Looking at a few options for European holidays and it appears many of them fly from Gatwick with the option of going from a regional airport at a cost of either £89 or £49.

This cost seems to have gone up considerably if my memory serves me correct as I seem to remember last couple of years it not costing any extra to go from Manchester when I did Andalucia (Nov 2010) & Mallorca (Easter 2011). Also the holidays that did cost more were £29 I believe.

Why the big increase ?

The holidays I'm considering among others are the all inclusive to Bulgaria or Greece.

If I take the Manchester option can you tell me if we fly direct to the resort or do we fly to Gatwick to link up with others ?

Also can you tell me flight times from Manchester (departure) & return arrival ?

Saying that Manchester isn't exactly local for me (I'm from the nice side of the Penines) and costs me to get there for £89 I'm thinking I could pay for train to Gatwick and a hotel so may look at that option.

In both cases you would be taking a connecting flight to Gatwick then flying on to your destination - so I would suggest it isn't really worth it. Travelling direct to Gatwick (by car, train or National Express) would probably be more straightforward in your case.

I don't have any flight times from Manchester for those flights but they would probably fit in quite well with your main flights which go at 1305 (Greece) and 1830 (Bulgaria).

I'm not aware of price increases here but if there have been some, I expect it is because the airlines have increased their costs for some services.

Kind regards

Olly, your editor

Why don't you look into booking your own flight direct from your local airport.

I am considering this as I live in Sheffield and don't much fancy the hassle and extra expense of having to travel down to Gatwick.

Olly told me this is possible, just have a word with customer services.

Dawn

I live in Selby so dont really have a local airport, suppose Leeds/Bradford or Robin Hood are the nearest but would both require me to drive and pay a significant parking fee. Its better for me to use public transport and Manchester is best on train but it no big deal going to London airports. I can get direct trains to kings cross(2 hours) then underground to Heathrow or to Victoria then train to Gatwick (both airports in around one hour from kings x, so 3 hour total journey).

If booking tickets in advance I can usually do heathrow for around £30-£40 return and Gatwick £40-£50 against £20 to manchester which take 1.5 hours. So its much cheaper to go to the London airports when you consider the £89 charge.

I normally book a hotel night before at either Manchester or London if a early flight or possibly on return if late back. You can get good deals and on the occasions I've gone in the car its not much more expensive to get a Hotel/Park deal as Parking only.

Last year when I did park & canyons the cheapest arking at heathrow was £75, I got hotel "Renaisance" with parking and breakfast for £90 through my AA membership.

Arranging your own flights to the resort will be expensive bcause you are likely to have to arrane your own transfers and I doubt what JY knock off cost of holiday will pay for the flight.

Mick

But if what you say about JY not knocking off the cost of the flight is right I doubt I will be travelling with JY again. I really cant face all the extra worry.

Dawn

Don't be too discouraged. As I mentioned before, if your flight gets in before the main flight you won't have to pay for your own transfer.

Once you have decided where you would like to go, give our holiday advisors a ring on 0844 567 8844. They will be very happy to help and make your journey simple.

They will also be able to advise how much you can save by booking your own flights, if that is a possibility.

Kind regards

Olly, your editor

Mick

If you are travelling on East Coast trains to Kings Cross to go to Gatwick there is no need to get on the underground to get to Victoria. Simply book the main line through to Gatwick and when you arrive at Kings Cross simply follow the signs for St Pancras. The stations are attached and you do not need to go out onto the open road. You will of course save money because there is no underground to pay. St Pancras trains going to Brighton stop at Gatwick.

Peter

Not booked a holiday with a Gatwick flight yet but watch this space.

Wasn't aware you could get from St Pancras to Gatwick, I'll look into that option as it would be helpful.

thanks

Mick.