How to Visit Europe's Most Expensive Cities on a BUDGET

What comes to your mind first when thinking about traveling in Europe?

Probably drinking wine and nibbling on a freshly baked baguette in front of the Eiffel tower? Or a romantic cruise in a gondola in Venice?

The reality sometimes is not-so-rosy: Europe’s biggest cities can be annoyingly expensive.

I have heard about backpacker dreams being crushed once they realize a pint of cheap beer in Paris costs 9 dollars and a romantic meal in Amsterdam by canal would mean blowing your whole week’s budget.

Do not let this discourage you: European capitals are absolutely incredible and they have so much to offer even when you are on a tighter budget, you just have to know where to look. Luckily, I have done the research so all that’s left for you to do is pack your bags and hop on a plane.

Also just a quick insider tip on booking flights: In order to keep costs low, consider booking to one of the following airports - London Gatwick, Copenhangen, Stockholm, Reykjavik , Dublin, MIlano, Warsaw, Berlin, & Vienna - all of which are generally cheap European cities to fly into (many are hubs for budget airlines).

As always, make sure you are traveling safely with TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE

With that said, let’s get into your guide on how to visit Europe’s most expensive cities on the CHEAP.

How to Visit Paris on a Budget

Over the years Paris is probably the place I have heard the most mixed reviews on. Seems like there is no middle ground: travelers either love it or absolutely hate it. I had heard that Parisians could be so nasty that I arrived very guarded and worried….and I didn’t have any problems at all. I found the people I dealt with to be perfectly fine (and quite frequently lovely to me). I think the thing that struck me the most was just how beautiful the city was….every corner you turned around felt historic and pristine. There is definitely something about the city that makes you want to return (again and again!). But it is expensive if you don’t know where to look….but just think, with a little creativity, exploring and research you’ll also uncover a more unique Paris (minus the clichés!)

Where to stay in Paris on a Budget:

People often mistakenly think that you either have to be able to stay in a massive apartment overlooking Eifel tower or you will be cramped in a tiny, dark room 2 hours away from the city center. Paris is huge and so diverse it is possible to find a nice middle ground: beautiful accommodation that will most likely not have a view on the Eiffel tower but also won’t cost you a leg.

MIJE Marais this hostel has amazing architecture. Located in an incredible 17th century building with a beautiful courtyard it’s the kind of place where you wish you were wearing a beautiful dress every time you walk down the stairs rather than jeans and a t-shirt. It is super well located and a stone’s throw away from some of the main attractions. The rooms, although pretty basic, are clean and have everything you need. They offer dorm rooms and private rooms for reasonable prices close to main attractions.
Le Regent Montmarte by Hiphophostels located in the charming Montmarte district is a true Parisian experience (or so they say so, but I do agree). Rooms are bright, clean and super cozy. They offer a cheap French breakfast and the best part: even during the summer months, you can get a private room for 80 USD or a bed in a shared dorm for less than 30USD.
The People Hostel Paris this bright and clean hostel offers single rooms for less than 100 USD or dorms for 40 USD in the peak season. They have a beautiful terrace with a fantastic view and they offer great French breakfast to prepare you for the day.

What to do in Paris on a budget

Rent a bike for only 5 euros a day you can get a comfy city bike to explore every corner of the city. The beautiful architecture and even more so beautiful people make it a perfect place for a slow, picturesque bike ride.
Art if standing in a never-ending line for The Louvre does not appeal to you can get a tiny glimpse at Paris art scene in one of many street markets. Some wonderful options are Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen,Les Puces de Montreuil and Marché aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux flower market. If this is not enough to satisfy the art critique in you, here’s one amazing thing about Paris: entry to all museums is free on the first Sunday of each month.
Discover the secret gardens of Paris there are plenty of well-hidden gems around the city that look like straight out of a fairy tale. La Petite Ceinture, Albert Kahn Garden and Pierre-Emmanuel Garden just to mention a few.
Open air cinema in Parc de la Villete see the best of French and international cinema in a magical setting sitting on grass and sipping on French wine. This cool event takes place every year and the entry is free for everyone.

Eating in Paris on a Budget

Le Comptoir Général not only this place looks absolutely incredible, they also serve a lovely light brunch and lunch with great cocktails and all for affordable prices.
Moroccan food Considering the huge Moroccan community in France it’s no wonder that Paris has some of the best Moroccan food places outside of Morocco. Some of the best value meals in the city can be found at Zerda Café: a restaurant that serves yummy north African food for both meat-eaters and vegetarians and Le Traiteur Marocain for Moroccan street food.
Bouillon Chartier incredibly cheap classic French dishes in a spectacular building. Their menu is huge and you can get everything starting from snails to chocolate mousse.
Bakeries, of course bakeries not only are they budget friendly, but Frenchies definitely know how to make amazing bread, cakes and pastries. You can find bakeries on every corner, but amongst my favorites are Poliane, Du Pain et des Idees and Boulangerie Patisserie La Parisienne.

Best Time to Visit Paris on a Budget:

The cheapest months to visit Paris are early December, January & February (avoiding Christmas and New Years of course). The shoulder seasons of April to June and October to early November can also be quite nice as well with mild, enjoyable weather and lighter crowds.

How to Visit Amsterdam on a Budget

Not to pick favorites (well I guess I kinda am) but Amsterdam is one of the most vibrant, young, lively cities in Europe (so much so that I visited twice last year!) With its narrow streets, little bridges and wonky houses it is the social media and photography paradise. And with its high prices it is the budget traveler's nightmare.

Amsterdam budget hotels & hostels

Although there are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation there is a catch. Amsterdam is such a popular tourist destination and the city is so small that the demand for accommodation is massive. This sometimes leads to decrease in the quality of accommodation offered and of course, incredibly high prices.

Lucky Lake Hostel I absolutely had to include this quirky hostel. While located further away from the city center do not let that put you off. They offer colorful caravans and cabins that look like something out of a funky 70’s movie. It is definitely the place to be if you want to be away from the business of the city but still able to reach all the main attractions.
ClinkNoord a budget and solo traveler friendly place. It is the perfect mix if you are looking for quiet spaces for working during the day and socializing at night. Their private rooms go for as low as 70 USD per night.
Ecomama a Pinterest worthy boutique hostel in a great location. They are all about beautiful design and eco-friendly solutions.

Eating in Amsterdam on a budget

Albert Cuyp market for some traditional Dutch snacks and street food there is no better place that this market located 15 minutes away from the center. Here you’ll find the freshest Stroop waffles, fries, pancakes, traditional Dutch herring and many other snacks. Everything is made fresh on the spot and you can easily fill your tummy at 5 different food stalls for under 10 euros.
World of Food A lesser known street food hall to try food from all over the world. I highly recommend trying Surinamese food which is a delicious mix of Asian and Caribbean cuisine.
Foodhallen by this time you can probably tell I am slightly obsessed with funky street food places. Foodhallen offers every possible street food starting from falafel to tacos and dumplings. The place is super popular amongst locals and also has live music during the weekends.
Try famous Dutch pancakes and waffles for a hearty guilty pleasure meal head over to one of many pancake places in town. The Pancake Bakery, Pancakes & Waffles and Moak Pancakes have some of the best deals for a massive meal all being under 10 USD.

What to do in Amsterdam on a budget

I always tell people that one of the many reasons I love Amsterdam so much is the variety of events and activities one can do in the city for either free or super cheap.

Take a free ferry to Amsterdam Noord only a 10-minute ferry ride away lays the artsy, industrial part of Amsterdam: NDSM. What used to be warehouses for building ships now has been turned into clubs, venues and funky art galleries that you can check out for free. From inside and out the place is completely covered in street art that creates perfect background for some cool pictures. It is also the best spot to see the sunset over the city. This area is mostly known by locals so it’s the place to go if you want to get away from the crowds.
Visit one of the many street markets Practically every neighborhood of Amsterdam can praise itself in having a local market for fresh food and vintage shopping. Once a month Amsterdam hosts the biggest flea market in Europe: Ij’hallen which is an absolute paradise for vintage shopping.
Free concerts: multiple times a week there are free or cheap live music concerts across the city. Amsterdam has a massive music scene and you can find everything starting from free classical music concerts in The National Opera House to jazz jam sessions in Alto Jazz Café and Cafe Noordelicht.
Go on a boat yes, it sounds generic and touristy at first. But believe me: you have not seen Amsterdam if you have not been on a boat. “Boatamsterdam” offers all-you-can-drink canal cruise with a live guide. While the price is practically the same as regular canal cruises, beer, wine and soft drinks are included and you get the history lesson from an actual person rather than an audio guide.
- If you are feeling more adventurous or travelling with a few friends: rent your own boat! For 20 euros per person you can get a little boat and cruise around the canals on your own. Somehow no license or previous knowledge is needed. You can stop by one of the many canal side bars and grab a drink while still chilling in your boat.
Check out some alternative museums While the most famous museums such as Rijksmuesum and Van Gogh museum are definitely worth seeing, there are many small, funky museums tourists often overlook. These can be a good alternative if you are not willing to spend 25USD on an entrance ticket and especially if you have a short amount of time in the city. Check out The Museums of Fluorescent Art, Museum of Prostitution and Micropia: the museum of microbes.

Cheapest time to visit Amsterdam

If you’re trying to keep costs low, the best time to visit Amsterdam would be low season in November, early December, January and February. Though the weather may not be the nicest (think cold, possibly rainy), this is the time when the best deals can be found. The shoulder seasons (Mar-April and Sept-Oct) will also see fewer crowds and more affordable rates than summer time.

How to Visit Copenhagen on a Budget

There are many reasons why Copenhagen is voted the happiest city in the world almost every year. It is green, young, fun, historical and beautiful. As you can guess though: it is not cheap.

Copenhagen budget hotels & hostels

Sleep in Heaven The name says it all: it’s not only one the cheapest private rooms I have managed to find in central Copenhagen (for as low as 100 USD in peak season), it is also super fun, social, their staff has tons of recommendations for the city and they have some very useful facilities such a bicycle hire.

Urban Camper They are called camper for a reason. You are sleeping in actual tents (inside though so no need to worry about the freezing Danish temperatures. 2 bed “tent” can be hired for less than 80 USD. It is not located in the most typical tourist areas but that just means you get a chance to explore a different part of Copenhagen.

Steel House Copenhagen for 100 USD per night you get a private room, a cozy bar and an indoor swimming pool. The also offer beds in shared dorms for less than 25USD per night. They will charge you extra for everything (using the gym, storing luggage, etc) but it has good vibes.

Eating in Copenhagen on a budget

Reffen street food market with a huge variety of great street food Reffen is the place to be if you want to enjoy high quality and variety food in one place for less than 20 USD.
The Bridge Street Kitchen another street food paradise. It is literally Michelin star restaurant quality as the food stalls here were selected by chefs from “NOMA”: one of world’s best rated restaurants. You can get a meal for as cheap as 10 USD.
All-you-can-eat buffets Danes love their buffets and I have to admit that it is a good deal. I am a big fan of Dalle Valle. For 11 USD you can enjoy a bottomless brunch that offers everything starting from Danish meatballs to freshly baked croissants.
Grønsagen restaurant this little gem hidden in Christiania offers loads of freshly made food for friendly prices. The atmosphere is super welcoming so it is a local favorite. There are also plenty of other restaurants in this area that offer healthy, fresh meals.

Best free things to do in Copenhagen

Discover Christiania it can be considered as a separate country within a country. With its own government this place is like no other in the world. Check out the street art, cool architecture, grab a coffee in one of the many little cafes or support locals by purchasing a unique, hand-made souvenir.
Walk around the Meatpacking district What was at some point a meat packing district (doesn’t sound appealing, I know) has now been turned into the coolest alternative area of the city with tons of amazing street art, bars and some of the best clubs in town.
Byhaven Pumpehuset offers free outdoor concerts in a cozy setting. If you’re lucky to visit the city in summer this is a great place to enjoy live music of upcoming artists and mingle with locals over a glass of Danish craft beer.
Go for a swim Maybe Denmark doesn’t come to your mind when thinking about beaches, but the water quality is so high and there are some wonderful swimming spots right in the middle of the city. My most fun memories of Copenhagen involve going for a dip with some locals in the middle of winter. It is far from enjoyable but makes a great story.
Stroll through the beautiful parks Copenhagen is an incredibly green city. With the first sunshiny days in early April till the very end of the October the parks are filled with youngsters playing music, doing yoga and drinking wine in the sunshine. Parks are definitely the place to be if you want to feel the young and fun spirit of the city.

Cheapest time to visit Copenhagen

Likewise, the cheapest time to visit Copenhagen is that November, early December, January, and February time frame, although shoulder seasons are also rather affordable as well and offer more mild weather (while still seeing lighter crowds than summer time).

How to Visit London on a Budget

No matter how many times I visit London, it never gets old. The city is absolutely crazy, there is so much to do and see, however it took me a while before I managed to find a way how to visit London without spending all my money in 1 day.

London budget hotels & hostels

St Christophers Inn This hostel chain has multiple locations across the city. I’ve stayed with this brand a handful of times and know I can expect comfort and cleanliness whether I’m staying in a dorm room or a private room. They also serve a massive English breakfast in their bar and crazy cheap (for London standards) G&T’s for that full-on English experience. There’s a female only location at London Bridge if that’s your thing as well!
Astor Hyde Park I have added this hostel not only because they somehow manage to offer private rooms for under 80USD in central London, but also because the building is something out of a Sherlock Holmes movie. Oh, and all their £1 all-you-can-eat breakfast is definitely worth mentioning.
Wombat Hostel Another big hostel chain that has never let me down. I have stayed in their hostels all over Europe, but the one in London with its many common areas, cozy bar and delicious breakfast might just be my favorite. And for less than 150 USD for a double room in peak season it is definitely one of the most budget friendly places.

Eating in London on a budget

Brick Lane Market Every Sunday you can try every possible food at this busy market: from Peruvian ceviches to Indian curries it’s a great place for tummy and wallet.
Borough Market Another market for a big variety of tasty street food. It is one of the oldest markets in town and always serves up good quality food.
English Pies what would a list of London food places be without a proper English pie shop. I am not a massive fan of English food, but I have to admit that they can make a good pie. A hearty meat or vegetarian pie with a side of mash potatoes on average costs only 11 USD. Whenever I am in London, I try to visit Battersea Pie station for super fresh and hearty pies.
Indian food as silly as it sounds British people mention curries when asked about best English meals. Considering the history between the two countries it’s inevitable that Indian food has become a massive part of British diet. I have found the best deals in Hankies Marble Arch and Delhi Grill.

Things to do in London on a budget

Museums There are plenty of museums you can see even when you are on a tight budget. Natural history museum, Science museum, National Maritime museum and Tate Modern art gallery are only some of the places that allows free entry to either all or some of the exhibitions. I also always manage to find some good ticket deals online: check different websites before buying the 1st ticket you see.
Go vintage shopping in one of London’s hipster neighborhoods London might be one of the best cities when it comes to finding absolute vintage gems. I LOVE the Shoreditch area; or you can also head over to Nothing Hill, Greenwich, Camden or Old Spitalfields market for great deals.
Discover famous photo spots Because of its unique, bustling atmosphere London has been featured in countless books and movies. You can visit the famous book store from the movie “Nothing Hill”, take a picture on Platform 9 ¾ from Harry Potter, recreate the famous The Beatles cover phot on Abbey Road or stand on Shakespeare's balcony. Might sound cheesy and touristy but let’s face it: everyone should do it at least once.
See neon lights in God’s Own Junkyard This funky place allows you to see every possible neon art piece imaginable. It is absolutely unique and the entrance is free on weekends. You can also wander around Camden for more odd, funky street art.

Cheapest time to visit London

Again, November, early December, January and February generally see the best deals. However, the weather can be a bit troublesome and so shoulder seasons (March-April & Sept-Oct) are a great option as well!

Do you have any other great tips for exploring Europe’s expensive cities on a budget? I’d love for you to share in the comments below!! xo

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