Europe on a Budget: Best Cities for Under $100 a Day

Photo by Lucas Davies

Think traveling in Europe costs blowing through your savings account? Think twice. Yes, Paris and Zurich are easily $200+ per day, but many European destinations have incredible experiences to be had for under $100 per day. With a little planning and inside information, you can enjoy real European culture, fabulous food, and cheap accommodations without breaking the bank.

Let me show you how to make Europe on a budget not only possible, but completely unforgettable.

Europe’s Top Cities on a Shoestring

Prague is the pioneer of Europe on a tight budget. You can quite contentedly spend under $70 per day, with dormitory beds costing $15, budget meals for $8-12, and beer cheaper than water. With its stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, and rich history, Prague is a value for money that cannot be beaten.

Prague Daily Budget: Accommodation ($20), food ($25), local transport ($5), sights ($15) = $65/day

Krakow, Poland, provides a medieval ambiance at modern budget prices. Street food and local eateries provide filling meals for $5-10, and accommodation in the old town is $25-40 per night. Free city walking tours and museum admission at minimal cost keep cultural costs low.

Budapest, Hungary, has thermal baths, wonderful architecture, and legendary nightlife. Thermal spa massages cost less than $20, goulash costs $8 to eat, and it is possible to sleep in decent hostels for $18-25 a night.

Western Europe Budget Options

Porto, Portugal, proves that you don’t need to sacrifice Western European charm for affordability. This ocean gem boasts wonderful hostels ($20-30), wonderful local cuisine ($10-15 per meal), and free beaches. The city’s port wine tastings cost only $5-10.

Example Porto Budget: Accommodation ($25), meals ($30), transport ($8), activities ($20) = $83/day

Ljubljana, Slovenia, is Europe’s worst-kept budget secret. Free WiFi in the city center, loads of free activities, and accommodation starting from $22 are available in this green capital. Fresh markets with cheap food and the small city center have no transportation costs involved.

Berlin, Germany, is a surprise to most budget travelers. While in Western Europe, Berlin’s alternative culture keeps prices low. Currywurst is $3, beer is $4, and several museums are free on particular days.

Smart Money-Saving Strategies

Accommodation Hacks: Book hostels with kitchen access to prepare some meals yourself. Many European cities offer excellent hostel networks with private rooms under $50. Consider house-sitting or home exchanges for longer stays.

Transportation Tips: Purchase city transport day passes rather than individual tickets. Walk whenever possible; European cities are incredibly pedestrian-friendly. Use budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air for intercity travel, but factor in airport transfer costs.

Food Budget Expertise: Make lunch your entire meal; most eateries offer gigantic lunch specials for half the price of dinner. Purchase food at local markets and supermarkets. In Eastern Europe specifically, local brew is typically less expensive than bottled water.

Timing Your Europe on a Budget Trip

Shoulder Season Success: Visit in May-June or September-October for 30-50% off accommodation with pleasant weather and fewer tourists. Avoid the July-August peak season, if at all possible.

Winter Bargains: November-March is the best time for maximum bargains, especially for Central and Eastern Europe. Christmas markets offer magical moments at no extra cost.

Free and Low-Cost Experiences: Most European cities have free walking tours (tip-based), free admission to museums, and numerous public spaces perfectly suited for a picnic. Churches, markets, and parks provide culture at no cost.

Free Activities Specific to Cities:

Prague: Strolling along Charles Bridge, sitting in Old Town Square to people-watch
Krakow: Main Market Square, Planty Park walks
Budapest: Buda Castle grounds, viewpoints from Fisherman’s Bastion
Porto: Riverwalks, azulejo tile hunting

Sample Weekly Budget Breakdown

Eastern Europe (Prague/Krakow): $350-450 weekly

Southern Europe (Porto/Ljubljana): $450-550 weekly

Western Europe (Berlin): $550-650 weekly

Accommodation, food, local travel, and average sightseeing activities are included in these budgets.

Making It Work

Budget Europe requires flexibility and planning, but it is well worth it. You will eat where locals eat, in districts that tourists steer clear of, and create authentic experiences that high-end hotels can’t provide.

Begin with one affordable city, learn the money-saving strategies, then build your European odyssey. With these tactics, that European dream vacation becomes a tangible reality instead of an elusive dream.

The trick isn’t cutting expenses, but spending money more intelligently while gaining a glimpse of Europe’s rich diversity and culture.