8 Affordable European Cities for an Epic Solo Trip
Europe is an amazing place for a solo trip, however, it can be a little more on the expensive side. Especially compared to common solo travel destinations such as South-East Asia. If you know where to go though, you can get a very budget-friendly experience without missing out on the amazing wonder of Europe. Here are my 8 affordable cities in Europe for solo travel.
Europe is my so-called home continent, it’s where I grew up and started my travelling. It’s a great continent for solo travel, due to the relative small distances between countries, great public transport systems and masses of other travellers.
And while it’s great to see so many people explore Europe, it has also meant that prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Which, as a solo traveller, can quickly make a trip very costly as expenses like hotels aren’t shared.
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to travel Europe solo on a budget, and I come with receipts. Here are 7 of my favourite cities in Europe that I have been to solo while on a pretty strict budget!
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My Favourite Affordable Cities in Europe to Solo Travel
Saranda, called Sarandë in Albanian, is possibly the most well known coastal destination in Albania. It feels like Greece, without the hefty price tag.
Saranda makes for the perfect budget-friendly destination to relax on the beach and enjoy the most delicious and affordable food, while also being the perfect home base to venture out to some of Albania’s most popular tourist attractions.
When I first visited Albania solo, I was a little apprehensive how safe it would be. However, I was met with friendly locals, lots of other solo travellers and a truly unforgettable experience.
Would highly recommend Sarande (and the rest of Albania) for a budget-friendly solo trip!
Related Article: A Budget-Friendly Guide to Saranda, Albania
Krakow has been one of my biggest positive surprises in terms of travel this year. Not that I had heard bad things, but I hadn’t researched the city much and ended up there very last-minute.
Despite that, I had the best time and fell in love with the medieval charm, delicious food and overall atmosphere of the city. As a solo, female traveller, I felt very safe in Krakow and met some lovely people.
It’s also one of the more affordable cities in Europe, with hostels costing around 20€ and budget hotel rooms from just 35€ per night. Food is amazing and very affordable if you go to local places and there’s tons of free stuff to do.
My Krakow guides:
3. Budapest, Hungary
I think I have yet to write a European solo travel guide without mentioning Budapest, so I apologise (not really though). The city is just one of my all-time favourites and should be on everyone’s bucket list!
It’s easy to navigate, most people speak English and there are tons of other travellers. On top of that it’s also and incredibly interesting city to visit, with tons of history, culture and fun nightlife.
And best of all, Budapest is very budget-friendly. Hostels will run you from just 15€ per night and you can find hotels from 40€. Food, especially street food and markets, is budget-friendly, activities affordable and they have incredible thrift stores!
Another city you will have heard about if you’ve read my blog before, but don’t worry if not. It’s worth talking about time and time again.
Porto is known as the city of Port wine, beautiful historic buildings and winding streets and is one of my personal favourites in Europe. It is also a very affordable city with so many different things to do.
Whether you want to surf, enjoy Portuguese music at a Fado show or stuff your face with Pastel de Nata, Porto has it all. Plus you will meet many other travellers and it’s safe.
Another thing I love about Porto are the many daytrip options that are very affordable by train, such as Aveiro, Nazare and Braga.
Mostar is one of my most recent additions to incredible and affordable places I have visited in Europe. It’s located in Bosnia & Herzegovina, but can be done as a daytrip from Croatia.
I wasn’t sure what to expect of Mostar when I first arrived, but it really did exceed any expectations I might have had. The city is beautiful, the culture fascinating and the people were friendly. It is also tied into Bosnia & Herzegovina’s history, which is worth learning about when visiting the country.
I also felt very safe, and while I only stayed a few hours, I do think it’s worth staying a night or two. Hostels and hotels here are very affordable (same as in the capital Sarajevo, which is worth a visit too).
Last year, I was searching for the cheapest flight that could take me to a sunny beach and ended up on the island of Rhodes in Greece. I was a little worried about costs while there (because… Greek Island), but ended up with a very affordable trip overall.
Plus, the cities like Rhodes and Lindos were stunning and the food was amazing. I could live off Gyros, honestly.
There weren’t that many hostels outside of the main town of Rhodes, but if you book early, you can find some great hotel deals. I had a room in Faliraki that was around 50€ per night, 5 minutes away from the beach.
Plus the island felt very safe, I even rented a motorbike for like 25€. The public bus system is also pretty decent and runs between all the coastal towns (check out my full guide on this here).
7. Montpellier, France
Montpellier holds a special place in my travel heart as it’s where I went after leaving London and starting full-time travel. That was about 4 years ago now. I spent a month in the city to learn French at a language school, and loved every second.
We spent countless late evenings sat on the cobblestoned streets, drinking some wine and practising the language with those around us. I think the city is also great for solo-female travellers as I felt super safe.
It is also still affordable compared to Paris and other major European cities. A hotel will run you around 60€ per night and you can find delicious food under 20€.
Don’t miss: I would highly recommend scheduling in time to visit Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. The medieval city is an absolute highlight and there are public buses that go there.
8. Sliema, Malta
While Valetta is the capital of Malta, a small island located south of Italy, Sliema is where the more affordable hostels and hotels are. There’s a 10-minute ferry that connects the two for just 1.50€ though.
Malta in general is an amazing location for a budget trip, as it has very affordable hotels and activities AND it’s hot till November even. Perfect for a shoulder-season beach getaway.
It’s great for solo travel due to its exceptional safety, well-connected public transport and many other travellers.
FAQ on Affordable Solo Travel
How do I choose the best affordable city for my solo trip?
I think choosing the best city is something that really depends on what you are looking for.
Do you want beach holiday or medieval historic town? Do you want the best hostels or ideally an affordable hotel? Is it important that people speak English? How many other traveller do you want to meet?
All of these are considerations to take into account. With the above list I have tried to include a little bit of everything, but I would research any destination before booking. Know what you want and I assure you one of the cities on this list will be right for you.
How much money do I need per day for a budget solo trip to Europe?
This will depend on the place you choose, but I have written a whole guide on how to see Europe on less than $50 per day.
If you are staying in hostels, most places will set you back between 15-35€ for a dormitory bed. You can sometimes find budget hotels from around 40€.
Europe has countless free activities too, like public beaches, free tours (tip at the end) and museums and art galleries.
For food, many local restaurants are a lot cheaper than their touristy alternatives. They tend to be a little away from the main streets (ask your accommodation for recommendations). Some countries have “menu of the day” where you get 2-3 courses for an affordable price (e.g. Spain).
If you are in a hostel or AirBnB and have a kitchen, you will save the most money by just cooking yourself.
Hi, I’m Bell
My blog is here to show you that there isn’t one correct way to travel the world. Together, we can figure out what that means for you. Learn more about me here!
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