Backpacking Europe on a Budget: The thought of heading to Europe and backpacking around the city might bring about ideas of how much it will cost but it need not. With proper planning, a route, and some smart decisions, it is possible to travel around Europe through a tight budget.
The book will present tips on how to spend less on accommodation, food and commuting across some of the beautiful countries in Europe.
Backpacking Europe on a Budget
1. Travel Planning
Travel Off-Season
Do not travel during summer (June to August). Choose either April-May or September-October so that there are no peak prices and huge crowds.
Plan Your Route
Stick to one region at a time. For example:
-
Week 1–2: Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary)
-
Week 3: Central Europe (Austria, Czech Republic)
Planning your route saves both money and travel time.
2. Stay Options for Budget Travelers
There is no need of hotels when you are backpacking.
Try These:
-
Hostels: Check Hostelworld to get dorms at 10-20/nights.
-
Couchsurfing: Staying with people in exchange of nothing.
-
Work Exchange: Register on sites such as Workaway and work a couple of hours a day in exchange of free accommodation and even meals.
Never book at the last minute, at least when you are going to one of the popular cities such as Paris or Amsterdam.
3. Cheap Transportation
Intercity:
-
Flixbus / BlaBlaCar Bus: Long-distance buses starting at €5.
-
Trains: Use Eurail Pass if covering multiple countries.
Within City:
-
Walk, rent a bicycle, or use local metro passes.
4. Eating on a Budget
Food can be a major expense if not managed wisely.
Save With:
-
Supermarkets (Lidl, Aldi): Ready meals, bread, and snacks under €5.
-
Street food: Doner kebabs, pizza slices, sandwiches – affordable and filling.
-
Hostel kitchens: Cook your own meals.
Avoid tourist restaurants in popular areas.
5. Countries That Are Budget-Friendly
You don’t need to start with expensive countries like Switzerland or France. Try these first:
-
Poland: Krakow is cheap, clean, and safe.
-
Romania: Mountains, castles, and hostels under €10.
-
Hungary: Budapest has affordable transport and food.
-
Albania: One of Europe’s cheapest destinations with beaches and heritage.
6. Money-Saving Tips
-
Use international debit cards like Wise or Revolut to avoid currency conversion fees.
-
Download offline maps and travel apps like Rome2Rio.
-
Always carry a water bottle and basic snacks to avoid impulse purchases.
-
Overnight buses save one night of hostel cost.
7. Estimated Daily Budget (Per Person)
| Item | Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Stay | €10–20 |
| Food | €10–15 |
| Transport | €5–10 |
| Attractions | €5 |
| Total | €30–50 |
This means you can easily plan a 2-week trip under ₹80,000 if you stick to cheaper countries.
8. Documents and Visa
Schengen Visa (for most countries)
Apply 1–2 months in advance. You can visit 27 countries under a single visa.
Visa-Free Countries for Indians:
-
Albania
-
Serbia
-
Georgia
-
Kosovo
(As of latest updates – check official embassy sites for updates.)
9. What to Carry (Essentials Only)
-
1 Backpack (40–50L)
-
Microfiber towel
-
Basic clothes (2–3 pairs)
-
Refillable water bottle
-
Small first-aid kit
-
Travel-size toiletries
-
Power bank & universal adapter
Keep it light. You’ll be carrying everything.
Final Thoughts
It does not mean that one must have a hefty budget to do backpacking in Europe. It implies that you have to make intelligent decisions. The most important is to keep it simple, plan well and be flexible to choose good countries, spend less and have as much fun as possible.
Whether it’s the cobbled streets of Prague or the beaches of Albania, Europe has a lot to offer — even for a tight budget.
