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Eastern Europe on a Budget: 6 Destinations for 2026
Western European cities have become expensive for budget travelers. Accommodation in Lisbon, Amsterdam, or Barcelona regularly exceeds 100 euros per night for basic options. Eastern Europe offers a different picture. In most of the destinations below, a daily budget of 30 to 50 euros covers a hostel bed or cheap private room, two restaurant meals, transport, and one paid attraction.
Flights are one of the few costs that do not automatically scale down with local prices. Using aviasales to compare routes and dates across carriers typically turns up meaningful price differences - especially if you are flexible on the city pair or willing to connect through a regional hub.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo is one of the most underpriced capital cities in Europe. Hostel dorm beds start around 8 euros per night, and private rooms in guesthouses are available from 25 euros. Restaurant meals run 5 to 12 euros for a full plate, often including a drink. The city rewards slow exploration on foot - the old bazaar district, the Latin Bridge, and the hillside neighborhoods are all accessible without spending anything.
Mostar, a two-hour bus ride away, adds another day or two to an itinerary. The old town and the Stari Most bridge are deservedly popular and easy to visit independently.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has a stronger tourist infrastructure than some Eastern European cities, but costs remain well below Western European capitals. Hostel dorm beds start from around 8 euros. Beer in a local bar starts around 1.60 euros. Thermal bath entry fees are typically 15 to 20 euros for a full day.
The Budapest Card covers public transport and museum entry for 24 to 72 hours and is worth calculating against your planned activities. The city's food market halls - the Central Market Hall in particular - offer cheap, filling local food during the day. Accommodation prices rise sharply during festival weekends, so checking dates before booking matters.
Brasov, Romania
Brasov is a compact medieval city in the Transylvania region with good rail connections to Bucharest (around 2.5 hours by fast train). Hostels run around 14 euros per night. The surrounding Carpathian mountains offer budget ski resorts in winter and hiking routes in summer - both considerably cheaper than Alpine alternatives.
Romania's domestic rail network is affordable and functional. Moving between Bucharest, Brasov, Sinaia, and Cluj-Napoca by train gives access to a range of landscapes and architecture without significant transport costs. The country also has good 4G coverage for travelers needing data - though for multi-country itineraries, an eSIM from airalo covering the region reduces the need for a local SIM in each country.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius is the most compact of the three Baltic capitals and the most affordable. Meals in local taverns run 5 to 7 euros for a substantial dish. The old town - a UNESCO-listed baroque center - is one of the better-preserved in Northern Europe and easily walkable.
Lithuania's bus network connects Vilnius to Riga (around four hours) and Tallinn (around eight hours), making a Baltic circuit feasible on a combined budget. Accommodation costs in all three capitals remain meaningfully below the EU average.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia is among the cheapest capitals in Europe by most measures. A monthly discount card for Sofia attractions and museums costs around 6 euros - a reasonable purchase for stays of a week or longer. Accommodation starts from around 10 euros in a hostel dorm.
Bulgaria's low costs extend beyond the capital. Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, and the Black Sea coast all offer significant value for travelers willing to move away from Sofia. The Rila Monastery - one of the largest Orthodox monasteries in the Balkans - is accessible as a day trip and costs almost nothing to visit.
Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb is sometimes overlooked in favor of Croatia's Adriatic coast, but the capital has a walkable center, a strong cafe culture, and infrastructure that makes it easy to use as a base. A 30-minute tram ride costs under 0.50 euros. Day trips to Plitvice Lakes National Park are popular and can be arranged by bus.
Croatia adopted the euro in 2023, which has brought prices slightly closer to Western European levels than they were before. Zagreb remains notably cheaper than the Dalmatian coast resort towns in summer.
Practical Notes
Flights into Eastern European cities vary widely depending on season. Booking 6 to 8 weeks ahead on aviasales tends to find better prices than last-minute searches, particularly for less-served routes.
For multi-country itineraries crossing several mobile networks, a regional eSIM is more practical than buying a local SIM in each country. airalo offers regional European data packages that cover most of the destinations above. For activity booking in Budapest or at Plitvice Lakes, klook lists tours and entrance tickets with clear pricing.
Travel information changes frequently. Verify details before booking. Travel involves risk.
TopicNest
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