecting flight to Denver will give you time for going through customs.

I brought Airline tickets through American Airlines from Chicago to Zurich return for $800.00 for July 2017 back in October. Return tickets under $1000 to Switzerland from Denver is a pretty good price. My tickets are now selling at $1598 which is more like the prices I typically pay to get to Europe in the Summer. I always buy tickets directly from the airline websites but use third party sites such as Expedia to check which airlines actually flight that route and then figure out the best deals by going to each carriers websites. It is not difficult to book airline tickets. It Is really no different than booking a US flight. Just make sure you check your dates as many flights that fly into Europe are overnight so you arrive the next day. On the return journey to the US, you usually arrive back the same day you leave Europe. Just give yourself plenty of time to meet up with the tour. Arriving a day or two before may be better. make sure you give yourself decent connections especially on the return to the US. I usually like at least three hours in between my connections on returning to the US. Customs, TSA all take time and you don't want to add additional stress with a tight connection.

There have been several rounds of shocking fare sales this fall. If it weren't for that (and the possibility that there may be more sales if demand remains soft), I'd be declaring that $925 fare a very, very good deal. As it is, who knows?

You certainly should plan to arrive in Europe at least one day ahead of time (i.e., fly out of Denver no later than August 5 if your tour starts on August 7). If you're not constrained by limited vacation time, I urge you to add as many days as you can before and/or after the tour. You may as well get as much bang for your flight dollar as you can, and there are unending wonderful things to see in Switzerland. You could also--at less expense than extending your time in Switzerland--see a bit of Germany, Austria, France or Italy.

If you can add a good bit of time at the beginning of the trip, you will have some flexibility on the airport you fly into. Munich, Milan, Paris, etc., would be options on an open-jaw (multi-city) itinerary if that was financially advantageous and worked with your pre- and post-tour plans. For your particular tour, choosing to arrive somewhere besides Zurich may not save money, because that city often pops up with lowish airfares. But you never know; more options means more likelihood of being able to take advantage of a fare sale.

Be aware that airlines vary in their baggage allowances (for both checked and carry-on bags), and some are now requiring payment (usually at least $20 for a trans-Atlantic leg) if you want to reserve a seat more than 24 hours before departure. (You do want to do that, to avoid getting stuck with a dreaded middle seat.) There are lots of code-share flights out there; what matters is which airline is actually flying the plane. Google "seat selection fee xxxxx airline" to see whether airlines you are considering may hit you with that extra charge.

Mike,

While you can book tickets online, I prefer to deal with a Travel Agent for flights to Europe. If there's a good one in your area that you're comfortable with, have a chat with them.

As you're in Denver, you may also find it helpful to sit down with the friendly group at the next Rick Steves Travel Group meeting in your area. Here's a post with information on that.....

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/travel-meetings/denver-travel-group-meeting-nov-19

Hi Mike, I always book directly online through the Delta website. If we've experienced a delay, they're easy to deal with directly. You will like the efficient Zurich airport which has a train station down the escalators. We landed there in the morning and immediately took the trains to arrive in Wengen by mid afternoon - gorgeous country!!

I have not priced through Denver, but I have used multiple airports in the middle of the country. $1000 is the right ballpark. You may see lower - there are crazy deals lately - but $1200+ is also not unheard of. You can buy now or wait a while - watch fares for awhile and buy when it seems good, then don't look back! It varies so much - buying tomorrow may be $200 more or less than today. No rhyme or reason, really. Watch and get a feel then buy without worrying.

Buy through the airline's own website. You should search on Kayak (which will usually link to the airline to buy anyway) or other sites to see options and prices, but always buy direct because then it is easier to resolve issues, select seats, and get help.

Leave time for connections - if you connect in Europe (I.e you fly Denver to Paris to Geneva) you may need to go through passport control lines in your first European stop which takes time. And if you connect anywhere you may (or may not) have to change terminals and go through security lines again. Not a big deal, easy and well marked, but does take time. 2 hours is good in general. You can ask here about specific airports - some are much faster than others.

Do you have your passport yet? When buying tickets, they will ask for passport number. You don't need to enter it yet - but be aware you will be asked.

Sometimes credit cards deny international transactions - call the card before trying to buy so your card isnt declined.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! So many things that we hadn't thought about, especially going through customs coming home! I am blown away by all your help!
Mike

I don't think anyone has mentioned that a lot of us prefer that our transfer point for the trip to Europe be in Europe rather than the US, if we can't book a non-stop flight. That's because if your first flight is late and you miss the connection at the European airport, there will probably be more flights going to your destination that day. But if you fly, for example, Denver-New York-Zurich and the flight to NY is significantly late, it's possible that you will have missed all the day's flights to Zurich and will miss out on an entire day of your vacation.

Being retired, I don't worry about where I'm changing flights on the way back to the US, but folks due back at work the next day might prefer a transfer point on the US side of the Atlantic when they're returning home.

If you want to connect in Europe, it limits your choices to Lufthansa connecting through Frankfurt or Munich which I see at about $950 or British Airways through London. I believe those are the only available direct from Denver to Europe flights.

For the right price I'd connect in the US outbound as long as other factors were OK. But to me it's worth some extra money ($25 being well within my comfort zone) to improve my odds of arriving in the right city on the planned day. But you're correct: Some departure points offer more options than others.

A few other points to mention.....

Depending on your budget, I'd suggest having a look at Premium Economy seats, or whatever term is used by the airlines in your area. While the flights will cost more, I find them considerably more comfortable than "sardine class", and a much more pleasant experience since you'll be stuck in the "aluminum tube" for about 10 hours. Try to minimize the number of layovers. If there's a direct flight from Denver to Zürich, that would be perfect.

To add to the post regarding premium economy, if can't book a true PE cabin ticket, many airlines offer seats with additional leg room for a price. United calls it economy plus.

Go and buy Rick Steves Switzerland guide!

"Go and buy Rick Steves Switzerland guide!"

I would also recommend packing along a copy of the RS Switzerland guidebook. As the OP is taking a RS tour, they will be provided with a store credit for buying things like guidebooks. I can't remember the exact amount but it might be a $100 credit?