Rick's ballpark daily budget

I don't think there is one typical daily budget, as that's going to vary a lot depending on location, time of year, etc. Maybe the ETBD overall guide book has something? But there are many articles in their travel tips section about how to save money when you travel, here are a couple:

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/thrifty-50-tips
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/the-dirty-30-more-cheap-tricks
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/affordable-europe

You might do a quick search in the forum, there are plenty of discussions on budget.

I usually budget the equivalent of $100 USD for each day. This covers food on your own, incidentals purchased during rest stops off the bus, and any minor shopping we may do along the way. Seems to have worked for us on 3 RS tours including Best of Europe in 21 days. NOTE: if you are taking a "My Way" tour you may want a bit more for transportation during the day since you will be on your own.

Just be a little careful with those linked tips? Some of them were published as far back as 2008-2009 and may no longer apply exactly as written. As well, what you'd budget per day of spending $ on an RS tour - as hommi01 does - would be very different if traveling independently.

I recall that the individual country books break down Rick's idea of a daily budget.

Thank you all.
I'm thinking I probably did see it in one of Rick's books--the one I bought in 2016. Time to update!

Get the books or there is a website that focuses on it by location. I seem to remember that you are going to England. Compared to a great many locations in Europe that could be half again more expensive, so location is important. Travel style too. Since we are talking daily spending and not accommodations i doubt season has much impact. Winter could cost more if you spend a lot of time in warmer indoor activities like museums. But food and public transportation will be the same. Tour guides "might" be cheaper in the winter, but doubt much if any.

Here. Not perfect, but an opinion. https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/europe/rankings

Mr E--Wow, I looked at that link and for Iceland it is way off. One thing it said is this, "With an outstanding train system, Iceland connects you to almost anywhere in the country. The prices are quite reasonable, and the rides are both fast and comfortable. When rail lines don't reach your destination, long-distance and regional buses can step in.". There are no trains at all in Iceland;) I stopped reading at that point.

Oh myyyyy!!

Sandra, depending on where you are, your public library may be an option for perusing a newer edition of Rick's book for whichever location(s) you are planning for.

I just checked my RS "Paris" guidebook, 2022. "Budgeting" is in the Index. Within those two pages is "Average Daily Expenses Per Person". The overall expense is $255 per day with $10 City Transit; $30 Sights and Entertainment; $90 Meals; and, $125 Lodging (based on two people splitting the cost).
The same format is used for all RS guidebooks that I have.

I'm looking for Paris, actually--toying with future plans. My local library only has Rick's Paris book for 2020. However, there is always interlibrary loan!
Thanks, all!

mikliz97. I hadn't visited the site in a few years. It use to be just data. Now it's full of AI generated trash and recommendations that are really paid advertising.

Tge Iceland train garbage is word for word what it says for Hungary.

OP, I'm sorry. The link is garbage.

Budget is such a variable item depending on your priorities. A shopper? You are going to spend more than a non shopper. A Foodie where meals out are a key part of your trip? You are going to pay more than a grocery store picnicker. Don’t like or can’t use public transport? Your costs just went up.

I find these daily budget estimates way too generic.

Mr E--That is funny about the same comments for Hungary. As always, I hope people researching for their trips look beyond just one source. AI has it's place, but sheesh, you would think they could get some very basic things correct;)

What you're describing above is a widespread, ongoing, and tragic "enchittification" of the internet. Once-great sites filled with useful, human-curated information have been monetized and filled with AI-generated crap. Expect more (a lot more) of this in your future. Sadly, Wikipedia is the latest target.

I guess to clarify, are you talking about "spending money" on one of Rick's tours? Or daily spend doing independent travel? Also what are you including in the budget? Probably meals, some transport, light spending, a few entries to sights...but also hotel?

All makes a big difference.

Hi Paul,

I travel independently and I'm mostly looking for spending money, as I tend to pay my B&B in advance. I'm just looking for walking-around money.

Sandra, how long will you be in Paris?

One of the best bargains in Paris is the Navigo Weekly Pass for €31.60. Good on both buses and metro, even the RER to and from the airports and Versailles, it is valid Monday to Sunday.

I'm in the very very early stages of planning. I imagine I will be there about five days, though.
This will be next year sometime.

And of course you shouldn't rely too heavily on budgets expressed in US dollars, as the current decline in the value of the dollar vs Euro illustrates - Paris is almost 10% more expensive than it was at the beginning of the year.

I think it is sometimes easier to just think about what you would spend on a trip to New York City, San Francisco, or any other domestic location. Add a bit of cushion and you're close enough for planning purposes. Some people spend a lot on food or souvenirs, and others don't, so generalizing is just that.

The latest Paris book was published June ‘24. Next book is March ‘26. And all guide books are behind roughly a year I’ve heard from the publication date for accurate information due to the lead time of compiling and printing.

Euro has appreciated 8% year to date-- annualizing that... let me see [clicking sounds, more clicking sounds, sound of antique adding machine arm being pulled a few times, a couple heavy sighs and finally a somewhat dejected "oh dear"].

Yep. If this continues Europe is off that table. Too expensive. Say, have you considered traveling to someplace more affordable like Cleveland Ohio? We have a rock-hall and a baseball team that is due to win the World Series sooner or later.

For like 20 bucks a day, you get a lot of perogies and listen to some pretty darn good polka bands!

Happy travels!

People tend to compare the value of the dollar today against the record high of a few months ago. The average value of the dollar over the last 2 years looks to be between 92 and 93 euro cents more or less. Today it's 89 eurocents and looks to be on the rise. It's actually been at this rate on several occasions over the last few years. So, yes down something less than 4% off the average.

The cost of travel in Europe can vary by 30% or more depending on location so if that 4% is an issue, it is time to broaden your horizons and save the more expensive places for when the dollar is stronger.

mikliz97 the daily cost number for Hungary in that link looks about right for Budapest and tthe other location prices dont surprise me. If they had stuck to the data, it would have been a good tool.

A lot of people saying Cleveland is the new Budapest. Many people. The best people. Affordable too. Typical daily budget is like 78 cents!

Speaking of Hungarian jokes, I heard this joke in the Hungarian part of Cleveland (which is sizable):

Speaker one: I know a joke. Democracy!

Speaker two: Democracy? What? I don’t get it.

Speaker One: And neither do the Hungarians!

Okay that used to be funnier when we in Cleveland could look down on other folks. But alas Cleveland has not won a World Series since 1948 and the Rock Hall is mostly old clothes so, yeah. Who’s looking down on who? There is reason it is so inexpensive. You get what you pay for they say. That’s what they are saying. The best people. And Europe is a deal at any price! I budget a few hundred a day. (If only I had the money for the budget!)

Happy travels

Sandra....for Paris, not counting hotels, I tend to spend between 50-100E per day for food and venue entries.

I don't eat high end but often will have a glass of wine or an apero which bumps my meal prices up. I'd say Fall 2024 I wound up paying 20-25 Euro for a nice lunch or dinner with wine in a neighborhood type restaurant. I often also just pick up a baguette sandwich from a boulangerie for lunch so that is around 10-12E with a bottle of water.

Hotel prices have really soared in Paris so double whatever is in your mind for a hotel budget and then you might find something for less. I have a particular neighborhood that I like and was shocked at the prices for my "regular hotels" for Sept/Oct 2025 after just having been there LAST October. With just 5 nights you will probably not want to go with an apartment rental.

My visits are also Museum heavy. I don't get the Museum Pass any more. It started losing its value in Summer 2019 when they cracked down because some of the Asian tour groups were using the same entry ticket for multiple groups on the same day. That further was devalued after Covid when they started having timed entries for the big museums to control numbers. With the timed entries there are many fewer Museum Pass slots available daily than for the straight timed entries, particularly the Louvre.

What fun to plan a new city!

Hi, Pam, thanks for all the information. I actually don't have an amount in mind for a hotel. I've been incredibly fortunate to be able to stay in a one room catering flat in London for £95 a night. In Lewes, I pay a bit more for an Airbnb that is more like a little cottage.
Since I am still in the very early stages, I haven't done any hotel research.

I thought I remembered you paid around 100GBP/night for London. I am sure there are some 100E hotels in Paris but maybe not where I'd like to stay.

I can't remember when you like to travel but September is very expensive in Paris. For this Fall, I was going to go in early October, then some friends were going to be there late Sept so I backed up my departure to the end of September. The best I could do at one of my 4 favorite hotels was 269E/night. The rate at those hotels for last October was more in the 230E/night range.

I also think some of my "go-to" hotels I like have started using airline type pricing so increase rates based on how many rooms they have sold. I just looked for Sept 2025 at one of the hotels where I am staying and the same room category is over 1,100E per night which is shocking. Looking at next April I see the same room for 230E. There is also a variable depending on the day of the week. Since you are so far out you can play with months and days of the week to get something that will work for you.

I don't have plans firmed up for next spring but I may go ahead and do some booking soon. I never book a non-refundable room as too much can happen for me to want to take that risk for a few Euro/pounds.

I can only travel between the end of May and the end of August, and I prefer to do it when the weather isn't very hot.
I guess I'd better "let my fingers do the walking" (ha ha, shows you how old I am!) and find out what's available next spring.