Expert: Stephen Tanenbaum - 7/12/2009

Question
Hi,

I'd like to take my wife to Spain for our tenth anniversary.

On web sites I've found flights to Madrid as low as $1100 (for both of us, return).

However, we'd like to see Barcelons as well. Only Expedia, of sites I've found, lets you put in two cities. And when I put in New York-Madrid-Barcelona-New York (without a Madrid to Barcelona flight) I get one possibility at $7000 (too much).

Is there any other web site that gives the option of two cities?

Many thanks,

Steve

Answer
Steve to Steve.....

Hi:

First off my expertise if FREE airline travel. For example we just spent one month living in Barcelona (1BR apt best location $65/nite).And I am now replying from our Paris 1,016sq ft apt ($87/day) as we conclude our one month here in Paris. These are two of our all time favorite cities.

Note: In YouTube's search window you may type either my screen name
worldromer     or   bar cam 07  and bar cam 09   to view our '07 (first visit to Barcelona) and last months videos. Some may be helpful for your visit.

Free travel.....ALL our flights on this and other trips these past ten years have been FREE. Now we flew from SF to Barcelona, then to Paris and home this week. All FREE flights.

Depending on WHEN you plan your trip you may ba able to plug into free flights for your trip.  In youtube.com search window type:

free global travel 4 you

Our neat little promo video for our FREE newsletter. Text on the right has links to recent newsletters. The citibank offer should be running through at least August. Get two credit cards (free no fee first year) and you get enough free miles for off season RT to Spain INCLUDING the second free flight to Barcelona. You can each do this, just as we did.

These offers come and go though Citibank has been around for several years finally expiring in August, unless they hopefully again renew it.

If for any reason, timing or otherwise, this won't work for you I have one other interesting option.

I just Googled and came up with RT fare from Madrid to Barcelona for an arbitrary Sept. fly date.....the fares are $6.51 to Barcelona $1.40 for the return flight. So total SEVEN DOLLARS AND NINETY ONE CENTS PLUS TAXES.  TOTAL WITH ALL TAXES IS $43 RT.

Hmmmm.... is he kidding .... you might be saying. No, not at all. We flew Glasgow to London for $6.50.

HOW: Europes cheapest airline....Ryan Air. Catches....a few but still dirt cheap.

On like the one euro ($1.40) flight they may charge $13 to check a bag in (carry-on is free). They also, I am told, charge for live airport check in versus free online boarding pass check in.

The only real impediment is Ryans use of non main stream airorts. You land about 45 minutes to an hour away. Barcelona uses Girona airport. We actually visited Girona from Barcelona. So cheap nine dollar train ride for about an hour from Girona to Barcelona but HEY check out  Girona....one of the best walled cities. And just twenty minutes fromm Girona by train is the world famous DALI MUSEUM....so great built in side trips if you like.

Not sure what Madrid airport Ryan uses...their web site will tell you that.

So, using such as Ryanair.com and you now hopefully have the $43.40 RT Madrid to Barcelona option with built-in side trip to lovely Girona. As noted be sure to check Ryans 'extra' cost items. I recall our $6.50 flight from Glasgow came out to about $18 with all taxes. Wel also flew Milan to Glasgow on Ryan for total price with all taxes of about $40.

Hope this helps and have happy, safe travels.

Steve T from sunny Paris. Tomorrow the city does WILD....BASTILLE DAY!