Pebs8

I have a question regarding food in Italy. I am trying to make sure I bring enough money specifically for food since I hear it is so amazing. We are going for 10 days to Venice, Tuscany and Rome, and am trying to figure out food cost per day on a budget as well as a splurge to ensure I have enough with me. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great! Thanks!

sandi_travelnut

Please read this:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34669534

Eloise

Please don't "bring" money. It's easier, safer and generally more advantageous to withdraw Euros from ATMs (they are everywhere) in Italy.

ira

Hi P,

May I suggest that you leave your money at home and bring an ATM card to get cash, when needed, and charge everything else?

You will get a very poor exchange rate converting cash.

Pebs8

Really?? Ok that is good to know because we were going to do cash and traveler's checks. So an ATM is a better rate??

kayd

Read any of the many recent threads on this topic -- search words ATM and "travelers checks"
In a word, yes, ATMs are a better rate. And a zillion times more convenient than finding a place to cash TCs.

Patrick

I hate to say this, but our answers won't really mean much. I've read enough comments here to know that some people are perfectly happy with a $50 per day budget for 2 people in Italy and they are blissfully happy sticking with that. Others are comfortable with $100 per day for 2. I'd say we tend to average about $125 per day for 2, sometimes more, sometimes less, but that's a good average. Reading the restaurant suggestions of some posters, I know they are averaging well over $200 per day for 2 people. For some a $450 meal for 2 is a worthwhile splurge once in a while. For others, that bill would give them a heart attack.

The bottom line is you need to set what you're comfortable spending. It can be done for nearly any amount you choose. Like eating in the US, there is no way to set an "average" per day budget without knowing what you WANT to spend.

suze

Pebs,

Please read up on the many many ATM threads available on Fodors. Yes, using an ATM is definitely better than taking cash and travelers checks (either method which then involves "exchanging" at a bank or agency to obtain euro to spend).

Are you looking for a cost per person? Or an entire 10 days budget for a single, a couple, or a family? Are breakfasts included at any of your hotels? Do you drink wine or cocktails?

StCirq

Forget the cash and traveler's checks. Use the ATMs for your cash needs. If you'd feel better arriving with some euros in your pocket, buy a few before you leave or exchange a few dollars at the airport.

As for food, you can spend as little or as much as you like. If you tell us what your idea of a reasonable daily food budget it, we can tell you what you'll be likely to get for it in Italy.
For me, I would generally count on about 5 euros max for breakfast, 10 euros for lunch, and 20-30 euros for dinner. But sometimes I have the largest meal at lunch, and sometimes I just pick up a piece of fruit or yogurt for breakfast, and sometimes I indulge in an expensive cold drink at a café in the middle of the day, or a gelato or two. So there's no real "formula" we can give you.

willit

As posted, a daily budget is very dependent on the person and their preferences. My beloved and I spend around 50 euro average a day on food between us.

This would normally be broken down into 2 or 3 days in a week where we would eat out at decent restaurants wil bills between 60 and 80 Euro, and other days where we would have a beer and pizza each for around 20 Euro.

We tend to do the "coffee and brioche" type breakfast, and grab something quick for lunch - a slice of foccacia or similar.

sandi_travelnut

I just looked back on my Dec. budget spreadsheet for our trip in Dec. '04. I budgeted 15e for lunch and 30e for dinner each person. Many times we spent less for lunch (grabbing pizza or a sandwich). I did not put in breakfast cost since it was provided by the hotels. I also had another 10e in there for "snacks" like gelato.

Pebs8

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. I had no idea about the cash/TC's vs. ATM's so this is very good information to have. As for our budget, we really do not have one, but I had no idea what the different costs can be. We have most of our breakfasts covered, so we won't have to worry about that. But I was not sure what lunches and dinners range at. I think now this has given me a pretty good idea. Thank you again!

sandi_travelnut

it really has to do with your personal eating habits. For me, a sandich, gyro or pizza is fine for most lunches. Even pasta can be very cheap for lunch. Some people prefer a higher-end meal which is great.

suze

I figure approximately the same amount as I would if I were eating out in my home city, those same numder and types of meals, in similar kinds of restaurants.

suze

The ATM info will definitely be helpful to you. The topic is discussed near daily at length here on Fodors (is why sometimes people might sound a bit snippy on the topic)

Surfergirl

Pebs, I found on our last trip to Italy (last summer) the cost of a meal was slightly less than the cost of a meal in Los Angeles. My view on that is that it was less because wine costs more in a restaurant here than it does in Italy, and we were buying a bottle of wine to share every night with dinner. I'd say the only place that is more expensive than its U.S. counterpart is McDonalds, which may or may not be relevant to this discussion.

Pebs8

That helps me since I am from LA I have a good idea of the different costs you can pay and where. Hopefully we will have no need or reason to eat at a McDonald's since we can do that anywhere. Thanks!