CDN v Euro

[spymoose]

Hey, I was researching travel prices for Europe around Jan of this year for student exchange and/or backpacking. I'm looking around again now and it seems, unless I'm just forgetting a lot of things, that the Canadian dollar is a lot weaker against the Euro? Can anyone confirm this? As in, in the last year has the Euro pulled ahead of the Canadian dollar even more (and by how much) or am I just remembering things wrong?

Thanks

[jennifer]

Well, of course it has changed, but not that much!
Last september it was about 1 Euro = 1,51 $can

I just checked on the recent currency converter and it is 1 Euro = 1,572 $can.

OK, the other way around is easier but i can't remember what it was last year. Basically, this year for 1$can you get .63 Euros.

I don't consider this to be too bad in fact, it hasn't moved that much!

xoxo
Jen

[spymoose]

Ok well I remember earlier this year it was the norm to do $75 USD per day. This got you your accomodation, food, sights, etc but you had room to breathe. This would be roughly $85-90 CDN these days. Is that still the suggested amount?

Thanks again

Note: $75 USD currently buys 56 Euros. I know the dollar has dropped, I'm really more trying to get a grasp on where Canadians stand. Americans obviously need to spend more now because of the weak dollar, but I remember $90-100 was good for Canadian, is that still the same? Or is there a different "recommended" amount?

[dougj]

it was about 63 euro for every 100 canadian when I got money changed in august.

[WillTravel]

50 Euros is a pretty basic amount per day, excluding transport.

I just multiply by 1.6 in my head to get an approximate amount of Canadian dollars, since we will typically have to pay some small exchange fee to get those Euros.

But I'd recommend more if you want any of the following:
* restaurant meals
* concerts
* clubs
* more than one paid attraction per day
* tours and walks
* any stays in B&Bs or private rooms (this will really up your costs)

Particularly if you are in western Europe, the 50 Euros gives you little margin. It will probably go much further in much of central and eastern Europe.

[googleygoo]

it looks like we all have to save a little bit more with the currency fluctuation...

[MuvverRussia]

googleygoo said:

it looks like we all have to save a little bit more with the currency fluctuation...

True, at least to some extent. The Euro is strong against the pound even - it's currently €1.434 to the £ which isn't too good - I can remember when it used to be almost €1.6.

Still, the GBP is nowhere near as week as the USD or even the CAD.

[Marie]

All you fellow canadians out there let's just go to the States or better yet let's all hit Australia together!! Since it's the only plce we seem to have a higher exchange rate! Now, how do we get aroud that whole "it's on the other side of the world so the planes ticket means I have to sell my left kidney" ... hickup?

[Libby]

I'm quite happy with how the Canadian dollar is doing against the Pound right now. I've been able to stock up on a fair bit of cash for my trip. It's down .20 on the pound since September!

[Libby]

I write the above and then check the markets and WHAM! The Canadian dollar has fallen 5 cents against the Pound.

I'm happy I bought what I did.

[googleygoo]

I remember going to Canada in 96 or 97 and everything seemed so cheap against the American dollar.

I went to Banff in Alberta, and it was lovely (although quite touristy)