What will your US dollars actually get you in Italian lira?
 

I am going to be in Italy in a few weeks and I have my conversions from US dollars to Lira down, but how much will a dollar actually buy me in Italy?( what is the cost of living like?)

Leslie: Generally speaking, the US dollar is stronger vs. most European currencies right now than it has been in years. <BR> <BR>Be selective in how and where you exchange your money and if possible, use your credit card for the best rates. You'll find some bargains, I would think. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

1000 lira = 55cents <BR>100000 lira = $55 <BR> <BR>for a good siteon conversion seehttp://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/main.html <BR>its easy to use <BR>

When i reread your questipon I see you already knew the answer, sorry. <BR>

Leslie, I can't give you the cost of specific items in Italy, but my impression when I was there in October was that the costs were similar to the US, i.e. for hotels and food. My fiance also bought shoes while we were in Rome and the cost was less than what you would find in major US cities taking into account the quality of the shoes. The exchange rate was around 1600 lira per $US in October and I gather that it is now around 1800 acording to the previous poster which makes things even cheaper right now. <BR> <BR>Of course, what you spend varies from person to person, but let me give you another example. In Paris I would plan on spending on the order of $100 for dinner for 2. In Rome I would plan on $50. A rental car cost me around $300 per week in Italy and there were cheaper deals to be had.

I would agree, I have found that in general hotels are more in Italy than France, car rentals are much more expensive in Italy than anywhere because of the insurance, and everything else is about comparable.

regular individual pizza - 8,000 to 10,000 Lira; decent meal for 2 adults & 2 children with wine, water & soft drinks for children - 80,000 to 100, 000 Lira. Better meal for same number of people - 120,000 to 170,000 Lira. Gas - 50,000 Lira to fill tank for mid size Fiat. Decent bottle of wine - - 8,000 to 12,000 Lira, 3 star hotel for 2 adults & 2 children outside of Rome, florence, Venice - 275,000 Lira. Silk ties - 15,000 to 25,000 Lira. Silk Scarves 35,000 Lira. Post cards from 300 to 800 Lira.

Leslie-just back from Florence,Pisa,Venice and Sienna last week. Meals: plain cheese pizza was 10,000/11,000 lira,salad was 7,000 lira,steak in Florence was usally 25,000to 40,000 lira,lasagna was 12,000 lira everywhere(most restaurants have a fixed menu with 3 to4 courses that were usually 20,000 to 30,000 lira(no wine or water). Taxis <BR>were 30,000 for four from Florence airport to hotel and 59,000 from hotel <BR>(on Land and 8 minutes away) in Venice to Venice airport. Train ride on the eurostar which is the fast 2hr. train(one way ) from Florence <BR>to Venice was 43,000 lira. Hotel in Florence(3 stars) was 400,000 for four in a room to 360,000(4 stars) in Venice.Gelato ice cream which is a must at least 3 times a day was around 3,500 for 2/3 scoops. Water taxi in Venice was 6,000 lira one way or 18,000 lira for unlimited pass on public water taxi(similar to the metro in Paris or tube in London).Beer in a Mcdonalds restaurant was 3,200 lira and a fanta orange soda in a regular restaurant was 5,000 lira.T shirts around 15,000 to 25,000 lira. Drink alot of wine and enjoy-the people were delightful and as always remember,its the journey not the destination that will be remembered! Ciao-Debbie <BR>

Debbie and mwg ... you ladies are incredible. Do you keep a running tally on your expenses? I usually don't know until 2 months later when I get my credit card bills what it cost me. My hat is off to you two.

I think it's time for the Italians to drop the last 3 zeros of their currency like Mexico did a few years back.

Oops, guess the Euro will end up taking care of that problem for them.