Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[tete]

Originally Posted by Suave

The Air Canada red eye is $189 right now, round-trip just over $500.

Thanks - Westjet lowered theirs as well, so I booked it now instead of waiting any longer.

[no_joke]

Chris, I saw on that "other message board" that you went to Argentina last year? How long were you there? How reliable were the flights down there? How much time did you spend at Iguazu/Iguassu/Iguacu? If other peeps are looking, flights start at $1120 round trip all in plus airport entry fee in the fall.

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by no_joke

Chris, I saw on that "other message board" that you went to Argentina last year? How long were you there? How reliable were the flights down there? How much time did you spend at Iguazu/Iguassu/Iguacu? If other peeps are looking, flights start at $1120 round trip all in plus airport entry fee in the fall.

Hey No_Joke,

Yes indeed, Argentina is amazing! So many natural wonders, a huge temperature range from tropical Jungle in the north, to freezing cold in the south, wildlife, cheap food and accommodations, and great people. And Buenos Aires is basically a European version of New York at 1/3 the price.

We were there for about 14 days. We crammed in a lot, but had to fit in a lot of flights to do so, it's a huge country, and there's just no way we could have seen as much as we did in that time span by driving or taking the bus.

When it comes to flights within Argentina, you basically have two options, LAN and Aerolineas Argentinas. Both are fine, but Aerolineas has a reputation of having delayed flights, or suddenly switching airports on you (it happened to us once, they sent us to EZE instead of AEP, Buenos Aires other airport). That being said Aerolineas is generally cheaper, and we had no other problems with them.

I keep a log (ok it's a journal) of our trips, so here's the brief summary with dates. It took quite a bit of planning and luck for it all to work out, but here's what we fit in, in about 2 weeks:

April 3rd - departed Calgary

April 4th - landed at EZE. Took the shuttle to Jorge Newberry (AEP). Caught our flight to Trelew (REL). It's about half way down the length of Argentina.

April 5th - checked out Punta Tombo

http://www.patagonia-argentina.com/i...dryn/tombo.php

500,000 penguins - awesome.




Incidentally, this picture was taken on the same day of the start of the 2009 Penguins Stanley Cup run, which they would go on to win. Coincidence? I think not.

Drove to Camarones.
http://www.welcomeargentina.com/camarones/index_i.html

April 6th - Headed to Cabos Dos Bahias for more Penguins.

http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...s/index_i.html

Not as many tourists go here, and we enjoyed it even more. The boardwalk goes right through the penguin colony.

When it comes to the penguins though, they all leave by about Easter time, and then come back later.

Headed back towards Trelew, and stopped in Puerto Rawson to go on a boat tour and check out the black & white dolphins.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commerson%27s_Dolphin

Apparently there's only 2 places in the world they exist.

April 7

- Took an Aerolineas flight to El Calafate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Calafate

- Booked the Big Ice Tour for the next day

April 8

- Went on the Big Ice Trek to walk along the Perito Moreno glacier, definitely amazing.

http://el-calafate-argentina.blogspo...-calafate.html



April 9

Took the bus to El Chalten

http://www.welcomeargentina.com/elchalten/index_i.html

April 10

Hiked to Laguna Torre

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Sou...hoto217214.htm



April 11

- Hiked most of the way to Pliegue del Tombado. Made it about 2/3 of the way, but turned back because the weather was getting bad.

April 12

Made it to the top of Pliegue del Tombado. The panoramic view was amazing from up there.

April 13

One last hike of the area, on the Lago de los Tres trail, to Laguna Capri. Great views of Fitz Roy, etc.

In a nutshell, if you like hiking, El Chalten is a must.

- caught the bus back to El Calafate. Took a flight from El Calafate to Iguazu (IGR) airport.

April 14

- All of a sudden we've gone from wind and cold, to humid and tropical.

- Visited Las Tres Fronteneras, where Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil all meet at one river.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_Frontier

April 15

- Caught the bus to Iguazu Falls (Argentina side). This place should definitely be on everyone's places to see before you die lists.




^ It's basically an entire park of this, and the El Diablo (Devil's Throat) is unbelievable.

April 16

- decided to attempt seeing the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. We went across without the proper visa, by taking a cab. This isn't exactly legal, so beware.

- There's a lot of debate over which side is 'better'. We both liked the Argentina side better, as you could spend a whole day walking around, but it's still pretty incredible on the Brazilian side.

- On the way out of the park we stopped at Park des Aves. Basically a bird zoo.

http://www.parquedasaves.com.br/v2/index.htm

Toucans, parrots, other rare birds etc. I love toucans.

April 17

Woke up, caught our flight back to Buenos Aires.

Explored the city, race track, Palermo district, etc.

April 18

Plaza de Mayo, explored the city some more, eating, shopping, etc. Finished the night at a milongue (where locals go to tango).

April 19

Walked around La Boca. Had a chance to see perhaps one of the greatest soccer matches possible in the south american calendar, and that's Boca vs River (the two biggest rivals in Buenos Aires) in the El Super Clasico at Bombonera stadium. But unfortunately with the timing of our flight it was just cutting it way too close.


Anyways, hope this helps, just let me know if you have any other questions and I can try to help. I'll PM you the full details of our trip with restaurants, accomodations, etc. They're usually pretty well researched.

cM

[Gundo]

Any insight into a flight to either Munich or Frankfurt from October 14 till Oct. 30? Or directly to Budapest on those same dates? My wife and I are looking at renting a car and driving from Germany to Hungary or if its more affordable flying from Calgary directly to Budapest and then renting a car while we are there.

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

This one's a loooong ways in the future so I have a lot of lead time to wait for an awesome deal.

Calgary to Denver from Feb 12th(ish) to Feb 15
Any recommendations about when's a good time to book a great deal/which airlines will have the best price?

Hi Phaneuf,

Denver is a city that rarely seems to go on sale from Calgary. The cheapest at the moment are the Air Canada flights for around $600 roundtrip after tax (non stop each way).

If you look at Saturday->Tuesday flights in September/October, they're about the same price, so there's no real guarantee they'll go lower, although I've definitely seen cheaper flights to Denver than $600.

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by Gundo

Any insight into a flight to either Munich or Frankfurt from October 14 till Oct. 30? Or directly to Budapest on those same dates? My wife and I are looking at renting a car and driving from Germany to Hungary or if its more affordable flying from Calgary directly to Budapest and then renting a car while we are there.

Hi Gundo,

Both Frankfurt and Munich seem to be around the same price, at $1230 roundtrip after tax using KLM. Air Transat has been about the only cheap way to get to Europe this year. They had flights to Munich in September for around $670 roundtrip, but I think that's the end of their schedule.

Budapest looks to be perhaps even cheaper at around $1190 on KLM, if you went Oct 16 to Nov 2. Or Oct 13-31 for $1270.

Air Transat has flights to London Gatwick for around $800, and then you could EasyJet it to Budapest for about $100 roundtrip. Other factors to consider when doing that though. I think I would want Calgary -> Europe and back to be $700 or less to make it worthwhile.

It seems like Air Transat is discounting their September flights at the moment (as you'll see for the Manchester flight I'm about to post) . About 2 weeks to a month ahead seems to be when they make cuts the most often.

cM

[cmyden]

Calgary to Manchester, UK - $580 roundtrip after tax

Air Transat just dropped the price of their August 27 to September 19 flight down to $584 roundtrip after tax, for anyone looking for a cheap end of summer European vacation.

The flight is actually operated by Thomas Cook.

It can be found at http://www.AirTransat.ca

cM

[cmyden]

Hey guys, I recently asked the Facebookers if they were interested in great deals from Montana.

The overwhelming majority said they would definitely be interested. Obviously I'd only consider it a great deal if it was significantly cheaper ($250/person or more) than flying from Calgary to make it worth the drive.

Examples: Allegiant Air currently has some flights out of Kalispell to Las Vegas for $100 roundtrip after tax. Delta has flights to Belize for $380 roundtrip (after tax).

I'm just wondering if CP is interested in deals from Montana, or would you prefer deals from just YYC ?

cM

[malcolmk14]

Keep the Montana deals coming, Chris!

[flamesflames444]

Not sure if anyone has noticed, but both Westjet and AC seem to be having some really solid flight deals for down south right now. I don't know all the specifics but I just booked Calg to Barbados in November via Toronto for $550 return all in which is the cheapest I have ever seen it! It seems like Air Canada's bests deals are always the ones that are unadvertised.

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by flamesflames444

Not sure if anyone has noticed, but both Westjet and AC seem to be having some really solid flight deals for down south right now. I don't know all the specifics but I just booked Calg to Barbados in November via Toronto for $550 return all in which is the cheapest I have ever seen it! It seems like Air Canada's bests deals are always the ones that are unadvertised.

Barbados has been one of the best Caribbean deals this year, not just from Calgary but pretty much every city in Canada. I think it even dipped down below $500 at one point.

It's also one of the furthest Caribbean destinations from Calgary, at 4000 miles away (By comparison, Havana, Cuba and Cancun are both 2500 miles). Likely a lot more expensive for your accommodations in Barbados though!

Just a note, I believe the Air Canada flights have much less travel time than the WestJet ones. I think WestJet has a 9 hour layover in Toronto on the way back, vs. 2 hours on Air Canada.

You should be able to find the $550 flights leaving as late as December 8th. (Dec 8-14 for example). After that, they jump to $700 or so.

If you were considering it, might want to push it as far back in the calendar as you can. Officially the hurricane season doesn't end until late November.

And I definitely agree about the best deals usually being the unadvertised ones. Although I think Air Canada has mentioned this one indirectly in their 'Websaver Fares'.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/offers/a...ver_fares.html

cM

[flamesflames444]

Originally Posted by cmyden

Barbados has been one of the best Caribbean deals this year, not just from Calgary but pretty much every city in Canada. I think it even dipped down below $500 at one point.

It's also one of the furthest Caribbean destinations from Calgary, at 4000 miles away (By comparison, Havana, Cuba and Cancun are both 2500 miles). Likely a lot more expensive for your accommodations in Barbados though!

Just a note, I believe the Air Canada flights have much less travel time than the WestJet ones. I think WestJet has a 9 hour layover in Toronto on the way back, vs. 2 hours on Air Canada.

You should be able to find the $550 flights leaving as late as December 8th. (Dec 8-14 for example). After that, they jump to $700 or so.

If you were considering it, might want to push it as far back in the calendar as you can. Officially the hurricane season doesn't end until late November.

And I definitely agree about the best deals usually being the unadvertised ones. Although I think Air Canada has mentioned this one indirectly in their 'Websaver Fares'.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/offers/a...ver_fares.html

cM

I agree with the higher hotel prices...not as many all inclusives which can push up the price of the trip eating out all the time... only reason I am going is that I'm blowing through the rest of my Hilton points. Another plus about the trip is that at 8k in status miles for aeroplan which can go a long way towards achieving the next aeroplan status level.

[firebug]

Originally Posted by cmyden

Hey guys, I recently asked the Facebookers if they were interested in great deals from Montana.

The overwhelming majority said they would definitely be interested. Obviously I'd only consider it a great deal if it was significantly cheaper ($250/person or more) than flying from Calgary to make it worth the drive.

Examples: Allegiant Air currently has some flights out of Kalispell to Las Vegas for $100 roundtrip after tax. Delta has flights to Belize for $380 roundtrip (after tax).

I'm just wondering if CP is interested in deals from Montana, or would you prefer deals from just YYC ?

cM

As an example, Allegiant recently had a seat sale from Great Falls to Phoenix/Mesa for $19/seat.

I booked tickets for my family of 4 to visit for a weekend in September for a grand total of US$305.

For that kind of savings, I will gladly drive the 4.5 hours.

~bug

[no_joke]

Originally Posted by cmyden

Hey No_Joke,

Yes indeed, Argentina is amazing! So many natural wonders, a huge temperature range from tropical Jungle in the north, to freezing cold in the south, wildlife, cheap food and accommodations, and great people. And Buenos Aires is basically a European version of New York at 1/3 the price.
...
cM

Since you are the resident travel junkie, did you get a good deal on your flight down to Argentina? Just wondering, because I don't recall seeing many (if at all) South America deals posted by you!

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by no_joke

Since you are the resident travel junkie, did you get a good deal on your flight down to Argentina? Just wondering, because I don't recall seeing many (if at all) South America deals posted by you!

I believe it was around $850 roundtrip after tax. It was a pretty decent price for the time, although not unusual. This year it usually seems to hover around $900-$1000 for the cheapest flights, and never really seems to go on sale. Mexicana had some for just under $900 at one point this year, although I think it might have been with a bad layover. For the distance traveled, Argentina and Brazil are almost always one of the best values though.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by firebug

As an example, Allegiant recently had a seat sale from Great Falls to Phoenix/Mesa for $19/seat.

I booked tickets for my family of 4 to visit for a weekend in September for a grand total of US$305.

For that kind of savings, I will gladly drive the 4.5 hours.

~bug

I'd be curious to hear what your experience is with Allegiant (or if anyone else has any first-hand experience). Please post an update after your trip

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

I'd be curious to hear what your experience is with Allegiant (or if anyone else has any first-hand experience). Please post an update after your trip

Most of the experiences people have told me about seem to be really positive, but here are both sides of the coin:

Positive

The airport in Great Falls is small and so easy compared to Calgary and I found the flights roomy and comfortable. You have to realize it's only 2-2.5 hour flights and it's a no frills deal, meaning no included meal, movies, etc. If you just want to get there I highly recommend it! You can take your whole flight, return and it's still cheaper than just the taxes flying out of Canada!!!

leaving your car at the airport for 4 days is about $23.00 total,

i used to fly out of states and would leave as early as possible so that i could take advantage of the great shopping down there. As well, the scenery is fantastic!! The drive isn't that long and goes by relatively quick

Allegiant was $180 per person including one piece of checked luggage. Way more leg room on their planes than West Jet. Cheap parking at the great falls airport and no line ups like the Calgary airport. It was worth the drive to Great Falls for sure!

Plus the only security is on the drive down, airport is a breeze. Plus Allegiant air plays games and raffles off tickets to shows, fun flights. When booking online watch for the airport shuttle that is already checked off for you when booking.

If flying 2 or more it is cheaper to take a taxi, so you will save some money on the flights. Plus there is no need to check priority booking when booking online, there is a ton of carry on space.

Also Parking in Great Falls is $5 a day. Flown out of Great Falls 4 times to Vegas and thinking of heading back down there next week, if I can find someone to go with.

Allegiant was AWESOME to fly with... and if you purchase before hand, it's only an extra $25 for a checked bag... So you still save a TON.. PLUS, on Allegiant's website, they have great deals with hotels and shows too (like the Blueman group).

Allegiants flights seem setup well as they leave in the evenings and return early afternoon so that you can easily get the drive in. The border crossing isnt too bad, and actually most people on our flight from great falls were form canada. The additional bonus, if you like to shop is you can buy those things you cant get in canada in great falls when you get back and load them into your car without having to worry about how much it weighs!

Negative

I thought this was a good deal but!! They then charge you a fee each way if you wouldlike to pick your seat and for priority seating. If you wish to take a carry on with you, that is free but each checked bag will cost you $35-$50 each way. All said and done, we drove to Vegas (16hours) for less than the flights. If you are going down for a weekend with some buddies I think the flights are a good deal but taking my wife shopping and for sure having more than 1 suitcase, not a good deal.

Well I am apparently the odd one out here but I wouldn't drive!! If you have four people going its $400 bucks saved each but if you are flying down with less the savings becomes less becuase of the fuel cost (probbaly not much less) but lets just say $350 saved if I went by my self. For that $350 dollars I have to drive for 11 hours and probbaly take at least extra day off work to allow for the extra time.......sounds like the 350 well spent to me. But I guess it really comes down to do you ahve more time or money? For me my time is very precious....and that extra 11 hours isn't worth $350...but if I had plenty of time to spare maybe I would consider it......just one mans opinion!

The Carway boarder crossing is only open until 11 or 11:30, so that needs to be accounted for when heading home, rooseville is open 24hours but adds to the total drive time.

I have many friends in Lethbridge , who have driven down to either Kalispell or Great Falls to head to Vegas beware tho of Allegient , they have lots of ADD on prices~

So I think in summary, Allegiant is a fine no-frills budget airline, just beware of the add-ons that they try to include when you book a flight (the shuttle pickup in Vegas, hotels, etc) and beware of the baggage fees ($25 if you book ahead) and the fee if you want to choose your seat. SkyTrax gives them a 3 star rating.

http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/allegiant.htm

The same as WestJet or AC.

It sounds like the airport is hassle free compared to larger cities as one might expect. Parking is cheap.

And for logistics, just note the border crossing times, weather, and road conditions.

[cmyden]

Calgary to Phoenix, Charlotte, or Philadelphia - $300 to $325 roundtrip after tax - including Christmas

Delta and United are having a bit of a fare ware on these 3 cities from Calgary, with dates throughout the entire calendar year (now through July of 2011) showing at this price, including over Christmas holidays, New Year's, etc.

The over Christmas price is especially notable, it's about 35% less than the next cheapest airfare over Christmas for Phoenix/Charlotte, and 45% cheaper for Philadelphia. Could even get to New York for a decent price over New Year's (short drive from Philly)

cM

[Fobulous]

For our US residents....

Jetblue has an all you can fly pass for the month of September for only $499. An unbelievable deal!

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by cmyden

Calgary to Phoenix, Charlotte, or Philadelphia - $300 to $325 roundtrip after tax - including Christmas

Delta and United are having a bit of a fare ware on these 3 cities from Calgary, with dates throughout the entire calendar year (now through July of 2011) showing at this price, including over Christmas holidays, New Year's, etc.

The over Christmas price is especially notable, it's about 35% less than the next cheapest airfare over Christmas for Phoenix/Charlotte, and 45% cheaper for Philadelphia. Could even get to New York for a decent price over New Year's (short drive from Philly)

cM

Did this deal from Edmonton, it's a good one. New York is super close to Philly. If you have a choice though, take Delta.