Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - booking?

im gonna be taking a flight from Warsaw, Poland to Lvov, Ukraine in may and return in june BY LOT polish airwats

now i found the prices, etc
but i wanted to know
should i book online? or should i just try to get it at the airport?

please note that i plan to buy the ticket (IF IM BUYING IT IN THE AIRPORT) only a MAXIMUM of around 24 hours. most probably around 12
so is there any chance ill get it cheaper if there are seats free? or will it be more expensive? (if yes = by how much ?)

this route isnt that popular so there definately will be seats free

I can't speak specifically for LOT, but most airlines tend to have REALLY high prices for last minute bookings. If you think the price is reasonable now, I'd book it.

You didn't mention actual dates, what rate you found, or where you found it, but I did a general search and found rates in the area of $250 for a lot of date combinations. If what you found is in that area, you've done just fine. Airline rates are generally pretty low right now. They tend to be higher in the summer.

Romelle

yeah/ i found 239 dollars (taxes included) on the LOT website. return included
so you say i should book it?

tho its really really wierd. the distance between the places is <300 kms lol

the cheapest i could find so far is on the LOT site
should i get it?

It looks like a good deal to me.

Again, I don't know anything about LOT having last minute sales. Maybe someone else here will post about that??

I also don't know if you have looked at the various budget airlines in Europe, or if you would consider them, or if there are any that serve your two points?? If they are a possibility for you, just do a general search on something like "budget airlines warsaw lvov" or even "budget airlines europe". You will come up with long lists of them.

Sometimes www.vayama.com will come up with something interesting.

You've found a good and reasonable fare. It now depends on how much time you are willing to spend to see if you can beat it by few dollars.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/budget-travel/468908-low-cost-carrier-reference-sites.html worth a look.

In any case, after you've made your selection, I'd still book it now.

Romelle

sounds like getting it now is the way to go
but im a littoe worried. i remember reading somewhere online the LOT is bankrupt.
for example is LOT "dissapears" for some reason..... did i lose the money? or will i get another ticket or something?

oh and btw if anyone else has bought a last minute one with LOT please post here :)

sounds like getting it now is the way to go
but im a littoe worried. i remember reading somewhere online the LOT is bankrupt.
for example is LOT "dissapears" for some reason..... did i lose the money? or will i get another ticket or something?

oh and btw if anyone else has bought a last minute one with LOT please post here :)

Have you considered buying travel insurance along with your flight ticket?

ralph

wont that cost more? if so- how much?

does that mean that if lot goes bankrupt, they are not obliged to pay me back/put me on another airline?

Yes, it will cost more. You are buying protection. The question you have to answer is just what is that security worth to you.

There is information on the LOT site if you click on "Your Assistant". There are also lots of independent travel insurance companies. You might want to work through a travel agent to get your questions answered, if you don't want to research them yourself.

I have no knowledge about the potential of a LOT bankruptcy. You'll have to investigate that yourself. And as to the terms of a bankruptcy, they will vary by individual case. US airline bankruptcies have tended to responsibly handle booked tickets in various fashions. I don't dare even try to guess in the case of a foreign airline.

Romelle

There's also a train - it's slow but very cheap. The distance is 340 km but there is a change of trains required.
http://www.brama.com/travel/messages/10673.html

There's also a train - it's slow but very cheap. The distance is 340 km but there is a change of trains required.
http://www.brama.com/travel/messages/10673.html

yeah. but as im alone, i dont know whether i am comfortable with getting out of the airport by myself, buying a ticket, and jumping on a train

How are you getting to Warsaw to start your trip?

Or do you already live in Warsaw?

Romelle

im getting to warsaw from Delhi (india) by Finnair.
anyways. i already got the ticket. costed 227.50 USD
and i picked the seats already :)

Nice work on that ticket. You found a good price. (I'm guessing it was still LOT?)

I'm glad you have everything set.

Enjoy your trip.

Romelle

yup bought it from lot.com

but the extremely wierd thing,was that while booking, they just asked for my name. they never asked for my age, Nationality, OR passport number ????
tho i already got my ticket.

should i be worried?

I saw in another thread where somebody advised you to have a letter from your parents in hand as you travel. I'd second that advice for this leg of your trip too. Your passport of course.

The US airlines often don't take your passport number when booking. But they do insist upon it (plus age and nationality) at check-in.

There is the whole unaccompanied-minor issue. I saw you got a letter from (as I recall) Finnair saying it was OK. You might pursue the same question with LOT. And if you get a similar response, also print out these answers and carry them with you.

Romelle

its written on the LOT website, that i can fly by myself :) without a UM

anyways.. thanks for the info and i already have a notarized letter from my parents.
so should i be OK?

It really sounds like you are checking everything out well. You are wise beyond your years. Yes, I think if you keep on being very careful and very sensible you will be OK.

Romelle

I hope as you progress this trip you will post in and let us know how you are doing. And let us know when you arrive safely.

thanks ;)
im leaving day after tomorrow for delhi, and am flying out on the 15th morning (its the 12th morning right now)
cant wait :)
hope they have a internet cafe at Warsaw airport (do they?) cus im spending 13 hours there

I'm so glad you checked in here and let us know your timing. I suspect lots of people will follow your trek with interest.

For starters - you probably need to know that the Warsaw airport is formally named the Warsaw Frederic Chopin airport after the famous Polish composer Chopin.

The main information point is in the center of the Terminal 1 Departures hall, although there are other tourist information points throughout the terminals.

There is a bank in Terminal 1 Departures, and ATMs in Arrivals and Departures.

Wireless Internet access is available in the main terminals.

There are two restaurants, snack bars, ice-cream stands and self-service cafeterias. The Etiuda Terminal has vending machines and a coffee bar.

There is a left-luggage service in the Arrivals hall, open 24 hours a day.

There is an observation deck.

Airport Info - (6 AM to 10 PM) or try 650 4220

Tourist Info - (8 AM to 8 PM) or call 9341

First Aid - (Didn't say where>)

Children's Needs - These rooms are free to all, just call: 650 3525 (Yeah, you are so far beyond child, but maybe they will give you something to read or you will find someone close to your age with whom to visit. And they might even have some games or a computer along with them. Worth a look, and 13 hours is quite a bit of time to kill.)

Chapel - In the transit area. Daily Masses at 11:45 AM. Sundays: 9 AM, 11:30 AM, and around 3 PM

Post office - For that letter you forgot to send your mom.

Press - Get your mags and papers in one of the many kiosks

Retail Shopping - Booze, toys, jewelry, all that stuff you forgot to buy... Go shoppin' in Chopin (had to say it, sorry)

Transit Hotel - If you are stuck waiting for a connection, just ask for the Falcon Hotel or call: 650 4891 (I've no idea what this might cost, but left it in just for interest. I didn't know there was a hotel right in the airport. It only has 8 rooms. Usually airport hotels are very expensive. You could take a look at it though.)

I didn't see an internet cafe, but do think that Children's Room might turn up something for you?

I'm sorry to say I'm in transit on the 14th and part of the 15th so won't be able to track your progress and visit as much as I'd like. I'm leaving MSP for MAN (Minneapolis, Minnesota to Manchester, England). The plan is to hike across about 1/2 of England with my brother. I will be carrying a little iPod Touch, so when there is WIFI I will be able to get on-line I think. Itty-bitty keyboard so I won't be real talkative.

I'm sure others here will visit with you if you can find a way to get on-line.

Hope you got a second alarm clock?

My very best wishes. I'm sure you will do very well.

Romelle

hey.... the flight was great
just got back to india. thanks everybody! especcialy Romelle