To find cheap destinations is almost a most this days. When the inflation eat up your travel budget before you can say vacation. How ever, there is still some cheap destinations in Europe. But what is a cheap destination. Yes, of course it’s subjective and personal. But in general you use whats called Travel Price Index ( TPI )to compare cities between each other. The travel cost index shows the general over al costs of hostel, transportation, food, drinks and attractions in a city or a country. By study this you can find cheap destinations around the world. Europe is in a global perspective an expensive destinations. But there is big differences at the continent.
Five cheap destinations in Europe
There is a some different pages using slightly different TPI out on the web. My favorite is Price of travel when I want to find cheap destinations. Not only are they transparent about their method, they have also excluded Russia from the list. Both because of the simple fact that almost no one visit Russia this day, but also because it started an aggressive war against Ukraine. The Ukraine war also make me wonder if its right to have Kiev on the top of the list. Most of us aint fans of war tourism, specially not for an ongoing war.
Budapest
I will therefor start with number two on the list of cheap destinations, Budapest in Hungary. Budapest is an destination that is easy and cheap to reach. Mostly because of the Hungarian low cost airline Wizz Air, a true non fling airline. The city is extremely cheap for being in Europe as long as you avoid the most touristic traps among the river. Make sure to visit some of the many churches and castles, and spoil your self with a thermal spa in between.
Bucharest
Bucharest Romania is also a very cheap destination. How ever it does have problem to attract visitors. Looking out on different reviews I find that the old town could be worth a visit and that the gigantic parliament is something that you should see. But thats rarely that except that its a cheap city. I would recommend you to leave the capital and travel to Transylvania instead. Its even cheaper and more tourism friendly.
Sofia
Sofia the capital of Bulgaria is almost neighbor to Bucharest. In general the reviews tell us that its an great urban city to visit. But don’t have any wow experiences. It’s a little off the general gate ways to Europe but if you wan’t a cosmopolitan urban weekend and find a well priced plane ticket its worth a visit. Its a cheap destination so you will have the possibility to spoil your self.
Krakow
Krakow in Poland is my favorite city on this list. Its a city with a lot of culture, great food and cheap drinks. The old town is charming and there is a lot of museums to visit on a rainy day. With an excellent location in Europe its just a question of time before the prices will go up there. Just like they did in Prague. My favorite tips here are except al the churches the the Oscar Schindler Museum and the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Sarajevo
Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina is for many Europeans to connected to the Yugoslav Wars during the 1990:s to be a number one destination. Its also a little remote located up in the mountains. How ever If you goes there you will find a city well worth it’s price and a friendly welcoming and interesting muslim old town. If you have problem to find a way to get here, it’s fairly easy to reach from Split, Croatia and Mostar.
Summit
It don’t need to be expensive to travel in Europe. With some time and effort you can find cheap destinations in Europe as well. The TPI is a good way to help you think outside the box and finding well priced destinations that are maybe out of your normal travel plans. To find more cheap destinations check out the list at Price of Travel