Is Europe on your bucket list? Congratulations! If you’ve found your way here, you’re either new to travelling or at least new to Europe. So don’t worry, I’ve got this! Last year marked my eighth year of solo European travel. Since then, I have made it at the point to go at least once a year, and often as many as five times a year. So if you’re curious about European travel expenses, grab a pen and paper! Everything you need to know about planning and budgeting your vacation may be found here.
By Country: European Travel Costs
If this is your first time to visiting Europe, it’s a great time! So much so that I plan to visit Europe every year, my favourite portion of the globe to see.
Even if Europe is pricey, if you don’t know where to go on a budget, you’ll quickly realise it. I’ll show you how much each famous tourist destination costs on average per day, as well as some tips on how to save money while you’re there.
For comparison, below are the typical costs per person, per day. It’s possible to spend less or more than this budget suggests, so long as you don’t go overboard. To put it another way, they’re in the middle of the pack! In 2020, these prices for European travel will be accurate.
European countries with the highest cost of living
France
Daily cost: €182.19
The most expensive country in Europe on a daily basis goes to France. If you’ve been to Paris before, you won’t be surprised by this — I know I am!
Nonetheless, the high cost of travelling to France is exacerbated by the city of Paris. After a few days of jam-packed sightseeing in Paris, most tourists flee to neighbouring European cities to continue their vacation.
The following are some helpful hints for staying under your spending limits:
Explore outside of Paris if you want to save money in France. If you know that where to look, you can eat cheaply across the country and even in Paris (hint: its the latin quarter).
Opt for an Airbnb rather than a hotel. If you’re on a tight budget, these are the best options for you.
Switzerland
The cost of living is €181.55 per day.
Switzerland is another country that isn’t a surprise to anyone on this list. Even the mere act of glancing at pricey items makes me feel inflated in my bank account! The fresh mountain air is pricey to breathe!
The following are some helpful hints for staying under your spending limits:
Reduce your time in the country. Everything in Switzerland is pricey, no matter how you look at it. You can save the a lot of money by staying with friends or family members.
Denmark
Cost per day: 161.46 Euros
At the time I visited Denmark, it was so expensive that I gave up converting prices and determined I couldn’t afford to do anything there because it was so expensive. A coke zero was my beverage of choice for dinner, if memory serves me right. Chic as can be!
The following are some helpful hints for staying under your spending limits:
Stay away from the city. This city has a well-deserved reputation as one of Europe’s most expensive. That’s something I can vouch for, too!
Iceland
Cost per day: €133.63
Before I set foot in Iceland, I was aware that the vacation would be pricey. Flights from Barcelona to New York through Reykjavik were quite affordable, making it an ideal pit stop on the way to the city.
Hotels, food, gas, and entry fees are all pricey in Iceland. Visiting the waterfalls requires a cost, too!
To save money, take a road trip between places and split the expenditures with a companion. The capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, has a plethora of low-cost lodging options.
United Kingdom
Cost per day: €127.40
First-time visitors to Europe are almost certainly going to plan a trip to London. With good reason, too! The world’s most popular tourist destination year after year is this iconic metropolis. Accommodation is the most expensive part of a trip to the United Kingdom. That the pound consistently outperforms the majority of other global currencies isn’t much comfort either.
When it comes to shopping on a tight budget, your best friends are Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. You can save money by eating a sandwich on the fly instead of paying for a meal out. There are a lot of free museums and parks in London, and just walking around Soho will keep you entertained for a full day. The cost of travel outside of London is significantly lower than in London.
Italy
The average daily price is €124.14.
You might be surprised with this one, because with house wines and affordable pizza, how could it be expensive? The cost of living in Italy is quite low, but getting about the country may rapidly mount up. The most costly places to live are in places like Rome, Venice, and Florence.
The following are some helpful hints for staying under your spending limits:
Take a break from the big cities and stay in smaller communities. Try Lucca instead of Florence. In place of Venice, consider Verona. Make day trips to new places by taking the subway!
Netherlands
Cost per day: 122.66 Euros
Amsterdam comes to mind while thinking of the Netherlands. What you’re experiencing is completely normal. But I can assure you that the Netherlands is much more than just Amsterdam. In addition, it is significantly less expensive to travel to other cities! In the Netherlands, the daily average cost is €122.66. But there are few simple ways to save money that you can do right away.
The following are some helpful hints for staying under your spending limits:
If you’re travelling on a budget, consider staying in an Amsterdam Airbnb or a hostel in the city. Sharing the cost of a trip with a friend might also help you save money. Food on the streets of large cities is not only inexpensive but also quite delicious!
Finland
Cost per day: €120.73
Traveling to Finland is pricey, regardless of where you stay—in Helsinki, the country’s capital, or a little town farther interior.
The following are some helpful hints for staying under your spending limits:
Staying with the local family is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. My stay with a family in the Lake District was both economical and a great way to learn more about the area’s history and customs.
Sweden
At €112.67 a day, this is the average cost.
Stockholm is Sweden’s most expensive tourist destination. But do not let you that stop you from pursuing your goals! It’s easy to get around on public transportation, and there are a number of fantastic free attractions.
The following are some helpful hints for staying under your spending limits:
Take public transportation instead of driving, and eat at fast food joints and the store instead. Make the most of your hotel’s breakfast if it’s available.
Somewhere in Spain’s Mid-Ages
It costs €111.96 a day to live here.
The cost of travelling to Spain is high, but once you leave the major cities (such as Barcelona and Madrid), the country becomes far more reasonable.
The following are some helpful hints for staying under your spending limits:
Small towns should take the place of large ones. Relax with a glass of sangria and a plate of tapas!
Greece
Cost per day: €110.33
Greece can be pricey, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you do not mind putting in a little extra effort, there are some excellent ways to cut costs. Local boats are an excellent way to travel between islands, and they’re far less expensive than flying.
The following are some helpful hints for staying under your spending limits:
Use local transportation to save money on island-to-island commuting. Even if it will take longer, the journey itself, not the final goal, is what counts! In order to save money on European travel, it is sometimes necessary to give up time.
Ireland
Cost per day: €109.47
Ireland is one of my favourite destinations in Europe to travel to on my own. Everything about it is breathtakingly lovely. What a great setting for the road trip! Leaving Dublin, the nation is much more accessible in terms of cost.
The following are some helpful hints for staying under your spending limits:
If you’re on a tight budget, public transportation is a better option than driving throughout the country.
Germany
The average daily price is €106.78.
Because of its central location in Europe, Germany benefits from excellent rail connections. In addition to being an exciting land excursion, this will save you money. Berlin, Cologne and Munich are more expensive than the countryside, which is less expensive than the cities.
Tips for saving money: Get away from the big cities and head to the countryside.
Europe’s Cheapest Destinations
Serbia
The average daily price is €18.75.
On a day-to-day basis, Serbia is the least expensive country. Serbia is a wonderful alternative for budget travellers in Europe if you’re concerned about the expense of travel. Belgrade is a fascinating destination with a wealth of things to see and do; I heartily recommend a trip there!
Ukraine
Cost per day: €23.00
For those looking to save money when travelling in Europe, Ukraine is a good option. At first glance, it may be appear that the local transportation system is overwhelming (as no signs are in English). Hand gestures and bad English can communicate a surprising amount.
Russia
Cost per day: €38.92
Despite Russia’s affordability, Moscow and St. Petersburg remain some of Europe’s most costly cities. If you’re looking for a more authentic experience, consider venturing out into the country’s smaller towns.
Albania
Cost per day: €41.31
Albania was the honeymoon destination of a friend of mine recently. Although it isn’t the most conventional honeymoon destination, she stated it was a wonderful experience! Albania remains one of Europe’s least-visited countries. As a result, it’s a great value that’s largely overlooked.
Bulgaria
Cost per day: €51.04
Bulgaria, a country in Eastern Europe, is a good option for budget-conscious travellers. Obviously, the more eastward you go, the less expensive it becomes.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country in the Balkans
Cost per day: €54.85
One of my most treasured travel memories is spending time in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is so much to love about this nation, and the people are very hospitable to visitors. When I was in Blaggaj, I decided to stay with a Bosnian family to save money. Every day, they made me breakfast and drove me to Mostar in their car.