I have spent years wandering through the cobblestone streets of Europe as a student, a backpacker, and an expat. Through those years, I have learned that you do not need a fortune to see the world. In fact, you can explore this beautiful continent for as little as $50 a day without losing out on the fun. Many people believe that European travel is only for the rich, but I am here to tell you that How To Travel Europe On A Budget is possible for anyone with the right plan.
The Grand Strategy: Where and When to Go
First of all, you must decide which countries you want to see. Europe is home to 44 sovereign countries with different landscapes and costs. If you want to travel Europe in low budget, you should think about an imaginative line through the middle of the continent. Western Europe is often quite pricey, but Eastern Europe is very affordable. You will still experience rich history and charm in countries like Poland, Hungary, or the Czech Republic.
I recommend that you limit your time in expensive cities like Paris, London, or Amsterdam. You might take day trips to these spots from cheaper surrounding areas instead. Additionally, you should consider the timing of your trip. Around 747 million travelers visited Europe in 2024, making it a very crowded place. To avoid these crowds and high prices, you should travel during the shoulder months from May to October. The weather remains pleasant, but the costs are much lower than in the peak summer.
Best Way to Travel Europe on a Budget: Transportation Secrets
The best way to travel through Europe on a budget often involves staying on the ground. I highly recommend that you use the bus system. FlixBus is currently the main choice for cheap travel. You can find fares as low as 5 euros. These buses are not the most luxurious, but they get you from Point A to Point B for a fraction of the cost of a train. On top of that, FlixBus has a very flexible cancellation policy that allows you to change your ticket up to 15 minutes before you leave.
However, if you prefer the rails, you must choose between an Interrail Pass and regular tickets. I found that an Interrail Global Pass provides great flexibility for long distances. For example, a solo traveler under the age of 27 can save around €430 by using a pass for a 10-day trip across nine cities compared to buying separate tickets. Similarly, two friends traveling through Austria can save €172.20 with a pass. Therefore, you should compare prices on the Rail Planner app before you buy.
Hidden City Ticketing and Budget Flights
Sometimes, you might find that a flight is even cheaper than a bus. How to travel around Europe on a budget effectively means using airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, or EasyJet. I have seen flights from Munich to London for only 10 euros. You must be careful with these airlines, though. They charge extra for bags, food, and even printing your ticket.
Another advanced trick is hidden city ticketing, also known as point beyond ticketing. This is a way to find cheaper nonstop tickets by booking a flight to a destination beyond yours with a layover in the city where you actually want to stay. For example, a flight from London to Milwaukee with a stop in Chicago might cost $300, while a direct flight to Chicago costs $400. You simply get off the plane in Chicago and do not take the final flight.
You must follow strict rules for this to work:
- You cannot check any bags, because they will go to the final destination.
- You should book one-way tickets only, because the airline will cancel the rest of your trip once you skip a leg.
- You should not tell the airline your plan.
How to Travel Europe on a Budget from Australia
If you are coming from further away, such as a how to travel europe on a budget from australia trip, your biggest cost will be the initial flight. You should use search engines like Skyscanner or Omio to compare all options. Once you arrive in a hub city like London or Paris, you can use the budget methods I mentioned to move across the continent.
Accommodation: Where to Sleep for Less
Finding a place to stay is a major part of learning how to travel across europe on a budget. I have stayed in many hostels, and they are a great way to save money. On how to travel europe on a budget reddit threads, many travelers recommend specific chains.
- Generator Hostels: These are very clean and found in many countries. However, some users like Walter1899 note that they often lack free kitchens, which means you must buy food from their bar.
- St Christopher’s Hostels: I suggest you book through their website to get a free breakfast. They have good social areas and luggage storage.
- Castle Rock Hostel: This spot in Edinburgh has a fantastic vibe for making friends.
- Hostel Lina: Located in Dubrovnik, this family-run spot is much cheaper because it is outside the main tourist area.
On top of hostels, you can try wild camping in countries like Norway, Sweden, or Scotland where it is legal. This adds a spark of adventure to your journey. For a more comfortable stay, you might look at house sitting through sites like TrustedHousesitters. You look after someone’s home or pets in exchange for a free place to stay.
Eating Like a Local to Save Euros
Food is one of my favorite parts of travel, but eating out every meal is too expensive. I live by the Five Block Rule. I never eat within five blocks of a major tourist attraction. Once you walk past that invisible line, the crowds disappear, and the prices drop. You should look for places where the menus are not in multiple languages.
Additionally, you should ask locals a specific question: “Where do you eat?”. If you ask where you should eat, they might send you to a tourist spot. By asking where they go themselves, you find the real “hole in the wall” gems.
Cheap Food Options
- Street Food: Try a kebab in Berlin, churros in Spain, or pierogi in a Polish “milk bar”. These meals are often half the price of a restaurant.
- Lunch Specials: Many European restaurants offer a “plate of the day” for 30% to 40% less than the dinner price.
- Grocery Stores: I often buy local cheese, bread, and wine for a picnic in a park. It is romantic and very cheap.
- Refillable Water Bottle: You should carry a bottle with a filter to avoid buying expensive plastic bottles every day.
Avoiding Tourist Traps and Scams
Europe is charming, but beneath that charm are traps designed to take your money. You must be alert for the free bracelet trick in cities like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona. A stranger will try to tie a “friendship” bracelet on your wrist and then demand payment. Similarly, be careful with “found jewelry” scams.
Transportation can also be a trap. Taxi drivers in Prague or London might take a longer route to charge you more. I recommend you use public transportation or hop-on hop-off bus tours instead. To stay safe at night, you should avoid going out alone in unfamiliar areas and always plan your return trip using reputable taxis or public transit.
How to Travel Europe on a Budget with Kids
If you are a mature traveler wondering how to travel europe on a budget with kids, do not worry. You can still find great deals. I suggest renting private apartments through sites like Booking.com or Airbnb. These are often cheaper for families than multiple hotel rooms and they allow you to cook your own meals. On top of that, many festivals like Oktoberfest have family-friendly days.
You should also look for free museum days. For example, the Louvre in Paris is free on the first Sunday of the month. Many attractions like churches and parks are always free to enter. This helps you keep the daily budget for activities between $10 and $20.
Final Daily Budget Breakdown
To summarize, here is how a day for less than $50 might look:
- Accommodation: $15 for a hostel dorm.
- Food: $15 to $20 for street food and grocery items.
- Transportation: $8 for a daily city pass.
- Activities: $10 for a tip on a free walking tour.
- Total: Around $48 to $53.
Traveling on a budget does not mean you miss out on the experience. It actually forces you to see the authentic and adventurous side of Europe. You will meet more locals and find hidden gems that other tourists never see. I hope this guide helps you plan your dream trip across the continent without breaking the bank. Safe travels!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to travel around Europe?
Hitchhiking is the most budget-friendly way to move between cities. It is essentially free.. Though it requires patience, it offers a raw and exciting experience.. If you want a more structured choice, buses like FlixBus are your best bet.. You can often find tickets for as little as 5 euros..
Is $100 a day enough for Europe?
Absolutely. It is more than enough. You can actually see the continent on $50 a day if you are careful.. This budget covers a bed in a hostel, local street food, and public transport.. Therefore, a $100 daily budget allows you to enjoy more sit-down meals or paid attractions without stress..
How to go to Europe cheaply?
First of all, you must use search engines like Skyscanner to find the lowest fares.. Additionally, you should try hidden city ticketing.. This involves booking a flight with a layover in your actual destination and simply leaving the airport there.. Just remember that you cannot check any bags when you do this..
Which Europe country is the cheapest to visit?
Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic are very affordable for travelers.. You will find that your money goes much further in Eastern Europe.. Similarly, many people on r/Shoestring recommend Albania for its great hostel infrastructure and low costs..
Is 1000 euros enough for 2 weeks in Europe?
Yes. It is plenty. If you spend around 50 euros a day, you will only use 700 euros for the two weeks.. This leaves you with 300 euros for shopping or unexpected adventures. Plus, using an Interrail Pass can save you hundreds on travel between cities..
What month is the cheapest to fly to Europe?
I recommend traveling during the shoulder months from May to October.. The weather is still nice at that time, but the high prices of the summer peak disappear.. You will find cheaper flights and fewer crowds at major sites like the Eiffel Tower..
What is the cheapest European destination to fly to?
Major hub cities like London, Paris, or Amsterdam are usually the cheapest to reach from overseas.. Once you land in a hub, you can take a budget flight for 10 euros to reach smaller cities.. Similarly, Dublin is a great starting point because it is a hub for budget airlines..
Concluding words
Traveling through Europe on a budget is all about smart choices and local secrets. You should stay in hostels like Castle Rock or try house sitting to keep your housing costs low.. Eat street food and follow the Five Block Rule to save on every meal.. Finally, use buses or rail passes to move across the continent for a fraction of the price.. Your dream trip is ready for you.
