BootsnAll Travel Community

We're doing a month long trip in April, starting in Austria for Snowbombing and making our way through Italy to meet up with a tour group in Istanbul for Anzac Day then back to London. We're trying to keep fairly flexible and not be too planned but we've been looking at options for getting to and from Turkey and flights seem to be really expensive. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas of a cheaper option for getting from Italy to Istanbul? We're keen on seeing anywhere so wondering if the best option is to go through Romania or Bulgaria or something? Also trying to find a reasonable flight back to London, it seems as soon as you cross over into Western Europe the flights go through the roof. We've got a few days spare so any thoughts on getting somewhere that the budget airlines fly to, maybe Budapest or somewhere where you can get cheaper flights? Thanks!

There's apparently something like 80 budget airlines operating around Europe these days and would you believe, yes none do the Italy to Istanbul route it seems.

If cost is a big factor for you, I'd reckon about the best that might be going for you to say leave from Rome(and time will limit going any further south)- have a look at www.myair.com to fly to Bucharest.
They have something of a sale for tickets booked by 13/3 on their home page at E29.99 but on putting Rome in as departure and only getting Bucha as destination you get tkts showing as 19.99 I think it was, but catch being only for certain dates and those flights need to be booked as a round trip and cheap price only available at moment for in on 20/5 and out 27/5 back to Rome.
There's good (and cheap) skiing in Romania too I'm lead to believe, so perhaps a couple of days going in would be useful and for going back, seeing as there's a heap of budget carriers doing London to Istanbul, you could compare what's on offer and see if ditching the return is an option or checking out Rome to London cheapies.
www.attitudetravel.com has listings of budget lines by countries served - you'll find www.blueair-web.com do Bucharest to Istanbul but only in winter season, so those legs will have to be train or bus.
Your other option could be to forget Italy and head north to Germany to pick up direct cheapies to Istanbul - again, attitudinal!

Is it possible to get a Ryanair flight from Rome to Amsterdam or a german city, and then fly from there? I know the flights from Amsterdam used to cost around 120 dollars US, one way. There are a lot of flights to Istanbul from there, due to the immigrant influx/outflux.

Its more reliable than hoping on a really special fare for the time you need, though it may cost a little more.

Sultan Air is quite good for one way travel, though its two way travel is sketchy at best.

Why not just take the bus?

Okay, I took a train from Italy to Bulgaria, then from there a bus to Istanbul. I don't recommend the train unless there's no other possible way. From Ljubjlana-- however it's spelled -- to Sofia the trains run hours behind.. it's mind numbing. The ride was scheduled to take about 23 hours, and became close to 30. The ticket cost about $70.. not so cheap, really. The bus from Bulgaria to Istanbul, on the other hand, wasn't bad. Apparently buses are in general more effective and comfortable than trains in that area. It cost about $10, if I recall correctly.. you can bargain a bit at the bus station or ask about discounts.. I definitely recommend going with a bus after Slovenia.

how about a ferry from bari,italy?? just a thought...