travel europe for a month cost

The cost of traveling Europe: real budget numbers from 9+ years of travel

What is the real cost of traveling Europe?

How do you afford to do it full-time? 

How much do I need to save if I want to travel in Europe for a year (or two years or a month or six months)?

As someone who has been traveling full time for nearly nine years, most of that time in Europe, these are probably the questions I get most often about my lifestyle.

Money, unsurprisingly, is the biggest obstacle people think they’ll face on the road. Because if vacations are so pricey, wouldn’t full-time travel be even more so?

(Psst.  Here’s a full breakdown of why it’s not .)

This is why for the last 10+ years, while I’ve been traveling full-time, I’ve kept track of my budgets  all over the world. Because the truth is that full-time travel can be expensive (just like staying put can be expensive), but it doesn’t have to be . And the only way I know to prove it is to share my own real budgets.

Today, I’m back to share more budget updates with you. More insights into how I travel full-time and what it costs to live and travel in Europe.

First, though, let’s talk about travel styles…

What full-time travel looks like for me

First, it’s important to say that there’s no right or wrong way to travel full time . There’s no standard. Every person I know who does it does it differently .

I have friends who circle back to their favorite places every single year. I have friends who are always chasing new adventures. I’ve met digital nomads who live out of hostels and move every few days and nomads who spend a year or more in one place.

So, before I dive into how I travel, I’ll caveat it by saying that my way is not the way . There are people who travel on a much lower budget than mine and people who travel on a higher budget than mine. There are people who travel faster and people who travel slower. This budget breakdown is based on my experiences and my experiences alone.

Okay, so what are my experiences ? 

For the first few years, I traveled solo with my dog . For five years, I traveled as part of a couple (though my budgets here on the blog reflect my half of shared expenses + 100% of my personal expenses). And now I’m back to solo-girl-with-dog-takes-on-the-world. ( Here’s a comparison of costs solo vs. traveling with someone else .)

I mostly travel around Europe, though I’ve also done a bit of North and South America in the past few years (and before I hit the road full-time, I visited every continent except Antarctica). 

I prefer to stay in one place for at least a month (and sometimes two or three) and I tend to rent comfortable apartments in local neighborhoods. If I’m staying in a hotel or hostel, it’s usually only for a weekend trip or a travel day.

I’m a foodie through and through, so I devote a large portion of my budget to good, fresh, usually organic food and I eat out pretty regularly, especially if I’m in a place known for its cuisine.

I work part-time (on writing books , content strategy and copywriting ). This means big chunks of my week are devoted to work, so someone retired or vacationing is likely to spend quite a bit more than I do. 

And in my spare time, I love to cycle, hike, read, explore, and eat, most of which is cheap or free and keeps entertainment budgets on the low side. I rarely do museums or indoor attractions.

The cost of traveling Europe: monthly expense breakdown

Before we get into individual budgets around the world, here’s a breakdown of my general monthly expenses and how I approach them:

Housing : This was my biggest expense in the US, and it’s my biggest expense now. From 2012 to 2015, when I was traveling solo, I spent about $1,000 per month. In 2015 to 2021, my partner and I split the rent, so we could afford a nicer space and usually keep our individual spending on the lower side. I shot for under $800 per person per month and we often came in under $600 each. Now, solo again and with accommodation prices having risen over the years, I’m upping my housing budget to $1,500. I’ll still try to come in under when I can, but that’s my new ceiling.

So, what’s the secret to affordable accommodations while traveling in Europe? Traveling slow. Monthly rental costs are significantly lower than nightly or weekly rentals. On sites like  Flatio and Airbnb, monthly discounts run anywhere from 20% – 70% .

Food:  Perhaps unsurprisingly, this foodie’s second highest expense is meals. I track my spending on groceries separately from my spending on eating out. I don’t put a budget ceiling on groceries because eating fresh, high-quality food is really important to me and I’d rather spend a bit more on groceries (and a bit less on other things) than take shortcuts with my health or joy. 

In the states, I shopped at organic grocery stores and tried to buy healthier options, which were often a bit pricier. In Europe, I shop at fresh markets, local butchers, and tiny bakeries most of the time and stay away from imports that might have questionable chemicals or ingredients.

I always strive to only buy what I need and to buy it in the best quality, most local form I can. I mostly cook at home instead of eating out and when I do eat out I go for quality over quantity. 

Recent grocery budgets have run about $393 ( Zagreb, Croatia ), $614 ( Thun, Switzerland ), $653 ( Bad Ischl, Austria ), and $429 ( Tartu, Estonia ). Eating out budgets in those same locations were around $257 (Zagreb), $0 (Thun), $41 (Bad Ischl), and $88 (Tartu). This means totals for those three places landed at $650 (Zagreb), $614 (Thun), $694 (Bad Ischl), and $517 (Tartu). As you can see, food spending varies, but not enormously. If you read my older budgets, you’ll also notice that the average has gone up over time (which makes sense, because inflation).

Transportation: Since I tend to stay longer in one place, transportation costs generally run pretty reasonable (e.g. far less than I spent when I owned a car). Every month or two, I buy a long-distance train ticket or two, and maybe once or twice a year I take a flight (though I try to fly as little as possible both because I hate flying and I try to be conscious of my environmental footprint).

In between big train journeys, I  choose to walk whenever possible  (which, in Europe, is nearly always) and only take buses and metros when the weather is walking-prohibitive, if the walk would be more than an hour long, if I’m carrying something heavy, or if I’m in a particularly busy city and the walk would be crowded or stressful. 

These days, I spend anywhere from about $25 (Prague unlimited monthly transit pass) on a month where I’m staying put to $300ish (trains from Rennes, France, to Prague, Czech Republic) on a month when I’m moving from one base to another.

Luna the traveling pooch’s food and care: This varies a little from country to country, but rarely exceeds $200 per month. Luna eats a homemade diet primarily consisting of rabbit, fish, quinoa, and veggies (the diet was created with a veterinary nutritionist and if you decide to do the same, I highly recommend hiring one through your vet), and I’m not very strict about separating her food budget from mine, so expect that some of the grocery budget is actually going to Luna.

As with human health care, I’ve found vet care to be significantly more affordable in Europe (compared to the US). In Latvia, four injections, a blood test, two weeks of pancreatic enzyme pills, a vet consult, and an exam cost just over $100. In Dubrovnik, Croatia, in a similar vet emergency, the bill for the sedation, IV fluids, blood work, x-ray, exam, anti-nausea shot, and 100 days worth of pancreas pills was about $150. In the US, the cost would have been at least tripled in each of those cases. A single blood test in Colorado cost us upwards of $200 last time we were there.

Entertainment/fun money:  When I’m traveling, most of my activities are free or cheap, so this line item is always pretty small compared to the others.

Supplies:  These tend to run less abroad as well, in part because I am careful about what I buy, since I carry everything on my back, and, in part because I’m less bored and thus feel less of a need to shop. The ironic and wonderful thing about this is that the things I buy are often higher quality and more expensive, yet I generally spend less overall than I did in the states.

Health insurance   and healthcare : Since I’m currently based in Portugal, I’m relying on the local health system. While traveling more extensively, I previously paid $268 per month for GeoBlue insurance that covered me anywhere in the world except the US. Before that, I tried travel insurance through World Nomads, which I found wildly frustrating (despite marketing themselves to travelers, they require you to jump through a LOT of paperwork hoops that require access to printers, scanners, and copy machines) and IMG Global, who ignored my emails and took months upon months to even acknowledge my claims after I was hospitalized on Malta. I would not recommend either company.

For anyone who’s used a healthcare system abroad, it’ll come as no surprise that pretty much everywhere in cheaper than the US. Pre-Obamacare, I paid $150 for three months of birth control pills in the US. A three-month supply (and a doctor visit to get the prescription) in Germany cost me under $100. In Switzerland, that number dropped to around $50. And in Vietnam, the same pills (same ingredients, different brand name) were $10 and available over the counter.

In all, I try to keep monthly spending under $2,500 (not including my business spending). And even with this as my budget ceiling, I often come in under. A few months ago, I did the math on the 30+ real Europe travel budgets linked below (scroll down for links) and the monthly average came in at $1,637 .

For those who’d like a more detailed look at my monthly budgets around the world, here they all are categorized by price range (click on the links for in-depth details on the budgets):

My real monthly budgets

From cheapest to most expensive monthly budget. Click on each location for a more detailed breakdown.

Non-European locations are marked with an *. My favorite places appear in bold. Cost is in parentheses. And I’ve indicated the year the budget is from (obviously account for some inflation when using budgets from 10 years ago) and whether the budget was solo travel or traveling with a partner/friend (partnered travel typically means lower housing costs).

Under $1350 per month:

Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina / one month ($1157) 2017 / partnered

Labin, Croatia / one month ($1175) 2021 / solo

Tartu, Estonia / one month ($1213) 2020 / partnered

Tulum, Mexico / one month ($1232)* 2018 / partnered

Kotor, Montenegro / one month ($1253) 2019 / partnered

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina / one month ($1296) 2017 / partnered

Sayulita, Mexico  /  one month  ($1301)* 2013 / solo

Riga, Latvia / one month ($1313) 2019 / partnered

Split, Croatia  /  one month ($1317 & $1241) 2019 & 2013 / partnered & solo

Zagreb, Croatia  /  one month ($1337) 2018 / solo

Playa del Carmen, Mexico  /  one month  ($1350)* 2013 / solo

Under $1,500 per month:

Taormina, Italy  /  one month  ($1364) 2017 / partnered

Porto, Portugal  /  one month ($1366) 2022 / solo, living full-time here

Kranjska Gora, Slovenia / one month  ($1385) 2017 / partnered

Toledo, Spain  /  one month  ($1388) 2015 / solo

Kobarid, Slovenia  /  one month  ($1422) 2015 / solo

Brasov, Romania  /  one month ($1433) 2018 / partnered

Dubrovnik, Croatia / one month  ($1443) 2017 / partnered

Tallinn, Estonia   /   one month ($1460) 2019 / partnered

Under $1,700 per month:

Interlaken, Switzerland  /  one month ($1558) 2019 / partnered

Ljubljana, Slovenia  /  two weeks  ($808) 2015 / solo

Bad Ischl, Austria  /  one month ($1618) 2020 / partnered

Rennes, France / one month  ($1648) 2018 / partnered

Nerja, Spain  /  one month  ($1689) 2015 / solo

Edinburgh, Scotland  /  one month  ($1697) 2012 / solo

Under $1,800 per month:

Ljubljana, Slovenia / second stay, one month  ($1735) 2017 / partnered

Grenoble, France / one month  ($1739) 2018 / partnered

Prague, Czechia  /  one month ($1752) 2018 / partnered

Under $2,000 per month:

Perugia, Italy  /  one month  ($1882) 2013 / solo

Flagstaff, Arizona  /  one month  ($1893)* 2016 / solo

Rome, Italy  /  one month  ($1911) 2017 / partnered

Chamonix, France  /  two weeks  ($962) 2015 / solo

Vancouver, Canada  /  one month  ($1988)* 2016 / partnered

Over $2,000 per month:

Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland  /  three monthly budgets compared  (varies) 2015 (and before) / solo

Amsterdam, Netherlands  /  two weeks  ($1008) 2015 / partnered

Biarritz, France  /  one month  ($2029) 2014 / solo

Innsbruck, Austria / one week ($511) 2018 / solo

Paris, France  /  one month  ($2118) 2013 / solo

Thun, Switzerland  /  one month ($2124) 2021 / partnered

New York, New York, USA / one month  ($2297)* 2018 / partnered

Zagreb, Croatia / one month splurge! ($2320) 2021 / solo

Opatija, Croatia / one month splurge! ($2897) 2021 / solo(ish)

Cycling across France  /  one month  ($3091) 2015 / solo

My budgets for shorter trips

Now, what about short trips? Weekends, overnights, week-long vacations? I’ve got some real budgets on those too, though they’re fewer and farther between for me. Here are they, from cheapest to most expensive per-day:

Vrbovsko, Croatia / 3 days ($87 / $29 per day) 2021 / solo

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia / 3 days ($184 / $62 per day) 2021 / solo

Denver to LA road trip / 2 days ($207 / $103 per day)* 2012 / solo

Tbilisi, Georgia / 10 days ($1050 / $105 per day)* 2019 / partnered

Colmar, France / 5 days ($539 / $108 per day) 2019 / partnered

Paris, France / 5 days ($663 / $133 per day) 2019 / partnered

Emilia Romagna, Italy / 5 days ($776 / $155 per day) 2014 / solo

Business costs

It’s worth noting that you won’t see any business costs in the above budgets. My business expenses vary greatly based on what I’m working on, how much active marketing/sales I’m doing, and what kind of side projects (blogs, self-published books, etc.) I’m taking on. 

The few consistent things I pay for business-wise include:

Subscriptions for Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, cloud storage, and a media subscription or two.

I now own a cell phone (turns out living full-time in Portugal requires one), but I also need a US number, so I use TextNow on my iPad for US calls/client calls. The basic number is free (because they serve up ads), but I pay a small fee in order to get a few extra benefits. 

Business insurance , which runs me about $50 per month, and a yearly fee (about $100) for my registered agent to handle my LLC renewal and receive any business mail for me.

Once a year or once every few years, I also have expenses for  web hosting and domain renewal  for the website. This usually costs me less than $100 per year.

Taxes:  Finally, a note on the most unavoidable of all expenses – taxes. In general (though not in every case), you are expected to pay taxes in the place you reside. If you live in the US, you pay in the US. If you live in Switzerland, you pay in Switzerland. 

If you’re from the US, you’ll always have to file US taxes even if you’re a resident abroad, but you may be eligible for the  FEIE , which is basically there to prevent you from paying double taxes. (Rather than get into it further here, I’ll suggest you book a consult with a US tax accountant. Many do free first consults and they will know so much more than I do about all the ins and outs of your particular situation.)

NOTE: If you’re paying in the states and self-employed, taxes are due quarterly, not yearly. This means when I’m paying in the States, I sit down every quarter and calculate the taxes I owe and send the government a check. At the end of the year, I hire a tax whiz (which generally runs me another $350 – $500) to help me make sure everything has been paid and filed properly.

Air travel expenses (& other big one-time costs)

There are a few things I don’t budget for monthly (or include in my monthly budget posts) because they are yearly or quarterly expenses and may vary greatly from month to month. One of these things is  plane tickets .

I’m not a traveler who flies a lot, preferring to explore one continent thoroughly at a time and take trains where possible both because it’s simply a more pleasant way to travel, because it’s more environmentally responsible, and because the older I get the worse my motion-sickness gets, so flying has stopped being even a little bit fun.

So, since I’m not buying them monthly or even bi-monthly, I usually don’t track plane ticket costs monthly and instead factor them into my budget on a quarterly or yearly basis. 

In 2021, I took four flights (one-way Switzerland to Croatia, one-way Croatia to Portugal, then round-trip Portugal – Croatia to collect my visa). In 2022, I only took one (one-way from Paris to Porto – I took trains in the other direction). 

Replacing technology (my laptop or tablet), big one-time medical expenses, and other large one-time purchases (like my folding bike) are also something I look at quarterly or annually rather than monthly.

Saving money while traveling full-time

Finally, for me, part of feeling comfortable starting my business and then, a year or so later, leaving to travel full-time was having a decent financial buffer in the bank. I was advised while starting my business to have at least six months worth of expenses in the bank just in case. Being a bit neurotic about money, I waited until I had 10 months and enough clients that I was already almost breaking even.

Similarly, when I started traveling, even though I would be working normally and hopefully earning normally, part of feeling comfortable was the knowledge that I had a buffer. If all my clients ditched me in month one, I could live for a year without income (assuming I lived relatively frugally).

Everyone operates differently on this. When my aunt started her business, she quickly went into debt. Yet she was wildly successful over time. I’ve also heard stories of those who moved to a cheap part of Asia to start their business, which meant the limited funds they had could last them much longer while they got things off the ground. I know one man who told me it’s going to take $150,000 to start his business. Another woman told me a success story that started with just 3,000 euros in the bank. An old roommate told me she’s been traveling and working for years with just a few hundred euros to her name.

My income is variable , but I also try to set aside a decent percentage each month for the future –both to tackle unexpected expenses or emergencies, to be prepared for my yearly tax bills, and, of course, to create more security for myself in case I ever cannot or no longer want to work.

Any expenses you tend to have during travel that I haven’t mentioned? Any questions about travel expenses and budgeting? Toss them in the comments.

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17 comments

This is so cool. Thank you for this.

I’m living in a tiny house on a farm right now, but after my kid graduates high school I – or perhaps both of us – have considered living like this for a while. I’m building up my author/editor business, and it certainly would be nice to get around. I get really restless staying in one spot too long.

Glad you enjoyed it! And good luck!

Idnloke to know more about working abroad

If you are looking for info on my freelance career, here’s the skinny: https://gigigriffis.com/how-i-make-money-while-traveling-the-world-full-time-behind-the-scenes-with-a-location-independent-writer/

If you are looking for info on jobs abroad, I’m sorry to say I don’t have much info on that.

I’m not brave enough to try this with my husband and two kids, but I loved reading about how you do it! Kudos!!

Thanks for sharing your experience! This gives us an idea of how to budget for travel in Europe.

I am really enjoying following your adventures. I am waiting for a Portuguese residency permit and will be dipping my toe in the nomadic water soon. One question I am grappling with – what do you do for health insurance when you are back in the US?

For short trips, I get a temporary travel insurance plan (something like World Nomads even though their paperwork hassles are epic). But I think many European health plans also cover emergencies outside Europe, so might be worth looking into whether your Portuguese insurance will cover you once you’re resident there (I know in Switzerland the insurance we looked at covers US travel).

Amazing post!! Thanks for the detailed breakdowns. So happy to have found your site – it’s SO helpful and informative for slow travelers.

Great post! Thanks for sharing these insights with everyone. I wonder if you might answer a tax question. If one were to travel 1-3 months in each country, does that mean you need to file taxes in each of those countries plus the US?? I get if one were in the same country for over 6mo then that country would probably be considered the country of residence for tax filing purposes but what about when hoping county to county, never staying in any one country longer than 3mo??

Thanks in advance for any insights on my tax question!

Most countries don’t consider you a tax resident until you’ve been there more than 180 days in a year. Most tax accountants will do a free consult if you would like a professional perspective on your specific situation, though!

i’m a new dog owner (about 9 months) and also planning for a 6-month travel sabbatical in about 1.5 years. i’m still debating whether i should take my yoshi with me (he’s a 13 lb chiwienie). I’ve never flown with him before, and I’m wondering if you have any tips and tricks to help ease him into the process? you’re an inspiration!

Thanks! If you haven’t already, I’d read the Luna the traveling pooch section of the blog. https://gigigriffis.com/category/luna/ . There’s tons of stuff in there. The short answer is lots of treats and comfort toys inside the carrier (with the carrier open) in your house to get him used to and feeling safe in the carrier.

Thank you a million times over!

Thanks, Gigi. I needed this. It gives me courage as a single 55 yo American dude. I need some challenge in my life…something to conquer…something that will keep me on my toes. I’ve always suffered from bouts of wanderlust and I’m just plain DONE with corporate health/academic full time work. I did a back-of-the-envelope calculation on my expenses and came out around 2,200/mo traveling mostly in European Union with time in Serbia, Montenegro, B/H, SE Asia, Georgia and Turkey to mitigate the Schengen rules. Any reason you spent so little time in the Balkans? Is it a solo-female traveler thing? Sadly Russia appears off the list. I have spent a fair amount of time there before.

I have savings and a professional license (planning to do consulting over zoom). I plan to work part time (10-12 hours/wk) while honing film photography, reading for pleasure, learning about local history, and making friends. My budget is a bit lighter for accommodations (I don’t mind living in an Airbnb room) and heavier on LOCAL travel. I want to hike and spend time shooting landscapes in the areas I choose. This is a giant question mark in my mind. How to get to these places without a vehicle? I’m a bit reticent about using a scooter and don’t want to spend a fortune on taxi. I’m thinking there might be local bus service that gets me close in many places? Any insights here would be appreciated.

Your style is very much how I view my own journey. Stay in one place 1-2 months to maximize accommodation expenditures, minimize European touristy museums (been there done that—going to 1-2 local gems is my thought), mostly eat at home, and take rail day trips once a month with a night-over. Kudos for avoiding the BIG European cities. That is exactly my plan. I don’ think you could force me to spend time in Paris for more than 3 days, mirroring my aversion to New York, Chicago and LA. Lol.

Once again, thank you for the inspiration! Hit me up on email if you like. If you have any tips on making local friends in the places you traveled, I’m all ears. Stay safe and pleasant travels!

Hey! Glad it’s helpful and good luck!

To your questions:

1) I actually spent quite a lot of time in Croatia (in fact, got a visa for a year after living in Estonia 1.5 years during the whole covid fiasco). The Balkans outside Croatia are a touch trickier because of infrastructure (which goes to your second question, I suppose). There’s less train/bus access, so they are trickier to get to and trickier to get around without a car (and I detest driving). Croatia definitely has better infrastructure than some other spots, though I did enjoy my jaunt into Bosnia and Montenegro.

The other reason is the dog. They tend to be the less dog-friendly options in Europe. I felt fine as a woman traveling solo, but the dog complicates places like Bosnia (which I did spend some time in, despite this) and Albania.

2) The Schengen countries (for the most part, with a few exceptions) have great public transit, so I relied on that. For hiking/wilderness areas, I find that there is transit but it sometimes runs less frequently, so I just had to plan well and sometimes find myself a base very close to the wilderness areas to stay for at least a few days (I did this, for instance, for Bohemian Switzerland in Czechia). Other places (Switzerland, France) often have trails very integrated into every location and/or transit to even the remotest spots.

The places that are a bit more tricky tend to be places on the edges of Europe (the center is very well connected). So I had to get more creative in places like Portugal, Spain, and Estonia, which have somewhat less extensive public transit and more car culture. (Even so, I have never rented a car in any of those places and have relied on everything from infrequent buses to my bicycle to taxis or rideshares.)

Great! Thank you for the insights! I poked around your blog and found solid information on making friends. Funny, having a meal at home with a handful of people is definitely my style. :) I enjoyed many of the images on your blog. Particularly one from Italy with the path going along that turquoise river. Sublime! Excellent information on the hiking trails in different countries and your tip on staying close to trail systems for a handful of days. Lastly, your travels helped me to discover the inclusion of Portugal to the digital nomad parade! That’s particularly exciting to me as my younger brother and fam are planning a permanent move to Portugal (getting tired of Seattle/US health care/foods). Looks like potentially a more lengthy process? What an amazing time to see the world and work from anywhere! New DM visas are also popping up in SE Asia. Cheers!

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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Europe Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

From beautiful Paris to smoke-filled coffeeshops in Amsterdam, Oktoberfest to La Tomatina, Europe is a massive, diverse continent with an unlimited assortment of things to see and do. You won’t have any problem filling your time, whether you’re backpacking Europe for a few months on a budget or just spending a few weeks there on a well-earned vacation.

The continent boasts wonderful beaches, historical architecture, amazing wine, and tons of world-class festivals. Every country is incredibly different from the next too, providing limitless variety in what you do during your trip.

I first backpacked Europe in 2006 and was hooked immediately. I’ve been visiting every year since, have run tours around the continent, and even wrote a book on traveling in Europe . It’s a destination I love and never get tired of exploring.

This guide will give you an overview of Europe and the tips and tricks you need to start planning your trip. I’ve also written extensive travel guides to each country on the continent (linked below in this post) so you can get more in-depth information for your specific itinerary too!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Europe

Click Here for Country Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in europe.

1. Tour the Greek Islands

These islands are the mecca of summer beach fun and each is unique in its own great way. There’s Ios (beach party central with archeological ruins and awesome boat tours); Kos (ancient ruins and nature); Crete (Bronze Age ruins of Knossos, hiking, beaches, and wine), Santorini (iconic blue water, white buildings, and local wineries); Mykonos , (the upscale party island with beautiful beaches, villages, and sunsets), Naxos (best island in the Cyclades). Plus, Milos, Corfu, Lemnos, Zakynthos, and so many more! With hundreds of islands in the country, you can always find what you are looking for!

2. Ride the rails

Europe is famous for its international rail system. Rail passes like the Eurail Pass have been around forever and still make it very easy to get from country to country on a relatively small budget (and with lots of flexibility). Europe has some of the fastest trains in the world that travel up to an incredible 217 mph (350 kph). The whole continent is connected by trains and there’s a growing push for even more connections and long-distance, high-speed trains in order to reduce flying and help combat climate change. There’s nothing more quintessential than riding the trains in Europe and I encourage you to take as many trains as possible. It’s one of the best ways to see the continent.

3. Get lost in Paris

The “City of Lights” is everything people say it is. I fell in love with it the first time I stepped foot in Paris . The city is just magical. You have a ton of museums, cafes, jazz clubs, famous art, and beautiful architecture. I love just strolling around the streets of the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) or Montmartre neighborhood as it makes for a breathtaking day. Another one of my favorite things to do here is just sit in the Jardin des Champs-Élysées park and picnic like the Parisians. For something a bit different, check out the famous Catacombs and Paris Sewer Museum. With so much to offer in the way of culture, history, and gastronomy, it would take years to see everything here but you can still get a good feel of the city in a few days.

4. Go city hopping

There are so many amazing cities in Europe that we’d need a top 100 to list them all. Here are some of my personal favorites and must-see cities: London is rich in history, culture, and the famous Big Ben clock; Edinburgh is a vibrant medieval city with cozy pubs and a famous castle with a huge New Year’s Eve Party; Amsterdam has cozy coffee shops and canopied tree-covered canals; Berlin has a wild party scene, street art, and the Berlin Wall; Barcelona has tapas, beach, and unique Gaudi architecture; coastal Lisbon has colorful tiles, old tramcars, cobblestone streets and plenty of fresh seafood; Prague has a beautiful intact Old Town, incredible architecture and eclectic bars; Tallinn Estonia has beautiful medieval buildings with colorful roofs. Florence  is a mecca for Italian Renaissance architecture, art history, and gelato; Stockholm mixes medieval architecture and modern art and design. Crisscross the continent, take in the culture, and enjoy all the historic cities!

5. Hit the Alps

Whether you go skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer, the Alps hold some of the most breathtaking views in all the world. You don’t even need to be an expert hiker because there are mountain trails for all levels and crystal-clear Alpine lakes. Check out the spectacular Eibsee trail loop in Bavaria at the foot of Die Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest mountain, for the clearest, multi-colored, sparkling lake you’ve ever seen. Or the Männlichen Kleine Scheidegg Panorama trail in Switzerland’s stunning green and snow-capped Alps. Or visit Italy’s Dolomites in South Tyrol for the scenic Seceda trail. The Alps have trails for every fitness level and in every season.

Other Things to See and Do in Europe

1. tour amsterdam.

I love Amsterdam so much that I lived here for a short period of time in 2006. Here cobblestone and brick streets weave around lovely canals as people ride their bikes to and fro. My favorite things to enjoy here are Amsterdam’s vibrant art and music scene and there are also a ton of interesting museums here like the Anne Frank House, FOAM, the history museum, and the hemp museum. Be sure you get out of the center into Jordaan and Oost with their wonderful outdoor cafes and fewer tourists. Also, a visit to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without a canal cruise to visit the many islands and there are many to choose from that include snacks and drinks, sunset cruises, live guided tours, and more.

2. Hang out in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that goes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It truly could give NYC a run for the “city that never sleeps” title. Be prepared for late-night dinners and parties until dawn. Besides a great food and nightlife scene, there is a wonderful beach, tons of Gaudi architecture (including the fairytale-like Parc Güell, as well as the iconic Sagrada Familia , which has been under construction for over 100 years!), incredible food tours, one of the best history museums in the country, and lots of outdoor spaces. What I love about Barcelona is that when you’re ready to chill, you can wander around Parc de la Ciutadella and marvel at the majestic fountains, plant life, and buildings created from an ornate military fortress.

3. Visit Berlin

Hip and trendy Berlin is an energetic destination. It is one of Europe’s most affordable capital cities, with a vibrant music and art scene and a growing foodie movement. Be sure to spend some time learning about the city’s darker history via the many excellent museums, memorials, and landmarks. The East Side Gallery, a section of the Berlin Wall that’s now painted with murals, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe are two especially powerful reminders of Germany’s past. For all periods of German history, don’t miss the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum) – it’s one of the best history museums in the world. Once you’ve had your fill of history, relax in Berlin’s many green spaces, from Tempelhof Field, the site of a former airfield and popular local hangout spot, to Tiergarten, a tree-covered former hunting ground for 17th-century aristocrats.

4. Drink beer at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a must for anyone going to Germany at the end of September. While not a budget option since beers now cost 15 € a maß, I love the energy and friendly camaraderie this event inspires. For two weeks, millions of people from all over the world gather for lots of beer, excitement, music, and wild fun. Watching thousands of people sing together, raising quart-sized beer mugs for endless toasts, and enjoying the general party atmosphere makes you feel good about the world. (Or maybe that’s just the beer?) Just be sure to book your accommodation well in advance and be prepared to pay top prices for them. If you don’t have an outfit, don’t worry, there are plenty of shops even at the main train station where you can buy a Bavarian dirndl dress and men’s lederhosen.

5. Experience London

Get a taste of English culture in diverse London . The museums here are some of the best in the world (most are free) and include the Tate, the British Museum, the City Museum, the National Gallery, the Historical Museum. There’s no shortage of iconic sights here as well, with Big Ben, the House of Parliament, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and of course, Buckingham Palace. I love London’s diversity because of the countless international eateries with great food and wonderful pub culture, perfect for after a long day seeing the sights. Head to Brick Lane on the weekends for some amazing food and craft markets. I prefer Paris to London, but there is something sophisticated and fun about London. Just watch those pints — London is not a cheap destination!

6. Get outdoors in Scandinavia

My favorite region in Europe is Scandinavia. The quality of life here is high, the people are beautiful and friendly, and the cities are clean and historic. Cycling the cities, taking canal tours, hiking the vast forested areas, archipelago hopping, enjoying fika (a Swedish coffee break), and warming up in saunas are just a few of the popular activities that await you here. True, this area of Europe is not cheap, but there are plenty of ways to reduce your expenses. Don’t let the high prices scare you away. Highlights for me include Copenhagen , Stockholm , Gotland, Norway’s fjords, and Lapland in Finland .

7. Get enchanted in Prague

Prague has an amazing history and is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities I’ve ever seen. Highlights include the 9th-century Prague Castle, the magnificent Charles Bridge (built in the 14th century and one of the oldest standing bridges in the world), the 10th-century old square with its iconic astronomical clock, and the winding Jewish Quarter. Even if you only have a few days there don’t miss the free walking tour which is one of my favorites in Europe and the best way to learn about the Old Town and the tragic history of the city that went from thriving Bohemian capital of art, music, and literature to part of the Iron Curtain after WWII. Some of my favorite gems here include the fantastic black light theater shows in 4D and the one-of-a-kind medieval dinner show in an old tavern complete with musicians and jugglers not to mention hearty food and drinks. During the weekends it heaves with people enjoying the bars, cheap beer, and delicious food so try to visit during the week (and in the spring or fall) to beat the crowds.

8. Relax on the French Riviera

Here, you can pretend to live the high life for a little bit. Have fun in the sun, relax on the beach, swim in azure blue water, hobnob with the rich and famous, and sail on (or gaze at) gigantic yachts. As for cities, Nice is nice with its palm-tree-lined promenade, old town, and many art museums. If you want to go see how the rich and famous live, spend an afternoon checking out Cannes to soak up some glamorous vibes on La Croisette where they hold the famous Cannes Film Festival. The kingdom of Monaco with its tiny streets, beautiful buildings, and world-famous casino is just a skip away too.

9. Enjoy the great outdoors in Interlaken

Located in the beautiful mountains of Switzerland, Interlaken is a gorgeous place to unwind with fantastic hiking, delicious hot chocolate, and plenty of outdoor sports. The area is full of natural attractions to explore, including the St. Beatus Caves (complete with a legendary dragon), the cascading 500-meter-high (1,640 feet) Giessbach Waterfalls, the Jungfraujoch mountain railway (which leads to the highest train station on the continent), and a plethora of lakes (hence the town’s name). It’s a good alternative to all the cities and museums. Interlaken is also a popular party destination for backpackers and other young travelers. By far, my favorite scenic and visually stunning trail was the Oberberghorn panoramic hike, where you can wander the green mountain ridge ogling the amazing views and the turquoise-blue Brienzersee.

10. Experience history in Rome

In this thriving historical city, you can’t walk two feet without stumbling over a ruin, making Rome a history buff’s dream. Its tiny streets are perfect for wandering as you explore the Colosseum, see the Forum and Palatine Hill, visit the Pantheon, spend time in Vatican City, admire the Spanish Steps, and toss coins into the famous Trevi Fountain. The skip-the-line tickets can definitely be worth it so you don’t waste time waiting outside attractions. Rome also has amazing food (it’s Italy, after all) and nightlife. Visit the Trastevere area for a taste of “local” Rome and chill bars. It’s my favorite area in the city because you feel like you’re in a small village in the middle of a big city.

11. Hike around the Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is my favorite part of Italy. These five beautiful cliffside towns are perched near warm waters and beautiful olive and grape groves. There are wondrous and strenuous hikes in these hills; for a real challenge, take trail #8. Or just walk the coastline for something less difficult. Many activities here revolve around the coastline: kayaking, swimming, having a beach picnic or visiting the Technical Naval Museum. If you happen to be here in December or January, don’t miss the Nativity Manarola, the world’s biggest lighted nativity scene.

12. Tour Krakow

Krakow looks like it stepped out of a medieval postcard. It’s a hip, trendy, and youthful city that’s the center of education in Poland, meaning there are a lot of university students here. Most travelers come to party here (the vodka is cheap) but try to enjoy the city’s history and food besides just the bars. Walk the Royal Road through the Old Town to the 13th-century Wawel Castle, tour Schindler’s Factory (where Schindler saved over 1,200 Jews during World War II), and visit the sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. You can also take a fascinating day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine, a 13th-century mine with cavernous chambers, statues, chapels, chandeliers, and cathedrals all carved out of salt.

13. Visit the ruin bars in Budapest

The coolest nightlife in all of Europe is found in Budapest . Built in abandoned buildings, ruin bars feature funky art installations, repurposed furniture, and quirky decor. They are amazing, fun, and great places to meet locals, as people of all ages flock here. Open since 2001, Szimpla Kert is the original ruin bar and one of my favorites, along with Instant-Fogas Complex, which takes up an entire building and is actually many different bars in one. Don’t skip the ruin bars — they’re one of the most unique things about the city!

14. Explore Cornwall

The best part of England is outside London, yet unfortunately, not a lot of travelers leave London. Head west to the area of Cornwall for cheaper prices, welcoming locals, natural beauty, great hiking, rolling hills, plenty of medieval castles, and picturesque small towns. If you like biking, the Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow is worth the trip and you even pass by a local vineyard. It’s an easy way to spend a day (and it’s pretty flat so it’s not too hard to do.) Plus, I had the best fish and chips in Cornwall! Overall, it’s what you think of as “traditional England.”

15. Walk the Camino

El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) is an ancient pilgrimage route that stretches from France all the way across northern Spain. It is a 500 mile (800 km) trail that winds through incredible terrain, ending in Santiago de Compostela at the cathedral where St. James is supposedly buried. As a pilgrim, you get a “pilgrim’s passport” which allows you to stay in affordable pilgrim-only hostels, making this a surprisingly budget-friendly adventure. While it usually takes over a month to complete, you can just walk a section if you don’t have the time. To receive a “Compostela” (certificate of completion), you just need to walk the last 62 miles (100 km), which generally takes 4-5 days.

16. Throw tomatoes during La Tomatina

By far my favorite festival, the largest food fight in the world happens during the last Wednesday of August in Bunol, Spain. What started in 1945 as a local brawl has turned into a massive event drawing tens of thousands of people from all over the world. For about an hour, everyone throws tomatoes at each other, leaving streets ankle-deep in tomato juice. Afterward, everyone walks down to the river, cleans off, and then heads to the town square for sangria and music.

17. Find Dracula in Romania

Not a lot of people visit Romania but this underrated country in Eastern Europe has undiscovered yet picturesque medieval towns like Brasov (home to “Dracula’s castle”), Sighisoara, and Sibiu; gorgeous beaches on the Black Sea; and incredible hiking in the Fagaras Mountains — all at dirt-cheap prices. Other major sights include frescoed Byzantine monasteries, the steepled wooden churches of Transylvania, the hip university town Cluj-Napoca, the post-communist capital of Bucharest, and the Danube Delta, a huge nature reserve.

18. Drink whisky in Islay

Whisky has a long history on Islay , an island off Scotland’s west coast. It’s been made there since the 16th-century — first in backyards and then, starting in the 19th-century, in large distilleries. Over the years, whisky from the island came to be considered a specialty and was used to flavor a lot of other blends on the mainland. There are currently nine working distilleries on the island, all located along the island’s shores, with Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin being the most famous. Most distilleries here make single-malt Scotch, meaning that only one type of grain (barley) is used. My visit here was amazing and, even if you don’t like whisky, there are tons of good hikes and walks throughout this magnificent island.

19. Explore Iceland

Iceland is a magical country with majestic waterfalls, hidden hot springs around every corner, and sweeping vistas unlike anywhere else in the world. After my first visit, the country quickly became one of my favorite countries. With whale watching in the summer, the northern lights in the winter, and geothermal baths for soaking in year-round, there really is no bad time to visit! While Iceland’s main draw is the epic natural landscapes, it’s worth spending a couple of days in Reykjavik with its café culture, artsy feel, and brightly colored wooden row houses.

20. Sail the Croatian coast

With calm winds, short distances, a coastline littered with over 1,000 islands, and countless historical sites, Croatia is one of the world’s best sailing destinations. If you can, go during the shoulder season when you can find some great deals. Plan to stay at least a couple of days on one of the islands, with the most popular being Brac, Hvar, Krk, Cres, and Lošinj. However, don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path and explore some of the lesser-known islands such as Silba, Vis, and Lastovo. If you want to splash out and spend a week partying on a yacht, check out The Yacht Week, which hosts week-long parties, complete with DJs, from May-September. You can book a full boat to share with friends or just a cabin if you’re traveling solo. Prices start at 5,250 HRK per person and go up to 9,300 HRK.

21. Explore the Balkans

While the Balkans have become more popular with backpackers in recent years, it’s still largely overlooked by most budget travelers, despite being an extremely budget-friendly region. The Balkan peninsula is home to great (and again, overlooked) wine, beautiful medieval towns like Kotor and Mostar, stunning mountainous landscapes, beautiful pebble beaches, coffee culture, fresh, hearty yet inexpensive food, and museums covering the area’s history, including the most recent turbulent events of the early 1990s. I especially loved my time in Albania . Don’t miss the beautiful beaches in Ksamil, nicknamed the “Maldives of Europe’ as well as the mountain village of Gjirokastër, which was occupied by Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The Balkans have so much to offer for every budget and every country has its unique cultural flavor.

22. Take a wine tour in the Loire Valley

Located in central France, the picturesque Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and stretches 280 kilometers (174 miles) along the Loire River. One of the major wine-producing regions of France, the area is home to some of the best wines in the world, with over 1,000 vineyards open to the public. Even those who don’t drink wine will enjoy the beautiful small towns, great food, and the region’s over 300 impressive chateaux. I loved the medieval Chenonceau Castle and Chateau Villandry and the small villages like Saint-Florent-le-Vieil. Spring and Autumn are my favorite times to visit because you can go biking and do outdoor activities when it’s not too hot and there are fewer people. It’s an area not to be missed.

23. See Fado in Portugal

Fado is an important musical tradition in Portugal , originating in Lisbon and stretching back some 200 years. The word “fado” likely stems from the Latin word for fate, and it’s very haunting, poetic, and emotional music. Most of the songs follow themes of loss and mourning, and the music was popular with the working class (especially sailors). Performances normally take place in restaurants during dinner. In Lisbon, head to Clube de Fado, Tasca do Chico, Parreirinha de Alfama, or Senhor Vinho.

24. Tour green Slovenia

Slovenia is one of Europe’s least-visited destinations, which is mind-blowing to me because it’s an amazing place to visit. Slovenia offers all the beauty of Western Europe but at a fraction of the cost and with a fraction of the crowds. Perfect for outdoor adventure lovers, Slovenia offers rugged mountains, untouched landscapes, fantastic ski resorts, plentiful wine, sprawling cave systems, incredible food, and postcard-perfect lakes, such as the famous Lake Bled with its castle on an island. I loved Piran, Slovenia’s often overlooked coastal Venetian-style harbor town that was actually founded 3000 years ago. Stroll around its beautiful windy cobble-stoned streets, beautiful plazas, and take advantage of the many affordable restaurants right on the water. Make sure to also spend a few days in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, known as one of the continent’s greenest and most livable cities. Take a river cruise to see the city and enjoy the friendliness of the locals.

  For more information on specific countries in Europe, check out the guides below:

• Albania Travel Guide
• Austria Travel Guide
• Belgium Travel Guide
• Belarus Travel Guide
• Bosnia & Herzegovina Travel Guide
• Bulgaria Travel Guide
• Czechia Travel Guide
• Croatia Travel Guide
• Denmark Travel Guide
• England Travel Guide
• Estonia Travel Guide
• Finland Travel Guide
• France Travel Guide
• Germany Travel Guide
• Greece Travel Guide
• Hungary Travel Guide
• Iceland Travel Guide
• Ireland Travel Guide
• Italy Travel Guide
• Latvia Travel Guide
• Lithuania Travel Guide
• Malta Travel Guide
• Moldova Travel Guide
• Montenegro Travel Guide
• Netherlands Travel Guide
• Norway Travel Guide
• Portugal Travel Guide
• Poland Travel Guide
• Romania Travel Guide
• Scotland Travel Guide
• Slovakia Travel Guide
• Slovenia Travel Guide
• Spain Travel Guide
• Sweden Travel Guide
• Switzerland Travel Guide
• Ukraine Travel Guide

Europe Travel Costs

Accommodation – Accommodation prices vary greatly by region. In Western Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 25-45 EUR per night, depending on the room’s size and the popularity of the hostel. I stayed in a 6-bed dorm in Berlin for 20 EUR, while the same one would have cost me around 45 EUR in Paris. A room in Paris costs on the higher end and a room in cheaper Athens costs on the lower end.

In Eastern Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 10-15 EUR per night depending on the size of the dorm room and the popularity of the hostel. The further east you go, the cheaper it gets. Expect to pay around 30-60 EUR per night for a private room that sleeps two.

In Scandinavia, hostel dorm beds cost around 25-45 EUR, while private rooms are 65-80 EUR. Budget hotels start around 85 EUR.

Most accommodations offer free linens, free Wi-Fi, and a lot offer free breakfast, but it’s important to check specific websites for exact amenities.

Campsites cost between 10-15 EUR per night for a basic plot for two without electricity.

Food – Food traditions in Europe run deep, stretching back centuries to become integral parts of each country’s culture. From baguettes in France to tapas in Spain, from hearty Eastern European stews and goulash to the fresh vegetables and olive oils of the Mediterranean, European cuisine varies as much as the countries themselves. Food prices differ greatly across the continent, so check individual country guides for specifics.

But no matter where you are, even in the more expensive countries, finding places to eat within your budget is easier than you might think. Throughout Western Europe, you can find small shops, street food stalls, or food trucks where you can get sandwiches, gyros, kebabs, slices of pizza, or sausages for between 3-7 EUR. These shops are most often found in train stations, bus stations, and main pedestrian areas, and offer cheap food alternatives that can have you eating on 12-17 EUR per day. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 7-10 EUR for a combo meal.

Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Vietnamese eateries abound in Germany, while Indian food is incredible and everywhere in the United Kingdom. Meals at these restaurants usually cost between 8-12 EUR.

Restaurant meals in casual, traditional eateries generally cost around 13-25 EUR for a main dish and drink. Food is much cheaper in the east than in the west, and in the west, northern regions like Scandinavia and the UK are more expensive than southern countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

In Eastern Europe, even if you are eating out for all your meals, you can still get by on a food budget of as little as 15 EUR per day.

For drinks, a pint of beer is 2-5 EUR, a glass of wine is 2-7 EUR, a cappuccino is 2-5 EUR, and cocktails range from 6-14 EUR.

If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu (two-course or three-course set menu). Restaurants offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices between 10-20 EUR, it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu. You can also get affordable lunches at outdoor markets. So many European cities have huge fresh food markets throughout town.

You can cook your own food for around 45-65 EUR per week. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, bread, and some meat. You can save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, Aldi, and Penny Market.

If you want to save big money on meals, head to one of the markets, pick up some cheese, wine, bread, meats, or anything else, and go to the park for a picnic. (Or grab a sandwich for later!) You’ll find the locals doing the same thing, and it’s one of the cheaper ways to get a true taste of local food.

Backpacking Europe Suggested Budgets

Prices for travel in Europe vary greatly depending on how far north, east, south, or west you travel. If you stick to the budget accommodations, food, and tours listed here and use all my tips on saving money, you need about 65-110 EUR per day in Western Europe, 40-50 EUR in Eastern Europe, and about 85-130 EUR in Scandinavia.

Those numbers reflect a traveler who stays in hostels, cooks some meals and eats out cheaply, enjoys a few drinks, and sticks to free and cheap activities like hiking, walking tours, and enjoying nature. This is your typical backpacker budget. You aren’t going to have a fancy time, but you aren’t going to want for anything either.

However, by getting tourist cards and rail passes, avoiding flights, occasionally Couchsurfing or camping, cooking all your meals, and not drinking, you can travel a lot cheaper. On this budget, you could do Western Europe on 35-45 EUR per day, Eastern Europe on 20-25 EUR, and Scandinavia on 50-65 EUR. That would require you to take a train or a bus or hitchhike everywhere, skip most museums, and limit how often you go out.

Generally, the suggested daily budget for Europe is 80-120 EUR. You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Europe Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Individual country guides have more specific information on how to save money in them but here are some general tips on cutting your costs while you explore Europe:

• Picnic – This continent has a lot of little shops where you can buy pre-made sandwiches or ingredients to make your own. Many supermarkets have delis as well where you can get food to go. Buy some food, eat outside, and watch the city and its people go by. It’s a much more enjoyable and cheaper way to eat.
• Eat local and cheap – Not into picnicking? Eat at local sandwich shops, pizza parlors, Maoz, Wok to Walks, and outdoor street vendors. Avoiding restaurants and eating at a lot of the local “grab n’ go” places gives you a taste of the local cuisine at a much cheaper price. If you’re really on a budget, use your creative cooking skills to prepare meals at the hostel as well.
• Stay with a local – Hostels can add up really quickly. If you don’t have any friends with whom you can stay, consider using Couchsurfing , which connects you with locals who let you stay with them for free. Plus, they tend to also have meetups to meet other locals and travelers. It’s a great way to save on accommodation and meet a local who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Camp in a garden – A very good camping service specific to Europe is Campspace , which allows you to pitch a tent in someone’s backyard for free or for a small fee (around 10-20 EUR). All of the garden owners have profiles that tell you what services and facilities they offer. Also, many countries allow wild camping (like Sweden), which can save you a fortune if you have a tent.
• Take the bus – Budget bus companies like Flixbus can take you across the continent for cheap. I personally feel it’s best for day travel as sitting up for an overnight bus isn’t really ideal for sleeping. It isn’t glamorous, but with tickets starting at 5 EUR, you really can’t complain!
• Get a Rail Pass – Eurail Passes have saved me hundreds of dollars. If you are traveling far distances and through many countries, they are a great deal.
• Take the free city tours – One of the great things about Europe is that you can find free walking tours in all the major cities. They can be a great way to see the city attractions, take in some history, and learn your bearings without spending any money. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Plan accordingly – Plan your trip around Europe so you avoid doubling back. Transportation is a big expense so proper planning can save you a lot of money (and time). Go in a straight line or a loop. Booking your accommodation ahead helps you save as well since cheap, good places unsurprisingly get reserved first. One thing I’ve learned is that waiting until the last minute means you get stuck with expensive places or cheap places no one wants.
• Fly cheap – If you know where you are going and a train won’t do, try to book flights early. You can often get round trip fares for as little as 5 EUR from many of the European discount airlines like Ryanair or Wizz. Many capital cities have smaller airports farther from the city with ‘inconvenient’ times but cheaper fares. Keep in mind you might need to factor in an early morning Uber or taxi if the busses aren’t running and you have an early flight!
• Drink less – Those 5 EUR beers add up. Hit happy hours or pick and choose when you party. Hostel bars are a good place to get cheap drinks or buy your alcohol at the supermarket. Plus, in Europe, it’s legal to drink outside in parks, plazas, by the lakes or rivers. You’ll find you can save a lot of money by not going to bars and clubs. Partying your way across the continent will destroy your bank balance in no time.
• Get a city tourist card – Many local tourism offices sell a tourism card for all their attractions, tours, and restaurants. This card gives you free entry and substantial discounts on all the attractions and tours in a city, free local public transportation (a huge plus), and discounts at a few restaurants and shopping malls. They save a ton of money. If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, get one of these cards.
• Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar to catch rides with locals between cities (or countries) by paying a small fee. It’s like Airbnb but for rides. I used this service in Switzerland and, not only did I save a lot of money, but I got to meet interesting people and learn about local culture and life. Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe, though sometimes rides cancel at the last minute (which is why you need to be flexible). Check their ratings first and try to use rides where the person has done many trips.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water is safe to drink in most of Europe, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Get a HostelPass – HostelPass is a discount membership for hostels in Europe. Members get 10-20% off select hostels around Europe, as well as perks like free breakfast or free drinks. There are discounts on tours and activities too. It’s a great way to save money if you’re bouncing around Europe as they have hostels in 18 countries around the continent.

Where to Stay in Europe

Europe has a ton of budget accommodation options. The individual country and city guides have tons of recommendations but here’s a short list of some of my favorite budget hostels and hotels around Europe:

• The Flying Pig (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
• Hotel 54 (Barcelona, Spain)
• Generator Hostel (Copenhagen, Denmark)
• Harcourt Hotel (Dublin, Ireland)
• Castle Rock (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• Ios Palm Pansion (Ios, Greece)
• Greg and Tom’s Party Hostel (Krakow, Poland)
• Largo da Sé Guest House (Lisbon, Portugal)
• Sophie’s Hostel (Prague, Czech Republic)
• The Yellow (Rome, Italy)
• City Backpackers (Stockholm, Sweden)

How to Get Around Europe

Public transportation – Transportation around most European cities is by tram, subway, or bus. Prices are typically around 2 EUR for a one-way ticket in Western Europe and closer to 1 EUR in Eastern Europe. Most large cities also have day passes available that offer unlimited public transportation. These passes are usually 5-12 EUR per day.

In large cities with international airports, there is usually a bus or train available that ferries travelers from the downtown core to the airport. Expect to pay around 5-15 EUR to get to/from the airport.

Bus – Buses are not quite as comfortable as Europe’s trains, although certain lines do have great amenities (like roomy seats and Wi-Fi). While buses are not the most efficient way to travel around the continent, they’re certainly dependable, reliable, and cheap. You can find last-minute rides for as little as 5 EUR. A route from Berlin to Munich is about 25 EUR, while Paris to Bordeaux can be as low as 10 EUR. Longer routes, like Amsterdam to Copenhagen, start at around 47 EUR.

Each country has its own national bus service, but some lines also take you long distances internationally. Megabus and Flixbus (which now owns Eurolines) are the most popular companies.

Train – Train travel is a great way to see Europe. Intercity train prices vary wildly from country to country, depending on whether you take the slow train or a high-speed train and how far in advance you book. For example, a high-speed train from Berlin to Munich costs around 38-60 EUR, Bordeaux to Paris is about 50-85 EUR, and Madrid to Barcelona ranges from 45-85 EUR. Non-high-speed trains and other intercity lines are a lot cheaper, generally costing about 40-50% of the price of high-speed trains. Eastern Europe inter-country trains usually cost between 45-100 EUR when the ticket is booked last minute. Short train rides of 2-3 hours within countries cost about 27 EUR.

To find routes and prices for trains around Europe, use Trainline .

You may also want to consider getting a Eurail Pass , which allows travelers to explore Europe by providing a set number of stops in a specific time period. These passes are continent-wide, country-specific, or regional. It can potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Ridesharing/Car sharing – If your schedule is flexible, use a ridesharing service and catch rides with locals between cities (or countries). Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe. BlaBlaCar is the most popular.

If you’d rather rent a car yourself and find passengers to share a ride with, use Discover Cars to find the best car rental prices.

Flying – Budget airlines are so prolific that competition helps keep fares low. You can often find tickets where the fare is just 5 EUR round-trip! Companies like EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz, and Vueling offer mind-blowingly cheap flights throughout Europe. Book at least a month early to scoop up great deals.

Make sure that the airport they fly into isn’t too far out of your way (transportation from the secondary airport sometimes negates the savings from using the budget airline itself).

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay to check your baggage on these cheap flights. It costs about 25-39 EUR for one checked bag. If you wait to pay for your luggage at the gate, you end up paying almost double. Travel carry-on only to avoid this added cost.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Europe is very safe, but it’s not for everyone. Hitching is quite common around the continent and I’ve met a number of travelers who have done it (I, myself, traveled this way in Bulgaria and Iceland). Some countries are very supportive (Romania, Iceland, Germany) while others may be a bit more time-consuming (Italy, Spain). HitchWiki is the best website for hitchhiking info.

Here are my suggested articles for how to get around Europe:

• 7 Cheap Ways to Travel Across Europe
• Are Eurail Passes a Giant Scam or Do They Save You Money?
• The Ultimate Guide to Finding Cheap Flights

When to Go to Europe

There’s no wrong time to visit Europe. Peak season is summer, when Europe gets crowded and August is the time most European families are at the beach so everything becomes more crowded and expensive. But the overall atmosphere and weather are great during this time, so it’s still worth visiting during peak season (just book your accommodation in advance — especially in August). Keep in mind it’s much hotter in summer so if you like AC, be sure to check that your hostel or hotel has it before you book. You can expect the most crowds in Western Europe. For this reason, I feel summer is a great time to visit the Balkans and the Baltics because many people head to the beaches in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece.

Shoulder season is spring and fall (April-May and September-October). It’s still warm during this time but there aren’t as many crowds and prices are cheaper. This is my favorite time to visit hotspot places like Spain, Croatia and Greece, where it’s still hot enough to swim in the sea but you have way more room on the beach. It’s also a good time to go hiking in the Alps in Germany, northern Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland because it’s cooler during the day so you’re much less sweaty on the mountain without shade. The weather is good, the crowds are smaller, and the prices lower.

Winter is from November to February but in much of Central Europe, it’s wet and cold until March or April. It gets cold, even as far south as it gets (like Greece). On the other hand, the Christmas season has Christmas markets and festivals galore! Even if it’s cold, this is a cultural tradition you can’t miss and why I love Europe in December. There is hot mulled wine, sweets, and plenty of hot snacks, which vary by country. One of my favorites is Prague because the Old Town Square is lit up with a gigantic tree with aromas of crispy cinnamon pastries and mulled wine. Berlin takes their Christmas markets very seriously, so there are around 80 different markets with special themes.

Winter is fantastic in Europe for skiing and snowboarding but it doesn’t have to break the bank if you plan carefully. While Switzerland and France are probably the most famous, they are also expensive, but there are plenty of budget winter options.

How to Stay Safe in Europe

Europe is very safe for backpacking and solo traveling, even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent crimes against tourists are very rare. In fact, some of the safest countries in the world are in Europe. (I wrote a whole article about how Europe is safe to visit right now .)

That said, there are scams and petty crimes you should watch out for, especially around popular tourist landmarks. The most important thing to be aware of is pickpockets in crowds and on public transportation. Zip your bags and don’t put your mobile phone in a jacket pocket where someone could quickly take it. This should be obvious but don’t flash your money to let everyone know you have a huge wad of cash.

When choosing a hostel, look for ones with lockers. It’s always a good idea to carry around a padlock or combination lock. Most hostels are safe and travelers respect each other and I’ve rarely seen things happen to people’s valuables. Nevertheless, I always think that prevention is better.

As anywhere, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). When at the bar, always keep an eye on your drink. Avoid walking home alone at night if you’re intoxicated.

For female travelers in particular, it’s always a good idea to have a bit of extra money on you just in case you need to take an Uber or taxi back by yourself so you don’t take unnecessary risks to save money. If you’re using apps to date people while traveling, please use common sense and meet in public places. Since I’m not a female traveler, please check out the numerous female bloggers who have first hand knowledge of this.

If you’re worried about scams, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you rent a vehicle, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Be aware that the UK drives on the left and that most rental cars in Europe will have manual transmissions unless you request otherwise.

When hiking, always bring water, sunscreen, and bandaids or foot plasters. There is nothing worse than being halfway up the mountain with a blister and nothing you can do about it!

Likewise, when at the coast, don’t forget not only to wear sunscreen! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people get burnt to a crisp the first day. Be sure to check the weather before you depart and dress accordingly.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary to loved ones so they know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Europe Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go. Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!

Europe Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Europe travel and continue planning your trip:

The Perfect 7-Day Croatia Itinerary

The 6 Best Hotels in Copenhagen

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

The 6 Best Hotels in Vienna

The Best Walking Tours in Barcelona

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Our Budget for One Month in Europe

By Sydney Tong on November 23, 2016 . Read time: 6 mins .

Traveling does not always have to come with an expensive price tag. The more we travel, the better we are at managing our money while on our adventures. Stepping out of the vacationer mindset and into the traveler's shoes has given us richer and more meaningful experiences, and giving ourselves a budget has forced us to be more proactive while on the go. We hope that our information will help and inspire you with your next trip to Europe

Accommodations $733/person

Transportation $961/person, food $509/person, adventures & souvenirs $292/person.

People have approached us asking how we can afford to travel and how much our trips cost. We started this website with the goal to be completely transparent. In this article, we will break down our one month long trip around Europe and give you a rough outline on our expenses. Our primary costs are into transportation, accommodations, food, and entertainment.

We spent $2,523/person ($5,047 total). This figure includes all flights, trains, accommodations, food, museums, souvenirs and other miscellaneous items during the month.

We only planned and scheduled the first week of our trip. The rest of the time we closely monitored airfare/bus/ and train rates to decide what our next destination would be. This method allowed for more flexibility but also resulted in slightly higher ticket prices.

Planning and purchasing the tickets in advance is an excellent way to save money.

We decided to visit a combination of higher and lower cost cities. We went to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Zagreb, Vienna, Budapest and Belgium. Spending several days in each location.

• High-cost cities: Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Vienna, Belgium
• Moderate-cost cities: Budapest, Barcelona, Zagreb
• Low-cost cities: Mostar, Sarajevo

The entire month we used Airbnb for accommodations. It is important for us to have a reliable place to work, cook, do laundry and sleep. For two people we found this method to be more economical. Hostels end up costing more for a couple that would otherwise end up splitting the bill anyway.

For accommodations, we spent $733/person for the entire month ($1,466 total), the average night costing $27.50/person, which was a little higher than our original goal of$20. It helps to be somewhat flexible for those last minute experiences you can not pass up. Otherwise, try to make a habit of staying within the budget.

Hostels are located in convenient areas, and since we stayed in Airbnb, it took some effort to find a home that was centrally located. We managed to find places that were located near the things we wanted to do. We are confident that with a little patience you will be able to do the same. Our bookings were entire apartments except for our last night in Amsterdam which was a private room in someone's home.

Excuse the mess! We took all these photos after we had settled into our temporary space.

CHECK OUT AIRBNB NOW

Here are average figures for two people renting an entire home on Airbnb. This number includes all the fees and taxes that are associated with Airbnb. We spent less than average and were very comfortable. Prices may differ season to season.

• Amsterdam - $136 average/night
• Barcelona - $124 average/night
• Dubrovnik - $89 average/night
• Mostar - $48 average/night
• Sarajevo - $48 average/night
• Zagreb - $53 average/night
• Vienna - $81 average/night
• Budapest - $52 average/night

We recommend Airbnb to anyone who does not need all the guaranteed amenities that hotels provide. Although in many cases the Airbnb we stayed in provided coffee makers, kitchens, washing machines, and homey features. Airbnb hosts benefit from providing exceptional service. All stays require reviews by the guests and are made publicly available. Many hosts take pride in their homes, so they are always available to make your stay the best. We use Airbnb a lot and have always had good experiences.

Solo travelers often get a lower rate when looking to book apartments on Airbnb.

We increasingly rely on Scott's Cheap Flights for great promotions on international airfare. This service alerts us immediately when there are cheap flights from our area. In some cases, the prices are mistakes by the airline, in which case you would have to book immediately before it is corrected.

SCOTT'S CHEAP FLIGHTS

Google Flights is the best tool to use when looking for flights. We like to use the calendar view so we can see when the best times to fly are. Before Scott's Cheap Flights came out, we exclusively used Google to find cheap fares. Make sure you always book directly with the company, it is much easier to make changes to reservations if you do so.

Delta and their Dutch partner KLM have recently started flying from SLC to AMS direct and we were able to buy direct round-trip tickets for $606/person. Normally, these tickets cost$1,200/person, so this helped cut travel costs by $1,188! Finding good deals on tickets is so important and can help add money to the "fun" budget.

We spent $355/person ($710 total) on domestic trains, flights, and busses. We opted out of getting the Eurail pass because it did not go to eastern Europe. Also, the Eurail pass is only worth it if it saves money. We highly suggest doing some math ahead of time to see if it is worth it to you. In our case, it was better to purchase all of the tickets separately. You are typically paying a premium for the train, because of legroom, convenience, and ease of travel.

We purchased all of our tickets a few days in advance or day of. Planning a trip a whole month in advance could have been quite complicated but will definitely save money in the long-run.

We purchased all of our tickets a few days in advance or day of. Planning a trip a whole month in advance could have been quite complicated but will save money in the long-run.

When we travel for extended periods of time we try to cook more than we eat out. It is hard to eat a huge meal and then walk 10 miles while exploring a new city. We love shopping at local stores and markets and our meals revolve around the fruits, veggies, and spices that are available to us.

When we do eat out we put a lot of thought into the restaurants and bars we visit. We want an authentic experience, quality food, and good service. Typically, we eat out once a day and cook the other meals at home or grab something light to go. Trying local beers, wines and liquors are also included in this budget.

We tie food, with culture and it is a big travel expense for us. This trip, we spent $509/person ($1,019 total) on food & drinks. Each person spent $311 ($623 total) at restaurants and $198 ($396 total) on groceries.

Each of us spent $292 ($584 total) on tours, museums, and adventures. We typically do one to two museums and a tour of each city. We also try to do something unusual or different or something outdoors. When traveling, we try to stick to activities that are unique to the area.

Becoming a pro at spotting tourist traps is another great way to save money. A lot of attractions or tours are gimmicky and tend to be expensive. If it is not unique and can be done in other places then we suggest caution. Prices for these types of attractions are usually jacked up, be cautious, so you are not taken advantage of. We suggest asking locals what they enjoy doing. If you take a walking tour ask your guide for a list of tourist traps and how to avoid them. Do not forget to tip if the tour is free.

We hope you have found this rough summary useful when deciding how much moolah you will need for your adventure. We will regularly update this article as new information and tips come through. Subscribe to our newsletter and be alerted right away. Please leave any tips you have in the comments below, or ask and the community can help. We will do our best to answer your questions promptly.

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• January 19, 2022

Budget for a trip to Europe: How much do i need?

Table of Contents

That Europe is one of the most sought after destinations for tourism travel everyone already knows, we even have a list of 5 most visited countries in Europe and their incredible sights that certainly corroborates this conclusion! However, planning this trip can be a difficult task, since there are so many things to think, research and organize that can leave you lost, even more with the high costs that are a big problem for your plans, right? That’s exactly why we are here! We can help you with the basics or, if you prefer, you can start by taking a look at how to plan a trip to Europe during the pandemic and then come back here to create your budget for a trip .

So, have you gone and come back? Or did you prefer to stick around here? Well, roll your mouse over and find out all you need to know about how to make a cheap trip to Europe !

ON THE POINT: Writing down expenses

To plan a trip you should go through a basic itinerary of where you want to go, how many days you intend to stay, which places to visit and make reservations . This will all be part of your budget. As we are here to help you we recommend that you take into account two very important things: the external conditions and the standard expenses .

External conditions

When we talk about external conditions, we talk about a tip that can change everything! This is because each one of them greatly influences your pocket when it comes to buying and booking. They are:

• The country : some countries are cheaper than others and the difference can be quite significant, as you can check in Little Money: 3 countries to visit in Europe with little money ,
• The period : times with less tourist movement is called low season, and this term, like its name, is synonymous with low prices, ranging from tickets to accommodation and attractions.
• The European currency quote : the value of each currency is constantly changing and it is important to be aware of its current value to catch its best times.

Standard spending

The standard expenses are the essential costs of the trip – or at least the basics of a complete and still economical trip – that you should write down considering the above conditions and the time you intend to stay abroad:

• Return air tickets;
• Travel insurance;
• Accommodation;
• Tourist attractions.

Now that your expenses are organised, open your browser, take out your pencil, paper and calculator and get to work!

WHAT TO DO TO SAVE MONEY?

Before starting the calculations, it is best to follow a few steps thinking about the external conditions of your trip, so you will have an overview of the expenses, besides finding the cheapest prices for when you calculate the rest of your budget for a trip.

Step one: plan everything in advance!

• When it comes to planning, even more so when you want low prices, you have to be willing to be flexible with dates and times , plus the earlier you book the better it is!
• So the first step for your planning and subsequently your budget is to choose dates well ahead, such as booking tickets 2 to 6 months in advance .

Step two: look for a cheap city!

• The cities located in Eastern Europe are a bargain! With a list that includes Budapest , Krakow , Istanbul , Prague and Sofia and prices of up to 40 euros per day .
• Others between Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal have a cheap average spend, between 50 and 60 euros per day .
• And there are still some very popular tourist destinations such as Berlin , in Germany, London , in England, Paris, in France, and Rome , in Italy, as well as Amsterdam , Barcelona , Brussels and Lisbon , with average prices ranging from 60 to 70 euros per day .

Step three : choose the best time!

• The period of your trip matters a lot, after all you can catch the low season at the right times, besides, of course, less suffocating with queues and crowds.
• In most places it occurs in the winter period as seen in some countries mentioned in 5 incredible places to visit in the European winter , starting in late autumn . From November to March are the months with the lowest prices .
• Spring is also a good time. In general, the landscapes in the season of dry leaves and flowers in bloom are beautiful and unite natural beauty with good prices.

Step four: keep an eye on the European currency!

• The value of the European currency changes constantly and even small amounts make a big difference when it comes to paying.
• Many hostels and locations only accept European currency.
• Therefore, you have 2 options: one is to convert it when calculating the expenses, always keeping in mind a margin of error; and the second and more practical option is to exchange the currency of your country for the Euro, so you reduce the difficulties of your trip.
• As the currency can overvalue or depreciate depending on the weather, it is good to exchange in advance.
• Also bear in mind that although the Euro is the official European currency, some regions make use of other currencies such as England with the Pound Sterling and the Swedish Krona and Czech Koruna , respectively of Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Step five: search for reliable sources and websites!

• Once you find it, you can search and book (in advance) your tickets and accommodation.

Lean more at How Much Does it Cost to go to Europe?

PRE-TRIP EXPENSES

After following the recommended steps, start to really calculate each of the standard expenses, starting with those that must be done in advance, because then it is less of a worry and it is enough to save for when the day of the trip comes.

As the item that should be purchased the furthest in advance, tickets should be your priority, and remember:

• As the goal is cheap tickets, we will follow the previous tips aiming at the low season period;

Flights booked in December with a date in March of the following year, that is 3 months, 4 days of stay in the city, being the time that interchanges the outward and return trip, and for 1 adult in economy travel, stay around

• Flight with (1) connection NY – Lisbon: from 181,22 euros;
• Direct flight NY – London: from €257.73;
• Direct flight NY – Paris: from 250.83 euros
• Direct flight NY – Rome: from 316.04 euros

* These cities were just some examples, the values may change depending on the place of embarkation and disembarkation.

Ps: don’t forget to look for flexible airlines! So, if necessary you can change the date of your trip without problems or having to pay extra for it.

Travel insurance

I’ m sure you’re already tired of hearing about travel insurance when it comes to Europe, right? But that just goes to show how essential it is. And if you’re lost about it, we recommend you check out how to travel safely to Europe during the pandemic in 2023 to learn how important it is. But to put you in context, this obligation is a guarantee that, in case you have an accident or something similar happens, you will be able to pay for the medical-hospital expenses.

So what do you need to know about them for your budget for a trip?

• Which countries require travel insurance . Not all of them, but many countries do, including the member countries of the Schengen Treaty (if you haven’t seen the first article mentioned, take the opportunity to check it out now, there is a list of all of them);
• What insurance covers . Of the main services offered from travel insurance, medical-hospital and pharmaceutical costs are top of the list, however insurance still covers other issues such as:
• Flight cancellation due to medical emergency or otherwise;
• Tracking and compensation in case of lost luggage;
• Compensation for disability or accidental death, as well as funeral assistance;
• Legal costs and bail bonds;
• The best plan for you . Depending on the length of your trip or what collateral you find most essential, you can choose an insurance plan that covers what you want, for the most affordable price. You can do this using simulators.
• The price of insurance is from 2,35 euros per day;
• From 13,80 euros per day without luggage insurance;
• And a more complete plan around 20 euros per day.

Ah, keep an eye on the European Travel Visa! Soon the Schengen Visa Waiver will come into effect, which will have a fee for the service, but its cost-benefit is also great, as it will be valid for 3 years. You can see more in United States and Europe: will you need a visa in 2023 ?

Accommodation

As well as the time of year, the country and the location of the accommodation you choose will also influence the price of the accommodation you choose, whether it is a simpler or more elegant hostel, budget hotels or flats for rent, always keeping the focus on the low price.

Best hostel options

• Lisbon (daily rate – 1 person): from 12,49 to 78,47 euros;
• London (daily rate – 1 person): from 12.24 to 70.39 euros;
• Paris (daily rate – 1 person): from 21,81 to 39,08 euros;
• Rome (daily rate – 1 person): from 12.56 to 53.52 euros.

Best options for flats

• Lisbon (daily rate – 1 person): around 53.83 to 152.86 euros;
• London (daily rate – 1 person): from around 47.87 to 166.67;
• Paris (daily rate – 1 person): from 45.36 to 137.64 euros;
• Rome (daily rate 1 person): from about 55,40 to 180,80 euros;

Best hotel options

• Lisbon (daily rate – 1 person): from 12 euros;
• London (daily rate – 1 person): from 18,05 euros;
• Paris (daily rate – 1 person): from 24.48 euros;
• Rome (daily rate – 1 person): from 33,27 euros.

Expenses during the trip

Now that you have seen the expenses before the trip, you need to know how much you will spend during the trip, which on average is around 50 euros per day for one person. Let’s break this down?

Sightseeing and tourist attractions

When talking about saving money, you have to be aware that it requires a lot of searching. Attractions are no different. They can vary a lot, from attractions that cost nothing or have very low prices , as is the case of Serra da Estrela, in the Portuguese winter period, or can be quite high, depending on its fame and how much is demanded.

However, on average the cat cost with attractions is 20 euros per day for a person, enough to visit the main sights. Even because, with the incredible landscapes

that there are, walking a little bit through the streets enjoying the view, is one of the best experiences and doesn’t cost anything! Of course you don’t have to miss out on an attraction you like because of the price, just make sure you control how many you go to so you don’t lose your hand on the budget and a lot of money in your pocket.

Transport when travelling is essential, especially if you don’t want to get lost in unknown lands. And it is even possible to go from city to city only with train rides , so it is a very interesting expense, don’t you agree? But you have to think well about the cost-benefit before spending. So, decide if you want to stay in one city only or travel between several.

• If you choose to stay in only one city, bus or train rides are very cheap, ranging from 1 to 3 euros . You can also buy 24 to 72 hour passes.
• From Lisbon to Madrid: 16 euros;
• From Madrid to Rome: 26 euros;
• From Rome to Paris: 23 euros;
• From Paris to London: 38 euros.

If you are interested, read more about how to travel by train in Europe: the best itineraries!

The cost of food to be cheap just depends on you! There are many famous restaurants in Europe, but the price can be discouraging. However, you can still choose a good option, get to know the cuisine and culture you want without having to spend too much!

• The first tip is: book hotels or hostels with breakfast included ! Even if it doesn’t, opt for the cheapest, so you can spend between 3 and 5 euros .
• The same tip goes for lunch; if possible, eat at the hotel . Or just leave lunch as your “out of town” meal. A simple meal will cost you around 12,56 euros .
• For dinner, you can eat at the hotel, which is much cheaper, or you can try the fast food at those times, which are always cheaper, and can be as low as 5 euros !
• Another cheap option is the “ Tourist Menu “, going for 9 euros .
• And then there are the markets, with excellent prices and a great alternative for buying meals.
• On average, opting for good quality and still economical, your meal will be around 20 to 25 euros per day.

SUMING IT ALL UP: How much does a cheap trip to Europe cost altogether?

After writing down all the expenses before and after the trip, choosing the best periods and following the tips for an economical trip, and taking the average of tickets and hotel accommodation for 4 days, the expense that a person would have to visit Europe for four days is 500 euros . Very economical, isn’t it? With this you can even spend a little more, since it is impossible to do a tour like this and not buy anything or take souvenirs home – which by the way are an expense of about 30 euros a day! And now, do you know everything to plan a budget for a trip and start your journey?

If not, we have a complete budget for a trip: Holidays in Portugal: how much money do I need?

If so, how about doing some more extensive planning and a 10-day trip to Europe?

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• budget for a trip , Europe , travel cheap , travel cheaply , Travel in 2022

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Your perfect 1 month europe travel itinerary.

Europe: its cultural diversity twinned with a managable size and excellent transport links make for an immensley rewarding travel experience.

No matter where you go, cities everywhere from Seville to Helsinki always attract a wave of travellers, especially during the summer.

Many backpackers and travellers want to spend at least one month in Europe to get a real feel for this historic and diverse yet compact continent. Plane tickets can be cheap if you are willing to go off season or get the right deal, and driving in Europe is fun, but when it comes to transport train is king.

Not only there are trains everywhere, with both regular and high-speed options, but also programs like Eurail and Interrail let you use almost the whole train network for a fixed amount of money.

And of course, taking the train is a great way to protect the environment – train travel is one of the best sustainable travel tips ! This is how I navigated the continent during my one month Europe trip.

If you are planning to do something similar, fear not! Train distances, times, itineraries, reservations… Been there, done that. And now I’m sharing it with you while you’re sorting out your Europe travel itinerary, so everything runs smoothly.

Organising your Europe Trip Itinerary: Before the Trip

The first step on this Europe itinerary planner is to purchase a rail pass.

If you are a European citizen or a non-European who is living in a European country, the Interrail Pass is what you need.

It is cheap, it gives you access to the European train network and includes some really nice extras: from included buses in some cities to discounted ferries and tours.

For example: do you want to hop to Morocco from the south of Spain? The Interrail Pass gives you a 30% discount in the ferry that crosses the strait of Gibraltar! Click here for more information about the Interrail Pass .

What happens if you are not eligible for the Interrail Pass?

The good news is that you can still buy a rail pass; the Eurail Pass .

The bad news is that is going to cost you a little bit more. Everything else is roughly the same.

Some of the benefits and discounts might vary, but most of them are still there.

No matter which one you choose there are plenty of options depending on the length of your trip and which countries you want to visit.

If you are an under 27 year old backpacking Europe or over 60 and seeing the highlights you’ll get a nice discount; and you will also get some money off if you are travelling with children.

The most important thing to consider when choosing a rail pass is the length of time in which it will be valid. For a Europe trip itinerary 4 weeks is a great amount of time to explore the continent, so most people opt for a month-long interrail pass.

While you can buy one that will work for an entire month every single day, bear in mind that you probably are not going to take a train every day.

This is important because you can buy one that will allow you to travel just for a few days, but will be valid for an entire month.

For example, one of the most popular options lets you travel for 15 days in a month. That means you can use the pass for 30 days, but you are only allowed to travel on 15 of these days.

This is very useful because usually, you are not going to take a train every day, thus the pass is substantially cheaper. The 30/15 day pass is roughly 150€ cheaper than the 30/30 day pass!

Once you have the pass, planning is important. If you want to take a night train or a high-speed train you will probably need to make a reservation.

Of course, you don’t have to use high-speed trains at all, but it saves a lot of time! If you need some help with times and distances, this wonderful map lists all the major destinations and the time it takes from one to another.

The Organised Tour Option

If you’d rather sit back and let someone else show you around this wonderfully diverse continent, you have options!

Packing for A One Month Europe Trip

If you are going to embark on a one month trip to Europe there are a few essentials you should remember to pack. These include:

• Water bottle – you can drink the tap water in many parts of Europe, but for those places that you can’t, a water to go bottle  is a great solution.
• Padlock for hostels
• Universal adapter
• A rain jacket or a poncho
• A copy of your important documents
• A kindle  or a small computer
• A copy of Lonely Planet’s Europe guidebook

Most of Europe enjoys (subject to opinion!) four seasons, so pack accordingly. In the summer, you’ll be wearing mostly shorts and t-shirts but the northern cities could be chilly, so be sure to pack some trousers and jackets as well.

In spring and autumn, you’ll want a mix of summer and winter clothes. In winter, it can get very cold, so make sure you incorporate a coat, a scarf, and gloves to your Europe packing list!

1 Month Europe Itinerary

London is a great place to start your one-month Europe trip.

It’s an action-packed city that’s great to visit whatever the season. While the city comes alive in the summer, London in winter has a real charm.

Heathrow is Europe’s biggest airport, and it is really easy to reach from almost anywhere in the world.

From the airport, you can easily get to the city centre via rail or coach links, where the hostels are located. You can also fly into Gatwick, Stansted and Luton – all of which are well connected to Central London.

London is the biggest city in Western Europe and one of the most popular destinations in the world, so there are plenty of activities to do.

You can join one of the many free walking tours, or explore the city on your own. The main attractions of London include Buckingham Palace, Westminster Bridge and the Parliament, the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, the London Eye, Covent Garden, the Soho, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and more… if you are willing to walk for a bit you can easily visit most if not all of them in a day.

Or you can always take the famous London tube! That counts as cultural experience, doesn’t it?

Once you’ve adjusted to London life and know where the landmarks are, you’ll want to delve a little deeper into some of the best bits of the capital. Westminster Abbey is a great place to see to experience some of the best British histories as it is where hundreds of the most notable characters of the UK are buried and where the kings and queens of Britain are crowned.

Another London must-do for history fans is going on a tour inside the Tower of London. Here you can learn all about the fabled stories of this impressive building and see the crown jewels.

If you are after some more contemporary attractions, how about doing a Harry Potter tour to see some of London’s most magical sights or visiting the London Dungeons?

After two busy days, you might want to go easy. Maybe start your day with a visit to the British Museum, or walk through Hyde Park or Regent’s Park.

If you want to try some local food you could visit one of the historic pubs; like The Spaniard’s Inn which has almost 500 years of history.

If you like shopping, Oxford Street is where to go (be careful, your backpack gets heavier with everything you buy!).

And the West End is a great choice if you are interested in theatres, or check out the galleries and museums of Kensington. No matter your preferences, there’s always something to do in London !

Recommended Tours in London

• Bus transfer and tour of the Warner Bros Studios. Click here for more information .
• Cruise down the River Thames, from Westminster to Greenwich. Click here to book .
• Visit Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms (only open for visitors from late July to early September). Click here to find out more .
• See the most magical sights of the capital with a Harry Potter tour. Click here to reserve tickets .

Where to Stay in London

• Hostel  – There are so many hostels in London, some of which are surprisingly budget-friendly. I’d highly recommend WOMBATS city hostel, which has a fun, social atmosphere, free wifi, USB outlets for each bed and ensuite bathrooms. Click here for rates or to read more !
• Hotel – The fantastic value Hotel Moonlight is located in the upmarket Kensington and Chelsea area. This is near where all the museums are, and a short tube right to other London attractions. The hotel rooms offer mini-fridges and microwaves, as well as city views from soundproof windows. For rates and to book, click here .

After a few days in London, it is time to go to the City of Light for the next leg of your one month Europe itinerary. Paris is just over two hours away from London by train.

The Eurotunnel connects the UK with the rest of the continent, and you can take a train, the Eurostar, from St. Pancras station to Gare du Nord, in Paris.

However, be aware that this train is NOT included in any of the rail passes, so you will need to buy it on your own!

If you’re after a cheaper way to reach Paris, budget coaches make the 10 hour journey daily.

It will be the afternoon by the time you arrive, so I’d recommend a stroll around the Montmartre district, where famous landmarks like the Basilica of the Sacré Coeur or the Moulin Rouge are located.

Start your Paris itinerary with a nice breakfast by visiting a local boulangerie and buying some fresh and delicious croissants.

There are places to grab a coffee and croissant on virtually every street corner in Paris!

Then, get ready to start exploring. Paris is a big city, so using its public transportation is a good idea.

If you want to start with the most famous landmarks of the country visit the Champ de Mars and see the Eiffel Tower in all its glory.

Ascending the iconic monument first can be tempting, but I personally prefer leaving it for the sunset, to watch the city glow in beautiful shades of orange from above.

For the rest of the day, you can visit famous landmarks, like the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Arc de Triomphe, or take a slow and relaxing walk through the Tuileries Garden.

When I have multiple days in a city I always try to leave all the cultural activities for the last day or days, since they are more relaxing and less demanding than going from landmark to landmark.

Paris has so many of them that you would need a week just to go to the main ones, but within a day you can probably manage to visit the Palace of Versailles and visit the Louvre Museum.

If you really want to cram something else today, the Musée d’Orsay or the Rodin Museum are good options too.

Of course, don’t forget to go at least once to a proper French restaurant and enjoy the delicious cuisine of the country!

Recommended Tours in Paris

• 1, 2 or 3 Day Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. Click here for details .
• Paris in One Day. Click through to learn more .
• Catacombs Special Access Tour. Click here for more information .

Where to stay in Paris

• Hostel  – Plug Inn Montmarte by Hip Hop Hostels (pardon the mouthful) is a great place to rest your head. This budget accomodation option is only 600m from Sacre Couer Cathedral and offers free wifi, a terrace, rooms with private bathrooms and an included buffet breakfast. For rates and to book, click here .
• Hotel – The newly renovated Dream Hotel Opera is popular with those looking for somewhere perfect to kick back and relax. Rooms are soundproofed and have patios, and the hotel enjoys its own sauna. For rates and to book, click on this link .

After a few days in Paris it’s time to visit one of my favourite cities in Europe; which will be a highlight of your one month Europe trip for sure!

The train from Paris to Amsterdam takes between three and four hours. Sometimes you have to switch trains in Brussels, but the time is about the same.

After arriving in Amsterdam Centraal you will be almost in the heart of the city, where the famous canals are located.

Spend the afternoon just relishing the city centre and its unique ambience, enjoying its architecture and modern culture. Remember to watch out for bikes!

There’s no better way to get to know the city better than joining a walking tour.

Amsterdam is a city with a long and interesting history, where all the buildings tell a different story.

The tour will answer some questions you inevitably might have about the unique architecture and give you some fun facts about the city!

You can rent a bike if you want to explore outside of the city centre; they are available everywhere.

In the evening, joining one of the walking tours explaining the history of the Red Light District is one of the most famous things to do in the city.

If you want to see one of the famous Dutch windmills you can visit the last one standing in Amsterdam, just a 30 minutes’ walk from the city centre.

However, The Dutch are not only famous for their tulips, dykes, and windmills, but also for their many famous painters.

From Rembrandt to Van Gogh, the museums of Amsterdam are home to hundreds of famous paintings. Probably the best ones to visit are the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.

It takes a while to see them, so it’s best to choose your favourite one or two museums and stick to them! Another worthwhile yet harrowing cultural place to visit is Anne Frank’s House, but make sure to book it in advance to avoid the queues.

When night comes, you could do a pub crawl through the many Amsterdam bars, which is a great way of getting to know your new hostel friends and having some fun in the Venice of the North.

Recommended Tours in Amsterdam

• Evening Canal Cruise. Click here to read more .
• Bike Tour of Historical Amsterdam. Click here to book today .
• Amsterdam in WW2: History of Anne Frank Tour. Click here for information and tickets .

Where to stay in Amsterdam

• Hostel – Ecomama is a great hostel, located really close to the city centre. It has comfy beds, hot showers, clean dorms with beds with their own socket and a big area with games. It also organizes all kind of activities, like walking tours or pub crawls. It just took me 15 minutes to reach it from the train station. Click here for more details and to book .
• Hotel – Hotel Levell offers fully equipped bedrooms, a buffet breakfast each morning, and 24 hour reception. The interior is modern and the staff are very accommodating. Click here for more details and to reserve your stay .

Germany has a huge amount of historic cities, and Frankfurt is but one of them.

If you take an early train from Amsterdam Centraal, you’ll be able to spend the afternoon exploring Frankfurt before heading to Bern the next day. Frankfurt isn’t quite up there with the glitz and glamour of London, Paris and Barcelona, but it is a worthwhile stopover on your one-month Europe trip.

Rent a bike for a cheap way to see the city and explore the Old Town, or take the Ebbelwei Express, which tours the city’s major landmarks and serves up apple wine. A great way to see the city!

Where to stay in Frankfurt

• Hostel – Five Elements Hostel Frankfurt offers a terrace with barbecue facilities, fully heated rooms, free WiFi and bicycle rental services. Choose from twin, double or dorm rooms – or if there’s a group of you, why not rent out its apartment? Click here for rates and to book .
• Hotel – You can enjoy studios and apartments at Capri by Fraser, which has a bar and gym on site. Each room has a desk and flat screen TV, and is tastefully decorated. Check rates and reserve here .

Get up early to take the train to Bern, so you can enjoy the afternoon in the city.

The Swiss capital is a small city, but probably one of the prettiest ones in Europe. Bern is a fantastic launching pad for exploring Switzerland by rail .

Bern is a gorgeous city, with beautiful buildings and is surrounded by a stunning landscape.

Take a walk through the streets and discover all the city has to offer, from the Zytglogge, the tower with a 15th-century astronomical clock, to Einstein’s House, where he lived when he developed his Theory of Relativity.

Don’t forget to walk all the way up to the Rosengarten, where you can have a fantastic panoramic view of the whole city. Here’s some more information about how to spend a perfect day in Bern .

Where to stay in Bern

• Hostel – Beautiful as Bern may be, it’s expensive! Staying in a hostel will reduce the price somewhat  – Bern Youth Hostel is super clean and well facilitated, with an included breakfast which will help you save some money during your trip. There are not many hostels in Bern, so it’s recommended to definitely book this one in advance before it sells out! Check prices and book here .
• Hotel – B&B Gutenberg is an affordable choice in the city. Highly rated by previous visitors, the property has excellent free wifi, some in-room cooking facilities and the price includes a delicious breakfast. Click here for prices and to book .

Milan, for me, was just a quick stop before going to Venice, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do here. It’s well worth a stop on your Europe itinerary!

Probably the biggest thing to do here is going to see the Last Supper.

The famous painting is located at the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie, and to see it you have to book in advance or join a guided tour. Of course, the most iconic landmark of Milan is the Duomo di Milano, the massive white cathedral, the third-largest church in the world.

Right next to it the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which has some of the most expensive and elegant shops and restaurants in the city – maybe not suitable for a backpacker’s budget, but fun to look around!

Where to stay in Milan

• Hostel – Ostello Bello Grande is located in the middle of the city, next to Milan Train Station; so it’s a perfect place to base yourself when travelling to and from the city by train! There is a 24 hour reception and 24 hour snack bar, a communal kitchen, a great atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and breakfast and dinner is included! Check rates and reserve here .
• Hotel – Hotel Milano Castello has a modern feel, with chic, air conditioned rooms offering comfy beds and luxury bathrooms, some with a spa bath. The hotel is in a prime location for exploring the city and has wifi throughout the property. Click here for rates and to reserve a room .

Venice is just two and a half hours away from Milan by train.

The Serenissima is one of my favourite cities of Italy and is a highlight of many people’s Europe tour itinerary. The beauty of the buildings and the canals, the wonderful Mediterranean weather, the rich history… it’s no wonder why so many people fall head over heels for Venice.

Venice has so many things to do.

If you are like me probably walking the streets finding beautiful buildings like the Ponte di Rialto and looking at the beautiful canals is more than enough.

Or maybe go to the Piazza San Marco to have a –very expensive- coffee and see the Basilica. Taking a gondola ride is also a possibility – but be aware, private gondalas cost up to 100€ for an hour!

Ca’ d’Oro is a private palace that is now an art gallery and museum which is well worth exploring, and the Rialto Bridge and Market are stunning on a sunny day.

Once you think you’ve seen all of Venice’s highlights, there is still so much more to explore. Ca’ Rezzonico is a patrician palace which demonstrates life in 18th century Venice, and the Penny Guggenheim Museum exhibits some of the most impressive early modern artworks in Europe.

You can also take the Vapretto Line to see some of the best sights of Venice from the water.

Recommended Tours in Venice

• 20 minute shared gondola ride – a great budget way to do this iconic Venetian experience! Click for more details and to book .
• Create your own carnival mask workshop. Click here to reserve tickets .

Accomodation in Venice

• Hostel – The biggest problem with Venice is how expensive everything is; especially accommodation! That’s why instead of staying in the city I went to a cheap hostel in Mestre, the mainland of Venice. Since I had the Interrail Pass I could take the short train to Venice for free, saving a lot of money. Check rates for the cheap and popular Anda Venice Hostel her e.
• Hotel – Palazzo Veneziano is located close to the main attractions; but the hotel itself is so fantastic you might struggle to leave! With luxury features like marble bathrooms (some with spa baths!) and comfy beds, as well as an included breakfast, the hotel offers affordable luxury in the heart of the city. Click here for rates and to book today .

The capital of Austria, Vienna is a beautiful historic city with plenty of amazing cultural activities. You won’t see a city like it during your month in Europe! 

The 2 day Vienna Pass includes entry to more than 60 of the capital’s top attractions and the Vienna sightseeing bus.

At €79, it’s not cheap, but Vienna isn’t exactly budget friendly, and if you want to see all of the sights it will save you money.

Taking the sightseeing bus will orientate yourself in the city.

A stroll around the old town is a must, as well as seeing the Rathaus, Hofburg, The Museum Quarter and St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Other great attractions to enjoy in Vienna are Belvedere Palace, Vienna Stadtpark, Hundertwasser House, Votive Church and the Parliament. Make sure you factor in enough time to stroll around the beautiful old town as well.

Recommended Tours in Vienna

• Vienna to Bratislava Boat Tour – cruise the Danube and get a taste of Slovakia with this return day trip. Click here for more information and to book .
• Walking Tour By Night – discover the spooky side of Vienna after dark. Click here for rates and to reserve your spot .

Accomodation in Vienna

• Hostel – Our friends, WOMBATS, are back with another excellent hostel in Vienna! A great place to meet fellow backpackers, WOMBATS is great value and has a 24 hour reception. The decor is modern and stylish and a buffet breakfast is provided each morning. Click through to read more and book today !
• Hotel – Hotel Stefanie, the oldest hotel in Vienna, provides rooms at great deals. Air conditioning, private bathrooms and satellite TV are provided in each room and its adjoining restaurant provides Austrian and international cuisine. Book by using this link .

The train ride from Vienna to Budapest is supposed to be three hours – although it can take up to five!

But it’s worth it when you arrive; Budapest is a fantastic city, where you can see the distinct mix between Soviet and imperial buildings, which gives the city a unique look.

Two days in Budapest during your one-month Europe itinerary is enough to get a taste of central Europe; although be warned, you’ll be wanting to return!

Budapest, with its beautiful architecture, is a fantastic place to explore by foot. One of the best places to see its buildings is the Andrássy Avenue, with incredible constructions like the Hungarian State Opera House.

Another great spot is the Parliament Buildings, the biggest building in the city at the time of construction.

Right on the other side of the river, the Fisherman’s Bastion is another must-see ; the 19th-century white fortification is not only one of the most beautiful parts of Budapest, it also offers a great view of the city.

If you’re not exhausted after a whole day walking the city, head back to Andrássy Avenue and go in the opposite direction of the Parliament to find the Heroes’ Square, a huge square decorated with statues of the Magyars, the nomad central Asian warlords that founded the country a thousand years ago.

The Heroes’ Square is just the entrance to the massive City Park, another brilliant point of Budapest and, of course, filled with majestic buildings showing off the wonderful 19th-century architecture of the city.

Here you can also find some of the famous Bath Houses, where you can relax and swim – although beware, the queues are sometimes gigantic! End your trip by visiting one of the Ruin Pubs which are huge pubs, and clubs built in the ruins of the old imperial and Soviet buildings.

Budapest is one of the best places in Europe to party hard if that’s your thing!

Recommended Tours in Budapest

• Night Cruise on the Danube. Click here for more details .

Where to stay in Budapest

• Hostel – Big Fish Hostel is in a really good location, the people working there are amazing and it has clean and comfortable beds. There is also free coffee in the mornings! Click here for more details and to book .
• Hotel – Danubius Hotel Helia is 15 minutes from the historic city and features a popular spa, a good gym and a swimming pool. The rooms are clean, comfy and modern. Check here for more details and book today .

From the big Budapest to the tiny Slovenian capital, Ljubljana offers a peek into the Balkan countries, showing you another side to the continent on your Europe trip itinerary!

Green fields, emerald forests and crystal blue lakes and rivers gives the whole of Slovenia a fairy tale look. 

Ljubljana is a small city that blends in perfectly. It doesn’t have many landmarks, besides the castle and the Dragon Bridge, but I just love to walk through the streets.

Accomodation in Ljubljana

• Hostel – Hostel Tresor is located in the centre of Ljubljana, and is listed amongst the most unique hostels in the world; it is located inside a former bank and offers free WiFi as well as rooms with air conditioning. Each bunk has privacy curtains. A bar and grocery shop are located in the same building. Check rates and reserve by clicking here.
• Hotel – If you enjoy city views and modern comfortable rooms, Hotel Lev is for you. There are plenty of spots around the hotel to relax, and a buffet breakfast is included in the morning. Book by using this link .

Lake Bled –or Bled Jezero in Slovenian- is probably the most famous landmark in the whole country. Taking a train or coach to the north is really easy from Ljubljana, and there are plenty of things to do and hostels in the area.

For your day in Bled, I recommend walking around the lake and kayaking to to the island in the centre, which has a church and a spectacular lookout over the lake.

Where to stay in Lake Bled

• Hostel – You can either do Lake Bled as a day trip from Ljubljana, or stay at the lake. Jazz Hostel is extremely traveller friendly, with helpful staff, use of kitchen included and a great atmosphere. Breakfast is not included in the price, but at just 5 euros for a huge plateful, it’s impossible to turn down! Check rates and book by clicking here .
• Hotel – with beautiful views over the lake, a delicious breakfast and clean facilities, Guest House Mlino is a great choice. Click here for rates and to book today .

Going to Verona from Bled Lake takes a while. I had to go back to Ljubljana and from there go to Trieste.  Once in Trieste, there is a train that takes around 4 hours. Be sure to leave early to reach Verona in time to see some of the attractions!

Verona is a small Italian city, probably most known for being the hometown of Romeo and Juliet.

You can actually visit Juliet’s house and balcony! Of course, don’t leave the city without going to the Arena, which is still used today as a theatre. It also has a beautiful river with amazing views of the typical Italian buildings.

Where to stay in Verona

• Verona is somewhat lacking in hostels, so if you are backpacking Europe this night might be a good excuse to treat yourself to some well-needed privacy.You could rent an Airbnb – use this code for money off your first booking.
• Or check out some of the cheaper guesthouses in Verona. The adorable Juliette House BB is only 50 metres from the actual Juliette House; it is decorated in boutique style and is very clean and well facilitated – and has a budget price to boot. For rates and to book, check here .

I think just one day in Verona is more than enough, so after making sure you have seen the city’s attractions in the morning after your long day of travel, a side trip to Bologna to see more of the north of Italy is a great addition to your Europe itinerary. That’s one of the great advantages of the Interrail Pass, the flexibility!

Bologna is a beautiful town, with lots of medieval style buildings. Some of the most famous ones are the two huge towers in the town centre, and, of course, the university, which is the oldest in the world!

Bologna is the perfect place to enjoy the local food or learn about the weird stories about the town, like the war they had against Modena , cause by… a wooden bucket.

Where to stay in Bologna

• Hostel – Loved by travellers, Dopa Hostel has comfy beds, friendly staff, and complimentary breakfast. Guests can also make use of free WiFi and a great location; it’s the ideal place to stay in the city. Check here for rates and to book .
• Hotel  – Ramo Rosso di Paolo Natalini has comfy and spacious rooms, tastefully decorated with modern amenities, as well as an included breakfast and helpful staff. Click here for more information.

Your 1 month Europe itinerary now takes you westwards, towards the Iberian peninsula.

The train from Italy to Spain is a long one, so it’s a great idea to break it up with some stops in some southern French cities. Culturally these cities are completely different to Paris; so they make a great addition to your European itinerary.

The train from Bologna to Nice takes around 7 hours; so it’s best to get an early one and snooze en route – or you could even take a night train to save on accommodation.

Once you arrive in Nice, head to the glorious old town. Some of Nice’s best attractions are here, including the Palais Lascaris Museum and the Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Nice.

The Cours Saleya Market is open every day apart from Monday (when it becomes an antique market!) and is a great spot for purchasing local produce. The port is also a lovely place to pass some time, with colourful boats and lots of bars and restaurants.

Accomodation in Nice

• Hostel – After all that city trawling, you might want some beach time, right? Villa Saint Exupery Beach Hostel is just a 4 minute walk away from the nearest beach. The hostel price includes access to a fitness centre and a sauna, perfect for some chill time before your next stop. For rates and to book, click here .
• Hotel  – Nice is pretty affordable when it comes to decent hotels, and Hotel 64 is great value for what you get. It’s in close proximity to everything, has amazing staff, and gorgeous clean rooms with fantastic facilities.  Click here for more details .

Another southern French city that’s well worth visiting on your western Europe travel itinerary is the beautiful Marseille.

The stunning Notre Dame de la Garde, which sits on top of a hill and overlooks the sea, is a must-visit. The Vieux Port and the old town are the most photogenic areas of the city, and a great bet, if it is raining, is to head to the Musee des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Mediterranee (MuCEM), which explores Mediterranean culture and history.

Accommodation in Marsaille

• Hostel – Right by Vieux Port is Hostel Vertigo Vieux-Port, a popular backpacker hangout with a shared kitchen and a Mediterranean style lounge area. Breakfast is included in the price. Check here for rates and to book today .
• Hotel  – The chic yet affordable Staycity Aparthotels are a great place to rest your head. With clean facilities, free wifi, and modern furnishings, this aparthotel makes a great stay. Click here for rates and to book .

Welcome to Spain! You might be exhausted by the time you arrive in Barcelona, but the atmosphere of this effervescent city will quickly boost you back up. There is so much to do and see in Barcelona !

The main sight of the city is, of course, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. This unfinished massive church in the middle of the town is Gaudi’s masterpiece.

It has been in construction for over 100 years, and won’t be finished at least for another 20. From there you can take Gaudi Avenue up to the Hospital de Sant Pau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a beautiful example of the Modernista architecture of Barcelona.

Another great example of this style of building is the Palau de la Música Catalana. If that’s not enough architecture visit the Casa Milà, Casa Vicens and Casa Batló, the other famous buildings designed by Gaudi.

If you haven’t had enough of Gaudi, head up to the Park Güell. All of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites! In case you are wondering, there are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites designed by Gaudi in Barcelona!

Of course, a visit to Barcelona is not complete without going to Plaça de Catalunya and walking down La Rambla, the most famous street in the city. From there explore La Boquería, the traditional market where you can find fresh food.

Keep walking down and turn left to get into the Gothic Quarter, where the big 19th century avenues and streets become medieval twisted alleys. Here you can find the Barcelona Cathedral or the old Roman and Medieval walls. Not far away is the number one spot for many tourists: the beach!

It’s not the greatest beach ever but the Mediterranean is always pleasant. From here you can walk to Port Olímpic, the Olympic Harbour, where the games were celebrated in 1992.

Nearby is another landmark of the city, the statue of Christopher Columbus, famously pointing in the wrong direction. And be sure to pass through Plaça d’Espanya before ending your time in the city.

It is a huge square with two very famous towers modelled on the campanile of St. Marl’s Basilica in Venice, and for that reason, they are called the Venetian towers.

Recommended Tours in Barcelona

• Costa Brava Coastal Tour with Snorkelling. Click here for more information .
• Hop-On Hop-Off Barcelona City Tour. Click here to learn more .

Accommodation in Barcelona

• Hostel – In a city as big as Barcelona, accommodation options are plentiful – but due to Barcelona’s mass tourism, staying in the city isn’t cheap! But Generator Hostel Barcelona manages to twin luxury with great value. Each bunk has its own reading light and power sockets and all dorms are facilitated with air conditioning and heating. Breakfast is available at an extra cost, and the Gràcia area in which the hostel is located in a buzzing part of the city with lots to do. For rates and to book, click here .
• Hotel -The small but personable Casa Mathilda is set in a historic building with refurbished rooms. It offers a personable atmsophere with helpful staff and the rate included breakfast. Use this link to book

It would be a shame to venture all the way to Spain by rail and only see Barcelona – its capital, Madrid, is very different and a lot less touristy than Barcelona! Awash with museums, churches and amazing eateries, there is plenty to do in two days in Madrid.

The most famous street in Madrid is the Gran Via, and is a great place to orientate yourself. Plaza de Oriente is located near the Royal Palace of Madrid and Almundena Cathedral, both of which are worth checking out.

Plaza Mayor is a fantastic spot for lunch. Plaza de Espana, Casa de Campo and the Temple of Debod can be explored in the afternoon.

Spend your last day in Spain seeing some of Madrid’s galleries and museums, such as the Prado Museum and Retiro Park. Plaza de Castilla and Cuatro Torres are interesting spots that show a more modern side of the city.

Recommended Tours in Madrid

• Spanish Inquisition Walking Tour. Click here for more details .
• Madrid Royal Palace Guided Tour. Click here to learn more .

Accommodation in Madrid

• Hostel – D’Hostel Madrid offers a central location and great features making this an excellent place to stay. Some dorms have a kitchenette, and there is a large lounge and kitchen in the communal areas. Breakfast is included. Check rates and reserve by clicking here .
• Hotel – Only YOU Hotel is audaciously funky, with enthralling decor in reception and the bar and restaurant, and a personable air to each perfectly clean boutique-style bedroom. Check rates and book here.

One month Europe itinerary: where to next?

And that’s a wrap! You’ve covered a lot of ground during this month in Europe, so give yourself a big pat on the back!

From Madrid, you can travel to lots of destinations; if you have a bit of extra time, why not turn your trip into a 5 week Europe itinerary and visit Portugal too?

Or take advantage of Madrid’s cheap flights to South America, or visit North Africa… the choice is up to you!

For this Europe itinerary, 4 weeks has been chosen as the optimum amount of time.

This is because the rail passes are most cost-effective if they are bought for a month.

But it must be stressed that Europe is such a culturally vibrant area; you could spend months in France or Italy alone.

If you have more time in Europe, why not return to the country that intrigued you the most?

There’s so much to explore in this continent, and this Europe trip itinerary is just a taster!

This is a guest post by Daniel from Travel in 35mm . Keep up with his adventures on Facebook and Instagram !

Hey! I’m on YouTube too!

I’m currently travelling from Bali to London without taking a single flight! I’m documenting my journey on YouTube and would love it if you could follow me there! Here is a video detailing the journey a bit more:

Click here to go to my channel – I’d love it if you subscribed and joined the community!

Save this itinerary for later – Pin Me!

12 thoughts on “ Your Perfect 1 Month Europe Travel Itinerary ”

Brilliant! i live in Europe but haven’t been in even half of those places yet. Nice suggestions.

This is one the amazing posts. Thank you so much. Is there any way you can provide rough expense estimate including everything? Hotels, Trains, Buses between all above locations?

It would be really helpful to know just range of amount.

Thank you so much. This is what I was looking for, for a long time. I am near my retirement age 63 yo (still very active) , I am considering touring the major cities of Europe with my granddaughter who is 15 years of age to introduce her culture and history. I don’t want to spend too much money, just the basic transportation and accomodation. You have answered many of the questions I have. Am so happy to have read your article.

Amazing! That sounds like a fantastic trip and I’m sure your granddaughter will love it. Never stop exploring! 🙂

Planning to do my trip next year. Plan to include, Rome, Portugal and Greece in my trip. Any tips you can share on how I can insert them in my travel plan base on your iterinary. Thanks.

This is great!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!! This is what exactly what I was looking for as I am starting to plan our 30 day trip to Europe (scheduled for the month of July 2019). I will substitute some recomended cities for other of my interests!!!! Also, my husband and I are traveling with our 2 kids (8 and 9), hope this trip is not too much for the kids! They are looking forward to it!!!! Can you give us an idea of your total expense in those 30 days please!!!

We are planning our 1 month europe vacation for this coming June and our kids 7 and 9 y/o. Can you share your experience and some tips for our trip?

Thanks for the tips. That’s a great 30 days plan trip. Can you give us or estimate the total expenses or budget on the trip?

Superb article just reading the article gives goosebumps Please give detailed cost so that we can plan our Europe trip Thanks so much

Hi! How much do you think would the budget be for this long of a trip excluding the accommodation? I want to travel in Europe for a month as well, so I want to know how much I should save up for.

This is very detailed – thank you so much. I know there is nothing called “A budget”, it all depends on the person. But i hate to ask, how much did it cost you overall (excluding the flight tickets to london and flying out from madrid) as I will be flying from Australia. I just want to get an idea, after you landed in London and until you get out of europe to your home country please? And kindly advise if its for just one person?

Hi jen, thanks for sharing the information, i was planning to go Europe for a month in march 2016, started saving the money, and will be following your itenary, can you tell me how much i need to travel Europe for a month following your itenanry and considering low cheap hostels and what else on the trip i can save money, does travelling to bus will be cheaper option. Thanks in advance Hi Fahad, Thanks for getting in touch and I am glad you found the itinerary useful. If you are planning to follow this exact itinerary staying in hostels dorm rooms, I would say accommodation will set you back around 15 Euros a night so around 450 Euros for the month. Other costs you will encounter are food and sightseeing. If you shop in supermarkets and cook in the hostels you could save a ton on eating out. The cost of sightseeing will depend on what you want to see and do. I have lots of posts throughout this website on all of the places mentioned in this itinerary that outline what the sights cost for entry. As for the bus, yes that would be the most cost effective way to travel but it is also the slowest so you need to weigh up whether you would prefer quality time in places or cheaper prices. I hope this helps and do get in touch should you have any follow up questions. Cheers Jen

Comments are closed.

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How I Planned a 1 Month Trip in Europe – On a Budget

Are you planning a trip to Europe? This might help you get started. Some years ago, I discovered my passion for travelling and, more specifically, for travelling alone. Yes, it was scary, but this is how I planned my one-month trip in Europe, travelling alone, on a budget.

Disclaimer: It was 2016 before all these budget-saving apps were even available. I had to walk around with a map in my hand.

One month in Europe: Why travel alone?

Why planning a trip to Europe is probably one of the best things for personal development ? It might not be for everyone, but it sure helps lots of people, just like travelling helped me.

It gives me this immense freedom to do what I want when I feel like it, and more than that, I benefit from this never-ending source of experiencing myself through a new place and different people I meet along the way.

For those who have tried it or still do it, you will know what I’m talking about. If you are among the others, then here is a good read for you, a piece I wrote about travelling alone for the first time .

I cannot tell you enough about how much it will help you with your personal growth. Yes, there are greater things yet to be discovered about yourself, and here are some of my conclusions – Great Things Which Happened to Me After I Started Travelling Alone.

If your biggest question is ‘How much does it cost to travel one month in Europe?”.

1 month Europe trip cost

When it comes to planning a trip to Europe, many people start asking about costs. Here’s a list of things to help you plan a budget trip to Europe . Note that these Europe trip cost details are from 2016.

But the answer is that it’s up to you!

If there is one thing you get out of this blog post, it’s that comfort comes at a price, and it isn’t cheap .

In my case, I didn’t pay for accommodation because I planned my trip around the places I have some friends (or used Couchsurfing ), and it cost me well under 1000 Euros (it was in 2016).

The total cost of my transport which I had to book was 170 Euros. After I added the price of the food and other costs (museums, city transport), it added up to 800 Euros.

Keep on reading to see how I did it and what my strategy is for planning a one-month Euro trip under 1000 Euros.

How I travelled cheap, on a budget in Europe for 1 month ?

How I started planning a 1-month trip to Europe

In 2016 I was based in Klagenfurt, a small town in the south of Austria. That’s a great location to travel around Europe because it’s right in the centre.

It was about one month before the actual trip, and because I was tired of waiting for my friends to decide if we were going to do something together, I said to myself, “I’m gonna plan my own holiday, and I will make the most out of it .”

Yes, I have some  tips for you to plan your own holiday , but it will always depend on a lot of other things too. The country, budget, and personal lifestyle. I mean, cheap is a trade-off for comfort and time.

The entire process of planning took me one day. Yes, it was one day of work. Writing prices and locations down. And comparing. Trying different combos.

Planning a trip in Europe: Itinerary planning for budget backpacking in Europe

Your Europe itinerary comes down to money (again).

Years later, I’ve finally written a complete guide on how to plan a trip to Europe , and you should check it out if this is what you’re trying to figure out right now.

So there I was in front of my laptop, with only 400 Euros in my bank account (please keep in mind this was 2016!). Ok, I knew by the time I had to leave, I would have another 330 Euros. But that was for the actual trip (things like food and other unforeseen expenses).

When you travel on a budget, planning plays a huge role.

I had the entire of Europe to choose my locations, so I was flexible about the places , not about the money. Europe on a budget was my only plan.

And I had only one place which was for sure on the list – Paris. But other than that, no clue.

The core of my trip was planning my European route, which depends on transport connections, prices, friends who live there and weather.

Everything was so tied up it was hard to decide.

I checked the weather for the month and decided the week I was going to be in Paris.

Then I had to find a cheap way to get there (by bus). That was my starting point. I knew I wanted to reach Paris, and I had an approximate date because I wanted sunshine, not rainy days.

However, I had a couple of rainy days too. September can be a weird month, but at least it was warm.

Other than Paris, I had no idea where to go next. So I just check all the possible destinations, sorting them by price and checking each one how much it would cost to get to another one from there. I was checking all options, in and out of Paris.

And then I sorted everything based on the price to get there. Remember that you also need to add the cost of transportation from the airport to the city centre. Most budget airports are outside the cities, and a one-way trip to the city can be as much as 20 Euros. So I had to check that too.

Also, I was trying to find the perfect balance between the number of places to visit and the time spent in each city . I don’t like to rush through cities. When you travel for more than a few days, it will get you exhausted, and it’s a good idea to plan some resting days too.

I am going to walk you through my method of building a cheap itinerary in Europe and will explain each destination as I build the final list of stops from my Euro backpacking trip.

My strategy for planning the cheapest trip in Europe (I used all means of transport in Europe – plane, train and bus)

I wrote all about transport in Europe in this post: How to plan a budget trip to Europe .

After I had an idea of where I wanted to go first (Paris), I was on a mission to find the best and cheapest way to get there . Sure, there were 100 Euros train tickets and even more expensive plane tickets, but I was looking to find something less than 50 Euros to get there. When I say travel budget in Europe, I mean it.

At that time, I was based in Klagenfurt, Austria.

The plane was out of the question (in Austria). Too expensive. Then, I opened Google Maps and started to check trains and buses to get there, or somewhere close to France anyway.

That’s how I got to book a train to Frankfurt via Vienna. It was the best option for me, and it was a perfect opportunity to visit Frankfurt as well. And I was getting closer to Paris. It sounded like a good plan. I had no friends in Frankfurt, but it was one for one night, so I decided to use Couchsurfing.

Now they have a Lauda Motion, a low-cost airline flying to Vienna, and life is so much better. It’s like Ryanair, literally. You buy the tickets on the same website!

When travelling in Europe, the  train can be expensive . Next plan: flying. Yes, there are cheap airlines, low cost, but at the time, they were not in Austria. So, I found a pretty decent train ticket to Frankfurt.

Ok, so I decided to spend 2 days (1 night) there.

And on the second day, I found a night bus from Frankfurt to Zurich. I was getting closer to Paris, without spending all my money on the train ticket.

The great advantage of that cheap night bus was that I was leaving Frankfurt at midnight and arriving in Zurich, Switzerland, in the morning. That gave me the entire day to explore Frankfurt and also a full day in Zurich.

Taking two buses was cheaper than taking the train directly to Paris, so that’s why I added Zurich to my European tour map. Only for one day, and then took another night bus to Paris.

For that one day in Zurich, I locked my backpack in a locker at the train station , for which I paid quite a lot. I don’t remember exactly because the prices are in Francs, but I would say it was around 8 Euros. I wasn’t expecting it, but I got to see Zurich.

Also, I’m glad I didn’t get any other ideas because that place is so expensive. No wonder they don’t care about the European Union stuff. A sandwich at the metro was 10 Euros. A stamp = 3 Euros and a postcard = 3 Euros. A beer = 7 Euros (2016). Enough said.

After one sunny day in Zurich, I hopped on another night bus to Paris. By this time, I was so tired my body was hurting. I recommend booking a night bus only if you are under 25 or desperate.

The next morning I arrived in Paris.

Paris is huge. Therefore, I had many transport options. Low-cost airlines, buses, trains, Bla Bla car. Everything. My thoughts on Paris here (sarcasm included). I spent one week in Paris. Here’s a useful guide on how to spend 2 days in Paris . A few days with a friend and the rest of the week with someone I found on Couchsurfing .

Having friends in Dublin , I decided to go there next. The plane ticket was cheap; I bought it five weeks before. I spent six days in Dublin.

Note that the duration of each stay was also determined by the day on which the cheapest flights were.

So if the next cheap flight was in six days, then I would stay six days. If there was a cheap flight in seven days, then I would stay seven days; that was my reasoning.

From Dublin, the options were not so many. And going too far from home was not an option because it meant an expensive return ticket. (Yes, I’ve tested all the options).

Also, there are lots of things to do in Dublin that do not include visiting a bar . And if you make it to Ireland, I can’t recommend enough going to Northern Ireland and visiting the Giant Causeway . It’s just magical.

From Dublin, I found that Copenhagen was really cheap at that time. It’s ironic, considering how crazy expensive Denmark is. So I bought that cheap plane ticket to Copenhagen. Here’s a curated list of top things to do in Copenhagen on your first trip. Since then, I have visited this gorgeous city once more.

I spent another six days there—the same reasoning with the plane prices.

From there, the options were already limited. It was either a long time on a bus or a plane.

I had to get closer to Austria, So I was looking for destinations closer to my home base. I was looking for a destination that had a cheap on-land connection to the home .

While I couldn’t find anything bus, train, or plane to take me closer to Austria, I checked prices for plane tickets to Italy.

If you are in for a special treat, try to book a day trip from Milan, since it’s so close to Como Lake.

Most of the time, planes to Milan have a great price, going from all over Europe. Mine plane was less than 25 EUR. You can still find similar tickets today, but you will need to add an extra carry on or checked luggage, since the rules for luggage have changed since then.

But back in 2016, for 25 EUR, I flew from Copenhagen to Milan. That’s why I decided to go to Milan for one night. And the perk of this destination was that there was a direct cheap night train heading home in Southern Austria—total bliss. For complete disclosure, that train was a night train, which was about 26EUR, but that’s still better than a night bus because you have room to move.

Tips to find cheap accommodation in Europe

During my constant coordination between prices, tickets, and times, I had to keep in mind accommodation. I always check my Facebook friends to see the cities in which I have friends.

This step is a highly important step. Accommodation in Europe is not cheap . A cheap hostel is around 20 Euros per night , and then when you multiply that by 30 nights… it’s not gonna go well if you’re on a budget. It’s not an option for a 1-month trip in Europe.

So when you are looking to find cheap accommodation in Europe, try taking a night bus/train and save that money. Two in one. Transport and accommodation . Although the level of comfort declines.

*After spending 2 nights in a row on a bus, I felt so tired, the first thing I did when I arrived in Paris was to sleep for 5 hours.*

As a last resort, check Booking for some cheap hostels , and always make sure you have a little extra money. For emergencies, you know?

If you happen to meet friends on the way (or make new ones), a nice flat on Airbnb could save you for the night.

I was also confused if I should even consider expensive cities like Copenhagen. I had no idea if I should visit that place. But the weather was great. (I was constantly checking the weather, monthly predictions, etc.).

I knew nobody there, or so I thought. I literally searched on Facebook for “Friends who live in Copenhagen.” I have a friend from high school living there. (After arriving there, I realised I had another friend and two colleagues from the university there. I guess most people are over Facebook at this point, because most of us don’t update our profiles anymore.)

The only two places in which I had no friends prior to my trip were Frankfurt and Milan. I spent only one night in each, so I used Couchsurfing to find a host .

All in all, I’m grateful for all the wonderful people I’ve met and for all their help. This backpacking trip made me realize that people are genuinely kind. Most of them, anyway.

I met amazing people, more than welcoming, and I totally recommend it. I also used the Couchsurfing app a lot to find a buddy for a day, visit a museum, or eat ice cream.

I said it before, and I will say it again – Couchsurfing is More Than Just a Free Bed For The Night .

To sum it up, here are my tips for finding cheap accommodation in Europe:

• Check hostel beds. Try to get a bed in a smaller room for more comfort. If you’re travelling to popular locations (such as Paris or London), book well in advance.
• Check out Couchsurfing. Nowadays, you need a subscription to access it, but I believe it is for the better, as it keeps the weirdos out.
• Research hotel location. In the end, it might be worth paying a bit more for a place that is conveniently located, so you will save much more on transport tickets.
• Reach out to friends and former colleagues. I bet most of them won’t mind helping you out for a couple of days.

Managing travel dates and times during my one-month travel around Europe

Considering the lowest costs for that given time frame, planning a trip in Europe required lots of price checking and notes about different options. It was almost like a game of chess, but the outcome was all up to me.

I picked the days based on the price of the ticket. For example, taking a plane from Copenhagen to Milan was half price on a Monday than on Saturday or Sunday.

The cheapest plane tickets are during the week. Monday – Wednesday. The night buses/trains were also cheaper. Or the ones leaving very early in the morning.

A lot of my mornings were spent chasing a train somewhere in those cities. Or arriving. Which is great if you want to make the most out of your day there.

What apps did I use planning and during my 1-month trip in Europe?

Google Maps – whenever the obvious departure and arrival point had too expensive tickets, I stared at the map and searched for “What is close enough and can be cheaper?” (That was a question for me, not Google.)

OBB  –  The Austrian railway company. It’s cheap if you buy it a week before. It’s comfortable. The connections are great. Love it. I was always trying to use the train whenever getting in or out of the country.

Flixbus is a bus company which operates in many countries in Europe. Probably the cheapest one. It’s a bus; it’s ok. But it can be late, so don’t plan to catch a plane after a bus ride. Take some hours in between as a safety measure. And regarding safety, well… it’s like a car. A lot of things can happen on the highway.

Ryanair is a low-cost European airline with great connections and really cheap tickets. Each plane ticket (Paris – Dublin, Dublin – Copenhagen, Copenhagen – Milan was less than 26 Euros).

Sure, nowadays, they have changed their policies, and they basically charge extra for everything (cabin luggage, seat selection, etc.), but it still is one cheap airline.

Just make sure to follow all their rules, and you won’t be charged extra. Install their mobile phone to always have the boarding pass on hand! Please check out my guide on planning a Europe trip for my best and updated tips.

Kiwi is one of my favourites to check for all kinds of flight connections. Low cost or not, this is worth checking, and I love it.

Couchsurfing is an online platform for travellers, open-minded people who have a great passion for travelling and love meeting fellow travellers and/or locals. I used it to find people to hang out with or to find a place to stay. Great, amazing community. Too bad some speak poorly of it. I have many amazing memories because of it, and I have many more friends because of it. Read more about my experiences with Couchsurfing .

What else to keep in mind? Booking.com in case you need a last-minute place to stay.

Don’t forget about travel insurance ! You should always be on the safe side!

Check out the ultimate list for how to travel cheap in Europe for one month in Europe!

Destinations for my 1-month trip in Europe

Oh boy, I felt exhausted after a day of sitting on a chair and killing the internet. And extremely proud of my achievement. And not a single night had to be spent in a hostel. Mastery.

The total cost of my transport which I had to book was 170 Euros. The year of this trip was 2016. After I added the price of the food and other costs (museums, city transport), it added up to 800 Euros.

This is what my final itinerary looked like.

Klagenfurt (Austria) – Frankfurt (Germany) – Zurich (Switzerland) – Paris (France) – Dublin (Ireland) – Copenhagen (Denmark) – Milan (Italy) – Klagenfurt (Austria)

If you’re looking for a Europe itinerary for your first European adventure, check out my recommended itinerary for 3-weeks in Europe . I promise it will be fabulous.

The outcome of planning my own backpacking trip

I was always waiting for someone else to bring me along on their trips or plan everything for me. Oh, I had no idea what I was missing.

This simple, basic thing gives a feeling of self-control and confidence, and it illustrates how in the end, we can manage everything.

What’s in it for you when planning a trip to Europe for yourself ?

You get to decide each step of the way, how long you stand, and what to see. You truly feel like you have complete control over your life.

I manage to travel cheaper and decide my own pace of travelling, destinations, and means of transport.

And it put a smile on my face on those mornings when, at 3 a.m., I was waking up and heading to the airport. Because it was all me. Every second of, it was my idea, and I happily embraced it.

But I had to put in the work. Nothing worth having comes easy or cheap. And cheap isn’t always about the money.

Thanks for reading (assuming you made it this far).

This is my strategy for planning a backpacking trip to Europe , and I hope it helps.

Years later, I still read this blog post and find it hard to understand how I did it, but this is proof that most things happen when you HAVE to make them happen, not when you have extra cash to pump into your 1-month trip to Europe.

Travelling on a budget to Europe happens only when you are truly committed to living on a budget, and the reality is that not all of us are. Unfortunately.

There is still a lot to be said, but I hope you got the idea. Anyway, feel free to tell me about your plans and travel ideas, and I will try my best to help you. When I don’t travel, it makes me really happy to help someone else travel!

Please share, pin, and tell your friends! Travel cheap to Europe and be happy!

Iulia Vasile

Iulia is a travel expert, blogger, engineer, freelance copywriter, and a curiosity-driven personality. She sees travel as the ultimate tool for self-improvement and personal growth, and that's the main topic of her blog, Juliasomething.com.

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10 comments

[…] few years ago, I saw a lot of Europe on a really tight budget and wrote a blog post on how I found the best and cheapest travel options in Europe and travel in Europe for a […]

Thanks for inspiring me! You really helped me to plan this out. And I really agree with traveling alone because waiting the others really not worth it ahahaha *sorry for my bad grammar

I am so glad!! Happy travels and may you have the greatest time! I am sure you will love it!

[…] If you are planning a trip to Europe, make sure to check all my tips on how I planned a 1-month trip to Europe on a budget. […]

[…] Read more on How I planned a 1 Month Trip in Europe – On a Budget […]

[…] I was travelling across Europe, I realized this one simple thing, that travelling doesn’t require loads of money. I used […]

[…] is an affordable country in Europe and has pretty much everything Earth has to offer to its inhabitants: mountains, seaside, rivers, […]

[…] PS. This is how to travel 1 month around Europe, ON A BUDGET! […]

Hi Julia I can see myself in you we are just like the same person. I’m going to Europe in 1 month and if I could write any review I would do exactly the same like you. I really your inspiration. Thank you for all your articles. Pam

• Travel Planning Guide

Europe Travel Cost Rankings

• Travel Budgets
• Country Travel Cost Rankings
• Cheapest Cities
• Country Budget Comparisons

What are the cheapest and most expensive countries to visit in Europe?

The following travel cost rankings for countries in Europe are calculated based on the travel budgets of real travelers. Also referred to as a Travel Cost Index , or a Backpacker Index , the countries below are in order from most to least expensive by their average daily travel price, per person, per day

• 1 Switzerland € 266.00
• 2 France € 233.73
• 3 Liechtenstein € 231.69
• 4 Iceland € 190.78
• 5 Luxembourg € 183.97
• 6 Denmark € 179.50
• 7 Netherlands € 175.49
• 8 Italy € 166.54
• 9 Andorra € 164.38
• 10 United Kingdom € 162.65
• 11 Finland € 157.09
• 12 Austria € 150.91
• 13 Spain € 150.06
• 14 Ireland € 142.95
• 15 Belgium € 142.20
• 16 Sweden € 128.73
• 17 Slovakia € 126.32
• 18 Turkey € 122.06
• 19 Malta € 117.43
• 20 Latvia € 113.66
• 21 Portugal € 105.95
• 22 Montenegro € 104.13
• 23 Czech Republic € 103.17
• 24 Estonia € 101.94
• 25 Cyprus € 98.96
• 26 Croatia € 94.57
• 27 Norway € 94.55
• 28 Slovenia € 93.30
• 29 Lithuania € 91.97
• 30 Romania € 76.95
• 31 Albania € 74.95
• 32 Bosnia and Herzegowina € 68.44
• 33 Bulgaria € 64.04
• 34 Belarus € 62.45
• 35 Russia € 60.69
• 36 Poland € 59.70
• 37 Serbia € 36.55
• 38 Georgia € 30.30
• 39 Armenia € 27.38
• 40 Ukraine € 23.02
• 41 Azerbaijan € 0.00

The Cheapest Cities for Other Regions

Country rankings for other regions, what are the cheapest countries to visit in europe.

The least expensive countries for travel in Europe are currently Azerbaijan (€0.00), Ukraine (€23.02), Armenia (€27.38), Georgia (€30.30), Serbia (€36.55), Poland (€59.70), Russia (€60.69), Belarus (€62.45), Bulgaria (€64.04), and Bosnia and Herzegowina (€68.44).

What are the most expensive countries to visit in Europe?

The most expensive countries for travel in Europe are currently Switzerland (€266.00), France (€233.73), Liechtenstein (€231.69), Iceland (€190.78), Luxembourg (€183.97), Denmark (€179.50), Netherlands (€175.49), Italy (€166.54), Andorra (€164.38), and United Kingdom (€162.65).

Affordable Travel in Europe

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European Adventurer (Start London, End London, 37 Days)

Such a great trip if you want a taste of a bunch of European countries, everything is already organised for you and we were also lucky enough to have Ri as our trip manager who was so helpful, fun & super organised! Expect a lot of travel days and a super fast paced itinerary but it is all worth it in the end.

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

European Adventurer (Start Paris, End London, 37 Days)

Ultimate Europe: Berlin, Tuscany & Greek Temples

Scandinavia & Baltic Circuit

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Vienna to Dubrovnik (17 destinations)

Get Social: Mega European

• €75 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

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Whole of Europe Group Rail Tour (18-35)

Amazing!! Had the best time travelling around Europe with new people. Well worth the investment!!

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

One Month in Europe: Germany, Italy & Croatia

Play & Pause: Epic European

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• Christmas & New Year

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This itinerary a great if you want to see many cities in about a month. Tourradar provided all the train reservations, most seat reservations, and all the the hotel lodging. They also included information on how to get to each hotel from the arrival train station, information on city sites, city maps, and customer service was usually prompt to respond to any questions. If you are familiar with European train travel, this would probably be a great & easy way to visit many cities. However, we are American, and not familiar, so, at times, we did have some difficulty with finding the right trains, and the right platforms, and not speaking the language of the many countries we visited did make it challenging, but overall, we managed. Most hotels were close enough to the train station we could walk, some required bus or metro, which made it more challenging, figuring out how to pay (tickets needed or pay on board?), where exactly to the find bus stop (and which side of the road to catch the bus), etc. Tourradar did provide details on this, but honestly, sometimes it was hard to follow, and determine where exactly to exit the train stations, or find the correct street, bus stop. Again, the language barrier made it hard to get assistance from locals. However, even with the few difficulties we had, I would still recommend this tour and Tourradar. They did an excellent job of booking all the transportation, seats and lodging. All hotels were nice, clean, & well maintained. Extra information provided, suggested sites, maps, etc. was also very helpful. I have planned many complicated trips before so I know it takes a lot of work, so having the trip all handled by Tourradar was fantastic. This is the second time we have used this company (the first was a self drive tour of Scotland), and we were totally satisfied with that trip also. Therefore, I would not hesitate to use or recommend Tourradar to others for their travel experiences.

European Discoverer (End Paris, With 3 Days Cruise, 29 Days, Celestyal Cruise Information)

European Discoverer (End Paris, 29 Days)

39-Days Epic Multi Country Europe Rail Trail

29-Days Amsterdam to Salzburg including Italy Euro Rail Trail

THE ADVENTURER

What people love about 1 month+ europe tours.

Great irganisation and awesome manager

Just got home from an amazing 4 week group trip with Euroventure! As someone who hadn’t really travelled before, it was really reassuring to have all the accommodation and travel sorted out for us. It was also really great to be accompanied by a tour leader (shout out to the legends Cristina and Kev) who made our experiences all the more enjoyable. Getting from place to place was always super chilled as our tour leader knew what to do and where to go. All the hostels were clean and comfy and some even provided us with free brekkie! The included activities were a real highlight and helped us to get the most out of our trip, but it was also good to have plenty of free time to do our own thing. I would really recommend travelling with Euroventure to anybody who is considering it, you will have the time of your life!

Fantastic itinerary, hassle free booking with easy alterations. Expectations exceeded.

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This 1-month itinerary skips over some of Europe's tourism hotspots in favor of lesser-visited but equally unforgettable destinations. Ready to go one stop further and experience some of Europe's highlights and hidden gems? This itinerary is for you. 

Itinerary highlights 

For this itinerary, we recommend:

• Eurail Pass:  Global Pass
• Travel days:  1 or 2 months Continuous Pass
• Tip:  Travelers can split up long train journeys by exploring stopover cities. For example, travelers going from Zagreb (Croatia) to Bologna (Italy) may choose to stay in Villach (Austria) for a day or two. 

Click here or on the map to view this route in our Trip Planner

Ghent, Belgium

Don't miss  St. Bavo Cathedral,  filled with famous artwork such as the Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers. 

Ghent's  large student population  contributes to a lively atmosphere in the medieval center. 

Art and music are everywhere during the  Gentse Feesten , a spectacular 10-day festival held in July.

Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Amsterdam's neighbor to the south has a  futuristic skyline  that's unique in the Netherlands.

Modern architectural landmarks include the  Erasmus Bridge  and the  Market Hall .

Up for a concert? Rotterdam is home to dozens of  live music venues.

Leipzig, Germany

Leipzig has been called the " New Berlin"  for years, due to its vast creative scene. 

Enjoy the city's architectural variety and check out  St. Nicholas Church , where Johann Sebastian Bach once played the organ.

Visit the  Spinnerei Art Centre,  a former cotton spinning mill that is now home to more than 100 artists' studios. 

Warsaw, Poland

•   Catch  a live concert  of composer Frédéric Chopin's music, performed daily in Warsaw's picturesqure Old Town.

On a sunny day, take a stroll or enjoy a bike ride on the kilometers-long promenade along the Vistula river. 

• In Warsaw's  Praga district , former factories have been transformed into restaurants, art galleries, and beyond. 

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is a visually striking city, split in two by the Danube River. Visit  Buda Castle  for some of the best views of the city.

Bask in Baroque beauty (and sip a latte or two) at Budapest's famous  coffee houses and cafes. 

Pick up some groceries and souvenirs and  sample local specialties  with a visit to Budapest's Central Market Hall. 

Belgrade, Serbia

• Go for a stroll around  Kalemegdan,  a large park situated where the Danube and Sava rivers meet.
• Take in the view from atop the  Belgrade Fortress , which has historical roots dating back to the Neolithic period. 
• Consider a  day trip to Novi Sad  (or another Serbian destination) by train. The journey from Belgrade to Novi Sad, included in the Pass, takes under an hour.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Begin with a cup of Bosnian coffee at the historic  Bascarsij.  Nearby, you'll find local artisans selling traditional copper and other souvenirs.  
• Ride the  cable car  up to Trebević and soak in a sweeping view of Sarajevo before taking a short hike on walking paths through the forest. 
• Take the train to  Mostar , a picturesque city in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. This train ride, included in the Pass, takes under 3 hours.

Zagreb, Croatia

• Start your day by getting some fresh fruit at  Dolac Market , a beautiful square famous for its red umbrellas used by vendors. 
• Visit the unique  Museum of Broken Relationships  and unpack the universal experiences of loss and heartbreak.
• After the museum, take a long walk around Zagreb's Upper Town. Don't miss the  Church of St. Mark 's   colorful tiled roof.  

Bologna, Italy

Travelers can lose themselves for days exploring Bologna's  medieval churches, long porticoes, and hidden canals.

The  University of Bologna  is the crown jewel of this lively student city, dating back to the year 1088.

Climb to the top of the  Clock Tower  for a breathtaking view of Bologna. 

Lyon, France

• Lyon, home to more than 4,000 restaurants, is said to be the  gastronomical capital of France . 

Signs of the city's history and architectural variety are everywhere you turn, from the ancient  Roman theater  to the futuristic  Musée des Confluences .

Visit the soaring  Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière,  recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of Lyon. 

What Pass should I get for one month in Europe?

The Eurail Global Pass allows travelers to explore 33 European countries by train. Choose a 1 or 2 months Continuous Pass  for maximum flexibility. 

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How much money do i need to travel europe.

For some people, setting a budget is just one more exciting thing to do when planning their European holiday. Mainly because it gives them an opportunity to dream about the castles and banquets they’ll be spending their euros on.

Then there are others who dread the whole ordeal – probably the same people who haven’t visited the dentist in a year. 

Knowing things is hard. And who’s got time for calculations?*

Allow me to introduce you to the amazing Holiday Budget robot planner 3000! (Well, it’s not really called that). Planning a budget is hard, it’s not like you just know the cost of a bratwurst and a 1L jug of beer in Munich off the top of your head is it? That’s impressive if you do, but our Holiday Budget Planner actually does know that kind of stuff. Try it out below!

*Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Try our fancy new budget calculator (above) now!

How to plan a trip to Europe with a budget

First up, you need to figure out what you need to budget for.

To work out your rough costs, you’ll need to know:

• Where you’re going – for flight costs.
• How long you’ll be away – for nightly accommodation costs.
• How you want to get around – for transport costs.

It also helps to budget with those you’ll be travelling with, so you can work out what costs are solely yours and what you can share. It’s also a good way to set out what type of holiday you want to have. If you’re a budget traveller who wants to hostel-hop your way through Europe, your budget will be very different to the traveller that wants 5-star, all-inclusive, buffet breakfast, city-view, luxury hotels.

I_DemiQuinn_Mykonos-770x578_90kb.jpg

How much does a Europe trip cost?

Let’s take a look at a few examples of different kinds of holidays you could have in Europe, and address some of those big-ticket costs that need to be budgeted for.

The lovey-dovey couple

This romantic pair is travelling through London for 2 weeks during its beautiful, warm summer. Between them, they’ll need just under $10,000 AUD for flights, accommodation and daily transport. 

The solo backpacker

This lucky vagabond is travelling Solo (not even Chewbacca is invited). They’re hitting up France , Spain , Italy and Greece for a whole month of adventure. Depending on how frugal they decide to be, they’ll need about $4,000AUD for flights, accommodation and public transport. Don’t forget to budget your meals and adventures though!

The fun family

This wonderful family of 2 adults and 2 kids (under age 11) is going on a cruise to visit Barcelona during the school holidays – lucky kids… The parents will need to save around $13,000AUD worth of pennies to afford the flights, cruise and accommodation for this trip. 

Note that these are your core expenses. Other costs from travel insurance, daily expenses like food and drinks, sightseeing, activities and all those shopping trips aren’t taken into account.

Costs of travelling Europe per day

We’ve looked at the big stuff, now let’s get into the intricate expenses.

First of all, a good holiday budget will keep in mind where you can tighten up on expenses – and where you can splurge! Having this type of flexible holiday budget is essential because you never know when an opportunity might come up that you don’t want to miss out on.

For a middle-of-the-road holiday (neither budget nor luxury living) we recommend from:

AU$100 to AU$150 per person, per day.

This will cover sightseeing, food and drinks, shopping and other nitty-gritties.  But of course, there are heaps of ways to cut down on this cost – or add to it – to create your preferred budget.

Travel Money Oz Infographics_14_Blog.jpg

Consider your bookings

It helps knowing exactly what’s included in what you’ve booked. Does your hotel include breakfast in the per night cost? If it does, then that’s one less thing you need to budget for. Or does your accommodation have kitchen facilities? That gives you a cheap’n’easy, DIY meal option.

You can also look for other ways to save. Can you purchase a public transport pass, rather than buying single tickets (as usually, this will offer some savings)? Or can you purchase a sightseeing pass that includes entry costs and public transport? If you can, why not go for it and save.

Final words on budgeting

Well, that was probably a lot to take in, so let’s finish up with some easy-peasy dot points.

• It can help to have a pre-agreed cost for things (pre-agreed with yourself, or your travel companions if you’re splitting costs). This avoids arguments, stress and overspending.
• Put time and research into your ‘per day’ budget and include the things you really want to do. Once you know the costs, you have a goal to save for.
• It pays to book things in advance, but sometimes you might be able to find a cheaper price when you are in the country
• Don’t forget to factor in your pre-travel costs (e.g. travel insurance, immunisations and visas).
• Budget for cheap eats some days so you can gorge other days. From enjoying a glass of champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower to devouring food at Germany’s food stalls.
• Don’t forget those sneaky costs (e.g. transfers, tours and tipping).

If you still need help with setting a holiday budget, our travel money experts have a handy budgeting tool available in any of our 165 stores across Australia and New Zealand.

*Flight costs based on search from www.flightcentre.com.au and are indicative costs only, based on prices available on 10 August 2018. ^Accommodation costs are based on an average per night price for budget , moderate or luxury hotels, as indicated in the table. ~Cruise cost is based on search from www.ncl.com for a 7 night Western Mediterranean cruise onboard Norwegian Epic, departing Barcelona in May 2019, and is an indicative cost only, based on prices available on 10 August 2018. **Rail Pass cost is based on search from http://www.eurail.com and is an indicative cost only. COST COMPARISON TABLE: All costs are based on estimated approximate costs from major metropolitan cities in each country. “From” costs indicate costs that start from the indicated price and may be higher than shown. Average prices indicate a typical estimated cost you would pay for the indicated item. Prices may vary from time to time, and in different cities and towns within each country. Cities included are: London, United Kingdom; Rome, Italy; Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; Barcelona, Spain; Athens, Greece; Budapest, Hungary; Prague, Czech Republic; Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This blog is provided for information only and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs.  You should consider whether the information and suggestions contained in any blog entry are appropriate for you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.  While we take reasonable care in providing the blog, we give no warranties or representations that it is complete or accurate, or is appropriate for you.  We are not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising from use of, or reliance on, the information and/or suggestions contained in this blog.

AUD News: Global growth concerns continue to put a cap on Aussie dollars performance

Travel hacks: halloween hotspots around the world, more like this.

First Timers One Month Europe Itinerary

Planning your first trip to a new region is exciting but it can be a daunting task, especially one as big and full of interesting and exciting places as Europe. With limited time it can be hard picking which places you should see on a one month Europe itinerary and which might be better left for next time.

There are a few factors that I have considered when putting together this first timers one month Europe itinerary.

Firstly, this one month in Europe itinerary is about giving you enough time in each destination to see the main sights but also have some time to just soak it all in.

Secondly, I considered logistics and how easy it is to get from one place to another. While Europe has many transport options that all make it simple to get around, when you only have one month you don’t want to be spending a week of that getting from place to place.

Finally, I considered popularity. A lot of people are reluctant to visit the popular places because they can be overcrowded and a touch touristy. Me on the other hand, I like to embrace it because really these places are popular for a reason, they are awesome!

It is nice to get off the beaten path from time to time but I believe that most people visiting Europe for the first time want to experience the places and sights everyone is talking about.

This one month in Europe itinerary is by no means comprehensive, but what it does give you is an overview of what I think you shouldn’t miss on your first visit to Europe. Feel free to use this as a guide, or a starting point and plan from there by adding more stops or removing any places you don’t fancy.

Getting Around Europe

In Europe I have travelled by bus, plane, boat and train all at different times and for different reasons. For this itinerary and for the easiest and most convenient way to travel, I suggest using the extensive network of trains.

Why Travel by Train in Europe?

I’m a big advocate for train travel. And while it isn’t always the cheapest mode of transport, it is usually the most convenient. The train will usually pick you up in the centre of a city and drop you in the centre of the next unlike air travel where airports are usually a long way from the city centre.

The biggest pluses to train travel for me are how comfortable and scenic it is. Most trains come in 1st and 2nd class with 2nd class being the equivalent of 1st class in most other parts of the world. Big picture windows, and on some trains, almost entirely glass compartments, help you take in the view while you’re relaxing in your comfortable air-conditioned seat.

High speed trains also make train travel in Europe the quickest way to get around on a lot of the routes. Some trains travel at over 300km/hr!

Train Tickets in Europe

For the itinerary below, getting a rail plus is the most cost-effective and simplest way to go in terms of tickets. In most cases the pass is all you will need to board any train (except overnight sleepers and high-speed trains) at any time of day giving you the flexibility to move onto your next destination when the time suits you most.

Cost of a Europe Rail Pass

10 or 15 days in 2 months basically means that you have 10 or 15 travel days over a 2 month period. A travel day is a 24 hour period. Say you jump on a train at 9:00am one day, your travel day will end at 9:00am the next day.  On each of those travel days you’re allowed unlimited connections.

With the itinerary below, a 10 days in 2 months pass covers all 10 travel days outlined below. If you are adding any more days, then the 15 days in 2 months pass will be required. If you are cutting some stops out, you may need to look into whether point to point tickets may be a cheaper option.

One thing to be aware of is that an extra seat reservation and fee is required on sleeper and high-speed trains. The agency where you buy your pass (more on that below) will be able to sort out those reservations for you as well.

Where to Buy Europe Rail Tickets

European rail passes are not available to buy in Europe, so it is necessary that you are organised and buy them before you leave home.

Visit the Rail Europe website in your home country using the links below to purchase tickets and rail passes.

One Month Europe Itinerary

Paris – 4 Days

Things to See & Do in Paris

Paris is the perfect place to start a 4 week Europe itinerary and will give you a heavy dose of art, culture and food to get you started. Check out some of the best museums in the world, The Louvre and d’Orsay to name just two. Take a ride up the iconic Eiffel Tower for views over the city. Cathedral lovers will love Notre Dame, Saint Chapelle and Sacre Coeur . For a bit of people watching, take a stroll down the Champs Elysee or through the Tulleries and  Luxembourg Gardens . And why not add a half day trip out to visit the Palace of Versailles .

Read More About Paris

30 Things to Do in Paris

The Best Tours in Paris for Sightseeing

The Best Day Trips from Paris

Suggested Paris Tours

Hop-on-Hop-off bus tour

Louvre Museum Skip the Line

Seine River Cruise

Arc De Triomphe Skip the Line

Eiffel Tower Priority Access

Palace of Versailles Skip the Line

Where to Stay in Paris

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located, highly rated and come with excellent facilities. You can also check out my whole post dedicated to places to stay in Paris here .

Budget – Hotel Marignan

Mid-Range – Hotel Le Relais des Halles

Luxury – Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

What to Eat in Paris

Croissants  for breakfast, baguettes with fresh cheese and cured meats for lunch and warming soups , casseroles and steak frittes for dinner. And then there’s the sweets. Delicate macarons , eclairs and other French pastries can be found in the most amazing smelling shops. Or pick up a crêpe smothered in nutella chocolate spread or lemon and sugar from vendors on the street.

Bruges – 2 Days

Travel Time Between Paris and Bruges

Paris to Bruges on a direct train service takes about two and a half hours. More frequent services run with one change in Brussels and take about the same amount of time.

Things to See & Do in Bruges

Take a wander around the Old Town , through the Main Market Square , and down the cobblestone streets past beautiful medieval architecture . Cruise the romantic canals past some of the city’s most romantic spots. Climb the steps of the Belfry for views over the city. Visit the Church of Our Lady to see Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child.

Read more about all the things to do in Bruges here .

Suggested Bruges Tours

Beer and Chocolate Tasting Tour

Bruges Private Highlights and Hidden Gems Tour

Bruges Electric Scooter Tour

Where to Stay in Bruges

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located, highly rated and come with excellent facilities.

Budget – B&B Lady Jane

Mid-Range – Monsieur Maurice

Luxury – B&B Le Foulage

What to Eat in Bruges

Chocolate , chocolate, chocolate! And once you’re sick of chocolate, try some waffles (with chocolate of course!) or Frites which are hot fries with mayonnaise. Yum!

Amsterdam – 3 Days

Travel Time from Bruges to Amsterdam

Bruges to Amsterdam by train requires one change in Brussels with the journey taking no more than three hours.

Things to See & Do in Amsterdam

You can’t come to Amsterdam without checking out its famous canals . Whether it’s on foot, abroad a canal boat or riding a bike , you could spend your whole three days just exploring them. But if you want to fit in a few more things, I highly recommend Anne Frank Haus to learn about the young woman and her family’s story. You can also visit a few other world-class museums like the  Rijksmuseum , Van Gogh Museum and Rembrandt House to name a few. Or take a cheeky walk around the famous Red Light District at night.

Read more about all the things to do in Amsterdam here .

Suggested Amsterdam Tours

Red Light District Walking Tour

Rijksmuseum Museum Skip the Line

Van Gogh Museum Skip the Line

City Canal Cruise

Zaanse Schans Windmills

Countryside Bike Tour

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

Budget – Hotel Prinsenhof

Mid-Range – Hotel Sebastians

Luxury – Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

What to Eat in Amsterdam

For some quintessential Dutch food, find yourself some raw herring , if you can stomach it. Grab a Kroket from a vending machine or some Frites from a street vendor. Or take a seat in a café to order some Erwtensoep , traditional split pea soup with other vegetables and pork. And to finish with something sweet try the poffertjes which are mini pancakes or stroopwafel , thin chewy waffle like biscuits.

Berlin – 3 Days

Travel Time from Amsterdam to Berlin

Amsterdam to Berlin can be done by direct train or with one change in Hanover. Travel time is about six hours.

Things to See & Do in Berlin

Make a beeline straight to the iconic Brandenburg Gate to start your visit. From there it’s an easy walk to most of the city’s must see sights like the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe to reflect on the city’s terrible history. Visit a  bunch of great museums on Museum Island , take a ride up the Berlin TV Tower for views of the city and see some of the remaining parts of the Berlin wall, including the section that’s been converted into an outdoor art gallery, East Side Gallery .

Read more about all the things to do in Berlin here .

Suggested Berlin Tours

TV Tower Skip the Line

Hop-on-Hop-off Bus

Walking Tour

Third Reich and Cold War Walking Tour

Reichstag Dome & Government District Tour

EasyCityPass

Berlin War & Cold War History Cycling Tour

3-Hour Street Art Tour

Where to Stay in Berlin

Budget – Ibis Budget Berlin  Kurfürstendamm

Mid-Range – Pension Absolut Berlin

Luxury – Regent Berlin

What to Eat in Berlin

You’re in Germany so a giant schnitzel  or a pork knuckle is a must. For some street food try the currywurst which is basically sausages with curry sauce. Berlin is a very multicultural city so you will find food from just about every country in the world represented across the city and done very authentically.

Prague – 3 Days

Travel Time from Berlin to Prague

Berlin to Prague trains run direct and takes less than 5 hours.

Things to See & Do in Prague

Avoid the craziness of Charles Bridge with an early morning stroll. Visit Prague Castle  to step back in time and for views of the hundred spires across the city. Wander the old town cobblestone streets. Watch the Astronomical clock do it’s thing in the Old Town Square.

Read more about all the things to do in Prague here .

Suggested Prague Tours

Prague Castle Skip the Line

Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

Beer & Traditional Dinner Tour

Ghosts and Legends Walking Tour

1-Hour Vltara River Cruise

Prague City Card

Where to Stay in Prague

Budget – Ragtime

Mid-Range – Motel One Prague

Luxury – Four Seasons Hotel Prague

What to Eat in Prague

Food in Prague is cheap if you stay away from the main tourist areas. Wander down the back streets to find traditional restaurants selling hearty goulash with dumplings and fish soup to help warm you up on a cold day. Try some local pork sausages with a typical accompaniment of sauerkraut . And wash it all down with some of the best beers in the world.

Salzburg – 2 Days

Travel Time from Prague to Salzburg

Prague to Salzburg takes about six hours by train with one change in Linz.

Things to See & Do in Salzburg

Get your Sound of Music on with a tour of this famous movies filming locations. Walk around the old town checking out some of the best examples of Baroque architecture in the world. Dance around the Pegasus Fountain (Sound of Music reference) in the beautiful Mirabell Gardens . Enjoy the incredible views from Hohensalzburg Fortress . And learn more about the genius that was Mozart at his once birthplace which is now a museum.

Read more about all the things to do in Salzburg here .

Suggested Salzburg Tours

Original Sound of Music Tour

Hallstatt Tour

Salzburg Card

Hohensalzburg Fortress Admission Ticket Skip the Line

Walking Tour of Salzburg

Where to Stay in Salzburg

Budget – Pension Jahn

Mid-Range – Gastehaus im Priesterseminar Salzburg

Luxury – Hotel Goldener Hirsch

What to Eat in Salzburg

Similar cuisine to that of neighbouring country Germany. You’ll find big schnitzels , hearty pork knuckles with sauerkraut and traditional soups in the winter. For something sweet try a strudel or the national favourite,  Nockerl .

Exploring Austria by Car: A 5 Day Itinerary

Venice – 2 Days

Travel Time from Salzburg to Venice

Salzburg to Venice can be done on an overnight train taking seven hours or during the day with one change in Villach taking around six hours.

Things to See & Do in Venice

Whether it’s in a gondola or vaperetto, you must take a ride on the famous canals of Venice . Get lost wandering the winding cobblestone streets . Spend some time taking in the atmosphere of  St Mark’s Square, watching the people and the pigeons. Explore some of the outer islands of Burano , Murano or Lido to see a different side of Venice.

Suggested Venice Tours

St Mark’s Basilica Skip the Line

Venetian Lagoon Tour

Gondola Tour

Doge’s Palace Priority Admission

2-Hour Walking Tour

Where to Stay in Venice

Budget – Hotel ai do Mori

Mid-Range – Albergo Casa Peron

Luxury – Hotel Danieli

What to Eat in Venice

Unfortunately Venice is touristy and overpriced when it comes to food. Try to stay off the main tourist trail and get lost in the back streets to find traditional tavernas serving Italian food of pizzas , pastas and antipasto plates of cured meats . And don’t forget to finish every meal with a gelato !

Rome – 4 Days

Travel Time form Venice to Rome

Venice to Rome takes around three and a half hours by direct train with almost hourly departures.

Things to See & Do in Rome

Get a taste of Roman life in the centre of one of Europe’s biggest cities at the Colosseum and Roman Forum . Visit the inspiring and ancient Pantheon . Spend time in some of the city’s best public spaces like the  Spanish Steps , Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navona . Visit another country, Vatican City , to see some of the worlds most incredible masterpieces and get the chance to come face to face with the Pope . And of course you must throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain so you can one day return to Rome.

Read more about all the things to do in Rome here .

Suggested Rome Tours

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip the Line

Authentic Italian Cooking Class

Street Food Tour

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour

Where to Stay in Rome

Budget – Roma Trastevere Station

Mid-Range – Al Viminale Hill Inn & Hotel

Luxury – Hotel Raphael – Relais & Chateau

What to Eat in Rome

You are in Italy so that means pizza , pasta , fresh salads and antipasto . Get off the main tourist drag to find the authentic tavernas , restaurants and cafes. Although the Italians are not huge on dessert, a slice of tiramisu or a canoli is a must. And eating gelato at least once a day is mandatory!

Florence – 2 Days

Travel Time from Rome to Florence

Rome to Florence takes just one and a half hours with services departing a few times every hour.

Things to See & Do in Florence

Art is the biggest drawcard in Florence and you can see some of the worlds best at the Uffitzi Gallery including the famous Statue of David . Check out the massive Duomo which dominates the square it sits on. Walk over one of Europe’s most atmospheric bridges, Pont Vechhio .  And shop for leather goods in the Mercato Centrale .

Read more about all the things to do in Florence here .

Suggested Florence Tours

Accademia Gallery Skip the Line

Tuscany Day Trip

Florence Dome Climb Skip the Line

Uffizi Gallery Small Group Tour

Where to Stay in Florence

Budget – Hotel Por Santa Maria

Mid-Range – Casa Pucci

Luxury – Portrait Firenze

What to Eat in Florence

As with Venice and Rome,  pizza and pasta will dominate the menus. A specialty of the region is steak , specifically Florentine t-bone steak which is cooked to perfection. I guarantee it will be the best steak you’ve ever had!

Read More About Italy

The Best of Italy by Train: A Two Week Itinerary

10 Day Italy Itinerary

Nice – 2 Days

Travel Time from Florence to Nice

Florence to Nice can take up to seven hours by train with two changes required in Genova or Milan and Ventimiglia.

Things to See & Do in Nice

Take a walk along the Promenade des Anglais on the water front. Explore the winding lanes of the old town looking for tiny cafes and bars. Enjoy the Mediterranean waters with a swim. Take a train to Cannes to see where the rich and famous come to play for the yearly film festival. Or head to the tiny country of Monaco to mingle with the wealthy at Monte Carlo Casino .

Read more about all the things to do in Nice here .

Suggested Nice Tours

Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour

Lamborghini Driving Experience

Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus

Where to Stay in Nice

Budget – Hotel des Dames

Mid-Range – Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare

Luxury – Hotel Negresco

What to Eat in Nice

You’re on the sea so seafood is fresh and at its best. Dine near the port for restaurants serving the freshest catches. Lots of fresh produce is used in fresh salads and dishes with a distinct Mediterranean flavour. Fish stew is the must try dish and don’t miss out on trying the world-famous Nicoise salad .

Read More About France

The Best of France: A Two Week Itinerary

10 Days France Itinerary: See the Best of France

Barcelona 3 Days

Travel Time from Nice to Barcelona

Nice to Barcelona by train takes around eight hours with two changes required in Marseille and Montpellier.

Things to See & Do in Barcelona

Take a long stroll down Las Ramblas to be entertained by street performers and lots of people watching opportunities. Check out the mark left on the city by Gaudi at Sangrada Familia , Park Guell and Casa Batllo all of which are some of the most famous Spanish landmarks . Wander the Gothic quarter to see some of the city’s best Gothic architecture.

Suggested Barcelona Tours

Sagrada Familia Skip the Line

Park Guell Admission

Barcelona Card

Flamenco Show

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Budget – Hotel Curious

Mid-Range – Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel

Luxury – Serras Barcelona

What to Eat in Barcelona

For a meal shared with friends, find a small tapas bar to enjoy small plates of food including freshly cut jamon , creamy croquettes , fresh seafood like sardines and bite sized omelette . For a bigger meal try the seafood paella , a rice dish cooked in one pan and topped with fresh seafood and meat. For sweets you can’t go past churros , a sugar or cinnamon coated long doughnut.

Over to you!

What is top of your list of places to visit in Europe? What would you add to this one month Europe itinerary for your own trip?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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113 thoughts on “First Timers One Month Europe Itinerary”

It’s only when you start planning a trip in Europe, you realise just how many countries and places to see there are! This is about as comprehensive a list as its going to get, but the one main omission is London, which would be a good place to perhaps start, and then get the train through to Paris after a few days.

Thanks Dave. I agree London is a great place to start but in this case I omitted it because having spent so much time in the UK, I believe London and the UK deserve another trip altogether.

hi its been a lifelong dream of me to travel all over europe for a month to 45 days . i just dont know where to start from. ive been to venice, switzerland , italy and france and may want to skip them except for paris. can you recommend an itinerary from what country to start with. thank you

Hi Florenda. I have more itineraries which can be found on this page. Hope this helps you plan your perfect trip! Cheers Jen

Where do I sign up? 🙂 This sounds fantastic! And I like how you have the train as the transportation so the countryside can be seen too!

Thanks Gretta! The train is definitely the way to travel whenever possible I think.

Great list! We’ve been travelling in Europe for the last 2 months (for the first time) and it’s a pretty daunting place to plan for. We started in London then few to Romania and are now in the Greek islands. Our favourite places so far have probably been Budapest, Transylvania and Santorini.

Santorini is amazing isn’t it! Hope you continue to enjoy your European adventures.

For a break from cities, it might be worth venturing in to the mountains for an activity break. You can get to the Ecrins National Park and the Southern french Alps really easily on the train from Marseille and have access to a full range of activities from skiing, snowshoeing, husky sledding, sleeping in an igloo in the winter to canyoning, via ferrata, rock climbing, white water rafting, paragliding, walking, biking etc in the summer.

Thanks Sally. There are tons of great areas like this throughout Europe. If you have more than a month I would definitely suggest visiting a few of them.

Wow just looking through this is making me excited! I’m planning a month long trip to Europe for 2016 and this has been so helpful! Thank you! I just wanted to know, how much was the budget for this? Thank you!

Hi Angela. So glad you found this useful. This trip can be done on any budget you just need to make some alterations to the type of accommodation, where you eat and what you see in each place. If you’ve got a small budget then stay in hostels or even try couch surfing, eat bigger meals at lunch time when it’s cheaper and shop in supermarkets and for activities there are lots of free walking tours in Europe and museums generally have a free day each month too. Happy planning!

thank you for this information

Glad to help.

May I ask how much was your spending for this trip?

Thank you! Brandon Lee

Hi Brandon, This isn’t a trip I have done all at once myself. I’ve done it in bits and pieces. The budget for this would be entirely up to your personal choice depending on the type of accommodation you choose, the places you eat and what you see along the way. A good ball park figure for a budget to moderate traveller is around $100 a day. This will get you a dorm bed in a hostel, transport, simple meals and entrance to a few attractions. Hope this has been of some help. Cheers Jen

I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for this! Though my fiance and I are going to use this trip itinerary (with a few tweeks here and there) for our honeymoon. My question is, what if we dont want to share a hostel? Being a honeymoon and all, privacy would be nice but we also dont want to spend a bunch of money. We’re doing this on as much of a budget as possible. Any suggestions on where to look, or would the “moderate” level hotels you listed be the the best choice?

Hi Haley, Congrats on the upcoming nuptials You must be very excited! Hostels have fantastic private rooms as well as dorms and they are very affordable, usually cheaper than most budget hotels. Some have private bathrooms, others you will be sharing facilities, so shop around until you find exactly what you are after. If you would like some specific recommendations based on where you are going I would be happy to help. Just email me at [email protected] . Hope you have a great honeymoon! Cheers Jen

Hi This is really very helpful . I am excited.Thank you so much for this fantastic itinerary. We are planning to travel this April with a 2 year toddler for one month. Do you think that we can make it through out the month with a toddler and yeah with rent a car . Please suggest

Thank you so much

I love this!!! I am planning to do a Europe trip for a few weeks in the fall so this is awesome. I will use this for future reference!

THanks Holly. Glad this has been of some help and I hope you really have a great time in Europe.

I love this! My husband and I are planning a 7 week trip in Europe for the fall 2015 (2 weeks in the British Isles and 5 weeks on the continent). Your itinerary includes most places we were planning to visit on the continent, so we will definitely use a big chunk of it! I’m 39 and it is my first time ever in Europe (I’m Canadian), so I planned a pretty good budget for it, enough to include a Eurail pass. The only changes I would make is stopping in Geneve to visit a friend, and skipping Spain to spend more time in France (400 years ago, my ancestors came to Canada from France! And French is my first language). Oh and we will make it to Danemark, as my husband has relatives there. Anyway, thank you very much for taking the time to put this itinerary together and post it! Websites like your are priceless for inexperienced travellers like me! 🙂

Thanks Karine. I really appreciate your kind words. I hope you have a lovely time in Europe and I’d love to hear all about it when you return. Feel free to email me anytime. 🙂

hi! how much do you suggest I should bring if I follow the itinerary you posted above? 🙂

Hi Danielle, The amount you spend on this itinerary will depend entirely on your level of comfort for transport, accommodation and food. I’d be happy to talk about this more with you via email ( [email protected] ) at any time. Cheers Jen

Hi jen, thanks for sharing the information, i was planning to go Europe for a month in march 2016, started saving the money, and will be following your itenary, can you tell me how much i need to travel Europe for a month following your itenanry and considering low cheap hostels and what else on the trip i can save money, does travelling to bus will be cheaper option. Thanks in advance

Hi Fahad, Thanks for getting in touch and I am glad you found the itinerary useful. If you are planning to follow this exact itinerary staying in hostels dorm rooms, I would say accommodation will set you back around 15 Euros a night so around 450 Euros for the month. Other costs you will encounter are food and sightseeing. If you shop in supermarkets and cook in the hostels you could save a ton on eating out. The cost of sightseeing will depend on what you want to see and do. I have lots of posts throughout this website on all of the places mentioned in this itinerary that outline what the sights cost for entry. As for the bus, yes that would be the most cost effective way to travel but it is also the slowest so you need to weigh up whether you would prefer quality time in places or cheaper prices. I hope this helps and do get in touch should you have any follow up questions. Cheers Jen

hi, this is a very useful itinerary as I’ve wanted to go travelling for years but I didn’t know where to start. I’m only 16 but I’m planning on making this trip in 2018 after I’ve finished my A-levels. I know prices will change between now and 2018 but I was wondering roughly how much you think I would need to save up (including money for places to stay, food, travel). I worked out that I would need roughly £1500 for travel and accommodation but I haven’t even considered food yet. Does that price sound about right for a month of travelling and overnight stay? Thank you in advance x

Hi Charlotte! Thanks so much for reading my itinerary. I am so impressed that you have these dreams and I really hope you get to live them out in 2018. The cost will depend entirely on what type of accommodation you plan to stay in, whether you’d be eating out the whole time or cooking for yourself sometimes and how many paying attractions you would visit. Also what type of transport you’d be taking. The cheapest way to do it would be staying in dorms in hostels, cooking say 50% of your meals, travelling by bus and only doing one or two of the paid attractions in each place. For that I think £1500 for transport and accommodation would be sufficient and then add another £20 a night for accommodation, £20-30 for food per day and £20-30 per place for attractions. I hope this helps and please feel free to email me any time with any follow up questions [email protected] Cheers Jen

Hello, my husband and me along with our son are planning Europe trip at end of April 2016 for the first time. We are middle aged and big nature lover, rather mountain lover, to be specific. Hence we would like to avail the scenic train routes of eurail and other regional trains as far as practicable to explore the countryside and of course, would like to include Switzerland (Bernina Express/ Glacier Express) by reducing time for other cities. Can you please guide us?

Hi Sharmila, Thanks for your comment. Your trip sounds wonderful. We don’t have too much experience exploring the mountains and nature of Switzerland as we have taking in mostly the cities so far (would love to in the future though). We did do one scenic train from INterlaken to Lucerne called the Golden Line which was amazing. I have heard that the ones you mentioned are even better, so you are on the right track there. This website ( https://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains ) has tons of good info on those two trains you mentioned including good route maps. If you have any more specific questions, please feel free to email me ( [email protected] ) at any time and I’ll be happy to help. Cheers Jen

Hello, I have the possibility of going to Europe soon, if I go forward with it, it would be in January. The idea is to go for a full month, on my own. I am 19 and I’d like to have an idea on the budget I’d need for this. Also, I’d like to know what other things I can do, removing some of the cities you name in this itinerary (Bruges, Berlin, Salzburg), since I’d have more days in each of the remaining cities.

Thank you in advance, Juan.

Hi Juan, Thanks for your comment. Budget will depend entirely on what type of accommodation you choose to stay in, how you choose to eat meals, the mode of transport you choose and how many paying sights you visit. Feel free to email me ( [email protected] ) with more specifics and I’ll be happy to help you out with budget. As for more things to see and do in the cities you will be visiting, check out these posts which provide you with info on everything i recommend. Paris – https://thetrustedtraveller.com/tag/paris/ Amsterdam – https://thetrustedtraveller.com/tag/amsterdam/ Prague – https://thetrustedtraveller.com/tag/prague/ Rome – https://thetrustedtraveller.com/tag/rome/ Hope this helps. Cheers Jen

This is an awesome itinerary and this will help me in march on my 1 month trip to europe.. probably ill start in amsterdam and last stop is italy.. thank you so much!!

My pleasure Jvista. So glad I could help and have a great trip.

I really enjoyed your article, I found it very helpful. I’m planning to travel Europe next year for a month however I have not decided which month would be best to go. When do you think I should go, I was thinking May but I’m not 100% sure.

Hey! May is a great time of year because the weather is generally fine and the crowds haven’t quite descended on the region yet. Equally good is September/October. The summer crowds are gone and the weather is still comfortable. Hope this helps.

HI Jen, do you think this itinerary would work in December-January? I know it’s cold, but it’s our long summer break in NZ.

Cheers, Craig

Hi Craig No problems at all with travelling Europe in winter. It is just a different experience. Everything will be open as usual and you’ll get to visit the Christmas Markets as well. Hope you enjoy! Cheers Jen

This article was wonderfully helpful! Are the days listed including the arrival / departure date?

Thanks so much Seleena. I am glad it is of help to you.

With 4 days in Paris at the beginning and 3 in Barcelona at the end, there is definitely room to arrive and depart within this itinerary. However If you have the time I would suggest at least arriving the day before or early on the first day to make the most of your time.

Hope this helps and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions.

Hi Jen, I enjoyed reading your list. I’m planning a trip to South of France, Italy (Pisa, Amalfi Coast) & Greece. This will be my retirement 1-time-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe. This has been my goal for over 10 years now. I’ll do it by car cause I’m a photography fanatic and just have to be by the ocean. I love the notes on Pisa & Florence. My dream is to “get lost” in Toscani, traveling to every hidden place and every little town I can find, I want to meet the people get to know the culture and learn their cooking and music…. I’m traveling with no return date. And I want to own my time, the places I want to stop to take pix and the places I want to stay just cause. So any recommendations on Toscani and the Amalfi coast will be greatly appreciate it. I’m looking for good places to stay and eat that are nice but don’t break my budget. Also, what would you recommend, a Spring or autumn trip? I have subscribed to you page and hope to get lots of info I can use. Thank you so much.

Thanks so much for getting in touch. Your trip really does sound amazing and once in a lifetime.

In Tuscany we recommend visiting Siena and San Gimignano at the very least. Siena is one of the largest towns in Tuscany but it has lovely winding cobblestone lanes, beautiful architecture (check out the main square) and great atmosphere. It also get quieter in the evening and early morning when there are no day trippers there. San Gimignano is much smaller and is the town on the hill with the iconic towers. Its a lovely place to wander around for a day.

On the Amalfi Coast we recommend staying in Sorrento. It is much cheaper than the towns on the Amalfi Coast but is still easily accessible. From Sorrento you can drive along to the Amalfi Coast or do what we did and take a ferry hopping on and off whenever you see something you like. From Sorrento you can also access the Isle of Capri. At night join the locals as the walk off their meals. the main street of Sorrento is closed to traffic in the evening and the locals parade up and down chatting to their friends and family. It a really night laid back tradition. In the town of Amalfi right on the waterfront was a really nice little pizza place which we loved and had the best pizza we’d had in all of Italy. Sorry I don’t recall the name.

As for other places to eat in both areas, we are not good a remembering to get the names of the places we enjoyed.

Both Spring and Autumn are good times to travel in Europe. There is less people and the weather is generally fine with sunny mild days and cool nights. If you want to avoid the heat I would visit in Autumn after summer but if you’d prefer to avoid the cold then I’d suggest Spring.

I hope this helps and if you have any more questions please feel free to email us ( [email protected] ) and we’d be happy to help.

All the best for your trip.

Wow! Amazing article and comments too read them all. Planning a trip in Jun 2016 for 2 weeks. From Dubai to Birmingham (return ticket)- then Following your itinerary can you please guide us with the transportation (train) and how much it will cost per person. Is there a unlimited pass for the train for two weeks and much cheaper than a regular once. Thank you

Hi Margie, Thanks, I am so glad you found this useful. Train tickets are sold either point to point or in passes which give you a certain number of days travel. It will depend on how many travel days you have within your two weeks as to whether the point to point or pass would be cheaper. If you’d like to email me ( [email protected] ) with the country you live in I can point you in the right direction for checking exact prices. Unfortunately each country will have a different booking site. Cheers Jen

I am from Southeast Asia and I’ve been planning a Euro trip in 2017. I am so glad I came across this article as I don’t have a concrete plan yet as to my starting point! Thanks for this, I will use this as my guide. Cheers!

Thanks so much Love! I am so glad this itinerary will be helpful for you. Please feel free to email us if you need any travel planning assistance.

I am planning my senior trip to Europe, so stumbling across this article is a life saver. I was going to go on this trip with little notion of what to expect, due to none of my immediate contacts have ever traveled in Europe for an extended time. But, now that I have found this, I will be planning my trip around your outline- thank you!

am so glad that you have found our itinerary useful Meghan and that you have chosen to take your senior trip in Europe. I hope you have an amazing time and don’t hesitate to email us if you have any questions as you are planning.

I think this is an excellent guide for first-timer. I’d personally add the Switzerland alps into the list or one of the towns like Lucerne. Maybe London too. But other than that this would make a great introductory itinerary.

Thanks Andrew. Totally agree, London and Lucerne would both may excellent additional to this itinerary.

Hi Jen, Im planning a trip with my partner for 25 days starting mid September. Love your article and most of the places in your itinerary we are already considering. We are flying into London and from there our plans are as follows Belgìum (Ghent or Bruges) Amsterdam Berlin Prague After Prague we are unsure of where to go. We are finishing our trip and flying out of Paris. We are thinking of either going to Venice and then getting a scenic train (or trains) through swiss alps to paris. Or going from Prague to Stuttgart for the Cannstatter Volksfest beer festival. Do you have any suggestions on what would be a better option? Also do you think we are better off purchasing a rail pass or would it be better to book each trip individually? Thankyou, Clare

Hi Clare, Thanks so much and glad you found the itinerary useful. Your itinerary looks good. How long were you planning to spend in each place? I like the idea of going to Venice and then getting the scenic train, the outlook is incredible. I have also heard good things about the beerfest in Stuttgart so it is a tough one to decide on. Another alternative would be taking a train to Salzburg for a night or two and then to Lucerne in Switerland and then onto Paris. As for tickets, you would need to look it up closer when tickets are available. Depending on how many segments you are travelling will depend on what is cheaper. Usually point to point is cheaper but don’t forget that if you are travelling on high speed trains you need to factor in the seat reservation costs too. Use the links I provided in the post above to cheap prices closer to your departure. Hope this helps and please don’t hesitate to contact use if you have any follow up questions ( [email protected] ) Have a great trip! Cheers Jen

Thank you Jen for your wonderful itinerary and travel advice. We followed most of the itinerary minus Bruges and Nice but with the added stop of Madrid for 3 nights. Everything went perfectly and for first time visitors to Europe it was a fantastic introduction. We can’t wait to go back !

Thanks Tony. That is fantastic to hear! Europe is so addictive and there is plenty to see so lots of excuses to keep going back.

Super super article and comments,, thank you very much for putting things together in this organized and informative way..I’m planning for a trip in 1 month ( very late plan but I finally got the time and money to do it) so I’m a bit anxious about it and your article is relieving.. I have couple questions here: 1) We are from Canada, so where do you advise us to start the trip from? 2) also I was hoping to go to Switzerland and Austria, would these be possible options and can we use the same train ticket passes to go there?

Thanks a lot

That’s so exciting Rose! There is no time like the present.

You could start your trip from any of the cities mentioned in the itinerary. I’d suggest checking out the best flight deals from your nearest international airport to each of them to see what the best option would be.

As for adding Switzerland and Austria, that could definitely work. Salzburg is included in the itinerary already but you could add Vienna if you liked also. In Switzerland I suggest Interlaken, it is amazing! Both are included in the pass, but with Switzerland it only includes the normal trains (not scenic trains).

Hope this has been of help to you and don’t hesitate to email me if you have any follow up questions ( [email protected] ).

Happy travels Jen

Many thanks Jen!! You are amazing and I’ll follow your advises. Best

These are such great recommendations Jen. I plan to travel to Europe and this is my first time. I have just 2 weeks time off from my work in India, and I like to go slow and not cramp my travel with many countries to visit. Maybe just go to a place or two and spend time there and soak in the countries/cities.

Which are the 1 or 2 or 3 places that you would suggest I go to, in the two weeks i have? I love countryside, nature, hills, valleys, mountains, river, sea, beach. 🙂 City-life does not excite me much!

Hi Pria, Thanks for your comment and so glad you found these recommendations useful. If you love mountains and nature then I’d suggest visiting Switzerland and Italy. Both are loaded with stunning landscapes with lots of opportunity for mountain hikes and/or scenic train rides. I can recommend visiting Interlaken in Switzerland and taking the Golden Line Scenic Train or similar towards Italy. In Italy I think Tuscany is stunning, lots of rolling hills and small hill towns. You could base yourself in Florence for Tuscany and day trip from there. Also Cinque Terre is great if you like walking and beaches. Hope this helps and if you ever have any other travel questions, we’d be happy to help ( [email protected] ) Cheers Jen

I am so glad I came across this. I was looking for my son who is planning a month this summer after college. After reading your article I believe it is time to take this trip with my husband. The information you provide is wonderful. Thank you!

Excellent! So glad this inspired you to travel yourself. I hope your son and you and your husband enjoy Europe!

Hi! my best friend and I are headed for a month in Europe January of 2017. All of our housing is taken care of, because we have friends who live in different cities. We would absolutely like to go to Paris, London, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Rome, possibly Greece to meet a friend if its possible. Any tips or insight on how we can better plan our trip? We are flying into Paris.

Hey Gabi, You must be getting so excited for your trip! This itinerary is a great place to start with your planning. It has information on the using the trains and things to see and do in all the cities you mentioned. Because of the longer distances you will be travelling, you might be better flying most of the legs. If you are flying into Paris I would suggest taking the train to Amsterdam then London and then flying from London to Barcelona and another flight to Greece. This makes the most sense to me. Feel free to email me if you have any more specific questions and I would be happy to help. Hope you have the trip of a lifetime!

I really like your Europe travel plan. And working on a itinerary on the similar lines. I have few queries though. I’m using a rail planner app (only European trains are listed in this app) to identify train schedule. ex. Venice to Munich, Florence to Venice etc. and i can see that these trails require reservation. I’m not able to find Hop-on Hop-off trains that can be used with a global pass. How should i overcome/ rectify this? As in this case a global pass may not be a cost efficient option.. 🙁 Kindly suggest.

Hi Praveen, Thanks for your message. Only high speed trains like the Eurostar, Thalys etc require a reservation. All other trains, usually slower services with more stops, can be reserved but don’t require it. You best bet would be to check with a rail booking agent in your country of origin.

Hi Jen, My wife and I are planning a trip to Europe in October this year for about 30 days and as it is our first time, I found your guide really helpful and am planning to follow it as per your recommendations. Many people I have spoken to about our upcoming trip keep saying not to cram too much in and to make sure we enjoy each place we visit without rushing around. Would you agree with their sentiments? Would you say this is one of those rushed trips where we could get burnt out, or does it provide ample time in these cities to enjoy and take in the sites, but also just relax? For a first time visit, Would you recommend a trip like this where we visit a number of countries, or would you recommend seeing about 4 countries and going deeper into each? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Nigel

Hi Nigel, So glad you have found this itinerary useful and that you will be visiting Europe for the first time. What I find makes people more burnt out is long travel days. That’s why when I put together this itinerary, I made sure that the travel time between each place wasn’t too long. This gives you more time to spend in each place and as we all know, travel days really do take it out of you. I always recommend at least 3 nights in a big city and at least 2 nights in a smaller city. This principal I have used in my itinerary. This will give you time to see the key sites that interest you the most but also allow you time to just wander and soak up the atmosphere. If you are planning to head back to Europe again sometime, narrowing the destinations down a little this trip will give you more time to explore each place in more depth and have some time to relax in between. But remember, whatever alterations you make to the itinerary, make sure that it doesn’t increase your travel days. Hope this helps and if you need any more help please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Have an amazing time! Cheers Jen

Thanks for these insights Jen. Really helpful. If we were to go deeper into 4 countries over the 30 days, would an itinerary that has France, Spain, Portugal and Italy be advisable? Is Portugal worth travelling to for the first time (mindful that it is off the track as well). Would you have any recommended itineraries for these countries? Thanks again, Nigel

Hello! Thanks for this article and travel tips, they’re so useful! I already bought my ticket to Spain for the summer and I’m so excited since I’ve never been to Europe. I was wondering, which is the easiest and cheapest way to go from Barcelona to Nice? I was thinking about going through the coast until I get to Cannes, or maybe Italy I’m not sure yet. But I don’t know if there is a bus company or something of some sort that takes you around the coast. Is it cheaper to fly? or is there like a bus that takes you to different points around the coast? Thank you! 🙂

How exciting! I hope you have an amazing time in Europe. If you can get cheap flights, that would be the cheapest way to go. Keep any eye on the budget airlines that fly that route, Vueling and EasyJet for sales. The next cheapest way will be by bus. You can use http://www.eurolines.com/en/ . The bus will stop at lots of different places along the coast giving you more options. Hope this helps!

This is something i have been searching for so long and ,looks like i landed on the perfect one. Do u also help in making the bookings?

Hi Shuch, Glad this has helped. Unfortunately I am not a booking agent but you can find links throughout this post to website that I use and recommend to book your trip. Always happy to help with questions!

European countries are amazing to visit. One needs to be careful as its not same as other countries. Nice article Europe First Time Traveler.

Wow. This is such a great article. We are planning a trip to Europe next June July and I will use your itinerary as a template. Thanks so much for putting so much effort into this

So glad to could help Caroline. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for putting up such an amazing and helpful post. We are planning a Europe trip in June/July next year and this will definitely be the basis of our itinerary. We are planning a 5 week trip. Do you think we could possibly fit in Croatia and/or Greece? Any suggestions as to travel mode and where to slot it in would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Katie

Hi Katie, Thanks, I am glad you found it useful. With an additional week, I would suggest picking just one, either Croatia or Greece. There is lots to see in both countries and so many incredible islands. Both are a little off the route of this itinerary so a flight would probably be the most time saving way to get there and with so many discount airlines in Europe, you’d be able to get it pretty cheap too. Adding it to the end or beginning of the trip makes sense to me. Hope you have an amazing trip! Cheers Jen

Hi Jen, Thankyou for great article, you have inspired me to solo travel! I have booked plane tocket. Can you tell me does the eurorail pass take me to each countries city centre and are rhe hotels you recommend close to train stations? Kind regards Maureen

Hi Maureen, I am so happy to hear that I have inspired you! The main train station in most European cities is in the city centre or very close to it. This makes it super easy to get around. All of my accommodation recommendations for the cities in this itinerary are above in the post. I hope you have a fabulous trip! Cheers Jen

Hi Jen!, So I know it is soooo far away but I want to get this done right. I am currently in Europe (Stuttgart, DE) as an Au-Pair but I would like to travel at the end of my stay for a month. The problem is that it would have to be by mid-December and I know how traveling can get during that time specially if there is bad weather. So I was wondering if you could give some sort of tips.

Plus, the trip I am planning is with my boyfriend who is currently in America and we both know nothing about Europe and the best ways to move around it. Can we still do the same places shown above during this time of the year? If we do some sort of this itinerary, what would be the best times to take the train? Because if I understood correctly there is another price if we were to take the night train right? Please HELP

Hi Ingrid, I have never personally travelled in Europe during winter but I know many people do so I don’t think you will have any problems following this itinerary at that time of year. Train is defintiely still the best way to get around. It is quick and cost effective, plus it lands you right in the heart of each city. Not sure what you mean by the best times to take the train. However, I usually aim for a morning departure as it is just more convenient than having to find somewhere to store your bags during the day while you wait for your train. Night trains will ultimately cost you less because you won’t be paying for accommodation. However, most of this itinerary is shorter tips so it wouldn’t necessarily be possible to take a night train. I suggest night trains if you are traveling more than 8 hours at a time. Hope this helps and have a fab time in Europe! Cheers Jen

I am from Singapore and we are planning for a honeymoon trip albeit a short one of about 2 weeks.

We have decided to include London, Paris, stopover for a day in disneyland. However we are undecided for a third place. Any suggestion for a scenic place with beautiful scenary of mountain and/or sea?

I have shortlisted Austria and Switzerland. We are not intending to drive though.

We will be going during winter time between dec to jan as we want to experience the xmas markets and vibes during the winter festive season!

Looking forward for your advice.

Hi Thomas, Congrats on your upcoming wedding! Switzerland would be a great choice and easy to get to from Paris on the train. You could split your time between the mountains and the city with maybe visiting Zurich, Lucerne and/or Interlaken. All are beautiful and have lots to offer. Hope this helps and have a great trip! Cheers Jen

Thank you Jen!

We probably would take the train from paris in to basel and from there to Zurich then to Lauterbrunnen.

Can i check if during this season dec to jan if this plan is feasible?

We will probably fly out from switzerland.

Hello i like your page i am planning a European trip for 6 weeks we are doing Egypt first we then will have 6 weeks in Europe any information on where to start and finish would be great thank you

Hi Jeff, Sounds like an awesome trip. I would suggest the itinerary above but maybe adding a few extra stops in between or adding some more time in Spain or a side trip over the Greece or Croatia.

I’m planning two trips of a month each in March and July. Was thinking of covering the Mediterranean countries once and then the rest of Europe.. what do u think? Can u suggest any better ideas- would like to cover Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal in one trip and Austria, Czech, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium and the UK in the second trip.

I think I am going to start in London, to to Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, then around Europe a bit. I’ve already been to Paris and Amsterdam so I plan maybe 12 days in UK and 14 days in Germany, Prague, Italy and maybe Spain. A total of about 28 days not including travel to and from Europe. Thank goodness for the train system, it really works when so many countries are so close and compact.

Hi Roohan Sounds good. Just try not to pack too much in, otherwise you will need another holiday to get over the holiday. Cheers Jen

Thank you for posting this! I am in the beginning phase of preparing for a month-long Eurotrip next year. I have been so overwhelmed with information online until I stumbled across this post. Thank you so much!! I would like to avoid the massive tourist crowds and peak season pricing, would Sept or Oct be a good month to visit?

Hi Hamila, Glad you found this useful. Yes Sept/Oct is my preferred time of year to travel to Europe. The weather is good and the summer crowds are generally gone. Cheers Jen

Hi, my husband and I are planning to visit Europe for 30-days starting this November. This is gonna be our first time and your article is really a great help for us in planning this trip. Just want to check if we can squeeze in Switzerland in this itinerary and how; Appreciate your help!

Hi Krys, Glad this was useful for you. Depends on how long you plan to spend in Switzerland. You would need to remove a place or two from this suggested itinerary. It really depends on what interests you most. Cheers Jen

Your itinerary here is amazing. Looks like most of my trip planning just got finished 🙂

I am planning a one month trip to Europe form our 30th anniversary. Do you happen to have any info on Switzerland? Her favorite place so one we must stop at.

I’m considering road tripping around Britain and Scotland, August / September next year. The preference is to tour the countryside with B & B accommodation and avoid the major cities I thought that we could have 5 or 6 different locations which we could use as a base, and therefore do day trips rather than packing and unpacking every day or two. It is envisaged that the amount of time spent at each location would be about 3 to 5 days I would be pleased if you could make any recommendations for an itinerary, also various locations and any accommodation we could use that would suit our purpose.

Thank you for sharing this itinerary. Its very comprehensive and it covers a lot of the must see as a first timer in Europe. I like the fact that you have included train transpo and budget/mid-range hotels. I will be following this itinerary on my trip to Europe.

Hii as i am travel and toursim student from India and i am very weak in Europe but because of this article i got to know so many things about Europe when I’ll be traveling to Europe this itinerary will be followed. Thank you☺

Great outline We hope to use it as soon as the Covid crisis passes.

Thank you for your time and expertise.

Thank you so much for this. I’m actually using it to plan my mum, sister and I’s trip to the Rugby World Cup in France. It’ll be our first time in Europe and we will be there for about 6 weeks, with 3 weeks in between which we will dedicate to exploring Europe so this has come in quite handy. Thank you once again xx

This is great, but I wanted to add Milan on my trip. Which country do u think i can skip?

Regards Madz

If you want to add Milan, maybe missing out on Venice or Florence which are nearby. I guess it depends on which of these places you really wanted to go to can’t can’t miss out on.

Thanks for sharing this itinerary. It is very comprehensive and covers many must-see sights for first-time visitors to Europe. I like that you include train transport and budget/mid-range hotels. I will follow this itinerary on my European tour.

Nice guide, so interesting! Thanks for sharing with us ! 🙂

Hi Jen Thanks for this my wife and I are planning a 5 week trip next year hopefully starting around en of May . Never been to Europe before only Asia, we are from Melbourne

Cheers Chris

Glad you found this helpful Chris. Hope you and your wife enjoy Europe as much as I do!

I’m trying to plan a long trip to Europe for this summer. Its very overwhelming but this article has helped a ton. Would you recommend I book a one way ticket and then when I decide to come home book a flight back wherever I end up? Also regarding housing/hostels along the way- how do I find them? Do I have to book all these in advanced as well?

Hi Faith, Glad this has been helpful. If you know exactly when you will be coming back and from where, then I suggest booking the flight back as it will be cheaper the more in advance you book it. If money isn’t an issue, then you can just book when you know. Depending on the time of year you are travelling will depend on whether I suggest you book in advance for hostels or not. If you are travelling in the height of summer you may find it hard to find a bed in some of the most popular places. Suggest booking a destination or two in advance as you go to ensure you get a bed before you arrive at least. Cheers Jen

It is so great to have your itinerary and suggestion in this page. My family is going to have a 2 month-trip to Europe this summer (from Jun 1 to July 31st). We have 6 adults and 1 child and want to save cost as much as possible. One more thing to be worried about, we come from Vietnam and we can visit Schengen countries only as we have visa of one Schengen country so pls. do advise the best itinerary for us. We will fly directly from our city to Frankfurt (German) so we have to start our trip from Frankfurt. It is so nice to have your advice. Thank you in advance.

Hi Que, Thanks for your kind words. Please feel free to email me if you would like further travel planning advise [email protected] and we can talk more about my services and your plans. Cheers Jen

Love some of the picks. Bruges is a personal favourite of ours!

Hi, Jen. I am so excited to come across your page. I am planning a Europe trip for one month in June and I love this itinerary. Although I have made a little tweak here there to customize it for my trip. I will flying in to London towards End of May for my birthday and I already have an accommodation in London. I will be staying with my friend. However, from London I will like to start my journey. Do you have any advise. Is there a way I can message and send you my personal itinerary and what you think is best please. Thank you

HI Adaeze, Sure, just go to the contact page of my site and you can message me there.

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Accommodations

As you can imagine, your Europe trip cost will vary greatly depending on your style and where you visit. I recommend budgeting $150 a night for your hotel, which works out to $2,100 for 13 nights. From hostels to luxury hotels, Europe gives you many options to easily find accommodations that fit your budget.

If you’re backpacking through Europe, hostels will probably be your choice of accommodation. If you decide to go that route, the average price is $15 – $20 a night. Alternatively, there are a lot of great boutique hostels out there that cost more but offer a better experience since they’re competing with hotels and Airbnb.

Recommendations:   YHA London Central  (London),  Barnacles hostel  (Dublin),  The Flying Pig Uptown  (Amsterdam),  Goodmorning Hostel  (Lisbon)

Mid-range hotels

For those who think $150 is expensive, I would argue that it’s on the cheaper end. The reality is that hotels are expensive these days, so getting one for $150 a night is a pretty good deal. Remember, this is just an estimate. In some European countries, some hotels will cost you more while others will cost you less. You can also follow my guide on  how to save money on hotels .

Recommendations:  Alhambra Hotel  (London),  Stauntons on the Green  (Dublin),  Hotel Nicolaas Witsen  (Amsterdam),  Hotel Excelsior  (Lisbon)

Luxury hotels

There will likely be luxury hotel options regardless of what city you’re visiting. If you like the experience or don’t mind spending the extra money, you may want to budget another $200 – $300 a night. Your Europe trip cost will skyrocket if you’re going for luxury stays.

Recommendations :  The Langham  (London),  Clontarf Castle  (Dublin),  Amsterdam Marriott Hotel  (Amsterdam),  Iberostar Lisboa  (Lisbon)

Depending on the city, I sometimes prefer to use Airbnb. I’ve been able to find private apartments in good locations for about $100 a night. If you’re travelling with kids or family, Airbnb can be a great deal since you should easily be able to find a space that fits your entire party. I do admit that Airbnb has become more expensive over the years, but it’s still a good hotel alternative.

If you have the right credit card, you can save a fair amount of money on hotels. Americans should strongly consider the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card since you can earn up to 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and $300 back at U.S. restaurants as a welcome bonus . Canadians should consider the Marriott Bonvoy American Express , which gives you up to 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. That’s enough points for a few free nights at some hotels, which could easily have a value of over $500.

Local transportation

Since I assume you’re doing thee cities during this trip, you’ll need to factor in flights and/or trains to each destination. I’m also assuming you’re booking a multi-destination ticket, so you don’t need to backtrack. Realistically speaking, budgeting $400 for location transportation may be a bit high, but remember, you must also pay for trips to/from the airport, day trips, and any other public transportation you use.

Generally speaking, getting a Eurail pass won’t be worth it if you’re in Europe for just two weeks and visiting three cities/countries. If you’re going to neighbouring countries or taking day trips, buying tickets as needed is fine. That said, buying your train tickets well in advance (even before you depart) is usually worth it, as you’ll get better prices and a confirmed seat.

Attractions

This is where things can get tricky. Attractions aren’t expensive, but if you keep going into them, you will naturally spend more. First off, always do the free things in every city. That means checking to see if any museums or art galleries have no entrance fee. Note that even museums with an admission charge (including big, famous museums like the Louvre Museum in Paris) usually have a free day, so you must see if the timing works out.

Parks are always free, and quite often, simply walking around neighbourhoods is the best way to see a new city, and that doesn’t cost you anything. In Europe, there are also many free walking tours – well, you need to pay a tip – but that’s a cheap way to learn about the city.

Finally, check to see if museum passes will help you save money. Many cities offer something such as free entry into a bunch of attractions for a fixed price for a set period of time, e.g. 24, 48, or 96 hours. You would need to do the math to see if the cost of the attractions you’re interested in makes up for the cost of the pass.

If you plan to pay for some attractions or do day trips into the countryside to see some of the local landscapes, check to see if  Klook  sells tickets. Buying your tickets in advance usually means you can get a small discount and skip the lines when you arrive.

Food and drink

The food and drink budget will vary by person, but a rough estimate for a meal, including drinks is as follows:

• Breakfast – $5
• Lunch – $10
• Dinner – $30

That works out to $45 per person per day, which some people think is too much, while others think it’s too low. If you like to drink alcohol, you’ll need to budget more. What I personally try to do is balance eating street/fast food with restaurants. I also go to grocery stores to get breakfast and snacks, which saves me a lot of money. Cutting back on eating out will help you see Europe on a budget.

Every city and country you visit will have some local delicacies which I highly recommend you try. To this day, I’m still mad at myself for not having tapas in Spain because I thought it was too expensive. I’m not suggesting you blow your budget on food, but it’s okay to splurge occasionally. Even then it doesn’t need to be fancy. A baguette and cheese in Paris is pretty cheap but also delicious.

Random spending

Many people forget to include shopping when planning their vacation budget. It’s silly to think that you’ll spend nothing on random things; you’ll buy gifts for people, right? Plus, you’ll want to pick up plenty of souvenirs for yourself, regardless of how tacky they appear. There’s nothing wrong with buying gifts for yourself or friends; you just want to make sure you budget for it.

As you can imagine, some cities have better shopping experiences than others, so you must consider where you’re going and budget accordingly. For example, you may be headed to Italy and intend to buy a leather purse. There’s nothing wrong with that. Just make sure you’ve set aside some money for that purchase.

As a general rule, you should set aside $200 or 200 Euros for those random expenses that come up. Heck, even spending some extra money on sightseeing can be worth it.

Cost to go to Europe

So how much does it cost to go to Europe for two weeks? You know the answer – it depends! But, a good estimate is about $4,280. One time I spent just $2,300 because I focused on doing it for as cheap as possible. Another time I spent closer to $8,000 (for two people) when visiting just three cities. The cost of a Europe trip depends on you, but it’s not hard to stretch your travel budget.

For more European inspiration, check out my guides to  Scotland ,  Italy ,  Croatia ,  Austria ,  Malta ,  Greece , and  Amsterdam on a budget .

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to see europe on a budget.

Absolutely! But it will take some planning. The biggest thing to remember is what countries or cities you visit. Places like London, England, Paris, France, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Florence or Milan in Italy will cost a lot more than places like Romania, Poland, Bosnia, Slovenia, and even Croatia. There are also several other ways to help cut costs and see Europe on a budget, even in the pricier destinations. Take a look at my  Europe on a budget  article for more tips and advice on how to see and do more for less.

Is it safe to backpack Europe?

Generally speaking, yes. This is somewhat of a blanket statement as Europe is a huge place and different countries and even cities will have some not-so-savoury places that are best avoided. But that’s the same everywhere. Some cities are very backpacker-friendly, such as Berlin, Zagreb, Luxembourg, and Munich.

You should be fine if you travel smart, follow basic safety protocols, and trust your gut. At the end of the day, use common sense. Don’t go to a bar with strangers and get black-out drunk. That’s not a good idea anywhere.

If you are uncomfortable or unsure about doing it yourself, you can always book a package tour or even a cruise. However, these will dramatically increase your costs and don’t allow for as much flexibility. 

Are rail passes worth it?

It depends. Rail passes, such as the Eurail Pass , can be great because they take out a lot of planning and leg work and make it easy, but you pay for that convenience. Oftentimes there are more affordable transit options that are just as comfortable. Many countries have slower local trains that you can take advantage of. In some places, like Ireland, the bus system is better connected (and cheaper) than trains, etc.

If you are trying to figure out how much does it cost to go to Europe because you are on a tighter budget, it’s worth taking the time to do a bit of planning and do it on your own. If money isn’t an issue and you are more concerned about convenience, then a rail pass might be worth it for your Europe tour.

What are some fun things to do in Europe?

Europe is a popular destination for North Americans because it’s so different from here in many ways. The history and architecture are incredible; it’s wild to think some buildings are centuries older than Canada. Food is another huge perk to travel in Europe. It’s so varied across the continent, and while we have plenty of food options from different cultures in Canada and the USA, it’s always better from the source.

You may also be interested in visiting Europe for specific events. Perhaps St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, or Carnival in Venice, or the Christmas markets of Germany. Don’t worry about finding things to do in Europe, and there’s plenty.

What are the best places to visit in Europe?

This depends on your interests. Are you interested in history? Maybe cities like Berlin and Vienna will be the most interesting for you. Love art? Perhaps Paris is the best option. More into beaches and nature? Try Croatia. Some people have dreamt about the canals in Venice and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, so they make Italy their priority.

What are the five most important tourist attractions in Europe?

It depends on your likes and interests. What is interesting to me might not be interesting to you. That being said, the most popular tourist attractions in Europe include:

• The Eiffel Tower in Paris
• The Colosseum in Rome
• Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany
• The Acropolis in Athens
• Stonehenge, England
• Aurora Borealis in Iceland

What are some unusual things to do in Europe?

Europe has plenty of weird and wonderful things to do that you wouldn’t necessarily find in North America. A few recommendations include the following:

• Visiting Sedlec Ossuary just outside of Prague (It’s made of human bones)
• Eat haggis in Scotland
• Attend a Krampus Run in Austria (Krampus is essentially a Christmas demon that kidnaps and tortures children. Like an anti-Santa)

When is the best time to go to Europe?

This can depend on your goals and the destination itself, but generally speaking, the shoulder seasons (September/October and April/May) are great. It’s not too crowded, the weather is pleasant, and you can avoid peak season costs. 

How long can I stay in Europe?

While many backpackers love to do European tours, you need to be mindful of the amount of time you are allowed to spend not just in a specific country but in an area. Many European countries are part of the Schengen Zone, and Canadians and Americans can only spend a total of 90 days within a 180-day period in these places. Examples of Schengen zone countries include Austria, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Italy, Iceland, and more.

About Barry Choi

Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who frequently makes media appearances. His blog Money We Have is one of Canada’s most trusted sources when it comes to money and travel. You can find him on Twitter: @barrychoi

128 Comments

Great post. Our vacation plans for this year is to go to Denmark and Sweden. I heard that Scandinavia is really expensive. I found airline tickets for $1,600 for 2 people. Still looking for accommodations at Airbnb. My plan is not to go over our budget of $5k for our 11 day trip.

I’ve actually heard Scandinavia is expensive so let me know what the real costs are after. The good thing is, flights to Scandinavia have never been cheaper. You can get cheap flights if you fly via Iceland and I’ve also seen cheap airfare on Noreweigian.

Hi Barry! I’m planning an all girls trip (around 6 girls) to Europe from Pakistan. Which countries/cities would you recommend? Also we all have a budget of $2500 per person. Do you think it would cost less on accommodation as the cost would split? And would love if you can give some tips?

So I recommend talking to your girlfriends and asking what cities/countries they’re most interested in first. From there, you can try to figure out logistics. Your flights will be the biggest expenses. If you fly into one city and out of another, you won’t need to backtrack. E.g. fly into Paris and out of London.

As for accommodations, since there are 6 of you, you could look for a hostel that has rooms for 6 – 8 with a private room. If you buy out every bed in the room, you’ll have the entire place to yourself. That will likely be cheaper than getting 2-3 hotel rooms each night. You could also look for an Airbnb that accommodates 6, but that might be tough.

$2,500 a person is doable (depending on the destinations) and how long you go for, but I always recommend budgeting extra. This sounds like a really fun trip for you and your friends, the last thing you want is to be watching your budget the entire time you’re there.

Hi I’m from south Africa and I’m looking to travel to barcelona for 2 weeks.

I’m a student so I’m looking for as cheap as possible but I dont want to miss out on anything.

I have a friend living in barcelona so accommodation is already paid for which is a big expense luckily.

We are looking to travel to Greece and Amsterdam during this time.

Was wondering if I take 2000 euros if that would be enough for the two weeks.

Kind regards Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, if you’re staying at hostels or inexpensive accommodations when you’re in Greece and Amsterdam, that should be enough. I’m assuming your flight isn’t part of that 2000 Euro budget.

Nice post but the airfare costs seem to have gone up from your estimates.

Lowest price to Germany from Toronto was $1000 and that was a deal where you are estimating $850 CDN. Plus $200 travel insurance.

Hey Heather,

Yes flight prices have gone up this summer. I expect them to drop during the fall, but I haven’t researched it thoroughly yet.

Thanks, Barry! You always have the best budget/travel advice 🙂

[…] is one of few places that actually has a decent choice of accommodations that won’t burst your travel budget. Hostels are always a favourite among solo travellers, and there are plenty to be found around the […]

I know this is a little old of a thread. I was able to backpack europe with a friend, and only staying in Airbnb. 980$ is what was spent on lodging. We were gone for 4 weeks. The total trip was $5,000 which included souvenirs, trains, rental cars, ferries to the Greek Islands and 4 flights. Two were one way tickets from JFK to Paris, then London to JFK. One of the flights was also $400 from Croatia to Greece. Some of the trains and ferries were accidentally booked first class (which after doing so, I recommend).

Thanks for sharing. Europe can definitely be cheaper if you want it to be. My prices were rough estimates with hotels in mind instead of Airbnb. I love how travellers can see Europe on any budget and as you mentioned, they may still get the luxury experience unintentionally.

Thanks for putting this site togehter. Im planning for a trip to Budapest and Athens, 1 week each, the first 2 weeks of October. Is it still tourist season at this time? Some say prices only drop mid way or end of October. Can you confirm or deny this?

October tends to be slower for Budapest, but depending on where you go in Greece, parts may still be busy since it’s now cruising season in Europe

Thanks for the rapid response, I’m planning on Athens since I’m greatly interested in the historic sites. Not going to any islands like Crete, Rhodes etc. Also out of interest a question if you don’t mind: do you think the recent economy stabilisation (although it probably won’t last long) will change the price of visiting Greece?

Generally speaking, October is the lower season, but since Athens is so popular, it’s not like you’ll see NO tourists, it’ll still be busy. As for their economic situation, I don’t there will be much change as their economy has been tanking for years without prices at hotels or restaurants falling.

I am planning a Euro trip from Canada. I am intending to visit Croatia, Amsterdam and France if possible London. My budget for me and my wife is 7000 USD.

Any advise is much appreciated. Such as where to start and end must visit places and best time to go.

With that budget, you should have no problems seeing those countries. London, Amsterdam, and Paris are quick train rides away from each other. Although Amsterdam and London can be a bit pricier, during the fall, you shouldn’t have many issues finding a reasonably priced hotel. Paris can be inexpensive if you choose a hotel outside of the main areas, just find a place near the metro.

Adding Croatia gets a bit tricky since it’s not really close to the other countries. THat being said, you can find discount air carriers from London, Amsterdam, or Paris to get there. Most people who visit Croatia see more than just one city which is why you need to decide how much of the country you want to see when planning your trip.

Hello! I’m planning out a ways (gives me something to look forward to) for Europe in spring, 2021. We’ll start at a friend’s relative’s in the Black Forest, then on to Paris by train, then Italy by train. Goals are Rome, Florence and Venice. I’m very excited, as I’ve never been to Europe. With staying free the first few nights in Germany, and then four of us sharing AirBnbs, I’m thinking (depending on airfair) that we might be able to do this for around $2,500 each. That’s the goal. I love the idea of looking for special food everywhere we go. In Puerto Rico, we ate the fried plantains, and I enjoyed those. Not sure what tapas is, but hope you get to go back and eat it!

That sounds like a reasonable budget since you have some of your accommodations covered. As for tapas, it’s basically small plates meant for sharing. I actually went back to Barcelona earlier this year and splurged on tapas this time around. It was worth it!

Good for you. Thanks for the tips. Anne

Hi there, I’ll be visiting Europe for 9 days in Feb-Mar flying directly from Newark to Rome, from there to Paris and end the trip in Madrid. On airfare I spent USD 500, in lodging thru AirBnb and hotels a total of 225. I was wondering how much money should I expect to spend on attractions and food? Note: the amount mention above is per person and we are going to be 6 people in total. Note 2: thank you for reminding me to have a category of random expenses!

How much you spend on food is really up to you. Generally speaking in Rome you can get takeaway pizza, sandwiches, or pasta for 5 – 7 Euros per person. Sit down places will probably cost you 10 – 15 Euros per person. I rented an apartment when I was in Rome last and saved a bunch by stocking up on water, drinks, and alcohol from the grocery store. That being said, food in Rome is EXCELLENT so you could easily end up spending more if you want to try more things. I ate gelato twice a day because it was so good there. I wasn’t even hungry, I just wanted it! I STRONGLY advise checking yelp or tripadvisor before dining at any restaurant as the quality can vary quite a bit. Be sure to ask your host for recommendations.

The costs in Paris will likely be similar to Rome, probably a little cheaper (wine is cheaper than water). I haven’t been to Madrid so I can’t comment there, but I would suggest splurging on tapas one day.

Random expenses ALWAYS come up which is why I always budget a little more.

Planning a 10-11 day vacation for family of three( two adults one 7year old) in July 2019 to London, Amsterdam and Paris planning for a 7000 budget. Does this seem reasonable? Round trip from lax to Heathrow are about 2400 planning on doing Airbnb and we are not shoppers. Most likely spend on food, drinks and attractions. First time big vacation so exited!!!!!! Any feedback would be appreciated

That sounds more than reasonable assuming you’re not staying at hotels that cost you $1,000 per night =D. In Paris, it’s easy to find cheaper accommodations. London hotels can be pricey, but there area areas that are more reasonable. Amsterdam tends to be expensive in general unless you stay in Amsterdam SOuth and the take the train into the main areas. That being said, with your budget, you can likely find hotels in good locations.

We are going to Budapest, Kiev, Chisinau, and a couple stops in western Europe (Paris and somewhere else) in June, 2019, for about 23 days. International tickets aside, and with free lodging in Kiev, do you think $50 per person per day is reasonable? Two adults and one 17 ye old are our ages. We are not backpacking and we feel too old to sleep on someone’s couch for three weeks. Thanks for your input.

Does that $50 a day include accommodations? If not, that’s probably way low for an estimate. Food alone will cost you $50 if not more per day. You also need to factor in local transportation, attractions, and any souvenirs you may buy.

Thank you for this article. I am planning an European vacation for next year during the summer, Our trip can be any time between the months of July and August, there will be three of us, myself and my two daughters, 18 and 12. My budget is about 20,000 USD, I´m going to try to make it as long as I can stretch it, maybe 3 weeks, could it be stretched to 4?. I am not sure where exactly to go, I am thinking England, Paris, Italy for now, but that might change depending on where we can fly in and out of the cheapest. I guess my questions are, given that summer is the most expensive time to travel, which cities would you recommend traveling into and out of? I´m in the east coast. Also, I have read about hostels and I’m aprehensive about using them with my daughters, what is your take on them? Another concern of mine is traveling with my daughters, with me being a woman, are there any cities I should stay clear off because of crime? Any help, guidance is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Hi! Im playing on going on a 16 day eastern european trip to several countries with a budget of around $2500-2700. I plan to save a lot by going to grocery stores and using airbnb. However, I will be going in the wintertime when the world junior ice hockey championship is so the tickets of a couple games might cost $50-100. Is this a reasonable budget for 1 person?

It can be done, but your flights and accommodations will eat up a lot of your costs. It also depends on how many countries you plan on going to. If you’re going to do Airbnb, try renting a private room as opposed to a private apartment since they’re cheaper.

Is it reasonable to expect to find a ticket to Greece or Italy for the $650 estimated price if we book now for July? I haven’t flown much so not sure, but looking at prices from US on Google seem to be more in the $1000-1500 range. Do I just not no where to go for a reasonable deal on a ticket? Any help is appreciated.

July is the summer so prices tend to be higher. For whatever reason, it’s usually a bit more expensive to fly into Greece as opposed to other destinations within Europe. It might be cheaper to fly into a major hub such as London or Amsterdam and then catching a discount carrier from there.

Note, sorry, I just realized I commented on the wrong place before. I apologize.

That budget is pretty healthy so I think you’ll do alright. Here are some things to consider. Have you talked to your daughters about where they want to go? It may be worth letting each daughter choose one destination or country ad then you pick one. That will give you three spots to build your itinerary around. I do believe you could stretch our your itinerary to 4 weeks as long as you don’t go all out on everything. That being said, even at $250 USD per night for hotels, you’d only spend $7,000 for 28 nights.

Figure out your destinations first and then you can work out flights. Getting to Europe will be more expensive in the summer, but getting around once you’re there is realtively inexpensive due to discount carriers.

Hostels can be okay to save money, but again, your budget is quote high so you’d be better off getting a hotel. ALternatively, Airbnb can be a great option for 3 people. That being said, some hostels have private rooms that sleep 4 and have their own bathroom so they might be worth considering. I just think it would be better to use Airbnb.

As for crime. I don’t think it’s fair to say one city is more dangerous than the other. You should obviously do some research about local scams and find out if certain areas are less safe than others, but use common sense when you travel e.g. don’t show off valuables, don’t walk down dark streets alone.

Thank you for your quick response! I will definitely ask my daughters to pick a city/country they want to visit, and then go from there. I´ll also be reading more of your posts to help me along, and will be asking you questions as well,

Hi, I am trying to plan a 15 day trip (not counting 3 days for travel to and from the United States). We want to spend 3 days in Amsterdam, take a night sleeper train to Munich on night 3. Spend maybe a half day exploring Munich before heading to Italy for 5-6 days. From Italy we want to travel to France for 2 days. From France we will travel to Spain for the last few days and fly home from there. Its myself, my husband and our teenage children. I will probably only have between $10,000-$11,000 for our trip, our flights would not be coming out of that. Normally when we travel, we do bananas and oranges for breakfast to save money but we’ve only traveled in the US so I’m not sure how that would work. Is a trip like this doable on that budget?

It’s probably doable on that budget, but I think you’re packing in too much. You have 15 days and you want to go to the following:

Amsterdam Munich Italy (where I assume you’ll go to more than one place) France Spain

You’ll essentially be on the road every 3 days which is crazy busy. Based on your itinerary, Munich seems like the easiest destination to drop. I’d also even consider dropping Spain so you can spend more time in Italy and France.

There are plenty of grocery stores in Europe so you can eat for cheap for breakfast if you like.

Hi Berry, thank you for your reply. Originally my plan was Amsterdam, Italy and Spain but the sleeper train from Amsterdam to Germany makes since so we can sleep while traveling so we aren’t really losing time there and my husband wants to see France over Spain and its closer to Italy so I guess Spain is out. Yes in Italy we want to do Venice and Rome.

ALthough you would save on accommodations and technically travel, you’re still adding another destination. Right now you’re looking at:

Amsterdam Munich Rome Venice France

This is all in two weeks. Are you going to skip Florence? How much of France are you planning on doing?

Hello Barry!

My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe this summer around July for two weeks. We’re budgeting about $4000 (or a bit over depending) each person and want to visit at least 4 cities while we are there. Our top picks are London, Amsterdam, Paris, and somewhere in Italy! Is it doable with our budget? And will we have enough time in each city? We’re flying out from LA and wondering where we should start first. I think a lot of people fly out to UK and start there. Would that be the best course? And flights look most expensive in July and August. Will we be able to plan something in June or is that too soon?? (It’s almost April already) sorry I just bombarded you with so many questions. Any help is appreciated!! We’re super excited and want to make sure we get the best scenario for our trip!

I second this question from Gloria please!

We have 14-15 days and right now thinking spain, italy, france. Leaning towards warmer time of year where we can maybe go to a couple beaches. However we are open to weather in 60s or above. How soon in advance should we be booking this trip? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Yikes, I don’t know how I missed Gloria’s question last year.

With 14-15 days, I personally would stick to three locations at max with maybe a few day trips on the site. You could easily spend 14-15 days in each of the three countries you’ve listed. I personally recommend going with what your top priorities are. If you want beaches, Spain and France are probably your best bets. Maybe start in PAris, head to southern France and then make your way to Barcelona where you can fly home? I would save Italy for another trip where you do that country on its own.

Hello! My boyfriend and I are leaving May 9th and returning on June 5th (27 days). We are going to London (staying with family), Brussels, Bruges, Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, Interlaken, Milan, Barcelona & Madrid. We booked all of our hostels & aribnbs, bought the eurail pass and paid for our flights. How much should we bring with us for food, attractions, etc for those 27 days?

It really depends on how many attractions you want to see and if you’re foodies or not. Many attractions (especially in London are free), but you could also spend 10 – 20 Euros per museum which adds up quickly. Be sure to do your research to see what’s free and pick one attraction in each city that you’re willing to pay for. Food can be cheap if you visit the grocery store your entire trip and make sandwiches, but that gets boring fast. Between the two of you, you could spend $20 – $100 a day depending on what you like to eat. That being said, many hostels offer free or cheap breakfast so you won’t need to buy every meal.

I think we planned on doing a grocery store breakfast, street food for lunch, and a sit-down/casual meal for dinner. Naturally, we are trying to stick to free attractions. We both enjoy doing things on our own but definitely will at some point pay to get in.

I think we were each planning to bring $3,000 for 27 days ($6,000 total). This would be for food, miscellaneous transportation & attractions. Do you think this is enough? We don’t plan on living lavishly but also not living like “bums” 🙂

I truly appreciate your reply. I have been reading your articles and you are fantastic. Thank you for your advice!

Hey Audrey,

I think that’s a great budget and you’re being smart about your meals. One piece of advice, don’t save just for the sake of saving while there. Enjoy this month with your boyfriend. I personally would rather save money at home where I skip coffee/snack breaks and pack more lunches. You should be able to enjoy as much gelato as you want in Italy guilt free.

Don’t forget to factor in spending on things such as local transportation and souvenirs. You won’t spend a ton on that stuff, but it’s something many people forget to account for.

Hi, i’m planing to travel to Europe next year around Easter time with my teenage son for 2 weeks, our plans are to visit Barcelona, Madrid (soccer game) Paris and Italy, i estimated $6000 for our budget , planning on using Airbnb and trains and lot of walk , which it could be the more economic order to visit those countries?

Hi Alexandra,

Booking an award flight for 4 persons is challenging.

Hawaii being a popular vacation destination, finding award seats can be difficult. I would suggest to set up price alerts for Hawaii flights as this is a very competitive route. It’s often a better value to pay for the flight than using miles.

As for Asia, the biggest challenge is to find the transpacific flights. But if you book well in advance and are flexible on your dates you can find 4 award seats in business class on Air Canada to several destinations in Asia. You can also often find availability on Air China if you don’t mind a layover in China. United could also be a solution for some routes via one of their major hubs like Chicago, Houston, Washington or San Francisco. Finally, you can be lucky and find flights on EVA directly to Taiwan as they fly to Toronto, Vancouver and several US cities.

Once in Asia, you will have more options since there are more Star Alliance airlines to choose from including Asiana, Singapore Airlines, Air Nippon and Thai Airways. Finding availability is also easier since there are more flights and some airlines like Singapore Airline releases more business class award seats for short hauls than they release for long international flights.

Note that since Aeroplan search engine has limited capacity for long and complicated itineraries, you will have to search for each leg one by one as one-ways to see if there is availability.

In conclusion, it is possible to make such a trip for 4 people in business class, but it will require a fair amount of preparation and luck!

It depends on where you’re flying from and what direct routes you have available. Paris, Rome, and Barcelona are all major hubs so it might not be that difficult to figure out a route. You also need to factor in if there’s a certain date you need to be in Madrid for the soccer game.

Hi there! I came across this post while trying to research info about traveling to Europe. My 2 friends and I are trying to plan a trip to France, UK, and possibly Austria within 8-10 days in mid-December. We’re trying to figure out about how much the trip might cost for each of us if we are able to stay with people we know at these destinations. We threw around the number $2000-2500 USD, but I was wondering if you even thought this would be possible (esp so close to the holidays)? We are planning on taking in the sites as much as we can, and want to experience the culture of each of these places, yet we want to do it on a tight budget! Would love to know your thoughts and any advice you might have.

It’s possible, but your flight alone would eat up a fair amount of your budget. You also need to factor in the train and flights when you’re in Europe. Food can be cheap, but it can add up unless you’re just eating fast food or getting groceries. Many attractions are free, but there will be ones you want to pay for.

I think it would be tight, not impossible, but I’d personally budget a little more.

Thank you for a quick response! We’ll see what we can do – hopefully the trip will all work out!

I think it’s doable but just note that you’re choosing 4 expensive destinations. In Paris and Italy, you can likely find reasonable accommodations but London and Amsterdam are a bit on the more expensive side.

For two weeks, I think 4 cities is the maximum you can do. If you need to drop one, drop Italy as that country deserves a trip on its own. London, Paris, and Amsterdam are all within train distance which will make your life easier. Where you start and begin depends on what direct routes you have available to you and prices. Once you’re on the ground, it’s easy to get around. Heck a flight from London to Amsterdam might only cost you $110 USD one-way.

June is a great time to go, those cities don’t require too much planning.

Thank you so much Barry! We are so excited! 🙂

I will be in England, France & Scotland for 2 weeks in June. Thankfully, I will be staying with a friend. I’m not into buying tons of souvenirs, and I don’t expect we’ll be eating out much. Planning to go to lots of free museums & walks in London. We will take train into London & Paris. I’ve been reading every bit of advice I can. Thank you for your helpful articles!

Hi Barry, Im planning to go Europe trip 2 weeks.What 3 -4 cities can you suggest.Mostly do sightseeing, eat from grocery stores, staying at budget Airbnb or hostels, Do free stuff as possible.How much should be the cost.Including air fare.i will be going with my husband as our wedding anniversary. Thanks

My article gives you a good estimate of costs with some recommended cities. If you’re trying to do things cheap, you should look at eastern Europe. You also need to consider what flights you have available to you e.g. is it cheaper for you to fly direct to say Paris or Rome? There are so many variables in play that I can’t just give you a blanket statement or estimate.

Hi Barry Thanks for getting back to me. We plan to start from Paris then 1 day in Prague then Rome Italy to finish.I want to visit Amsterdam but this city is a bit pricey.I hope 2 weeks is enough to cover major attractions, try food and wander around.

Paris, Prague, and Rome aren’t close together but you can get to each one by taking discount carriers. You should probably restrict your itinerary to 4 cities at max or 3 with day trips. Every city can be affordable if you stay outside of the major tourist areas and use public transit.

Helpful site! But you don’t say where you are based out of, when you mention airfare costs. Info please! And thanks.

Hey Catherine,

I’m based out of Canada, but with flight prices, I tend to give an average from North America.

Where in North America? Big difference between east and west coast!

The east coast.

Hi Barry, So glad I stumbled upon this article, very useful info and helpful advice. Thank you! I am planning a trip to Europe perhaps end 2020 for my family of 6 (3 adults, 2 teenagers & a 11yo) for 2 weeks or max 3 from Malaysia/Singapore. 1st trip. Staying with friends in Manchester, hope to take a trip to London. Also visit friends in Geneva. What other cities would you recommend? possible for a budget of usd15k? Mainly Airbnb, groceries, some eating outs, buying food stuff home, minimal souvenirs, mainly doing free stuff if possible. Thanks Barry.

If you’re staying in Manchester and you plan on going to Geneva too, I would just look for another stop in between the two via a discount carrier. Paris and Amsterdam are likely cities that fit your route.

I think your budget is pretty reasonable. It’s the flights that will cost you the most.

We are currently living in Dubai. We (with my boyfriend) are planning to do a Europe Tour. Which country would you recommend most? Planning for a 3-4 week vacation. Would love to see Paris,Rome, Amsterdam, London, Norway,and Prague. What do you think? Any recommendations for perfect destination for us? And propose budget for both of us?

If you have 3-4 weeks, you can do quite a lot, but I would recommend to sticking to a route that’s logical and limits the amount of time you’re on sitting on trains. Right now you’ve listed all the major cities but Norway is sort of out of the way. If you’re going to Rome, you should probably check out Florence too.

I would recommend choosing 3-4 MUST SEE destinations first and then building your itinerary from there. I can’t recommend you the perfect destination as I don’t know what type of traveller you are or the type of person you are.

Thanks Barry, appreciate your input.

Me and my husband are planning to visit to Amsterdam, paris and swiss by the end of August 2019 from India. we have no clue how to plan a budget travel as we never been there in europe. please give your input to plan our budget travel. thanks in advance 🙂

Just start researching everything. Look up the cost of flights from India first then start looking at hotels or Airbnb in the destinations you want to go to. AMsterdam and Paris are a quick train ride away from each other, but if you want to go to Switzerland, you may need to fly. Switzerland can be quite expensive.

I am glad I stumbled across your website. I have not travelled much at all and never internationally, but I want to take my daughter, who just graduated from high school to France and possibly Germany in the next couple of months.Can you recommend what cities or areas we should see, definitely Paris, but I wasn’t sure if I should consider other areas? I was planning on probably 8-10 days in Europe. We love history and museums and music (my daughter is a cellist and singer). Also, since it’s just the 2 of us and we don’t have any international travel experience, do you think it would be better for us to stay at hotels or Airbnb?

Thank you for all your great suggestions!

Hi Stefanie,

If this is your first time travelling to Europe, you should ask your daughter what city she wants to see most and build around that. 8-10 days will give you enough time to see two cities with maybe one day trip. If she’s a cellist and singer, perhaps Vienna will appeal to her? Hotels or AIrbnb likely wouldn’t make a difference. Just go with what fits your budget.

Im planning a 2 and a half month, Western Europe trip in summer of ’21 and was wondering, if I am backpacking through France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Czechia, Austria, Italy and Switzerland could I reasonably get by with 10,000? Airfare and a eurorail pass to get around wouldn’t be included. Just wanted to know if I am out of my mind or if thats a reasonable price if Im spending 100 a day, on hostels and food and then would have around 2.5 for a little bit of wiggle room. Just wanted someone who has done this before to get their opinion on it please!

If you’re slow travelling and staying in hostels, that amount will likely be more than enough. Some countries will cost more than others but everything should balance in the end.

This was great and gave me better idea’s on a visit to Europe, thank you very much. I’m a 68 year young woman and thinking about going to see my friend in Portsmouth. I don’t have a clue on budget. I’ve never been to Europe so I thought on a budget of $2000. I could possibly do this for 7 to 10 days staying with my friend of course. I’d like to see a couple of places, Rome and Paris.

That budget is tight and likely wouldn’t leave you much wiggle room. Even though you’ll stay with your friend in Portsmouth, you’ll need to get there first which may eat a lot of your budget depending on where you’re flying from. You’ll then need to factor in flights and hotels in Rome and Paris. There’s also food and attractions to consider.

Hi! I’m looking to plan a trip with a friend from LAX to Switzerland. I found round trip tickets to Zurich for $550 and definitely want to go to Grindelwald (we’re both hikers and Harry’s potter fans). It looks like accommodation in Grindelwald can work out to about $100 per day, so $50 per person. Is that a reasonable budget for Zurich as well? We’re not looking at hotels but Airbnb and hostels. We plan to eat maybe 1 meal a day at a restaurant and definitely breakfast at the hostel or Airbnb. Does a budget of about $1,000 per person for one week sounds reasonable to you? I was surprised while pricing it out that accommodation, travel etc. basically double the cost of the trip. Any recommendations for Switzerland (specifically near the Zurich and Grindelwald areas)?

The above $1,000 is for 6-7 days.

If you’re able to keep your accommodation costs down it’s doable, but note that Switzerland, in general, is expensive. You’ll also need to budget for food, transportation and attractions which can add up quickly.

Really a great article. I need your suggestion on my itenary and budget. I am from India and planning a first time trip to Europe covering 14 countries stating from Turkey to Greece (10 days), Italy(10 days), Paris (only) 5 days, Swizterland(4days), Luxembourg 3days, Belgium 4 days, Netherlands 4 days, Austria 7 days, Budapest 3 days, Prague 3 days, Denmark 3 days, Sweden 3 days, Norway 5 days and finally 10 days in Iceland. A total of 75 days in Schengen Area. and 5 days in Turkey. Me and my wife and our 1yr old son will be doing this trip and I plan to start in March 2020. My budget is 13000 Euros. I am planning on getting a EU global pass most of my europe travel will be in trains apart from a few places like India to Paris, Iceland to India and Athens to Venice, etc and staying at airbnb everywhere I go. I also want to do food cheap apart from eating/tasting local delicacies once per city, Only going to free attractions or buying citypasses.

Is this doable? what are your suggestions and comments?

Hi Shankar,

Thanks for reaching out. I think your budget is reasonable, but I think you’re being a bit ambitious with your itinerary. You could likely do it if it was just your wife and you, but with a 1 year old, it’ll be torture.

Train travel sounds easy with a 1 year old, but your son will be on your lap the entire time. Every time he gets adjusted to a new spot (don’t forget about jetlag), you’ll be on the move again.

When I traveller with my wife and 9 month old, we originally planned to do Copenhagen, Stockholm, Amsterdam and Brussels in about 21 days. We realized that we didn’t want to be on the move so much so we ended up doing Rome for 7 days and Amsterdam for 14 days. This made travelling and the experience much easier.

If I were you, I would personally cut back on locations quite a bit.

Thank you Barry. Will do and what locations should I remove If I reduce it to say 45 days If I start in March 2020. What would be my must see locations around March/May timeline.

Really appreciate the quick turn around and please help me with your suggestion

I think you and wife should just choose the locations you want to see most and work from there. I personally quite enjoyed Turkey and it’s not that expensive compared to some other cities. Italy is a bit more expensive but I loved it. March is still a bit cold in England and Scandanavia so maybe start from the east and make your way west?

With 45 days, you’ll still have LOTS of time. It’ll also allow you to enjoy cities more. I mentioned I did 15 days in Amsterdam, that’s considered long since the city doesn’t have much to see, but we enjoyed just going for walks and living like locals.

I’m going to Scotland and Ireland for 10 days in early September. Right now the budget is at $3870 per person. We booked a guided tour which includes all of our accomodations, bus transportation, tours and 19 meals. Plane tickets were $645 per person round trip from North America. Does that seem expensive? My significant other thinks that $387 a day is expensive for Europe. Some meals are not included based on the nature of the tour so we will be on our own.

It definitely seems on the higher side compared to if you booked things on your own, but it’s not an apples to apples comparison. As you mentioned, just about everything is included in your tour including a guide which is why prices are likely higher.

You could do Ireland and Scotland on your own for cheaper, but then you need to figure out all the logistics on your own.

We(4 members) are planning for Europe trip next year. Can i know best time to travel and what is the avg budget during that season. Do also have any travel tips and places to visit for sure. My trip will be 2 weeks period.

Hello I am planning for a family vacation to europe: paris, london, rome, for 4 adults, 2 kids, and 1 infant with budget of $10k which include ticket, hotel, for 10 days on january. Any thought. Do u think that is enough budget.. Is it doable for three places to go. Thanks

How and where can I get best deal for airline tickets

That budget is going to be tough as you’ll need 6 flights and probably two hotel rooms in each location. With just 10 days, doing 3 different locations is likely too much. I would personally stick to two or just one country. As for the best deal for airline websites, I like using Google Flights or KAYAK.

Hi, first thank you for your site and information! I’m planning a solo trip to Europe but not sure how much I should save. I’m flying from NYC and as of today the tickets to my top 3 destinations (Italy, Spain, Greece) are only $350 or less RT. I’ll only be going to only one of the countries and will only have 6-7 days to work with. I’d like to stay in a 3-4 star hotel. What are your thoughts on budget? Should I consider multiple destinations? I honestly don’t want to go over $2k-$3k but I want to pull the plug since the tickets are so cheap.

I know this is vague :/. Thank you so much for your help!

I am planning a trip to Germany – 4 nights, Austria 2 nights and Slovenia – 4 nights. With hotels, flights and innercity transfer its about $2200. I expect my total trip to cost around 3,400 after food, souvenirs, day trips etc Is that good for a solo travel or can i cut it down a bit?

I think that budget is fine. You’ve budgeted a lot for food, souvenirs and day trips, but I don’t think you’ll spend that much.

Hi! Do you have any suggestions for traveling with a wheelchair? We are planning a trip to Europe this summer, July, for 5 people including my son (mobile but in a wheelchair for any distance) and my 82 year old father. Do you have any suggestions? We have a little over two weeks and the only must do is Paris (and Disney). We don’t have a set budget yet but probably about 10,000 not including flights from US.

Unfortunately, as I’ve never travelled with a wheelchair, I can’t really comment. All I can really say is that many cities have quick a few stone roads e.g. Rome and Amsterdam where it may be slightly difficult with a wheelchair.

Hi Barry What is the most cheapest month to travel France? I’ll travel 20 days to France, specifically Le Havre, and the planned date to trip is October 2020.

I find October and April to be the cheapest but since you’re going to be in a smaller town, prices don’t tend to go down that much.

Hello Bary ,

so i’m from Egypt anyways yet I’m planning for an European round tour for around 15 days as max. ( Greece, Italy , Spain , France, Germany , Netherlands , Amsterdam ) with a plan of 2 days per city , The thing is this is my first solo trip abroad and also this is my first ever trip abroad and i am a bit scared from where to go and so on and also i don’t know how much money i should keep on me and how much should i expect to pay like on airplanes and hostels or even coach serving , i am also aware that this trip would be perfect if i made it on September or October so if you could help that would be awesome and highly appreciated , Thank you so much .

I’m Actually a bit torn between what i just mention and South Korea round tour as it’s my dream country anyways ! ♥

I just flew through Egypt. DO NOT try to do 6 countries in 15 days. Think about what you just said. 2 days per city and you’re not factoring in transit times. Each country also has multiple cities. You will NOT enjoy it. I recommend 4 cities at max in 15 days even that’s rushing things. 3 is safer with day trips when you can.

Hostels and airfare will be paid in advance. You can easily find out costs before you depart. Daily costs on food and attractions are up to you. Credit cards are widely accepted and you can just withdraw cash as you need it from ATMs.

If South Korea is your dream destination, I would personally go there first. If you want to do a tour, just look for a good tour operator. G Adventures is one of the best.

https://www.gadventures.com/destinations/asia/south-korea/

Hi Barry! I will be going to Europe for 12 days in March. (London, Paris, Switzerland and Italy). I have already paid for flights, hotels, transportation and breakfast. It was all a total of about $3,800. Now I have to focus on saving up for lunches, dinners, and little miscellaneous things (gondola rides, the louvre tickets, souvenirs, etc.) and that’s pretty much it. I have $5,000 saved up. Do you think that’s enough or should I save up more?

If all your flights, hotels, transportation and breakfast is covered, $5,000 is more than enough unless you like to eat and shop A LOT.

me and my friend are planning to follow an artist on tour through Europe and see him around ten times in maybe 2 months, how much would we have to save up for this trip? we’re both from the Netherlands which means we don’t need plane tickets to fly over from another continent.

i calculated it might be around €5000 euros each including food, hotels, concert tickets, random spendings and train/plane tickets.

also, would you advice going by train or by car?

I think your estimate is decent, but it shouldn’t be hard to get an accurate estimate since you know where the artist is playing. Just look at the tour dates and start figuring out when it makes sense to train and fly.

This is best budget and good information for travelling Europe. I want to travel Europe then I find best Europe Tour Packages from USA.

Hi Barry ! I am planning for 6 nights trip to europe for 2 of us in mid Feb 2021 flying from Canada

Want to visit Paris, London, Rome, Santorini and also Iceland(if possible) Will appreciate your advice for budget including transportation (trains or car rentals) and accommodations for 6 nights in different cities.

It is impossible to do 5 destinations in 6 nights. If you only have 6 nights, I would choose two destinations at max. A better idea would be to choose 1 spot and then do day trips. Once you narrow down your choices, I can help you out.

Hi barry, priceless article and info you have here. im planning a trip starting with st. petersburg and entering the eu at helsinki. i want to do stockholm, malmo, copenhagen with a side trip to ystad somewhere and then iceland. We are a family of 2 adults, a 14 yr old and an 8 yr old. We will be staying in airbnbs. We are ok with budget food options, take away food, fast food and such. how much should we budget for a month, excluding airfare and accomodation? Thanks.

I haven’t been to those areas, but from what I hear, Scandanavia is much more expensive compared to western Europe.

That said, if you’re not factoring in flights and accommodations, your food costs will likely be similar, or maybe to your monthly grocery / eating out budget at home. I assume you’ll cook some meals, but enjoy yourself at the same time.

Local transportation also needs to be factored in, but it shouldn’t be crazy expensive.

I appreciate these messages, questions and answers. We plan to go to Europe next year, considering the status of the CoronaVirus. We live in Texas. We know that travel from the East coast is much more convenient and less expensive. Would you suggest flying from Texas? Or would you travel in some other way to the East coast? I assume the flight or a train or car would take us to the East coast from which we would fly to England.

Can you also give us a guestimate of the cost of traveling to England from Texas?

Thank you. S. Briggs

All you need to do is just check the flight prices from where you live to London. That way you have an accurate estimate of flights. Once you do the search you can see if it’s cheaper to fly direct or via a connection.

All the other estimates in my article would still apply.

Hi Barry, thank you very much for all this information! I’m planning on doing and Europe trip next year for two weeks (preferably on the cheapest months I can find ex: September November I think?)

So how much do you think I would need if I only plan on doing Italy (Rome and/or Venice if possible) and part of Switzerland in two weeks since it’s close and I would love to do the train trip to Switzerland, it’s only for One person and I can adjust to anything.

Would you say $2500 is enough? Or how much would you say is a safer bet? Don’t wasn’t to be having second thoughts about having enough money for the whole trip while being there but I can definitely accommodate my expenses, would be my first trip to Europe specially 2 countries in 2 week but would love to know more from someone with much more experience! Thanks in advance.

Italy can be done on a budget, but Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. I’m not sure where you’re coming from, but your airfare could eat up a fair amount of your budget. I personally recommend budgeting more and not trying to do Europe super cheap. I made that mistake the first time and I regretted it.

You can save money by staying at hostels or in cheaper parts of the city. You could also do Airbnb. Saving money on food is easy if you go to grocery stores. But, why go all the way to Italy and not try the local cuisine?

Here are some guides on Italy and Switzerland.

https://www.moneywehave.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-italy/ https://www.moneywehave.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-switzerland/

Thanks for your comments, I was just thinking if it would be possible to do a quick trip for Switzerland but spend most of the two weeks in Italy, I was more interested in the train trip to switz and watching some natural landscape anywhere in the country than actually visiting through the whole country, not sure if that would still be out of budget, but I’m thinking about what other train trips I can think of near Italy that go into the budget, do you have any recommendations if Switzerland if way out of budget even for a very quick trip? (Not sure about France since I’m not sure it would be as interesting) But I’ll have to keep an eye out for other train alternatives, thanks again!

Italy is big enough that you could spend two weeks, but if you’re looking to just cross the border since you’re nearby, it’s not a terrible idea. I would just prioritize what you want to see first.

I personally would only do Switzerland if you’re flying in or out of it. E.g. fly into Zurich, make your way down to Italy, fly out of Rome.

I loved reading this article and the comments. For the last 6 years we have been traveling internationally as a family of five. We were unable to travel in 2020 due to Covid. We have been to 15 countries so far (six of them twice). We tend to go to 2-4 cities/ countries each trip. We stay in AirBNB’s, eat out 1-2 times per day nothing too fancy and we eat fruit for breakfast. I splurge on guides and museums. I like to book through AirBNB Experiences. We usually travel 15-17 days. I usually spend $12,000 total for five people. This year we are traveling 26 days through Egypt- Spain- Turkey and we are spending $18,000 which feels very expensive to me. Our travels have meant the world to me as we have gotten to share so many amazing experiences with our children, however it’s not friendly on the wallet. If you have any suggestions of how I can do things cheaper please let me know. We take public transport, use miles for our tickets most of the time (not this coming trip) and eat breakfast at the AirBNB. I can’t give up the guides, day trips, and museums. I love history and want my family to have an appreciation for the history of other cultures and the guides truly bring everything to life and make everything so much more interesting (my children tend to listen to them intently). We did not have guides on our first trip through Japan and we missed out on so much. Interestingly enough I found out on our second trip to Japan how reasonable guides are in Japan compared to other countries. Please let me know how you think we are coming in on our budget.

I wish someone would write an article on traveling through Turkey and The Czech Republic because they are so affordable and interesting. I have truly enjoyed every country that we have been to. Thank you again for writing such a great article.

Hey Lizzie,

When you’re travelling as a family of 5, it’s hard to cut back on costs. I think you’ve already established your priorities and you’re spending accordingly.

The thing I would suggest (and you may already be doing this), is to try to save money when you’re not travelling. Any funds you save can be put towards your travel budget.

I personally try not to eat out much when I’m home. When I’m travelling, I have no problem splurging.

Also, you’re right about Turkey, it’s one of the cheaper places I’ve been. Egypt was cheap too relatively speaking. Jordan is a another destination that’s budget friendly. I enjoyed Jordan more than I did Egypt.

I am wanting to go to Jordan! We went to Israel and loved it. I feel like if we weren’t going to Egypt and Turkey this year we would be spending a lot more than 18k for our 26 day adventure. My children’s favorite country is Turkey. They loved all of the stray cats. I would love to see someone write an article on traveling on the cheap’s most yucky experiences 🙂 When we went to Turkey five years ago I rented an AirBNB that was VERY inexpensive ($60 a night for five people) there were slugs coming up through the wet bathroom drain….my husband dealt with that. The funny thing is my children loved that AirBNB more than any other and want to return to it because of the stray cats that snuck in through the open windows (we were on the third floor) in the middle of the night. They loved waking up with cats cuddling them hahaha. I hope that you write more articles I enjoyed reading this one very much 🙂

Ha, Airbnb is still great for families, but it’s getting pretty expensive in some destinations. I remember booking an Airbnb in Manhattan for $90 USD a night before Airbnb was a household name. Now it would be triple that price, plus cleaning fees.

As for other articles, I actually have a ton on different countries and cities – https://www.moneywehave.com/?s=how+much

Fabulous!! I am excited to read these articles 🙂 My husband doesn’t like AirBNB as much as I do. I like that all of our children can have their own beds and that we are all in the same apartment. I have splurged on maybe two AirBNB’s that had amazing views (France and Santorini) I am a sucker for a good view. I feel like one thing that has been really important to us enjoying our trips is staying within walking distance to the attractions, restaurants, and shopping areas. My children love to window shop, or “lick the windows” as they say in France. In Santorini we stayed out in the middle of nowhere. My family felt like they missed staying out late (9-10pm) walking around and people watching after dinner. I am going to have a great time reading your articles!! Thanks again 🙂

Hi. Planning to do trip in June. It’s a honeymoon trip and we are planning to cover Amsterdam, Switzerland, & Berlin. We are travelling for the first time. Can you please tell how much it will cost to us? We will be taking bus or train, plus hostels. Our trip is of 11 days. And we are coming from India. Please share your feedback of cost plus what places should be visit

These articles should give you a rough idea of costs. Note that 11 days for 3 cities for your honeymoon is A LOT. You’d be rushing many things and may not enjoy yourself.

https://www.moneywehave.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-amsterdam/ https://www.moneywehave.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-switzerland/ https://www.moneywehave.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-germany/

Hi, We. are planning a trip next year November 2023, for 12 days, there’s 6 of us. Is Euro trail a good idea to hit just main capital in 10 days? From Paris, France, Amsterdam, Netherland, Berlin, Germany? Our budget would be $3000 each not including airfare.

Hey Ellene,

3 cities in 12 days is doable. I think a budget of $3,000 each is pretty good.

Hi Barry. Great information. Summer of 2024 I would like to take my family of four (Wife, myself and two kids). We would like to visit a few countries in Europe including England, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy. We would like to go for three weeks to a month.

We live in Vancouver. What city should we fly in to and what city should we fly out of? We really have no idea about traveling in Europe. Thanks for any insight.

So first I’d consider the age of your kids and determine how much they can handle. Three to four weeks is a lot of time in Europe so you could easily see quite a few places. That said, I would probably stick to 3-4 destinations and then do some day trips.

Try to figure out which is the top place you want to go to and make that your priority. You’ll then base your decisions around that. Alternatively, you could try to find the cheapest flights to Europe first and then determine where you want to go from there.

Generally, the earlier you book, the better chance you have at finding flights for a reasonable price. Google flights is a good way to quickly see the cheapest way for you to get to Europe.

We are planning a trip to Strasbourg for a wedding in August. We have our accommodations for 3 nights at the venue but we have contacted a travel agent to plan a 10 day trip. We will fly to Munich from Green Bay, WI. USA. Spend 3 nights. One day hopping on and off site seeing on own. One full day on the Romantic road trip. Then by train we go to Strasbourg and we have our hotel for 3 nights. She did book an optional wine tasting? We want to spend one day going to tourist sites and the other 2 with the wedding festivities. We are still trying to find out if there is a way to get around Strasbourg similar to the hop on and off like Munich. Our hotel is about .8 of a mile from some tram? The last leg of our trip takes us to Innsbruck via train thru Switzerland. Here we spend 3 nights and have 2 gondola excursions one goes up to the 007 Element. We wanted something where we get see the Alps not so much the Bond experience. We then go back to Munich for the night and fly home. Our cost is coming in around 5000.00 per person. Does this seem about average or high?

Considering where you’re flying to and from, plus everything else included, that sounds like a pretty reasonable cost.

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1 Month Europe Itinerary

by Sharyn McCullum | Last updated Dec 5, 2023 | Europe live work and play , Itineraries

Visit places you have only dreamed of on your 1 month Europe itinerary!

You have one month holiday and you want to spend it travelling around Europe. I know just how you are feeling. Excited. Daunted. Maybe a little stressed at how many amazing places there are and how you will fit seeing them all in to a 1 month Europe itinerary? But it doesn’t have to be.

In this post I will show you the best places to visit and advise you on some of the ‘must’ things to do and see in Central Europe. Plus, I provide an idea of how many days you will need to make the most of your time in each country with some added European city accommodation options. Plus provide options of how to travel to and in each European country destination so you can decide the best Europe trip route to follow. And lastly, help you to work out your 1 month Europe trip cost.

Whether you are traveling through Europe as a solo person, in a couple or family you can adapt this month long European itinerary to suit your travel style. Get ready to start planning your best of Europe itinerary for your 1 Month in Europe. This perfect Central Europe Itinerary for first timers I’ve written can be done any time of the year. So yes, you can  travel around Europe in winter or travel around Europe in summer, or the other seasons making the most of this itinerary.

Table of Contents

When is the Best Time to Visit Europe?

Anytime, is the best time to visit Europe in my opinion as every European season has something different to offer! Your first challenge to organising your own 4 week Europe itinerary is working out when is the best time for you to visit for your European vacation. You may be governed by your employer or an event as to when you must take your holiday but if not, you have some things to consider.

Summer in Europe

Most first-timers to Europe are likely to choose to travel through Europe during the warmer summer months of June, July and August. This is when Europe is not only at its warmest but also its busiest and most expensive. If you don’t mind the European heat with lots of crowds at popular tourist attractions and also paying a little more for your accommodation, transport and other services then summer time will be great for you to travel around Europe.

READ MORE : If you’ve chosen to travel around Europe in the summer months you will need an idea of Europe summer outfits plus essentials for traveling in Europe. Check out my summer Europe packing list for ideas of what to pack. Packing List for a European Summer Holiday.

Winter in Europe

Winter time can be magical in Europe with lots of snow capped mountains, Christmas markets and warm drinks inside in front of fireplaces. If your aim is to do some skiing or snowboarding then a visit in winter is a must. Perhaps you want to extend your month in Europe to work and ski some of the best European ski centres ? Or perhaps you want to include snowy destinations during your winter in Europe itinerary. Crowds over the winter months of December, January and February will be less in major tourist areas but some attractions may close during this time. If there is some specific European attraction you want to visit I would suggest you make sure it will be open when you will be there.

READ MORE : If you’ve chosen to travel around Europe in the winter months you will need an idea of Europe winters outfits plus essentials for traveling in Europe. Check out my winter Europe packing list for ideas of what to pack. Packing List for a European Winter Vacation

Spring in Europe or Autumn in Europe

Spring and Autumn are also great times to visit Europe. The weather is milder and potentially more comfortable for travel. Crowds will only be beginning or slowing down and you might save a few dollars on accommodation, transport and other services during these off-peak seasons. Spring and Autumn in Europe for a month are popular for these reasons.

Is One Month Long Enough in Europe?

If I had the choice I would spend a lot longer than one month in Europe. I would probably choose a 2 month Europe itinerary or a 3 month Europe itinerary – if I had the time. But one month in Europe is a very good start to discovering the amazing countries in Central Europe. One month in Europe will allow you to visit all the best parts of Europe. And this itinerary includes visiting 8 countries in 4 weeks.

Now before you read any further, I must warn you that this itinerary of Europe is jam-packed with things to see and do every day. Providing you with as many opportunities as possible to experience Europe. Some days you will need to be very prompt on your departure to fit everything in. So how long to visit Europe? How long have you got? One month in Europe is a great beginning. Afterall, I did this exact 1 month Europe itinerary for my first visit to Europe!

1 Month Europe Trip Cost?

To work out how much it will cost to visit Europe for a 4 week Europe itinerary, I suggest you create a budget. Now everyone’s budget will be different mostly because of the style of accommodation you choose to stay at, the amount of meals you purchase and how many attractions you visit. To give you a good idea of the cost of your Europe trip, list it out as follows:

Airfare or transport to Europe _____ Transport to travel around Europe _____ Accommodation 28-30 nights @ _____ Food _____ is this included? Is breakfast included in accommodation stay? Extras _____ ie. entrance fees to museums and other sites Travel Insurance ______

LWPT Tip : If you have chosen to visit Europe during the summer months, I advise you book everything in advance. From accommodation to popular attractions booking in advance will ensure you have somewhere to stay and help you skip-the-line with pre-booked tickets. Believe me, queues to enter some tourist sights can be very long. I book all my accommodation through Booking.com and I buy tickets to the sites I want to see through GetYourGuide .

LWPT Tip : With the exception of the UK, most of the Central European countries in this itinerary belong to the Schengen Zone. This means, you won’t need a visa for individual countries as the Schengen Visa allows you to travel freely between the countries in this zone. But find out what visas are required for the countries you plan to visit.

How to Travel Through Europe

Europe is well serviced by plenty of different transport options so the continent is well linked and a rather easy place to get around. Here are the general travel options for getting around Europe. You can choose one or link different modes of transport together for your European vacation.

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Sharyn McCullum – Travel Writer / Blogger, Remote On-line Worker, sometime Digital Nomad and Travel, Live and Work Abroad Expert. Is a chocoholic, coffee connoisseur and lover of ’80s music. Been travelling all her life thanks to her dad who worked for an airline. Lived in London 4 years on a working holiday. Has holidayed in Hawaii over 15 times and currently calls Melbourne, Australia home. Is inspiring others to get the live work play travel lifestyle with this blog. Read more about Sharyn here.

42 Comments

Wow, this is quite the itinerary. There are definitely a lot of places here I need to visit and the ones I’ve been to I agree that they are worth being on this list. That’s what I love about Europe is that everywhere is so close. Train travel in Europe is the best

What a dream itinerary. I need to go back to Europe and see some of these places I haven’t been to, like Brussels and The Netherlands.

This was my itinerary the first time I went to Europe. It is jam packed with all the major things to see and do in the most popular must-see cities when you have never been to Europe before. I hope you get to Brussel and the Netherlands also.

Wow, this is such great information! I’d love to visit someday. Thanks for sharing 🙂

I’m glad you enjoyed the information and I hope one day you will be able to visit Europe.

Wow, this is very helpful info. Following this itinerary would definitely show you lots of great spots in Europe. It’s just crazy to think about how much there is to see around this continent!

Agree. There is so much to see and unfortunately you can’t see it all in 1 month. This is why I have done the itinerary to help first-timers to Europe work out what they should see and do during their month in Europe. Then hopefully they will return in the future to see other things.

great information for planning and breaking down cities so you can do part of the route if you don’t have a month

It’s a great guide for an independent travel through Europe. I’d like to travel by trains most of the time, even though it’s expensive. I guess if you book your tickets in advance, prices are not that high. isn’t it?

I like trains for the simple fact you can get a sleeper. Major suppliers of tickets like Eurail often have specials so I suggest you regularly check in with them to get a good price.

Unless I was renting a car, I think I would prefer to go via train. From past experiences the trains have been really good in the European countries. This is an awesome list you’ve put together and has given me some ideas for my next trip!

As a French and an European person I really like your itinerary! It will allow people to see the best of Europe! And also trains are a great way to travel and allow you to see the landscapes at the same time!

Talk about giving me wanderlust! I have been lucky enough to visit a number of these amazing cities, but there are just so many out there. We loved Venice last summer, particularly seeing it without the usual crowds. Milan and the pink palace in Nice are next on my list!

Sounds like you love visiting Europe. It is always good to have list of places to visit next. I’d love to hear more about your travels so please comment further once you have travelled further.

I would love to spend a month in Europe! So many great places to see. You have provided a great itinerary for first timers with heaps of tips.

It seems that most people get a month’s holiday so the itinerary is aimed at them. However, I am in the process of writing a 2 month itinerary – you may want to look at that too!

What a great itinerary! I miss being able to change countries by car, train or bus – nice to see wonderful Europe and a one-month itinerary. Thanks for sharing!

When you only a month holiday, this itinerary will help you see all the ‘must sees’. I miss Europe also.

The French Riviera has long been on our bucket list for Europe. We have wanted to go to St.Tropez and Cannes forever – they look absolutely stunning. And especially after visiting Paris? I feel like it would be an ideal baby moon

St Tropez and Cannes are stunning places to visit on any European vacation. I hope you manage to get to both.

A great itinerary that includes some fabulous European cities & sights! Thanks so much for sharing!

Great itinerary for visiting Europe and by train makes it easy with large cities. I love road tripping through Europe, have yet to try out hopping on train through Europe. Just did London, Paris and Germany by train from my home country the Netherlands.

I’ve been to most of these places but never all in one trip, what a fantastic itinerary and I love the multiple Italy stops too, that’s what I always struggle with because there’s so much to see in Italy!

Great itinerary! So many amazing places on your list. I’ve been to most of them, but I still need to hit Florence. I love that train travel is so easy in Europe, I have such a fear of flying, so it’s ideal for me!

Europe has such great transport infrastructure – trains and buses – to travel Europe. I hope you get back to Florence. Me too – I don’t like flying. I spent 42 days at sea, sailing from Southampton to Sydney as I couldn’t get on a plane!

Great guide to visiting central Europe! I’ve been to a few places like Vienna, but this guide is definitely making me want to plan a road trip!

Oh wow, this itinerary is amazing! You’ve highlighted some great cities and sights to see. I’ve not made it to Vienna, Salzburg and Brussels and would love to check them out

This is a great roundup of some of the best spots in Europe! I would love to visit Milan, Nice and several other great places on this list.

This is a great post, thank you! I did 1 month in Europe a few years ago and a similar route, but missed spots mentioned! I would love to go back and Belgium and Nice. Thanks for sharing!

Central Europe is a popular route to follow. I hope you get back to Belgium and Nice soon.

I wish more Americans would take a month instead of a week to try to see Europe in it’s entirety. I love the canals in Amsterdam. The light tour is new since I was there. It looks beautiful.

The longer the better I say! A week is way too fast to enjoy the different cultures of Europe. I wish Americans would / could stay longer in Europe also.

I love having a longer visit to Europe to take in so many great spots. Your month in Europe includes some new spots that we have not yet visited in Germany. We would definitely travel by train for most of the visit. With car rentals for day trips that may be hard to do any other way.

What an amazing itinerary! I would love to take a month to visit Europe, maybe when I retire.

Thank you. I hope you can get to Europe before you retire! But if that is when, that is when.

Your itinerary is impressive, particularly your decision to use trains instead of planes. Europe’s rail network is exceptional, and the picturesque scenery is not to be missed. Great!

This itinerary looks jam packed with fantastic information, the list of locations is impressive and super helpful for someone who’s never been. I never thought about taking the train around Europe but it makes so much sense to, and you get to see the countryside along the way!

LOVE posts like this this which have so many great tips, and include a flow and geography already organized… I would love to someday have a whole month for an adventure like this!

Great itinerary for one month in Europe! I love the tips of when to visit, what mode to use for travel, and what to see in each place. We found that Eurail is convenient and easy to use in Europe plus road trips are great too since distances are relatively shorter. 🙂

I often dream about getting to take a sabbatical from work so I can travel for an extended period of time, but alas. I’d love to do this itinerary someday though — you got to cover so many places! :]

Could this be done in the opposite direction? Going from London to Brussels and working backwards?

The two personality dimensions extraversion and neuroticism were described in his 1947 book Dimensions of Personality. It is common practice in personality psychology to refer to the dimensions by the first letters, E and N.

E and N provided a two-dimensional space to describe individual differences in behaviour. Eysenck noted how these two dimensions were similar to the four personality types first proposed by the Greek physician Galen.

High N and high E = Choleric type High N and low E = Melancholic type Low N and high E = Sanguine type Low N and low E = Phlegmatic type The third dimension, psychoticism, was added to the model in the late 1970s, based upon collaborations between Eysenck and his wife, Sybil B. G. Eysenck.

Eysenck’s model attempted to provide detailed theory of the causes of personality. For example, Eysenck proposed that extraversion was caused by variability in cortical arousal: “introverts are characterized by higher levels of activity than extraverts and so are chronically more cortically aroused than extraverts”.

Similarly, Eysenck proposed that location within the neuroticism dimension was determined by individual differences in the limbic system. While it seems counterintuitive to suppose that introverts are more aroused than extraverts, the putative effect this has on behaviour is such that the introvert seeks lower levels of stimulation.

Conversely, the extravert seeks to heighten his or her arousal to a more favourable level (as predicted by the Yerkes-Dodson Law) by increased activity, social engagement and other stimulation-seeking behaviours.

https://colorpersonality.edublogs.org/2024/03/16/how-personality-can-be-defined-in-a-biological-manner/

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26 Feb How much does it cost to travel Europe? Our three-month costs revealed!

How much does it cost to travel Europe? It’s true that the continent definitely isn’t the cheapest in the world, but here’s the good news: it can be done on a modest budget. We spent three-months road tripping around Europe in late 2017, heading from Amsterdam to Portugal , through Slovenia and Germany to Prague. Here’s how much our Europe trip cost, including a breakdown of transport, food, activity and accommodation prices.

Looking for more travel cost posts? We have detailed spending breakdowns of all our travel adventures here , these are a few of our most-viewed posts, including more about the cost to travel Europe:

Our Eastern European travel costs Spain travel costs Croatia travel costs How much does it cost to travel America? New Zealand travel costs

Europe Accommodation Costs

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to travel Europe, we’d definitely recommend housesitting. We use Trusted Housesitters to find our placements and have had amazing sits in London , Spain and Portugal (you can find out more about how to find great house sits in this post ). For this trip, we found a nine-night housesit in the Algarve looking after dogs and pigs. We stayed in a beautiful converted barn house in the countryside and fell in love with the animals, the sit also saved us a couple of hundred pounds in accommodation.

Aside from housesitting, we found Europe accommodation was cheapest on Airbnb (if you haven’t yet signed up, here’s £25 off your first booking ). We used Airbnb throughout our trip, as cheap hotels in Europe are hard to find, although we did start to wonder about the ethics of using the website , especially when renting apartments. Mostly we rented spare rooms in people’s homes, but when we were staying in Porto and Prague , we rented whole apartments. We generally stayed a little out from the central areas since we had a car and could easily get around most of the time. Less-central rooms tend to cost less.

We had quite a mixed bag when it came to our Europe accommodation costs. We averaged out at £22 per night, with our cheapest stay in Coimbra, Portugal, which cost just £16.47. Our most expensive night was in Halblech, Germany, where we visited the fairytale-like Neuschwanstein Castle  and paid £47.52 per night for a whole apartment.

Food Prices in Europe

Since we mostly stayed in apartments, we were able to keep our food costs pretty low by shopping at supermarkets and cooking our food at home. On travel days we didn’t eat all that healthily, we mostly ate snacks en route and then bread and hummus when we arrived somewhere for the night. Just before the trip, we transitioned to a vegan diet, which we feared might be a problem, but we actually managed to find plenty of options in the supermarkets (Prague was especially good). Here’s a typical grocery haul from Tesco in Prague, which cost £20.

We did eat out a few times on our Europe trip, especially when our families visited us in Prague or we hung out with friends in Porto, also in the few Airbnb stops where we didn’t have a kitchen. As always, we check Tripadvisor to find a decent vegan places to eat out. Here’s a vegan burger from one of our favourite discoveries, Vegan’s Prague, which cost £25 for two meals.

Here are some example meal prices: at Lehka Hlava , Prague, we had their daily menu (starter and main), the cold starter selection and two teas for £17.63. In Namaste Restaurant , Ljubljana, we had a selection of Indian dishes and drinks for £18.38 and in That’s Toast, Bruges, we spent £16.87 on a few slices of toast topped with avocados and other veg along with some drinks. We found food cheapest in Prague, most expensive in Germany and Belgium.

Europe transport costs

We deliberated quite a bit about the best way to travel Europe, should we fly and hire a car, should we use public transport, or should we buy a car and take it with us? Eventually we decided that the best way for us to travel around Europe was in our own car. We bought our car in the UK at the beginning of the summer for £900 (if you’re interested, it’s a 2002 Nissan Almera 1.5L petrol engine) and we used it to get around the UK before we left for mainland Europe. Our insurance policy allowed 90 days of use outside of the UK, so that really determined the length of our trip.

If you want to rent a car in Europe, to give you an idea of costs, we paid just £50 for a four-week rental in Spain back in January 2016 and £25 for a three-day rental in Split, Croatia .

Things like insurance, vehicle tax and fuel will really depend on the car, the way you drive and your car insurance history. Fuel costs varied quite a bit from country to country, Spain was the cheapest at just over £1 per litre, while the Netherlands was the most expensive at closer to £1.30 per litre. We avoided tolls as much as possible, this probably saved us quite a bit of money but cost us more time. Some journeys were twice as long because of this. In Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic we had to buy weekly or monthly vignettes so that we could drive on the motorways. Parking wasn’t too expensive and we made good use of Parkopedia to find the cheapest car parks.

We also used a fair bit of public transport when we were staying in big cities. Prague was the cheapest where we got a month’s ticket to use the metro,  trams and buses for about £23.50 per person. Amsterdam was the most expensive since we stayed about 20 mins out of the city in Weesp and had to pay about £7 for a day return per person. When our families visited us in Prague and there were four of us, we used Uber quite a bit, which was pretty inexpensive and much more convenient than walking, taking the bus, tram or metro.

Europe activity costs

Mostly all our sightseeing was free, including hiking and wandering around cities. We took ‘free’ walking tours, where you pay a tip rather than a fixed fee, in Amsterdam, Slovenia and Prague, which we paid between €5-7 each for. Our most expensive activities were Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany (definitely worth the cost) and watching a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Czech National Theatre. *Note that the Lisbon Tourist Card listed below was generously comped to us by Get Your Guide.

Cost to travel Europe – miscellaneous

The only miscellaneous Europe travel costs we had were for some new clothes, as we bought a couple of jumpers and some jeans while we were in Porto.

Total cost to travel Europe for three months

So, can you travel Europe on a budget? The answer’s yes, depending on what you define as budget. We managed to travel around Europe for under £50 per day for two people, which is only £15-20 more than we spent per day in Asia, for instance. We were pleased with all the amazing places we saw and had some incredible experiences, especially at the  excellent Christmas markets.

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How do you think we did? Did we travel around Europe on a budget you could use? Let us know what you think of the cost to travel Europe in the comments below.

13 Comments

Gilda Baxter

Wow…I am impressed with how well you have done. Having the car was a good idea since it has given you more freedom and flexibility. Brian and I like the idea of touring Europe in a motor home. Your food costs were very good indeed, cooking your own meals is best. I love eating out, but it can be expensive. I loved your itinerary and visiting these places during the Autumn has probably also further helped to stay in budget? Great post ?

Andrew Wyatt

Thanks Gilda, you’re right, visiting in the off-season probably helped keep some of our costs down too. I hope you and Brian get to travel around Europe in a motor home, that sounds exciting! 🙂

Did you look into buying a left hand drive car for Europe? We have a three month trip in France, Spain and Portugal planned and are thinking of buying a car in France. Not sure how easy it will be to insure though?

Hi Dan, good question, but no we didn’t even think about it. Since we’re from the UK and Amy’s dad works as a mechanic, he had some good connections and made sure our car was reliable too. It would be interesting to know how the car buying process goes for you in France though. Also I’ve driven a right hand drive car in mainland Europe before so I knew that wouldn’t be a problem for me. Enjoy your trip!

Just to update, it proved impossible to buy a car in France as a non-resident so we bought one off eBay in the UK and drove over instead. So far so good, it looks like we are retracing some of your haunts, going towards Porto from Lisbon on Thursday!

Hi Dan, thanks for the update, glad you managed to sort the car issue. Have fun in Portugal, we loved it and are looking forward to returning again in the autumn!

Neil Dimapilis

this is amazing! Thank you for sharing this with us. appreciate you disclosing this kind of information to us. did you bring bills on your trip or just used a card? i read in one article that you should bring less cash on trips to Europe?

Hi, we just used our overseas bank card, which doesn’t charge a fee for withdrawals abroad.

Can you please share list of cities you covered in 3 months?

Hi, we went to Amsterdam, drove down to Portugal, went to Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. Then we drove up to Slovenia to Ljubljana, made a stop at Neuschwanstein castle in Germany and then stayed in Prague for a month. On the way back we stopped in Cologne and Bruges.

Barato Travels

Great Post and Stunning Pictures. Your tips were very useful for Europe traveler. Europe is an awesome place for roaming. I love Europe. I read your blog and really happy with your information on Europe traveling. Thanks for such post and please keep it up.

Thanks – glad you found it useful!

I loved you budge5 but as 1 person air bnb untenable I ve found I use dorm in hostel and when really tired tiny hotel. I should be like you and buy and prepare food. I also ho to museums and oay entrances. T3nd to book mini trips as asthmatic so cant hike uphill etc. Think will eventually head back to India as best for budget

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18 Budget Tips to Travel Europe For a Month Under S$2.4k

Travelling in Europe is notoriously expensive. While it may seem so on the surface, there’re always ways to stretch your dollar (or euro, for that matter). Here, we’ve put together some nifty money saving tips to make travelling a whole month in Europe for under S$2.4k a reality.

Fret not, none of these tips involve sleeping on the streets 😉

Budget Breakdown Accommodation: €517 Food: €375 Transport: €485 Activities + Miscellaneous: €150 Total: €1,527 (S$2,326.8)

PRE-TRIP TIPS

1) avoid the peak season.

Airfare will probably take up the bulk of your cost so the key to keeping flight costs low is to fly during non-peak season .

Summers (June to September) are popular travel seasons in Europe so try to avoid those. Not only will the flights be expensive, prices for hotels and restaurants will hike between 20 – 50% — not to mention the risk of having everything booked out early.

Plan to fly between November to March and you’ll see a pretty significant drop in price; you’ll get to enjoy fewer crowds too. You might think travelling in December is expensive, but it will still be cheaper than flights in the peak summer season.

*Pro-tip: Visit in December to soak in the festive atmosphere at Christmas markets seen in most major European cities.

2) Search for flights early

Planning early allows you to scout for the cheapest European cities to fly to. Keep a lookout for promotional airfares to European cities which major airlines will run from time to time.

*Pro-tip: Look out for special deals under the “ Promotions ” tab on UOBTravel for extra discounts on flights, hotels and tour packages.

I was able to book a flight from SG to Munich, Germany with Singapore Airlines for just under S$1,000 in December 2015, which was really a steal for European cities on a direct flight.

3) Check out Eastern Europe

While countries like France and UK are must-visit European destinations, Eastern European countries have their own charms too and are cheaper travel destinations compared to their Western siblings.

Take Budapest for example, a medieval city filled with hidden historical wonders. Find yourself transported back in time at Buda Castle and Citadel, while feasting your eyes on a panoramic view of the city on Gellert Hill.

Meals in Eastern European cities are also on average about half the cost of that in Western European cities. Take the path less explored, and open up to wonders of what the lesser known can bring.

ACCOMMODATION

4) take overnight sleeper trains.

Imagine going to bed in Vienna and waking up in Zurich, how cool does that sound?

As long as there’s space to lay flat, I have personally grown to love overnight train travel. Not only does it save time but also a night’s accommodation in the city.

Cross-border sleeper or couchette trains tickets start at €59 per bed in a 6-berth couchette cabin. Fresh sheets and blankets are provided. Some services even provide a simple breakfast with croissant and coffee. Check out Seat61 for more information on Sleeper Trains.

5) Try Couchsurfing

While sleeping on the couch of a stranger’s home may be a terrifying idea to many, I’ve heard a fair share of incredible experiences from friends who’ve tried and tested this.

Not only is this free, it is also a great way to interact with locals! These locals are usually very friendly since they too are taking up the risk of opening their homes to absolute strangers.

The couch-surfing community maintains a safe environment for hosts and surfers alike by sharing information and leaving references for each other. Besides couchsurfing.com , another notable free accommodation platform is stay4free .

6) Consider Youth Hostels

On days you just want to pamper yourself and rest your head on comfy pillows but not spend too much on accommodation, turn to youth hostels. Although this cheaper form of accommodation is targeted to younger travellers and backpackers, there are usually no age limits imposed.

Communal spaces within the youth hostels allow for interaction between guests, and that’s the charm of youth hostels, where like-minded travellers come together and share travel stories and experiences with one another.

Many youth hostels also offer private rooms which are great for days you want a little more privacy. Some even come with ensuite toilets and are still more than half of what it would cost in a three to four-star hotel.

Expenses on Accommodation: Sleeper train x 3 nights: €59 x 3 = €177 (S$287) Couch-surf x 10 nights: FREE Hostel x 17 nights: €20 x 17 = €340 (S$551) Total expenses for accommodation: €517 (S$838)

7) Avoid ordering set meals

It may be tempting, but you can save a lot ordering à la carte instead of full meals. I mean do you really need that extra serving of soup and drink?

Apart from avoiding the post-lunch coma, you’ll be saving your stomach for other interesting snacks along the way!

Avg. cost per meal in Europe: €7.50

8) Prepare your own meals

If your accommodation permits, cook your own meals. Fresh local produce can be bought at local farmers’ markets and supermarkets. Ingredients for a week’s worth of meals will cost you between €50-60 — a lot cheaper than eating out, where meals will cost you around €10 each.

Avg. cost per self-prepared meal: Under €2.50 (S$4)

9) Save money on drinks

i) Cut down on sugary drinks. These €3-6 add up with every meal. Not only do you save money, also save your calories for better grub such as steak and escargots.

ii) Tap water in most Western European cities is safe for consumption. When I visited Vienna, I was told that their tap water came directly from the Alps, and is comparable to Evian.

iii) At restaurants, always request for “tap” water. If you simply say “water”, servers might serve you bottled water which can be more expensive than wine.

How much you can save per meal when not buying drinks: €6 (S$9)

Expenses spent on food: Self-prepared meals: €2.50 x 30 days = €75 E ating-out: €10 x 30 meals = €300 Total : €375 (S$571.40)

10) Get the Eurail Pass

If you are travelling across more than three European countries, get the Eurail Pass as it will be more economical. It also saves you the trouble of buying single trip tickets for each and every leg.

If you are between 12 to 27 years of age, you can get the Eurail Youth Pass — 20% cheaper than regular adult tickets. Above 27 years old but travelling in a group? There’s a Saver Pass for people travelling in a group of 2-5pax — you save 15% on adult prices.

Prices : Youth Pass (7 Days in 1 Month): €456 (S$695) Adult Saver Pass (7 Days in 1 Month): €484 (S$738) Children under 12 travels for FREE with accompanying adults.

Read also: The Essential Eurail Pass Guide For a Fuss-Free Europe Trip

11) Get a City Pass

Most greater cities within Europe have city passes for tourists, which includes free rides on public transport, free admission to major attractions, and also discounts to certain shops and restaurants.

Prices of city passes range from €9.90 (S$16) to €49 (S$80), and is worth purchasing if you have plans to check-off most attractions in the city you want to visit. Do note that many city passes are valid for 24 to 72 hours only.

12) Skip that city pass

Yeah, I know, it’s like giving myself a slap in the face for advising you otherwise from the previous point. While city passes offer a lot of value and convenience, they are only worth getting if you plan on conquering at least 70-80% of the attractions within the validity period (24/72hours).

Otherwise, buying a single day or single trip ticket on the subway will be cheaper.

13) Walk whenever you can

After visiting Europe twice, I have learnt to let my feet bring me wherever I want to go. Cities such as Amsterdam, Munich, Vienna, and Budapest are very walkable. Pathways are very pedestrian-friendly, and some subway stations are so near to each other you’d reach faster if you walked.

Total Transportation expenses: Eurail Pass: €456 (S$694) Avg. cost of a City Pass: €29 (S$44)

14) Sign up for free walking tours

Paid guides and tours are often unnecessary money spent as information and historical facts can be easily obtained from the Internet. Instead, when in Europe, sign up for the FREE walking tours.

Simply register and sign up for a walking tour — while will bring you around some notable landmarks and attractions.  SANDEMANS  is a pretty popular choice.

Price: Free, but a tip of €5-10 (S$7-15) is quite common

15) Visit museums on free admission days

Some museums have free admission during certain time periods. In Paris, admission to the Louvre museum is free for those under 26 every Friday from 6pm — applies to all nationalities as long as you present a valid ID.

Musée Rodin, Musée Picasso, and Musée d’Orsay open their doors to the public for free on the first Sunday of every month.

But of course, do be prepared to squeeze with the crowds on free admission days.

16) Go for free (or ridiculously cheap) music events

Free open-air concerts and music festivals are quite common in Europe. If you don’t mind standing, you can find standing pit tickets for musicals for a fraction of the original price. In Vienna, there were standing tickets for under €5.

*Pro-tip: Start queuing 2 hours earlier to get cheap standing tickets.

More information:  Italy  –  Amsterdam  –  Paris  –  Salzburg  –  Vienna  –  Munich

17) Picnic at local parks

People-watching from an al fresco Parisian café, sipping on a café au lait is almost a mandatory experience in Paris. But that can also be expensive.

A cheaper alternative to people-watching is from the comfort of a sprawled out mat on top of freshly cut grass. Pack some sandwiches and head to a local park — it’ll cost close to nothing!

Some beautiful parks to spending an entire afternoon just watching the world go by: English Garden in Munich, Hyde Park in London, Stadtpark in Vienna, Champ de Mars in Paris.  

18) Buy postcards instead of souvenirs

Unless your friend or family member is a collector of tacky souvenirs from around the world, chances are, they would much prefer a handwritten postcard. Not only are they more meaningful than magnets and key chains, postcards cost less and won’t take up much luggage space.

I once wrote a birthday postcard to my best friend en route Grindelwald to Jungfrau, Switzerland. Turns out she only received it four months after her birthday. Well, it’s better late than never! I’m sure that was the best birthday present she received that year 🙂

With this list of Europe budget tips, we hope to have piqued your interest in fulfilling your European adventures soon! If you are looking for more inspiration on touring Europe on a budget, check out these budget guides too!

2-Month Europe Itinerary: 10 Countries Under S$5K with the Eurail Pass 10-Day Switzerland Itinerary: 6 Cities Under S$2.3k with the Swiss Travel Pass 10-Day France Itinerary: Paris And Beyond Under S$1.5k 7-Day Summer Norway Itinerary: Under S$2.5k Incld. Round Trip Flights From Singapore 9-Day Greece Itinerary : Under S$1.5k incl. flights & accom — Athens, Santorini, Meteora

Itching for a getaway? Book your flights, accommodation and activity packages with UOBtravel.com

UOBTravel’s newly revamped site  allows you to search and book your flights, accommodation and travel packages — which is great for UOB card members because you can now pay for your travel essentials in UNI$!

On top of offsetting your flight with UNI$, every redemption of UNI$3,088, earns you an extra $50 off your flight!

Earn up to five miles (UNI$2.50) for every S$1 spent on  selected travel packages . Once you’ve clocked up enough UNI$, spend them on entire holidays like an epic  8-day trip to Turkey  or a relaxing  2D1N spa getaway to Batam .

In celebration of UOBTravel’s 45th birthday, the first 45 flight and accommodation bookings on UOBTravel will receive $20 GRAB e-vouchers and $20 off your second night stay (respectively).

Don’t have a UOB Card? Sign up now at  http://www.uob.com.sg/credit-cards/all-cards.html

This post was brought to you by UOB Travel .

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14 comments.

Hey Thanks for sharing such an budget friendly tips. Especially not to travel in peak seasons . And taking overnight trains seems awesome idea’s .

this is great! anything on a multi-trip tour? i’ve looked at a few but they’re all super expensive

Hi Casey! Tours will generally be expensive because they do the planning and coordination for you. We travelled free and easy to keep the costs low!

Well, I just stumbled across this blog while surfing about traveling. Being a travel blogger I know traveling is fun but expensive too. Thank you so much for your tips it will help all the users. Great!

I guess I traveled too much frugally… completed 3 months in 676$. Ye Even I can’t believe it. Though the flight rates cost much to me as I live far away.

Wow that’s amazing! What tips do you have to share?

Could you email me? I plan to go soon and I would love to hear your tips…

rail pass is not cheap at all, and u need to pay booking fees on some rail.. not recommand

Hi Ken, While I do agree that rail passes can be expensive, they are undeniably cost-effective. Also, having a rail pass in hand makes boarding trains convenient, especially for first-timers in Europe 🙂

We recently explored Europe via rail on three separate trips, and we do hope to inspire more people to discover the beauty of Europe. – UK By Rail: 10D Scotland, Wales And London Itinerary Under S$1,400 – 10-Day France Itinerary under S$1.5k — Paris and Beyond by Rail – https://thetravelintern.com/europe-budget-itinerary-eurail-pass/

Cheers! 🙂 -Edelyn

Very helpful. Specially youth hostels to stay in is a great tip.

1527 euro = 1699 us dollars

Hey, you’re absolutely right! Though the converted prices shown in this article are in Singapore dollars . Hope you’ve found these budget tips useful! 🙂

Really sensible, doable and moolah-saving tips. Great going. Thanks for that.

Other options: 1. Avoid buying water and opt for free drinking water from safe sources 2. Try to join a compatible group to rent a car to share car-rental costs. Risky at times… 3. Try to budget and make fewer ATM cash withdrawals to avoid various charges. But tis means keeping/carrying more cash 4. Carry a sleeping bag and rough it out whenever possible 5. Many restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets etc sell food at discounted rates late in the evening…

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Score Year-Round Savings With the 12 Cheapest European Countries by Month

Posted: May 4, 2024 | Last updated: May 4, 2024

Pack your bags and prepare for an epic European vacation that won’t hurt your wallet with the most affordable month-to-month destinations.

Many dream of adventuring through Europe, but high travel costs can prevent your trip from becoming a reality. Knowing the best months to visit top European countries will help you save on transportation, lodging, and activities. With some flexibility and preparation, you can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe without overspending.

These are the most affordable European countries to visit according to month:

January: Switzerland

Switzerland is a premier European destination during winter . In addition to experiencing the Swiss Alps, visitors can embark on a scenic train ride or indulge in cheese and chocolate food tours. Switzerland is a postcard-worthy place to explore charming Old World cities without massive crowds.

You can save big on travel costs by visiting in January, which is low season, according to Travel + Leisure . Since there are fewer tourists this time of year, you can often score deals on accommodations, as hotels will likely be under capacity.

February: Austria

Winter is the ideal season to escape to the Alps for a snowy adventure. Since February is an off-peak time for European tourism, it’s a relatively cheap time of year to travel. Consider booking a skiing or snowboarding trip to Austria in February. Many ski resorts offer discounted passes, while flights and accommodations will likely be lower in price than usual. 

March: United Kingdom

Hop across the pond to spend March in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Famous areas like London , England, and Edinburgh, Scotland, are significantly more affordable in spring. The weather is also typically pleasant, and you’ll avoid the surge of summer tourists. Book your trip to the U.K. in March for cheaper airfare and lodging options.

April: Germany

April is an excellent time of year to visit Germany on a budget. Not only is April an off-peak travel month, but it’s also in the heart of Germany’s vibrant spring season. Admire beautiful wildflower fields while traveling to wallet-friendly cities like Berlin and Hamburg. April crowds will be light at most popular things to do in Germany , and Hotels.com shares it’s one of the cheapest times to visit for low hotel prices.

May: France

France is a notoriously expensive destination, but you can save by booking in May. The weather tends to be warm yet mild, making it ideal for wandering the Paris streets or a luxury river cruise down the Seine. Flights to France are often cheaper in May, which is a shoulder season for tourism. As a result, U.S. News Travel shares that travelers can frequently score hotel room price cuts throughout the month.

June: Croatia

Croatia is a fantastic summer getaway for budget-conscious travelers. Its location on the Adriatic Sea is famous for its vibrant coastlines and rich cultural heritage. A road trip down the coast will allow you to tour UNESCO World Heritage Sites , dine on fresh local cuisine, and enjoy the scenic waterfront views. Add Split and Dubrovnik to your sightseeing itinerary for low-cost activities like wandering the city plazas and enjoying the public beaches.

July: Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an underrated place to travel for a July vacation. There’s much to discover, from scenic coastlines overlooking the Black Sea to mountainous regions of rolling forests. The country experiences a hot summer ideal for hiking, boating, and touring cities. Sofia, the capital, is a haven for art and history, appealing to all visitors. Meanwhile, The Times named Sunny Beach one of the most affordable summer destinations in Europe.

August: Hungary

Consider Hungary if you’re craving an end-of-summer trip that won’t break the bank. Cities like Budapest and Debrecen are budget-friendly throughout the year. You can find extra savings on transportation and lodging by visiting in August. The summer crowds will thin out, offering excellent deals on hotels and car rentals.

September: Italy

A trip to Italy can quickly become expensive, but visiting in September can help cut costs. Thanks to lower tourist numbers, September is one of the cheapest months for Italy travel. In addition to fantastic prices, you’ll also be rewarded with pleasant weather. From Bologna to Turin, there are numerous affordable cities to spend your vacation in Italy .  

October: Spain

Discover Spain’s beauty without overspending by planning a trip in October. This time of year can be cold and rainy, resulting in cheaper travel costs. Many accommodations in Spain have discounted October rates since it’s an off-peak month. Explore the bustling Madrid city life or unwind on a tasting tour of Spain’s famed wine regions. 

November: Poland

Transportation and lodging prices follow suit as temperatures drop throughout Poland in November. If you don’t mind the cold, it’s an excellent place to spend a week in winter. Due to the weather, flights are considerably cheaper in November. While you must bundle up to stay warm, planning a November trip to Poland is an unforgettable adventure. 

December: Czech Republic

Get into the holiday spirit with a December vacation to the Czech Republic. Prague, the capital city, is world-famous for its festive winter markets and events. Budget travelers can save by focusing their time on charming villages and historical sites found throughout the country. Consider flying into Prague before escaping the hustle and bustle in favor of smaller and more affordable cities like Brno and Olomouc.

Hack your next family vacation to save big

The cost of a family trip can quickly skyrocket between transportation, accommodations, food, and activities. Money-saving travel hacks can help you budget for family vacations without sacrificing fun.

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Money blog: Vinted forced to apologise over payment issue; here's how much Taylor Swift is set to boost UK economy

The American superstar is coming to the UK - and bringing her massive economic influence with her. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog - and leave a comment or your money problem in the box below.

Wednesday 15 May 2024 06:48, UK

• Taylor Swift to bring nearly £1bn boost to economy
• Michelin-star chef reveals his top Cheap Eats in London - including an unbeatable sub sandwich
• Vinted forced to apologise as long delays to cash withdrawals
• AI-powered mortgage lender cuts rates twice in a week

Essential reads

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Ask a question or make a comment

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour has been predicted to provide a £997m boost to the UK economy. 

Fans are expected to fork out an average of £848 to see the star on one of her 15 tour dates. 

That's according to data from Barclays, which has added up the total spending of the Swifties lucky enough to get a ticket.

After tickets, fans will spend the most on accommodation at around £121, with other notable costs including £111 on travel and £56 on an outfit. 

Those visiting London, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Cardiff for the concert are expected to spend £79 each on official merchandise, as well as £59 on a pre-show meal. 

The average amount spent on an Eras Tour ticket is £206, yet for 14% of fans, including those who purchased VIP ticket packages with premium seating and exclusive merchandise, the total exceeds £400.

Dr Peter Brooks, chief behavioural scientist at Barclays, said fans of "cultural icons" like Swift have a "powerful" spending power. 

"Whoever came up with the phrase 'money can't buy happiness' clearly wasn't a Swiftie," he said. 

"When it comes to cultural icons like Taylor Swift - like we saw with Elvis and Beatlemania in the 50s and 60s - supporters have such a strong connection to the artist and to the rest of the fandom that the desire to spend becomes even more powerful.

"For non-fans, £848 may seem like an enormous amount to splash out on a concert - but for Eras Tour ticketholders, every pound they spend is an investment in the memories they'll create."

Every Wednesday we get Michelin chefs to pick their favourite Cheap Eats where they live and when they cook at home. This week we speak to Andy Beynon, chef patron of Behind in London - which was awarded a Michelin star after being open for just 20 days. 

Hi  Andy, c an you tell us your favourite places in London where you can get a meal for two for less than £40?

I love Lahore Kebab House in Whitechapel. It's family run and I've been going there for about 15 years. I used to go with my dad - we'd get a couple of lagers from the shop next door, then tuck into lamb chops, tarka daal, the Peshwari naan, which is always cooked fresh on the tandoor, and all the dips on the menu. 

You can't beat a "That Spicy D" from Dom's Subs . There's just something about that burnt chilli mayo and schiacciata piccante. It's my favourite lunch to have on the go, and totally worth the mess. 

Umut 2000 in Dalston is my go-to for a kebab fix. They also do this amazing chargrilled lamb mince on a bed of tomato sauce with yoghurt and clarified butter. So good.

What's your go-to cheap meal at home?

I don't cook at home often, but when I do it's usually a big pot of spicy daal. It's super easy to make and keeps well in the fridge or the freezer. My secret ingredient for making the perfect daal is condensed milk - simply add a spoonful at the end to balance all of the spice.

We've spoken to lots of top chefs and bloggers - check out their cheap eats from around the country here...

Vinted has apologised for a tech issue that has left its sellers facing long delays to withdraw their cash. 

Users have been complaining over the past few weeks about their balance not updating quickly enough after being told they had been paid... 

We reached out to platform about the issue - it said its payment service provider Mangopay was aware of the problem and was "in the process of resolving" affected cases. 

It said a "very small number" of Vinted members have experienced an issue with funds being received by banks after payouts had been initiated. 

"The large majority of payouts are successfully completed every day," it added. 

"Vinted is in constant contact with Mangopay to resolve any cases brought to our attention, however, there may be a further delay as a result, for which we apologise.

"Many cases have already been resolved and we are working as quickly as we can to help resolve the remaining cases." 

Mangopay processes and stores transactions made through Vinted and then pays the cash into users' bank accounts. 

It told us part of its legal obligations require it to verify users' identities for the payment process to be successful.

"Our team works to carry out this verification process as quickly as possible so that users can continue using their accounts as normal," it said. 

"Marketplaces and platforms often have complex payment needs and as a regulated financial institution, we take our compliance, due diligence processes and regulatory obligations very seriously." 

However, it added that from "time to time" the process can be delayed, which means it needs to withhold funds for a certain amount of time, or it "may experience issues with the payout process".

"We apologise for any delays in receiving payments caused as a result of this and are working with Vinted to resolve each case as quickly as possible," it added. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Archewell Foundation has been labelled "delinquent" in the US for failing to submit annual records.

A letter was sent to the charity on 3 May by by California's Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, saying it has been "listed as delinquent" for "failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees".

The letter said an organisation listed as delinquent is banned from "soliciting or disbursing charitable funds" and its registration may be "suspended or revoked".

It is understood that a physical cheque was sent by Archewell Foundation but not received, and a new one has been sent to resolve the issue.

It is believed the charity was only made aware of this when the delinquency notice was published.

Read more on this story below...

Shares of US video game retailer GameStop have soared again today, fuelled by the return of online influencer "Roaring Kitty" to social media.

Real name Keith Gill, the influencer's first online post caused shares to jump yesterday, with another surge reported today.

The retailer's shares rallied 132% in pre-market trading before falling back to about 80% up as US markets opened. 

Mr Gill shared a meme and more than 10 clips from movies including The Avengers and Tombstone. Though the posts didn't mention any company names, GameStop and US cinema chain AMC were the most-traded stocks by investors yesterday and today, according to data from JP Morgan.

He is credited with helping to fuel the "meme stock" craze during the COVID pandemic, which saw GameStop shares rise more than 1,000%. They later collapsed as interest faded.

Tesco's managing director has seen his pay deal more than double to almost £10m. 

That's 431 times the wage of the average £23,010 salary for a Tesco worker. 

Ken Murphy received a pay packet worth £9.93m for the year to February, the supermarket's annual report revealed.

His pay deal came to £4.4m in the previous financial year. 

The rise was driven by £4.91m from his performance share plan (PSP) after he helped lead the company to higher profits in the face of challenging inflation.

This PSP payment will be paid out in Tesco shares and is based on the company's performance since 2021.

It comes on top of an annual salary of £1.64m and an annual bonus of £3.38m. 

The group's chief finance officer, Imran Nawaz, also saw his annual pay package more than double.

He received a total £4.95m for the year, jumping from £2.27m in the previous financial year.

The retailer was criticised for revealing a £2.83bn profit for the year to February when many customers had been impacted by rampant food and drink inflation. 

Alison Platt, chairwoman of the Tesco remuneration committee, said the pay boost reflects the fact "Tesco has delivered for all of its stakeholders over the last year".

She added: "Tesco remains committed to a competitive and fair reward package for all colleagues and over the last two years we have invested more than £800m in colleague pay, as well as significantly enhancing the range of wellbeing benefits we offer."

Sony's operating profit  has climbed 5% this business year - even as it forecasts lower PlayStation 5 sales. 

The Japanese entertainment and electronics company said its operating profit is expected to come in at 1.28 trillion yen (£6.5bn) in the year ending March.

Sony, a major supplier of image sensors for smartphones, said its chips business is expected to book a 40% rise in operating profit on higher sales and lower costs.

At its gaming unit, revenues are expected to fall with the PlayStation 5 in its fourth year, but Sony said user engagement and cost control could drive future profitability at the business.

It predicted PlayStation 5 sales will fall to 18 million units from last year's 20.8 million. 

Cheaper energy deals for new customers could potentially return in October, with the industry regulator announcing a review of their ban. 

Ofgem is consulting on removing the block on acquisition-only tariffs in an attempt to encourage competition between suppliers. 

The ban was introduced as a short-term measure in April 2022 to protect consumers during the energy crisis, and was due to be lifted in March next year.

Now, the regulator has said that it is the right time to consider removing it as the energy market continues to stabilise.

MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis welcomed the consultation, saying: "We need anything possible right now to stimulate competition and bring prices down." 

"In normal times, I wouldn't call for firms to be allowed to offer new customers cheaper prices than existing, yet these aren't normal times." 

Melinda French Gates has left the charity she set up with her former husband, Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, after the couple's divorce. 

In a statement, she said she would step down from her position at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on 7 June. 

You can see her full statement below... 

The foundation was created in 2000 and it is one of the most influential charitable organisations in the world. 

It has spent billions working to tackle poverty and disease around the world. 

Bill and Melinda Gates announced they were divorcing three years ago after being married for 27 years. 

An AI-powered mortgage lender has cut rates for a second time this week. 

MPowered has reduced all its two and five year fixed deals, with rates starting at 4.37% down from 4.59%. 

"The swap markets are moving at pace at present, and it is important that as a responsible lender we are able to react and pass on any savings we can to borrowers," said Matt Surridge, sales director of MPowered Mortgages. 

"I'm therefore really pleased we are one of the first, if not the first, to cut rates this week, having already cut rates once in the past week." 

The company uses AI in its mortgage process and is a fully digital platform. 

McDonald's has decided to remove the iconic smile from its Happy Meal box in a bid to teach children about their emotions. 

Instead, a sheet of stickers depicting different moods will be placed inside, which children can use to express their feelings. 

A QR code for a mental health hub will also be placed on the red packaging to provide its younger customers with different resources about emotional wellbeing. 

The move comes as part of Mental Health Week, with research by the fast food chain finding nearly half of children feel pressure to be happy all the time. 

Football legend Rio Ferdinand has teamed up with the company to support the campaign, which runs until 19 May. 

The father-of-five said: "It's our job to empower our children to express themselves freely and support them every step of the way in understanding that it's okay to not be happy all the time." 

The Traitors' winner Harry Clark has revealed he's only spent some of his prize money so far, and it's gone towards clearing his relatives' debts. 

The 23-year-old won £95,150 after successfully convincing his fellow contestants that he was a faithful in the second season of the show. 

Speaking on the TV BAFTAs red carpet, the former British Army engineer said his dad has stopped him from spending the cash and has been looking after him. 

"He's got his head screwed on. He's been making sure I can get my first place," he told reporters.

"I've just given my family some dosh, just to pay off their debts and stuff like that, so they don't have to worry anymore. 

"That's all I've wanted to do in my life." 

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Disney entertainment and warner bros. discovery announce disney+, hulu, max bundle , first of its kind offering will be available in both ad-supported and ad-free plans this summer.

BURBANK, Calif. (May 8, 2024) - Today, Disney Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery announced a new streaming bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu and Max. Beginning this Summer in the U.S, the streaming services will be offered together, providing subscribers with the best value in entertainment and an unprecedented selection of content from the biggest and most beloved brands in entertainment including ABC, CNN, DC, Discovery, Disney, Food Network, FX, HBO, HGTV, Hulu, Marvel, Pixar, Searchlight, Warner Bros., and many more.

The new bundle will be available for purchase on any of the three streaming platform’s websites and offered as both an ad-supported and ad-free plan.

“On the heels of the very successful launch of Hulu on Disney+, this new bundle with Max will offer subscribers even more choice and value,” said Joe Earley, President, Direct to Consumer, Disney Entertainment. “This incredible new partnership puts subscribers first, giving them access to blockbuster films, originals, and three massive libraries featuring the very best brands and entertainment in streaming today.”

“This new offering delivers for consumers the greatest collection of entertainment for the best value in streaming, and will help drive incremental subscribers and much stronger retention,” said JB Perrette, CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games, Warner Bros. Discovery. “Offering this unprecedented entertainment value for fans across all the complimentary genres these three services offer, presents a powerful new roadmap for the future of the industry.”

Additional details regarding the bundle offer will be shared in the coming months. 

ABOUT DISNEY+ Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In select international markets, it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star, and in the U.S., Disney Bundle subscribers can also access extensive Hulu content, including next day TV and Hulu Original titles, on Disney+. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from Disney, Disney+ offers an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as a standalone streaming service, as part of the Disney Bundle in the U.S. that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, or as part of Combo+ in Latin America with Star+, the standalone general entertainment and sports streaming service in the region. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

ABOUT HULU Hulu is the leading and most comprehensive all-in-one premium streaming service that offers an expansive slate of live and on-demand entertainment, both in and outside the home, through a wide array of subscription options that give consumers ultimate control over their viewing experience. As part of the Disney Entertainment segment, Hulu is the only on-demand offering that provides access to shows from every major U.S. broadcast network, libraries of hit TV series and films – including licensed content available exclusively on Hulu – and award-winning Hulu Originals, both with and without commercials. With Hulu + Live TV, subscribers receive a unique combination of access to 95+ live news, entertainment and sports TV channels from 20th Television, The Walt Disney Company, ABC, NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, The CW, Turner Networks, A+E Networks and Discovery Networks, as well as Hulu’s on-demand library, Disney+, and ESPN+ included as part of the base plan. Visit hulu.com to subscribe or learn more about the service.

ABOUT MAX Max® is the enhanced streaming platform from Warner Bros. Discovery, delivering unparalleled quality content for everyone in the household. With a personalized user experience that brings unique and unexpected stories ranging from the best of unscripted to the highest quality in scripted programming, Max is the destination for HBO Originals, Warner Bros. films, Max Originals, the DC universe, Harry Potter, an expansive offering of kids and family content, and best-in-class programing across food, home, reality, lifestyle, and documentaries from leading brands like HGTV, Food Network, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, TLC, ID and more, all in one place.

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