Travelling to Toulouse and Geneva - advice on airports

[Shut Up Legs]

I'm booked on a 1 week cycling tour of the French Alps in September, and would like some advice on the best way to travel to Toulouse (the tour's start point) and from Geneva (the end point). Would I be better off travelling to Toulouse from Paris (and would train or plane be better), or from London's airports? Similarly for getting back home from Geneva. Or are there other options apart from Paris and London?

Also, how do these (and other) airports compare, for their baggage-handling, i.e. which will take most care of (and not lose) my baggage (which will of course included a boxed-up bicycle worth $4500AU).

If there are any airlines I should avoid (I haven't done a lot of flying), please let me know.

I need to book my flights reasonably soon, because (a) I just want to get it over and done with, (b) the Australian dollar is falling lately and (c) the price will no doubt go up the closer to the flight date I book.

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Regards,

--- Victor.

 

[classic33]

With regards the exchange rate check mid-week as well. Then compare that to the end of week figure. Middle of the week figure tends to be a better indicator.
Also have a look in the Touring and Expedition section for advice on the airports.


Haver a gander at
http://www.airlinequality.com/Airports/apt_forum.htm
&
http://www.airlinequality.com/Airports/apt_forum.htm
for airport reviews

 

[Shut Up Legs]

With regards the exchange rate check mid-week as well. Then compare that to the end of week figure. Middle of the week figure tends to be a better indicator.
Also have a look in the Touring and Expedition section for advice on the airports.


Haver a gander at
http://www.airlinequality.com/Airports/apt_forum.htm
&
http://www.airlinequality.com/Airports/apt_forum.htm
for airport reviews

Thanks, but look where in the T&E section? It has a few hundred pages of threads. I will check out those online airport forums you just linked, though.

 

[classic33]

Thanks, but look where in the T&E section? It has a few hundred pages of threads. I will check out those online airport forums you just linked, though.

http://forum.flightradar24.com/

Regarding T& E, search under Paris

 

[classic33]

Searched on http://www.wotif.com/, The shorter the bar, the shorter the travelling time. Prices in Australian Dollars. It would appear early week is cheaper.
http://www.wotif.com/flights/search/economy/1-0-0/BNE-TLS-31-Aug-2015/TLS-BNE-14-Sep-2015/​

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Just bumping the thread, in case anyone else wishes to comment. Thanks!

 

[Rasmus]

From my memory of Toulouse-Blagnac, baggage delivery was a bit messy, but they're unlikely to lose your baggage completely. That's more of an issue at a transfer point. I personally loathe transferring at Heathrow, and CDG isn't much better. Amsterdam is a lot more pleasant if you can get a decent priced ticket.

In the other end, maybe consider taking one of the excellent Swiss trains to Zurich, where you can get a long-haul straight towards home.

 

[rich p]

I've done Easyjet from Gatwick to Toulouse several times painlessly.

 

[mjr]

Up to 2012, Air France seemed to be criticised often for late luggage at conferences I attended, but I've not heard many complaints recently, probably due to fewer conferences because of the financial crisis. They might have improved, though.