As everyone already knows, I'll be moving to Rome in late August for school. My budget is tight, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for planning a cheap flight from Dallas, Texas to Rome? My parents want me to come back in December for christmas break, and I'll be flying back to Rome at the end of christmas break, so the cheapest ideas please. thank you!

I'm on my tippy-tip toes dancing on top of the world, care to join me?

Dani,

I would try this:

1. A one way ticket from DFW to FCO in August.

In order to get a one-way ticket at favorable rate, you have to go through a travel company that specializes in one-way fare. Try http://www.economytravel.com or as always, talk to a travel agent who knows Europe. (There are a couple of them on this forum I think). With some luck, you may be able to get a one-way fare at half the cost of a RT ticket in summer. Since you're coming back in December, why pay for a regular summer RT ticket?

2. A round trip ticket in December from FCO to DFW. Shop around with several other agencies for this one later in the year, also try http://www.statravel.com/statravel/default.aspx which has student fare.

Good luck!

http://www.foulds2000.freeserve.co.uk/economists.htm

Steve, unless Dani is an EU citizen she will not be able to get a one way ticket unless something has changed recently. With all of the tightning of rules for Visas they want to make sure you do not stay too long.

Moving to Italy and Driving in Italy

When my cousin Michelle was doing a year in Paris during college she used to get open return tickets. They allowed this for students and it was significantly cheaper for her. I would ask the airlines or a travel agent what they do for students in particular.

Thanks for the tip. now for another question (or 2) would you recommend a travel agent or an airline? Will the consulate accept an open-ended ticket for a visa application? Thanks for all of the help!

Hi Dani:
Not sure if this reply helps with student visa.

We just applied and received an extended stay visa which is good for one year. To get this type of visa we were required to show a copy of our travel reservation. This meant the day before we went to the consulate, we put a reservation on hold with the airline and showed a copy of the email itinerary with the reservation we had on hold to the San Francisco Italian Consulate, which they accepted.

Regarding our decision to buy a roundtrip ticket valid for 1 year vs. a roundtrip with a shorter return - it was clear a shorter return ticket was the way to go! ($2300 vs. 667). When we return in a year, we'll have to buy another ticket and will use the outbound from Italy only.
- Jill