spending money for 2 weeks in europe?

Hi, Bri. Is your teacher experienced in leading these trips? If so, then I would trust the $50-60 estimate. Also, how many days are you going to be gone? I ask that because you probably won't spend $50-60 every day which means the longer you're gone the more you have for extras beyond lunch. You should be able to budget for yourself if you can choose where you eat lunch. My daughter could eat for as little as $5 by going to the store and drinking water. My son would probably need at least $10 and more likely $15 at the very least. You don't say how your other meals are happening. What does the extra tipping include? Are their additional optional activities that you might pay for like plays, concerts, etc? Is there an adult going with you who could loan you additional money if you run out and that you would repay later? You haven't said how you will be bringing your own money with you. If you are bringing an ATM card, can you have extra money pre-loaded just in case or can your parents add more if you need it? If you have taken similar trips within the US, you can expect that the prices for meals and the extras that you mention will be approx the same cost you would pay in large US cities.

So to clarify, you only need money for lunch and misc.? You dont need bus fare, or to pay for museums? Lunch should cost you about $10-15 per day. Drinks and gelato plan another $10-15 per day. That would leave you $20-30 for trinkets. Sounds like plenty to me.

I agree with Angela. However, your parents might want to set up a checking account with you on the account. Then get you a debit card that you can take with you. That way if you need more money, you can use an ATM. In fact, I'd suggest you only take enough cash (get Great British Pounds from your bank or AAA) for 2 or 3 days. Then you can withdraw enough for another 2 or 3 days as needed. (just be sure to let the bank knkow you will be in Europe) That way you won't be carrying an excessive amount of cash at any time. Check with your teacher to be sure you will be able to stop by a bank's ATM to get cash (they are outside the banks, and sometimes called Cash Points in Europe) . Otherwise, get enough pounds now- but do use some kind of secure method to carry your cash. Put one day's allotment in a wallet that you carry in an inside, zipped or buttoned pocket, and put the rest in a money belt, or neck pouch or similar. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES carry large amounts of cash that others can see when you get your wallet out. AND DO NOT leave large amounts in your room- even in locked luggage.

I believe Bri needs Euros, not British pounds for Spain, France & Italy... I agree with getting a money belt or some other protection against theft, and only keeping small amounts of money handy. Read up about potential scams so you are aware of them and can avoid them (just remember not to get too paranoid and to go have fun).

Sorry- I misread her desitinations!!! Yes Bri- you'll need Eruos.

Hi, Bri. Sounds like you are still not sure how much money you'll need. Can you tell me if you are going on a tour with an educational company (like EF) or if the teacher is arranging everything? Was there an info night where you were able to ask questions? From what you have told us so far, if I were your parent, I would use the $60 per day est, add on $100 "just in case", and get you a preloaded ATM card with that amount that allowed me to add funds to it if you exceed what I gave you. The ATM card should allow me to login via the internet to see your transactions and balance. If the ATM card does not allow for adding on and/or visibility, then I would est $100/day to give you a cushion, but expect you to spend the lesser amount if you can. You should be able to survive very comfortably on the lesser amount unless you go to very fancy eateries and also buy expensive things to bring home. The "tipping" still throws me. How will you travel from place to place? Maybe you might want to use curb check, porters, etc? Frankly, I don't think teenagers should need them. Hopefully you were told to pack light.

A little off-topic, but don't plan on bringing home a snow globe unless you are going to be putting it in checked luggage on the way home. If you try to carry it on the plane, it will be confiscated.

Bri, you're in luck. My cousin coordinated HS groups for EF for many years. I contacted her and asked her about the tipping. She said that the students did tip the tour director and the bus driver. (This is all new to me, too. I have actually never taken a tour. Always do my own.) She said that the tour director got $1 per day and the bus driver $ .50/day. She hasn't done any tours for a few years, so I would think something like $20-25 for the tour director and $10-15 for the bus driver. I assume it is something like a cruise in that there will be an envelope that the teacher will collect the money in and give it to the tour director and bus driver (or maybe you will each get your own envelope?). Set aside the amount you plan to tip at the start of the trip. EF has a good reputation and I've heard that their tour directors are good. I'll take a look at your specific tour and let you know if I think of anything else.

Ok. I checked EF's website and here's what they say: Spending money and Tipping Your child can plan on using $40 to $60 per day for spending money. The lower amount covers enough for lunches, soft drinks, postcards and stamps, while the higher amount covers some museum entrances during free time and souvenirs. These recommendations do not cover optional excursions or gratuities.
It is customary to tip the tour director and coach driver as a token of appreciation at the end of the tour. We suggest that each student tip the tour director $6 per day on tour and $3 per day for the bus driver. If the tour includes a cruise, we recommend $10 per person per day for the cruise staff in addition to the tour director. Many groups also tip local guides for sightseeing tours. I think that suggested tipping amount is pretty high. Guess it depends on how many are in your group. Also, I would use 10 for the number of days that you tip them as the others are travel. I did notice that you have 5 guided tours with local tour guides and they are generally tipped, too. I also thought about the "expenses during free time". When my kids have gone with their high school (the school creates its own tours), they have free time in the evenings after dinner and sometimes during the day. Usually they just hang out like they would in the US and don't spend a lot of money unless it would be for food/snacks. But you might want to budget an extra $100 just in case your group decides to do a couple of extra things. Sounds like a terrific trip.