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Planning a budget-friendly European trip for this year

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Kalin_Bud
Joined:
19.08.2023
Posts: 168
Topic Starter
14.01.2025 19:44
I'm currently trying to plan a two-week trip through Europe, but I'm finding that prices for accommodation and flights have skyrocketed compared to what I'm used to. I want to see some cool places, but I'm definitely on a tight budget and would prefer to avoid the typical overpriced tourist traps. Does anyone have recommendations for countries where my money will actually go a long way? I'm open to Eastern Europe or anywhere that offers good value for food and transit. Any advice or recent experiences would be super helpful!
18 replies in this topic
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Hani_B
Joined:
26.07.2024
Posts: 2235
26.01.2025 03:39
Honestly, skip Western Europe if you're on a tight budget. Albania is absolutely stunning right now and incredibly cheap compared to Italy or France.
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mati_123
Joined:
17.08.2022
Posts: 1333
26.01.2025 23:19
In reply to a previous post
I second the Albania suggestion! I spent two weeks there last summer and barely spent half of what I budgeted for my trip to Spain.
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Stefan_W
Joined:
26.10.2023
Posts: 1369
07.02.2025 02:44
Check out Poland, specifically Krakow. The food is cheap, the beer is even cheaper, and there's so much history to see for free just by walking around the Old Town.
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Maks_D
Joined:
16.06.2021
Posts: 1482
10.02.2025 18:35
Does anyone have tips for finding cheap flights? Everything I see on Google Flights is insane right now.
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Kevi_M
Joined:
05.11.2024
Posts: 720
03.07.2025 00:37
In reply to a previous post
Try using Skyscanner and set your destination to 'Everywhere'. It helps find the cheapest routes from your local airport.
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Hubo_K
Joined:
26.03.2023
Posts: 1765
05.07.2025 05:10
Romania is a hidden gem. Transylvania is beautiful and you can find guesthouses for like 20-30 euros a night.
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robert_d
Joined:
07.06.2022
Posts: 2417
18.07.2025 21:35
Don't forget about the Baltics! Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are super underrated and very affordable for solo travelers.
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Fabi_W
Joined:
28.05.2024
Posts: 1492
05.08.2025 12:48
In reply to a previous post
I've been to Estonia, and while it's cheaper than the Nordics, it's definitely getting more expensive. Still worth it though!
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Milos_S
Joined:
22.04.2025
Posts: 2332
11.08.2025 20:46
Hostels are your best friend. Use Hostelworld and look for places with a kitchen so you can cook your own breakfast and dinner.
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Marius_C
Joined:
19.11.2020
Posts: 19
22.08.2025 10:49
If you go to Portugal, avoid Lisbon and Porto during peak season. Smaller towns in the north are way cheaper and more authentic.
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Nadiya_D
Joined:
06.01.2021
Posts: 770
19.10.2025 11:31
Is it realistic to do two weeks on a 1500 euro budget? Including flights from the US?
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mati_123
Joined:
14.02.2022
Posts: 1198
23.10.2025 22:20
In reply to a previous post
Honestly, that's going to be very tight if you include transatlantic flights. You'd need to book months in advance.
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damian_varna
Joined:
06.03.2022
Posts: 861
10.01.2026 19:33
Bulgaria is the absolute winner for budget travel. You can get a full meal for under 10 euros easily.
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GospodinNikoi
Joined:
06.03.2023
Posts: 1789
25.01.2026 19:58
Just remember that cheap doesn't always mean low quality. Eastern Europe has some of the best hospitality I've ever experienced.
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ZlatnaRuka
Joined:
15.01.2024
Posts: 201
29.01.2026 09:34
I'd suggest taking night trains or buses between cities to save on a night's accommodation. FlixBus is a lifesaver.
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monika_p
Joined:
15.06.2021
Posts: 260
04.02.2026 12:46
In reply to a previous post
FlixBus is cheap but can be super uncomfortable for long hauls. Just a heads up!
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SivaMishka
Joined:
05.10.2024
Posts: 2003
26.02.2026 19:54
Check out Sarajevo in Bosnia. It's affordable, the food is incredible, and the vibe is totally different from anywhere else in Europe.
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Alan_K
Joined:
01.10.2024
Posts: 1913
22.03.2026 06:55
In reply to a previous post
Thanks for all the tips everyone, I'm definitely looking into Albania and Poland now!

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