019 | Travel from the US to the  EU with a Toddler + a Budget Hack

Over the last 10 days, we slowly boarded  2 international flights, local metros, 2 long journey European Trains, 3 hotels,  and one overnight Eastern European Train before getting in our car and driving one last hour to our final destination.

Let’s just dive in.

Why We Went The Hard Way

When Shopping for the original plane Ticket to Transylvania, the total for three people  from Texas to the Capital was around $5,000 with taxes and was still followed by a four-to-six-hour car journey through the mountains

One other fun option was plane hopping. For around $4,500 we could go around the world from Teas > Hawaii > Hongkong > Dubai > Turkey > Romania. But this plan would have involved insane jetlag and quite a few hotels.

Then we realized that children four and under are FREE on most European Trains. So we found a flight from Texas to Paris ($1900 for three) and then trains. We took 3 trains and stayed in 2 hotels with Credit card points. We traveled from Paris to Munich($180) to Vienna($120) and then took an overnight train($250 with a sleeper car) from there to Brasov, an awesome Saxon city in the Carpathian Mountains. Then we met friends, went to a local English Church, and stayed overnight in a Hotel that allowed for early check-in and showers when the train arrived around noon ($130).  

All in all, we made this trip by train for $2580 and expect to spend $300-750 on our return to Paris, which will average the trip at $1100 per person instead of $1700 per person for the more simpler route. I think the extra $1800 in the bank is with the adventures and memories, but let’s see what you think:

The First Adventure: Dallas To Paris

After our flight was delayed 5 hours, we finally boarded and while walking our toddler peed all over both the toddler and the papa. British Airway hostesses were amazing as always and provided us with wet wash clothes and a plastic bag along with a changing table to fix ourselves up as much as possible before our flight to London.

Then, due to the delay,. We had just enough time to get to our next flight before heading on to Paris. Oh, this was so funny: since I booked our first hotel with points, I based our choice on reviews and interior pictures. So, when we arrived I realized I set our family right next to the moulon rouge. Although it felt very safe and all went well, I was quite surprised.

In Paris we

1. Ate a wonderful breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien on Rue Lepic
2. Walked by the Eiffel tower
3. Tried a glass of champagne
4. Took a taxi around the Arch de Triumph
5. Tried the original Sacher Torte at their Sister Hotel: Hotel Bristol (no line and crazy good service)
6. Accidentaly walked into the large market on Avenue Du President Wilson
7. Ate a wonderful Bib Gormound meal at Le Pantruche where our toddler conveniently fell asleep allowing us to have a very tasty date.

Wrapping Up the first Leg of Our Journey

Traveling from the US to the EU with a toddler on a bit of a budget has been a whirlwind of experiences and a testament to creative planning. By opting for trains and leveraging credit card points for hotels, we not only saved a significant amount of money but also added layers of adventure to our journey.

From the unexpected delay and mishaps on our flight to the unexpected charm of our Parisian hotel, each moment was filled with laughter and lessons. We explored iconic sights in Paris, enjoyed delicious meals, and made unforgettable memories as a family.

Reflecting on the trip, the decision to take the road less traveled paid off both financially and experientially. The additional $1800 saved will undoubtedly enhance our future adventures. But beyond the savings, it’s the unique stories and the quality time spent together that make every effort worthwhile.

Stay tuned for more tales from our European escapades as we continue to embrace the journey with open hearts and curious minds.

Here's to more adventures, smart budgeting, and a life filled with rich experiences.

Heather