How to Backpack Europe on a Budget (13 Tips)
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So you want to backpack Europe, but without blowing your savings?
You’re in the right place, because I just solo backpacked Europe for 8 weeks, visited 16 cities across 10 countries, and had an incredible time while spending about $68 per day.
In this guide, I’m sharing my best tips for backpacking Europe on a budget. And if $68 a day still feels high to you, don’t worry. The more you lean into these tips, the more you can bring that daily cost down.
If you’d prefer this information in a video, click the video below.
1. Use credit card points strategically
This tip alone saved me thousands of dollars.
Using credit card points for flights and accommodations, sometimes called travel hacking, is a total game changer when backpacking Europe. By booking with points, I flew to and from Europe in business class for under $300 total and even stayed two nights in a 4-star hotel in Frankfurt for just $2.
Tools like Seats.aero and Rooms.aero make it much easier to find these deals without endless searching.
2. Choose affordable European destinations
Where you go matters more than almost anything else.
If you want to save money, prioritize Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Accommodation, food, and transportation in these regions are dramatically cheaper than in Western Europe.
For example, in North Macedonia I paid around $5 for a restaurant meal, while in Germany that same meal cost closer to $20.
Eastern Europe still offers stunning nature, charming cities, friendly locals, and lively nightlife, just at a fraction of the price.
3. Travel during the shoulder season
Timing plays a huge role in your budget.
Instead of traveling during peak season in the summer, aim for the shoulder season, usually April, May, September, or October. Prices are lower across the board, crowds are thinner, and availability is better.
In Budva, Montenegro, I visited just before boating season ended. Boat owners were literally sitting at the marina offering rides and negotiating prices because demand was so low. They were willing to accept any price I was willing to pay simply because there were no other tourists to pay more.
4. Travel slower
Slower travel makes everything cheaper.
When you move slowly, you spend less on transportation, are more likely to get discounts on longer accommodation stays, and waste less money on food because you can actually finish leftovers.
You’ll also feel less pressure to pack every day with paid activities. Moving quickly adds up fast, and if saving money is a priority, slowing down is one of the easiest wins.
5. Be smart about accommodations
Hostel dorms are one of the cheapest ways to travel Europe, and many hostels include free or discounted meals.
Hostelworld is a good starting point, but don’t stop there. Always check Booking.com and the hostel’s direct website to compare prices. If possible, consider booking in person to avoid online service fees.
More extreme budget options include camping, house sitting, volunteering through Workaway, working in hostels, or couchsurfing. I haven’t personally done these, but I met many travelers who did and saved a lot of money.
6. Cook some of your meals
You don’t need to cook every meal but cooking even a few times a week makes a big difference.
Stick to large grocery stores like Lidl instead of small corner shops, which tend to be much more expensive. Simple meals go a long way when you’re traveling long-term.
7. Take advantage of cafe discounts
When you do eat out, be strategic.
Look for lunch specials, happy hour deals, and ask bakeries if they discount items near closing time. I got free pastries and heavily discounted pizza multiple times just by stopping by late in the day.
8. Take a free walking tour
Free walking tours are one of my favorite budget-friendly activities.
You pay what you can tip, learn the city’s history, and get insider recommendations for restaurants and activities that are actually worth your money. Some tours even partner with local businesses and offer discounts afterward.
9. Enjoy free activities
Not everything worth doing costs money.
Go on hikes, picnic in parks, explore local markets, or just people-watch in busy plazas. Research free museum days, gym trials, and local events through Meetup, NomadTable, or Facebook groups.
10. Walk whenever you can
One of the best tips I picked up was to walk anything under an hour and a half.
This almost completely eliminated my spending on Ubers and public transportation, and it helped me experience cities more deeply. Adjust that rule to what feels realistic for you, but having a guideline makes saving money much easier.
11. Pack carry-on only
Traveling light keeps costs down.
Budget airlines may advertise cheap fares, but once you add a checked bag, the price can skyrocket. Carry-on only travel gives you more flexibility and keeps your flights affordable.
12. Keep your plans flexible
Booking too far in advance can lock you into paying for things you don’t end up liking.
After a bad hostel experience where I couldn’t get a refund, I started booking just one night at a time during shoulder season. This allowed me to feel out each place before committing and it saved me money and stress.
13. Know your daily budget
Before your trip, decide on a realistic daily budget.
If you’ve saved a set amount, divide it by the number of days you’ll be traveling. If not, start by looking at what you spend at home and decide how much you can realistically cut back.
Track your spending daily so you can adjust in real time. I used a simple Google Sheet, but any method that keeps you aware works.
Final thoughts
Those are my top tips for backpacking Europe on a budget.
With the right destinations, timing, and mindset, backpacking Europe doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive. If this guide helped you, feel free to share your own budget tips for other travelers.
And if you want more breakdowns like this, including full cost reports and travel tools I actually use, you’re in the right place. Happy backpacking!
