If you’ve been following travel-related news lately, you might’ve noticed that more and more airlines are coming out with their very own direct routes to some of Europe’s dreamiest destinations, driving airfare prices to all-time lows in the process.
For the first time in modern history, we get to travel to the Old Continent and back for as little as $400, but can you make a European getaway truly budget-friendly?
Well, if you choose the right destinations, you can.
Interrail EU just came out with a ranking of some of the cheapest yet still, visit-worthy cities across Europe, and the ones that made it to the top 5 can all be enjoyed for less than $50 a day!
To Start Off…
Before we get to these surprisingly affordable hotspots, though, I’ll quickly go through the cities that nabbed the No. 6-10 spots – they’re all incredible, but they generally fall in the $50 – $70 a day range:
- Český Krumlov, Czechia
- Bratislava, Slovakia
- Warsaw, Poland
- Zagreb, Croatia
- Belgrade, Serbia
These are all worth a visit – no doubt about that.
But before you make a final decision on where you’re heading off to next, make sure to read through this whole thing; chances are you’ll find an even better deal.
5. Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
We’ve always hailed Sarajevo (the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina) as one of the best budget cities in all of Europe, but to truly grasp how much of a great-value destination it really is, you have to come here yourself.
Interrail EU estimates the daily costs of the average traveler to be a little over $49, and if you really want to stick to a strict budget, you can bring that total down even lower.
Highly-reviewed apartments like this are lent out for as little as $22 (that’s for two people), and considering that the average meal out for one won’t cost you more than $5 – $8, it shouldn’t be difficult to stay within budget.
4. Budapest, Hungary
Hungary just broke its all-time tourism record, and seeing how stunning and reasonably priced its capital is, it all makes sense.
Here, you can indulge in authentic local dishes like goulash and lángos for as little as $4, enjoy a pint of locally brewed beer for $2, and explore iconic attractions like the Buda Castle entirely free of charge – and as someone who’s done all that, I can guarantee the experience doesn’t differ much from what you’d get in pricier hubs like Vienna or Prague.
3. Krakow, Poland
I’ve always had a soft spot for Krakow.
It’s not only home to one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe and some of the most jaw-dropping views you’ll ever see in your life, but also a haven for budget-conscious travelers looking to get the most bang for their buck.
Here’s what the average visitor can expect to pay here:
- A night at a highly-reviewed apartment in the city center – $21
- Entry to the Rynek Underground Museum – $9
- A serving of traditional pierogi or bigos – $6
- A hearty meal at a milk bar – $3
2. Bucharest, Romania
Home to incredible historic landmarks, a thriving nightlife scene, and the heaviest building on Earth (the Palace of the Parliament), Bucharest welcomes all travelers with open arms and amazingly low prices.
Tickets to that record-setting Palace? $12.
A serving of covrigi (soft pretzels)? $1.
A cocktail at a local pub or bar? $5.
It really doesn’t get much better than this.
1. Sofia, Bulgaria
In the first place, with estimated daily costs of just a little over $39, is none other than Sofia, hands-down one of the best-kept secrets for budget travelers in Europe.
The Bulgarian capital promises all the culture and allure of bigger hubs across the continent for a (very small) fraction of the price – you can’t even find a hostel for $39 a night in places like Paris or London, let alone cover your entire daily expenses.
A sightseeing tour of the local churches (I’m talking iconic places like the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky, the Saint George Rotunda Church, the Basilica of Saint Sofia, and the Cathedral of Saint Nedelya) will cost you absolutely nothing.
Traditional dishes like banitsa or a shopska salad can easily be found for $2-$3, whereas coffee prices start at just $0.5 (yes, you read that right).
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