euro trip help

[stevew]

My daughter is going to Europe for a week in July and was wondering if anyone had ideas on what a reasonable amount of spending money might be for the trip? I believe they're getting breakfast and dinner each of those days. The guide says $50 or so in spending money a day, does that seem reasonable to have a good time in London, Paris, Rome and Florence? I have no idea but if you needed a cab it would go pretty fast(how much is a cab, I've literally used one ever) there are a bunch of pre-set activities throughout the day but they do get some free time as well.

Also she has an iPhone 5, so what would be the best idea for international minutes or I guess she could just email us using WiFi.

[cartman]

In London, Paris, and Rome, it is probably best to get a daily pass for the public transit. That should be no more than $15/day and get you all over the place. Florence is small enough that everything is walking distance. Cabs do get expensive quickly.

If they are getting breakfast and dinner each day, then another $15-20/day would cover lunch and light snacks. London is likely going to be the most expensive city, followed by Paris, then Rome, then Florence. $50/day is probably a good estimate, if the other stuff during the day is included already in other charges. A bit of a cushion is always a plus. Be aware that a lot of time that US pre-paid cards, even if they have the Visa logo on them, don't work overseas.

WiFi is probably the way to go, because even with an international plan, cell data charges can be surprisingly high.

[stevew]

I have to check on the Wal Mart prepaid Visa but seems like the easiest way to get her some extra cash if it's way more than expected

she has a prepaid phone provider so I assume you can just get a SIM. Although no idea what would work where. Facetime works over WiFi though. Right?

[cartman]

I have to check on the Wal Mart prepaid Visa but seems like the easiest way to get her some extra cash if it's way more than expected

she has a prepaid phone provider so I assume you can just get a SIM. Although no idea what would work where. Facetime works over WiFi though. Right?

Yep, FaceTime and WiFi are pals. As for the pre-paid phone, as long as it is unlocked you can definitely pick up sim cards over there. If you research ahead of time you should be able to find one that works in UK/France/Italy for the same rate back to the US, and have a decent amount of data included.

[Logan]

How old is your daughter? Does spending money include going out at night or is she too young for that?

[stevew]

16. I think there is a reasonable curfew.

[Alf]

This thread makes me feel old.

I am sending my 14yo daughter for 2 weeks in England this summer. *Crossing fingers* that everything goes well.

[Landshark44]

My 14 year old son is leaving the end of June to play soccer in Europe. A few days in England, on to Spain.. and then Italy

He's going with his team, and there will be adult supervision, but I'm a nervous wreck....

[MrBug708]

Dont watch Taken, but watch Euro Trip. Unless she's a twin

[Desnudo]

This thread makes me feel old.

I am sending my 14yo daughter for 2 weeks in England this summer. *Crossing fingers* that everything goes well.

That was my first reaction. London is incredibly expensive, but they also have Pizza Huts and whatnot so I suppose it depends what the itinerary is.

[stevew]

She got back the other day from her ACIS trip. I'm glad we didn't have the nightmares with a non chip pin Visa. I got the AAA travel card. The rates on ACIS were probably inflated a bit but you get 2years to pay on it and their chaparone was a teacher from their school. Seems like she had a ton of fun.

I probably wish I woulda stashed a bit of cash here and there in Euros and pounds cause the pounds exchange we did at the Airport was pretty harsh on fees