Route cost optimization

I back track from the destination airport,sometimes you’ll come across an intermediate point you’ve not thought of.
And if price is a major consideration LHR is not going to do you any favours.

If flying loco airlines you could try flights via Malta or Bergamo for instance.

Sounds daft, but another thing to try is booking a last minute holiday to a resort. Check in to hotel and then head to Athens.
A quick check leaving this Saturday to Kos from LGW was £202

Thanks very much for all the suggestions.

None seems to work, so I have to accept that there is no alternative to paying over 500 GBP for a trip that usually costs less than half (if not a third) of that price.

I would judt use an Airline consolidator search.
Ebookers.com / expedia.co.uk
/ Travelocity.
Then taking the best airline fare, check the airline sight direct.
The other option is to try with a connection via the EU suck as \klm.com Air France, \lh, swiss.
I suppose some of the charter or tourist airlines can also be searched.
Some low cost Airlines may have a low price to sell the seats from Airports you may not have thought of..
I usually book directly with an Airlines these days with FFP’s etc better chances of earning miles or upgrades.
But i do use the consolidators to compare fares.

I looked for a friend a good flight down to Australia in only a few weeks yesterday.
I actually found great fares for £750 with Malaysian and the A380 A333 ex LHR, and in the booking allocated seating. They seemed half full only , so are running at a low capacity after recent events.
But every Airline came up from £750 to £6,000 via most countries in the world. For Europe, Business class could be offered cheaper than Economy on some routes, if less capacity is taken or an upgrade offered whilst booking for a lot less.

Unfortunately weekends are always high , friday / sunday, so i often travel sat -Mon, or thurs til Sat, or a longer Thurs to Mon. It saves very much and hotels are half the rate in most places in Europe.