Traveling internationally is cheaper than domestic travel

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took my children to Spain last summer for 2 weeks and the whole trip cost less than a Bethany rental, flight included.

This is not believable.

Well, I guess if you rent a massive house in Bethany and a tiny place in the middle of nowhere in Spain. And I agree that Spain is cheaper overall, but flights would basically make the costs break even.

There’s no need to exaggerate to prove your point. It just makes you look ridiculous.

That probably isn't far off.

I just looked and the average weekly rental for a 3 bedroom Bethany house is 4300 per week. Flights to Spain next summer are about $750. Food is far cheaper as are accommodations (2 bedroom in central Madrid during the summer is 1500-2500 for 2 weeks). I bet it would be cheaper to go to Spain for 2 weeks.

Just do the math for your family and find out, it's pretty simple math. The problem with your example is are you going to want to stay in Madrid for two weeks in the middle of the summer? The beach resorts tend to cost more (although you can find cheaper Airbnbs). And don't forget transit/rental car costs.

Even beaches in Spain are cheaper during the high season. You could also do a week in Madrid or Barcelona and then a week in Portugal (cheaper hotels, great coastline) and the expense of travel between the cities would still keep the trip cheaper than the Bethany house. The Bethany house is just overpriced, period. People pay the premium because they don't want to travel, and Bethany is half a days drive. But for what you are actually getting, the Bethany house is insanely overpriced and you would get so much more bang for your buck in Spain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took my children to Spain last summer for 2 weeks and the whole trip cost less than a Bethany rental, flight included.

This is not believable.

Well, I guess if you rent a massive house in Bethany and a tiny place in the middle of nowhere in Spain. And I agree that Spain is cheaper overall, but flights would basically make the costs break even.

There’s no need to exaggerate to prove your point. It just makes you look ridiculous.

That probably isn't far off.

I just looked and the average weekly rental for a 3 bedroom Bethany house is 4300 per week. Flights to Spain next summer are about $750. Food is far cheaper as are accommodations (2 bedroom in central Madrid during the summer is 1500-2500 for 2 weeks). I bet it would be cheaper to go to Spain for 2 weeks.

Just do the math for your family and find out, it's pretty simple math. The problem with your example is are you going to want to stay in Madrid for two weeks in the middle of the summer? The beach resorts tend to cost more (although you can find cheaper Airbnbs). And don't forget transit/rental car costs.

It was just an example to show that it may be something to think about. I am not a travel agent and wasn't coming up with a full itinerary. It is easy, though, to through in additional details just to show that somehow you're smarter. Get a life.

As an FYI, I posted earlier in the year my full budget for a trip to Spain for 2 for 10 days in June. It was pretty expensive, mainly because we flew premium economy out there. The flights were about 75% of the whole cost, but I did use hotel points to cover 5 nights hotel.

[Anonymous]

Like travel in the U.S., the price of travel in Europe depends on where you are going. Hotels in London and Paris, which I know are passe' in DCUM circles, are expensive. If either of these cities are your vacation destination, I would argue it's not cheap.

Additionally, if you don't mind driving, you can get to a lot of the U.S. in a car. You can't do that in Europe. I know a car doesn't work for everybody- you need lots of leave to make it work, but I'm a teacher and my spouse gets a lot of leave. Driving to Colorado for us makes sense. We save on airfare and save on rental car. Obviously, if you only have a week for vacation, driving to Colorado makes no sense.

For us we do an internatioanl trip about once every three years. Our favorite places to vacation are out west, New England and short trips to Ocean City/Fenwick Island.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Your post is ridiculous. "Europe" is closer to the East coast than Hawaii and Alaska. Comparing Jamaica to Hawaii and calling them equal?

DP I'm not reading PP saying they are "equal"

The Caribbean offers many of the same things people look for in visiting Hawaii. They are not equal; they have comparable features.

I've lived in Jamaica and been on a couple of Hawaii trips--getting to stay on all the major islands. If all you want to do is sit on a beach, sure, head to a Jamaica resort. Otherwise, these places are really not at all comparable.

I have been to both Hawaii and the Caribbean multiple times. They're both enjoyable but I like the Caribbean more. And both are 10x better than any NC/MD/NJ beach. I refuse to go to east coast beaches unless it's south florida. They're old cities, 1960s condos, cold water, and no charm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took my children to Spain last summer for 2 weeks and the whole trip cost less than a Bethany rental, flight included.

This is not believable.

Well, I guess if you rent a massive house in Bethany and a tiny place in the middle of nowhere in Spain. And I agree that Spain is cheaper overall, but flights would basically make the costs break even.

There’s no need to exaggerate to prove your point. It just makes you look ridiculous.

That probably isn't far off.

I just looked and the average weekly rental for a 3 bedroom Bethany house is 4300 per week. Flights to Spain next summer are about $750. Food is far cheaper as are accommodations (2 bedroom in central Madrid during the summer is 1500-2500 for 2 weeks). I bet it would be cheaper to go to Spain for 2 weeks.

Just do the math for your family and find out, it's pretty simple math. The problem with your example is are you going to want to stay in Madrid for two weeks in the middle of the summer? The beach resorts tend to cost more (although you can find cheaper Airbnbs). And don't forget transit/rental car costs.

Even beaches in Spain are cheaper during the high season. You could also do a week in Madrid or Barcelona and then a week in Portugal (cheaper hotels, great coastline) and the expense of travel between the cities would still keep the trip cheaper than the Bethany house. The Bethany house is just overpriced, period. People pay the premium because they don't want to travel, and Bethany is half a days drive. But for what you are actually getting, the Bethany house is insanely overpriced and you would get so much more bang for your buck in Spain.

Folks renting a 3 bedroom Bethany beach house are at least a family of 4. Even more likely they are an even larger extended family group or are sharing it with another family. They also don't have the time off work (and possibly kid activitieis) for more than a week vacation. 1 week to Bethany vs. 2 weeks in Spain is just not a comparable vacation period. The vast majority of people aren't weighing these two options and picking one over the other because of budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Folks renting a 3 bedroom Bethany beach house are at least a family of 4. Even more likely they are an even larger extended family group or are sharing it with another family. They also don't have the time off work (and possibly kid activitieis) for more than a week vacation. 1 week to Bethany vs. 2 weeks in Spain is just not a comparable vacation period. The vast majority of people aren't weighing these two options and picking one over the other because of budget.

+1 to this take.

Nobody who can spend 2 weeks in Spain is considering Bethany.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took my children to Spain last summer for 2 weeks and the whole trip cost less than a Bethany rental, flight included.

This is not believable.

Well, I guess if you rent a massive house in Bethany and a tiny place in the middle of nowhere in Spain. And I agree that Spain is cheaper overall, but flights would basically make the costs break even.

There’s no need to exaggerate to prove your point. It just makes you look ridiculous.

That probably isn't far off.

I just looked and the average weekly rental for a 3 bedroom Bethany house is 4300 per week. Flights to Spain next summer are about $750. Food is far cheaper as are accommodations (2 bedroom in central Madrid during the summer is 1500-2500 for 2 weeks). I bet it would be cheaper to go to Spain for 2 weeks.

Where are you seeing $750? I just checked and iAd to mad for 6/25-7/5, the cheapest is $807 but requires an 18 hour flight in exonomy! Reasonable flight times are $1051 for economy. So I think if you are talking about a family of 4, you need at least 2 weeks vacation to make Europe more affordable plus need to be willing to fly economy red eye.

Also, I’m no longer psyched about renting apartments in anticipation in any place since I saw a new thing about the number of people who have secret cameras in those places and are uploading videos to the dark web. Particularly with my teen girls…..I’m really creeped out by the idea that someone could be filming them. We’ve also found that the mattresses in rental apartments are so cheap no one gets a decent nights sleep. I’ll compromise on a lot when traveling but everyone is just so cranky after sleeping on bad mattresses plus my husbands back will actually go out — so that is a priority for me.
Obviously those are preferences for us but I feel like all the people who are saying Europe is so much cheaper are comparing apples and oranges, or ignoring some significant compromises you have to make in order for Europe to be cheaper.

I agree food, activities, train tickets are all way cheaper in Europe. Hotel prices vary widely depending on where you are. Like London is pretty comparable to DC prices, and I think Madrid was maybe more, at least in summer. Small towns tend to be cheaper but that’s true here too. I guess the difference is that small town Spain or Italy is more interesting than a random small town in most of America.

I see under 700 on Air Canada and Lufthansa/United flights. Of course, those leave Monday and come back on a Thursday. So 16 days.

The point isn't whether your particular itinerary with the specifics you want is cheaper,, it is whether in general overseas travel is competitive with domestic travel. And using the example of 2 weeks in Spain (generally) versus 2 weeks in Bethany Beach, I think it is safe to say that it is competitive in price (if not cheaper) to travel overseas. Is that because the US is overpriced or is it because overseas is just cheap?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took my children to Spain last summer for 2 weeks and the whole trip cost less than a Bethany rental, flight included.

This is not believable.

Well, I guess if you rent a massive house in Bethany and a tiny place in the middle of nowhere in Spain. And I agree that Spain is cheaper overall, but flights would basically make the costs break even.

There’s no need to exaggerate to prove your point. It just makes you look ridiculous.

That probably isn't far off.

I just looked and the average weekly rental for a 3 bedroom Bethany house is 4300 per week. Flights to Spain next summer are about $750. Food is far cheaper as are accommodations (2 bedroom in central Madrid during the summer is 1500-2500 for 2 weeks). I bet it would be cheaper to go to Spain for 2 weeks.

Where are you seeing $750? I just checked and iAd to mad for 6/25-7/5, the cheapest is $807 but requires an 18 hour flight in exonomy! Reasonable flight times are $1051 for economy. So I think if you are talking about a family of 4, you need at least 2 weeks vacation to make Europe more affordable plus need to be willing to fly economy red eye.

Also, I’m no longer psyched about renting apartments in anticipation in any place since I saw a new thing about the number of people who have secret cameras in those places and are uploading videos to the dark web. Particularly with my teen girls…..I’m really creeped out by the idea that someone could be filming them. We’ve also found that the mattresses in rental apartments are so cheap no one gets a decent nights sleep. I’ll compromise on a lot when traveling but everyone is just so cranky after sleeping on bad mattresses plus my husbands back will actually go out — so that is a priority for me.
Obviously those are preferences for us but I feel like all the people who are saying Europe is so much cheaper are comparing apples and oranges, or ignoring some significant compromises you have to make in order for Europe to be cheaper.

I agree food, activities, train tickets are all way cheaper in Europe. Hotel prices vary widely depending on where you are. Like London is pretty comparable to DC prices, and I think Madrid was maybe more, at least in summer. Small towns tend to be cheaper but that’s true here too. I guess the difference is that small town Spain or Italy is more interesting than a random small town in most of America.

DP. Then don't go. But in case you do want to go, here are some tips:

- Checking flights on one day on a whim is not a good way to get a good, affordable flight to Europe. Also because Europe is insanely easy to get around, a common thing budget travelers do is travel to a less expensive destination for flights and then combine it with another city where flights can be pricier. Madrid is pricier destination. I'd likely fly into Lisbon or Barcelona and do a multi-city trip -- you'll get a much cheaper flight and train travel is very reasonable, plus you get to visit multiple cities.

- The hidden camera thing is psycho. Sorry, it is. A hotelier could also put hidden cameras in a hotel room, does that mean you won't stay in any hotel that wasn't a big chain? Even then, what's to stop a sketchy hotel manager from putting cameras in the bathroom of your Marriot? Like if you are going to be that distrusting because of some random rumor you heard online one time, you aren't going to be able to travel anywhere. I've stayed in dozens of different spots in Europe that were very affordably priced, including chain hotels, indie hotels, Air BnBs, private rentals, even nice hostels. I vet them by checking reviews extensively and try to get recommendations from friends whenever I can.

- But if you really don't want to stay in apartments, most European capitals have a lot more mid priced hotels than you find in the US. It's for the same reason you also find more low and mid-priced food there -- many Europeans don't have that much money. Their incomes are much lower than in the US and their taxes are higher, so when Europeans travel around, they have less money to spend on hotels and food. Thus, there is large demand for mid-price options and cities generally offer these (London is really the only city in Europe where I feel it is hard to find mid priced options or where the mid priced options are kind of trash).

When I travel in the US, I feel like I make a million compromises in order to make it more affordable. Staying a mile from the beach because we can't afford anything on the beach. Staying in hotels that are really substandard when traveling in very pricy places because all the nicer hotels are $600 a night. Skipping certain "must see" activities because they are insanely expensive. I love that Europe allows me to do things that I find out of reach in the US, like staying in a central, walkable neighborhood (yes in a lower priced, less fancy hotel, but still good enough and right where I want to be). I love that most of the "must-sees" in any European capital are usually pretty affordable or have an affordable option for seeing them. I don't feel constantly gouged when I'm traveling in Europe whereas in the US I often do.

[Anonymous]

Yes we pay our people more than pennies a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took my children to Spain last summer for 2 weeks and the whole trip cost less than a Bethany rental, flight included.

This is not believable.

Well, I guess if you rent a massive house in Bethany and a tiny place in the middle of nowhere in Spain. And I agree that Spain is cheaper overall, but flights would basically make the costs break even.

There’s no need to exaggerate to prove your point. It just makes you look ridiculous.

That probably isn't far off.

I just looked and the average weekly rental for a 3 bedroom Bethany house is 4300 per week. Flights to Spain next summer are about $750. Food is far cheaper as are accommodations (2 bedroom in central Madrid during the summer is 1500-2500 for 2 weeks). I bet it would be cheaper to go to Spain for 2 weeks.

Where are you seeing $750? I just checked and iAd to mad for 6/25-7/5, the cheapest is $807 but requires an 18 hour flight in exonomy! Reasonable flight times are $1051 for economy. So I think if you are talking about a family of 4, you need at least 2 weeks vacation to make Europe more affordable plus need to be willing to fly economy red eye.

Also, I’m no longer psyched about renting apartments in anticipation in any place since I saw a new thing about the number of people who have secret cameras in those places and are uploading videos to the dark web. Particularly with my teen girls…..I’m really creeped out by the idea that someone could be filming them. We’ve also found that the mattresses in rental apartments are so cheap no one gets a decent nights sleep. I’ll compromise on a lot when traveling but everyone is just so cranky after sleeping on bad mattresses plus my husbands back will actually go out — so that is a priority for me.
Obviously those are preferences for us but I feel like all the people who are saying Europe is so much cheaper are comparing apples and oranges, or ignoring some significant compromises you have to make in order for Europe to be cheaper.

I agree food, activities, train tickets are all way cheaper in Europe. Hotel prices vary widely depending on where you are. Like London is pretty comparable to DC prices, and I think Madrid was maybe more, at least in summer. Small towns tend to be cheaper but that’s true here too. I guess the difference is that small town Spain or Italy is more interesting than a random small town in most of America.

I see under 700 on Air Canada and Lufthansa/United flights. Of course, those leave Monday and come back on a Thursday. So 16 days.

The point isn't whether your particular itinerary with the specifics you want is cheaper,, it is whether in general overseas travel is competitive with domestic travel. And using the example of 2 weeks in Spain (generally) versus 2 weeks in Bethany Beach, I think it is safe to say that it is competitive in price (if not cheaper) to travel overseas. Is that because the US is overpriced or is it because overseas is just cheap?

Who can take 16 days to travel, especially when you have school age kids. They have activities/camps/etc. even during the summer. Are you in the DC area? Most people I know do not take vacations this long unless they are pre-kids / post-kids / DINKS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took my children to Spain last summer for 2 weeks and the whole trip cost less than a Bethany rental, flight included.

This is not believable.

Well, I guess if you rent a massive house in Bethany and a tiny place in the middle of nowhere in Spain. And I agree that Spain is cheaper overall, but flights would basically make the costs break even.

There’s no need to exaggerate to prove your point. It just makes you look ridiculous.

That probably isn't far off.

I just looked and the average weekly rental for a 3 bedroom Bethany house is 4300 per week. Flights to Spain next summer are about $750. Food is far cheaper as are accommodations (2 bedroom in central Madrid during the summer is 1500-2500 for 2 weeks). I bet it would be cheaper to go to Spain for 2 weeks.

Where are you seeing $750? I just checked and iAd to mad for 6/25-7/5, the cheapest is $807 but requires an 18 hour flight in exonomy! Reasonable flight times are $1051 for economy. So I think if you are talking about a family of 4, you need at least 2 weeks vacation to make Europe more affordable plus need to be willing to fly economy red eye.

Also, I’m no longer psyched about renting apartments in anticipation in any place since I saw a new thing about the number of people who have secret cameras in those places and are uploading videos to the dark web. Particularly with my teen girls…..I’m really creeped out by the idea that someone could be filming them. We’ve also found that the mattresses in rental apartments are so cheap no one gets a decent nights sleep. I’ll compromise on a lot when traveling but everyone is just so cranky after sleeping on bad mattresses plus my husbands back will actually go out — so that is a priority for me.
Obviously those are preferences for us but I feel like all the people who are saying Europe is so much cheaper are comparing apples and oranges, or ignoring some significant compromises you have to make in order for Europe to be cheaper.

I agree food, activities, train tickets are all way cheaper in Europe. Hotel prices vary widely depending on where you are. Like London is pretty comparable to DC prices, and I think Madrid was maybe more, at least in summer. Small towns tend to be cheaper but that’s true here too. I guess the difference is that small town Spain or Italy is more interesting than a random small town in most of America.

I see under 700 on Air Canada and Lufthansa/United flights. Of course, those leave Monday and come back on a Thursday. So 16 days.

The point isn't whether your particular itinerary with the specifics you want is cheaper,, it is whether in general overseas travel is competitive with domestic travel. And using the example of 2 weeks in Spain (generally) versus 2 weeks in Bethany Beach, I think it is safe to say that it is competitive in price (if not cheaper) to travel overseas. Is that because the US is overpriced or is it because overseas is just cheap?

Who can take 16 days to travel, especially when you have school age kids. They have activities/camps/etc. even during the summer. Are you in the DC area? Most people I know do not take vacations this long unless they are pre-kids / post-kids / DINKS.

DP

The point isn't whether your particular itinerary with the specifics you want is cheaper, it is whether in general overseas travel is competitive with domestic travel. And using the example of 2 weeks in Spain (generally) versus 2 weeks in Bethany Beach, I think it is safe to say that it is competitive in price (if not cheaper) to travel overseas. Is that because the US is overpriced or is it because overseas is just cheap?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took my children to Spain last summer for 2 weeks and the whole trip cost less than a Bethany rental, flight included.

This is not believable.

Well, I guess if you rent a massive house in Bethany and a tiny place in the middle of nowhere in Spain. And I agree that Spain is cheaper overall, but flights would basically make the costs break even.

There’s no need to exaggerate to prove your point. It just makes you look ridiculous.

That probably isn't far off.

I just looked and the average weekly rental for a 3 bedroom Bethany house is 4300 per week. Flights to Spain next summer are about $750. Food is far cheaper as are accommodations (2 bedroom in central Madrid during the summer is 1500-2500 for 2 weeks). I bet it would be cheaper to go to Spain for 2 weeks.

Where are you seeing $750? I just checked and iAd to mad for 6/25-7/5, the cheapest is $807 but requires an 18 hour flight in exonomy! Reasonable flight times are $1051 for economy. So I think if you are talking about a family of 4, you need at least 2 weeks vacation to make Europe more affordable plus need to be willing to fly economy red eye.

Also, I’m no longer psyched about renting apartments in anticipation in any place since I saw a new thing about the number of people who have secret cameras in those places and are uploading videos to the dark web. Particularly with my teen girls…..I’m really creeped out by the idea that someone could be filming them. We’ve also found that the mattresses in rental apartments are so cheap no one gets a decent nights sleep. I’ll compromise on a lot when traveling but everyone is just so cranky after sleeping on bad mattresses plus my husbands back will actually go out — so that is a priority for me.
Obviously those are preferences for us but I feel like all the people who are saying Europe is so much cheaper are comparing apples and oranges, or ignoring some significant compromises you have to make in order for Europe to be cheaper.

I agree food, activities, train tickets are all way cheaper in Europe. Hotel prices vary widely depending on where you are. Like London is pretty comparable to DC prices, and I think Madrid was maybe more, at least in summer. Small towns tend to be cheaper but that’s true here too. I guess the difference is that small town Spain or Italy is more interesting than a random small town in most of America.

I see under 700 on Air Canada and Lufthansa/United flights. Of course, those leave Monday and come back on a Thursday. So 16 days.

The point isn't whether your particular itinerary with the specifics you want is cheaper,, it is whether in general overseas travel is competitive with domestic travel. And using the example of 2 weeks in Spain (generally) versus 2 weeks in Bethany Beach, I think it is safe to say that it is competitive in price (if not cheaper) to travel overseas. Is that because the US is overpriced or is it because overseas is just cheap?

Who can take 16 days to travel, especially when you have school age kids. They have activities/camps/etc. even during the summer. Are you in the DC area? Most people I know do not take vacations this long unless they are pre-kids / post-kids / DINKS.

Plenty of people can. Teachers/professors with summers off. People who have flexibility to work remotely full-time or permission to do so for a few weeks of the year. People who own their own business. People in tech/private sector firms who have "unlimited PTO" but you need to keep working even while on vacation. And you forget that there's a good chunk of SAHMs and SAHDs too who don't work at least partially so they can be "there for their kids" during the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For skiing we’re definitely looking at Europe from here on out. It costs $1100 each for plane tickets to Steamboat Springs or other CO resorts and lodging is $700/night or more. Ski school costs are insane but I think our kids are finally ok on their own. We don’t vacation the rest of the year to afford this ski trip…it’s nuts. If anyone has suggestions for great skiing in Europe at much better prices we’re all ears.

We have gone to the Dolomites for skiing twice, staying in Cortina. We have Ikon passes so get five days of lift tickets for the Dolomiti SuperSki resorts, but if this is your major ski trip for the year, it would be significantly less expensive to buy your tickets through Dolomiti Superski or for the specific ski area. Obviously with the Olympic downhill events this year, you would want to check your dates carefully for Cortina but other parts of the Dolomites would not have that issue. We had good snow, the terrain was a good mix for my not-very-adventurous daughter and for me (check out Stratofana Olimpica), the food was amazing, and it is the most beautiful place I have ever skied. I honestly don't know if it would work out to be cheaper -- I recently bought $250 r/t tickets to Denver for a long ski weekend, so depending on your dates airfare to Europe might wipe out other savings and the dollar isn't doing particularly well against the Euro -- but the entire experience is terrific. I remember paying $20 for completely average mac & cheese at a Colorado resort, in an unpleasant and overcrowded cafeteria, two months after coming back from Cortina and thinking that the US really doesn't do the whole ski thing very well. Plus you can visit other parts of Italy if you have the time/inclination.

I have not skied elsewhere in Europe but perhaps others can chime in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took my children to Spain last summer for 2 weeks and the whole trip cost less than a Bethany rental, flight included.

This is not believable.

Well, I guess if you rent a massive house in Bethany and a tiny place in the middle of nowhere in Spain. And I agree that Spain is cheaper overall, but flights would basically make the costs break even.

There’s no need to exaggerate to prove your point. It just makes you look ridiculous.

That probably isn't far off.

I just looked and the average weekly rental for a 3 bedroom Bethany house is 4300 per week. Flights to Spain next summer are about $750. Food is far cheaper as are accommodations (2 bedroom in central Madrid during the summer is 1500-2500 for 2 weeks). I bet it would be cheaper to go to Spain for 2 weeks.

Where are you seeing $750? I just checked and iAd to mad for 6/25-7/5, the cheapest is $807 but requires an 18 hour flight in exonomy! Reasonable flight times are $1051 for economy. So I think if you are talking about a family of 4, you need at least 2 weeks vacation to make Europe more affordable plus need to be willing to fly economy red eye.

Also, I’m no longer psyched about renting apartments in anticipation in any place since I saw a new thing about the number of people who have secret cameras in those places and are uploading videos to the dark web. Particularly with my teen girls…..I’m really creeped out by the idea that someone could be filming them. We’ve also found that the mattresses in rental apartments are so cheap no one gets a decent nights sleep. I’ll compromise on a lot when traveling but everyone is just so cranky after sleeping on bad mattresses plus my husbands back will actually go out — so that is a priority for me.
Obviously those are preferences for us but I feel like all the people who are saying Europe is so much cheaper are comparing apples and oranges, or ignoring some significant compromises you have to make in order for Europe to be cheaper.

I agree food, activities, train tickets are all way cheaper in Europe. Hotel prices vary widely depending on where you are. Like London is pretty comparable to DC prices, and I think Madrid was maybe more, at least in summer. Small towns tend to be cheaper but that’s true here too. I guess the difference is that small town Spain or Italy is more interesting than a random small town in most of America.

I see under 700 on Air Canada and Lufthansa/United flights. Of course, those leave Monday and come back on a Thursday. So 16 days.

The point isn't whether your particular itinerary with the specifics you want is cheaper,, it is whether in general overseas travel is competitive with domestic travel. And using the example of 2 weeks in Spain (generally) versus 2 weeks in Bethany Beach, I think it is safe to say that it is competitive in price (if not cheaper) to travel overseas. Is that because the US is overpriced or is it because overseas is just cheap?

Who can take 16 days to travel, especially when you have school age kids. They have activities/camps/etc. even during the summer. Are you in the DC area? Most people I know do not take vacations this long unless they are pre-kids / post-kids / DINKS.

Plenty of people can. Teachers/professors with summers off. People who have flexibility to work remotely full-time or permission to do so for a few weeks of the year. People who own their own business. People in tech/private sector firms who have "unlimited PTO" but you need to keep working even while on vacation. And you forget that there's a good chunk of SAHMs and SAHDs too who don't work at least partially so they can be "there for their kids" during the summer.

We have taken 2 week summer vacations the last 4 summers. Went in August after camps ended or didn't sign up for a last week, etc. We each have 3 weeks of leave a year and a few personal days. August definitely quietest time of year at work outside of winter break holidays, not a huge deal to take 2 weeks off then.

Remember plenty of Feds have 4-5 weeks of leave a year- some folks I have worked with over the year end up taking off last 3 weeks of the year because they can't rollover much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took my children to Spain last summer for 2 weeks and the whole trip cost less than a Bethany rental, flight included.

This is not believable.

Well, I guess if you rent a massive house in Bethany and a tiny place in the middle of nowhere in Spain. And I agree that Spain is cheaper overall, but flights would basically make the costs break even.

There’s no need to exaggerate to prove your point. It just makes you look ridiculous.

That probably isn't far off.

I just looked and the average weekly rental for a 3 bedroom Bethany house is 4300 per week. Flights to Spain next summer are about $750. Food is far cheaper as are accommodations (2 bedroom in central Madrid during the summer is 1500-2500 for 2 weeks). I bet it would be cheaper to go to Spain for 2 weeks.

Where are you seeing $750? I just checked and iAd to mad for 6/25-7/5, the cheapest is $807 but requires an 18 hour flight in exonomy! Reasonable flight times are $1051 for economy. So I think if you are talking about a family of 4, you need at least 2 weeks vacation to make Europe more affordable plus need to be willing to fly economy red eye.

Also, I’m no longer psyched about renting apartments in anticipation in any place since I saw a new thing about the number of people who have secret cameras in those places and are uploading videos to the dark web. Particularly with my teen girls…..I’m really creeped out by the idea that someone could be filming them. We’ve also found that the mattresses in rental apartments are so cheap no one gets a decent nights sleep. I’ll compromise on a lot when traveling but everyone is just so cranky after sleeping on bad mattresses plus my husbands back will actually go out — so that is a priority for me.
Obviously those are preferences for us but I feel like all the people who are saying Europe is so much cheaper are comparing apples and oranges, or ignoring some significant compromises you have to make in order for Europe to be cheaper.

I agree food, activities, train tickets are all way cheaper in Europe. Hotel prices vary widely depending on where you are. Like London is pretty comparable to DC prices, and I think Madrid was maybe more, at least in summer. Small towns tend to be cheaper but that’s true here too. I guess the difference is that small town Spain or Italy is more interesting than a random small town in most of America.

I see under 700 on Air Canada and Lufthansa/United flights. Of course, those leave Monday and come back on a Thursday. So 16 days.

The point isn't whether your particular itinerary with the specifics you want is cheaper,, it is whether in general overseas travel is competitive with domestic travel. And using the example of 2 weeks in Spain (generally) versus 2 weeks in Bethany Beach, I think it is safe to say that it is competitive in price (if not cheaper) to travel overseas. Is that because the US is overpriced or is it because overseas is just cheap?

Who can take 16 days to travel, especially when you have school age kids. They have activities/camps/etc. even during the summer. Are you in the DC area? Most people I know do not take vacations this long unless they are pre-kids / post-kids / DINKS.

DP

The point isn't whether your particular itinerary with the specifics you want is cheaper, it is whether in general overseas travel is competitive with domestic travel. And using the example of 2 weeks in Spain (generally) versus 2 weeks in Bethany Beach, I think it is safe to say that it is competitive in price (if not cheaper) to travel overseas. Is that because the US is overpriced or is it because overseas is just cheap?

I'm pricing my Bethany Beach $4,300ish beach front condo (week of August 1-8) vs. a trip to Fueringola, Spain for two weeks (July 31-August 14) and not seeing how it is cheaper, or even the same price. Looks like flights/transportation to Malaga area are going to be $800ish each for my family of four (everyone is 12 and up). There is a comparable airbnb for $3,200 for the two weeks. We are at $6,400 for two weeks just for flights/transportation/accomodation. I do agree with everyone that looking at it per person, per night, for 2 weeks in Spain is a cheaper vacation, but, the reality is that I am not just paying for myself. I'm paying for the whole family, so I am looking at it from a total cost basis.