I've been looking for tickets to Rome for 2 months now. I don't leave until August, but I need to get my ticket soon so I'll be able to get my visa. I hear people say that they have found tickets for as cheap as 400-800pp from LA. all i've been able to find ranges from 1500-2000pp. I really do need a cheap ticket, since I'll be flying back about twice a year.are there any GREAT websites anyone knows of or GREAT travel agents that can help out. I'm going to college in Italy, and this has become rather frustrating for me. PLEASE HELP!!!!

I need to leave August 29 and i'm looking for a return flight on Dec 20. I'll be coming back for christmas break. The time that I leave doesn't matter too much , just as long as i don't get there too early or too late. (i forgot to leave this information in the last post) THANKS AGAIN!!!

Dani-- We have gathered some of this info into a FAQ; and you can also search the Message Board for the many previous threads on airfare. In addition, the list of some of the travel consultants who participate on the Board is on our Planning page.

Best of luck.

Dani -- didn't you ask something similar before and I among others answered, my answer being about using an agency that can issue student travel tickets? Maybe I dreamed it! Anyway...agencies such as STA and Council Travel are nationwide and can issue special student rate tickets that you cannot get elsewhere. There are two advantages: lower price, plus allowance for long stays in Italy. On 'regular' tickets, whether from an agent or something like Orbitz, there is a time limit for your stay abroad for the lower priced tickets (relative term, I know). Student tickets provide longer stays.

Look around near campus where you are...see if any agencies are STA/Council. Talk to someone in the office that handles 'year abroad' programs at the university and see what advice you get for where to purchase. Or, look at http://www.sta.com

Best wishes,

Dani -- don't panic. there's no way you'll end up paying $1500 RT for a ticket to Rome.

Try a different US gateway than LAX. First, go on Oritz and you'll see the RT fare to FCO from New York is $800 right now in Summer on British Airway. There'll be plenty of cheap tickets to New York from wherever you're in the US. If you do decide to fly on a tow-legged itinerary, you want to make sure that you allow enough time in between the flights. I would recommend an overnight stay between the two flights.

Second, are you SURE you need a RT ticket to Italy since you'll studying for four years there? It simply does not make much sense to me. Could you contact the Italian consulate or your own school and confirm this?

I just noticed that BA sales is on from LAX to FCO too -- it's about $1100 RT including tax