It's competition time! No, I need help....

[whatyadoing]

I am really bad at managing to find good deals on flights (don't fly very often).
I need to book a return flight (1 person) from London to Barcelona.
Out on Wednesday 29 August. Return Monday 3rd September.
Cheapest obviously. Ideally cheap check-in bag. Ideally not stupid o'clock in the morning.
What website would you recommend? Expedia?
Any search wizards out there who can come up with some amazing deals?
Lots of good karma to the winner.

Sky scanner

Look on Skyscanner. You can tweak dates, times etc.

Definitely Skyscanner. Or try Easyjet

Cool - found decent flights. Extra to book a seat and extra to check in luggage (haven't mastered travelling light).
Total £230.68
Sound reasonable?

Oh and it's with Easyjet (via Skyscanner)

LGW-BCN
BCN-LGW

No idea how far hotel is from BCN.
Anyone know if metro travels in from airport?
Also - staying 5 nights - do they have something like an oyster card or what should I get for travelling around? I believe the underground is pretty good.

Just thinking - I'm sure I could do without booking a seat (save £12) and could I manage to travel with a standard size cabin case for 5 nights/days? I can't imagine I would........ That would save me about £39 if I could.

Price breakdown Close.
Basket item Cost
Total air fare(s) £132.59£132.59
Government taxes £13.00£13.00
Administration fee £15.00£15.00
Hold items (bags/sports equipment) £37.73£37.73
Seats £12.48£12.48
Insurance £19.88£19.88
Basket total £230.68£230.68

Ok, so definitely need to check in a bag. No way could I fit handbag etc. and everything into one carry on case. *Sigh

You don’t need a checked seat.

Check if you have insurance through your bank but definitely don’t buy theirs.

I could manage with hand luggage for 5 days.

I don't think I have travel insurance with my bank? How would I know if I had? Do I really need it?
Yes, I guess I could survive without a checked seat. Kinda like an aisle seat...
The checked luggage is the biggest extra cost - what is this bag drop thing you speak of? Is it checking in a bag for a fiver or what?

Is that the bank holiday? If so ,that’s a really good price

Basket £230.68£230.68
Price breakdown
London Gatwick to Barcelona
Flight number EZY8573

Departure
11:30 Wed 29th Aug
Arrival
14:45
Your fares
Adult 1 x £41.85£41.85
Your flight options
Standard seat 1 x £6.49£6.49
Barcelona to London Gatwick
Flight number EZY8578

Departure
20:30 Mon 3rd Sep
Arrival
21:55
Your fares
Adult 1 x £118.74£118.74
Your flight options
Standard seat 1 x £5.99£5.99
Hold items
15kg hold bag 1 x £37.73£37.73
Combined weight 15kg

Don't think it's a bank holiday. End of August. Returning 3rd September

Ok so that's putting your allowed hand luggage in? Rather than checking in an extra bag? Could I use a backpack as my under-seat thing and check in my wheelie case for a fiver? I'm a bit sceptical?

Ok - well I've booked it now. It will be my only holiday, so might aswell not put too much stress on myself for the sake of saving 70 pounds.

Have you tried Ryanair directly? Seems much cheaper than your easyJet option?

Agree about not booking a seat unless you really need one with extra leg room.
Easyjet will give you a seat number when you book. Often if early enough i find it's ok even travelling with a child.

Would look at seperate travel insureance too. We have annual and only costs a little more that the one trip insurance. Plus it covers holidays inside the uk as well.

You can book without baggage and then see if you can pack enough for 5 days in hand luggage. I can't remember the weight limit for hand luggage but i think it is abput 15kg too?
If you then decide you want to put in the hold you can add later before your checkin at the same price i think. It's adding it at the airport that is the expensive option.

Oh and take some snacks or get a meal deal at wh smiths at the airport. Much cheaper than on board if you want to eat!

I've booked it at that price with those options.

Good advice about getting a meal deal. I find even though I might not think I'll be hungry, the minute I smell the food trolley coming out I have my tongue hanging out..

Now I need to start a thread about things to do in Barcelona! Woohoo I'm so excited. It has been 10 years exactly since I had a holiday!
Travelling solo but hey ho.