Europe has a reputation for being expensive — and in cities like Zurich, Oslo and Paris, that reputation is earned. But Europe is also home to some of the world’s best-value destinations: Lisbon, Prague, Budapest, Krakow, Tbilisi, Athens and Sarajevo all offer extraordinary history, food and culture for remarkably little money.
With the right strategy, you can travel Europe comfortably on $50–80 per day, or even less in Eastern Europe. Here’s how.
Choose the Right Destinations
The single biggest lever on your budget is which countries you visit. There’s a rough split between Western and Eastern Europe that maps almost perfectly onto cost of living.
- Budget-friendly (under $60/day): Portugal, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Georgia, Serbia, North Macedonia
- Mid-range ($60–120/day): Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia
- Expensive ($120+/day): France, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Ireland
A trip through Lisbon → Seville → Barcelona costs less than the equivalent time in Paris → Amsterdam → Copenhagen. Build your route around the budget tier that works for you.
Master European Transport
Transport is usually the biggest expense on a European trip. Here’s how to minimize it:
- Budget airlines: Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air connect hundreds of European cities for as little as €10–30 one way when booked 6–8 weeks ahead. Use Google Flights’ “Explore” map to find cheapest routes.
- Overnight trains: The European night train network is expanding rapidly. An overnight sleeper from Paris to Rome or Vienna to Krakow saves a night’s accommodation. Book via Rail Europe or national rail sites.
- Interrail/Eurail Pass: Worth it only if you’re doing 8+ long-distance train journeys in a month. Otherwise, point-to-point tickets are usually cheaper.
- Buses: FlixBus connects almost every European city for as little as €5–15. Slower than trains but dramatically cheaper.
- In cities: Use metro and trams. A 10-trip pass or weekly travel card is almost always the best value. Walking is free and often faster in central areas.
Accommodation Strategy
Where you sleep has a massive impact on your daily budget.
- Hostels: €15–35/night in a dorm, €40–70/night for a private room. The quality of European hostels has improved dramatically — many now rival boutique hotels for design and amenities.
- Apartment rentals: For stays of 4+ nights in one city, apartments often work out cheaper than hostels (especially for two people splitting costs) and give you a kitchen to cook in.
- Couchsurfing: Free accommodation with locals — and often the most authentic cultural experience of a trip. Requires building a profile and sending thoughtful requests.
- Booking.com and Hostelworld: Always compare both. Filter by review score above 8.0 and read recent reviews. Location matters enormously — a cheap hotel 45 minutes from the center can cost more in transport than it saves.
Eating Well for Less
Food is where savvy budget travelers save the most money without sacrificing quality.
- Lunch over dinner: Many European restaurants offer a “menu del día” (Spain), “dagmenu” (Netherlands) or similar fixed lunch menu at €8–12 that includes starter, main and sometimes wine — the same food costs twice as much at dinner.
- Markets: Every European city has a covered market (Mercado de la Boqueria in Barcelona, Naschmarkt in Vienna, Marché d’Aligre in Paris) where locals buy fresh produce, cheese, cured meats and bread for a fraction of restaurant prices.
- Supermarkets: Lidl and Aldi operate across Europe. A baguette, cheese, ham and fruit from a supermarket makes an excellent and very cheap lunch.
- Walk away from tourist squares: Restaurants within 100m of any major landmark charge 30–50% more than those two streets away. Walk two blocks and your €18 pasta becomes €11.
Free Things to Do in Europe
Some of Europe’s best experiences cost nothing:
- British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern (London) — free
- Louvre first Sunday of each month (Paris) — free
- All Museos Nacionales first Sunday afternoon (Spain) — free
- Rijksmuseum (under 18) and many Dutch museums — free or reduced
- Walking tours (pay-what-you-wish) in almost every major city
- Every beach in Europe is legally free to access
- Hiking in the Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites and Scottish Highlands — free
Sample Daily Budget by Destination
- Lisbon, Portugal: $45–60/day (hostel, local meals, public transport)
- Prague, Czech Republic: $40–55/day (excellent value even by Eastern European standards)
- Budapest, Hungary: $40–55/day (thermal baths, incredible food, ruin bars)
- Barcelona, Spain: $70–90/day (beaches, architecture, Gaudí, tapas)
- Paris, France: $100–140/day (free museums help considerably)
Plan Your European Route
Build a custom European itinerary around your budget and interests with Destinexa’s free AI travel planner. Get a day-by-day plan with transport suggestions, budget breakdown and local tips for any European destination.