when i planned my trip to athens i just assumed that the prices for food and drink would be low, as the hotel prices are extremely reasonable (i have reserved a double room with private bath and breakfast in a 3-star for $40 a night). looking at some restaurant guides, i haven't seen any restaurants with meal under 30 euros (except street-food type stuff). could anyone give me a short rundown of prices in athens so i can rethink my &quot;spending money&quot; budget? i have a guidebook but everything is in drachmas and it's 7 years old. <BR>like:<BR>a beer<BR>coffee<BR>metro fare<BR>meal in a low-end sit-down restaurant <BR>entrance fee for museums/archeological sites<BR>and any other info about how to cut costs while there would be helpful.<BR><BR>thanks

Hi,<BR>Athens is not terribly expensive. Your hotel is cheap for Athens, although you don't say what time of year you are travelling.<BR>When I travel with my husband and 2 children (who eat pretty much like adults) we spend about 40 euros for all of us for an evening meal including beer or wine. This would be at a typical Plaka taverna with decent food. We usually order a Greek salad, a couple of starters and a main course each. We don't bother with dessert and stick to beer, the house wine or bottled water. Buying several starters instead of ordering a main course cuts costs down further. Always check prices before you order, the odd restaurant is unreasonably expensive.<BR>For lunch, you could try cafes, bakeries, pizza places etc. there are plenty of cheap options. <BR>Metro fare and bus fare will be cheap, taxis are quite expensive.<BR>Entrance fees to sites etc. aren't unreasonably high, I would guess at about 5 euros for a big site, like the Archaeological Museum / Parthenon, less for the smaller museums etc.<BR>Beer - 1 large beer is cheaper than 2 small. I would allow 2 - 3 euros per drink.<BR>Hope that helps a little.

Buy an entrance ticket at the Acropolis to cover six different sites, I seem to remember it was about 12 euros but in the end was extremely good value.<BR>Which hotel are you staying at, seems to be very good value at US$40?<BR>

silvana, <BR>since I live in Athens here is my feedback:<BR>beer varies from 2 eur. (if purchased in a street vendor) up to 5-6 eur (in an upscale bar)<BR>coffee: 1.50 to 3.50 eur. <BR>metro fare: 0.70 eur one way<BR>meal in a low-end sit down restaurant: 10-15 eur.<BR>Unfortunately enough, even though I live in Athens, it's been ages since I last visited a museum. It's the same ol' story: locals hardly appreciate to the full what a place has to offer!

Dennis<BR>If you do visit a museum you might be shocked at the outrageous prices in the museum cafes, one aspect of Athens that is wise to avoid.