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Is it actually possible to backpack Europe on $50/day in 2024?

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Nadezhda_K
Joined:
15.08.2020
Posts: 986
Topic Starter
17.01.2025 11:26
I'm planning a three-month trip across Europe for next summer and I'm really trying to stick to a strict budget of $50 a day. I've heard conflicting reports that prices have skyrocketed recently, making it almost impossible to find decent hostels and food at that price point. Does anyone have experience with this budget in Eastern Europe vs Western Europe? I'm curious if I should be looking into work-exchange programs or if I can manage with just careful planning and grocery shopping. Any tips on which countries are still truly budget-friendly would be greatly appreciated.
20 replies in this topic
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Kaya_J
Joined:
02.11.2019
Posts: 1376
26.01.2025 16:55
Honestly, in 2024, $50 a day is going to be incredibly tight for Western Europe. You'd be spending your whole budget on a hostel bed alone in places like Paris or London.
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Iva_R
Joined:
03.12.2023
Posts: 236
19.02.2025 15:21
In reply to a previous post
I second this. Unless you're strictly sticking to the Balkans or parts of Poland/Hungary, that budget just won't cut it anymore.
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gost_nedelq
Joined:
23.10.2020
Posts: 713
30.03.2025 18:07
In reply to a previous post
Have you considered Workaway or Worldpackers? It's the only way I managed to stay in Switzerland for two weeks without going broke.
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Sofiya_G
Joined:
18.11.2023
Posts: 303
07.04.2025 16:27
Forget Western Europe on $50. You'll be eating plain pasta every night and sleeping in 20-bed dorms. Is that really how you want to spend three months?
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Lori_N
Joined:
24.11.2024
Posts: 1311
09.04.2025 08:12
In reply to a previous post
I managed $50/day in Albania and Montenegro last summer. It's totally doable if you stay away from the tourist traps and eat local street food.
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Oskar_Z
Joined:
05.09.2020
Posts: 397
05.05.2025 20:17
In reply to a previous post
Grocery shopping is your best friend. Skip the cafes and hit the local Lidl or Aldi. You'll save a fortune.
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gost_nedelq
Joined:
20.02.2022
Posts: 318
30.06.2025 17:12
Don't forget to account for transportation between cities. Those train tickets add up fast if you don't book months in advance.
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Stefan_W
Joined:
05.09.2021
Posts: 2211
18.08.2025 18:26
In reply to a previous post
I think $50 is a bit optimistic for a 3-month trip. Maybe aim for $75 to be safe? You don't want to be stranded.
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Maks_D
Joined:
26.11.2022
Posts: 1879
11.09.2025 14:31
In reply to a previous post
Look into night buses. They save you the cost of a hostel for the night and get you to your next destination.
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Kras_T
Joined:
19.03.2025
Posts: 1858
13.09.2025 08:32
Eastern Europe is definitely your best bet. Romania and Bulgaria are still very affordable and beautiful.
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Oli_S
Joined:
20.08.2023
Posts: 89
09.10.2025 01:22
In reply to a previous post
I tried $50/day in Amsterdam and failed miserably within 48 hours. The city is just too expensive now.
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damian_varna
Joined:
19.09.2020
Posts: 850
01.11.2025 12:53
Couchsurfing still exists! It saved me so much money when I was backpacking through Germany last year.
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GospodinNikoi
Joined:
25.06.2025
Posts: 991
15.12.2025 05:59
In reply to a previous post
You're better off spending your time in the Baltics. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are gems and way cheaper than the west.
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anonimen_bg
Joined:
20.11.2025
Posts: 1616
02.01.2026 20:40
In reply to a previous post
Is $50 including flights? If so, you're dreaming. If it's just daily spending money, it's doable with extreme discipline.
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redoven
Joined:
23.11.2021
Posts: 359
14.01.2026 02:19
Just remember that 'cheap' doesn't mean 'free.' You still need to pay for museums, laundry, and the occasional beer.
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kris_1982
Joined:
28.01.2021
Posts: 2007
02.02.2026 02:57
In reply to a previous post
I'd suggest looking into house sitting. It takes some planning but you get free accommodation in exchange for watching someone's cat.
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radek_sofia
Joined:
01.11.2021
Posts: 1908
06.02.2026 04:39
In reply to a previous post
Stay away from the capital cities. Small towns are cheaper and offer a much better local experience anyway.
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Martin_85
Joined:
30.09.2021
Posts: 553
15.02.2026 00:57
In reply to a previous post
Three months is a long time. You'll get burnout if you're constantly stressed about every single cent. Increase your budget if you can.
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Misho_B
Joined:
31.03.2024
Posts: 1394
17.03.2026 13:39
Inflation is real. Prices in 2024 are definitely higher than they were even two years ago. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
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damian_varna
Joined:
01.12.2025
Posts: 1011
11.04.2026 04:23
In reply to a previous post
If you are committed to the $50, you'll have to sacrifice a lot of experiences. Just pick a few 'must-dos' and save the rest for free walking tours.

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