07 Tips for Cheap Europe Trip – Under $50/Day

Have you ever dreamt of walking down the avenues of Paris, enjoying scrumptious Italian pasta, or ogling at amazing architectural structures in Barcelona? You are not in this alone. However, the thought of such an adventure across Europe for many people comes with a belief that it will literally burn holes in their pockets.

But what if we told you that you could indeed experience the magic of Europe on a very tight budget? A reality of strolling historic towns, tasting native dishes, and making sweet memories-while only spending $50 a day-sounds impossible; yet it could happen. With the right strategies and tips from inside people, it can become real!

We are going to open our tips for cheap Europe trip tips today for all European travelers. From finding cheap places to stay and smart transportation options to find free sights and money saving tricks, this blog will guide you towards every possible option for planning your inexpensive adventure in Europe. Get ready to make your travel dreams a reality, and join us on this journey on spending a $50 daily budget across Europe!

Affordable Accommodation Options

Hostels: Social and budget-friendly

Hostels are the first thought for any budget traveler visiting Europe. Apart from offering bed spaces, they are buzzing with other travelers exchanging experiences and sharing tips. Dorm-style room is at the very lowest price range, usually between €10 and €30 a night. However, almost every hostel has a designated area for those willing to pay a little bit more for some privacy.

Couchsurfing: Free stays with locals

Couchsurfing is the absolute free option for you as far as accommodation is concerned. Using this platform, travelers connect with locals willing to host for free. This will not only help you save but provide you with a far more authentic cultural experience and inside-scooper knowledge about the place. Remember to play the role of a good houseguest and find some way to repay your stay, perhaps through cooking a meal or sharing stories of your travels.

Budget hotels and guesthouses

Accommodation offering an affordable private room is now the perfect break from shared dormitory living. They thus provide basic amenities, at a fraction of prices considerably lower than those of the bigger hotel chains. If you’d want the best offers, which range from about 30 to 60 Euros a night, look for family-run establishments that lie farther away from the tourist-riddled areas.

Camping: For nature lovers

Camping allows money-crunched outdoor enthusiasts to soak in the beauty that Europe has to offer. Campsites are often well-maintained places offering some basic facilities, costing anywhere from 5 to 15 Euros a night. Such places are especially in demand in summer in countries such as France, Spain, and Croatia. Just make sure to bring your gear, and check the local regulations on camping before you set up your site.

Smart Transportation Choices

Eurail Pass: Maximize Train Travel

The Eurail Pass can be called your golden ticket for traversing continents of Europe in a time-efficient and budget-friendly manner. It gives you flexibility by allowing travel on several trains in various countries. Find routes where you could maximize your travel days by covering longer distances for the least expenditure.

Budget airlines for the longer distances

Though discouraged by any other one-day trips across the continent, budget airlines could be a preposition. Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air fares hit the lowest if you’re early to book a flight and carry as little luggage as you can. Watch for sales or be flexible with the days you choose to achieve the best deals.

Buses: Slow but cheaper option

If you have all the time in the world and want to genuinely save more on travel, considering long-distance buses also forms a good option. You could travel on the sleeper buses with companies like Flixbus and Eurolines in Europe for the same distance at a minute fraction of what carriers and planes would charge you. While this option takes longer, you’ll generally find overnight buses to save you on accommodation too.

Carpooling and ridesharing

If you would like a friendly and perhaps cheaper option, then collect your buddies and check out ridesharing platforms like BlaBlaCar. Essentially, these platforms connect drivers who are headed somewhere with empty seats to potential passengers who want to go in the same way; other instances are more competitive or beneficial than public transport.

Walking and cycling while at a city

Upon reaching a place, embrace walking and cycling within a city. Most European cities are pedestrian-friendly; regarding cycling, the emergence of public bike schemes has supported the culture ever since. This practice will not only save your finances for local transport but will be a great way to discover local gems that lie beyond the paths taken.

Now that we’ve highlighted the smarter ways for easy transportation management, let’s learn about how to glance at food without getting your wallets improperly emptied.

Eating on a Budget

Street food and local markets

Nothing beats it, that is, to explore local markets and relish in the street food. It is not just a money-saving hack but also ages-old great ways to experience the local culture. Indeed, these days, almost every major city in Europe has its famous food markets where you can well-serve regional specialties at a fraction of the cost of sit-down restaurants. In Barcelona, La Boqueria offers affordable tapas, while in Berlin, the Turkish Market dishes out delicious and easy-on-the-pocket döner kebabs.

Grocery shopping and self-catering

One of the best ways to bilk your travel budget is to do grocery shopping and prepare your own dinners. Budget supermarkets like Lidl or Aldi are commonplace across Europe. Pile up on local bread, cheese, and fruits for your lunches. A lot of youth hostels and budget accommodation will also have communal kitchens where you can whip up some simple dinner and save a lot out of your food budget.

Lunch specials and set menus

Take advantage of lunch specials and set menus, which are frequently less expensive than dinner. Many restaurants in Spain and Italy offer a “menu del día” or “pranzo di lavoro,” which is a multi-course fixed-price lunch menu at a reasonable price. Not only are these meals budget-friendly, but they also allowed for a taste of local dining.

Free breakfast accommodations

Opt for accommodations that include free breakfast when making reservations. This simple perk can save you substantial money when traveling. Many hostels and budget hotels across Europe tend to offer a complimentary breakfast buffet, which comes in handy to fill your stomach for a new day. Some travelers might pack a sandwich en route, further maximizing their savings.

Free and Low-Cost Attractions

Free walking tours

 Many free walking tours run in European cities with a knowledgeable local guide. Walking tours are a great way to familiarize you with the city’s history, culture, and sights. While technically free, it is customary to tip your guide how you feel is appropriate.

Free museum days

There are many museums in Europe with a free entrance on certain days or at certain times. For example, many state-run museums in Italy are free on the first Sunday of each month. Do some research and plan your trips accordingly!

Public parks and gardens

European cities are renowned for their beautiful parks and gardens, and generally, they are free to visit. These green spaces provide a great opportunity for relaxation, picnicking, or local life without spending a dime.

Churches and historical sites

Many of the most impressive architectural sites throughout Europe are churches and cathedrals, which are often free to enter. While some may charge for certain areas or tours, you can normally enjoy a glance at its main spaces for no cost. Many historical sites, as well as ruins, can be seen without entering.

By incorporating these free and low-cost attractions into your itinerary, you will experience plenty of rich culture and history in Europe, all while living on $50 a day. Up next, we’ll explore some hacks for saving further money while you’re traveling, thereby stretching your travel funds some more.

Money-Saving Travel Hacks

Travel during shoulder season

Timing is everything when budget traveling in Europe. Choosing to travel during the shoulder season, which tends to be spring or fall, allows for ample savings on accommodation and flights while still enjoying decent weather and fewer crowds. Many famous places charge less during this period, which allows you to leverage the daily budget of $50 even further.

Travel rewards credit cards

It would be best if you maximized savings by opting for travel credit cards. Try to look for credit cards that offer sign-up bonuses, points with regard to travel purchases, and not usually impose foreign transaction fees. This means you can use those cards wisely for your day-to-day purchases as you book for travel, adding points you can convert to free flights, free hotel staying, or cash back, hence further reducing your total costs of travel.

Discounted city tourist passes

Almost every city in Europe has tourist cards that allow holders free or reduced admission to multiple attractions, along with unlimited use of public transport. These are sometimes a fantastic way of saving money, especially if you plan to visit several attractions in a short time. Research which options are available in each city and work out if the savings are worth the cost of the card.

Change the currency cost-effectively

You can save yourself from many currency exchange hassles and high fees through proper planning. This can be achieved by asking your bank if it can offer the Key for International Use card that allows you to withdraw from ATMs but doesn’t impose foreign transaction fees; this way, you get your cash on arrival in Europe. Pay for purchases, when possible, with a credit card that also does not impose foreign transaction fees. If you have to change currency, do so at the banks instead of airports or tourist areas, as the banks would offer you far better rates.

Utilize student and youth discounts

If you’re a student or under 26, then make sure to remember all discounts available in Europe. Under-26 tourists enjoy discounts on tickets to many attractions, museums, and transportation services. Always keep your student card or youth card with you, and do not hesitate to request information on discount opportunities – that can save you tons of money on the $50 you spend each day.

Want to save even more on flights? Also Read This (Must Know Packing Tips for Cheap Travel) for more budget-friendly tips!

Budgeting and Tracking Expenses

Limit for spending

It is very important to set limits on spending each day to keep your European travel costs capped to $50 per day. Consider how you spend your $50 bill: accommodation, food, transport, and activities. You should set aside about $20-25 for accommodation, about $15-20 for food, and about $5-10 for transport and activities. Make sure to give not an exclusive slot for your daily limits depending on local living costs in other cities in Europe.

Money management apps

For your convenience to track expenses, there are money management apps that you can utilize. The most popular apps include Trail Wallet, Splitwise, and Tripcoin. These can help you break up the expenses, set limits per day, and keep track of how much you actually have spent on any given day. Most of these apps support multiple currencies, so it’s easy to keep accounts across different European countries. You would want to highlight your expenses, regularly updating your costs in these apps to see how much you spend and keep within your $50 budget fun.

Cash versus card

Getting the right balance between cash and card is a hallmark for budget travelers to Europe. Understand that cards are widely accepted but in certain places, cash is preferred, unlike other places which have a minimum threshold for card payments. Just withdraw cash in large but manageable amounts to avoid costly ATM fees, and be careful not to withdraw too much if carrying cash. You’ll want to remember to use your cards for larger purchases or accommodations to keep records of expenses and possibly earn travel rewards that you love.

Still, stick to cash for your everyday, smaller expenses, it can aid to give you a better idea of how much you’re spending so less chance of you overshooting the budget. It is a trick to keep your total expenditure per day within $50, of course, while living the dream of traveling through Europe!

Now having your travel budgeting and expense-tracking plan going, let’s move on to the destinations that will enable you to travel on your $50 a day!

Choosing Budget-Friendly Destinations

Eastern European countries

In planning a budget-conscious European adventure, keep in mind Eastern European countries. Most of these destinations offer great value for money, allowing one to spend even lesser than $50 a day. For example, Poland, Hungary, and Romania are rich in history, stunning architecture, and have vibrant cultures while costing almost a fraction of what the western European countries have to offer. Cities like Krakow, Budapest, and Bucharest offer budget accommodation, yummy local food, and a ton of free or affordable attractions.

Less touristy cities and towns

Going off the beaten path to less-touristy cities and towns would greatly help lessen your travel budget. Paris and Rome are perfection in itself, but they have high price tags. One may consider exploring charming alternatives like Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, Kotor in Montenegro, or Riga in Latvia. This will offer one-of-a-kind experience, authentic local culture, and accommodation, food, and attractions that are easy on the pocket.

Rural vs. major cities

The mega capitals of Europe usually serve as the go-to travel destinations; however, the countryside can more often than not provide them with the authentic experience at less expense. The beauty of countryside travel manifests when one is enjoying the rich cultures, heritage, and stunning landscapes while benefiting from lower prices. For instance, instead of spending all of your time in towns like Madrid, try to explore some lovely villages throughout Spain, like in Andalusia or Galicia. This will save you money, as well as immerse you in the local culture and its way of life.

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Conclusion

Traveling Europe on a $50 daily budget is doable and adventurous. While cheap lodging, smart travel choices, and special free attractions can now truly stretch your budget further, keep in mind that living like a local and applying some hacks for traveling on a budget will keep you inserted in the culture along the way.

The only keys are proper planning but flexibility; keep track of your spending, choose destinations that are flexible, and broaden your horizons in terms of experiences. Mix these and you should be traveling around Europe for a few memorable months while spending under $50 per day. Pack your bags, grab that passport, and off you go-another experience awaits!!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)