Europe Summer 2019
#61

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,578
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For flights, try Matrix - ITA Software by Google
It shows the cheapest dates to fly on or close to your starting and ending dates, if you're able to be flexible by a few days. ITA doesn't sell tickets, just finds flights for you.
You may not save money and you sure won't save time by taking a train to an expensive city to get a cheaper flight home.
It shows the cheapest dates to fly on or close to your starting and ending dates, if you're able to be flexible by a few days. ITA doesn't sell tickets, just finds flights for you.
You may not save money and you sure won't save time by taking a train to an expensive city to get a cheaper flight home.
#62
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 132
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You know what would be crazy? If I said screw this and decide to go to Japan instead!
#63

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
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I'm not sure why that would be so crazy, except you'd have to start all over with the logistics and planning. A lot of us who are a lot older and less fancy-free than you are have made those kinds of decisions.
#64

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,839
Likes: 12
What about Paris > Ghent > Amsterdam? Fly into CDG, out of AMS.
#65
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 132
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I mean as I am coming to realize the expenses and length of our Europe trip, it is starting to not sound as pleasant. I’ve already experienced going to Europe on a time-crunch and I don’t want to go through that again. Also my cousin really wants to go to Japan and it sounds like a very different experience. Seeing Mt. Fuji, Emporer Buildings, and the Nightlife. I’m seriously considering this now...
#66
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 132
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Im just not sure how the currency works there. Because Yen-Dollar is very cheap (0.09 cents). I just dont know how much I would need and how much will get you what. Help?
#67

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,839
Likes: 12
You'll need to start a new post on the Asia forum. I spent 9 weeks in Japan and loved it.
#68



Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,042
Likes: 50
>>Im just not sure how the currency works there. Because Yen-Dollar is very cheap (0.09 cents)<<
Apples and oranges and tomatoes € vs $ and ¥ vs $ -- you need to study up a bit. IME Japan will be a bit more expensive than your other plans. Plus generally (but not always) flights to Japan will cost more than flying to a European hub. But you are thinking of changing plans at such short notice that you need to nail down transport and accommodations pretty quickly.
Apples and oranges and tomatoes € vs $ and ¥ vs $ -- you need to study up a bit. IME Japan will be a bit more expensive than your other plans. Plus generally (but not always) flights to Japan will cost more than flying to a European hub. But you are thinking of changing plans at such short notice that you need to nail down transport and accommodations pretty quickly.
#69

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 0
I mean as I am coming to realize the expenses and length of our Europe trip, it is starting to not sound as pleasant. I’ve already experienced going to Europe on a time-crunch and I don’t want to go through that again. Also my cousin really wants to go to Japan and it sounds like a very different experience. Seeing Mt. Fuji, Emporer Buildings, and the Nightlife. I’m seriously considering this now...
But if you want to go to Japan, go. Whatever you decide, as janisj points out, you need to make these decisions rather quickly, whether you stick with Europe or decide Japan instead.
#70
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 132
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Alright I just had a talk with my Cousin and our parents and we are going to go to Japan instead. I will be buying the tickets tonight or tomorrow as soon as we figure out which cities we are visiting (most likely Tokyo, Osaka, Chiba, and Hiroshima). I have already found some amazing eateries in each one and I did some research and found out that a lot of parks/museums are free/ very cheap to enter. I also have to learn about the cultural norms there as to not be the “annoying tourist”
#71
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 132
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Also how is Japan generally more expensive as janisj pointed out?
#73
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 132
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I feel so bad opening new posts because it makes me feel like im bothering the people on here. I ask too many questions, and people may get annoyed.
#74



Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,042
Likes: 50
If you are going to ask about Japan . . . you should post on the Asia Forum . . .
#75

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 0
People want to help. People have been hugely helpful try to help you plan this trip AND your college trip. But now that your focus has moved from Europe to Asia, just post your questions in that area. I personally know nothing about Asia. But others do... so allow them to help you some more!
#76



Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,042
Likes: 50
You ARE a bother LOL but if you want to know about Japan . . . This ain't the place!
seems strange to me that your 'nervous' parents are 'letting' you do a road trip through several southern US states, a trip to Europe the same month AND now a trip to Japan instead. This is almost sounding dobytheturtle-esque
Old timers will know what I mean
seems strange to me that your 'nervous' parents are 'letting' you do a road trip through several southern US states, a trip to Europe the same month AND now a trip to Japan instead. This is almost sounding dobytheturtle-esque

Old timers will know what I mean

#77

Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 0
It's no bother, Butterfingers. Nobody is forced to answer these questions. And the debate is always useful to other people who are reading but not participating, or who come across the discussion when planning a trip in the future.
#79


Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,798
Likes: 0
Yo Butter,
In the late '80s/early '90s, Japan used to have a government-sponsored homestay program called PTP (People to People). It allowed visitors a glance into the otherwise oft-impenetrable culture.
Maybe worth checking out if there are any current versions of that same program.
I am done. The daijobu.
In the late '80s/early '90s, Japan used to have a government-sponsored homestay program called PTP (People to People). It allowed visitors a glance into the otherwise oft-impenetrable culture.
Maybe worth checking out if there are any current versions of that same program.
I am done. The daijobu.
#80
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Having a cigarette in a Parisian balcony overlooking the Arc De Triomphe/Having Weisswurst in Munich/Coffeehouse in Amsterdam vs. Japanese tea gardens/Nara Parks/Tokyo. Decisions, Decisions...

