Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Italy tour ..we don't have enough cash?

393 replies

LaDolceVitafor200 · 02/09/2023 13:13

Afternoon!

I have been reading alot of holiday threads here recently which has prompted my own dilemma

Me and friend booked a very cheap Italy tour for 9 days 8 nights leaving next week. It's staying in 4 different Italian cities in basic B and B accommodation, local taxes and breakfast not included. B and B are all outside main towns we are visiting so an hour's travel.

We also have to pay for transport from airport each way , tour is self guided and just includes flights, coach transfers between 4 different cities and B and B

My friend is taking 200 euros and says she won't spend more, I'm getting worried this won't be enough, we also have to pay B and B local taxes etc

AIBU to tell her we both will need more cash , or has anyone been to Italy and found it cheap?!

OP posts:
Skybluecoat · 02/09/2023 14:06

I agree with PP. Sit down with her, or message her with breakdown of costs. Start with the non negotiable ones, then point out, this will leave you €35 euros for all your food, drinks and entertainment expenses for nine days…..

How will she react if you suggest that you eat separately and do your own thing when she can’t afford to do the basics?

Smittenkitchen · 02/09/2023 14:10

Doesn't sound like enough but I'd look at public transport into the cities, if the B&Bs are in the suburbs then that should be an option, not only super pricey taxis.

Janek · 02/09/2023 14:15

There is a lot of talk of taxis on this thread. If I were you, I would be looking at public transport - where do you fly to? I bet there is public transport from the airport to the town. Likewise, look at the bus options from your accommodation to the city centre - use directions on Google maps and see what options come up. Once you know the bus company you can look up time tables, costs and day/group tickets.

Then, as PPs suggest, think about potential costs each day. €200 is very optimistic, but with a bit of planning I don't think it has to be loads more than that. Once she can see in black and white how much it might cost, could you offer you lend her the difference and she pay you back at £50 a month or something? You shouldn't have to subsidise her, but there's no reason not to lend her the money if it would make both your holidays more enjoyable.

Do you have a cheap way of spending abroad? I have a Halifax clarity card which has no charges and a good exchange rate. Obviously it needs paying off in full otherwise you lose any savings you make in interest payments.

LumpyPumpkin · 02/09/2023 14:15

Your friend is being ridiculous. I would hate to go to Italy and not be able to afford to eat the delicious food and enjoy a few Aperols every day. Not being able to afford to go to any museums etc or get buses around would be dreadful.

If you go I think you're going to have miserable time unless you're able to subsidise your friend considerably.

Janek · 02/09/2023 14:16

Great minds think alike @Smittenkitchen !

Missflowers1981 · 02/09/2023 14:18

I loved it Italy for 2 years and travelled via train to many cities. Aperitivo is an option if you’re on a budget but even when I travelled I budgeted 200 euros for a weekend. Nine days is not feasible unless she literally does nothing when there which I would explain to her. In which case what’s the point of going? She might be able to get away with it if she was going to a destination which had really cheap local cost of living but the point is she is not. She has booked Italy. I actually found living in Italy slightly cheaper than living in London with regards to food, drink and rent. But not by a huge amount.

Missflowers1981 · 02/09/2023 14:18

Meant to say * lived

Whinge · 02/09/2023 14:18

LumpyPumpkin · 02/09/2023 14:15

Your friend is being ridiculous. I would hate to go to Italy and not be able to afford to eat the delicious food and enjoy a few Aperols every day. Not being able to afford to go to any museums etc or get buses around would be dreadful.

If you go I think you're going to have miserable time unless you're able to subsidise your friend considerably.

I agree, it sounds miserable. OP please remember this is your holiday as well. It's going to be an absolute waste of time visiting if you're going to have to watch every penny and feel resentful that her tiny budget is holding you back.

Ridemeginger · 02/09/2023 14:20

@LaDolceVitafor200 Is your friend a CF sponger in your day to day dealings? Has she done this deliberately, planning and booking a trip she can't afford, knowing you will make up the difference in spending money?

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 02/09/2023 14:20

I'd say you need at least 100 Euros a day. Minimum.

Hollyppp · 02/09/2023 14:23

Agree you’ll need £100 a day

Godlovesall26 · 02/09/2023 14:23

I think I probably spent that amount excluding accommodation on 4 days in Rome with a friend, hotel not in a central location but didn’t mind public transport part, and knew we would be on a budget for the place. But the reason we only did one city was to be able to afford the attractions, where entry isn’t cheap, especially as guided tours tend to be quite nice. We ended up having a really nice time, I don’t think I could have done 4 cities though. I guess you can, but we wanted to visit. You’d need to choose carefully in advance which attractions you’re willing to pay entrance for, and which cities you’ll be happy to just walk around taking in the beautiful surroundings

GolgafrinchamB · 02/09/2023 14:24

I think even £500 would be a bit tight, with all the extra travel to get into the cities etc. £200 as an overall budget is insane.

youveturnedupwelldone · 02/09/2023 14:26

Just spent that long in Italy myself - you'll need €100 a day (about £88 I think...) at least to cover everything. £200 won't cover the transport for 9 days let alone food, entrance fees etc.

PinkyFlamingo · 02/09/2023 14:26

She clearly expects you to fund her when she runs out

EmpressaurusOfCats · 02/09/2023 14:26

Smittenkitchen · 02/09/2023 14:10

Doesn't sound like enough but I'd look at public transport into the cities, if the B&Bs are in the suburbs then that should be an option, not only super pricey taxis.

This. I’m off to Lombardy in a couple of days & I’ve downloaded the ArrivaMyPay app as the easiest way to get tickets for local buses. Not just cheaper than taxis, but a lot more interesting.

Redwinestillfine · 02/09/2023 14:27

Tell her she needs to bring a credit card just in case as you can't sub her

knobkopf · 02/09/2023 14:29

You will need a lot more than that. The transport into the cities will cost a bit. Then you need three meals a day - it's not even as if you can have a big breakfast at the accommodation and then skip lunch. You need drinks too. Then entrance fees to museums etc which can be expensive.

You could save money by buying breakfast and lunch food as well as drinks in supermarkets. Use public transport instead of taxis. Check out how to get from the airport to the town. One meal out a day in the evening.
But you will definitely need to up your budget. 200 Euros for 9 days is totally unrealistic. You need at least 50 per day and that's if you really scrimp and save, but it's going to be more like 100 if you actually want to do anything or see anything beyond just wandering around the streets because that's free.

Why all these threads at the moment with people going on holiday to foreign countries with fuck all spending money??

Alldressedup · 02/09/2023 14:29

Just back from Italy. Been many times. Where are you staying and which cities are you visiting? Public transport is easy to use but an hour’s journey won’t be very cheap.
As others have said, her budget is absolutely ridiculous. After transport to and from airport and city tax, she’ll be going very hungry.
I don’t find Italy overly expensive, you can buy slices of pizza/ sandwiches for good prices from take away places. Ice cream/ gelato is 2 euros. Pizza is usually less than 10 euros in a restaurant but remember they charge a ‘cover charge’ of approx 2 euros in sit down restaurants and you pay for water.
It will end up being a bit of a disaster and very much a disappointment of a trip to be honest. Sorry.

Blondewithredlips · 02/09/2023 14:31

Amim · 02/09/2023 13:17

Not enough and Italy isn’t cheap!

This

Escalateandcreate · 02/09/2023 14:31

I’d just say to her that you do not believe 200 is enough for transport and all food. Say you are concerned and that you cannot lend or cover food etc for her while you are away. If necessary, head on out by yourself for the day.

Maddy70 · 02/09/2023 14:33

That's a daily limit

StuckintheUSA · 02/09/2023 14:34

Can you take public transport to and from the airports, or will you have to rely on taxis? The two transfers alone could eat up half of her budget. If she can't take more money and you have to take a taxi, try and get her to pay for the transfer from the airport to the first B&B when you land, and say that you'll pay for the trip to the airport when you leave. At least that way she'll know how much she has to budget for the rest of the trip.

pontipinemum · 02/09/2023 14:35

So she is bring €200 spending money total, not just wondering that enough cash to bring. No it will not be enough. That's €22 per day. (I have done holidays like that as a backpacker is S.E. Asia a decade ago!)

We are going to Italy soon, 2 adults 1 baby for 1 week. I have booked what we want to visit online and we plan to spend 4/5 days just chilling in the resort which is self catering. I am putting aside €1,000 for it so €500 per adult for a spending money (we don't drink). Although we can spend more if we want. I won't be taking the spending money in cash, I plan on tapping my card/phone or using and ATM if needed.

Proudgypsy · 02/09/2023 14:35

You need to have an awkward conversation now to save a worse one later.

That is not enough money.

Make a list of the costs for travel in and out of the city and airport transfers etc alone. Ask her how she's going to survive on the remainder.