Europe has a reputation for being expensive — and some parts certainly are. But with the right strategies, it's entirely possible to explore this incredible continent on a budget of £50 per day or less. This guide covers everything from finding cheap flights to eating well without breaking the bank.
Setting Your Budget: What £50 a Day Gets You
Your £50 daily budget needs to cover accommodation, food, transport, and activities. Here's a realistic breakdown:
- •Accommodation: £15–20 (hostel dorm or budget guesthouse)
- •Food: £15–20 (self-catering breakfast, cheap lunch, sit-down dinner)
- •Local transport: £3–5
- •Activities/entrance fees: £5–10
- •Miscellaneous: £5
This budget is very achievable in Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria) and parts of Southern Europe (Portugal, Greece outside peak season). Western Europe — particularly Scandinavia, Switzerland, and the UK — will require a higher budget of £70–100+ per day.
Finding Cheap Flights to Europe
The biggest single expense for most European trips is the flight. Here's how to minimise it:
Book early or very late. Flights are cheapest either 6–8 weeks in advance or in the last 48–72 hours. Avoid the 2–4 week window before departure, which is typically the most expensive.
Be flexible with dates. Flying on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday is almost always cheaper than Friday or Sunday. Use Google Flights' calendar view to find the cheapest days.
Use budget airlines. Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Jet2 all fly from UK airports to hundreds of European destinations. Sign up for fare alerts and you'll occasionally find flights for under £20 each way.
Consider alternative airports. London has six airports — flying from Stansted or Luton is often cheaper than Heathrow. Similarly, flying into a secondary city (Bratislava instead of Vienna, Girona instead of Barcelona) can save significant money.
Budget Accommodation in Europe
Accommodation is where most budget travellers make the biggest savings.
Hostels remain the gold standard for budget travel. A dorm bed in a well-reviewed hostel typically costs £12–25 per night in most European cities. Many hostels now offer private rooms at prices competitive with budget hotels.
Couchsurfing is free and a fantastic way to meet locals, though it requires advance planning and a good profile.
Airbnb can be cost-effective for longer stays or groups. A private room in a local's home often costs less than a hostel private room.
Camping is excellent value in summer, particularly in France, Germany, and Scandinavia. Many campsites are beautifully located and have excellent facilities.
Eating Well on a Budget
Food is one of the great joys of European travel, and you don't need to spend a fortune to eat well.
Shop at markets and supermarkets. A picnic of local bread, cheese, charcuterie, and fruit from a market costs a fraction of a restaurant meal and is often more enjoyable.
Eat the lunch special. Many European restaurants offer a fixed-price lunch menu (called "menu del día" in Spain, "plat du jour" in France, "pranzo" in Italy) that includes two or three courses for £8–15 — far cheaper than ordering à la carte.
Avoid tourist traps. Restaurants on main squares and near major attractions charge a premium. Walk two or three streets away and prices drop significantly.
Cook occasionally. If your accommodation has a kitchen, cooking a few meals a week can dramatically reduce your food budget.
Free and Cheap Activities
Europe is full of world-class experiences that cost nothing or very little.
Free museums: Many of Europe's best museums are free, including the British Museum, the Louvre on the first Sunday of the month, Berlin's Museum Island on Thursday evenings, and all national museums in the Netherlands.
Walking tours: Free walking tours (tip-based) operate in virtually every major European city. They're an excellent introduction to a new place and a great way to meet other travellers.
Churches and cathedrals: Europe's greatest architectural achievements are often free to enter. Notre-Dame (when it reopens), Sacré-Cœur, the Panthéon, and hundreds of other magnificent buildings charge nothing for entry.
Parks and nature: The Alps, the Dolomites, the Scottish Highlands, the Algarve coast — Europe's natural wonders are free.
Getting Around Europe Cheaply
Transport within Europe has never been more affordable.
Trains: The Interrail pass offers unlimited train travel across 33 European countries. A 7-day pass costs around £250 and is excellent value if you're moving frequently. For individual journeys, book in advance on national rail websites for the cheapest fares.
Buses: FlixBus connects hundreds of European cities with fares starting from £3. Slower than trains but significantly cheaper, especially for longer distances.
Budget airlines: For longer distances (London to Athens, Paris to Lisbon), a budget flight is often faster and cheaper than the train.
Cycling: Many European cities have excellent bike-sharing schemes. Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Seville are particularly bike-friendly.
The Cheapest Countries in Europe to Visit
If you want to stretch your budget as far as possible, focus on these destinations:
Romania — Bucharest is one of Europe's most underrated capitals, with excellent food, vibrant nightlife, and very low prices. Transylvania is stunning and almost tourist-free.
Bulgaria — Sofia, Plovdiv, and the Black Sea coast offer incredible value. A meal at a good restaurant costs £5–8.
Albania — The Balkans' best-kept secret. Stunning beaches, dramatic mountains, and prices that make even Romania look expensive.
Poland — Kraków and Warsaw are world-class cities at Eastern European prices. The food is excellent and the beer is cheap.
Portugal — More affordable than Spain, with superb food, wine, and weather. Porto is particularly good value.
