Justifying cost to visit place that just costs more?

[Anonymous]

I wasn’t sure how else to word the thread.

We are in the preliminary stages of planning our summer vacation. It’ll be a five-day trip no matter where we go. We are considering doing something different this year, and if we chose this route, it’s going to cost us more.

I get it: it’s just going to cost more to visit this place. But I’m having a hard time justifying to my rational brain that we aren’t being ripped off, etc, that this is just the price of traveling there.

Our original plan was going to cost us around $2000 for lodging before food, gas (because we would drive there) or activities. Realistically, I’d add another $1500 for those things, so $3500 for those five days.

The new plan will run us around $5000, but only because of the added airfare; the lodging will cost only around $500 more.

Why is my mind having such a hard time wrapping itself around the idea that, yeah, airfare costs money, and what can I do to talk some sense into myself?

(And yes, we can afford this, it’s not a hindrance to our budget or anything at all, it’s purely psychological.)

[Anonymous]

There is no virtue in living a smaller life than you have to. Make sure your financial priorities are in order and do what you want.

[Anonymous]

Yes, going to X costs more than Y. That will be true any time of year or any year you pick. So if you want ot go to X, you'll need to pay accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Is the extra cost worth the extra enjoyment? Personally I'd pay more to go somewhere id rather be. If you'd rather go to the new place, the extra cost should be worth it.

[Anonymous]

If you don't think it's worth it, then don't go.

Personally, I love traveling, but I am otherwise frugal with things like my car, clothing, jewelry, makeup. So, I don't buy those expensive things, but I don't mind spending money on a place I want to travel to, like Iceland. It's very pricey there; we were there for 4 days, but I loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't think it's worth it, then don't go.

Personally, I love traveling, but I am otherwise frugal with things like my car, clothing, jewelry, makeup. So, I don't buy those expensive things, but I don't mind spending money on a place I want to travel to, like Iceland. It's very pricey there; we were there for 4 days, but I loved it.

Our situation is exactly this! The thought of going is so exciting, but for some reason, I’m really struggling with the thought that, the added cost of airfare is insane for “only” five days. But of course we have to pay to get there! I don’t understand why I’m doing this to myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't think it's worth it, then don't go.

Personally, I love traveling, but I am otherwise frugal with things like my car, clothing, jewelry, makeup. So, I don't buy those expensive things, but I don't mind spending money on a place I want to travel to, like Iceland. It's very pricey there; we were there for 4 days, but I loved it.

Our situation is exactly this! The thought of going is so exciting, but for some reason, I’m really struggling with the thought that, the added cost of airfare is insane for “only” five days. But of course we have to pay to get there! I don’t understand why I’m doing this to myself.

If you're referring to Europe, we found the same thing. We decided to do trips in the US for the next year or so, until things settle down price-wise.

First-class tickets to visit California were half the price of premium economy tickets to visit France, and hotels will be cheaper too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the extra cost worth the extra enjoyment? Personally I'd pay more to go somewhere id rather be. If you'd rather go to the new place, the extra cost should be worth it.

For me, yes! That’s why this doesn’t make sense. In fact, last summer we took a trip on the cheap because of a coexisting home improvement project, and I spent the entire time wishing I had just spent the extra. I’m still upset about it today, which makes this even more frustrating.

The alternative trip is something semi-local and something we could do on a random long-weekend. I fully know that I will spend the entire time wishing we had gone with the alternate plan, if we do Plan A instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't think it's worth it, then don't go.

Personally, I love traveling, but I am otherwise frugal with things like my car, clothing, jewelry, makeup. So, I don't buy those expensive things, but I don't mind spending money on a place I want to travel to, like Iceland. It's very pricey there; we were there for 4 days, but I loved it.

Our situation is exactly this! The thought of going is so exciting, but for some reason, I’m really struggling with the thought that, the added cost of airfare is insane for “only” five days. But of course we have to pay to get there! I don’t understand why I’m doing this to myself.

If you're referring to Europe, we found the same thing. We decided to do trips in the US for the next year or so, until things settle down price-wise.

First-class tickets to visit California were half the price of premium economy tickets to visit France, and hotels will be cheaper too.

Things will not settle down, so just go.

[Anonymous]

Is it worth the $2000 to go to this place va whatever the alternative is?

[Anonymous]

Life is short and you always think you will have more "time". If you want to do the trip and can afford it, GO! Have fun.

[Anonymous]

Well, where is it? Why are you being so coy, OP? It's just a vacation destination, no need to keep it top secret.

[Anonymous]

My family lives in two highly-touristed capital cities in Europe and Asia. Yes, plane tickets cost a fortune, and for one city we have to pay for a hotel, which is also expensive. So vacations there are always an arm and a leg, but we want to go, so we pay.

Only you can determine if your desire to go to a particular place justifies that cost, OP. Maybe take a little more time to think through it, look online at all the things you can do there, double check it's the best time of the year for that locale, any festivals that are ongoing that would hinder or interest you...

[Anonymous]

I would pay $500 not to drive. How long is the drive?
I see you said 5 days wherever you go. Do you get more fun time if you fly. Why only 5 days btw?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, where is it? Why are you being so coy, OP? It's just a vacation destination, no need to keep it top secret.

I don’t blame her for keeping it objective. People are so opinionated here. Keep it unbiased, OP. It really doesn’t matter where.