7 CHEAPEST Ways to Travel Europe on a Budget (Backpacker Secrets!)

So you’ve been dreaming of sangrias in the sunshine, croissants in cosy cafés and as much pasta as humanly possible to consume in piazzas around the continent. 

I have to say, it sounds like absolute bliss and that’s because I’ve been fortunate enough to have been there and done that. 10/10: would recommend. 

But, came the cries! How am I to afford such frivolities on my meagre backpacker budget? 

… and that’s where the great reveal comes. I’ve done it all and I’ve done it ON THE CHEAP!

(Actually, that’s a small lie, I’ve got two countries left to visit in Europe, but it’s not quite as catchy.) 

Anyway, what that means for you lucky SOBs is that I know EXACTLY what the best and most effective cheap ways to travel Europe are… and Imma share them with you now! 

Let’s gooooo!

The 7 BEST Ways to Travel Europe CHEAP

Alrighty then guys, let’s not waste any time because you’re about to embark on a journey around a continent filled to the brim with impressive history, fascinating culture, delicious food and drunk Brits! Ok, forget that last part (as long as you avoid Benidorm). 

But what I’m saying is that whilst there are many great regions of the world for a backpacker to explore, Europe’s perceived cost should NOT put you off experiencing all it has to offer. 

And what it does offer might just surprise you, because beyond the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum are some real budget-friendly gems. (FYI: My first tip is that both of those are free to see from the outside!) 

Right then, let’s check out how to tour Europe on a budget.

1 – Keep Transport Costs Low

First things first, you’ve got to get around and things can mount up quickly when you’re bouncing around the continent like my head at a Rammstein show! 

Public transport is second to none in Europe and there are usually several different options when it comes to getting from A-Z. 

From buses to trains and even budget airlines and affordable car hire. Let’s take a closer look and the cheap ways to travel Europe in terms of transport.

Buses

Taking the bus is by far the best way to get around if you’re doing Europe on a shoestring. The bus networks across Europe are vast and far-reaching and are especially important in regions such as The Balkans where train coverage is patchy. 

If you’re wondering how to tour Europe on a budget, then for better or for worse, the bus is where it’s at!

Most buses can be booked well in advance and if you’re travelling during the peak season, then make sure to LOCK IN YOUR TICKETS online before your trip. 

I use Omio to search and book tickets online across Europe. They allow me to compare routes, times, and prices from all the main providers such as Flixbus / Megabus Europe / Blablacar Bus and more. 

You can even compare different methods of transport (including ferries which is super useful for places like Greece) It’s perfect if you’re looking for the best cheap ways to travel around Europe.

Book Transport

Best Place to Book Other Transport Options

If you’re looking for another option for transport, specifically booking Ryanair, Easyjet, National Express or Renfe then Omio are another super reliable company especially when travelling in Europe.

Book Your Next Flight, Train or Bus

Trains

Ahh, yes, the romance of a gently swaying train making its way through Europe, maybe some Caviar with a side of instant noodles, sir!? 

I bloody love a good train, it’s top-tier transport if ever there was one. You can walk around, take in the views, often buy food and even decent coffee (Ciao Italia) and most importantly, you can go to the toilet whenever you want! 

However, they’re not always as cheap as you’d imagine! 

Oh, just remember some trains require you to validate before boarding, like using the train in Italy. You really don’t need a fine when you’re on a budget!

Train travel across Europe comes in the form of local, regional and international trains. These range from high-speed rail to a shed on wheels (I’m looking at you, Northern Rail!) 

If you do your research and you’re willing to spend the best part of a day with a numb arse, then you can easily save a shit ton by navigating the local train networks on some convoluted route. 

The cheapest way to travel Europe by train is to take the long way around, basically!

If you’re asking what my number one tip for “how to travel cheap in Europe by train?” it would be to book early!

Planes

Stick with me here. Jumping on a plane might not seem like the most budget-friendly way to get yo ass from one side of a continent to the other. When it comes to cheap ways to travel Europe, don’t rule out flying. 

But here in the fine lands of Europa, we’re blessed with gods by the names of Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizz and Pegasus… at least that last one is named after a god! 

Despite having a somewhat tumultuous reputation when it comes to hidden fees and general luggage-related scumbaggery. If you know the rules (and where you can bend them) then these flights can work out cheaper than some buses and trains whilst taking a fraction of the time. 

I recently got a €13 flight from Manchester to Paris, sure, the landing almost snapped my spine, and I had to take an hour-long bus to actually end up in Paris, but you can’t argue with that! 

If you’re looking for cheap ways to travel in Europe, check out the budget airlines and travel carry-on only.

Car Rentals

Whilst renting a car might not scream “cheap Eurotrip”, there are some locations around Europe that are a bit more of a challenge to get to than others. 

Think: travelling around Albania, exploring the Transfagarasan Highway in Romania or doing some remote hiking in the Alps.

Public transport, on the whole, is great, but not for some remote areas. 

Car rental in Europe is generally a lot better priced than it is in the US or Australia. In some places, like Romania and Albania, for example, it’s actually very affordable. In fact, if you’re looking to go to some random-ass places, then it might just be one of the best ways to travel cheap in Europe. 

If it works out for you, it’s the best way to explore Europe if you’re looking to visit some more rural locations.

Book a Rental Car

Best Place to Organise a Rental Car

Depending on the type of trip you’ve got planned you might just want to rent a car.

This is a great way to see much more of a place and get to some pretty out-of-the-way and hard-to-visit places.

When it comes to options, we always use Discover Cars to find the best deals.

Book Your Rental Car Here

Finding Cheap Accommodation in Europe

By far the most expensive part of those cheap getaways in Europe is the accommodation. 

Prices across the continent vary wildly depending on where you go, when you go and how willing you are to share your bedroom with some random Korean dude! (Based on a true story where we thought we had a private room!)

Thankfully, Europe has some of the best hostels I’ve seen around the world outside of Southeast Asia (there’s no beating those bad boys, so don’t even try). They’re just perfect if you’re backpacking Europe on a budget. 

Forget the stereotypes because if you want to truly travel Europe on a budget, then this is where to do it. I’ve stayed in hostels in Europe with rooftop terraces, private ensuite rooms, gyms, swimming pools, free breakfast, movie rooms and co-working spaces. 

Not only do you save on your accommodation, but in hostels you usually have access to kitchens where you can cook your own food, take free walking tours and access unbeatable local tips aimed at budget travellers. 

Let’s be honest, any number one piece of backpacking advice is going to be: suck it up, buttercup and stay in a hostel!

Another way to save money on accommodation is to look at guest houses or smaller hotels further out from the main attractions. This is particularly useful if you’re staying long-term in a digital nomad destination. Try to base yourself near some good transport links and local restaurants. 

Finding affordable accommodation is one of the key cheap ways to travel Europe.

Volunteer

If you’re not afraid of a bit of hard work, then one of the best cheap ways to travel to Europe is to do some volunteering. 

This could take many different forms, from picking up casual work in hostels for the cost of your bed or joining a longer organised program through an establishment such as a charity or a provider like Worldpackers.  

Try to research those where you can both give back to and learn more about local communities, whilst at the same time allowing you to explore Europe on a budget.

Our Favourite Backpacks

Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview

We’ve used the Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview for all our backpacking adventures over the past 5 years and highly recommend them!

The main area of the pack opens like a suitcase, which is great for using packing cubes to keep everything organised and they even come with a detachable day pack!

> Farpoint: Buy It Here
> Fairview: Buy It Here

Travel Outside of The Peak Season

One of the best cheap ways to travel Europe is to avoid the peak season(s). This is one of the biggest lessons I learnt travelling.

Europe gets hella busy over the summer months, specifically from late June to late August, which coincides with most school holidays. 

Besides, it’s also stinking hot. Let me tell you from personal experience, exploring Rome when it’s 40 °C is not fun, and yes, I did come back at midday to eat a pineapple naked in the AC (good job I wasn’t in a dorm!) 

The absolute PERFECT time to hit Europe for weather, crowds and cost is in either spring (late March to mid-June) or Autumn (September to early November). 

If you’re travelling to Southern Europe in particular, the weather is still perfect for hitting the beach well into October. The best way to explore Europe is by doing it without the crowds, for sure.

Stick To Budget-Friendly Destinations Like Eastern Europe

Being a whole ass continent, the cost of travel in each country can be wildly different. So if you’re looking for cheap ways to travel Europe, you’ve got to look beyond the obvious destinations. 

I mean, yeah, it’s possible to go backpacking in London, but your money will go further elsewhere.

If you want to hit the top cheap places to stay in Europe, then stick to Eastern Europe. Here you’ll get much more bang for your buck without compromising on culture, food or weather. 

Sure, you might not get landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or The Duomo, but for us, we just love travelling in Eastern Europe. 

Crowds are generally thinner, things feel so much more authentic, and most importantly, it’s cheaper on all fronts! In fact, it’s basically home to all the best budget destinations in Europe. 

Wanna visit the Alps? Hit Slovenia or Poland instead. Beaches? How about Bulgaria or Albania? Ancient ruins? Try North Macedonia or Croatia? Wanna explore a good old town? Have a look at Montenegro or the Baltic states. 

Yes, that’s right, the cheap places to go in Europe are off the beaten track. I mean, have you even been to Europe if you’ve not visited Moldova?

The best route to travel Europe is to stick to the East if you’re on a budget. It’s where you’ll find all of the best budget-friendly European cities. 

Some of the cheapest European countries to visit are:

In fact, some of the cheapest backpacking destinations are in Europe!

Travel Via Campervan

Hiring a campervan is a great option if you’re looking to combine the costs of transport and accommodation. 

Whilst the initial outlay might feel like a large chunk of cash, you can free camp in heaps of different places around Europe or pay a few Euros a night for a nice campsite with a whole lot of facilities.

Plus, this way you can plan your trip without having to organise buses or trains and get to see some of the truly wild landscapes of Europe. It’s also a great way to do a bit of slow travel and really get to know a place.

Many campervans also have facilities for cooking so you can save money on that front as well.  Once you’ve got yourself set up, it’s actually one of the best ways to travel cheap around Europe.

Follow the path of the dirtbag

So, you wanna know how to travel in Europe for free, hey? For that, you’ve got to go full dirtbag! 

In Europe, there are plenty of opportunities to do things like Couchsurfing or free camping. Plus, in many countries (particularly Eastern Europe), hitchhiking is pretty common and accepted. 

Not only that, but public libraries are welcoming spots for those looking to use the internet, charge devices or use the bathroom for free. 

If you’re looking for other cheap ways to travel Europe, have a look at bikepacking. Roads and cycle routes across the continent are pretty good, and there are sites like Warmshowers where cyclists can get a place to stay with fellow bikers.

Ok, well, if you wanna be a bit of a dirtbag without actually being a full-on vagrant, then I also suggest looking at housesitting. Think of it as more of an exchange than a free stay, and in reality, you get so much more than just a place to sleep, too.

With housesitting, you can really build up relationships, get to know an area like a local and also look after some cute doggos too!

But Wait… What’s the Cheapest way to get TO Europe?

What’s the cheapest way to get to Europe, you ask? 

It depends on where you’re travelling from! You could quite easily (and by easy, I mean with a large amount of difficulty) take that trusty scooter all the way from Bangkok to Berlin, but that’s not what you’re here for!

Flying is for most of us, even me as a Brit, the best and cheapest way to get to Europe. 

But exactly how cheap you can do it depends on three main things: flexibility, time and willingness to be uncomfortable. 

What we do when we’re trying to cover a large distance is break things up into a series of budget flights to the cheapest destinations from each location.  

By doing this, we save money and also get to spend a few days in some random places along the way.  If this isn’t quite making sense, I’ll give you some examples of itineraries we’ve concocted over the years. 

Journey: Manchester to Melbourne 

This way, we got to visit Berlin and Dubai for a few days. We spent three weeks in Sri Lanka. And stayed overnight in KL (we’d already travelled all over Malaysia). 

These flights cost us half the price! 

We recommend using flight comparison websites such as Skyscanner, Omio or Trip.com. 

Play around with features such as the cheapest month and search for “any destination” and see what wild and wacky route you can come up with!

Book Flights

Best Place to Book Flights

As much as we loved hopping on a train or a bus, flights are an inevitable part of travelling, especially long haul.

At The Roaming Renegades we love Skyscanner and trust them for all our bookings.

Book Your Next Flight Here

Cheapest Countries (and Cities) in Europe to Fly Into

Not every airport in Europe is created equally; in fact, you’ll soon discover that the likes of Ryanair fly into some airports that aren’t even in the city they claim to be in! Classic!

This is due to different taxes, landing fees, and general fees levied by each airport. 

So this might mean that if you’re planning a trip to Berlin from the US, you might want to fly into Madrid or Lisbon and connect. 

One of the best cheap ways to travel Europe is definitely by selecting your airport carefully. Be sure to have a proper look at the cheapest European cities to fly into from your location.

Some of the cheapest countries to fly to in Europe are:

From the US:

From within Europe:

From Asia/ Middle East:

Travel Insurance

Alright, now there are places where you should cut corners, scrimp and save, and there are those where you just shouldn’t… travel insurance is one of them!

Whilst Europe has some of the world’s best public healthcare, you just never know what might happen and how the hell you’re gonna make it home if it does. 

So do yourselves a favour and get some good travel insurance before doing anything else! Don’t even dare travel in Europe cheaply without it.

SafetyWing Travel Insurance

SafetyWing

Travel insurance is one of those annoying things that no one likes to think about, let alone pay for, when you’re planning your next trip. It can also be bloody annoying as a backpacker/long-term traveller to find affordable coverage that meets the itinerary-less lifestyle (*cough* World Nomads *cough*).

So instead of getting subpar travel insurance, now we just always go with  SafetyWing. It takes like 5-10 minutes to purchase your policy and essentially functions as a monthly subscription plan with near-global coverage!

Get a Quote Now!

The Cheap Ways to Travel Europe Also Happen Be the Best!

Ok folks, there you have it, that’s travelling Europe on a budget! 

Hopefully, I’ve armed you with enough tips, tricks and knowledge to avoid sleeping under a bridge in Europe (unless that’s your jam and if it is, more power to you). 

Europe doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to cheap travel, but with some preplanning and clever itinerary selections, it can easily be done on a backpacker’s budget. 

I, for one, had the best summer staying in ramshackle dorms, jumping on local buses and seeing some of the most incredible sights across the whole continent when we travelled across Eastern Europe. 

For me, the best route to travel Europe is by sticking to the east if you’re on a budget. 

Get on it!