Tips for IAD-BUD?
 

Looking for creative ways to get from IAD to BUD (I have a wedding to attend during the height of tourist season in early August). Was thinking of mixing standard flights with budget, but no luck so far (and somehow it's cheaper to fly to BUD than London...).

Any tips would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Kat

Welcome to FT!
Can I suggest you be a little more forthcoming with what your budget is?
You acknowledge you are traveling at peak vacation season ... ergo higher fares.
Do you have any status with any airline(s)? Miles on any of said airline(s)?
The more information you provide, the better the chance someone may be able to help.
As it is, you question is beyond vague.

Tips for IAD-BUD?
 

Have you thought about booking Turkish Airlines out of IAD and spending a couple of days in IST as a layover? You could also fly into VIE and spend a couple of days there and then drive to BUD which is easily doable. Really depends on what you are looking for. FRA and MUC are also options IMHO with easy connections to BUD.

Find a cheap ticket to either ORD or JFK and then fly to BUD via WAW on LOT. They often have the least expensive fares, and people are raving about their Premium Economy on the 787.

I too would recommend flying into Vienna - Austrian Airlines has a non-stop IAD-VIE which is convenient. Spend a couple of days in VIE. VIE to BUD is really easy by train - 2 hrs 50 min and cheap if buying in advance once you get to VIE.

Thanks!
 

Thanks all! Budget is cheap as possible - right now I find flights around $1300 - ideally I'd like to find cheaper.

Love the ideas of going through IST - will definitely check that out. I've been exploring flights to other parts of Europe, then taking an EasyJet or other budget airline hop, but nothing good yet...

Do you have any miles with any airlines that can help? Star alliance flights to Europe can be booked for as low as 60000 United miles.