Once the dust settles, I will sure have explored a myriad combinations of trips in search of airfares from New York to France that don't break the bank.
After seeing someone suggest in a recent article that Berlin was the cheapest gateway to Europe, i decided to check it.
The tip was accurate as I found RT fares as low as $637 for departures from Newark between August 22 and 24 and return from Berlin on September 4.
I then went looking for RT fares from Berlin to Paris with departures from Berlin between August 23 and 25 and return on September 3.
Two options that gave me wiggle room regarding connecting flights were Easy Jet and Air France.
Air France at $143 for RT Ticket has the most civilized times both ways.
Cheapest option if my schedule was more flexible would have been Air Berlin.
OK it requires a little bit of creative thinking and 2 tickets, yet going to Paris from New York via Berlin can cost as little as $780 for a summer trip.
Not bad especially when there's more than 1 traveler.
On a closing note, classical music and theater fans in Berlin are in for special treat with 4th Long Night of Operas and Theatres on April 28, 2012.
(* Berlin image above from official Visit Berlin site)