Budget travel hacks: Exploring Europe on €50 a day (2025 guide)

With smart planning, local insights, and the right strategies, you can experience the magic of European travel on just €50 per day—including accommodation, food, transportation, and activities.

"Europe is expensive." That's what everyone says. And if you're eating at tourist restaurants, staying in hotels near major attractions, and doing every paid activity, they're right—you'll blow through €150+ per day easily.

But here's the secret experienced budget travelers know: Europe is only expensive if you travel like a tourist.

When you travel like a local—eating where locals eat, staying in neighborhoods locals live in, doing free activities locals enjoy—suddenly that "expensive" continent becomes remarkably affordable.

This isn't about suffering through a miserable trip to save money. This is about experiencing Europe authentically, connecting with local culture, and having better experiences than tourists spending 3x more.

Here's exactly how to explore Europe on €50 per day in 2025, broken down by category with real-world examples and current pricing.

The €50 daily budget breakdown

Let's start with the math:

€50 per day allocation:

• 🛏️ Accommodation: €15-20
• 🍽️ Food: €15-20
• 🚇 Transportation: €5-8
• 🎯 Activities: €5-10
• ☕ Misc/buffer: €2-5

Total: €50

"Wait, €15 accommodation? That's impossible!"

Not in Europe. Let me show you how.

Accommodation: €15-20 per night

Strategy #1: Hostels (the smart way)

Cost: €12-25 per night in dorms

Best for: Solo travelers, open-minded couples, friend groups

2025 hostel landscape: Modern European hostels aren't the grim backpacker dives of the 90s. Many are cleaner and more social than budget hotels, with:

• Pod-style bunks with privacy curtains and personal lights
• Women-only dorms
• En-suite bathrooms
• Communal kitchens
• Co-working spaces
• Social events

Price by region (2025 averages for 6-8 bed dorm):

• Eastern Europe: €8-15/night (Prague, Budapest, Krakow, Sofia)
• Southern Europe: €15-22/night (Lisbon, Porto, Athens, Split)
• Western Europe off-season: €18-28/night (Barcelona, Berlin, Amsterdam)

Top budget hostel resources:

• Hostelworld: Best search/filter options
• Booking.com: Often has hostel deals
• Direct hostel websites: Sometimes 10% cheaper

How to choose hostels that don't suck:

• ✅ Rating: 8.0+ on Hostelworld
• ✅ Recent reviews mentioning cleanliness
• ✅ Location: Not in absolute city center (that's tourist pricing) but near metro
• ✅ Free breakfast or kitchen (saves €5-8/day on food)
• ✅ No hidden "linen fees" or deposits
• ❌ Avoid: Party hostels if you need sleep, "local currency only" payment

Pro tip: Book 10-bed dorms instead of 4-bed. Sounds worse, but costs 30% less and is often quieter (4-bed dorms attract friend groups who stay up talking).

Strategy #2: Couchsurfing (free)

Cost: €0

Best for: Solo travelers, cultural immersion seekers, extroverts

What it is: Stay on locals' couches/spare rooms for free. You're not a customer—you're a cultural exchange.

How to do it right:

• Complete detailed profile with photos
• Get verification badge (€3 one-time)
• Request hosts 2-3 weeks ahead
• Personalize each request (explain why you want to stay with them)
• Bring small gift from your country
• Offer to cook dinner or show photos from your travels
• Leave thoughtful reference after

Reality check:

• Not available everywhere (better in university cities)
• Requires social energy (you're staying with people, not crashing)
• Safety: Read multiple references, video chat before
• Women: Many women-only hosting groups exist

Expected success rate: 1 in 5-7 requests accepted (higher with good profile and personalized messages)

Strategy #3: House sitting (free)

Cost: €0 (but €10-15/month membership fee)

Best for: Responsible travelers, animal lovers, flexible schedules

What it is: Care for someone's home/pets while they travel. Free accommodation in exchange for light responsibilities.

Platforms:

• TrustedHousesitters: €10/month, largest network
• Nomador: €8/month, popular in Europe
• HouseSitMatch: €12/month

How it works:

1. Create detailed profile with references
2. Apply to sits (competitive in popular cities)
3. Video interview with owner
4. Stay for free, care for home/pets
5. Leave place as you found it

Typical responsibilities:

• Feed/walk dogs or cats (30 mins - 2 hours daily)
• Water plants
• Bring in mail
• Basic home security

Best markets for house sits:

• Spain (many British expats need sitters)
• France (countryside homes)
• Portugal (growing digital nomad hub)
• Italy (rural areas)

Reality: Competitive in city centers, easier to get countryside/suburban sits. Great if you have pet care experience.

Strategy #4: Camping (€8-15)

Cost: €8-15 per night at campgrounds

Best for: Summer travel, nature lovers, those with camping gear

Where it works:

• Scandinavia: "Right to roam" laws (free wild camping)
• France: Excellent campground network
• Croatia: Beach camping
• Portugal: Coastal and Algarve region
• Spain: Not in cities, but great for coastal/rural

What you need:

• Lightweight tent: €30-60 (one-time investment)
• Sleeping bag: €25-40
• Sleeping pad: €15-30
• Or rent camping gear at some campgrounds

Campground benefits:

• Hot showers
• Electricity charging
• Kitchens (save more on food)
• Often near public transport
• Community/social aspect

Free wild camping (where legal):

• Scotland: Legal anywhere
• Sweden/Norway: Allowed with restrictions
• Estonia/Latvia: Generally permitted in forests
• Always: Leave no trace, respect nature

Strategy #5: Long-term rentals (€15-20/night)

Cost: €450-600/month = €15-20/night

Best for: Staying in one city 2+ weeks, remote workers, deep culture seekers

Platforms:

• Facebook groups: "[City name] apartments" or "expats in [city]"
• Idealista (Spain, Portugal, Italy)
• Immobiliare.it (Italy)
• Badi (roommate finding, Spain)
• Spotahome (month rentals, no viewings needed)

How it works: Book month-long room rental or studio. Cost per night drops dramatically vs. hotels.

Example: Barcelona

• Hotel: €80/night × 30 = €2,400/month
• Airbnb: €50/night × 30 = €1,500/month
• Monthly room rental: €500/month = €16.67/night

Requirements:

• Usually 1-month minimum
• Deposit (typically 1 month rent)
• Sometimes passport copy

Best for budget:

• Rent a room in shared apartment
• Neighborhoods locals live in (not city center)
• Off-season (Sept-May)

Food: €15-20 per day

This is where most travelers blow their budget. Here's how to eat amazing food for €15-20/day:

Breakfast: €2-4

Strategy: Never pay for hotel breakfast (€8-12 waste)

Budget options:

• Hostel free breakfast: Coffee, bread, jam, sometimes eggs (€0)
• Supermarket breakfast: Yogurt, fruit, pastries, coffee (€2-3)
• Local bakery: Fresh bread, pastry, coffee (€2-4)
• Market fruit: Banana, apple, local produce (€1-2)

Pro tip: Buy groceries the night before, eat breakfast in your accommodation or a park.

European breakfast champions:

• France: Boulangerie croissant + coffee = €2.50
• Portugal: Pastel de nata + coffee = €2
• Italy: Cornetto + cappuccino = €2.50 (at bar, not table service)
• Spain: Tostada + café con leche = €2.50

What to avoid: Hotel buffets, tourist café sitting breakfasts, Starbucks

Lunch: €5-8

The key: Eat your main meal at lunch. Many restaurants offer "menu del día" (menu of the day) at lunch for half the dinner price.

Budget lunch strategies:

#1: Menu del Día (Spain, Portugal, Italy)

• What it is: Fixed-price multi-course lunch
• Cost: €8-12 for starter, main, dessert, drink
• When: 1pm-4pm weekdays
• Where: Restaurants filled with locals, not tourists
• Pro tip: Look for handwritten menus, that's where locals eat

#2: Supermarket picnics

• Cost: €4-6 for full meal
• What to buy: Fresh bread (€1), cheese (€2), cured meat (€2), tomato (€0.50), fruit (€1)
• Where to eat: Parks, riverbanks, in front of monuments (free views!)
• Best supermarkets: Lidl, Aldi, Dia (discount), Carrefour Express

#3: Street food & markets

• Eastern Europe: Pierogis €3, goulash €4, langos €2
• Italy: Pizza al taglio €3-4, arancini €1.50
• Turkey: Döner kebab €4, simit €0.50
• Greece: Souvlaki €3, gyros €4
• Spain: Bocadillo €3-4

#4: University cafeterias (Mensa)

• Cost: €3-6 for full meal
• Where: Many universities allow public access
• Best countries: Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland
• Quality: Basic but filling, subsidized pricing

Dinner: €6-10

Strategy: Cook 3-4 nights per week, eat out 2-3 nights at budget places

Cooking (€3-5 per meal):

• Where: Hostel kitchens, Airbnb kitchens, campground facilities
• What to make: Pasta €2-3, rice + vegetables €3, eggs + bread €2
• Shop at: Discount supermarkets (Lidl, Aldi, Penny, Biedronka)
• Share ingredients: In hostels, leave-and-take shelves often have free pasta, rice, oil

Eating out (€6-12):

• Local neighborhoods: Not tourist areas (50% cheaper)
• Google Maps: Filter 1-star pricing (€), read reviews
• Ordering: Skip drinks (water free in most of Europe), skip appetizers
• Timing: Go right at opening or late (sometimes better service, fewer crowds)

Regional budget gems:

• Portugal: Tasca-style restaurants, €6-8 meals
• Greece: Tavernas outside tourist zones, €7-10
• Poland: Bar mleczny (milk bars), €4-6 full meal
• Turkey: Lokanta (local restaurants), €5-7
• Czech Republic: Pivnice (beer halls), €6-8 meals

Drinks & coffee: €2-4 daily

Coffee:

• ❌ Starbucks: €4-5
• ✅ Local café bar (standing): €1-1.50
• ✅ Portuguese pastelaria: €0.70-1
• ✅ Italian café (al banco = at bar): €1-1.50

Pro tip: In Italy, Spain, Portugal—order at the bar counter (standing). Sitting at tables costs 2-3x more for the exact same coffee.

Alcohol:

• Supermarket: Beer €0.50-1, wine €3-5/bottle
• Drink in parks/plazas: Legal in most of Europe
• Happy hour: 5-7pm at local bars, beer €2-3
• ❌ Avoid: Tourist square bars (€6+ beers), clubs (€8-12 drinks)

Money-saving food hacks

✅ Tapas strategy (Spain): Order drinks, get free tapas in Granada, León, Santiago ✅ Aperitivo (Italy): 6-8pm, buy a drink (€5-8), free buffet ✅ Bakery timing: Buy day-old bread/pastries for 50% off ✅ Market timing: Last hour before close = vendors discount to clear stock ✅ Water: Free tap water everywhere (order "tap water" not bottled) ✅ Leftovers: Not rude in most of Europe, ask for doggy bag

❌ Avoid:

• Restaurants on main squares (2-3x inflated pricing)
• Photo menus (tourist trap indicator)
• Restaurants with touts outside calling you in
• Pre-made sandwiches at train stations (€7-9)

Transportation: €5-8 per day

City transport: €2-5 per day

Daily/multi-day passes: Most European cities offer unlimited transport passes:

• 24-hour pass: €5-8 (break-even if you take 3+ trips)
• 3-day pass: €12-18
• Weekly pass: €15-25

Examples (2025 pricing):

• Berlin: €8.80/day
• Prague: €5.50/day
• Lisbon: €6.50/day
• Budapest: €5/day
• Athens: €4.50/day
• Barcelona: €11/day (expensive!)

When NOT to buy:

• Walkable cities (Florence, Venice, Bruges)
• Cities with great bike networks (Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Berlin)
• If you're only taking 1-2 trips that day

Walking cities (€0 transport): These cities are small enough to walk everywhere:

• Venice, Italy
• Bruges, Belgium
• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Tallinn, Estonia
• Rothenburg, Germany
• Toledo, Spain

Bike rentals:

• City bike shares: €1-2/hour or €5/day
• Long-term rental: €10-15/day or €40-60/week
• Free bikes: Some hostels provide free bikes

Best cycling cities:

• Amsterdam (bike culture capital)
• Copenhagen (incredible infrastructure)
• Berlin (flat, great bike lanes)
• Strasbourg, France
• Ferrara, Italy

Between cities: Budget transport

FlixBus (The Budget Traveler's Best Friend):

• Cost: €5-25 between major cities
• Comfort: WiFi, power outlets, toilets
• Example routes:
  • Prague to Vienna: €10-15 (4.5 hours)
  • Berlin to Amsterdam: €15-20 (6 hours)
  • Barcelona to Valencia: €12-18 (4 hours)
• Booking tip: Book 2-3 weeks ahead for cheapest fares

BlaBlaCar (Ridesharing):

• Cost: €5-20 for long distances
• How it works: Share rides with locals driving between cities
• Example: Paris to Brussels €15 vs €80 train
• Benefits: Meet locals, practice language, very cheap
• Safety: Verified profiles, reviews, ID checks

Budget airlines:

• Ryanair & Wizzair: €10-30 flights if booked ahead
• Catch: Only carry-on bag (7-10kg), airport fees, far from city centers
• When worth it: Long distances (Berlin to Athens), islands (Greece, Spain)
• Hidden costs: €25-40 each way for checked bag + €10-20 airport transfer

Train money-saving hacks:

• Night trains: €30-50 for bed = transport + accommodation combined
• Slow trains: Regional trains cost 50% less than high-speed
• Rail passes: Only worth it if taking 5+ long trips in 2 weeks
• Advance booking: Trenitalia/Renfe 2 months ahead = 60% off

Hitchhiking (€0):

• Legal in most of Europe (illegal in highways in some countries)
• Best countries: Germany, France, Netherlands, Poland
• Safety: Usually very safe, especially in Western Europe
• Apps: Hitchwiki for tips, Trucker Path for truck stops
• Tips: Gas stations work better than roadside, make sign with city name

Airport to city: Avoid taxi traps

Budget options:

• ✅ Public bus/train: €2-8 (almost every major airport has this)
• ✅ Shared shuttle: €5-10
• ❌ Taxi: €30-60 (only if 4+ people splitting)
• ❌ Airport express trains: €12-20 (tourist pricing, public bus is 1/3 cost)

Examples:

• Barcelona: Aerobus €6 vs Taxi €35
• Rome: Bus + Metro €2.50 vs Taxi €50
• Lisbon: Metro €1.50 vs Taxi €25
• Berlin: Public train €3.60 vs Taxi €40

Time difference: Maybe 15-30 minutes slower. Worth the €25-40 savings.

Activities: €5-10 per day

The 70/30 rule: 70% free activities, 30% paid

Free activities (€0)

Museums & attractions: Many museums have free entry days:

• First Sunday of month: Most major European museums
• Specific free days: Research each city
• Student discounts: Real student? Bring ID for 50% off
• Time-based free entry: Last 2 hours, certain weekday mornings

Free city experiences:

• Walking tours: "Free" tip-based tours (tip €5-10 at end)
• Parks & gardens: Almost always free
• Churches & cathedrals: Entry usually free (maybe €2 for tower/crypt)
• Street performances: Free entertainment in squares
• Markets: Free to wander, sample culture
• Beaches: Free in most of Europe
• Hiking: Trails around most cities
• Neighborhood wandering: Best way to feel a city

Free viewpoints: Skip paid observation decks:

• Paris: Sacré-Cœur steps (free) vs Eiffel Tower (€28)
• Barcelona: Park Güell terraces (free) vs Torre Glories (€15)
• Rome: Gianicolo Hill (free) vs Victor Emmanuel Monument (€12)
• Prague: Petřín Park (free) vs Tower (€5)
• London: Sky Garden (free!) vs Shard (£35)

Free walking routes:

• Rome: Ancient Rome loop (Colosseum, Forum, Palatine exterior)
• Prague: Charles Bridge to Castle walk
• Barcelona: Gothic Quarter maze
• Paris: Seine riverbanks, Montmartre
• Amsterdam: Canal ring walking route

Low-cost activities (€5-10)

What's worth paying for:

• Major monuments: €10-15 (Colosseum, Sagrada Familia, etc.)
• Local experiences: Cooking classes €30-40 (less if with locals via Couchsurfing)
• Day trips: €10-20 for train to nearby towns
• Public swimming: €3-5 city pools/beaches
• Bike rentals: €10/day
• Museum combos: City cards sometimes worth it if visiting 3+ museums

City card math: Only buy if:

• Includes 3+ paid attractions you want
• Includes public transport
• You'll use everything in the time limit

Example: Paris Museum Pass

• Cost: €55 for 2 days
• Break-even: Need to visit Louvre (€17) + Versailles (€20) + Orsay (€14) + Arc de Triomphe (€13) = €64
• Worth it?: Only if you'll actually do all that in 2 days (exhausting!)

Activity money-saving strategies

✅ Flix Bus also offers tours: Multi-city routes double as sightseeing ✅ Meet locals: Couchsurfing/Meetup events = free local experiences ✅ University events: Many open to public, cheap/free concerts and lectures ✅ Churches: Free concerts (donation suggested) ✅ Happy hour: Not just for drinks, some places have food specials ✅ City beaches/rivers: Free swimming in summer

Regional budget guides: Best value countries

Tier 1: Super budget (€35-45/day possible)

Eastern Europe:

• Bulgaria (Sofia, Plovdiv)
• Romania (Bucharest, Brașov, Cluj)
• Poland (Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk)
• Ukraine (if/when safe to travel)
• Albania (Tirana, Albanian Riviera)
• North Macedonia (Skopje, Ohrid)

Why: Lower cost of living, excellent value, fewer tourists

Tier 2: Good value (€45-55/day)

Southern & Eastern Europe:

• Portugal (Lisbon, Porto, Algarve)
• Greece (Athens, islands off-season)
• Czech Republic (Prague, Brno)
• Hungary (Budapest)
• Croatia (Zagreb, Split off-season)
• Spain (Valencia, Seville, Granada)
• Turkey (Istanbul, Cappadocia)

Why: Good infrastructure, moderate prices, authentic experiences

Tier 3: Challenging but possible (€55-65/day)

Western Europe:

• Italy (Rome, Florence if careful)
• Spain (Barcelona, Madrid)
• Germany (Berlin, Munich)
• Austria (Vienna, Salzburg)
• France (Lyon, Marseille, Nice)
• Netherlands (Amsterdam)

Why: Higher costs but doable with discipline, excellent experiences

Tier 4: Very expensive (€70+/day minimum)

Nordic & UK:

• Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva)
• Norway (Oslo, Bergen)
• Denmark (Copenhagen)
• Sweden (Stockholm)
• United Kingdom (London, Edinburgh)
• Iceland (Reykjavik)

Strategy: Minimize time here, or earn/save more, or wild camp, or Couchsurf

Sample €50/day itineraries

Example 1: Prague (5 days)

Accommodation: Hostel @ €15/night = €75 total Food:

• Breakfast: Supermarket (€2/day)
• Lunch: Menu del día style (€5/day)
• Dinner: Cook 3 nights (€3), eat out 2 nights (€8)
• Avg: €18/day = €90 total Transport: Walk everywhere = €0 Activities: Free walking tour (€7 tip), Castle (€10), drinks (€3/day) = €32 Total: €197 / 5 days = €39.40/day

Example 2: Barcelona (1 week)

Accommodation: Hostel @ €20/night = €140 total Food: €20/day (breakfast €3, lunch €6, cook dinner 5 nights €4 / eat out 2 nights €12) = €140 total Transport: Weekly metro pass €23 Activities: Sagrada Familia (€26), Park Güell (€10), free beaches/Gothic Quarter, drinks (€5/day) = €71 Total: €374 / 7 days = €53.43/day Slightly over, but you're in Barcelona—worth it!

Example 3: Balkan adventure (2 weeks)

Route: Sofia (3 nights) → Skopje (2) → Ohrid (3) → Tirana (3) → Berat (2)

Accommodation: Mix hostels/guesthouses @ €12/night = €168 Food: €15/day (very affordable region) = €210 Transport: Buses between cities = €60 total Activities: €5/day (mostly free, occasional entrance) = €70 Total: €508 / 14 days = €36.29/day

Common budget travel myths debunked

Myth #1: "Budget travel means suffering" Reality: You're eating local food, staying in social hostels, doing authentic experiences. Often BETTER than luxury travel.

Myth #2: "You'll miss all the famous sites" Reality: Most major sights have free viewing from outside, or cheap entry days. You see everything, just strategically.

Myth #3: "Hostels are dirty and unsafe" Reality: Modern hostels are cleaner than many budget hotels. Read reviews, choose 8.0+ rated.

Myth #4: "You can't travel Europe cheap in summer" Reality: Harder, but possible. Eastern Europe stays affordable. Early booking helps.

Myth #5: "You need to book everything in advance" Reality: Flexibility saves money. Last-minute hostel deals, spontaneous route changes, local recommendations.

Myth #6: "Budget travel is only for young people" Reality: Private hostel rooms exist (€30-40, still budget). Many budget travelers are 30s-50s.

Myth #7: "You can't enjoy food on a budget" Reality: Local food IS budget food. Tourist restaurants are both expensive AND worse quality.

Budget travel mindset shifts

From "tourist" to "traveler":

• Tourists eat at restaurants on main squares → Travelers eat where locals eat
• Tourists stay near attractions → Travelers stay in local neighborhoods
• Tourists do all paid attractions → Travelers mix free and paid experiences
• Tourists optimize for convenience → Travelers optimize for value

Value > cost:

• A €25 cooking class with locals = amazing value
• A €25 tourist restaurant meal = poor value

Time is flexible:

• Bus instead of flight (7 hours vs 1 hour) but save €60
• Cook instead of eat out (30 minutes) but save €10
• Walk instead of metro (15 extra minutes) but save €2

If you have more time than money, this works. If you have more money than time, pay for convenience.

When to splurge (even on budget)

Worth spending on: ✅ One amazing local meal per week (€25-35) ✅ Iconic experience you came for (Sagrada Familia, Colosseum, etc.) ✅ Quality hostel in safe area (worth €5 more) ✅ Occasional private room for rest/recovery ✅ Experiences with locals (cooking class, home dinner)

Not worth spending on: ❌ Tourist trap restaurants ❌ Airport transfers (public transport exists) ❌ Bottled water (tap water is safe) ❌ Fancy breakfast when hostel has free one ❌ Nightclubs (€50+ for 3 drinks?)

Saving money before you go

Pre-trip budget hacks:

• Flight deals: Use Skyscanner flexible month search, fly Tuesday/Wednesday
• Shoulder season: May or September = 40% cheaper than July-August
• Open jaw flights: Fly into one city, out of another (see more, same cost)
• Credit card points: Many offer 50K points = free flight
• Rail passes: Buy before you go, research if actually worth it
• Travel insurance: €40-60 for peace of mind (worth it)

Don't save money on:

• Travel insurance (€50 could save you thousands)
• Quality walking shoes (you'll walk 10-15km daily)
• Unlocked phone (€20 SIM card beats €10/day roaming)

Budget travel resources & apps

Accommodation:

• Hostelworld: Best hostel booking
• TrustedHousesitters: House sitting
• Couchsurfing: Free stays with locals

Transportation:

• FlixBus: Cheap bus network
• Omio: Compare all transport options
• Rome2Rio: Route planning
• BlaBlaCar: Ridesharing

Food:

• Google Maps: Filter by price, read reviews
• HappyCow: Vegetarian/vegan restaurants
• Too Good To Go: Discounted end-of-day food

Activities:

• FreeTour: Tip-based walking tours
• Meetup: Free events with locals
• Couchsurfing events: Free hangouts

Money:

• Revolut/Wise: Best exchange rates, no fees
• Splitwise: Track shared expenses
• XE: Currency converter

Planning:

• NovaTrek: Save all those Instagram and TikTok budget travel tips you find! Organize by city, search by category, share with travel companions. No more lost screenshots.

Save your budget travel research with NovaTrek →

Final thoughts: The real cost of budget travel

€50/day = €1,500/month of traveling Europe.

What you get:

• Authentic local experiences
• Deep cultural immersion
• Social connections in hostels
• Flexibility and spontaneity
• Freedom to travel longer
• Stories better than any 5-star resort

What you give up:

• Some comfort
• Some convenience
• Some predictability
• Private space 100% of the time

Is it worth it?: If traveling longer and experiencing culture deeply matters more than comfort, absolutely yes.

If you'd rather stay in 4-star hotels and eat tourist meals, you'll need €100-150/day instead. Both are valid! Know what you value.

The secret: Budget travel often leads to BETTER experiences. You meet locals, eat authentic food, see hidden neighborhoods, and have adventures that luxury travelers miss.

The best European memories? Rarely from expensive things. They're from sunset picnics in Prague parks, late-night hostel conversations, getting lost in Budapest side streets, and sharing wine with Couchsurfing hosts.

Those cost almost nothing. And they're priceless.

Buen viaje! (Have a great trip—on a budget!)

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What's your best budget travel hack for Europe? Share in the comments to help fellow travelers stretch their euros further!