Most travelers think Europe is expensive—but with the right strategy, you can explore stunning European cities for less than $50 per day.
This guide breaks down exactly how to do it, covering accommodation, food, transport, activities, and budget hacks that actually work in 2025.
⭐ Daily Budget Breakdown ($50 Max)
| Category | Cost (Daily Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15–$20 |
| Food | $10–$15 |
| Transport | $5–$8 |
| Activities | $0–$5 |
| Misc | $2–$5 |
| Total | $40–$50/day |
Yes—this is realistic.
Here’s how to make it happen 👇
⭐ 1. Accommodation: $15–$20/day
✔ Stay in Hostels
Eastern & Central Europe hostels:
- $10–$15/night
Western Europe hostels: - $18–$25/night (choose dorms)
Best Hostel Platforms:
- Hostelworld
- Booking.com
- Agoda
✔ Free Options
- Couchsurfing (stay with locals)
- Workaway (free room for 2–3 hours work)
- TrustedHousesitters (house sitting for free stay)
Pro tip: Stay slightly outside city centers → 20–40% cheaper.
⭐ 2. Food: $10–$15/day
✔ Grocery Stores (Cheapest)
- Lidl
- Aldi
- Carrefour
- Tesco
You can get:
🍞 Bread – $1
🥚 Eggs – $2
🥫 Pasta – $1
🍎 Fruits – $1–$3
🥤 Drinks – $1
✔ Street Food
In Europe:
- Gyros (Greece) – $3
- Pizza slice (Italy) – $2
- Kebabs – $4–$5
- Bakery sandwiches – $3–$4
✔ Cook at hostels
Hostel kitchens = 70% savings.
⭐ 3. Transport: $5–$8/day
✔ Walk or Rent a Bike
Most European cities are super walkable.
✔ Cheap Public Transport
Day passes are $2–$5 in:
- Poland
- Hungary
- Portugal
- Czech Republic
✔ FlixBus & BlaBlaCar
For intercity travel:
- FlixBus: $5–$15 per trip
- BlaBlaCar: cheap ride sharing
✔ Budget Airlines (if needed)
Ryanair & WizzAir flights: $10–$30
⭐ 4. Activities: $0–$5/day
Europe has tons of free attractions:
✔ Free walking tours
✔ Free museums on certain days
✔ Churches & historical centers
✔ City viewpoints
✔ Parks, beaches, riversides
Paid attractions strategy:
Choose only 1–2 major places per week.
⭐ 5. Choose the Right Countries
Some European countries are naturally cheap:
Ultra-budget ($25–$45/day):
🇷🇴 Romania
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
🇵🇱 Poland
🇺🇦 Ukraine
🇭🇺 Hungary
🇨🇿 Czech Republic
Moderate budget ($40–$55/day):
🇵🇹 Portugal
🇪🇸 Spain
🇬🇷 Greece
🇭🇷 Croatia
Avoid (costly):
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇩🇰 Denmark
🇮🇸 Iceland
🇳🇴 Norway
(Visit only for a day trip from cheaper countries.)
⭐ Sample $50/Day Europe Itinerary (10 Days)
Day 1–3: Budapest, Hungary
Hostel: $12
Food: $10
Transport: $3
Activities: $2
Day 4–6: Kraków, Poland
Hostel: $14
Food: $12
Transport: $3
Activities: $0
Day 7–10: Porto, Portugal
Hostel: $18
Food: $14
Transport: $4
Activities: $0
Total: $42–$48/day
⭐ Best Apps for Budget Travel in Europe
✔ Skyscanner → cheap flights
✔ FlixBus → cheap buses
✔ Hostelworld → accommodation
✔ TooGoodToGo → cheap leftover meals
✔ Google Maps → offline maps
✔ XE → currency converter
✔ Omio → trains & buses
⭐ Bonus: Advanced Budget Hacks
- Travel overnight to save on hotels
- Pick cities with cheap airport connections
- Stay 4+ nights for discounts
- Avoid restaurants in tourist squares
- Carry a refillable water bottle
- Use student/ISIC discounts if eligible
⭐ Is Traveling Europe for $50/Day Really Possible?
YES — absolutely.
Thousands of backpackers do it every year by:
✔ Choosing cheap countries
✔ Cooking meals
✔ Staying in hostels
✔ Using buses instead of trains
✔ Avoiding tourist traps
With smart planning, you can explore Europe beautifully under $50/day in 2025.