My father is paying to take the whole family to Europe-yipee! Our airfare and hotel is covered- we are responsible for everything else.

I plan to have $2000 cash saved for the trip and hope to only buy one meal per day (a cheap one!). Our hotel serves an English breakfast. I will supplement our diet with a stash of fruit/snacks from the local grocery store.

I'm not a big souvenir buyer, although I imagine I'll be more prone to it on this trip. Usually I take pictures, buy postcards, and magnets. I know we'll buy maybe 2 bottles of Scottish Whiskey, maybe a nice piece of silver for my mother's bday, and I would like to find something in an antique store for myself. Beyond that I don't think I'll buy much.

So do you think my husband and I can survive on $2k? The whole trip is approx. 10 days.

Better yet, my Dad only has a $500 a day budget for him, my stepmother, and three teenage boys- Will he survive financially?

Or will we be reduced to begging?

Thanks!
Michelle

$1000US per person for 10 days, EXCLUDING airfare and hotel? I just spent 10 days in England and spent a total of $1200US, INCLUDING airfare, transportation, meals and lodging.

I spent maybe 25GBP per day on meals, buses, entrance fees, books, postcards, snacks, etc.

Not enough for me. I could spend $2K in one day : )

violet2- How are you getting around? Is a car rental included as part of the $2K? Even if the answer is yes, you should still come home with money in your pocket. If the answer is no, you should come home with A LOT of money in your pocket!
I usually make do quite well on $250 a day for 2 people INCLUDING lodging (2 & 3 stars) AND car rental, especially if the breakfast is included and substantial.
Your father should also have no worries on $500 per day if he can keep the teenagers out of the "gentlemen's" clubs...
Take care driving on the "wrong side"...

Driving on the wrong side? Do they drive on the opposite side of the road in Italy?

Thanks for all the replies! I've been
nervous about having enough money.

We are not renting a car- we are taking trains/buses- whichever is less expensive. And I will have to pay for that.

donnabee:

I believe the poster's question pertains to the UK and Scotland where they do drive "on the wrong side" of the road. Not going to Italy, I don't think.

Jennie

We're leaving for Scotland tomorrow (hence my rabid Fodors-reading) and I think we'll spend under $1000 each for a 10-day trip, including all air and transportation (and hotel and food...). We're cheap, though. But I guess my point is that yes, $2000 will be PLENTY of money, and you can certainly have a fine time on much less.

duhhh - that's right - they are talking about the UK. I just have Italy on the brain here.

from your other thread I assumed you were on a TIGHT budget. $2000 for 10 days excluding hotels/air is certainly not a tight budget.

I arranged a 15 day trip to the UK for 13 friends. We managed everything - airfare from the West Coast, apartments/cottages/hotels, rental cars/petrol, theatre tickets, sightseeing, most food - for less than $2000 per person. And there wasn't a backpack or hostel in sight.

So $2000 for two w/o having to deal with accomodations or airfare is not a problem. I could do 10 days for about $1500 including airfare most of the year. During July Aug when airfares are higher it would cost more of course)

We drive on the correct side. You drive on the wrong side Only pulling your leg, but that's the way we see it!!

EnglishOne,

I've seen lots of people driving on the wrong side of the road in the UK. Usually because someone is parked on the right (that is, left) side!

I am always amazed at how bus and coach drivers manage to propel those huge conveyances through narrow, tight-cornered lanes, often with parked cars, bicycles, and even the occasional equestrian taking up much of the roadway.

Many of the people where I live (Ohio) can barely manage to stay in their lane when it is wide, clear and well-maintained.

ttt for violet

I don't think I've ever spent that much money on a trip myself, and I don't buy food from groceries or not eat decent meals. You have basically about $100 a day PER PERSON spending money. I can't imagine how you could not have enough money unless you spend all that on purchases in stores, and that isn't exactly trip money but buying things, or want to dine in very expensive restaurants.