10 Cheapest Countries in Europe For Backpackers to Visit

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.

Where it shows “What You Will Spend” breakdown, it's showing the cheapest realistic prices if you travel on a backpackers budget—hostels, local meals away from tourist traps, buses/shared rides, and simple activities. You can definitely spend more.

If you want a private room instead of a hostel dorm, add $15–$30/day.

Moldova

Moldova is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, making it a great choice for travelers who want low daily costs without skipping good food, local wine, day trips, and city sightseeing.

Budget travelers can expect to spend around $39.57 per day by staying in hostels or simple guesthouses, eating at casual local restaurants, using public transportation, and keeping activities low-cost.

Moldova Travel Costs At A Glance

• Hostel dorm bed: $10–$18 per night
• Basic private room or guesthouse: $25–$50 per night
• Private room upgrade: Add around $15–$30 per day
• Cheap local meal: $4–$9
• City transportation: $0.30–$1 per ride
• Intercity bus or minibus: $3–$12
• SIM card or mobile data: $3–$10

Serbia

Serbia is one of the best-value countries to visit in Europe, especially for travelers who want generous meals, affordable hotels, walkable cities, and low transportation costs.

Even in Belgrade, prices can stay very reasonable if you eat at casual local restaurants and avoid the most touristy areas. Budget travelers can expect to spend around $46.56 per day in Serbia by staying in hostels or simple private rooms, using public transportation, and keeping meals local.

Serbia Travel Costs At A Glance

• Hostel dorm bed: $10–$18 per night
• Basic private room: $30–$55 per night
• Private room upgrade: Add around $15–$30 per day
• Cheap local meal: $4–$10
• City transportation: $0.80–$2 per ride
• Intercity bus or train: $6–$20
• SIM card or mobile data: $4–$12

Kosovo

Kosovo is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, especially for travelers who want affordable food, easy transportation, walkable cities, mountain views, and low daily costs.

Since the country is small, it is easy to move between places like Pristina, Prizren, Peja, and Gjakova without spending much. Budget travelers can expect to spend around $52.38 per day in Kosovo by staying in hostels or simple private rooms, eating local meals, using buses, and keeping activities low-cost.

Kosovo Travel Costs At A Glance

• Hostel dorm bed: $10–$20 per night
• Basic private room: $30–$55 per night
• Private room upgrade: Add around $15–$30 per day
• Cheap local meal: $4–$10
• Local transportation: $0.50–$2 per ride
• Intercity bus: $4–$12
• SIM card or mobile data: $3–$10

Poland

Poland is one of the best-value countries to visit in Europe, especially for travelers who want beautiful cities, reliable trains, affordable food, and plenty of things to do without overspending.

Daily travel costs in Poland come in around $65.18 per day if you stay in hostels or simple private rooms, eat at casual local restaurants, use public transportation, and avoid the priciest tourist restaurants in major cities like Kraków, Warsaw, and Gdańsk.

Poland Travel Costs At A Glance

• Hostel dorm bed: $12–$25 per night
• Basic private room: $40–$80 per night
• Private room upgrade: Add around $20–$35 per day
• Cheap local meal: $6–$14
• City transportation: $1–$3 per ride
• Intercity train or bus: $8–$30
• SIM card or mobile data: $5–$15

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, especially for travelers who want affordable cities, mountain scenery, Black Sea beaches, and low daily travel costs. From Sofia and Plovdiv to Bansko, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna, and Burgas, Bulgaria gives travelers a lot for the money without the high prices found in many other parts of Europe.

Budget travelers can expect to spend around $67.51 per day by staying in hostels or simple private rooms, eating local meals, using public transportation, and keeping activities affordable.

Bulgaria Travel Costs At A Glance

• Hostel dorm bed: $10–$20 per night
• Basic private room: $35–$70 per night
• Private room upgrade: Add around $15–$30 per day
• Cheap local meal: $5–$12
• City transportation: $0.80–$2 per ride
• Intercity bus or train: $6–$25
• SIM card or mobile data: $4–$12

Belarus

Belarus is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, with budget travel costs averaging around $68.67 per day. Travelers can usually find affordable meals, low-cost public transportation, and budget-friendly private rooms, especially outside the most expensive hotel categories.

For U.S. travelers, Belarus is also a destination where you should check current entry rules, travel advisories, and practical travel conditions before planning a trip.

Belarus Travel Costs At A Glance

• Cheapest bed: $12–$25 per night
• Hostel availability: Limited in some cities
• Basic private room: $30–$60 per night
• Private room upgrade: Add around $15–$30 per day
• Cheap local meal: $4–$10
• City transportation: $0.30–$1.50 per ride
• Intercity train or bus: $6–$25
• SIM card or mobile data: $5–$15

Russia

Russia is partly considered a European country because its western region includes major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, which are the two places most travelers are likely to visit. Once you are there, Russia can still be a relatively affordable destination compared to many Western European countries, with budget travel costs averaging around $68.67 per day.

However, U.S. travelers should check current entry rules, payment options, flights, and travel logistics before planning Russia as a simple budget trip.

Russia Travel Costs At A Glance

• Hostel dorm bed: $10–$25 per night
• Basic private room: $35–$80 per night
• Private room upgrade: Add around $20–$35 per day
• Cheap local meal: $5–$15
• City transportation: $0.50–$2 per ride
• Intercity train: $15–$60, depending heavily on distance
• SIM card or mobile data: $5–$20

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, especially for travelers who want affordable food, walkable cities, scenic mountain areas, and low daily travel costs. Places like Sarajevo and Mostar are easy to enjoy on a budget, with plenty of cafés, local restaurants, viewpoints, and historic streets that do not require a big daily spend.

Budget travelers can expect to spend around $72.16 per day by staying in hostels or simple private rooms, eating local meals, using public transportation, and keeping activities affordable.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Travel Costs At A Glance

• Hostel dorm bed: $10–$20 per night
• Basic private room: $30–$65 per night
• Private room upgrade: Add around $15–$30 per day
• Cheap local meal: $5–$12
• Local transportation: $1–$3 per ride
• Intercity bus: $6–$18
• SIM card or mobile data: $5–$15

Albania

Albania is one of the best-value countries to visit in Europe, especially for travelers who want beaches, mountains, affordable food, and lower daily costs than many nearby Mediterranean destinations. Budget travel in Albania averages around $80.31 per day, but costs can rise quickly in the most popular beach towns during peak summer.

Travelers can keep expenses lower by using local buses, staying in simple rooms, eating at casual restaurants, and visiting less-hyped coastal towns outside the busiest weeks.

Albania Travel Costs At A Glance

• Hostel dorm bed: $12–$22 per night
• Basic private room: $35–$80 per night
• Private room upgrade: Add around $15–$30 per day
• Cheap local meal: $5–$12
• Local bus: $0.50–$2 per ride
• Short taxi ride: $3–$10
• Intercity bus or furgon: $5–$18
• SIM card or mobile data: $5–$15

Romania

Romania is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, especially for travelers who want affordable cities, castles, mountain towns, train travel, and budget-friendly local food.

Budget travel in Romania averages around $82.64 per day, making it a strong choice for travelers who want lower costs without giving up interesting places to visit. You can keep expenses down by booking simple stays, using trains and buses, and eating at casual local restaurants instead of tourist-center spots.

Romania Travel Costs At A Glance

• Hostel dorm bed: $12–$25 per night
• Basic private room: $35–$80 per night
• Private room upgrade: Add around $15–$30 per day
• Cheap local meal: $6–$14
• City transportation: $0.80–$2 per ride
• Intercity train or bus: $8–$30
• SIM card or mobile data: $5–$15