Peter's Post: Cheap flights to Mykonos

Sunday Times' travel expert answers queries on routes and destinations around the world

FLYING TO MYKONOS ON A BUDGET

What is the cheapest way to fly to Mykonos from Johannesburg? - Marcelle Bolus

This will depend what specials are on at the time you want to travel.

If you are flying during the peak European summer season (July/August), then it will be more difficult to find cheap fares. There have been no direct flights between South Africa and Greece since Olympic Airways ceased operations in 2009, so you will have to use one of the European or Middle Eastern airlines and then connect to Athens or Mykonos. If you fly in winter, you will need to get to Athens and then connect with one of the two Greek airlines that have flights to the island throughout the year, Olympic and Aegean. In summer, you have a wider choice and you can connect from a number of European cities.

Airlines that fly direct to Mykonos in the peak summer season include Atlas Jet (from Istanbul), Austrian Airlines (from Vienna), EasyJet (from London Luton Airport and Paris Orly), Thomson Airways (from London Gatwick), Transavia (from Amsterdam) and Edelweiss Air (from Zurich). Once you have finalised your dates, you can check skyscanner.net to find the best discounted prices. I checked flights from Johannesburg to Mykonos during peak season (flying on July 23, returning August 8) and the best return fare I could get was R8140, flying on Qatar and Aegean Airlines. The best price I could get travelling via Europe in June was on KLM. The return fare from Johannesburg to Athens came to R7784. The flight from Athens to Mykonos on Aegean Air cost R1257, making a total cost of R9047.

SCHENGEN VISA NEWS

Last year, you mentioned a possible rethink of the issuing of Schengen visas in 2015. Can you give me some updated information regarding these visas? - Larry Friedman

There have been no changes yet. Last April, the European Commission (EC) proposed a relaxation of the Schengen visa rules but this has not yet been approved by the European Parliament. The planned measures include reducing visa processing times; simplifying application forms, including online procedures; removing the need to buy travel insurance; offering one-year visas to tour the bloc; and allowing EU embassies to handle requests on behalf of other member states. We will let you know if the new measures are approved.

PLANNING AHEAD FOR USING LONDON'S PUBLIC TRANSPORT

We will be travelling to the UK in June/July. Should we purchase an Oyster Card for my husband and me before we go? I understand our daughter aged 7 will travel for free. Or are we better off just buying daily or weekly Tube tickets? - Lesley Elton

In most cases, buying an Oyster Card makes sense, as you can use it to pay for trips on all London public transport. It carries credit, which you use as needed, and the card automatically calculates the cheapest fare for your journeys. Travel within central London is capped, so you will never pay more than £6.40 for transport in the city on a single day. In addition to the money loaded on to the Oyster card, you have to pay a refundable deposit of £5. But if you buy a Visitor's Oyster Card you pay no deposit, only a charge of £3. You can get any unused funds back at the end of your stay.

Buying an Oyster Card is advised in most cases, but there are instances when buying a "paper" Travelcard could be more affordable. A seven-day Travelcard, which gives you unlimited travel within specified zones, is good value if you intend to travel extensively in central London.

Travelcards are valid on the London Underground (the Tube), London Overground, buses, the Docklands Light Railway, trams and National Rail (but not the Heathrow or Gatwick Express). If you buy the Travelcard after you have arrived in the country, you would still have to get an Oyster Card and have the Travelcard loaded onto it. Get more information and buy your tickets in advance on visitbritainshop.com.

BOOKING AHEAD FOR LONDON ATTRACTIONS

We will be travelling to the UK in June/July. Is it worth booking theatre tickets, London Eye, and other attractions online or should we just do it when we are there? - Lesley Elton

With regard to theatre seats, the era of internet bookings means there is little difference between buying before you leave home or when you are in London. If you want tickets for a hit show that could be sold out, it is obviously better to book well in advance from your home country. However, to take advantage of the cut-price seats available at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square or from theatre box offices, you will obviously need to be in London.

To get discounts on the London Eye, you need to book in advance on londoneye.com. For other attractions, it may be worth your while to buy a London Pass. This gets you free entry into more than 60 popular attractions from museums and art galleries to historic buildings and monuments. A benefit of the card is that it allows you to jump the queues at top spots such as the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace. A six-day adult pass costs £104.40, but there are also passes for one, two, three, six and 10 days. You can combine your pass with an Oyster Card or a Travelcard.

If you have any questions for Peter, please e-mail travelmag@sundaytimes.co.za. Peter cannot reply to readers personally and only selected questions will be answered.