Ryanair £5 Flights & Advice

Hello folks,

I've just found out Ryanair are doing £5 flights (www.ryanair.com):

Fares don't incl optional Fees/Charges (Click here)

Booking Period: Tue 1 Dec 09 - Fri 4 Dec 09

Travel Period: Tue 15 Dec 09 - Sun 28 Feb 10

Applicable Days: Mon - Sun (subject to availability)
Flight must be purchased: Travel from 14 Dec 09
Blackout Period: Fri 12 Feb 10 - Mon 22 Feb 10 from/to Ireland/UK

But this ends today!

Now, the interesting thing is it includes Stantead to Grenoble. I have been pondering over how to arrange this years trip, and was planning to hold out for a last min TO package deal in the hope to grab a bargain.

Now, with everything added on its looking at £50 return per person for me and the OH, so Im considering a DIY trip. This isnt something I've done before, so before I commit to the flights Im hoping for some advice/opinions/words of encouragement for my plan of booking cheap flights now, and sorting everything else out at the last min (following the snow and cheap accom).

About me:
2 x adventurous mid-intermediate skiiers (couple).
Seeking challenging terrain, nightlife etc not important
Based in Glasgow but will train/bus to london for a good bargain

Any advice is apprecaited.

Thanks,

Sami

Hi Sami_ glasgow,
I think the hardest thing to buy cheaply when you fly DIY are the return transfers between the airport and the resort. It is fairly easy to get accommodation through the resort website.

The airports tend to be quite a long way from the ski resorts which are, naturally, in the mountains. So, before you buy your cheap tickets, I suggest you have a look to see if you can find a ski resort close to the airport with a reasonable transfer price. I think a return transfer price of £100 per person is not uncommon, and buses are cheaper than taxis.

Ski resorts close to various airports are listed on this website.

Hope this helps a bit,

Ally

If the flights are coming in with all the add ons at £50pp return, get them booked for definite. You will find somewhere suitable to go to.
I'd suggest you look at:
Alpe d'Huez
Serre Chevalier
Les Seybelles
L2A
Risoul

Should be plenty at those resorts for you guys, and all tend to have good snow records.

There are bus links to ski resorts from Grenoble, and hiring a car would be a good option and give you more flexibility.

Good luck, enjoy.

Tony,
I checked these Ryanair prices myself, and they look okay. Out of curiosity, I looked at Stanstead to Salzburg, going out on 2nd Jan, back a week later, total discount price after all extras, only £50 per person. That's about the same as we paid Bristol to Geneva return in October. By comparison, Feb half-term flights (which aren't on special offer) cost about £320 return per person.

Ally

AllyG wrote:Tony,
I checked these Ryanair prices myself, and they look okay. Out of curiosity, I looked at Stanstead to Salzburg, going out on 2nd Jan, back a week later, total discount price after all extras, only £50 per person. That's about the same as we paid Bristol to Geneva return in October. By comparison, Feb half-term flights (which aren't on special offer) cost about £320 return per person.

Ally

What are you waiting for then?

Am absolutely with Tony on this one.....

I am often found in the south alps over the summer, kayaking and have picked people up from Grenoble airport a number of times.

Serre Chevalier is an obvious one (being very close to a couple of great rivers by the way!) being an easy transfer via Gap or LDA being a more mountainous transfer via La Grave etc.

I've stayed in LDA and had a day out skiing in Alp d'Huez so that is definitely an option if you've hired a car.

There are a number of people here who a critical of Ryanair, however as far as I can see, as long as you go in with your eyes open and realise that you will pay for taking baggage, wanting prebooked seats, etc etc you will probably get a decent deal.

To be honest it seems most of the budget airlines are taking Ryan air's lead in charging for everything so you pays your money you takes your choice!

Try easyjet

Ah!

I had such a busy day that after an hour or two in work, checking for responses, I wasn't online for the rest of the day. dammit lol.

Well, usefull info anyway so thanks guys.