By Julie Yoshioka Daily Bruin Contributor
Cyberspace may not be a destination, but it's still a means to an end. Especially if that end is in Europe.
Both Internet ticket services and local travel agencies are doing brisk business now that students are scrambling to get away to such popular destinations as Europe, Mexico and Hawaii for the summer.
Belinda Borden, manager of Bruin Walk Travel, cited the week after spring quarter as being one of the most popular times for students to want to take trips.
"By the end of April, some dates will be unavailable," Borden said.
She recommended arranging airfare as soon as possible as many of the popular dates sell quickly.
Aside from local travel agencies, a number of Internet sites handle the seasonal demand by offering discounted airfare and accommodations abroad.
One Web site, Priceline.com, allows consumers to request a price that they wish to pay for airfare or hotel accommodations.
Priceline.com then takes the quote directly to sellers to try and match it. Once they do, they e-mail the buyer with offers.
"You can keep changing your bid until they accept your bid," said Jeff Wu, a second-year computer science student. "You can basically push them and see how low they'll go."
One major drawback of the site, however, is that upon entering a bid, the consumer commits to buying the ticket because a credit card is needed to make the initial bid. Also, buyers cannot request a specific airline.
Another Web site featuring a similar bidding system for airline tickets is TravelBids, which offers two different types of listings, maximum price and full service.
Using maximum price listings, travelers agree to purchase tickets from the agency that offers the lowest fare. Full service listings let buyers receive several proposals from travel agents but without being obligated to purchase a ticket.
Prospective ticket buyers must pay $5 to register as users, and while the first listing is free, each listing costs an additional $5.
Still, not all consumers use the Internet to plan their vacations.
When booking his flight to Sweden and Holland this summer, UCLA alumnus Hooman Allayee chose to make his arrangements through a travel agency.
He said he "wanted to actually speak to somebody" rather than make arrangements online and risk mishaps, particularly because the trip marks his first time traveling to those countries.
Another Bruin Walk Travel customer, William Macomber, also chose to purchase tickets through an agency rather than book online.
"From my experience it is always better to go to an agent," Macomber said. "They can tell you exactly what is available."
Most Internet sites "show available fares, but not the seats," he added.
Although many individuals can bypass travel agencies and buy tickets online, agents don't see much of a decline in their own sales.
"There are more options out there to purchase tickets," said STA travel adviser Michael Wilson.
"People think that only agents have to follow rules, but (online ticketers) have to follow the same rules," he continued.
With regard to destinations, Europe is traditionally the most popular summer vacation for students.
Thomson noted that for graduating seniors, taking a trip to Europe marks a rite of passage after June commencement. Many go to Europe because it's something different - but not too different, Thomson added.
Perhaps the most popular transportation modes through the continent are the Eurail and the Europass. A Eurail pass may be used for unlimited train travel to 17 European countries.
The Europass, on the other hand, is generally more popular among students, according to Borden, and is only valid in Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain.
Prices for both passes range between $200-$1,000, and depend on the number of days the pass is valid. Some passes offer combinations with bus, ferry and boat transportation to open up more flexible options.
To navigate the seemingly endless range of destinations before and after booking a trip, Borden recommended doing Internet research as well as reading guidebooks, such as the "Let's Go" and "Lonely Planet" series.
Like other guides, these books feature maps of popular cities and underground rail systems as well as places to visit and listings of accommodations.
As far as savings go, most travel agencies offer student discounts on airfare and package tours. Moreover, such agencies as Bruin Walk Travel and STA Travel also book accommodations for vacation packages which range widely in both price and itinerary.
Contiki Tours, for example, offers a large range of packages targeted at 18- to 35-year-old travelers, as well as discounted rates for groups of four or more.
The company arranges lodging, some meals, and transportation in a variety of countries such as England, Italy and Switzerland.
Sightseeing trips include such destinations as the Arc de Triomphe, Swiss Alps and the Sistine Chapel, as well as activities such as whitewater rafting, glass making, shopping, sunbathing, skiing, bicycling and visiting museums.
Scouting out the best prices, though, is ultimately still up to the traveler.
"Like any consumer, you can usually shop for the best price, and do as much research to get the best perks," Wilson said.