[Travel] Help needed with decision on which flight to book

redoubtable seagull · Jul 12, 2022

Apologies for the indulgent post.

I’ve booked tickets for me and my two lads for a bundesliga weekend in Dortmund next month. One of my bucket list things to do before I get too old!

Would any experienced NSC travellers be able to offer words of advice on what flights to book.

Our options are:

Stansted to Dortmund (Ryanair) direct but there is only one flight a day there and back. Is this high risk given cancellations and the general chaos with air travel at the moment.

There are multiple direct flights to Düsseldorf from Heathrow (BA) and the train to Dortmund is regular and the journey is under hour. But the cost is a few hundred quid more than the Ryanair flights.

The mileage from the SE to either airport is similar, parking at both airports is about the same, as are train ticket prices for Düsseldorf to Dortmund or the airport shuttle from Dortmund to the city. So these aspects from a cost perspective are neither here nor there.

So what would NSC do - go with Ryanair as it’s cheaper but if the flight is cancelled then there’s no options for alternatives, or, pay more to fly with BA in the knowledge an alternative flight might be possible on the same day?

Thanks in advance.

KZNSeagull · Jul 12, 2022

Based upon my Mother in Law's experiences earlier this year with BA at Heathrow, I would avoid them like the plague.

AmexRuislip · Jul 12, 2022

redoubtable seagull said:
Apologies for the indulgent post.

I’ve booked tickets for me and my two lads for a bundesliga weekend in Dortmund next month. One of my bucket list things to do before I get too old!

Would any experienced NSC travellers be able to offer words of advice on what flights to book.

Our options are:

Stansted to Dortmund (Ryanair) direct but there is only one flight a day there and back. Is this high risk given cancellations and the general chaos with air travel at the moment.

There are multiple direct flights to Düsseldorf from Heathrow (BA) and the train to Dortmund is regular and the journey is under hour. But the cost is a few hundred quid more than the Ryanair flights.

The mileage from the SE to either airport is similar, parking at both airports is about the same, as are train ticket prices for Düsseldorf to Dortmund or the airport shuttle from Dortmund to the city. So these aspects from a cost perspective are neither here nor there.

So what would NSC do - go with Ryanair as it’s cheaper but if the flight is cancelled then there’s no options for alternatives, or, pay more to fly with BA in the knowledge an alternative flight might be possible on the same day?

Thanks in advance.

Fly from LHR, as you say more choices if original flight is cancelled

Beach Hut · Jul 12, 2022

redoubtable seagull said:
Apologies for the indulgent post.

I’ve booked tickets for me and my two lads for a bundesliga weekend in Dortmund next month. One of my bucket list things to do before I get too old!

Would any experienced NSC travellers be able to offer words of advice on what flights to book.

Our options are:

Stansted to Dortmund (Ryanair) direct but there is only one flight a day there and back. Is this high risk given cancellations and the general chaos with air travel at the moment.

There are multiple direct flights to Düsseldorf from Heathrow (BA) and the train to Dortmund is regular and the journey is under hour. But the cost is a few hundred quid more than the Ryanair flights.

The mileage from the SE to either airport is similar, parking at both airports is about the same, as are train ticket prices for Düsseldorf to Dortmund or the airport shuttle from Dortmund to the city. So these aspects from a cost perspective are neither here nor there.

So what would NSC do - go with Ryanair as it’s cheaper but if the flight is cancelled then there’s no options for alternatives, or, pay more to fly with BA in the knowledge an alternative flight might be possible on the same day?

Thanks in advance.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-62136022

Heathrow not looking good

Cowfold Seagull · Jul 12, 2022

Agree re British Airways, to be avoided at the moment, too high a risk of cancellation or delays. Ryanair on the other hand, although so often derided, along with Jet2 are the two "British", (yes ok l know Ryanair are in theory Irish), airlines suffering the least cancellatios.

Also don't forget, if you prefer the option via Dusseldorf, that Lufthansa also fly that route more than once a day,

bluenitsuj · Jul 12, 2022

Avoid BA at all costs. They are incompetent at best

Cowfold Seagull · Jul 12, 2022

KZNSeagull said:
Based upon my Mother in Law's experiences earlier this year with BA at Heathrow, I would avoid them like the plague.

I thought you might have been all for your mother-in -law flying BA, especially if you didn't want to see her again. :lol:

VAL1850 · Jul 12, 2022

As there are 3 of you, suggest driving, only 4 hours from Calais..... (guessing you have a car!!)

knocky1 · Jul 12, 2022

Interesting but not directly relevant.

IAG is the parent company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and LEVEL. It is a Spanish registered company with shares traded on the London Stock Exchange and Spanish Stock Exchanges. The corporate head office for IAG is in London, UK.

That's Brexit done.

Springal · Jul 12, 2022

Avoid LHR.

Stansted is a ball ache to get to but Ryanair seem to be performing.

Rugrat · Jul 12, 2022

VAL1850 said:
As there are 3 of you, suggest driving, only 4 hours from Calais..... (guessing you have a car!!)

Totally agree with this. Last two flights on BA (one LGW and one LHR) were a shambles. Chunnel and 4 hours is a doddle, and pretty well all uncertainty removed

Deanbha · Jul 13, 2022

redoubtable seagull said:
Apologies for the indulgent post.

I’ve booked tickets for me and my two lads for a bundesliga weekend in Dortmund next month. One of my bucket list things to do before I get too old!

Would any experienced NSC travellers be able to offer words of advice on what flights to book.

Our options are:

Stansted to Dortmund (Ryanair) direct but there is only one flight a day there and back. Is this high risk given cancellations and the general chaos with air travel at the moment.

There are multiple direct flights to Düsseldorf from Heathrow (BA) and the train to Dortmund is regular and the journey is under hour. But the cost is a few hundred quid more than the Ryanair flights.

The mileage from the SE to either airport is similar, parking at both airports is about the same, as are train ticket prices for Düsseldorf to Dortmund or the airport shuttle from Dortmund to the city. So these aspects from a cost perspective are neither here nor there.

So what would NSC do - go with Ryanair as it’s cheaper but if the flight is cancelled then there’s no options for alternatives, or, pay more to fly with BA in the knowledge an alternative flight might be possible on the same day?

Thanks in advance.

Hi, I went a few years ago. Flew from Gatwick to Dusseldorf and stayed in Dusseldorf. Not much in Dortmund itself.
The train is free if going to the match, just show your match ticket if the inspector comes round. Takes just over an hour from Dusseldorf

sully · Jul 13, 2022

VAL1850 said:
As there are 3 of you, suggest driving, only 4 hours from Calais..... (guessing you have a car!!)

Exactly what I was going to say.

We’ve done two trips to see Monchengladbach and drove both times. Nice and easy.

We also stayed in Düsseldorf one time and it’s a great city, so would also recommend staying there as an alternative.

You also then have options to drive to the match, but the trains worked well for us when we used them (car park was worse than Bridge at Monchengladbach!).

scooter1 · Jul 13, 2022

More flights are being cancelled where there is a chance you can be placed on an alternative flight, therefore Ryanair single flight option might be better. Also with STN being a quieter hub, you might fair better there. Either way, good luck!

Boroseagull · Jul 13, 2022

Often derided but Ryanair are laughing now. By far away the best bet of all especially flying from Stansted (the least affected airport). Between us we've completed both with and without check in luggage 10 Ryanair flights since March this year with no delays or problems. Or drive as others suggest.

BNthree · Jul 13, 2022

VAL1850 said:
As there are 3 of you, suggest driving, only 4 hours from Calais..... (guessing you have a car!!)

I'd suggest this too. Given the hassle at airports the total journey time is probably about the same or less even.

BNthree · Jul 13, 2022

redoubtable seagull said:
I’ve booked tickets for me and my two lads for a bundesliga weekend in Dortmund next month. One of my bucket list things to do before I get too old!

Sorry to sidetrack but how easy was it to get tickets? This is something I'd like to do sometime soon.

Surf's Up · Jul 13, 2022

Heathrow and BA currently seem to be in meltdown. Ryanair, to their credit, have recovered immediately as they didn't sack any staff (like EasyJet, BA etc) and so don't have a recruitment problem and can therefore offer a full service with very few delays or cancellations. All the usual reservations about flying with Ryanair apply of course.

DavidinSouthampton · Jul 13, 2022

VAL1850 said:
As there are 3 of you, suggest driving, only 4 hours from Calais..... (guessing you have a car!!)

I was going to say that too. Not as far as you might think….. or train.

Eric the meek · Jul 13, 2022

In view of all that is happening with airlines at the moment, why wouldn't you drive?

Dusseldorf is not that far away. Think London to Manchester.

If you haven't driven in Europe before, check what you need to carry in the way of spare lightbulbs, hi-vis vest, warning triangle etc for France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.
Also check that your cards will work in petrol stations.

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