I am leaving in a few weeks for my first European trip. I will be traveling to London and Paris, and am curious on what peoples opinions are on the amount of money I will need to enjoy my stay. I will be spending 10 days in London and 9 in Paris. I am traveling with a long-time friend of mine who has lived in Paris for the majority of his life and has family there, so I am more focused on London then Paris. How much do you think I would be wise to bring for a 10 day stay in London and a 9 day stay in Paris. I have already booked my Plane tickets and Hotels, I am focused solely on the amount I would bring for day to day survival and fun.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Don't bring any.
When you arrive in London, use an ATM at the airport before heading into the city. You can typically get $500 per day (about 325 Pounds), which will be more than enough. Use a credit card for hotels, rental car or other expenses with big companies.
As you approach the end of your ten days, spend down as best you can then use an ATM in Paris on arrival for Euros ($500 dollars equals approx 370 Euro).
Posted by
Freedonia
16278 posts
How much you spend depends on how much you want to spend.
Like Michael, I always bring over about $100-200 worth of foreign currency (much of it left over from previous trips) and then get the rest from ATM's.
I don't like to go over with no foreign currency because I only use certain bank ATM machines (my U.S. bank has deals with them for no fees) and if they are down at the airport, which happens, I'm in trouble. This way, I can get to my hotel, get settled, and then hit the ATM/Cashpoint machine.
And just about all of it goes into my money belt.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32351 posts
Kevin,
I use the same approach as Frank II. I usually have funds left over from previous trips (UK Pounds, Euros) so I use that for travel expenses until it's convenient for me to get to an ATM.
The minimum amount I like to have for travel is €75 or £75.
It would be a good idea to have at least two ATM cards on different accounts. Note that your travel funds must be in a chequing account, accessed with a four-digit PIN.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
347 posts
As for how much to budget, use Rick's books to get an idea. We went last summer and budgeted around 50 GBP a day for the two of us for food and had left over cash each day. Of course, that was buying breakfast and lunch at Sainsbury's (a grocery store) and taking it with us. We varied our dinners between pub grub and places like Jenny Lo's and YO! Sushi. However, you need the guidebooks to budget for your other sites (the Tower, St. Paul's, the Eye, War Rooms, etc.). They all cost different amounts, so it is easier to just figure out what you think you want to see, add it up, add about 50 GBP extra (to cover things you might find when you get there - and to have a buffer), and you should get a fairly accurate picture.
Don't forget to budget in money for transportation. You would probably want to get the 7 day unlimited Oyster Card and then add whatever extra days you need. You may also want to consider some side trips out of London, but that will add to your transportation costs.
BTW - If you want to save money, shop at Sainsbury's where possible. Marks & Spencers (M&S), is WAY more expensive. It is like the difference between Publix and Fresh Market.
Posted by
San Carlos, CA, USA
85 posts
Rick suggests 100.00 a day to travel on. Since you already have your hotels covered, you can lower that amount to 50.00 and feel pretty free to serendipity. Do remember that you will only be able to access from your ATM the amount allowed in dollars from your bank. My bank limit is 300.00 per day. Translate that to pounds or Euros and you're holding less in your hand. You can see if your bank will raise the amount for your trip. Otherwise you would save what little hassle surrounds currency nowadays by buying Euros or pounds before you leave. BUT PUT IT IN YOUR MONEY BELT AND WEAR IT! A backpack stolen with the money belt inside just doesn't work.