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Wondering about your travel options? Seeking answers to specific issues? Simply ASK BUSINESS TRAVELLER for a plausible solution... Address your queries to ehc@vsnl.com or write in to The Editor, Express Business Traveller Vijay Chadda - Chief Operating Officer, BTI-Sita, India answers your queries...

I am a strict vegetarian who will be shortly going to meet my son in the United States? I am apprehensive about non-vegetarian food being served to me on board? Does any airline have special arrangements for vegetarians? -Anju Verghese, Mumbai

Yes, most of the Airlines these days cater to vegetarians. For Indians they serve Asian vegetarian meals on request.

I am applying to Syracuse University, New York for my post-graduate studies? Assuming I get admission, does any airline give concession on tickets for students like me? How can I choose the most economical fare? -Prasad Kalloor, Hyderabad

For students joining Universities during admission time most airlines offer special one way fares and the facility of an extra baggage on production of I-20 which is authenticity of admission. In the current season Air France is offering the cheapest one way fare of Rs 23500 + Taxes approx Rs 2600 for New York.

Last year, after 40 years of working, I retired. My wife and I had always planned to go on a second honeymoon. Though we are both about to touch 60, better late than never. We have decided to go to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and then maybe elsewhere. How much will it cost me to go on a seven-day holiday to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Besides five-star hotels, what are the other accommodation options there which are not so expensive? - Harinath Prabhu, Gurgaon

Port Blair is connected by air from Chennai/Calcutta and Vishakhapatnam. The fare Chennai-Port Blair-Chennai is Rs 12,500 per person. Currently, there is an ongoing family fare for a minimum of 2 passengers travelling together for Rs 12,000 per person, thus saving passengers Rs 500 per person. There is a popular 3-Star category property - Sinclair Bayview Hotel. The rate starts from Rs. 3250/- per room per night, depending on the seasonality.

Which airline gives the most economical fare for the Mumbai-Frankfurt-Zurich-Amsterdam-Mumbai routing? -Shirley Misquita, Pune

The airline with the most economical fare for the above routing currently is KLM. The routing will be Mumbai/Amsterdam/Frankfurt/Amsterdam/Zurich/Amsterdam/Mumbai. The fare is Rs 43750 + Taxes approx Rs 5500.
Another option that involves travel by surface can be on Lufthansa. The routing will be Mumbai/Frankfurt/Amsterdam/SURFACE TO Zurich/Frankfurt/Mumbai. The Airfare is Rs 33100 + Taxes (Conditions Apply) . The cost of the sector fare from Amsterdam to Zurich by rail is USD 151 (Approximate Rs 7550).

Which is the costliest accommodation in Paris? How much would it be in Indian rupees? -Mithila Devadiga, Bangalore

The most expensive hotel in Paris is The Ritz. The tariff ranges from USD 492-USD 8620 for the Imperial Suite on per room per night basis. The approximate cost in Indian Rupee is Rs 24600 to Rs 431000.