How I Traveled Europe on $30 a Day (Yes, Really!)

 How I Traveled Europe on $30 a Day (Yes, Really!)

When people think of traveling Europe, they often picture luxury hotels, expensive restaurants, and sky-high train fares. But let me let you in on a little secret: you don’t need a fortune to explore Europe. I spent three months backpacking across the continent and averaged just $30 a day — including accommodation, food, transport, and attractions.

Crazy? Possibly. Impossible? Not on your life.

In this blog, I'm going to walk you through exactly how I made it happen, and how you can as well.

1. I Picked the Right Countries

Let's get the obvious one out of the way first: Western Europe is pricey. Paris, Amsterdam, and Zurich can blow through your money quicker than you can say "bonjour." Rather, I targeted Eastern and Central Europe, where your money stretches much farther.

Here are some examples of value-for-money countries that I traveled to:

Poland – Great food, great cities such as Kraków and Gdańsk, and hostels for $10 per night.

Hungary – Budapest is beautiful, and you can relax in a thermal bath for a few dollars.

Romania – Castles, mountains, and lovely towns — all at low cost.

Bulgaria – One of the value-for-money destinations in Europe.

Slovakia & Czech Republic – Stunning scenery and affordable beer!

By concentrating on these regions, I managed to keep my everyday expenses low without forgoing culture, history, or entertainment.

2. I Used Budget Airlines & Buses

Yes, Eurail passes are nice, but they're not always the cheapest way to go.

Rather, I capitalized on:

Budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air (flights under $20 if you prebook).

FlixBus and BlaBlaCar for affordable overland travel. I once took a trip from Budapest to Vienna for less than $10.

Night buses/trains, which earned me a night off from accommodation while delivering me to a new location.

Pro Tip: Always shop around and book ahead if you can. Apps such as Rome2Rio and Omio assisted me in mapping out affordable and effective routes.

3. I Slept Cheap (or Free)

Accommodation is normally the largest daily cost — unless you think outside the box.

Here's how I managed it for under $10–$15 a night:

Hostels – I booked dorm beds on Hostelworld, sometimes with included breakfast.

Couchsurfing – I stayed with locals at no cost and made friends for life.

Work Exchanges – Sites such as Workaway and Worldpackers assisted me in discovering short-term jobs for accommodations and meals (such as assisting at hostels or English teaching).

Overnight transport – As stated, overnight buses/trains served as my "mobile hotel."

Don't overlook the importance of a complimentary breakfast — that usually sustained me for two meals!

4. I Ate Like a Local

Food in Europe can be a wallet killer if you're dining in touristy restaurants. But I learned how to make it affordable and tasty:

Street food & bakeries – A new pastry and coffee in Poland for $2? Yes, please.

Supermarkets – I usually picked up ingredients to prepare my own meals. Most hostels have kitchens.

Lunch specials – In most countries, restaurants have cheaper lunch menus.

Local markets – Ideal for fresh fruit, bread, and neighborhood snacks.

In Romania, I always ate for less than $5 per day by blending groceries and an occasional sit-down meal. Bonus: having dinner with fellow travelers is a good way to befriend them!

5. I Made Use of Free Attractions

Europe is full of history and culture, and you do not have to spend a lot of money to see it.

Most of my best experiences were free, such as:

Free walking tours – Available in most major cities (just pay your guide).

Free entry museums – Such as the Louvre in Paris on the first Sunday of the month.

Public parks and outlooks – Hiking in Slovakia or watching the sunset in Budapest didn't cost anything.

City passes – Occasionally worth it if you are going to see several paid sights within one city.

And, of course, the best means of exploring is by walking. It's free, it's good for you, and you'll come across secret gems you'd never discover taking the bus.

6. I Traveled Slowly

The quicker you travel, the quicker you pay. I discovered that slow travel not only costs less but also means you get to know a place properly.

Rather than jumping cities every couple of days, I hung around longer in fewer places. This benefited in a number of ways:

Weekly hostel or Airbnb discounts

Less money spent on transport

More opportunities for work-exchange or volunteering

In Bulgaria, I lived in a mountain village for 10 days, working at a guesthouse in return for food and a bed. It was quiet, fulfilling, and cost me next to nothing.

7. I Tracked Every Dollar

This may seem dull, but tracking the budget was life-changing. I employed a basic app (Trail Wallet, although you can use whatever you like) to log each and every expense. It kept me on my toes and allowed me to adjust if I spent too much on one day.

Average daily split:

Accommodation: $10

Food: $7–10

Transport: $2–5

Activities: $0–5

Miscellaneous: $2

Total? Approximately $25–30. And some days were lower still.

Final Thoughts: It's Not About Sacrificing, It's About Prioritizing

Exploring Europe on $30/day doesn't equal saying no to all things fun. It equals deciding what's most important to you. For me, that was street food, history, the outdoors, and interacting with locals — not high-end hotels or pricey tours.

Was it easy all the time? No. There were cold showers, buses I missed, and some nights spent on crappy beds. But the freedom, adventure, and connections made? Priceless.

So if you're dreaming of Europe but feel stymied by your wallet, don't let the fear of cost be your limit. It's 100% doable. All you need is a little planning, some flexibility, and a sense of adventure.

Your Turn

Pondering a budget trip through Europe? Leave your queries in the comments — I'd be happy to assist you in planning! Or your own budget travel advice. The more we share, the more we all save.

Safe travels,