Budget Travel - DC to New Orleans on a budget!

Hi Everyone!

I'm new, but i've heard great things about this website. I'm a graduate student on a budget and I need to get from DC (so DCA) to New Orleans (MSY) for my good friend's wedding on June 23rd. I've got a place to stay and I'm thinking of staying till the 26th or 27th. Prices for this trip have gone up about $180 since last week and i am kicking myself for not buying them then!! But my father tells me there are unexpected price drops as time goes on...

Can anyone recommend any deals? or approaches to finding deals?

I would greatly appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Sebastian

i've heard great things about this website.

Prices for this trip have gone up about $180 since last week and i am kicking myself for not buying them then!! But my father tells me there are unexpected price drops as time goes on...

Prices MAY drop, or they may go up, it mostly depends on how many seats are left. With fuel very expensive, these days I jump on a decent fare not expecting to do better.

Set up fare alerts on several travel sites like Travelocity or Expedia, and you'll be alerted if the price drops.

Oh, and it is a great site.

And welcome to FlyerTalk.

EmailKid

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"I'm a graduate student on a budget and I need to get from DC (so DCA) to New Orleans (MSY)"

If you're on a budget, DC means BWI, not DCA. Check Southwest and other carriers for BWI-MSY-BWI. ;)

For a summer weekend, I wouldn't bet on prices dropping, now that we're into May.

As guv1976 notes, a "graduate student on a budget" shouldn't be above trekking out to BWI, where Southwest helps keep fares in check. It's far, but accessible via Metrobus B30 or the MARC train. Sometimes you save enough to justify even a $80 cab ride. Don't rule out Dulles for that matter, though discounts are rarer, as the 5A Metrobus is fairly reliable.

Incidentally, where are you searching? I found a $333 DCA-MSY on US Airways (via Orbitz via Kayak) Fri-Tues, and a $319 BWI-MSY on Southwest Fri-Mon. Those seem like pretty reasonable fares to me, especially considering Greyhound would cost $268 round trip (and 27 hours each way).