[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by HighwayBuddha

Thanks Jeroen. Now I will be lugging along all my luggage throughout my trip. Will the baggage policy of, say, Ryan Air match up what BA or Emitares will offer internationally? Can I carry 30 kgs + hand luggage for each traveller? Thanks

You vetter check the website of each carrier as it might differ quite a bit

[vikramv4u]

Originally Posted by HighwayBuddha

Friends,

However, one question that struck me(upon browsing Switzerland Tourism sites) is whether May II half is the right time to vacation in the UK, Scotland, Paris and Switzerland? I hear much of Suisse will be off-season and in closed-down mode that time of the year? Can you please help me here?

Hi,

I think your timing is fine. . Jungfrau and Mt. Titlis are open by then as I had visited (many yrs back) during the same time. However please do bear in mind that summer wouldn't have set in as yet so it will be still be pretty chilly at that time, so if that's a factor you may need to re-look at your dates. The good part about May is since its not yet peak season you will have lesser crowds and maybe even strike better deals. Go for it if the above are acceptable.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by HighwayBuddha

Thanks Jeroen. Now I will be lugging along all my luggage throughout my trip. Will the baggage policy of, say, Ryan Air match up what BA or Emitares will offer internationally? Can I carry 30 kgs + hand luggage for each traveller? Thanks

Most regional airlines have three categories of fares: without any checkin baggage allowance, one with about one bag, and the other with two. If not exactly the same, on similar lines.

So, you'll just end up buying the higher fare; often double of the lowest fare.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by HighwayBuddha

Can I carry 30 kgs + hand luggage for each traveller? Thanks

No. It is like 15 kg checked in per person. That's my personal experience on flying Lufthansa and Air France on flying domestic in Europe. Emirates is an exception with 30 kg baggage allowance on international (35 kg if you are flying Economy Flex Plus). Lufthansa allows only 23 kg/ per person.

I remember Air France allowing purchase of additional luggage at the time of buying the tickets.

I assume, part of the additional luggage would be to get ready to eat stuff. Which I'd suggest to buy it after landing. It doesn't make sense to pay 150 € on extra luggage for what should be < 30€ expense if you buy it here.

Also I won't suggest Ryan Air. For 1. With luggage you'll probably pay on par with other airline fares. 2. They fly to very odd airports with very less facilities to transit. Couple of examples to quote are BVA (aka Paris-Beauvais Airport is 110 km from Paris) and HHN (aka Frankfurt-Hahn is 126 km from Frankfurt city). Consider it, only if you are planning to drive.

However please do bear in mind that summer wouldn't have set in as yet so it will be still be pretty chilly at that time, so if that's a factor you may need to re-look at your dates.

He mentioned 13 year old son. So Indian school holidays might be his only choice. Its actually good in the plains with the sun out, temperatures would be in low to high teens. Gets colder only when you go to higher elevations or early mornings/late evenings.

Infact Spring is the best time to visit Europe. It isn't cold, it isn't too hot either (can get to low 40s). Lesser crowds all around. Cheaper flights and places to stay. Visiting in Summer (July/August) is like going in rush hour traffic paying sky high expenses everywhere.

[Turbanator]

Now I will be lugging along all my luggage throughout my trip. Will the baggage policy of, say, Ryan Air match up what BA or Emitares will offer internationally? Can I carry 30 kgs + hand luggage for each traveller?

Depends on the class which you are traveling, about 22 Kg. for Economy, 30 Kg. for Business. You may carry extra if you are a frequent member of airlines based on your status. If the ticket is issued under one PNR, then Yes you should get benefits of original carrier, but if you have booked directly with Ryan for travel within Europe then conditions of Ryan will be applicable which is mostly little or no baggage. Better you avoid Ryan or carry light. They may charge twice extra or more if you are over 22 Kg.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Depends on the class which you are traveling, about 22 Kg. for Economy, 30 Kg. for Business. You may carry extra if you are a frequent member of airlines based on your status. If the ticket is issued under one PNR, then Yes you should get benefits of original carrier, but if you have booked directly with Ryan for travel within Europe then conditions of Ryan will be applicable which is mostly little or no baggage.

I'd be surprised Ryan Air has partnered with any international players. They hardly have an overlap in terms of airports with them. They always fly from that 'unknown-airport-you-knew-existed' for a given city Their booking site too restricts the Source and Destinations only to where they fly. Same theory goes to EasyJet as well.

For Economy, all Euro players allow 23 kg for both India-EU (and USA/Canada) (happened to travel when they reduced the limit from 30 to 23 in winter of 2010-11). Emirates alone allows 30 kg (Economy Saver), 35 on Economy Flex and 40 on Businesss. The per piece limit in Emirates is 30 kg. So if you are travelling Economy Flex or Business you'll have to carry as 2 pieces.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by narayans80

For Economy, all Euro players allow 23 kg for both India-EU (and USA/Canada) (happened to travel when they reduced the limit from 30 to 23 in winter of 2010-11). Emirates alone allows 30 kg (Economy Saver), 35 on Economy Flex and 40 on Businesss. The per piece limit in Emirates is 30 kg. So if you are travelling Economy Flex or Business you'll have to carry as 2 pieces.

Emirates allows 30 in Economy flex as well. Business has 40 and First 50. I usually book myself in Economy flex and I have never got a 35kg limit, though they do allow ~31kgs. Beyond that, I have been charged 30EUR per kilo at the time of baggage drop off. The only plus side is that you can carry around 10-15kilos to the cabin and as long as it is not too bulky no weight restrictions apply.

Qatar airways offers 45kg limit to certain destinations like Frankfurt on Economy fares(except some special fares).

Most of the local airlines like Eurowings etc have a 22-23kg limit and hence its best advisable to carry the same amount in the international leg as well, if not then one should be able to store it somewhere if they are returning to the same place before travelling back.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Emirates allows 30 in Economy flex as well. Business has 40 and First 50. I usually book myself in Economy flex and I have never got a 35kg limit, though they do allow ~31kgs.

I flew in and out in August 2016. I have the E-Ticket (booked in the official site in July) that mentions the baggage allowance per leg to be 35 kg. I did actually checkin 35 on the return leg, though I was asked to split into 2 pieces at the counter.

I can post a screenshot if you are interested

I too was surprised when I booked. The previous attempts in Economy Saver allowed 30.

The official Emirates Checked Baggage page does confirm what you say.

[vijayols]

Originally Posted by HighwayBuddha

Friends,

I am drawing up a plan based on inputs provided by our colleagues. However, one question that struck me(upon browsing Switzerland Tourism sites) is whether May II half is the right time to vacation in the UK, Scotland, Paris and Switzerland? I hear much of Suisse will be off-season and in closed-down mode that time of the year? Can you please help me here? I am trying to align with my kid's school hols. 2 weeks in, say, Dec may be difficult without having to take a few days off school which I want to avoid. Thanks

IInd half of May should be perfectly fine. We did Germany/Slovenia/Croatia/Italy/Switzerland around the same time 3 years back. Weather played out beautifully. Will be bright/sunny and nippy in a nice way. I would suggest to go around grindelwald (dont miss schilthorn), lauterbrunnen, and luzern. Staying in Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen will give absolute village life experience of swiss. You can check out in air b&b. Weatherwise, I am not sure of UK. It could rain. Hope this helps.

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by HighwayBuddha

I am drawing up a plan based on inputs provided by our colleagues. However, one question that struck me(upon browsing Switzerland Tourism sites) is whether May II half is the right time to vacation in the UK, Scotland, Paris and Switzerland?

May/ June would be rainy and likelier to be cold. Paris is relatively empty in August as most locals take their summer holidays to go elsewhere. But it could mean that other places in Europe would be more expensive as would be travel.

May/ June would mean bright green grass. August/ September could mean drier grass assuming a dry summer. I know it sounds odd but depends what you want to do (only sights or other activities too)

[Uprasenjit]

Sorry was out of town so couldnt check this thread, if this travel has not happened yet I can help you in anything in the UK regarding planning road trips, hotels, places, trains, buses etc.

Let me know.

[HighwayBuddha]

Thanks Prasenjit. Will definitely do so.

[HighwayBuddha]

Friends, I am a bit confused right now. :-)

For me, I want this to be a once-in-a-lifetime Europe vacation for my family. So If I go to a place X, I want to go there when it is in all its glory. I am ok to travel anytime after 21 April, until June 4th 2017 and I am looking for a full 12 day vacation(excluding to and fro travel from Chennai).

My confusion is this - should I target London(2 days), Edinburgh+Glasgow(4 days), Paris(2 days), Switzerland(3 days) and back to London for shopping(1 day) ?
Or should I target - London(2 days), Edinburgh+Glasgow(4 days), Rome+Vatican(2 days), Switzerland(3 days) and back to London for shopping(1 day) ?
Or London(2 days), Edinburgh+Glasgow(3 days), Paris(1 day), Switzerland(3 days), Rome+Vatican(1 day) and back to London for shopping(1 day) ?

Please advise. Also should I target to go in April, so that I can go to Switzerland (transit via London) first to see a bit of snow before it melts and then do the rest of the cities?

Thanks

[Uprasenjit]

Originally Posted by HighwayBuddha

Friends, I am a bit confused right now. :-)

For me, I want this to be a once-in-a-lifetime Europe vacation for my family. So If I go to a place X, I want to go there when it is in all its glory. I am ok to travel anytime after 21 April, until June 4th 2017 and I am looking for a full 12 day vacation(excluding to and fro travel from Chennai).

My confusion is this - should I target London(2 days), Edinburgh+Glasgow(4 days), Paris(2 days), Switzerland(3 days) and back to London for shopping(1 day) ?
Or should I target - London(2 days), Edinburgh+Glasgow(4 days), Rome+Vatican(2 days), Switzerland(3 days) and back to London for shopping(1 day) ?
Or London(2 days), Edinburgh+Glasgow(3 days), Paris(1 day), Switzerland(3 days), Rome+Vatican(1 day) and back to London for shopping(1 day) ?

Please advise. Also should I target to go in April, so that I can go to Switzerland (transit via London) first to see a bit of snow before it melts and then do the rest of the cities?

Thanks

If I were you and days weren't any constraint I would spend min 2-3 days in every country you mentioned. Believe me even 3 days is less to visit the top priority tourist attractions.

However if shopping is one of the main targets then visit London in the end. Going back to the same place for shopping doesnt make sense and waste of money. Walk from Tottenham court road toward Oxford circus for shopping.

Please keep in mind theres Brexit coming from next financial year.

[HighwayBuddha]

Originally Posted by Uprasenjit

If I were you and days weren't any constraint I would spend min 2-3 days in every country you mentioned. Believe me even 3 days is less to visit the top priority tourist attractions.

However if shopping is one of the main targets then visit London in the end. Going back to the same place for shopping doesnt make sense and waste of money. Walk from Tottenham court road toward Oxford circus for shopping.

Please keep in mind theres Brexit coming from next financial year.

Thanks. In Paris, I am not that interested in the museums and so I am guessing 1 day to do the Eiffel + river ride + Champs Elysees will do. Is thjis right?

Same for Rome - I am told major Rome attractions + Vatican can be done in one day?

Also, what are the implications of "Please keep in mind theres Brexit coming from next financial year."? Thanks