US$100 or 100 EURO? + Enough for my trip?

[bedazzled]

I have read a number of contradictory posts, so I am somewhat confused! I have so far established that an ideal budget would be 75 - 100 dollars a day when travelling throughout Europe. However some people say US dollars others say this amount is Euro.

Calling all who have been! Did you budget US$100 or 100 EURO?!

For my trip (for two), I have allowed the following (converted it all from AUD to Eur just to make it easier for everyone;
All major flights/trains (basically between countries) + accommodation: €5,120
In City Public Transport (Metro, trams, buses etc): €15 per day
Spending (Meals, sights, *some* shopping, laundry maybe internet etc): €3,485 (about 165euro per day)

Any help is appreciated on both topics!

[mslibrarian]

How long are you going for? That sounds like a vast amount of money to be honest.

While I was in the UK I budged $100 cdn a day, or roughly 50 Pounds. The only thing that wsn't included in that was my accomodations.

ON the continent I budgeted for about 60 Euroes a day and did fine with that. AGain, included everything but accomodations. 165 for two a day seems very, very high. Unless you are planning on eating at upscale places, etc.

[WillTravel]

80 Euros per day per person exclusive of accommodation and transport will allow some nice restaurant meals, some guided day tours, and some theatre and concert tickets. If this is the budget range you are thinking of, it's still worth planning out how to get the best deals for that money.

[Eagle]

bedazzled,

Calling all who have been! Did you budget US$100 or 100 EURO?!

It's difficult for me to compare the "usually recommended" amounts with my travel budgets for several reasons:

- I travel solo so only have to pay for single rooms and meals for one. As I like to "dine well" at times, my food costs are undoubtedly more than the average "Backpacker".

- My trips lately have involved tours (offered by a well known American travel writer) along with at least an equal amount of self-guided travel either before or after the tour, so that cost has to be factored in as well.

- I don't always stay in Hostels. I usually "mix" my accommodations with a few Hostel stays along with budget Hotels. This undoubtedly puts my cost of lodgings a bit higher than most Backpackers.

Your budget of €165 per day for two people sounds quite adequate. There will be probably be days where you spend less than that, and a other days when you spend a bit more. In the long term it should balance out.

Cheers!

[bedazzled]

Thanks for your help with this! Our situation is similar to Eagle - we want to be able to eat out and our accommodation is a mix of private hostel rooms and hotels so I know that will put the price of our trip up a bit. Despite the eating out we will be buying things from the supermarkert to make ourselves as well which will balance things out a little.

So far the trip is for about 3 weeks although we were hoping to maybe detour to either Italy or the Greek Islands for a week, however that just depends as it is a little 'out of the way' so it may take some planning).

Thanks again, help is very much appreciated

By the sounds of it we have budgeted plenty which is nice to know. I know I would much prefer that we come home with money left over then be 'running out.'

[jpachowicz]

There is an awesome currency exchanger here:

www.xe.com/ucc/

[rayanlee]

I'm a frequent traveler and I know uncertain events may occur at any time. So its vital to have an extra budget.