Western Europe gets most of the attention — Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona. But travellers fixated on these destinations are often overpaying for the experience. Some of the continent's most compelling destinations sit in the eastern half of Europe, where your money goes significantly further.
Here are the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, balancing flight costs, accommodation, food, and activities.
1. Albania
Albania is one of Europe's best-kept travel secrets and consistently one of its cheapest destinations. The Albanian Riviera offers Mediterranean beaches without the prices of Croatia or Greece. Gjirokastër and Berat are UNESCO-listed cities with centuries of Ottoman and Illyrian history, and almost no tourist crowds.
Budget: €30–50/day including accommodation, food, and local transport.
How to get there: Fly to Tirana (TIA). Budget carriers have added more routes in recent years; watch for Wizz Air promotions.
2. North Macedonia
Skopje is one of Europe's most affordable capitals. The old bazaar, Ottoman mosques, and surrounding mountains make it a genuinely interesting destination, not just a cheap one. Lake Ohrid — a UNESCO World Heritage site — is a highlight of the western Balkans.
Budget: €25–40/day.
How to get there: Fly to Skopje (SKP). Wizz Air and other carriers serve the route.
3. Kosovo
Pristina is one of the cheapest capitals in Europe for eating and drinking. The country is young, the hospitality is warm, and the Rugova Canyon and Mirusha Waterfalls are genuinely spectacular. Often overlooked because it's unfamiliar.
Budget: €20–35/day.
4. Serbia
Belgrade punches well above its weight as a city break destination — a strong food scene, excellent nightlife, and a striking fortress overlooking the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Serbian cuisine is hearty and extremely affordable.
Budget: €30–45/day.
How to get there: Fly to Belgrade (BEG). Air Serbia and Wizz Air cover most European hubs.
5. Romania
Romania offers extraordinary value and remarkable variety. Transylvania (no, it's not just Dracula) has medieval Saxon cities like Brașov and Sibiu. The Danube Delta is a UNESCO biosphere. Bucharest is a chaotic, fascinating capital with some of Europe's cheapest restaurants.
Budget: €30–50/day.
How to get there: Fly to Bucharest (OTP) or Cluj-Napoca (CLJ) for Transylvania. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Blue Air cover multiple routes.
6. Bulgaria
Sofia is underrated. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral alone is worth the trip, and the surrounding mountains (Vitosha is literally at the city's edge) make it unique among European capitals. Plovdiv — European Capital of Culture in 2019 — is a beautiful, walkable city with a thriving arts scene.
Budget: €30–45/day.
How to get there: Ryanair and Wizz Air fly to Sofia (SOF) from multiple UK and European cities.
7. Hungary
Budapest is the most popular destination on this list, so prices are higher than the others — but still well below Western European equivalents. The thermal baths, ruin bars, and Danube views make it one of Europe's most distinctive city break destinations, and you can still eat and drink well for a fraction of what you'd pay in Vienna or Prague.
Budget: €45–70/day.
How to get there: Well-served by Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet from across Europe.
8. Poland
Poland is the most visited Eastern European country, and it's easy to see why. Kraków's Old Town is the best-preserved medieval city centre in Europe. Warsaw has rebuilt itself into a dynamic, modern capital. The Tatra Mountains offer world-class hiking. And it's all affordable by Western European standards.
Budget: €40–60/day.
How to get there: LOT, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet all serve Polish cities extensively.
Practical Tips
- Travel in shoulder season. April–May and September–October offer good weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices on everything.
- Book flights early for peak summer. Even cheap destinations get expensive in July and August if you leave flights late.
- Use local transport. Buses and trains in the Balkans and Eastern Europe are extremely affordable and often more scenic than flying between cities.
AirHuntr regularly features deals to Eastern European destinations. Check our deals page for current promotions on flights to these regions.
