The top 10 cheapest cities in Europe to travel to have been revealed

The cheapest cities to travel to in Europe have been named as thousands of Aussies gear up – and save up – for a lavish summer escape.

Romanian capital Bucharest has been dubbed the best value place to stay and explore in Europe in 2024, with the average daily cost sitting at just $331 for food, drinks, transport, domestic non-air travel, activities and accommodation. 

The second most affordable destination is Warsaw, Poland averaging $339 per day, just behind Seville in Spain. 

Poland was the only country to have two cities in the top 10 with Krakow in fourth, followed by Istanbul in Turkey.

Prague, Riga, Palermo, Porto and Frankfurt finished off the top 10, which was put together by Flight Hacks in a bid to make Europe a more achievable getaway for Aussies this year.

The list was determined by the sites flight experts by analysing the average daily cost of typical holiday needs including food, domestic travel, sightseeing and (per night) accommodation.

CEO Immanuel Debeer wants to highlight that going on a great holiday in Europe doesn’t need to cost an eye-watering amount of money. 

‘This study demonstrates that by exploring various travel sites and researching the cost of living in certain cities, you can visit some of the most beautiful and culturally rich areas Europe has to offer without breaking the bank,’ he said. 

1. BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

Romania is often overlooked by those planning their European getaways but with its low costs and incredible sights it should be added to the bucket list.

The country’s capital Bucharest has an average daily cost of $331.03 per day and boasts the cheapest average hotel price of all European destinations at $164.86 a night. 

A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs 50 Romanian Leu ($16 )while dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant works out to be about $82. 

But it’s not just the affordable dining that makes visiting Bucharest worth it. 

The streets of Old Town are steeped in history while the charming Muzeul Micul Paris, also known as The Little Paris Museum, is a must for those who want to immerse themselves in the art, architecture, and history of the country. 

For as little as $50, fans of literature and all things spooky can take a day trip out of Bucharest to Transylvania and explore Dracula Castle or Bran Castle. 

2. WARSAW, POLAND

Warsaw has a long-held reputation for being one of Europe’s cheapest hotspots with an average daily cost of $339.34. 

Eating at local milk bars won’t set you back much, with hearty main meals for as little as $5 each. 

There’s a range of free attractions including the Royal Castle, a historic residence of Polish kings and the Warsaw Uprising Museum commemorating the Polish resistance during World War II. 

Old Town is a world heritage site where market stalls, cafes, bars and restaurants are surrounded by historical buildings. 

For those with wiggle room in their budgets, the Be Happy Museum is a unique and vibrant exhibition with quirky themed rooms to take striking holiday snaps. 

3. SEVILLE, SPAIN

Seville in Spain’s southwest is world-renowned for its stunning architecture blending both Islamic and Christian influences – the average daily cost is $347.66.

Its buildings are intricately and colourfully decorated; tourists can walk around all day without getting bored or spending a dime. 

Getting in your 10,000 steps will work up an appetite and Seville is one of the best value places to dine out in Europe. On average it costs $71.63 for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant. 

Foodies will want to indulge in the enchanting city’s traditional tapas scene with each small dish equally as affordable. You can also get a pint of beer for only $2.45.

The average room rate in Seville is just over $100 a night. 

4. KRAKOW, POLAND

Krakow is one of the cheapest places in Europe to eat, costing $15.02 on average for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant. 

Authentic cafes, bars and restaurants are hidden in the winding cobblestone streets including the famous Camelot cafe that has vintage decor and serves chocolate and champagne. 

A day in the Polish capital typically costs $354.66, with a range of budget hotels charging between $30 and $80 per room per night. 

Entry costs into sights like the Rynek Underground Museum, the eye-catching brick Gothic church Saint Mary’s Basilica and the 14th-century Collegium Maius are enviably cheap costing less than €10 ($16) a ticket.

5. ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Istanbul in Turkey placed fifth in the ranking with an average cost per day of $371.74. It’s also the most affordable place for transport. 

The average taxi journey (per 1km travelled) and the average price of public transport (one-way) is $0.84 AUD.

The low transport cost allows travellers the freedom to explore the colourful city famed for the striking Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia which towers above the city skyline. 

A must-see in Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest markets with 61 streets filled with more than 4,000 stalls of weird and wonderful buys.

Foodies can enjoy all the traditional Turkish cuisine on offer with a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant sitting at between $9 and $6.  

6. PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Prague is a popular European travel destination and visitors won’t need to tighten their purse strings too much to enjoy the Czech Republic capital.

Ranking sixth, the ‘city with a hundred spires’ has an average daily cost of $376.25 and is the cheapest place to buy a beer.

A pint of beer will set you back just $3.56 while there are decent food options for every budget with one visitor calling it the ‘underrated top food destination in Europe’. 

Savvy travellers can eat three meals a day out for as little as $40 if they find non-touristy eateries and accommodation can be found for as little as $60 a night. 

The quaint city is full of historical gems from the Prague Astronomical Clock, which was first installed at the Old Town Hall in 1410, to the Clementinum, a large historic complex of buildings housing the National Library which costs just $15 to explore.

7. RIGA, LATVIA

Riga is renowned for its love of Art Nouveau, a creative movement defined by its use of winding lines, plants and flowers, that took Europe by storm in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Visitors won’t need to spend a cent to take in the whimsical aesthetic as Art Nouveau architecture makes up for a third of the buildings in the Latvian capital’s city centre. 

Riga has an average daily cost of $385.82 and is one of the cheapest destinations in the top 10 to buy a bottle of water ($1.79).

It is also one of the cheapest places to grab a McDonald’s meal at only $11.81, meaning you can stay fed and hydrated for less than $15 in the summer sun. 

Riga Central Market is a must as it’s Europe’s largest bazaar with more than 3,000 food, restaurant and retail stands to explore no matter your budget. 

8. PALERMO, ITALY

While the crowds head to the pricier Amalfi Coast, frugal travellers can find a dreamy island paradise in the Sicilian capital of Palermo dubbed ‘Italy’s best kept secret’.

The inviting waters are a striking turquoise blue and lined with sandy shores and colourful beach huts. 

Palermo is another fantastic place for couples who are looking to dine out for less, with the average three-course meal for two at a restaurant costing $81.36.

The average daily cost is $413.46 and it is relatively cheap to get around with free shuttles and single tram tickets costing about $2.30.

9. PORTO, PORTUGAL

Another Mediterranean destination is Lisbon’s quieter little sister Porto which has an average daily cost of $421.80.

It is half the size of Lisbon with fewer crowds and is not as sweltering in the summer months thanks to the cooling Atlantic sea breeze.

Exploring the city by foot will uncover its magic with incredible sights including the Chapel of Souls adorned with blue azulejo tiles and the world heritage-listed Bolsa Palace.

Food-wise, you can get a lunchtime meal and a coffee locally known as a ‘Prato do Dia’ for $10-$15.

Porto is the cheapest place in the top 10 to purchase a cappuccino at only $2.57. 

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10. FRANKFURT, GERMANY 

The final European hotspot that won’t cost an arm and a leg is Frankfurt with the average daily spend sitting at $432.56. 

Tourists get more bang for their buck when it comes to accommodation in the German destination as it has the second lowest average price for hotels at only $170.95. 

Römerberg is a charming public square in the heart of the medieval old town where artisanal markets and pop-up food stalls are commonplace. 

Palmengarten is a lush botanical garden that offers guests a contrasting slice of the tropics in the middle of Germany and costs less than $15 to explore.