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Western Europe has become expensive. Paris, Amsterdam, and Barcelona now easily cost 150-200 euros per day for budget travelers. Meanwhile, Eastern Europe offers similar experiences - historic cities, good food, walkable centers - at a fraction of the cost.
These six destinations consistently rank among the cheapest in Europe. Daily budgets between 30-50 euros cover decent accommodation, local food, transport, and one paid attraction. Late winter and early spring remain the quietest and cheapest periods.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Most Affordable in Europe
Sarajevo and Mostar regularly appear at the top of budget travel lists. Hostel beds start from around 8 euros per night. Sit-down meals with drinks run 5-12 euros. Coffee costs under 2 euros anywhere in the city.
The country offers Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architecture, mountain scenery, and a complex recent history worth understanding. Most visitors combine Sarajevo with Mostar, connected by a 2.5-hour bus ride costing around 10 euros.
Daily budget: 30-40 euros including accommodation, food, local transport, and one attraction.
Budapest, Hungary: Thermal Baths and Strong Infrastructure
Budapest combines affordability with excellent tourist infrastructure. Hostel dorms start from 8-12 euros. Local beer costs around 1.60 euros. Street food runs 3-5 euros, while sit-down restaurants average 8-15 euros for main courses.
The thermal baths draw most visitors. Széchenyi and Gellért cost 20-30 euros for full-day entry - the main expense in an otherwise cheap city. Public transport works well, with 24-hour passes costing around 6 euros.
Flights from most European cities regularly drop below 50 euros on budget airlines. Use aviasales to compare routes from different departure airports.
Daily budget: 40-50 euros including baths, or 30-35 euros without.
Brașov, Romania: Mountains and Medieval Architecture
Brașov sits in the Transylvanian mountains, surrounded by ski resorts and hiking trails. The Gothic old town remains remarkably affordable despite growing tourism.
Hostels average 14 euros per night. Local restaurants serve hearty Romanian food for 5-10 euros. Day trips to Bran Castle (the so-called Dracula Castle) cost around 15 euros including transport.
Most travelers fly into Bucharest and take a 2.5-hour train to Brașov for approximately 10-15 euros. The train passes through scenic mountain territory.
Daily budget: 35-45 euros.
Vilnius, Lithuania: Compact and Walkable
Lithuania's capital packs a Baroque old town, Soviet history, and genuine affordability into a walkable center. Unlike Tallinn or Riga, Vilnius hasn't fully priced out budget travelers.
Traditional taverns serve filling meals for 5-7 euros. Hostels range from 10-15 euros. Most attractions concentrate within walking distance, reducing transport costs to near zero.
The city works particularly well for short trips - three to four days covers the highlights without rushing.
Daily budget: 35-45 euros.
Sofia, Bulgaria: Free Landmarks and Discount Cards
Bulgaria consistently ranks among the cheapest EU countries. Sofia combines Roman ruins, Ottoman mosques, and Soviet monuments - most free to visit.
The SoFun Discount Card costs approximately 6 euros and provides a month of discounts on paid attractions, restaurants, and shops. Worth purchasing even for a short stay.
Accommodation runs 10-15 euros for hostels. Local food costs 4-8 euros for substantial meals. Public transport remains remarkably cheap at under 1 euro per ride.
Daily budget: 30-40 euros.
Zagreb, Croatia: The Affordable Alternative
Split and Dubrovnik have become expensive, with summer prices rivaling Western Europe. Zagreb remains relatively affordable while offering better urban atmosphere.
Tram rides cost under 0.50 euros - among the cheapest public transport in Europe. Restaurants in the city center serve meals for 8-15 euros. Hostels average 15-20 euros, higher than other destinations on this list but substantially cheaper than coastal Croatia.
The city works well as a base for exploring Slovenia and northern Croatia by day trip.
Daily budget: 45-55 euros.
Getting There and Getting Around
Budget airlines connect most major European cities to Eastern Europe. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and EasyJet serve Sofia, Budapest, Vilnius, and Zagreb directly. Bosnia requires a connection or bus from Dubrovnik or Split.
FlixBus operates extensive routes between all these destinations for 15-30 euros per journey. Trains work better for some routes - particularly Budapest to Vienna and Brașov to Bucharest.
For data connectivity across multiple countries, consider an airalo regional eSIM. One plan covers all six destinations without buying local SIMs in each country.
Best Time to Visit
Late winter and early spring (February-April) offer the lowest prices and fewest crowds. Summer brings higher temperatures and more tourists but remains significantly cheaper than Western Europe.
December works well for Christmas markets in Budapest, Zagreb, and Vilnius - though accommodation prices spike around the holidays.
Pre-booking activities and skip-the-line tickets through klook saves time at popular attractions, particularly Budapest's thermal baths.
Travel information changes frequently. Verify current prices and requirements before booking. For more destination guides, explore our travel section.
TopicNest
Contributing writer at TopicNest covering travel and related topics. Passionate about making complex subjects accessible to everyone.
