Five Reasons that You Should Book That Trip to Europe NOW

If you were just thinking about going to Europe and this email popped up, consider it a sign from the gods: Book. That. Flight.

No, plane tickets aren't pre-COVID cheap at the moment, but that's only part of the equation. Take the following things in mind and you may realize now is exactly the right time:

1. Europe is the place you want to be stuck

If this summer's "Travel Armageddon" experience taught us anything, it 's that Europe the place for stranded budget travelers.

Was it inconvenient that SAS declared bankruptcy while we were in Sweden? For sure.

Did we have to pay out-of-pocket for new flights and 5 days of hotel and food? Yes.

But did they pay us back? Yes. And then some.

European guidelines require that the airline reimburse the flight, pay you back for the cost difference for new flights, pay for your food and hotel, AND pay you 600 Euros per person for the inconvenience.

For our family of 6, that meant we made $3,800 on the deal PLUS got an extra 5 days to explore Stockholm, all expenses paid. (It did take 6 months to get the full amount refunded, but still...)

Are there protections like this in the US? No.

Pete Buttigieg, US Director of Transportation, is fighting to get more consumer protections, but for now, it's still the Wild West for travelers here. Sure, you can get trip cancellation insurance or purchase your tickets on a credit card with travel protections, but essentially you are on your own.

Just ask the poor Southwest customers. Our friend Isaac had to drive 14 hours to Boston to see his family for the holidays after his SW flight was cancelled. What did he get in return? A refund and 25,000 frequent flyer miles. That's it.

I'd much rather be in Europe when and if the kaka hits the ventilateur.

2. The dollar is still strong (ie. everything is 10% off at the moment)

Euro to dollar conversion shock is real.

During our first European stint as a family, the kids would find a (tacky) souvenir, whip out their calculators, multiply by 1.18... and their smiling faces would promptly melt. Their budget was shot.

Compare that to last summer when they happily multiplied by NOTHING because the euro and the dollar were roughly equal. Everything was a bargain!

I know, we're not still in that dreamy situation, but $1.08 per euro isn't a terrible deal. The euro appears to be back on the rise, but for now there's still a 10% sale on Europe. Not soon to be repeated, I'm sure.

3. Gas is expensive...

When you're calculating your trip cost, remember to deduct the amount that you would be spending if you weren't at home. In my city, which has limited public transportation, I end up driving A LOT. With gas back at $3.25/gallon, that adds up.

Much of Europe can be explored without a car. Head there and use the money you would be spending on gas on gelato and sangria instead.

4. ...and food is even more expensive

As for that gelato and sangria, it's likely going to be less expensive than the same thing here at home. Even with inflation on the rise there (as well as here).

With the exception of 3 nations, the grocery index for European countries falls well below the US's.

And if you account for the fact that much of Europe's food is sourced locally, a similarly sourced grocery bill in the US would probably be higher than even those 3 countries.

And that restaurant meal? A US meal out would cost more than a similar meal in all but 5 European nations. And that doesn't include tax and tip that are usually included in European restaurant pricing.

So you can "save" money by traveling to Europe right now (or at least you can tell yourself that as you fill your French grocery cart with champagne and camembert).

5. Fairly low off-season airline tickets

No, things are not what they once were.

Last spring break, I traveled to Barcelona for $298 roundtrip.

This year, the same trip would $100-200 more if you're picky about dates and times. But if you're flexible, there are still deals to be had at 2022 prices. Let the Google Flights price grid be your guide and you can still find some great seats at a reasonable price. Who knows if this will be the case next year, so we may as well take advantage while we can.

So if the gods are sending you a sign, go for it. 2023 is your year for Europe.

For info on how to save for that dream trip, check out "I Want to Travel. Now How do I Find Money for It?"

For info on how to stick to your travel budget, check out "Five Things that Will Bust Your Travel Budget in a Hurry" Part 1 and Part 2.