Is there a reason it has to be Berlin that you land and depart from? Presumably you will be traveling around Europe, and it’s often possible to get to/from Berlin from another German city for as little as 29 Euros or 39 Euros. In most cases, an open-jaw ticket is best if you aren’t spending the whole trip in one spot.

Examples: JFK-ZRH nonstop is $791 all-in on Delta for your dates.
EWR-FRA nonstop is $852 on Air India for your dates.
I personally would prefer a nonstop flight, followed by a train ride, to a connecting flight, in most cases. I might leave a day or two after landing to see the first city, though.

I agree with Traveler. A multi-city flight itinerary (a.k.a. “open-jaw” — arrive to one place, return from a different place) can save you backtrack time and expenses. They are often as cheap, and occasionally cheaper (although sometimes more expensive) than a simple round-trip flight.

I see Newark-Frankfurt for only $800 July 27-Aug. 27 Air India. If Frankfurt is not on your itinerary, then a train from FRA airport can take you to central Berlin. I’m also seeing good availability on that $791 to Zurich that Traveler found. Some multi-city stuff coming up 800s, but includes Malaga or Madrid.

If you want to get more creative, then play with destinations and dates with IcelandExpress.com. I see Gatwick for $699, for example. You can take Eurostar over to Paris from central London.

Have you tried the student sites (if you’re FT or recent grad, or under 26)? How about consolidators?

The reason I would like to land in and leave from Berlin, is that the two people I am backpacking with are from Berlin, and I have other friends in the city that I would like to catch up with a bit at the beginning and end of the trip. However, your recommendation about the Frankfurt flight looks like a great idea! I’m going to try and figure out how much it would cost me to travel between the two cities before I buy the ticket, but I think you’re right, it shouldn’t cost that much… Thanks!

Look at www.bahn.de for cheap Frankfurt-Berlin train tickets.
Look at Air Berlin for Frankfurt to Berlin flights (or just check www.whichbudget.com and www.skyscanner.net ).
Knowing that delays can happen that are no one’s fault, I would plan to spend at least a night in Frankfurt the night before the return flight, if you opt for that choice.
If you really wanted to get to Berlin immediately, I’d probably still allow at least a few hours after landing if you choose to get a nonrefundable train ticket. Again, delays always can happen.

Hey guys. I have the money, I’m ready to book my ticket. I can’t find the flights via Air India from newark to frankfurt you guys have been talking about though. Please tell me where to find them as soon as possible. Thanks again

I found it using the links from our new user thread. It’s been nearly 2 weeks, and in summer airfare terms, that’s an eternity. It could very well be sold out at that fare.

I see CPH for $821 with Icelandair. That airline allows a stopover in Iceland (up to 1 week?) at no additional airfare—as long as you book it like that from the beginning. Found using July 24-Aug 26. There are flights and buses connecting Copenhagen and Berlin.

Hey Don. It took me a while last night, but I was able to find a flight directly to frankfurt via Aer Lingus for $864. Thanks for all the help, if I hadn’t posted this and kept looking I would have paid at least a grand.

Considering it’s peak season, $864 is very good. If Aer Lingus will operate the flight, it will connect you at Dublin each way. (The only non-Irish destinations that they operate from the US, that I’m currently aware of, is Dulles-Madrid). This isn’t necessarily bad, just so you know it’s not nonstop, but if it’s the same-plane, then it might be “direct.” Coming back, you will actually clear US Customs and Border at Dublin before boarding, so when you arrive back to JFK, you won’t have to schlep through all of that there. DUB and SNN airports do this for US-bound passengers.