We spent $4,700 on a trip that included a week in Paris and a few days in London. We felt we had mastered public transportation, but needed more time to properly space events out. We learned that making travel decisions on the spot doesn't always work out, and that reading reviews helps.
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The 2024 Olympics seemed like the perfect time to visit Paris, so my friend and I started booking our trip over a year in advance.
Then, from late July to early August, we left for a 10-night trip to Europe, including 7 nights in Paris and 3 nights in London.
It was my first time traveling outside of the US, and traveling across Europe during such an important time was a chaotic yet educational experience.
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The approximate costs for a 10 night trip were as follows:
Transportation: $1,298 for flights from LA to Paris, flights from London to LA, public transportation, and rideshare. Hotels/Lodging/Hostel: $761 for 6 nights in an Airbnb in Paris (split between 6 people), 1 night in a hostel in Paris, and 3 nights in a hostel in London. Food: $421. Activities: $921 for tickets to Olympic sports (soccer, gymnastics, tennis, volleyball), the Dior Museum, trips to the Eiffel Tower, a Catacombs tour, and a Seine River cruise. Shopping: $1,310. Total: $4,711.
As it was my first trip abroad, I learned from some beginner mistakes and got some financial tips from some experienced traveller friends.
Here are some ways I used my time, money, and energy wisely, as well as some mistakes to avoid on your next trip.
