What's the score with Lonely Planet's budgets in the Africa guide?

[ChrisJ86]

Er, yeah. A few countries they list in that guide, they suggest you arm yourself with anywhere from $50-100USD a day. And yet Wikitravel, people here, people on the Lonely Planet forum all speak of it doing much cheaper. We're ignoring fuel (not relevant to me) and visa costs here -- food, water, accom. and other day-to-days are what I'm talking about.

Who's right? Do Lonely Planet factor in tours? There's no break down that I can see, anyway, of how they reach that figure. Their Lonely Planet index, which tells of the price for bottles of water, condoms, obscure local foodstuffs and such doesn't really explain how they could hit $100. Or do they have a ... standard? Are they above the grotty $5-a-night holes with bathrooms that look as if someone's just casually let off a grenade in them (yeah, I've seen photos from someone's Ethiopia/Somaliland jaunt)?

[mattcbf600]

Originally Posted by ChrisJ86

Er, yeah. A few countries they list in that guide, they suggest you arm yourself with anywhere from $50-100USD a day. And yet Wikitravel, people here, people on the Lonely Planet forum all speak of it doing much cheaper. We're ignoring fuel (not relevant to me) and visa costs here -- food, water, accom. and other day-to-days are what I'm talking about.

Who's right? Do Lonely Planet factor in tours? There's no break down that I can see, anyway, of how they reach that figure. Their Lonely Planet index, which tells of the price for bottles of water, condoms, obscure local foodstuffs and such doesn't really explain how they could hit $100. Or do they have a ... standard? Are they above the grotty $5-a-night holes with bathrooms that look as if someone's just casually let off a grenade in them (yeah, I've seen photos from someone's Ethiopia/Somaliland jaunt)?

Hi Chris - can you point me in the direction of exactly where Lonely Planet are saying this... can't spot it... sorry!

[ChrisJ86]

Look at the intro page for each country. Where they give the vitals -- currency, capital, borders and such. Many sit around the $40USD mark. A handful weigh in at $100USD.

[mattcbf600]

Originally Posted by ChrisJ86

Look at the intro page for each country. Where they give the vitals -- currency, capital, borders and such. Many sit around the $40USD mark. A handful weigh in at $100USD.

Ahhh got it - thanks :-) Mmmm how odd - even Russia is only $80 per day...

m

[markharf]

The LP has shifted their target audience a lot over the years. When studying those sorts of projections, look at the back of each country section to see how they are defining things like "budget accomodation" for that country. Often you see things like "budget" hotel rooms at $60....which will surely skew your daily figures. The guidebooks in general really seem to cater more to the $150 a night, fancy dinner every night, guided tours at every stop sorts of folks.

I assume they have done their homework and that these are really the people buying their books, but it seems to apply less and less to me personally.

enjoy,

Mark

[Martynbiker]

Well Matt,on that kind of Budget you can live like a King!!!!!!!! espacially here in Spain if you want to Splash out.......you can do Menu del Dia, usually 3 courses and includes a bottle of wine for 7 Euros. (I usually ask if i can take the wine for later as I am driving and they ALWAYS say yes......... I actually don't drink, but I have friends who do! it is nice to sit round the fire later on & offer a glass or two to your buddies)

My Daily Travel Budget in Spain goes Like this:

Breakfast: 2 Cafe con Leche & Half a Baguette Toasted with Tomato & Olive oil 2.50 Euros

Lunch Menu del Dia: 7-8 Euros

Evening, Just a snack. bread/ cheese/ olives & Alcohol free 4 Euros

Fuel 10 -15 Euros depending on what Im doing.....

Camping FREE

so a Budget of 30 Euros a day would see me right. and I wouldn't have Menu del Dia every Day.... maybe every other day. I do like to eat light during the day, especially in Summer...... and have my main meal Spanish style at about 9pm or even 10pm at night....... sometimes later in August if its 40 degrees for a few days on end!

Martyn