5 Countries to Visit in Europe That Won't Bust your Budget
Trying to travel on a budget can make your choice of country even more important. Although Europe is well known for its expensive hotels and restaurants, you might notice that the highest numbers tend to show up in the same handful of countries in Western Europe. If you’re looking for the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, it’s time to grab your map, explore rail time tables, and get creative. With these European countries on your list, you might be surprised how easy it is, with careful planning, to get your fill of great views, local food, and amazing history. Check out our top five.
Romania
If you love Dracula or the vampire aesthetic, Romania should be at the top of your list. You won’t have to spend a fortune to spend a few days here, because trains and attractions are quite affordable. You’ll be dazzled by the snow-capped mountains and ancient cities. Romania is one of the cheap places to visit in Europe largely because it doesn’t use the Euro. Instead, it uses local currency called Lei. Fortunately, most places are happy to accept cards.
Montenegro
Montenegro offers everything you might hope for from a stay in southeastern Europe, at a much lower price. You can easily budget your stay in this country for less than €100 per day. Traveling Europe on a budget is easier if you look for activities geared more toward locals than tourists. Look for restaurants serving local food and stick to public transportation. Staying close to the coast will cost more, so keep that in mind as you plan your hotels.
Czech Republic
Located next to Germany and Austria, the Czech Republic makes one of the best cheap places to travel in Europe. It offers much of the historic beauty of Germany or Austria, at a fraction of the price. Since it’s so close to these countries, it’s easy to add the Czech Republic to your country list without breaking the budget. Look for places to stay outside the higher end capital of Prague, and you’ll be delighted with inexpensive dining options and attractions.
Hungary
As one of the hallmarks of Central Europe, Hungary is also one of the cheapest countries to travel in Europe. Public transport and lodging is very inexpensive, costing around $60 per day for two people. Spend your time touring the many historic buildings and museums, or snap pictures of the delightfully photogenic Danube River. Do your research on places to visit in advance because many are free or very low in cost.
Bulgaria
A list of cheap places to go in Europe wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the Balkan nations, Bulgaria in particular. Bulgaria has almost everything you could possibly want from a vacation: beach resorts, striking mountain views, skiing, fine dining, and more. The eastern end of the country has miles of beautiful beaches along the Black Sea, with a lovely, mountainous interior. Hotels are generally affordable, particularly if you spend most of your time outside of the typical tourist spots.
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