Want to see my Europe budget?

[agnes]

Of course you do!

I'm a one trick pony, lately. 

TRANSPORTATION
Round Trip Flights: $3,100.00  $3,119.78
Train (Paris to Stuttgart): $150.00
Paris Metro/RER: $65.00
Prague Metro?: $50.00
Germany S-Bahn/U-Bahn: $50.00
Cab: $50.00
Night Train (Stuttgart to Manheim to Prague): $285.00 $231.81

HOTELS
Paris - 5 nights: $1,000.00  $1,048.05
Stuttgart - 3 nights: $350.00 $348.91
Prague - 4 nights: $750.00  $687.66

SIGHT-SEEING
Speedway: $250.00 $243.16
Paris Museum Pass - 4days: $160.00
Catacombs de Paris: $21.00
Mercedes Museum: $21.00
Prague Castle: $36.00

Food - $75/DAY: $1,500.00
Shopping: $500.00
Bank/International Fees: $50.00 $2.19


Grand Total: $8,388.00 $5681.56

The orange is what we've already paid for.  I feel good with the biggest stuff out of the way now.  I'm pretty sure we'll be able to come in under budget or right on.

ETA: if I feel like it, I'll keep updating with what we're actually spending. 

[Deleted]

I'm not sure how much food will cost in Stuttgart or Prague so perhaps the averages will work out if food is super cheap in those places but warning: two adults are not going to be able to eat in Paris for $75 a day unless you're eating only croissants.

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 10:43:58 GMT -5 v said:

I'm not sure how much food will cost in Stuttgart or Prague so perhaps the averages will work out if food is super cheap in those places but warning: two adults are not going to be able to eat in Paris for $75 a day unless you're eating only croissants.

Stuttgart and Prague are considerably less than Paris.  And both of those hotels have breakfast included. 

I DO love croissants.  lol

[Deleted]

Where are you taking the car to and from. I remember cabs being crazy expensive. I heard Prague is beautiful. Have a great trip.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 11:03:02 GMT -5 @ffbride0813 said:

Where are you taking the car to and from. I remember cabs being crazy expensive. I heard Prague is beautiful. Have a great trip.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Honestly, I doubt we'll take a cab, but I threw it in there for good measure.

[pantsparty]

That's pretty good! Up your food budget by A LOT. You should be having some nice meals on vacation, especially in Paris!

[Deleted]

Mar 12, 2014 10:43:58 GMT -5 v said:

I'm not sure how much food will cost in Stuttgart or Prague so perhaps the averages will work out if food is super cheap in those places but warning: two adults are not going to be able to eat in Paris for $75 a day unless you're eating only croissants.

A croissant diet sounds delicious.

[bunnysmom]

I think your shopping budget is a bit low. I don't know if you plan on shopping much but it would be a shame to see items that you really want and not being able to take them home because you didn't budget enough.

I hope you have a great time!

[aurora]

What about sightseeing in Prague and Stuttgart? It looks like most of your sightseeing budget is for Paris.

In Prague we were able to find cheap meals for sure, but FYI we had to go away from the tourist areas to do so. Near Old Town, meals were still pretty expensive. Also, we ended up walking everywhere we went in the city (so didn't spend anything on the Metro), but of course you might not like walking as much as we do.

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 11:00:55 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Your hotels are so cheap!

They aren't 5 star hotels, but have over 90%  :Y: reviews on trip advisor and in good areas. 

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 11:03:02 GMT -5 @ffbride0813 said:

Where are you taking the car to and from. I remember cabs being crazy expensive. I heard Prague is beautiful. Have a great trip.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

I don't really think we'll do taxi.  Maybe from the Prague hotel to airport.  I've been reading that might about around $25. 

I think everything else we'll be able to easily walk or take public transportation with no problem.

[aurora]

Mar 12, 2014 11:40:15 GMT -5 agnes said:

Mar 12, 2014 11:03:02 GMT -5 @ffbride0813 said:

Where are you taking the car to and from. I remember cabs being crazy expensive. I heard Prague is beautiful. Have a great trip.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

I don't really think we'll do taxi.  Maybe from the Prague hotel to airport.  I think everything else we'll be able to walk or take public transportation with no problem.

The bus between the city and airport was pretty easy and something ridiculously cheap ($3 or so, if I recall correctly).  Lots of people with luggage.  It was a bit long, though (maybe 30 min?).

[gt7301b]

Mar 12, 2014 10:57:33 GMT -5 agnes said:

Mar 12, 2014 10:43:58 GMT -5 v said:

I'm not sure how much food will cost in Stuttgart or Prague so perhaps the averages will work out if food is super cheap in those places but warning: two adults are not going to be able to eat in Paris for $75 a day unless you're eating only croissants.

Stuttgart and Prague are considerably less than Paris.  And both of those hotels have breakfast included. 

I DO love croissants.  lol

There is nothing wrong with an all croissant diet

[flatlan]

You know that we all expect a full trip report after you get back, right?! Looks like fun!

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 11:10:02 GMT -5 papiercherri said:

Mar 12, 2014 10:43:58 GMT -5 v said:

I'm not sure how much food will cost in Stuttgart or Prague so perhaps the averages will work out if food is super cheap in those places but warning: two adults are not going to be able to eat in Paris for $75 a day unless you're eating only croissants.

A croissant diet sounds delicious.

When I buy croissants from Costco, I wind up eating at least 3 a day.  Plain or make a sandwich, or add melted cheese.  God I love croissants.

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 11:20:05 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

I think your shopping budget is a bit low. I don't know if you plan on shopping much but it would be a shame to see items that you really want and not being able to take them home because you didn't budget enough.

I hope you have a great time!

If there's a must have, I'll blow the budget. 

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 11:29:43 GMT -5 aurora said:

What about sightseeing in Prague and Stuttgart? It looks like most of your sightseeing budget is for Paris.

In Prague we were able to find cheap meals for sure, but FYI we had to go away from the tourist areas to do so. Near Old Town, meals were still pretty expensive. Also, we ended up walking everywhere we went in the city (so didn't spend anything on the Metro), but of course you might not like walking as much as we do.

The speedway event is in Prague.  And I haven't really noticed any entrance fees for things we'll be doing in Prague. 

Stuttgart has the Mercedes Museum and the Porsche Museum.  I wasn't sure if we'd go to the Prosche one.  

We'll just wing it. 

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 11:46:38 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Mar 12, 2014 11:38:08 GMT -5 agnes said:

They aren't 5 star hotels, but have over 90%   reviews on trip advisor and in good areas. 

So no particular tricks to get these rates? 

See my Orbitz thread pandce.proboards.com/thread/300075/orbitz-promo-code-orbucks-combined?page=1#scrollTo=5722989 

I've basically been price comparing between different sites (orbitz, travelocity, cheaptickets, hotels, booking), using promo codes, and combing with ebates. 

Also, FlyerTalk has a whole thread on current promo codes they update often.   www.flyertalk.com/forum/hotel-deals/934858-general-list-codes-promos-orbitz-hotels-com-expedia-travelzoo-etc.html

[bunnysmom]

Mar 12, 2014 11:45:14 GMT -5 agnes said:

Mar 12, 2014 11:20:05 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

I think your shopping budget is a bit low. I don't know if you plan on shopping much but it would be a shame to see items that you really want and not being able to take them home because you didn't budget enough.

I hope you have a great time!

If there's a must have, I'll blow the budget. 

That sounds like a good plan!   

[mrssandro]

I don't know. I think your food budget is a little two low. I would double it.

I am so jealous. Looks like a awesome trip.

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 11:41:51 GMT -5 aurora said:

Mar 12, 2014 11:40:15 GMT -5 agnes said:

I don't really think we'll do taxi.  Maybe from the Prague hotel to airport.  I think everything else we'll be able to walk or take public transportation with no problem.

The bus between the city and airport was pretty easy and something ridiculously cheap ($3 or so, if I recall correctly).  Lots of people with luggage.  It was a bit long, though (maybe 30 min?).

That's even better than I thought!  For some reason, I had it in my head that it could take longer than that and was faster with the taxi.

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 11:43:10 GMT -5 flatlan said:

You know that we all expect a full trip report after you get back, right?! Looks like fun!

Hopefully it will be as epic as my Vegas trip.  But WAY better since there's no Hooters.

[Deleted]

Mar 12, 2014 11:10:02 GMT -5 papiercherri said:

Mar 12, 2014 10:43:58 GMT -5 v said:

I'm not sure how much food will cost in Stuttgart or Prague so perhaps the averages will work out if food is super cheap in those places but warning: two adults are not going to be able to eat in Paris for $75 a day unless you're eating only croissants.

A croissant diet sounds delicious.

Oh yes, I certainly agree (and that's basically what I did last time I was in Paris, although some breakfasts were a croissant and then a baguette, which is double the fun).

But if you expect to add anything else (or alcohol) to your diet, it gets pricey.

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 12:00:40 GMT -5 v said:

Mar 12, 2014 11:10:02 GMT -5 papiercherri said:

A croissant diet sounds delicious.

Oh yes, I certainly agree (and that's basically what I did last time I was in Paris, although some breakfasts were a croissant and then a baguette, which is double the fun).

But if you expect to add anything else (or alcohol) to your diet, it gets pricey.  

We don't really drink. 

[jene]

Be sure to eat as much Trdelnik as you can while you are in Prague! It is so good!

[Deleted]

Oh, and note: you can buy wonderful things to make a (relatively MM) lunch at La Grande Epicerie which is in the area you're staying in. I love that place.

[aurora]

Mar 12, 2014 11:53:05 GMT -5 agnes said:

Mar 12, 2014 11:41:51 GMT -5 aurora said:

The bus between the city and airport was pretty easy and something ridiculously cheap ($3 or so, if I recall correctly).  Lots of people with luggage.  It was a bit long, though (maybe 30 min?).

That's even better than I thought!  For some reason, I had it in my head that it could take longer than that and was faster with the taxi.

It's possible I have forgotten the details so definitely look it up, but I definitely remember that it wasn't at all hard to take the bus.

[daisypaloma]

Jealous!

Please take lots of pictures in Prague!  It's on my list.

[agnes]

Mar 12, 2014 12:07:27 GMT -5 jene said:

Be sure to eat as much Trdelnik as you can while you are in Prague! It is so good!

That stuff looks delicious!  I'll have one just for you.

[Poppy]

Do not stay at Rega Hotel in Stuttgart. It was so bad that we ended up leaving there a day early. In fact, sorry to say but we didn't really enjoy Stuttgart itself very much, although we loved southern Germany in general.

The things we did enjoy in the area:
- Took the Baden-Württemberg regional train to Ulm (there is a special regional pass for multiple people) - visited the cathedral there and climbed the spires, we really enjoyed it.
- Took a day trip to a nearby town that was described as the Venice of Germany (it may have been Freiberg am Neckar - unfortunately this was not something we planned in advance so I don't have it in my itinerary). We walked along the river and found a Mexican restaurant for lunch (lol) and also found a place to get beers.

We also visited Triberg (I wanted to see the Black Forest), but it was suuuper touristy and the waterfalls were not exactly as nature-y as we were expecting. I wouldn't recommend it.

I did want to try to get to a wine region near there but DH wasn't interested.