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Should I fly out of Medellin or Cartagena?

Hi,

I have to be in Charlotte, NC in 3 weeks. After doing some research, I figure it'll cost me $656.00 to fly out of Medellin with Avianca. And only $514.00 to fly out of Cartagena with Spirit Air---that number includes the $40 bus ticket (Medellin to Cartagena).

So that's about a $142.00 difference.

Question: Which would you do? Why? I hear that busride is hell (12 hours minimum). I'm a tall guy and I can't sleep on buses, is it worth it to pay more to avoid it?

Question: Should I just buy my ticket online? Or should I look for a travel agent? I know there's an Avianca desk inside Exito.

Question: Is it possible to buy my connecting flight ticket to Charlotte along with my ticket to Miami? Or do I have to buy that separately through Orbitz or something?

Thanks,

Zach

By Zach on Jun 30, 2008, 18:11 in Travel tips.

mcheasley says on Jun 30, 2008, 20:04:

I fly out of Charlotte all the time so you should have a good time here... Tall?? Bus?? MDE to CLT...

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soggypaws says on Jun 30, 2008, 20:09:

Make sure you read Spirit's checked baggage policies. If you show up at the airport with 2 checked bags, they will charge you $25 EACH. You can reduce that by $10 by booking your luggage ahead.

Add this to perhaps an overnight hotel stay, and most likely a taxi or two, and losing a day of your precious life on the bus, and you might be approaching a breakpoint where an extended bus trip isn't worth it.

Good luck!

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cdy says on Jul 1, 2008, 06:08:

Thats not enough cost difference to fly Spirit. If everything goes smoothly with them you will be all right, but if there is any sort of problem watch out it will be a nightmare.
If for some reason you have to change your plans after buying the ticket they are almost impossible to get a hold of. If you can save 50% I would roll the dice with them, I will say however I appreciate them expanding into more latin markets, forces the competition to compete on price a bit more.

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Philly says on Jul 1, 2008, 07:19:

Bus rides are rough on my knees.

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elmodefoque says on Jul 1, 2008, 07:27:

cartegena hands down!!
first, that ride to the airport from medellin in rio negro (the airport) is lonnnnggg ass ride and second you're a lot closer to USA from cartagena de las india

ASK NOT WHAT THE PUSSY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THAT PUSSY!!!!!!!!!! CAT LOVER

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GregYohn says on Jul 1, 2008, 09:30:

Hola!

Do you want to an extra 12 hours on a bus to save you the price difference? Does your amount include the extra baggage fees of Spirit? Will the bus be able to handle all of your baggage easily and do you want to carry them around in Cartagena? Do not forget that you need to get to the bus station from the Cartagena airport. How long will you wait for your connection in Cartagena? That time needs to be included.

Try looking at a flight directly to NC and then review your options!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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Zach says on Jul 1, 2008, 10:11:

Which airlines allow you to book a flight originating in Colombia?

So far I know these do, but none of them offer a direct flight to Charlotte.

Avianca
Copa
Spirit

Thanks,

Zach

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Zach says on Jul 1, 2008, 10:28:

Okay...I found vayama.com

I can book all my plane tix from there. Cheaper too.

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sloopskipper says on Jul 1, 2008, 10:34:

Out of Bogotá, USAir, AA, Delta, Air Canada all have one stop flights to Charlotte.

From Medellin, AA & USAir. Also one stop.

Cartagena, Copa, USAir, AA, Delta, Air Canada, two stops.

Check Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, etc, then look directly at airlines, or cheaper aggregators..

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mcheasley says on Jul 1, 2008, 15:27:

I fly AA from CLT to MDE every 2 months.. Stopover in MIA.. I tried Avianca once and went back to AA.. No hassles!

i fly

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