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how much does it cost to travel to europe? - updated again

MrDudeMan

MrDudeMan

Lifer
im looking at spending 4-5 weeks in europe during the summer of 2007. basicaly what i need to know is how much does it cost per day to stay in a hotel/hostel, eat, and get around? dont worry about big expenses like plane/train tickets...ill figure that out later.

ill mostly be visiting the big, major attractions, so base your numbers off of that. i.e. paris, london, prague, etc.

thanks


updated edit:

right now im going with 3 days per city. it might change when i get there, but its a long time from now. i just need to get a tentative schedule together now.

land in london and stay for the 3 days
fly to madrid
train to barcelona
train to monaco
train to rome
train to venice
train to interlaken
train to munich
train to berlin
train to cologne
train to paris
train to dublin
maybe go to glasgow...i know people there so it is no big deal to plan for it
fly home

total trip time: around 5 weeks




if anyone lives in any of those cities and you can spare a room, i sure would appreciate it. i would be more than happy to take you out to a very expensive dinner since you would still be saving me a lot on housing.
 
It really depends. Give us a sample itinerary with which cities. I'm doing Stuttgart, Munich, Zürich, Innsbruck, Milan, Sindelfingen here come Friday. Business/First tickets wer 2500 a piece purchased about 3 months in advance. I'm spending about 300-400 a night on Hotels, and had Ritz had more availability I'd be spending more. I'm staying in One Starwood Property, Two Le Meridian's, and a Sofitel, and Two Independent Hotels. Had I booked Hotels ahead of time it would have stayed in all upper tier hotels, but I had to settle for slightly less. Still, every hotel I'm staying in is in the Top 2 in the city. So, I'm basically spending:

2000-2500 for hotels, 5000 for airfare, and then I'm budgeted another 10-15k for expenses. What I'm trying to figure out -- is whether you want to do this on the cheap, and what areas of Europe. Western Europe is much more expensive than Eastern, and certain cities are WAY more expensive than other cities. Munich is a helluva lot more than other cities around it and the same is applicable all over Europe. You can find major metro areas for cheap, and then you can find some that are insane.
 
Originally posted by: Mill
It really depends. Give us a sample itinerary with which cities. I'm doing Stuttgart, Munich, Zürich, Innsbruck, Milan, Sindelfingen here come Friday. Business/First tickets wer 2500 a piece purchased about 3 months in advance. I'm spending about 300-400 a night on Hotels, and had Ritz had more availability I'd be spending more. I'm staying in One Starwood Property, Two Le Meridien's, and a Sofitel, and Two Indepededent Hotels. Had I booked Hotels ahead of time it would have stayed in all upper tier hotels, but I had to settle for slightly less. Still, every hotel I'm staying in is in the Top 2 in the city. So, I'm basically spending:

2000-2500 for hotels, 5000 for airfare, and then I'm budgeted another 10-15k for expenses. What I'm trying to figure out -- is whether you want to do this on the cheap, and what areas of Europe. Western Europe is much more expensive than Eastern, and certain cities are WAY more expensive than other cities. Munich is a helluva lot more than other cities around it and the same is applicable all over Europe. You can find major metro areas for cheap, and then you can find some that are insane.
Click to expand...


yea, what he said
 
Originally posted by: jasoned
Originally posted by: Mill
It really depends. Give us a sample itinerary with which cities. I'm doing Stuttgart, Munich, Zürich, Innsbruck, Milan, Sindelfingen here come Friday. Business/First tickets wer 2500 a piece purchased about 3 months in advance. I'm spending about 300-400 a night on Hotels, and had Ritz had more availability I'd be spending more. I'm staying in One Starwood Property, Two Le Meridien's, and a Sofitel, and Two Indepededent Hotels. Had I booked Hotels ahead of time it would have stayed in all upper tier hotels, but I had to settle for slightly less. Still, every hotel I'm staying in is in the Top 2 in the city. So, I'm basically spending:

2000-2500 for hotels, 5000 for airfare, and then I'm budgeted another 10-15k for expenses. What I'm trying to figure out -- is whether you want to do this on the cheap, and what areas of Europe. Western Europe is much more expensive than Eastern, and certain cities are WAY more expensive than other cities. Munich is a helluva lot more than other cities around it and the same is applicable all over Europe. You can find major metro areas for cheap, and then you can find some that are insane.
Click to expand...


yea, what he said
Click to expand...

seconded
 
Originally posted by: Mill
It really depends. Give us a sample itinerary with which cities. I'm doing Stuttgart, Munich, Zürich, Innsbruck, Milan, Sindelfingen here come Friday. Business/First tickets wer 2500 a piece purchased about 3 months in advance. I'm spending about 300-400 a night on Hotels, and had Ritz had more availability I'd be spending more. I'm staying in One Starwood Property, Two Le Meridien's, and a Sofitel, and Two Indepededent Hotels. Had I booked Hotels ahead of time it would have stayed in all upper tier hotels, but I had to settle for slightly less. Still, every hotel I'm staying in is in the Top 2 in the city. So, I'm basically spending:

2000-2500 for hotels, 5000 for airfare, and then I'm budgeted another 10-15k for expenses. What I'm trying to figure out -- is whether you want to do this on the cheap, and what areas of Europe. Western Europe is much more expensive than Eastern, and certain cities are WAY more expensive than other cities. Munich is a helluva lot more than other cities around it and the same is applicable all over Europe. You can find major metro areas for cheap, and then you can find some that are insane.
Click to expand...

Whoa. You can do what Mill is doing, or you can enjoy Europe a little more frugally. Get cheaper tickets to/from a major airport, get a Euro rail pass to do most of the major travelling between cities/countries, and spend your nights in local bed and breakfasts or hostels. Might not be as pampered of a trip, but certainly a fun one nonetheless.
 
Originally posted by: Mill
It really depends. Give us a sample itinerary with which cities. I'm doing Stuttgart, Munich, Zürich, Innsbruck, Milan, Sindelfingen here come Friday. Business/First tickets wer 2500 a piece purchased about 3 months in advance. I'm spending about 300-400 a night on Hotels, and had Ritz had more availability I'd be spending more. I'm staying in One Starwood Property, Two Le Meridien's, and a Sofitel, and Two Indepededent Hotels. Had I booked Hotels ahead of time it would have stayed in all upper tier hotels, but I had to settle for slightly less. Still, every hotel I'm staying in is in the Top 2 in the city. So, I'm basically spending:

2000-2500 for hotels, 5000 for airfare, and then I'm budgeted another 10-15k for expenses. What I'm trying to figure out -- is whether you want to do this on the cheap, and what areas of Europe. Western Europe is much more expensive than Eastern, and certain cities are WAY more expensive than other cities. Munich is a helluva lot more than other cities around it and the same is applicable all over Europe. You can find major metro areas for cheap, and then you can find some that are insane.
Click to expand...

woah. i appreciate the input, really, but that is WAY too much for me.

<-- college student. im looking to spend like 3000-3500 max, lower would be better. i dont know how feasible that is though, which is why im asking here.
 
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Originally posted by: Mill
It really depends. Give us a sample itinerary with which cities. I'm doing Stuttgart, Munich, Zürich, Innsbruck, Milan, Sindelfingen here come Friday. Business/First tickets wer 2500 a piece purchased about 3 months in advance. I'm spending about 300-400 a night on Hotels, and had Ritz had more availability I'd be spending more. I'm staying in One Starwood Property, Two Le Meridien's, and a Sofitel, and Two Indepededent Hotels. Had I booked Hotels ahead of time it would have stayed in all upper tier hotels, but I had to settle for slightly less. Still, every hotel I'm staying in is in the Top 2 in the city. So, I'm basically spending:

2000-2500 for hotels, 5000 for airfare, and then I'm budgeted another 10-15k for expenses. What I'm trying to figure out -- is whether you want to do this on the cheap, and what areas of Europe. Western Europe is much more expensive than Eastern, and certain cities are WAY more expensive than other cities. Munich is a helluva lot more than other cities around it and the same is applicable all over Europe. You can find major metro areas for cheap, and then you can find some that are insane.
Click to expand...

Whoa. You can do what Mill is doing, or you can enjoy Europe a little more frugally. Get cheaper tickets to/from a major airport, get a Euro rail pass to do most of the major travelling between cities/countries, and spend your nights in local bed and breakfasts or hostels. Might not be as pampered of a trip, but certainly a fun one nonetheless.
Click to expand...

Yep, you can do an awesome trip for MUCH less. Much of what is limiting me is that I'm driving, it is a short trip, and that I'm trying to pamper myself.

You can get Eurorail passes, stay in hostels, buy cheap economy airfare, and do Europe for < 2000. I did it back in 98.
 
Originally posted by: Mill
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Originally posted by: Mill
It really depends. Give us a sample itinerary with which cities. I'm doing Stuttgart, Munich, Zürich, Innsbruck, Milan, Sindelfingen here come Friday. Business/First tickets wer 2500 a piece purchased about 3 months in advance. I'm spending about 300-400 a night on Hotels, and had Ritz had more availability I'd be spending more. I'm staying in One Starwood Property, Two Le Meridien's, and a Sofitel, and Two Indepededent Hotels. Had I booked Hotels ahead of time it would have stayed in all upper tier hotels, but I had to settle for slightly less. Still, every hotel I'm staying in is in the Top 2 in the city. So, I'm basically spending:

2000-2500 for hotels, 5000 for airfare, and then I'm budgeted another 10-15k for expenses. What I'm trying to figure out -- is whether you want to do this on the cheap, and what areas of Europe. Western Europe is much more expensive than Eastern, and certain cities are WAY more expensive than other cities. Munich is a helluva lot more than other cities around it and the same is applicable all over Europe. You can find major metro areas for cheap, and then you can find some that are insane.
Click to expand...

Whoa. You can do what Mill is doing, or you can enjoy Europe a little more frugally. Get cheaper tickets to/from a major airport, get a Euro rail pass to do most of the major travelling between cities/countries, and spend your nights in local bed and breakfasts or hostels. Might not be as pampered of a trip, but certainly a fun one nonetheless.
Click to expand...

Yep, you can do an awesome trip for MUCH less. Much of what is limiting me is that I'm driving, it is a short trip, and that I'm trying to pamper myself.

You can get Eurorail passes, stay in hostels, buy cheap economy airfare, and do Europe for < 2000. I did it back in 98.
Click to expand...


bingo. that would be amazing if i could do this for <2000

 
i gotta go to bed... 8:00 class, but ill be back to talk about this more in the morning. thanks a TON for the input already guys.
 
Originally posted by: Bigsm00th
i gotta go to bed... 8:00 class, but ill be back to talk about this more in the morning. thanks a TON for the input already guys.
Click to expand...

3000 is better than 2000, but either way it is doable for 2000-3000 grand, just make sure you book way in advance.
 
tickets from the East Coast took a dip last week. I got tickets to London for $520 from ATL with tax included.

Generally, in most cities, you can find a hotel room for $30-50/person. No real need to book in advance. They usually have runners at the train stations that will sell hotel rooms. If you want a private bath/shower, just make sure you specify this. These runners are legit and will take you to the hotel they are working for and get you checked in for agreed upon price.

Food is generally the same or a bit more. If you're hitting the UK, things are almost twice as much. If you need to stick to a budget, there's plenty of McDonalds, KFC, etc. to help out.
 
When we went to France, the most difficult part of keeping under budget was finding CHEAP FOOD.

Cusine is EXPENSIVE. In most towns there are small cheap restaraunts where the regular people go, but unless you get a hotel clerk who is helpful (rare) and speaks good English (uncommon) you will never find them. This means the only other cheap way to eat is to eat sandwiches from the local French 'supermarket' (uncommon).

I also strongly recommend staying in a hostel over budget hotels. With the low end hotels you will be out in the outskirts of major cities with conditions you probably will deem unacceptable. We stayed at a downtown hotel in Rouen which cost about $70 a night and it was definitely BARELY acceptable. The doorhandles fell off the bathroom door, the beds were ancient with slumping mattresses, then TV was 9" and 15 years old. I was honestly scared what conditions would be if we went cheaper than that.

A book I've heard is extremely good but I have not tried is Europe on a Shoestring. The Lonely Planet books...

Remember, the French REALLY hate Americans. I'm CANADIAN and the #1 thing I said to people after I got home was, "I really fvcking hate the French". They will do everything they can to ruin your trip. Expect no help whatsoever once you get on the plane for France.

I spent only two days in Germany...but wow, they are retardedly helpful and most speak very good English. I love the Germans!
 
Hostels are waaaaaay cheaper. If you want to go for hostels, get a Hostelling International card and make reservations. I know it can suck to stick to a schedule but the good hostels fill up fast. In Berlin, or I should say W(ay)TF outside of Berlin I saw a couple of guys arrive first thing in the morning to the "Hans Reuter" youth hostel (nice place) only to be turned away for lack of space. The guys travelled like an hour out the city for that. Yikes!

Travelling by train in Europe is a blast if you're with a friend / SO (wife in my case). Overnight trains are great for saving dough too, BTW. You'll need reservations there too and will pay extra (duh) over the cost of your train pass.

PM for more info if you want (spent 5+ weeks backpacking Europe in the summer of '04).
 
In 1995, I went on a month long backpacking trip across Europe with a buddy of mine. I flew into Athens, Greece and left to go home again from Paris, France. We got youth hostel international id cards, travelled on the Eurail (unlimited passes), and carried about a weeks worth of clothes and first aid supplies in large hiking backpacks. As I recall, the whole trip (without airfare) cost me around $2000. It was not luxurious but I would do it again in a minute. An experience I will cherish the rest of my life and not so unaffordable as some people think.
 
We're going to Paris in May '06 for 2 weeks. We plan on staying at a mix of 4 star and lower hotels in Paris and at Versailles. We got our tickets for free with FF miles, and we'll be staying in Versaille at the Trianon Palace & Spa using Starwood points for a about week. In Paris, I've been pricing hotels out and any decent 4 star is going to be around 300 EU (around $450 US)/night. We may just go a little bit cheaper on that. I'm thinking around 150 EU is our target. I'm budgeting about $100 to $150/day on food fo say $1,400 for two people for the entire trip. Transportation around the city shoudl be around 10 EU/day/person.

If anybody has any tips on a cheap way to get from Paris to London, let me know. The chunnel is outrageously expensive, something like 250 EU/person. Anybody flown on Ryan air?

Overall, without the transportation to London, I'm thinking around $3000 US.
 
Your welcome to sleep at my place if you ever come to Finland (such a long shot, thats why Im offering 🙂). I have not much to add to what already has been said other than the French suck...
 
you guys are awesome. this is exactly the stuff i want to know/hear.

i guess my next question is where can i find an "example" itinerary? i dont have anything in particular i want to see besides paris, glasgow, maybe madrid, and rome. rome is a big maybe...not that important if i dont go there. oh and i want to go to germany. other than those few things, i have no idea what to do or see...i just want to go on this trip before i graduate incase i dont ever get to go again.

 
Originally posted by: Mardeth
Your welcome to sleep at my place if you ever come to Finland (such a long shot, thats why Im offering 🙂). I have not much to add to what already has been said other than the French suck...
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hey actually i was thinking about finland. im gonna hold you to that! ill be travelling (probably) with a friend (girl).
 
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