I'm currently in Vienna, Austria.
To get here, I used last week's tip about TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, and it took me only 3 minutes to get through security.
It saved me so much time!
With geopolitical tensions rising and U.S. policies making waves globally, a lot of Americans are rethinking
their Europe plans. The numbers back that up. Flight bookings from the U.S. to Europe dropped 7.3% between October 2025 and the end of January 2026.
That's not nothing.
Here's my honest take on what's actually going on.
The Real Reason: It's the Dollar
People are blaming politics. And sure, that plays a role. But from where I'm standing, the weaker dollar is doing more damage than any headline.
I remember when exchange rates
made Europe feel like a deal. Things are different now. Right now, one euro costs you about $1.17. That means every time you swipe your card, you are automatically losing money on the conversion before you even spend anything.
I know that Vienna is already on the pricier side. But I felt the exchange rate in a way I didn't expect. Street food stands were running $30 after everything was said and
done. That might sound like one bad meal. But spread that gap across hotels, restaurants, transportation, and activities for a week or two and it starts to hurt. Bring a family and it really adds up fast.
That said, I'm not telling you to skip Europe. I'm telling you to travel smarter.
Eat Out Selectively
Restaurants near major tourist attractions are where budgets go to die. They know you're there for one day and you're not coming back. The markup is real.
Go where locals eat. Look for spots a few streets off the main square. Eat your bigger
meal at lunch. A lot of European restaurants offer the same dishes at lunch for significantly less than dinner prices. Market halls are another move. Most cities have them and they're full of cheap, quality food that actually reflects local culture. That is the experience you came for anyway.
Stay Out of the City
Center
Hotel prices in the center of major European cities are brutal right now. But most of these cities have excellent public transit. A hotel or apartment 15 to 20 minutes outside the center can cut your accommodation cost by a third or more. You still get everything. You just take the metro to get there.
Neighborhoods slightly outside the tourist core also tend to have better restaurants, quieter streets, and a more authentic feel. In Vienna, that means areas like the 7th or 8th district instead of the 1st. In Paris, look at the 11th or 18th instead of Saint-Germain. You will spend less and see more of the real city.
Look for
City Cards
Most major European cities sell a city card that bundles public transit with free or discounted entry to museums, attractions, and sometimes even restaurants. The Vienna City Card, for example, gives you unlimited transit access plus discounts across dozens of spots. Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, and Copenhagen all have versions of this.
Run the math before you buy. If you plan to move around a lot and visit even two or three paid attractions, these cards usually pay for themselves on day one.
The Bottom Line
Europe is still worth it. The exchange rate makes you work a
little harder for a good deal. But the good deals are still there. You just have to know where to look.
Plan smarter, stay a little further out, eat where the locals eat, and grab a city card before you start exploring. Your wallet will thank you.
