Europe-21 days in September 2014
#63
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I have to say that I never have a budget and have difficulty in making one. However, a budget of 3,000 Euro a week on the ground(that plus airfare means E11k) means less than 500 Euro a day for two of you. That's probably doable but not inexpensive. If you can find less expensive hotels, eat relatively inexpensively, and curb buying souvenirs, you may be able to do it for less. 8000 Euro is somewhat less than 300 Euro a day on the ground. I don't think you can do it for that.
We stay in comfortable but far from fancy hotels, eat in restaurants that are near where we are when we are hungry and look and smell acceptable (that is, we don't dine in style), have lunch rather than dinner, try to get hotel rooms that include a breakfast buffet so we only eat two meals a day (plus tea time), and don't go out at nite except to walk around and don't splurge on souvenirs.
We live to travel and are getting along in years, so our travel is more important than money to us. We may end up living under the freeway or something, but "we'll always have Paris."
We stay in comfortable but far from fancy hotels, eat in restaurants that are near where we are when we are hungry and look and smell acceptable (that is, we don't dine in style), have lunch rather than dinner, try to get hotel rooms that include a breakfast buffet so we only eat two meals a day (plus tea time), and don't go out at nite except to walk around and don't splurge on souvenirs.
We live to travel and are getting along in years, so our travel is more important than money to us. We may end up living under the freeway or something, but "we'll always have Paris."
#64
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Join Date: Jan 2014
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Round trip tickets =$2000
Trains=?
Hotel average $80/night= $1,680
Food $100/day= $2,100
Oktoberfest =$300
Souvenirs=$250
Museums, excursions, fees for sightseeing $1000
$7330
This is not exact figures but we will be flexible with it.
With food we wont be eating out to fancy dining every night or day. a lot will also be on the go.
Trains=?
Hotel average $80/night= $1,680
Food $100/day= $2,100
Oktoberfest =$300
Souvenirs=$250
Museums, excursions, fees for sightseeing $1000
$7330
This is not exact figures but we will be flexible with it.
With food we wont be eating out to fancy dining every night or day. a lot will also be on the go.
#65
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I doubt you're going to be able to find any acceptable hotel at 80 US dollars a nite--when I was doing my "guestimate of your numbers, I plugged in $300 a nite--that may be high, but . . . . You might be able to get buy on $100/day on food if you have a big buffet breakfast and so eat only lunch.
#66
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#68
Join Date: Jan 2003
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I think you are way underestimating your hotel costs. $80 a night isn't going to get you much at all. My DH and I can do OK in Paris on 50 euros a day for food, but we're both small/slender and have tiny appetites and share things - not typical.
You can manage your train budget by booking in advance for the cheapest tickets.
I wouldn't pay a dime to go to Oktoberfest. Did that once - was more than enough.
I don't buy souvenirs. They are dumb and clutter up my existence with stuff that's useless and I don't want. I have my souvenirs in my head and on my trip reports and photos.
You can manage your train budget by booking in advance for the cheapest tickets.
I wouldn't pay a dime to go to Oktoberfest. Did that once - was more than enough.
I don't buy souvenirs. They are dumb and clutter up my existence with stuff that's useless and I don't want. I have my souvenirs in my head and on my trip reports and photos.
#72
Join Date: Feb 2014
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Yes, definitely airbnb is the way to go, especially if you want to save money on food. You'll have access to a kitchen. If you're on a long trip, eating out is not only expensive, I get sick of it! Sometimes you just wanna wake up, make coffee in your pjs and eat some local fruit. We've shopped at local markets to bring back and cook at the apartment, and it just adds a whole new element to the experience!
Just be sure to choose a place that has a number of good reviews.
Just be sure to choose a place that has a number of good reviews.
#74
Join Date: Jun 2006
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I totally agree with the apartment idea, we love staying at apartments.
Do be a little cautious about Air BNB, and check out your prospective rentals thoroughly. Many people have had good experiences, quite a few have had not so good experiences. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
A bad experience where you stay can certainly be upsetting on a great trip.
http://www.fodors.com/search/results...6/2014&author=
Do be a little cautious about Air BNB, and check out your prospective rentals thoroughly. Many people have had good experiences, quite a few have had not so good experiences. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
A bad experience where you stay can certainly be upsetting on a great trip.
http://www.fodors.com/search/results...6/2014&author=
#80
Join Date: Jan 2003
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<<already booked our flight there but not return flight yet.>>
That would indicate two one-way tickets, the absolutely most expensive way to travel. Silly, since open-jaws are prevalent and relatively cheap these days, often the same as a RT, and even less when you deduct the costs of backtracking to your arrival point.
That would indicate two one-way tickets, the absolutely most expensive way to travel. Silly, since open-jaws are prevalent and relatively cheap these days, often the same as a RT, and even less when you deduct the costs of backtracking to your arrival point.