15 best European cities to visit on a budget

Traveling is for everyone, that’s what I’ve always believed in. So, whether if you go in a really luxurious way or really thrifty, it only depends on your pocket, don’t judge anyone because they are thrifty, simply because their wallet only allows that. In this article I will go through cost-effective places for those of you who like to travel in Europe. These suggestions will show you the average price for accommodation, food and beverage costs, and average daily living cost. I will not mention to shopping because the needs of shopping is “infinitely” and it depends each type of tourist! So, where to go in Europe on a budget? Let’s check out my suggested 15 best European cities to visit on a budget, budget cities in Europe, best budget destinations in Europe and places to visit in Europe on a budget to help you planning a perfect trip to Europe.

Note that these are just cities that I have been visited and experienced on my field trips, real life, please don’t shout about missing this city or missing that city. Haha!

15. Brussels

Brussels is a city with a relative cost, not too expensive but not too cheap either. Coming to Brussels is coming to the Belgian capital, the headquarters of European Union with beautiful, magnificent architectural buildings. The living cost here is average compared to other countries in Western Europe. It is worth noting that there are hostel rooms that are quite cheap and you will not run out of money when you come.

• Hostel: $17.52 – $30.73/night
• Hotel: $35.05 – $65.68/night
• Travel cost: $9.63/24h ticket
• Food cost: $35.03/day

14. Vienna

Many articles list Vienna as a low-cost city in Europe, but in my experience, that’s not the case. Vienna is not cheap and has a high living cost compared to its neighbors like Hungary. But in return Vienna has many interesting places to visit such as Mozart’s house, many spectacular art museums that’s not inferior to Paris (of course Paris is still home to many of the largest museums). What are you waiting for to visit Paris of Austria? The plus point is that in Vienna there are many budget but beautiful hostels such as Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner, Wombats City Hostel Vienna, etc.

• Hostel: $13.14 – $26.27/night
• Hotel: $37.22 – $87.57/night
• Travel cost: $10.07/24 hour ticket
• Food cost: $30.65/day

13. Milan

The Italy’s fashion capital, but if you don’t go shopping too much, you don’t have to worry about running out of pocket. The most pleasant thing about Milan is that Milan’s 24-hour train tickets are quite cheap.

• Hostel: $13.14 – $26.27/night
• Hotel: $30.65 – $65.68/night
• Travel cost: $5.69/24h ticket
• Food cost: $30.65/day

12. Venice

A romantic city that you should definitely go with your lover. The traveling cost is not too expensive, but sometimes you should spend much more money if to experience beautiful restaurants. And sailing a Gondola will cost you quite a bit. The slight minus point of Venice is that Vaporetti waterbus tickets are quite expensive.

• Hostel: $13.13 – $26.26/night
• Hotel: $30.64 – $65.66/night
• Travel cost: $24.95/24h ticket
• Food cost: $30.64/day

11. Salzburg

Mozart’s hometown has a better cost than her sister Vienna, where Mozart made his name. From Salzburg you can make a day trip to Hallstatt too. Hostels here do not have many options like Vienna and are often more expensive, but in return, the cost of traveling is quite cheap, only $5.69/24 hours, if you buy in advance online, it will only be $4.81/24 hours.

• Hostel: $19.70 – $30.64/night
• Hotel: $30.64 – $65.89/night
• Travel cost: $4.81/24 hour ticket
• Food cost: $30.64/day

10. Siena

Siena is a beautiful city and local people live mainly rely on tourism so room rates are a bit higher than other places but I find this to be a comfortable place to stay. Especially, there are many delicious restaurants with good prices. You can save money on transportation because Siena is very small and can explore the city on your feet.

• Hostel: $26.26 – $35.01/night
• Hotel: $39.39 – $65.65/night
• Travel cost: Zero
• Food cost: $30.64/day

9. Best european cities to visit on a budget: Florence

Florence – the capital of Tuscany region – is a magnificent, beautiful city in Italy, the birthplace of the Renaissance that you must visit. Always in the top of the most beautiful European cities, but the cost of travel here is average and eating is cheap. But you will have to spend a lot of money because you will enter many valuable museums here.

• Hostel: $19.70 – $30.64/night
• Hotel: $30.64 – $65.89/night
• Travel cost: $4.81/24 hour ticket
• Food cost: $30.64/day

8. Strasbourg

Strasbourg – the capital of the Alsace region of France – is a friendly and affordable city, in contrast to its eldest sister Paris. The cost of eating and drinking in Strasbourg is cheap, but the minus point is that the number of rooms is less because tourism is not a strong point here, so the rooms are not abundant and you will only have the choice of hotels, not cheap hostels.

• Hotel: $35.01 – $52.52/night
• Travel cost: $5.25/24h ticket but you probably don’t need it because Strasbourg is small and it would be nice to walk around on foot.
• Food cost: $21.88/day

7. Prague

From this position you will see the countries of the former Eastern Europe appear as these are the places with the best travel costs in Europe. Starting with Prague, the capital of Czechia. Hostel cost is cheap at $8.76/night and I used to rent a room for only $13.14/night but it already included a free breakfast. The food cost is also a big plus in Prague because pastries, beer and many specialty dishes here are very cheap. If you want to buy groceries or drinks, remember the grocery stores with Vietnamese owners – yes, you’re not hear wrong because Vietnamese community live in Prague very crowded. At these stores, prices are always lower than outside stores and there are many Vietnamese products such as instant noodles, fish sauce, and chili sauce.

• Hostel: $8.76 – $17.52/night
• Hotel: $21.90 – $35.03/night
• Travel cost: $5.34/24 hour ticket
• Food cost: $21.90/day

6.Best european cities to visit on a budget: Krakow

The ancient city in Poland will captivate you with its well-preserved architecture. The cost here is extremely low. The cost of hostel is so affordable and the food is also low.

• Hostel: $6.57 – $17.52/night
• Hotel: $21.90 – $35.03/night
• Travel cost: $4.38/24h ticket
• Food cost: $17.52/day

5. Best places to visit in Europe on a budget: Riga

The beautiful capital of Latvia is a destination worth visiting when it comes the cost is extremely cheap. However, the slight minus point is that Latvia uses the Euro, so the exchange rate will not be very good. But in return, the cost here is good and the people are extremely friendly. I stayed at a 4-star Elephant Rixwell hotel here but the price is only $35.01/night. Feeling extremely happy.

• Hostel: $6.59 – $17.57/night
• Hotel: $21.96 – $39.39/night
• Travel cost: $6.13/24h ticket
• Food cost: $21.96/day

4. Where to go in Europe on a budget: Tallinn

The capital of Estonia offers a medieval experience with its walls surrounded. Here you can be comfortable with your pocket because Tallinn’s cost is not high at all. However, the same minus point as Riga is that this place uses Euro currency. The cost of traveling in Tallinn is very cheap, only $3.72/24h ticket.

• Hostel: $10.94 – $17.51/night
• Hotel: $21.96 – $35.02/night
• Travel cost: $3.72/24 hour ticket
• Food cost: $21.89/day

3. Top budget cities in Europe: Warsaw

My favorite cheap city is here. When I was in Poland for 10 days, I spent 2 days in Krakow and 8 days in Warsaw. But the cost was so good that staying here for 8 days is just like spending 3 days in Northern Europe. Looking at the price of the hostel and eating is completely pleasant. Because I have a local friend to take me, I had also tried at delicious places like a big brunch with only $2.64/portion and I made the most of eating 2 servings. Warsaw is a destination you should consider if you love Europe but your wallet is not very much.

• Hostel: $6.57 – $13.14/night
• Hotel: $21.89 – $30.65/night
• Travel cost: $5.93/24 hour ticket
• Food cost: $13.14/day

2. Best European cities to visit on a budget: Budapest

Budapest is on par with Warsaw in terms of cheapness but I especially love Budapest for its magnificent buildings and bustling nightlife. Coming to Budapest, you have to try beer and “playing” really hard without worrying about breaking your wallet, a beer is only $1.32/cup just like in Bui Vien street, Saigon. And architecture in Budapest is generally much more beautiful and much more monumental than Warsaw.

• Hostel: $6.57 – $13.14/night
• Hotel: $21.90 – $35.05/night
• Travel cost: $6.57/24 hour ticket
• Food cost: $13.14/day

1. Where to go in Europe on a budget: Istanbul

The former capital of Turkey is a city located across the two continents of Asia and Europe. The diversity in culture here also makes visitors admire. To visit this place, you will be quite comfortable because the cost is inexpensive. Room rates have options with the cheapest price, there is a type of only $4.38/night. A single train trip is also only from $0.66/trip. Istanbul has many restaurants and street food stalls with super good prices, so you won’t need to spend too much for an entire week in this city. Ready to explore Istanbul?

• Hotel: $4.38 – $43.93/night
• Travel cost: $2.19/day
• Food cost: $17.52/day

Above are best budget destinations in Europe, places to visit in Europe on a budget, where to go in Europe on a budget. I hope this post will help you planning your upcoming trip to Europe smoothly. Happy travelling!

Read more Europe’s best destinations to visit here.