Thanks for all your help! I feel much better about potential expenses while my son is there. It will be easier to determine the amount of money he should take with him, thanks to you guys. He'll have a wonderful time!

Tammy

When you mail a letter to a foreign country, you use U.S. postage. The folks at the post office will weigh your letter and let you know the total. When you mail a letter from a foreign country to this country, you use their postage.

Pat in Rockport, TX

Libbi wrote:
Libbi, I need to send a letter to :
Chemin du Praz d'Eau 1
1000 Lausanne 25
Switzerland

How much would the postage be from USA, California? Thank you

My daughter is there. She will be traveling to Zurich on Saturday. She is really shocked at how much everything costs, but she'll be surprised when she comes home and sees how much everything has gone up here since she has been away.

I live in Switzerland, on the west side of the country but we travel to the surrounding countries all the time.
If all he has to pay for is his noon meal he should be OK. Besides fast food which is much more expensive here than in the USA, he can find sandwiches, soft drinks, and fruit, ice creme, etc. at the little markets at the trains stations. Train travel is much more convenient and used here than in the USA. Students travel all the time. Train stations are good places to find food at good prices. Also most restaurants have at least one fixed price plate at lunch time. It is a real bargain and a good hot meal. These daily selections are usually posted on a board outside the restaurants. Pizzas and pasta is available all the time.

A word of advice. He should have a list of food HE DOESN'T WANT TO EAT in German with him. Just in case!

Libbi

HI Tammy,

You sparked my curiosity so I did some looking.
I found that today 40 US dollars would convert to 25.72 Euros.

Then from a message board I found the following opinion from a recent traveler.

"I found that the cost of eating out in Germany cost an average of 15 euros to 20 euros per meal"

What a great adventure and experience for your son!

I hope that helps.
Karen-in Texas where it is hot!

My parents are in Zurich now. They have been in Europe since mid May. Here is what they just sent.

"It costs about three dollars to buy and send a card from here. Yikes!!!!!! We are doing fine getting around on our own. We will join up with our tour group tomorrow then go to Austria on Monday. We went to Burger King the other night and it cost 13.50 for one Whopper Jr and fries and onion rings...however beer is cheap."

Unlike them to go to an Amercian fast food chain while traveling, but that maybe gives you an idea of prices over there. Your son should have a blast! What a cool experience for him.

tamtam wrote: I think he will be ok ..but he wont have that much for extras. And fabric..well you get the same fabric at you LQS for a lot less money
I hope your son will have a greate time in Germany!!!

...or been there lately? My son is going to Germany in a couple of weeks with his German class. He was told to take about $40 per day along with him. I'm wanting to know if that is a fair amount? He will only be paying for his noon meal, which is supposed to be authentic German food, and I'm guessing he'll purchase bottles of water and soda too. He's also planning on buying some chocolate bars while he is there, and possibly some small souveniers (I don't think I will get any fabric though ). So how much do you think he will need in Euro each day?

Thanks so much for any help you can give!

Tammy