Cheapest Countries in Europe to Visit (Top 10)
These are the cheapest countries in Europe to visit—top 10 ranked from least expensive to more expensive, with what you’ll spend in USD.
Cheapest countries in Europe to visit are mostly in Eastern Europe and the Balkans—places where your money still stretches and a “good day out” doesn’t automatically mean a $200 bill.
This list is ranked using one dataset that estimates daily on-the-ground travel costs (sleep, food, local transport, and basic activities—not flights). The original figures are listed in euros and I converted them using 1 EUR = 1.163939 USD (Jan 20, 2026).
And to keep it super practical, each country includes a “What You Will Spend” breakdown showing the cheapest realistic prices if you travel the budget way—hostels, local meals away from tourist traps, buses/shared rides, and simple activities. You can definitely spend more.
If you want a clean private room instead of a hostel dorm, you’ll usually add about $15–$30/day and these countries are still the cheapest places in Europe to travel.
Also—real talk—there are a bunch of other European countries I’d rather include because they’re popular and loaded with famous sights. But if we’re only asking “what’s the cheapest?”, then these are the cheapest countries in Europe, period!
Moldova
Moldova is Europe’s “wait…why is this so cheap?” country. If you keep it simple, budget travel is around $39.57/day—think slow café mornings in Chișinău, easy day trips, and food that costs less than your airport sandwich.
What You Will Spend
- Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $10–$18/night
- Clean private room (basic hotel/guesthouse): $25–$50/night (add ~$15–$30/day)
- Cheapest local meal: $4–$9
- Cheapest city transport: $0.30–$1
- Cheapest intercity ride (bus/minibus): $3–$12
- Cheapest SIM/data: $3–$10
Serbia
Serbia is big portions, lively streets, and prices that stay friendly—even in Belgrade if you eat where locals eat. Budget travel lands around $46.56/day.
What You Will Spend
- Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $10–$18/night
- Clean private room: $30–$55/night (add ~$15–$30/day)
- Cheapest local meal: $4–$10
- Cheapest city transport: $0.80–$2
- Cheapest intercity ride (bus/train): $6–$20
- Cheapest SIM/data: $4–$12
Kosovo
Kosovo is small, easy to hop around, and still one of the best deals in Europe. If you travel budget-style, you’re looking at about $52.38/day—and it’s the kind of place where your day can be mostly walking, cafés, and views.
What You Will Spend
- Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $10–$20/night
- Clean private room: $30–$55/night (add ~$15–$30/day)
- Cheapest local meal: $4–$10
- Cheapest local transport: $0.50–$2
- Cheapest intercity ride (bus): $4–$12
- Cheapest SIM/data: $3–$10
Poland
Poland is the “cheap-but-comfy” pick—great cities, easy trains, lots to do, and it’s still very doable on a budget. Daily costs come in around $65.18/day if you keep meals local and avoid the priciest tourist restaurants.
What You Will Spend
- Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $12–$25/night
- Clean private room: $40–$80/night (add ~$20–$35/day)
- Cheapest local meal: $6–$14
- Cheapest city transport: $1–$3
- Cheapest intercity ride (train/bus): $8–$30
- Cheapest SIM/data: $5–$15
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is one of the best value trips in Europe—city days in Sofia, cute streets in Plovdiv, and mountain or Black Sea time without the usual “Europe tax.” Budget travel runs about $67.51/day.
What You Will Spend
- Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $10–$20/night
- Clean private room: $35–$70/night (add ~$15–$30/day)
- Cheapest local meal: $5–$12
- Cheapest city transport: $0.80–$2
- Cheapest intercity ride (bus/train): $6–$25
- Cheapest SIM/data: $4–$12
Belarus
Belarus is very low-cost, with an average budget around $68.67/day—but for Americans, this is one where you’ll want to double-check entry requirements and what’s practical right now before you plan anything.
What You Will Spend
- Cheapest bed: $12–$25/night (hostels can be limited depending on city)
- Clean private room: $30–$60/night (add ~$15–$30/day)
- Cheapest local meal: $4–$10
- Cheapest city transport: $0.30–$1.50
- Cheapest intercity ride (train/bus): $6–$25
- Cheapest SIM/data: $5–$15
Russia
Russia is considered part of Europe—at least its western side—which includes the two cities most travelers actually visit: Moscow and St. Petersburg. It can be relatively low-cost once you’re there, with an average daily budget around $68.67/day, but Americans should still double-check current entry requirements and logistics before treating it like a simple, plug-and-play budget trip.
What You Will Spend
- Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $10–$25/night
- Clean private room: $35–$80/night (add ~$20–$35/day)
- Cheapest local meal: $5–$15
- Cheapest city transport: $0.50–$2
- Cheapest intercity ride (train): $15–$60 (distance matters a lot)
- Cheapest SIM/data: $5–$20
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia & Herzegovina is one of those places where you eat well, walk a lot, and still feel like you barely spent anything. Budget travel comes in around $72.16/day, and cities like Sarajevo and Mostar are made for slow wandering days.
What You Will Spend
- Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $10–$20/night
- Clean private room: $30–$65/night (add ~$15–$30/day)
- Cheapest local meal: $5–$12
- Cheapest local transport: $1–$3
- Cheapest intercity ride (bus): $6–$18
- Cheapest SIM/data: $5–$15
Albania
Albania is the budget beach-and-mountain move—especially if you don’t chase the most hyped summer spots at peak time. Budget travel runs around $80.31/day, and you can still keep days cheap with local buses and simple meals.
What You Will Spend
- Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $12–$22/night
- Clean private room: $35–$80/night (add ~$15–$30/day)
- Cheapest local meal: $5–$12
- Cheapest local transport: $0.50–$2 (buses) / $3–$10 (short taxi)
- Cheapest intercity ride (bus/furgon): $5–$18
- Cheapest SIM/data: $5–$15
Romania
Romania rounds out the top 10 cheapest here. Budget travel is around $82.64/day, and you can keep costs down by using trains, booking simple stays, and eating at local spots instead of tourist-center restaurants.
What You Will Spend
- Cheapest bed (hostel dorm): $12–$25/night
- Clean private room: $35–$80/night (add ~$15–$30/day)
- Cheapest local meal: $6–$14
- Cheapest city transport: $0.80–$2
- Cheapest intercity ride (train/bus): $8–$30
- Cheapest SIM/data: $5–$15
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