13 Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe (2025 Edition)
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Dreaming of Europe on a shoestring? It’s possible. In 2025 you can still travel the continent for under €30 a day—if you pick the right places. We’ve crunched fresh budget‑traveller data and mapped out the ten cheapest countries where hostels, street food and public transit keep costs low without skimping on culture.
Clarifying the map: Europe isn’t the same as the European Union. The first half of this guide spotlights the most affordable EU members; the second half covers even cheaper non‑EU gems in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Daily costs below refer to true backpacker budgets—hostel dorm, public transport, market meals.
Budget‑Friendly EU Destinations
Yes, cheap and EU can coexist. These four countries combine solid infrastructure with living costs that make Paris look pricey. Expect clean hostels from €8, hearty local dishes under €3, and efficient rail or bus networks costing pocket change.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria – from €32 / day
Bulgaria crowns the EU value list: BudgetYourTrip pegs backpacker spend at €32 daily. Sofia hostels start around €10, a metro ride is €0.60, and banitsa pastries rarely top €1.50. Swap city buzz for Rila Monastery hikes or Black Sea beaches—cross‑country buses seldom exceed €12, keeping long‑distance sightseeing affordable.
🇵🇱 Poland – from €29–35 / day
Poland delivers medieval squares and Baltic breezes without melting your card. Budget travellers average €29–35 daily Hostel bunks in Kraków start at €9, trams in most cities cost about €1, and €3 buys a hearty pierogi plate. Cheap regional trains link Warsaw, Wrocław’s dwarf‑filled streets and Gdańsk’s historic shipyards.
🇷🇴 Romania – from €28 / day
Romania dishes up Gothic castles, painted monasteries and Carpathian hikes for pocket‑change. Nomadic Matt’s backpacker guide pegs costs at 140 RON—about €28 a day. Hostel beds in Brașov start at €9, filling plates of sarmale are €3, and slow trains between medieval towns cost €4–6, making cross‑country exploring surprisingly painless.
🇭🇺 Hungary – from €35–40 / day
Budapest’s ruin pubs and thermal baths lure crowds, yet Hungary stays budget‑friendly. Nomadic Matt lists 17,500 HUF (≈ €46) as a comfortable cap; ultra‑frugal travellers trim that to €35 by booking €11 dorms, grabbing €4 goulash from market halls and hopping €1.20 trams. Lake Balaton and Eger wineries drop costs even more.
🇵🇹 Portugal – from €45–55 / day
Western Europe’s bargain outlier, Portugal rewards savvy timing. BudgetYourTrip shows hostel‑style spend averaging €67, but shoulder‑season backpackers hit €45 by booking €15 dorms outside Lisbon’s centre, riding €4 intercity buses and filling up on €1.20 pastel de nata. Inland gems like Évora or Guarda shave prices further while serving sunshine and medieval charm.
Cheapest Non‑EU Countries in Europe
Ready to stretch euros even further? Eastern Europe and the Caucasus plunge daily costs below €25–40. Expect multi‑currency adventures—hryvnia, lari, lek—but also emptier crowds, heartfelt hospitality and landscapes that rival pricier Western hotspots. Let’s dive into six non‑EU picks that maximise experiences while minimising spend.
🇷🇸 Serbia – from €18–22 / day
Balkan buzz on a backpacker budget. In Serbia you’ll sleep in Belgrade dorms from €8, ride city buses for €0.80 and feast on burek pastries at €1. Expat‑crowd capital Novi Sad stays just as cheap, while fortress views and riverside nightlife are free. BudgetYourTrip clocks total spend at roughly €20 a day.
🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina – from €40–45 / day
Sarajevo’s Ottoman bazaars, Mostar’s iconic bridge and mountain hikes cost peanuts. Nomadic Matt’s latest guide pegs a dorm‑plus‑hostel‑meals budget at 85 BAM—about €43. Free walking tours, €0.80 trams and €2 plates of ćevapi keep costs low; panoramic hikes over the city are gratis. Bosnia delivers deep history without deep pockets.
🇦🇱 Albania – from €38–44 / day
Still under‑the‑radar, Albania pairs turquoise coasts with Ottoman mountain towns for under €40 daily. Tirana hostels start at €9, local buses average €3 and a full qofte grill plate is €4. BudgetYourTrip logs backpacker spend at $44—about €40. Even the ferry across Lake Koman costs just €8, giving epic scenery on spare change.
🇲🇪 Montenegro – from €50–55 / day
Montenegro may use the euro, yet Bay‑of‑Kotor views remain affordable. BudgetYourTrip shows frugal travellers spending $60 ≈ €52 per day. Off‑season apartments in Kotor old town drop to €20; €1.50 espresso buys you Adriatic sunlight on medieval walls. Ride the spectacular Bar–Belgrade railway for €24 and hike Durmitor’s peaks for free.
🇬🇪 Georgia – from €30–34 / day
Georgia tops many backpacker wish‑lists with wine‑soaked feasts, dramatic Caucasus peaks and rock‑bottom costs. Dorm beds in Tbilisi start around €10, metro rides are €0.20 and a plate of khinkali dumplings rarely tops €1.50. Add free monastery hikes and budget guesthouses that throw in homemade wine, and €30 a day is plenty.
🇦🇲 Armenia – from €32–35 / day
Armenia pairs centuries‑old monasteries with wallet‑friendly mountain towns. Yerevan hostels hover at €11, marshrutka rides cost €0.25 and smoky khorovats barbecues fill you for €3. Budget hikers base themselves in Dilijan’s “Little Switzerland” for €12 homestays that include breakfast and friendly toasts with local apricot brandy.
🇺🇦 Ukraine* – from €25–28 / day
*Travel only in areas deemed safe by current advisories.* Where possible, Ukraine remains Europe’s cheapest. Dorms in Lviv fall to €8, cross‑country trains are €6 and a coffee in Kyiv is under €1. Even a hearty varenyky lunch costs €2. Check the latest safety updates and stick to open, stable regions.
When to Go & Seasonal Savings
Expect 20‑40 % summer mark‑ups on rooms and buses, especially along coasts and festival cities. Winter slashes prices by roughly 30 %, but daylight is short and rural routes thin out. The winning move: shoulder months—late April–May and mid‑September–October—when weather stays mild and deals mirror low season.
Quick Budget Tips for 2025
Book buses and trains online two months ahead for early‑bird fares. Ride overnight to save on accommodation. Shop in local markets, cook in hostel kitchens and use multi‑currency cards (Wise, Revolut) to dodge ATM fees. Free walking tours and city transport passes shrink sightseeing costs; eSIMs keep data cheap and hassle‑free.
FAQ – Budget Travel in Europe 2025
Which European country is currently the cheapest for backpackers?
As of 2025, Ukraine reports the lowest backpacker averages—around €25/day—but travel is limited to safe regions. In second and third place: Georgia and Serbia, both great value, averaging €30–32/day.
Should I carry cash or use cards?
In the EU, almost everything is tap-friendly. Outside the EU (e.g. Georgia, Albania), carry some cash—around €40–50 for markets, minibuses, and rural cafes. Use Wise or Revolut for fee-free conversion.
Are hostels the cheapest accommodation option?
Yes—for solo travelers. Dorm beds average €9–15. However, in off-season, two people can often find a private Airbnb for under €25/night in Montenegro, Albania, and rural Poland.
Are night trains and buses worth it?
Absolutely. Routes like Budapest → Bucharest or Belgrade → Bar cost under €25 and double as accommodation. Bring earplugs, download offline maps, and lock your bag to your seat for peace of mind.
Is a rail pass cheaper than point-to-point tickets?
Not in Eastern Europe. Trains in countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine cost €5–15 per ride. That’s much cheaper than Eurail or Interrail in the West. Use local train websites or buy directly at the station.
Do I need travel insurance even for cheap destinations?
Yes. Healthcare costs, lost gear, or emergency evacuations aren’t budget-friendly. Look for policies that support border-region travel and include hiking/trekking coverage.
Can I work remotely in these countries?
Definitely. Georgia, Romania, and Poland offer strong Wi‑Fi (50–100 Mbps) and coworking hubs (€5–€8/day). Small town? Grab a local SIM—Ucom in Armenia or Mobitel in Montenegro—to stay online via 4G.
How can I eat cheap but still enjoy local food?
Follow the locals: street food, market stalls, bakeries. Eat khinkali in Georgia (€1.50), pierogi in Poland (€3), and banitsa in Bulgaria (€1). €10/day is a solid food budget if you self-cater a few basic meals.
Final Thoughts
Europe on €25–€55 a day is alive and well—just look east. Mix Bulgaria’s monasteries, Albania’s Riviera and Georgia’s mountain wines for an epic, budget‑friendly loop. Travel off‑peak, eat where locals eat and embrace night trains. Ready? Dive deeper inside our Budget Travel hub for route planners, hostel hacks and live deals. Happy travels!
