Cheap Travel in Europe – Proven Ways to Travel on a Budget

Europe is an extraordinary continent in terms of diversity – in just a few hours' flight you can move from Nordic fjords to Mediterranean beaches, from Alpine peaks to Portuguese vineyards. And while Europe has a reputation for being expensive, travelling across it can be surprisingly affordable if you know how.

In this guide we have collected proven strategies that will let you explore Europe without wrecking your wallet. It's not about giving up comfort or eating nothing but granola bars – it's about smart decisions that let you spend less without sacrificing the quality of your experiences.

Cheap Flights – How to Find Good Prices

Use low-cost airlines

From Poland you have excellent connections with budget carriers:

• Ryanair – the largest network of routes from Polish airports, flights from 49 PLN one way
• Wizz Air – great connections to Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, and the UK
• easyJet – fly mainly from Kraków and Warsaw

Key rules for saving on flights:

1. Book in advance – the sweet spot is 6–8 weeks before departure for European flights
2. Be flexible with dates – Tuesdays and Wednesdays are statistically the cheapest days to fly
3. Avoid peak season – July and August are the most expensive. May, June, September, and October offer similar weather at a fraction of the price
4. Fly with hand luggage only – checked baggage fees can double the ticket price
5. Check different airports – flying from Katowice instead of Warsaw can be 200 PLN cheaper

Flight comparison tools

• Google Flights – best for exploring flexible dates and destinations
• Skyscanner – great "Everywhere" feature shows the cheapest destinations from your city
• Kiwi.com – combines flights from different airlines, sometimes yielding absurdly low prices (but watch out for tight layovers)
• Azair – specialises in low-cost carriers, lets you search across multiple airports at once

Alternatives to flying

Not everything requires a flight. Sometimes cheaper (and more enjoyable) options include:

• FlixBus – buses across all of Europe, prices from 19 PLN. Overnight routes save on accommodation too
• BlaBlaCar – ride-sharing, often cheaper than the bus
• Trains – Interrail/Eurail Pass for young travellers (up to 27) is a great option for longer trips
• Ferries – e.g. from Gdańsk to Sweden, from Italy to Croatia

Cheap Accommodation – Where to Sleep Without Overpaying

Hostels – not just for backpackers

European hostels have undergone a revolution. Today they are often design-forward properties with private rooms, great kitchens, and a phenomenal atmosphere.

• Generator Hostels, a&o Hostels, MEININGER – chains with a predictable standard
• Prices: from 40–80 PLN for a dorm bed, 120–250 PLN for a private room
• Hostelworld.com – the best platform for booking

Hostel tips:

• 4–6-bed rooms are the sweet spot (cheaper than private, but less chaotic than 12-bed dorms)
• Look for hostels that include breakfast
• A shared kitchen is a must-have – cooking saves a huge amount of money

Airbnb and apartments

For couples and families, an apartment is often cheaper than a hotel and gives you the ability to cook:

• Search with the "Great value" filter
• Longer stays (a week or more) offer 10–20% discounts
• Areas outside the centre are cheaper, but check the cost of commuting

Alternative accommodation options

• Couchsurfing – free stays with local hosts (requires an active profile and reviews)
• HouseSwap / HomeExchange – swapping homes for the duration of the holiday
• Camping – from 20–60 PLN per night at European campsites
• Workaway / WWOOF – work in exchange for accommodation and food (great for longer trips)

Cheap Food – How to Eat Well and Affordably

General rules

1. Cook for yourself – prepare at least 1–2 meals a day on your own. Shopping at a local market is a fantastic cultural experience in itself.
2. Eat where locals eat – away from the tourist trails. Overpaying at a restaurant next to the Colosseum is not a sign of luxury, just a lack of local knowledge.
3. Lunch instead of dinner – in many countries lunch deals are far cheaper (menu del día in Spain from 10–15 EUR).
4. Street food – kebabs, falafel, pizza al taglio, crêpes – delicious, cheap, authentic.
5. Tap water – drinkable in most of Western Europe. Saves 3–5 EUR daily.

Cheapest countries to eat in Europe

• Bulgaria – restaurant lunch from 15–25 PLN
• Romania – similar prices to Bulgaria, fantastic cuisine
• Albania – one of the cheapest places in Europe, fresh seafood for pennies
• Poland – yes, compared with Western Europe our prices are still very competitive
• Portugal – surprisingly affordable for Western Europe, especially outside Lisbon

Cheap Local Transport

Public transit

Nearly every European city has excellent public transport. Buy a day or multi-day pass – it almost always pays off.

• Group tickets – in Germany, Austria, and many other countries, group tickets split among several people are absurdly cheap
• Transport apps – Moovit, Google Maps, Citymapper will show you the cheapest options

Bicycles

Many European cities have bike-sharing systems:

• Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Vienna, Barcelona – excellent cities for cycling
• Prices: 2–5 EUR per day
• Alternative: electric scooters (Bolt, Lime, Tier)

On foot!

The best and cheapest option. European cities are compact – most attractions can be covered on foot in a day. It's also the best way to discover hidden gems.

Cheapest Destinations in Europe (2026 Ranking)

Tier 1: Cheapest (30–50 EUR/day)

1. Albania – Saranda, Berat, Gjirokastër. Incredible beaches, history, food for pennies.
2. Bulgaria – Sofia, Plovdiv, Black Sea coast. Cheap and underrated.
3. Romania – Bucharest, Transylvania, Timișoara. Landscapes, castles, excellent wine.
4. Bosnia and Herzegovina – Sarajevo, Mostar. Fascinating history, amazing food.
5. Serbia – Belgrade. One of the best nightlife cities in Europe, and cheap too.

Tier 2: Moderately cheap (50–80 EUR/day)

6. Portugal – Porto, Algarve. Cheaper than Spain, equally beautiful.
7. Greece – Athens, smaller islands. Outside Santorini and Mykonos, prices are reasonable.
8. Croatia – Dalmatia outside Dubrovnik. Still cheaper than Italy.
9. Montenegro – Kotor, Budva. Beautiful coastline, mountainous interior.
10. Poland – Gdańsk, Wrocław, Kraków. Yes, we're on the list and rightly so.

Tier 3: More expensive, but worth it (80–120 EUR/day)

11. Spain – outside Barcelona and Madrid. Andalusia, Valencia, the north.
12. Italy – the south (Puglia, Calabria, Sicily) is much cheaper than the north.

Smart Saving Strategies

Free walking tours

Available in virtually every European city. A guide shows you around for a tip (you pay what you wish). The best way to get to know a city on day one.

Tourist cards and discounts

• ISIC card (students) – discounts at museums, transport, restaurants
• City Passes – e.g. Lisboa Card, Amsterdam City Card. Check whether it pays off given your sightseeing plan
• Free museum days – the first Sunday of the month in many European museums

Travel off-season

The single biggest saving. The "shoulder season" (May–June, September–October) offers:

• Flight and accommodation prices 30–50% lower
• Fewer crowds
• Still great weather (especially in southern Europe)
• A more authentic experience

Combine destinations

Instead of one expensive place, consider a route linking several cheaper ones. For example:

• Balkans Express: Belgrade → Sarajevo → Mostar → Dubrovnik (FlixBus + local buses)
• Iberia on a budget: Porto → Lisbon → Seville → Malaga (trains + FlixBus)
• Eastern Europe: Kraków → Budapest → Bucharest (trains, 30–50 EUR per leg)

Payments Abroad – Don't Lose Money on Currency Conversion

This is an area where many Poles needlessly lose a lot of money. A traditional bank card from a Polish bank can charge 3–5% in fees on foreign transactions. On a budget of 5,000 PLN, that's 150–250 PLN thrown away.

Solution: A multi-currency card (Revolut, Wise, ZEN). Zero or minimal conversion fees, a rate close to the market rate. It's a must-have for anyone travelling across Europe.

You'll find more on this topic in our multi-currency card comparison article.

Financial Safety While Travelling

Even when travelling cheap, take care of the basics:

1. Travel insurance – don't skimp on this. A basic policy costs 30–50 PLN per week.
2. EHIC card – free, gives access to public healthcare in the EU
3. Two payment cards – in case one is lost or blocked
4. Document copies – photos of your passport, ID, and cards stored in the cloud

Summary

Cheap travel in Europe isn't about giving up pleasure – it's about smart choices. By combining flexible dates, low-cost airlines, alternative accommodation, and local food, you can explore fascinating corners of Europe for a fraction of what you'd spend on an organised tour.

The most important rules:

• Be flexible – with dates, destinations, and modes of transport
• Plan ahead – but not too much, or you'll lose spontaneity
• Eat like locals – it's cheaper and tastier
• Travel off-season – fewer crowds, lower prices, better atmosphere
• Take care of your finances – a multi-currency card and expense tracking (e.g. with the Freenance app) are essential

Europe awaits. And you really don't need to be rich to explore it. Good luck!