Backpacking Through Europe Cost | How Much Does It Cost To Backpack Europe?

So you’re thinking about backpacking through Europe? Great! But the big question that’s on everyone’s mind is “how much does it cost to travel through Europe?”

When I first backpacked in Europe I had very little idea how much it would all cost. I figured I would go back through all my notes and records to help give you a ballpark idea of how much you should budget to backpack Europe.

Quick Look At Travel Costs To Backpack Europe

The main day-to-day costs associated with backpacking Europe include accommodation, food, sightseeing, public transportation, and a few extra incidental costs.

Most frugal-minded, hostel-hopping backpackers spend around $75-$125/day in Western Europe and $40-$90/day in Eastern Europe. At this level, you can travel fairly modestly and comfortably without making too many sacrifices but you’re not going to be living it up.

If you watch your budget closely and make a conscious effort to keep your costs down, it’s possible to drop your expenses by around 25%. Lowering your costs from this point starts to become difficult, so you’ll have to get creative.

Accommodation Expenses For Backpacking Europe

There is a wide range of lodging options in Europe — from super cheap to super expensive. But since we’re budget travelers, I’m going to stick with the cheaper options.

How Much Do Hostels Cost in Europe?

Hostels in Europe are traditionally the cheapest option when it comes to accommodation. Below are typical hostel prices for a night in a hostel dorm room for a few popular destinations.

Note: These prices are for the cheapest option at decently rated hostels. You might be able to find a slightly cheaper place if you choose the bottom-of-the-barrel option. You can also spend (considerably) more if you want a private room.

Here is a sample list of average hostel prices via Hostelworld (our favorite booking site):

London: $35-$85
Paris: $35-$70
Dublin: $35-$70
Amsterdam: $35-$65
Munich: $30-$55
Berlin: $23-$45
Krakow: $15-$30
Budapest: $18-$40
Barcelona: $30-$45

Check out our hostel price guides for a more in-depth look at hostel prices:

How Much Do Rental Apartments Cost in Europe?

I’m a big fan of rental apartments and they can be an affordable option in many cities—especially for groups. Rental apartments are often priced similarly to cheap hotels but you get nice bonuses like more space, kitchens, and a feeling like you’re local.

Of course, there are some downsides like check-in/check-out logistics, extra fees, cleaning issues, maintenance issues, etc.

Here is our guide to short-term rentals in Europe if you want to learn more.

How Much Are Cheap Hotels in Europe?

There are plenty of cheap (and crappy) hotels all throughout Europe — just don’t expect much at the budget traveler’s price range. However, the price of a cheap hotel can sometimes be lower than a hostel if it is shared by two or more people.

We’ve found that Booking.com has the best price and selection.

Is Couchsurfing in Europe Free?

Couchsurfing is a popular and free way to travel throughout Europe. You can read all about how Couchsurfing works here, but don’t expect to rely on it for all your accommodation needs because it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find hosts.

How Much Does Food Cost in Europe?

For the budget traveler, your daily food budget will be anywhere from $20-$60.

At the lower end of this price range, you’ll mostly be eating the free hostel breakfast and homemade meals/picnics from the grocery store. If you’re on a super tight budget, you can lower your food costs down to $10/day but you’ll have to get creative.

At the middle to high range, you can eat at cheap takeaway restaurants ($8-$12 for a meal), affordable sit-down restaurants ($15-$25 for a meal), and maybe have a few snacks throughout the day.

We suggest budgeting a little high for food because even the most diehard budget travelers will break down and buy a prepared meal sometimes. When you’re not familiar with the city, it can be challenging to find a grocery store and it’s even worse when you’re already hungry. Additionally, making a meal after a long day of sightseeing can sometimes be a pain in the ass, so it will often be challenging to motivate yourself to cook something.

We also encourage everyone to set aside some cash for trying the local cuisine. Given that food is such a large part of experiencing a country’s culture, it would be a shame to miss this experience.

Food and drinks can kill any budget — especially for us penny pinchers. Here are some tips for eating and drinking on a budget in Europe.

How Much Are Sightseeing and Attraction Prices in Europe?

We suggest budgeting about $15-$35/day for sightseeing costs in Europe.

You go to Europe to experience the culture and to see the sights. Well, get out your wallet because most attractions charge an admission fee. The fees are usually not outrageous, but they do add up. Many places offer student/youth discounts, so be sure to inquire about those.

While you may not do something that requires an admission fee every day, we suggest budgeting $15-$20. Below is a list of admissions prices at some popular attractions in Europe so you can get a feel for how much things cost:

Louvre Museum (Paris): $18
Centre Pompidou Museum (Paris): $18
Tower of London: $37
Van Gogh Museum (Amsterdam): $20
Walking Tours: Free (guides work on tips) or $25+ for paid tours

Note: Many museums offer discounted or free tickets to students and/or people under 26.

Many cities also have sightseeing passes which can be a good deal for some travelers. I’ve reviewed a few of the most popular here:

How Much Does Public Transportation Cost in Europe?

Between subways, buses, and trams, European public transportation is excellent in nearly every large and medium-sized city. Furthermore, it’s usually affordable. Most cities are walkable but in some cases, public transport might be a better use of your time and energy.

Most cities sell a range of tickets and travel passes (i.e. single tickets, 1/3/5/7 day passes, monthly passes, etc.) so it’s smart to do a little research to find the option that works best for you. Below are some examples of transportation costs:

London Tube (w/Oyster Card): $3.50/off-peak single fare or $14/all-day
Paris Métro: $17 for 10 single tickets
Amsterdam (tram): $23 for 72 hours of unlimited travel
Budapest (bus and subway): $17 for 72 hours of unlimited travel
Prague: $1.60 for a single tram ticket
Barcelona (metro): $1.40 for a single ticket on the metro

How Much Does Alcohol Cost in Europe?

Madrid travel guide | Alcohol and Drinks

Europe has an insane amount of good beer and wine — so you should sample all you can. And let’s be honest, most backpackers drink their fair share as they travel around. Just be cautious because those big nights out can cost you a fortune — but I don’t have to tell you that. As always, buying alcohol from the grocery store is a great way to save a lot of money.

Listed below are some sample alcohol prices from around Europe:

London (pint of beer): $3.20-$6.50 but expect to pay more at trendy clubs/pubs.
Paris (wine): $7-$14 for a cheap bottle of good wine from the store.
Prague (pint of beer): $2 at a restaurant and around $.70 from a grocery store.
Budapest (pint of beer): $2-$4 at a bar.
Munich (beer): $10 for a huge mug at a beer garden and around $1.25 for a liter of beer from the store.
Copenhagen (pint of beer): $9-$14 for a pint of craft beer from a bar.

Buffer Money For Backpacking Europe

We like to keep a “buffer” fund for emergencies and unexpected expenses like laundry, souvenirs, toiletries, clothing, skydiving, missed trains, etc.

Backpacking Europe City Travel Price Guides

Copenhagen Travel Guide | Food and Drink

One major factor in how much you’ll spend while traveling depends on where you travel — you’ll obviously spend more in Paris than in Prague. That’s why we’ve made a series of detailed European City Price Guides that cover day-to-day travel costs like food prices, accommodation prices, and other common expenses that you’ll find in Europe’s most popular cities.

Our Europe City Price Guides also outline some of the best budget-friendly restaurants and other money-saving tips to help you keep your travel costs down.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €55-€80 (Approx. $65-$95). See the complete price guide for Amsterdam

ANTWERP, BELGIUM Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €39-€57 (Approx. $43-$67). See the complete price guide for Antwerp

ATHENS, GREECE Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €30-€65 (Approx. $36-$71). See the complete price guide for Athens

BARCELONA, SPAIN Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €36-€66 ($42-$77 USD). See the complete price guide for Barcelona

BERLIN, GERMANY Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €36-€57 (Approx. $42-$65). See the complete price guide for Berlin

BRUGES, BELGIUM Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €37-€65 (Approx. $43-$76). See the complete price guide for Bruges

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €48-€71 (Approx. $52-$78). See the complete price guide for Brussels

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: Approx. $20-$45. See the complete price guide for Budapest

COLOGNE, GERMANY Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €38-€54 (Approx. $40-$58). See the complete price guide for Cologne

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: Approx. $62-$95. See the complete price guide for Copenhagen

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: Approx. $43 -$63. See the complete price guide for Dubrovnik

DUBLIN, IRELAND Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €40-€64 (Approx. $47-$75). See the complete price guide for Dublin

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: £32-£59 (Approx. $43-$78). See the complete price guide for Edinburgh

FLORENCE, ITALY Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €42-€61 (Approx. $50-$72). See the complete price guide for Florence

HAMBURG, GERMANY Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €39-€65 (Approx. $46-$76). See the complete price guide for Hamburg

KRAKOW, POLAND Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: Approx. $20-$35. See the complete price guide for Krakow

LISBON, PORTUGAL Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €24-€38 (Approx. $27-$43). See the complete price guide for Lisbon

LONDON, ENGLAND Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: £45-£75 (Approx. $65-$110). See the complete price guide for London

MADRID, SPAIN Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €32-€56 (Approx. $37-$64). See the complete price guide for Madrid

MILAN, ITALY Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €34-€60 (Approx. $40-$70). See the complete price guide for Milan

MUNICH, GERMANY Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €40-€65 (Approx. $45-$75). See the complete price guide for Munich

NAPLES, ITALY Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €32-€50 (Approx. $35-$56). See the complete price guide for Naples

NICE, FRANCE Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €37-€60 (Approx. $42-$70). See the complete price guide for Nice

PARIS, FRANCE Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €40-€80 (Approx. $50-$90). See the complete price guide for Paris

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: Approx. $23-$40. See the complete price guide for Prague

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: Approx. $70-$105. See the complete price guide for Reykjavik

RIGA, LATVIA Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €25-€40 (Approx. $30-$50). See the complete price guide for Riga

ROME, ITALY Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €40-€70 (Approx. $46-$80). See the complete price guide for Rome

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: 550 SEK-840 SEK (Approx. $62-$93). See the complete price guide for Stockholm

VENICE, ITALY Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €51-66 (Approx. $60-$75). See the complete price guide for Venice

VIENNA, AUSTRIA Travel Costs For Backpackers

Average Daily Budget Travel Cost: €40-€62 (Approx. $46-$70). See the complete price guide for Vienna

We’ve also written guides about the cheapest cities in Europe if you want some more budget travel ideas.

Backpacking Europe Pre-Trip Expenses

Don’t forget that you’ll encounter a handful of pre-travel expenses that are easy to forget about.

Travel Insurance: $30/week

Travel insurance can be a good deal if you run into any medical issues or travel disruptions/cancellations while abroad. Some plans even cover loss and theft of personal items and rental car collision coverage. There are multiple companies that offer insurance, but World Nomads Travel Insurance seems to be a popular choice for backpackers.

Mobile Data Plan

You’ll want high-speed mobile data for your phone while traveling in Europe but the international data plan from your provider can cost you $70-$100/week. However, you can buy prepaid SIM cards and eSIM data plans that will run you about $15-$25/week.

I’ve written multiple articles about getting mobile data for Europe:

Passport: $135

If you don’t have a passport, you’ll need to get one to travel to Europe. Be sure to apply early because it will cost you another $60+ if you need one in less than 4-6 weeks. Passport photos will cost you about an extra $10, or you can print your own for free at ePassportPhoto.

Travel Backpack or Luggage: $85-$300

Most people choose to bring a backpack to Europe. We’ve compiled a list of the best travel backpacks and created a guide on how to choose the perfect backpack. If you’re on a budget, ask your friends if they have an old backpack or consider buying a used one.

Travel Accessories: $75+

There are all sorts of accessories (plug adaptors, guidebooks, travel towels, sporks, journals, etc.) that will help make your backpacking trip more enjoyable, but how much you spend will depend on what kinds of things you want. This cost estimate can skyrocket if you start adding things like digital cameras, tablets, and specialty travel clothing. Check out our

Check out our Backpacking Packing List for Men and our Backpacking Packing List for Women to get an idea of what we recommend packing. Both guides will outline pretty much everything you’ll need.

Airfare: $450-$1500

Your airfare costs will vary based on a dozen factors. We do have a guide to finding cheap flights to Europe that will help you get the best deal possible.

Transportation Costs Within Europe

Transportation within Europe (i.e. traveling from city to city) can make up a large percentage of your travel budget, but it is also very hard to predict how much you’ll spend. There are so many factors that go into how much each form of transportation (train, plane, bus, car, etc.) will cost that I can’t really give a super accurate estimate. However, I can give you some general guidelines and point you to more in-depth articles.

Remember, the less you change locations, the less you’ll spend. Consider spending more time at each location if you’re on a very tight budget.

Train Travel Prices

The trains in most of Europe are amazing, and they’re usually fairly affordable. Most countries charge by distance traveled, but the prices can change based on the time of day, availability, and type of train (high speed vs normal speed). Tip: On high-speed trains, it is best to book as far in advance as possible to ensure the best price.

Here are some helpful guides to taking trains in Europe:

Complete Guide To Train Travel In Europe

Eurail passes are another popular method of travel for backpackers. These passes aren’t dirt cheap like they were in the past, but for many travelers, this is still an affordable way to travel. There are dozens of Eurail passes available to suit almost any need. Prices range from about $100 for a super basic pass to $2000 for a 3-month unlimited pass.

For more info, read our Guide To Rail Passes in Europe.

Europe Flight Prices

Air travel inside Europe can be very affordable — cheap even. For example, it’s not uncommon to find a one-way ticket from Paris to Berlin for $50 or from London to Barcelona for $40. Of course, there will be extra costs like transportation to and from the airport.

For more information, read our article about how to find cheap flights in Europe.

Europe Rental Car Prices

Traveling by car is a good way to travel if you want to see small towns and rural areas. It’s a pain in the ass if you’re city-hopping. I rented a car to drive around France for four days and it cost around $200 for an automatic transmission car (after all the extra taxes). However, you’ll cut your rental fees in half if you know how to drive a manual transmission. You also have to consider all the potential extra fees like tolls, gas, parking, etc. — which add up quickly.

Learn more about renting a car in our guide to car rentals in Europe.

Learn More About Backpacking Europe

The advice above is just a small portion of what you’ll find at The Savvy Backpacker. If you’re new here, we highly suggest checking out our Complete Guide To Backpacking Europe for step-by-step advice for planning your big journey abroad.

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James Feess

Founder at The Savvy Backpacker

James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the author of the book "The Savvy Backpacker's Guide To Europe On A Budget". He's been blogging about budget travel in Europe since 2010.