Food expenses

everything is expensive in europe so be budget conscious go to supermarkets and youll do fine.

... but of the countries you listed, food in Poland is very cheap (You can get a huge meal for the equivalent of about $15 in a nice restaurant). Prague is still not as expensive as its neighbors to the West, but not nearly as cheap as Poland.

Try to book hostels that have free breakfast. Some will have just a roll and coffee, but some will also have meats, cheeses, cereals, etc.

I budgeted $30/day for food on my trip last fall. I'm doing the same for my upcoming trip. This is not the cheapest you can do it. However, I figured some days I wouldn't spend that much and some days I may spend more. I did a lot of shopping at grocery stores for lunches. It was interesting to see the foods offerred in the markets and then it was nice to people watch in a park.

Germany is one of the cheapest countries in the Western world in terms of grocery prices. You'll find an Aldi, Lidl, Plus, Penny, Netto or Norma grocery discounter anywhere, even in small towns. They've got the same prices everywhere. As of this week: 1 Liter milk: 66 cents - 500g pasta: 55 cents - 200g Bologna: 59 cents - 500 ml whey-fruit juice shake: 69 cents - 1000g turkey breast (raw): €4.45 - 1 bottle of sparkling water (1.5 Liter): 19 cents...

I think I'll go with a budget of 25$ in the Eastern countries (with breakfast included at the hostel) and with 35$ in the Western countries.
I know that one of the main problems while traveling (at least for me) is dehydration so I'll make sure to buy a bunch of water bottles at the grocery store since it's probably a lot cheaper there.

$35 is €22.50 per day which should be sufficient for all Western European countries but England.

How much should I expect to pay for food for a day in London?

Depending on what you buy at least 20 Pounds per day, more likely in the area of 30 though... Unfortunately e.g. a Hamburger or a can of Coke cost the same price figure in Germany, the UK and the US. A basic burger (not on a special sale) is $3.50 in the US, €3.50 in Germany and GBP 3.50 in the UK.

There are Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer Simply Food all over the place in London, same with Pret a Mangers. If your hostel serves breakfast, start there and ask them to fill your water bottle so that you've got that for the day. A cheese sandwich (England is a sandwich country - they are everywhere), bag of crisps, and bottle of orange juice cost me 3.47 pounds 5 months ago. Then I had a chocolate croissant and tea for a snack (2.18) followed by Indian take away and trifle from Sainsbury's for dinner (5.28). That's about $22 US. I keep all my receipts from vacations. I expect my children will find them funny twenty years from now when they are paying $12.00 for a cup of coffee...

If you like real Indian food or pseudo-Indian vegetarian food, eat at the Indian YMCA for the former and Govinda's for the latter. Both are cheap, cheap, cheap! The Indian Y is in Fitzroy Square (the Square figures prominently in Ian McEwen's Saturday) Govinda's is a Hare Krishna restaurant on Soho St. between Oxford Street and Soho Square.

If you are doing Oxford St. and British Museum stuff one day, you can hit both! Although, that's alot of Indian food in one day!

I worked in an office in Soho Sq 20 years ago and Govinda's was cheap then, too! And my cheap parents dragged us to the Y when we went to London 28 years ago. I stayed there for a couple of nights in 1994! Apple close to the tree and all that!

If you're careful, you can eat on about £15/day in London. Find out where the closest Sainsbury's is and make friends with it. Cheap pasta, sandwich stuff, snacks, beverages, etc.

For lunches I love grabbing a Cornish pasty or sausage roll (£3), or pre-made sandwiches £2-3. Pubs are usually decent options for lunch/dinner (£6-7). Wetherspoons is a chain, but they have great deals, especially if you are with a friend. (2 meals for £6.95) Take-away is huge in London and you'll see it everywhere, especially Indian.

ICCo Pizza is good £3 for a one topping pizza. 46 Goodge St. Stockpot and West End Kitchen are good cheap options for typical British fare - main and dessert for about £6. Both are on Panton St. between Trafalgar and Piccadilly.

Have you considered trying Mensa's? Google it. Sometimes even the ones that are not open to Tourists will actually let you in under certain circumstances.

It doesn't hurt to bring your Union Card/Photo ID if you are a First Responder. Some Fire Hall Mensa's will let you in if you are a "First Responder" like EMS/Medical First Response, Firefighter, Police Officer. Even if you are Volunteer Fire Fighter they still might let you in. It's also a great way to learn about/from other Responders!

And if you're into Badge swopping as some are, don't forget to bring several to trade and share! (For those of you who are wondering...they often trade badges to display on their walls at the Station as a show of kinship!)

Anyway, just a thought!