With the Dollar soo low to the Euro... what can we do to make our budget last?

Question

We are going to Europe Sept 17 to 30. flying into Paris for 6 nights then..... flying to Munich for 2 nights (Oktoberfest) then.. driving to Frankfurt where we leave from. We have 3 nights of lodging we need to pay for between Munich and frankfurt plus gas/fuel. All airfare is paid for and Paris,Munich and Frankfurt hotels are paid for. car is paid for. Paris visite passes are paid for. Paris airport to hotel transfers are paid. We will only have about 1450 Euros for the rest of the trip that needs to pay for... Food for 12 days for 2 people... 3 nights lodging.. transportation around Munich for 2 days.. A little wine in Paris... A few beers at Oktoberfest.. sight seeing.... Do you have any suggestions that may help us make it on such a small budget? We have $2,000.00 total.

P.S My wife won this vacation at her job... that's the only reason we could ever go to Europe.

Answer 1

Don't worry to much, $1400 euro is what some people have for their whole budget. (That is all nights and food and transport.)

Make a budget per day, and try to work it out that you have a little for luxeries every so often.

Your biggest cost, and the one you can not save anything on, is petrol for the car.
It is expensive and no way around that.
Ask how much the car is going to use per km, and how many km you are going to use it for, add 25% and budget that for petrol.

For food, you can self cater, or take warm lunches and eat sandwiches for dinner.
And do not sit out on a streetside cafe in Paris, specially not on one of the main streets, as they charge a lot extra.
(Or it must be your budgetted luxery for the day.)

You can save a bit in Paris by not going up in the Eifel tower, expensive, but the terasses of the Sacre Cour are free, and on the same level.
With your travel passes the buses for the town are free, but a city tour might cost. Just go from one highlight to an other and read your guidebook rather than listening to the canned voice in the bus.

A good guidebook is worth the money it costs, I like and trust the Lonely Planet series, and if you buy the Europe version there is a chapter on Paris and on Munich, and maybe also on cheap places to sleep in between.

Try youth hostels, or ask at the local tourist information office to find you a cheap room in a Bed and breakfast.

I take you have a travel isurance, if not, buy one.
Also bring a creditcard if you have one, for emergencies only. Your insurance will pay you back, but only after you have returned home if it is a 'small' amount.
Get your spending money from ATM's, with a debit card, but ask your bank what it will cost. (Should be nearly free, token money only.)

I am sure you will enjoy Europe, and do not worry too much.
But better have a little money left when you get to Munich, so you know you will be able to enjoy it.

Answer 2

Well 1st congrats for winning...
2 000 $ is ok for 13 days, it's not like you are going to starve.
Transportation : use only public transport. It is good that you have Paris Visite.
Food: Do not think that McDonald's is cheap in France. The cheapest food is the Chinese food. You can find Chinese restaurants all over Paris, and they are very cheap, compared to other restaurants. Don't go much to caffees. They are very expensive, especially on tourist zones. Buy a drink somewhere and go to a nice Park like all Parisians: Champs de Mars (Tour Eiffel), Parc Monceau, Trocadero, Bois de Boulogne etc etc...
Don't go to the Boulangeries too much. I spent like 20 euros yesterday, buying a few things for 2 persons!
But other than that.... you will be ok. Don't worry, you will survive with 2k $ and you will have the time of ur life!
Welcome to Europe!

Answer 3

well you could not eat out fancy eat okay food also dont buy anything that isn't sold in the USA. That would be just wasting your money. Also only a few beers. Go on a sight seeing tour bus it is valid for 24 hours and includes walking tours you can hop on and off when ever you want. You should take the under ground to get around or walk thats good to. Donbt take taxis

Answer 4

I'd say look in the guide books from
Let's Go and Lonely Planet and they'll have budget listings for hotels and restaurants. You should eat like the Germans, too. Have your big meal at lunch time, then in the evening picnic in your room or in a park with food you get at the market, like bread, cheese, fruit, cold cuts, smoked fish, raw veggies, and beer is cheaper than cola, you know.
I'd recommend stopping in Rothenburg, Wurzburg, Heidelberg, and Trier if you have time between Mun. and Frankf.
I just looked in my Let's Go guide, and they say reserve in advance for Heidelberg in summer, and it looks like
Rothenburg (ob der Tauber) has double rooms for 39 to 44 euros.
Paris is going to be the most expensive place. A cup of coffee can easily cost 4 euros. You can buy delicious foods in supermarkets that are ready to eat, and you'll really need to check the listings in those budget guide books for restaurants. Again, lunch will be cheaper out than dinner.

Answer 5

Walk whenever possible or use mass transporation instead of taxi etc.
Eat away from the main streets, on the side streets to cut back on food bill. I also heard the food is usually better.
Instead of spending money on entertainment, enjoy landmarks etc.