Hi everyone,

I have been trying to work out how much spending money will be enough for 3 weeks in Europe (I am going on the European Break tour in the beginning of September.

I have spoken with my crazy German brother-in-law, and he suggested that I can Australian dollars in Swiss Franks, and then change it into Euros’ as the exchange rate of Swiss franks is better than Aussie dollars.

Well after looking at the exchange rate of both currencies and the fees involved in the exchange of either currency I think my brother in law is full of effluent nonsense.

Factoring in that the tour is already paid for with the exception of some meals blah blah blah, would 3000 euros (or 1000 euros a week) be enough spending money for a 21 day jaunt around Europe. At the moment, I don’t have a credit card either.

I’m also spending 3 days in London, and I think $1000.00 AUD would be sufficient? My hotel is also already paid for.

Thoughts?

Cheers

Seems more than enough to me unless you are into very expensive souvenirs.

I agree with Tangata. It does seem ample for your 21 day tour, but only you know what your spending habits are like. London is quite expensive (from my NZ point of view). You can eat well at the pubs though for only a few pounds but shopping for souviners can eat into anyones budget both on the continent and in London.

I would just take enough Euro to get you started then utilise ATMs. They are evrywhere and the exchange rate is good. If your tour starts with a day or so in London before Europe, take a few pound with you too. Also get a credit card for the extras you may encounter. If you don't want too much credit that you might have to pay off just get one with a small credit limit and keep it for emergancies while away.

We always found TT's suggested US$60 per person per day was a fair amount.

Please DON'T take €3000 in cash with you - you're setting yourself up to be a victim of robbery by doing so.

As far as the amount goes - it's at least 2 or 3 times more than I'd consider necessary for a tour!

Hi Dave

I recently found about a "traveller's cash card" which I have just ordered. It is through the Commonwealth Bank - you get a card and chose your denomination ie Euro and pre-pay how much you think you need. The exchange rate is also set so you don't need to worry about that. You withdraw from any "Cirra" ATM and apparently there are millions of them anyway. That way you are not carrying thousands of dollars on you. If you have put too much in you can go to a card branch and retrieve it. You can also top it up through internet banking. My Commonwealth Key Card also works overseas so you might want to check that out and just leave the money in your account and withdraw when necessary.

Elise

Hi Dave ~ I think it would be wise to take a card of some sort e.g. credit, debit, cash card. Travel with as little cash, as possible it is just not worth the risk.

quote:

You withdraw from any "Cirra" ATM and apparently there are millions of them anyway.

Just to clarify, that's "Cirrus". "Cirrus" and "Maestro" are the two world-wide international ATM networks.

hi there,
I have recently come back from Europe etc..
And I found the cash passport fantastic,they also give you a back up card and you can get them anywhere that changes currencey.
If you do not want a credit card you could alway's consider a visa debit card.

Have fun

Dave5150 ~ Backup money is extremely important when you travel, please don't put all your eggs in the one basket, I travel with two credit cards a debit card and cash.

I allocate one credit card and a certain amount of cash for each day and this I carry on my person, the other cards, cash, airline ticket and passport I carry in a clip wallet attached to the inside of my skirt/capri's whatever I am wearing.

You need to remember you are a long way from home and backup money or lost cards take a long time to replace. Please be prepared is the best advice I can give you.

What is cash? Do people still use it??

It does not matter where we go, we never carry cash. We use plastic for everything, everywhere. If they dont take plastic, they dont get our business!!!

As for how much to spend each day, how long is a piece of string? Just do/spend the same as you would if you were at home. Why break a habit of a life time

quote:

Originally posted by Guy H:


It does not matter where we go, we never carry cash. We use plastic for everything, everywhere. If they dont take plastic, they dont get our business!!!

While I agree in principle with this theory, in day to day life I find it impractical. To buy the daily paper or a packet of chewing gum hardly needs me to flash the plastic. Admittedly I carry very little cash, but I do still carry some $$

quote:

Originally posted by Guy H:
What is cash? Do people still use it??

It does not matter where we go, we never carry cash. We use plastic for everything, everywhere. If they dont take plastic, they dont get our business!!!

That may work in your country. It won't work in Europe. Many small shops either don't accept credit cards, or have a minimum spending amount (typically €10) below which they won't accept a cc transaction.

Perhaps more importantly, you're going to spend a lot of the tour in some considerable discomfort. Many European countries charge to use the toilet, and they DON'T accept credit cards .

Hi Dave5150

My son did a Contiki tour last year and spent approx. 1 week in London - he budgted on $100 Australian per day for spending money and found this sufficient.
He is now saving for another trip early next year and is still budgeting on the $100 per day for this trip.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Marriott:

That may work in your country. It won't work in Europe. Many small shops either don't accept credit cards, or have a minimum spending amount (typically €10) below which they won't accept a cc transaction.

Well Chris, in my business, I have people from your country (& from other parts of the world also ) who put NZ$2.00 on their cards!! That is for 1 hour of internet time.

If I dont accept it on the plastic, they go elswhere...... Just the same as I do, if the shop does not accept plastic.