Thinking about that long-awaited trip to Europe but afraid of breaking the bank? Traveling around Europe doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you have researched where you want to go and planned ahead, so here’s a budget guide to Europe to help you on your way.
First things first, you’ll want to purchase a Eurail pass before heading to Europe to make traveling between countries easier and cheaper. If you’re a European resident you can get an Interrail pass, which is a bit more forgiving on the wallet. Prices will vary depending on the duration of your stay in Europe and how many of those days you’ll be traveling on trains, but for a 22-day stay with 10 days of traveling, prices are €281-€446 for anyone under 25 and €374-€682 for tourists over 26.
Disclaimer: Price conversions were based on 1 Euro to 1.09 US Dollars.
Total spend excluding airfare: €1,300 EUR (approximately $1,410 USD)
London
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Average spend: £110 EUR (approximately $120 USD)
The Big Smoke can seem like a pricey city to visit but touring the English capital can be achieved on a tight budget. In terms of accommodation, if you don’t mind sharing rooms, a dorm can be the perfect money-conscious choice. From a mere £11 a night, you can stay at the Globe Trott Inns in the bustling East End, or if sharing isn’t something you fancy, No.8 Willesden Hostel offers private rooms from £28. Both are in great locations that allow you to travel to Central London within half an hour.
Before you set out to explore the legendary city, it’s a good idea to get an Oyster card for use on the Tube and buses. You can either buy a Visitor Oyster card before you arrive or buy a normal one at any of the London Underground stations for £3 and top it up with money as you go, £20 should be enough to cover your travel needs for a few days. If you arrive in the morning, start your day with a full English breakfast at one of the Wetherspoons pubs dotted around town.
For a chilled first day in London, take the Tube to Holborn to check out the incredible display of Egyptian mummies at the British Museum or if modern art is more your thing, head to the Tate Modern at London Bridge. From here, you can walk around the neighboring area for glimpses of the historical Tower of London, the London Eye, and more of the city’s iconic landmarks. Grab a bite to eat and stay in the area for an idyllic evening stroll along the Embankment for a spectacular view of London at night.
Spend your second day shopping at Dover Street Market near Green Park station and brave the crowds at Oxford Street. If you have enough energy afterwards, you can take the Tube to Aldgate East station and explore Brick Lane. Walk around, soak up the hipster atmosphere, shop at its vintage shops, and then have dinner at The Boiler House Food Hall at the Old Truman Brewery. Take your pick from the numerous stalls offering various delicious cuisines from around the world, but plan ahead as it’s only open on weekends. For a lively night out, stay in East London and check out the bars in Shoreditch, and after a night of drinking, grab a mouthwatering, freshly-baked salt beef bagel at Beigel Bake on Brick Lane, which is open 24 hours a day to satisfy your after-hour cravings.
Paris
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Average spend: €160 EUR (approximately $170 USD)
Unfortunately, the rail passes don’t cover the Eurostar, so to get to The City of Light from London, you can either purchase a Eurostar ticket from €71.50 or take the Eurolines bus. It’s a grueling nine-hour journey, but prices start from just €21, plus you’ll save on a hotel if you travel overnight. For commuting within Paris, buy a “Paris Visite” three-day ticket for zones 1-3 for €25 to cover your commute within central Paris.
Contrary to popular belief, staying in Paris doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can stay from €16 a night in a shared dorm or from €30 you can get your own room at the animated Le Montclair Hostel, located just a few blocks from the beautiful Sacré-Cœur.
Once you get the hang of the Paris metro and familiarize yourself with the map, you’ll be well on your way to exploring Paris’ stunning landmarks. Similar to most European cities, those that are under 26 and residents of the EU, admission is free to most places. If not, unlucky, but check in advance as some will open their doors free of charge on the first Sunday of certain months. Make sure you visit the Arc de Triomphe; the Louvre Museum; Notre Dame; for fans of modern art, Centre Georges Pompidou; and of course, the Eiffel Tower. Don’t get so swept up in visiting the Eiffel Tower though, the panoramic view over Paris from the top of Notre Dame is just as impressive and best of all, not as crowded.
Feeling peckish? Drop by Marais diner L’As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers for a tasty felafel lunch; the nearest station is Saint-Paul. For an eerie afternoon, take the Metro to Denfert Rochereau to visit the illuminated labyrinth that is the Catacombs — Paris’s underground ossuary holding the remains of around 6 million Parisians. Alternatively, you can head southwest of the city to Versailles-Rive Gauche for the dazzling Palace of Versailles and its world-famous garden for a truly remarkable Parisian experience.
If you’re looking to shop streetwear and kicks in Paris, drop by BlackRainbow Paris, Le 8 Rive Gauche, Pigalle and fashion mecca colette’s three-floor concept store on Rue Saint-Honoré for a shopping experience you won’t forget.
Barcelona
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Average spend: €140 EUR (approximately $150 USD)
For fans of architecture and design, few cities can rival the aptly-named City of Gaudi; Barcelona. From Paris, it takes around six and a half hours to get to the Spanish city. Both dorms and private rooms start from €11 a night, although you will need to compromise with the location. Once settled, get yourself a T10 ticket for use on the public transport, which costs just €10 and covers 10 journeys within the city’s center.
We recommend your first stop at the vibrant Plaça de Catalunya for a glimpse into Catalan culture and then a stroll down La Rambla, the city’s main boulevard packed with souvenir hawkers, buskers, street artists and plenty of shops, as well as eateries. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Joan Miro’s mural tiled on the ground. Take a moment to enjoy the lively spirit of La Rambla before heading to nearby streetwear and sneaker stores Trust Nobody and LimitEDitions. Some other stores worth checking are Iguapop Shop, 24 Kilates and Chikashitsu if you’re looking for high-end Japanese labels.
For those with a penchant for art, be sure to delve into Barcelona’s plethora of art museums such as design museum Disseny Hub at Montcada, the Picasso Museum, and the Casa Batlló at Passeig de Gràcia. If you’re feeling peckish, drop by one of Raval’s edgy cafés or bars. A trip to the Catalonian capital wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Gaudi’s otherworldly Sagrada Família, the city’s most renowned church, where admission is just €15.
If you’re up for a night on the town, either head back to Raval, the Gothic Quarter, or Born.
Rome
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Average spend: €130 EUR (approximately $140 USD)
Next stop, Italy. It’s a laborious 14 hours from Barcelona to Rome, but you have the great option of stopping over Milan on the way. If you do stopover in Milan, check out Space 23 on Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi for your sneaker and streetwear fix.
Accommodation in the Eternal City is a bit more pricier with dorms and private rooms starting at €25 a night. Once you’re settled, start your Roman adventure at the astounding Colosseum on Piazza del Colosseo where from here, it’s a mere 10 minutes by foot to the Roman Forum, and a further 15-minute walk to the Pantheon. Take a break from sightseeing to drop by Motelsalieri on Via Giovanni Lanzi – a concept store, experimental laboratory and art gallery all in one.
Don’t leave Rome without visiting Vatican City and its breathtaking Sistine Chapel, which is only a 20-minute bus ride away. But to really see what the city has to offer, wander around the city on a whim, relax and bask in its bewitching atmosphere. If you do end up having a day to spare in Rome, add Pompeii to your list. The cheapest way to get there is to take the train from Termini station, which will take you around two to three hours, so allow yourself enough time to explore the devastating ruins of this ancient town.
Vienna
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Average spend: €115 EUR (approximately $125 USD)
Another long train ride and you’ll find Vienna, which is 15 hours from Rome. Therefore, plan wisely and consider taking the night train. Hostels in Vienna are very reasonably priced with dorms starting at €10 a night and private rooms starting from €16.
Regarded as the city where Mozart spent most of his career, Vienna is laden with greenery, music references and architectural masterpieces, so it is imperative to give yourself ample time to tour the city. Aside from its more notable sights like the Schönbrunn Palace, the Belvedere, and the Leopold Museum, the Imperial City is packed full of beautiful sights where you should get off the beaten path and explore. A must-see is the unassuming St. Peter’s Church, near Stephansplatz station, and its strikingly resplendent Baroque interior filled with gold stucco. Stay in the area in the evening to stroll around for an awe-inspiring view of the city. If you’re feeling hungry, head to one of the restaurants nearby for Austria’s signature Wiener Schnitzel followed by a delectable Apfelstrudel for dessert.
In terms of shopping, PAAR, E35, Arnold’s, and Park are a few stores that are worth dropping in and best of all, they are all located in the same area near Neubaugasse station.
If you happen to be in Austria in June, plan a trip to Green Lake in the town of Tragoess, Styria. It takes three hours to get there from Vienna but it’s definitely worth the visit. In the winter, the lake dries out and becomes one of the country’s most beautiful hiking spots but come spring though, the park becomes submerged in crystal clear water from the melted snow and ice off the Hochschwab mountains, creating a breathtaking underwater landscape not to be missed.
Prague
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Average spend: €80 EUR (approximately $85 USD)
Referred to as the Golden City, Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic — a country bordered by Germany, Poland, Austria and Slovakia. A four-hour train journey from Vienna, the city is one of picturesque scenery and what’s more, accommodation is surprisingly cheap with both dorms and privates starting from just €7 a night.
For your first day in Prague, make your way to Staroměstská station, where it’s a five-minute walk to the renowned Astronomical Clock. Soak in the atmosphere at the Old Town Hall and venture across the magnificent Charles Bridge, one of the city’s most visited sights. On the other side of the famed bridge, you’ll find the Lennon Wall, a symbol of freedom and rebellion against the communism in the ’80s, now filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti. A short walk away, you’ll find Prague Castle.
After sightseeing, head out for the night and experience the city’s nightlife. Prague is so much more cheaper than its European counterparts so make the most of it. Check out Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square next to the Astronomical Clock or for less commercial spots, take the tram from Staroměstská towards Vozovna Kobylisy, get off at Nádraží Holešovice, and check out Cross Club.
Berlin
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Average spend: €150 EUR (approximately $160 USD)
Germany’s artistic capital is about five hours from Prague by train and offers both dorms and private rooms from €20 a night. Once you’ve checked in at your hotel, pay a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Museum Island, which is home to five of the city’s most acclaimed museums. The architectural and cultural ensemble presents expansive displays of architecture, sculpture, art and classical antiquities. For those that are more inclined to modern art, you can explore former rail station Hamburger Bahnhof next, the city’s Museum of Contemporary Art. More of Berlin’s reputable art scene can be found at the Bauhaus Archive and the Kulturforum near Potsdamer Platz S-bahn station.
If you’re looking for sneakers, get on the U-bahn and get off at Schlesisches Tor station to check out the sneaker wall at Overkill. From here, it’s only a short walking distance to VOO’s concept store on Oranienstraße. You can also make your way towards the city center afterwards and exit at Rosenthaler Platz station to drop by Superconscious Store for more wallet-friendly shopping. If you’re there on a Sunday, be sure to check out the massive flea market nearby at Mauerpark. A few more stores worth having a look at are adidas-owned No 74, as well as SOTO and Firmament for more exclusive brands and clothing. When you’ve finished shopping, be sure to visit the Berlin Wall Memorial, which is a 15-minute walk from Superconscious.
For more culture and history, visit Checkpoint Charlie, the most well-known East-West crossing point of the Wall, which provides a comprehensive take on the Wall’s history. From here, you can stop by the Reichstag, home of the German Parliament, and take in the spectacular view over the city from the roof, where you can then head to Warschauer Straße to stroll along the East Side Gallery for a more visual experience of the Wall.
In the evening, have dinner at a local eatery to try the nation’s celebrated currywurst as well as Germany’s beer and then head to Berghein, Watergate in Kreuzberg or Neukölln for the nightlife.
If you have time to spare, you can plan trips to the country’s other cities like Munich, Hamburg, and Cologne using your rail pass or try carpooling. Although carpooling with strangers may seem a bit sketchy, it’s relatively safe and considered the norm in Germany. Check out www.mitfahrgetegenheit.de for available carpools.
Amsterdam
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Average spend: €120 EUR (approximately $130 USD)
Also known as the Venice of the North due to its extensive network of canals, Amsterdam is a six to seven-hour train ride from Berlin. Hostels in Amsterdam fall in the same price range as Berlin, starting from €20 a night.
The main draw of the city is usually the coffee shop, but don’t get so focused on getting high that you miss out on the great sights of the city. Take time out from the Bulldog and Greenhouse, or whichever coffee shop has taken your preference, to visit the stunning Rijks Museum and tour the Anne Frank House — places not to be missed in Amsterdam. To really get to know the city though, do as the locals do: rent a bike, cycle around and see where you end up.
If you have any room left in your luggage, you can make one last shopping trip to Patta, concept store 290 Square Meters and skate store Ben G. After one last night out, take the train back to London. If you don’t have anymore travel days left on your rail pass, you can take the Eurolines bus back and let the long bus ride cure your hangover.
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