Even on a limited budget, it’s possible to make international travel to Europe happen.
The problem is that many novice travelers just assume that it’s impossible. Or, they hear about how expensive places like London, Paris, and Amsterdam are, and assume the rest of the continent is the same.
In reality, there are sections of Europe that are some of the cheapest places to visit on Earth. Many of them are wonderful places to travel to, as well. All it takes is ample research and some diligent planning, and rest assured you can make a cheap trip to Europe work.
Some of my favorite destinations I’d consider affordable European nations. So let’s talk about them! Here are 17 affordable countries in Europe that you can travel to on a limited budget.
1. Slovenia
Hands down, one of the most underrated countries in Europe that remains affordable is Slovenia. A small country at the intersection of the Balkans and the Alps, Slovenia has so much to see and so despite its size. From the cozy capital of Llubljana, you can be in the Alps in 30 minutes or the beach in under an hour.
Slovenia is finally gaining the recognition it deserves, so prices have slowly risen. With that said, it’s not only still pretty affordable, but it’s one of the best value countries to visit in Europe.
2. Romania
Romania might be the best value country to visit in Europe. The Carpathians, including the Transylvanian Alps, is one of the most beautiful mountain regions in the world that you never hear about.
Romania is much more than Bucharest. Transylvanian cities like Brasov and Sibiu are postcard-worthy, with stunning Gothic and Baroque architecture. The old towns of these cities are large and well-preserved, very safe, and affordable. The Maramures Region and some of the last-remaining Transylvanian Saxon villages both provide some of the best rural tourism opportunities in Europe as well.
I went to Romania for two weeks, starting in Timisoara before making my east through Transylvania and finishing in Bucharest. It unquestionably makes my list of Top 5 countries.
It’s worth visiting Romania before word of this inexpensive European country catches on too much!
3. Poland
Speaking of countries with the best value in Europe, Poland is also at the top of the list. Not only is Poland great for budget travelers, but there are so many places to go and things to do.
Up north, you have the historic, bustling city of Gdansk. You also have some beautiful beaches on the Hel Peninsula. Warsaw’s economic development further south has been staggering. And then you have Krakow, which belongs in conversations for best cities in Europe. If you want nature, head to the Tatra Mountains on the border of Slovakia for skiing and hiking. The history of Poland speaks for itself and is both fascinating yet gut wrenching.
There are typically very cheap flights to Warsaw and Krakow from North America and the rest of Europe. So if you want to visit Europe on a budget, Poland might be your very best choice.
4. Hungary
Budapest is another city that has often included in “best city in Europe” discussions, and for good reason. This city has jaw dropping architecture, gorgeous river views, world class nightlife, and great public transportation. It’s incredibly safe and still pretty affordable, though inflation has really affected cost of goods and living.
Many travelers skip the rest of Hungary on their itinerary and only visit Budapest. I highly recommend at least taking a day trip from Budapest. One easy option is the charming town of Szentendre on the shores of the Danube, only 25 minutes away by car or 1.5 hours by boat.
Hiking or biking the Danube River Bend is fantastic for a day trip. The small city of Eger in Eastern Europe is also a hidden gem, with enough to do for two days. Note that once you leave Budapest, the country becomes significantly cheaper. And even in Budapest, you can find cheap hotels.
5. Turkey
Turkey is a huge country, spanning two continents. Most choose to visit Istanbul, the largest city in Europe and a melting pot of cultures. Keep in mind that, while Istanbul is well worth the visit, inflation has hit the city hard. While it’s still pretty affordable, it’s not dirt cheap like it used to be.
There’s so much to see in Turkey. Many might not realize that there are plenty of Turkish beach towns and resorts that rival the settings you’ll find in Greece, but at a much better value. So if you’re wondering about affordable beach vacations in Europe, consider Turkey.
More airlines fly to Istanbul than any city in the world, so you’re bound to find cheap flights.
6. Georgia
Don’t let the obscurity of Georgia fool you; it’s a cheap European country to visit that can simultaneously offer visitors an incredibly rewarding experience. The capital, Tbilisi, is a super hip, quirky place that will be hard to forget.
Georgians are known to be unbelievably hospitable people. When traveling the countryside or in the valleys of the Caucasus Mountains, you might even stumble on locals who invite you into their home for bread and cheese.
Despite its location east of the Black Sea bordering Russia, Georgia remains a safe, cheap European country to visit. It’s also a country that’s working hard to join the EU. You could consider pairing Georgia with a trip to bordering Armenia, another cheap European country, or easily spend 10 days or so discovering the country in its entirety.
7. Bulgaria
Bulgaria is an underrated European gem. This is where the Balkan Mountains meet the Carpathian Mountains, making for gorgeous settings. There are some wonderful beaches along the Black Sea in Bulgaria, and the larger cities of Sofia and Plovdiv are incredibly affordable while still offering a lot to do. Plovdiv is actually one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with evidence of settlements dating back to 6,000 B.C.
Since joining the EU in 2007, Bulgaria’s economy has steadily improved, yet it remains perhaps the cheapest European country to visit. You can find high-quality hotels and other types of accommodation for very cheap, no matter where you are in Bulgaria.
8. Serbia
It’s unfortunate for Serbia’s tourism department that they’re one of the few Balkan nations that lacks a coastline. It’s partially because of this fact that Serbia remains a super cheap country to visit.
But this doesn’t mean Serbia isn’t worth visiting. Belgrade is an underrated nightlife hub of Europe. It’s one of the best value capital cities to visit on the continent, and there’s a lot of history, too.
Nearby Novi Sad, the second-largest city in Serbia, has a lot of young people with a high student population. It’s a hip, up-and-coming city worth visiting.
Serbians are also known to be incredibly inviting, outgoing, and humorous. Visitors to Serbia are all but guaranteed to make a few new friends. What’s nice is that you’ll never have to think about how much you’re spending, because it won’t be that much.
9. Portugal
Portugal is a well-known, popular destination in Europe. But you might not know that it’s actually very affordable, particularly once you leave the city center of Lisbon and Porto.
For being such a small nation on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal has a lot to see. Lisbon has shades of San Francisco, while Porto is a rare, elegant port city. Inland, you have the Duoro Valley, one of the most optimal and well-regarded wine-making regions on Earth.
Lots of airlines offer cheap flights to Lisbon from all corners of the world, making a cheap trip to Portugal that much easier!
10. Czech Republic
Smack dab in the center of Europe is Czech Republic (Czechia), home to its world-famous capital, Prague.
While Prague welcomes hordes of visitors each year, you don’t have to stray far from the old city center for affordable prices. The core of the city isn’t super cheap, per se, but it’s certainly not as expensive as other international cities in Western Europe.
A couple other must-see s in Czechia include Plzen, the birthplace of Pilsner beer, and the charming town of Cesky Krumlov hidden in the foothills of the Alps.
If you’ve yet to explore much of Central or Eastern Europe but you want to go somewhere cheap, Czechia can be a good introduction. It’s very safe, the economy is pretty strong, and most people speak English.
11. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia has a tumultuous history, one that led to a lot of casualties not too long ago.
For that reason, Bosnia is a late bloomer on the tourism trail, but it’s certainly gained some traction as of late. Many travelers to neighboring Croatia decide to trek across the border for a day trip and are left surprised at the beauty of Bosnia. The small city of Mostar and its incredible Old Bridge (“Stari Most”) that towers over the aqua blue waters of the River Neretva is one of the coolest attractions in the Balkans. Sarajevo, meanwhile, is a gritty but bustling capital city.
Getting to Bosnia can be a tad tricky, as flights to Sarajevo aren’t known for being super cheap. But if you can get there economically, you can enjoy a really cheap trip to a stunning European country.
12. Slovakia
Slovakia is an oft forgotten nation sandwiched between more popular places like Budapest, Krakow, Vienna, and Prague. Its capital of Bratislava is much smaller than those other Central European cities, and much less visited because of that.
Still, Slovakia is an affordable choice for someone wondering how to travel to Europe on a budget. There are some really underrated ski resorts in the country’s Tatra Mountains. Bratislava is a mix of old and new, and a great pit stop if you’re considering a day trip from nearby Vienna or Budapest. Kosice, the 2nd-largest city, is a good change of pace further west.
13. Montenegro
If you think Croatia might be a bit too expensive for your liking, consider its southern neighbor, Montenegro.
While Montenegro doesn’t have the seemingly endless Adriatic Islands that Croatia boasts, it still has some incredible coastline. Given its name, which translates to “Black Mountains,” its no surprise that the black, rugged peaks of the Balkans and all of the backcountry hiking trails are appealing to adventurous travelers. Most importantly, prices throughout Montenegro are very reasonable. Scenic coastal towns like Kotor and Bar can get a touch pricier, but it’s nothing like what you’d find in Western Europe.
It can also be difficult to get to Montenegro for cheap, as its airport has limited flight options, so keep that in mind.
14. Albania
Albania is another Balkan country that’s very inexpensive, but can be tough to get to on a budget with a small airport (sense a theme?).
Still, it can be worth the extra couple hundred dollars on the flight. That’s because like Montenegro, Albania also has incredibly underrated coastal settings like the small city of Durres. Shkoder is another really interesting city perched in between the beaches and the mountains.
Many travelers like countries like Albania and Montenegro not only because they’re affordable, but because they’re small. You can easily cover most of these Balkan countries in a 10-day trip. Or, you can combine countries for one cheap. Keep in mind that these countries aren’t in the EU, so they often don’t allow you to cross borders with a rental car without an exorbitant fee attached.
15. Ukraine
When Ukraine is safe to visit, it’s one of the most affordable countries to travel to in Europe. There’s a lot to see, too. Lviv has often been praised as one of the top cities to visit on the continent, thanks to its grandiose architecture, huge old town, and friendly locals. Keep this in mind for when the war with Russia subsides. The people could really use the tourism dollars once it’s safe to visit.
16. Latvia
Who says Northern Europe can’t be affordable?
While Latvia doesn’t get much recognition as a tourist destination, you’d be surprised by how much there is to do in this relatively inexpensive country. Riga is one of the most popular cities for bachelor parties for good reason; there’s fantastic nightlife.
There are some nice beaches in Latvia, but most consider the more rural countryside to be the real gem of the country. Sigulda and Cesis, two towns near Gaujas National Park, are super inviting and are perfect hubs for exploring the park by foot, bike, or kayak. Take into account how safe and easily navigable the country is, and Latvia can be a secretly good place to visit in Europe for budget travelers.
17. The Azores
If you’re looking for an affordable beach vacation, look no further than the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Azores almost look like a tropical version of Iceland. In fact, if you’re looking for an alternative to Iceland that’s significantly cheaper, you should definitely look into visiting this group of eight volcanic islands. They are lush, green, and booming with beauty hidden within their hills. Surprisingly, there are pretty cheap flights to The Azores, though you’ll have to connect in Lisbon.
In one day, you can hike a volcano, relax on the beach, and hit one of the towns to enjoy a drink and traditional Portuguese island cuisine-all without breaking the bank. That’s hard to beat.
In-Summary: Best Cheap European Countries to Visit
Countries not listed such as Italy and Croatia can be cheap to visit, but it really depends on the area you’re visiting.
All 17 of these inexpensive countries in Europe are worth exploring if you’re trying to travel internationally on a budget. However, some are better than others, especially depending on what you like to do when you travel.
Are you big on nightlife? If so, the best cheap places in Europe to party include:
- Riga, Latvia
- Belgrade, Serbia
- Bucharest, Romania
- Budapest, Hungary
- Prague, Czechia
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Istanbul, Turkey
Are you into the outdoors? If yes, the best cheap countries in Europe with amazing hiking and outdoors are:
- Romania
- Montenegro
- Albania
- Georgia
- Bulgaria
- Slovenia
- Portugal
And if you love history, some cheap countries in Europe with a ton of interesting history include:
- Poland
- Romania
- Bosnia
- Serbia
- Bulgaria
- Hungary
Hopefully, you can now feel confident that you can travel internationally on a limited budget!
