Cheapest travel plan for 12-14 day trip to London, Paris, Venice and Rome

1) The cheapest way to see any part of Europe is to pick one general area and stay there - don't move so much. If that is not an option... 2) Driving is generally easy, but only away from cities. Cars are less than useless IN cities. Don't even consider it there. So if your general plan is to city-hop, I would not consider a car at all, even if it worked out to be a bit cheaper than 4 train tickets. You cannot drop a car in a different country without incurring a stiff additional fee. 3) A youth hostel room for 4 is almost always cheaper that any other option for 4 and the atmosphere there is generally very casual and communal. That should appeal to the children. But be prepared for nothing fancy, especially in cities. 4) I don't think any package trip ever in the history of mankind has been cheaper than a good, honest effort at puting the pieces together yourself, unless you were looking to go 1st class, and it seems you are not. 5) Do some research with trains and you will discover that rail passes hardly ever save you money. However, if you don't want the headache of dealing with many different train web sites and you limit your rides to very long ones, a pass could be a reasonable choice. 6) The Chunnel does not accept rail passes, but good deals can be had online - buy early. 7) Our best experience with airfare has been to buy about 6 months early and to consider small budget carriers like Aer Lingus and IcelandAir (which both fly out of NYC). Start looking now on www.kayak.com to see what "normal" fares are, so you know what a "good" fare is in November or December for summer 2012.

London is never inexpensive and next year depending on what date you go it will be even more so with the Olympics being held in London.

Although a lot of the people on this site are very experienced travellers who like planning and doing their own travel. Why dont you price some of the available packaged tours- 12-14 days is a common length tour. If price is important, consider RS tours and also some of the British companies. There are advantages and disadvantages of pakaged tours, and you genmerally dont get the depth of experience, many people enjoy them.

Affordable is a relative term. If you care to share your budget, we might be better able to help. Let's say you have 14 days on the ground in Europe, excluding travel. 4 cities in 3 countries is going to be tough unless you are on a tour where someone else deals with the complexities. It will also be expensive as someone else posted. The budget move is to not move too much. Consider dropping London and doing France and Italy. Fly to Paris - 4 nights Fly to Venice - 3 nights Train to Cinque Terre - 3 nights Train to Rome - 4 nights
Fly home out of Rome I suggest the CT because you will be charmed by it. Tuscany is also a possibility, but the young people will really like the CT. Apartments may be a reasonable option for you. While not a cheap per night as a hostel or dorm, you have the advantage of a small kitchen and can do in-room breakfast, snacks, picnic items, cook if you are so inclined. The savings versus restaurants for 4 people for every meal can make an apartment a great value. (We have one in Venice that sleeps four for 90 euros per night.) Look at Rick Steves Tours, too, He has a new "My Way" tour that shaves $1000 off per person on a 14 day tour (savings versus his regular full service tours). At $2995 plus airfare, meals and admissions, I think I can do better on my own, FWIW. But it is awfully convenient! Depends on what "affordable" means to you.

Had to weigh in on the driving part. Regular gas is about $8.70-$8.80 a gallon right now (1.51E a liter). Diesel is cheaper. There's also going to be tolls on the main roads from Paris to Venice. Don't forget to add all that in when looking at the price of renting a car vs. train tickets.

Too may places too little time. Does this include travel time? If you want to save money limit yourself. Perhaps fly into Paris, out of Rome or visa versa. Pack light take an inexpensive flight Venice to Paris. Train from Rome to Venice. Save London of another time or just do London and Paris. 12-14 days is not enough for 4 cities so far apart. Also 2012 Olympics are in London probably making it even more expensive than it already is.