I need to purchase two tickets, one-way from Athens to Zurich in next summer. The options seem to be Agean Air or Swiss Air. We will each have one checked piece of luggage as we are traveling from a hot climate to the mountains. I am struggling to figure out the best option on cost of tickets (middle priced ticket with one suitcase included, or pay ahead for the extra cost with the cheapest ticket). Or find a travel agent! Thankfully, the rest of this trip has been easy to plan.
Posted by
Portland
3601 posts
Have you checked on skyscanner.com or kayak.com?
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8158 posts
I do my searching on: https://matrix.itasoftware.com/
You cannot buy tickets on this website, but it is great for planning. You sign on "one way". They also have a calendar option that shows day by day the airfares on a chosen itinerary. I usually buy the tickets through the airline directly with info obtained above.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Do you have a good reason to choose Zürich?
Both EasyJet and Swiss fly Athens to Geneva. EasyJet is cheap if booked far enough ahead, and any route that EasyJet flies pushes the prices down for other airlines. The only catch with EasyJet is that you have to book and pay for your hold luggage when you book the flight, and you have to do an on-line check-in and take the "boarding card" printout with you to the airport.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Patricia,
If you're able to fly to Geneva, the option suggested by Chris in the previous reply would be a good one to consider. easyJet is my preferred budget airline in Europe and would certainly recommend them if that works for you. I've also flown with Aegean a number of times and always found their service to be great (although it's been a few years since the last flight).
Even if paying the extra charge for a checked bag, easyJet will probably be the most cost effective. Be sure to read their Terms & Conditions carefully so there are no surprises. I've been purchasing a few options lately such as Speedy Boarding and advance seat selection, and that makes the "budget experience" so much more pleasant.
Which one to choose will depend on price and how well the flights fit with your schedule. It's not necessary to find a Travel Agent for this, as it's all rather easy.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
On the actual airline websites, you should be able to do a dummy booking, meaning you do everything up to the point where you put in your credit card. That is the only way to figure out what the total price will be, including your particular luggage, on each airline. I know Easyjet's site makes this very transparent; each screen explains a step and your options including prices, and as you add items (early boarding, checked luggage) it totes up the price you'll pay.