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Been there, done that. Every single one of them, and then some. Many I've visited more than once. So now the world is my oyster.
And there are hundreds more. I like international travel but have to admit I would rather spend three days in Ouray, CO or Big Bend National Park than three days in Paris or London.
There are some people who will give you all sorts of reasons why they haven't crossed the Pacific or Atlantic, to disguise the real reasons why.
In my sister's case, with her multitude of excuses, which I've seen through each and every one of them: extreme tightness with $$!
She's so tight with money, she even schemes to get virtually free trips in this country. She has an antique business. So, she's then able to write off the mileage, the motels and even some meals, while stopping off at antique stores along the way.
She always aspired to go to England and New Zealand to visit some of her husband's oldest surviving relatives. She waited so long, they're now dead, and goody-goody, now she's got a real reason not to go!
My main reason is airfare. I live in a relatively small city where I would need connecting flights just to leave the continent. Flying to the cheapest European or Asian destination is well over $1,000. And the connecting flights and layovers would exhaust me and take two days out of the beginning and end. And at most, I would get two weeks off, so I would use half of that to get ready, travel, come back, and readjust. I would rather spend more of that money on meals and better accommodations and more time relaxing. So North American (including Mexican/Caribbean) destinations are more convenient.
I see going to Europe or Asia as a once in a lifetime thing.
My main reason is airfare. I live in a relatively small city where I would need connecting flights just to leave the continent. Flying to the cheapest European or Asian destination is well over $1,000. And the connecting flights and layovers would exhaust me and take two days out of the beginning and end. And at most, I would get two weeks off, so I would use half of that to get ready, travel, come back, and readjust. I would rather spend more of that money on meals and better accommodations and more time relaxing. So North American (including Mexican/Caribbean) destinations are more convenient.
I see going to Europe or Asia as a once in a lifetime thing.
Nope.
Regardless of where you live in the U.S. You can get to Europe or most of Asia in a single day of travel, as you do the trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific portion overnight outbound. So worst case you are up pre-dawn to get to the airport. From there you fly to a connecting airport or maybe even your gateway airport (DFW, HOU, PHX, LAX) then onto the gateway airport (LAX, SFO, SEA, MIA, CLT, ORD, ATL, BOS, EWR, PHL, WAS, or JFK typically) and then take your international flight which leaves sometime between 8:00 pm and midnight. So now you have burned one day. (You pack and otherwise prepare in the evening or weekend before you leave.) you arrive at your destination and get through the the first day, get to sleep in the later evening, and wake up the next day ready to rock it.
You spend 10-12 days and then take a morning or midday flight home, usually returning by midnight from Europe or sometimes the Asian flights back are overnight and you return the next day. Either way, if you have two weeks off you have plenty of time to travel overseas. I would also caution about making airfare assumptions, right now the Euro is depressed against the USD, and the tickets on many foreign carriers and their U.S. Partners are $1000 or less to much of Europe.
My main reason is airfare. I live in a relatively small city where I would need connecting flights just to leave the continent. Flying to the cheapest European or Asian destination is well over $1,000. And the connecting flights and layovers would exhaust me and take two days out of the beginning and end. And at most, I would get two weeks off, so I would use half of that to get ready, travel, come back, and readjust. I would rather spend more of that money on meals and better accommodations and more time relaxing. So North American (including Mexican/Caribbean) destinations are more convenient.
I see going to Europe or Asia as a once in a lifetime thing.
If it's something that you would like to do, there are some low carriers like Wow or Norwegian airlines that have relatively cheap fares to Europe. I haven't flown them so I don't know what the experience is like. Also Emirates, one of the top airlines in the world, will have specials that make long haul trips extremely affordable. My sister and I were able to get their deal to fly from JFK to Milan for $400 each.
The other thing to keep in mind is that once you are in Europe it is relatively cheap to get from one country to another, especially if you use low cost carriers like EasyJet or Ryan Air.
If it's something that you would like to do, there are some low carriers like Wow or Norwegian airlines that have relatively cheap fares to Europe. I haven't flown them so I don't know what the experience is like. Also Emirates, one of the top airlines in the world, will have specials that make long haul trips extremely affordable. My sister and I were able to get their deal to fly from JFK to Milan for $400 each.
The other thing to keep in mind is that once you are in Europe it is relatively cheap to get from one country to another, especially if you use low cost carriers like EasyJet or Ryan Air.
Yes, to the budget European airlines! I flew Norwegian roundtrip from NYC to London Gatwick for under $400. I think as more Americans find out about these airlines/deals, we'll see more international travel overseas. Lord knows that I would not have made that London trip without getting such a deal!
Yes, to the budget European airlines! I flew Norwegian roundtrip from NYC to London Gatwick for under $400. I think as more Americans find out about these airlines/deals, we'll see more international travel overseas. Lord knows that I would not have made that London trip without getting such a deal!
I'd like to do this, but also am afraid as well b/c it seems cheap but then they charge you for everything else and the total comes out to about the same price as if you went with a major carrier.
I'd like to do this, but also am afraid as well b/c it seems cheap but then they charge you for everything else and the total comes out to about the same price as if you went with a major carrier.
Not really.
You get charged for food, pre-selecting a seat, and baggage over a certain size/weight.
Bring your own food or eat right before you get on the plane and bring a granola bar to eat when you wake up before you land.
Economy seats suck regardless of where they are in the plane. Take an Advil PM once you board and get some sleep.
Pack light. I go to Europe for three weeks in a 20" bag and a tote. It's actually pretty easy, you just have to give it a little thought.
You get charged for food, pre-selecting a seat, and baggage over a certain size/weight.
Bring your own food or eat right before you get on the plane and bring a granola bar to eat when you wake up before you land.
Economy seats suck regardless of where they are in the plane. Take an Advil PM once you board and get some sleep.
Pack light. I go to Europe for three weeks in a 20" bag and a tote. It's actually pretty easy, you just have to give it a little thought.
Oh I've flown to Europe, this past May in fact. I'm strictly speaking from the perspective of when I go next time...the reviews are hit and miss on this airline so yeah...you get what you pay for. For most, I'd rather pay the extra money for peace of mind. I read one review where this airline sent people a text that said the flight was delayed, then another carrier was going to take them, then it was canceled.
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