How much spending money should I bring? - Europe

Last Updated: Dec. 01, 2008

Tags: europe, money, spending money, travel and tour advice

More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe

euro spending money

How much spending money to budget for is a difficult question to answer as everyone has their own style and rate of travel spending. Some will go out and shop till they drop spending perhaps 100 of Euros or Pounds every day, others will party spending more in bars while again others will spend more money on museum entries and souvenirs, while others yet again will get though 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 do not 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 an absolute minimum of £30/45€ a day, this will obviously vary depending on your individual tastes and habits. Many of our past travellers recommend 70-100€ spending money per day and this is usually more than enough with people who budget this much often having a little left over at the end of their 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 and budget for that as if you come across an experience or something you really want to do or have you will have room in your budget, and if you don’t spend the money all the better at the end of the tour.

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 rarely included. As with all spending, people have different styles and tastes but you should budget around £7/10€ for lunches.

Other Expenses

Again, everyones spending habits are varied and different, some people will spend more on shopping, drinking, souvenirs, phone calls home, postage, hiring bikes, recreational activities, public transport in cities, taxis…the list is almost endless.

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 (14)

  1. With the package just say I was in london and the next day we are of to italy do we have to pay for the airfares or is it all part of the package???

    Default_avatarTina! posted 15 days ago Flag as Inappropriate

  2. Ok can someone please help me out here…Im going to do the 21 Europe to Athens tour next Sept and then the 8 day Egypt tour so comes to about 31days there total with the extra jetlag days. I dont plan on doing much shopping except for the wee keyrings etc. How much Euros should i allow if i want to do most of the activities & some other things such as muesums? how much are entry fees? How much is an average meal & alcoholic drink? a bottle of water & a coke? cheers!

    Default_avatarCasey posted on Oct. 30, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  3. I’m a bit indecisive, i’m doing the Eurpoean Discovery Tour and wondering how much AUD$ i need. I’m considering Travellers Cheques but everyone keeps telling me it would be better to convert some money and use my credit card where possible….any suggestions???

    Default_avatarSam posted on Oct. 01, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  4. So in AUD how much should I expect to spend each day? I want to do the big European trip – the 46 day trip! Im so worried I wont have enough before I go! Although I have considered getting a loan out before I go!

    Default_avatarLozhungryforEurope posted on Sep. 29, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  5. SO what is included on this trip…I thought that all the places that were highlights on the trip were paid for…I am confused. I am also scared that I am not going to bring enough money either…sounds like people are spending tons of money.

    Nikki the ExplorerNikki the Explorer posted on Sep. 07, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  6. Yes bring as much money as you can!! It all adds up. the worst thing is when you try and convert the euro to another currency. Don’t worry about it just spend what you want and have no regrets. I wish I spent my money better, but because we were so pressed for time constantly, I was rushed with my purchases and ended up with something other than what i really wanted! Next time I will buy that beautiful full-sized mask in Venice, or that gorgeous unusual handbag in Florence. Bargain down to 10 Euro for 3 scarves if you can, cause otherwise you’ll pay too much like I did. (12 euro for one). Food is expensive but good, toilets cost between 30 cents and 1 euro. buy lots of water. clothes are expensive too in most places, unless you find markets. I took 800 pounds and 1200 Euro in cash with me and spent about $1500 AUD on my Visa debit card. All in all I have some beautiful European souvenirs but nothing compares to the memories that you get :)

    NatalieNatalie posted on Aug. 29, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  7. I just got back from the European Discovery Tour. We brought cash with us, then took out about the same amount again in cash while we we re over there, plus used our Visa’s. We had no problem using the bank machines or our Visa’s. Things in Europre are ridiculously expensive, especially food.

    I also thought that a lot of museums, sights, etc were included in our tour….but they are not. You have to pay for pretty much all of that on your own, so account for that as well.

    Tip – skip the optional excursion dinner in Venice – although it’s good, you can likely find something just as good for a lot cheaper else where.

    Default_avatarExplorer1106390 posted on Aug. 21, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  8. I have been to europe once.. and the most important thing to remember is when you see something that is 4 pounds you think hey what a good deal..WRONG THAT MEANS roughly 8 bucks (not bad if its something you want…but ridiculous for a micky d’s meal). Always keep in mind the echange rate.

    Default_avatarExplorer1107380 posted on Aug. 03, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  9. What type of payment should I bring? I don’t really want to have all that cash on me. Is there any Canadian travellers who have used PC Financial over there? What do you think about pre-paid visa’s?

    Default_avatarsmile2000star posted on Jul. 19, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  10. This is my first time going on a tour or better yet leaving the country so,I will be totally be outta my element for sure lol.If its your first time,I wouldn’t go crazy because you don’t wanna get caught short on money by the end of your trip n not be able to spoil yourself.I would be alittle conservative the first half of the trip like 45 euros and then the second half,I would start at more of 60 or 70 euros or maybe even 80 euros!!

    Bigwilly84Bigwilly84 posted on Jul. 14, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  11. plan on 100 euros per day and you should be fine. that’s just an average. some days you’ll want to go on an excursion or 2, some nights you might want to go out to clubs or as europeans call it, “discos”...

    try local european beers, they are stronger in flavor and of course alcohol content… but they are good! and often tipping at the bars/clubs/restaurants isn’t required.. just leave the loose change and you’re good! but remember, 1 euro and 2 euros are coins, be mindful how much you’re leaving as tips! 2 or 3 of those 2-euro coins are essentially equivalent to about US$7-US$9 at today’s exchange rates!

    don’t go crazy on shopping! think before you buy! unless you absolutely can’t get it in the states, don’t buy it in europe! small souvenirs unique to a location are okay, but don’t buy a leather jacket just because you’re in italy, or a watch or a knive just because you’re in switzerland…

    hope this helps!
    you can also visit my site for other money help:
    http://www.whateverjourney.com/Money_Matters.asp

    European AmericanEuropean American posted on May. 28, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  12. If you are trying to go on a medium-budget (you want to go on all of the excursions, but you’re planning on t-shirts for souveniers, not Swiss watches), I recommend coming up with a figure that you expect to spend and then tripling it (this should leave you with a little to get home on). Currency rates and unexpected costs generally arise when traveling and it is always better to take money home rather than take a loan from a travel buddy while abroad.

    Also, on the included food – I planned to eat a big breakfast and skip lunch in order to save money and it did not work out at all for me. Breakfasts usually include cereal and bread, not eggs, sausage and bacon. Unless you plan to be hungry during the day, you will most likely have to buy some sort of lunch each day.

    Default_avatarjennymac posted on May. 13, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  13. Plan on taking all the excursions because most of your new friends will want to take them too. The only one I regret paying for was the guided tour in Rome. Maria just wasn’t going to cut the mustard, so to speak. That is, the city is a busy metropolis and you’d be lucky to hear any word she said.

    Unless you really like stale bread, don’t plan on eating the breakfast in Italy because you might chip a tooth. I brought mini- packs of crackers and snacks to tide me over in the mornings.

    I spent 300 euros on a pair of sunglasses and I’ll never regret it!

    SarahSarah posted on Apr. 24, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

  14. I haven’t been to Europe…yet! plan on going soon,but I would think you would want to bring as much money as you can,and a credit card wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Because not all meals are included,and you need to pay for muesuems,gondola rides,etc…plus souvenirs for yourself,and if you want to buy some for your family and friends :)

    cityrose25cityrose25 posted on Apr. 21, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

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