This is a post about backpacking Europe on a budget.
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Backpacking across Europe is a dream for many, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right strategies, you can stretch your budget and experience everything. From historic cities to breathtaking landscapes! Having travelled Europe many times with no money, I’ve learnt a trick or ten.
Here’s everything you need to know to make your trip unforgettable while keeping costs low:
Choose Your Travel Season Wisely
The time of year you travel can significantly impact your budget. The summer months (June to August) bring high prices, crowded attractions and expensive accommodations. Instead, consider traveling in the shoulder seasons – spring (April to early June) or autumn (September to November). You’ll get fewer crowds, cheaper accommodations and mild weather. Winter is even more budget-friendly, but be prepared for shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures.
Personally, I find October/November really great months to visit Europe! Same with April/May. Summer is packed with families on holidays, other people backpacking Europe on a budget during their school breaks and it’s just SO crowded! I say that as an introvert. Maybe you like crowds, who knows?!
Set a Budget
How much do you have for this trip? Well, take that and divide by the amount of days you’re travelling. Easy, right? Errr… not quite. If you don’t know how much things cost, you can’t budget for them. I don’t know how I managed to go around Europe for so long knowing nothing about budget. I literally used to spend money like there was no tomorrow… don’t do that, friends. That’s stupid.
First of all, you’ll need to do some serious research. How much are train passes, bus tickets, entry tickets, accommodation… once you know how much the trip can cost, you can adjust your budget for it. Also, if you have a set budget, you’re less likely to panic at some point in the trip knowing you ran out of money.
I’ve got some tips further down to help you plan your trip backpacking Europe on a budget. However, I’m also going to leave this here – Matt Kepnes’ new book. He’s been travelling for over a decade now (possibly 2?!) and is one of the original travel bloggers.
I’ve been following him for so long and have always wanted my own travel blog – it’s finally here and, if you’re reading this, thank you! I hope you stick around. Feel free to leave questions/suggestions in the comments at the end if there’s anything you’d like to know. I’m here to solve problems and teach you to do as I say, not as I did 😂
Written by the OG travel blogger Nomadic Matt, his new and updated budget travel bible is now up for pre-order. Out on 25 March.
Plan Transportation in Advance
Getting around Europe can be surprisingly cheap if you plan ahead. Here are some of the best budget-friendly transport options:
Eurail Pass
For non-European residents, an Eurail Pass allows unlimited train travel across multiple countries. While expensive upfront, it can save money for those covering long distances frequently. It’s available in 33 countries in Europe.
Interrail Pass
For European residents, the Interrail Pass offers the same benefits as Eurail. If you’re under 28, you’ve got a slight discount.
Budget Airlines
Ryanair, Wizz Air and EasyJet offer incredibly cheap flights if booked early. Be mindful of hidden fees for baggage. Also, check Google Flights.
FlixBus
FlixBus connects major European cities at a low cost. During my uni years I was always so broke! But I didn’t travel any less and buses helped me A LOT. It took me longer to travel from London to Amsterdam or Dublin than to fly home to Brazil but at least I got there!
- 10 hours from London to Edinburgh (once for £10!)
- 13 hours from London to Amsterdam (to and from twice. Once with a grown young adult crying because I sat next to her and she could no longer sit by herself. There was nowhere else to sit!)
- around 13 hours from London to Dublin (£28 RT – took a nice nap on the ferry between the UK and Ireland)
BlaBlaCar
BlaBlaCar is a ride-sharing app where drivers offer seats in their car for a fraction of the cost of a train or bus.
I used this a lot in Germany when I was an au pair making 260€ a month. A bit like Couch Surfing (which I’ll talk about below), often people offering their spare seats were open-minded travellers happy to meet others alike.
Once I was travelling around Europe with not much of a plan. I went to Zagreb to visit a friend by bus from Pula, where I flew in. So my flight back was from Pula to Germany where I was visiting my host family after moving to London. I wanted to stay longer in Zagreb so I went on BlaBlaCar to look for rides and found a couple driving from Zagreb to a town very near where I had to go in Germany. It was perfect! My friend got me a burek for the road and I got to practice German with the couple. Not to mention the beautiful scenery along the way! I think I paid 45€ for that.
Overnight Trains & Buses
These save on accommodation costs and are great for long distances! These are some of the overnight bus journeys I’ve taken:
- Berlin to Prague
- Berlin to Munich and back
- Darmstadt to Paris
- London to Amsterdam and back
- London to Dublin and back
- London to Edinburgh and back
- London to Liverpool and back
Stay in Budget-Friendly Accommodation
Hostels
Europe has some of the best hostels in the world, many offering free breakfast, free walking tours and social events.
Couchsurfing
Stay with locals for free while making new friends. Couch Surfing has changed a lot since I last used it but it’s still a great platform for meeting people. Even if you don’t need a couch, you can find local company to explore with.
Host a Sister
In this Facebook group you can find women hosting other women, local company for hanging out or even home swaps!
House Sitting
Take care of someone’s home and pets in exchange for free accommodation.
AirBnB Private Rooms
Instead of renting an entire apartment, opt for a private room to cut costs.
Volunteer
You can also work in exchange for accommodation using platforms like Workaway and Worldpackers!
Cook Your Own Meals & Eat Smart
Eating out daily adds up quickly. Cooking in hostel kitchens or choosing affordable meals can help you save a lot. Some budget food tips:
- Visit local markets for fresh, cheap produce.
- Take advantage of free hostel breakfasts.
- Get lunch specials instead of dining out for dinner.
- Buy food from supermarkets and make it at the hostel to take on the road
- Supermarkets also often have deals such as a sandwich + a drink + a snack
Make the Most of Free Activities
One of the best things about backpacking Europe on a budget is that the old continent has endless free attractions. Besides, chances are you trip and there’s a historical site. Even if you find yourself in the middle of nowhere!
- Many museums have free entry days
- Free walking tours run in almost every major city – I swear by these!!! I’ve done the Berlin one about 5 times with different friends, Budapest, Riga, Krakow… even Seattle!
- Parks, beaches, churches and historical sites are often free to explore
Stay Connected Without Paying for Data
Buy a local SIM card or use an eSIM like Airalo to get data across multiple countries. Or check SimOptions for the best one for your destination.
Many European cities also have free Wi-Fi hotspots widely available.
Read more: 8 Tips and Tricks and Tricks to Make Your Planning Easier
Use Student & Youth Discounts
If you’re under 26 or a student, you can get discounts on transport, museum entry and attractions. If you’re European, look into European Youth Cards for additional savings. Depending on your country, the age limit is 26 or 31.
Avoid Tourist Traps
Touristy areas mean higher prices. Eat, stay and shop a few streets away from main attractions for better prices and more authentic experiences.
Read more: 13 Easy Tips for Travelling Europe on a Budget
This was a post about backpacking Europe on a budget.
