Flying can be cheap if you carry no more than two people and always operate under VMC in your own permit aircraft. Operating it from an unlicensed grass field makes it cheaper still.
We operate at the other end, for about five to ten times the cost per flying hour, a hundred hours per year in a complex aircraft that is fast, well equipped, has a long range and 4+2 seats. Even with an IR and all this capability weather circumstances often interfere with our plans.
n5296s is right in that a private aircraft is no substitute for an airline. Not if you don't have the freedom to wait until conditions are favourable, and the means to entertain your guests during what could well be a very long and boring wait.
But you can still do trips, of course. I've enjoyed many vacations flying around Europe. Just so long as you avoid the risks of absolutely needing to get from A to B at time X, there's nothing wrong with private flying.