I'm right at the start of saving up for a sizeable trip for next year. I've just put together my daily budget spreadsheet, but I'm having difficulty in figuring out the right price for each country. I have destinations in both Europe and the Middle East, so I didn't want to put this in a destination specific forum.

I'm hoping you guys can critique what I've come up with. For reference, I prefer hostels or sanitary-but-cheap hotels, I tend to eat out a lot, and I plan to travel almost exclusively by bus or train.

Netherlands:     CA$55 (US$44.38) - free accomodation

Budapest:        CA$60 (US$48.42)

Hungary:         CA$45 (US$36.31)

Romania:         CA$50 (US$40.35)

Bulgaria:        CA$40 (US$32.28)

Greece:          CA$75 (US$60.52)

Istanbul:        CA$70 (US$56.49)

Turkey:          CA$45 (US$36.31)

Syria:           CA$45 (US$36.31)

Jordan:          CA$50 (US$40.35)

Egypt:           CA$55 (US$44.38)



weighted avg: CA$50.90 (US$41.07)

Neil,
I am afraid what you are asking is somewhat difficult - due to all the variables that occur. From the look of your previous statement it looks like you have a good idea of what you need to live on and about how much it will cost you in each country.
MB

Yeah, I have an idea, but my numbers thus far are based almost entirely on the mid-range of what Lonely Planet's website suggests. I was just hoping that some people who'd travelled to some of these countries might let me know what they budgetted and how it worked out for them.

I think mostly I just get really nervous about the cheaper countries. I've never been anywhere where it's reasonable to spend less than $50/day while travelling, and I'm just having a hard time believing that I'm not going to just be scraping by on those numbers.

Thanks, though.

Not incredibly dirt cheap, but I think you'll find that you might save some money in Egypt at least, possibly all of the middle east. $30 US in Egypt is quite enough for someone comfortably eating from vendors and staying in hostels.
But hey, if you can afford it, use your budget already and then travel more when the money doesn't run out right away.

Exactly, plus it is always good to have padding in the ole budget!
MB

you think to hard mate, just go and see what happens, you may find some good eats or some shirt that you have to buy or you may be sauced and give a fifty note to a beggar...such is life

Almost Free,

Your budget seems reasonable. In Istanbul and Turkey, 30 dollars a day is very possible if you know where to eat.

I spend around 150-200 a week there.

I would say in fact, that it might be too low in Europe if you like eating in reasonable restaurants, and too high in eastern Europe, the Middle east, and asia. I have lived on the low end of the Lonely Planet budget with no problems at all with a little sacrifice.

Transport is the money eater for me. When you move about too fast, you can't know the best places to eat and sleep, or lack the energy to really search and so, you spend too much on bad accomodation and food.

Everyone has their own measure of too fast, depending on ones energy level!

Still, looks good to me. You won't go broke if you don't lose your money on a trip with that kind of budget.