adrienne

<< So, I guess it would be more like an additional €30/day. >>

That would be per person.

Coffee is normally served after the meal. That's not to say that you won't get it with the meal but it's unusual so the server might not understand when you want the coffee.

janisj

>>That's not to say that you won't get it with the meal but it's unusual<<

That's not to say that you won't get it with the meal but it's <i>highly</i> unusual . . .

Almost everywhere -- coffee is an after dinner drink -- and usually after dessert.

Gretchen

I will give you a budget to start on. You are a year away so it will probably be more, but.
You have 3 main outlays--which as others have pointed out you could already have a handle on--but I'll go ahead.
People have told you cokes are expensive. Minutiae but WILL be important when you get there.
Air fare from LA. I would be shocked if you could get to Berlin, Paris or London for less than $1200 per person. So you have $3600-$4000 to start.
You are staying 11-12 days in Europe. Get over the star categories you keep bringing up and others say “doesn’t translate to European grading of hotels”. You need two rooms or a family room. You won’t find kitchenettes. So 12 days at an average (lowish I think) of $300/night (and probably not attainable in any of your cities). Another $3600.
Breakfast at hotels unless included can be expensive. Continental breakfast in a café near hotel—maybe 10E (that is $13—start thinking about the exchange rate) each.
Lunch—could have a picnic from a “deli”—maybe 10E each
Dinner at a middle of the road place but very nice in Europe 30E each without wine or soda—but tip included. So that gets to be about our budget of 50E per person when we travel—but we have extra for splurges during the trip. You can eat your main meal at noon at a nice restaurant so just reverse these charges. So for 12 days, 50E ($60+) Another $3600-$4000.
So we are at a pretty bare bones budget in excess of $10,000.
AND we haven't started on transportation between these 3 cities for 3 people. haven't talked about airport transfers. Museums, sites entry fees.
If you will only have that amount contributed for this, then you need to start saving your pennies to add to it. Or you need to make it a shorter trip. Or you need to leave someone at home.

Gretchen

To illustrate the rating system's foibles, I just looked up the rate for a triple room at the Hotel Muguet in Paris--our favorite hotel. it is a 2* but as everyone agrees, it is at least a 3*.
Their triple room, internet rate, 4 night rate is 265E ($300+ not doing the math). that would be a great choice--near the Eiffel Tower, great restaurants nearby, nice breakfast room if you want it, near two metros and 4 bus lines.
Others know some elsewhere but probably in a similar price.
You can stay in "budget" hotels like Ibis, Accord, etc., have squeaky clean rooms--and have two rooms. Then you have money to spend outside your hotel room, and not on the sleeping arrangements.
You may need to recognize you ARE on a budget, and start prioritizing what you will spend you dollars on.

mamcalice

You will not get "luxury" on a budget of $10,000. In fact, for 3 people for 2 weeks and including airfare, I wouldn't imagine you could get bare bones for $10,000. Perhaps it would help if you researched airfares, specific hotels and checked the web sites of a few restaurants and major sights.

nytraveler

The $15000 K is not what I would call "luxury". A "luxury hotel can be anywwhre from $500 to $1000 nights for a coupe - more for a triple. The prices you got are for moderate.

It covers mostly fairly modest sit down meals - so you won't have to eat a sandwich taken out of a supermarket on a neaarby bench.

You need to include plane or train from Berlin to Paris and train from Paris to London. The latter need to be bought 90 days in advance when they go on sale - the latter you wait to buy them the higher (often MUCH higher) the price will be.

And you will need to search to get an apartment suitable with 3 adults with a full kitchen for that amount (hotels DO not have kitchens in which you can cook meals). And for renting apartments 6 months is advance is getting to be late to start getting your reservations. $300 per night is probably quite doable in Berlin, iffy in Paris and not realistic in London in a decent central area.

Sassafrass

Will try to clarify more for you what people mean by the star rating not being meaningful in Europe. In Europe, the stars have little to do with quality or luxury. They simply imply amenities like an on-site restaurant, pool, elevators, 24 hour desk service, etc. You can have a very ratty hotel but it rates 4 stars because it has those things. You can also have an old hotel with wide stairs, no pool, no restaurant, etc. that is still gorgeous and well located, but rates only 2 stars.

Seriously consider doing only London and Paris and take the train between. Berlin may be cheaper, but you have the cost of transport for three people between. You could rent an apartment (with two bedrooms) in each city and see some things outside, but close to each city.

Depending on ticket cost, you might save by booking one day over another, but have to shave a day or so off the trip.

Also, you are going at peak time for airfare tickets. If you can wait until mid September, tickets might drop, especially on some airlines. Last year, we got RT, NY to Paris for $610.00 on XLFrance.

Join some websites like travelzoo to see if any special deals pop up. They might not be for Paris and London, but some other place might appeal and be a better value.

Another two cents of advice. DD and SIL were in same situation and DD really liked her SD, also around 13. DD thought she would feel guilty if they did not take her and the child contributed to their guilt, so they took her on their honeymoon. It was totally ruined by the child, who is normally a very nice kid. On their honeymoon, however, she was homesick, had day long fits of boredom, did not want to do anything they wanted to do, did not like the food, wanted only to shop or text friends back home, etc. etc. Since she wasn't happy, nobody was happy, plus they had not a moment alone. It was a very expensive purchase of a lot of misery and, unfortunately, set the tone for the future. Two for one is great, but if even the honeymoon does not focus on the adult couple, nothing else ever will. DD has huge regrets (and some anger) about it. Could you promise to save up and send her on a student trip when she is 15 or 16?

bilboburgler

Some good estimates above. I'd look at different numbers and I have no flight info as I live in Europe and in sterling as I'm a Brit.

I would move my traval plans to early July to try and keep the costs down (June would be better). Then I'd assume you can get two rooms for £160 a night total (using premiertravelinn and Ibis type hotels). Breakfast taken locally say £24 for the trio, lunch at £36 and supper at £90 for the trio. Daily fun and snacks £60 and movement between cities £150. Obviously taking out a city reduces the costs by £150.

So 2 weeks hits ~£4750 or $8000 Hotels would be basic but clean with A/C. Hope that helps.

Gretchen

I am having a problem thinking either June or July could be cheaper? It is certainly high season for air fares from the US.
But good info for London part I would imagine.

sandralist

>>It's not that I don't want to research, I was just hoping for some info from people who have actually been there<<

Most people answering you have not been where you are going, or if they have, they have not been there in years and YEARS. Hence the need to do your own research.

sandralist

By the way, a good way to get a sense of prices for hotels is use booking.com and put in fictional dates that generally correspond to the dates you would be traveling.

AimeeHoag

Honestly, I thank you all so much!

I'm now realizing maybe $20,000 is what we would need for the 3 of us to visit the 3 cities comfortably (yes?). We are willing to postpone the honeymoon until we have enough money to go to the 3 cities, but we would still only be able to go in July, August, or early September because of my fiancé's teen needing to attend school. Missing 2 weeks of school is just too much.

I appreciate everyone letting me know the star system is bogus in Europe and not something to go by. Here in the states it's something everyone goes by. Since we do want a kitchen to cook in, it's looking like we should be renting a home of some sort.

The reason why we are going to these 3 cities are because we each chose a place we wanted to visit. I am not willing to leave my future SD at home. We have gone on every trip with her, with the exception of 1, and they have all been great. We know we will want privacy, which is why I am looking for places with at least a separate 1 bedroom and a pull out couch in the living room, or a 2 bedroom if we are able to find a good price.

Thanks again everyone! All your responses are really helping me!

adrienne

<< the star system is bogus >>

It's not bogus. It means something completely different than it does in the US. Just because something is different doesn't mean that it's not legitimate. It is something to go by, depending on your criteria.

Gretchen

the star system is bogus in Europe and not something to go by. Here in the states it's something everyone goes by. Since we do want a kitchen to cook in, it's looking like we should be renting a home of some sort.

As is said--it is very real, and not bogus at all. It may be even more reliable than what you think is true in the US. THAT is NOT what we told you, for heaven's sake.

And finding an apartment (whine-we need a full kitchen) for short rentals may not be easy, especially since you seem unable to search for things.
There are ways to spend 5 days at a time IN a hotel room without a kitchen and still be on a budget.

Sassafrass

The star system in Europe is valid and just another way to assess a hotel. It is very important for people looking for certain things: restaurant in a hotel that is not close to cafes, etc. parking if they are driving, elevator if they can't navigate stairs, etc.

Americans may not even think to ask about those things because we are so used to Holiday Inn type places even in rural towns, and used to having a car except in major cities, but I have stayed in beautiful hotels that had no elevators or only something tiny to haul luggage. I have stayed where there was no restaurant within an easy walk and I had no car. Do not assume elevators in apartment buildings unless they are listed. Newer buildings and current renovations include these things, but there are still wonderful old hotels in small towns and even some in cities where there are two or three flights of winding stairs. Stars come into play for these things in the old buildings of Europe.

Since you have already traveled with future SD, it sounds as if you will be fine and have a good time.

Look for apartments on airbnb. You have to join to book, but I had very good luck with them, renting both small houses and apartments. There will not be any stars or ratings of any kind to guide you, but you can ask about location, etc. here on Fodors.

If there is any way you can begin and end the trip mid-week, flights can be two or three hundred dollars cheaper from Wed-Wed, than from Sat-Sat.

Sassafrass

Even a full kitchen in European apartments or houses may be tiny, having only a cook top, sink, very small refrigerator, and small counter or table top for food prep. People tend to shop local markets often, even daily, and do not stock up and store things the way we do.

The last house I rented had even a dish washer and a small pantry, but the kitchen was the back wall of the living room. The stairs were narrow with turns. We left luggage downstairs; we are too old and tired to lug it up. The second bedroom was third floor, kind of loft, with a steep ladder. Look at pictures carefully.

It was actually one of my favorite places, ever, a real little house, one small room on each floor, painted bright colors, orange and blue. I cried when we left.

For only a few days at a time, you do not need much. In cities, you can buy cheese, bread and fruit and picnic in a park, especially in summer. Stay open, hang loose, embrace the differences.

LSky

Factor in that what you are looking at in terms of budget could go up if you're a year out with the exchange rate.

xe.com will give you an idea.

If you can't afford to go to 3 cities, why not discuss picking one and enjoying that city? Sounds like this is meant to celebrate uniting as a family. Don't put it off. Celebrate

janisj

AimeeHoag: no one said the star system is bogus? It isn't. You just need to know what the stars mean . . . and don't mean.

sandralist/zeppole: >>Most people answering you have not been where you are going, or if they have, they have not been there in years and YEARS.<<

Now THAT is bogus Most everyone posting has been to each of those places multiple times.

Barblab

Try looking at VRBO.com for apartments in each city. We have used it all over the world with good luck.

As for costs and sights in each city why not have the person who picked the city do the leg work? Having some skin in the game makes it more interesting for everyone.

However, I still think you should be honeymooning as just a couple. She is old enough to understand that and may in fact opt for the idea of you helping her study abroad someday. I doubt she is going to make her own honeymoon a foursome.

Sassafrass

Barblab, the idea of study abroad is great.

Kids who have done it often get a lot out of study abroad or well planned school trips, don't they? Often cheap too, depending on the company. A dear friend's 14 year old son is on a people to people, 19 day program right now, and having a wonderful trip. Students who went with me years ago tell me the trips influenced their lives and choice of careers.

Of course, the OP knows what is best for her and her family, but if they wanted, they could save about 1/3 of the honeymoon costs and put it aside for a guaranteed future trip for SD. By 14, kids do go to Europe on school trips, and by 15-17, they do student exchange, so it would absolutely be possible for her to experience Europe another time. This would not be the only chance. She may not be aware of all the other opportunities, but could talk to her school and see what is available.

Whatever they do, I hope they have a great time.