I am interested in spending 4-5 days in Paris late Sept. and early Oct. then going to Prague for the same amount of time. We had been looking at European Destinations as a possibility to purchase an air and hotel package. The air transfer between Paris and Prague would be included in the package. The prices were looking fairly good until I found out today that US Airways has a fantastic fare sale going on now. I can fly from Albany, NY, which traditionally has terrible fares, to Paris and back in the above mentioned time frame for $550. It doesn't get me to Prague. So I checked airfares on Lufthansa and Air France to go back and forth to Prague and the fares seem to be about $280. Not sure about trains, I have been checking, but fares seem to be about the same and more. So, I am asking if anyone has any suggestions as to how to handle this and still be cost effective. Thanks.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you book far enough in advance, you should be able to get a cheap fare on a budget airline for Paris-Prague and return. You can fly Orly-Prague on Sky Europe or CDG-Prague on Smart Wings.
Posted by
Freedonia
16007 posts
Tim's right. Sky Europe right now is showing roundtrip ORY-PRG for 98 Euro in late Sept.
The train would take 12 hours with at least 2 changes.
Posted by
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
290 posts
European Destinations is good if you go with their set plans and don't want to bother doing some research yourself for a better price. Personally, they are too rigid for me. I would book the the flight from NY to CDG & returning PRT to NY and then book the Paris to Prague separately. That's what I did in 2006 and saved $100 a person. There are plenty of budget airlines like SmartWings and SkyEurope that will save you money going this route. Go to Rick Steve's favorite links and click on Skyscanner to find your best deal. Don't do a train as it will take way to long. You could also book a decent hotel on your own easy enough for both Paris and Prague. Try looking at Trip Advisor. For budget sleeps(no breakfast) in Paris St Germain/Latin Qtr like Hotel Diana - 95 € Double http://www.hotel-diana-paris.com/English.phtml or in Marias like Hotel Le Sevigne - Marias 82 € Double http://www.le-sevigne.com/ang_accueil.htm are what I go with. For good sleeps in Prague not too far from city center if I'm not with my inlaws I recommend Guest House Lida http://www.lidabb.eu/en/0.html .
If you are willing to do some work by researching and booking everything yourself, you can save big bucks.