“I’m going to travel Europe on $50 a day!”
That’s what I told my friend last year.
And you know what she said in return?
“You must be incredibly crazy – or genius – to try that.”
I know you have the same question in your mind – “Is it really possible to explore Europe on just $50 a day?”
But trust me, I’ve done that before.
I spent three months backpacking across Europe last year, and I can confidently say that all it took was some clever planning and a few hacks, and I was fully enjoying my Roman holiday without breaking the bank.
But since we do not gatekeep here, in this blog, I’m sharing all my secrets, personal mistakes, and practical advice to help you master that budget travel in Europe.
This is your ultimate guide to cheap European travel, filled with lots of travel tips, creative travel hacks, and some personal insights as well.
A Recap of My Journey Through Europe on a (Tight) Budget
When the idea first came to my mind – to explore Europe on a budget, I knew that this was going to be a challenge. However, I set out to learn budgeting strategies and being flexible with my plans, and believe me when I tell you, these two things made my cheap Europe trip work (in the best way possible!).
Here are all my traveling secrets summarized in four points;
| Plan Ahead, But Leave Room For Flexibility It is a cool thing to be organized and have a little planner with you all the time. Booking your accommodation and transport in advance will also save you money. But leave room for spontaneity, too. Some of the best travel hacks come to you in this way. |  |
| Create a Priority List I have practiced this all my life that while saving on basic stuff like food and transport is great, I shouldn’t skimp on experiences that make my trips unforgettable. After all, we only live once! Better make the most out of every moment. |  |
| Adopt the Capsule Packing Method My biggest travel regret? Overpacking!Every extra pound in your luggage costs you extra cash. So ‘Pack light, travel light!’ Remember, you need only five sets of underwear and socks, four shirts, three pants, two pairs of shoes, and one cap for 7 days of travel. |  |
| Use Technology at Every Step Of The Way There are many apps that will track your expenses, find deals, budget accommodations, and even alert you about the flight deal drops. Use them wisely! |  |
How to Travel Europe on $50 a Day: Budget Hacks & Tips
Last year, when I was exploring Europe, I couldn’t believe it when I saw my daily expenses total exactly $50 after a long day!
“Did you see that!” I told my friend, Sarah, who grudgingly paid for my drinks since she had betted that I wouldn’t be able to achieve my goal.
Moments like these remind me that every penny counts when you have finally made up your mind about budget travel. So let me guide you through 5 essential tricks to travel Europe on $50 a day budget.
Number 1 # Essential Budget Travel Hacks for Europe
If you’re really serious about experiencing Europe on a budget, here are some hacks that helped me make the most out of my $50 a day.
Bring A Water Bottle Everywhere
You won’t believe how much money you will save when you start bringing a reusable water bottle everywhere.
If you keep on buying water everywhere you go, you will spend almost €3-4 every few hours. Many European cities have free water fountains, so that you can easily refill your bottle throughout the day.
Accommodation Related Tips
If you don’t mind sharing space, hostels are the perfect accommodation for your budget travels in Europe. You can now even enjoy private rooms for a fraction of the cost of hotels.
If hostels aren’t your thing, Airbnbs are the second best option. They are economical, perfect for couples or groups, and even offer a kitchen to cook your own meals.
Couchsurfing, or house-sitting, is probably the best way to travel Europe on a $50 a day budget. This way, you can even bond with the locals and make a friend or two.
Watch Your Food and Drinks Budget!
Food and drinks drain your credit cards like nothing else. €4.86 on a cup of coffee? Not on my watch! Here is everything I did to save money on food and drinks to make that $50 a day Europe trip happen;
- I cooked my own meals.
- Brought a lunchbox everywhere with me.
- Packed my own basic utensils.
- Bought fresh ingredients from the market and prepared meals in my hostel’s kitchen.
- Ate from street vendors and local diners.
- Enjoyed my own little picnics, with some cheese, fruit, and bread from local supermarkets.
Number 2 # Transportation Choices for a Cheap Europe Travel
Transport was one of my biggest expenses when I was traveling in Europe on a $50 daily budget. However, with smart planning, I managed to shave a dollar or two everywhere I went.
Transportation Hacks
The best part about planning a cheap travel to Europe? The public transport systems! Europe has plenty of them, such as;
Trains and Buses – Interrail and other rail passes are extremely cost-effective. You can even use budget bus rides like FlixBus. A journey would cost you no more than €6.
Night Trains – Night trains are even cheaper than regular trains. Plus, they are extremely fun to ride, however, many solo travelers feel uncomfortable using this transportation means. But look at this in this way. You save up money that you would spend on a hotel room and wake up in a new city!
Budget airlines – Use them when you are moving between European countries. Ryanair or EasyJet have always been travelers’-favorites; however, I would recommend packing light if you are using these airlines.
Number 3 # Eat Well, Without Emptying Your Pockets
“You must have starved the whole time!” This is one of the most common answers that I receive whenever I tell people about my $50 a day Europe trip.
No, traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to starve.
Never once did I let myself drool over a croissant just because I was trying to be a smart saver. Believe me, you don’t have to sacrifice taste to save a little money.
With smart choices, you can keep your daily budget intact and have the best European holiday ever.
How I Ate For Cheap In Europe – Tips For Cheap Meals and Drinks
Farmers Markets
There are many exciting farmers markets in Europe, and they are one of the best ways to help yourself to cheap meals and drinks.
I love farmers markets because I get the chance to talk to the locals, not to mention the friendly vendors who will spill some stories and legends about the city you’re in, while casually packing Scottish biscuits for you.
Farmers markets in Europe are extremely budget-friendly activities. In Spain, a simple meal of fresh bread, some cheese and jamón cost me less than $5.
Cheap, Sit-Down Restaurants In Europe
Some of the best meals I had in Europe were from local diners, small, family-run eateries, and street food vendors. Good restaurants are everywhere in Europe, but cheap eateries are scarce.
However, Portugal and Spain were my favorite cheap culinary destinations in Europe. You can find affordable meals everywhere, from tapas to markets and even reasonably priced fine-dining restaurants.
At lunchtime, you can sit down at any restaurant and find shockingly budget-friendly food and drinks deals, which made my $50 a day Europe trip a reality.
Number 4 # Staying Safe and Managing Expenses
One of the most challenging parts of my budget travel in Europe was to plan an itinerary that was exhilarating and kept me safe. After all, I was a solo traveler for the most part of my trip.
Traveling on a tight budget didn’t mean for a second that I was compromising on my safety. Here’s all I did to stay secure and stress-free throughout my European journey and manage my expenses like a pro.
Safety Tips
Travel insurance is a must – even when you are traveling cheaply. Yes, it might add a few more dollars to your budget, but you never know when you will need it.
Similarly, get a local SIM card. It will make sure that you always have a connection – which is crucial in cases of emergencies. Ubigi is an awesome app for eSIM mobile data services.
To keep my important belongings safe – such as my cell phone and passport – I got a stylish fanny pack. It is so important to keep yourself safe in areas like Milano Centro, where pickpockets roam freely.
Another piece of advice that I always give to my readers is that – always set aside a small contingency fund. This emergency stash, even if it is as low as $5-$10 per day, will greatly reduce your stress and help you with unforeseen expenses.
Managing Expenses
Managing expenses when exploring Europe on a $50 a day budget was very easy when I took care of the following points;
- I mapped out my non-negotiable/must-see destinations first.
- Then, I organized my itinerary so that I wouldn’t overlook these destinations.
- Mapping out my trip also helped me save money on transportation as I crisscrossed the continent.
- I used a simple Travel Budget Worksheet for my Europe trip to manage my expenses.
Booking your accommodations in advance is also very important. If you are a last-minute booker like me, please know that sometimes I struggled with finding a safe place to sleep in Europe just because I didn’t plan my accommodation in advance.
And one of the greatest hacks to planning a budget-friendly Europe trip is to stick to Eastern Europe since it is much cheaper than Western Europe. East Europe is less touristy, and you will get much better value for your money in terms of hotels, restaurants, and transpiration than in the West.
Number 5 # Museums and Attractions
Utilize free or low-cost activities if you are planning to explore Europe on a $50 a day budget. While many cities will have free walking tours and public parks, perfect for picnicking and having fun, it is the museum deals and discounts that will save you lots of bucks in the long run.
Many museums in Europe offer free entry on certain days…
For example;
The Louvre offers free entry every month on the first Sunday between October and March.
Likewise, many apps alert you of discounts on museums and attractions throughout Europe. And other sites like Trainline and Skyscanner would allow you to compare prices for trains, buses, and flights. Relying heavily on these apps and sites helped me keep a daily log of how much I was spending.
And before I wrap things up, I would like to share another thing. The knowledge of current exchange rates helped me a lot in managing my budget. A favorable exchange rate in Eastern Europe was one of the reasons why I was able to have such an affordable vacation.
So, In Conclusion…
I couldn’t believe how much I was saving when I finally sat down and calculated my expenses as a tourist in Europe.
My friends, if you also want to have a remarkable vacation in Europe without emptying your wallets, learn from my mistakes and keep all these Europe travel tips I learned on the road in your mind (or in a cutesy travel journal!)
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