Hi, After reading so many posts about this subject-here is what I have decided to do. Your comments will be appreciated! I am taking $500.00 cash ( 2 people). . $160.00 set aside for tips for TD and driver at end of tour. $20.oo in ones for tips, & other very small things. The other $320.00 will be devided between us for meals, admissions fees and "just in case" stuff. Is this enough to carry us through for 3 days or so until we meet up with our bus tour in London? We will have our atm card and credit card for major purchases. I will also hide $50.00 of this for an emergency fund in case something gets stolen.
This money thing has been my biggest worry.
What was yours? Thanks in advance.

Why carry the "Tip" money the whole trip? IMHO you are bringing too much cash, there will be plenty of ATM's available (No exchange Fee's) throughout the tour. Besides you will find that those first 3 days is more like 1 1/2 days (the first 1 1/2 days are on the airplane and checking into the hotel /settleing in-etc). . Since you are going to London $200 (British pounds) should be more then enough to start with, I take that much when going to Europe and there are 4 of us. I know you have heard this before, but Don't WORRY (of course we all do the "First" time lol) England is very tourist friendly as is the rest of Europe (well at least Most of Europe lol) and You will probably look back after the vacation and laugh at yourself for ever worrying in the first place. Hope you have a Great time and go the the British Museum (my personal favorite) if you can spare about 1/2 day to enjoy incredible exhibits!

NOONE WORRIES ABOUT MONEY SECURITY MORE THAN MYSELF WHEN TRAVELING IN EUROPE.

MAKE SURE YOIU HAVE A MONEY BELT OR NECK BELT. DO NOT CARRY A PURSE IN EUROPE.. ..SIMPLE.

Thanks to all who responded. I have my money belt ready but am also caring a purse for womens things that aren't of much value except to me.

i've heard many warnings about pickpockets and other unsavory characters, but i don't think that people need to be so scared out of their wits that they forget to have fun!
i have carried a purse on trips and not a money belt (as i find the idea of digging into it and having it under my clothes to be cumbersome) and i have NEVER lost a thing. BE VIGILANT AND USE COMMON SENSE might be good advice for most. do not let anything be within easy reach for anyone (bulging wallet in your back pocket, open purse, unattended luggage/bags, etc.) i also use the hotel safe to lock up my passport, tickets, some cash, and spare credit cards.
hope this has been helpful!

I have never used a money belt in Europe and have travelled extensively throughout independantly. Do you use a money belt in Manhattan?
Just be careful and watch yourself in crowded areas. Say "no" firmly to the gypsies (in Rome) and keep walking. Also, if anyone asks you if you speak English, say "no". . They often have no accent. I don't think $500 cash is that excessive. Take what ever you are comfortable with. If you are on a tour, you may be very busy and often finding an ATM may not be not be on the agenda unless you have the free time. I would discourage you from using one of those things that dangles around your neck - I see people use them to keep their passports around their neck and they always look like easy targets. Be careful, but don't let it ruin your fun.

Hi, Well, we have returned from our European trip. I used my money belt the whole time we were gone to hold my passport and extra cash. Also an emergency credit card which I did not have to use.
Our group of about 46 had 2 episodes of money stealing happen. Once was an older woman who wore a backpack and kept credit cards and some cash in it. Well- she got robbed and it was a 2 day ordeal for her and her family to call home and report on the credit cards,ets. Plus they said they spent a few hundred dollars on calls.(I don't know why it would be so much). . The second episode was a local guide we had at Florence who had just told us to watch out for gypsies who were good at pickpocketing. It wasn't 5 minutes and someone in our group told her her purse was pickpocketed. She took off running and caught up with the 3 youg male culprits, but they passed the money around and got it out of their group. She said fortunately she carried 2 separate money holders and never carried more than a few Euros with her. So there-it happens!