I'm going to Europe May 2009.

Question

I will be going for three weeks through 5 countries. Exactly how much should I prepare to pay for?

Answer 1

Wow! Thanks Sara. That info helped me a lot too!

Answer 2

depends on how much it is, but make sure you have a good job and stuff. maybe have a garage sale to get spare money

Answer 3

FLIGHT

Expect to pay at least $700 for flight (but plan for $1000+).

SLEEP

If you are super frugal you can stay in hostels for around $40-50/night... make sure you know if they are safe before you stay at them though. (so hostels = $1000)

If you want to stay somewhere with your own bathroom, expect to spend at least $80/night (for a single)... $110 for a double (note that you can find cheaper, but better to plan for more and have some left over... you won't get a MUCH better deal than that though). (so estimate $2000 for hotels)

FOOD

Europe is expensive, but it depends on where you go.  Think about buying food at the grocery store rather than restaurants... Water cost about 3 euro for .33 L at a restaurant, or 3 euro for a 6 pack at a store.  A ham and cheese sandwich in paris costs 6 euro, but a baguette and block of cheese and some ham costs 5 euro (and is more than 2x the food).  

It is tough to find a meal (at a restaurant) for less than 10 euro.  So plan at least 30 euro/day for food (I would plan for 50 if I were saving... whatever is left over = souvenirs or savings towards the next trip!).  So assuming 30/day = 630 euro; 50 = 1050 euro.

Most museums are around 10 euro.  So assuming you visit one/day, that's 210 euro.

Then add in the price of a railpass (since that is the easiest and cheapest way to get between countries).  If you get the 5-country railpass, the price can be anywhere from $405 to $1115 (depending on whether or not you're a student, and how many days of travel you are taking).  If you are going with someone, consider getting the "saver" pass.

So... an estimate based on current exchange rates:

cheap estimate: $700 airfare + $1000 hostel + $900 food (based on euro exchange rate) + $350 activities + $400 rail pass = $3350

moderate estimate: $1000 airfare + $2000 hotel + $1500 food + $500 activities + $700 rail pass = $5700

Of course... it is europe, so you can work hard to spend as much money as possible and someone will outspend you.  Have fun!!!

Answer 4

It actually depends on where it is in Europe you're going. I know in Greece everything is expensive, but that's because everything has a high quality. You should look up this website and find out some info there.

Hope you have fun!