Europe:
Europe is a part of the world not often associated with affordability and definitely has some of the most expensive countries. Though, if you know where exactly to explore you can discover some of the cheapest countries to travel.
With cheap airlines servicing the majority of the continent, not just you’re in-country expenses can be kept low, but your international flights as well. Just make sure to read the fine print as when something is often cheap it is oftentimes never easy. Of which, Ryanair is a perfect example of.
Portugal
One of the cheapest countries to travel to in Western Europe is no doubt Portugal. This country borders Spain and the Atlantic Ocean so has an amazing culture and equally as amazing beaches. Have a weekend in Lisbon, the country’s capital, or if you have enough time, explore all of Portugal, or perhaps even do a Spain and Portugal itinerary!
The prices of a hostel bed are super affordable, especially when considering Portugal’s location in the more pricier part of the world. You will be able to find cheap food in bakeries and intercity public transport is super affordable. Also if you are confident enough give CouchSurfing a try. There is an excellent Couchsurfing community in Portugal and it is a great way to experience how the locals live.
Lastly, like the majority of Europe, thanks to budget airlines it is super affordable to travel to Portugal.
Cost per day: $42.00
Hungary
The picture perfect and one of the cheapest countries in Eastern Europe is Hungary. The capital Budapest is a beautiful fairy tale looking city with an excellent backpacker scene and super affordable hostels, at least by European standards. The street food is absolutely delicious and cheap. Though, if you are wanting to eat out at a restaurant there are plenty of budget options in a wide range of cuisines that won’t break the bank.
Hungary has really been put on the map in the past couple of years, securing its place on the European backpacker trail and thanks to its affordable prices even has a large expat community.
Hungary is also super accessible and you can find cheap flights there from nearly all major hubs in Europe. You will also be spoilt for choice when deciding where to go next. Why not hit up some lesser visited backpacking spots such as Estonia, Belarus, or Russia (though make sure you check whether you need a visa of Russia for entry).
Cost per day: $40.00
Greece
With the famous Santorini and Athens, the European country of Greece is certainly more on the pricier side of the cheapest countries to travel scale. Though, nonetheless, it can be surprisingly affordable, especially in comparison to nearby Croatia and Italy (be aware that come 2024 you will require an ETIAS to enter Croatia and other Schengen countries).
Greek food will be your saving grace here and will certainly help you keep your costs down. You can find $1.00 gyros nearly everywhere, which will easily keep you going until the next meal. Just remember to splash out on a delicious gelato every now and then! Backpacker Hostels can be surprisingly affordable, even in the wanderlust destination of Santorini (though book a flight instead of a ferry to save money).
If you are thinking of booking flights to Greece check out Sky Scanner to find the best possible price. I recommend checking ‘entire month’ when inputting your date, as changing your flight dates by a couple days can make a surprisingly large difference!
Cost per day: $38.00
Bulgaria
If you are in Europe and running low on cash then there is no better way to stretch your bucks than to head to Bulgaria. This underrated gem in Europe is a backpackers paradise, with cheap food, affordable accommodation and a good party scene.
Don’t worry too much about the cost of international flights either! The infamous Ryanair and Whizzair both fly here. Book ahead of time to get the lowest rates. You can also travel around the country with ease thanks to affordable public transport.
No matter what type of landscapes you love, you can find it in Bulgaria. From the beautiful mountains, the seaside towns and big city living, you will love exploring this awesome country which has so much to offer!
Cost per day: $27.00
Turkey
The amazing country of Turkey is extremely underrated. From the impressive mosques of Istanbul, the beaches along the coast and the dream-worthy landscapes of Cappadocia, Turkey is a destination which more backpackers need to explore!
Buses here are an excellent way of traveling around the country. They are known for being extremely high quality, I’m talking entertainment units in the headrests! Though, if you are short on time like I was when exploring Turkey, internal flights are not too expensive. Just remember to book ahead to save money.
What really surprised me was how affordable hotels and backpacker hostels were while in Turkey. You can get a dorm room for less than $10.00 in the heart of the city. Though, if you are like me and prefer a bit of privacy and traveling with someone else we found private rooms including a traditional Turkish breakfast from $30.00, that’s $15.00 each.
Cost per day: $32.00
“Take only memories, leave only footprints.”
