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    Top 10 cheapest cities in Europe

    Don't let your travels be limited by what's in your bank account! Plan a trip to the cheapest European cities and you'll explore more while spending less. Europe has loads of awesome places that are kind to your wallet. Here's the top 10!

    Cheap cities map

     

    Click here or on the map to view or edit this route in our Trip Planner.

    Cities visited in this trip:  

    1. Warsaw, Poland

    Image of traditional rooftops of buildings in the Warsaw skyline with a hazy yellow sky

    Average daily cost on a budget: €30.45


    Cheap things to do in Warsaw

    The Warsaw Rising Museum has free admission on Sundays. On hot summer days, cool off at any of the 3 lovely beaches on the Vistula River, which can also be crossed using a free ferry.


    Go from Warsaw to popular cheap cities

    From Warsaw you can reach Western Europe's most budget-friendly capital city, Berlin, in under 6 hours. A train ride from Warsaw to Krakow takes 2.5 hours.

    Get there with a rail pass

    2. Kraków, Poland

    Image of a spacious square in Krakow with yellow buildings and a blue sky

    Average daily cost on a budget: €24.03


    Cheap things to do in Krakow

    Not only a place to pick up bargains, Krakow's market square "Plac Nowy" is full of affordable, bohemian cafés and bars. From May to September, Krakow Nights Festival (Krakowskie Noce) puts on a free concert every month.


    Go from Krakow to other cheap cities

    The Krakow to Warsaw train route takes 2.5 hours. To Wroclaw it's a 3.5 hours train ride.

    Get there with a Poland Pass

    3. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

    Cheapest cities in Europe | Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

    Average daily cost on a budget: €28.61


    Cheap things to do in Cesky Krumlov

    You can walk around the city's most popular attraction, its enchanting castle complex, for free. Many hostels and tours have free drink offers, not that you need them - the food and drink in Cesky Krumlov is satisfyingly cheap!


    Go from Cesky Krumlov to popular cheap cities

    Both Prague and Plzen are just over 3 hours away by train. You'll need to change trains once, at Ceske Budejovice.

    Get there with a Czech Republic Pass

    4. Bratislava, Slovakia

    Bratislava skyline, Slovakia

    Average daily cost on a budget: €31.40


    Cheap things to do in Bratislava

    Visit the Slovakian National Museum and Transport Museum for free, on every 1st Sunday of the month. In summer, check out free film screenings at Bratislava's beach. You'll only need to buy the drinks!


    Go from Bratislava to popular cheap cities

    Jump on a regional train at Bratislava Hlavna Stanica to Wien HBF (reservations are not required). You'll get to Vienna in 1 hour 5 minutes tops.

    Get there with a rail pass

    5. Budapest, Hungary

    Cheapest cities in Europe | Budapest, Hungary

    Average daily cost on a budget: €25.69


    Cheap things to do in Budapest

    Make the 1km walk up Castle Hill. The views from the top and along the charming Fishermans’s Bastion are priceless! Also atop Castle Hill, you can pay a small fee to enter the National Gallery, library and History Museum.


    Go from Budapest to popular cheap cities

    Take a train to Zagreb (Croatia) in under 6 hours or Bratislava (Slovakia) in just 2 hours 45 minutes.

    Spend 24 hours in Budapest

    6. Zagreb, Croatia

    Dolac Market, Zagreb

    Average daily cost on a budget: €31.07


    Cheap things to do in Zagreb

    Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships, which is hilarious and tragic at the same time. Afterwards, get your daily shot of fresh fruit at nearby Dolac Market - look for the sea of red umbrellas.


    Go from Zagreb to popular cheap cities

    You can travel by direct train to both Split in the south of Croatia and Budapest in Hungary. Either journey will take you around 6 hours.

    Get there with a rail pass

    7. Belgrade, Serbia

    Image of the ruins of Belgrade fortress surrounded by green trees and fields

    Average daily cost on a budget: €24.60


    Cheap things to do in Belgrade

    Belgrade's 18th century fortress is free to enter and wander around. You'll often find live entertainment and street music on Skadarlija street in Belgrade's Bohemian quarter.


    Go from Belgrade to popular cheap cities

    In under 8 hours, you can travel by direct train to Budapest (Hungary) or by night train to Zagreb (Croatia).

    Get there with a rail pass

    8. Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

    Cheapest cities in Europe | Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

    Average daily cost on a budget: €26.79


    Cheap things to do in Sarajevo

    Taking a stroll around the Old Bazaar (Baščaršija) is a must. The city's delightful churches and mosques are free to enter - time your visit outside of prayer times.


    Go from Sarajevo to popular cheap cities

    From Sarajevo you'll reach Mostar by train in under 3 hours. To Zagreb (Croatia), the journey is 9.5 hours.

    Get there with a rail pass

    9. Sofia, Bulgaria

    Image of impressive buildings and colourful pavements in Sofia, Bulgaria

    Average daily cost on a budget: €22.35


    Cheap things to do in Sofia

    Sofia's Art Gallery is free to enter. Catch the changing of the guard in front of the President's Office. Thirsty? Get free hot mineral water from the Banya Bashi springs!


    Go from Sofia to other cheap cities

    There's a daily train from Sofia that will get you to Bucharest (Romania) in 9.5 hours. By direct train, you can reach the cheap Bulgarian coastal town Burgas in 8 hours.

    Get there with a rail pass

    10. Bucharest, Romania

    Cheapest cities in Europe | Bucharest, Romania

    Average daily cost on a budget: €24.03


    Cheap things to do in Bucharest

    Art lovers and photographers should check out the amazing graffiti at Garajul Ciclop. The city's gigantic Palace of the Parliament has an entry fee but is equally impressive to gaze upon from outside.


    Go from Bucharest to popular cheap cities

    Brasov is a 2.5 hours train ride away. A direct train from Bucharest takes you to Sofia (Bulgaria) in 9.5 hours.

    Get there with a rail pass

    How to travel on a budget

    We chose these bargain cities based on Price of Travel's Europe Backpacker Index. It calculates costs based on the best budget sleeping, sightseeing, eating, drinking and public transport options available in each city.

     

    We've got more tips for finding thrifty ways to save money when exploring Europe on a budget.

     

    Read our budget travel tips

    Travel throughout Europe

    With an Interrail Global Pass you can travel between all these cheap destinations, even at the last minute. If one place doesn't take your fancy, our unique pass makes it easy to move somewhere else without spending more cash.

     

    When it comes to flexibility, Interrail makes finding cheap destinations easy and adventurous!

    View Global Pass prices

    Get 20% off Lonely Planet travel guides

    Europe on a Shoestring
    Europe on a Shoestring

     

    From essential info to insider tips, learn everything there is to know about Europe with 20% off Lonely Planet guide books for Interrail customers. Just use the promo code INTERRAIL20 at checkout.

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