Author: Soler
We are talking about the cheapest countries in Europe for travel: where to fly inexpensively and how not to be bitten by prices?
Europe is not just for fat wallets! We, yesterday's students, are convinced of this, and we will demonstrate to you, the reader. For life (in the sense of permanent) it is expensive, but for a week-long trip it can take pity and "rob" only 30,000 rubles.
Where is the cheapest place in Europe?
Free observation deck at Printemps department store - but
are you looking at the photo on the right? 🙂
"Budget" and "Europe" - 0% compatibility. And this is actually the case if you hunt for 5 * hotels and foie gras anywhere in France, Switzerland or Italy. But there are countries that can offer a relatively inexpensive vacation for tourists.
Coincidence, or maybe not, but the cheapest countries in Europe are those where the euro as a national currency has not yet taken root:
- Bulgaria,
- Poland,
- Romania,
- Hungary.
This applies only to Eastern Europe. The northern part, for example, is also "non-Jewish", and the sums are shocking. Montenegro, Spain and Finland are also contenders for the title of inexpensive destinations, but, of course, they cannot be compared with those indicated above.
Are you curious to know 10 life hacks how to travel to Europe cheaply?
Traveling on a tour or on your own?
Russian tourists are at a disadvantage, with a euro exchange rate of 80 and cheap European cities are turning into just moderate prices. Here you will not only think - on your own or on a trip - but in general, should you dare? 🙂
The rule that we have worked out for 30 countries visited: it is cheaper to go on a tour if there is one location and a specific goal in the plans. For example, a beach holiday on the Costa Brava. In this case, "Samotur" will hit the wallet harder. And if there are two or more countries / cities on the must-visit list, then it is better to show your organizational skills.
The season plays an important role. In summer, especially in July and August, with the influx of vacationers, price tags also increase. In the fall, European cities return to their usual routines, and costs are dramatically reduced. Therefore, we fly to the same Spain in October.
Yes, everyone chooses a convenient method of preparation. But we cannot fail to mention the services through which we arrange our budget trips across Europe.
HOW TO SAVE ON TRAVEL?
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1. Bulgaria
For convenience, all prices are in euros, and rubles are calculated at the rate of € 1 = 85 rubles
Note: in 2018, eleven Bulgarian beaches were awarded the Blue Flag; that means they are clean and well-appointed. Together with inexpensive "everything", this fact makes Bulgaria the cheapest country for summer holidays.
Flights: from Moscow to Burgas (if by the sea) or Sofia (if for walks) round trip ≈12,000 rubles per person. Not that the option to get to Europe is cheap, but look further ↓
Accommodation: differs in availability. A cozy one-room apartment in the city center can be rented for 1500 rubles per day for 2 people at the height of the season!
- hostel - from € 13 per night FOR TWO
- apartments - from € 18
- hotel 3 * - from € 27
- 5 * hotel - from € 57
Bulgaria, in general, is a financially acceptable country for both living and recreation; food / get / see prices are not that high (especially from mid-fall to May). So, Sofia - the capital - is one of the cheapest cities in Europe, according to backpackers.
Food: you don't have to load up and allow yourself to eat in cafes - tasty, a lot, hearty (this is about portions 🙂). A hearty lunch (salad, meat, side dish, drinks) - from € 10 for two, combo at McDonald's - € 5, just to run for a cup of coffee - from € 2.
The cost of groceries in stores:
- bread - € 0.5
- beef, kg - € 6
- bottle of water - € 0.25
- cheese, 200 gr - from € 2
- apples, kg - from € 1
- bottled beer - up to € 1.5
Directions: single entry - € 0.7 (trolleybuses, buses).
TOTAL:
€ 35 per day for 2 people - no air tickets
42,000 rubles for 7 days - with tickets
If there is no desire to puzzle over the route, search for flights and monitoring of hotels, the cost of a weekly tour for two for the summer is from 40,000 rubles
2. Montenegro
We liked Montenegro more for its nature, we recommend taking an excursion towards Durmitor Park and the Tara River Canyon
Mix the Adriatic Sea, pines, rocks, lakes, green plains, a mild climate ... spice up the Venetian past, echoing today in architecture, decorate with a zest from Muslim traditions and tomis in the purest healing air - you will get one of the favorite dishes of Russian tourists - visa-free Montenegro!
Flights: flight Moscow - Tivat - Moscow ≈14,000 rubles (in summer). In October, people leave, but the season remains, the amount changes by ≈9000 rubles.
Accommodation: popular locations - Kotor Bay (one of the most beautiful places), Herceg Novi resort; Budva is more civilized, profitable and pleasant only NOT in high season; Petrovac is great for families with comfortable beaches; Ulcinj is distant (border with Albania), but with the most interesting views and prices.
Suitable apartment - from 3500 rubles / day in July, in autumn - cheaper. Tip: search on Airbnb and don't forget to take advantage of a discount of up to 4,000 rubles on your first booking (follow the link). And if there are two of you, and there are at least 2 locations in your plans, you will already save from 2,000 to 8,000 rubles, depending on the amount of the booking 🙂
- hostel - from € 25 for two
- apartments - from € 35
- hotel 3 * - from € 50
- 4 * hotel - from € 70
Food: in restaurants, be "more modest", because the portions are obscenely huge and the prices are obscenely low.
- business lunch in a cafe - € 6
- breakfast with coffee - € 3-5
- burger - from € 2
- peaches, kg - € 2
- oysters, pcs - € 1.5
- water 1.5l - € 0.60
- wine - from € 4
Directions: Montenegro is a compact country - you can go around by car (from € 80 for 4 days, including insurance + fuel: € 1.35 / l). If there are two or more of you, a car is highly desirable. Without a car, you can ride along the coast by bus - € 2 per ticket, and inland you can take several excursions: from € 25.
P.S. for those who have reached the age of 18: a tourist tax of € 0.9 / day will be required from you.
TOTAL:
€ 85 per day for 2 people - no air tickets
70,000 rubles for 7 days - with tickets. That's how it turned out for us.
Sometimes in Montenegro it is cheaper to have a rest on a tour - in July a voucher of the same duration costs from 53,000 rubles for two.
3. Spain
Traveled for 10 euros round trip to Girona from Barcelona
Spain is perceived by ear as France, Germany and other European "status" directions. But only until you visit both there and there, and you make sure that Spain, in comparison, is still divinely permissible 🙂
Flights: Moscow-Barcelona-Moscow ≈13,000 rubles, but you can find it cheaper, in September-October for ≈8,000 rubles (the main thing is to catch, if you see!).
Accommodation: the typical price for an apartment in Barcelona is from 5000 rubles / night.
- hostel - from € 45 for two 315
- apartments - from € 60
- hotel 3 * - from € 75
- 5 * hotel - from € 120
Food: set lunch with paella - € 20 per person. Certainly, toasted sausages, baguette, olives and fruits can save you an extra penny.
The cost of groceries in stores:
- bread - € 1
- sausages for frying - from € 2
- jamon, 150 gr - from € 2.5
- apples, kg - from € 1.3
- bottle of water - € 0.5
- slicing cheese - from € 2
- local beer, 0.25l - from € 0.6
Directions: single ticket in the metro € 2.4 (not cheap). You can cut costs by buying a ticket
What we love Spain for is incredibly profitable shopping! Cool discounts on things happen twice a year - in July and January. For example: a T-shirt from Pull & Bear can be grabbed for € 2-3 - a penny against the Russian € 8-9 🙂
TOTAL:
€ 115 per day for 2 people - no air tickets
85,000 rubles for 7 days - if you fly during the peak season
The cost of a weekly voucher for two (with breakfast) is from 70,000 rubles.
4. Poland
Walk in the center of Warsaw
Poland has been part of the cheap European countries for a long time and firmly. Warsaw rich in sights and wonderful Krakow, Baltic resorts and skiing - this is what is worth visiting this country for. Budget hotels and an inexpensive check in a cafe will also pleasantly surprise anyone.
Flights: from the Russian capital to Warsaw and back ≈12,000 rubles.
Accommodation: apartment rental starts at 2,000 rubles per day.
- hostel - from € 12 for two
- apartments - from € 27
- hotel 3 * - from € 35
- 5 * hotel - from € 75
Food: in Poland prices are quite modest in cafes and restaurants. A hearty lunch can cost € 5-6, at Mc'Donalds - € 2, a cup of coffee - € 0.6.
Average cost of groceries in stores in rubles:
- baguette - € 0.7
- beef, kg - € 8.5
- apples, kg - € 1
- bananas, kg - € 1.2
- bottle of water - € 0.3
- slicing cheese - from € 1
Directions: if you bought a ticket for 60 minutes, you can get on a bus, get there and change to a tram or metro within an hour starting from the first trip. One-time ticket - € 0.8; weekly pass - € 11.5
TOTAL:
€ 35 per day for 2 people - no air
43,000 rubles for 7 days - with tickets
5. Romania
The homeland of Vlad Tepes (the prototype of Stoker's Count Dracula) is the cheapest country for holidays in Europe, undeservedly ignored by Russians. But this is the abode of ancient castles, mineral springs and ski resorts. The Gothic Black Temple, the Genoese lighthouse, the famous Transylvania - there is something to see here.
Flights: Moscow-Bucharest-Moscow ≈13,000 rubles per person.
Accommodation: renting a studio or apartment in the center of Bucharest - from 1500 rubles per day.
- hostel - from € 14 for two
- apartments - from € 16
- hotel 3 * - from € 28
- 5 * hotel - from € 76
Food: average check for lunch - € 4. You can have a snack at McDuck for € 2-3.
Products in stores:
- bread - € 0.4
- chicken breast, kg - € 4
- apples, kg - from € 0.8
- bottle of water - € 0.5
- cheese, kg - from € 4
- local beer - from € 1
Directions: city transport - buses, trolleybuses, trams. Single trip - € 0.2 plus refillable card for € 0.2; metro - € 0.5.
TOTAL:
€ 34 per day for 2 people - no air
44,000 rubles for 7 days - with tickets
6. Hungary
Our trip to Budapest in November
First time to Europe? Or in the one hundred and first, but "Hungary" sounds somehow dubious? Then you definitely go there! In the capital of Hungary, Budapest, it is easy to be imbued with love for the European atmosphere, a majestic, slightly shabby history, but always carefully combed and civilized. No wonder Budapest is called the second Paris (only he has no thoughts to empty your wallets and credit cards)!
In theory, the tourist season is from June to August, in fact, all year round. April-May / September-October is preferred.
Flights: flight from Moscow from ≈9000 rubles (on "happy" days it is possible for 6000), round trip without transfers!
Accommodation: the cost of apartments in a convenient area - from 2000 rubles.
- hostel - from € 18 for two
- apartments - from € 25
- hotel 3 * - from € 30
- 5 * hotel - from € 80
Food: basic costs (in Hungary forints, but we will convert directly to euros):
- meat dishes - from € 5
- goulash - from € 2
- local pastries - from € 0.6
- bottle of water - € 0.3
- wine - from € 2.5
- local beer - from € 0.8
Panoramic view of Budapest from Gellert mountain - we climbed there about 20 minutes
Directions: as the reviews show, travelers simply adore public transport in Hungary for its convenience and price: 10 tickets in bulk - € 10. The must-see of the city can be bypassed by yellow tram # 2, # 4 or # 6 with a weekly pass for € 13.
You can buy the Budapest Card: free travel, discounts to museums, baths, two free city tours. The cost of the card for 2 days (there are other options) is € 30.
You can get out of the city by train or bus. An interesting option is Lake Balaton, 2-3 hours by train, the price of the issue is from € 15.
For € 15 you can take a cruise on the Danube. If you are for a healthy lifestyle, go to the thermal baths - Rudash, Hungarians themselves like to visit them (ticket for a day € 12), and Sechensky baths (from € 18).
TOTAL:
€ 40 per day for 2 people - no air
40,000 rubles for 7 days - with tickets
Comments are superfluous. By the way, Budapest can be considered as a transit city, for two days, and from there, for ridiculous money, wave off to another point in Europe.
7. Finland
Abroad, how to go to your dacha? Easily! Finland is ready to provide a wild version of the natural beauty of its native land in a more compact and comfortable version - the Finns know how to take care not only of nature, but also of people. No wonder this country is included in the top of the happiest and safest countries in the world.
It is more comfortable to contemplate the pristine nature and engage in outdoor activities in May-September, in early autumn you can already see the Northern Lights.
Ways to get there: Finland is dominated by the Helsinki airport. Direct flight from Moscow - from 8,000 rubles.
- Residents of St. Petersburg are incredibly lucky: a minibus will take you for ≈1000 rubles
- Wave old times and arrange a train journey: tickets from Moscow - from 6000 rubles; from St. Petersburg to Helsinki for 1800 rubles
- An option that opens up wide possibilities for building a route at the behest of the heart - auto: from € 40 / day, petrol: € 1.47.
When renting a car in St. Petersburg, you will spend: about 11,000 rubles (per car for a week), 2,000 rubles - for a green card (required to enter the country), and if in Helsinki - about 600 km for the road and 4,000 rubles for gasoline. - For the most courageous - a bicycle! Really achievable and adapted for a cyclist path from St. Petersburg passes through the point "Svetogorsk - Imatra - optional, Lappeenranta". Rent of an iron horse in Vyborg: 500 rubles / day. Vyborg - Svetogorsk (bus / train) - from 600 rubles.
Accommodation: in Helsinki, you can stay in a hostel (in this country, you definitely shouldn't be afraid of them), this is the cheapest option - from 2,000 rubles for two.
- apartments - from € 40
- hotel 3 * - from € 65
- 5 * hotel - from € 110
Scandinavia is a every second detox under the supervision of a supervising physician - Nature. This is an immense number of eco - trails, bike paths, fishing spots, saunas and ... campgrounds outside the city! Price for a place with a tent: from € 18 (with a car - from € 25). For a group of travelers, small cottages will be more profitable - from € 35 / night.
Caution, camping benefit: apply for a Europe Camping Key card (€ 16) - you will save on services and the places themselves.
Food: approximate prices
- street hearty fast food - from 4 €
- coffee - from € 2
- salmon with garnish - from € 10
- fish fillet (trout), kg - from € 12
- berries (sea buckthorn, cranberries, blueberries), 0.5l - from € 5
- a bottle of water - from € 0.8 (but you can drink water from the tap - € 0!)
Life hack: at lunch, many cafes offer a buffet system. For example, overeat to the dump for only € 12. Remember also about student canteens: budget and hearty, lunch - from € 3.
Directions: to get around the city buy a travel card: € 18/3 days. It also works on some ferries, if not, tickets are in the region of € 3.5. Outside the capital can be reached by bus or train - from € 15.
TOTAL:
By plane from Moscow without renting a car it will cost 50,000 rubles for two. (3 days in Helsinki + 3 days outside the city), with car rental (a day in Helsinki + 5 days outside the city) - 96,000 rubles.
Interestingly, the trip from St. Petersburg is estimated at about 80,000 rubles, no matter whether you drive a car or rent it in Finland.
