Eurofurence Information > Questions & Answers
How much money should one bring?
VulpesRex:
Well, I was hoping that in the interval of a day or two, someone in a position of authority would have posted more specific information, but it seems that You are stuck with my own impressions, from my own meager experience.
I understand that there was a bus this last year, but it wasn't an "official" EuroFURence offering. It is a fan-organised thing, which this year was organised by some Russian furry fans for anyone arriving via air in Berlin (a day early, I think), which picked up people at the two major airports in that city and delivered them to Magdeburg, and returned those who wished to travel back the same way, the day after the convention ended. I believe that the result was enjoyed by all - sort of a bus-based "mini-convention", as it were - and as I read no complaints about it, is likely to be repeated this year, if enough foreign furries express interest. The cost was dependent on how many people actually used the bus, the more furs making it cheaper. But since it was all-furry-no-mundanes, and was essentially airport-to-hotel service, it had to be a lot less hassle and stress (once everyone was actually on the bus) than a train trip would have been.
Not to say that the train trip is a bad thing! Well, for me, this year it was, but then the whole trip out seemed to be cursed, what with the delay due to mechanical troubles of a timely connecting flight, the unexpected reroute via British Airways to London in "Chicken Class" (I had paid for US Airways First- and Envoy-Class passage, from Phoenix to Philadelphia and on to Frankfurt), missing my preferred train and my "Plan B" train and having to get the last connection of the night ("Plan C"), having the computer freeze up on the ticket clerk, being double-billed for the ticket, being accosted by a Gypsy woman, and arriving at 0300 on Thursday instead of 1100 on Wednesday, hot, dirty, hungry and tired.
Generally, I've found the DeutscheBahn Service to be clean, efficient and reliable, the staff helpful and competent and accommodating (and patient!), and the Magdeburg Hbf is only a three-minute walk from the hotel, it is very hard to beat the convenience from the station at the Frankfurt air terminal, and probably essentially the same level of service from Berlin (I know it is from Hannover). And normally (see above), if you miss a train, there is another within a reasonable time, whereas if your flight is delayed into Berlin, you run the risk of missing the one and only furry-chartered bus.
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As far as meals go - the hotel maintains two dining rooms with different hours and types of service for "sit down" type meals, but the hotel has also arranged for serving stations within the lobby for light entrees and snacks at various times of the day, including bockwurst, rolls and croissants, chicken "nuggets", steak cutlets at one point, and a rather large and quite-filling hamburger - the "Maritim Burger" - for pocket-money prices. The Burger is a good bet.
Failing that - there is a pizza restaurant on one side of the hotel, a sports bar on the other, with an asian-themed diner next to that; there is a Greek restaurant off a plaza just a little ways from the rear entrance of the hotel; a well-regarded steakhouse down the block and across the street; a Pizza-Hut a block away; and an underground mall with supermarket, and mall-type food court stalls under the office building complex just across the street. There is a McDonald's in the train station, and I would be very surprised if there isn't a Donner-Kabob stand somewhere close by. And headed south on Otto-von- Guericke-Strasse about 5 blocks takes you to the Hasselbachplatz, where there are several Cafes and Bars in the vicinity.
So you can eat cheaper than what the hotel offers, though I believe that it is only just and proper to have at least one "sit down" meal in the host hotel dining facility, over-priced or not. I think the Maritim Burger was 8 or 9 Euro - which is a lot, even for a giant burger like that one was.
If someone has better recollections or can recommend other dining options, I'm sure that they will respond soon...
Cheetah:
--- Quote from: VulpesRex on 03.12.2011, 11:06:49 --- Well, I was hoping that in the interval of a day or two, someone in a position of authority would have posted more specific information, but it seems that You are stuck with my own impressions, from my own meager experience.
--- End quote ---
*giggles*
I'm sorry, I might have some authority on the con pricing itself ... but I have absolutely no authority about how people spend their money at the convention :) Theoretically, you could spend four days at the con and not spend more than €50. Now, that probably wouldn't be much fun, as that would mean you'll be living from sandwiches and bottled water from the supermarket across the street. If you plan on eating out at the hotel or the nearby restaurants, I would say, plan about 50€ per day for food and "non recreational" drinks :)
Pretty much the same goes for alcoholic beverages. The hotel really doesn't like people bringing in their own drinks (and theoretically their own terms of service disallow it completely), but as long as our bar sales stay as good as they are now, they are not going to complain. So there's your chance to save - have a room party with your own booze, and you can get away with spending less than 10€ a night. If you are planning to party all night at the hotel bar (which is what most of the people do, and I can only recommend it, because the atmosphere is usually fantastic down there), a large Weizenbier will cost you 4,50€ cocktails starting 7,50€. My personal strategy is to mainly drink beer, not more than 1-2 cocktails, and don't do shots (unless I happen to snag one of those feee jäger giveaway cards.). I usually get away with less than 50€ per evening. Your mileage may vary.
So what other costs are there? Now, it entirely depends on what you want to get. There's the dealers room and the art show, and certain charity events that will ask for a donation. I really can't help you there :) What you absolutely should know though, is that the art auction accepts CASH ONLY. We know this is terribly inconvenient for guests from overseas, but it is the only way we can provide our art show free of charge - and without conjuring up a tax nightmare for our accountant. On the plus side, this measure ensures that 100% of the money you pay goes directly to the artists - we literally take your cash and hand it over on Sunday. Artists love this :)
So, if you're coming from overseas, make sure to either get an ATM card that works in germany (look for the "Maestro" logo) or a Credit Card that has a PIN number so you can withdraw money.
Quincy the Raccoon:
--- Quote from: Cheetah on 03.12.2011, 13:40:43 ---I would say, plan about 50€ per day for food and "non recreational" drinks :)
--- End quote ---
I did the very same thing, and I must say that this is certainly the way to go. (I had for each conday envelopes marked for each day containing bills of €50,- and this system works like a charm. I can only recomment it and agree with Cheetah! :))
Huskyboy:
--- Quote from: Cheetah on 03.12.2011, 13:40:43 ---The hotel really doesn't like people bringing in their own drinks (and theoretically their own terms of service disallow it completely), but as long as our bar sales stay as good as they are now, they are not going to complain.
--- End quote ---
even if they wanted, they could not do much about it when people drink they own stuff at their hotel room. In fact they could do nothing, the same is with food. No Hotel like it when people bring their own stuff.
But yeah drinking at the Bar is truely more fun, but it can be rather expensive, so drink careful...
Cheetah:
--- Quote from: Huskyboy on 04.12.2011, 08:16:29 ---
--- Quote from: Cheetah on 03.12.2011, 13:40:43 ---The hotel really doesn't like people bringing in their own drinks (and theoretically their own terms of service disallow it completely), but as long as our bar sales stay as good as they are now, they are not going to complain.
--- End quote ---
even if they wanted, they could not do much about it when people drink they own stuff at their hotel room.
--- End quote ---
Of course they could. It's a contract violation. They can throw you out. Technically. As I said, it's not going to happen during EF, but I would really like everyone to be aware that this is pure courtesy. A privilege. Not a right. So let's all be nice to the hotel okay? :) End of discussion.
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