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Home » Budget Travel » How to Travel Europe Cheaply: Get Around on a Budget in 2024

How to Travel Europe Cheaply: Get Around on a Budget in 2024

The most important step to becoming a badass broke budgeteer: learn the wicked ways of the low-cost lifestyle. Meaning, HOW exactly to travel on the cheap-o. 

And there’s no better way to get used to budget backpacking than learning how to travel Europe cheaply .

Europe is a great teacher in the ways of penny-pinching. Compared to other popular backpacker digs like Southeast Asia and South America, Europe is expensive as hell. You’re usually only one careless “treat yo’ self” away from backpacker bankruptcy. Everything has a cost: even using a public bathroom!

That means you have to be wise and wily with the way you spend your dollars.

Luckily, there are many ways to slash your astronomical Europe budget down to shreds and have a grand old time traipsing across the old continent, while spending relative pennies!

Transport is easily one of the biggest expenses on your trip. So, today I’m teaching you, dear young padawans, the ins and outs of travelling around Europe on the cheap.

On the cheap – and even, believe it or not, FOR FREE.

10 Ways to Get Around Europe on the Cheap

No money no problem.

Learning how to travel Europe on a budget comes down to a few tricks: cook your own food, stay in hostels or couchsurf, and take advantage of free things to do (each European country has heaps!).

However, when you’re trying not to break the bank, transportation may often be your Achilles’ heel, your downfall, and your sweetest enemy. Here are the best ways to travel Europe on a budget.

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1. Catch a Cheap Bus

Taking the bus is probably the cheapest way to travel around Europe. It’s easy to find budget options all over Europe – even for long distances.

One of the most popular options for cheap bus travel is Flixbus . It’s an operator so efficient, it is quickly swallowing up other smaller national low-cost bus operators all over Europe. 

Flixbus has probably the most extensive options: over 2,500 destinations across 35 countries (even Turkey!).

And my dude, just wait till you see their prices. They’re staggeringly low! I once took a 14-hour bus ride across the entire northern Spain to France for just $30.

Other great options are Eurolines (everywhere), Megabus (the UK), and Lux Express (the Baltics). Many countries also have their own low-cost buses mostly operating nationally, like Polskibus in Poland and Onnibus in Finland.

You can always find deals, but your best bet on dirt-cheap tickets is to book early. There is a limited amount of the cheapest discount tickets for each route.

Bonus tip: Take the word of a seasoned backpacker when I say that night buses SUCK. However, they save you a night’s accommodation cost. Plus, they make sure you’re not wasting precious daylight hours on travel time if you’re only travelling for a short time.

EDITOR’S NOTE!!!

Bookaway is another supreme service that we strongly recommend for booking routes and rides across Europe. HOWEVER, their service isn’t available in  all European nations. Your best bet is to check out both services, compare prices and services available, and choose the best (and cheapest) for you!

2. Get Railed with a Train Pass

Travel around Europe by train , also known as interrailing, is a super popular way of backpacking across Europe. 

Few other places have a similar opportunity for train travel. Europe has very extensive rail networks, and usually, its trains are clean, fast, and comfortable. (At least in Western Europe – who the hell knows what’s up with the Communist-era clunks clanking around post-Iron Curtain countries.)

In Western Europe though, rail travel gets EXPENSIVE. It’s not out of the question to have to splash $60 for a simple cross-country ticket. That’s why a lot of broke train travellers get a rail pass that lets them get serious discounts on their journeys.

Using a rail pass does come with a bit of planning. Usually, they’re restricted to a certain region or cluster of countries, and their prices depend on which countries you want to check out. (More expensive countries have more expensive rail passes.)

They also come with conditions. You can only have a certain amount of travel days within a time frame. (E.g. 10 travel days in two months.) That means that you can use the pass for unlimited free travel for 10 days over a period of two months.

Getting a rail pass is not worth it everywhere in Europe. If you mainly plan to hop to countries that are not covered by the rail pass, or that don’t have great rail networks, you can get by fine without one. 

Also when you’re adventuring somewhere like Eastern Europe and the Balkans, the few train options you have are already cheap. That might mean overspending by getting a pass.

However, if you plan to check out places like France, Germany, and Austria, a rail pass is a great addition to your Europe packing list . And it saves you a lot!

3. Catch Flights, Not Feelings

Listen, no other place does low-cost flying quite as well as Europe. The prices for low-budget airlines can be absolutely RIDICULOUS. Route prices start at around $8 – no kidding. When I still lived in Finland, a return flight between my city and London was half the price of a one-way train to my hometown!

So, low-cost airlines are definitely worth checking out if your plans include hopping between countries on different sides of Europe.

Some of the most popular low-budget airlines in Europe are:

There is an art to finding cheap flights . But you’ll get a hang of it quickly. My favourite sites for finding and comparing flight prices are Skyscanner and Momondo.

I highly recommend checking airlines’ own websites around holidays as well. Around Christmas and Black Friday, you can find huge discounts.

Sadly, there is no such thing as an almost-free lunch. Low-fare airlines make their money through extortionate extra fees. Everything costs – from meals onboard to even printing your boarding pass at the airport. Checked baggage can cost $30+, and some charge extra for “big” cabin luggage as well.

4. Share a Ride with a Merry Stranger

Travelling solo? So are many others! Cut costs and maybe make a friend on your intercity travels.

When you think of rideshare apps, you probably think of Uber. Taxi apps are dope for getting around cities in Europe on the cheap for sure.

Mostly getting a cab through an app is cheaper than on the street. Uber operates in many European countries, plus there are tons of smaller operators in different countries and regions.

So, rideshare apps are cool beans in cities. What about between cities? 

Europe also has platforms that allow private people to publicly post their upcoming trips. They post that they’re going to Marseille, you get in touch, and ka-ching ! You’ve got a cheap-ass ride to another town. Note that this is not digital hitchhiking; you’ll have to split travel costs with the driver and other passengers.

The absolute best platform for long-distance rideshares is BlaBlaCar . I found it the best cheap way to travel around Spain and France, but it’s also available in 16 other countries in Europe. BlaBlaCar doesn’t actually have any of its own cars; it’s just a platform connecting drivers and passengers.

If BlaBlaCar doesn’t tickle your fancy, it’s always possible to find rideshares and carpooling through other ways as well. Try posting a note on your hostel’s info board, or find a rideshare group on Facebook for the country that you’re in.

5. Go Drive Yourself

Living the vanlife in Europe is many backpackers’ dream. And it can easily be one of the cheapest ways to travel Europe if you’re exploring countries like Switzerland or Norway.

My motorbike-loving friends won’t stop raving about how great it is to ride your bike down the wide-open highways across Europe. (Somewhere in the distance, Born to Be Wild starts playing…)

Plus, driving yourself gives you the greatest flexibility to stop at cute roadside towns. You can come and go as you please without being held behind by such measly human inventions as – pssht – bus schedules. Bonus points if you camp along the way to cut costs even more.

If you’re planning on a self-directed adventure, there are a few things to consider before launching off:

• You’ll either need an international driver’s licence or an EU licence
• Taking rental cars over the country border is usually not allowed . So they’re best for single-country stretches. You also have to return them to the same office where you picked them up or pay an abysmal extra fee.
• Toll fees stack up! Set up your GPS to avoid toll roads. (But make sure that it doesn’t direct you to completely stupid roads – speaking from experience…)

In the end, you might do campervanning or motorbiking more for the experience than the price. You’re not only paying for the car; petrol, parking, and insurance fees rack up.

While rentals can be very cheap, they can also be very, very expensive. $20 a day in Greece is not too bad if you can split that with a travel buddy. But paying $50 a day in Madeira by yourself is gonna make even the toughest traveller cry bitter tears. So if you’re gonna live the vanlife across Europe, find a smart purchase or rental (not cheap – cheap cars don’t last), and get good at the van-bum life: it’s a good life. 🙂

6. Thumbs up, Everybody

You might’ve thought you dreamed it but there IS a legit way to travel Europe for free. That way is called hitchhiking ! Is this the cheapest way to see Europe? Potentially definitely.

Hitchhiking has long been one of my favourite ways of adventuring. And the scene is especially boomin’ and bloomin’ in Europe.

It’s not for everybody: you gotta be at least a bit of a social butterfly to keep your gracious rides entertained with small talk (and big talk, if it comes to that). 

This becomes especially fun when you don’t speak the same language. But let me tell you, it’s surprising how much you can find out about someone’s family, hobbies, and life just through a few universal words and body language.

And sure, hitchhiking is not completely without its risks, either. I’ve done lots of kilometres in strangers’ cars as a solo female traveller . While 95% of the people who pick you up are just simply kind human beans, I’ve had a few creepy encounters as well.

The best countries to pick up lifts are in Central and Eastern Europe. The worst luck I’ve ever had has been in Spain and Germany – basically Western countries with a lot of motorways that are unsuitable for stopping for thumb-riders.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

7. Compare, Compare, Compare!

No one ever said budget travel in Europe was easy. Counting pennies comes with a lot of time spent crouching over your phone screen, figuring out the routes that are going to save you the maximum amount of time and money. Trip planning takes effort.

Sometimes booking through the airline’s or railway’s own website is the cheapest option; sometimes the best deals are found on third-party websites. Occasionally, a train can actually be a lot cheaper than a bus.

Sometimes – and this is a secret most hardcore shoestring sailors won’t tell you – it’s just simply better to choose the more expensive option, for the sake of pure convenience and your sanity.

Rome2Rio is a great planning tool when you’re trying to find routes from city to city and can give you approximate prices on both buses and trains. But you have to book tickets on the sites of the operators themselves. Omio (former GoEuro) shows you comparisons between train, bus, and air travel, but doesn’t actually show all available tickets from low-cost operators.

8. Take a Hike, Buddy

When you’re thinking about how to travel around Europe cheaply, long-distance hiking is actually a very viable option. If you can find a free camping spot, all you end up paying for is your food.

Obviously, it’s hard to cover long distances on foot. It IS slow as hell, but it is one of the most rewarding ways to travel I’ve ever tried.

Europe is a hikers’ wonderland. Long, well-established trails can be found almost in all countries, and many long-distance trails stretch over borders as well. Long-distance hiking might be an option for you if you’re already reasonably fit, you’re prepped for hiking abroad , and can carry all your stuff in one bag.

I’ve walked the famous Camino de Santiago across Northern Spain. While it did take over a month, it was a fantastic way to get a more detailed look into the life on the Spanish Northern Coast.

I’ve also hiked long stretches of Via Dinarica, a long-distance hiking trail going from Slovenia to Kosovo, and can vouch for it being one of the BEST ways to experience the Balkans .

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

9. Wheels Away

Are you a fan of the Queen song Bicycle Race? Then you’re probably a biking enthusiast.

Travelling long distances on a bicycle, AKA bikepacking, is becoming more and more popular in Europe. In general, Europeans LOVE biking which means that most cities are pretty bicycle-friendly.

Covering large-ish distances on a bike is not a superhuman feat either. You’ll likely encounter other adventurous cyclists around Europe too.

Some of the best destinations for bikepackers in Europe include Denmark, the Netherlands, France, and the UK. You can combine your biking adventures with camping to cut costs even more. Just make sure all your stuff fits in the bike bags, that you have a good bike for long-distance biking , and that you bring heaps of happy vibes with you.

10. Travel Eastern Europe

Okay, technically this isn’t a method of getting around… But it is possible to travel around Europe really damn cheaply if you head to the right side of the map. I’m talking about backpacking Eastern Europe , of course.

Most first-time backpackers head to Europe’s most touristed capitals to see the Colosseums and Mona Lisas that they know so well from other people’s stories. Eastern Europe might not have as many famous attractions as the most popular destinations but it has a LOT going for it.

Delicious food, fairytale towns, lack of hordes of tourists, excellent mountainage, and fascinating history? Sign me the fuck up.

Oh yeah, it’s also super cheap to travel. In some of the cheapest countries in Europe like Bulgaria, North Macedonia, or Georgia, you can spend as little as $20 per day!

Lastly… Travel Insurance is Very Much Recommended

It might seem counterintuitive to spend more money to save money. But trust me, travel insurance is the one thing that’s going to save you HEAPS if you ever end up needing it.

A savvy budget traveller should always consider getting a good travel insurance policy before leaving home. Health care in Europe is not usually full-bankruptcy-expensive (looking at you, USA…) but you never know what can happen on your adventures. Hospitalised by dodgy booze? Fell out of your top bunk? Bitten by a manic street dog?

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Travelling Europe really doesn’t have to feel like highway robbery. When you get the basics of budget travel in Europe down, spending the most minimal amount of money possible becomes second nature!

One thing that’ll surprise you about pro-level budgeting is that it’s hard work. 

It takes a lot of time and effort to compare different route options and read through hostel reviews to make sure that booking cheap doesn’t mean that you’ll also book shitty. 

When you’re hitchhiking and couchsurfing, you have to always be socially ON. (An introvert’s nightmare that can even terrify some real social butterflies like myself.) If you start noticing symptoms of a traveller’s burnout – it’s time to take a break.

Even when you’re travelling Europe on a shoestring budget, I always recommend having what I like to call “the fuck-it fund”, for days when you just gotta say, “ fuck it, I’m booking into a hotel” . A few days of stress-free spending makes for one happy budget backpacker and means that you get to keep going at your low-cost adventures all refreshed.

Travelling on a budget in Europe is not always the easiest feat. But as you’ve seen now, there are a lot of infrastructures that helps heaps if you’re trying to watch your spending.

And the best part? Everyone else is on a budget too! Bonding over shared cheapskating is a truly unique way to make friends on the road.

So gather up your pennies, book a budget bus, and get travelling!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Elina Mattila

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i found it super hard to travel cheap in europe, everthing is just expensive 😀 i also start using this app ” ATM Fee saver” and i can highly recommend it to you! its briliant you will save some money on those ATM over there… check it out for further travels

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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

Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure

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.

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Europe Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

From beautiful Paris to smoke-filled coffeeshops in Amsterdam, Oktoberfest to La Tomatina, Europe is a massive, diverse continent with an unlimited assortment of things to see and do. You won’t have any problem filling your time, whether you’re backpacking Europe for a few months on a budget or just spending a few weeks there on a well-earned vacation.

The continent boasts wonderful beaches, historical architecture, amazing wine, and tons of world-class festivals. Every country is incredibly different from the next too, providing limitless variety in what you do during your trip.

I first backpacked Europe in 2006 and was hooked immediately. I’ve been visiting every year since, have run tours around the continent, and even wrote a book on traveling in Europe . It’s a destination I love and never get tired of exploring.

This guide will give you an overview of Europe and the tips and tricks you need to start planning your trip. I’ve also written extensive travel guides to each country on the continent (linked below in this post) so you can get more in-depth information for your specific itinerary too!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Europe

Click Here for Country Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in europe.

1. Tour the Greek Islands

These islands are the mecca of summer beach fun and each is unique in its own great way. There’s Ios (beach party central with archeological ruins and awesome boat tours); Kos (ancient ruins and nature); Crete (Bronze Age ruins of Knossos, hiking, beaches, and wine), Santorini (iconic blue water, white buildings, and local wineries); Mykonos , (the upscale party island with beautiful beaches, villages, and sunsets), Naxos (best island in the Cyclades). Plus, Milos, Corfu, Lemnos, Zakynthos, and so many more! With hundreds of islands in the country, you can always find what you are looking for!

2. Ride the rails

Europe is famous for its international rail system. Rail passes like the Eurail Pass have been around forever and still make it very easy to get from country to country on a relatively small budget (and with lots of flexibility). Europe has some of the fastest trains in the world that travel up to an incredible 217 mph (350 kph). The whole continent is connected by trains and there’s a growing push for even more connections and long-distance, high-speed trains in order to reduce flying and help combat climate change. There’s nothing more quintessential than riding the trains in Europe and I encourage you to take as many trains as possible. It’s one of the best ways to see the continent.

3. Get lost in Paris

The “City of Lights” is everything people say it is. I fell in love with it the first time I stepped foot in Paris . The city is just magical. You have a ton of museums, cafes, jazz clubs, famous art, and beautiful architecture. I love just strolling around the streets of the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) or Montmartre neighborhood as it makes for a breathtaking day. Another one of my favorite things to do here is just sit in the Jardin des Champs-Élysées park and picnic like the Parisians. For something a bit different, check out the famous Catacombs and Paris Sewer Museum. With so much to offer in the way of culture, history, and gastronomy, it would take years to see everything here but you can still get a good feel of the city in a few days.

4. Go city hopping

There are so many amazing cities in Europe that we’d need a top 100 to list them all. Here are some of my personal favorites and must-see cities: London is rich in history, culture, and the famous Big Ben clock; Edinburgh is a vibrant medieval city with cozy pubs and a famous castle with a huge New Year’s Eve Party; Amsterdam has cozy coffee shops and canopied tree-covered canals; Berlin has a wild party scene, street art, and the Berlin Wall; Barcelona has tapas, beach, and unique Gaudi architecture; coastal Lisbon has colorful tiles, old tramcars, cobblestone streets and plenty of fresh seafood; Prague has a beautiful intact Old Town, incredible architecture and eclectic bars; Tallinn Estonia has beautiful medieval buildings with colorful roofs. Florence  is a mecca for Italian Renaissance architecture, art history, and gelato; Stockholm mixes medieval architecture and modern art and design. Crisscross the continent, take in the culture, and enjoy all the historic cities!

5. Hit the Alps

Whether you go skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer, the Alps hold some of the most breathtaking views in all the world. You don’t even need to be an expert hiker because there are mountain trails for all levels and crystal-clear Alpine lakes. Check out the spectacular Eibsee trail loop in Bavaria at the foot of Die Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest mountain, for the clearest, multi-colored, sparkling lake you’ve ever seen. Or the Männlichen Kleine Scheidegg Panorama trail in Switzerland’s stunning green and snow-capped Alps. Or visit Italy’s Dolomites in South Tyrol for the scenic Seceda trail. The Alps have trails for every fitness level and in every season.

Other Things to See and Do in Europe

1. tour amsterdam.

I love Amsterdam so much that I lived here for a short period of time in 2006. Here cobblestone and brick streets weave around lovely canals as people ride their bikes to and fro. My favorite things to enjoy here are Amsterdam’s vibrant art and music scene and there are also a ton of interesting museums here like the Anne Frank House, FOAM, the history museum, and the hemp museum. Be sure you get out of the center into Jordaan and Oost with their wonderful outdoor cafes and fewer tourists. Also, a visit to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without a canal cruise to visit the many islands and there are many to choose from that include snacks and drinks, sunset cruises, live guided tours, and more.

2. Hang out in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that goes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It truly could give NYC a run for the “city that never sleeps” title. Be prepared for late-night dinners and parties until dawn. Besides a great food and nightlife scene, there is a wonderful beach, tons of Gaudi architecture (including the fairytale-like Parc Güell, as well as the iconic Sagrada Familia , which has been under construction for over 100 years!), incredible food tours, one of the best history museums in the country, and lots of outdoor spaces. What I love about Barcelona is that when you’re ready to chill, you can wander around Parc de la Ciutadella and marvel at the majestic fountains, plant life, and buildings created from an ornate military fortress.

3. Visit Berlin

Hip and trendy Berlin is an energetic destination. It is one of Europe’s most affordable capital cities, with a vibrant music and art scene and a growing foodie movement. Be sure to spend some time learning about the city’s darker history via the many excellent museums, memorials, and landmarks. The East Side Gallery, a section of the Berlin Wall that’s now painted with murals, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe are two especially powerful reminders of Germany’s past. For all periods of German history, don’t miss the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum) – it’s one of the best history museums in the world. Once you’ve had your fill of history, relax in Berlin’s many green spaces, from Tempelhof Field, the site of a former airfield and popular local hangout spot, to Tiergarten, a tree-covered former hunting ground for 17th-century aristocrats.

4. Drink beer at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a must for anyone going to Germany at the end of September. While not a budget option since beers now cost 15 € a maß, I love the energy and friendly camaraderie this event inspires. For two weeks, millions of people from all over the world gather for lots of beer, excitement, music, and wild fun. Watching thousands of people sing together, raising quart-sized beer mugs for endless toasts, and enjoying the general party atmosphere makes you feel good about the world. (Or maybe that’s just the beer?) Just be sure to book your accommodation well in advance and be prepared to pay top prices for them. If you don’t have an outfit, don’t worry, there are plenty of shops even at the main train station where you can buy a Bavarian dirndl dress and men’s lederhosen.

5. Experience London

Get a taste of English culture in diverse London . The museums here are some of the best in the world (most are free) and include the Tate, the British Museum, the City Museum, the National Gallery, the Historical Museum. There’s no shortage of iconic sights here as well, with Big Ben, the House of Parliament, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and of course, Buckingham Palace. I love London’s diversity because of the countless international eateries with great food and wonderful pub culture, perfect for after a long day seeing the sights. Head to Brick Lane on the weekends for some amazing food and craft markets. I prefer Paris to London, but there is something sophisticated and fun about London. Just watch those pints — London is not a cheap destination!

6. Get outdoors in Scandinavia

My favorite region in Europe is Scandinavia. The quality of life here is high, the people are beautiful and friendly, and the cities are clean and historic. Cycling the cities, taking canal tours, hiking the vast forested areas, archipelago hopping, enjoying fika (a Swedish coffee break), and warming up in saunas are just a few of the popular activities that await you here. True, this area of Europe is not cheap, but there are plenty of ways to reduce your expenses. Don’t let the high prices scare you away. Highlights for me include Copenhagen , Stockholm , Gotland, Norway’s fjords, and Lapland in Finland .

7. Get enchanted in Prague

Prague has an amazing history and is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities I’ve ever seen. Highlights include the 9th-century Prague Castle, the magnificent Charles Bridge (built in the 14th century and one of the oldest standing bridges in the world), the 10th-century old square with its iconic astronomical clock, and the winding Jewish Quarter. Even if you only have a few days there don’t miss the free walking tour which is one of my favorites in Europe and the best way to learn about the Old Town and the tragic history of the city that went from thriving Bohemian capital of art, music, and literature to part of the Iron Curtain after WWII. Some of my favorite gems here include the fantastic black light theater shows in 4D and the one-of-a-kind medieval dinner show in an old tavern complete with musicians and jugglers not to mention hearty food and drinks. During the weekends it heaves with people enjoying the bars, cheap beer, and delicious food so try to visit during the week (and in the spring or fall) to beat the crowds.

8. Relax on the French Riviera

Here, you can pretend to live the high life for a little bit. Have fun in the sun, relax on the beach, swim in azure blue water, hobnob with the rich and famous, and sail on (or gaze at) gigantic yachts. As for cities, Nice is nice with its palm-tree-lined promenade, old town, and many art museums. If you want to go see how the rich and famous live, spend an afternoon checking out Cannes to soak up some glamorous vibes on La Croisette where they hold the famous Cannes Film Festival. The kingdom of Monaco with its tiny streets, beautiful buildings, and world-famous casino is just a skip away too.

9. Enjoy the great outdoors in Interlaken

Located in the beautiful mountains of Switzerland, Interlaken is a gorgeous place to unwind with fantastic hiking, delicious hot chocolate, and plenty of outdoor sports. The area is full of natural attractions to explore, including the St. Beatus Caves (complete with a legendary dragon), the cascading 500-meter-high (1,640 feet) Giessbach Waterfalls, the Jungfraujoch mountain railway (which leads to the highest train station on the continent), and a plethora of lakes (hence the town’s name). It’s a good alternative to all the cities and museums. Interlaken is also a popular party destination for backpackers and other young travelers. By far, my favorite scenic and visually stunning trail was the Oberberghorn panoramic hike, where you can wander the green mountain ridge ogling the amazing views and the turquoise-blue Brienzersee.

10. Experience history in Rome

In this thriving historical city, you can’t walk two feet without stumbling over a ruin, making Rome a history buff’s dream. Its tiny streets are perfect for wandering as you explore the Colosseum, see the Forum and Palatine Hill, visit the Pantheon, spend time in Vatican City, admire the Spanish Steps, and toss coins into the famous Trevi Fountain. The skip-the-line tickets can definitely be worth it so you don’t waste time waiting outside attractions. Rome also has amazing food (it’s Italy, after all) and nightlife. Visit the Trastevere area for a taste of “local” Rome and chill bars. It’s my favorite area in the city because you feel like you’re in a small village in the middle of a big city.

11. Hike around the Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is my favorite part of Italy. These five beautiful cliffside towns are perched near warm waters and beautiful olive and grape groves. There are wondrous and strenuous hikes in these hills; for a real challenge, take trail #8. Or just walk the coastline for something less difficult. Many activities here revolve around the coastline: kayaking, swimming, having a beach picnic or visiting the Technical Naval Museum. If you happen to be here in December or January, don’t miss the Nativity Manarola, the world’s biggest lighted nativity scene.

12. Tour Krakow

Krakow looks like it stepped out of a medieval postcard. It’s a hip, trendy, and youthful city that’s the center of education in Poland, meaning there are a lot of university students here. Most travelers come to party here (the vodka is cheap) but try to enjoy the city’s history and food besides just the bars. Walk the Royal Road through the Old Town to the 13th-century Wawel Castle, tour Schindler’s Factory (where Schindler saved over 1,200 Jews during World War II), and visit the sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. You can also take a fascinating day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine, a 13th-century mine with cavernous chambers, statues, chapels, chandeliers, and cathedrals all carved out of salt.

13. Visit the ruin bars in Budapest

The coolest nightlife in all of Europe is found in Budapest . Built in abandoned buildings, ruin bars feature funky art installations, repurposed furniture, and quirky decor. They are amazing, fun, and great places to meet locals, as people of all ages flock here. Open since 2001, Szimpla Kert is the original ruin bar and one of my favorites, along with Instant-Fogas Complex, which takes up an entire building and is actually many different bars in one. Don’t skip the ruin bars — they’re one of the most unique things about the city!

14. Explore Cornwall

The best part of England is outside London, yet unfortunately, not a lot of travelers leave London. Head west to the area of Cornwall for cheaper prices, welcoming locals, natural beauty, great hiking, rolling hills, plenty of medieval castles, and picturesque small towns. If you like biking, the Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow is worth the trip and you even pass by a local vineyard. It’s an easy way to spend a day (and it’s pretty flat so it’s not too hard to do.) Plus, I had the best fish and chips in Cornwall! Overall, it’s what you think of as “traditional England.”

15. Walk the Camino

El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) is an ancient pilgrimage route that stretches from France all the way across northern Spain. It is a 500 mile (800 km) trail that winds through incredible terrain, ending in Santiago de Compostela at the cathedral where St. James is supposedly buried. As a pilgrim, you get a “pilgrim’s passport” which allows you to stay in affordable pilgrim-only hostels, making this a surprisingly budget-friendly adventure. While it usually takes over a month to complete, you can just walk a section if you don’t have the time. To receive a “Compostela” (certificate of completion), you just need to walk the last 62 miles (100 km), which generally takes 4-5 days.

16. Throw tomatoes during La Tomatina

By far my favorite festival, the largest food fight in the world happens during the last Wednesday of August in Bunol, Spain. What started in 1945 as a local brawl has turned into a massive event drawing tens of thousands of people from all over the world. For about an hour, everyone throws tomatoes at each other, leaving streets ankle-deep in tomato juice. Afterward, everyone walks down to the river, cleans off, and then heads to the town square for sangria and music.

17. Find Dracula in Romania

Not a lot of people visit Romania but this underrated country in Eastern Europe has undiscovered yet picturesque medieval towns like Brasov (home to “Dracula’s castle”), Sighisoara, and Sibiu; gorgeous beaches on the Black Sea; and incredible hiking in the Fagaras Mountains — all at dirt-cheap prices. Other major sights include frescoed Byzantine monasteries, the steepled wooden churches of Transylvania, the hip university town Cluj-Napoca, the post-communist capital of Bucharest, and the Danube Delta, a huge nature reserve.

18. Drink whisky in Islay

Whisky has a long history on Islay , an island off Scotland’s west coast. It’s been made there since the 16th-century — first in backyards and then, starting in the 19th-century, in large distilleries. Over the years, whisky from the island came to be considered a specialty and was used to flavor a lot of other blends on the mainland. There are currently nine working distilleries on the island, all located along the island’s shores, with Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin being the most famous. Most distilleries here make single-malt Scotch, meaning that only one type of grain (barley) is used. My visit here was amazing and, even if you don’t like whisky, there are tons of good hikes and walks throughout this magnificent island.

19. Explore Iceland

Iceland is a magical country with majestic waterfalls, hidden hot springs around every corner, and sweeping vistas unlike anywhere else in the world. After my first visit, the country quickly became one of my favorite countries. With whale watching in the summer, the northern lights in the winter, and geothermal baths for soaking in year-round, there really is no bad time to visit! While Iceland’s main draw is the epic natural landscapes, it’s worth spending a couple of days in Reykjavik with its café culture, artsy feel, and brightly colored wooden row houses.

20. Sail the Croatian coast

With calm winds, short distances, a coastline littered with over 1,000 islands, and countless historical sites, Croatia is one of the world’s best sailing destinations. If you can, go during the shoulder season when you can find some great deals. Plan to stay at least a couple of days on one of the islands, with the most popular being Brac, Hvar, Krk, Cres, and Lošinj. However, don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path and explore some of the lesser-known islands such as Silba, Vis, and Lastovo. If you want to splash out and spend a week partying on a yacht, check out The Yacht Week, which hosts week-long parties, complete with DJs, from May-September. You can book a full boat to share with friends or just a cabin if you’re traveling solo. Prices start at 5,250 HRK per person and go up to 9,300 HRK.

21. Explore the Balkans

While the Balkans have become more popular with backpackers in recent years, it’s still largely overlooked by most budget travelers, despite being an extremely budget-friendly region. The Balkan peninsula is home to great (and again, overlooked) wine, beautiful medieval towns like Kotor and Mostar, stunning mountainous landscapes, beautiful pebble beaches, coffee culture, fresh, hearty yet inexpensive food, and museums covering the area’s history, including the most recent turbulent events of the early 1990s. I especially loved my time in Albania . Don’t miss the beautiful beaches in Ksamil, nicknamed the “Maldives of Europe’ as well as the mountain village of Gjirokastër, which was occupied by Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The Balkans have so much to offer for every budget and every country has its unique cultural flavor.

22. Take a wine tour in the Loire Valley

Located in central France, the picturesque Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and stretches 280 kilometers (174 miles) along the Loire River. One of the major wine-producing regions of France, the area is home to some of the best wines in the world, with over 1,000 vineyards open to the public. Even those who don’t drink wine will enjoy the beautiful small towns, great food, and the region’s over 300 impressive chateaux. I loved the medieval Chenonceau Castle and Chateau Villandry and the small villages like Saint-Florent-le-Vieil. Spring and Autumn are my favorite times to visit because you can go biking and do outdoor activities when it’s not too hot and there are fewer people. It’s an area not to be missed.

23. See Fado in Portugal

Fado is an important musical tradition in Portugal , originating in Lisbon and stretching back some 200 years. The word “fado” likely stems from the Latin word for fate, and it’s very haunting, poetic, and emotional music. Most of the songs follow themes of loss and mourning, and the music was popular with the working class (especially sailors). Performances normally take place in restaurants during dinner. In Lisbon, head to Clube de Fado, Tasca do Chico, Parreirinha de Alfama, or Senhor Vinho.

24. Tour green Slovenia

Slovenia is one of Europe’s least-visited destinations, which is mind-blowing to me because it’s an amazing place to visit. Slovenia offers all the beauty of Western Europe but at a fraction of the cost and with a fraction of the crowds. Perfect for outdoor adventure lovers, Slovenia offers rugged mountains, untouched landscapes, fantastic ski resorts, plentiful wine, sprawling cave systems, incredible food, and postcard-perfect lakes, such as the famous Lake Bled with its castle on an island. I loved Piran, Slovenia’s often overlooked coastal Venetian-style harbor town that was actually founded 3000 years ago. Stroll around its beautiful windy cobble-stoned streets, beautiful plazas, and take advantage of the many affordable restaurants right on the water. Make sure to also spend a few days in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, known as one of the continent’s greenest and most livable cities. Take a river cruise to see the city and enjoy the friendliness of the locals.

  For more information on specific countries in Europe, check out the guides below:

• Albania Travel Guide
• Austria Travel Guide
• Belgium Travel Guide
• Belarus Travel Guide
• Bosnia & Herzegovina Travel Guide
• Bulgaria Travel Guide
• Czechia Travel Guide
• Croatia Travel Guide
• Denmark Travel Guide
• England Travel Guide
• Estonia Travel Guide
• Finland Travel Guide
• France Travel Guide
• Germany Travel Guide
• Greece Travel Guide
• Hungary Travel Guide
• Iceland Travel Guide
• Ireland Travel Guide
• Italy Travel Guide
• Latvia Travel Guide
• Lithuania Travel Guide
• Malta Travel Guide
• Moldova Travel Guide
• Montenegro Travel Guide
• Netherlands Travel Guide
• Norway Travel Guide
• Portugal Travel Guide
• Poland Travel Guide
• Romania Travel Guide
• Scotland Travel Guide
• Slovakia Travel Guide
• Slovenia Travel Guide
• Spain Travel Guide
• Sweden Travel Guide
• Switzerland Travel Guide
• Ukraine Travel Guide

Europe Travel Costs

Accommodation – Accommodation prices vary greatly by region. In Western Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 25-45 EUR per night, depending on the room’s size and the popularity of the hostel. I stayed in a 6-bed dorm in Berlin for 20 EUR, while the same one would have cost me around 45 EUR in Paris. A room in Paris costs on the higher end and a room in cheaper Athens costs on the lower end.

In Eastern Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 10-15 EUR per night depending on the size of the dorm room and the popularity of the hostel. The further east you go, the cheaper it gets. Expect to pay around 30-60 EUR per night for a private room that sleeps two.

In Scandinavia, hostel dorm beds cost around 25-45 EUR, while private rooms are 65-80 EUR. Budget hotels start around 85 EUR.

Most accommodations offer free linens, free Wi-Fi, and a lot offer free breakfast, but it’s important to check specific websites for exact amenities.

Campsites cost between 10-15 EUR per night for a basic plot for two without electricity.

Food – Food traditions in Europe run deep, stretching back centuries to become integral parts of each country’s culture. From baguettes in France to tapas in Spain, from hearty Eastern European stews and goulash to the fresh vegetables and olive oils of the Mediterranean, European cuisine varies as much as the countries themselves. Food prices differ greatly across the continent, so check individual country guides for specifics.

But no matter where you are, even in the more expensive countries, finding places to eat within your budget is easier than you might think. Throughout Western Europe, you can find small shops, street food stalls, or food trucks where you can get sandwiches, gyros, kebabs, slices of pizza, or sausages for between 3-7 EUR. These shops are most often found in train stations, bus stations, and main pedestrian areas, and offer cheap food alternatives that can have you eating on 12-17 EUR per day. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 7-10 EUR for a combo meal.

Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Vietnamese eateries abound in Germany, while Indian food is incredible and everywhere in the United Kingdom. Meals at these restaurants usually cost between 8-12 EUR.

Restaurant meals in casual, traditional eateries generally cost around 13-25 EUR for a main dish and drink. Food is much cheaper in the east than in the west, and in the west, northern regions like Scandinavia and the UK are more expensive than southern countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

In Eastern Europe, even if you are eating out for all your meals, you can still get by on a food budget of as little as 15 EUR per day.

For drinks, a pint of beer is 2-5 EUR, a glass of wine is 2-7 EUR, a cappuccino is 2-5 EUR, and cocktails range from 6-14 EUR.

If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu (two-course or three-course set menu). Restaurants offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices between 10-20 EUR, it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu. You can also get affordable lunches at outdoor markets. So many European cities have huge fresh food markets throughout town.

You can cook your own food for around 45-65 EUR per week. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, bread, and some meat. You can save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, Aldi, and Penny Market.

If you want to save big money on meals, head to one of the markets, pick up some cheese, wine, bread, meats, or anything else, and go to the park for a picnic. (Or grab a sandwich for later!) You’ll find the locals doing the same thing, and it’s one of the cheaper ways to get a true taste of local food.

Backpacking Europe Suggested Budgets

Prices for travel in Europe vary greatly depending on how far north, east, south, or west you travel. If you stick to the budget accommodations, food, and tours listed here and use all my tips on saving money, you need about 65-110 EUR per day in Western Europe, 40-50 EUR in Eastern Europe, and about 85-130 EUR in Scandinavia.

Those numbers reflect a traveler who stays in hostels, cooks some meals and eats out cheaply, enjoys a few drinks, and sticks to free and cheap activities like hiking, walking tours, and enjoying nature. This is your typical backpacker budget. You aren’t going to have a fancy time, but you aren’t going to want for anything either.

However, by getting tourist cards and rail passes, avoiding flights, occasionally Couchsurfing or camping, cooking all your meals, and not drinking, you can travel a lot cheaper. On this budget, you could do Western Europe on 35-45 EUR per day, Eastern Europe on 20-25 EUR, and Scandinavia on 50-65 EUR. That would require you to take a train or a bus or hitchhike everywhere, skip most museums, and limit how often you go out.

Generally, the suggested daily budget for Europe is 80-120 EUR. You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Europe Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Individual country guides have more specific information on how to save money in them but here are some general tips on cutting your costs while you explore Europe:

• Picnic – This continent has a lot of little shops where you can buy pre-made sandwiches or ingredients to make your own. Many supermarkets have delis as well where you can get food to go. Buy some food, eat outside, and watch the city and its people go by. It’s a much more enjoyable and cheaper way to eat.
• Eat local and cheap – Not into picnicking? Eat at local sandwich shops, pizza parlors, Maoz, Wok to Walks, and outdoor street vendors. Avoiding restaurants and eating at a lot of the local “grab n’ go” places gives you a taste of the local cuisine at a much cheaper price. If you’re really on a budget, use your creative cooking skills to prepare meals at the hostel as well.
• Stay with a local – Hostels can add up really quickly. If you don’t have any friends with whom you can stay, consider using Couchsurfing , which connects you with locals who let you stay with them for free. Plus, they tend to also have meetups to meet other locals and travelers. It’s a great way to save on accommodation and meet a local who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Camp in a garden – A very good camping service specific to Europe is Campspace , which allows you to pitch a tent in someone’s backyard for free or for a small fee (around 10-20 EUR). All of the garden owners have profiles that tell you what services and facilities they offer. Also, many countries allow wild camping (like Sweden), which can save you a fortune if you have a tent.
• Take the bus – Budget bus companies like Flixbus can take you across the continent for cheap. I personally feel it’s best for day travel as sitting up for an overnight bus isn’t really ideal for sleeping. It isn’t glamorous, but with tickets starting at 5 EUR, you really can’t complain!
• Get a Rail Pass – Eurail Passes have saved me hundreds of dollars. If you are traveling far distances and through many countries, they are a great deal.
• Take the free city tours – One of the great things about Europe is that you can find free walking tours in all the major cities. They can be a great way to see the city attractions, take in some history, and learn your bearings without spending any money. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Plan accordingly – Plan your trip around Europe so you avoid doubling back. Transportation is a big expense so proper planning can save you a lot of money (and time). Go in a straight line or a loop. Booking your accommodation ahead helps you save as well since cheap, good places unsurprisingly get reserved first. One thing I’ve learned is that waiting until the last minute means you get stuck with expensive places or cheap places no one wants.
• Fly cheap – If you know where you are going and a train won’t do, try to book flights early. You can often get round trip fares for as little as 5 EUR from many of the European discount airlines like Ryanair or Wizz. Many capital cities have smaller airports farther from the city with ‘inconvenient’ times but cheaper fares. Keep in mind you might need to factor in an early morning Uber or taxi if the busses aren’t running and you have an early flight!
• Drink less – Those 5 EUR beers add up. Hit happy hours or pick and choose when you party. Hostel bars are a good place to get cheap drinks or buy your alcohol at the supermarket. Plus, in Europe, it’s legal to drink outside in parks, plazas, by the lakes or rivers. You’ll find you can save a lot of money by not going to bars and clubs. Partying your way across the continent will destroy your bank balance in no time.
• Get a city tourist card – Many local tourism offices sell a tourism card for all their attractions, tours, and restaurants. This card gives you free entry and substantial discounts on all the attractions and tours in a city, free local public transportation (a huge plus), and discounts at a few restaurants and shopping malls. They save a ton of money. If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, get one of these cards.
• Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar to catch rides with locals between cities (or countries) by paying a small fee. It’s like Airbnb but for rides. I used this service in Switzerland and, not only did I save a lot of money, but I got to meet interesting people and learn about local culture and life. Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe, though sometimes rides cancel at the last minute (which is why you need to be flexible). Check their ratings first and try to use rides where the person has done many trips.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water is safe to drink in most of Europe, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Get a HostelPass – HostelPass is a discount membership for hostels in Europe. Members get 10-20% off select hostels around Europe, as well as perks like free breakfast or free drinks. There are discounts on tours and activities too. It’s a great way to save money if you’re bouncing around Europe as they have hostels in 18 countries around the continent.

Where to Stay in Europe

Europe has a ton of budget accommodation options. The individual country and city guides have tons of recommendations but here’s a short list of some of my favorite budget hostels and hotels around Europe:

• The Flying Pig (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
• Hotel 54 (Barcelona, Spain)
• Generator Hostel (Copenhagen, Denmark)
• Harcourt Hotel (Dublin, Ireland)
• Castle Rock (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• Ios Palm Pansion (Ios, Greece)
• Greg and Tom’s Party Hostel (Krakow, Poland)
• Largo da Sé Guest House (Lisbon, Portugal)
• Sophie’s Hostel (Prague, Czech Republic)
• The Yellow (Rome, Italy)
• City Backpackers (Stockholm, Sweden)

How to Get Around Europe

Public transportation – Transportation around most European cities is by tram, subway, or bus. Prices are typically around 2 EUR for a one-way ticket in Western Europe and closer to 1 EUR in Eastern Europe. Most large cities also have day passes available that offer unlimited public transportation. These passes are usually 5-12 EUR per day.

In large cities with international airports, there is usually a bus or train available that ferries travelers from the downtown core to the airport. Expect to pay around 5-15 EUR to get to/from the airport.

Bus – Buses are not quite as comfortable as Europe’s trains, although certain lines do have great amenities (like roomy seats and Wi-Fi). While buses are not the most efficient way to travel around the continent, they’re certainly dependable, reliable, and cheap. You can find last-minute rides for as little as 5 EUR. A route from Berlin to Munich is about 25 EUR, while Paris to Bordeaux can be as low as 10 EUR. Longer routes, like Amsterdam to Copenhagen, start at around 47 EUR.

Each country has its own national bus service, but some lines also take you long distances internationally. Megabus and Flixbus (which now owns Eurolines) are the most popular companies.

Train – Train travel is a great way to see Europe. Intercity train prices vary wildly from country to country, depending on whether you take the slow train or a high-speed train and how far in advance you book. For example, a high-speed train from Berlin to Munich costs around 38-60 EUR, Bordeaux to Paris is about 50-85 EUR, and Madrid to Barcelona ranges from 45-85 EUR. Non-high-speed trains and other intercity lines are a lot cheaper, generally costing about 40-50% of the price of high-speed trains. Eastern Europe inter-country trains usually cost between 45-100 EUR when the ticket is booked last minute. Short train rides of 2-3 hours within countries cost about 27 EUR.

To find routes and prices for trains around Europe, use Trainline .

You may also want to consider getting a Eurail Pass , which allows travelers to explore Europe by providing a set number of stops in a specific time period. These passes are continent-wide, country-specific, or regional. It can potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Ridesharing/Car sharing – If your schedule is flexible, use a ridesharing service and catch rides with locals between cities (or countries). Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe. BlaBlaCar is the most popular.

If you’d rather rent a car yourself and find passengers to share a ride with, use Discover Cars to find the best car rental prices.

Flying – Budget airlines are so prolific that competition helps keep fares low. You can often find tickets where the fare is just 5 EUR round-trip! Companies like EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz, and Vueling offer mind-blowingly cheap flights throughout Europe. Book at least a month early to scoop up great deals.

Make sure that the airport they fly into isn’t too far out of your way (transportation from the secondary airport sometimes negates the savings from using the budget airline itself).

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay to check your baggage on these cheap flights. It costs about 25-39 EUR for one checked bag. If you wait to pay for your luggage at the gate, you end up paying almost double. Travel carry-on only to avoid this added cost.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Europe is very safe, but it’s not for everyone. Hitching is quite common around the continent and I’ve met a number of travelers who have done it (I, myself, traveled this way in Bulgaria and Iceland). Some countries are very supportive (Romania, Iceland, Germany) while others may be a bit more time-consuming (Italy, Spain). HitchWiki is the best website for hitchhiking info.

Here are my suggested articles for how to get around Europe:

• 7 Cheap Ways to Travel Across Europe
• Are Eurail Passes a Giant Scam or Do They Save You Money?
• The Ultimate Guide to Finding Cheap Flights

When to Go to Europe

There’s no wrong time to visit Europe. Peak season is summer, when Europe gets crowded and August is the time most European families are at the beach so everything becomes more crowded and expensive. But the overall atmosphere and weather are great during this time, so it’s still worth visiting during peak season (just book your accommodation in advance — especially in August). Keep in mind it’s much hotter in summer so if you like AC, be sure to check that your hostel or hotel has it before you book. You can expect the most crowds in Western Europe. For this reason, I feel summer is a great time to visit the Balkans and the Baltics because many people head to the beaches in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece.

Shoulder season is spring and fall (April-May and September-October). It’s still warm during this time but there aren’t as many crowds and prices are cheaper. This is my favorite time to visit hotspot places like Spain, Croatia and Greece, where it’s still hot enough to swim in the sea but you have way more room on the beach. It’s also a good time to go hiking in the Alps in Germany, northern Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland because it’s cooler during the day so you’re much less sweaty on the mountain without shade. The weather is good, the crowds are smaller, and the prices lower.

Winter is from November to February but in much of Central Europe, it’s wet and cold until March or April. It gets cold, even as far south as it gets (like Greece). On the other hand, the Christmas season has Christmas markets and festivals galore! Even if it’s cold, this is a cultural tradition you can’t miss and why I love Europe in December. There is hot mulled wine, sweets, and plenty of hot snacks, which vary by country. One of my favorites is Prague because the Old Town Square is lit up with a gigantic tree with aromas of crispy cinnamon pastries and mulled wine. Berlin takes their Christmas markets very seriously, so there are around 80 different markets with special themes.

Winter is fantastic in Europe for skiing and snowboarding but it doesn’t have to break the bank if you plan carefully. While Switzerland and France are probably the most famous, they are also expensive, but there are plenty of budget winter options.

How to Stay Safe in Europe

Europe is very safe for backpacking and solo traveling, even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent crimes against tourists are very rare. In fact, some of the safest countries in the world are in Europe. (I wrote a whole article about how Europe is safe to visit right now .)

That said, there are scams and petty crimes you should watch out for, especially around popular tourist landmarks. The most important thing to be aware of is pickpockets in crowds and on public transportation. Zip your bags and don’t put your mobile phone in a jacket pocket where someone could quickly take it. This should be obvious but don’t flash your money to let everyone know you have a huge wad of cash.

When choosing a hostel, look for ones with lockers. It’s always a good idea to carry around a padlock or combination lock. Most hostels are safe and travelers respect each other and I’ve rarely seen things happen to people’s valuables. Nevertheless, I always think that prevention is better.

As anywhere, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). When at the bar, always keep an eye on your drink. Avoid walking home alone at night if you’re intoxicated.

For female travelers in particular, it’s always a good idea to have a bit of extra money on you just in case you need to take an Uber or taxi back by yourself so you don’t take unnecessary risks to save money. If you’re using apps to date people while traveling, please use common sense and meet in public places. Since I’m not a female traveler, please check out the numerous female bloggers who have first hand knowledge of this.

If you’re worried about scams, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you rent a vehicle, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Be aware that the UK drives on the left and that most rental cars in Europe will have manual transmissions unless you request otherwise.

When hiking, always bring water, sunscreen, and bandaids or foot plasters. There is nothing worse than being halfway up the mountain with a blister and nothing you can do about it!

Likewise, when at the coast, don’t forget not only to wear sunscreen! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people get burnt to a crisp the first day. Be sure to check the weather before you depart and dress accordingly.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary to loved ones so they know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Europe Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go. Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!

Europe Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Europe travel and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Copenhagen

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

The 6 Best Hotels in Vienna

The Best Walking Tours in Barcelona

How to Be a Digital Nomad in Europe

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

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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11 tips for traveling Europe on a budget

Traveling Europe — in Normal Times — can be an expensive splurge or an affordable adventure depending on where you go, how you plan to arrive and what you plan to do at your destination. Although the continent seems small, a quick hop to Ireland is a world away from a five-hour flight to the Canary Islands or an Interrail adventure to the Swiss Alps. With so many diverse countries to choose from, it can often be overwhelming to plan a trip -- especially if you're tight on funds. But if you follow the below tips, you can have a fantastic vacation that won't blow your budget.

1. Get creative with points and miles

Having a stash of points and miles is great, but if you don't really know how to use them , they won't get you very far. So get creative with your points and miles and remember to think outside the box when using them.

For example, if you can't find award availability on British Airways using your Avios, you can transfer them to Iberia or Aer Lingus for a whole slew of other redemption options.

Remember that partner airlines are always an opportunity and that your credit card points are transferrable to airlines that maybe aren't as common. For example, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to airlines like Aer Lingus and Air France-KLM.

Read more: The ultimate guide to Amex Membership Rewards

2. Fly low-cost

With many spots in Europe just two-hours or less away by plane, flying a low-cost carrier isn't so bad -- as long as you know the rules. Remember that you'll be charged extra for pretty much everything, so plan ahead if you want to check a bag, board first or reserve your seat. If you are country hopping, consider choosing a home base and planning weekend trips so you don't have to check all your luggage. And when you snag a deal for $50, $25 or even$10, just grab your under-the-seat backpack and go -- you won't regret it.

3. Travel in the off-season

Traveling in off-season or shoulder-season will save you money on flights, hotels and award redemptions. Plus, you'll deal with fewer crowds and avoid long lines, especially when visiting major tourist attractions.

Flights and hotels may offer cash deals in the off-season and remember that most airlines have peak and off-peak calendars when it comes to award redemptions, charging fewer miles/points during off-peak dates.

And consider that some hotel loyalty programs, such as Bonvoy, now have both peak and off-peak points redemptions , so if you choose to redeem during off-peak dates, your points will extend even further.

Generally speaking, most European countries' off/shoulder-seasons are October to November and January to June. Of course, avoiding major celebrations like Christmas and Easter, as well as busy bank holiday weekends, will also ensure you get the best rates.

4. Visit affordable destinations

Visiting Paris and Amsterdam (even if you do get an affordable flight deal and are able to use points for a hotel stay) won't run cheap. Instead, consider some cheaper cities in Europe, such as Krakow, Porto, Bucharest, Kiev, Budapest and beyond. A good rule of thumb is to decide what type of vacation you hope to have and then look for alternative options.

For lazy beach days, skip the French Riviera and head to Sicily or the Albanian Riviera instead. Ditch Santorini for a lesser-visited Greek Island like Paxos, Sifnos or Symi. Wine taste in Estonia, not Bordeaux, admire art in Madrid, not Vienna, or ski in Spain's Sierra Nevada instead of the Swiss Alps. Whatever style of European vacation you'd like to have, you can do on a budget -- just pull out a map and think outside of the traditional hotspots.

Read more : Long layover in Madrid? Here's all you need to know

5. Stay in a home rental or hostel

Home rentals can actually save travelers a lot of money -- and not just on the actual rate of the rental, but also on dining out or doing laundry . Since home rentals often come with amenities like a full kitchen or washing machine, you can cook your meals and wash your clothes at home, which is a huge money saver -- especially for a lengthy stay. And living like a local has cultural benefits, too, like getting a real feel for a city and how its residents go about their daily routines.

Hostels are another cost-effective alternative to hotels. And it's not what you think: these types of lodgings aren't all bunk beds and backpackers. In fact, many European hostels come with private bathrooms and bedrooms, more like small hotels than anything else. Plus, Europe is seeing an uptick of trendy boutique hostels such as the Generator brand, meaning you can still have a comfortable accommodation experience while not overspending.

6. Use the right card for purchases abroad

Unfortunately, some points-earning credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee (about 3%). However, depending on the value of the points you can earn, you may (or may not) come out on top when using it abroad. To find out, check out the TPG's monthly points valuations to see how valuable certain point currencies are.

While we almost never recommend using a debit card, but it may make sense in many instances when spending abroad. For the best cards to use, check out this guide on best cards to use abroad .

7. Know the tipping rules

Whether it's 10% or nothing at all, understanding the tipping culture can help you avoid a faux pas post-meal or after a taxi ride, as well as ensuring you don't spend money unnecessarily. Apps like Gratitude Tipping can help, showing you the rules by country for tipping drivers, guides, restaurant waiting staff, bartenders and hotel staff.

8. Don't discount trains

Although trains aren't always super cheap, sometimes they can be affordable and easy -- especially when booked in advance. Trains will help you avoid airport delays, turbulence and are generally more comfortable than a teeny airplane seat. If you need to travel with a lot of baggage or extras, trains can also be an ideal choice. And some European train journeys are incredibly scenic, making the train ride a vacation in itself. For those heading off on a backpacking adventure, Interrail passes are a valid option.

9. Travel light

Almost all European airlines charge for checked baggage -- and many taxi drivers around Europe will also add on fees for luggage, too. You can avoid this by packing light and right, using things like packing cubes or wearing travel clothing .

10. Do a free walking tour

Most European cities offer free walking tours. Check online before traveling, sign up in advance if necessary and enjoy your free tour. Although tipping is suggested, it's likely you'll still spend a lot less, even after generously tipping your guide. You may also meet other like-minded travelers, which can be welcome if you're traveling alone or looking to make new friends.

11. Check on your mobile data

While some mobile networks offer free roaming in Europe, it's a good idea to confirm to ensure you won't see any added roaming charges. There's nothing worse than receiving a hefty mobile bill upon return when you're already dealing with post-vacation blues. If your network doesn't offer free-roaming, see how much roaming rates cost before traveling, or consider buying a local SIM card upon arrival to your destination.

The Travel Runner

10 ways to travel europe on the cheap.

This post was last updated on

Discover the best and cheapest ways to travel Europe on the cheap! Explore ten affordable ways to get around, see Europe, and plan your cheap Europe trip.

“Europe is, perhaps, the least worn-out of the continents because it is the most lived in. A place that is lived in lives.”

Europe has always had an appeal to it. Something difficult to describe, but every person feels it. You mention the word, and people’s hearts flutter with excitement. But it seems hidden behind a paywall like a popular news website, like you must empty your savings simply to get a taste.

I’m here to tell you that’s a lie.

So, I’ve compiled 10 best travel tips to help you visit Europe on a budget.

Let’s dive into them.

• Fly into cheap cities in Europe
• tay in cheap accommodation
• Visit cheaper European countries
• Fly with budget airlines
• Use the train system
• Eat & drink local
• Take free walking tours
• Work your way across Europe

1. Fly into cheap cities in Europe

Part of budget travel to Europe? Finding the best deal on your flight.

And while you don’t have complete control over prices, you can control where you start your trip to Europe. So if you can get the best deal to these destinations, you’ll save some serious cash.

If you can book in advance, even better.

• Barcelona, Spain – Barcelona’s busy airport doesn’t affect fares. Reduced fees and taxes entice budget airlines, creating an affordable European gateway.
• Dublin, Ireland – A low-cost airline hub with easy access to Europe. Ryanair offers cheap Irish departures. Guinness awaits!
• Madrid, Spain – Cheap gateway to Europe with budget-friendly flights to famous cities like Barcelona and Madrid.
• Paris, France – Central hub, second busiest in Europe. Frequent routes worldwide, including the US. Look for Paris deals and explore affordable Budapest, Rome, and Amsterdam options!
• Amsterdam, The Netherlands – World’s third-busiest airport. Affordable and frequent flights from the US, with 19 direct routes. Explore Europe via its extensive rail network to neighboring countries.
• Lisbon, Portugal – Rising as a premier European city to fly into or transit. Affordable fares, direct flights from major US cities. Shorter flight time adds to its appeal.
• Rome, Italy – Gateway to Europe. Cheap flights to major cities, often under $100. Direct routes from 10 US cities for easy access to European adventures.

Find the cheapest flights to Europe, and you’re starting your trip off the right way.

2. Stay in cheap accommodation

Want to visit the most popular cities in Europe on the cheap?

Then finding budget accommodation is one of your first steps. And it’s one of the most difficult because it means you’ll be staring at a computer screen, dissecting tiny price differences for hours! If that sounds fun, I may hire you as my accommodation finder!

How do you find cheap accommodation, though? Well, check places you already know about:

• Booking.com
• Hostelworld

These are all great places to get started. What is the best way to get cheap accommodation? Look in advance and look often.

Prices change constantly, and the best people at finding cheap deals are constantly checking. So you should follow their example and always be looking for a cheap deal, too!

3. Visit cheaper European countries

Traveling within Europe doesn’t seem possible when you see the prices while planning a trip.

But you’d be surprised by how cheap a few European countries can be, especially if you’re willing to visit Eastern and Central Europe.

Let’s take a look 👇

1. Romania  

Budget traveler’s paradise with affordable food, accommodation, and travel. Rich in outdoor beauty and culture. Free attractions like castles and old towns. Visit Transylvania for Dracula enthusiasts or explore resort towns along the Black Sea for beach lovers.

2. Bulgaria

An affordable travel gem. Food, accommodation, and activities offer excellent value. Hike in Central Balkan National Park, and explore castles and villages for a local experience. Over 40,000 archaeological sites await. Perfect for budget travelers exploring Europe.

An underrated Balkan gem, Shkoder offers historical sites, affordable activities in Tirana , and stunning beaches like Saranda and Ksamil . Explore the Theth and the Accursed Mountains for epic hikes. Shkoder offers charming streets. Enjoy mesmerizing cuisine and people-watching with a local espresso. It’s a budget traveler’s haven.

Check out my Albania travel guide for more info on your trip.

4. Portugal

Affordable Western European destination with free activities like beaches, volcano hikes, and castle visits. Faro District entices beach lovers, while small towns near Lisbon offer rich history and architecture. Food and accommodation costs are higher, but off-peak season can save money on travel without compromising weather.

5. Slovenia

Underrated gem amidst pricier neighbors. Affordable outdoor activities, beaches, and hidden regions. Explore Lake Bled, medieval towns, and Triglav National Park for free. Perfect for budget travelers exploring Europe.

Budget traveler’s haven in Eastern Europe. Cheaper accommodation, food, and activities. Explore castles and natural scenery. Relax in thermal spas. Lake Balaton offers stunning beaches. Budapest has slightly pricier but affordable options outside the city.

7. Bosnia-Herzegovina

Remarkable recovery from wartime, now a budget-friendly European destination. Affordable meals and accommodation. Explore historic Sarajevo architecture. Visit Mostar for the iconic Ottoman-style bridge and thrilling jumps into the Neretva River. Great value compared to neighboring Croatia.

Unbeatable value compared to Western European neighbors. Savings in the south with beautiful beaches and charming towns. Explore off-season Puglia for affordable accommodation and delectable cuisine. Don’t miss out on Italy’s hidden treasures. And don’t skip Rome , of course!

9. Montenegro

Small in size, big in value. Explore Kotor’s Old Town, and hike to Kotor Fortress for stunning views. Relax on beaches, enjoy boat trips, or experience nightlife in Budva. Affordable meals ($6-$12) and accommodation ($30/night). Perfect for budget travelers.

Affordable gem overshadowed by famous neighbors. Hike national parks, explore castles, and sample local markets. Escape crowds and high prices in Gdańsk, Poznan, and Lublin. Rooms from $15/night, delicious street food. A budget traveler’s delight.

4. Fly with budget airlines

As an American, it’s incredible to see how cheap it is to fly within Europe. 

Don’t believe me? I booked a flight from Italy to France for $25. And I’ve seen prices drop below $10 multiple times to fly within Western Europe and Eastern Europe.

There are plenty of budget European airlines to choose from for a cheap way to get around.

Some top cheap fare options are:

• Norwegian Air
• Pegasus Airlines

Beyond checking those individual airlines, you can find cheap flights with Skyscanner , Hopper , and WayAway to get cheap flights in one area.

5. Take a Bus

If you have time to travel, buses are the perfect low-cost option for both inside and across borders.

Plus, you slowly watch the lesser-seen parts of a country roll by as you make your way.

While the trips are longer, the savings could be massive, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.

Some bus companies popular in Europe include:

• Lux Express

6. Use the train system

Train is one of the most common travel methods for Europeans. And, with their extensive railway lines, you can understand why.

People often view train travel as a thing of the past, but it’s still alive in Europe and is an excellent way to travel Europe on the cheap if you plan it right and get your train tickets in advance.

Take a look at these companies for the cheapest option for train travel :

• Deutsch Bahn

While some of these companies only service within specific countries, they’re excellent options to get around the country for a low cost.

The other option is to check out Eurail Pass , which allows you to hop on and off between countries. But this can get expensive depending on how many countries you plan to visit and how long your trip is.

7. Rent a car

This option will be the most expensive way to travel around Europe (of the budget options).

But it’ll also be the most effective mode of travel to visit all the places you want in Europe.

You can be more flexible with your travel dates, hopping around the different cities to visit in Europe. Plus, you get a more private travel experience to enjoy yourself how you want!

While rental rates will be high during peak season, looking in the off-season is best. During this time, rental rates drop considerably. Sure, you won’t have fantastic weather or the best pictures. But you do have a way to get around Europe and avoid the crowds!

Rates vary depending on the country, but you can find prices as low as $15/day. Check with the local rental companies (and verify you can take the car across borders) to get the best rates.

Another option is BlaBlaCar. This service is a carpool-like option to join travelers traveling to the same place.

A unique way to connect with others and snag cheap travel between destinations.

8. Eat & drink local

Notice the primary ingredients used in each country’s cuisine?

There’s an excellent reason for that! Those are the locally available ingredients, so they’ll be cheap!

So, there are two things you can do:

• Go to local restaurants where they’ll make local dishes
• Buy local ingredients and cook for yourself

But how do I find the best local restaurants?

Easy. Watch where the locals go . If you stumble upon a small restaurant packed way beyond fire code with locals, that’s the spot to eat .

And don’t be afraid to ask, either! People love showing off their home city, and they’ll often be more than happy to recommend a few spots.

But you can’t eat out every night , that could get expensive.

So head to the local supermarkets and buy fresh produce from the people who are growing/producing it!

This helps in two ways: you get fresh and cheap ingredients and help the locals by putting money in their pockets !

So, if you’re looking to travel around Europe on a budget, eating at local establishments and cooking your own meals can be a great way to save some cash while also enjoying the cuisine and culture of your destination. 

9. Take free walking tours

Almost every city has walking tours.

And they’re the perfect way to get exercise, learn more about the place you’re in, and possibly meet some new friends!

There are plenty of fancier tours you can break the bank on. Or you can meet a local that will show you some hidden spots! But remember to tip the tour guide at the end.

Just because it’s free doesn’t mean you shouldn’t show your appreciation in some way!

10. Work your way across Europe

But, Kyle, that’s what I’m trying to do!

Not that work! I mean, give your time in exchange for accommodation or a stipend!

I’ve met many people who travel Europe for free using this method! And if you want to travel in Europe the same way, this is the section for you!

There’s work exchange, WorkAway, or you can even be an au pair! This is the perfect way to travel cheaply in Europe and meet locals. Then, when you’re not working, you’ll hop around Europe on a slim travel budget.

Frequently asked questions about the cheapest ways to travel in Europe

Which is the cheapest country to visit in europe.

The cheapest country to visit in Europe varies, but some budget-friendly options include Bulgaria, Hungary, and Poland, known for affordable accommodations, food, and attractions.

What month is the cheapest to travel in Europe?

The cheapest month to travel in Europe depends on various factors. Generally, shoulder seasons like April, May, September, and October offer lower prices and fewer crowds than peak summer months.

Is 1 month enough in Europe?

Whether 1 month is enough in Europe depends on your travel goals and preferences.

While exploring multiple countries or regions in that time is possible, it’s crucial to prioritize and plan efficiently to make the most of your visit.

What is the most expensive country in Europe to visit?

Switzerland is considered one of the most expensive countries to visit in Europe.

It is known for its high cost of living, including accommodation, dining, transportation, and attractions.

However, it offers stunning landscapes and unique experiences that make it worth considering despite the higher expenses.

Ready to travel across Europe on a budget?

Traveling in Europe can be costly, especially at peak travel times.

But you can go to Europe cheaply if you plan wisely. And I hope these tips brought you closer to visiting your preferred places to travel in Europe!

Related Posts:

2 responses to “10 Ways to Travel Europe on the Cheap”

Great post! Agree, Europe can definitely be done on the cheap! Though it’s getting harder with a lot of hostels increasing their prices post-pandemic…

I’ve found travelling during shoulder season provides an acceptable balance between saving money and experiencing the best of the continent (lots of countries are still very nice in October – Malta, Cyprus, Spain etc…)! As you say, Portugal is always up there as one of the best-value Western countries in Europe.

Thanks for the comment, Matt!

Yeah, I agree. I was reading a post recently about the hostels in Europe and how they’re battling with, essentially, corporate hostels. So they’re increasing prices. Interesting situation.

And agree about the shoulder season! I visited Italy just before the tourist season a few years ago and it was perfect. Some crowds, but not too much. And great prices since they hadn’t raised them much.

Have you been to Albania or any of the Eastern European countries? A lot of great value there as well, and plenty to see!

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Wanderlust Movement | A South Africa Travel Blog

How To Travel Europe on a Budget: A Complete Guide

July 24, 2018 by Lauren Melnick

Last Updated on January 24, 2023 by Lauren Melnick

Ah, Europe.

The land home to ancient history, pizza, beautiful beaches and first world public transportation.

In my teens, I dreamt of travelling to France and living out my own Passport to Paris fantasy. I wanted to go on a subway, peer through the gates of Buckingham Palace, and see my favourite bands play live at Download Festival.

For years, it remained a dream I never acted upon.

I knew Europe wasn’t a cheap place and had the mindset that I’d never have enough money to go.

Fast forward almost a decade later, and I’ve been to Europe not once, not twice but three times.

And I didn’t have to sell everything I own or work crazy long shifts in shitty retail jobs to make it happen.

Curious about how to visit Europe on a budget?

You just need a dash of flexibility, a sprinkle of planning and a cup of frugality to get the most out of your Rands.

Here’s how to travel Europe on a budget!

Table of Contents

How to Find Cheap Flights From South Africa to Europe

When is the best time to travel to europe on a budget, fly with budget airlines, travel europe via train, use cheap bus travel in europe, save time finding the cheapest transport option, try out blabla car, use public transportation, hit the pavements, find deals on booking.com, live like a local with airbnb, become the ultimate backpacker with couchsurfing, cook your own meals, stay at a hotel or hostel that offers a free breakfast, keep an eye out for lunch specials, eat where the locals eat, eat street food, visit the cheaper european destinations, compare tourist passes, cheap things to do in europe, use atms instead of currency counters, get yourself a credit card that doesn’t charge for international withdrawals, use your credit or debit cards, travel with two cards and keep them separate, travelling europe on a budget is possible.

Have you experienced the phenomena of internally sobbing while typing in each digit and watching your bank account run dry?

You’re not alone.

Before I discovered flight comparison site Skyscanner , I thought the only way I could go to Europe was if I signed up for those ridiculously priced Contiki Tours.

Since then, I’ve picked up a few other tricks on the way that have helped me find return flights to Portugal and Italy for under R 5000.00.

How did I do it?

I’ve written an in-depth 9-step process blog post , but the main tool in my cheap flight arsenal is Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” tool.

All you need to do is enter your departing destination as “South Africa” and your arrival destination as “Everywhere”.

The search engine will then find the cheapest flights departing from South Africa. It’s an easy way to see what deals are flying around and which European destination will be the most affordable entry point.

Plus, it’s winter. So you can finally see snow!

Get ready to make those snow angels, learn the lyrics to “ Do You Want To Build a Snowman ” and develop an appreciation for thermal underwear.

The only exception during low season is the Christmas and New Year holidays. Prices do peak again especially in countries like Germany that are famous for their Christmas markets and traditions.

If you’re more of a summer child or you hate wearing layers, plan your trip to Europe between April to May or September to October.

These are Europe’s two shoulder seasons. Temperatures and prices are slightly higher for these months, but it’s still way more affordable than Europe’s popular high season.

Speaking of the high season, that’s the one you want to avoid if you’re travelling Europe on a budget. From June to August, prices skyrocket.

I’m talking R 2000+ for a one hour flight that’s typically R200-R300.

With so many people heading to Europe for summer, hotels and hostels double their prices.

I paid EUR 50 for the shittiest dorm room in Rome that’s usually less than half that price.

But if you can’t avoid travelling to Europe in the summer, then it all comes down to picking the right destination.

More about that below.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Travel Europe?

You know what’s a great feeling?

Paying R 300 for a RETURN flight between Italy and Germany.

But if you want to reap those savings, you need to book your flights in advance – especially if you’re travelling Europe during high season.

For example, that same exact flight will end up costing you around R 1,400 in July.

With so many budget airlines, flying is the best way to travel Europe on a budget. Plus, it will help you get to your next destination faster!

Read More:  3 Insanely Cheap Ways to Travel Europe in 2022

Want to explore Europe at a slower pace?

Hop on board one of the hundreds of trains that zigzag across the region!

Take a high-speed train between Amsterdam and Belgium, travel around Italy or use it as a way to see more of the countryside.

The only downside is that train travel is that it’s not the best option for transportation in Europe on a budget.

Greg and I paid EUR 100 (R1,500) for our train trip from Berlin to Amsterdam (full guide dedicated to train travel in Europe is coming soon!).

The high season definitely impacted the cost of our ticket. In fact, when I checked back a week later, the price had almost doubled.

If you want to explore multiple European countries by train, the Eurorail Pass can work in your favour. It’s valid for 28 countries and offers multiple days of travel extended over a month or two.

But it will make you poor.

Keep a look out for discounts if you’re under 26 and book your tickets well in advance to maximise your savings.

Bus travel in Europe is not for everyone – but it’s cheap.

You can travel from Munich to Nuremberg for as little as EUR 6 (R 94.00) with Flixibus, making it the best way to see Europe on a budget if you’re not on a time crunch.

I used them for my trip between Berlin and Krakow.

Eurolines is another affordable long-distance bus I used to get back to Berlin from Amsterdam.

That trip cost me EUR 25 (R 394.00).

Want to save even MORE money?

Book an overnight bus or train and save on a nights accommodation.

With so many budget flights, trains and bus companies – finding the cheapest way to travel Europe is a pain.

Unless you use Rome2Rio .

It quickly became the butter to my bread pre-trip and during my adventures around Europe.

All you need to do is pop in your departure and arrival destination, and the search engine will find the cheapest flights, train and bus fares.

Never heard of BlaBla Car ?

It’s a carpooling service in Europe that connects drivers with empty seats to people travelling the same way.

For most South Africans, that just sounds like a bad idea.

But it’s a thing in Europe and people actually get to their destination in one piece.

So when in Rome…

Select your driver based on their level of chattiness (introverts who hate small talk unite!), their music preferences, smoking or non-smoking and even if pets are in the car.

Public transport in European cities is extensive and cheap.

It’s one of my favourite things.

I don’t know what it is about subways, but I love them.

If you’re planning to use it a lot, do some research to see if there is a day pass you can buy.

Italy, Berlin and Amsterdam all had various options I used while in those countries.

• It cost me EUR 7 (R 110.00) for a 24-hour pass in Rome ;
• In Amsterdam, I bought a 48-hour pass for EUR 12.50 ( R197.00) and;
• In Berlin, I spent EUR 2.80 ( R44.00) for a 2-hour ticket and EUR 7 ( R110.00) for a day pass.

In some countries, the day pass will include public transportation to and from the airport.

If you buy a tourist travel card, like the Berlin Welcome Card, you’ll get unlimited public transportation included in the price.

More about the tourist cards later on.

But the ultimate way to keep your transportation costs low while travelling Europe on a budget is to walk EVERYWHERE .

The good news is that a lot of European cities are terribly flat.

Factor in that a lot of the attractions around the city centres aren’t that far apart, and your Samsung Health App step count won’t know what hit it.

How to Find Budget Accommodation in Europe

Okay, so besides your flights, accommodation is going to be your biggest cost.

If you’re struggling to find hotels within in your budget, consider staying outside of the city or in a smaller town and commuting in.

Below, I’ve listed the sites I use the most while travelling on a budget in Europe.

Booking.com is by FAR my favourite accommodation site.

It has everything from low-budget hostels to swanky five-star hotels. You can filter the search results to see places that offer free breakfast or are a close distance to a particular landmark and more.

If you use the site often enough, you’ll eventually unlock their Genius tier and get discounts as well as special perks.

I stayed in an Airbnb apartment during my 3-week trip to Sicily. It had everything I needed and quickly felt like home.

Prices on Airbnb aren’t that expensive especially if you travelling with a friend. Some cities even have “hostels” where hosts have a room with multiple bed bunks.

I found one in Paris within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, and it didn’t cost my entire salary.

So if you’re not a fan of hostels and want to blend in with the locals, browse through the listings to see what’s available for your travel dates.

Couchsurfing is the mecca for backpackers.

It’s a way to stay in a city without paying a single Euro for your board.

Yip. FREE accommodation in Europe!

All you need to do is sign up, create an account and start reaching out to hosts available during your travelling dates.

If you’re worried about safety, only stay with hosts that have been verified by Couchsurfing and have tons of positive reviews by other surfers.

I’ve couch surfed in South Africa, Turkey and kinda in Germany and the Netherlands.

One of my followers on Instagram offered to host me in Amsterdam. For Berlin, Greg’s old colleague from South Africa happened to be in town and had a spare bed.

That still counts, right?

How to Save on Food Costs in Europe

Head to the nearest supermarket, grab your favourite things and get your chef on.

It’s the cheapest way to feed yourself in Europe.

I spent EUR 20-25 ( R 315.00 – R 394.00) on groceries that lasted me the entire 3-weeks I stayed in Sicily.

And yes, the majority of my meals were some kind of pasta.

Breakfasts at hostels are usually continental.

But free food is free food, and it should keep you fuelled up until lunchtime.

If you’re staying at a more posh hostel or a hotel, your breakfast will probably include a continental with a few other things like eggs, baked beans and some meat.

If you’re travelling to Rome , save money by taking advantage of the city’s lunch specials.

For EUR 10 (R 157.00), you can get a starter, a main and your choice of beer or house wine.

With most main meals costing EUR 8 and a glass of wine usually around EUR 6-7 (R 94.00 – R110.00), it’s an excellent deal.

Stray from the well-trodden path and find restaurants that are full of locals instead of other tourists.

The prices are usually lower, and you’ll have a more authentic experience.

If you’re going to Europe on a budget, street food will make its way into your diet.

From the delicious arancini balls in Italy to Poland’s famous Maczanka sandwich – there are cheap eats for your taste buds to discover in every country.

Read More:  50+ Genius Ways To Save Money for Travel

Not all European countries are created equal.

Some like the Netherlands will evaporate all your hard-earned savings in the blink of an eye.

While your money will stretch much further in countries like Poland or Romania.

Where to travel in Europe on a budget: 

• Prague, Czech Republic
• Gdansk, Poland
• Rome, Italy
• Porto, Portugal
• Budapest, Hungary
• Tallinn, Estonia
• Transylvania, Romania
• Berlin, Germany
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Saranda, Albania

Tourist Passes are travel cards specifically designed for, well, tourists.

The perks of buying one include:

• Unlimited use of public transportation.
• Free entry to specific museums or attractions in that city.
• Discounts for restaurants, tours and other attractions.
• Transportation to and from the airport.
• Access to the city’s hop-on-hop-off bus.

If you’re only in one city for 24, 48 or 72 hours, these cards pack A LOT of value.

But before you flip open your purse and pop out your credit card, do your research to see if it’s actually WORTH the money.

If you’re a museum geek and you want to go to the museums that come with the card – it’s a no-brainer.

But when you’re travelling Europe on a budget, it might work out cheaper to skip the card and do your own thing.

That’s what I did for Rome.

Instead of getting the Roma Card, I walked everywhere, bought one 24 transport ticket and only went to the free attractions .

You don’t need to spend a hella lot of money.

There are loads of free things to do.

And that’s music to any cash-strapped South African’s ears travelling Europe on a budget.

Here are just SOME of the things you can do for mahala:

• Visit museums and galleries with no entrance fee.
• Check to see which day the museums are free. For, e.g. The Vatican Museums are open for free on the last Sunday of every month.
• Sign up for a free walking tour.
• Explore some of the ancient cathedrals and churches.
• Go to a free concert. E.g. Amsterdam hosts free shows every Tuesday from September to May.
• Wander past a city’s free monuments. E.g. The Trevi Fountain in Rome won’t cost you a dime and neither will that iconic selfie with the Eiffel Tower.
• Head for the hills and go on a hike.
• Grab your bikini and catch some rays at the beach.

Read More:  How To Travel Rome on a Budget (& Still See the Top Sights!)

Managing Your Money For a Budget Trip to Europe

When you’re dealing with the terrifying exchange rate that is Rand to Euro – you need to make every last penny count.

Here are a few simple money tips to use while travelling Europe on a budget:

You’ll get a better rate of exchange. Currency counters at airports add a markup for their services that you don’t need in your life. Call up your bank before you leave South Africa, and unblock your card for international usage.

All those little fees start to add up each time you go to the ATM. If you can’t get a card that doesn’t charge, try to find one that has minimal fees or limit the number of times you withdraw cash.

Most credit and debit cards have a strong exchange rate. Try to get a card that doesn’t include fees for foreign purchases or has the lowest surcharge.

I learnt this lesson in Chiang Mai. Three days before my flight back to South Africa, an ATM ate my card, and I only had THB 2,000 to my name. I still had to buy food, pay for accommodation and transportation to the airport. Since then, I make a point to travel with two unlocked cards and keep one in my suitcase and the other in my purse.

Read More:  A Magical 2-Days in Lisbon Itinerary (Including a Sintra Day Trip)

That was a monster of a post.

If you’ve made it this far down, kudos to you my friend.

I hope you’ve found it useful and you feel budget travel in Europe is possible for you!

Enjoy your trip and remember, it’s totally acceptable to eat your weight in gelato while you’re there.

Want more Europe travel inspiration? Check out my other posts:

• How to Travel Rome on a Budget as a South African
• Amsterdam Coffeeshops: How to Get Stoned Like a Pro
• How to Get From Paris to Versailles & Plan The Perfect Day Trip
• How To Visit The Vatican (A Massive Travel Guide)
• How to Apply for Your Schengen Visa
• 16 of the Best Rand-Friendly Holidays Destinations in Europe

Did you find this post useful? Save it for later on Pinterest!

About Lauren Melnick

Lauren Melnick is the founder of Wanderlust Movement, Wander to Here and is a South Africa travel blogger. She's been travelling the world as a full-time freelance writer since 2016 and has visited over 40 countries.

When she isn't typing up a storm, you can find her conquering overnight hikes around the Western Cape, rock climbing, and hosting sold out group travel trips around South Africa, Namibia and Morocco.

Reader Interactions

July 28, 2018 at 6:31 pm

Very informative post! Great tip to take buses! Love trains, but buses are probably cheaper.

March 1, 2019 at 10:43 am

I would strongly recommend traveling through Europe on foot. Because Europe is such a densely packed continent there’s always something to explore, especially when you are hitchhiking.

Just make sure to bring a few essentials with you. Some rain gear is a good idea, though many just decide to sit out the rain. Sometimes you might not be anywhere near a hotel or inn when it’s getting dark. That’s why you should bring a small tent and sleeping bag with you.

March 7, 2019 at 9:38 am

Coming from a country like South Africa, I don’t think I would be able to wrap my head around hitchhiking and not getting murdered lol

April 12, 2019 at 4:18 pm

Hey, so I’ll be travelling around Europe and I’ve been look at Stoke Travel for accommodation. Thoughts? have you ever heard of them or stayed with before?

April 15, 2019 at 8:41 am

Hey! I’ve never heard of them before, but it does look interesting if you’re wanting to experience the music festivals and parties of Europe 🙂

February 18, 2020 at 4:14 pm

aLOVE the info. baie dankie

February 18, 2020 at 4:24 pm

Glad you found it useful 🙂

January 11, 2023 at 3:11 am

I love this blog! It’s so helpful and informative. I’m currently planning my first trip to Europe and this blog has been a huge help!

May 26, 2023 at 2:58 pm

thanks for all the infos, its very hard sometimes to travell when you dont have money :/ i also start using this app and i can highly recommend it to you 🙂 its called “ATM Fee saver” and its soo good and easy to use. its shows me atm around wiht no or low fees for withdrawing money. thats how i also save a bit of money while travelling

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11 of the cheapest cities to visit in Europe on a budget

These are the cheapest places to visit in Europe, and we’ve included the cost of a pint

Travel is well and truly back, people. Covid testing for tourists is increasingly being scrapped across the board, and travellers are practically being ushered into the once-bustling cities of   Europe . But the thing is, lots of us are still strapped for cash after two years of uncertainty. 

The good news is this: there are   plenty  of interesting and affordable locations on the Continent that you can visit without breaking the bank. Plus, a load of them are off the beaten track, meaning you won’t have to fight your way through crowds to find the best bits. We found out the average price of an Airbnb in each place, and cross-referenced that with data from  financial comparison site  Finder  to work out where you can get a discount pint, too. From the ruin-filled city of Argos in   Greece   to the foodie-heaven of Graz in   Austria , here are 11 of the cheapest cities to visit in Europe.

RECOMMENDED:   The 16 best city breaks in Europe for 2022

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Cheapest cities to visit in Europe

1.  Kraków, Poland

Festival vibes meet olde-worlde history in Kraków . We recommend packing in as many medieval sites as possible, and then getting stuck into a great night out. Try to plan your trip to coincide with one of the city’s many, many festivals, which range from the typical (think  Summer Jazz Festival  and the  Kraków Film Festival ) to the more obscure, like the International Soup Festival . Yum.

Average one-bed Airbnb: £59 ($77) Average pint: £2.15 ($2.82)

2.  Riga, Latvia

In Riga, it’s all about the art nouveau. The architecture is seriously beautiful, and there’s a huge, buzzy creative scene. Check out Putti , a modern gallery and events space, or Rīgas Birža for something more traditional. Looking for something less refined? The booze here is really cheap – so if you’re looking to let loose, head to the Old Town for all the most established bars. 

Average one-bed Airbnb: £49 ($64) Average pint: £2.76 ($3.66)

3.  Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Český Krumlov is a lot like  Prague , but without the stag dos. Its labyrinthine, baroque streets all lead you, eventually, to the huge castle complex at the centre. It’s beautiful in summer, but for the really  picturesque views go in winter, when it’s blanketed in snow. Keep warm in one of the many cosy cafés, or try traditional food in one of the live music parlours. Not a rowdy bunch of blokes to be seen.  Average one-bed Airbnb: £76 ($99) Average pint: £1.44 ($1.89)

4.  Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is great  if you’re looking for a good time. Don’t sleep on the nightlife, just make sure to avoid the overhyped bars near the centre and head for one of the sky bars instead. You can try (delicious, hearty) traditional food for bargain prices, too. Our reccomedation is the legendary Caru’ cu Bere  – order the grilled pork and a side of sauerkraut. Average one-bed Airbnb: £45 ($59) Average pint: £1.48 ($1.94)

5.  Belgrade, Serbia

Chaotic, gritty, packed and super cheap – Belgrade is anything but a quiet getaway location. Smokey dive bars and gig venues nestle in  old socialist architecture, competing for space in the once-desolate Savamala area, which is now home to a thriving culture scene. Head to Ada Ciganlija, a reclaimed island on the Sava river, if you’re looking to find a tiny, tranquil slice of nature.

Average one-bed Airbnb:  £39 ($51) Average pint: £1.53 ($2.01)

6.  Kaunas, Lithuania

Kaunas is going to be big this year. It’s one of the  European Capitals of Culture  for 2022, and an incredible 1,000 events are being planned to celebrate it. If you can’t make it to any of them, there are plenty of seriously impressive exhibition spaces open all year round, like the Mykolas Žilinskas Art Gallery . And if you want something a bit weirder, head to the seriously strange Devil’s Museum .  Average one-bed Airbnb: £58 ($76) Average pint: £2.90 ($3.81)

7.  Zagreb, Croatia

This city is made for walking – we recommend that you wander from the beautiful, sprawling main square to basically every sight. That’ll keep costs low, and your exposure to amazing sights high. If you do want to get your transport fix, though, jump on the funicular and head up the hill for unbeatable views. Or just hang out in one of the many, many cool cafés.

Average one-bed Airbnb: £51 ($66) Average pint: £1.82 ($2.39)

8.  Argos, Greece

Argos is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Right in the heart of the Peloponnese, this is Greece as you imagine it: balmy  Mediterranean weather with archaelogical beauty sprawling as far as the eye can see. According to legend, it was literally ruled by the son of Zeus at one point, too. It’s largely off the tourist path too, so you can explore the ancient theatre ruins, the prehistoric castle and sixth-century BC Roman Agora in peace.

Average one-bed Airbnb: £38 ($49) Average pint: £3.66 ($4.80)

9.  Marsalforn, Malta

Head to this quaint fishing village  if you’re looking for a properly quiet break. Marshalforn isn’t a porthole-windows and artfully-placed-lobster-crate situation, it’s the real deal. The restaurants have lots of fresh fish and great ocean views, so we recommend you take a book, put on your sunglasses, and enjoy the sea breeze.

Average one-bed Airbnb: £57 ($74) Average pint: £2.09 ($2.74)

10.  Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia is properly, properly gorgeous. The domed churches dotted around the city will be a guaranteed hit on your Insta, as will the elaborate mosques, Soviet statues and grand galleries. As most people overlook it in favour of Bulgaria’s ski slopes and coastline, you won’t feel crowded while you wander.  Average one-bed Airbnb: £46 ($60) Average pint: £1.37 ($1.80)

11.  Graz, Austria

Graz is one of Austria ’s unsung heroes. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as being annointed 2003's Capital of Culture and the 2008 City of Culinary Delights. For futuristic art, head to Kunsthaus Graz . The gallery is housed in a building known as the ‘friendly alien’ – you can’t miss its undulating, scaley form on the waterfront. 

Average one-bed Airbnb: £64 ($84) Average pint: £3.25 ($4.27)

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How to travel Europe Cheap? 51 Smart and Simple Travel Tips

Want to travel Europe cheap? Have a look at our ultimate guide to hostels in Europe .

Booking a hostel is a great way to save some money (and have a good time, too!). And if you go prepared with some in-the-know advice, you can save even more money while you’re staying at the hostel. More savings = more travel fun!

Here is a list of the…

• best hostel chains in Europe
• 21 best hostels in Europe

to get you started.

That’s why we’re here to help you with our expert tips on how you budget travelers can save money while traveling Europe (and staying at hostels).

Travel Europe Cheap: 51 Tips

Here are all 51 tips in a nutshell. Feel free to skip to ones that catch your eye or continue scrolling through the list.

• Visit during off-season
• Book a hostel with FREE breakfast
• Find free stuff to do (before you go)
• Stay for free/housesit
• Check the tourism board
• Inclusions of a hostel = important!
• Cook meals yourself…
• … Don’t cook meals
• Eat out for lunch, not dinner
• Buddy up with travellers
• Pack snacks
• Book a bigger room
• Grab FREE STUFF
• Use a locker
• Go to less touristy places
• Pick a cheap(er) country
• Join hostel events
• Be careful about souvenirs
• City passes & offers
• Subscribe to airlines
• …and Google flights
• DON’T stay in the city center
• Avoid roaming fees
• Guides for FREE things to do
• Rent a bicycle
• Discount cards for public transport
• Visit free museums
• Local, free concerts
• Picnic in the park
• Avoid pub crawls
• Foursquare discounts
• Shop at local markets
• Book a hostel like a pro
• Read local travel blogs
• Go Couchsurfing
• Book transport in advance
• Share a ride
• Spend your coins wisely
• Take overnight trains/buses
• Get insured!
• Try the Trail Wallet app
• Pack a tent
• Don’t sit for a coffee
• Speak to hostel staff
• Be smart with currency leftovers
• Volunteer (+ $10 discount )

1. Visit Off Season

The prices during off season are significantly cheaper during high season – pretty simple to understand. Let us give you an example:

During August you can easily pay 25€ for a bed at a hostel in Barcelona. During January, the price can drop to 6€-7€. Quite a difference! The same goes for airlines and transport in general.

2. Choose a hostel offering breakfast

Your parents were right – a solid breakfast can help you start the day off right! If you book a hostel that offers breakfast in the price, not only you won’t have to fuss about finding a place that’s open in the morning, but you can also save the money on eating out.

Why? Even though the breakfast might not be included, it is worth it to go for it. Usually it is cheaper than going out, having breakfast at a local café.

Have a look at We Bologna Hostel . Their breakfasts comes only with local, high-quality products. And the coffee? Yes, this is important for us at Hostelgeeks, the coffee is one of the best coffees we had in a Hostel.

The standard (included) hostel breakfast is usually nothing exciting (think toast, juice, coffee, and maybe fruit, yogurt, or cereal if you’re lucky), but some hostels really do go all-out for their morning meal.

Fill up at breakfast and you’ll be ready for a big day of sightseeing!

3. Research free and cheap stuff to do (ahead of time!)

It’s entirely possible to spend a weekend or longer in many major cities and never pay an entrance fee. If you do your reading ahead of time (and by “reading” we mean Googling), chances are you’ll be able to come up with a pretty great itinerary that will cost you next to nothing.

Just walking around a quirky neighborhood can be a fantastic and totally free way to spend an afternoon in a new city!

Look up opening hours and days, too. Often times, museums are free on a certain day of the week or after a certain hour.

Here are a few guides to get you started (they all include free and cheap options):

• 27 fun things to do in Santorini
• 29 FUN things to do in Lisbon
• 7 secret tips for London
• 61 cool things to do in Valencia

Need more ideas? Check out all of our travel guides here.

4. Find a free place to stay

Do you have friends or family in interesting places? Plan a trip to visit them, or ask your friends to put you in contact with their friends living in that city you want to visit.

Don’t know anyone? Try to find a host in advance on the following platforms:

• globalfreeloaders
• hospitalityclub

Even better! Why not try out house & pet sitting? This means zero rent and bills. Check out our full TrustedHousesitters review .

5. Remember the official tourism board

You should also research offers the local tourism board has. You can usually find this by searching for “visit (city name)”.

Many cities offer some sort of visitor’s card to get discounts on sights, restaurants, and transportation.

Depending on what you’re interested in doing, these can go a long way to helping you save. Be careful though – if you hate going museum-hopping, a card like this may only help you to spend money.

6. Carefully read up on what the hostel includes and doesn’t include

Most hostels nowadays give you sheets for free, but not many include towels as well. Or maybe you’re going to need WiFi for working on the road, but this particular hostel has a paid system.

In our opinion: No WiFi is a no-go!

Knowing stuff like this beforehand can help you to pack sensibly to avoid any extra expenditures at reception.

Read : 46 tips to identify fantastic hostels

The hostel website is generally the best place to start looking for this information. Check also major hostel booking sites to read reviews guests have left as well.

7. Find out about potential bank fees

One thing that often comes as an unpleasant surprise to newbie travelers is the fees you can rack up while abroad. Inform yourself about your bank charges in case you use an AT.

Let your bank know where you’re going to be; cards can get blocked for suspicious activity if you haven’t let them know you’ll be on the road.

Boring stuff, we know, but it can save you trouble (and money!) down the line.

8. Cook your meals yourself

A lot of hostels have kitchens you can access – with the basics (oil, salt…) . Cooking at the hostel is a smart way to save money. You can whip up some simple meals at a fraction of the cost it would take you to eat out. Pasta is a staple at many hostels for a reason!

We always love to try the local specialties when we travel, so why not take advantage of the local markets rather than going to a supermarket? You might find some seriously amazing food at rock-bottom prices.

And there is more: Many Hostels offer cooking classes, dinner nights and so on! Join those! They are usually very affordable – or even free. You do not just only save some coins, but also end up making new friends.

Have a look at Hostel Ruthensteiner, one of the top hostels in Vienna , and Ani&Haakien Hostel in Rotterdam . They both offer dinner nights you should join!

9. Don’t cook your own meals!

This sounds paradox, right?! Well, have a look in which destination you are!

In destinations across the East-Europe, and South Europe it can be cheaper to eat out rather than cooking. In Spain you can go for Tapas, in Italy there is the famous Aperitivo.

Get some info at the hostel reception, to get an idea!

Here are some ideas:

• Where to eat in Venice? 22 restuarants & tricks
• 39 ideas for Copenhagen – brunch, cocktails and blonde beer
• Tapas tips for Madrid

10. Eat out for lunch, not dinner

Okay, and now it gets even more confusing. Lunch is often way, way cheaper than dinner, but you get to eat the same delicious food. If you’re going to eat one meal out per day, choosing lunch over dinner is a smart way to get bargain prices without sacrificing any of the taste.

Especially in destinations like Barcelona, Lisbon, all over Italy, Zagreb and many more destinations, the restaurants have their daily menu. Take this into account!

11. Buddy up with other guests

If you’re already planning on buying stuff to make dinner or to wash your clothes, offer to split the costs with other hostels guests. It’s a great way to save some money and make friends in the process, too.

You can also use this strategy if you decide to go out at night and catch a taxi home. In some cities, if you split the cost of a taxi (or an Uber or Lyft) between a small group, it might actually be cheaper than using public transportation.

Some Hostels have their own black board where travelers can put their itineraries or requests. You can find people looking for sharing a cab to the airport, for renting a car for going to some special place, and so on. Keep an eye on that!

12. Pack some snacks with you

Another way you can reduce food costs?

Pack a few days’ worth of snacks with you! It might sound silly, but if you’re visiting countries with notoriously high prices (Norway, anyone?), you might save some serious cash this way.

13. Don’t be afraid to book group rooms

Not surprisingly, these massive rooms are where the cheapest beds in the hostel are. If it’s your first time booking a hostel, a room with 16 people may sound a little intimidating. If you’re a seasoned traveler, it could sound tiresome instead!

But depending on the season, you may book a bed in a 16-person room and find out that it’s nowhere near being full. It’s luck of the draw, but keep in mind that just because a room can hold 16 people doesn’t mean all 16 of those beds will be booked.

Even if all the beds are booked, you might discover that the room is full of interesting people to make friends with. Or perhaps incredibly boring, quiet, and tidy travelers – the ideal roommates!

In any case, don’t write off the idea of a big shared room. It probably won’t be as intimidating (or tiresome) as you expect.

Read: hostel etiquette, the unwritten rules

14. Free stuff that other travelers leave behind

Often times, travelers leave behind bulky bottles of shampoo or leftover food when they leave. Some hostels have a place for this stuff so that current guests can use it.

When in doubt? Ask! Don’t be that hostel guest who sneaks bits of other people’s stuff.

15. Take care of your stuff

You know that saying “ an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure “? When it comes to saving money in hotels, this definitely applies!

Hostels are generally safe, but you never know if you’re going to end up sharing a room with a traveler with sticky fingers.

We dedicated a full article to the topic “ Are Hostels safe? ” including 10 tips.

Prevent unnecessary extra spending on replacing stuff by keeping your belongings safe, and avoid traveling with expensive and irreplaceable items. Have a look for lockers! Those are usually the best way to keep you valuable belongings safe!

16. Stay in smaller, less touristy cities

Touristy cities are normally more expensive than they eclipsed neighbor cities. Thinking about visiting Venice? Consider staying in Mestre, the city next to it, well connected with the train.

Here’s our full guide to the best hostels in Venice , including 5 star Combo Hostel .

If you plan only to stay in the city during the day, consider stay in a nearby and less touristy city. But, if you want to take advantage of the nightlife in the city you are visiting make sure beforehand there is a way to come back to your accommodation with public transport.

If not, this saving trick can actually add up some extra cost.

17. Consider Cheaper Countries

How about Albania, North-Macedonia , Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland ?

They are incredible countries and have so much to offer! Actually, Montenegro is of my favorite countries in Europe… Good food, plenty of beautiful landscapes with affordable prices and few touristy spots.

18. Special Events going on at the hostel

On the note of making use of the hostel staff, don’t forget to ask them if there are special events going on.

Maybe the hostel will be throwing a barbecue that’s free for guests, or there will be a drinks offer for happy hour that can help you save money instead of going out.

Hostels sometimes also have discounts for certain tours or activities, like bike rentals.

Generally, the stuff that’s going on will be budget-friendly – and a lot of fun, too!

19. Avoid Souvenirs aka. be creative with your souvenirs

Another budget travel tip to save money and space in your backpack/luggage. That does not mean you should not take memories! Maybe you need a new shirt? Buy one in the city you just felt in love with.

We are not talking about a city-themed tourism shirt á la „I love London“.

Even a regular grey shirt bought at a store turns into a souvenir.

20. More slow travel

Moving slower is cheaper!

When traveling Europe, there is no need to jump from one city to the next. Instead, take a deep breath, and plan a few more days in one destination! This will save you especially some travel money on the transport.

Think about it. Your travel expenses are mainly:

• accommodation

Food does not really count fully as an expense. After all, you would need to eat at home as well. Sure, when you eat out and try local dishes and stuff, this is an expense.

However, transport is something you can really save money on by simply not jumping on a bus or train every 3 days instead of each day.

21. Transport: Compare City Passes and offers

Many cities offer a city pass that includes transport, museums, …even some free drinks in certain restaurants! Have a look at these offers carefully because sometimes they are really a good deal.

I remember the first time I visited Amsterdam I bought the Amsterdam card and used it a lot. I can tell you I saved a lot, cause I visited many museums.

Over at GetYourGuide you can buy city cards in advance.

Sometimes it is also worth it if you just visit 2 museums and have unlimited public transport included.

You just have to be clear on what you would like to visit, what do these passes offer and decide if they are worth it for your trip or not.

22. Subscribe to Airlines…

In Europe, many airlines offer incredible great deals! We scored flights to the Canary Islands for only 25€, to London for only 17€, and to Paris even less: 12€!

The fastest and easiest way to find those cheap flights are the newsletter of the cheap airlines across Europe! Sign up for Ryanair, Norwegian, EasyJet and Vueling. You will be surprised.

23. …and Google Flights

Google Flights: This one is one of the best budget travel tips out there – seriously!

Google flights shows you the cheapest flights from your destination. Just pick your airport, budget and dates. And the magic will appear in form of itineraries.

You can also set up alarms when prices go down a certain amount, or just have a watch list of desired destinations.

24. Stay out of the city center

Show us a city center which is NOT more expensive than the suburbs! Having a caña (beer) around Plaza del Sol in Madrid is more expensive than the other parts of town. Makes sense right?! At restaurants, bars, cafés and so on you usually pay for the location as well.

So don’t get a coffee in front of the Eiffel Tower, the Big Ben or the Colosseum.

25. Avoid roaming fees

Cell phone roaming charges is a big cost that can really leave your wallet reeling.

Check in with your cell phone provider so that you can be informed about potential fees.

If you want to save money while traveling on your cell phone, the easiest way is to always use WiFi. Most hostels nowadays offers it with no extra cost.

It is also a good idea to buy a SIM card from a local cellphone service provider when you arrive.

In Europe, there is a free roaming policy, meaning, if you have bought a SIM card in Spain, you will be able to use it in France, Uk,… with no extra charges.

However, things are getting also complicated in some countries, like Germany, where you can only buy a SIM card if you have a permanent address (they will send the SIM Card to you in around 2 weeks).

As for a great pocket WiFi in Europe, we tested the Hippocket WiFi. It is fast, cheap and simple to use! Check out our full review about Hippocket WiFi Europe here .

26. Search for „Free Things to do in …“

Pretty basic, right?!

Head over to Mr.Google and type in „Free Things to do in“ + destination. You will most likely find plenty of websites talking about this.

And even better: Don’t stay only on the first page. Go for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th page on Google. This is where you can find smaller websites talking about slightly different free things to do in that place you want to discover.

Here on Hostelgeeks we have free guides:

• free things to do in Barcelona
• free things to do in London
• how to travel the world for free – top 10 tested ideas

27. Walk more!

A friend of us walks everywhere! It can be quite annoying at one point, but he claims he sees way more of a city when he just keeps walking. Take this into account before paying for…

28. Avoid Cabs

Unnecessary cab rides! Sure, those cab rides can be a unique experience itself. Especially when the taxi drivers decides to hunt down a Iguana for dinner!

So, try to avoid cabs and you can save some money.

29. Rent a bike

More than walking, we love to rent a bike! Especially in bike-friendly cities like Haarlem, Amsterdam, and Barcelona, you can rent a bike for a few coins. You can discover the city in no time.

However, please make sure you make yourself familiar with the local rules and traffic.

30. Have a look for discount cards for public transport

When buying your tickets for public transport, have a look if there are special offers for tourists visiting a couple of days. Also, some cities offer bonus tickets, students discounts…

31. Get to know the days for visiting museums for free

In Europe, the Sunday is usually the day to visit a museum for free. The official tourism board of the destination is here the best place to get a quick answer to this.

32. Check free concerts by local bands

Try to figure out which websites the local use to find local concerts. Facebook is also a great tool to get ideas for events across a city.

33. Have a picnic in the park

Picnic is always a great idea. Buy some food and drinks at the supermarket, sit down at a public park, beach, mountain, … and enjoy your time. You are on holidays!

34. Avoid Pub Crawls

Fair enough, it is a different experiences to go for a pub crawl or join some tours to discover the nightlife. They can be pretty cool.

However, if you really travel on budget, avoid them. If you feel like a drink, go for it with fellow travelers. This is usually cheaper.

35. FourSquare Discounts

We love Foursquare !

It is a good thing the app is not that popular like TripAdvisor or other huge platforms/ Apps. You can search on foursquare for places with special offers e.g. a free drink by checking in, 10% discount on the daily menu and so on.

Another big advantage: People love to rate the locations and create their own lists for food, bars, things to do, .… So, hope over to FourSquare and search for such lists and use the recommendations.

Read: best travel apps

36. Shop at Local Markets (okay okay…not always cheaper!)

BUT: You can really score some big points and sweet deals. Obviously, we are not talking about the popular tourist markets here. The local markets have local prices, and you can sometimes have a free sample before buying.

37. Book your Hostel like a pro

There are many ways to book a hostel in a cheaper way. We created a special article about this including 11 booking hacks for hostels.

Read: how to book a hostel like a pro

38. Check out local travel blogs!

Maybe there is a travel blogger living in your next destination? Check out her/ his blog!

There you can usually get some good ideas on things to do and some local tips for transport, restaurants, and special offers. Really good resource not to underestimate!

39. Free Tours!

Free Tours are tip-based tours by locals or expats showing you around the city. Some of them are basic walking tours, other can have a special theme.

Highly recommended to get a basic idea of the cities infrastructure, and history background.

Popular Free Tours in Europe are for instance  Sandemans Free Tours . Here you can find a huge list of free walking tours across Europe .

40. Use Couchsurfing for Events

Couchsurfing is more than free accommodation.

It is a community of like-minded travelers. In big cities such as Barcelona, Paris, Madrid you can join plenty of couch surfing events. Usually those events are free and hold in places on budget.

Get a drink for a locals price and mingle with expats, locals and other travelers from Couchsurfing.

41. Book transport in advance (or simply online!)

SOME transport companies offer cheaper prices when booking online and/or in advance. Buses, ferries, planes, trains, …

In Croatia we booked our ferries ahead of time, and saved up to 30%. Pretty simple!

A lot of companies offer up to 20% discount when booking online. This is all you need to do: Book online!

Check out Flixbus – a bus company connecting many European cities. We wrote a big review of Flixbus here.

Also, don’t forget about possible onward ticket requirements! Some countries expect to see proof of an onward flight ticket to your next destination before they let you in. No joke.

Onward Ticket is where you can book a $12 flight ticket to use as proof, even though you don’t intend on using it. And yes, it’s completely legal. Here is our full review of Onward Ticket .

42. Share a ride

To get to some places that have fewer connections, try a carsharing service.

BlaBlaCar works quite well in Europe!

We used it from Barcelona to Marseille, from Marseille to Zurich…. and met many interesting people. I recommend you to see the driver reviews and other information. Also important: be easy on your plans so you can find a ride easily.

43. 5€ can be more than 10€ – Spend your money wisely

Traveling on a budget means you have to make choices. No private room, but therefore only a 4-bed dorm. However, there are situations where you should spend more and go for it. It is called investing. Other moments you should give it a pass.

When it comes to a unique tour you really want to take for whatever reasons, you should do it. You can save the extra coins you spend here later on sacrifice a bike rental or going for a drink.

44. Take Overnight Trains/ Buses

Here you save accommodation for a night.

Especially in expensive destinations, this can be a good money-saver.

Have you heard of Omio ? This website is great for booking affordable transport in Europe. From busses, to trains, to planes. Here’s our full review of Omio .

45. Make sure you are insured

Before buying any insurance, make sure you don’t have any.

If you are a European citizen, you are covered while traveling in Europe. kindly check that with your social security system and make sure you have all the papers (or card) you need with you before your trip. When traveling without these papers or card you will have to pay for your medical expenses in the country visited.

Also, if you have a private medical insurance, it might cover you while traveling abroad.

Not covered? Then consider getting a travel insurance. What looks like an extra cost can save your but in case of emergency.

Read: our reviews about  HeyMondo and Safetywings .

46. Trail Wallet App – Keep track of your money

The ultimate budget travel tip: Know your wallet and bank account.

The App Trail Wallet is the best travel app we love to use here at Hostelgeeks. You can easily keep track of your money. You can split your expenses in categories:

• Accommodation,
• entertainment,

It allows you as well to export your export your trip data to an excel file, or you can just see the charts they create to see how much do you spend on each category.

Give it a try, we really like it.

47. Take a Tent!

We asked as well Steph from Big World Small Pockets about her best Europe Travel Tips to save money.

This is what Steph said:

The number 1 item I always advise people to take if they’re looking to save money and travel more frequently, is a tent . This is one of my more unusual travel tips, but it can save you a fortune on accommodation costs. Nowadays, many hostels have camping spaces, which means you still get to enjoy all the amenities they offer, just at a cheaper rate. Tents also allow you more personal space than a dorm room and often you can camp in the hostel garden, which usually means a nicer set of surrounds than a 16 bed shared room!

Besides Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have lots of hostels with camping.

48. Don’t sit for a coffee

In Italy, there are three prices for coffee.

One is for sitting down (the most expensive option), while the second option is drinking the coffee at the bar – medium-priced. The cheapest option is ordering the coffee for take away. And score: this is the cheapest way to do it!

Note: bring your own reusable (and collapsible) cup to reduce plastic.

49. Make good use of the hostel staff’s resources

One of the best ways to get great insider advice on your destination is to ask the staff at your hostel. Seriously! This way we found so many hidden gems in Rhodes and got fantastic travel tips for Bologna .

Chances are, they’ll be more than happy to help you out with suggestions on what to do, see, eat, and drink (particularly if it’s one of the 5 Star Hostels ).

If you’re on a tight budget, then go ahead and let your hostel staff know that when you’re asking for tips. Maybe they know about a super cheap and super tasty local restaurant, or they might be able to let you in on the secret to getting discounted entry into tourist sights. It never hurts to ask!

50. Pay attention to currency leftovers

Be careful and plan your expenses so you do not have high currency leftovers. When traveling around Europe, you might encounter different currencies:

• Switzerland: Swiss franc
• Croatia: euro
• Albania: lek

If you have currency leftover, bear in mind banks will only accept to change bank notes. So, be smart about your currency leftovers and spend them in snacks -specially if you are traveling from a cheaper country to another with higher prices- or try to change your coins in the hostel with other travelers or in the reception.

51. Volunteering

This is a great way to save money, to meet new people and generally have a lot of fun!

Worldpackers is a fabulous platform for finding a wide range of volunteering opportunities in Europe, and across the world.

It’s a community, too. So not only can you try new things, but you can also learn new skills from their online academy and read many useful blogs.

Since 1st April 2021, new members will receive an extra 3 months added to their plan, meaning 15 months of access to the community for a price of 12 months. Not only that, but we’ve teamed up with Worldpackers to offer you a further $10 discount. You’re welcome.

This special offer on extra months always differs, so check this before making your final purchase of membership.

We wrote a big guide on volunteering at hostels here .

We’ve written a huge review of Worldpackers so that you’re fully in the know before you sign up.

Psst! Make sure you use discount code “Hostelgeeks” when signing up.

Read our indepth article on how to travel the world for free for more information about Worldpackers + comparison of other major volunteer platforms.

Summary of traveling Europe cheap

So here you have more than 50 tips to travel Europe cheap. I am sure there are some other tricks that I might have forgotten to add in my list, so don’t be shy and share them with us all.

Also, some of these tips can be applied internationally, not only in Europe.

Of course, staying in hostels is our number 1 trick. Hostels are a great place to meet other travelers and like-minded people.

Wanna more info about traveling around Europe? We have plenty, such as:

• worst travel tips ever – a FUN read
• long term travel insurance – the pros, cons and websites to use
• how to travel the world for free
• how to book hostels in 2024 – a complete overview and saving tips

We are 100% Independent: Some links on Hostelgeeks are so-called affiliate links. If you decide to book through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you . Your support allows us to keep producing high-quality, independent content free of influence from hostels or external advertisers. Learn more here . 🙏

✏️ Read our Editorial Guidelines

It was fascinating to know that a lot of hostels in Europe have a kitchen where you can cook your own meals to save money. My husband wants to tour Europe on our next vacation. I think it’s best for us to book a Europe tour that provides preplanned itineraries accompanied by expert tour guides.

Hi Victoria,

I personally do not think organized tours are the best way to explore Europe. There are a lot of factors coming in.

If time, money, and life allows, exploring Europe on your own is the absolute best experience.

In Europe, really the majority of hostels offer kitchen to their travelers. Cooking your own meals is one way to make your travel budget go a longer way, especially in Central and North Europe.

Safe travels, Matt

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Cheapest Nicest: 10 European Cities to Visit on a Budget

By Anna Prendergast

Getting to Europe is expensive these days—by the time you're there, you might feel like you can't afford to do anything. Fear not, some of the cheapest cities in Europe can be just as exciting as a Venice or a London (some of the continent, and the world's, more expensive places to spend time). There's some equally beautiful tourism spots where you can get around much more cheaply. We've broken down some of the latest data to find the cheapest cities in Europe to visit in 2023. A coastal cosmopolis, snow-capped city, and more await without breaking the bank.

Note: you’ll notice some wonderful European cities missing from this list, namely Kiev in Ukraine . It has been tragically affected by the war in Ukraine, and should be avoided until safe to visit – until then, find out how to help the people of Ukraine right now.

Athens, Greece

This year’s Post Office City Costs Barometer ranked Greece’s historical capital as the cheapest location for an autumn city break in Europe, and noted that priced have dropped by 15 per cent since 2021. Hotels in Athens are of particularly good value, with plenty of small, family-run and boutique spots. According to the survey, two nights at a three-star hotel for two guests average $110–but super-central One Three One is steps away from Monastiraki Flea Market and goes as low as $68 per night, while guests will find balcony views of the acropolis at Hotel Adonis, which has a rooftop terrace and costs as low as $102 for a double room (breakfast included).

Lisbon, Portugal

While the pretty Portuguese capital is known for its award-winning restaurants , travelers can still dine out on a dime–after Athens, it’s the cheapest city for a three-course meal (averaging around $50). On the move, you’ll get change from a two-euro coin when buying coffee or a mandatory pastel de nata from Pastéis de Belém, a beer costs around $3 (putting London’s £6 pints to shame) and a $0.75 Viva Viagem card can save you up to half off tram journeys. For a place to stay, there are plenty of affordable hotels in Lisbon . We love Hotel 1908 , where smart rooms in one of the city’s most iconic buildings can be booked from $160 per night. Or you can save further by opting for an Airbnb. Some of the city's top trending Airbnbs, like this pretty apartment with a private balcony in Lapa , can be taken over for around $60 per night.

Klagenfurt, Austria

Klagenfurt is one of Austria’s most affordable cities to visit (main courses are around $7; the farmers’ market on Benediktinerplatz is a great place for local bargains), and its spectacular setting on the eastern bank of Lake Wörthersee makes it one of the most scenic, too. June is the cheapest time to go, before the summer crowds and wild swimmers descend on the waterfront.

Kaunas, Lithuania

Vilnius has long been topping lists of the cheapest places to go on holiday, but Kaunas to the west is even less expensive, and earlier this year was named as one of 2022’s European Capitals of Culture for its music, art and theatre. Its yearly CityTelling Festival hosts a wide variety of performances and exhibitions that place the city’s Jewish heritage centre stage, and access to most events is free, while four-star hotel rooms are as little as $75 a night. For the best views of the Baltic city, a funicular up Aleksoto Hill will cost just a couple of euros. The best bargain in town? Spurginė’s $0.92 spurgos (or doughnuts).

Harrison Pierce

María Casbas

CNT Editors

Riga, Latvia

According to the Post Office, Riga is one of the cheapest cities in Europe, coming in a close second after Dublin for culture and Athens for accommodation. Wind your way through the narrow alleyways of the charming Old Town, find €2 samsas for lunch at the central covered market located in converted Zeppelin hangars, watch free live music in Dome Square and see striking architecture such as the House of the Blackheads ($7 entry) and the medieval Swedish Gate. But one of the most underrated ways of seeing Riga is on the water–rent a paddleboard for just $18 on the banks of the Daugava River.

Berat, Albania

Like Puglia’s trulli or Chefchaouen’s all-blue buildings, Berat’s unforgettable white Ottoman houses are totally unique in their collective existence and visual impact. The simple, traditional rooms inside also provide a super-affordable way to stay here, as many are guest-houses or independently-run hotels, such as Hotel Vila Aleksandar or Hotel Mangelemi , both around $43 per night. Head up the steep cobblestoned streets to see the 13th Century Berat Castle (entry is free) and take in the ‘town of a thousand windows’ from the top.

Brașov, Transylvania, Romania

A cheaper alternative to Bucharest (which is still, by European standards, incredibly good value), Brașov is surrounded by the scenic Carpathian Mountains. A cable car up to the top of Mount Tampa costs just 20 lei ($4.20) for aerial views of the brick-red rooftops, whilst local tour operator Walkabout provide a free walking tour every morning at 10.30am, setting off from the fountain in Piata Sfatului. Pick up local delicacy kürtőskalács (a spit-roasted, sugar-covered ‘chimney cake’) to maintain your energy levels from the stall nearby.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Not only did Bulgaria take the lead (side by side with Turkey ) as cheapest all-round destination in Europe in the Post Office’s Holiday Money Report 2022, but the country is also home to some of the world’s cheapest ski resorts. Sofia, the capital, is just over 10km away from the Vitosha Mountains which provide impressive winter conditions for snow bunnies and cost a fraction of the price of resorts in France or Italy. Wine and Bulgarian beers are notoriously cheap, and downtown Sofia is known for its high-energy party atmosphere. Entry to clubs is seldom more than $13, with live DJ sets and late-night events at Maze or Culture Beat (which also has a great summer terrace for cocktails).

Izmir, Turkey

Travelers to Turkey can get great value for money. On Turkey’s Aegean coast, Izmir has resisted the price hikes of Istanbul and tourist traps of Ankara whilst preserving its 8,500-year-old Kemeraltı bazaar and ancient Roman agora. The historic sites and architectural relics coexist with cosmopolitan culture and traditional cuisine–try pide on the pier or baked potatoes with a choice of toppings at Atıştır Café. An hour out of town is Ephesus, an ancient city built by the Greeks and well worth a detour.

Tbilisi, Georgia

Whilst the transcontinental city of Tbilisi is the most expensive place to live in Georgia, by European standards it’s exceptionally affordable for holidaymakers. A cascade of new hotels have opened in the last few years, such as the lovely Guest House Lile with double rooms from $25 per night. Foodies should book a table at Barbarestan, a family-run restaurant with authentic recipes and local ingredients, where you can eat for around £40 each – not bad for somewhere given a nod by the crew behind the World’s 50 Best Restaurants .

This article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller U.K. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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My 85 tips to save money when travelling in Europe ( Updated June 2023 )

Welcome to my ultimate guide to backpacking Europe on a budget- in this post I have pulled together my 85 best tips to save money while travelling in Europe. The post is a summary of my best posts and tips till date on the BudgetTraveller- all my 14 years of travelling across Europe, distilled into one simple blog post. There are still so many cool new tips and budget hacks that I am still discovering so if I missed out anything , I’d welcome your tips and feedback in the comments below. With that out of the way, on to the list.

Planning your trip to Europe

1. How to find the best hostels in Europe

To find the best hostels in Europe for your trip, my first port of call for searching hostels is always Hostelworld . They have the most comprehensive selection of hostels in Europe and my go to people when booking and finding the cheapest hostels in Europe.

For further research, if you a hostel lover, I also would highly recommend you having a look and buying my new guide to designer ‘luxury hostels.’ : The Grand Hostels Luxury Hostels of the World . These are what I would call premium hostels- a mix between a hotel and a hostel. You can book yourself a private room in these hostels and still enjoy the social aspects of a hostel: common room, bars, kitchen and an extensive list of social events. These  new breed of designer hostels focus on creating an experience for guests. What can you expect in a luxury hostel? Besides ensuite rooms or custom built pod beds in dorms you can find amazing facilities in these hostels like a swimming pool, sauna, a cinema , or a gym and swimming pool or dine with fellow guests and enjoy a 3 course meal prepared by inhouse hostel chef with bottle of port wine for as little as €10. This book is also the story of 116 unique  hostels  and the amazing people who run them.The people who run these  hostels  were travellers like you who went travelling around the world and fell in love with the drug of meeting and connecting with people from all over the world. When they couldn’t afford to keep travelling, they started a  hostel  of their own so that they could keep alive that magical sensation of meeting with people and connecting. These  hostels , are in many ways, their dream come true. In this day and age, when we live in a world ruled by idiots, despots and plagued by misunderstanding, hatred and indifference, these  hostels  are a beacon of light, bringing people together from all divides and making the world a better place. So when you buy this book and visit these  hostels you are really supporting an ideal, a dream and in the process adding something new and beautiful to you life. These  hostels  changed the way I travel, maybe they will change yours?

More details of the book , click here

2. Use Worldpackers

If you want to make your Eurotrip memorable, consider a more unique and immersive travel experience with volunteering and work-exchange platforms such as Worldpackers. In exchange for a few hours of help, you’re not only going to save 100% on accommodation but will also connect with locals and loads of world travelers. In addition to Hostels, you’ll find farms, homestays, ecolodges, NGOs, and schools among the 4.000+ volunteering opportunities available. A platform like Worldpackers provides you with safe and peer-reviewed experiences, in addition to a comprehensive support team and insurance. From 1-week up to 3-month long opportunities, you can fit a purposeful travel experience within your schedule. To make it even more budget-friendly, join Worldpackers here and earn a US$10 discount to become a Member.

….or try Housesitting

Another way to travel around the world almost for free is try Housesitting where you can stay for free at unique homestays around the world, in exchange for caring for people’ s pets. I recommend Trusted Housesitters .

You can find out more about Housesitting works in this guide .

3. Consider Airbnb when visiting Europe

I am a huge fan of Airbnb when travelling across Europe. They have a fantastic range of places to stay and always offer great value. As much as I love staying in hostels, I love sometimes to have the comfort and privacy of a flat, especially if I am travelling for a few weeks on the road. You can extremely good value for Airbnb in expensive cities like London, Paris for example so do have a look at their site.

Tip: If you are new to Airbnb , signup using  this link  to get £25 off your first booking.

4. Checkout my city guides to finding the best cheap hostels and hotels 

I’ve done the research and keep these guides updated on a regular basis to add new favourites- if you planning a trip to any of these cities, do take the time to checkout my following city guides

51 free things to do in London

50 free things to do in Paris

26 free and fun things to do in Berlin

20 best things to do in Rome on a budget

23 free and fun things to do in Lisbon on a budget

24 best things to do in Prague on a budget

Locals guide to Amsterdam

Plus, here are my guide to my favourite budget places to stay in London , Amsterdam , Lisbon ,  Copenhagen, Berlin , Edinburgh  , Venice  , Prague , Oslo and Paris

5. Get off the beaten path

Main cities of Europe are overcrowded and also overpriced so if you are looking for good value when travelling in Europe, seek out some of the lesser known destinations.

For example, instead of Amsterdam consider Haarlem and staying at the boutique hostel Hello I’m Local , instead of Helsinki take a look at Tampere or head to Finnish Lapland , instead of Berlin consider Leipzig or maybe Dortmund , instead of Paris try Bordeaux,  instead of Rome try Bologna , instead of Prague try Brno or Ostrava .

Other articles to checkout

Also do checkout the following europe hostel guides: these are perfect if you are a foodie traveller, or someone who is travelling with your family or someone who is looking for a quiet nights sleep and not interested in party hostels

Best Gastro Hostels of Europe

Best Quiet Hostels of Europe

Best Family Hostels of Europe

What is the cheapest way to travel in Europe

6. how to find cheap flights when visiting europe- use a vpn.

You can save a few euros or dollars when playing with the location from where you book your flight. For example, I’ve often booked flights in the past and found discounts when booking from a Dutch website and also from Expedia Australia’s website. The fare difference can be often 10-15 euros so we are not talking about a huge saving here but still it is significant, especially if you are looking for flights for you+ loved ones.

I recommend  Express VPN

Play around with the location ( Express VPN allows you to set your location to 94 different countries ) 

VPN also is handy when travelling and helps hide your IP address, browsing activity, and preventsusers stealing your data, like usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, browser cookies, and other identifying information.

Using this link , you can get your first 3 months for free from your Express VPN or alternatively, this link will give you a 30 day free trial- choice is yours.

7. Download the Skyscanner App for cheap flights

Skyscanner are my go to app for booking flights and now you can also book trains in the UK. Just plug in your dates and Skyscanner will find the best possible flight deals. My favourite feature of the Skyscanner app is when you can search flights to all around the world on any date or even for a whole month from a city. If you are flexible with your travel dates and destination, it is possible to find the cheapest possible destination on any given month.

8. The ultimate guide to low-cost airlines in Europe

This guide is a comprehensive low down of all the low-cost budget airlines in Europe

Not much of a secret but travelling by coach is the cheapest way to travel across Europ e. ( Click on the link to take you to my guide to the 10 best budget bus companies in Europe )

9. How to travel across Europe for 1 month under £182/$250?

One of my most popular posts to recent date is my 1 month itinerary to backpacking Europe on a budget for under £182/$250/€220.

This post is a comprehensive guide of which cities to visit in Europe, things to do in each city, how to travel across Europe using a smart combination of bus, train and low budget flights. This guide is really a must read so please download it now and bookmark this for planning your trip to Europe.

10.  Best value train journeys in Europe?

Checkout my brand new guide to the top 10 best value train journeys across Europ e.

11. How to save time queuing for major European attractions? Book your tours and activities in advance

You have a few options when it comes to planning tours and activities in each city. You have free walking tours in most cities across Europe. Sandeman’s is the market leader and I’ve heard good things about the tours. Tours are comprehensive and you can tip the guide if you enjoyed the tour. If you are looking for more specific experiences , I recommend taking a look and booking your tours via Get Your Guide . By booking in advance you can save time and  hassle of queuing and skip the line for the Eiffel Tower in Paris or  skip the queues for the London Eye. Bit of planning can go a long way!

When is the best time to travel to Europe?

12. don’t travel to europe in the summer if you can avoid it..

This is actually the worst time to visit Europe. Prices are at their highest, everything is booked up, the cities are uncomfortably crowded and all of the locals are on holidays. Travel off-season instead for a more local experience. In winter, hotels can be discounted by upto 40% so you can get a great deal.

Before Sunrise: Virtual trip and love letter to Vienna

13. Cheapest trip to Europe: A Virtual trip to Europe 🙂

Here is a list of movies that have hugely inspired my travels in Europe -maybe they will inspire you too.

14. Saving up for the big Europe trip?

Here are some key tips to spend less travel more  for your big trip in 2017

I also recommend you check out Adventurous Kate’s cracking post on how she saved $13,000 in just 7 months .

When you arrive in Europe

15. visit the tourist information point.

When first arriving in a new city make sure to stop by the tourism bureau for discounts, free maps and cost-free events.

16. Try to find if the city offers an all inclusive pass that gets you access to museums plus also public transportation

If you are planning to pack in a number of visitor attractions, in the end , you save a lot of money when using these kind of passes. For example I saved a lot of money with the Oslo Welcome Card when visiting Oslo. Other great welcome cards is the Berlin Welcome Card which includes free public transportation and lots of discounts to sights, tours, restaurants, museums and more.

17. Walk or use local transport 

Walk as much as you can, but if you can’t then use public transport over taxis; buy 24-hour, 3-day or even weekly public transport passes, which work out cheaper than single tickets.

18. Do as the locals do 

Join local workers at pubs for happy hours; check out local sports matches which are often free or cheap; and if you see a local fair or festival advertised, get along to it. All of these things can provide a terrific insight into how people lead their lives and be just as rewarding as visiting a major visitor attraction.

19. Mobile internet- how to avoid a costly bill at the end of the trip

Roaming charges and accessing internet abroad is still ridiculously expensive so my tip here is to go local and get yourself a local internet data only simcard. If you can unlock your phone, brilliant. If your phone is locked then I suggest buying a mobile wifi (mifi) device which costs around €50. I’ve written a guide to how to get the best deal on prepaid mobile internet in Portugal ,  mobile internet in Germany and Italy . In terms of making free phone calls to friends and family- you’ve got FaceTime  (if you both own an Apple phone) or try the  Viber app ( free to download) or Skype. Skype offers fantastic rates so I highly recommend them. The other app that I find very useful in terms of free messaging is Whatsapp which is free to download.

How to travel on a budget across Europe

20. take the train.

When booked in advance, you can get huge savings on train travel in Europe. I’ve shared in the post below all my best hacks and tips for getting cheap train tickets in Europe .

Plus also checkout my tips for cheap train travel in France .

21. Taking the train? Consider going point to point

If you can plan your Euro trip well in advance, there are some great savings to be made from booking train fares in advance.

Plan your schedules using the German D Bahn website and also check out  the excellent  Voyages SNCF .  For example you have can go from Paris to Milan for €29 currently, Frankfurt to Amsterdam or Paris in less than 4 hours from just €39 or from Copenhagen to Hamburg in 4.5 hours starting at only €29. ( An epic 45 minute ferry ride included. Here’s my account of the trip )

Consider making longer connections by overnight train

22. Take the night train?

A great way to save time and money when travelling across Europe is by taking the night train. There are lots of sleeper trains between major cities in Europe and they are comfortable and convenient. For example you can take advantage of Deutsche Bahn’s excellent SparNight promo fares where you can go from Amsterdam to Copenhagen for around €29-€49 range.

23. Go slow and cheap 

Use bikes or try trains, especially regional and local trains, which can be very cheap in countries like Poland and Hungary.

24. By bike?

If you can, travel by bike. Travelling by bike not only saves you money, it’s great for your health,probably the safest form of travel during Covid-19, plus you can sign upto the Warmshowers website. Warmshowers is like couchsurfing but for cycle tourists. The website and community matches hungry, shelterless cyclists with lovely locals who are willing to accommodate them. The emphasis is on an exchange of experiences and cultures rather than an exchange of money.

25. Travel with a friend or partner?

Travelling in Europe is still not as solo travel friendly as you might think it should be in the 21 st century. Lots of hotels charge supplements for single travellers which is unfair. Plus single rooms tend to be quite basic and stripped down. The cost of a double is almost the same as a single so if you can travel with a friend or partner, great. Otherwise, I’d recommend choosing a luxury hostel. Plus do check out the crowdsourced fantastic free guide that the Solotraveler has launched which gives a lowdown of all the best solo friendly places to stay across Europe and the world .

26. Fly with a low-cost airline?

Thanks to the low-cost airline revolution that was inspired by easyJet and Ryanair , travelling across Europe is a lot cheaper. Even with hidden extras like paying for checking in your luggage, their prices are pretty good, especially over longer distances.  To get the best fares, book and plan you trip far in advance as possible plus also travel carry-on to save money. Here’s my guide to best Ryanair easyJet carry on luggage 

27. Hate travelling by Bus? 

Maybe it’s time to reconsider this. There is a new revolution of low-cost luxury bus travel sweeping across Europe .

28 . On a non existent budget- How about hitchhiking?

Hitchhiking expert Amy Woodyatt shares some tips on how to hitchhike across the UK and also the do’s and don’t of hitchhiking

29. Consider ride-sharing

Long-distance ride-sharing is becoming popular in Europe, with millions of people now hitching rides with complete strangers on a monthly basis. Companies to check out include BlaBlaCar and Carpooling.com

PS: Again, with the onset of Covid-19, you may want to consider the safety of ridesharing and also hitchiking.

30.  Don’t withdraw money abroad from an ATM. 

You are likely to get a very poor exchange rate from your bank and be also charged a fee for every withdrawal.

31.  Don’t buy you travel currency at the airport

Don’t leave buying your travel currency till reaching the airport-you will get ripped off. Use something like the Börsen App to compare best local exchange rates and get a better deal.

Where to sleep in Europe on a budget

32. travelling with family try a hostel.

Apartments are excellent but if you are looking for cheaper alternatives, you should also consider hostels. There is a new breed of family friendly hostels popping up across Europe.

33. Try Worldpackers 

Worldpackers is a global community of conscientious travelers and welcoming hosts. Since 2014 they have fostered thousands of connections and unique experiences, focusing on developing and transforming the world into a more social and environmentally sustainable place.’

34. Rome in August?

In August, take advantage of cheaper rates in cities like Rome where the locals have ‘gone to the coast’

35. Stay at a budget hotel chain

Stay at one of the budget hotel chains like a  Travelodge or an  Ibis on your next trip to Europe. If you are just looking for a cheap, comfortable sleep- these hotels are a great option.

The Student Hotel, Rotterdam

36. Considered staying at a cool budget boutique hotel? 

There is a new breed of budget boutique hotels popping up across the world. Examples you can check out include Yotel in London Gatwick, The Student Hotel in Amsterdam , Tune Hotels in London or Bazar in Rotterdam

37. Stay away from the city centre.

In almost every major European city you can get significantly cheaper prices if you are willing to stay away from the city centre.

Quad rooms at Travelodge

38. Stay in a family room or a quad 

You pay little more and get more better value. If you choose to stay with a budget chain brand like Travelodge in the UK , the family room costs the same as a double room.

39. Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing.org is a great way to meet new friends & to explore a country

40. Try Housesitting

Another cool option for finding free accommodation in Europe is trying out Housesitting . For the unintiated, James Cave did an excellent guide to Housesitting  on the BudgetTraveller recently.

41. Sleep cheap, spend your money on something cool

Stay somewhere really cheap but live it up by having a drink at the grandest hotel you can find — and take lots of Instagrams

42. Finding decent affordable and nice accommodation in London , Paris or Edinburgh?

London, Paris and Edinburgh can be a bummer for finding good value, decent budget accomodation. So I created a guide earlier to my favourite budget places to stay in London , Paris and Edinburgh

43. University rooms? 

I was visiting London in the summer last year and struggling to find anything had decent below £100 a night until I discovered University Rooms.

I can’t think of a better deal for central London. For example searching in the 1st week of September, I can find a single room with breakfast in Bankside House, Southbank ( as central as you can get in London) for as little as £45 per person, per night including breakfast. The rooms are no frills but comfortable for the night.  They have bed and breakfast or self-catering budget accommodations scattered across 120 cities worldwide so do checkout their site.

Where to go in Europe 

44. visit portugal.

Portugal remains the best value for money destination in Western Europe. I love the country for its old world European charm, the medieval towns and the most amazing pastries in the world like Pasteis de Nata  The seafood here is out of this world and very cheap. Enjoy a plate of grilled limpets with a squeeze of lemon juice for as little as €5 in the beautiful island of Madeira or tuck into charcoal grilled sardines or the excellent sopa de peixe , fish soup (€3 ) with a glass of Vinho verde ( €2) at one of Lisbon’s century old kiosks in Lisbon

Visit Porto , one of the most underrated cities in Europe. It has a beautiful location by the winding Douro river, stunning architecture, amazing gastronomy and a cracking nightlife. Here is little glimpse into what life in Porto is like and also the lowdown on what might be the world’s best hostel .

45. Go to Czech Republic

Czech Republic remains one of the best value for money destinations in Europe. There’s fairytale castle, lovely locals, the best beer in the world, fantastic wine too plus great culture- Czech Republic has it all.

Checkout my guides to Prague , Brno , Olomouc   and Cesky Krumlov

46. Sarajevo

Sarajevo has to be one the hottest travel destinations this summer for the budget traveller! There is so much to see, do and eat, and you complete the Bosnian experience by staying with a local family – request a home-stay.

47. Visit Berlin

Berlin. Besides Lisbon, Berlin is probably hands down the best value destination to visit in Western Europe. You have a wide range of excellent value budget accomodation-from apartments to luxury hostels. In terms of free things to do, from visiting the East Side Gallery to free lunchtime concerts at Berlin Philharmonic to visiting the Reichstag or simply strolling down the historic Unter den Linden- there is so much you can do in Berlin without spending a penny. Plus in terms of street food, Berlin is the king. You can sample the best kebabs in the world at Mustafa’s in Kreuzberg (Mehringdamm 32 ) or try currywurst at places like Curry 61 ( currywurst with fries- €3.20) I recommend you have a peek at my guide to the best outdoor activities in Berlin , a guide to the best things do in Potsdam – perfect day out of Berlin and my free self guided walking tours of Berlin Mitte and the upcoming Berlin Wedding

For more about Berlin, I highly recommend Uncornered Market’s excellently researched and comprehensive Berlin resource guide.

48. Visit Germany

I’ve had the pleasure of living and exploring Germany over the last 10 years.

Have a look at my Germany travel guides , to help you plan your trip.

49. Visit Malta & Gozo

I recently visited Malta and Gozo and contrary to popular belief, the island is very budget friendly and definitely worth including if you are backpacking away around Europe. For example you can get one-way fares for as little as €40 in April 2015 from Italy to Malta with Ryanair. For more details have a look at my 21 things to do in Malta & Gozo piece.

How to eat on a budget in Europe

50. restrict restaurant meals .

Limit eating out to once a day and if you’re a foodie go to a gourmet restaurant for lunch rather than dinner when many restaurants offer great value set menus and business lunches.

Cook in to save money. Many hostels ( like Loft Mountain Hostel ) have amazing kitchens where you can prepare your own meals.

51. Cook in 

An advantage of holiday rentals and most hostels is that you can cook in a kitchen and cooking can be great fun if you’re travelling with friends, a couple, or family or for bonding with new people who are staying at the hostel.

52. Shop locally

Buy your groceries at local markets; look for farmer’s markets and watch what the locals are buying to get the best deals. Ask the hostel/apartment owner or receptionist where they shop, as they’ll know where the bargains are.

Pop over to the local grocer for preparing a perfect picnic in the park

53. Picnic in the park

Public parks and gardens can be a great source of entertainment; take a picnic lunch and take in the action and just delight in how differently people live their lives in other places.

54. Menu del Dia

In Spain the cheapest way to eat out is by ordering the Menu del Dia-a fixed price menu which is offered to guests at lunchtime.  The menu consists of a first course, second course followed by a dessert and coffee.

Aperitivo. Ostello Bello Hostel, Milan.

55. Aperitivo

In northern Italy, the cheapest way to eat out is in the evening when you can go out for an ‘aperitivo.’  The hours are generally between 7 and 9pm. You order an ‘aperitif’ –glass of wine or martini ( around €6- Beer/Wine. €8 cocktails ) and you get access to a buffet or some tasty snacks are delivered to your table.  The general rule of thumb is to have one plate of food from the buffet with one drink. I always go in for seconds though…..

Cichetti- delicious and cheap Venetian tapas

56. Cicchetti -Tradition of Venetian tapas

In Venice, they have the tradition of eating ‘Cicchetti’ –a Venetian style of tapas served typically in a ‘bacari’-small, traditional local bars where alongside some spritz, you can order some ‘cicchetti’ –these are bite sized snacks that consist of cheese or fresh fish or meat and price ranges from €1 to a few euros. Here’s a guide to where to find the best Cicchetti bars in Venice

57. Check out my cheap eat guides.

Love your cheap eats? Highly recommend you  check out my cheap eats section where you will find guides to over 20 cities including Malta ,  London ( Part 1  , Part 2 ) Seville , Barcelona , Paris , Amsterdam , Munich , Cardiff , Bari ,   Rome , Krakow , Tenerife + Florence   Oslo

58. Cheapest beer in Europe?

Do you decide which city to visit in Europe based on how cheap the beer is? Then you should definitely check out my Europe cheap beer index which gives you a lowdown of what beer prices to expect across Europe and where you can find the cheapest pint.

59. Cheap eats in Spain and Portugal- Empandas

A panadería (bakery) in Spain or Padaria ( Portugal) will often have fresh hot pasties aka empanadas( ESP) / rissois (PT) , making a light lunch for around €3.

60. Head for the caffeteria in Italy.

It may not sound so attractive, but in Rome and other Italian cities, the tavola calda (caffeteria) offers cheap homemade food at lunchtime for locals on a budget.

61. When in Italy…eat at the bakery. 

Bakeries in Italy prepare products that are economical, fresh, and support the local economy (unlike most supermarkets).

62. Free tapas in Spain?

A tradition that is dying out in many parts of Spain, search hard and you can still find traditional bars serving tapas (small dishes) with every caña (small beer, €1-2 ) Your best cities for enjoying free tapas are Granada ( All along c/Elvira ) Leon ( Barrio Humedo area) and Salamanca ( c/ Van Dyck).

63 Athens cheap eats ?

At the €3.50 mark: Savvas & O Thanasis are two of the best gyros & souvlaki joints in Athens, on Monastiraki Square, right across from the Metro station.

64 The best menu del dia in Madrid?

The no-nonsense €10 menu del dia at La Sanabresa ( www.restaurantelasanabresa.com ), just off Plaza Santa Ana is one of the best deals in the town.

65 . Go to a free concert in the Vondelpark.

There are all sorts of free concerts from June-August, Thursdays till Sundays.

66. Free music concerts across Europe?

Here are some more tips on finding free music concerts in Amsterdam , London, Paris or Berlin.

Visiting Museums

I love visiting museums when travelling in Europe and discovering the cultural and historical heritage of cities. Here are some cool budget friendly tips for visiting museums in Europe

67 Best Free London Museums?

Here is a great list from Laura Porter who is also the authority for all the best free stuff to do in London http://bit.ly/cDlTHq

68.  Remember that entry to state run museums in the UK is free of charge for people of all ages.

69. in italy, families can take their kids under 18 for free to state run museums like the uffizi., 70. when visiting museums and other notable sites, always ask if they are special rates are available for students, seniors, or small groups. some discounts aren’t clearly visible and can be overlooked, 71. in paris, plan your trip around the first sunday of the month when all the main museums are free., 72. the museum of contemporary art, the hamburger bahnhof in berlin is free for the last 4 hours on thursday. ( 4-8pm ), 73. in berlin you can also visit these following museums for free:.

• Deutscher Dom, The Berlin Wall Memorial
• Information centre of the Holocaust Memorial Berlin, Allied Museum
• Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen, German-Russian Museum Berlin
• Kunstraum Kreuzberg/ Bethanien,
• Mies van der Rohe- Haus
• Museum of Oddities
• Sugar-Museum

74. Following Berlin museums for free on certain days or hours

1. Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin

Admission free every Monday .10am to 8pm

2. Märkisches Museum

Admission free every first Wednesday of the month

3. Academy of Arts, Pariser Platz

Admission free every first Sunday of the month 11am – 8pm

4. Academy of Arts, Hanseatenweg

-Admission free every first Sunday of the month 11am – 8pm

5. Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design

-Free guided tour every Sunday 2pm. (Admission to the museum 4 – 7 euros)

6. Domäne Dahlem – unique open-air museum of agrarian history

-Admission free Wednesdays from 10am to 6pm

75. Free art in Madrid! 

Contemporary Art Museum Espacio Conde Duque has 3 art galleries with quality exhibitions, plus special events (these sometimes cost)

Other ideas and general money saving tips

Walk the streets of Paris by night or in the rain. For free. No Gill Pender included.

76. How about 2 days in Paris with just €100 ?

77. don’t forget these essential tips from amy for first time visitors to paris, 78. here is a bunch of 20 essential money saving travel apps to download if you are visiting uk on your trip to europe, 79. save money and keep cool in rome and venice’s heat by refilling your water bottle with fresh spring water running freely from their fountains. , 78.  drink coffee at the bar in italy, if you’re only planning a quick coffee in italy, walk to the bar, order it and stand there to drink. sitting down can treble the price., 80. mother of all free festivals- free fringe.

There are free festivals and then there is the Free Fringe in Edinburgh, the rebellious, lesser known cousin of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that takes place in August. Last year visitors enjoyed over 4000 performances from 365 different shows. There were 40 *5 star* and 140 *4 star* shows to give you an idea of the quality of the festival.

81. Check out a free open air film festival?

In many cities across Europe you can find free open air film festivals. For example in Amsterdam you can attend Pluk de nacht: One of the best free open air festivals, with national & international films and documentaries.

Visit Bologna from end of June till end of July for their annual open air film festival, the Sotto le Stelle del Cinema , held in Piazza Maggiore. For more about this festival and what to do in Bologna check out my 48 Hours in Bologna .

82. Cheap alternative to Greek Island hopping?

Take Athens metro down to Piraeus then hop on a ferry for a day-trip to one of the Saronic Gilf Islands: Hydra, Poros, Aegina.

83. Try a free walking tour

While I am not the biggest fan of guided walking tours I know many travellers swear by and love free walking tours so it is something I recommend you check out for yourself. Sandeman’s New Europe operate free walking tours on a tips only basis across all major cities in Europe. For a 1-2 hour free walking tour you could tip anything from €5 upwards.

84. When in London…

Always use an Oystercard for London transport

85. Visit Latvia and of course Riga

Latvia for me remains one of the best value destinations in Europe-With a great concentration of hip bars, affordable and excellent range of dining options for travellers of all tastes, a bunch of cool and very affordable hostels to sleep in, a lively and vibrant nightlife plus you have easy access to the Baltic coastline, acres of forests and greenery just a short bus hop away. Checkout my Latvia travel guides that includes my guide to the best places to eat, drink and sleep in Riga

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Hi I am Kash aka the BudgetTraveller I'm the Luxury Hostels guy and for the last 14 years are sharing ways of how you can travel in style on a budget. Say hello to me here or on Instagram/Twitter. Lets connect!

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36 comments.

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# 5 say: “Try to find if the city offers an all inclusive pass that gets you access to museums plus also public transportation” My question: to quit visiting cities that have not all inclusive pass?

It is nice if cities offer an all-inclusive pass that gives tourists access to public transport and local attractions. Nevertheless, for some cities you don’t need a pass. Like Edinburgh for example. City is pretty compact and walkable. All the museums are free.

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Zurich, Switzerland has released a website with free things to do (German only). Get Google translate and enjoy one of the most expensive cities on earth.

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Great advice on saving money! Yup, embrace public transport, eat like the locals and choose your destination.:) It is the most common question we get asked after traveling the world. How can you afford it? As you mentioned, if you really want to travel, it should be easy to give up a few luxuries and save for that epic trip! We have now seen over 100+ countries with fairly average wages so yes, it is possible! Keep on traveling and sharing that passion! Happy travels! http://www.veryhungrynomads.com

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Wow, this is the most comprehensive list I’ve come across for travel tips for Europe. There’s also a startup which focuses on inexpensive yet personalized international trips called Your Local Cousin (www.yourlocalcousin.com). When I traveled to Paris in mid-Feb this year, I connected with one of the Paris locals listed on the site – Amanda – who gave me amazing off beat travel tips for just $10. Used it a couple of more times after that. You should check out the website sometimes. Cheap travel guidance really becomes important when you have traveling as a hobby. 🙂

wow.. you have tips that much. hoping someday i also can travel to europe and try your travelling tips.

Hope you visit soon!

Excellent article! I had totally taken Portugal off my list, but its back on. I will also try Rome in August like you said 🙂 All-in-all, very well put together article. Bookmarked 🙂 Thanks!

Oh you got to come to Portugal.

So much to love about the country-great food, amazing coastline, Lisbon is a dream, Porto with its grand art deco architecture and beautiful river…then you have the island I live on: Madeira…the pearl of the Atlantic, island of eternal spring. Plus its so cheap. Plus the best hostels in the world!

Very interesting article ! Travelling in Europe can actually be a lot expensive, and more particular in London, UK. I work in an events promotion company there and the prices for a living are so expensive, it’s crazy. I hope to move in a different country next year and will for sure follow your hints.

Valentin @ jorlio

Time to brexit? 🙂

Fantastic experience after reading your outstanding blog. My dream is to travel the best and famous place in the world. And I am really glad I have found your blog. Thanks dear for sharing this awesome and informative article with us. Keep it up.

Thank you for all of these awesome tips! Me and my friend Brianna are currently driving from Russia back to the UK and are seriously broke. We’ve been researching a ton of ways to travel Europe for free and so far, a lot of the tricks we’re using are working!

Amazing post dear! I really want to travel but budget is a big issue for me!! I’m still a student but my head says I want to travel. After my graduation, I am going to enjoy the most beautiful amazing country.

One of the best articles I’ve seen on European travel. My family have an apartment out in Portugal so I know how gorgeous and cheap it is. Roll on 2017 as I hope to get away 3 times to Europe!

this article is good for who travelling to aboard every year. Last year i was wend to Europe but travelling in Europe can actually be a lot expensive.

The family travel tips that we’re going to share with you and our stories are very specific to what it’s like for us traveling with our specific little boys. If you have other tips or contrasting thoughts about how to handle family travel and hotels, please go ahead and leave those in the comments because other people probably could use your advice too.

These are some very helpful and worth saving tips! This article makes traveling so much easier!

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Great article. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips for saving money while travelling.

This is the best articles I have seen about Euro travel. Thank you very much !

Hi everyone! I need your help , together with my friend we would like to explore Europe next summer . We want to plan our adventure beforehand so that we can save some momey . Can you please give me advice which countries to choose to find cheap buss passes and food. We are just beginners as travelers amd budget travelers , so we would be grateful to listen some tips from you. Thanks a lot!

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Your guide to hostels is awesome. Thanks for sharing such informative blog.

These are must read useful tips for every new travellers.

Wow! Thanks a ton for sharing these tips.

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How to Visit 15 European Cities for less than £250 /€286 ( Updated January 2024 )

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Backpacking Brunette

Because life is not meant to be lived in one place

How To Travel Europe Cheap: 25 Money-Saving Travel Tips

January 14, 2020 by Alex | Backpacking Brunette 3 Comments

Even if you’re broke AF, you can still make your dreams of dancing flamenco in Seville, watching the sunset from the Eiffel Tour and partying in Amsterdam’s Red Light District a reality. But first, you need to learn how to travel Europe cheap .

In this post, I’m sharing 25 budget travel tips for saving money while backpacking Europe. Armed with these backpacking Europe budget travel hacks , you’ll have everything you need to have a big adventure on a small budget.

Over the years, I’ve backpacked around Europe multiple times and picked up more budget travel tips than I could ever hope to cram into my Osprey Porter 46.

From choosing cheap travel destinations to how to save money on food in Europe, I’m sharing all my best budget travel hacks for how to save money backpacking in Europe.

How to Travel Europe Cheap

#1: Don’t Do Everything

The best piece of travel advice I’ve ever heard is to plan your trip like you’ll be back someday. If you try to do and see everything, not only will you spend A LOT of money, but you’ll run yourself ragged.

#2: Choose Centrally-Located Accommodation

You might think you’re saving a buck by staying outside the city center, but you’ll probably end up spending whatever money you’ve saved on transportation to get back and forth. Do yourself a favor and “splurge” on centrally-located accommodation. You have a whole list of other ways to save money while traveling in Europe!

Need help finding cheap places to stay in Europe? Don’t miss this post!

• A Backpacker’s Guide to Cheap Accommodation in Europe

#3: Book Hostels with a Bar

Not all hostels are created equal. When I’m perusing Hostelworld for accommodation, I look for a place with a bar. A hostel bar is a great spot to start your night because drinks are generally cheaper and you can meet other travelers.

Wanna know the TRUTH about hostels in Europe? Read this!

• What It’s Really Like to Stay in a Hostel

#4: Take Free Walking Tours

All major cities in Europe (and some of the smaller ones) offer free walking tours. I recommend taking one the first day you’re in a new place in order to orient yourself. Even though it’s “free,” you should still tip your guide €5-10 for their time.

#5: Stop By The Tourist Office

After checking into your hostel, your first stop in a new city should be the tourist office. You can get a city map, local recommendations and information about upcoming events all for FREE.

#6: Take Day Trips

Transportation costs can quickly deplete your budget. Instead, extend your time in cities and take day trips to see more of the country. This type of local-travel is very cost-effective and a good way to get off the beaten path.

Planning a trip to Madrid, Spain? You need this post!

• The Ultimate Roundup of Best Madrid Day Trips

Europe Budget Travel Tips

#7: Get a Charles Schwab Debit Card

ATM fees might not seem like a big deal at first, but they can really eat into your travel budget. If you’re American, open a Charles Schwab checking account. Charles Schwab reimburses you for all ATM fees. It’s FREE to open and doesn’t require a minimum balance.

#8: Plan Museum Visits on Free-Entry Days

It won’t come as a surprise that the word “free” is a backpacker’s best friend. In Europe, nearly every museum waives their entrance fees on certain days or for specific hours. Check the museum website and plan accordingly.

#9: Use Free Toilets Whenever You See Them

If you even think you might have to go, you should try to go! Free toilets are few and far between in Europe. Instead of paying to use a public restroom, utilize the free ones when you can.

#10: Never Exchange Money at the Airport

Unless you like getting ripped off (who does?!), don’t exchange money at the airport. While you’re at it, avoid all currency exchanges if you can. You’re much more likely to get a good rate and avoid fees by withdrawing money from an ATM just like you do at home.

#11: Invest in Travel Insurance

Sometimes, you’ve got to spend money to save money. Purchasing travel insurance prior to your trip can save you money in the long run in the event that anything bad happens. Believe me, something bad (or, at the very least, unexpected) always happens.

Cheapest Ways to Travel in Europe

#12: Don’t Buy Round Trip Tickets

Rather than buying a round trip ticket, consider buying two one-way tickets instead. While a round trip ticket forces you to spend time and money returning to the city you started in, a one-way ticket on each end means you can fly home from the last city on your backpacking Europe itinerary. Depending on the cities you choose, two one-way tickets often cost the same or less than a round trip ticket.

#13: Travel During the Off-Season

Without a doubt, summer is the most popular time to travel around Europe. The height of tourist seasons means increased prices for everything from transportation and accommodation to food. If you can, plan your trip for the shoulder season or off-season. You’ll get better deals and won’t have to deal with the crowds.

• The Ultimate Packing List for Europe in Winter

#14: Consider Visiting Countries Not on the Euro

To really get the most bang for your buck, get off the beaten track and include some countries with currency other than the Euro for your backpacking Europe itinerary. Check out Eastern Europe! Cities like Prague and Budapest are cheap Europe travel destinations.

#15: Walk Everywhere

While public transportation can be very affordable, there is one thing cheaper: plain old walking. Make sure you have a comfortable pair of walking shoes and get ready to log some serious miles. Walking is the best way to see a city. If you don’t have your nose buried in your map, you’re sure to discover some hidden gems!

#16: Don’t Overlook Buses

When it comes to transportation, backpackers (Americans especially) often overlook buses. Buses are frequently the most budget-friendly transportation option and impact the environment far less than air travel. Unlike airports, bus stations are usually in the center of a city, so you can hit the ground running.

Have a big adventure without having a big impact on the environment!

• 9 Sustainable Travel Tips Every Backpacker Can Follow

#17: Sleep on a Stranger’s Couch

One of my favorite budget travel hacks is finding free accommodation via Couchsurfing. It’s also a great way to meet locals, and with a local guide showing you around a city, you’re sure to save money.

This post has everything you need to know about Couchsurfing!

• A Complete Guide to Couchsurfing for Beginners

#18: Take Overnight Transportation

If you’re willing to sacrifice a little comfort, taking an overnight bus or train is a great way to save money on accommodation in Europe. Plus, you won’t waste valueable daylight hours in transit. Be sure to pack a sleeping mask, earplugs and a small travel pillow.

#19: Pack Light to Avoid Luggage Fees

That budget flight won’t be a steal if you have to pay to check a bag at the last minute. If you plan on using budget airlines to travel around Europe cheaply, be sure your backpack fits the carry-on criteria. Beware: budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet might have tighter restrictions than the carrier you took to Europe.

How to Save Money on Food in Europe

#20: Picnic in the Park

You can’t call yourself a backpacker until you’ve had a picnic in the park. Buy a bottle with a twist top if you plan on drinking wine, and don’t forget the cups!

#21: Go Grocery Shopping

In addition to buying cold cuts, fruit and cheese for your picnic at the park, you can save money while backpacking Europe by buying groceries and cooking at your hostel. Before going to the shop, check to see what ingredients are available for you to use in the hostel kitchen. Pasta, rice and beans are all easy to prepare and make for filling, budget-friendly meals.

#22: Eat Your Biggest Meal at Lunch

Many restaurants offer a cheaper lunch menu, making it a more budget-friendly option than eating dinner out. In some countries, like Spain and Portugal, restaurants advertise a set menu (which comes with bread, wine, two courses and dessert) for as little as € 10.

#23: Skip the Cocktails

Partying is definitely part of the backpacker experience, but you don’t want to wreck your Europe travel budget drinking. As a general rule, opt for beer. It’s the cheapest alcoholic drink in most (if not all) European countries. Wine is usually the second most affordable option.

#24: Live By the 5-Block Rule

Whenever you’re looking for a place to eat or drink, walk five blocks in any direction in order to cross the invisible “tourist line.” By getting out of the main tourist zone, you’re more likely to find restaurants and bars that cater to locals aka cheaper food and drinks!

#25: Ask Your Server for Recommendations

To save money and have an adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life, you should be asking locals for their recommendations whenever possible. The places locals eat, drink and hang out themselves are going to be cheaper and more authentic than whatever your guidebook is telling you. Strike up a conversation with your server, and if you two hit it off, offer to buy them a beer at the local watering hole in exchange for showing you around.

How much should I budget for a trip around Europe?

With these budget travel hacks in mind, I would budget approximately €50 for a trip around Europe.

For even more on traveling Europe on a budget, be sure to check out this step-by-step planning guide:

• Backpacking Europe: How to Plan a Euro Trip on a Budget

Which of these budget travel tips are most excited to try? Let me know in the comments or shoot me a DM on Instagram ( @alexnotemily ).

Psst…Don’t forget to pin this post for later!

Reader Interactions

April 14, 2021 at 9:35 pm

This is all very insightful and helpful. Thank you!

July 17, 2023 at 4:33 am

Alex your content is always great! Thanks

January 18, 2024 at 6:22 am

great article thanks for sharing. i always also struggeld with atm fees when withdrawing money, because i still like to use cash while being on the road. therefore i found this travel app – ATM Fee Saver , it gives you a list with ATMs and their fees and limits,super helpful for travelling. i can recommend to check it out =)

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How to Travel to Europe Cheaply

Last Updated: May 17, 2021 References

This article was co-authored by Angela Rice and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising . Angela Rice is a Luxury Travel Specialist and Co-Founder of Boutique Travel Advisors, a luxury travel advising business in Phoenix, Arizona. Angela specializes in consulting and curating highly customized and unique travel itineraries for clients seeking luxury, group, and multi-generational family travel. Angela studied at Arizona State University and The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. She has prior consulting experience in accounting and business, which helps her run her business behind the scenes. Angela has been featured in The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, Travel Weekly, USA Today, Travel Market Report, Phoenix Magazine, and MSN. She is also a frequent guest on WBBM News Radio 105.9 FM's Travel Tuesday show. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 43,557 times.

Europe is filled with many countries and cultures that you can immerse yourself in while you're there. While it may seem like a daunting and expensive trip, a European vacation doesn't have to break the bank. By planning affordable travel and accommodations, you can easily manage your money while abroad. Once you're there, you'll be able to sight-see, try new foods, and meet new people on a budget!

Finding Affordable Overseas Flights

• Track flight prices on Google Flights to see when tickets are cheaper or more expensive. Turn on notifications for the days you plan on traveling to get alerts when prices change.

• Read the airline's terms and conditions before purchasing tickets since they may have hidden fees for items such as carry-on bags or checked luggage.
• In the United States, airline prices may be cheaper if you fly out of an international hub airport, such as O'Hare in Chicago, New York City, or Boston.

• For example, if you wanted to visit London, you may fly into Dublin instead for a cheaper flight and then travel to London from there.

Tip: While layovers are usually annoying, choosing a flight that has 1-2 of them may be cheaper than a direct flight.

Staying in Cheap Accommodations

• Depending on the hostel, a private room could be an option, but it may be more expensive than a shared space.

Tip: Always check review sites, such as TripAdvisor, to see ratings and reviews of the hostels you're interested in. Make sure they are reputable and that others have had a good experience there as well.

• Talk to your host about local restaurants to try or recommendations for what to do while you're visiting.

• Couchsurfing doesn't work well if you're traveling with a large group or if you want privacy.

Getting around Europe

• Major cities may have their own metro and subway systems that require a different ticket than the main European railways. You can usually buy 3-day or 7-day passes for local metros if you plan on staying in the city more than 1 night.

• For example, a pass in Berlin gets you free entry to over 60 attractions, sightseeing tours, and a card for unlimited travel.

Warning: Many smaller airlines have strict rules about the size or amount of luggage you bring. Make sure to pack light to avoid additional fees or checking a bag.

• Make sure to pack comfortable shoes so your feet don't hurt after a long day.
• Bring an empty water bottle with you to fill up in sinks or public fountains.

Experiencing Europe on a Budget

• Check websites like Groupon to see if there are any deals you can get on the attractions you want to see.
• Search for how far your accommodations are from your must-see places and include traveling there in your budget if needed.

• Many walking tour guides only get paid in tips, so make sure to give them some money if you enjoyed the tour.

• If your accommodations have a cooking area, buy groceries and cook for a meal or two each day to save more money.
• Visit street vendors to try new foods without spending money on a full meal.

• If the souvenir is something that you must have, then purchase it. Just make sure it's easy to transport.

Expert Q&A

• Make sure your passport is current before you start planning a vacation trip to Europe since it could take up to 8 weeks for you to receive it. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Check reviews for hostels and home locations online before booking them to make sure they are legitimate and trustworthy. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://lifehacker.com/this-is-the-best-time-to-book-flights-in-2019-1831708590
• ↑ https://www.budgettravel.com/article/find-cheap-flights-europe
• ↑ https://travelnoire.com/7-ways-travel-europe-cheap/
• ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/ditch-hotel-10-cheaper-ways-stay/
• ↑ https://www.ytravelblog.com/how-to-travel-europe-budget/#Camping_in_Europe
• ↑ https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/budget-travel/cheap-summer-trip-around-europe
• ↑ https://www.ytravelblog.com/how-to-travel-europe-budget/
• ↑ Angela Rice. Luxury Travel Specialist. Expert Interview. 18 September 2020.
• ↑ https://thesavvybackpacker.com/backpacking-europe-cost/
• ↑ https://youtu.be/nyHcINO1-qo?t=177
• ↑ https://www.ytravelblog.com/how-to-travel-europe-budget
• ↑ https://traveldave.co.uk/tourist-junk-how-to-avoid-buying-stuff-you-dont-need-on-the-road/

About this article

To travel to Europe cheaply, use a low-cost airline and book your flight at least 3-6 weeks in advance to get the best prices. As you're looking for flights, keep in mind that it's usually cheaper to fly into a smaller city like Dublin rather than a major city like London. Booking flights with layovers instead of direct flights can also lower the price. For cheap accommodations, forego hotels and consider staying in hostels or using a website like CouchSurfing. For tips on cost-effective ways to get around Europe once you're there, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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15 Cheapest European Countries to Visit in 2024

T his article looks at the 15 cheapest European countries to visit in 2024. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis of Tourism in Europe and ways to budget your vacation, you may skip ahead to 5 Cheapest European Countries to Visit in 2024 .

Tourism in Europe

Europe is by far the most popular tourist destination among all continents. According to UNWTO , in 2023, 54% of the world's international tourist arrivals were in Europe, with the southern/Mediterranean region being the most visited destination. Europe is extremely appealing for tourists due to its friendly visa policies, a diverse range of destinations, and the fact that it is considered safer than other global destinations.

As more and more tourists become irked by the overcrowded and inflated vacation experiences in particular hotspots, it is possible that tourists in 2024 will set their sights on destinations offering budget-friendly vacations with similar itineraries. With websites such as Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB ), Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG ), and Sun Life Financial, Inc. (NYSE: SLF ), tourists have the opportunity to map out their entire vacations at the most affordable prices, exploring new and exciting destinations in the process.

Budgeting your trip

Some would argue that the true beauty of Europe lies in destinations that have been spared from the tirade of excessive tourist inflows. In the past, there were either no avenues for the common tourist to arrange a vacation to such areas, or they would be considered as being unreliable, unsafe, and unfit for tourists. However, over the last decade, this perception has shifted as people have access to more and more avenues to plan trips to some of the most remote recesses of the world.

Websites like Booking, property of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), and Budget Your  Trip provide data for locations, resorts, and excursions. This enables previously unknown tourist spots all over Europe to market themselves without investing the same level of resources as world-renowned hoteling brands. Tourists can use Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG) and similar services to break down each leg of their trips into exact monetary terms, without being beguiled by the fame of prominent destinations.

Similarly, Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) is the world's largest platform for alternative accommodation. Alternative accommodation is a relatively new manner of lodging that involves living in rented apartments, hostels, or even a spare guestroom. In comparison to hotels, such accommodation is cheaper and can be found in rural travel destinations as well. In providing this service, Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) has diverted a large number of tourists away from saturated hot-spots towards less crowded communities.

If you're looking to visit a cheap European country in 2024, you may also consider obtaining travel insurance such as the packages offered by Sun Life Financial, Inc. (NYSE: SLF). These cover medical treatment and hospitalization bills in the unfortunate circumstance that you or a family member fall ill. Obtaining insurance from companies such as Sun Life Financial, Inc. (NYSE: SLF) allows you to venture into the wild and vivaciously enjoy your vacation.

Methodology

To develop our list of 15 cheapest European countries to visit in 2024, we traversed through similarly recommended lists on the web to develop a shortlist of budget-friendly countries. For these countries, we used Google Flights to obtain data on the cheapest available flight from the US (using JFK as the reference point for departures). Moreover, we used Budgetyourtrip to obtain the average amount required to spend a week-long couple's vacation in each country. Accumulating these data points allowed us to calculate the total expected amount required on a trip to each country. Each country was ranked in ascending order with respect to this metric, and the top 15 countries were selected as the cheapest European countries to visit in 2024.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years ( see the details here ). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

Here are 15 Cheapest European Countries to Visit in 2024.

Cheapest Return Ticket: $1011

Average expense during stay: $1722

Total cost: $2733

Latvia has a number of beautiful beaches along the Baltic sea, while the capital city of Riga features prominent Art Nouveau architecture. There are many historical castles present in towns across the country. Thus, there is plenty to enjoy in a week-long trip, all for the low price of $2,733.

14. Estonia

Cheapest Return Ticket: $941

Average expense during stay: $1544

Total cost: $2485

Another Baltic state, Estonia is one of the cheapest European countries to visit . It offers a blend of scenic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and Soviet era landmarks. The Lennusadam Museum in the capital city of Tallinn is an excellent starting point if you wish to be accustomed to the rich Estonian culture.

13. North Macedonia

Cheapest Return Ticket: $1083

Average expense during stay: $1388

Total cost: $2471

If you're looking for a location that offers picturesque scenery whilst not requiring you to take on a second mortgage on your house, forget the shores of Madeira and journey east to the country of North Macedonia. You'll get the chance to explore one of Europe's deepest lakes and some of its most stunning peaks, along with the historically rich city of Ohrid.

12. Croatia

Cheapest Return Ticket: $868

Average expense during stay: $1436

Total cost: $2304

Croatia makes for a very cheap vacation that also offers the chance to explore roman heritage, mesmerizing coasts, and modern attractions. Zagreb is becoming an increasingly popular tourist spot; however, it is still a very affordable destination where you can enjoy museums, festivals, and vibrant street life. The city of Split offers a chance to visit the iconic Diocletian Palace and venture off to one of the country's various islands within the Adriatic Sea.

11. Czech Republic

Cheapest Return Ticket: $741

Average expense during stay: $1548

Total cost: $2289

Whilst the capital city of Prague is famous for its State Opera theater and other orchestras, the rest of the country sees far and few tourists. Czech Republic is an amazing destination for adventure travel, with places like the Bohemian Switzerland National Park and the caverns of Moravian Karst. Moreover, if you steer clear of certain excursions in the capital, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in the local culture at an affordable cost.

10. Lithuania

Cheapest Return Ticket: $872

Average expense during stay: $1393

Total cost: $2265

Lithuania is the cheapest European country to visit in the Baltics. In just $2,265, you and your partner can entertain yourself to a comprehensive getaway. Your itinerary can include museums, Baroque monuments, serene national parks, and pristine beaches.

Cheapest Return Ticket: $1765

Average expense during stay: $461

Total cost: $2226

If you have managed to rack up some airline miles, Georgia is one of the cheapest European countries to visit in 2024 . With an average expense on transport, accommodation, and food of just $461 a week for 2 people, the foothills of the Caucasus mountains are the perfect place to enjoy a budget friendly European vacation.

Cheapest Return Ticket: $1018

Average expense during stay: $1170

Total cost: $2188

Budapest is regarded as being one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world. Sprawling on either side of the Danube River, it features a sea of Gothic, Romanesque, and Art Nouveau architecture. One of the country's unique features is that it contains over 1,300 thermal springs, many of which are now used to operate year-round spas and baths all over the nation.

Cheapest Return Ticket: $1727

Average expense during stay: $398

Total cost: $2125

Until mid-2023, the US Travel Advisory had classified a visit to Armenia under the Level 4 category. However, barring a few locations bordering Azerbaijan, the country has been deescalated to Level 2. Since tourists are still acclimatizing to this change, Armenia happens to be one of the cheapest European countries to visit in 2024.

6. Bosnia & Herzegovina

Cheapest Return Ticket: $1079

Average expense during stay: $1040

Total cost: $2119

If you're looking for a destination with historical significance, Bosnia & Herzegovina happens to be the most underrated destinations in the world. Featuring monuments and shrines from the second world war, the cold war, and the Bosnian war, it is one of the most insightful vacation spots in the world. In terms of scenery, a day trip to the Kravice Falls is a common part of any traveler's itinerary.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Cheapest European Countries to Visit in 2024 .

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• 20 Most Underrated Travel Destinations in Asia
• 15 Best Places To Retire In Arkansas
• 15 Worst Places in Texas for a Couple to Live on Only a Social Security

Disclosure: none.  15 Cheapest European Countries to Visit in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

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• Flight Houston - Boston (HOU - BOS) $51+
• Flight Miami - Boston (MIA - BOS) $53+
• Flight Newark - Boston (EWR - BOS) $55+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Boston (FLL - BOS) $60+
• Flight Orlando - Boston (MCO - BOS) $65+
• Flight Atlanta - Boston (ATL - BOS) $68+

India Flights

• Flight Chicago - Hyderabad (ORD - HYD) $496+
• Flight New York - New Delhi (JFK - DEL) $506+
• Flight New York - Mumbai (JFK - BOM) $536+
• Flight San Francisco - New Delhi (SFO - DEL) $553+
• Flight Newark - Hyderabad (EWR - HYD) $567+
• Flight New York - Ahmedabad (JFK - AMD) $592+
• Flight New York - Hyderabad (JFK - HYD) $601+

Japan Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Tokyo (LAX - NRT) $478+
• Flight San Francisco - Tokyo (SFO - NRT) $555+
• Flight Dallas - Tokyo (DFW - NRT) $653+
• Flight Los Angeles - Tokyo (LAX - HND) $742+
• Flight Seattle - Tokyo (SEA - NRT) $750+
• Flight Seattle - Tokyo (SEA - HND) $751+
• Flight San Francisco - Tokyo (SFO - HND) $762+

Phoenix Flights

• Flight Dallas - Phoenix (DFW - PHX) $39+
• Flight Los Angeles - Phoenix (LAX - PHX) $55+
• Flight Ontario - Phoenix (ONT - PHX) $58+
• Flight San Diego - Phoenix (SAN - PHX) $63+
• Flight Oakland - Phoenix (OAK - PHX) $68+
• Flight San Francisco - Phoenix (SFO - PHX) $73+
• Flight Atlanta - Phoenix (ATL - PHX) $74+

Honolulu Flights

• Flight San Francisco - Honolulu (SFO - HNL) $259+
• Flight Los Angeles - Honolulu (LAX - HNL) $260+
• Flight Oakland - Honolulu (OAK - HNL) $277+
• Flight San Jose - Honolulu (SJC - HNL) $277+
• Flight Ontario - Honolulu (ONT - HNL) $307+
• Flight Seattle - Honolulu (SEA - HNL) $337+
• Flight San Diego - Honolulu (SAN - HNL) $346+

Los Angeles Flights

• Flight Oakland - Los Angeles (OAK - LAX) $39+
• Flight San Francisco - Los Angeles (SFO - LAX) $48+
• Flight Dallas - Los Angeles (DFW - LAX) $56+
• Flight San Jose - Los Angeles (SJC - LAX) $64+
• Flight Houston - Los Angeles (HOU - LAX) $65+
• Flight Houston - Los Angeles (IAH - LAX) $65+
• Flight Seattle - Los Angeles (SEA - LAX) $83+
• Flight Baltimore - Los Angeles (BWI - LAX) $85+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Los Angeles (FLL - LAX) $87+

Chicago Flights

• Flight Dallas - Chicago (DFW - ORD) $33+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Chicago (FLL - ORD) $37+
• Flight Atlanta - Chicago (ATL - ORD) $38+
• Flight New York - Chicago (LGA - ORD) $39+
• Flight Houston - Chicago (HOU - ORD) $46+
• Flight Atlanta - Chicago (ATL - MDW) $52+
• Flight Orlando - Chicago (MCO - ORD) $55+

Denver Flights

• Flight Minneapolis - Denver (MSP - DEN) $38+
• Flight Chicago - Denver (ORD - DEN) $57+
• Flight Dallas - Denver (DFW - DEN) $58+
• Flight Houston - Denver (HOU - DEN) $68+
• Flight Detroit - Denver (DTW - DEN) $78+
• Flight Houston - Denver (IAH - DEN) $78+
• Flight Seattle - Denver (SEA - DEN) $85+

Washington, D.C. Flights

• Flight Orlando - Baltimore (MCO - BWI) $37+
• Flight Atlanta - Baltimore (ATL - BWI) $39+
• Flight Boston - Baltimore (BOS - BWI) $40+
• Flight Houston - Baltimore (HOU - BWI) $55+
• Flight Dallas - Baltimore (DFW - BWI) $56+
• Flight Chicago - Baltimore (ORD - BWI) $70+
• Flight Los Angeles - Baltimore (LAX - BWI) $85+
• Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - DCA) $123+
• Flight Seattle - Baltimore (SEA - BWI) $124+
• Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - IAD) $129+
• Flight Dallas - Washington, D.C. (DFW - DCA) $148+
• Flight Chicago - Washington, D.C. (ORD - IAD) $174+
• Flight New York - Washington, D.C. (LGA - DCA) $177+
• Flight Chicago - Washington, D.C. (ORD - DCA) $178+
• Flight Houston - Washington, D.C. (HOU - DCA) $183+
• Flight Los Angeles - Washington, D.C. (LAX - IAD) $187+
• Flight San Francisco - Washington, D.C. (SFO - DCA) $190+
• Flight Atlanta - Washington, D.C. (ATL - DCA) $194+
• Flight Atlanta - Washington, D.C. (ATL - IAD) $199+
• Flight Dallas - Washington, D.C. (DFW - IAD) $213+
• Flight San Francisco - Baltimore (SFO - BWI) $224+
• Flight Los Angeles - Washington, D.C. (LAX - DCA) $226+
• Flight San Francisco - Washington, D.C. (SFO - IAD) $255+
• Flight Seattle - Washington, D.C. (SEA - IAD) $283+

Atlanta Flights

• Flight Orlando - Atlanta (MCO - ATL) $36+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Atlanta (FLL - ATL) $38+
• Flight Miami - Atlanta (MIA - ATL) $38+
• Flight Newark - Atlanta (EWR - ATL) $38+
• Flight Philadelphia - Atlanta (PHL - ATL) $38+
• Flight Baltimore - Atlanta (BWI - ATL) $39+
• Flight Chicago - Atlanta (ORD - ATL) $39+

United States Flights

• Flight Newark - Miami (EWR - MIA) $39+
• Flight Seattle - Las Vegas (SEA - LAS) $49+
• Flight Newark - Fort Lauderdale (EWR - FLL) $51+
• Flight New York - Fort Lauderdale (LGA - FLL) $52+
• Flight Los Angeles - Dallas (LAX - DFW) $55+
• Flight New York - Miami (LGA - MIA) $56+
• Flight Dallas - New York (DFW - LGA) $57+

Hawaii Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Hawaii (LAX - USHI) $213+
• Flight San Francisco - Hawaii (SFO - USHI) $242+
• Flight San Jose - Hawaii (SJC - USHI) $277+
• Flight Seattle - Hawaii (SEA - USHI) $305+
• Flight Ontario - Hawaii (ONT - USHI) $307+
• Flight San Diego - Hawaii (SAN - USHI) $346+
• Flight Dallas - Hawaii (DFW - USHI) $442+

Tampa Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Tampa (ATL - TPA) $38+
• Flight Chicago - Tampa (ORD - TPA) $43+
• Flight Baltimore - Tampa (BWI - TPA) $45+
• Flight Raleigh - Tampa (RDU - TPA) $48+
• Flight Dallas - Tampa (DFW - TPA) $53+
• Flight New York - Tampa (LGA - TPA) $65+
• Flight Detroit - Tampa (DTW - TPA) $68+

Houston Flights

• Flight Orlando - Houston (MCO - IAH) $37+
• Flight Atlanta - Houston (ATL - IAH) $38+
• Flight Philadelphia - Houston (PHL - IAH) $43+
• Flight Dallas - Houston (DFW - IAH) $48+
• Flight Chicago - Houston (ORD - IAH) $51+
• Flight Boston - Houston (BOS - IAH) $53+
• Flight Miami - Houston (MIA - IAH) $53+

Las Vegas Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Las Vegas (LAX - LAS) $32+
• Flight Dallas - Las Vegas (DFW - LAS) $38+
• Flight Burbank - Las Vegas (BUR - LAS) $39+
• Flight Oakland - Las Vegas (OAK - LAS) $39+
• Flight Santa Ana - Las Vegas (SNA - LAS) $39+
• Flight Seattle - Las Vegas (SEA - LAS) $51+
• Flight Baltimore - Las Vegas (BWI - LAS) $61+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Las Vegas (FLL - LAS) $65+
• Flight Houston - Las Vegas (HOU - LAS) $66+
• Flight Houston - Las Vegas (IAH - LAS) $66+
• Flight Minneapolis - Las Vegas (MSP - LAS) $66+
• Flight Atlanta - Las Vegas (ATL - LAS) $68+
• Flight Denver - Las Vegas (DEN - LAS) $68+
• Flight Chicago - Las Vegas (ORD - LAS) $74+

Miami Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Miami (ATL - MIA) $38+
• Flight Chicago - Miami (ORD - MIA) $38+
• Flight Baltimore - Miami (BWI - MIA) $39+
• Flight Philadelphia - Miami (PHL - MIA) $39+
• Flight Charlotte - Miami (CLT - MIA) $47+
• Flight Houston - Miami (HOU - MIA) $48+
• Flight Houston - Miami (IAH - MIA) $48+
• Flight Dallas - Miami (DFW - MIA) $49+
• Flight Boston - Miami (BOS - MIA) $52+
• Flight Detroit - Miami (DTW - MIA) $53+
• Flight Raleigh - Miami (RDU - MIA) $67+
• Flight Minneapolis - Miami (MSP - MIA) $74+
• Flight Cincinnati - Miami (CVG - MIA) $78+
• Flight Cleveland - Miami (CLE - MIA) $100+
• Flight Denver - Miami (DEN - MIA) $107+
• Flight Los Angeles - Miami (LAX - MIA) $107+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Miami (DCA - MIA) $159+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Miami (IAD - MIA) $159+
• Flight New York - Miami (JFK - MIA) $167+
• Flight Seattle - Miami (SEA - MIA) $169+

San Francisco Flights

• Flight Ontario - San Francisco (ONT - SFO) $48+
• Flight Los Angeles - San Francisco (LAX - SFO) $65+
• Flight San Diego - San Francisco (SAN - SFO) $68+
• Flight Phoenix - San Francisco (PHX - SFO) $73+
• Flight Denver - San Francisco (DEN - SFO) $78+
• Flight Portland - San Francisco (PDX - SFO) $84+
• Flight Dallas - San Francisco (DFW - SFO) $102+
• Flight Santa Ana - San Francisco (SNA - SFO) $108+
• Flight Chicago - San Francisco (MDW - SFO) $112+
• Flight Seattle - San Francisco (SEA - SFO) $129+
• Flight Minneapolis - San Francisco (MSP - SFO) $136+
• Flight Austin - San Francisco (AUS - SFO) $137+
• Flight Chicago - San Francisco (ORD - SFO) $184+
• Flight Philadelphia - San Francisco (PHL - SFO) $184+

Seattle Flights

• Flight Ontario - Seattle (ONT - SEA) $78+
• Flight Phoenix - Seattle (PHX - SEA) $80+
• Flight Burbank - Seattle (BUR - SEA) $81+
• Flight Los Angeles - Seattle (LAX - SEA) $88+
• Flight Santa Ana - Seattle (SNA - SEA) $88+
• Flight Denver - Seattle (DEN - SEA) $91+
• Flight San Diego - Seattle (SAN - SEA) $91+

Paris Flights

• Flight New Windsor - Paris (SWF - CDG) $288+
• Flight Boston - Paris (BOS - CDG) $289+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Paris (IAD - CDG) $297+
• Flight Baltimore - Paris (BWI - CDG) $318+
• Flight Los Angeles - Paris (LAX - CDG) $401+
• Flight Newark - Paris (EWR - ORY) $412+
• Flight Boston - Paris (BOS - ORY) $414+

Europe Flights

• Flight Newark - Barcelona (EWR - BCN) $333+
• Flight New York - Madrid (JFK - MAD) $394+
• Flight New York - Athens (JFK - ATH) $417+
• Flight New York - Paris (JFK - ORY) $419+

Florida Flights

• Flight Baltimore - Florida (BWI - USFL) $35+
• Flight Philadelphia - Florida (PHL - USFL) $37+
• Flight Newark - Florida (EWR - USFL) $39+
• Flight Boston - Florida (BOS - USFL) $52+
• Flight New York - Florida (LGA - USFL) $56+
• Flight Chicago - Florida (ORD - USFL) $58+
• Flight Dallas - Florida (DFW - USFL) $58+

Dallas Flights

• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Dallas (FLL - DFW) $37+
• Flight Atlanta - Dallas (ATL - DFW) $39+
• Flight Chicago - Dallas (ORD - DFW) $39+
• Flight Detroit - Dallas (DTW - DFW) $48+
• Flight Charlotte - Dallas (CLT - DFW) $51+
• Flight Orlando - Dallas (MCO - DFW) $51+
• Flight Baltimore - Dallas (BWI - DFW) $55+

San Diego Flights

• Flight Houston - San Diego (HOU - SAN) $39+
• Flight San Jose - San Diego (SJC - SAN) $39+
• Flight Sacramento - San Diego (SMF - SAN) $48+
• Flight Oakland - San Diego (OAK - SAN) $53+
• Flight Denver - San Diego (DEN - SAN) $58+
• Flight Phoenix - San Diego (PHX - SAN) $62+
• Flight Dallas - San Diego (DFW - SAN) $68+

Frequently asked questions

What do i need to know before booking a flight.

There are various factors to consider when booking a flight including cost, fare classes, baggage policies, the complications of flying long haul, and complying with airport regulations. To make your booking journey smoother KAYAK has developed a comprehensive flight guide including insights on finding affordable flights, packing efficiently, and utilizing the best travel tools.

Which month of the year are flight prices lowest?

It’s well established that flights in the low season are generally cheaper than ticket prices during the high season. That means that knowing which month to find the lowest priced plane tickets will depend heavily on seasonality and your destination. While avoiding peak travel times can help you keep costs down, our data shows that the month with the lowest priced plane tickets for domestic flights based on all searches made on KAYAK in the last 12 months was January, while the most expensive was March. If you’re booking an international flight, then January is the cheapest month to fly and June the most expensive.

Can flying international flights with a layover save money on airfare?

For many long-haul international flights, flying non-stop is not possible and you will have to fly with a layover. Some routes will offer both and you could consider flying with a layover for a number of reasons. Firstly, breaking up what would otherwise be a long-haul flight, taking a rest and then completing the journey might make the flight more manageable. Secondly, prices can also be lower than non-stop flights, so while it might take longer for you to reach your destination, you could save money. We’ve looked at prices over the last 12 months for the 100 most popular international destinations for KAYAK users and on average, prices for non-stop flights were cheaper than flights with a layover.

How do I find the best flight deals on KAYAK?

A simple flight search at https://www.kayak.com/flights scans for prices on hundreds of travel sites in seconds. We gather flight deals from across the web and put them in one place. Then on the search results page you can use various filters to compare options for the same flight and easily choose the best flight deal from all of the deals coming straight from the travel sites to your screen, with no extra fee from KAYAK.

Does KAYAK query more flight providers than competitors?

Yes, KAYAK has access to more data and information than online travel agencies and consistently outperforms the competition in accuracy, globally.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you flights up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. That way, you can see if leaving a day or two earlier will find you a better deal. You can also select the flexible "weekend" or "month" search options to widen your search range and find the cheapest price that works for you.

What is the cheapest day of the week to book a flight?

The best day to book your flight depends on a number of factors, but there are general trends that you can follow to increase your chances of cheaper plane tickets. Based on an analysis of KAYAK data for all flights departing from inside United States over the last 12 months, the cheapest day to fly for domestic flights is Wednesday. For international flights, Tuesday had the cheapest tickets on average.

When is the best time to buy plane tickets - Last minute or in advance?

Last minute flight deals are definitely up for grabs but when exactly to purchase your plane tickets will depend on where you’re traveling to and from. Based on all data for flight searches made on KAYAK over the last 12 months, prices for domestic flights remained below the average price up to 1 weeks before departure. For international flights, deals could still be had up to 1 weeks prior to the departure date, with prices remaining below average. If you’re flexible, KAYAK brings you both advance and last minute one-way and round-trip flight deals.

How does KAYAK find such low flight prices?

KAYAK processes over 2 billion flight queries annually and displays results from hundreds of airlines and third party sites, allowing it to find a variety of flight prices and options. It also displays results from 2M+ properties along with rental cars, vacation packages, activities and millions of verified reviews so users can see as many available travel options as possible.

How can Hacker Fares save me money?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets on different airlines when it can save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket.

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.

Search cheap flights with KAYAK. Search for the cheapest airline tickets for all the top airlines around the world and the top international flight routes . KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find cheap airfare and book a flight that suits you best. Since KAYAK searches many plane ticket sites at once, you can find cheap tickets from cheap airlines and for trains and buses quickly.

KAYAK also helps you find the right hotels for your needs.

Looking for cheaper Eras Tour tickets? See Taylor Swift at these 10 international cities.

Swifties who want to snag tickets to Taylor Swift’s colossal Eras Tour know the experience won’t come cheap.  

This year, the billionaire will only visit three U.S. cities – Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis – and prices for the in-demand shows are astronomical . For the Oct. 18 show in Miami, for example, cost of a single ticket ranged between $1,615 and $8,524 on StubHub.com as of Wednesday afternoon.

So, how else can fans see one of the world’s biggest singers? Go abroad .

In the past 30 days, searches for ‘Taylor Swift Europe tour 2024 tickets’ have increased by 300% in the U.S., indicating that some people are ready to take a long-haul flight to see the wildly popular artist live, according to travel website Islands.com .

Concert-goers who head to Europe for their Swift experience may actually save more money in the long-run . Not only are ticket prices across the pond cheaper, but many European cities, like Warsaw and Lisbon, are also budget-friendly, offering inexpensive food and lodging. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Was the travel worth it? Beyoncé and Taylor Swift's summer concerts drew fans from afar

To determine the most affordable Eras Tour stops, Islands.com researchers compared the cost of a two-night trip, including one cheap ticket on StubHub.com, two nights at a four-star hotel, six inexpensive meals, two five-mile taxi rides, and one domestic beer. However, researchers didn’t account for airline tickets or concert merchandise.

With safety at the top of travelers' minds, the researchers also factored in the city’s safety rating out of 100. 

To stay extra safe, the State Department encourages travelers to register with the U.S. embassy in the country they're visiting any time they travel abroad. That can be done at step.state.gov .

10 cheapest destinations for the Eras Tour in 2024

10. Vienna, Austria - total average cost: $1,089, safety score: 69.72

9. Cardiff, U.K. - total average cost: $1,061, safety score: 61.83

8. Lyon, France - total average cost: $1,047, safety score: 44.3

7. Lisbon, Portugal - total average cost: $1,028, safety score: 70.15

6. Munich, Germany - total average cost: $1,000, safety score: 78.88

5. Paris, France - total average cost: $971, safety score: 41.83

4. Stockholm, Sweden - total average cost: $935, safety score: 53.86

3. Hamburg, Germany - total average cost: $903, safety score: 57.51

2. Gelsenkirchen, Germany - total average cost: $749, safety score: 51.33

1. Warsaw, Poland - total average cost: $712, safety score: 72.98