Holiday flights rip-off

[Tony Knight]

I suppose reading previous postings on the forum about the cost of flights to Faro, I shouldn't be surprised to find that when my wife in the past few days looked at the costing of flights to Faro next August from Gatwick, we were shocked to find how much they had increased over the past couple of weeks, particularly with BA and Monarch (who are, after all, supposed to be a low cost airline). We therefore looked at flights from Heathrow to Lisbon by TAP, to either change planes and continue to Faro, or alternatively, hire a vehicle from Lisbon and drive down to Carvoeiro. We chose to do the latter. I know that this will mean a drive of about two and a half hours, but we thought that this was our best option, even taking into account the cost of hiring a vehicle plus fuel. We are a party of five adults, plus our 4 year old granddaughter, so with all of our luggage (3 females in the party!!!), we'll be looking at a nine seater vehicle. I would appreciate it if anybody who has driven from Lisbon to Carvoeiro can give me some advice on the following:-

1) A reputable car hire company at Lisbon Airport where I might hire a suitable vehicle.

2) Is it all motorway and a straightforward journey.

3) The cost, and type of tolls, in operation.

Finally, it was interesting to hear Simon Calder's comments on the BBC Breakfast program this morning when he said that the airline companies had dramatically increased the cost of flights because of the new Government law that parents would be heavily fined for taking their children out of school during normal term time.

I would be interested to hear any comments.

Tony

[sunman]

Hi Tony,

in the absence of any other answers I'll give an answer, we used to live on the Algarve & did the Lisbon drive a lot so it's good information albeit a couple of years out of date re the tolls

- Lisbon airport has all the reputable car rental companies operating there, I'd suggest pre booking via a comparison site to get yourself the best deal, they all do the usual bands of different car sizes, just make sure you have aircon.

- the airport is very close to the Vasco De Gama bridge, as you leave the airport you're plonked straight onto the ring road, just follow the V.D.Gama signs, it's only 3 or 4 minutes; the right hand turn onto the bridge is quite tight so just make sure you're in the far right hand land as you approach it.

- the bridge is huge, 12km long from memory, but as you get to the other side you'll see signs to The Algarve, you pay bridge tolls going IN to the City, NOT going out so you'll be fine, then after the bridge you collect your ticket & pay at the booths on the Algarve end, from memory it was €22 or so for the journey, which all in is about 2 1/4 hours on excellent motorway.
YOU CAN get on the old Algarve road and pay no tolls but it's very up and down & bendy for much of the way, I only did it once & it drove me mad so I wouldn't recommend it.

re. the hire car, you can drive it where you like in Portugal but if you're planning a trip into Spain to Seville or somewhere then you should let them know as there's a bit of premium to pay for that.

hope it all works out

[LICY]

Friends have just decided to take a train from Lisbon to the Algarve and thought that worked well for them. No idea on costs. Best of British. We booked easyjet for 5 July within the first 24 hours or of their release. £150 each return, but I saw one way in July for about £300.

[Tony Knight]

Hi Sunman,

Have sent you a PM.

Tony

[mur1963]

I just booked 3 return flights from LGW to FAO in August for 9 nights for £225 each with British Airways including one suitcase each which I think is a reasonably fair price....the flights are afternoon/evening ones but because we are close to Gatwick it doesn't bother us. Skyscanner is a good website/app to compare prices

[sunman]

Hi Sunman,

Have sent you a PM.

Tony

hi Tony, nothing arrived; resend?

[LICY]

I just booked 3 return flights from LGW to FAO in August for 9 nights for £225 each with British Airways including one suitcase each which I think is a reasonably fair price....the flights are afternoon/evening ones but because we are close to Gatwick it doesn't bother us. Skyscanner is a good website/app to compare prices

We are close to Gatwick too. 15-20 minute drive which is great as we get 6am flights and late night flights with sleezyjet. Partly down to better prices and getting a full day. Tough coming home in the wee hours, but hey ho all worth it to go to CVO.

[Tony Knight]

Hi Sunman,

I've tried twice to send you a PM but have been unsuccessful on both occasions, and I lose my message when checking out my sent box.

Thanks for the information you've given us.

Tony

[EMM]

Do not do as a friiend of ours did and fail to collect your ticket at the toll on the Lisbon end of the motorway, when he got down to the Algarve he was charged 58Euros !!!

[sunman]

Do not do as a friiend of ours did and fail to collect your ticket at the toll on the Lisbon end of the motorway, when he got down to the Algarve he was charged 58Euros !!!

a cheap fine for a fare dodger I would have thought

[Wiltsie]

Well i cant believe how the ejet prices flying out of BTL have shot up in price so quickly for next Summer.
I'm either going to have to bite the bullet and book returns in 1st week of Sept for £240 each or wait and see if some days prices come down.
We've been coming for same 10/11 days in early Sept for 6 years now and never paid higher than £170 each.
I guess the increased demand from S Wales (cardiff airport in crisis) and TC using Ejet planes on some routes has increased demand v quickly out of BTL.
Also noticed they've increased price of 20kg baggage to £38!

[Tony Knight]

Hi Sunman,

Have sent a reply PM on yours and noted that it's been sent successfully.

Tony

[laserblazer]

I think Thomson is the main reason

[bruce]

I don't necessarily think it is a rip off, everything is going up including airport landing and take off fees, insurance wages etc.
The airlines are running a business to make money pure and simple.

[Octopus]

I don't necessarily think it is a rip off, everything is going up including airport landing and take off fees, insurance wages etc.
The airlines are running a business to make money pure and simple.

The problem is schools all taking their holidays at the same times. Then supply an demand takes over and prices quickly get silly during the single week they're all off etc. it would be far better for schools to set their own holidays. Though this could become problematic if you had kids at different schools....