How to budget for a trip to Europe

Budget for $150 to $250 per person, per day, for a mid-range experience. This covers a private room in a decent hotel, two meals out, one major attraction, and local transit.

1. Categorize your destination tier. Group countries by cost. Western/Northern Europe (e.g., Switzerland, Norway, France) requires $200+ per day. Southern/Central Europe (e.g., Spain, Italy, Poland) is closer to $150. Eastern Europe (e.g., Romania, Bulgaria) can be done for $100 per day.
2. Lock in your 'big three' costs. Flights, inter-city trains, and accommodation make up 70% of your budget. Book these 3-4 months in advance to avoid surge pricing.
3. Apply the 'One Activity, One Meal' rule. Limit paid tourist attractions to one per day to save on entrance fees. Eat one meal per day (usually lunch) from a grocery store or bakery to keep food costs under $60 per day.
4. Build a 15% buffer. Unexpected costs like last-minute train tickets, pharmacy needs, or a spontaneous taxi ride happen. Always add 15% to your total calculated budget for a safety net.

Is it cheaper to use cash or card?

Always use a card with no foreign transaction fees. Use cash only for small cafes or markets that don't accept cards.

How much should I tip?

Tipping is not mandatory in Europe. Rounding up to the nearest euro or leaving 5-10% for excellent service at a sit-down dinner is plenty.

Are Eurail passes worth the cost?

Only if you are traveling between multiple countries quickly. If you have a set itinerary, booking individual point-to-point tickets in advance is almost always cheaper.