How much spending money should I bring? - Europe
Last Updated: 23rd May 2012
More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe
How much spending money to budget for is a difficult question to answer. Everyone has their own style and rate of travel spending. Some will go out and shop ‘til they drop spending 100s of Euros or Pounds every day, others might spend more in bars, or on museum entries and souvenirs, while others get by on the bare essentials.
Unlike many holiday and vacation operators, Contiki includes many extras, sightseeing excursions, meals and highlights as part of the tour. However, we don’t fill every hour of every day and there is ample free time to enjoy the cities and countries you visit at your leisure.
As a rough guide we suggest budgeting a minimum of £30/45€ – but again, this will obviously vary depending on your individual tastes and habits. Many of our past travelers recommend 70-100€ per day for spending money – this is usually more than enough and sometimes those who budget this amount end up having a little left over at the end of the tour.
In order to budget more accurately, you should take into account the optional excursions that you may wish to participate in during your tour.
If possible, it’s always better to over-estimate how much you may spend, that way if you come across an experience or something you really want to do or buy, you will have room in your budget. Plus, all the better if you don’t end up spending the extra money.
Entrance Fees
As with any Contiki Tour you will have a mix of organized and included activities as well as free time to explore. One of the most popular ways people to spend their free time in Europe is visiting museums and major sites. Entry fees vary from place to place from the free museums of London to 14€ for the Vatican Museums in Rome.
Meals
Your meals are included as per your itinerary. Breakfast is always included once you are on tour and a lot of dinners are also included. When dinners are not included you have to opportunity to sample some of Europe’s finest local cuisines or take an optional excursion meal. Lunches are seldom included, and you should budget around £7/10€ for lunches.
Other Expenses
Again, everyone’s spending habits are different! Some people will spend more on shopping, drinking, souvenirs, phone calls home, postage, hiring bikes, recreational activities, public transport in cities, taxis, etc.
Tour Manager Opinions
by – Michael Thomas, Tour Manager, Europe
Money? – bring lots! And spend it – you should go home broke!! You can pay off the credit card when you get home – it is as shame to travel all this way and go home with regrets.
by – David Hackett, Tour Manager, Europe
Work out prior to the trip what sights & excursions you are most keen on and then include some extra cash for a few nice lunches, some quick food stops and all that shopping you can do in Europe. Expect to spend 50 Euro per day on average but always plan to spend more, you may only ever be able to go inside the Colosseum once in your life and this could be it!!!
by – Stella Hritis, Tour Manager, Europe
I’ve have had people not realise that they have to pay an entrance fee into museums.
by – Matt Vernick, Tour Manager, Europe
I’d budget for about £75/100€ a day. Some days you might spend 200, other days 20. At £75/100€ a day you’ll probably go home with some left over to take home or spoil yourself with towards the end of the tour.
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If possible, it’s always better to over-estimate how much you may spend, that way if you come across an experience or something you really want to do or buy, you will have room in your budget. Plus, all the better if you don’t end up spending the extra money.
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Hi folks, to answer a few of your questions, entrance fees are included for places we list on the itinerary as visiting. They’re not included for places you just see along the way, or for anything listed as an optional activity.
The suggested budget per day covers optional activities, extra sightseeing, meals and snacks that aren’t listed on the itinerary, as well as shopping.
Optionals are paid in cash while you’re on tour, in the local currency.
Credit cards are widely accepted, and depending on where you’re from and your particular bank, you may be able to use a debit card, but check with you bank well before you travel so you can make alternative arrangements such as a preloaded card if your bank doesn’t think they’ll be accepted. It’s a good idea to take a mix of cash and cards, and always keep a reserve in the back of your passport in case you get stuck or lost.
Hope that helps.
~Beks
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posted on 16th Aug 2011
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