Europe on a Budget: 15+ Real Travel Tips From Experienced Backpackers

If you’re dreaming of travelling across Europe without completely draining your savings, the good news is that seeing Europe on a budget is far more realistic than most people think.

From cheap overnight buses and budget airlines to affordable hostels, free walking tours, and local food markets, there are countless ways to explore Europe without overspending.

After spending 2 months travelling around Europe ourselves and gathering advice from experienced travellers, we’ve put together the best tips for travelling Europe on a budget so you can experience more while spending less.

Whether you’re backpacking Europe for the first time or planning a longer trip across multiple countries, these practical budget travel tips will help you save money without missing out on the experience.

Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, are the best products possible whilst travelling.

Quick Tips for Travelling Europe on a Budget

Budget Travel Tip	Best For	Potential Savings
Travel in shoulder season	First-time Europe travellers	£300–£800
Use budget airlines	Backpackers	£20–£150 per flight
Stay in hostels with kitchens	Long-term travellers	£20–£60 per night
Visit Eastern Europe	Budget-conscious travellers	30–60% cheaper overall
Use public transport	City breaks	£10–£50 per day
Take overnight transport	Backpackers	One night’s accommodation
Eat away from tourist hotspots	Food lovers	£5–£20 per meal
Pack light	Budget airline travellers	£20–£100 per trip

Travel Tips for Visiting Europe on a Budget

1. Save money travelling Europe by taking free walking tours!

Contributed by Debbie from WorldAdventurists.com

A free walking tour is a great way to explore a city and travel on a budget. Guides will take you to the most famous locations around the city and tell you about its history. Tours are also helpful for getting your bearings of the city and seeing as much as you can if you are only in town for a short time.

You can see the sights, walk at your own pace, stop to take photos, and maybe even find some hidden gems that you would have missed if you had not joined the tour. Plus, it is a great way to meet people and get to know the locals. Many major cities offer free walking tours.

Do not let the word “free” scare you away from trying it. You can go on free or paid walking tours, but they all have one thing in common: their guides depend upon your tips for providing an enjoyable experience, so they do their best to host a great tour.

One of the best free walking tour providers is SANDEMANs New Europe Tour. Many companies claim to have invented the idea of free walking tours, but the most successful have been SANDEMANs. Their guides are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. 

A free walking tour is a great way to see the city and save some money. But please, if your guide does a fantastic job, do not forget to tip! 

We took a free walking tour during our 3 days in Barcelona, and it was one of the highlights of our trip!

2. Cooking is more affordable than eating out every day!

Contributed by Rachel – Adventure and Sunshine

One of the largest expenses when travelling to Europe, after flights and accommodation, is food. Eating out each day, especially if you’re travelling as a family, can quickly eat up your travel budget. So, one of the best tips for travelling Europe on a budget is to cook a few (or all) meals each week instead of dining out at restaurants.

You will need to find a food market or shop at the local supermarket, which is often an adventure in itself. Browsing the aisles of stalls and discovering local foods to try is one of the best aspects of this budget-saving tip! 

It is easiest to cook dinner if you are staying in an apartment, hostel or exploring Europe in a motorhome. Check what appliances you have available in your accommodation and plan your meal around that.

Breakfast is often the cheapest meal to prepare, as most European countries have amazing bakeries where you can pick up pastries, bread and other small treats to enjoy. For lunch, when you are heading out for the day to explore, pack the ingredients for a picnic and enjoy a cheap and fresh lunch in the park.

We chose to opt for a lot of hostels when we were backpacking, as most of them have kitchens you can use for cooking. Check out our top hostels in Europe post for our favourites!

3. Bring your Student ID (…if you have one) for extra discounts

Contributed by Natali – from She’s abroad again

If you are a student, consider yourself lucky because there are ways to save money in Europe just by being a student! 

For example, if you plan to visit museums and other sightseeing sites in Europe, the entry fees are usually steep and quickly add up. However, if you are a student, your student ID will open the door to considerable discounts. Many museums, theatres and cinemas will have student ticket prices indicated alongside regular tickets. 

Entry fees are not the only area where you can save money with your student ID. Transportation will often be up to 30% cheaper if you show your student ID when booking your ticket at the train or bus station. Some places might not take your school ID, but only one of the internationally recognised student identification cards. For example, you can request an ISIC card. It is recognised and accepted worldwide.

Many zoos in Europe have extra discounts for students too!

4. Visiting lesser-known destinations will save you heaps when visiting Europe!

Contributed by Daniel and Ilona from Top Travel Sights

A great way to save money while travelling in Europe is to head to lesser-known destinations instead of tourist hotspots.

For example, if you’re planning a trip to Greece, you might think about going to Santorini or Mykonos. Those two islands are famous, and while they’re beautiful, they’re also expensive. Instead, consider visiting a lesser-known island like Paros. You can still see beautiful white-washed houses, blue-domed churches and windmills, but you will find affordable accommodation here. Restaurants also have more reasonable prices if you stay away from tourist hotspots.

Often, it pays off to research a bit. Think about the places you want to visit. Then, ask yourself why you want to visit and what you want to see and do. That way, you can research lesser-known destinations that offer a similar experience but cost less money.

Are you thinking about skiing in the French Alps? Why not go to the High Tatras in Slovakia instead? Of course, you don’t have to skip all tourist hotspots to save money. Often, it’s enough to combine the most famous destinations with some stops off-the-beaten-path.

5. Bring a reusable water bottle

Contributed by Paulina from ukeveryday,

When travelling in Europe, bring with you a reusable water bottle to save some money during your trip. There are many places in Europe where you can drink water from public fountains, especially in Italy or France.

You can fill up your reusable water bottle without spending any money. This way you will never run out of water to drink, wash fruits or brush your teeth. If you are a conscious traveller, make sure to choose one of the best eco-friendly water bottles, which is plastic-free.

The good-quality bottles will keep your drink cold for even 24 hours. If you have the opportunity to make a hot drink, it will keep it warm for up to 12 hours. Whether it’s a glass or stainless steel water bottle, this small purchase will help you to save money. Those bottles are very durable and will last for many years and multiple trips.

In some European countries, you might find maps with free drinking water fountains. One of the best places is Paris, which has hundreds of them! This expensive city and many others can be much more affordable if you buy the right things before your departure. An eco-friendly water bottle is a must-have for everyone travelling to Europe and beyond!

6. If you are opting to travel Europe via train, buy an InterRail pass!

Contributed by Lisa from dazzlingwealth.com

When travelling through Europe, you could easily take a plane or a car. However, there is a much better option: the Interrail pass! For people who don’t live in Europe, it’s called a Eurail pass.

Now, what is an InterRail pass?  With an InterRail pass, you can take trains and ferries throughout 33 countries in Europe. It’s much cheaper than any other transport option. Interrail has a great system so you never get in trouble using an Interrail pass. 

For instance, you can buy a pass for 7 days within 1 month. With this pass, you can travel 7 days within one month, and on a travel day, you can take as many trains as you want. This is ideal for visiting 6 to 8 destinations in Europe. A pass like this is €251 euros.

Now compare that price to all the plane tickets you would buy…

Other great benefits of interrailing are:

• You get to see so many places in Europe.
• Some trains ride through the most beautiful nature. This is a unique way of exploring Europe.
• It’s cheaper than any other option.
• Trains are quite comfortable to travel in.
• There are many different InterRail passes. You can travel for up to 3 months!

Now, if this hasn’t persuaded you, I don’t know what will. Travelling Europe by train is an incredible opportunity to see so many destinations. I can tell from my own experience that it’s totally worth it.

We took a mixture of trains and buses during our European trip and wrote a whole article comparing our experience of trains vs buses in Europe!

7. Save money travelling Europe by travelling slowly

Contributed by Sharon from Dive into Germany

One of the best ways of saving money whilst travelling in Europe is to travel as slowly as you can. This saves money in many different ways.

Firstly, you obviously save money on transport the less you travel. This can be a big saving.

Secondly, you can get better travel deals. Accommodation can cost less per night the longer you stay. For example, often a week’s stay can cost the same as five nights. Similarly, a month’s stay can cost the same as three weeks.

Finally, you also aren’t trying to fit in many attractions in a limited time so perhaps instead of paying three entry fees in a day, you may only pay for one.

Overall, travelling more slowly can save you a lot of money.

8. Get an eSIM to save money on data while travelling Europe

Contributed by Sydney from A World in Reach

If you’re planning a trip to Europe, chances are you’re already thinking about how to save money. Whether it’s finding the cheapest flights or the best deals on accommodation, everyone wants to stretch their travel budget as far as possible.

One area where you can easily save money while travelling is on your mobile phone bill. Most carriers offer international phone plans, but the fees can be really expensive. But with Airalo’s eSIM, you can get an affordable data plan that will keep you connected without breaking the bank.

Airalo is an eSIM marketplace that allows you to purchase an international data plan right from your phone. Simply download the Airalo app, make sure that your device is compatible with Airalo (the app’s Help Center can help with this); choose a plan that covers your destination and travel destination, and then install the eSIM on your phone. Once the eSIM is activated, you’ll be able to use your phone without paying outrageous roaming fees. Plus, with an eSIM, the SIM is entirely virtual, meaning you don’t have to worry about keeping up with your physical SIM card during your trip.

There are several different Airalo eSIM options, including one-country and multi-country eSIMs. The cheapest eSIMs start at around $4.50 – much less than the average international mobile plan!

9. Stay outside of the city centres in Europe to save on hotel costs

Contributed by Caro from Veggie Wayfarer

There are ways to bring down the costs when it comes to accommodations, including finding a host on Couchsurfing (free) or staying in budget accommodations (2* hotels or a hostel with a shared mixed dorm). These, however, might come at the cost of a good night’s sleep and a shared bathroom.

Fear not, there is another option that does not involve sleeping on a person’s couch or sharing a bathroom with 12 perfect strangers (however adventurous that might sound). The beauty of Europe is that most places have a well-established set of public transportation (bus, train, metro) or offer one-click options for use of shared bikes and electric scooters. This means you can comfortably widen the search range of the area you wish to spend the night in.

A concrete example is travellers looking into the best areas to stay in Brussels. A furtive one-click glance displays prices upwards of €150 for a budget hotel near the city centre (Grand Place). Move a little further out to the area of Uccle and those same €150 will allow you to stay in a really good locally run guesthouse with a sumptuous breakfast. The area is verdant and has plenty of public transport taking you directly to all the main tourist attractions in Brussels.

While it might seem tempting to stay close to Europe’s top landmarks, staying that little bit further out will save you a lot of money!

10. Visit Free Museums and Galleries

Contributed by Cath from Travel Around Ireland

Whilst travelling Europe, you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy yourself or to discover more about the history of a city/country. One of the best ways to do this without spending anything is to seek out free museums and galleries.

Many of the large cities across Europe have galleries and museums where entry is free. Donation boxes are usually in place of an entry fee so you can give as little or as much as you like. In expensive cities, visiting places such as these is ideal for keeping to a tight budget. For instance, there are several free museums and galleries in Dublin such as the different National Museums, such as the Chester Beatty Library, and art galleries.

Even in the likes of Paris and Rome, there are free museums and galleries to be found, so travelling Europe on a budget doesn’t mean you need to miss out. With a little bit of research beforehand, you can easily discover the best free places to visit while still immersing yourself in the city, country, culture and history. 

Europe has heaps of unusual and quirky museums, many of which are completely free, a great way to pass the time without breaking the bank!

11. Pack light and efficiently to save baggage costs when visiting Europe on a budget!

Contributed by Gretchen from Chasing ADVNTR

Packing light and efficiently is a travel skill that not only makes travel easier but can save you money. 

Airlines, trains, and buses often charge additional fees for luggage that can quickly add up when you are travelling for long periods of time; we were recently shocked by the prices that some of the budget airlines in Europe charge for checked or even carry-on bags. 

To save money, avoid checked bags, as this also limits the chance that your luggage will get lost. It’s also important to pack efficiently to avoid buying replacement items during your trip. 

Here’s the method we use to pack light and efficiently when travelling to Europe.  Start by looking carefully at your destinations, including what weather you can expect, the activities you plan to do, any specific clothing you will need, and whether you will do laundry on your trip. 

Next, lay out all your items so you can visualise exactly what you are bringing and make two piles: essentials and extra items.  Select items for your trip that can be used for different activities.

12. Use Flixbus

Contributed by Olivia from Inspired by Croatia

One of the biggest costs while travelling around Europe is transportation. Getting from point A to point B can add up quickly, especially when you are changing destinations frequently. Luckily, transportation does not have to be expensive when you have options like Flixbus.

Flixbus is one of the largest intercity bus networks in Europe, boasting routes all over the continent. Depending on the journey, tickets start as low as 5 EUR for a one-way trip and include Wi-Fi, comfy seats, electrical outlets, and free baggage. The company also boasts a user-friendly booking system and a mobile app that allows you to book on the go, find where your bus is, and keep track of your tickets all in one place. In addition to budget-friendly travel, Flixbus is both eco-friendly and efficient, with 9 out of 10 coaches arriving on time.

If you’re not exactly sure where you want to go, you can use the Flixbus Route Map to find inspiration for your next destination. The system connects over 2,000 destinations in 28 countries, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from! With cheap travel and comfy coaches, what more could you ask for when travelling Europe on a budget?

13. Eating out at lunchtime will help when travelling Europe

Contributed by Coralie from greyglobetrotters.com

Picking the right time of day to eat out is one of the best ways to save money when you are travelling in Europe on a budget.

Many restaurants offer a fixed price set menu at lunchtime that represents very good value; these menus are often cheaper than eating in the same restaurant in the evening.

Usually called a “table d’hote” menu (meaning “table of the host”), this will typically be a two or three-course meal, including an appetiser, entrée (main course) and a dessert with several choices available for each course.

In some restaurants, you will be able to swap one or two items on the menu for something from the a la carte menu but do check first whether this is possible and whether it would mean an extra charge!

Beverages are often not included in the fixed price, so you will want to be aware of how much they cost, in order to know what your total meal cost is going to be.  A couple of glasses of wine and coffee could end up doubling your bill if you’re not careful!

One extra way to watch your pennies, if you fancy a glass of wine, is to order the house wine. This will usually be a reasonably priced and very drinkable wine that is much less expensive than selecting your favourite from the wine menu.

14. Booking a hotel with breakfast included

Contributed by Lyndsay thepurposelylost.com

One of the best tips for travelling Europe on a budget is staying at hotels or hostels that include breakfast in your stay.

Especially when you’re visiting a new city, breakfast is a meal that might be hard to come by the way you’re used to at home. For example, when you’re travelling in Italy, breakfast is usually a cup of coffee and a pastry. Whereas when you’re exploring the United Kingdom, breakfast is much larger, often consisting of eggs, baked beans, sausage, and bread. 

When you decide to book a hotel that includes breakfast, you don’t have to worry where you’re going to find it. Instead, you can wake up and head down to their restaurant space, where a range of foods catering to all different clientele is already laid out for you.

This saves you money since you’re not stopping at a restaurant or cafe and paying anything extra to eat breakfast. And, if you’re savvy, you might be able to bring a fruit or other small snack with you after breakfast, so you’ll have something to eat with you while you’re out for the day on the go.

15. Check out Tourism Passes to save money

Contributed by Sarah from asocialnomad.com

One of the best ways of travelling Europe on a budget and NOT missing out is to investigate tourist passes. Many cities and regions have introduced tourist cards to allow you to utilise public transport, museums, and attractions for a single all-inclusive price. Some tourist cards even include discounts in restaurants, cafes, and shopping in certain stores. 

Tourist cards don’t just save you money; they can save you a lot of time as well. If you buy a tourist card, then you usually don’t have to stand in line at the ticket office, or there are shorter, quicker lines specifically for those holding tourist cards. For even more savings, there are usually cards for families, students and pensioners. Many cities have tourist cards that are valid for 24 hours, 48 hours, or even longer. 

Other tourist passes mean that you can visit all the places on a list/in an area once over a week! You’ll also usually get a map and a small tourist guide to go with your tourist pass, saving you even more in guidebooks! 

Some of the cities that have tourist cards include Paris, Rome, and Venice. In the UK, you can get tourist cards in many cities, including London and the gorgeous northern city of York; which includes many attractions like a visit to the stunning York Minster!

16. Choosing to Travel Overnight in Europe

Contributed by Jack & Abbie from acouplescalling.com

It’s no secret that Europe isn’t the cheapest of destinations. However, if you’re planning to travel overland through the continent, there is a very easy way to cut costs. 

Travelling overnight through countries or across borders is one of the best ways to explore Europe on a budget. Not only is it cheaper than flying, but you’ll also save money on accommodation as you won’t need a place to stay for the night. You also won’t need to pay for luggage or waste three hours waiting at the airport. 

There are two options when it comes to travelling overnight in Europe: a coach or a train. Coaches are a popular option, and you’ll find a variety of routes throughout the continent. For example, an overnight bus journey from Milan to Rome takes about 9 hours and tends to leave at around 11 pm. You’re looking at an average cost of between €30-€60 for the journey, and accommodation in Italy can cost upwards of €45, and that’s if you find somewhere cheap to stay. So, you can see how it’s a cost-effective way to travel! 

Interrailing through Europe is another popular way to get around, and they also offer night journeys. However, reservations are needed for all night trains as that guarantees you a seat or bed. These reservations can be made at the train station, by phone, or online. There are so many overnight train journeys available throughout Europe that you’re spoilt for choice. A couple of overnight route examples include Stockholm – Berlin, the Czech Republic – Poland, and Hungary – Romania. 

17. Staying in Hostels

Contributed by Terri from The Strawberry Fountain

When looking at accommodation across Europe, always check out the youth hostels as they can be a lot cheaper than hotels. You can opt to have a single room, a family room or a shared room if you don’t mind bunking in with other travellers. The accommodation is usually basic, but it is clean and cheap, and you can find a number of them in central locations at a fraction of the price of neighbouring hotels.

Saving on accommodation when travelling makes perfect sense because if you are doing it right, then you will spend very little time there; only heading back to your digs to sleep and filling your days with adventures, exploring the local area.

Hostels are also great for helping reduce your food bill whilst travelling. The majority of hostels have cooking facilities that you can use at no additional cost. It’s great to also get talking to the staff and fellow travellers so you can share other great budgeting tips for getting the most out of your stay. 

One of the best places to check for hostel accommodation across Europe is European Hostels and Hostelworld, especially if you are travelling to different places and want to map out your accommodation in one place.

18. Visit Europe out of season to get better prices

Contributed by Sarah from Lifepart2 & Beyond

Travelling out of season will save you a fortune on flights, accommodation, tours, and other forms of transportation. So, avoiding travel around major holidays like Christmas and during school vacations will be a major help if you’re travelling on a budget.  

Be spontaneous because often crazy cheap deals pop up on the low-budget airlines out of season, so make sure you sign up for those airline newsletters. And not just airline newsletters but hotels, hostels, trains, and tours, so you will be one of the first to know when a deal becomes available. 

Be flexible with your travel dates because not only will travelling out of season save you money, but sometimes just moving your departure or return flight by a day or two can make a huge difference.

Be open to travelling to new places. You can find cheap return flights to Skopje, North Macedonia; I had absolutely no idea where Skopje was, but it turned into a great weekend trip. Plus, you can save more money if you travel with as little baggage as possible. 

Other perks of travelling out of season will be fewer crowds, shorter queues to those must-see sites, and a more authentic experience without tourists. 

FAQ: Europe on a Budget

Final Thoughts on Travelling Europe on a Budget

Travelling Europe on a budget is completely possible, and honestly, it’s one of the most rewarding ways to experience the continent. From cheap flights and overnight buses to hostels, local food, and free walking tours, there are so many ways to stretch your money further without missing out on the experience.

What we’ve learned (and what our contributors have shared) is that the biggest difference isn’t how much money you have, it’s how you choose to travel. Staying flexible, avoiding peak season, and mixing expensive destinations with cheaper ones can completely change your overall costs.

At the end of the day, Europe doesn’t have to be a luxury-only destination. With a bit of planning and the right mindset, you can see multiple countries, eat well, meet people, and still stick to a realistic budget.

If you’re planning your own trip, hopefully these tips help you feel more confident about making Europe on a budget not just possible, but genuinely enjoyable.

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Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, are the best products possible whilst travelling.