We are planning a trip flying from Palm Springs to Budapest on Dec. 18th (firm date) and then from Munich to Seattle on the 30th (flexible date). We've been holding off on purchasing airline tickets to see if prices will go down at all for winter. So far, they've been fluctuating between $1200-1500 each. So I ask savvy travelers... should we just buy tickets now or does airfare to Europe tend to go down the closer to the winter travel date? Would love some insight!
Thanks so much :)
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ, USA
1035 posts
I think they will only go up from this point forward for your dates. Of course, this is a guess, nobody can say for certain. $1200 seems reasonable, I'd buy. If you weren't flying during Christmas, my answer would be different.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Because you're traveling over the Christmas break, prices are only going to get more expensive. And because the Fed is about to go on an inflation binge, it's a pretty good bet the dollar is about to tank against the euro. I'm rarely confident about making these kind of predictions, but I would say "Buy now"!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
115 posts
They will continue to go up. Aerlingus remains the best option from the US to Madrid or Dublin. Might be cheaper to book on them and then hop on another connecting flight to BUD.
Posted by
Dallas
1022 posts
Airfares are higher during the holiday time due to demand. I wouldn't count on any reduction.
Posted by
OP
Edmonds, WA
3 posts
Thanks everyone. Checked prices today and they are indeed up! Ugh. Perhaps I'll look into flying out of Budapest instead. We'll see what I can figure out. I appreciate the responses!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
689 posts
Those prices actually sound quite good to me given that you're flying during xmas, and flying in and out of less-than-major airports (at least on your inbound trip).
Posted by
OP
Edmonds, WA
3 posts
I bought tickets! Ended up paying $1500 but the flights were stellar and through British Air. So overall I'm pretty happy about it! Thanks again for all the advice :) I live 2 blocks from Rick Steve's place but never thought about this board until yesterday. It's great!!