Help w/flights DC - Finland (or strategy for Europe w/no direct flights)

[Anonymous]

I'm specifically going to Finland and looking to buy flights now (from DC). There are no direct flights out of any of the WAS airports.

On the way there, we are flying in to Helsinki. On the last day, we are leaving from Rovaniemi. We could fly back to Helsinki, but we don't have to.

In the past, we have driven to NYC for direct flights, but it seems like a lot to add that drive on to this far of trip (and it doesn't save that much money either).

I am thinking we are just going to take a layover on the flight there, and then on the way home I think I am going to fly Rovaniemi to London, stay there 24 hours a quick visit (my kids have never been there) and then pay $$$ to fly nonstop London to IAD home.

BUT I wondered if anyone else has any brilliant ideas for something I don't normally do like fly somewhere else in Europe direct from IAD and then take a cheaper intra-europe airline to Finland.

There are 5 of us going - 2 adults, and 3 kids are 16, 13, and 10 at the time of travel. The issue is I was planning to spend around $1K each on flights and this is looking like $2K each. It's a milestone event trip, so if I have to throw money at the problem, I will but just wondered if anyone could save me $5K with anything I haven't considered yet. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

PS - I said IAD above, but it could be BWI - we could fly out of any WAS airport.

[Anonymous]

Iceland air allows you to book a flight with a few days of layover.
You could explore Reikyavik and its surrounding instead of London.
London is nice provided that the weather isn’t bad.
Iceland is cold even in the summer, but the museums and hot springs are daylight make up for it.

[Anonymous]

I fly to Helsinki often and prefer KLM via Amsterdam. The Helsinki airport hotel is a pleasant and affordable option if needed for timing of flights home.

[Anonymous]

When are you going? If it’s in the summer, you can fly from here to ORD and then non-stop on FinnAir to HEL. If you’re going in the winter, Rovaniemi has lots of charter flights to major European cities. I’m not sure how to find them, though. They used to be marketed as Santa flights. We’ll probably fly AA or BA to LHR then FinnAir to HEL this summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When are you going? If it’s in the summer, you can fly from here to ORD and then non-stop on FinnAir to HEL. If you’re going in the winter, Rovaniemi has lots of charter flights to major European cities. I’m not sure how to find them, though. They used to be marketed as Santa flights. We’ll probably fly AA or BA to LHR then FinnAir to HEL this summer.

Thanks - we are going winter! I am not sure all of the Rovaniemi flights are released yet, but I think something like London would be a safe bet.

I'll check out KLM via Amsterdam.

Iceland was a consideration but I don't think I can fly Rovaniemi to Iceland, but I probably could if I go back to Helsinki.

Thanks for some other ideas to look at!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I fly to Helsinki often and prefer KLM via Amsterdam. The Helsinki airport hotel is a pleasant and affordable option if needed for timing of flights home.

This is our normal trip as well. I've stopped doing the NYC trip for a direct flight - cost, time it doesn't really make this faster or cheaper in the long run. We normally like to stop in Helsinki the first day, adapt to jet lag and then go about the rest of our trip. For the return home our family prefers just getting back home in one day rather than another stop over - but that could mean we extend the trip a day - so Fly north to south. Night at Helsinki airport and out the next day via KLM.

[Anonymous]

OK!!! I changed our dates on the way home (which were a bit flexible) and I was able to buy flights in my price range!!!

We have to fly back to Helsinki, and then we will have a 24 hr layover to explore Munich and none of us have ever been to Germany.

I was looking for something like that for a quick stop to a new place to break up the long trip.

[Anonymous]

There used to be a direct flight to Helsinki. Was it cancelled or may be its season? I just flew last June. Iceland air makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK!!! I changed our dates on the way home (which were a bit flexible) and I was able to buy flights in my price range!!!

We have to fly back to Helsinki, and then we will have a 24 hr layover to explore Munich and none of us have ever been to Germany.

I was looking for something like that for a quick stop to a new place to break up the long trip.

Awesome! Are you flying Lufthansa? Munich is great, very easy to get from the airport to the city. The airport is massive, but I never have issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK!!! I changed our dates on the way home (which were a bit flexible) and I was able to buy flights in my price range!!!

We have to fly back to Helsinki, and then we will have a 24 hr layover to explore Munich and none of us have ever been to Germany.

I was looking for something like that for a quick stop to a new place to break up the long trip.

Awesome! Are you flying Lufthansa? Munich is great, very easy to get from the airport to the city. The airport is massive, but I never have issues.

Yes, flying Lufthansa. Thanks! I think it should be a neat quick stopover for us.

PP - good to know about the Helsinki airport hotel too if needed. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Glad you sorted it out. I was going to suggest flying to Copenhagen and then buying a local flight. CPH also has two airport hotels, one upscale and the other budget, both totally fine. The Scandic (10 min walk) is a great option too.

[Anonymous]

Since you are going in the winter, be sure to book a dog sled rise — it is exhilarating!

[Anonymous]

I sometimes see cheap flights to Stockholm. Has anyone bought this and used the overnight ferry to Helsinki?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since you are going in the winter, be sure to book a dog sled rise — it is exhilarating!

Yes thanks! We are! I just need to figure out how to dress all of us warm enough.