International flights - where to get the best deals?

[WeinerDogSunglasses]

So I've been trying to sort through the millions of websites that supposedly have deals and promotions going on...some are destination-specific, etc.

I'm looking to go to Norway in the next few weeks and I'm wondering if you all have any tips about where to look for deals, etc.

 

[evil wasabi]

Easy Jet and Ryan Air. Once you're in Europe, try to find deals through those two. They're very cheap.

 

[aria]

Easy Jet and Ryan Air. Once you're in Europe, try to find deals through those two. They're very cheap.

Those are good bargain airlines, but as I suspected, neither fly to Oslo.

You may need to piece a few different airlines together to pull it off --often times travel agents can help with that and make up their fee. The only caveat might mean an extra layover, but I don't think you're the sort to care too much.

I know if I were flying there I'd probably either do the KLM via Schiphol or Iceland Air via Reykjavík (there's a Minneapolis-Reykjavík flight and I knew a guy from Norway who'd use that route to visit home so I assume it was reasonable).


Where are you starting from?

 

[evil wasabi]

I think one place to look might be trip advisor dot com. Give that a shot.

 

[aria]

If you're piecing together an airline combo, often the best idea is to find the cheapest flight from the US to a European hub airport (e.g. one of the London or Paris airports, Schiphol, etc) and then find the discount airline that happens to serve between that and Oslo.

[EDIT: I agree with wasabi, TripAdvisor is pretty good for advice]

 

[racecar]

use priceline or Expedia to check for cheap flight

 

[aria]

use priceline or Expedia to check for cheap flight

Expedia, Travelocity, etc are terrible for bargain airlines in other continents as most aren't included. Several of those sites are co-owned by the airlines who's flights they recommend --which are primarily US-based airlines (so they're okay for domestic, NA flights).

At best, you might use them to find a cheap flight to a particular European gateway, but beyond that they're not useful.

 

[WeinerDogSunglasses]

Thanks for your responses.

I was looking to the European hub route to see if flights were any cheaper, and they did turn out to be by a few hundred dollars.

I am located in Phoenix, AZ, but I have looked to LAX as well in case flights would be cheaper out of there (taking the European hub idea and applying it to the US).

I did check out RyanAir and they do fly to Oslo, it just depends on where your departure location is. For this reason, I am open to flying into London, for example, and then taking a cheap flight on RyanAir to Oslo.

Appreciate the help guys, I am of course actively looking in the meantime. I'll be checking out the sites that were posted

 

[aria]

I did check out RyanAir and they do fly to Oslo, it just depends on where your departure location is. For this reason, I am open to flying into London, for example, and then taking a cheap flight on RyanAir to Oslo.

Oh man, I didn't realize there was a secondary airport in Oslo. Okay, my bad --I only looked at the main airport. That explains why Cityhopper wasn't there either.

RyanAir is a lot like Southwest: if they can find a cheaper way, i.e. by using a minor airport, they will.


Potential issue:
Finding the right flight into Stansted. I don't see many US flights to Stansted. Like Gatwick and Luton it's really out there so it will be hard to fly into another London airport and conveniently transfer.

Heh, I just found out Minneapolis' local bargain airline, Sun Country Airlines, is now flying seasonally to Stansted starting June 11. I know they fly to Phoenix.

 

[aria]

Okay, this stuff is fun so I thought I'd throw this out there:

Sun Country from PHX to MSP to STN
RyanAir from STN to TRF

 

[evil wasabi]

Okay, this stuff is fun so I thought I'd throw this out there:

Sun Country from PHX to MSP to STN
RyanAir from STN to TRF

I sense a new calling for you.

 

[aria]

I sense a new calling for you.

If it paid better and didn't involve dealing with irate travelers, it would probably be great.

Actually, I'd be a tour guide. I think it's a fun job -- I did it for my college and now whenever I go on trips with people. That's why I always tell people they're welcome to contact me if they're coming to the Twin Cities --I've had two members take me up on it and I took them around town.