How much spending money should I bring? - Europe
Last Updated: Aug. 27, 2010
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.
Add a Comment Comments (78)
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I was in Italy in March 2010 and it was FREEEEEEZING rainy, cold – I’m talking thermal underwear, a shirt and two jumpers, one with a hood, scarf, gloves the lot. Admittedly, I live in a tropical climate but we had to fly into Paris before we got on to Pisa and it was -2 degrees celsius at 7am. That was early March. I went back to Europe in early June for my European Contrasts trip and the weather was great, at times cool enough for a cardigan but I mostly lived in shorts and a t-shirt!
Katie
posted 12 days ago
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hi there, actually me n my friend plan to go on March 2011 i would like to know what is there weather like in europe around that time?
Diana
posted 24 days ago
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Mediterranean Highlights on Aug 16-28. Im traveling solo! Let me know if you are there, Im looking forward to it!
Kevinprasad@hotmail.com
Explorer1202662
posted 24 days ago
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Remember to make sure that any credit cards you are bring with you, are the chip type. You could run into problems if they are not, ATM machines won’t recognize the card and you will be SOL if that is your only funding. Unfortunately my daughter learned the hard way, and was unable to access any funds for about a day, we solved the problem and had a new card sent special delivery to her hotel between the two tours she was taking. MAKE SURE IT’s A CHIP CARD!!! very very important.
Explorer1200160
posted on Jul. 26, 2010
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Hi Guys
Im planning the 9 days Eurpean Magic from16-24 October.Its my first trip to Europe and I will be travelling solo. Will R12 000(South African rand) be enough for 9 days?
Sumeshni
posted on Jul. 23, 2010
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hi everyone
i am planning on doing european contrast next july august and spend summer there.
how much money would be ideal to save???Explorer1116039
posted on Jul. 18, 2010
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Hey Guys im off for the 7day Octoberfest then another 20days Europe and London, budgeting on around $6000 all my accommodation and transport is sorted, should i be worried or start planning for a new liver…
anyone coming on the Octoberfest?????
Tyron Naylor
posted on Jul. 13, 2010
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Would $2000NZD be enough for a 14 day tour of Spain? appreciate any advise – thanks
Adventurer101
posted on Jul. 12, 2010
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please help with comment below all other are a mistake pretty please?
posted on Jul. 10, 2010
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Would $2500 AUS DOLLAR be a good amount of spending money to bring with me for 2 weeks in ireland 8 days of that is on tour i am a solo / first time traveler please help ?
posted on Jul. 10, 2010
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Would $2500 AUS DOLLAR be a good amount of spending money to bring with me for 2 weeks in ireland 8 days of that is on tour please help ?
posted on Jul. 10, 2010
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i have a week B4 the tour and after in ireland would 100 euro a day be enough my acommodation is pre booked for the 2 weeks i will be spending on my own ?
posted on Jul. 10, 2010
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i have a week B4 the tour and after in ireland would 100 euro a day be enough my acommodation is pre booked for the 2 weeks i will be spending on my own ?
posted on Jul. 10, 2010
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i have a week B4 the tour and after in ireland would 100 euro a day be enough my acommodation is pre booked for the 2 weeks i will be spending on my own ?
posted on Jul. 10, 2010
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If your not planning on doing loads of clothes shopping, but are keen to buy a few souvenirs. I would imagine 50 euros a day is more than enough, however if your like me, and enjoy going to clubs and drinking in the evenings, I would expect to spend another 50 euros in the evening alone!
Alex-Pearl
posted on Jun. 28, 2010
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I personally don’t think from past experience that £7/10€ for lunches is enough for anyone to even feel full or to fully enjoy their trip. Europe is about enjoyment (especially of foods and wines) and bringing just a little more money gives you more freedom than ever to feel relaxed and happy without starving or obsessing over budgeting.
gLena
posted on Jun. 18, 2010
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hmm 50 euro… :’( i want go there…......
Tutorial, Tips, Trick, Info.
posted on Jun. 14, 2010
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Taking into account the exchange rate between the Euro and the NZ dollar, this is going to cost me quite a lot. Oh well, I still have little over a year to save up so I’m not too worried yet.
GoldenHelikaon
posted on Jun. 13, 2010
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hey all, my friends and I are thinkng of doing the 16 day London to Rome next year and then another 20 days independant travelling. I just wanted a heads up on how much it will cost me in total, so i can work on my finances? We aren’t looking luxurious places to stay, just some where comfortable. Any ideas on how much it’ll cost in total ?
I thought maybe $200 a day for spending money, is that enough? We plan on making the most of out trip, so we’ve decided to do all the optional activities. we are planning to shop a little on our trip.. but not a whole heap.
Does anyone have an idea of how my the entry fees are into the the different sites?
and are there any laundromats in Rome?Lese<3
posted on May. 11, 2010
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Hi Im planning on going on the Europe 21 day Camping trip has anyone else done this??? How much money did you allow for all the entry fees and the optional excursions. Im seeing alot of people didnt do the dinner and show in Paris where else do you go. I have only ever been out of the country as far as New Zealand which was not the greatly different from Australia. I’m Budgeting around $5000 Spending money for me and my husband to cover all the entry fees and the optional excursions all lunches extra dinners anywa snacks, water, presents for people suiveneers(totally spelt that wrong) etc Please tell me is $5000au anough for 2 people?
pinky_melmininga85
posted on May. 10, 2010
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