The cost of a trip to Europe depends mainly on travel style, length of stay, destinations, and timing. How much does a trip to Europe cost? A Europe trip can cost anywhere from $70 per day on a tight budget to $300+ per day for a comfortable or luxury experience. Below is a clear, realistic breakdown so you know what to expect before planning.
Europe can cost anything from a tight backpacker-style rail trip to a much more comfortable city-and-hotel itinerary, so the biggest cost drivers are the countries you choose, the pace of the trip, and the season you travel.
If you’re building a shorter itinerary, this 2 week trip to Europe cost breakdown will help you plan a realistic budget.
Quick cost overview
Estimated daily cost per person (excluding flights):
- Budget / backpacker: $70–$110
- Mid-range traveler: $150–$220
- Luxury traveler: $300+
Typical 2-week Europe trip (excluding flights):
- Budget: $1,200–$1,600
- Mid-range: $2,100–$3,000
- Luxury: $4,200+
Flights are usually an additional $500–$1,200, depending on where you’re flying from and the season.
What affects the cost of a trip to Europe?
Travel Style
- Backpacking: hostels, public transport, cheap food
- Mid-range: hotels or private apartments, restaurants, attractions
- Luxury: high-end hotels, tours, taxis, fine dining
Destinations
Western Europe is generally more expensive than Central and Eastern Europe. Mixing regions can significantly reduce your overall costs.
Many travelers include Portugal in their European itinerary, especially cities like Lisbon and Porto, which is why people often research is Porto worth visiting before finalizing their trip.
Length of trip
Longer trips reduce daily average costs (weekly passes, apartment rentals, fewer flights).
Time of year
- Cheapest: late fall, winter (excluding holidays)
- Moderate: spring and early fall
- Most expensive: summer
Accommodation costs
Per night (per person):
- Hostel dorm: $20–$45
- Budget hotel / private room: $60–$120
- Mid-range hotel: $120–$220
- Luxury hotel: $300+
Tip: Staying slightly outside city centers and using public transport saves a lot. Also Europe is huge, try to avoid capitals or big cities like Rome for example and go to Reggio, Calabria. It will save you hundreds if you skip the main cities and you’re on a budget.
Transportation costs
Flights to Europe
- North America → Europe: $500–$1,200 round trip
- Cheapest when booked 2–4 months in advance
Getting around Europe
- Budget flights: $20–$80 per flight
- Trains (regional): $30–$90
- High-speed trains: $70–$150
- Public transport (daily): $5–$15
Tip: Combining trains with occasional budget flights keeps costs reasonable.
Hidden costs that make Europe feel more expensive
Europe does not usually feel expensive because of one huge cost alone. More often, it feels expensive because of the smaller charges that keep stacking up during the trip.
Some of the most common hidden costs are city tourist taxes charged per night, checked baggage fees on budget airlines, seat reservations on high-speed trains, attraction entry fees in major capitals, and currency exchange losses in non-euro countries.
None of these costs are necessarily dramatic on their own, but together they can push a trip well above the simple hotel-and-food budget many first-time travelers expect. That is why Europe often feels much more affordable on paper than it does in practice unless you plan for these extras from the start.
If you’re focusing on Southern Europe, also see how much does a trip to Spain cost, how much does a trip to Portugal cost, and how much does a trip to Greece cost.
Food costs
Daily food budget:
- Street food / grocery meals: $15–$30
- Mix of casual restaurants: $35–$60
- Sit-down restaurants daily: $70–$100+
Grocery stores and bakeries are the easiest way to keep food costs low.
Attractions & activities
- Museums: $10–$25
- City attractions / landmarks: $15–$40
- Guided tours / day trips: $50–$150
Many cities offer free walking tours and discounted museum days.
Europe trip cost by city
Costs per person per day. Hostel dorm and budget hotel show per-person nightly cost.
| City | Budget/day | Mid-range/day | Hostel dorm | Budget hotel | Coffee | Beer | Meal out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tirana | $30–45 | $65–90 | $12–18 | $30–50 | $1–1.5 | $1.5–2 | $5–10 |
| Skopje | $30–45 | $65–90 | $12–18 | $30–50 | $1–1.5 | $1.5–2 | $5–10 |
| Bucharest | $40–60 | $80–110 | $12–20 | $35–60 | $1.5–2 | $1.5–2.5 | $7–12 |
| Sofia | $40–60 | $80–110 | $12–20 | $35–60 | $1.5–2 | $1.5–2.5 | $7–12 |
| Budapest | $50–75 | $100–145 | $15–25 | $45–80 | $2–3 | $2–3 | $8–15 |
| Krakow | $45–70 | $90–130 | $12–22 | $40–70 | $2–2.5 | $2–3 | $7–13 |
| Lisbon | $60–85 | $110–160 | $20–35 | $55–90 | $1.5–2 | $2–3 | $10–18 |
| Porto | $55–80 | $100–150 | $18–30 | $50–85 | $1.5–2 | $2–3 | $9–16 |
| Athens | $60–85 | $110–165 | $18–30 | $50–90 | $2.5–3.5 | $3–4.5 | $10–18 |
| Barcelona | $75–105 | $140–200 | $22–38 | $70–120 | $2–3 | $3–5 | $13–22 |
| Rome | $80–115 | $145–210 | $22–38 | $70–120 | $1.5–2.5 | $4–6 | $14–22 |
| Paris | $90–130 | $160–240 | $28–45 | $90–150 | $3–5 | $6–9 | $18–30 |
| Amsterdam | $90–130 | $155–230 | $30–50 | $90–150 | $3–4 | $5–7 | $16–28 |
| Zurich | $150–200 | $260–360 | $50–80 | $130–200 | $5–7 | $8–12 | $25–45 |
How much does a backpacking trip to Europe cost?
Typical backpacker budget (per day):
- Accommodation: $25–$40
- Food: $20–$30
- Transport: $10–$20
- Activities: $10–$20
Total: $65–$110 per day
A one-month backpacking trip often costs $2,000–$3,000, excluding flights.
What a real Europe trip costs: sample budgets
These are realistic totals based on actual travel costs, not best-case estimates. Both exclude international flights.
Budget trip: 10 days, Eastern Europe ($950 total excluding flights)
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (hostel dorms, 10 nights) | $180 |
| Food (street food, markets, occasional restaurant) | $220 |
| Transport (buses, trains between cities) | $120 |
| Activities & entrance fees | $80 |
| Coffee, drinks, incidentals | $100 |
| City tourist taxes | $50 |
| Budget airline baggage fees | $60 |
| Buffer | $140 |
| Total | $950 |
Mid-range trip: 10 days, mixed Western/Eastern Europe ($2,100 total excluding flights)
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (budget hotels, 10 nights) | $650 |
| Food (restaurants, cafes, some self-catering) | $420 |
| Transport (trains, some budget flights) | $380 |
| Activities & entrance fees | $200 |
| Coffee, drinks, incidentals | $200 |
| City tourist taxes | $90 |
| Budget airline baggage fees | $80 |
| Buffer | $80 |
| Total | $2,100 |
How much does a two-week trip to Europe cost?
Estimated 14-day costs per person (excluding flights):
- Budget: $1,200–$1,600
- Mid-range: $2,100–$3,000
- Luxury: $4,200+
Add flights to get your total trip cost.
Western vs Eastern Europe: Cost Comparison
| Country | Budget/day | Mid-range/day | Accommodation | Food | Beer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | $35–55 | $70–100 | $15–40 | $10–20 | $1.5–2 |
| North Macedonia | $35–55 | $70–100 | $15–35 | $10–20 | $1.5–2 |
| Romania | $40–60 | $80–120 | $20–50 | $12–22 | $1.5–2.5 |
| Bulgaria | $40–65 | $80–120 | $20–50 | $12–22 | $1.5–2.5 |
| Hungary | $50–80 | $100–150 | $25–70 | $15–25 | $2–3 |
| Poland | $50–80 | $100–150 | $25–70 | $15–25 | $2–3 |
| Portugal | $60–90 | $110–170 | $30–80 | $15–30 | $2–3 |
| Greece | $65–95 | $120–180 | $35–90 | $18–35 | $3–4 |
| Spain | $70–100 | $130–190 | $35–90 | $18–35 | $2.5–4 |
| Italy | $80–120 | $150–220 | $45–110 | $20–40 | $3–5 |
| France | $90–130 | $160–240 | $50–120 | $25–45 | $5–8 |
| Germany | $80–120 | $150–220 | $40–110 | $20–40 | $4–6 |
| Netherlands | $90–130 | $160–230 | $50–120 | $22–40 | $4–6 |
| Switzerland | $150–200 | $250–350 | $80–180 | $35–60 | $7–10 |
| Norway | $150–200 | $250–350 | $80–180 | $35–65 | $10–14 |
Daily costs per person, excluding flights. Accommodation shows per-person cost in a budget hotel or private room.
Mixing both regions keeps the trip affordable without sacrificing experience.
If Portugal is one of the countries you are considering, read best time to visit Portugal before comparing final route costs.
The most expensive and cheapest parts of Europe
Not all of Europe sits in the same budget range, and that is one of the most important things to understand when planning a trip.
At the expensive end, countries like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, and major France itineraries usually put the most pressure on a budget. Accommodation is often the biggest issue there, but food, attractions, and everyday transport can also rise quickly.
At the better-value end, places like Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Portugal, and other parts of the Balkans and Southern Europe can be dramatically easier on the wallet. These destinations are the reason Europe is not automatically a high-budget trip. A smart route that mixes one or two pricier stops with better-value countries can lower the total far more effectively than cutting small daily expenses.
Costs vary widely by country. For example, see how much a trip to Spain costs, how much a trip to Portugal costs, and how much a trip to Greece costs for country-specific budgets.
If you are torn between a better-value Balkan beach trip and a pricier Mediterranean classic, read Albania vs Greece travel cost for a direct side-by-side comparison.
Ways to save money on a Europe Trip
- Travel outside peak summer whenever possible. Spring and early autumn usually offer the best balance between price, weather, and crowd levels.
- Use budget airlines and trains strategically instead of assuming one transport type is always cheapest. In Europe, the best-value option depends heavily on route, timing, and baggage rules.
- Stay in hostels, guesthouses, or apartments when the trip is longer than a few days. Longer stays usually lower the average nightly cost.
- Eat at bakeries, markets, casual lunch spots, and local restaurants instead of making every meal a sit-down dinner in tourist centres.
- Mix expensive cities with better-value countries or smaller regional destinations instead of building the whole trip around capitals.
- Check museum free-entry windows and free walking tours before paying full attraction prices.
- Plan for hidden costs like tourist taxes, train seat reservations, and budget-airline baggage fees before setting your final budget.
If keeping costs low is your priority, these budget-friendly European vacations highlight destinations where accommodation, food, and transport stay affordable and underrated European villages worth visiting.
How much does a trip to Europe cost? FAQs:
Is Europe more expensive than the US?
Not always. Western Europe can feel similar in price to major US cities, especially for hotels in capitals and famous tourist hubs. But Europe often comes out cheaper on public transport, intercity travel, and many day-to-day costs once you leave the most expensive cities. In Eastern and Southern Europe, the total trip can easily be lower than a comparable trip in the United States.
What is the cheapest way to travel Europe?
The cheapest way to travel Europe is usually a mix of hostels or simple private rooms, public transport, some self-catered meals, and shoulder-season travel. The biggest savings usually come from destination choice and timing, not from cutting every small expense.
Is Europe expensive to travel?
Not necessarily. Eastern Europe runs $40–70 per day on a budget, while Western Europe typically runs $90–150. The regional gap is large enough that destination choice matters far more than cutting small daily expenses. A Balkans-focused trip can cost half of a Western Europe itinerary of the same length.
What is the cheapest month to visit Europe?
The cheapest months are usually late autumn and winter outside major holiday periods, while spring and early autumn often offer the best value-to-experience balance. In practical terms, many travelers find March, April, October, November, January, and February cheaper than peak summer.
How much money do you need for 2 weeks in Europe?
Budget travelers should plan for $1,200–1,600 excluding flights, mid-range travelers $2,100–3,000, and those traveling comfortably through Western Europe $4,000+. The biggest variables are whether you focus on Eastern or Western Europe and how many paid attractions and intercity trains you include.
Europe daily budget by travel style
- Backpacker: €65–110/day
- Mid-range: €120–180/day
- Luxury: €250+/day
Is Europe worth the cost?
For many travelers, yes. Europe gives you a huge range of cultures, languages, architecture, transport convenience, and destination variety in a relatively compact area.
That does not mean every Europe trip is cheap. It means the continent gives you more control than many first-time travelers realize. You can build an expensive major-capitals itinerary, a value-focused Balkans and Southern Europe route, or something in between.
That flexibility is one of the biggest reasons Europe remains worth the cost for so many travelers.
Takeaway
So, how much does a trip to Europe cost?
It can be surprisingly affordable or comfortably expensive — it all depends on how you travel and when you travel to Europe. With smart planning, Europe fits a wide range of budgets, making it one of the most flexible travel destinations in the world. If you’re considering destinations outside Europe, you might also want to see how much a trip to South Africa costs, or how much a trip to Southeast Asia costs especially for budget travelers.
