The Price of Love – The Real Cost of a Long-Distance Relationship
Hi, my name is Sailor, and welcome back to my blog where I share different parts of my lifestyle and relationships. In my last post, I talked about why being in a long-distance relationship feels so magical, but let’s be real, there are also a lot of downsides.
When I started dating my French boyfriend, I had no idea how much money would go into keeping our relationship alive. Every relationship takes effort, but nothing prepared me for the financial reality of a long-distance relationship. If you’ve ever wondered what the true cost of international dating looks like, here’s a breakdown from someone living it.
Travel Costs – The Biggest Expense in Long-Distance Relationships
One of my favorite things about being in a long-distance relationship is that seeing each other feels like a vacation. Whether I’m flying to France or he’s flying to California, it always feels like a holiday. The downside? Flights are so expensive.
I’m not even the type who insists on first class (though trust me, I would if I could). A regular economy seat can easily be over $1,000 during peak seasons from LAX to Paris. If we’re lucky, we can sometimes find tickets around $400, but that’s rare. And that doesn’t even include luggage fees. Since I usually stay in Paris for weeks at a time, I bring multiple bags, which can be $100+ each. (Pro tip: buy a luggage scale. That little gadget has saved me from so many overweight bag fees.)
Booking flights is stressful too. Sometimes we get the dates we want, sometimes prices are out of reach, and it feels impossible to plan visits as often as we’d like. Even my family has to spend thousands if they want to visit me while I’m abroad.
If you’re starting an international relationship, budgeting for travel costs should be your number one priority.
Visa Costs – The Hidden Price of International Dating
Something I don’t hear a lot of international couples talk about is visa expenses.
Because I’ve stayed in Paris for extended periods, like three months in the summer and then a full year from 2025–2026, I’ve had to get long-stay visas. Legally, you can’t stay in France for more than 90 days in a 180-day period without one.
The visa process itself isn’t too complicated, but it definitely comes with some hidden costs:
- recent passport photos (which have to be a specific size and aren’t cheap),
- proof of housing,
- bank statements,
- and specialized health insurance.
That health insurance is no joke. My American plan didn’t qualify, so I had to buy one made for visa holders, $200 for a quarter of the year, and nearly $600 for a year-long visa.
Then there’s the phone bill. Using my U.S. plan abroad was crazy expensive, so I finally got a French SIM card to save money. If you’re dating across borders, don’t forget to factor in things like phone plans and insurance.
Fun Money – Making the Most of Limited Time
This one might just be me, but when you only get limited time with your partner, you want every moment to feel special. That means we tend to pack our time full of activities like trips, Disneyland, restaurants, and little adventures. You can imagine how quickly all of that adds up.
We’ve spent thousands of dollars just making the most of our visits together. But honestly, when your time together is so limited, it feels worth it. For anyone in a long-distance relationship, I’d say set aside a “fun budget” for experiences, because those memories are priceless.
The Bottom Line – Can You Afford a Long-Distance Relationship?
I don’t like keeping track of every dollar I’ve spent on this relationship, because being with my long-distance boyfriend is priceless. But let’s be honest, this kind of relationship isn’t cheap.
Here’s what to expect if you’re in one:
- Travel costs: flights, Ubers, luggage fees, etc.
- Visa costs: long-stay visas, tourist visas, maybe even a fiancé visa down the line
- Fun money: trips, outings, and activities because your time together is limited
Long-distance relationships can be beautiful and rewarding, but they come with a real price tag. If you’re about to start one, make sure you have a plan (and some savings) for all of the unavoidable expenses you will encounter. I wouldn’t change a single thing about my relationship with my partner, and I find the distance to be kind of thrilling. If you are willing and able to afford it, do it, because it is the most rewarding experience ever.