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Budgeting for Family of 4

I'd like some input on budgeting our Europe trip for our family of four (daughter 11, son 9). We're going from 8/14-9/7 (25 days). We are renting a VW camper, and have paid for the camper and our plane tickets. We are trying to budget a daily amount for everything else.

We are flying to Frankfurt to pick up the camper, then will tour southern Germany, Salzkammergut, Tirol, Venice, Rome, Sorrento, Florence area, Cinque Terre, Berner Oberland, Paris, and back to Frankfurt. 2 nights most places.
Keep the following in mind: We will stay at campings -- no hotels (first night in a hostel). We will have no transportation expense except for gas (diesel)and local transportation. We will camp outside the bigger cities and take public transpo in. We will go to the obvious museums/attractions in Venice, Rome, Pompei, Florence, and Paris. We will probably rent bikes once or twice, luge a couple times, and will hike a lot. We will buy groceries and cook our own meals, although we will probably eat dinner out 3 to 4 times a week (and we are not fancy restaurant types). We are fairly cheap, and will not buy bottled water, lots of souveniers, etc.
How much do you think we will need to budget per day on diesel, camping fees, attractions, groceries, and local public transportation? Is it possible on 130 euros per day?

Wondering

Posted by
38 posts

I went last summer for 5 weeks with my 3 kids, ages 17,14, and 13. Not sure about the gas/camping costs but we kept our budget between $100-150 US per day(the exchange rate was not as good) some days more some less. Cooking our own meals saved a lot and the kids enjoyed picking out food at the market...

Posted by
53 posts

Having a budget is nice. Padding it is better. We just returned from a three week trip with five of us. I loved having a little extra each day to blow on Magnum bars or gelato. There are some things you just can't get in Idaho--watch for Mozartkugln and Mannerschnitten. I think sampling the local treats and food is part of the experience. Of course, I always hated eating homemade sandwiches in our car at Disneyland too. So, do budget, but add extra to the budget so you aren't miserable trying to scrimp. Have fun!

Posted by
1158 posts

I can't really tell you how much you will be spending on meals because all depends on how much each of you eats, so I see impossible to answer that question.
Some museums in Rome costs 20 EUR each, so for 4 of you is goinf to be your whole almost) budget for that that day.
Bottled water is one of the cheapest things in Europe. You get get 1.5L for 50 cents at Super Market. When I went to Rome last year I noticed that many restaurant were offering a menu composed of 3 things: pasta, dessert and a drink for 15EUR, but I don't know how big the meals were.
I don't know if you know how much the camping costs, but they are not that cheap. In Europe they cahrge you differently than in the US: per each person + per tent+ per car. That might bring the cost up to cost of a bad in a hostel.
if you are going to use the public tarnsportation many times in one day, you might want to consider buying a day pass in Italy. In Rome and Florence it was 4 EUR and could be used on any kind of transportation:bus, subway and some of the internurban trains.