The Reality of Traveling to Europe Today (Cancellations, Rising Car Rental Costs...)
Over the past six months, we’ve noticed a clear trend. When planning European trips, our clients consistently ask the same questions: 👉🏼 "Is it getting more expensive to visit Europe right now?" 👉🏼 "Why do flight prices keep fluctuating?" 👉🏼 "Is self-driving still worth it?"
To be honest, it’s not just that things are pricier—it’s that they’ve become highly unstable. Especially since the Russia-Ukraine war, the "price volatility" across the European travel market has intensified significantly.
✈️ Flights: It’s Not Just the Price; It’s the "Unpredictability"
The most common situation we see lately:
- A client sees a fare yesterday; today, it’s 20–30% more expensive.
- Prices for the same route vary wildly depending on the timing.
- Sudden flight adjustments or cancellations are becoming more frequent.
👉🏼 For travelers, the issue isn’t just the cost—it’s that it makes planning incredibly difficult.
🚗 Car Rentals: A Noticeable Price Hike
Self-driving is another area where the shift is obvious. People used to believe: 👉🏼 Driving in Europe offers more freedom and is more budget-friendly.
But the current reality is:
- Rental rates are significantly higher than before.
- Fuel prices are volatile (and can vary greatly).
- Parking fees and tolls have increased.
- In many European cities (like those in Italy or France), driving in city centers is a headache.
The Result: You often end up spending more money without the added "ease" you expected.
🚄 Why We Increasingly Recommend "Train Travel"
It’s not just because trains are romantic (though they certainly are). It’s because of a very practical reality: 👉🏼 Train costs are "stable."
Most European railways run on electricity, so they aren't as directly impacted by fluctuating oil prices. Compared to flights or driving, the prices don't experience such dramatic peaks and valleys.
🎫 The Eurail Pass: The Most Frequently Asked Question
"Is the Eurail Pass worth it?" Given the current market, I’d put it this way: The value isn't just about saving money; it’s about "stabilizing your costs."
You lock in your transportation expenses before you even leave, protecting you from price spikes. With a Pass: ✔ Your transport budget is largely fixed. ✔ You don't have to keep recalculating your expenses. ✔ It remains flexible even if your itinerary changes.
For those planning their first independent trip to Europe, this provides a massive peace of mind.
🚆 Trains Are More Convenient Than You Think
Many people still have the impression that trains are slow. However, high-speed rails like:
- TGV (France)
- ICE (Germany)
- Frecciarossa (Italy)
These are incredibly fast and take you city center to city center. You skip the early check-ins, security lines, and the commute from the airport to the city. Often, you actually save time.
💬 Truthfully, People Care Most About "Having Someone to Ask"
We’ve felt this shift strongly lately. Travelers used to focus solely on price comparisons, but now they ask:
- "What if I need to change my itinerary last minute?"
- "Who can I ask if I don't know how to book a seat?"
This is why many choose to buy their tickets through GoByTrain (飛達旅遊) rather than faceless booking platforms. The reasons are simple:
- Price Parity: The prices are essentially the same.
- Native Support: A full Traditional Chinese interface.
- Trust: A visible, established management team.
- Integration: The booking system is directly linked to European Railways.
- Human Connection: Real customer service (direct support via LINE).
- Accountability: If something goes wrong, there is a real person to handle it.
For independent travelers, this makes a world of difference.
📌 Summary (The Bottom Line)
Traveling to Europe isn't "impossible" or "guaranteed to be expensive"—it’s just harder to control. That’s why travelers are shifting their approach:
- Maybe they don't fly between every city.
- Maybe they skip the rental car.
- They are choosing Trains + Eurail Passes.
Why? Because it’s more reliable, less stressful, and much easier on the budget.
