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It depends on what you're paying for. Anything in the major cities is going to be expensive. That's just the economic nature of major cities.
I was in Paris this past Christmas. I can't vouch for what milk or other grocery items cost, but I know that a pack of Camel Lights was 7 Euro (approx. $10 at that time).
The hotel that I stayed (Holiday Inn Express) at was a reasonable 90 Euro a night, but drinks at the hotel bar were 9 Euro a piece. I had three drinks and it cost me about $40.
A meal at a decent restaurant near the Eiffel Tower cost me about 18 Euro, but you can eat for cheaper than that.
Frankfurt was also very pricey.
Cab fares in all of the major cities are absolutely outrageous. The Metro and bus systems are typically dirt cheap. Definitely familiarize yourself with both upon arrival or prepare to literally spend upwards of a $100 or more on cab fare depending on usage and the duration of your stay.
Shopping at rail stations wasn't too terribly bad. I remember buying a delicious hoagie sandwich somewhere in Germany for about 3 Euro, but a plastic bottle of Coca Cola was a couple Euro.
I think the exchange rate hits home the most when you go through the exchange process. Seeing $500 translate to just 380 or so Euro can be pretty depressing, especially when you realize the Euro doesn't actually give you more buying power in Europe.
But if you want to go to Europe, it's a price that you have to pay.
However, if you're in non-touristy areas, eating like the locals, I think prices are actually quite reasonable in many places. Grocery shopping and eating in are probably the most economical approach to budgeting oneself while there.
Last edited by DrVanNostrand; 07-27-2009 at 11:46 AM..
I am traveling several times a year to Europe ( to Germany in particular). Yes, it is expensive, but you're not gonna stay forever. In my opinion it is well worth it. The crappy food we have here...makes me wanna move there!
I would get the Euros at some bank here. They usually charge you more over there.
I am traveling several times a year to Europe ( to Germany in particular). Yes, it is expensive, but you're not gonna stay forever. In my opinion it is well worth it. The crappy food we have here...makes me wanna move there!
I would get the Euros at some bank here. They usually charge you more over there.
Use your American DEBIT card at a European ATM and you will get the best transfer rate with lowest fees. Travelers checks are a thing of the past. Don't use credit cards for anything but emergencies... the rate is 3%.
Europe don't depend of the tourism, it is a small part of our economy.
All of the European countries have tourism as a percentage of GDP for 2008 anywhere between 10-25% over 37 nations. I would say that is pretty sizeable.
It depends on what you're paying for. Anything in the major cities is going to be expensive. That's just the economic nature of major cities.
I was in Paris this past Christmas. I can't vouch for what milk or other grocery items cost, but I know that a pack of Camel Lights was 7 Euro (approx. $10 at that time).
The hotel that I stayed (Holiday Inn Express) at was a reasonable 90 Euro a night, but drinks at the hotel bar were 9 Euro a piece. I had three drinks and it cost me about $40.
A meal at a decent restaurant near the Eiffel Tower cost me about 18 Euro, but you can eat for cheaper than that.
Frankfurt was also very pricey.
Cab fares in all of the major cities are absolutely outrageous. The Metro and bus systems are typically dirt cheap. Definitely familiarize yourself with both upon arrival or prepare to literally spend upwards of a $100 or more on cab fare depending on usage and the duration of your stay.
Shopping at rail stations wasn't too terribly bad. I remember buying a delicious hoagie sandwich somewhere in Germany for about 3 Euro, but a plastic bottle of Coca Cola was a couple Euro.
I think the exchange rate hits home the most when you go through the exchange process. Seeing $500 translate to just 380 or so Euro can be pretty depressing, especially when you realize the Euro doesn't actually give you more buying power in Europe.
But if you want to go to Europe, it's a price that you have to pay.
However, if you're in non-touristy areas, eating like the locals, I think prices are actually quite reasonable in many places. Grocery shopping and eating in are probably the most economical approach to budgeting oneself while there.
Don't worry so much about the Euro... my father knows people in some high positions within banks in both Europe and the US and they say that the Euro won't be around for its next 10th anniversary. You don't hear anything on TV about it because the ECB does not disclose like the Fed does but the amount of toxic assets that they are hiding is large enough to tank the Euro and they don't want speculators trading out of it.
So... if your Grandma wants to see Europe, do it now even though it is expensive. But if you are in your 20's... you have plenty of time to visit Europe on the cheap. Right now as an American I would take advantage of South America's cheap cost while it is an inexpensive emerging market because soon the BRIC nations are going to be much more expensive over the next 50 years or so. The US will join Europe's high tax philosophy and both economies will slow down or revert while the emerging markets catch up. Everyone with money is investing in those nations because of low taxes.
Don't worry so much about the Euro... my father knows people in some high positions within banks in both Europe and the US and they say that the Euro won't be around for its next 10th anniversary. You don't hear anything on TV about it because the ECB does not disclose like the Fed does but the amount of toxic assets that they are hiding is large enough to tank the Euro and they don't want speculators trading out of it.
So... if your Grandma wants to see Europe, do it now even though it is expensive. But if you are in your 20's... you have plenty of time to visit Europe on the cheap. Right now as an American I would take advantage of South America's cheap cost while it is an inexpensive emerging market because soon the BRIC nations are going to be much more expensive over the next 50 years or so. The US will join Europe's high tax philosophy and both economies will slow down or revert while the emerging markets catch up. Everyone with money is investing in those nations because of low taxes.
And my father ( the Lord ) says quite the opposite
All of the European countries have tourism as a percentage of GDP for 2008 anywhere between 10-25% over 37 nations. I would say that is pretty sizeable.
Now imagine UK or Germany that have less tourists than France.
The only big european country with over 10% of the GDP that come from tourism is Spain (It also had the second highest income from tourism after USA, France is only in the third place).
Now imagine UK or Germany that have less tourists than France.
The only big european country with over 10% of the GDP that come from tourism is Spain (It also had the second highest income from tourism after USA, France is only in the third place).
Don't worry so much about the Euro... my father knows people in some high positions within banks in both Europe and the US and they say that the Euro won't be around for its next 10th anniversary. You don't hear anything on TV about it because the ECB does not disclose like the Fed does but the amount of toxic assets that they are hiding is large enough to tank the Euro and they don't want speculators trading out of it.
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