I'm finding flights to Spain to be way more expensive than I anticipated...$1600 and up! Want to leave Seattle June 17th and return July 2nd. Are these normal prices for that time of year?! Unfortunately my dates are not too flexible due to my travel companions work schedule/vacation allotment. Would it be better/cheaper to fly to an adjacent country and take a train to Spain? Help! Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I haven't tried to book but my alerts have been sending me $636 from DC to Madrid. Seattle will be more but that's a lot. Are you checking Kayak.com? Tripadvisor.com? Check on Tues. and Weds. afternoon rather than a weekend, you're supposed to get the best deals then. It is harder to get a good deal when you don't have flexibility.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23361 posts
$1600 seems high but you are flying peak time AND you are using weekend days which are always the highest. Obviously Wed to Wed would be a better option than Sat to Sun. You can try pricing alternate airport but the time and cost of getting to Spain may not be that much less. Exactly where are you going?
Posted by
San Diego, CA
638 posts
Not to sound crass, but welcome to the summer of 2011. Fares have been going up consistly, going in peak season and the rising fuel costs are the factors involved in finding these fares so high.
Posted by
OP
Renton, Washington, USA
4 posts
Thank you Brad & Frank... I am going to be talking to my friend about flexing the dates if we can. It would be awesome to fly during the week where better prices may be found...
Posted by
Seattle, WA
689 posts
I think you waited too long. That's peak season and the lower priced seats no doubt sold out a while ago. Plus airlines are now adding fuel surcharges, which they weren't doing just a couple weeks ago. Be very flexible for your cities and dates, and use kayak.com to see what comes up.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
You could also keep an eye out for better deals to other cities, as you suggested. The first time I went to Spain, I had a great roundtrip deal to London, then I took a cheapie flight to Spain (and back) from there. Look for specials to other cities that you could pair with cheap flights.
Posted by
Spokane, WA
471 posts
One other thing you might try - last summer, I found open jaw into Barcelona, return from Madrid, cheaper than flying RT to either city. I flew Air Canada with a stop in Toronto.
Posted by
West Coast
138 posts
Kayak.com is showing round trip fares from Seattle to Madrid for $1355 on your dates on several airlines, which is high but unfortunately what prices are like this summer. Otherwise I agree with the idea of finding a round trip ticket from Seattle to London, say, and then a low-cost European airline to Spain. I doubt you'll do much better than the above, though. Good luck! **Oops -- sorry, that was for 6/17 to 7/8. Just checked your dates and there are fares for $1368 and up.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2400 posts
Try Iceland air - they have good deals from Seattle to Amsterdam - plenty of flights to Barcelona and Madrid from Amsterdam (on European airlines). Part of the issue is flying on weekends as mentioned - if you could adjust dates slightly, a round trip ticket from Seattle to Amsterdam (6/16 - 6/30) is $928.
Posted by
seattle
14 posts
Def try Iceland Air. You can fly into Iceland, then Barcelona or Madrid I believe for cheap. But yes, weekends in June to Europe from Seattle are expensive especially buying in March. You could also try flying to Paris/Amsterdam/Frankfurt (try Condor)/London and then EasyJet or Ryan Air, or train to Spain. If you can, def try midweek or other days... This is what I got: Iceland Air Seattle-Barcelona June 16-July 2 $2,778
June 24-July 9 $1215