Is this a bad idea?

[Anonymous]

I was planning a 10 day Europe trip for the family this year. The other thread about bad weather in Paris had me thinking of booking the tickets just a week ahead of the trip after checking weather. And if tickets to must see places on our list are gone, just do the mostly rip off guided tours and pay extra. Bad idea?

[Anonymous]

You mean tickets to museums? Yes, some will be gone, especially if you are traveling during peak season. Bring raincoats.

[Anonymous]

Get tickets before you leave, and for anything popular, try to get them for when the venue opens if they are for specific times.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I meant flight tickets, not museum tickets.

Bad idea to book the flight tickets just a week ahead and if the museum tickets are gone when we book flights, just do the over priced guided tours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I should have been more clear. I meant flight tickets, not museum tickets.

Bad idea to book the flight tickets just a week ahead and if the museum tickets are gone when we book flights, just do the over priced guided tours?

To Europe? Sure, do that if you don't mind paying a ton and not being able to get seats together. It's a brilliant idea.

[Anonymous]

I guess if you are rich and don’t care where you sit on the plane it could work. But it’s unlikely to be rainy for a whole week in summer. More likely a brutal heat wave.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Very bad idea unless you’re also flexible on travel dates - which could be the case if you’re flying for a longer period and not dependent on hotels for stay.

And would you really cancel a highly anticipated trip to Paris for some summer rain?

[Anonymous]

Where in Europe?

[Anonymous]

If you're that concerned and have that much money to waste, I'd spend the money on refundable airfare and cancel last minute if you have to. I don't know how you make it work that last minute with a family - single, yes, but with a family, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Very bad idea unless you’re also flexible on travel dates - which could be the case if you’re flying for a longer period and not dependent on hotels for stay.

And would you really cancel a highly anticipated trip to Paris for some summer rain?

Pp again. If you’re worried about weather, it would be better to book refundable or changeable tickets than waiting to buy a week before your trip for high season travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Very bad idea unless you’re also flexible on travel dates - which could be the case if you’re flying for a longer period and not dependent on hotels for stay.

And would you really cancel a highly anticipated trip to Paris for some summer rain?

Pp again. If you’re worried about weather, it would be better to book refundable or changeable tickets than waiting to buy a week before your trip for high season travel.

OP here. This will be end of April in Amsterdam or Paris. Planning for some time but something or the other always came up and I couldnt book the tickets even if we knew what we want to see/do. Everything is high anyways. Was debating between a week in 1 city or 10 days for 2 cities. Then the other thread threw me off and I wonder if it is better to skip the tulips and just go in the summer. But again it could rain in the summer too and then this harebrained idea popped up.

[Anonymous]

Refundable tickets cost twice the regular fare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Refundable tickets cost twice the regular fare.

No they don’t…they are about $300-400 more.

[Anonymous]

Nobody buys last minute flights to Europe for peak travel times—especially when traveling as a family.

If you want sunny weather, travel in the summer.

I know several families who have traveled to Europe over spring break and encountered cold and rainy weather. I’d rather be hot than cold and drenched.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody buys last minute flights to Europe for peak travel times—especially when traveling as a family.

If you want sunny weather, travel in the summer.

I know several families who have traveled to Europe over spring break and encountered cold and rainy weather. I’d rather be hot than cold and drenched.

Same. I don’t understand Europe in the early spring. May perhaps but not March or April.