Europe doesn't have to be expensive. While Paris, London, and Amsterdam can quickly drain your wallet, savvy travelers know that incredible European experiences are possible on a tight budget. This comprehensive guide reveals how to explore the continent's stunning cities, ancient ruins, and breathtaking landscapes while keeping your spending in check—without sacrificing the quality of your adventure.
Setting Your Budget
Before planning your trip, establish a realistic daily budget. Here's what you can expect to spend in different European regions:
Budget Breakdown by Region
Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria)
Daily Budget: $40-60 USD
Your money goes furthest here. Hostels cost $10-20, meals $3-8, and attractions $2-10.
Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece)
Daily Budget: $60-90 USD
Moderate costs with excellent food value. Stay in smaller cities for better prices.
Western Europe (France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium)
Daily Budget: $80-120 USD
Higher costs but many free attractions. Supermarkets and hostels are your friends.
Northern Europe (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland)
Daily Budget: $100-150 USD
Most expensive region. Cook all meals and use camping/Couchsurfing to save.
Finding Cheap Flights
Booking Strategies
- Be flexible with dates: Use Google Flights' date grid to find the cheapest days
- Search in incognito mode: Airlines may raise prices based on your search history
- Book 6-8 weeks ahead: The sweet spot for international flights
- Consider nearby airports: Flying into Brussels instead of Amsterdam can save hundreds
- Set price alerts: Skyscanner and Google Flights notify you of drops
- Check budget carriers: Norwegian, WOW Air successors, and Icelandair often have deals
The Open-Jaw Trick
Book a flight into one city and out of another (e.g., fly into Rome, out of Barcelona). This saves money versus backtracking and opens up routing options. Use Kiwi.com or Google Flights to search for open-jaw itineraries.
Budget Airlines in Europe
Once you're in Europe, budget carriers connect cities for incredibly low fares:
- Ryanair: Largest budget carrier, serves almost everywhere
- EasyJet: Good network, slightly better service
- Vueling: Strong in Spain and Mediterranean
- Wizz Air: Excellent for Eastern Europe
Important: Budget airlines charge for everything—bags, seat selection, even printing boarding passes at the airport. Bring only a personal item to fly truly cheap.
Affordable Accommodation
Hostels
The backpacker's classic. Modern hostels are clean, social, and often have private rooms.
- Book directly: Hostel websites often have better rates than aggregators
- Choose wisely: Read reviews for cleanliness, location, and atmosphere
- Bring a lock: For lockers to secure valuables
- Consider included perks: Free breakfast, walking tours, or bike rentals add value
Average costs: $15-35/night depending on city and room type
Alternative Accommodation
- Couchsurfing: Free stays with locals—incredible cultural exchange
- Work exchanges: Workaway and HelpX trade labor for room and board
- House sitting: TrustedHousesitters connects you with homeowners needing pet care
- Camping: Europe has excellent campgrounds, many with cabins
- Night trains: Save on accommodation while traveling between cities
Booking.com Genius Program
Sign up for free and get 10% off most bookings after just two stays. Level 2 (five stays) unlocks 15% off and free breakfast at some properties. Many hostels are listed.
Transportation Savings
Trains vs. Buses vs. Flights
Always compare options for intercity travel:
- Trains: Scenic and comfortable but often expensive. Book advance tickets for discounts
- Buses: FlixBus connects all of Europe cheaply ($10-30 between cities)
- Flights: Budget carriers can be cheaper than trains for longer distances
- Blablacar: Ridesharing with locals—cheap and social
City Transportation
- Walk: Most European cities are walkable and best explored on foot
- Public transit: Day passes often save money over individual tickets
- Bike rentals: Many cities have cheap bike-share programs
- Skip taxis: Use apps like Uber or Bolt, or just take the metro
Eurail Pass: Worth It?
Eurail passes are rarely the cheapest option anymore. They only make sense if you're:
- Taking many long-distance trains
- Traveling spontaneously without advance bookings
- Visiting expensive train countries (Switzerland, Norway)
For most budget travelers, point-to-point tickets and buses are cheaper. Compare prices on Rome2Rio before deciding.
Eating Well on a Budget
Smart Food Strategies
- Cook at hostels: Most have kitchens—shop at supermarkets like Lidl or Aldi
- Eat lunch out: Restaurants offer cheaper set menus midday
- Street food: Often the most authentic and affordable option
- Markets: Fresh produce, bread, cheese, and cured meats make excellent picnic meals
- Local joints: Avoid restaurants near tourist attractions
- Happy hours: Cheap drinks and often free snacks in Italy and Spain
Best Cheap Eats by Country
Pizza al taglio, suppli, gelato
Tapas, bocadillos, menu del día
Döner kebab, currywurst, pretzels
Crêpes, boulangerie sandwiches
Pastel de nata, bifana, francesinha
Pierogi, zapiekanki, milk bars
Free and Cheap Attractions
Always Free
- Walking tours: Tip-based tours in every major city—excellent intros
- Churches and cathedrals: Most are free (St. Peter's, Notre-Dame, etc.)
- Parks and gardens: From Hyde Park to Parc Güell's free zones
- Street art: Berlin, Lisbon, and London have world-class urban art
- Viewpoints: Climb for free panoramas instead of paying for observation decks
- Festivals and events: Check local calendars for free concerts and celebrations
Free Museum Days
Many European museums offer free admission at specific times:
- Paris: First Sunday of the month for many museums including Musée d'Orsay
- London: Major museums are always free (British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern)
- Vienna: First Sunday of the month for state museums
- Rome: First Sunday of the month for state museums (Colosseum, Vatican excluded)
- Madrid: Free evening hours at Prado, Reina Sofía, and more
Most Affordable European Destinations
These cities offer exceptional value without sacrificing experience:
Krakow, Poland $35-50/day
A stunning medieval city with incredible food, vibrant nightlife, and easy day trips to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Pierogi cost $2-3, beers under $2.
Budapest, Hungary $40-55/day
Thermal baths, ruin bars, and gorgeous architecture on the Danube. Entry to baths costs $15-20, and a hearty meal is under $8.
Lisbon, Portugal $50-70/day
Hilly neighborhoods, incredible seafood, and famous nightlife. Cheaper than other Western European capitals while being just as charming.
Sofia, Bulgaria $30-45/day
One of Europe's most underrated cities with Roman ruins, Orthodox churches, and mountain access. Hostels under $10, meals under $5.
Porto, Portugal $45-65/day
Port wine tours, stunning river views, and authentic Portuguese culture. Often cheaper than Lisbon with equally good food.
Daily Money-Saving Habits
- Use a no-fee debit card: Charles Schwab or Wise reimburse ATM fees worldwide
- Withdraw larger amounts: Reduce frequency of transaction fees
- Carry a water bottle: Europe has excellent tap water in most countries
- Download offline maps: Avoid data charges using Google Maps or Maps.me
- Get a local SIM: EU roaming is free within the bloc; otherwise SIMs are cheap
- Travel light: Avoid checked bag fees and move faster
- Say no to organized tours: Research and visit independently for a fraction of the cost
Preview Your Destinations
Before you book, watch live webcams from European cities to get a feel for the atmosphere, weather, and crowds. It helps you plan activities and avoid tourist traps!
Sample Budget Itineraries
2 Weeks, $1,000 (Eastern Europe)
Krakow (3 nights) → Budapest (4 nights) → Bratislava (2 nights) → Prague (4 nights)
Focus on one region to minimize transport costs. All four cities are connected by cheap buses.
3 Weeks, $2,000 (Mixed)
Lisbon (3 nights) → Porto (2 nights) → Madrid (3 nights) → Barcelona (3 nights) → Nice (2 nights) → Rome (4 nights)
Combine affordable Portugal with slightly pricier Spain and Italy. Use budget flights for longer hops.
Final Thoughts
Budget travel in Europe isn't about deprivation—it's about smart choices that let you travel longer and more authentically. Eating street food in Rome, staying with locals in Lisbon, or taking the slow train through the Alps often creates better memories than expensive hotels and tourist-trap restaurants ever could.
The key is flexibility. Be willing to adjust your route for a cheap flight, eat where locals eat instead of where guidebooks suggest, and embrace hostels and public transportation. With these strategies, you can explore Europe for months on what others spend in weeks.
Start planning, set your budget, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. Europe's treasures await—and they don't have to cost a fortune to experience.