Last updated: October 17, 2026. Prices change with the season and exchange rates, so use this guide as a starting point and check current prices before you book.
Europe has a reputation for being expensive, but prices vary a lot from one country to the next. A week in Copenhagen can cost far more than a week in Sofia or Bucharest. This guide uses official EU price statistics to show which countries tend to cost less, and explains how to work out a realistic budget for your own trip.
How to tell which countries are cheaper
Eurostat, the EU’s statistics office, publishes price level indices that compare what households pay for goods and services in each country. The EU average is set at 100, so a country at 63 is 37 percent cheaper than the average.
In its 2025 data, Eurostat reports that the lowest price levels for household consumption were in Bulgaria (63 percent of the EU average), Romania (65 percent) and Poland (73 percent). The highest were in Denmark (140 percent), Ireland (136 percent) and Luxembourg (132 percent).
These figures are not adjusted for income, and they measure what residents pay, not what a tourist pays. They are a good guide to where daily costs are lower, but not a guarantee. You can read the full explanation in Eurostat’s article on comparative price levels.
Countries that tend to cost less
Bulgaria
Bulgaria has had the lowest overall price level in the EU in recent Eurostat releases. In the 2024 data, it also had the lowest price level for restaurants and hotels, at 53 percent of the EU average. It offers Black Sea beaches in summer, ski resorts such as Bansko in winter, and historic cities like Sofia and Plovdiv.
Romania
Romania comes second on overall prices, and in 2025 it had the lowest price level in the EU for food and non-alcoholic drinks, at 80 percent of the average. That makes eating out and shopping for groceries cheaper than in most of Europe. Popular places include Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu and the Carpathian Mountains.
Poland
Poland was third on overall prices in 2025. It has a good rail network and well-preserved old towns in Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Warsaw, plus many museums and historic sites.
Hungary
Hungary was also among the lower-priced EU countries. In the 2024 data its restaurant and hotel prices were at 72 percent of the EU average. Budapest is known for its thermal baths, river views and historic architecture.
How to estimate your own budget
A single “average daily budget” number can be misleading, because it depends on your travel style. Instead, add up these four costs for your own trip:
- Accommodation: check hostels, guesthouses and apartments for your dates on a booking website and use a middle price, not the cheapest one.
- Food: plan on one restaurant meal a day and buy the rest from supermarkets or local markets.
- Local transport: look up day or week passes for the city, and train or bus fares between cities.
- Sightseeing: list the museums and attractions you really want to see and check ticket prices on their official websites.
Then add a buffer of 10 to 15 percent for costs you did not plan for.
Ways to keep your costs down
- Travel in the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn), when hotels cost less than in summer.
- Book trains and flights early.
- Eat where locals eat, away from the main tourist squares.
- Stay a little outside the centre if public transport is good.
- Remember the costs that are easy to forget: travel insurance, airport transfers and, for many passports, a visa.
Do you need a visa?
Whether you need a visa depends on your passport and the country you visit. Poland and Hungary are in the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa may be required. Read our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Schengen visa, and confirm the rules on the European Commission’s official page before you book anything. You can also browse all of our visa guides.
Thinking of working in Europe instead?
If you want to stay longer than a holiday, you will need the right permit and a good CV. Our guide on creating a Europass CV for jobs in Europe is a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Which European country is the cheapest?
In Eurostat’s 2025 data, Bulgaria had the lowest overall price level in the EU, followed by Romania and Poland. Prices change every year, so check the latest release.
Are cheaper price levels the same as a cheaper holiday?
Not always. The index measures what residents pay for everyday goods and services. Tourist areas, high season and your own travel style can change your real costs.
Is Western Europe always more expensive?
Overall price levels are usually higher in Western and Northern Europe, but they also vary by city and season. A budget trip is possible anywhere if you plan carefully.
Final thoughts
If budget is your main concern, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and Hungary are a sensible place to start, and official statistics support that. Work out your own costs for accommodation, food, transport and sightseeing, check the visa rules, and book early. For more trip planning help, see all of our travel guides.
