travel cost europe

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Europe Travel Cost Rankings

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• Country Travel Cost Rankings
• Cheapest Cities
• Country Budget Comparisons

What are the cheapest and most expensive countries to visit in Europe?

The following travel cost rankings for countries in Europe are calculated based on the travel budgets of real travelers. Also referred to as a Travel Cost Index , or a Backpacker Index , the countries below are in order from most to least expensive by their average daily travel price, per person, per day

• 1 Switzerland € 265.83
• 2 France € 233.21
• 3 Liechtenstein € 231.54
• 4 Monaco € 210.99
• 5 Iceland € 192.33
• 6 Luxembourg € 183.97
• 7 Denmark € 178.73
• 8 United Kingdom € 178.36
• 9 Netherlands € 175.49
• 10 Italy € 166.54
• 11 Andorra € 164.38
• 12 Finland € 157.09
• 13 Greece € 155.21
• 14 Germany € 151.52
• 15 Austria € 150.91
• 16 Spain € 150.06
• 17 Ireland € 142.95
• 18 Belgium € 142.20
• 19 Portugal € 136.31
• 20 Sweden € 130.30
• 21 Slovakia € 126.32
• 22 Turkey € 122.34
• 23 Malta € 117.43
• 24 Latvia € 113.66
• 25 Norway € 109.77
• 26 Montenegro € 104.13
• 27 Cyprus € 103.44
• 28 Estonia € 101.94
• 29 Czech Republic € 101.50
• 30 Croatia € 96.46
• 31 Slovenia € 93.30
• 32 Lithuania € 91.97
• 33 Romania € 77.04
• 34 Hungary € 76.01
• 35 Albania € 73.36
• 36 Bosnia and Herzegowina € 68.44
• 37 Bulgaria € 64.09
• 38 Belarus € 61.59
• 39 Russia € 60.05
• 40 Poland € 59.53
• 41 Serbia € 36.76
• 42 Georgia € 30.16
• 43 Armenia € 27.16
• 44 Ukraine € 22.93
• 45 Azerbaijan € 0.00

The Cheapest Cities for Other Regions

Country rankings for other regions, what are the cheapest countries to visit in europe.

The least expensive countries for travel in Europe are currently Azerbaijan (€0.00), Ukraine (€22.93), Armenia (€27.16), Georgia (€30.16), Serbia (€36.76), Poland (€59.53), Russia (€60.05), Belarus (€61.59), Bulgaria (€64.09), and Bosnia and Herzegowina (€68.44).

What are the most expensive countries to visit in Europe?

The most expensive countries for travel in Europe are currently Switzerland (€265.83), France (€233.21), Liechtenstein (€231.54), Monaco (€210.99), Iceland (€192.33), Luxembourg (€183.97), Denmark (€178.73), United Kingdom (€178.36), Netherlands (€175.49), and Italy (€166.54).

Affordable Travel in Europe

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Wondering How Much a Trip to Europe Costs? Find Out What to Expect in 2024

When I first starting taking my family to Europe, I got a lot of side eye from other parents. You could almost see the thought bubble that says, “you must be rich.” There were also a lot of off-hand comments about how they couldn’t afford to go to Europe (from families that frequently dropped a few thousand dollars on trips to Disney.) TL;DR, we aren’t rich, but we do prioritize spending money on travel. The fact is, there are some misconceptions around how much a trip to Europe costs.

There were actually times when we decided to go to Europe because the flight was cheaper than getting to Florida! Of course, when, where, and how you travel can greatly impact your European trip budget. But after visiting 14 European countries, many multiple times, I’ve learned a lot about how much a trip to Europe costs.

Now I won’t lie, it can get REALLY expensive, especially if you are traveling with a family and need two or more rooms (this is why we have used Airbnb ), prefer private tours (worth it with kids!), or if you can only travel during the expensive summer months.

But, I have some tips to help you lower those costs and choose more affordable destinations. I’ll also walk you through average costs for a European vacation , including airfare, accommodations, activities, food, and transportation .

First, if you are interested in a specific country, I have very detailed cost breakdowns for:

• Iceland trip cost
• Ireland trip cost
• Scotland trip cost
• London trip cost
• Amsterdam trip cost
• Paris trip cost
• Portugal trip cost
• Italy trip cost
• Greece trip cost

Ways to Save on Your European Trip Cost

f you are looking for ways to save some money on your trip to Europe cost, here are some ideas;

Visit Less Expensive Countries

If you want to go to Iceland or Scandinavia, you are going to need a healthy budget. Even places that used to be considered budget-friendly, such as Portugal, have gotten pricier in the last few years as tourism has increased (although it is still cheaper than other Western European countries.).

However, if you go the bit off-the-beaten path, you can find great deals, it may just be a bit trickier to find direct flights. Look at destinations like Scotland , Wales , and Eastern European countries like Hungary or Slovenia.

Avoid Big Cities

Everyone wants to visit Paris , London , and Rome , but the less time you spend in these large European capitals, the better it is for your budget. Sevilla is going to be cheaper than Barcelona, and so on.

You can also stay in less-popular countryside destinations, like Piedmont or Umbria instead of Tuscany in Italy or Languedoc instead of Provence in France. We have stayed in gorgeous chateaus in the Languedoc region of France for half the cost of our hotel in Paris.

Stay in Rentals

If you are visiting Europe with kids , one way to save money is to find an apartment or villa rental through Airbnb, vrbo, or other vacation rental alternatives . Since it is hard to find family rooms in Europe that sleep four or more, often the cost of a two or three-bedroom apartment is cheaper than renting two hotel rooms or an expensive hotel suite.

Even couples will benefit from staying in agriturismos, which are farms that offer accommodations on-site in Italy, or something similar.

Travel Outside of Peak Season

I know it is hard to travel during shoulder season or low season if you have kids, but remember that Europe has different holidays and school schedules. You can find great deals around our U.S. Thanksgiving. And, if your kids get out of school early, you can still find better deals and availability in June than July or August, when European schools have summer break.

If you have more flexibility, traveling in late October through May (outside of holiday weeks) will save you some money. Just do some research about half-term or school break weeks.

Use Points and Miles or Low-Cost Carriers

There are a lot of ways to hack your way to free flights to Europe using sign up bonuses and flexible points transfers if you can easily meet the minimum spend amounts with your current spending. However, even if that isn’t an option, you can often find great deals on flights to Europe.

We have flown to London and Vienna for under $500 each. I highly recommend signing up for a  flight deal subscription service such as Going . With the premium level you can set up your preferred airports and dream destinations and receive alerts on airfare sales and even points deals.

There are also a number of low cost carriers that offer flights from the United States including Norse Atlantic Airways, Condor, and French Bee. You can also use Play Airlines, which connects through Iceland.

Fly to a Hub and Then Use a Low Cost Carrier

If you find a great flight deal to a major European city, you can then use a low-cost carrier such as Ryan Air, EasyJet, Vueling, or others to connect to your final destination. These flights are typically under $100 per person, but make sure you are aware of the luggage restrictions on weight and size, which are different from U.S. carriers.

Trains are also another option, but don’t assume they will be cheap, especially if you book first class with assigned seats and luggage storage. Be sure to research your options before you book.

How Much Does a Trip to Europe Cost

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Now let’s look at some average costs for a trip to Europe. I’ve based these on two people traveling to Europe from the United States for a one week (7 night) trip.

Airfare to Europe Cost

Airfare from the United States to Europe can range from $500 per person (if you find a great deal) to over $2,000 (if you book late and travel during high season on a standard carrier.) As I mentioned above, you can save money by looking for flight deals, traveling off-season, or using low-cost carriers or connecting flights.

However, you can assume an average cost of $1,000 per person.

Total Airfare Cost = $2,000 ($1,000 x 2 people)

European Accommodations Cost

Accommodation costs can vary greatly depending on if you are staying in a big city or elsewhere, or if you are in a luxury hotel or a rustic rental. You will usually want to split your trip between a city and somewhere in the countryside. If you only have a week, I’d suggest three nights in the city and four nights elsewhere. Think Rome or Florence + Tuscany, Milan + Piedmont, Paris + Burgundy, Edinburgh + Highlands, London + Wales, etc.

In the city, expect to spend $250-500 per night and $150-350 per night in another location. Remember, you can refer to each of my detailed cost breakdowns for specific hotel and itinerary recommendations for those various destinations.

Total Accommodations Cost = $2,050 ($350 x 3 nights + $250 x 4 nights)

European Transportation Cost

Even if you plan to stay in one city for your entire trip to Europe, you will still need to spend some money on transportation. For example, when we went to Amsterdam for three days, we walked all over the city but we still took a transfer to and from the airport. So whether it is Uber, taxis, public transportation, or private transfers, you will need to budget for transportation expenses.

More likely, you will need to also either rent a car or take a train between destinations. If you are renting a car, be sure to book it early as the prices go up the closer you get to your arrival. Automatic transmission cars are also more expensive than manual transmission. Try to pack in carry on suitcases if possible so that you can rent a small to mid-size car. Driving in some countries (especially Ireland, the UK, and parts of Italy) can be challenging on small roads so you will appreciate it for more than the price point! Also keep in mind that gas is more expensive in Europe than the United States.

Total transportation cost = $800 (estimated)

European Activities Cost

Your activity costs vary greatly depending on where you go in Europe. For example, if you are visiting Scotland or Wales and you just want to spend a lot of time in the outdoors and maybe visit a few castles, your expenses will be minimal. But if you are going to Paris or Rome and you want to explore historic sites and museums and get the most of the experience, you will want to take a tour.

When in Greece, you can spend your days by the pool or the beach, but you will probably want to at least take a sunset sail and maybe a food or wine tour. I know it can get expensive, but don’t skimp on your activities. This is what you will remember most about your trip. More than your hotel. More than your airplane ride. It is also what matters the most when visiting a foreign country. After all, you want to experience the local culture. You want to learn more about the destination’s history. And you will want to see what makes a place unique.

Total Activities Cost = $1000

European Food Costs

It used to be that food in Europe was more expensive than in the United States but in the last couple of years, I have not found that to be the case. You can still spend a bundle on food if you elect for hotel breakfasts or fancy chef’s tasting menus. But in general, you can find affordable meals especially in destinations like Scotland, Wales, Portugal, and Italy.

You can also save money by preparing some of your own meals if you rent an apartment or stay in an aparthotel with a kitchenette. Remember, you don’t need to tip as much in Europe (or sometimes at all) and the alcohol is usually a lot cheaper because it isn’t marked up as much. These factors can make a big difference in your bottom line.

As a rule of thumb, plan to spend:

• $10 per person for breakfast (stop at a bakery for pastry and coffee or juice)
• $15-20 per person for lunch (think pizza, sandwiches, or street food)
• $25-50 per person for dinner (maybe plan for one splurge dinner too of up to $100 pp)

Total Food Cost = $1150

You may also want to budget some money for souvenirs and travel insurance.

Total Trip to Europe Cost

A seven-night trip to Europe for two people will cost an average of $7,900, or $564 per person, per day.

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: March 12, 2024

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What is the average cost of a trip to Europe?

A summary of what a trip to Europe may cost, based on different travel styles, time frames, and destinations.

Gabrielle Budget Travel With Gabby

Mar 05, 2024

Europe is one of the most fascinating continents in the world. With 44 countries packed into a relatively small area, you can hop from country to country quickly and cheaply.

And between each country, the landscapes, cultures, and histories vary so much. You can jump on a bus or train for a few hours and end up in a completely different world from where you started.

Currency, language, architecture, traditions, cuisine, and lifestyles are so different in various European countries. It’s such an amazing place to travel because you can experience and learn so much in a shorter time than you could on other continents.

So for anyone who is planning a trip to Europe , you may be wondering how much money you need. As a whole, Europe is one of the more expensive continents to travel around. South America or Asia would be much cheaper.

But it is possible to explore Europe on a budget . And it is important to note that every traveler is different, so the average cost of a trip to Europe could vary greatly from person to person.

But we’ll provide a general Europe trip budget that can be used as a guideline. We’ll also explain some of the main factors that may affect your Europe trip cost, such as where you go, how long your go for, and your travel style. So let’s dive into the average cost of a trip to Europe.

Important to consider when creating a Europe trip budget

The cost of a European vacation will be different for every person because every traveler is different. But there are some factors that will greatly influence your Europe trip cost . Here are some important things to consider when planning a trip to Europe and estimating how much money you will need.

Some countries are cheaper than others

As I mentioned earlier, countries in Europe are completely different from each other despite being so close together geographically. When thinking about the average cost of a trip to Europe, it is important to think about which countries you will be visiting .

Generally speaking, countries in Eastern Europe are much more affordable than countries in Western and Northern Europe. Most tourists tend to head to Western Europe, whereas the eastern side of the continent isn’t as touristy. That means you get much better value for money in the east.

Some of the cheapest countries to visit in Eastern Europe include Albania , Romania , Bulgaria , Serbia , Montenegro , Hungary , and more. Countries like Greece and Croatia are a bit more touristy and expensive, but they are still generally cheaper than Western Europe. If you spend more time in these countries, your money will go much further.

The most expensive countries in Europe to visit include France , England , Sweden , Norway , Denmark , Switzerland , and Germany . All of these are in Western or Northern Europe, with Scandinavia being one of the most expensive regions in the world. If you spend lots of time here, you’ll need more money for your trip. Countries that are mid-range include Italy, Portugal, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Spain, Latvia, and more.

What is your travel style?

Another factor that will affect the average cost of a trip to Europe is your travel style. Are you a frugal budget traveler? Or do you enjoy luxury? The way you choose to spend your money will greatly affect your Europe travel budget.

For example, a luxury travel style may look like this: staying in 5-star hotels, eating in nice restaurants, getting cocktails in bars, booking expensive excursions and guided tours, shopping for clothes or souvenirs, taking private taxis everywhere, etc. This type of travel style means you will need a lot more money than the average person. 

A budget traveler in Europe may have a travel style that is more like this: staying in backpacker hostels , couchsurfing, doing work exchanges , cooking their own meals, eating street food, taking public transport, hitchhiking, prioritizing free attractions, avoiding tourist traps and souvenir shops, flying budget airlines, drinking cheap beer and wine at happy hours, shopping at local markets, etc. With this type of travel style, you won’t spend as much money so you can do more with a smaller budget.

A mid-range traveler will be somewhere in between. It’s a good idea to have balance while traveling. You can travel longer with less money if you use some budget travel tips, but it’s fun to treat yourself as well. 

Work exchanges are a great way to travel in Europe because you can save money on accommodation, get to know the locals, and use your saved money for other things like tours and attractions. Some examples of popular work exchanges in Europe include:

• Work in an organic kitchen at a sustainable community in Germany 
• Volunteer at a permaculture project in Bulgaria 
• Help take care of the local dogs at a homestay in Spain 
• Work as a yoga teacher on an island in Greece 
• Help with gardening and animal care at a guest house in Sweden 
• Take care of the horses at a homestay in Ireland 
• Work at a fun, social hostel in Croatia 
• Learn to grow food at an eco farm in Slovenia 
• Work with a local family at a winery in Italy 

These are just a few examples of top-rated work exchanges in Europe where you can lower your trip costs.

Average cost of traveling to Europe on a budget

For the purpose of this article, I’ll be breaking down the average cost of traveling to Europe on a budget . This is the bare minimum you’ll be spending on your trip if you travel on a backpacker budget. So take into account your travel style and tack on more money accordingly.

Accommodation

Budget travelers in Europe have a few different options for accommodation . Hostels, work exchanges, and couchsurfing are the most popular. All of these options are significantly cheaper than staying in a hotel.

One night in a hostel dorm room in Europe will cost around 20 Euros , on average. This will vary depending on where in Europe you are staying. For example, expensive cities like London , Paris , Reykjavik ,  Amsterdam , Berlin , Stockholm , or Interlaken will have prices closer to 30 Euros per night. Cheap cities like Warsaw , Budapest , Sofia , Bucharest , and Tirana will have prices closer to 10 Euros per night.

And if you want to find free accommodation in Europe , work exchanges or couchsurfing is the way to go. Accommodation is usually the biggest expense while traveling, so finding free places to stay will significantly lower the average cost of a trip to Europe. 

For a work exchange, you’ll work around 20 hours per week to get free accommodation and sometimes free meals. Couchsurfing is another option - It's an online platform where you can find locals that open up their homes to travelers for free.

Average cost of meals

How much money you spend on food in Europe is hugely dependent on the individual. Eating out can get very expensive, so budget travelers tend to mix in some nice meals with some cheap street food or cooking at your hostel or work exchange kitchen.

The cost of a meal in a restaurant also varies greatly around Europe. An average estimate is also about 20 Euros per meal . Lunch and breakfast are usually cheaper than dinner, especially if drinks are involved. In Western Europe, you’ll easily spend 20 Euros on just breakfast or lunch with a coffee or drink. Dinner could be 30 or 40 Euros with wines and cocktails. In Eastern Europe, you can eat a massive meal in a restaurant for 15 Euros or sometimes less.

Street food and cheap takeaway places around Europe sometimes sell sandwiches or meals for around 10 Euros. So if you’re a budget traveler, let’s say you’d spend an average of 30 Euros per day on food . Again this will vary, especially if you’re doing a work exchange and you get some or all of your meals provided. But if you’re buying some groceries, snacking on street food, and eating out for one meal a day, you’d spend roughly 30 Euros on average.

Transportation in Europe

If you’re a budget traveler, stick to public transport to save money . The amount you’ll spend on transport depends on where you are and how far you want to venture. Many cities in Europe are walkable, so if you get some comfy shoes you can walk to many attractions. But if you’re traveling in more rural areas, public transport, taxis, or renting a car may be necessary.

For the sake of this article, let’s just say you’re staying in a city. To get from place to place, you take public transport, whether it be the train , bus, metro, or anything else. You try to walk as often as possible. Public transport is usually affordable around Europe, even in expensive cities like London. A single journey is only a couple of Euros .

So in one day in a European city, you’ll probably spend around 10 Euros on public transport . Some days you may spend more, such as when you travel to and from the airport or take day trips, which usually cost more than an inner-city journey. But some days you may not use any, so we’ll say 10 Euros is average.

European attractions 

Europe is full of touristy, paid attractions, and free attractions. Many churches, beaches, lookouts, museums, markets, statues, parks, gardens, and galleries are free around Europe -but many have a steep entry fee.

The average cost for museums and galleries around Europe is 10-20 Euros. Day tours are around 100 Euros, but lots of stuff is free as well. We’ll put an average spend of attractions at 20 Euros , to account for the cheaper and the more expensive options.

Keep in mind, this is just an estimate. Extreme budget travelers can very easily avoid paid attractions and just enjoy the sights around Europe for free. So you could definitely spend less than 20 Euros per day. But you also don’t want to miss out on things.

So to recap, the average cost of traveling to Europe on a budget is:

• Accommodation: 20 Euros per night
• Food: 30 Euros per day
• Transportation: 10 Euros per day
• Attractions: 20 Euros per day

This will vary from person to person, and of course, costs will be lower if you’re sticking to Europe’s cheaper countries. But it’s just a quick estimate.

Average cost of a 2 weeks trip to Europe

Now let’s look at a two-week trip to Europe. Based on the information I just gave, you have an idea of what the daily expenses look like for a budget travele r in Europe. I’ll now summarize what the average cost of a 2 weeks trip to Europe might look like for each type of budget range (backpacker, mid-level, and splurge).

Backpackers traveling through Europe will be sleeping in hostels or doing work exchanges , cooking some meals at home, eating at cheap local restaurants or street markets, drinking local alcohol, and choosing free attractions.

Based on the prices I estimated in the above section, here is what 2 weeks in Europe may look like for a budget traveler:

• Accommodation: 20 Euros per night for 14 nights = 280 Euros
• Food: 30 Euros per day for 14 days = 420 Euros
• Transportation: 10 Euros per day for 14 days = 140 Euros
• Attractions: 20 Euros per day for 14 days = 280 Euros

So for 2 weeks in Europe, a budget traveler may spend around 1,120 Euros . This could be lower if you budget to the extreme. Keep in mind, a work exchange cuts your accommodation costs down to 0, and your food, transport, and activity costs may be lower as well depending on what your host offers.

Mid-level budget

Two weeks in Europe on a mid-level budget will give you a combination of budget travel tips as well as plenty of opportunities to treat yourself. You may stay at a few hostels and a few nicer hotels, or maybe you’ll spend all of your time in affordable budget hotels.

You may also eat out somewhere nice once per day, and mix in some nights out with some affordable meals. Transportation will still be relatively low , unless you opt for taking taxis instead of buses or metros. And attractions will be about the same, with maybe a few expensive day trips or tours to take your trip to the next level.

Here is an estimate of what 2 weeks in Europe might look like for a traveler with a mid-range budget:

• Accommodation: 40 Euros per night for 14 nights = 560 Euros
• Food: 40 Euros per day for 14 days = 560 Euros
• Attractions: 50 Euros per day for 14 days = 700 Euros

So your total might be around 1,960 Euros for two weeks.

Splurge in Europe

If you have a budget with no limits, you can really live like a king or queen in Europe . There are so many fancy hotels, restaurants, and services that you can indulge in. The real luxury options will have outrageous price tags that suit the rich and famous, but even if you’re an average person who wants to splurge, you can keep the budget reasonable without missing out on anything.

Splurging in Europe, within reason, means staying at nice hotels, taking taxis, dining out, getting cocktails, and booking every attraction you want to regardless of the fees. Here is an overview of what two weeks in Europe on a high budget may look like:

• Accommodation: 200 Euros per night for 14 nights = 2,800 Euros
• Food: 80 Euros per day for 14 days = 1,120 Euros
• Transportation: 30 Euros per day for 14 days = 420 Euros
• Attractions : 70 Euros per day for 14 days = 980 Euros

That adds up to 5,320 for two weeks of luxury in Europe.  This could easily be more, but it’s just a starting point.

Average cost of a trip to Europe wrap-up

The main factor you should take away from this article is that you are in charge of your own trip.  These estimates are designed to help you formulate your own budget that suits your destinations and your travel style.

Also be sure to budget for flight costs , travel insurance , and any other purchases you think you might make abroad. And if you’re looking for the best way to cut costs while traveling in Europe, work exchanges are the way to go.

Check out our full list of work exchanges in Europe if you want to save money during your trip!

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Gabrielle Boucher

Budget Travel With Gabby

Hello! I am a 25 year old from the USA with a knack for traveling on a budget. I fell in love with traveling while studying in Europe, and that love grew even more when I started volunteering abroad in South America. Since then, I've worked odd jobs and volunteered all over the globe while cultivating passions for hiking, wildlife photography, food, wine, animals, permaculture, and more!

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• January 19, 2022

Budget for a trip to Europe: How much do i need?

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That Europe is one of the most sought after destinations for tourism travel everyone already knows, we even have a list of 5 most visited countries in Europe and their incredible sights that certainly corroborates this conclusion! However, planning this trip can be a difficult task, since there are so many things to think, research and organize that can leave you lost, even more with the high costs that are a big problem for your plans, right? That’s exactly why we are here! We can help you with the basics or, if you prefer, you can start by taking a look at how to plan a trip to Europe during the pandemic and then come back here to create your budget for a trip .

So, have you gone and come back? Or did you prefer to stick around here? Well, roll your mouse over and find out all you need to know about how to make a cheap trip to Europe !

ON THE POINT: Writing down expenses

To plan a trip you should go through a basic itinerary of where you want to go, how many days you intend to stay, which places to visit and make reservations . This will all be part of your budget. As we are here to help you we recommend that you take into account two very important things: the external conditions and the standard expenses .

External conditions

When we talk about external conditions, we talk about a tip that can change everything! This is because each one of them greatly influences your pocket when it comes to buying and booking. They are:

• The country : some countries are cheaper than others and the difference can be quite significant, as you can check in Little Money: 3 countries to visit in Europe with little money ,
• The period : times with less tourist movement is called low season, and this term, like its name, is synonymous with low prices, ranging from tickets to accommodation and attractions.
• The European currency quote : the value of each currency is constantly changing and it is important to be aware of its current value to catch its best times.

Standard spending

The standard expenses are the essential costs of the trip – or at least the basics of a complete and still economical trip – that you should write down considering the above conditions and the time you intend to stay abroad:

• Return air tickets;
• Travel insurance;
• Accommodation;
• Tourist attractions.

Now that your expenses are organised, open your browser, take out your pencil, paper and calculator and get to work!

WHAT TO DO TO SAVE MONEY?

Before starting the calculations, it is best to follow a few steps thinking about the external conditions of your trip, so you will have an overview of the expenses, besides finding the cheapest prices for when you calculate the rest of your budget for a trip.

Step one: plan everything in advance!

• When it comes to planning, even more so when you want low prices, you have to be willing to be flexible with dates and times , plus the earlier you book the better it is!
• So the first step for your planning and subsequently your budget is to choose dates well ahead, such as booking tickets 2 to 6 months in advance .

Step two: look for a cheap city!

• The cities located in Eastern Europe are a bargain! With a list that includes Budapest , Krakow , Istanbul , Prague and Sofia and prices of up to 40 euros per day .
• Others between Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal have a cheap average spend, between 50 and 60 euros per day .
• And there are still some very popular tourist destinations such as Berlin , in Germany, London , in England, Paris, in France, and Rome , in Italy, as well as Amsterdam , Barcelona , Brussels and Lisbon , with average prices ranging from 60 to 70 euros per day .

Step three : choose the best time!

• The period of your trip matters a lot, after all you can catch the low season at the right times, besides, of course, less suffocating with queues and crowds.
• In most places it occurs in the winter period as seen in some countries mentioned in 5 incredible places to visit in the European winter , starting in late autumn . From November to March are the months with the lowest prices .
• Spring is also a good time. In general, the landscapes in the season of dry leaves and flowers in bloom are beautiful and unite natural beauty with good prices.

Step four: keep an eye on the European currency!

• The value of the European currency changes constantly and even small amounts make a big difference when it comes to paying.
• Many hostels and locations only accept European currency.
• Therefore, you have 2 options: one is to convert it when calculating the expenses, always keeping in mind a margin of error; and the second and more practical option is to exchange the currency of your country for the Euro, so you reduce the difficulties of your trip.
• As the currency can overvalue or depreciate depending on the weather, it is good to exchange in advance.
• Also bear in mind that although the Euro is the official European currency, some regions make use of other currencies such as England with the Pound Sterling and the Swedish Krona and Czech Koruna , respectively of Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Step five: search for reliable sources and websites!

• Once you find it, you can search and book (in advance) your tickets and accommodation.

Lean more at How Much Does it Cost to go to Europe?

PRE-TRIP EXPENSES

After following the recommended steps, start to really calculate each of the standard expenses, starting with those that must be done in advance, because then it is less of a worry and it is enough to save for when the day of the trip comes.

As the item that should be purchased the furthest in advance, tickets should be your priority, and remember:

• As the goal is cheap tickets, we will follow the previous tips aiming at the low season period;

Flights booked in December with a date in March of the following year, that is 3 months, 4 days of stay in the city, being the time that interchanges the outward and return trip, and for 1 adult in economy travel, stay around

• Flight with (1) connection NY – Lisbon: from 181,22 euros;
• Direct flight NY – London: from €257.73;
• Direct flight NY – Paris: from 250.83 euros
• Direct flight NY – Rome: from 316.04 euros

* These cities were just some examples, the values may change depending on the place of embarkation and disembarkation.

Ps: don’t forget to look for flexible airlines! So, if necessary you can change the date of your trip without problems or having to pay extra for it.

Travel insurance

I’ m sure you’re already tired of hearing about travel insurance when it comes to Europe, right? But that just goes to show how essential it is. And if you’re lost about it, we recommend you check out how to travel safely to Europe during the pandemic in 2023 to learn how important it is. But to put you in context, this obligation is a guarantee that, in case you have an accident or something similar happens, you will be able to pay for the medical-hospital expenses.

So what do you need to know about them for your budget for a trip?

• Which countries require travel insurance . Not all of them, but many countries do, including the member countries of the Schengen Treaty (if you haven’t seen the first article mentioned, take the opportunity to check it out now, there is a list of all of them);
• What insurance covers . Of the main services offered from travel insurance, medical-hospital and pharmaceutical costs are top of the list, however insurance still covers other issues such as:
• Flight cancellation due to medical emergency or otherwise;
• Tracking and compensation in case of lost luggage;
• Compensation for disability or accidental death, as well as funeral assistance;
• Legal costs and bail bonds;
• The best plan for you . Depending on the length of your trip or what collateral you find most essential, you can choose an insurance plan that covers what you want, for the most affordable price. You can do this using simulators.
• The price of insurance is from 2,35 euros per day;
• From 13,80 euros per day without luggage insurance;
• And a more complete plan around 20 euros per day.

Ah, keep an eye on the European Travel Visa! Soon the Schengen Visa Waiver will come into effect, which will have a fee for the service, but its cost-benefit is also great, as it will be valid for 3 years. You can see more in United States and Europe: will you need a visa in 2023 ?

Accommodation

As well as the time of year, the country and the location of the accommodation you choose will also influence the price of the accommodation you choose, whether it is a simpler or more elegant hostel, budget hotels or flats for rent, always keeping the focus on the low price.

Best hostel options

• Lisbon (daily rate – 1 person): from 12,49 to 78,47 euros;
• London (daily rate – 1 person): from 12.24 to 70.39 euros;
• Paris (daily rate – 1 person): from 21,81 to 39,08 euros;
• Rome (daily rate – 1 person): from 12.56 to 53.52 euros.

Best options for flats

• Lisbon (daily rate – 1 person): around 53.83 to 152.86 euros;
• London (daily rate – 1 person): from around 47.87 to 166.67;
• Paris (daily rate – 1 person): from 45.36 to 137.64 euros;
• Rome (daily rate 1 person): from about 55,40 to 180,80 euros;

Best hotel options

• Lisbon (daily rate – 1 person): from 12 euros;
• London (daily rate – 1 person): from 18,05 euros;
• Paris (daily rate – 1 person): from 24.48 euros;
• Rome (daily rate – 1 person): from 33,27 euros.

Expenses during the trip

Now that you have seen the expenses before the trip, you need to know how much you will spend during the trip, which on average is around 50 euros per day for one person. Let’s break this down?

Sightseeing and tourist attractions

When talking about saving money, you have to be aware that it requires a lot of searching. Attractions are no different. They can vary a lot, from attractions that cost nothing or have very low prices , as is the case of Serra da Estrela, in the Portuguese winter period, or can be quite high, depending on its fame and how much is demanded.

However, on average the cat cost with attractions is 20 euros per day for a person, enough to visit the main sights. Even because, with the incredible landscapes

that there are, walking a little bit through the streets enjoying the view, is one of the best experiences and doesn’t cost anything! Of course you don’t have to miss out on an attraction you like because of the price, just make sure you control how many you go to so you don’t lose your hand on the budget and a lot of money in your pocket.

Transport when travelling is essential, especially if you don’t want to get lost in unknown lands. And it is even possible to go from city to city only with train rides , so it is a very interesting expense, don’t you agree? But you have to think well about the cost-benefit before spending. So, decide if you want to stay in one city only or travel between several.

• If you choose to stay in only one city, bus or train rides are very cheap, ranging from 1 to 3 euros . You can also buy 24 to 72 hour passes.
• From Lisbon to Madrid: 16 euros;
• From Madrid to Rome: 26 euros;
• From Rome to Paris: 23 euros;
• From Paris to London: 38 euros.

If you are interested, read more about how to travel by train in Europe: the best itineraries!

The cost of food to be cheap just depends on you! There are many famous restaurants in Europe, but the price can be discouraging. However, you can still choose a good option, get to know the cuisine and culture you want without having to spend too much!

• The first tip is: book hotels or hostels with breakfast included ! Even if it doesn’t, opt for the cheapest, so you can spend between 3 and 5 euros .
• The same tip goes for lunch; if possible, eat at the hotel . Or just leave lunch as your “out of town” meal. A simple meal will cost you around 12,56 euros .
• For dinner, you can eat at the hotel, which is much cheaper, or you can try the fast food at those times, which are always cheaper, and can be as low as 5 euros !
• Another cheap option is the “ Tourist Menu “, going for 9 euros .
• And then there are the markets, with excellent prices and a great alternative for buying meals.
• On average, opting for good quality and still economical, your meal will be around 20 to 25 euros per day.

SUMING IT ALL UP: How much does a cheap trip to Europe cost altogether?

After writing down all the expenses before and after the trip, choosing the best periods and following the tips for an economical trip, and taking the average of tickets and hotel accommodation for 4 days, the expense that a person would have to visit Europe for four days is 500 euros . Very economical, isn’t it? With this you can even spend a little more, since it is impossible to do a tour like this and not buy anything or take souvenirs home – which by the way are an expense of about 30 euros a day! And now, do you know everything to plan a budget for a trip and start your journey?

If not, we have a complete budget for a trip: Holidays in Portugal: how much money do I need?

If so, how about doing some more extensive planning and a 10-day trip to Europe?

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Euro Travel on a Shoestring to Splurge: A Comprehensive Guide to EU Travel Costs

Europe, with its fusion of diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and rich history, calls out to travelers around the globe. Yet, when budgeting for an unforgettable European escapade, the potential expenses can seem intimidating. Fear not! We’ve sorted every EU nation into tiers, from ☆ (most affordable) to ☆☆☆☆☆ (most expensive), for easier itinerary planning. Now, let’s embark on a journey through the multifaceted realm of European travel expenses!

*For real-time currency conversions, feel free to use tools like the XE Currency Converter .

The Affordability Breakdown

Here’s a snapshot of all EU nations, categorized by cost for your convenience:

Thinking about traveling to other regions? Then check these posts↓

The Ultimate Guide to Travel Costs in Asia: From Budget to Luxury

Navigating Your Budget: A Comprehensive Guide to Travel Costs in Central and South America

Exploring the Cost Spectrum

Let’s dive into a few nations from each category to understand the kind of experiences you can anticipate at different budget levels:

Best Bang for Your Buck (☆)

Bulgaria is where affordability meets charm. You can laze on the beaches of the Black Sea, hike through the captivating Pirin National Park, or immerse yourself in the historic wonders of Sofia.

Romania offers diverse experiences. Be it exploring Transylvania’s enchanting landscapes, enjoying the vibrant nightlife of Bucharest, or experiencing the tranquil beauty of the Danube Delta, you won’t have to empty your wallet.

Poland is equally budget-friendly. From the bustling city life of Warsaw to the historic maritime city of Gdansk, from the scenic Tatra Mountains to the cultural depth of Krakow, adventure doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.

Mid-Budget Wonders (☆☆-☆☆☆)

Hungary is a wonder for those willing to stretch their budget slightly. Be it luxuriating in Budapest’s thermal baths, exploring the Castle District, sampling the renowned Tokaji wines, or marveling at St. Stephen’s Basilica, the experiences are as memorable as they are diverse.

Czech Republic offers a blend of value and luxury. The cobblestoned streets of Prague, the fairy-tale charm of Český Krumlov, and the Pilsner Urquell brewery in Plzeň offer unforgettable experiences without breaking the bank.

Portugal , too, promises delightful experiences. Whether you’re soaking up the sun on the beaches of the Algarve, getting lost in the melancholic melodies of Fado music in Lisbon, or exploring the vineyard-dotted landscapes of Douro Valley, you’re in for a treat.

Lavish Yet Accessible (☆☆☆☆)

Italy , for travelers venturing into the higher budget range, offers a plethora of experiences. Romantic gondola rides in Venice, architectural wonders in Rome, the fashion-forward streets of Milan, and the vineyards of rustic Tuscany are all worth every euro spent.

Spain provides a diverse cultural platter. Flamenco performances in Andalusia, the architectural marvels of Barcelona, delicious tapas in Madrid, and the unique Basque culture in Bilbao promise a rich travel experience.

Greece is where you oscillate between the ancient and the modern. Athens’ ancient ruins, the vibrant nightlife of Mykonos, the tranquility of Crete, and the iconic sunsets in Santorini make it a worthy splurge.

Luxury Unleashed (☆☆☆☆☆)

France , for those willing to splurge, offers opulent experiences. Beyond the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, the lavender fields of Provence, the glamorous beaches of the French Riviera, and the wineries of Bordeaux offer indulgences worth every penny.

Denmark , although small, offers a big punch. Copenhagen’s vibrant culture, rich history, innovative design, culinary delights, and the old-world charm of numerous castles and manors make it an enticing destination.

Ireland , with its verdant landscapes, quaint villages, friendly locals, and the cosmopolitan charm of Dublin, offers an experience worth splurging on.

Whether you’re a budget backpacker or a luxury globetrotter, Europe has something to offer everyone. Prudent budgeting can help unlock the diverse experiences nestled within the EU, catering to varied financial capacities. Now, with this guide in hand, your dream European adventure awaits! Safe and happy travels!

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Travel costs in Europe: Which country costs what?

Planning a trip to Europe? Congratulations! Chances are if you are reading this you are new to travelling or at least new to the continent of Europe. Well, fear not, I’ve got you covered! I have been travelling to Europe solo for the last 8 years. My first experience was daunting and overwhelming, but since then I have visited at least once a year and sometimes up to five times a year. So if you are wondering about the travel costs in Europe, get your notepad ready! I’ve got all of the information below to help you plan and budget for your trip.

Travel Costs in Europe by Country

So you’re planning a trip to Europe – exciting times! Europe is by far my most favourite part of the world to explore – so much so that I make sure I visit every year.

But you will soon realise Europe is expensive if you don’t know where to go for your budget. Below I will break down the average daily cost of visiting each popular tourist country, as well as how to save money along the way.

For reference, the below prices are costs per person, per day, on average spend. While this budget is a generalisation, you could easily budget to spend less or splurge and spend more. To put it simply, they’re somewhere in the middle! Prices for travel costs in Europe are accurate at the time of publishing in 2020.

The most Expensive Countries in Europe

Daily cost: €182.19

The most expensive country in Europe on a daily basis goes to France. This probably doesn’t come as a surprise to many of you – I know I’m not shocked after many trips to Paris!

But the high cost of visiting France is slightly inflated because of Paris. Most travellers visit Paris for a few days of jam-packed sightseeing and then hot tail it out of there to other European cities.

Tips for budgeting:

If you want to save money in France, venture beyond Paris. Food is very affordable throughout the country and even in Paris if you know where to go (hint: its the latin quarter).

Stay at an Airbnb instead of a hotel. They’re way more affordable and you’ll have a much more local experience.

Switzerland

Daily cost: €181.55

Another country I’m sure no one is surprised to see topping this list is Switzerland. Honestly just looking at things in expensive feels expensive! Breathing the clean mountain air feels expensive!

Shorten your stay. No matter which way you look at it, Switzerland is expensive in every way imaginable. If you have friends or family you can stay with, this will cut out a huge portion of the cost.

Daily cost: €161.46

I visited Denmark in my early twenties and it was so expensive I gave up converting prices and just decided I couldn’t afford anything. If I remember correctly, I ate supermarket sandwiches for dinner and washed them down with a coke zero. Très chic!

Stay outside of Copenhagen. This is notoriously one of the most expensive cities in Europe. I can personally vouch for that!

Daily cost: €133.63

I knew before I visited Iceland that it was going to be an expensive trip. The flight itself was a steal (Barcelona to New York via Reykjavik), offering a cheap stopover en route to NYC.

Iceland is expensive in terms of hotels, food, petrol and entrance fees. Even to visit the waterfalls you need to pay an entrance fee!

Road trip between destinations and travel with a friend to split the costs. Affordable hotels are available throughout the country, especially where there is more demand in Reykjavik.

United Kingdom

Daily cost: €127.40

When you visit Europe for the first time it is highly likely London will be on your agenda. And for good reason! This iconic city is year after year the most visited city in the world. The main expense when visiting the United Kingdom is accommodation. It doesn’t help that the pound always performs favourably to most other world currencies.

Waitrose and Sainsbury’s are your friend. You can grab a quick sandwich snack to eat on the go and skip the expensive restaurants. Many if London’s museums are free, as are the parks and just walking around Soho will fill an entire day of entertainment. Other cities outside of London are much more affordable to visit.

Daily cost: €124.14

This one may come as a bit of a surprise to you, because with cheap pizza and house wines, how could it be expensive!? While the food is affordable, the price to travel through Italy quickly adds up. Cities like Rome, Venice and Florence are the most expensive.

Get outside of the touristic cities and stay in small towns. Instead of staying in Florence, try Lucca. Instead of staying in Venice, stay in Verona. You can always take a train and make day trips!

Netherlands

Daily cost: €122.66

When you think of the Netherlands , you think of Amsterdam. That’s normal! But I promise you there is so much more to the Netherlands beyond the city of Amsterdam. Besides, other cities are much cheaper to visit! The average price per day spent in the Netherlands is €122.66 . But you can easily save money with these few tips.

Check in to an Airbnb in Amsterdam or a local hostel if that’s your style. You can also save money by splitting the cost with a friend. Street food is readily available in major cities and is not only cheap but tasty!

Daily cost: €120.73

Finland is an expensive country to visit whether you’re in the capital, Helsinki , or further afield in small towns.

Try staying with a local family for a local experience. I stayed with a family in the lakes district and not only was it affordable but also gave me an insight into the local culture.

Daily cost: €112.67

The most expensive city to visit in Sweden is Stockholm. But don’t let that stop you! There are some great free attractions plus the public transport is easy to use.

Use the public transport and swap restaurants for cheap eats and supermarket lunches. If your accommodation offers breakfast, make this your biggest meal of the day.

Somewhere in the Middle

Daily cost: €111.96

Spain is reasonably expensive to visit but as soon as you exit the big cities (like Barcelona and Madrid) it becomes a lot more affordable.

Swap big cities for small towns. Indulge in tapas and kick back with a jug of sangria!

Daily cost: €110.33

Greece can be expensive but it doesn’t have to be. There are some great ways to save money, especially if you aren’t short on time. Local ferries are a great option for island hopping and they’re much more affordable than flying between the islands.

Use local transport to save on travel costs between the islands. It will take a little longer but it is the journey, not the destination that matters! If you are carefully considering travel costs in Europe, sometimes you have to sacrifice time to save money.

Daily cost: €109.47

Ireland is one of my favourite countries to explore in Europe. It is so naturally beautiful and sets the scene for a perfect road trip! As soon as you leave Dublin, the country becomes much more affordable to enjoy.

Road trips are a great way to see this country but public transport is much more affordable if you’re on a budget.

Daily cost: €106.78

Germany is in the heart of Europe, meaning it is really well connected with trains. This makes for a great adventure by land and will also save you money. The large cities like Berlin, Cologne and Munich are much more expensive than the countryside.

Swap the major cities for countryside escapes.

The Cheapest Countries in Europe

Daily cost: €18.75

Serbia is the most affordable country on a day-to-day cost analysis. If you are carefully considering travel costs in Europe, Serbia is a great option for budget travellers. Belgrade is a surprising city with so much to offer visitors and I can highly recommend it!

Daily cost: €23.00

Ukraine is another great choice for travellers considering travel costs in Europe. The local transport might seem daunting at first (as no signs are in English). However, you would be surprised how much you can converse with hand gestures and broken English!

Daily cost: €38.92

Russia is one of the more affordable countries in Europe to explore, however Moscow and St Petersburg are still quite expensive. If you’re up for a real adventure, head out into the small towns and spend more time off the beaten path.

Daily cost: €41.31

One of my friends recently went on her honeymoon to Albania. It isn’t the ordinary first choice for a honeymoon but she said it was a great adventure! Albania is still one of the least visited countries in Europe. This makes it very affordable and quite underrated.

Daily cost: €51.04

Still in Eastern Europe, Bulgaria is a great choice for budget travellers. As you might have already noticed the more you venture East, the more affordable it becomes.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Daily cost: €54.85

Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of my fondest travel memories. This country is so underrated and the locals are so welcoming to foreigners. To save money on my trip, I stayed with a local Bosnian family in Blaggaj. They were kind enough to cook me breakfast every day and even drive me to Mostar each day!

Daily cost: €57.68

Budapest has become one of the most sought after cities to explore in Europe. The capital city of Hungary has a high supply of accommodation, making it affordable to stay for a while.

Daily cost: €58.58

Finally we round out our list with Poland. This country is often overlooked by visitors, although many travellers make their way to Krakow in the South. However if you make it all this way, I would strongly encourage you to spend more time in Poland! The capital city of Warsaw has been one of my favourite capital cities in Eastern Europe.

For more of my adventures, follow along on Instagram .

Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.

Find me on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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How Much Does It Cost To Travel Europe?

Europe is a hugely popular travel destination. Whether it’s by foot, bus, plane or train, each year travellers flock from across the globe to visit and experience all the wonders of European travel. But how much will a European adventure set you back? How much does it cost to travel Europe ?

For me, Europe is a place of romance and intrigue. With such a long, rich history, and such diversity in people, architecture, culture, food and natural beauty, it’s no wonder it’s so popular among travellers.

Money is always a potential disadvantage of travelling , though.  And, where Europe isn’t necessarily the cheapest place to explore, the question of cost is probably a big one for travellers heading that direction.

As a result, I thought it might be helpful to write a brief post about the prices involved with Euro-travel. Exactly how much does it cost to travel Europe?  Keep reading to find out.

Necessary Cost Considerations

Before I go deeper into the Europe trip costs, there are a few things worth considering:

1) The amount you spend is up to you!

It’s true that some parts of the world are just downright cheaper than others. However, it’s also worth remembering that we have direct control of how much we spend.  Wherever you are in the world, there are ways to travel on a budget.  Cook more, eat out less, hitchhike, walk – whatever it may be, the travel choices we make overseas have a big impact on expenditure. Generally, if you’re willing to put up with a level of sacrifice, you’re able to keep the cost down.

Of course, the same is true in Europe, so the amount you spend will vary in relation to your particular style of travel.  There’s no right or wrong way here: budget or luxury, it’s totally up to individual preference. Just keep in mind that it can have a big impact on how much you spend on the road.

2) Prices vary by country

When people refer to Europe as a travel destination it’s often easy to see it as one uniform location. But, obviously, Europe is a big place with lots of different countries in it (here’s a guide to the best backpack for exploring it!).  And each of those individual countries has its own set of prices. The costs in Europe vary by country and some (especially in Eastern Europe) are far cheaper than others.

As a result, accurately costing a trip to Europe is never simple; it relies wholly on where you’re actually planning to visit.  A person planning to move from Oslo to Helsinki , then on to London , Paris and Amsterdam, for example, will need much deeper pockets than someone heading to Warsaw, Minsk and Kiev.  So, if you’re on a budget, it’s worth looking into the cheaper parts of Europe as a way to extend your trip.

3) Keep currency in mind

Like all travel, the amount of bang you get for your buck is tied to the going exchange rates.  For instance, since the whole Brexit debacle happened, there’s never been a better time to visit the UK for someone in the US. The Pound has just been stupendously weak, which makes it far cheaper than in the past!

Likewise, for someone travelling to the US (or even some parts of South East Asia such as Cambodia, where the US dollar is now widely used) from the UK, it’s far more expensive now compared to 20 years ago.

In the same way, it’s now far pricier for a British person to travel around mainland Europe than it was in the past. The pound, though getting better, is not what it was.  And this has a massive effect on how far your money goes.

So, depending on where you’re travelling from, make sure to check out the current, relevant exchange rates to really assess how much a trip to Europe will set you back! 

These three factors are important as they make it nearly impossible to give an absolute figure for how much Europe travel costs.  As a result, it would be misleading to try! However, what we can do instead is to go through some estimates, as well as some tips for keeping costs down!

The Cost of Travelling in Europe

On to the main subject then: how much does it cost to travel Europe?

Key points if you’re in a rush:

• Europe definitely isn’t the cheapest place to travel!
• Average cost: circa £45-70 per day all in.
• If you’re on a budget, spend longer in Eastern Europe.
• The price fluctuates by location, so make sure you research the countries you plan to visit before arrival and budget accordingly.
• General cost-cutting ideas: supermarket shopping, couch surfing, making use of happy hours, booking transport and accommodation in advance, utilise free activities in cities (museums, art galleries, city tours…).
• Cheapest forms of transport: hitchhiking, car sharing (Blablacar), bus (Eurolines, Flixbus, Megabus), plane (Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizzair; book in advance).
• Accommodation: will eat your money, but Couchsurfing is a good bet & in certain places (e.g. Greece in summer) you could free camp outdoors. Otherwise, hostel dorm rooms are probably the best bet.
• If you’re a student, remember to bring your student card (just make sure it’s an international one) as it can get you discounts!

Europe Travel Tips: Average Daily Costs

Based on online research and personal experience, the average Europe trip cost will be between USD$60 and $100 per day. In Eastern Europe expect to spend around two-thirds of that ($40 to $70).

It’s worth re-emphasising how these figures will always be a rough estimate! Remember, the amount to spend is generally up to you.

That said, with those figures in mind, here’s what a 2-week, 4-week and 8-week trip to Europe (not Eastern Europe) could cost.

• 2 weeks (14 days):  $840 – 1400
• 4 weeks (28 days):  $1,680 – 2,800
• 8 weeks (56 days):  $3,360 – 5,600

So, overall, not cheap!

However, it’s always good to have a solid idea of how much something might cost you. From here, you can think about: how much you need to save; a budget for expenses on the road and think about how you might go about cutting costs.

Saving Money When Travelling Around Europe

Let’s turn to how to cut the costs where possible.  One of the main expenses for European travel is getting between locations. Here are a few of the best ways to get around as cheaply as possible.

Travelling by bus is an increasingly popular form of transport in Europe. With budget services such as Flixbus and Megabus going to a huge number of different cities and countries, it’s well worth checking this method of getting from A to B.  Price can be incredibly low. For instance, you can get from London to Paris for $18 on Flixbus. That’s insanely cheap!

Obvious downsides include the time it takes and potential discomfort of being sat for hours in a cramped seat. But the price has to be worth it for budget travellers.

Car Sharing

Car sharing is a great bet for convenient and cheap travel.  Essentially, people already driving from point A to point B advertise their journey (on BlaBlaCar , or Facebook groups, for example) and then anyone wanting to take the same route can head to the website, search for the journey and pay for a spare seat at a price set by the driver.  The prices are more expensive now than they were in the past, but still far cheaper than most other forms of transport.  Also, by cutting down on the number of car journeys, it’s much better for the environment!

Eurail/Interrail

A hugely popular form of transport around Europe is by train, due to the awesome networks that operate between countries and cities, making the daunting prospect of intercontinental travel straightforward. Buying a Eurail pass  isn’t necessarily cheap (from what I’ve seen, the cost is usually well over $1,000 for a few weeks), but will definitely save you money in comparison to buying tickets individually.

It’s also meant to be incredibly convenient. Equally, some people just love train travel and see it as a perfect way of getting from one beautiful place to the next! Depending on your ticket, downsides can include only having a set number of days in a particular place before having to get the train, as well as the occasional lack of seats and price ‘adds ons’, for certain journeys in particular countries.

In Europe , Ryanair, Wizzair and Easyjet can be a budget traveller’s best friend.  Coordinate things in advance and you can get crazily cheap flights. However, prices vary dramatically, so get in early to avoid disappointingly expensive tickets.

Of course, flying obviously isn’t the best for the environment either! But when you’re on a budget, the cheapest option is usually a priority.

Hitchhiking

It might not be to everyone’s liking, but it’s free, so it’s undoubtedly the cheapest form of transport going. It’s true that there’s always a risk involved, but it’s not as high as your mum makes you think it is!  Of course, there are horror stories, but generally speaking, hitching is an awesome way of travelling and meeting people along the way.

I hitched through Northern Greece and along the way met a couple of Greek guys who later hosted us for free, showed us around Athens and took us out for a meal!

Time to Wrap Up

So, how much does it cost to travel Europe?  Unfortunately, it’s impossible to offer a solid answer to that question! There are simply too many variables to provide a realistic figure.  However, one thing I can say is that it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. Equally, I hope the estimates above have helped provide an idea of how much money you’ll need for the trip.

Remember, those figures are meant as a rough guide. Variables such as exchange rates and the style you want to travel will make a big difference. With certain approaches to your trip, you’ll be sure to do it cheaper!

About The Author

Danny Newman is currently writing and travelling his way around the world in a bid to figure out exactly what he’s doing with his life. He’d love you to follow along with his journey over at  What’s Danny Doing .

Pedro has travelled to almost 120 countries and has made his nest in London. He has also lived in Spain, Australia, the US, Georgia and Turkey. A former hotel management professional, he loves exploring local cultures, is now learning his 8th language and has a soft spot for the Middle East and the CIS countries.

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Plan Your Trip
• Budget Travel

How To Budget A Trip To Europe

Published: December 6, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Rozele Kuo

• Travel Essentials & Accessories
• Travel Guide
• Travel Tips

Introduction

Planning a trip to Europe can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, but it’s crucial to have a well-structured budget in place to ensure a stress-free journey. With proper planning and careful consideration, you can make the most of your limited funds and still have an incredible adventure exploring the diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant cultures that Europe has to offer.

In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the essential steps to effectively budget your trip to Europe. From determining your travel dates to estimating transportation costs, accommodation expenses, meals, sightseeing, and other daily expenses, we’ll cover it all so you can plan your trip with ease and confidence.

Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or a group of friends, these budgeting tips will help you make the most of your resources while giving you the freedom to indulge in wonderful experiences along the way.

Remember, budgeting requires careful consideration and flexibility. As you dive into the planning process, keep an open mind and be prepared to adjust your plans as you discover new opportunities or unforeseen expenses. This article aims to provide you with a solid foundation to start your budgeting journey and help you make the most of your trip to Europe.

So, let’s get started with step one: determining your travel dates.

Step 1: Determine your travel dates

The first step in planning a budget trip to Europe is to determine your travel dates. This will help you set a timeline for your trip and allow you to plan your budget accordingly.

Consider the time of year you want to travel. Europe experiences different seasons, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. The peak tourist season typically falls during the summer months when the weather is warm and the days are long. However, this also means that popular destinations will be crowded, and prices for accommodation and flights will be higher. On the other hand, traveling during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) can provide pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and more affordable rates.

Once you have a general idea of your preferred travel dates, do some research to find out if there are any major events, holidays, or festivals happening in the destinations you plan to visit. These occasions might affect the availability and prices of accommodations and transportation. If you have specific events or festivals on your bucket list, make sure to factor them into your itinerary and budget.

Another important factor to consider when determining your travel dates is your personal schedule and commitments. Check with your employer, school, or any other relevant parties to ensure that your chosen dates won’t clash with any important obligations.

Lastly, be flexible with your travel dates if possible. Flights and accommodations tend to be more expensive during weekends and holidays. By adjusting your travel dates by a day or two, you may be able to save some money.

Once you have finalized your travel dates, you can move on to the next step: researching destinations and creating an itinerary.

Step 2: Research destinations and create an itinerary

Researching destinations and creating an itinerary is a crucial step in planning your budget trip to Europe. Having a well-planned itinerary will not only help you stay organized but also optimize your time and budget.

Start by making a list of the countries or cities you wish to visit during your trip. Consider factors such as your interests, must-see landmarks, and cultural experiences you want to have. Look for destinations that offer a variety of attractions and activities that align with your preferences.

Once you have your list, conduct in-depth research on each destination. Look for information on popular tourist spots, local customs, transportation options, and budget-friendly attractions. Take note of any entrance fees, transportation costs, and the availability of free or discounted passes like city cards or museum passes.

Consider the geographical proximity of the destinations you plan to visit. Exploring neighboring countries or cities can significantly reduce travel time and costs. Take advantage of Europe’s excellent train and bus networks, which often offer affordable and convenient intercity travel options.

When creating your itinerary, strike a balance between popular tourist destinations and off-the-beaten-path gems. While iconic landmarks are worth visiting, they are often more crowded and expensive. Discovering hidden gems and lesser-known attractions can offer a more authentic and budget-friendly experience.

Be flexible with your itinerary. Allow some open days in your schedule for spontaneity or to include any recommendations you receive from locals or fellow travelers along the way.

Consider the length of your stay in each destination. Allotting sufficient time in each city or country will allow you to explore at a leisurely pace without feeling rushed. Avoid overpacking your itinerary, as this can lead to exhaustion and unnecessary expenses.

Use online travel resources, guidebooks, and travel forums to gather information and gain insights from fellow travelers who have visited the destinations on your list.

By thoroughly researching destinations and creating a well-balanced itinerary, you can make the most of your budget and ensure a memorable trip to Europe.

Step 3: Calculate transportation costs

Transportation costs can significantly impact your budget when planning a trip to Europe. To effectively manage your expenses, it’s important to calculate and budget for transportation costs in advance.

Start by determining the most suitable mode of transportation for your trip. In Europe, you have a variety of options including flights, trains, buses, and even ferries. Each mode has its own advantages and price range, so consider factors such as travel time, convenience, and cost.

If you are traveling long distances between countries or cities, compare flight prices from budget airlines. Be sure to factor in any additional fees for baggage, seat selection, or priority boarding. Keep in mind that flights can be cheaper when booked in advance, and midweek or early morning flights often have lower fares.

Trains are a popular and convenient mode of transportation in Europe, offering scenic routes and easy access to city centers. Research the train networks and compare ticket prices, especially if you plan to travel extensively within a specific country or region. Look for discounted rail passes or regional tickets for additional savings.

Buses are another affordable option, especially for short to medium-distance travel. Many bus companies offer budget-friendly fares, and some even have overnight options that can save you money on accommodation for one night.

If you’re considering visiting multiple countries or regions, look into Eurail passes or intercountry travel deals. These can provide significant savings on transportation costs, especially for frequent travelers.

Once you have identified the modes of transportation that best suit your needs, create a transportation budget by estimating the costs for each leg of your journey. Don’t forget to account for transportation to and from airports or train stations, as well as any local public transportation you may need to use within cities.

Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year and travel demand. Be flexible with your travel dates if possible, as this can help you secure lower fares.

It’s also a good idea to monitor travel booking websites or sign up for fare alerts to stay informed of any discounts or promotions. Consider using travel apps that compare prices across different modes of transportation to find the best deals.

By carefully calculating and budgeting for transportation costs, you can ensure that you have enough funds allocated to get you from one destination to the next without breaking the bank.

Step 4: Estimate accommodation expenses

When planning a budget trip to Europe, estimating accommodation expenses is a vital step. Accommodation costs can vary significantly depending on the destination, type of accommodation, and the time of year you plan to visit.

Start by determining your preferred type of accommodation. Europe offers a wide range of options, from budget hostels and guesthouses to mid-range hotels and luxurious resorts. Hostels are a popular choice for budget travelers, providing affordable dormitory-style rooms or private rooms at a lower cost. Guesthouses or bed and breakfasts can offer a more local and affordable experience. If you prefer more privacy and comfort, consider budget-friendly hotels or apartments.

Research the average cost of accommodation in your desired destinations. Use online booking platforms and hotel comparison websites to get an idea of the price range for different types of accommodations. Keep in mind that accommodation prices can vary depending on the city, neighborhood, and proximity to tourist attractions.

Consider the location of your accommodation. Staying in the city center or popular tourist areas tends to be more expensive. However, opting for accommodations in the outskirts or in lesser-known neighborhoods can often save you money without sacrificing convenience or safety.

Look for deals, discounts, and promotions. Many hotels and booking platforms offer early-bird discounts, last-minute deals, or discounted rates for longer stays. Additionally, consider using websites or apps that offer alternative accommodations like homestays, guesthouses, or vacation rentals.

Another option to lower accommodation costs is to consider sharing your room or apartment with other travelers. This can be done through websites or apps that connect travelers looking for roommates or complete apartments to rent together.

Be sure to read reviews and ratings of accommodations before booking. Look for honest feedback from previous guests to ensure that you are getting good value for your money.

Factor in additional costs such as taxes, city taxes, resort fees, or any required deposits. Some accommodations may also provide complimentary breakfast or amenities, so consider these perks when comparing prices.

As a budget traveler, don’t be afraid to opt for more affordable accommodations. Remember, you will be spending most of your time exploring the destinations and soaking up the local culture, so a comfortable and budget-friendly place to rest is often sufficient.

By estimating accommodation expenses and allocating a reasonable amount within your budget, you can ensure that you have suitable and affordable lodging throughout your trip to Europe.

Step 5: Plan for meals and daily expenses

Planning for meals and daily expenses is a crucial aspect of budgeting for your trip to Europe. By being mindful of your spending on food and other daily necessities, you can make your budget stretch further, allowing for more memorable experiences.

Start by setting a daily budget for meals. Research the typical cost of meals in your chosen destinations. Keep in mind that eating out at restaurants can be more expensive compared to grabbing a quick bite from local street food stalls or markets. Take advantage of the diverse culinary scene in Europe by sampling affordable yet delicious local dishes.

Consider cooking some of your own meals. If you have access to a kitchenette or are staying in an apartment-style accommodation, grocery shopping and preparing your own meals can save you a significant amount of money. Visit local supermarkets or farmers’ markets to buy fresh ingredients and experience a more authentic taste of the local cuisine.

Stay hydrated with tap water whenever possible. In many European countries, tap water is safe to drink and readily available. Avoid purchasing bottled water to save money and reduce plastic waste. Carry a reusable water bottle that you can refill throughout the day.

Plan for other daily expenses such as public transportation, sightseeing fees, and miscellaneous items like toiletries, souvenirs, and laundry. Research the cost of public transportation passes, such as day passes or weekly cards, as these can often provide better value compared to individual tickets. Look for free or discounted days at museums and attractions, and prioritize visiting budget-friendly or free attractions.

Keep track of your daily expenses and adjust your spending accordingly. Use budgeting apps or keep a journal to record your expenses, making it easier to identify areas where you might be overspending. By being conscious of your financial habits, you can make informed decisions and stay within your budget.

Consider purchasing a local SIM card or a portable Wi-Fi device to stay connected without incurring high roaming charges. This will allow you to access maps, translation apps, and travel information that can help you navigate and make informed choices while on the go.

Lastly, be open to experiencing the local culture without breaking the bank. Take advantage of free activities such as walking tours, exploring public parks, or attending local festivals and events. Engage with locals and fellow travelers for recommendations on hidden gems or budget-friendly activities.

By planning for meals and daily expenses in advance, you can ensure that you have sufficient funds allocated for essential needs while still embracing the local culture and enjoying your trip to Europe within your budget.

Step 6: Budget for sightseeing and activities

As you plan your budget trip to Europe, it’s essential to budget for sightseeing and activities. Europe offers a wealth of cultural, historical, and natural attractions that can enhance your travel experience.

Start by researching the popular landmarks and attractions in your chosen destinations. Look for entrance fees and any additional costs, such as audio guides or guided tours. Check if there are discounted tickets for students, seniors, or specific time slots with lower prices. Take note of any free or low-cost attractions as well.

Prioritize the attractions that interest you the most and allocate a budget for them. Determine the must-see sights and experiences that you don’t want to miss, and set aside a portion of your budget for these activities. Be realistic about what you can afford and create a list of alternative attractions in case some are beyond your budget.

Consider exploring the local culture and history through free or low-cost activities. Visit local markets, parks, and neighborhoods to get a sense of the local lifestyle. Attend free events or festivals that showcase the traditions and customs of the region you’re visiting.

Be open to alternative ways of experiencing attractions. For example, instead of purchasing a ticket to enter a museum, explore the exterior and gardens, or find free guided tours or audio guides online that offer insightful information. Take advantage of walking tours or self-guided tours available for free or at a lower cost.

Seek out local recommendations for hidden gems or off-the-beaten-path attractions that are often less crowded and more budget-friendly.

Utilize city tourist cards or sightseeing passes that offer discounted or bundled admission to multiple attractions. These cards can also include free public transportation, providing additional savings.

Remember to factor in any additional costs such as transportation to and from the attractions, meals, and souvenirs. It’s important to have a clear understanding of the total cost associated with each activity to avoid any surprises.

Lastly, be open to spontaneous discoveries and experiences. Some of the most memorable moments during your trip may come from unexpected encounters and hidden gems that aren’t necessarily part of your initial itinerary.

By budgeting wisely for sightseeing and activities, you can enjoy a fulfilling and enriching travel experience in Europe without stretching your budget too thin.

Step 7: Consider travel insurance and visa fees

When planning your budget trip to Europe, it is important to consider two crucial aspects: travel insurance and visa fees. These are essential components to ensure a smooth and worry-free journey.

Firstly, research and evaluate the importance of travel insurance for your trip. While it may seem like an additional cost, it provides protection and peace of mind in case of unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost belongings. Determine the level of coverage you need, considering factors such as the length of your trip, the activities you plan to engage in, and the value of your belongings. Compare different travel insurance providers to find a policy that fits your needs and budget.

Be aware that some credit cards might offer limited travel insurance coverage. However, it is essential to carefully review the terms of the coverage to ensure it meets your specific requirements. If necessary, consider purchasing additional coverage through a dedicated travel insurance provider.

Secondly, check the visa requirements for the countries you plan to visit in Europe. The visa fees can vary depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay. Research the specific requirements for each country you plan to visit and find out if you need to apply for a visa in advance or if you can obtain one upon arrival.

Calculate the total cost of visa fees for all the countries you plan to visit and include this as part of your budget. It’s crucial to factor in the processing time for visa applications and any additional costs such as passport photos or transportation to the visa application centers.

It’s important to note that some countries in Europe are part of the Schengen Area, which allows for visa-free travel for certain nationalities. However, even if you are visa-exempt, you may still be required to fulfill specific entry requirements, such as having a valid passport and providing proof of sufficient funds for your stay.

By considering travel insurance and visa fees as part of your budget, you can ensure that you are adequately prepared for any unforeseen circumstances and meet the necessary requirements for your travel to Europe.

Step 8: Allocate funds for miscellaneous expenses

When budgeting for your trip to Europe, it’s important to allocate funds for miscellaneous expenses. These expenses are often overlooked but can arise unexpectedly during your travels. By setting aside a portion of your budget for miscellaneous expenses, you can ensure you are prepared for any unforeseen costs that may arise along the way.

Start by considering transportation to and from the airport or train station in your home country. This can include taxi fares, airport shuttles, or public transportation costs. Additionally, be prepared for any transportation-related expenses within Europe, such as local buses, trams, or taxis.

Be mindful of baggage fees charged by airlines if you plan to check in luggage. Some budget airlines have strict baggage weight and size restrictions, and exceeding these limits can result in expensive fees.

Keep some funds aside for emergencies or unexpected situations that may occur during your trip. This can include medical expenses not covered by travel insurance, unforeseen transportation changes, or last-minute accommodation needs. It’s better to have some extra money set aside as a safety net, just in case.

Factor in costs for communication, such as purchasing a local SIM card or using data roaming services. Staying connected while traveling can be essential for navigation, staying in touch with loved ones, and accessing important information. Research the various options available and budget accordingly.

Consider any tipping customs in the countries you plan to visit. In some European countries, tipping is customary, while in others, it may not be expected or required. Familiarize yourself with the local customs to avoid any confusion or awkward situations.

Allocate funds for souvenirs and gifts. Europe is known for its unique crafts, artisanal products, and local specialties, making it tempting to bring back souvenirs for yourself or loved ones. Determine a reasonable budget for souvenirs to avoid overspending.

Lastly, keep in mind any bank fees or currency exchange charges. Research the fees associated with using your debit or credit cards abroad and budget for any necessary currency exchanges. Consider utilizing options such as prepaid travel cards or online currency exchanges to minimize fees.

By allocating funds for miscellaneous expenses, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have prepared for the unexpected and have the necessary resources to handle any unforeseen costs that may arise during your trip to Europe.

Step 9: Track and adjust your budget throughout the trip

Tracking and adjusting your budget throughout your trip to Europe is crucial to stay on top of your expenses and ensure that you are making the most of your allocated funds. By monitoring your spending and making necessary adjustments, you can prevent overspending and maintain control over your budget.

Start by keeping a record of your daily expenses. Use a notebook, budgeting app, or spreadsheet to track all the money you spend, whether it’s on accommodation, transportation, meals, activities, or miscellaneous items. Make it a habit to record your expenses every day, noting the amount spent, the category, and any relevant details.

Regularly review your budget against your actual spending. Take a moment to analyze where you are over or under budget. Identify any patterns or areas where you may be spending more than anticipated. This will help you make informed decisions and adjust your spending habits accordingly.

Look for opportunities to save money without sacrificing your travel experience. Can you find more affordable eateries or cook some of your meals? Can you take advantage of free attractions or public transportation instead of paying for expensive tours or taxis? Consider making adjustments wherever possible to align your spending with your budget.

Stay informed of any currency exchange rates, as they can impact your budget. Monitor fluctuations in exchange rates and choose the most favorable time to convert your money. Use currency conversion apps or websites to ensure you are getting the best value for your money.

Be flexible with your itinerary and budget. As you explore Europe, unexpected opportunities may arise, such as special events or recommendations from locals. Don’t be afraid to adjust your plans or allocate additional funds for worthwhile experiences.

Take advantage of discounts and promotions that may become available during your trip. Look for discounted tickets, meal deals, or special offers at attractions, restaurants, or local shops. Stay updated with travel newsletters, apps, or local tourist information centers to learn about any current deals.

Lastly, remember that a budget is a tool to guide your spending, but it should not restrict your enjoyment of the trip. Find a balance between staying within your limits and allowing yourself to indulge in memorable experiences or once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. It’s important to prioritize the experiences that truly align with your interests and make your trip to Europe unforgettable.

By consistently tracking your expenses and being mindful of your budget, you can make educated decisions about your spending, ensure financial stability throughout your trip, and make the most of your time in Europe.

Congratulations, you have successfully navigated the steps to budget your trip to Europe! By following these guidelines, you have taken essential measures to ensure a well-planned and financially responsible adventure. From determining your travel dates and researching destinations to calculating transportation costs, estimating accommodation expenses, planning for meals and daily expenses, budgeting for sightseeing and activities, considering travel insurance and visa fees, allocating funds for miscellaneous expenses, and tracking and adjusting your budget throughout your trip, you have covered all the crucial aspects of budget travel planning.

Remember, budgeting for your trip to Europe is not just about saving money, but also about making smart choices and prioritizing your preferences. It’s about finding a balance between experiencing the iconic attractions and discovering hidden gems, indulging in local cuisines while making cost-effective meal choices, and creating a personalized itinerary that reflects your interests and budget.

As you embark on your European adventure, stay open-minded and be willing to embrace unexpected opportunities along the way. Immerse yourself in the diverse cultures, fascinating history, and breathtaking landscapes that Europe has to offer. Connect with locals, fellow travelers, and the vibrant atmosphere of the places you visit. Remember, some of the most memorable experiences are often the ones that cannot be planned in advance.

Throughout your journey, keep your budget in mind and track your expenses to ensure you are staying within your limits. Be adaptable and open to adjusting your plans when necessary, allowing room for spontaneity and unexpected discoveries that could enhance your overall experience.

By effectively budgeting your trip to Europe, you have empowered yourself to make the most of your resources and create unforgettable memories without compromising on financial stability. Whether you’re exploring the charming streets of Paris, marveling at the historical landmarks of Rome, or immersing yourself in the vibrant nightlife of Berlin, your budget travel skills will guide you towards an incredible European adventure.

So go forth, explore, and enjoy your budget-friendly journey through the wonders of Europe!

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The 20 best places to visit in Europe on a budget

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

• roughguides.com
• best-places-to-visit-in-europe-on-a-budget

written by Lottie Gross

updated 11.07.2023

Europe presents an irresistible challenge to the budget traveller. A potent mix of culture, landscape and history on the one hand and a cash-gobbling monster on the other, sticking to your daily allowance can prove tricky.

1. The Albanian coast

2. sarajevo, bosnia-herzegovina, 3. bansko, bulgaria, 4. czechia (czech republic), 5. estonia’s baltic coast, 6. leipzig, germany, 7. london, england, 8. the peloponnese, greece, 9. budapest, hungary, 10. palermo, sicily, italy, 11. lake ohrid, macedonia, 12. kotor, montenegro, 13. gdánsk, poland, 14. porto, portugal, 15. transylvania, romania, 16. novi sad, serbia, 17. the high tatras, slovakia, 18. northwest slovenia, 19. andalucía, spain, 20. lviv, ukraine.

But learn to zone out the “Spend! Spend! Spend!” siren song of its myriad restaurants, bars and shops and you’ll find that this compact little continent is simply the world’s greatest labyrinth.

There's an abundance of beautiful places in Europe which don't require much of a budget to see; and some experiences, like the infamous Budapest nightlife, combines both entertainment with local booze.

When exactly is the best time to visit Europe? Well, it depends on what you're after. Thankfully there's a year-round roster of things to do and see. We've picked out the cheapest places to travel on the continent this year (note that the "Rough Costs" below reflect per person or per night). From low budget tourist places in the world to the cheapest country to travel to, where do you think will make the list?

Want to find out more about budget travel in Europe? Check out our Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget .

Looking for Mediterranean sun and sand, but your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Capri or the Côte d’Azur? Simply head further east and you’ll find sun-drenched beaches untouched by modern development. Albania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe, and as yet under-explored by the tourist hordes. On its southern Ionian coast, steep grey mountains frame azure seas and golden sands.

Also take note - the Albanian capital Tirana will certainly surprise you with the number of interesting things you can do there .

Sarande is almost in touching distance of Corfu and is a handy entry point from Greece. From here you can aim for the beaches of Ksamil and nearby islands. Cheap seafood, warm seas and a smattering of isolated Greek ruins and Ottoman towns: the perfect recipe for a classic European sojourn.

Where to stay

Best for being on the beach: Vila E Bardhe

Best for great views of the harbour: Hotel Real

From Saranda: Visit the archaeological park of Butrint on a private tour

From Durrës: Wine tasting and history tour in Berat

Find more ideas for visiting Albania with our guide to the best things to do in Albania .

Rough costs:

Daily budget: Basic €30, occasional treat €45

Drink: Bottle of red wine €6

Food: Qoftë (minced meat rissoles) €2, seafood €6

Hostel/budget hotel: €15/€35

Travel: Bus: Tirana–Saranda €10.50; train: Tirana–Shkodra €3.30

Buy the guide >

Though the scars of Sarajevo ’s past as a city under siege are still evident. There are remnants of mortar shell explosions, filled with red resin to form “Sarajevo Roses”, and the museums document the horrors of Sniper Alley. Today, the city buzzes with life and is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. If you don't want to miss any of the key historic sites, book ahead and join a guided tour.

One of the most welcoming capitals in Europe, its central district of Baščaršija is a delight to wander through. Browse in the Ottoman-era bazaar or linger over a Bosnian coffee. The after-hours scene is quirky and cool, with tucked-away drinking holes and an ever-evolving club scene.

Best hostel for city location: Hostel Franz Ferdinand

Best for location to tourist attractions: Hotel Europe

Best for first time visitors: A guided walking tour in Sarajevo

Best for getting out of the city: A day tour to Jajce and Travnik

Rough costs

Daily budget: Basic €28, occasional treat €45

Drink: Bosnian coffee €0.70–1

Food: Cevapcici (meat rissoles) €3–4

Hostel/budget: €10/€28

Travel: Bus: Sarajevo–Bihać €17–25; train: Sarajevo–Mostar €5–7

Read our destination guide to Bosnia-Herzegovina >

Hitting the slopes without breaking the bank can be a challenge. Especially when the main Alpine resorts are located in some of the most expensive countries in Europe! However, eastern Europe has a few intriguing ski destinations, including Bulgaria ’s Bansko on the Pirin mountain range.

The country’s main ski resort has good beginner and intermediate runs. There's a decent range of shared or private accommodation to choose from, easily making Bansko one of the best places to visit in Europe with friends. The town itself has considerable charm, with numerous traditional old pubs hidden down its cobbled alleyways.

Best for guest house experience: Zigen House

Best for great location: Kap House Hotel

Best for the adventurers: River rafting on the Kresna Gorge

Best to get to know the culture: Experience local traditions, dishes, crafts and stories

Also while planning your visit, read our guide to the best things to do in Bulgaria .

Drink: Beer (0.5l) €1.25

Food: Shopska salad €4

Hostel/budget hotel: €12/€60

Travel: Train: Sofia–Plovdiv €4–6; bus: €5

Find out more about Bansko >

Though ever-popular Prague is not quite the dirt-cheap city break destination it once was, you’ll still find Czechia (Czech Republic ) to be a good-value country for independent travel. The country that invented Pilsner is justifiably famous for producing some of the best beers – at pretty good prices.

But there's plenty of other reasons as to why it's one of the best places to visit in Europe. In Prague , the choice of watering holes ranges from traditional beer halls and monastery taverns to a new generation of microbreweries. Continue the Czech beer trail with a visit to the Pilsner Urquell brewery in Plzeň, before striking out to the country’s lesser-known spots, such as charming Olomouc , a pint-sized Prague without the tourists.

If you're heading to Prague, where you're based can make all the difference to your experience, so make the right start with our guide to the best places to stay in the city.

Best location for hostel: Safestay Prague

Best for shopping and city centre: K+K Hotel Central

Best for history buffs: Small group tour to the Prague Castle

Best for a magical evening: Dinner cruise on an Open-Top Glass Boat

Daily budget: Basic €45, occasional treat €55

Drink: Pilsner Urquell (0.5l) €1.60

Food: Pork and dumplings €8

Hostel/budget hotel: €20/€45

Travel: Train: Prague–Karlovy Vary €12; bus: €14

Explore the best of Czech Republic >

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Known for the popular city break destination of Tallinn , small and beautiful Estonia also provides swathes of wilderness, with beautiful stretches of coastline, a scattering of islands and forested national parks along its long Baltic coastline. With so much centered on the outdoors, it's arguably the cheapest country in Europe.

An hour from Tallinn, 725-square-kilometre Lahemaa National Park is best explored by bike. You can cycle its coastal paths, discover rugged coves, windswept beaches and fishing villages and even sleep on hay bales at a farm. Venture further west, and the summertime resort of Pärnu has fantastic beaches, The island of Saaremaa offers soft-carpeted pine forest countryside and very affordable spas.

Best for boutique hotel in Tallinn: Hotel Meltzer Apartments

Best for boutique spa in Saaremaa: Grand Rose SPA Hotel

Best for historical, Soviet heritage: Day tour from Tallinn to Naissaar, also known as Women's Island

Best for urban exploration: The Industrial Stalker Bike Tour in Kalamaja District

Daily budget: Basic €40, occasional treat €60

Drink: Le Coq beer €2.60

Food: Blood sausage and sauerkraut €7

Travel: Bus: Tallinn–Saaremaa €9; Tartu–Tallinn €13

As far as Europe travel goes, Berlin is an anomaly. It’s one of the few capitals where the cost of living is lower than the national average. It's a legacy of the country’s former divide, which still means former East Germany is notably cheaper than western centres like Frankfurt and Munich . But as prices gradually rise in gentrifying Berlin, there are other eastern cities to venture to, including buzzing Leipzig .

The city that kick-started the 1989 protests that led to the country’s reunification has long had a fierce, independent spirit. Over the past few years, it’s also developed quite a reputation for its thriving artist enclaves and offbeat nightlife. Its culture scene is in constant flux, with old industrial buildings, such as former cotton mill the Spinnerei, converted into cutting-edge spaces.

Best for city location: IntercityHotel Leipzig

Best for little luxury: Pentahotel Leipzig

Best for family exploration: 3hr canoe tour through the city

Best for first-time visitors: Hop-on Hop-off bus tour including walking tour

• Daily: Budget Basic €57, occasional treat €73
• Drink: Beer (0.5ml) €3.35
• Food: Schnitzel €8
• Hostel/budget hotel: €20/€35
• Travel: Munich–Berlin: train €55–142; bus €22

Fall in love with the rest of Germany >

London and budget aren’t words that usually go together. However, London has more free world-class attractions than any other European city. There's the British Museum , home to enough treasures to satisfy the most curious of history hunters; the vast Tate Modern , with stupendous views from its terrace and ever-changing art collections; the Natural History Museum with its magnificent dinosaurs; and beautiful Victoria & Albert Museum – all free, all of the time.

And don’t forget the open spaces: spend a day tramping across Hampstead Heath, another meandering along the South Bank or perusing East End markets and you’ll get more of a sense of city life than if you’re stuck in a queue at an overpriced attraction. For food, opt for the popular street-food markets and your budget will stretch further – you might even have enough left for an overpriced pint.

Best for being in the centre of London: The Z Hotel Piccadilly

Best for location to Southbank: Park Plaza London Waterloo

Best for stunning views: The London Eye (make sure to book your ticket ahead of time to skip the lines)

Best for the adventurers: Climb the O2 Arena

• Daily budget: Basic €70, occasional treat €90
• Drink: Lager €6
• Food: Fish and chips €10
• Hostel/budget hotel: €13/20 (dorm/private)/€70
• Travel: Train: London–Brighton €20; bus: London–Manchester €40

Get the London low-down >

Think of budget travel in Greece , and the image is still one of island-hopping, sleeping on the deck of a ferry or camping on the beach. However, the slow pace of island travel and the popularity of the main resorts all adds to the cost.

Instead, consider the many-fingered peninsula of Greece . It has some fine beaches – less developed than those on the main islands – and it is home to the ancient sights of Epidaurus and Olympia . Medieval villages, spectacular rack-railway journeys and appealing Byzantine towns all await those who explore beyond the package holiday destinations.

Best for beaches in Finikounta: Hotel Golden Sun

Best for location in Nafplion: Pension Eleni

Best for day tours from Athens: Nafplio and Ancient Epidaurus

Best for explorers: Self-guided virtual reality tour of Olympia

• Daily budget: Basic €31, occasional treat €42
• Drink: Ouzo €3
• Food: Souvláki (shish kebab) €3
• Hostel/budget hotel: €21/€31
• Travel: Bus: Athens–Delphi €19; ferry: Athens–Crete €38

Straddling the Danube, the twin enclaves of Buda and Pest together make one of the most beguiling capitals in Europe . Their main pleasures won’t break the bank, making it one of the top cheap places to travel to.

Spend the day lounging by the pools in the spa, taking the occasional dip, cooling off under the fountains, and watching the old men play chess at the waterside tables. Come evening, the “r uin-bars” of District VII beckon – idiosyncratic bars tucked away in the neighbourhood’s courtyards. The tipple of choice is the cheap local white or rosé drunk long as a spritzer, perfect in the baking heat of summer.

Budapest is one of the best places to visit in Europe in the Spring (March to May) or Autumn (Sept to Nov) as the climate is at its most pleasant – ideal for those outdoor spa days and pounding the pavements.

Best for location to city centre: Arcadia Hotel Budapest

Best for a little luxury: Hotel Palazzo Zichy Budapest

Best to relax: Soak up the atmosphere at the Thermal Margaret Island Spa

Best for wine connoisseurs: Taste 7 Hungarian wines from boutique wineries

• Daily budget: Basic €42, occasional treat €62
• Drink: Beer (large) €2–2.60
• Food: Goulash €3–4
• Hostel/pension: €16–31
• Travel: Train: Budapest–Eger €8.30

Find out more about Budapest >

Any grand tour of Europe includes a string of beautiful Italian cities: refined Florence , alluring Rome and glamorous Venice . While there’s no doubting their charms, they are well and truly on the tourist trail, which pushes up prices, particularly in high season.

Escape from the mainland to Sicily and you’ll find in its capital Palermo a city both redolent of the Italy of yesteryear and – if you ask a Sicilian – a country apart. Undoubtedly run down in places, the city unfolds many surprises . There are churches covered in exquisite mosaics and cluttered neighbourhood markets, where you can snack on local street foods, like arancini (rice balls) and panelle (chick pea fritters), as you wander.

Best for popular attractions: Hotel Palazzo Brunaccini

Best hostel for location to the city: Balarm Hostel

Best for foodies: 3hr street food and history walking tour

Best for day trips: Explore Western Sicily with Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans

• Daily budget: Basic €36, occasional treat €52
• Drink: Wine €2.60/glass
• Food: Local pasta dish €5–8; pizza slice €2
• Hostel/budget hotel: €16–31/€47–62
• Travel: Train: Rome–Naples €21; bus: €12

Get inspired for Sicily >

Vast, deep, Lake Ohrid is the jewel of North Macedonia . The quiet streets of its namesake town reveal frescoed medieval churches, a Roman amphitheatre and a fortress worth climbing for the views. But as you explore the old town, the clear lake waters draw you back time and time again, inviting you to swim, dive or take to the waters by boat.

If you are tempted landwards it might be to hike in the nearby Galičica National Park. With cheap private rooms to rent and several waterside camping spots, the area is perfect for travellers on a budget to kick back and relax.

Best for a cosy guest house: Villa & Winery Mal Sveti Kliment

Best for views of Lake Ohrid: Villa Kale

Best for those with limited time: Day tour from Skopje to Ohrid

Best for history buffs: Private half-day city tour

• Daily budget: Basic €26, occasional treat €36
• Drink: Wine from €2.60 per bottle
• Food: Tavče gravče (bean casserole) €1.50
• Hostel/budget hotel: €10/€26
• Travel: Bus: Skopje–Ohrid €7; train: Skopje–Bitola €4

Travelling cheap? Montenegro won't disappoint. The beautiful walled town of Kotor sits at the end of a fjord-like bay, ringed by dramatic peaks. Just follow your nose in the Old Town. Getting lost in the labyrinth of streets is half the fun, discovering summertime cafés that spill out on the squares before clambering along the old fortress walls.

For a view over the whole gorgeous scene, hike up to St Ivan’s castle, overlooking the town. Kotor’s annual highlight is August’s exuberant Boka Nights festival , when the whole town celebrates as a lavish display of decorated boats parade in the bay and fireworks fill the sky.

Where to stay:

Best for boutique hotel: Boutique Hotel Astoria

Best for location to the city centre and the beach: Muo Apartments

Best to get away from the crowds: 2.5h Kayak Tour in the Bay of Kotor

Best for a day trip: Boat Tour to the Blue Cave & Our Lady of the Rocks

• Daily budget: Basic €31, occasional treat €52
• Drink: Nikšičko Tamno beer €1 (bottle from shop)
• Food: Sarma €2.60–4
• Hostel/budget hotel: €21/€52
• Travel: Bus: Budva–Kotor €3; train: Podgorica–Virpazar €1

For more ideas for visiting Montenegro read our guide to the best things to do in Montenegro .

Part beautiful Hanseatic city, part gritty port town and part Baltic riviera, the northern Polish city of Gdánsk offers a winning combination of coastal appeal. Though the core of this picturesque, colourful city, with its narrow merchant houses, looks ancient, it’s actually a postwar reconstruction – but the history is genuine. It's one of many cheap travel destinations to visit in Poland!

The shipyard crane dates back to the 15th century, and the city was the birthplace of the Solidarity anti-communist movement. Come summer, the action moves to the hip, coastal resort of Sopot , with its golden sand beach, lively party scene and attractive pier (the longest in Europe).

Best for location to the city centre: PURO Gdansk Stare Miasto

Best for great views and location to the city: Mercure Gdansk Stare Miasto

Best for nightlife: Pub Crawl with free drinks

Best for first-time visitors: Electric Scooter guided tour of the Old Town

• Daily budget: Basic €52, occasional treat €73
• Drink: Vodka (50ml shot) €1
• Food: Żurek soup €2–3
• Hostel/budget hotel: €12/€36
• Travel: Train: Warsaw–Kraków €34; bus: €16

Explore the WW2 Liberation Route with the help of a local expert >

Portugal travel doesn't get more exciting than in Porto. Portugal’s second city is appealingly set on the banks of the river Duoro. The riverside district of Portugal is crammed with no-frills good, local restaurants – pick somewhere a street or so back from the waterfront and you’ll be spoilt with local dishes and wines at excellent prices. With the city set on either side of the river, check our guide to the best places to stay in Porto to find accommodation that suits you best.

Other highlights include the vast Portugal park, with a superb art museum set within. However, it is port that the city is famous for. Vinologia is a great bar for an introduction to the varieties of fortified wine, and you can visit the port lodges across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, where for a few euros you can sample their wares.

Make the most of your time in Porto and book ahead to explore some of the unknown wine cellars in the city .

Best for walks along the waterfront: 1872 River House

Best for value with style: MyStay Porto Batalha

Best for day tours: Small group tour to the Douro Valley, Wine Tasting and a River Cruise

Best for iconic views: Torre dos Clérigos (skip-the-line tickets)

• Daily budget: Basic €47, occasional treat €68
• Drink: Bottle of vinho verde in shop €3.60
• Food: Grilled sardines €8
• Hostel/budget hotel: €21/€47
• Travel: Train: Lisbon–Faro €23; bus: Porto–Lisbon €21

Delve into Porto >

Think Transylvania , and you’ll probably imagine Dracula and his castle – and you can certainly go in search of Dracula (aka Vlad the Impaler) connections here. If you're interested in finding Dracula, book your tour here . As Vlad’s birthplace, the attractive town of Sighisoara has the best claim to fame, and it also has a suitably imposing citadel.

But the region is not all fortifications and fangs – make time to venture out into the wilds of the Carpathian mountains , where you can track the Transylvanian wolf, along with bears, red deer and lynx in the Piatra Craiului National Park.

Best for visiting Vlad the Impaler: Casa Richter

Best for visiting Piatra Craiului National Park: Vila Hora cu Brazi

Best for explorers: Medieval City Exploration Game and Tour in Sighisoara

Best for those travelling in high season: Fast track tickets to Bran Castle (Dracula's castle - Romania's number one attraction)

• Daily budget: Basic €26, occasional treat €42
• Drink: Beer €1.90; bottle of Romanian wine €5
• Food: Tochitura moldoveneasca (Moldavian stew) €2.10
• Hostel/budget hotel: €10/€31
• Travel: Bus/train: Bucharest–Braşov €10

Discover more affordable places in Romania >

Also check our best things to do in Romania to make your trip here even more exciting.

Serbia abounds with sights to suit all tastes. Fancy a low-cost summer music festival? Serbia ’s famous EXIT Festival held in July might be just the ticket, and it’s less than half the price of Glastonbury. The line-up is always eclectic, with past acts including David Guetta and Ziggy Marley.

A trip here is about more than the music, however, with a setting that leaves other festivals in the shade. The Petrovaradin fortress stands majestically above the lively city of Novi Sad , a couple of hours from Belgrade. Stages and festival spaces fill every corner of the fortress, and you can spend your days lounging on the river beaches on the banks of the Danube.

If you don't have the time to stay longer, consider taking a day tour from Belgrade to explore Novi Sad and taste the local wines in Sremski Karlovci.

Best for rooftop views of the city: Hotel Leopold I Novi Sad

Best hostel for city location: Hostel Sova

• Drink: Beer (0.5l) €1
• Food: Pljeskavica (hamburger) €1–2
• Hostel/budget hotel: €13/€37
• Travel: Bus: Belgrade–Novi Sad €6; train: Belgrade–Niš €7

Get the low-down on Serbia >

Slovakia's pride and joy , the Tatras mountain range is a magnificent series of peaks – culminating in the pyramid-shaped Gerlach at 2,655m. Start at one of the village resorts like Nový Smokovec or Ždiar, then make for the mountains, where you can rest your weary heads at cheap hikers’ chalets.

This is serious mountain terrain, so be prepared and heed local advice. The mountains are also an inviting playground for climbers and cavers, and you’ll find mountain bike paths, tubing and rafting, plus a full winter season of skiing and snowboarding.

Best for the location to popular attractions: Penzion Reitmayer

Best for families: Apartmanovy Dom TatraTravel Smokovec

• Daily budget: Basic €37, occasional treat €47
• Drink: Beer €1.80
• Food: Gnocchi with bacon €4
• Hostel/budget hotel: €16/€31
• Travel: Bratislava–Košice (train) €20

Sandwiched between Italy, Austria and Croatia, compact Slovenia is an appealing destination on any journey through Europe. There's its charming capital, Ljubljana , as well as easy travel, a burgeoning wine industry and tempting pocket of coastline. For the adventure-minded, or for those who just want to camp in a beautiful lakeside setting, the northwest region is perfect.

Nestled below the stunning Julian Alps are the very different twin lakes of Bled and Bohinj . From here you can carry on to the Soča Valley, right by the Italian border, for hiking, kayaking and rafting adventures.

Best guest house for views of Lake Bled: Penzion Vila Prešeren

Best for lake views: Grand Hotel Toplice

Best for adventurers: 3hr Rafting Experience

Best for wine experiences: Taste 7 top Slovenian wines in a 100-year old wine cellar in Bled

• Drink: Pivo (beer' 0.5ml) €2.60
• Food: Pizza €5–7
• Hostel/budget hotel: €19/€62
• Travel: Train: Ljubljana–Maribor €9; bus: Ljubljana–Bled €7

Find out more about Slovenia >

The southernmost province of Spain, Andalucía travel is a tempting budget destination. This perennially popular region boasts showpiece cities such as Seville , Granada and Córdoba , with their exquisite monuments highlighting the area's Moorish past. Even here prices are competitive compared with Madrid and Barcelona.

You only need to head a little further afield, to the underrated city of Málaga with its Picasso connection and authentic tapas scene, or the atmospheric ancient port city of Cádiz, and you’ll enjoy that alluring southern Spanish vibe for budget-friendly prices. Cheap tapas (the tradition of free tapas originates in Granada) means you can sample Iberian flavours for a couple of euros a plate, and to continue your budget adventure, simply hop on the ferry to Morocco, tantalisingly close by.

Best guest house location to city centre: El Riad Andaluz

Best for style on a budget: Hotel Boutique Villa Lorena Malaga

Best for exploring arts: Guided tour through the Picasso Museum

Best for short hikes: Caminito del Rey - 3hr guided hike

• Daily budget: Basic €68; occasional treat €88
• Drink: €1.80–2.60 per caña (small beer)
• Food: Menú del día €10–12
• Hostel/budget hotel: €17/€36–83
• Travel: Madrid–Barcelona: bus €33–45; train €62–130

Book onto the best things to do in Andalucía

Situated in the west of this vast country, within easy travelling distance of Central European cities such as Kraków and Budapest, Lviv is the city to head for if you want a taste of Ukraine.

It revels in a mixture of Central European influences: Habsburg and Polish, Catholic, Orthodox and Armenian, with its architecture and magnificent churches reflecting this eclecticism. Ukraine regularly features on the list of cheapest destinations in Europe, and with a growing supply of backpacker hostels, appealing coffee houses and quirky bars, this is an extremely budget-friendly city with a refined edge.

Best for location to the city centre: Lviv Central Jam Hotel

Best for style on a budget: Taurus Hotel

Best for first time visitors: Lviv Old Town Walking Tour

Best for foodies with an interest in history: Communist-style Food and Bar Tour

• Drink: Horilka (vodka; 50ml shot) €1
• Food: Ukrainian borshch €0.80
• Hostel/budget hotel: €8/€31
• Travel: Train: Kyiv–Odesa €10; bus: €19

Top image © Patteran/Shutterstock

This feature contains affiliate links; all recommendations are editorially independent.

Top image: Malaga, Spain, Old Town Skyline © S Pavone / Shutterstock

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Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

City Price Guides For Budget Travel

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“How much does it cost to go backpacking through Europe?” That’s the question everyone wants to know.

This is why we created our Europe   City Price Guide Series. Each cost guide outlines how much you can expect to spend during an average day while traveling on a backpacker’s budget. The daily cost consists of a night in a hostel, three meals, a snack/adult beverage, an attraction, and daily public transportation.

Note: These daily travel cost guides are designed for budget-minded travelers— so you may want to add a little extra wiggle room to your daily budget for those times you can’t find the best deals or want to splurge a little.

Europe Budget Travel City Price Guides

Amsterdam, netherlands.

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €70-€120 (Approx. $75-$130)

Amsterdam is a world-class city that’s become a popular destination for multiple reasons — but cheap prices aren’t one of them.  See the complete price guide for Amsterdam

Antwerp, Belgium

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €55-€80 (Approx. $60-$85)

While Antwerp is best known as the center of the diamond trade, it’s actually a hidden gem thanks to its medieval architecture, vibrant nightlife, fashion scene, and art.  See complete price guide for Antwerp

Athens, Greece

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €55-€75 (Approx. $58-$79)

Athens is one of the most popular cities to visit — mainly for the many grandiose ancient ruins.  See complete price guide for Athens

Barcelona, Spain

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €36- €66 ( $42- $77 USD) 

If you hunt for a cheap place to stay Barcelona ends up being a fairly good value — by Western Europe standards.  See complete price guide for Barcelona

Berlin, Germany

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €36- €57 (Approx. $42-$65)

Berlin has been the cheapest capital city in Western Europe for years so it has always attracted budget travelers. Prices are rising but there are plenty of great deals to be found on lodging and food.  See complete price guide for Berlin

Bruges, Belgium

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €37-€65 (Approx. $43-$76)

Bruges isn’t the cheapest place to visit but most travelers spend just a day or two in this fairytale village — so it shouldn’t hurt your budget.  See complete price guide for Bruges

Brussels, Belgium

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €48-€71 (Approx. $52-$78)

Brussels is home to the EU parliament and many jet-set business professionals — which means prices are high.  See complete price guide for Brussels

Budapest, Hungary

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  Approx. $20-$45

Budapest has a lot of great stuff going for it — a great nightlife scene, beautiful architecture, loads of history, and super cheap food, alcohol, and accommodations.  See complete price guide for Budapest

Cologne, Germany

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €38-€54 (Approx. $40-$58)

Germany’s fourth largest city has an amazing cathedral, great beer and the prices are affordable.  See complete price guide for Cologne

Copenhagen, Denmark

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  Approx. $62-$95

Copenhagen is beautiful but it certainly isn’t cheap — especially alcohol and food. You can find ways to save but it’s going to take some effort.  See complete price guide for Copenhagen

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  Approx. $43 -$63

Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most popular destination and one of the most beautiful walled cities in the world. It is a little more expensive than other cities in the region but it’s certainly worth the visit if you’re in the neighborhood.  See complete price guide for Dubrovnik

Dublin, Ireland

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:   €40-€64 (Approx. $47-$75)

Dublin can be reasonably affordable or expensive — it depends on your drinking habits. So while you can’t expect to find many good deals on alcohol (or food for that matter), you can probably find a reasonably priced hostel.  See complete price guide for Dublin

Edinburgh, Scotland

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  £32-£59 (Approx. $43-$78)

Scotland uses the pound so automatically prices are going to be higher thanks to the unfavorable exchange rate. Avoid the city during the summer festival season if you’re on a budget because prices for hostels and hotels increase dramatically.  See complete price guide for Edinburgh

Florence, Italy

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: € 42-€61 (Approx. $50-$72)

Florence is generally a good deal so you can experience the city without spending a fortune. Do budget extra for all the amazing gelato because you’ll probably find yourself eating it every day. That said, cheap hostel beds get snatched up quickly in the summer.  See complete price guide for Florence

Hamburg, Germany

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: € 39-€65 (Approx. $46-$76)

Even though it’s Germany’s second largest city, Hamburg is overshadowed by Berlin’s and Munich’s tourism draw. Hamburg is actually a very modern city so it has a much different vibe than the stereotypical “quaint” Germany — although is does have plenty of old-world charm.  See complete price guide for Hamburg

Krakow, Poland

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  Approx. $20-$35

Krakow is cheap — the hostels are cheap (but still great quality), the alcohol is cheap, and the food is cheap. But as more people learn about the amazing town the more prices will rise… so visit sooner than later.  See complete price guide for Krakow

Lisbon, Portugal 

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €24- € 38 (Approx. $27-$43)

Lisbon is a beautiful hilly coastal city famous for its pastel buildings, cafe culture, and Fado music. It’s also very friendly on the wallet when compared to other Western European cities.  See complete price guide for Lisbon

London, England

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  £45-£75 (Approx.$65-$110)

London is going to hurt your budget so you’ll have to get creative if you want to experience this city without going broke. However, the government-run museums are both world class and completely free.  See complete price guide for London

Madrid, Spain

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €32-€56 (Approx. $37-$64)

Madrid is a ton of fun and easy on the budget — especially by western Europe standards. Take advantage of free tapas (when you purchase alcohol) for a cheap meal.  See complete price guide for Madrid

Milan, Italy

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €34-€60 (Approx. $40-$70)

Not only is Milan is Italy’s fashion and business center, but it’s also home to da Vinci’s The Last Supper and the amazing  Duomo  Cathedral.  See complete price guide for Milan

Munich, Germany

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €40-€65 (Approx. $45-$75)

The capital of Bavaria and the home to beer gardens, giant pretzels, and quintessential Germany.  See complete price guide for Munich, Germany

Naples, Italy

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €32-€50 (Approx. $35-$56)

They say Rome is Italy’s heart and Naples is its soul — maybe this soul comes from the fact that Naples is one of Europe’s poorer (but also affordable) cities.  See complete price guide for Naples

Nice, France

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €37-€60 (Approx. $42-$70)

Located on the Côte d’Azur (The French Riviera), Nice is a cheaper destination than the ultra-lux destinations of Monaco and Cannes.  See complete price guide for Nice

Paris, France

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €40-€80 (Approx. $50-$90)

Everyone needs to see Paris. True, it isn’t a cheap place to visit (especially the hostels and hotels) but there are plenty of ways to save.  See complete price guide for Paris

Prague, Czech Republic

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  Approx. $23-$40

Prague looks like you’ve stepped into a fairytale and the prices are great too! Ok, prices have been steadily rising but you can easily experience the city without spending much cash.  See complete price guide for Prague

Reykjavik, Iceland

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  Approx. $70-$105

Reykjavik is expensive… and that’s just to stay in the city. If you want to explore nature (which is the best reason to visit Iceland) you’ll have to shell out a lot more money.  See complete price guide for Reykjavik

Riga, Latvia

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €25-€40 (Approx. $30-$50)

Riga’s cheap prices, super cheap booze, bustling nightlife, and beautiful scenery make it an ideal location for budget travelers… except that it’s physically located away from the normal budget traveler’s trail.  See the complete travel price guide for Riga

Rome, Italy

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €40-€70 (Approx. $46-$80)

Rome is on just about every European itinerary. The prices actually aren’t too bad considering its popularity but it can get expensive if you’re not careful.  See complete price guide for Rome

Seville, Spain

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €40-€55 (Approx. $45-$70)

Seville is a beautiful and compact city that’s worth visiting for a few days. It’s prices are reasonable and its laidback vibe will make you want to spend multiple nights chowing down on tapas. See the complete travel price guide for Seville

Stockholm, Sweden

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: 550 SEK-840 SEK  (Approx. $62-$93)

Stockholm is a beautiful city. It is also expensive. As in, it’s one of the most expensive cities to visit. If you do go, you may want to keep your trip short if you’re on a tight budget.  See complete price guide for Stockholm

Venice, Italy

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €51-66 (Approx. $60-$75)

One of the most picturesque cities in the world that has to be seen — even if it’s expensive and overrun with tourists.  See complete price guide for Venice

Vienna, Austria

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost:  €40-€62 (Approx. $46-$70)

The gorgeous capital of Austria that’s been dubbed the City of Music. It can be a little expensive but thanks to its inexpensive accommodation and budget food options it ends up being cheaper than other comparable cities.  See complete price guide for Vienna

New York City

New York City is the most visited city in the US and my current home so I put together an NYC Price Guide to help you budget for your next trip to the Big Apple.

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5 fantastic Europe vacations to take on a budget

Looking to save money on your next epic vacation around Europe ? Whether your idea of a dream trip is skiing the slopes, exploring a new city or basking in the sunshine on the beach, here are five diverse holidays to have in Europe without breaking the bank.

City break: Istanbul

Although the European continent features various budget city breaks, one of the best is Istanbul. The city is, on average, approximately 40% cheaper than Barcelona , which means things like hotels and meals are very affordable for travelers.

With key attractions like the Hagia Sophia, the iconic Blue Mosque (free entrance!) and the Topkapi Palace, Istanbul is perfect for history fans. But tourists just looking for a city adventure will enjoy roaming Istanbul's streets, indulging in Turkish foodie delights, shopping at the Grand Bazaar and boating along the Bosporus.

Besides relatively low cash rates for hotels (some as low as $60 per night according to Hotels.com), it's possible to find budget points deals too. There are a number of Marriott Bonvoy properties in the city that cost between 8,000 and 20,000 Bonvoy points per night.

Ski trip: Livigno, Italy

For Swiss-style powder at Italian prices, consider Livigno for your next ski holiday. The area, just across the Swiss border from St. Moritz, offers Swiss-style slopes at a fraction of the cost. Day ski passes cost about $32, whereas day passes at nearby St. Moritz can cost nearly double that price, or even more on peak dates.

A quick search on Airbnb shows that cozy apartments with mountain views start at just $85 per night. In contrast, fancy alpine resorts that would cost $500-$900 per night in ski destinations like Switzerland or Austria offer rates starting at $244 per night.

Livigno has another perk: It's tax-free for skiers that also love perusing the stores. This means you can shop to your heart's content without having to pay any value-added tax.

Related: 6 mistakes to avoid when taking your 1st ski trip to Europe

Beach vacation: Fuerteventura, Spain

One of Europe's most affordable beach destinations, Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands has wild, pristine stretches of sand. The best part? Besides being ideal for budget travelers thanks to low-cost accommodation and meal options, the island sees sunshine and warm temperatures all year long, meaning you can have an epic winter sun holiday or an iconic summer break — really, a beach getaway at any time of year.

Once there, it's a breeze to find cheap accommodation, from affordable all-inclusive hotels to low-cost beach rentals. Surfboard rentals cost as low as $11 per day, and the island is also exempt from value-added tax.

Train adventure: Prague to Budapest

For a scenic and affordable adventure, take the train between two of Europe's most beautiful and cheapest cities: Prague and Budapest, Hungary. The seven-hour ride costs as little as $21 each way on RegioJet.

The trip is as gorgeous as it is cost-effective. You'll glide past picturesque landscapes like rolling hills and castles, even catching sight of the Danube River during the ride.

Although Budapest is 12% cheaper than Prague, both cities reign when it comes to affordable dining, lodging and activities. For example, entrance to the Buda Castle is about $4, and it's simple to find a pint of beer in either city for less than a couple of dollars.

Related: 10 things no one tells you about ... Budapest

Road trip: Croatia

Whether you love iconic natural landscapes like far-flung beaches and glistening cascades or prefer discovering red-roofed villages and historical sites, a road trip adventure through Croatia has it all.

It costs less than $10 per day in the low season to rent a car at Croatia's Zagreb Airport from popular rental agencies like Avis or Sixt, according to Kayak. From there, you have options.

You can head east to the Istrian Peninsula to discover beautiful fishing villages and quiet beaches, visiting destinations like Porec, Rovinj and Pula.

Another alternative is to head south but stay inland, stopping at the famous Plitvice Lakes National Park as well as Rastoke, which is known as the "mini" Plitvice Lakes. Or, head south along the coast to Krka National Park and Split. If you're traveling in the off-season, continue on toward Dubrovnik, which is much more affordable (and less touristy) outside the busy summer months.

A Europe getaway doesn't have to break the bank

Whether you love a road trip or prefer to ski, it is possible to travel despite rising costs. Besides selecting the right destinations, now is the perfect time to dig into that stash of points to save on accommodations or airfare. Combining strategies, like picking affordable spots and using your points, means you may be able to have a luxury vacation without overspending.

Find cheap flights to Europe from $94

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Good to know

Faqs - booking europe flights, what are some of the passport and visa requirements for united states citizens traveling to france.

Citizens of the United States need to have a valid passport and make sure that the passport remains valid for at least 90 days beyond their date of departure from France. When traveling on vacation, there is no need to get a visa so long as you plan on staying for less than 90 days in France.

If I plan on vacationing in Greece, what are some all the quickest ways I can get there from the United States?

Most Travelers in the United States flying to Greece will go to the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH). When you are departing from the west coast of the United States and an airport like the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), your quickest option will be a board one-stop flights offered by Lufthansa they have layovers at Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC).

If I plan on traveling to Germany for Oktoberfest, what are the best airport choices?

By far, the best airport choice is to travel to Munich Airport (MUC), which is the city where this event is held. When traveling from the United States, you can find nonstop flights aboard Lufthansa from both Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, and there are one-stop flights on the same airline from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

If I am traveling to the International Music Summit in Ibiza, what are some of the best ways to get there from the United States?

One of the most convenient airport choices to get to this event is to travel to the Ibiza Airport (IBZ). When traveling from John F. Kennedy International Airport, you will find one-stop flights aboard Air Europa and Iberia to this airport. If you are traveling from the West Coast of the United States from an airport such as Los Angeles International Airport, you can travel on one-stop flights aboard British Airways and Vueling.

If I would like to make my way to an eastern European country such as Poland, what are some good flight options from the United States?

Most Travelers in the United States making their way to this country will fly to the Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW). If you’re departing from a large city on the East Coast United States such as the Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), the quickest trips occur on one-stop flights aboard Scandinavian Airlines that have layovers at Kastrup Copenhagen Airport (CPH).

Which airline is the best choice for nonstop flights to Sweden from the United States?

By far, your best choice is going to be SAS Airlines since they are based in Stockholm and have a reputation for offering great flight options to Sweden from the United States. One example of this would be the nonstop flights they offer between Chicago O' Hare International Airport (ORD) and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN).  

How long is the flight to Europe?

An average nonstop flight from the United States to Europe takes 8h 36m, covering a distance of 4022 miles. The most popular route is Newark - London with an average flight time of 7h 05m.

What is the cheapest flight to Europe?

The cheapest ticket to Europe from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $122 one-way, and $302 round-trip. The most popular route is Newark to London Heathrow and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $325.

Which airlines fly to Europe?

British Airways, American Airlines & Finnair fly the most frequently from the United States to Europe. The most popular route is from New York to London, and United Airlines, Air Canada and Lufthansa fly this route the most.

What are the most popular destinations in Europe?

The next most popular destinations are Paris (20%) and Rome (12%). Searches for flights to Athens (8%), to Madrid (5%) and to Lisbon (4%) are also popular.

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Europe

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Europe flight deals.
• A popular city in Europe that people from Los Angeles often travel to is Paris. Most travelers will utilize Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as their departure airport, and to Paris Orly Airport there are non-stop flights aboard French Bee and Air Caraibes, and to Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) there are direct flights aboard Air France and Delta Airlines.
• A city that is quite popular with travelers departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is London. Some of the non-stop flight options available from the airport to London include flights aboard Finnair, Iberia, Virgin Atlantic, and American Airlines to Heathrow Airport (LHR), as well as non-stop flights aboard Norse Atlantic Airways, British Airways, and JetBlue to Gatwick Airport (LGW).
• Passengers in the United States traveling to any city in England and planning on renting a car should know that children must use a car seat until they are at least 12 years old. Parents can utilize the most appropriate type of child restraint based on the age and size of their child.
• When travelers in the center of the United States want to travel to the popular city of Berlin, they most often will depart on international flights from Chicago O' Hare International Airport (ORD). From this airport, passengers can find one-stop flights to Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (BER) aboard LOT Airlines, Icelandair, and Lufthansa.
• When parents plan on taking their children to France and will be driving a rental car, it is important to know that children up to 15 months of age must travel in a rear-facing car seat, and then up to four years old must travel in a forward-facing car seat. After that, any child up to 12 years of age needs to travel in either a booster seat or on a booster cushion.
• One of the most popular destinations in Europe for travelers from the United States is Madrid. When traveling from the large city of Boston and the Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), travelers can find nonstop flight options aboard Iberia, Finnair, and American Airlines to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD).
• Another destination that is quite popular for visitors traveling to Europe is Vienna. When flying from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), passengers can find a number of one-stop flights aboard both United Airlines and Lufthansa that travel to Vienna International Airport (VIE).

Top 5 airlines flying to Europe

On 2 different flights the wifi was horrible and there was no drink or snack service.

Wifi wasn’t working well so we couldn't view any media.

Flight was late. Club was full. Experience is exactly what I expected.

Carly the flight attendant was extremely helpful and very accommodating to passengers on the flight from what I noticed. Couldn't be more satisfied with the service and assistance from Delta's flight attendant, Thanks again Carly!!

I didn’t not like that I could not select my seat and ended up with the worse seat.

I didn’t like that I could not select my seat and was assigned a seat when I checked in at LAX

Delta did an awful job w logistics at DTW. Missed connection. We were there an hour early. SUCKED

Inflight entertainment stopped working as we taxi to runway and never worked again until landing and taxi to gate. Grrrr

Had to run to make it only to have the flight delayed to wait for all the late connectors Second drink service skipped up

Boarding was a sh!t show. JFK BOARDING was awful. The agent called three sections at a time Clogging the area then yelling at people to not block the walk way. How are you going to call delta one , premium select and comfort plus at once and the yell at highest paying passengers. Need to do a lot better and the flight attendants in the galley need to understand that their voices travel. They were talking about others and everyone in the cabin heard them

Good dinner and nice plane.Smootz flight. Breakfast had no sweet option. Seats hardly reclined.

Positive: Entertainment via phone on the short was great and my first time. Good food and wine and head phones for free. Negative: Seat hardly reclined on the long flight. Breakfast was an egg with a bun. No egg choices and rather have something sweet like bun/jam and Youghurt.

Awful. I got stuck next to a person carrying a dog and behind someone with a dog. People need to board these dogs downstairs. The cabin is crowded enough with your pets

The flight was canceled. Got rebooked to Chicago and when we arrived our luggage where to there. They were going to our original destination the day after. They would not deliver them to our house. We had to go pick them up.

Too many fees (but that seems to apply to all airlines nowadays)

Packed in like sardines, very uncomfortable. Sitting the aisle my shoulder was rammed into numerous times by rushing flight attendants. Also flight was very cold.

Your app is impossible to use. I couldn't load it. Then i couldn't open it. When i finally got both those things done -with much help -then i couldn't open the app to install a credit card. The upshot was 4 flights without access to food or drink. When i first tried to download united app some company called starlier opened instead and i would up signing up for some 49 dollar a month music service which i still have not been able to cancel.

Delayed a day due to snow storm. Was upgraded. That kind of made up for significant delays from FLL to COS with no compensation or acknowledgement.

It was delayed several hours which delayed our connection in Denver. Not happy.

Ok, but comfort was lacking as the seats were way to small

Generally good but we were delayed almost two hours from the original time of purchase. The pilot claimed an internal issue then an external equipment issue that needed to be adddressed. He made up a lot of the time.

Re-checking our bags, the workers were not able to help us with boarding passes for the flight, told us to wait, then ignored us while they helped many other passengers. Until I got rude, they would have left us standing there, and even then they were very curt and dismissive in telling us where to get boarding passes printed. We made it to the gate just as they were starting to board passengers. It was just rude customer service.

Delayed abs delayed Gate crew giving poor info - we are definitely leaving at —- Ultimately to cancel flight after 4+ hours of delays Just cancel it earlier

The flight was excellent, provided that we had inclement weather. We departed earlier than scheduled and arrived early. There was a little turbulence, but nothing to be worried about.

Our flight was great we left Kona earlier and got into LAX almost an 1hour earlier as well. LAX AA is in repair so to get out and found our bus to get pick up was a bit confusing.

Delayed flight, few announcements with information, no comps, cluster f boarding because zones weren’t spread out and announced loud and repeatedly, staff did their job -nothing more nothing less, annoying kids were speaking and kicking the heck out of the back of my seat and parents weren’t willing to parent… so another typical day of air travel in the US.,

It was less than what is expected for a business class ticket I thought that the staff actively ignored me because I either looked Indian or Hispanic to them and I guess I did not deserve their attention. The food which included a beef entree was not available so not enough food was ordered for number of seats available. I will say experience in Greenwich lounge was very good and the staff there at the airport were very nice. May be your crew needs to learn about racial equity so that everyone gets either the same aweful treatment or hopefully the best treatment which is what we expect I recommend you take a flight with Singapore airlines that I have taken and the crew remember your last names and use it to address each person, food never finishes if you are at the back of business class and crew anticipate your need even before you articulate. Same price and 100 times better service than American Airlines

I don’t think the flight attendants are happy. They do not seem to be friendly or welcoming.

Flight was delayed until Next day as crew timed out

We are gluten free, there were not any available complimentary gluten free options.

Horrible crowding on the seats, headphones provided did not fit or work in the entertainment center, seriously the most uncomfortable flight I have taken in a LONG time. The people in front of me were literally 5 inches from my face the entire flight. Did they change their seats recently? I remember it being tight but wow this was a whole new level. Also I am a 5'3" small woman so I can't even imagine a larger person dealing with that for 11 hrs.

Seat controls of lights were broken, and only 1 of the 2 seat TVs ever worked on the long flight. On the short flight there were no USB connections, on the long one they were difficult to access. Part of my meal was frozen, though the hot portion was good.

Lufthansa fails at mentioning no luggage when booking through points. We had to pay added fees to take checked bags to Europe for 2 weeks. The staff at check in were not helpful at all. told us "if we don't like it, then book another flight". Food was bad, they ran out of half the options. Vegetarian was terrible. The flight crew was nice, and tried to make it work ok.

Always a pleasure to deal with United's helpful and knowledgeable staff

Always a pleasure to deal with United's helpful and knowledgeable saff

My school age daughter was not sat near me. We left almost an hour late. Therefore arriving late and missing another flight. Since it was not a connecting flight there was nothing Lufthansa could do about it. After the selay in take off and arrival we waited almost an hour for baggage claim. There was zero concern for my inconvenience. I asked if we could insure being seated together on the return. They stated no because we booked through Kayak. I typically love Lufthansa. This was very disappointing.

This flight is always a cramped bus. The gate area was inadequate and announcements were hard to hear. The flight was delayed 45 minutes to an hour by a broken aircraft door, making our total delay from Vilnius 5 hours.

Great seats assigned and comfortable, movies are good, food is delicious, great experience. No delays and they prioritize boarding children with parents which is plus.

they canceled my flight and we’re absolutely atrocious and helping me rebook

My flight was canceled. New flight is 40 hours later and I still didn’t get the flight from Frankfurt to Zagreb.

Fare was much lower with a layover in London as I was able avoid numerous landing fees that would have been added to the ticket price had I booked a direct flight to Amsterdam.

We have business class seats from Los Angeles to London. The crew is friendly and provided great service. The flight was very comfortable and very smooth. Will use this airlines again in the future.

The flight was delayed numerous times with inconsistent updates and very ambiguous information. When it was finally cancelled the logistics of handing out vouchers and rebooking was extremely chaotic. Meal vouchers were completely inadequate for the airport restaurants, and not even accepted at some. All-in-all, it was a very disappointing experience.

Terrible. The flight from Islamabad to London took 3 hours more then previously planned, I missed my connection to Chicago, and instead had to go New York, spend an extra day before arriving at my final destination. The return leg of the journey was similar. The connection time in Qatar was shrinked to less then an hour unannounced, I had to scramble to barely make it to my flight to Islamabad. Terrible experience, never using British airways again.

The crew on this flight were attentive, efficient and friendly. It really made for an enjoyable flight.

The crew on this flight were excellent. They were friendly and attentive. It really made the flight more enjoyable.

They canceled my flight , they put me on a different flight that was delayed and the connection was lost . They lost my luggage. And now I’m stuck with any of my belongings.

British Airways canceled our plane and gave us a new flight scheduled to leave in only three hours, so we had to drop everything and rush to the airport. The new itinerary only left us a one hour layover in Madrid, which was too short because the plane landed late and so we missed our connecting flight. We were then booked onto a flight scheduled to take off 8 hours later, and were not given any compensation or remedial measures.

Seat layout, flight/club attendant service, food variety and quality could have been better. Business class Standard is visibly low compared with 6 other airlines that we have traveled for the past two years.

Despite many attempts to work out a change, neither British Airways nor Kayak nor Chatdeal would allow us to cancel or change this flight so we lost all of the payments when we were not able to fly. Absolutely terrible customer service. We will never use either of the services again.

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The Cheapest Ways to Travel Europe, According to a Cheapo Who Loves Traveling Europe

Last Updated: October 27, 2023

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What’s the cheapest way to travel Europe?

After 7 years of bouncing around Europe as a) a backpacker, b) a broke student and now c) a restless expat, this is a question I’ve relentlessly sought the answer to.

My first taste of European budget travel was during my first ever backpacking trip around Western Europe. I had travelled from Paris to London, two major bucket list cities of mine, for less than the price of 6 Chicken Nuggets.

It was exhilarating. My mind was blown… and I suppose you could say, that’s when a monster was born.

Save these cheap ways to travel Europe for later!

You’ll be very, very glad you did. (Your wallet will be too!)

When I returned a year later as an exchange student, I took advantage of budget travel options to go absolutely insane and indulge in weekend trips anytime I could.

Along the way I discovered wild deals like 5 euro bus tickets to Paris, 20 euro roundtrip tickets to London, 40 euro roundtrip tickets to MOROCCO.

Not to be dramatic: but a whole new world – nay, a whole new ME – emerged. Since moving back to Europe, I’ve continued to take advantage of the countless cheap options out there – after all, why spend extra when you don’t need to?

That’s why I want to share with you my top tips today, lifting the veil on the cheapest way(s) to travel Europe.

You can also click here to download a free checklist that breaks down my process for finding the cheapest ways to travel from Point A to Point B every time. Enjoy!

PRO TIP: I always use Omio to quickly compare the prices of flights, trains and buses. It sorts everything by cheapest, recommended, shortest, etc. and is totally free!

My Cheapest Ways to Travel Europe Video

One of the most important things to do before travelling internationally is figuring out how you’ll get around. Want a video version of all the info below? Here you go:

1. Taking Buses to Travel Europe Cheaply

If affordability is what you’re after, I highly recommend traveling around Europe by bus.

While it’s not as comfortable, convenient or scenic as train travel, it comes at a fraction of the cost (which means more euros in your pocket for croissant hoarding and wine guzzling).

These days, the main contender in European bus travel is FlixBus .  

For me, Flixbus wins in terms of price, flexibility and convenience. With fares as cheap as 5 euros one way, the price simply can’t be beat.

Plus, you can easily download an app where you can check different bus times/purchase tickets up to the day of.

They even have the most chilled out cancellation policy ever – you can cancel/change your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure for only a euro (note: in the good old days, this was even free!)

That’s why I think Flixbus is the perfect choice for a spontaneous budget traveler.

They even have an awesome pass called Interflix that allows you to book 5 journeys for only 99 euros. That means you can ride from one European hotspot to another for only 20 euros… an absolute steal.

Click here to scope out the best Flixbus deals

NOTE: As with all things in life, you get what you pay for. Flixbus isn’t world-renowned for amazing service or punctuality, but they do get you from Point A to Point B eventually. I’d recommend them if budget is your #1 priority.

Other bus options to check out in Europe:

Eurolines: I’ve only used Eurolines a handful of times because Flixbus is so convenient to book, but they offer a lot of routes around Europe and in my experience, tend to be more punctual than Flixbus.

However, they’re a lot less flexible when it comes to modifications/cancellations, with a zero refund policy within 48 hours of the trip date, and a 25-50% deduction of the total fare if you cancel earlier. In other words, if you want to be flexible, Flixbus is a better choice!

RegioJet, AKA Student Agency Bus:  I took this one from Prague to Budapest 2 years ago and it’s still (to date) the most luxurious bus trip I’ve ever had!

It was super affordable, there were movies available on board and even a “bus attendant” who gave us free hot chocolate and tea. Most of their routes seem to be in/out of the Czech Republic, but they’re an amazing deal if you’re travelling in that area.

Megabus: Megabus used to be my go-to bus company (they’re how I got from Paris to London for two pounds in 2014 – like I said, for less than the price of 6 nuggets!) but their European routes have since been acquired by Flixbus.

That said, they’re still active in the UK, and have some crazy deals if you book early enough (the first to buy tickets on certain routes can score them for only 1 pound)

Another cost-effective option in the UK is  National Express.  I’ve used them many times and they’re always very professional and punctual. The key with them is to book as early as possible to score the best deals!

Local bus lines: While travelling around the Balkans, I relied on a number of local coach companies to get around. If you happen to be travelling around the Balkans, your best bet is to inquiry at the local bus station for tickets – they’re usually very affordable even the day-of.

2. Hopping around Europe Cheaply with budget airlines

One of the most popular (and cheapest) ways to travel Europe is through budget airlines.

Unlike North America, Europe is crawling with budget airlines that can take you from Point A to Point B at ludicrously low costs.

… Sometimes even cheaper than the bus!

With Ryanair for example, I can get from Munich to London for only 10 euros if I book early enough. That’s cheaper than the cost of actually getting to the airport!

How to find them: I always use Skyscanner  to check out the best flight deals. A few big names to look out for include RyanAir , EasyJet, WizzAir , Volotea,  EuroWings, and Vueling.

You can also use Omio (for free!) to search up flights, buses and trains at the same time so you can see which out of all these options is cheapest.

Lastly, you can double check deals from various locations using a VPN like Private Internet Access to see if you can find better deals.

Download my free checklist: I actually wrote an entire post on how to find the cheapest flights TO Europe, and the tips/systems I introduce definitely work for flights within Europe as well. Click here to read it, and click here to download the free checklists I made that will help you find the cheapest flight every time.

One note with budget airlines: you absolutely, 1000% get what you pay for.

This means limited legroom, ‘meh’ service and additional costs for everything (including extra bags, in-flight meals and even printing your ticket at the airport).

But hey, for the price, you really can’t beat it. So long as you familiarize yourself with each airline’s rules and hidden costs, you’ll be fine.

If you want a preview of what the experience is like, click here to read my honest RyanAir review, and click here to read my honest Wizz Air review.

I wouldn’t stress too much about having the most luxurious and wonderful experience though… instead, it’s much easier to accept a mildly uncomfortable 1-3 hours.

After all guys, you are paying 10 euros to fly in a hover-box through the sky. Chill out, and enjoy the (dis)comfort of your legroom-less seat.

Click here to scope out the best flight deals on Skyscanner

3. Cruise around Europe on a budget with BlaBaCar

Those in search of the cheapest way to travel Europe should definitely look into BlaBlaCar.

BlaBlaCar is a carpool service that matches up drivers/passengers who are going to the same places. You’re essentially pitching in for gas/other expenses in exchange for a seat in someone’s car.

I know it sounds slightly sketch, but it operates on a good review system much like Couchsurfing and AirBNB . Many of my friends use it regularly with great results.

HELPFUL HINT: In some areas, Google Maps has even begun syncing up with BlaBlaCar , so when you search up how to get from Point A to Point B, BlaBlaCar rides will show up as an additional option below driving, public transport, etc.

Click here to check out BlaBlaCar

4. Save Money on Your Europe Trip by Hitchhiking

If you’re looking for (truly) the cheapest way to travel Europe, hitchhiking would be it. Is it glamorous? No. But it’s like, 50 shades of free, soooo…

Now here’s the thing: hitchhiking is better suited for some areas than others.

For example, while in the Balkans, I hitchhiked once in Bosnia and the guy turned out to be a lovely lavender farmer who (seemed to) own a monopoly over lavender fields in the area.

He barely spoke English and could only keep pointing at his fields like a boss while hollering “LAVANDA LAVANDA”.

That was a fun experience.

On the other hand, it might not be as easy to do in Western Europe… I’ve never tried it myself in this area, but I do have friends who once hitchhiked from Amsterdam to Munich to visit me for Oktoberfest.

It took 16 hours. SO, know that this is the ultimate cheap way to travel Europe, but it can be very unpredictable, tough and kill a lot of your exploration time.

It’s also true that hitchhiking isn’t for everyone. While it’s not as dangerous or uncommon as many people think, it still carries some risk and disadvantages.

You should probably NOT hitchhike if:

• You are paranoid about safety (and travelling alone)
• You are limited in time
• You have strict plans on where you need to be and when

5. See Europe in Style (and on a budget) with train deals

There are few travel experiences as epic as taking the train across Europe… that said, while train travel is incredible , it can wreak some serious havoc on your budget.

Cheap train travel in Europe can be possible though. Here are some tips!

How to travel Europe by train (on a budget): 

Book as early as you possibly can:

European train tickets are usually sold in batches, with a select number of really cheap (inflexible booking) tickets available first, then moving into higher price ranges as they sell out.

If you know where you’re going and are okay with a lack of flexibility, then buying as early as possible is probably your best bet.

Look into group/regional tickets:  

Many areas in Europe will have special deals for those travelling in groups or in particular areas. In Bavaria for example (where I currently live), there’s a group deal called a Bayern Ticket that gives you unlimited travel for the day for 5 people on the same ticket .

It costs 26 euros for the first person, then 5 additional for each extra person you add on, which is an insanely good deal if you get several people together.

Often, these deals will be cheaper than buying regular tickets, so do some research to see if these specials exist where you’re headed 🙂 For more info, you can click here for my full Bayern ticket guide.

Check if you’re eligible for discounts:

European train companies love rewarding people for being young, so often if you’re under the age of 26, you’re eligible for additional discounts, especially if you’re a student.

In Belgium for example, those 26 and under can buy a GoPass 1, which allows you to travel one-way anywhere in the country for only €6.60.

Get a train pass:

For my fellow North Americans, Eurail offers a lot of different passes for different countries, time periods, etc. These can be much cheaper than buying tickets individually, and they also offer a lot more flexibility.

It’s good value for money, despite not being the cheapest option out there. I would recommend doing a lot of research prior to buying a pass to see how much tickets cost for your intended travel routes because you might be able to plan a cheaper trip if you buy non-flex tickets far in advance.

Click here to browse the best deals on Eurail Passes

6. Travel Europe Cheaply by Renting a Car

Travelling through Europe by car might sound like a wonderful bucket list dream, but it’s a lot more complicated than just getting an old Volkswagen and decking it out in fairy lights.

The issue with renting a car in Europe is that it’s riddled with hidden costs, including extra fees for crossing multiple countries, dropping off at different points, highway vignettes (required for many countries in Central Europe, etc. etc.)

The truth is, it is highly unlikely that renting a car will be the cheapest way to travel Europe for you.

Is it worth it though? Well, the freedom to pull over whenever, go wherever and take off at a moment’s notice  is  pretty sweet.

If you choose to go this route, here are some tips to help you get the best deal on travelling through Europe by car:

Use a comparison website:

A good start is using a comparison website to find the most competitive prices for a car rental.  Expedia is my go-to.

That said, looking at these listed prices is simply not enough. It’s also important to…

Consider the hidden costs:

The prices you see on these comparison sites will most likely not be what you end up paying. There are MANY extras to consider, like insurance, GPS, multiple country fees, one-way drop off fees, tolls, vignettes, etc.

Sadly, the companies are not consistent in what they include in their listed price, so be sure to do your research and read the fine print so you can fully understand which is the best deal.

Click here to read my post full of hidden costs you should be mindful of!

Find coupon codes automatically :

I highly recommend the free Google Chrome extension, Honey , which looks up free coupon codes for you automatically. It takes a click to install and is awesome for saving a little extra on all travel bookings and any other online purchases.

Any more questions about the cheapest ways to travel around Europe?

I hope you enjoyed that guide on the cheapest way to travel Europe and that it gave you some good insight into the different options for cheap transportation in Europe.

If you have any questions though, feel free to ask below!

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

75 thoughts on “The Cheapest Ways to Travel Europe, According to a Cheapo Who Loves Traveling Europe”

BlaBlaCar sounds interesting, I’ll definitely take note of it. Hitchhiking is just for me though. I’m too scared, haha! – Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog https://charmainenyw.com

haha BlaBaCar is almost like a more regulated version of hitchhiking. Definitely a good middle ground or starting point if hitchhiking scares you 😉

Great tips! I took Flixbus and it was perfectly fine and actually on time, which was a pleasant surprise! Also, I think the best website for looking up quite a bit of European train travel is bahn.de. It’s the German train website but it has train times and routes for many more countries. And it’s really easy to use. Always search the number of people you’re looking to book for. Sometimes we forget and just keep the number at 1, but I travel with my husband and we’re always 2 and 2 is always cheaper than 1 + 1! There are great deals in Germany for a group of people traveling together too. Found this on Easy Jet as well – prices are better for 2 people.

Awesome info – thank you! I use bahn.de all the time since I live in Germany but I never realized it had such helpful info for other countries too. And I had no clue that booking for 2 is cheaper. SO good to know – thanks! <3

Great tips! I currently live in Europe and have the flexibility of owning a car, but I might use one of these cheap buses one day. Another thing about those cheap airlines…if you’re flying in Europe the flight time is usually no more than 2 hours, so it’s really not a big deal to not be able to recline your seat for 2 hours. As soon as you’re up, you’re already back down! Worth the cheap price in my opinion. And I think the hitchhiking is totally dependent on where you are. I went to the Isle of Skye in Scotland earlier this year and it’s extremely common for backpackers to hitchhike around the isle to get to the different sites. We gave a ride to some people and didn’t feel unsafe at all. Go with your gut!

Awesome – thanks so much for this thoughtful comment, Kristin! Always good to get some input from others and their experiences <3 Scotland does seem like an amazing place to hitchhike. The people there are so lovely! Thanks for chiming in 🙂

Love your tips, I think I tried most of them. No bad experience so far. 🙂

haha good to hear I’m not steering anybody wrong 😉 thanks for reading!

It is really not easy to keep it cheap in Europe, but you have some great suggestions. In Denmark, they use GoMore, a great carpooling service. I used it a lot because train tickets are ridiculously expensive! Else, the trick is to book in advance, then you can get them almost cheaper than doing the carpooling.

Ooh good to know about GoMore! I love that there’s so many new services popping up these days for budget travellers. Makes lives so much easier!

A very handy piece, if only travel in Canada was that easy…lol…I will be keeping this for future reference as I had never heard of Flix Bus they sound great and if you can get used to flying Ryanair you can get used to anything…

Hope this comes in handy for your future travels, Faith! Flixbus is definitely a great budget option. They’re by no means mega-comfortable and there’s often delays, but it does get you to where you need to go eventually haha. Can’t really argue with prices like theirs!

I love this one! 🙂 I live in Europe so I have used almost all from the list but I really like it how you combined them. P. S. Your pins has amaaazing design, love it so much. <3

aw thank you so much for the kind words!!! <3

I was just in the Balkans and had to hitchhike out of desperation in Albania . Lol. Love that you met a lavender farmer!

haha I hope your experience was as fun as mine! Hitch hiking in the Balkans is a lot easier (I’ve heard) than in other parts of Europe 🙂 definitely a neat way to meet locals!

This is really useful for me! I am currently an exchange student in Italy untile Feb 2018 so I’ve been wanting to go out the country and roam around Europe. I most definitely am shocked with RyanAir prices! Thanks for this post!

What an exciting time for you! I travelled so much during my exchange in Munich and decided to move here 😉 You never know what a crazy impact this experience will have on your life. Hope you have an amazing time in Italy!

Love this post! Good timing too, I was just trying to decide about taking a FlixBus for an upcoming trip. Sounds like it is the way to go!

We are also all about the budget airlines (Volotea is my current fav) but I swear my biggest annoyance isn’t the baggage fees or incessant selling, it is the lack of seat back pockets. Sounds ridiculous but for some reason that annoys me ENDLESSLY. #highmaintenance

omg so true – no seat pockets kills me every time because then I’m left scrambling, with my passport, phone, boarding pass, etc. scattered all across my lap hahah. Flixbus is fine if you don’t mind meh service/delays. They’re definitely super budget friendly!

This post is so timely ! Planning a trip to Europe next summer . Thx for sharing ! Fab as always Christina ! Xo Valerie

Yay! Hope you picked up loads of great tips from this post. Safe travels 🙂

Great post with really good advice. Busses are a great way to go and often overlooked by North Americans. But I find them to be really useful in certain areas. I’m still a fan of trains though!

I think buses are tougher in North America since major cities are so much further apart! In Europe though they are amazing since everything is so close 🙂 I’m a big fan of trains now too. They’re just so comfortable and convenient. Thanks for reading, Lynne!

This is all seriously so helpful! Thank you for taking the time to put it together. I’m definitely saving for my upcoming trip, since I’ll be an extra tight budget!

so so happy you found it helpful!! Safe travels, girl <3

I don’t live in Europe but every time I go to The Netherlands I take adventage of those cheap trips in Europe itswlf. I’ve tried bus travels and by plain. Next I want to try train traveling. All in all Europe living is in a travelers best interest.

Absolutely – living in Europe makes us travellers so spoiled 🙂 I can’t recommend train travel enough. It’s so relaxing and beautiful. Hope you get to see for yourself sometime soon!

Cheap travel is one of the things I love most about living in Europe! If I ever stopped travelling around Europe, Ryanair might go bust ;-). This was a great and really informative post!

hahaha yes – I feel so spoiled living here. Thanks for reading, and keep travelling please because I rely on RyanAir way too much for them to go bust 😉 lol

Another cheap way to travel Europe to grab one of the multi festival/trip passes that Stoke Travel have. I picked up one of their Passports and it got me a free festival, and I got to visit Oktoberfest, surf in Spain, La tomatina and Ibiza with all my accommodation, meals and ridiculous parties sorted. They even have unlimited beer and sangria haha.

Hey Christiana, Awesome post loved it. Never know it was possible to travel Europe so cheaply. I will definitely make a point following these tips while a trip to europe this summer.

Awesome! I hope you have an amazing (budget-friendly) trip!

Transportation is one of the things that contribute to a major portion of your entire travel budget. That’s why people search for some cheapest travel option around Europe and your blog presents a very good information about that. It was certainly a good read. Thanks for posting.

Loved your tips. Its great to find such informative article. Will try some of your tips on my next visit for sure.

The tutorial is very detailed, thank you for sharing, wish you always good health to go more places. I’m planning to go to Europe and it’s great to read your post

Hi Chris! Thanks for sharing your experience with us!!

Budget airlines were my best friend when I lived in London! It felt like such an accomplishment to grab an awesome deal and be able to go away for the weekend wherever I wanted in Europe!

Absolutely love this, I have lived in Europe most my life but even I learned something from these amazing tips. Will definitely pin this for later. Thanks for sharing!

I think there’s a lot to be said for different transport being good for different places! There are so many European trips I want to do and all in different ways (road trip through northern Italy? Train through Switzerland?) – there’s so much to consider! This post is really helpful in laying it all out though. 🙂

What a great and helpful post! I’m going to be traveling around Europe for a few months later this year so I’m saving it for later. I’ve heard of a few of these companies, but since I haven’t used them before, I tend to forget about them. So thanks for jogging the memory, too.

Great tips, shame Europes not on the cards for me in the near future. Love the lavanda story!

Great post! I for one wouldn’t really like to spend most of my budget just to get to the place I really want to go to. Sometimes the cheapest mode of travel makes you experience the best story to tell if time isn’t much of a factor 🙂

Oh I love Megabus. I use it all the time to travel from Toronto to Montreal. I didn’t know it exists in Europe too. These are some great info Christina! One day, when I’m less of a chicken, I would like to try hitchhiking in Europe 😛

Thanks for the tips, Christina! I love FlixBus and hitchhiking hehehe. When my mom backpacked Europe in the ’80s she just got a train pass but that seemed so spendy the last time I was there, and ended up going with FlixBus practically everywhere. I do love trains, though.

FlixBus and trains were my favorite ways to get around Europe. I wanted to try BlaBla car, but the timing didn’t work out.

Thanks for the tips.

Personally, I always prefer to use cheap airlines in Europe over buses or trains. They cost almost identical, but you get to your destination much faster and without back pain.

If you book two or three months in advance, you can usually fly between most European Capitals for 30-60 USD. Some good choices are Rynair, Wizz Air, and Norwegian airlines.

hahaha yes – I feel so spoiled living here. Thanks for reading, and keep travelling please because I rely on RyanAir way too much for them to go bust lol

While travelling around the Balkans, I relied on a number of local coach companies to get around. If you happen to be travelling around the Balkans, your best bet is to inquiry at the local bus station for tickets – they’re usually very affordable even the day-of

I don’t live in Europe but every time I go to The Netherlands I take adventage of those cheap trips in Europe itswlf. I’ve tried bus travels and by plain. Next I want to try train traveling. All in all Europe living is in a travelers best interest.

Transportation is one of the things that contribute to a major portion of your entire travel budget. That’s why people search for some cheapest travel option around Europe and your blog presents a very good information about that. It was certainly a good read. Thanks for posting.

Amazing post, so detailed! Very useful as a quick go-to guide, definitely fueled our wanderlust!

Thanks for all the info! I live in Europe, but I want to do more spontaneous weekend trips for cheap more often (I’m writing that as if I’ve ever done it before…) Grew up with travelling through Europe by car, and I dream of doing it again. To visit smaller villages overlooked by tourists, either by free will or because the car breaks down, makes great memories (it is handy being a member of one of these road help companies, especially when travelling with a 15-20 year old car). Oops, mind flew off there… but yeah, recommend people to go by car if they can afford it and don’t want to stay at the big cities most of the time

Awesome post! Thanks for sharing the knowledge and keep up the good work.

thanks for reading!

This is very really unique helpful information. keep it up. Thank you so much!

When you visit to another country, one of the important things that you must concern is budget. You need to prepare carefully everything for your trip. Especially, you should find out the cheapest way, it will help you save money better.

Do you love traveling? Do you want to discover Europe? It’s a wonderful place for people, you can visit many beautiful countries and enjoy some delicious food.

Interesting writing! Europe is very beautiful, I think that most people will choose this place to relax and enjoy.

Useful article for visitors! If you have a decision to travel to Europe, let’s read this writing and discover it.

Very good info. I needed this, Thank you very much for your advice

Exciting article!

Europe is very famous for its architecture and beverage. Let’s discover this country when you have a chance!

Hello Christina!! Wow it is an interesting and amazing article and it is very beneficial for all readers especially for all those who travel through it first time. I really like this article and I hope all the readers will be very thankful for it. It is very beneficial for me as I am going through my first flight and this flight will be very useful for me. Thanks for sharing this article with all of us

Thank you for providing such a useful and attractive blog, with very useful details and stuff I never expected, and I would suggest that you write more blogs and blog posts like that for us. Once again, thank you.

Europe is very famous for its architecture and beverage. Let’s discover this country when you have a chance!

Thank you for sharing this truly awesome intel! I’ve already bookmarked this page for my upcoming European travels, and that pretzel looks too good to be true 🙂

Wonderful post about travel to Europe! Keep up the wonderful work and thanks for providing the information.

Fantastic post! Please keep up the fantastic work and thanks for sharing your information.

This blog gives tips and application references that could be useful to save money while traveling in Europe on a tight budget.

i like your videos a lot 🙂 thanks for all the infos, i am also on low budget and need every tip on saving money haha. i start using this app called ” ATM Fee saver” it shows me atm around me with the lowest fees for withdrawing money. its super useful i can recommend to you using it 🙂

great Post.. really helpful

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• Budget Travel

13 Affordable Places to Visit in Europe — From Country Escapes to Stunning Cities

You can visit Europe on a budget — here's how.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

If you have big dreams of jetting off to Europe, but worry that your bank account isn't quite ready, don't worry. For every expensive city, there are dozens of charming — and surprisingly affordable — places that offer all the European charm for a fraction of the price. Ljubljana, Porto, Budapest, even Berlin — these cities have all the rich culture, stunning architecture, and delicious food that you'd find in pricey European capitals, but they're perfect for budget travelers.

You can even travel to some of Europe's best (and famously expensive) destinations without breaking the bank — you just have to know how to save money without sacrificing on experiences. Travelers can often score deals on flights from the United States to major cities like Paris or London, and upon arriving, transportation within Europe can be much more affordable (hello, budget airlines). Those large cities also offer a wide range of accommodations, so you can certainly find something in your budget. You can even save money on food by hitting the local markets. After all, a bottle of wine, fresh bread, and cheese from a Parisian market make for an unforgettable meal when picnicking under the Eiffel Tower.

And you might be surprised by how many museums, churches, and other attractions are free or inexpensive to visit, too. Be sure to keep an eye out for free entry days (often one day a month) or tourist cards that offer entry to multiple attractions for one flat fee. (Do the math ahead of time by calculating the cost of every included attraction that you want to visit to make sure it's really worth the money.)

Trimming your budget doesn't mean sacrificing the quality of your trip. Sometimes, the less you spend, the more you can immerse yourself in the local culture. Staying in a thatched Irish farmhouse, perusing old masters in Rome, or snacking your way through Spanish specialties aren't just tricks of the frugal traveler — they're the stuff dream vacations are made of.

Here are some of the top destinations for an affordable European vacation (and tips for saving money once you arrive).

Bavaria, Germany

For a storybook-worthy vacation in Europe, head straight to Bavaria. Book a room at Burg Colmberg , a 14th-century castle rising from a rocky crag above a tiny village. It offers an eclectic collection of rooms tucked throughout a warren of crooked hallways, hidden staircases, and cozy sitting nooks. Be sure to visit the postcard-perfect Neuschwanstein Castle , resplendently perched atop a mountain, and take the time to tour Hohenschwangau, the castle in which "Mad King" Ludwig II actually lived. The latter is a more modest pile of battlements on a smaller nub of a hill in the valley below. What it lacks in the carefully crafted pomp and circumstance of Neuschwanstein — which Ludwig II never lived to see completed — it more than makes up for in homeyness and history.

Puglia, Italy

The iconic architecture of Puglia — the "heel" of Italy's boot — is the prehistoric trullo, a cylindrical whitewashed house with a cone-shaped roof of stacked gray stones. There's no greater concentration of trulli than in the UNESCO-protected town of Alberobello, where whole neighborhoods are made of the structures, and the local entrepreneur behind Trullidea has fixed up dozens of the abandoned ones and rents them to visitors. Cool in the baking summers and with cozy indoor heating for wintertime, a rental trullo lets you live like a local for less than the cost of a tourist-class hotel in town. Want to sample what the Amalfi Coast was like before the hotshots and high prices moved in? Puglia's forested Gargano Peninsula is popular with sun-loving Italians, but is otherwise refreshingly off the tourist map.

Budapest, Hungary

Alisha McDarris/Travel + Leisure

The capital of Hungary, Budapest offers all the charm of more popular European destinations for a fraction of the price. The Hungarian Parliament Building and Fisherman's Bastion are just a couple of the picture-perfect attractions you'll spot in the city, and you'll find lots of affordable accommodations, meals, and nightlife, too. Even the city's famous thermal baths — some of which are over a century old and feature beautiful architecture — can be affordable to visit.

Andalusia, Spain

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure

Take a break from sizzling on the crowded Costa del Sol beaches for a self-guided driving tour along the route of the Pueblos Blancos. This string of clifftop, whitewashed villages stretches from the Moorish town of Arcos de la Frontera through the Sierra de Grazalema to Ronda, a maze of medieval streets perched above a 500-foot gorge. Opt for a stay in nearby Seville — the capital of Andalusia — to take in the beautiful architecture, watch some flamenco dancing, and indulge in classic tapas.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin has Cold War mystique, contemporary architecture, and booming gallery and restaurant scenes. With its cosmopolitan, East-meets-West edginess, it's no wonder the city has become a cultural capital of central Europe. It's a destination that continues to attract creative types and in-the-know travelers. Begin your trip to Berlin in the fashionable Mitte (or "middle") district, as it's convenient to major sites such as the Reichstag and Potsdamer Platz.

Bath and the Cotswolds, England

The charming villages of the Cotswolds look like they're straight out of a fairy tale — Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bourton-on-the-Water are among the prettiest. There are inns and pubs sprinkled throughout the little towns, but we'd suggest staying in Bath, a quaint city dating back to the Roman era, for its variety of accommodations. While there, check out the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge, Bath Abbey, and of course, the historic Roman baths. Best of all, Bath is under two hours from London by train, making it an easy weekend trip from the city.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul's major state-run museums may charge hefty admissions, but the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, just behind the Blue Mosque adjacent to the Arasta Bazaar, costs only 60 Turkish lira (that's about $4). These delightful mosaic scenes of hunts, myths, animal battles, and everyday life in antiquity — boys riding a camel, a man milking his goat — once covered the floor of a large courtyard of the Palatium Magnum, the Great Palace built between the time of Constantine the Great himself and Justinian I (fourth to early sixth centuries). You can even cruise between the continents for an affordable price when taking the ferry.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Take a tour of the architectural masterworks of prodigious local talent Jože Plecnik, who took the Secessionist Art Nouveau style he learned in Vienna back home (via Prague) to remake his native city along his own, idiosyncratic lines. Like Gaudí in Barcelona, Plecnik designed his buildings right down to the smallest fittings, like the Pegasus door handles on the entrance to the National and University Library. Plecnik designed a bit of everything around town, from the central market to the two flanking spans of Ljubljana's iconic Triple Bridge to the café-lined embankments of the Ljubljanica River. The city also has a number of incredible, affordable restaurants, and you can take a public bus (for a small fee) to nearby Lake Bled for a day trip.

The Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

Skip the overexposed island of Hvar for the walled medieval village on the Adriatic island of Korcula, purported home to Marco Polo. Korcula is more of a day-trip destination, and that means the tourist crowds thin considerably by sundown, leaving those who remain to relax in the cafés and stroll the narrow alleys. While every old city in Europe has an Old City historic district, Split has the only downtown actually carved from the carcass of an ancient Roman palace. When the emperor Diocletian left his throne in A.D. 305, he built a lavish palace on the Croatian coast to live out his days as head of the empire's eastern half. In the 1,700 years since, the ruins of his enormous structure have been colonized by the locals, the buildings turned into medieval town houses, and the emperor's tomb transformed into the cathedral.

Paris, France

Want to experience fabulous French cuisine on a budget? Opt for a midday splurge — many cafés and restaurants offer less expensive menus at lunch. And a picnic is always a good idea in Paris. Stop by a market to peruse the (typically) extensive options for cheese and wine, or pick up a simple yet delicious crepe from a stand. If you plan to visit the City of Light's top museums and attractions, you might want to invest in a Paris Museum Pass . For one fee (priced depending on the number of days you purchase), you can gain admission to top tourist spots like the Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, Panthéon, Louvre, Musée Rodin, and more, and you get to skip the ticket line. Talk about a win-win.

County Clare, Ireland

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Avoid the tour bus-clogged Ring of Kerry for its neighbor to the north, County Clare, home to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher rising more than 700 feet from the crashing Atlantic waves; the weirdly eroded limestone landscape of the Burren, where prehistoric slab tombs perch on the rocky flatlands like miniature houses of cards; and Doolin, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it village that has become a popular destination for traditional Celtic music. Local pubs are the perfect evening stop for hearty (and usually affordable) Irish fare and — if you're lucky — live music.

Rome, Italy

Daniel Gorostieta/Travel + Leisure

Rome has more than 900 churches, all of them free, displaying great works of art and architecture by the likes of Raphael, Bernini, Caravaggio, Bramante, and Pinturicchio. And that's just the short list of artists contained in one church — the little-visited Santa Maria del Popolo. Other iconic landmarks, like the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Rome's famous piazzas are all free to visit, too, and some museums offer free entry days, so check their websites for details.

Porto, Portugal

Paula Galindo Valle/Travel + Leisure

Portugal's northern city of Porto is among Travel + Leisure readers' favorite European cities, and once you visit, you'll see why. In Porto, visitors can admire the Art Deco architecture, sip port wine, and explore the walkable city on foot without going over budget. Plus, a day trip to the Douro Valley, a picturesque vineyard region along the Douro River, is worth the trek.

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LIST: Affordable cities to visit in Europe, for as low as 45 euros a day

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

PARLIAMENT. Check out Budapest’s main attractions like the Parliament Building.

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Many of Europe’s cities are expensive destinations compared to traveling around Asia. The high cost of living and the flights to reach a European city is often outside the budget range of Filipino travelers. You pay more for accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. However, there are cities in Europe that can still fit your budget if you’re interested in visiting them.

What are some affordable cities you can visit in Europe?

• Prague – This city is one of the most beautiful I’ve been to in Europe. Its gorgeous cityscape consists of spires, towers, and eye-catching buildings. There’s plenty of historic attractions for those that want to catch a glimpse of Czechia’s past. The old town and Charles Bridge might be touristy, but still worth a look and a few hours of wandering around. Accommodation, food, and drinks are good value for money.

• Brno – If you plan to see Czechia beyond Prague, make your way to affordable Brno. The latter is a historic city that’s centuries old. It has a laid-back ambiance and doesn’t get as crowded (in terms of tourists) as the country’s capital. You can use Brno as a jump-off point to see quaint towns such as Telc and Trebic. Tidbit: Jose Rizal stayed in Brno while he was in Czechia.
• Krakow – Krakow is a popular and affordable destination in Poland. The city’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a storied past that dates to several centuries ago. Rynek Glowny or Market Square is its most famous spot. The city is also a jump-off point to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Don’t forget to visit the Wawel Royal Castle and St. Mary’s Basilica.
• Warsaw – The Polish capital doesn’t get the same tourist interest as Krakow. However, it’s still a noteworthy (as well as affordable) destination while you’re traveling around Poland. Explore Castle Square, the old town, follow the Royal Route, and go up the Palace of Culture and Science. Make sure to drop by the Wilanow Palace and the Royal Castle while you’re here. Take a leisurely stroll in Lazienki Park after exploring the city.

• Riga – This city in the Baltics is an affordable addition to your itinerary. Riga is easy enough to explore in one or a few days and on foot. Its old town is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list and is a noteworthy destination. Here you’ll find vestiges of the city’s past. The House of the Blackheads dates to the 1330s but the current structure you see now is a recent reconstruction. If you’re interested in architecture, walk along Albert Street to see some fine Art Nouveau buildings. Drop by the Riga Central Market to get something to eat.
• Vilnius – Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is a favorite of mine. Its charming old town has withstood the test of time with its preserved buildings and structures. You’ll find different architectural styles such as Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque blending in the city. Some notable places to include in your itinerary are the Hill of Three Crosses, St. Anne’s Church, Church of St. Peter and Paul, Vilnius Cathedral, and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.
• Tallinn – The capital of Estonia is a fine and affordable city to visit. Its old town has well-preserved centuries-old buildings and structures that make you feel like you have entered a time warp. Explore its narrow alleys, enter its beautiful churches, or go to viewpoints to get fetching overlooking views of the city. Check out Toompea Castle, Town Hall Square, and St. Olaf’s Church.
• Budapest – The Hungarian capital of Budapest is an affordable city you can visit while exploring Europe. You can dine out at nice cafés and restaurants for a reasonable price. The Hungarian Parliament Building, Matthias Church, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Buda Castle are the city’s most recognizable attractions. You can buy day passes to get around the city, which also allows you to save more money. Check out the ruin bars for drinks and nights out.
• Bratislava – If you’re looking for an affordable destination in Europe, Bratislava is the place to be. Visitors often do just a day trip from Vienna. However, you can spend a few days here to see all that the city has to offer. Notable attractions include the Bratislava Castle looming over the city, Primate’s Palace and Hall of Mirrors, Hviezdoslav Square, and the Blue Church.
• Belgrade – The Serbian capital isn’t exactly atop your list when you visit Europe. However, this city will surprise you when you give it a chance. Visit one of the most recognizable structures in the city, the Church of St. Sava. Buy souvenirs and gifts or just go window-shopping at Knez Mihailova. Get a glimpse of the city’s history while exploring the Kalemegdan Fortress. 
• Novi Sad – While in Serbia, head on over to Novi Sad. This city has affordable accommodation and dining options. It’s relatively small and easy to explore on foot. Attractions you can add to your itinerary include the Petrovaradin Fortress, Dunavska Street, Trg Slobode (square), the Name of Mary Church, and Vladicanski Dvor.

• Bucharest – Bucharest is the capital of Romania and should be on your list if you’re looking for affordable destinations in Europe. Spend a few days to see the Parliament Building, Romanian Athenaeum, Stavropoleos Church, old town, Revolution Square, Arcul de Triumf, Carturesti Carusel, and other attractions.
• Sibiu – If you’re in Transylvania, include Sibiu in your itinerary. This quaint destination oozes old-world charm. Explore the large and small square to get a glimpse of Sibiu’s history. Check out the historic churches during your visit. 

• Brasov – Brasov is another charming place to visit in Transylvania. The bustling Council Square is surrounded by several historic buildings and houses. You can find restaurants and cafés here if you just want to hang out. Brasov is also a jump-off point to Bran Castle.
• Porto – Portugal is a generally affordable country to visit. One city to add to your list is Porto. It has a scenic and charming waterfront lined with restaurants. If you’re not dining, you can simply take a stroll or just hang out. The city also has a number of historic attractions such as the Torre dos Clerigos, Palacio da Bolsa, Igreja de Sao Francisco, Igreja do Carmo, and the Se Cathedral.

• Lisbon – The capital of Portugal is not only affordable but is a noteworthy destination with plenty of things to do and see. Like many European cities, it’s also easy to get around on foot. Explore the different alleys and neighborhoods to get fetching overlooking views of the city. See the Torre de Belem. Make your way to the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and check out the Santa Maria Church to see Vasco da Gama’s tomb. Not too far from the church is the Monument to the Discoveries. Some other noteworthy places of interest include the Arco da Rua Augusta, Igreja do Carmo, Se Cathedral, and the Elevador de Santa Justa.
• Braga – If you’re looking for a place away from the bustling city (that’s also affordable), head on over to Braga. You can take it slow and spend the day strolling or hanging out in the historic center. You can also go on a half-day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bom Jesus do Monte.
• Sarajevo – The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the center of one of the world’s historical events, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The city also has some interesting sites that can fill your days such as the Bascarsija, Sarajevo City Hall, Latin Bridge, and the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. Go on a walking tour to learn more about the city.

• Mostar – This destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a popular day trip. However, I’d recommend spending at least a night here to soak in the atmosphere. Cross the historic bridge and weave in and out of the atmospheric markets and narrow streets.
• Zagreb – Croatia’s capital doesn’t get the same hype as some of the country’s known locales. However, it’s an affordable destination you can use as a base for a few days before heading out. Visit St. Mark’s Church, Bogoviceva Street, Ban Jelacic Square, and the Cathedral of Zagreb. 
• Split – If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to Dubrovnik, Split is it. This charming destination will make you want to stay a few days just to experience its old world vibe. Get lost in the old town, visit Diocletian’s Palace, and see the Cathedral of St. Domnius. 

These are just some of the affordable cities and towns you can visit in Europe. You can get by with a budget as low as €45 up to €60 a day in these spots. With the mentioned budget you’ll be staying in a dorm bed in a hostel, taking public transportation, eating budget or supermarket meals and sandwiches, seeing one or two paid attractions a day, and maybe having a dessert or a drink. Consider traveling during shoulder and low season to reduce your costs. – Rappler.com

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18 Cheapest Countries To Visit in Europe All Year Round

Posted: March 14, 2024 | Last updated: March 14, 2024

International travel does not have to break the bank. There are many options for affordable vacations within Europe without compromising the quality of your stay. Whether you’re after a lazy beach holiday or an adventure vacation hiking through a vast wilderness, many less-traveled European nations offer a cheaper alternative to the usual tourist hotspots.

Sitting quietly on the border between Europe and Asia, Georgia has something for everyone. Whether you are after a city break in the bustling city of Tbilisi or a quiet vacation among the vast wilderness and mountains, Georgia offers it at an affordable price. Excluding flights, a trip to Georgia can cost as little as $30 a day.

Serbia has become increasingly popular as a holiday destination over the last few years, hosting over five and a half million foreign visitors in 2023. Belgrade’s capital city is a gastronomic hub with many restaurants, cafes, and bars. With prices lower than most in Western Europe, fine dining can be enjoyed without breaking the bank. You can pay anywhere from $5 to $12 for a standard meal.

Poland boasts two cities well worth a visit: Krakow and Warsaw. Krakow was voted the European Capital of Culture in 2000 , while Warsaw is steeped in the history of World War Two. Warsaw is the more expensive of the two but is still affordable by European standards. 

4. Bulgaria

Sofia, the capital city, is very affordable, with an average two-person vacation costing $916 . Sunny Beach is a must-visit for those after a good party, offering water sports , paintball , and an incredibly lively nightlife . Bulgaria is home to many affordable resorts catering to all tastes.

Hungary is one of many Eastern European countries that can be visited on a tight budget. Budapest is its bustling capital, though many other towns and cities are well worth seeing. The cost of a typical meal at a restaurant in Budapest is less than half the price you would pay in New York. A typical lunch in Budapest can cost as little as $9.

The number of visitors to Albania almost doubled between 2022 and 2023, which is expected to keep growing . Lovingly named the Albanian Riviera, Albania has some of the best beaches in Europe in the summer. It is an excellent alternative to some of the more expensive Mediterranean countries. Tirana is incredibly affordable, with accommodation available for less than $25 a night.

7. Lithuania

As one of the cheapest countries to live in Europe, Lithuania is an excellent place for a budget-friendly vacation. Like its neighbor Latvia, much of Lithuania is covered in forests . Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is famed for its Baroque architecture and is home to many clubs, restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, and bars.

Romania is ideal for someone after an enjoyable cultural holiday. There are many cultural sites worth visiting, such as ancient churches, monasteries, and castles. The country is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage sites. Bucharest, the capital of Romania, remains a low-cost destination. If you’re willing to share, a room can cost as little as 70 Romanian Leu , or $15 .

9. Slovenia

As the 8th most peaceful nation in the world and one of the cheapest nations to visit in Europe, Slovenia is an ideal place for a reasonably priced European vacation. The old town of Ljubljana is picturesque, while the city comes alive at night. Ljubljana offers numerous day trip options conveniently accessible through the city’s efficient railway and bus networks.

10. Montenegro

Lying on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, This quiet Balkan nation saw its tourist arrivals almost double between 2011 and 2021. Montenegro is an excellent choice for an affordable sunny getaway. If you enjoy blue seas and soft white sand, the Budva Riviera or the beaches of the Bay of Kotor are not to be missed. Accommodation in the Bay of Kotor can be found reasonably priced, from as little as $170 for seven nights .

11. Croatia

Croatia has it all, from Zagreb’s modern, urban nightlife to the history-steeped city of Dubrovnik. While prices have steadily increased, Croatia remains an affordable destination compared to Western Europe. A 15-day public transit pass for less than $30 can give you free rein in the city.

12. Czech Republic

The Czech Republic, known as Czechia, is renowned for its stunning castles, interesting culture, and delicious beer. Prague may not be a budget-friendly destination, but it offers a more affordable option than many Western European cities . A traveler on a budget can expect to spend between $50 and $70 a night for food, accommodation, travel, and activities. The extensive public transportation networks mean travel within the country is easy and efficient.  

Cyprus has been a top-rated tourist destination for years , but it remains cheaper for tourists. There are plenty of options for accommodation under $50 a day, and food and drink remain affordable. The small city of Nicosia has plenty to keep you occupied, with many bars, clubs, and restaurants. 

A country of two continents, Turkey is split down the middle by the Bosphorus River , with Europe on one side and Asia on the other. Despite its popularity among tourists, it is still very affordable. A restaurant meal for two can cost as little as ₺200, just under $7 . A cup of Turkish coffee or tea tends to cost less than 50¢.

Latvia is a solid choice for someone wanting an affordable stay amidst beautiful landscapes. Over half of the country is covered in forest, perfect for an outdoor adventure holiday . It is also great for architecture lovers, as the city of Riga has the world’s highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture.

Lying just off the tip of North Africa between Italy and Tunisia , Malta is perfect for an affordable vacation in a sunny climate. Malta is a proven tourist destination, hosting over five times as many tourists as its entire population . Being such a small country, booking a room in Valletta’s city center is unnecessary. The town of Floriana is only a short walking distance from Valletta and offers better prices .

17. Estonia

Estonia may be a good alternative if you can’t reasonably afford a Norwegian or Finnish getaway. Estonia is the northernmost non-Arctic member of the European Union and a very affordable tourist destination. If you’re working on a budget, you can comfortably stay in the capital city of Tallinn for around $50 a day .

18. Slovakia

If you like wine, you’ll love Slovakia. With its age-old wine industry and affordable prices, Slovakia offers an opportunity for a budget-friendly wine-tasting tour . There are also many UNESCO Heritage sites , such as the Dobšiná Ice Cave or Spiš Castle. The capital city, Bratislava, is affordable by European standards and is only a 90-minute train ride from the Austrian city of Vienna.

All Tastes Catered For

If you want to make your money go further, sometimes it’s necessary to take the road less traveled. You don’t have to jet off to Paris or Rome for a taste of Europe’s culture and cuisine. Lesser-known European countries boast hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re drawn to Ljubljana’s medieval charm or the vibrant modernity of cities like Belgrade and Vilnius, these budget-friendly destinations offer something for every traveler.

14 Coastal Towns That Offer Affordable Retirement and Quality

Retirement is not just about taking a long-deserved break; it’s about embracing a new adventure in life’s next chapter. What better way to start this journey than in a coastal town, where the sea meets the sky in a harmony of tranquil living? This post sails through the 14 most enchanting seaside towns, handpicked for retirees who dream of quality living without breaking the bank. We’ve anchored downtowns that tick all the boxes for an ideal retirement haven – affordability, rich quality of life, top-notch healthcare, and delightful weather. So, let’s dive in and explore these seaside gems where your golden years can truly shine.

16 Affordable Retirement Destinations Abroad

Retirement can be exciting for people who have worked hard and are ready to enjoy the good life. Many retirees want to make the most of their money and enjoy the rest of their life the best they can. For some, retiring abroad sounds like a fun adventure. Luckily, in some foreign locations, retirees can keep some of their hard-earned money in their bank accounts. Below are some of the best places for new retirees to settle down and enjoy their lives.

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This ‘swanky’ European town is like Monaco but cheaper with flights from £69

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Bobbing yachts, strolling along boutique-lined streets in the sunshine, before sipping a glass of something fizzy by the waterside.

Sound like heaven? Well, you don’t have to head to the expensive Monaco or the South of France to experience the luxe-life.

Jet2 has just launched new flights from London to Tivat, a charming town in Montenegro , flying twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.

The flights are planned to continue throughout the summer months and into October, meaning tourists can go to experience the harbour town’s best weather. 

And according to Lonely Planet , ‘visitors to Tivat could be forgiven for wondering if they’re in Monaco or Montenegro’.

They also describe the town as incredibly ‘swanky’ and ‘posh’, citing a major makeover which transformed the old naval base into a ‘surreal’ multimillion-dollar marina. 

Jet2 will also be launching flights from Birmingham to Tivat from May, with return flights starting from £69. 

For those who haven’t heard of Tivat, the coastal town has been hailed on TikTok by travellers as one of the ‘most underrated’ spots in Europe .

The town has a population of around 15,000 people and stretches 42kms along the Bay of Kotor. There’s plenty to see and do, designer shops to enjoy a spot of luxury retail therapy, and some culinary delights on offer.

Here’s everything you need to know about Tivat…

When is the best time to visit Tivat ?

If you’re keen to bask in the sunshine and warm weather, then the summer months are the perfect time to go as the coastal spots of Montenegro have hot summers. The average temperature right now is around 18C, but by July this will be reaching 30C.

If you prefer to go when it’s a little less busy , then late autumn or early spring might be a better time to consider. It’s also cooler, with average temperatures in October of 21C.

If you like to get your walking boots on, you also may want to avoid the hot summers. There are lots of hikes and trials around Tivat, including the popular route to the village of Gornja Lastva, just above Tivat. It takes about 30-40 minutes to walk the well-marked trial, where you’ll be rewarded with impressive views of Tivat and the surrounding bay.

For music fans, Tivat World festival takes place from 6 to 8 of September. The festival boast ‘music events, street art, workshops and public debates’ taking place on the city’s beautiful streets.

@pragsgovind 📍Porto, Montenegro Beautifully located on the Adriatic coast, you’ll find yachts on the marina, high-end boutiques and fine dining restaurants. #montenegro #portomontenegro #tivatmontenegro #montenegrotravel #travelcreator #ugc #ugccreator #travelugc #travelugccreator #airbnbugc ♬ I Know What You Want x Madison Calley – Madison Calley

What is there to do in Tivat ?

The main attraction in Tivat has to be the incredible revamped marina, known as Porto Montenegro, which is home to a number of high end shops and boutiques, restaurants, bars and a yacht club.

Porto Montenegro also hosts a number of events, from catwalk shows, to cricket matches, jazz festivals, and regattas there’s likely to be something for everyone.

For history buffs, Tivat’s Maritime Heritage Museum is for those who want to learn a little more about the area, and there’s also a Cultural Centre with a library, stage, museum and gallery space.

@andjelotiiii 📍Tivat, Montenegro 🇲🇪 #tivatmontenegro #tivat #leto2023 #fypシ #more #fypシ゚viral ♬ original sound – aavvaaniii

There are great beaches in the area to sunbathe and swim, you can also go on boat trips. Nearby Luštica Peninsula is said to be the best place in the area for a proper dip in the sea, but the town beach will also do the job if you don’t want to travel there. There’s also Belani Beach near the marina which is a pebble beach, so you might want to take shoes.

And with so much water around it shouldn’t surprise anyone that there are plenty of water sports on offer in Tivat, from speedboating to snorkeling and kayaking. You can also take cave boat tours.

Those who prefer to stay on land can head into the National Park for a hike, or head to Big City Park to admire what is said to be the greatest botanical garden in the southern Adriatic.

Where is there to stay in Tivat?

Prices for hotels on Booking.com in September start from £60 for two adults for two nights. 

The top hotel picks on Booking.com include Hotel Palma, which has a four star rating, is on the beach front and is 150 yards from the centre of Tivat. Prices start from £271 for two adults for two nights (September 1-3). 

The five star Montenegro Lodge currently has reduced prices with a King studio with a sea view costing £208 for the same duration.

Those looking for a luxury stay might want to check out the Regent Porto Montonegro, a Renaissance Venetian-style hotel, which is 600 yards from the beach and offers ‘celebrity treatment’ for its guests, with over 175 rooms featuring either a balcony or a terrace.

A stay here won’t come cheap though, with current prices for two adults for two nights (September 1-3) costing £730.

Is Tivat expensive?

If you want the luxury of the South of France, but you don’t have the budget, Tivat is the place to go.

Big Ben is one of the town’s top rated eateries on TripAdvisor, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner on their terrace, overlooking the bay. According to reviewers, they paid between £3 to £13 per person for a meal.

Across the bay in Kotor, around 11 miles from Tivat, Resto Bar Taraca serves European dishes, just outside the Old Town. A burger here will set you back €10.50 and a glass of pinot is €6.50.

@explorewithlora Amazing places to explore in Montenegro #montenegrowildbeauty #montenegrotravel #montenegro❤️ #bluecavemontenegro ♬ Lazy Sunday – Official Sound Studio

For popular excursions, like a boat trip around the bay, you don’t have to splash too much cash either.

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Most tours start from Kotor – this three hour excursion which takes in the Blue Cave, and an abandoned submarine tunnel is just £32 per person.

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How UK’s increased passport fees compare with Europe and US

British passport fees are set to rise for the second year in a row.

Fourteen months after the Home Office increased passport fees by 9 per cent – the first increase in five years – prices are set to go up again this week.

From Thursday 11 April, the cost of renewing an adult passport will rise from £93 to £100 if submitting a postal application, and from £64 to £69 for children’s five-year passport.

Fees are cheaper if applying online: £88.50 for adults (up from £82.50) and £57.50 for children (up from £53.50). The new prices represent an increase of 7 per cent.

HMPO says that the increase will “help ensure that income … better meets the cost of delivering passport and associated operations, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.” It states that government does not make a profit form passport applications, adding that the fees contribute to the cost of processing applications, consular support overseas (such as lost or stolen passports) and the cost of Border Force operations.

How long it takes to renew a UK passport, cost and if you can do it early

Since the widespread delays and industrial action at passport offices around the UK in 2022-2023, the official advice for application processing times has been reduced from 10 weeks to three. In practice the turnaround time is generally much swifter, taking on average nine days for an adult renewal, according to crowd-sourced information site, UK Passport Waiting Time .

However, many British passport-holders continue to be caught out by post-Brexit red tape – extra time added to renewals before they had expired up until September 2018 is no longer considered valid for entry to the EU.

A British passport must have been issued within the past 10 years on the date of entry, and to have at least three months before expiry on the date of return to the UK.

So how does the new cost of a UK passport compare with overseas? Most countries issue documents for 10 years, but some offer shorter, five-year passports, as well as discounts for pensioners, those with registered disabilities, and war veterans.

In most of the EU and Switzerland, identity cards are also accepted for movement within the bloc, although these can often be more expensive than a passport. They are compulsory in some countries such as Belgium and Cyprus.

We’ve looked at the costs of a 10-year adult passport in Europe and the US to see how the increased British fees compare, revealing that a British passport is the fourth most expensive in Europe.

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This European Country Gives Retirees Discounted Vacations

By Jessica Puckett

When it comes to retirement, many people envision spending their golden years traveling the world . Those aspirations, however, involve a lot of money, effort, and planning to execute.

But did you know there’s a country that will actually take care of the majority of travel costs and logistics for its retirees to vacation? Spain, a country that consistently ranks among the best places in the world to retire , is the first country in the EU to give certain senior citizens and residents access to greatly subsidized getaways, with expenses like transportation, meals, and hotels included.

The program is run by Spain’s Institute for Seniors and Social Services (IMSERSO), which calls the concept “social tourism.” The gist is that investing in travel for seniors will help improve their health and keep them active and engaged. "The IMSERSO tourism program contributes to active aging and the promotion of an active lifestyle, while favoring intergenerational solidarity, generating employment and economic activity, and favoring inter-territorial solidarity through travel between different regions,” an IMSERSO spokesperson told EuroNews in February.

The discounted trips are available each year in the “ shoulder season ” from October through June. For the 2023-2024 season, the Spanish government made 886,269 places available for retirees in the social tourism program—that’s 70,000 more spots than the previous year. Prices for these vacation packages range anywhere from 124 euros to 435 euros, depending on the destination, length of the trip, and whether transportation is included.

Here’s everything you need to know about the program, including how American expats can apply.

What type of travel is subsidized?

The types of trips range from four-day city break, five-day “nature tourism” trips that focus on exploring the natural areas of a particular region, or six-day culture circuits that explore several towns in a particular region. There are also longer vacations of eight to ten days in several regions along Spain’s coasts or in its islands in the Atlantic Ocean or Balearic Sea.

What destinations are included?

Destinations covered by the program include towns and cities throughout popular regions of Spain, including Andalusia, Catalonia, and Valencia. Pay a visit to Granada, the capital of Flamenco dancing , relax in the quiet beach town of Castellón, or soak up the culture and energy of Barcelona .

Among the nature-focused itineraries are jaunts through numerous striking areas like Asturias, an autonomous region on Spain’s northwest coast known for its breathtaking land formations, including dramatic seaside cliffs and jagged mountains rising out of green hillsides. Or choose to visit Aragon, a region that sits in the Pyrenees mountains and is home to Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

For the longer trips, vacation hubs like the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands—home to iconic sunny destinations like Ibiza and Mallorca —are also on the table.

What costs are covered?

The program generally covers accommodations and meals, as well as insurance plans and sightseeing costs, however, some of the inclusions vary based on the trip package. For many of the packages, travelers can choose whether they’d like to include transportation to and from their destinations.

Spain's IMSERSO tourism program allows seniors to receive discounted trips to destinations like Barcelona and Granada.

Who is eligible?

According to a release from Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030, to participate in the program you must be a legal resident of Spain. For expat retirees, the most common way to receive Spanish residency status is to apply for a non-working residence visa through the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or to make a real estate investment of at least €500,000, which qualifies you for a “golden visa".

In addition to being a legal resident, you must be at least one of the following:

1. A retiree who receives a pension from the Spanish Social Security system

2. A person 55 years of age or older who receives a widow's pension from the Spanish Social Security

3. A person 60 years of age or older who receives unemployment benefits or other subsidies from the Spanish Social Security system

4. A person 65 years of age or older who is insured or a beneficiary of the Spanish Social Security system

The site also stipulates that Spaniards who are residing abroad may also be eligible as long as they meet the above requirements or are pensioners of the public social security systems of the country or countries to which they have emigrated.

When evaluating who is accepted into the program, officials consider other factors like age, disability status, financial situation, and whether they’ve participated in a discounted trip before. Those who are older, lower income, or haven’t traveled on a social tourism trip are given priority.

Additionally, eligible retirees that are granted the discounted trips can bring along a spouse or partner, or a disabled child, even if they don’t meet the eligibility requirements.

How do you apply?

First-time applicants or new retirees can submit an electronic application on IMSERSO’s site. They can also print the application and mail it to: Imserso Tourism Program, post office box 10.140, 28080 Madrid. The application window for the 2023-2024 season has already closed, but it will likely open for the 2024-2025 travel season beginning in June.

Retirees who have participated in the program receive a letter in the mail with all the information they need to request a new trip.

Once accepted into the program, participants can request their ideal discounted trips using their program ID card on the program’s official travel site— turismosocial.com —when the booking window opens in October. Then it’s just a few short clicks to scoring a subsidized vacation and enjoying your Golden Years to the fullest.

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