complicated trip

[tortuga26]

My friend lives in the USA, and I live in South Korea. We want to meet in Rome, and then visit Prague and Athens before heading back to South Korea.
I am overwhelmed as to how we should coordinate this for the cheapest and (time-wise) closest flights for both of us to get to Rome, then to continue from there together--then he we fly home and I will stay in Korea.
I expect all of this flying to be expensive, but I don't want it to become TOO expensive. Any advice of websites/travel agents I can visit to help me coordinate this complicated trip?

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

The problem with using travel agents (and some websites) is that they don't consider using the budget airlines which cover many of the routes you require.

Here's how I'd do it:

Firstly, wherever your friend lives in the USA, there are probably direct flights, from a nearby airport, to Rome Fiumcino. With a bit of research it shouldn't be too difficult to find a reasonable fare.

The only direct flights, from South Korea to Rome, appear to be with Korean Air (from Incheon Airport). Unless you live too far away to consider such flights, I'd recommend investigating their fares. (NB: Two single fares often work out far dearer than one return. My suggestion for getting round this is below).

Rome to Prague will cost you very little. Sky Europe fly the route and their fares are usually 'peanuts'. Alternatively CSA Czech fly the route and SmartWings have a budget service which flies the route but calls at Milan on the way.

Prague to Athens is also cheap because, once again, Sky Europe operate on that route.

[Buenchico]

From Athens, you need to get to South Korea. There are no direct flights so you've got to change somewhere. Although it might look strange on a map, I suggest travelling via Rome. It's just a short, dirt cheap, flight there with Aegean Airways. This now means that you can buy a return ticket from Seoul to Rome (which is likely to save you quite a lot of money). As I read your post, your friend is travelling to South Korea with you so, of course, he/she will need to purchase a single (but see below).

Your friend now needs to get back from South Korea to the USA. It's difficult to give exact suggestions without knowing exactly where your friend lives but it seems obvious that the quickest route would be to fly eastwards. However, if your friend's not in a hurry, it might be worth comparing the total costs of single flights, from USA to Rome to Seoul to USA, with the alternative of buying return flights from the USA to Rome and from Rome to Seoul. Of course, that means returning home 'the long way round' but it deserves consideration. (If your friend really isn't in a hurry, he/she could have a few days on his/her own, in Rome, to break up the flight).

OK. Those are my first thoughts. If you want me to 'put some flesh on the bones', I'll need further information such as your planned travel dates and your friend's location in the USA. You can mail me at
[email protected]

Chris