120$ per day - Reasonable?
I'm traveling with 2 friends, with whom I'll share a triple room. This is the budget I have set up:
Accommodation 60$ (180$ ÷ 3) Food 30$ Museums 15$ (Paris museum pass 94$ ÷ 6 days) Transportation 15$ TOTAL 120$
Does it sound reasonable?
Paul
LA, California 7/10/08
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Reasonable for what countries? Or is it Paris only?
While the Euro has become a pretty stable currency, the USDollar continues to "blow in the wind". When talking about expenses in Europe, it is far better to think in terms of Euro, which will probably be the same next month. On my last trip to Europe, I spent about €66 /day. That broke down to €37/day for lodging (single), €19/day for food, €15/day for transportation, and €5/day for admissons. So, I spent about €66/day. At that time, the Euro was $1.42, so I spent $94/day. Today, I would probably spend the same in Euro, but it would be worth more in US$, more like $105/day.
I would say your accommodations and food look a little high for 3 people and admissions look very high (but then, this is Paris). I traveled all over rural Bavaria for €15/day, but maybe as long as you stay in Paris...
So, $120 per day doesn't look unreasonable, as long as you know what you are doing and the dollar doesn't collapse in the meantime.
Shane, by the way if you wanted to visit the real Hannover (in Germany, where the British royal family stems from) $120 per would be sufficient ;-)
The museum pass isn't really a bargain. The greatest benefit it does offer is the line skipping, but if you time your visits reasonably well, there won't be many if any lines to skip. Just last week we went into the Louvre without a line and into the L'Orangerie without a line. You'll probably have to take in at least two if not more museums per day which is doable, but you'll spend all of your time in the museums and less time experiencing the French and their culture. It all depends on what you would like to do.
Shane,
where have you tried French cuisine so far? I lived in France for a year and had never had Bechamel Sauce once there. Most of my experience with French cooking comes from staying with French families (I worked as an Au-Pair, stayed with French people on exchange visits) and more recently also with affordable restaurant food in Northern France.
When I stayed in Paris I often went to the university restaurants, especially when they had Algerian couscous on the menue ;-)
I still love cooking in the French style but most certainly not with heavy sauces.
I've never understood why you would want to take a lump sum expense ($94 museum pass) and divide it out to say $15 a day. When you buy the pass, you pay $94 up front, so why not budget it that way? If you know you want to buy that pass, it is a fixed cost. If you treat it that way, then you know that you'll have to scrimp somewhere else.
I guess because of Arthur Frommer, a lot of people like to say I spent such and such a day on the trip. I'd rather look at the total amount at the end. Personal choice I suppose.
As for the amount, my wife and I just spent a month in England and budgeted $50/each for food (we were way under by eating baguettes and sandwiches for lunch rather than table service), and around $70/each per day for room. Since Paris is less expensive than London, it sounds reasonable to me. You may have over-budgeted, but having money left at the end is better than running out!
Shane it is very reasonable.
Here's a suggestion if you are staying only in Paris. Rent an apartment. Its about the same as a hotel and you can save money by eating in. I stayed in mine with 3 people for 8 days at 111 euros, which is roughly $177 a night? Plus we had a washer so I got to pack lighter and a full kitchen.
Food may be a catchy thing. If you plan on living off baguettes, crepes and sandwiches, the $30 is fine. That's why I suggested an apartment. We ate our breakfast at home, and on days we were tired, got food from the market and cooked dinner.
Transportation is very cheap in Paris. If you go for the carnet 10 pack, it breaks down to 1,16 a ride.
Also, make sure you are going to museums the entire 6 days. Sure you want to live at the Louve because its such a wonderful place... but do you really want to hole up in museums during your entire stay?? We did the 2 days pass and was able to see 4 museums, the Arc de triumph, and the Notre Dame towers.
PM me if you're just staying in Paris and need ideas.
It can be done! You will be eating take away baguette sandwiches or similiar. In fact do the grocery thing as you may want a little more bulk. Skipping cafe au lait and french pastries and other expensive items. Look into Hotel Kensington nr Eiffel tower as an option that may cost less. small rooms ensuite no air conditioning but elevator is a plus as is location. You will walk mote than metro since it is 2.5 blocks from Eiffel tower, Seine etc. and grocery around the corner.
Shane, you don't really "save" money with the Museum Pass. You do save time, which is some times better than money.
You will need to consider if the 6 days with the pass is worth it. I'd sit down and write down the museums or attractions you "REALLY" want to see. Remember, the pass does not cover all the attractions, and must be used consecutively.
A 3 day pass may be better and then you can visit the attractions that the pass does not cover (ie: catacombs).
Also, in response to JS, you can have your coffee, but don't sit down. Stand at the counter and that will save you money. There's a lot of "starbucks" type places you can get coffee to go. Taking it to go (ie: take away) is cheaper, and you can have your au lait (ie: cafe creme) and the pastries on a nearby park bench.
Have a great trip!!