Study Abroad Airfare (EWR-ETZ)
 

I've been looking at Airfares for a study abroad program in Metz, France. The airfare with the program leaves from ATL, and is $950. In addition, I believe they are traveling via train from CDG to Metz.

Since there is a 2 week break from the end of Spring semester to departure, I'd like to travel home to NJ, and then leave for Metz, flying the whole way.

The trip to NJ is easy. I can book a $100 one-way from ATL - EWR. Pricing to Metz has been difficult.

Some requirements: I must arrive on campus in Metz by 5:00PM 5/17 to check-in to my dormitory, otherwise I must stay in a hotel overnight. This won't be a problem if it offers a significant savings. However, classes begin 5/18. I must return on 8/1.

So far I have priced it out at $641, but I must change airports in Paris (no flights from CDG - ETZ). I have 4.5 hours to go from CDG-ORY.

On the return I fly: ETZ-ORY-LCY-CDG-EWR, the problem here is stopovers. I have only a 50 minute stopover in ORY. Missing it wouldn't be a problem if they let me continue my itinerary at CDG (there's 5 hours between ETZ-ORY and CDG-EWR). If I make the connection in ORY, I have only 30minutes in LCY. LCY only consists of 8 gates, and I may not even have to change planes, but if i have to change planes, my flight can't be late or I'm SOL. I'd be flying with a French student visa and US Passport. All travel is on Airfrance, so no worry about luggage transfers.

Would Air France let me continue my itinerary in CDG if I miss my first connection or would I be totally SOL? Booking it EWR-CDG-ORY-ETZ-ORY-CDG-EWR is $400 more than my current itinerary (EWR-CDG-ORY-ETZ-ORY-LCY-CDG-EWR).

The itinerary:

Newark, NJ to Metz/Nancy, France:

Air France Flight AF5 EWR-CDG
Depart: Mon, May 16 7:40p
Arrive: Tue, May 17 8:45a

Layover in Paris 4 hrs 35 min

Air France Flight AF7756 ORY-ETZ
Depart: May 17 1:20p
Arrive: May 17 2:20p


Air France Flight AF7755 ETZ - ORY
Depart: Aug 1 6:35a 1 hr 10 min
Arrive: 7:45a

Layover in Paris 50 min

Air France Flight AF5020 ORY-LCY

Depart: Aug 1 8:35a 1 hr 10 min
Arrive: 8:45a

Layover in London 30 min

Air France Flight AF5021
Depart: Aug 1 9:15a
Arrive: 11:20a

Layover in Paris 1 hr 55 min

Air France Flight AF4

Depart: Aug 1 1:15p
Arrive: 3:30p

Suggestions, comments appreciated....

I'd forget about flying from Paris to Metz (and especially about that convoluted itinerary on the return, flying from one Paris airport to another via London!). Metz is three-and-a-half hours from CDG by train.

Edited to add:

I don't think your plan of flying via LCY with a 30 minute connection is going to work. Others will know more about LCY than I do (I've only used it twice), but I'm not sure if you can do airside transfers. There are quite a few UK airports where you can't.

Oh - and welcome to FT!!! (Only just noticed your posting count of 1 - sorry, it's past midnight here!)

I agree with Aviatrix . Just fly to Paris and then take the train. Way cheaper, and way easier then the other option.

again i agree with the above -- take the train!

Actuall, Metz is very close to the border of Germany. You can easily fly to FRA and take the train from FRA to Metz. You may find some better fares to frankfurt anyway.

Sample itin on the Deutsche Banh website:

Frankfurt(Main)Hbf 02.12.04 dep 12:05 6 ICE 73 InterCityExpress
BordRestaurant
Mannheim Hbf 02.12.04 arr 12:42 8
Mannheim Hbf 02.12.04 dep 12:48 3 RE 4352 RegionalExpress
Number of bicycles conveyed limited
Saarbrücken Hbf 02.12.04 arr 14:17 12
Saarbrücken Hbf 02.12.04 dep 14:32 2 RE 23970 RegionalExpress
Number of bicycles conveyed limited
Forbach(F) 02.12.04 arr 14:41
Forbach(F) 02.12.04 dep 14:46 RE 23870 RegionalExpress

Metz Ville 02.12.04 arr 15:33
Metz Ville 02.12.04 dep 16:30 RE 33468 RegionalExpress
Number of bicycles conveyed limited, 2nd class only
Metz Nord 02.12.04 arr 16:34

Now why didn't I think of Frankfurt? :confused:

And the train connections from there are even better than the sample posted by gaugeguy - you don't have to go anywhere near Hbf (Central Station) to get to Metz, you can get a train straight from the airport with a change at either Mannheim or Saarbrücken. Trains run about every 30 minutes and take three-and-a-half hours on average. (Fastest connection I found was 3:08 hours)

I remember when I studied abroad the airfare from the school travel agency allowed for stopovers and very cheap date and location changes. And after being in Europe, I am sure you will want to travel around. If it is included, the school ticket would be ideal.

I'll be studying a full semester at the Technopole in Metz, I won't be flying from city to city. I'll travel by rail on the weekends to visit other countries on a eurorail pass. Also I won't be originating from the same city as the school travel (ATL vs. EWR).

The reason I was flying direct to Metz, was it came out cheaper than flying into CDG with the extended stay and my time requirements (BA had a flight for 540, but arrived to late to catch a train to Metz) I will, however, start looking at other cities (LUX, FRA) as I further prepare my plans.

-Jeff