Your questions answered
Q I booked a Ryanair flight online to London Luton. Unfortunately, I am no longer able to travel. Can one recoup the taxes paid, and, if so, how does one go about it? I understand the fare is not refundable, but at 1c this is not a problem. I would like to cancel the booking so that someone else can avail of the seat. Is this possible? I hope to rebook for a date in June.
... Vivienne, Dublin
All Ryanair fares are fully changeable, whether for dates, times, routes or names, up to four hours before departure. Fares, fee and charges are not refundable, however. Government taxes may be refunded. Ryanair applies an administration charge per person for tax-refund requests. If the refund due to the customer is less than the refund-administration charge, then no refund will be made. Tax-refund requests must be made within a month of the date of the outward flight. You can send refund requests to Ryanair Refunds Department, Ryanair Head Office, Dublin Airport, Co Dublin, or fax them to 01-8121230. If you are hoping to rebook, then it will cost you €35 each way to change the date. It may be just as cheap to rebook when you know your dates for June. As for letting Ryanair know you are cancelling, you can call reservations on 0818-303030.
Q My wife and I are planning a trip to Russia this summer, to include a visit to Vyborg, for a car rally, and St Petersburg. We planned to fly to Tampere or Helsinki (with Ryanair or Easyjet) and to hire a car to drive to Vyborg. The problem is that Finnish companies will not allow you to cross the Russian border. We need the car to see the rally but not to see St Petersburg. Any advice, please?
... Ger McGrath, Limerick
Finland is easily accessible from Ireland, with direct flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays to Helsinki with Aer Lingus, and on Fridays to Tampere with Ryanair. You can mix and match flights, flying into one city and out of the other. As for travelling to Russia, I suggest you take the train. There are regular daily services from Helsinki to Vyborg and
St Petersburg; fares are about €50 each way. When you get to Vyborg, hire a taxi to take you to see the rally route. You will need a Russian visa. You can check out www.waytorussia.net for lots of helpful advice from people who regularly travel there.
Q Our children have a mid- term break around the May bank holiday, and I was toying with the idea of taking them for a trip, either at home or abroad. We will be going on a family holiday in July to France for two weeks. They are four, seven and nine years old.
... Mrs B O'Keeffe, Wicklow
Surprisingly enough, the May bank holiday is very busy, probably because Easter was so early this year that many people have put off taking spring breaks until May. I have checked with the main tour operators and Panorama seems to have the most availability, with prices for a week in Costa Dorada from about €350 each, www.panoramaholidays.ieand 0818-202020.
Stena Line has family holidays to England, Scotland and Wales for quite good prices, with accommodation and ferry crossing from €360 for two nights.
This kind of trip also affords you an opportunity to explore some of the great theme parks in Britain, such as Alton Towers and Legoland Windsor. Log on to www.stenaline.ie or call 01-2047733 for details.
For a holiday at home, I suggest renting a holiday home in or near Lahinch, Co Clare, where there are lots of activities for children, including a great swimming pool, surf school and aquarium. You can also explore the Burren and Cliffs of Moher and maybe even make a day trip to the Aran Islands.
Trident Holiday Homes has lovely houses in and around Lahinch from €430 for a week in May. Log on to www.thh.ie or call 01-2018440.Can I get my tax refunded if I cancel a Ryanair booking?
E-mail questions to jscales@irish-times.ie