Destination: GERMANY

Are you looking for cheap tickets to Europe? Maybe you’re trying to buy cheap flights to Germany, France or maybe Italy?  First you’ll need to do some research on what country you would like to visit, determine the purpose of your trip (leisure, business, etc), how long you want to stay in a foreign country, etc. Further, you will need to discover the local hotels, attractions, or tours, and decide what areas you’d like to visit.

Germany is one of the most popular European destinations that attract travelers from various regions of the world. Located in the heart of the Europe, Germany can draw visitors to discover the unique culture and heritage with numerous museums and universities, provincial charm, or skiing, nature with breath taking Dresden towers, palaces or very active nightlife, restaurants, bars, and festivals.

Some of the most popular German destinations include Berlin (BER, TXL airports), the capital city, Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Düsseldorf (DUS), and Hamburg (HAM). Munich is also famous for Oktoberfest. If you are a beer lover, you sure need to visit this country in the fall to attend the Oktoberfest in Munich. This is an annual beer festival that gathers many people from different regions to taste various kinds of beers and German food. Most airlines fly hto Germany or have transfers in these cities to continue to other European, Far East, or Asia countries. So when look for cheap tickets to Europe, you’re very likely to be transiting via Germany. 

Did you know that these five airports are the biggest in Germany among the rest 93 airports? The statistics say that around 120 airlines operate out of Frankfurt international airport. Less then a hundred airlines operate from each of the remaining 4 airports and these airports have at least several thousand domestic and 3-4 times more flights (Frankfurt doubles) each week. If you're ready to travel book your flights here.

So when you search for cheap flights to Germany, you will find lots of airlines and flight choices. Make sure you read or ask about all the ticket rules. Nowadays most air travelers choose to fly with carry on bags only. This choice is based on the convenience and less wait time, in addition to baggage fees and size limitations. You may avoid the baggage fees on certain airlines if you have their credit cards and tickets purchased on the airline credit cards. Another way you might avoid these charges if you “pay” the baggage fees with frequent flyer miles. Contact each airline to inquire about their policies and regulations. 

When traveling from oversees, note that the carry on luggage that is compatible with the US aircrafts or transoceanic flights, might not necessarily fit the domestic European aircrafts; there are smaller carry on bag dimensions in Europe. Again, always check the requirements before you travel. 

Getting Crazy with Children: Airport & Onboard?

While many air travelers are already aware of what goes on at the airport and how to go through screening and security points, there are still these who travel with children that do not necessarily know all about what they can or cannot at the airport or on board. You have already purchased really cheap airline tickets, so did accomplish really big milestone and were able to purchase airline tickets. Now you need some tips how to travel with children and what’s waiting at the airport; this will ease your trip, save some time and unnecessary frustration.

Going through a security point can be not as lengthy if your child is in a stroller. There is a special line at the security point designated for business travelers, those in wheelchairs, and for travelers with children in strollers. By knowing this you will save some time and kid’s frustration and boredom while standing in line. 

At the screening point, always know that you cannot be separated from your children, especially minors. Small children or infants can be carried by you through the screening machine and you (as an adult) and your children can always refuse to go through these new imaging machines. You will, however, can be asked to go through a regular metal detector machine and or be checked manually by a TSA agent. Infants that travel in car seats or bassinets will be asked to be taken out as these seats will need to go through the x-ray machines as well as all the bags to be carried on board.

What you can carry onboard for children? There are some rules on this, but often times security agents are very understanding and flexible on what’s in the baby’s bag (or diaper bag) as long as you do go crazy like bringing alcohol or other adult  related items in a bag.  Medically necessary liquids, medication or baby food/ formula, or juice are usually exempt from the 3-1-1 rule. They are allowed in reasonable quantities when traveling with children. Officers may ask you to through away a bottled water as you can easily by it at the airport, but juice or teas are usually allowed without a question. The only thing you need to be aware of is that officers may ask you to open the items to do the liquid screening.

You may find a detailed description on TSA security requirements here http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm .

Traveling with children can be a hassle, but it can also be a pleasant trip when you have all things covered like buying really cheap airline tickets, getting good seats on the plane on a preferred airline, and you just found out several more tips on how to behave in or expect from a certain situation.

How to Book Flights: Online or with an Agent?

For some of us air travel seems to be a piece of cake while others dread even a thought of flying or booking flight tickets as they have no idea what or how to do things. Some travel tips can really help you and clarify how to book airline tickets online or with an airline or a travel agent.

First of all you need to know where you would like to travel and when. You might be looking for cheap flights to Amsterdam or cheap flights to New York, or to some other city. We’ll assume that you’d like to book the flights yourself. The easiest way to do this is via a travel website. It is really your preference if you’d like to use a travel agency website or an airline website. The major difference is that a travel agency usually has more than one (often 5 or more) airlines flying to/ from a particular destination. Airlines, however, sell only their own flights to / from a destination, so only one airline involved.  

Another thing to consider is if you’d like to speak with and airline or agency representative or you’d prefer to book your flights online. If you speak to an agent, usually there are additional fees involved because a live person assists you and there is more cost associated with the personalized service if you book or purchase flights. Therefore, it is highly recommended to book airline tickets online and you’ll be able to choose the airlines you prefer, flights times that fit you best and even book the seat you’d like, if available.

Here is a trick: no one would charge you if you called and asked questions or inquired on cheapest flights or ticket prices. So if at any point you have difficulty understanding connections or have a question about air travel, you can always call or email an agent (airline or travel agency) at no charge.

If you choose to book flights online, important thing is to check both airlines and agency websites for cheapest airfares and best connections, if any. If you need to find cheap flights to Amsterdam or Frankfurt that are in Europe, you’d probably need to search for agencies and websites that specialize in oversees travel. This way you’d be able to get the lowest airfares because these agencies will have the best negotiated airline ticket prices because of sales volume. Also, check airline websites to see if they do not have last minute deals. Usually you would look for last minute flight deals with airlines as they monitor their flights and bookings and only they can decide to release last minute flight deals or not. A wise thing to do is to figure out the flights or airlines you’d like to take and then check both travel agency and airline websites for best travel deals.

Flying Across the Ocean can be an Experience Much Different Than Domestic Travel

While many around the United States have traveled in the air across the country, or even to Canada and Mexico, many others have never traversed an ocean in flight. This can be quite a different type of flight for people who have never experience it. It is not drastically different enough to make you run out to get travel insurance, but you would need to do some research on find best deals or cheap airfare to Europe, Australia or other continent as it is an experience unlike the four hour domestic flights within the United States.

Most Transatlantic or Transpacific flights are longer than 10 hours, and can last two, three and four times the time of a domestic flight. When traveling over the ocean, it is essential to do your best to make yourself comfortable. You will have a lot of time to kill on this type of flight, and it is in your best interest to be as comfortable as you can the entire way.

You should also bring something to distract you on the flight. While the booking worries like finding a discounted hotel, car rental or international airfare might have passed, now you need to take as much rest on a long haul flight as possible and have the flight as enjoyable as possible. Flying over the Atlantic or Pacific will hours, but you can easily overcome them if you can sleep, enjoy onboard movies, food or simply have activities you like doing. Books, MP3 players and computers can help to keep you occupied as you travel.

It would also be a good idea to pack some snacks as you may find your stomach growling on a flight much longer than you are used to. You should stay hydrated as well. Do not forsake liquids so you will not have to get up to go to the bathroom. Instead, drink water or coffee to give yourself some energy, some fluid and a sense of comfort.

If you are prone to needing legroom, or to going to the bathroom often, or to needing to stretch out a bad back or knees, you should choose your seat wisely. When buying your tickets, be sure that you find a flight that has a seat where you are accommodated. So when you book your flights, especially international airfare, check yourself or ask your agent about possible and available seating options. In addition to stretching, you should also make sure to get up every few hours just to ensure that the blood is flowing and that you are not getting too stiff.

You will also have to get used to the changes that just took place during your flight. You may be entering a different temperature, a different altitude or a different culture. You should be prepared to handle the jet lag, to take on the time change and to adjust to your sleeping schedule. The best advise is to try following the local time schedule from the very moment you land in the destination point. This will help you to adjust to local time quickly.

Whether you choose to book a dream vacation, business trip or simply take a world tour, make sure you find cheap airfare to Europe, Asia, Australia or other continent you choose, hotels that would accommodate your needs or tours to make sure you’re not missing on local attractions. So make your flights as pleasant as possible so you can enjoy the rest of your time at the destination.

Book your cheap flights now.