How to buy air tickets Toronto-Moscow-Toronto?

[Lily]

Hello dears,
I would like to ask the question to the well travelled members of this forum. Now I am planning my first trip to Russia and back for a couple of weeks. I picked up the time of late October - early November, as I heard that this is the best time to travel. As I don't work now, my time is fairly flexible.
From what I learned so far, the site airfarewatchdog.com should be useful. It does search on expedia, kayak and other similar sites. I played with them for a day, and found out that my ticket price would be around $1200 with one or two transfers. Does this price sound right?
How do you buy your tickets to Russia?
Thank you all!

[Shadow]

I usually bought them like 'I am off between now and next week, what is the cheapest seat'.

However is you wish to spend some time, this is the procedure:
1. Visit www.amadeus.net they provide the backend to many tour operators, so its a good place to check out all connections.
2. Look for out-of-the-box connections. While this may be risky in stopover times, if a flight from NY is a lot cheaper and a flight Toronto-NY below the price difference, you could use that. Similar with splitting the flight after crossing the ocean.
3. Check last-minute offers and availability within one or two days to get an idea on if it pays to book at the last moment.

[GoodOlBoy]

Hi Lily!
Try these folks:
 
http://matrix.itasoftware.com/
 
GOB

[Daveman]

another place to check is


www.tickettokiev.com   business name BrandNew Travel


They specialize in FSU flights and are operated by Russians.  When I was flying frequently, they always had or matched the lowest fares.  You can book online, or you can call them up, give them your travel needs, and they'll track any specials, etc, they can find for you and give you a call back.  Since your dates are flexible, I'd suggest giving them a call and seeing what they can find for you and compare.  They were often the lowest by a couple hundred dollars so I would at least check them - by phone- for any FSU travel.


Good luck Lily!  Are you going to write a TR for us? 

[Lily]

Wow, thanks for your suggestions!
A TR, what would be the things that the forum members would like to read? My trip will not be dating related

[SANDRO43]

A TR, what would be the things that the forum members would like to read?

Your impressions on the current Russian scene, as seen with fresh eyes after spending time in Canada : a possibly different perspective, as in VWRW's recent case.

[Muzh]

Lily,

First, I went to Orbitz to find a R/T ticket to Kharkiv. I found one out of JFK for ~$1000 leaving two days later. It was with Aeroflot through SVO. I can imagine you can find one for around that price. The trick is flying out on a Tuesday or Wednesday and returning on the same. Orbitz gives you the option to expand 3 days prior and 3 days after your intended departure/return. Also, you don't have to buy through them, sometimes it may be cheaper going trough the airline directly. But at least Orbitz gives you many alternative with many airlines.

Now, I just read that Aeroflot has suspended about 60 flights until mid-October (and maybe later) because of runway repairs SVO closed two runways.

Good luck shopping.

[Shadow]

Just FYI, breaking the search in two parts I got to around $800...

[onlyFSU4me]

Lily the cheapest flights I find is through Galatravels.com out of Toronto. Check them out.

[Jersey Guy]

I just bought a round trip ticket for her R/T Moscow to JFK for $736. I checked orbitz for approximations. Then after I find a flight I want I go directly to the airline for the purchase. It is the second time we used Transaero for her flight. It was always the cheapest by far. It leaves Domodedovo which is convienent for her since she flies Saravia from Saratov to Moscow Domodedovo.

[Faux Pas]

Lily,
I assume you are looking to save money? Although they will probably show up on most search engines, check with LOT airlines. They had a really cheap flight JFK to DME. In finding your flights look at the 28-35 day window of departure. Don't buy before 35 days and try to buy before 28 days from departure. Flight prices start high buying too early and decline up to the 27-28 days. Sometimes right up to 21 days, then they increase daily and dramatically depending on sales. If this makes any sense 

[ML]

My trip will not be dating related

How can you know this?

Have an open mind.

BC and others always tell us the best way to find a wife (husband) is to not be looking.

[Anotherkiwi]

How can you know this?

Have an open mind.

BC and others always tell us the best way to find a wife (husband) is to not be looking.

Can you not read, ML?  Her status says "Committed." 

[Lily]

I just bought a round trip ticket for her R/T Moscow to JFK for $736. I checked orbitz for approximations. Then after I find a flight I want I go directly to the airline for the purchase. It is the second time we used Transaero for her flight. It was always the cheapest by far. It leaves Domodedovo which is convienent for her since she flies Saravia from Saratov to Moscow Domodedovo.

JerseyGuy, $736 for a roundtrip even from the JFK, and I am in Toronto, Canada, is incredibly cheap!
The Transaero flight Toronto-Moscow-Toronto is the most expensive option, albeit the most comfortable one.

  check with LOT airlines. They had a really cheap flight JFK to DME. 

Sure I try to save money! However I am in Toronto, so I still have to get to JFK first

Have an open mind.

BC and others always tell us the best way to find a wife (husband) is to not be looking.

ML, I go to Russia...    ..isn't it a bad place for a woman to look for a mate? Otherwise I woudn't be in hurry to immigrate 
 

[CDW]

Do shop around for the cheapest deal.  Look for google search engines and you will see lists of different companies, and have look at them.

[ML]

Can you not read, ML?  Her status says "Committed." 

Well, many  people tell me I should  be committed.  So  I am used to not paying any attention to that word!   

[Faux Pas]

Sure I try to save money! However I am in Toronto, so I still have to get to JFK first

Lily, the LOT price was about $590. Don't know if it's still available but, I'll bet there is a pretty cheap flight from TOR to JFK. Get flexible, look things over and look things over again. You'd be surprised at the money you can save on flights with flexibility.

When I go to Russia, I go to Tomsk via Moscow. There is no straight flight from my local airport to Tomsk either or even Moscow for that matter. Think about it, don't let the airline companies box you in 

[newjason]

Hey LiLy
I don't know If you have AAA where you live  ( the auto club, not the alcoholics)
From the info on their website aaa dot com  it says they do serve Canada,
But I too am going in late Oct and the wonderful lady Alex at AAA travel got us 2 R/T flights to Moscow from JFK for $599 each Incl tax and fees.
However, the tickets are not changeable at that price and no refunds or exchanges. (that's not totally true, I have exchanged before but it was a $250 fee to do it)
AAA also hooked us up with a rental car and a hotel. Their Travel services are top notch. They also helped with my IDL.
There is a membership fee of $300 per year, but that easily pays for itself with the savings you get and the roadside services such as towing, keys locked in the car, out of gas .. ect.. included.

(Keep in mind, I bought these in early September, so those prices are for reservations well in advance)

[Anotherkiwi]

Well, many  people tell me I should  be committed...

You'll get no argument from me! 

[Lily]

Lily, the LOT price was about $590. Don't know if it's still available but, I'll bet there is a pretty cheap flight from TOR to JFK. 

Will look into it, thanks! 

I don't know If you have AAA where you live  ( the auto club, not the alcoholics)
From the info on their website aaa dot com  it says they do serve Canada,
But I too am going in late Oct and the wonderful lady Alex at AAA travel got us 2 R/T flights to Moscow from JFK for $599 each Incl tax and fees.
 
There is a membership fee of $300 per year

Yes they are active in Canada, and I've heard great feedback from people about them. However I don't drive and don't own a car. Not sure that the membership is worth it with my occasional overseas travel once in a few years.
 

[Lily]

Guys, I just found a 1 stop flight by Delta, with stopover in JFK. Is it possible that taxes and surcharges are almost as big as the airfare??
************************

Delta Air Lines Flight 4043  Departs: Tue Oct 23 1:41pm Toronto, ON - Pearson International (YYZ) [/t][/t][/l] Arrives: Tue Oct 23 3:25pm New York, NY - John F Kennedy International (JFK) Operated by: PINNACLE doing business as DELTA CONNECTION Delta Air Lines Flight 30  Departs: Tue Oct 23 4:15pm New York, NY - John F Kennedy International (JFK) [/t][/l] Arrives: Wed Oct 24 9:55am Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) ************ Adult Fare: 1x$541.62 Adult Taxes & Surcharges: 1x$580.74 Total: $1122.36 CAD  [/b]

[ML]

Guys, I just found a 1 stop flight by Delta, with stopover in JFK. Is it possible that taxes and surcharges are almost as big as the airfare??

[/l]

Yes Lily, it is quite common that taxes and surcharges are almost as big as the airfare.  In fact, these charges can be MORE than the airfare.

[LAman]

Yes Lily, it is quite common that taxes and surcharges are almost as big as the airfare.  In fact, these charges can be MORE than the airfare.

It all depends on the airline and where they stopover.....

[LAman]

Guys, I just found a 1 stop flight by Delta, with stopover in JFK. Is it possible that taxes and surcharges are almost as big as the airfare??
************************

Delta Air Lines Flight 4043  Departs: Tue Oct 23 1:41pm Toronto, ON - Pearson International (YYZ) [/t][/t][/l] Arrives: Tue Oct 23 3:25pm New York, NY - John F Kennedy International (JFK) Operated by: PINNACLE doing business as DELTA CONNECTION Delta Air Lines Flight 30  Departs: Tue Oct 23 4:15pm New York, NY - John F Kennedy International (JFK) [/t][/l] Arrives: Wed Oct 24 9:55am Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) ************ Adult Fare: 1x$541.62 Adult Taxes & Surcharges: 1x$580.74 Total: $1122.36 CAD   [/l]

Hi Lily...did you try leaving a day later on Wednesday? Seems rates are lower ~$45.

I found a couple flights for under $1000 on other sites but other issues can arise.

[Faux Pas]

Guys, I just found a 1 stop flight by Delta, with stopover in JFK. Is it possible that taxes and surcharges are almost as big as the airfare??

If you had found a better deal tax and fees would have been larger.  $1100 Lily doesn't strike me as a good deal at all. Is that the lowest you found after much searching?