Europe is one of the most visited regions in the world — and for good reason. Ancient history, world-class food, stunning coastlines and centuries of art are all packed into a relatively small geographic area. But it has a reputation for being expensive. That reputation is only half true.
The truth: Western Europe (Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich) can be genuinely pricey. But Eastern Europe, Portugal and Spain offer extraordinary value. With the right planning, you can travel Europe comfortably on €70–90 per day, or even less.
How much does a Europe trip cost?
| Budget tier | Daily spend | Accommodation | Food |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | €45–65/day | Hostels €20–35/night | Street food & supermarkets |
| Mid-range | €90–140/day | Budget hotels €55–80/night | Sit-down restaurants |
| Comfort | €150–220/day | Good hotels €100–140/night | Quality restaurants |
| Luxury | €300+/day | Design hotels €180+/night | Fine dining |
These are averages across Europe. Portugal and Eastern Europe run 30–40% cheaper than France or Germany.
Cheapest countries to visit in Europe (2026)
- 1.Portugal — still the best value in Western Europe. Lisbon and Porto are culturally rich and genuinely affordable.
- 2.Albania & North Macedonia — among the cheapest destinations in all of Europe.
- 3.Romania & Bulgaria — stunning scenery, great food, very low costs.
- 4.Hungary & Czech Republic — Central European gems with excellent value.
- 5.Spain (inland cities) — Madrid and Seville are cheaper than Barcelona.
- 6.Greece (islands off-season) — slash prices by visiting in May or October.
Best value European cities right now
Based on cost-per-experience — how much value you get per euro spent — these cities consistently top the list:
- ✦Lisbon, Portugal — world-class food scene, affordable wine, year-round warmth
- ✦Porto, Portugal — arguably even better value than Lisbon
- ✦Seville, Spain — tapas culture means you eat well for very little
- ✦Athens, Greece — ancient history at bargain prices outside summer
- ✦Krakow, Poland — beautiful old town, excellent restaurants, very cheap
- ✦Budapest, Hungary — thermal baths, ruin bars and ruin-bar prices
When to visit Europe for the best prices
Shoulder seasons — April to early June and September to October — are the sweet spot. You get good weather, smaller crowds and flight/hotel prices that are 20–40% lower than peak summer. July and August are the most expensive months everywhere.
How to save on flights to Europe
- ✦Book 6–10 weeks in advance for the best prices (not too early, not last-minute)
- ✦Fly into secondary airports: Porto instead of Lisbon, Madrid instead of Barcelona
- ✦Consider flying into London and taking a budget carrier within Europe (Ryanair, EasyJet)
- ✦Use AI to find the best travel windows — sometimes shifting by 3 days saves 30%
- ✦Be flexible on destination: "surprise me" mode can suggest cheaper alternatives
Sample 10-day Europe itinerary (mid-range budget)
Here's a realistic 10-day trip combining two destinations — a popular route for first-timers:
- 1.Days 1–4: Lisbon — Alfama neighbourhood, Sintra day trip, Pastéis de Belém
- 2.Days 5–7: Porto — wine cellars, Douro valley, famous bookshop
- 3.Days 8–10: Seville — Real Alcázar, flamenco show, tapas crawl
Estimated budget (flights from the US + accommodation + food + activities): US$2,200–2,800 per person for 10 days. That's very achievable for one of the most beautiful trips you'll ever take.
Final tips for budget Europe travel
- ✦Use Wise or Revolut for spending — zero foreign transaction fees
- ✦Book accommodation early in summer, last-minute in shoulder season
- ✦Take overnight trains between cities to save on accommodation
- ✦City passes (museum cards) are often worth it if you're a culture traveller
- ✦Pack light — budget airlines charge heavily for checked bags