Top 10 Cheapest Countries To Visit in Europe (and around) in 2021

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While I do enjoy luxury holidays like any other person on the planet, most of my time is spent researching on “value for money” or the “cheapest countries in Europe” at any given point in time.

A lot of it has to do with the fact that I’ve been a student longer than I have been a working professional, and hence budget restrictions are almost always in place.

I love finding destinations where I am not constantly worried about how much money to spend on a daily basis, and where I can have a great holiday in $500-1000 for a week if not more.

After hobnobbing around the European continent for the last 5 years, I still find it important to compile the cheapest countries to visit list, to help shortlist places for upcoming adventures. 😉

Here are some of my other blog posts related to traveling Europe cheap that you’re going to love:

• Exactly What Backpacking Europe Costs ( It’s Less Than You Think)
• The Cheapest Places In Europe To Live For Nomadic Souls
• 7 Travel Apps For Europe To Save You A Ton Of Time And Money
• 25 Travel Tips For Europe To Save A Ton of Money
• How to Spend 4 Weeks in Europe & How Much To Budget

<<<If you’d like to get a step-by-step overview of planning a Europe trip like a pro and on a budget, check out my Europe guide!>>>

(Read Also: 9 Cheapest European Cities That Should Be On Your Bucket-list)

TOP 10 CHEAPEST COUNTRIES IN EUROPE 

#1 POLAND

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first country I visited in Europe, circa 2013, and arguably one of the most beautiful countries I have been to.

While it’s not the cheapest country in Europe, it’s also not the most expensive.

From learning more about Poland’s historic position in Europe, to visiting concentration camp in Auschwitz, to exploring the beautiful parks, old town centres and stunning ski-resorts, Poland really is an underrated European destination.

It’s also a good place to start your Eastern European itinerary as many other countries on this list are located nearby!

A quick hop to Berlin, Prague or Budapest is really easy if you pack Poland in your itinerary.

BUDGET PLANNING

• Hostel per night: $10-$15
• Hotel per night: $30-$50
• Food per day: $20
• Suggested Daily Budget: $50

Top Cities To Visit: Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Sopot

Read Also: 4 Week Europe Itinerary Ideas

#2 CZECH REPUBLIC

If you haven’t put Prague on your list, you are definitely missing out!

From dreamy gothic architecture to a diverse food and nightlife scene, Prague has something for everyone.

Not to mention it’s one of the best value for money destinations in Europe!

Another great gem in this country is Cesky Krumlov which is about an hour’s ride away from the capital city Prague.

If you have time for a day trip, definitely consider a trip here.

In the summer, a great option in the Czech Republic is the Bohemian Switzerland national park.

It shares the border with Germany and is a place for truly stunning outdoor landscape.

You can easily stay a night or two in the region and explore the various hikes in the beautiful park.

Even though the Czech Republic is a small country, it has a lot to offer for a budget traveller.

BUDGET PLANNING

• Hostel per night: $15
• Hotel per night: $30
• Food per day: $20
• Suggested Daily Budget: $40

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#3 HUNGARY

 

 

One of the most romantic cities to visit in night.

The bridges, the old gothic architecture, the amazing bath parties, the cheap food, and beer.

I don’t know what’s not to like about Hungary!

When I visited this country, I immediately had this feeling of being thrown into the past.

Even though almost ALL of Europe has this OLD feeling, Hungary takes it to the next level. 

Budapest is the most commonly visited city, but there are plenty of day trips you can plan as well.

Make sure to consider staying at one of these cheap hostels to make your stay even better.

BUDGET PLANNING

• Hostel per night: $15
• Hotel per night: $30
• Food per day: $20
• Suggested Daily Budget: $40

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#4 ROMANIA

A country that’s been on my bucket list for very long and one that I would love to explore soon preferably by car.

If you want to see where all the Dracula stories originated, look no further.

Romania is also one of the countries relatively untouched by excessive tourism and has extremely friendly locals making your trip worthwhile. 

Make sure to take into consideration slow and sometimes ineffective public transport compared to western Europe and add that to your travel time for the country!

Cheap flights from Wizz Air should help you land a budget deal no matter which big city in Europe you choose to fly in from.

BUDGET PLANNING

• Hostel per night: $10
• Hotel per night: $20
• Food per day: $20
• Suggested Daily Budget: $40

#5 UKRAINE

A country that perked my interest after attending a seminar on Ukrainian Economy.

I’m definitely looking forward to visiting at the very least Kyiv, the cultural hub of Ukraine and the famous tunnel of love.

I am looking forward to also diving deep into the Soviet history of the region and how this has shaped today’s Ukraine.

That and the architecture is at the top of my to-do list for Ukraine.

I’m also curious to explore the food in the local cafes in Kiev that I’ve heard so much about!

If you’re looking for something slightly different and very cheap to travel, Ukraine should be on the top of your list!

BUDGET PLANNING

• Hostel per night: $10
• Hotel per night: $20
• Food per day: $20
• Suggested Daily Budget: $40

Top Places To Visit in Ukraine: Kyiv, Odessa, Chernvtsi, Carpathian Mountains

#6 CROATIA

Next on the cheapest countries to visit in Europe list, might be the most expensive in this list altogether.

Thanks to the Game of Thrones stuff, Croatia is becoming more and more expensive by the day.

Even so, it remains one of the most stunning and pocket-friendly (compared to traveling in Western Europe) and needs to be on your list for 2019.

After all, don’t you want to see King’s Landing for real?

I spent a week in Zadar and was surprised at how tourist-friendly the locals are.

The food is great, the weather is even better and the prices don’t hurt if you stay away from tourist hotspots.

The best way to explore this country is definitely by car and preferably in early summer.

If you’d like to know when is the best time to visit Europe, read this post.

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BUDGET PLANNING

• Hostel per night: $15
• Hotel per night: $30
• Food per day: $20
• Suggested Daily Budget: $50

Top Places to Visit in Croatia: Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice Lakes, Dalmatian Coast

#7 GEORGIA

Recently famous in the travel circuits for the stunning mountain landscapes, cute hill perched villages and friendly locals, this country is very much at the top of my cheapest countries to visit in Europe list for 2019.

Even though Georgia technically classifies under Asia, the country is culturally very much European, and extremely easy to visit from Europe no matter where you are.

Why? I love mountains, off-road adventures and good landscapes.

This is also one of those countries which are still quite remote and relatively harder to get to from mainland Europe which is why I believe it’s going to blow up in a few years.

Visit this country before it’s too late and expensive!

BUDGET PLANNING

• Hostel per night: $10
• Hotel per night: $20
• Food per day: $20
• Suggested Daily Budget: $40

Top places to visit in Georgia: Tbilisi, Batumi, Mtskheta, Kutaisi

#8 MALTA

My favourite island country and one that I love to visit for short trips, Malta is a visually stunning and diverse country/island to visit.

Not only that, you can travel for $30-50 per day including accommodation, food and a rented car.

The views across the island are stunning and in the summer, there is no dearth of small beaches to be found.

You can also make day trips to Gozo, Blue Lagoon and tons of small islands surrounding this beautiful Meditteranean island.

Oh and while you are here, can you load up the street food, please?

There’s a local dish called Pattitzi (not sure if I spell that right) which are basically small pastries filled with cheese, meat and vegetables.

It’s probably the best European snack I’ve EVER had and trust me I’ve spent a lot of time and money exploring Europe.

Malta is best explored by car, although you should be careful that they drive on the left. Rent an Airbnb with a nice view and explore the island at your own speed. 

Trust me, this country does NOT disappoint.

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BUDGET PLANNING

• Hostel per night: $20
• Hotel per night: $40
• Food per day: $20
• Suggested Daily Budget: $60

#9 TURKEY

Long on my bucket list, Turkey (unfortunately due to some instability) continues to get cheaper for international travelers.

There is no reason to believe it would not be so in the immediate future.

I even saw some amazing five-star hotels in Istanbul for as low as $40 a night. Come on, what better time to visit Istanbul and Cappadocia!

If you’re looking for some beach action, head to a nice resort at Antalya and park yourself there for some sunshine, great food and warm people!

BUDGET PLANNING

• Hostel per night: $20
• Hotel per night: $40
• Food per day: $20
• Suggested Daily Budget: $60

#10 SLOVENIA

I have to admit, the only reason I have this country on my list even though it is ridiculously tiny, is because of Lake Bled.

Even though I’ve been to stunning lakes in Germany, Lake Bled is the single biggest reason I want to visit Slovenia.  If you’re into skiing, this also makes an excellent winter destination.

If you visit during summer or winter holidays, prices might go up as Lake Bled has become a current “Insta favourite” location.

Make sure to book your accommodation atleast a few months in advance to get the best prices.

Cycling around the lake is also an excellent option to spend your days here. This might also easily be the most romantic destination on this list!

BUDGET PLANNING

• Hostel per night: $20
• Hotel per night: $40
• Food per day: $20
• Suggested Daily Budget: $60

Top Places To Visit in Slovenia: Ljubljana, Bled, Istria, Postonja

<<If you need to plan a Europe trip on a BUDGET, from start to finish, check out my detailed Europe Trip Planning guide below>>

HOW TO TRAVEL EUROPE CHEAP

Having spent a good amount of time in Europe, I can safely say these are the best ways to cut back on costs:

• Eat as many meals as possible from supermarkets and small local stores and street shops. Eating at a restaurant can easily set you back from $10-$20 per person, per meal depending on which country you are in.

• Ask your hostel or research for free walking tours. Almost all big cities in Europe offer free walking tours which usually take place twice a day from the city centre or famous attractions. Make sure to arrive there on time, and tip at the end of the tour what you want and can afford.

• Try to stay close to the centre and walk everywhere. Unless you need to visit a spot outside the city, public transportation tickets are not necessary. This is also why traveling by train or by bus is the best mode of travel in Europe when it comes to proximity to the centre and reducing your travel costs.

• If you are crossing large distances, do check out cheap flight options such as Ryan Air, Easy Jet and Wizz Air. The only catch is that they do not allow checked luggage and have very specific carry on dimensions. You can find out some travel essentials for Europe here.

• Book in advance for the best prices and make sure to be flexible. The more flexible your itinerary is, the more advantage you can take of last-minute events and festivals, which never seem to end in Europe.

With these tips, you can easily travel across Europe for cheap, at a daily budget of $40-$50 depending on how much you splurge on specific items. Bon Voyage!

ADDITIONAL GUIDES FOR CHEAPEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Before you start planning your next adventure to a cheap country in Europe, make sure to read my detailed guides on:

• Ways To Book Cheap Flights Anywhere Anytime
• Finding and Booking Cheap Hotels and Airbnbs (plus discounts)
• Packing List Guide For Europe
• The Complete Europe Travel Checklist
• The Ultimate Europe Packing List Guide For Summer

But, if you’re the lazy kind who just wants to head straight to booking and well have everything in one small tiny excel, head here to sign up for my free cheatsheet or use my travel planner page here!

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Looking to book your next trip? Check out the following services I use and love:

• Skyscanner to find cheap flight deals.
• Rental Cars to hop on your next road trip.
• Booking.com to find a hotel deal.
• Hostel World to find a backpacker hostel.
• World Nomads to insure your travel.
• Viator to find a cool day tour.
• Or my Global Packing List.