Hello,

  I am graduating in May and I want to take a 3-4 month trip through
Europe. I'm not too concerned about setting a strict itinerary; I am
going alone, and want to just travel around and take it as it comes.

I am in no way wealthy, so I want to try to find the cheapest way to
get to and from Europe. I have heard and read about something people
do where they go to an airport and hang out, maybe for even a day or
two, until a seat opens up on a flight... The airline saves money by
not leaving that seat empty, and you get a good deal too.  From what
I've read, this practice was fairly straightforward and would save a
lot of money, but I can't find any source that makes me feel that this
is something I could definitely get away with.
I am trying to decide whether I should book my flight now, as I
understand prices go up rather fast the closer the date gets, or not
get tickets, and try this "standby" technique. I have no problems with
hanging out at an airport for a couple days if it will save me a good
amount of money.

I live in Florida now, so any airport in FL is an option, and even
Atlanta. But I may move up to NJ after i graduate, so the Atlantic
City or Philadelphia or any other airports near there would work. I am
mentioning this because I understand that prices are different from
different places.

Also, I'm not picky about where I fly into or out of. There are a lot
of places I'd like to see, and I figure I'll just wind my way around.

So, what I'd like to know is: Is this actually possible? How is it
done? How much will it save me? Where should I fly in and out of to
get the best prices? Do you know of any other way for a single person
to get to and from Europe affordably? Or should I just get my tickets
now?

Hello, garbonzo-ga! 


 One of the best advisors for cheap travel to and from - and around
Europe - is Rick Steves.


See "Cheap Flights to Europe - Some Ways to Save Money," by Rick Steves
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0103/steves.shtml

 As Steves mentions, Air Tech is a really good option if you are
flexible. The only problem is that you might get bumped a few times
during the busy summer travel season.

"There?s always stand-by. Travelers flexible enough to fly stand-by
may consider Air-Tech,  which offers unsold seats at bargain prices
(e.g., one-way from Los Angeles to Paris for $239, year round).
However, a short list of departures cities in the U.S. and an equally
limited number of European destinations make arranging these flights
tricky. And in the summer prepare to be bumped two or three times.


Airtech website 
http://www.airtech.com/fpeurope.php

FAQ's
http://www.airtech.com/fpfaq.php

Q : Who should use Airtech's Space-Available Passes?
A : Flexible people. If you have a business meeting in, say, London on
a certain date at a specific hour and your entire career depends on
that, then please book a confirmed flight


Q : Can I fly to my preferred destination?
A : A lot of passengers do. If it's unavailable, you can either wait
for it or fly to a different city. Remember, as an Airtech passenger,
we get you to a general region: for example, Western Europe, rather
than a specific city in Europe.


Q : Can I leave from my preferred departure city?
A : Sure, as long as it's available at the time you want to fly and is
an Airtech departure city. Otherwise, you can either wait or leave
from another city. The choice is yours.


Q : Can I fly on the date that I choose?
A : Usually, and very probably within your Travel Window. But, again,
we guarantee neither an exact date nor destination.


Read more.........



==


Eurotrip is anothe good site with some useful information on cheap travel
http://www.eurotrip.com/cheap_flights/ 	

Eurotrip Cheap flights forum
http://www.eurotrip.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=7


==


The main problem I see with buying a ticket now is that you are stuck
with the dates and the airport you choose. If you want to change
tickets, you will pay a price.  However, if you can manage to stick to
a location and a timeframe, that is still a good option and provides
you with some certainty.



Additional Information
=========================

Rick Steve's Europe
http://www.ricksteves.com/


"Rick?s Thrifty Fifty - How to Make Your Dollars and Sense Carry You
Further in Europe." By Rick Steve
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0205/ricksteves.shtml


It's worth getting this book or checking it out in a library:

"Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door."
http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Europe-Through-Back/dp/customer-reviews/1566912288


==


 I hope these tips help you find a cheap fare. And...have a great time!


umiat

Search Strategy

Rick Steves
flying to Europe cheaply
cheap standby seats to europe

Thanks! AirTech seems to be just what I'm looking for. And the other
material will prove very useful as well!