How much money should we take with us for 11 days in Italy?

Question

Husband and I are going to Italy for the first time this fall-Venice, Florance, Rome- and are trying to estimate how much money to take with us. We were gussing around $2,000-$3,000. with about $500-700 of that for food???

Hotels, Train, etc. is all paid for, it's just for food and basic spending money- anything MAJOR we'll probably put on our cc. Suggestions wanted!!

Also if you have any suggestions about tips- MUCH APPRECIATED as to hubby has an over tipping habit in the USA and I'm sure it will continue in Europe.

Answer 1

They have ATM machines in Italy.  I wouldn't carry that much cash...Italy is notorious for pickpockets...so be careful.

Carry $200-$300 in cash and bring your ATM card.  Have an extra one not in your wallet just in case...and be aware of your wallet at all times!

Answer 2

I guess it really depends on how extravagant you want to get... I would think that $500-700 for food would be very little... unless you will be living on pizza the whole time?

If I were going I would budget around $150-200 for a fancy dinner each night and then about another same amount for incidental foods. Then double that for simple spending money.

Answer 3

Using ATMs to draw cash when you need it is a good one. Credit cards also give you a better deal on exchange rates. It's generally not a good idea to be carrying around a lot of cash.

However, you should be able to eat reasonably on $700 and even splurge once or twice for a special dinner. Most places will have the menu out front; you can check prices and choices before committing to anything. One thing you should watch out for in tourist areas is things that are priced "per etto" on the menu. This indicates the price per 100 g (roughly 3 oz). This is most often done with fresh fish or meats. The weight will be pre-cooked. One visitor here ended up paying $100 for a fish for lunch in Venice. It was good, my scallops St Jacques flamed in the shell at the table was only $12 at the same meal. When you're in Florence, try the Ribollita.

With respect to tipping, most places include service in the bill. You'll see many people standing when they get coffee, snadwiches, etc because table service costs more to pay the waiters. If you're in Piazza San Marco and sit at Quadri or Florians the price will also depend on whether the musicians are playing at the time. You might round up the bill, but tipping isn't that common here. In the tourist areas, the waiters often expect tips, but there's no need to go overboard.

Answer 4

Sorry I can't relate to all this money you are talking about. So much of how much money one needs depends on the HOW one travels. My budget would be much lower then what you estimate, as I prefer the simple life not the touristic one. It also puts one in the heart of the life of the real Italy.

Answer 5

I live in Milan.

I think you need 65 euros / day a person. =  88$,  just for food.

- breakfast = 5 euros ( cappuccino - croissant - orange juice )

- lunch = 20 euros ( touristic menu )

- dinner = 40 euros

( In Italy, Pizza + Beer + Coffee = 15 to 20 euros/person )

Total = 88 x 2 x 11 = 1936 $

All that, not in the centre of the cities.

Tips ? No tips if you want.

Maybe just for the man that take your suitcases in the room.

Answer 6

ive been to italy, but only in catholica, its a nice little town and we only ended up spending about 3,000 for five people for five days. taking into account we used the beaches for most of our time. lol

Answer 7

Don't tip - it is generally included at the restaurant. You can tip the porter or the maid at the hotel.

You shouldn't travel with too much cash. Get travellers checks in Euros - it's safer and many touristy places accept them.

How much money to budget is up to you - make like you are spending 11 days in NYC or San Francisco and that's the amount you'll need.