by Mark Hazard
The good news for all those people who still want to travel, despite the credit crunch, is that it really has never been easier to get to Barcelona. Remaining a highly popular destination for short breaks, longer holidays, stag and hen parties or simply football weekends, the Catalan city is now comfortably reachable by planes, boats and trains - even cars, if you want.Of course, the vast majority of people coming to the city arrive in Barcelona by plane. The redevelopment of El Prat, the city's main airport, and the astonishing impact of so-called 'budget' airlines really helped develop Barcelona's popularity and now some lower cost airlines also fly into both Girona - to the east - and Reus - to the west. Both these airports, although some way out of Barcelona, have reasonable transport links into the city. From Girona there is an airport bus running into the main bus station, Estació d'Autobusos, Barcelona Nord, which takes about 90 minutes and costs around €12. From Reus, the time and cost of the journey are more or less the same but the destination is the Barcelona Sants station, which has excellent links with the rest of the city.
If you're actually arriving at El Prat, then there are good, direct bus links with the Aerobus, a train from the airport's own station and, of course, taxis or hire cars.
Barcelona has excellent railway connections with many parts of Europe - helped enormously by the introduction of the extremely popular AVE - the high speed link with Madrid - which will be extended into France in the next couple of years. There are already direct links with cities such as Paris, Milan and Zurich. Most of the international, national and regional trains terminate at the Barcelona Sants station.
Although perhaps not as popular as it once was, the international bus route to Barcelona remains strong - mainly because of its low cost, although, of course, the quality of bus used has also improved noticeably in recent years. Most of the national and international connections are made at the Barcelona Nord bus station, although, again, the Sants station is quite busy.
The development of the road systems in both France and Spain has meant that many people now decide to drive down to Barcelona. Just 150 kms from the French border, there is a direct connection between the AP-7, N-II and C-32 Barcelona motorways and the French roads. The busy and popular Autopista Mediterranean Motorway, the AP-7, has made access by car so much more straightforward.
It's worth bearing in mind, however, that driving in the city centre can be quite stressful and parking there is both limited and rather expensive - €3 an hour is quite common now and you could even get charged €25 - €35 for a day. If you find accommodation with free or cheap parking, though, then driving might be an enjoyable option for you to consider.
Finally, one of the most rapidly developing methods of getting to Barcelona is by sea. Always a busy port, Barcelona is now the leading cruise ship destination in the Mediterranean and many cruises either begin or end here. Additionally, there are regular ferry connections with the Balearic Islands as well as ports in Italy and North Africa. Some people, of course, decide to sail here in their own yacht - again, the facilities having improved substantially in recent times.
Whether your preferred means of transport is by land, sea or air, the one thing you can be certain of is that Barcelona will be well worth the journey - however you decide to travel.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
More ways to save on air travel
One of the ways to make a boring flight more bearable is the knowledge you have the cheapest ticket on the plane. With all the security restrictions at air ports and the lack of comfort on the air planes themselves, traveling has lost its appeal. Now, it’s just a way of getting from where you are to where you want to go. The recession is helping because the airlines are having to compete to fill their planes. This is bringing down the retail price of seats and there are a lot of attractive “special offers” being advertised. The fact of a bargain always helps to lift your spirits. The big question is therefore how to get the discounts. If you are planning in advance, there are savings if you book around two months ahead. This gives you a so-called "early bird" discount. When you want a flight in the next few days, the airlines know you probably have to travel and keep the price high. If you book too far ahead, there are uncertainties about costs, particularly of aviation fuel, so airlines tend to keep the price higher to hedge against possible rises in their operating costs. When you book, if possible, always fly as a round trip. One-way tickets are more expensive and, if you are looking for connecting flights, try to stay with the same airline.
Traveling on your own gives you the maximum flexibility. You can decide when you want to fly and how much inconvenience you are prepared to accept to get a discount. Most airlines start offering discounts for groups when there are at least six people in the party. So, if you are prepared to put up with the hassle of organizing friends into a package deal, the savings can be substantial. The emphasis here is on a package which includes hotels and other add-ons. There is another general rule at work here. Never rely on a single internet site for making a booking of any kind. Always get multiple online quotes and pick up the telephone to talk to the airlines and travel agents about travel packages. The moment you start talking about adding a rental car or hotel rooms, you have their undivided attention. Indeed, asking what the options are for saving money will often produce unexpected offers not mentioned on the websites. In this, remember to identify the consolidators or aggregators. These are the travel agents that buy tickets in bulk from the airlines and sell at a discount. Also remember that many of the no-frills budget airlines do not sell through the standard internet search engines. You have to approach them directly.
Learning how to save on air tickets is not difficult but it does take up time and requires some effort. You should also be wary. Many discounted air tickets come with restricted rights to change flight times, exchange tickets, or cancel and seek a refund. Always read the small print before confirming the purchase. You should also use your credit card because many have insurance provisions that cover you should you fall ill and be unable to travel.
Traveling on your own gives you the maximum flexibility. You can decide when you want to fly and how much inconvenience you are prepared to accept to get a discount. Most airlines start offering discounts for groups when there are at least six people in the party. So, if you are prepared to put up with the hassle of organizing friends into a package deal, the savings can be substantial. The emphasis here is on a package which includes hotels and other add-ons. There is another general rule at work here. Never rely on a single internet site for making a booking of any kind. Always get multiple online quotes and pick up the telephone to talk to the airlines and travel agents about travel packages. The moment you start talking about adding a rental car or hotel rooms, you have their undivided attention. Indeed, asking what the options are for saving money will often produce unexpected offers not mentioned on the websites. In this, remember to identify the consolidators or aggregators. These are the travel agents that buy tickets in bulk from the airlines and sell at a discount. Also remember that many of the no-frills budget airlines do not sell through the standard internet search engines. You have to approach them directly.
Learning how to save on air tickets is not difficult but it does take up time and requires some effort. You should also be wary. Many discounted air tickets come with restricted rights to change flight times, exchange tickets, or cancel and seek a refund. Always read the small print before confirming the purchase. You should also use your credit card because many have insurance provisions that cover you should you fall ill and be unable to travel.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Traveling air
Traveling Air go to different of the world.
Traveling in the air is the fastest way to go to different parts of the world. But sometimes, the cost hinders travelers to come to different places. This is true to those who think that flight tickets are too expensive. Actually, if we have to inquire online we can see that there are lots of promos and packages for low cost flight tickets that are available. All you have to do is to book now.
There are lots of ways to get a cheaper flight tickets to different destinations. For tourist, businessman, it’s a big advantage if you book at an early time a month before your schedule. Airline companies are most of the time offer a low cost flight tickets if you do an early booking. However, if you cannot avoid taking flights at as soon as possible, the best way to save is to get a last minute flights. If you will go to the effort at a later time, you will probably get last minute flights at a very low cost.
On the other hand, if you want to take a break for a vacation, Cape Town in Africa is one of the best options. This is the most popular tourist destination in Africa, which is known for its unique atmosphere. Of course, there are also cheap flights to Cape Town that you can avail. To get the most of it, list all, if possible, the airline companies going to Cape Town. Once you get the list, compare the pricing of flights, the due date and the type of flights, getting your money to the best flight at an affordable cost.
If you don’t want to go far from the United States, you may also go to Mexico City. The city is famous for its beautiful landmarks such as the Historic Center, golden Angel of Independence and the Castle of Chapultepec located in Chapultepec. You will surely enjoy those scenes by availing cheap flights to Mexico City. Various airline companies are traveling to Mexico City, and the best way to maximize this is to look for discount airfare promos. Online booking is surely a hassle-free but if you will go to the airport, there are lots of cheap flights and discount deals that will surely gives you enthusiasm to go to Mexico.
Preparations are the best medication for your traveling expenses. Early planning of flights will give you the relief of expenses. So why wait if you can book now and enjoy the deals.
Traveling in the air is the fastest way to go to different parts of the world. But sometimes, the cost hinders travelers to come to different places. This is true to those who think that flight tickets are too expensive. Actually, if we have to inquire online we can see that there are lots of promos and packages for low cost flight tickets that are available. All you have to do is to book now.
There are lots of ways to get a cheaper flight tickets to different destinations. For tourist, businessman, it’s a big advantage if you book at an early time a month before your schedule. Airline companies are most of the time offer a low cost flight tickets if you do an early booking. However, if you cannot avoid taking flights at as soon as possible, the best way to save is to get a last minute flights. If you will go to the effort at a later time, you will probably get last minute flights at a very low cost.
On the other hand, if you want to take a break for a vacation, Cape Town in Africa is one of the best options. This is the most popular tourist destination in Africa, which is known for its unique atmosphere. Of course, there are also cheap flights to Cape Town that you can avail. To get the most of it, list all, if possible, the airline companies going to Cape Town. Once you get the list, compare the pricing of flights, the due date and the type of flights, getting your money to the best flight at an affordable cost.
If you don’t want to go far from the United States, you may also go to Mexico City. The city is famous for its beautiful landmarks such as the Historic Center, golden Angel of Independence and the Castle of Chapultepec located in Chapultepec. You will surely enjoy those scenes by availing cheap flights to Mexico City. Various airline companies are traveling to Mexico City, and the best way to maximize this is to look for discount airfare promos. Online booking is surely a hassle-free but if you will go to the airport, there are lots of cheap flights and discount deals that will surely gives you enthusiasm to go to Mexico.
Preparations are the best medication for your traveling expenses. Early planning of flights will give you the relief of expenses. So why wait if you can book now and enjoy the deals.
Book Your Low Cost Flight Tickets Now
For all those who want to enjoy a great vacation in Cape Town the time has come to book your low cost flight tickets and go for a visit to this exceptional city. This is one sophisticated city in Africa that demands your attention. There are mountains, peninsula, rocky heights, and green valleys to give you that wonderful holiday experience. As a tourist the places to look out for is the Table Mountain; V& waterfront; Robben House (place where Nelson Mandela used to live); wine routes and Botanical gardens. There are four tourism districts with amazing attractions for offer to tourists.
It doesn’t matter which part of the world you reside in but there are lots of cheap flight options available to fly to Cape Town. There are lots of discounts and great deals to help you plan your holidays. Cape Town is extremely popular destination for tourists from all over the world and cheap flights to Cape Town are a reality with a little bit of advance planning. During the summer vacations for the South African school children the city becomes extremely crowded. It is the season to avoid for tourists. It is thus important to plan the trip well in advance. Cape Town doesn’t have a so called off season but visiting this place from February till March and October is highly recommended. The weather is great and crowd is thin, cheap flights and discount on Hotels can be easily arranged. The winter season has some bright days, the deals offered will are also extremely economical, but as a tourist you should be prepared to face some gloomy cold days.
The capital city of Mexico is filled with rich culture and history with some great things on offer for tourists. The ruins of temples of the Aztec civilization, murals of Diego Riveria and enchanting paintings of Frida Kahlo are the major tourist attractions. Tourists can also find fusion of culture of this great city’s past and present with musical performance of dancers and drummers at the Zocalo. The canals of Xochimilco with a rich history offer a platform for lots of family activities. Some other great attractions include the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon, newly created tourist zone of La Zona Rosa, Mexican National Palace, National Museum of Anthropology to name a few of the many attractions on offer.
As a tourist if you are looking for that great travel deal and cheap flight tickets to Mexico City it’s best to avoid the peak tourist season of December and Mid-summer months. In case you still want that great discount deal then you better start planning in advance. There are various online travel deals and flight options available to fit into your budget. Being an expensive city there is everything from luxurious to budget friendly deals for tourists. It depends on the kind of plans that you make to get those cheap flight tickets with exciting Hotel deals to make it a trip to remember. So whether you try for advance booking or quick travel plan this city has lots to offer and the options are endless for tourists.
By Rogers Ronald
It doesn’t matter which part of the world you reside in but there are lots of cheap flight options available to fly to Cape Town. There are lots of discounts and great deals to help you plan your holidays. Cape Town is extremely popular destination for tourists from all over the world and cheap flights to Cape Town are a reality with a little bit of advance planning. During the summer vacations for the South African school children the city becomes extremely crowded. It is the season to avoid for tourists. It is thus important to plan the trip well in advance. Cape Town doesn’t have a so called off season but visiting this place from February till March and October is highly recommended. The weather is great and crowd is thin, cheap flights and discount on Hotels can be easily arranged. The winter season has some bright days, the deals offered will are also extremely economical, but as a tourist you should be prepared to face some gloomy cold days.
The capital city of Mexico is filled with rich culture and history with some great things on offer for tourists. The ruins of temples of the Aztec civilization, murals of Diego Riveria and enchanting paintings of Frida Kahlo are the major tourist attractions. Tourists can also find fusion of culture of this great city’s past and present with musical performance of dancers and drummers at the Zocalo. The canals of Xochimilco with a rich history offer a platform for lots of family activities. Some other great attractions include the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon, newly created tourist zone of La Zona Rosa, Mexican National Palace, National Museum of Anthropology to name a few of the many attractions on offer.
As a tourist if you are looking for that great travel deal and cheap flight tickets to Mexico City it’s best to avoid the peak tourist season of December and Mid-summer months. In case you still want that great discount deal then you better start planning in advance. There are various online travel deals and flight options available to fit into your budget. Being an expensive city there is everything from luxurious to budget friendly deals for tourists. It depends on the kind of plans that you make to get those cheap flight tickets with exciting Hotel deals to make it a trip to remember. So whether you try for advance booking or quick travel plan this city has lots to offer and the options are endless for tourists.
By Rogers Ronald
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