How much cash should I have when traveling to Europe?
Some European cities are cheaper than others. As a general rule though, it's a good idea to budget at least $100 a day for your vacation. This is just spending money, as hotel costs are likely to have been either paid in advance or settled by card when you check out.
Here is an overview of what two weeks in Europe on a high budget may look like: Accommodation: 200 Euros per night for 14 nights = 2,800 Euros. Food: 80 Euros per day for 14 days = 1,120 Euros. Transportation: 30 Euros per day for 14 days = 420 Euros.
Is it better to exchange U.S. dollars to euros while still in the U.S. or when I actually go to Europe? I always recommend to my clients that they exchange dollars into euros while in Europe. Use the ATM machines, found nearly everywhere. The exchange rate will be less than going to a bank or exchange service.
To quickly recap, if you are traveling to Europe, you are looking at spending around 120 euros per day on average. However, once you have your itinerary in place (try using our convenient tour builder), you will have a tailored and accurate answer to the ever-relevant question - how much to budget per day in Europe.
How much depends on the style you traveling. As a backpacker a minimum of a couple of hundred or if you travel in a luxury way be a few thousand. Remember most countries limit you to the amount of cash you can bring in.
You can use the costs in our table above, and the $100-per-day rule of thumb, to calculate how much money you'll need for your trip. So for a three-week trip, you'll be needing over $2,000. But it really does depend on what country you're traveling to and what you plan to do, eat and drink while you're there.
Debit cards with a Mastercard or Visa logo are widely accepted in Europe. American Express is somewhat less common, except at tourist destinations. Most banks charge a foreign transaction fee and/or a currency conversion fee, so it is worth double-checking these costs before departure.
Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.
Some tourists feel like they must have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.
In Europe, both card and cash payments are widely accepted. However, using cards is often more convenient, and some places may charge extra fees for cash transactions. It's advisable to check with local businesses and banks to understand any potential charges associated with card usage or currency conversion.
Consider ordering foreign currency before you fly. Most banks allow you to order foreign currencies, which you can typically pick up at a local branch before your trip. Some banks offer to ship currencies to you, and sometimes they don't even charge extra for postage if you order a certain amount.
How much cash should you bring to Europe for a week?
I've visited Europe several times, and here are my personal #travel tips. For a 7-11 day Europe trip, I bring $200-$300 Euros in cash. I find it less stressful to order Euros from my bank a few weeks before my trip, so I have local cash upon arrival. The exchange rate is usually better this way.
As a rough estimate, a budget-conscious traveler could expect to spend around $1,500 to $2,000 for a week-long vacation in Europe, including the cost of flights, accommodations, food, transportation, and activities.
While tips are appreciated no matter where you travel, tipping in Europe isn't as automatic nor as generous as it is in the US, and in many countries, tips aren't expected at all. The proper amount depends not only on the country you're in, but also on your resources, tipping philosophy, and the circ*mstances.
The general consensus is that you should have $50 to $100 in cash per day for each traveler.
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So, how much money do you really need for 3 weeks in Europe? While it varies depending on your travel style and destination, a budget of around $2,000 - $5,000 USD should cover your expenses. Of course, this is just a rough estimate - the more you can save, the better!
It is important to have cash available when you land in your destination, especially during the first days of your trip, where you will likely incur expenses for taxis, train tickets, food, souvenirs and more.
British tourists entering Spain can technically be asked to prove that they have at least €100 a day for the duration of their stay. Border officials accept several forms of proof including foreign currency, traveller's cheques, cash, payment letters or credit card allowances.
Don't bring any more cash with you than you'd normally carry with you in your own country on a daily basis. Bear in mind the increased pickpocketing risk for a tourist in Rome. When you get to the airport, get one or two hundred euros out of one of the ATMs in the baggage hall just in case (they don't charge fees).
The average cost of food per day for a couple traveling in Europe can vary greatly depending on the destination, type of meals, and personal preferences. However, a rough estimate would be around 50-100 euros per day, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
A debit card could be a good alternative for making purchases. You can pay using money you already have, without carrying cash. Or you can use the card to withdraw cash. Bringing your debit card on a European trip can be especially helpful if you keep it in a separate place from where you store your credit card.
What ATM not to use in Europe?
Avoid "independent" ATMs, such as Travelex, Euronet, Your Cash, Cardpoint, and Cashzone.
The easiest and cheapest way is to use an ATM at the airport in Rome to get some Euros, although there is usually no need to get Euros before you leave. You can buy Euros in the US but you will pay a premium. I would suggest withdrawing Euros from an ATM at the Rome airport. Conversely you could buy a few Euros at AAA.
Keep in mind that this step is up to you and doesn't always get you the best exchange rate—it's not necessary to obtain euros before traveling to most European countries. Once you're in Europe, you can use your debit card at an international ATM machine.
The cheapest way to buy euros in the US is usually online.
Choose a specialist provider which has multi-currency accounts to support international spending - like Wise or Revolut.
Within the euro area, the euro is the only legal tender. In the absence of a specific agreement concerning the means of payment, creditors are obliged to accept payment in euros. Parties may also agree to transactions using other official foreign currencies (e.g. the US dollar).
