Europe has a reputation for being expensive, but it’s entirely possible to travel through it on a tight daily budget if you know where to cut costs and where not to. This guide breaks down exactly how to keep your average spend around $50 a day, including accommodation, food, and transport.
Where your $50 goes
- Accommodation ($15-20): Hostels with dorm beds, or budget guesthouses in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
- Food ($10-15): Grocery store breakfasts and lunches, one affordable local restaurant meal per day.
- Transport ($10-15): Buses and regional trains booked in advance, not last-minute high-speed rail.
- Activities ($5-10): Free walking tours, museum free-entry days, and outdoor sightseeing.
Cheapest countries to start with
Eastern Europe stretches your budget the furthest. Countries like Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania offer excellent value — good food, cheap beds, and low transport costs — while still delivering the classic European travel experience.
Where to save the most
Accommodation is usually your biggest expense, so this is where cutting costs matters most. Book hostels with a kitchen so you can cook your own meals, and consider overnight buses or trains occasionally — you save a night’s accommodation cost while covering distance.
Where not to cut corners
Travel insurance is not the place to save money. A single hospital visit abroad without coverage can cost far more than an entire month of budget travel. Also avoid skipping SIM cards or data — getting lost or unable to book last-minute transport often costs more in the end.
Sample 2-week route
Budapest → Bratislava → Krakow → Prague is a classic budget loop, connected by cheap buses and trains, each city offering excellent hostels, affordable food, and enough sights to fill 2-3 days comfortably.
With a bit of planning, $50 a day is realistic across most of Europe — and in Eastern Europe, you can often do it for less while still having a great trip.