Loading Page...

How much money do I need to bring to Europe?

So, how much money do you really need for 3 weeks in Europe? While it varies depending on your travel style and destination, a budget of around $2,000 - $5,000 USD should cover your expenses. Of course, this is just a rough estimate - the more you can save, the better!



People Also Ask

A good rule of thumb, though, is that, on average, you should plan to carry between $50 and $100 per day in the currency of the country in which you're travelling.

MORE DETAILS

Backpackers should expect to spend between $40 – $70 USD/day in Eastern Europe, $70 – $100/day in Western Europe, and $150 – $200/day in the Nordic countries.

MORE DETAILS

With 10,000 USD, you could easily travel around Europe for a few weeks. You could stay in budget hostels and eat at local restaurants or cook your own meals. If you plan carefully and look for deals, it's possible to stretch that amount even further.

MORE DETAILS

The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid-to-late March—are often the cheapest time to fly to Europe (though fares can spike in December).

MORE DETAILS

I Spent 7 Months In Europe On Just $5,000—Here's How I Made My Money Stretch. Europe doesn't have to be expensive. Europe isn't exactly a budget destination—you can easily splash thousands on three days in a villa with that view of Santorini, or in the perfect Parisian apartment in the Montmartre.

MORE DETAILS

While credit cards are accepted in most situations, currency can be more convenient for public transportation and small vendors. It's also wise to carry an emergency fund with enough cash for a few days, just in case your card gets lost or stolen.

MORE DETAILS

Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip. Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

MORE DETAILS

Average cost of meals An average estimate is also about 20 Euros per meal. Lunch and breakfast are usually cheaper than dinner, especially if drinks are involved. In Western Europe, you'll easily spend 20 Euros on just breakfast or lunch with a coffee or drink. Dinner could be 30 or 40 Euros with wines and cocktails.

MORE DETAILS

When is the best time to visit Europe? The best time to visit Europe is from late March to early June (spring), or between September and November (fall). You'll avoid the busy summer period and see your money go further.

MORE DETAILS

Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America. At restaurants, check the menu to see if service is included; if it isn't, a tip of 5–10 percent is normal. In most places, 10 percent is a big tip. If your bucks talk at home, muzzle them on your travels.

MORE DETAILS

So, you might be wondering - how much cash should I bring on a three-week vacation to Europe? You can use the costs in our table above, and the $100-per-day rule of thumb, to calculate how much money you'll need for your trip. So for a three-week trip, you'll be needing over $2,000.

MORE DETAILS

I usually allow between $1000 and $1500 per week to cover meals, groceries, fuel, road tolls/vignettes, sightseeing, souvenirs, etc. On my recent trip, the amount budgeted of $1250 per week was more than enough to cover all our daily expenses including a few fancy dinners.

MORE DETAILS