Europe Trip Cost Calculator | How to Travel Europe on a Budget (2024)

How much does a trip to Europe cost?

Calculate your Europe vacation cost and plan your trip with Triptile™

Planning your vacation to Europe, especially for the first time, can be daunting. Firstly, you need to decide on a destination (or a few) that you would like to visit. You then need to research and come up with a list of attractions that you wouldn't want to miss. Once you have your vision, you must decide on accommodation and where you would like to be eating every day. Lastly, it gets even more complicated (or easier, depending on how you look at it) if you are traveling to Europe on a budget. If you have a strict spending limit in mind, you must carefully consider all travel aspects and use our Europe trip cost calculator to find out if you're on the right track. Depending on your travel budget, you might need to cut costs and stay at a lower category hotel or swap croissants at the fancy cafe to the ones from your local bakery. Let's get our calculators out!

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Europe Trip Budget Calculator

Find out how much will your Europe trip cost from USA using our budget planner

What are the cheapest cities in Europe?

Some of the cheapest destinations in Europe are located in the Balkan Peninsula and Eastern Europe. The cheapest cities and countries to visit in Europe would be:

  1. Kyiv, Ukraine
  2. Ljubljana, Slovenia
  3. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
  4. Sofija, Bulgaria
  5. Tirana, Albania
  6. Krakow, Poland
  7. Bucharest, Romania
  8. Belgrade, Serbia
  9. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Hercegovina
  10. Bratislava, Slovakia
  11. Riga, Latvia
  12. Istanbul, Turkey
  13. Chișinău, Moldova
  14. Minsk, Belarus
  15. Zagreb, Croatia

Hence, the cheapest countries to visit in Europe are Post-Soviet states, including Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Latvia, and other countries like Slovakia, Turkey, Croatia, Bosnia, and Hercegovina.

Start planning your vacation to these beautiful yet inexpensive destinations and discover a cheap way to travel Europe. By the way, if to travel Europe cheap is your main priority, watch out this space for new updates on Triptile and expanded list of budget activities and hotels.

How to plan a budget trip to Europe?

If you plan to travel to Europe on a budget, then you need to consider a few main factors of your vacation.

▶ What is the duration of your trip?
▶ Which destinations are you visiting?
▶ Which category of accommodation will you choose?
▶ Where are you planning to eat?
▶ What activities are you looking for?
▶ When are you planning to travel?
▶ Are you traveling alone?
▶ How far in advance are you planning this trip?

Europe on a budget can mean completely different things to different types of travelers. Some would consider that eating every meal but staying at a 4-star hotel instead of a 5-star is still on a budget. Other travelers would insist on only 3-star and hostel accommodation to stay on a budget. Hence, it boils down to each budget.

But we believe that it's possible to have an awesome vacation to Europe on any budget. For example, spending 10 days in Europe on a budget will be relatively easy if you go during the off-season and choose one of the cheapest destinations for your trip. In such way, your Europe trip budget could be only up to 300 euros. Yes, that is a very rough calculation, which only consists of sightseeing on your own, buying food from supermarkets, and low category accommodation.

Another critical thing to mention is that you should be planning in advance if you have a stricter Europe tour budget. It is the best piece of advice we can give you, and if you follow it, you can save hundreds of dollars, euros or any other currency that you value. We always recommend planning at least a couple of months before departure. However, if you are going on holiday travel like Northern Lights or Christmas markets, we strongly suggest booking your flights, accommodation, and activities about 6-month prior to your trip.

Let's recap and wrap up! The best way you could be traveling to Europe on a budget is by choosing a low-cost destination, booking far in advance, and choosing the least popular time for tourism.

What is an average cost of a trip to Europe?

How much does it cost to travel Europe? What's the family trip to Europe cost? These are the questions usually asked by someone who lives outside the continent and would like to visit here for the first time. While Europeans understand that there's no straightforward answer to these questions, global travelers are still looking for some guidance. Therefore, we are here to help you know what cost of Europe trip you can anticipate of your

As we mentioned above, a lot depends on your chosen destination. If you pick something from the non-mainstream list, you will save a pretty penny. But usually, first-time European travelers want to explore more iconic countries, like Italy, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, or the most visited of all - France. Since chances are high, you are considering these popular destinations for your trip, let's calculate the average price of your holiday in France.

The average cost of your European vacation also depends on the duration of your trip. If you are coming from the USA, you're likely not spending that much money on flight tickets for only a week, so let's imagine your holiday is 2-week long.

We know now that you are traveling to France for two weeks, but for Europe trip cost calculator to be accurate, we also need to learn about your travel style. Which end of travel scale from budget to luxury do you fall into? If you are in your 20-30s, you might need that high level of comfort, but if you're older, you are leaning towards the luxury end of the scale, and that's completely understandable. So, let's meet somewhere in the middle, also known as a mid-range travel style.

Mid-range accommodation for 14 nights in Paris will cost you around 1,500 euros (750 euros per person) if you travel during the offseason. You would also need to eat on holiday, are we right? In Paris lunch costs around 15 euros on average, that means you will need to allocate 210 euros for lunch for those two weeks. Dinner is another 30 euros roughly - making your two-week spendings climb over the mark of 1,380 euros. We're not sure if you are still hungry for breakfast at this point, but let's include that. If you would like to start your day the Parisian way, coffee and croissant would come to 5 euro total on average, making your holiday spending - 1,450 euros.

To answer 'How much does a trip to Europe cost?' (or in our case - Paris) we need to consider what you are planning on doing during your holidays. If you would like to explore museums, we always advise looking for special passes rolled out by tourism organizations. For instance, in Paris, you can have a free pass to over 50 museums for six days and pay only 78 euros. So let's add that to the average cost of Europe trip and allocate another 100 euros for fun activities like air balloon ride or cruise in the Seine. Our total of two weeks in Paris is 1,628 euros. Still, we didn't consider the transportation, and for a mid-range traveler using the well-developed metro system wouldn't be a problem, so that's another 50 euros roughly.

After considering activities, accommodation, transportation, and every lunch break, we can state that the average cost of a trip to Europe could arguably be 1,678 euros. The accuracy depends on many factors, and each traveler should attempt to calculate their cost of Europe trip for themselves. However, the key to saving money is careful planning, so if you need assistance on that, make sure to reach out to our team of travel experts.

What are the most expensive countries in Europe?

If you have seen our list of the cheapest cities in Europe, you might be intrigued to learn which destinations take up positions at the other end of the scale. There's no surprise that Switzerland is the most expensive country in Europe, with average daily spending at €182.63 (according to Travel Cost Index). The second position goes to France, which offers cheaper travel than Switzerland (by almost 50 cents) and is followed by the United Kingdom, standing firmly at €173.90 per day. The list goes on with not many unexpected twists and turns:

▶ Monaco - €168.46
▶ Liechtenstein - €168.43
▶ Malta - €167.19
▶ Denmark - €161.30 (The only of the Scandinavian countries to make it in the top ten!)
▶ Luxembourg - €147.18
Iceland - €137.22
▶ Andorra - €131.51

These are the most expensive countries in Europe to visit for your trip, so crack your piggy bank and explore these stunning destinations.

How much money you should allocate for your trip to Europe?

One of the most asked questions of all time in regards to traveling in Europe is how much money you should bring or allocate for your trip.Scroll up to find a detailed calculation for a two-week trip to France (Paris), which came to roughly 1,700 euros for a mid-range journey, not including flights.

If you plan a more extended vacation and need to know how 3 weeks in Europe budget look like, we'd say you're looking at spending about 850 per week, making it 2,550 euros total.

If you plan to stay only for seven days, you need to know how much does a trip to Europe cost for a week, if you go to France or any other popular destination your budget should start at 850 euros. However, if you choose a less popular destination and less popular time of the year, you could save a few hundred euros. This would apply for the following calculations:

▶ 1-month Europe trip cost - ±3,400 euros
▶ 3 -month Europe trip budget -±10,200 euros
▶ 2-week Europe trip cost - ±1,700 euros

To quickly recap, if you are traveling to Europe, you are looking at spending around 120 euros per day on average. However, once you have your itinerary in place (try using our convenient tour builder), you will have a tailored and accurate answer to the ever-relevant question - how much to budget per day in Europe.

Top Trip Planners for Europe

Choose from our most popular itinerary builders and enjoy a head start in planning your trip.

Italy Trip PlannerThe easiest way to plan your trip to Italy's Alpen region, soulful south or ancient islands of Sicily and Sardinia.
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Spain Trip PlannerPlanning a Spanish 'fiesta' will feel more like 'siesta' with our excellent tour builder for Spain.
France Trip Planner Normandy, Provence, French Riviera, Burgandy - choose which (or all) sides of France you'd like to discover.
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Portugal Trip Planner Take advantage of the trip planner tool that was created by experts in the region. Explore Portugal on your terms.

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Triptile™ - trip planner by Firebird. Award-winning travel experts

Originally, Triptile was developed by Firebird Tours® as a tool for travel professionals so they could build custom multi-destination trips to Italy or anywhere else in Europe for their clients. Today Triptile allows you to connect any city like Florence, Paris, or London to your travel itinerary. Without any doubt, you can plan your trip to any European country, including places like Iceland, Greece, Scotand, or Portugal. It provides recommendations for the best hotels, activities, and transportation to use during the trip. However, the best part is that with Triptile, you can plan your next vacation in a matter of minutes, not weeks. All of the travel inventory is supplied by Firebird Tours, one of the leading travel companies in Europe. Since recently, Triptile is also available for all users who want to plan a trip to Morocco, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, and virtually anywhere in Europe. You can use any of the services available on Triptile or add your own. You don't have to make reservations with us, but you can always ask our team for a quote. And if you do, rest assured you're in great hands. Start building your trip now!

Europe Trip Cost Calculator | How to Travel Europe on a Budget (2024)

FAQs

What is a good budget for Travelling Europe? ›

While your exact expenses depend on a lot of factors, here is the short answer to the question: how much do I need to budget for backpacking Europe? Backpackers should expect to spend between $40 – $70 USD/day in Eastern Europe, $70 – $100/day in Western Europe, and $150 – $200/day in the Nordic countries.

How much money do I need for a 4 week Europe trip? ›

I usually allow between $1000 and $1500 per week to cover meals, groceries, fuel, road tolls/vignettes, sightseeing, souvenirs, etc. On my recent trip, the amount budgeted of $1250 per week was more than enough to cover all our daily expenses including a few fancy dinners.

How much should I save for a 2 month trip to Europe? ›

Other FAQ About Spending 2 Months in Europe

The minimum amount of money you can expect to spend during your 2 month Europe itinerary (not including) flights is 6,000 USD. This assumes that your food, accommodation and transport within the continent will cost no less than 100 USD per person, per day.

How much euro do I need for 2 weeks? ›

Here is an estimate of what 2 weeks in Europe might look like for a traveler with a mid-range budget: Accommodation: 40 Euros per night for 14 nights = 560 Euros. Food: 40 Euros per day for 14 days = 560 Euros. Transportation: 10 Euros per day for 14 days = 140 Euros.

How much spending money should I bring to Europe for 3 weeks? ›

If you plan a more extended vacation and need to know how 3 weeks in Europe budget look like, we'd say you're looking at spending about 850 per week, making it 2,550 euros total. To quickly recap, if you are traveling to Europe, you are looking at spending around 120 euros per day on average.

How much money should I have per day in Europe? ›

A good budget would be between 40 – 70 Euros for food in a day if eating all your meals out (and how much you eat). You should also have some leftover for gelato. Drinking is a favourite past time for many of us, and for those coming from Australia, the good news is that alcohol is MUCH cheaper in Europe.

How much does a 7 day trip to Europe cost? ›

The average price of a 7-day trip to Western Europe is $1,359 for a solo traveler, $2,441 for a couple, and $4,576 for a family of 4. Western Europe hotels range from $45 to $207 per night with an average of $80, while most vacation rentals will cost $150 to $380 per night for the entire home.

Is 5000 enough for a trip to Europe? ›

In conclusion, for most people, $5,000 is more than enough to travel Europe. With $5,000, you'll be able to comfortably visit several cities across a few weeks, taking time to enjoy each destination's cuisine and attractions.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Europe? ›

Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.

Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

Which months are the cheapest to travel from Europe? ›

In most European countries the shoulder runs from mid-April to mid-June and again during the month of September. This is the best time to go for cheaper prices and fewer crowds, while still offering relatively decent weather.

What is a good month to travel to Europe? ›

Although Europe is a year-round travel destination, the best time to visit Europe is during the summer months of June to September. This is the time when the sun is high, the beaches are warm and the weather is sunny.

Can you use your debit card in Europe? ›

Debit cards from any major US bank will work in any standard European bank's ATM (ideally, use a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo). As for credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, American Express is less common, and Discover is unknown in Europe. Check your cards' expiration dates.

Is 500 euros enough for a week? ›

Yes. Although some can blow that much on one meal!! Others can somehow make the same amount last a week. As long as you don't get caught up in 'designer' shopping - you should be able to have quite a bit of fun on 500 euros.

How many cities should I visit in Europe in 2 weeks? ›

A Europe trip itinerary 2 weeks should ideally be only for four to five cities maximum. This is because despite many countries being pretty close to each other, you have to take into account the time you'd need for travelling and getting to the airport/train station and from the airport/train station to the city.

Is 500 euros enough for a week in Spain? ›

Re: 500 euro enough? You are talking about 70 euros per day/night of your week.No way judging by your ambitions. I would say 700 plus plus for your week.

Do I need a lot of cash in Europe? ›

Don't Expect to Get Too Far Without Cash

But don't expect to get very far without a little cash, too—especially if you're a tourist. Transportation services, such as taxis and buses, often require local currency. The same is true if you hire a guide to help you navigate your new surroundings.

Can I use my credit card in Europe? ›

These are the most common questions I get about using debit and credit cards in Europe. The simple answer is yes, your debit and credit card will work in Europe. Using your credit card and debit card in Europe is very easy these days thanks to global financial networks.

How do I plan a 3 month trip to Europe? ›

Our 3 Month Europe Itinerary:
  1. 3 weeks in Lloret de Mar (Spain) + Day trips to Barcelona and Girona.
  2. 2 nights in Marseilles (France)
  3. 3 nights in Antibes (France) + Day trips to Nice and Monaco.
  4. 1 night in Nice (France)
  5. 1 night in La Spezia (Italy)
  6. 3 nights in Florence (Italy) + Day trips to Pisa, Montepulciano and Siena.
Feb 26, 2020

How many euros should I take to Italy for a week? ›

A vacation to Italy for one week usually costs around €1,167 for one person. So, a trip to Italy for two people costs around €2,335 for one week. A trip for two weeks for two people costs €4,670 in Italy.

What days of the week are cheapest to travel to Europe? ›

Google Flights found that the cheapest days to fly are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, when fewer travelers are hopping on a plane. Wednesday and Thursday are the cheapest days to fly if you're flying internationally.

How long should you plan a trip to Europe? ›

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PLAN FOR A TRIP TO EUROPE? A good rule of thumb for planning a trip to Europe is to take at least six months. And if you really want to benefit from early preparation, a year may be even better.

How much money should I take to Paris for 7 days? ›

The average price of a 7-day trip to Paris is $1,450 for a solo traveler, $2,604 for a couple, and $4,882 for a family of 4. Paris hotels range from $68 to $422 per night with an average of $120, while most vacation rentals will cost $210 to $490 per night for the entire home.

How long can you travel with $5000? ›

If managed carefully, a $5,000 budget is more than enough to eat and drink your way across the continent on a 10-day or two-week trip –or perhaps even longer.

How much is average trip to Italy? ›

How Much is a Trip to Italy: Average Cost Per Day
Type of TravelerAccommodations (For 4 Nights)Flights (Average Cost)
Couple$1,200 (Rome) $900 – $2,300 (Tuscany)$700 to $1,200 round trip ticket
FamilyLess than $600 (Rome) $630(Tuscany)$700 to $1,200 round trip per ticket
1 more row
May 13, 2023

Can you travel Europe with 3000 dollars? ›

Planning a two-week European vacation for under $3,000 is definitely possible! To start, you'll want to focus on budget airlines and accommodations. Look into flights with Ryanair or EasyJet as they often have great deals. You can also look into hostels or Airbnb's for accommodation options that won't break the bank.

Is it better to get Euros in US bank or in Europe? ›

The short answer is: Always pay in the local currency (Euros), which allows your bank to set the exchange rate, and it will always be a better option. If you choose to pay in dollars, you get the worst exchange rate from the merchant.

Is it better to use cash or credit card in Europe? ›

Because merchants pay commissions to credit-card companies, small European businesses (B&Bs, mom-and-pop cafés, gift shops, and more) often prefer that you pay in cash. Vendors might offer you a discount for paying with cash, or they might not accept credit cards at all.

Is it better to go to a Bank or currency exchange? ›

Key Takeaways. Currency exchange shops and kiosks in airports are not the best places to exchange money. For the best rates, try a local bank or a bank ATM to make your currency exchanges. Check to see if your U.S. bank offers foreign ATM fee refunds for using a foreign ATM.

What is the cheapest day of the week to fly internationally? ›

Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally. Meanwhile, international flyers would be wise to leave on Wednesdays, which are the cheapest day to depart for an international trip. That said, there isn't a huge difference in price across the different days of the week.

What is the most expensive month to fly to Europe? ›

Book at least 4 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly to Europe is February.

What is the coldest month in Europe? ›

Northern Europe Weather in January: In much of northern Europe, January is the coldest month of the year.

What months are the rainy season in Europe? ›

Monsoon Season in Europe

The wet season in Europe usually lasts from October through March or April. While the areas in Alps Mountains witness rainfall in the summer season, lower regions in Europe experience rainfall in November and December.

What is the best month to visit Italy? ›

Italy's best travel months are May, June, September, and October. They're also the busiest and most expensive time to visit (with the north remaining just as busy throughout midsummer). Crowds aside, these months combine the convenience of peak season with pleasant weather.

Is it better to exchange money or use credit card? ›

Credit cards typically provide better exchange rates than what you'll get from ATM machines and currency stands. Depending on your card issuer, your purchases might automatically qualify for insurance. This coverage doesn't simply apply to consumer goods — it also covers travel delays and lost luggage.

What are the disadvantages of using a credit card abroad? ›

Disadvantages of an overseas card

For a start, many overseas credit cards do not offer interest-free deals on purchases, which means it's important to watch what you spend on your card on holiday. If you are unable to pay off your balance in full each month you will usually be charged interest.

Should I carry cash in Italy? ›

First, understand that Italy is a very cash-oriented society, so make sure you never end up with zero cash in your wallet. To buy small things, like coffee, you'll need cash. You'll also need cash at all outdoor markets, for most taxis, and at many restaurants.

How many euros should I take to Europe for 1 week? ›

Spending Money for Longer Trips to Europe

This is so entirely dependent on your own travel preferences that it's tough to estimate but we recommend putting aside roughly €350 to €1000 for spending money for one week in Europe.

How much does 5 days in Paris cost? ›

aim for around $5,000 per person or $10,000 for a 5 day trip to Paris. If traveling solo, then aim for $6,300. So how much does a trip to Paris cost? For 5 days in Paris for the mid-range budget person, expect to spend around $2,000 for a solo traveler and $3,200 as a couple.

How much will a week in Paris cost? ›

For a limited budget, the total cost of a one-week stay in Paris is about €645, or €92/day. For a medium budget, the total cost is €1,182 or €168/day, and for a luxury budget, the total cost for one week is €3,366 or €480/day.

What is the best way to travel around Europe? ›

Trains are generally the best way to get around in Europe. The rail network is comprehensive, ticket costs are rather affordable, and the scenery is gorgeous. Trains are a great way to visit many destinations quickly and efficiently. We loved travelling by train in Europe!

What days of the week are best to travel to Europe? ›

Trying to save money by traveling on a certain day of the week can be hit-or-miss with flights to Europe. It's often cheaper to fly mid-week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in particular, but sometimes you can get the same mid-week fare on a Saturday. 2 The length of your stay can make a big difference in price.

How much money do I need for 3 weeks in Europe? ›

If you plan a more extended vacation and need to know how 3 weeks in Europe budget look like, we'd say you're looking at spending about 850 per week, making it 2,550 euros total. To quickly recap, if you are traveling to Europe, you are looking at spending around 120 euros per day on average.

Can you live off $1,000 a month in Spain? ›

With an average salary of €2,710 per month, you'll find that Spain is really as affordable as everyone says. If you're by yourself, you can live on €1000 per month in Spain. This includes room rent, groceries, health insurance, rare use of public transport, eating out a few times a month and shopping moderately.

Do you have to spend $100 a day in Spain? ›

Under post-Brexit rules, Spanish border officials can ask travellers to show that they have 'economic resources' to cover the cost of their trip. This amounts to €100 for each day of their trip. They must also possess a minimum of €900 for their whole stay.

What is a reasonable travel budget? ›

How much should I budget for a vacation? Many people set aside 5-10% of their net yearly income for leisure travel, but this can vary greatly based on the type of vacations they're planning. Another popular budgeting option is the 50/30/20 rule: 50% of net income is spent on things you need.

What is the cheapest period to travel to Europe? ›

Key Takeaways. The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid-to-late March—are often the cheapest time to fly to Europe (though fares can spike in December).

What is the 50 20 30 rule? ›

The idea is to divide your income into three categories, spending 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings. Learn more about the 50/30/20 budget rule and if it's right for you.

How do you calculate travel cost on a budget? ›

as a general rule, figure $20/person per full day of travel. If traveling with teens or others with large appetites, increase that budget to $25/per person per day of travel to and from the destination. In the example above, a 250 mile trip (one way) which is 3.5 to 4.5 hours of travel is, at most, one meal.

What are the best travel times for Europe? ›

Although Europe is a year-round travel destination, the best time to visit Europe is during the summer months of June to September. This is the time when the sun is high, the beaches are warm and the weather is sunny.

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