Anyone not in the mood for the traditional tropical island getaway might have their sights set on Europe. However, there is one major factor that deters many travelers from heading to the EU: budget. Unfortunately, the continent of Europe is not known for its budget-friendliness. But don’t let this stop you from coming here…as it turns out, traveling through Europe on a budget is entirely possible – especially when you visit one of these European destinations.
Croatia
Croatia has been creeping higher and higher on the list of must-see destinations in Europe for the past decade or so. Because of this, traveling here has been slowly increasing in price, but is still extremely easy to travel throughout Croatia on a budget. Take traveling from Split to Hvar as an example. You can take the ferry for less than $19 per person, which is a steal compared to the cost of transportation in other European countries.
For traveling on a budget in Croatia, the actual travel part is cheap. The bills can start racking up, however, depending on the accommodation you choose. There are quite a few budget-friendly hostels to choose from, but don’t expect the prices to be like the ones you would find in Southeast Asia or South America. You’ll be glad to hear that food and drink is relatively cheap, though.
Hungary
Hungary may not be high on your list of places to visit, but that should change ASAP. Perhaps you’re already familiar with Budapest, the country’s most well-known city and capital, but Hungary has so much more to offer. Of course, you should include Budapest on your Hungary travel itinerary – it has even been deemed one of the must-see places for young travelers – but do your best to venture away from Budapest as well.
During your time in the capital, take advantage of the many sightseeing activities throughout the city. Wait, let us rephrase that… take advantage of the many free sightseeing activities. There are plenty of well-known places all throughout Budapest that are 100% free of charge. A few of them include Heroes Square, Castle Hill, and Fisherman’s Bastion. You can even take a free walking tour to take in the entire city in just one afternoon.
Romania
Awwww, Romania. Not only is it a beautiful place to visit, it is also a cheap one. This might not always be the case, though, so try to get here sooner rather than later. Cluj, Romania is one of the cheapest places in the country, and one of the most affordable destinations in the entire EU for that matter. Cluj is home to amazing nightlife, and you won’t feel guilt or panic about the amount of money spent during a night out on the town.
Slovenia
Slovenia is often referred to as the “next Croation”, partly because it is the next door neighbor of Croatia. This label is also due to the fact that Slovenia is gaining some serious traction among budget travelers around the world. There are plenty of cheap things to fill your time while exploring Slovenia, and there are also free activities. If free sounds good to you, visit popular spots like Soca River, Lake Bled, and Vrsic Pass.
Slovakia
Slovakia is often confused with Slovenia (and vice versa) but they are actually completely unique from one another. Slovenia is popular for its stunning lakes and rivers, whereas Slovakia is better known for its impressive centuries-old architecture and museums. Similar to Slovenia, Slovakians love their beer, wine, and alcohol in general. You can expect to have a good time during a visit here. And best of all you can have a good time without breaking the bank.
Poland
After a trip to Poland, many travelers describe the country as the best place for a true European experience. For those of you who want to get away from the mainstream side of Europe and have no interest in destinations oversaturated with tourism (like Italy and France), head to Poland. Poland offers everything from fun nightlife to stunning natural scenery.
For a fulfilling, free activity, take a hike in Poland’s Tatra Mountains. If spending time in nature isn’t your thing (because let’s face it, not everyone loves to hike), just spend your day wandering the streets of bustling Polish cities like Warsaw and Krakow. Even in the heart of a big city, you’ll have no problem sticking to a budget.
