Yes... this will add to the total cost of the adoption! Even though, when I adopted my DD through a summer hosting program... I paid for her airline tix, and Passport, I still ended up making two trips to Russia. The best laid plans usually do change at some point!! They do not count the hosting "Summer Vacation" as Trip #1 any longer is true. I still feel that if you want to adopt an older child, that hosting is the best way.... sure, you don't get to know the child 100%, but you can watch the chemistry in your family.
I am such a supporter of Older Child adoptions.... The statistics for these children after the age of 5+ years is just Heartbreaking, on their chances of being adopted!!! For MANY reasons, I choose this path, and am soooooo glad, greatful, and blessed that I did
Back to your post..... Even though there is an additional trip, you usually have enough time to get a lower rate (14+ days in advance) that it doesn't hurt as much. Example: I only had 4 days notice to be on a plane on the 5th day - weekend before X-mas - and I paid for 1 person round trip... $2,800 ECONOMY!!! When I had to go back for trip #2 (to process my daughter out of the country to come home forever) with 14 days notice..... My roundtrip Tix was $680, and her's was $458!!! Same carrier, non-stop, etc. Also.... maybe on your 2nd trip, look into renting an apartment (which is alot cheaper then a Marriott, etc.). You will know your way alittle more, and have the privacy for your family