Cheapest countries to visit in Europe: a travel money guide

Quick highlights

• Eastern and southern Europe are often cheaper than western Europe
• Not every European country uses the euro. Check the currency before you go
• Albania, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and North Macedonia can be good low-cost choices
• Portugal and Greece can also offer good value, especially outside the busy summer months
• Ordering travel money before you go can help you plan your budget

Which cheap European destination is right for you?

Not every budget-friendly destination offers the same kind of trip. Some are best for a long weekend. Some suit beach holidays. Others are better if you want to travel around and keep daily costs low.

Best cheap European countries for city breaks

Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic are strong picks for a cheaper European city break.

Kraków, Warsaw and Gdańsk offer history, food and culture for less than many western European cities. Budapest is good value for river views, old buildings and thermal baths. Prague costs more in the busy centre, but you can still save if you plan where to eat and stay.

They work well for short trips too. You can walk, use public transport and find plenty of free or low-cost things to do.

The Post Office Travel Money City Costs Barometer can help you compare city break costs, using local prices and exchange rates.

Read tips on taking city breaks in Europe on a budget

Best cheap European countries for beach holidays

Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Portugal are worth a look if you want a beach holiday for less.

Albania is often one of Europe’s cheaper beach choices, especially outside the best-known resorts. Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast can also be good value for families and couples.

Greece and Portugal usually cost more, but they can still offer good value outside the busiest summer weeks.

Prices often rise in July and August. If you can travel in May, June, September or early October, your money may go further.

Our Holiday Money Report and Family Holiday Report can help you compare local prices before you book.

Best if you’re travelling on a tight budget

Albania, North Macedonia and Bulgaria are often among the strongest options if your main aim is to keep daily costs down.

Food and local transport are often cheaper than in better-known tourist spots. You may also find fewer crowds, especially outside the main resorts.

These countries can be a good fit if you’re happy to plan a little more and don’t need every part of your trip to feel familiar.

Best if you want to use euros

Portugal, Greece and Bulgaria all use the euro. That can make travel money planning simpler if you’re visiting more than one eurozone country on the same trip.

The euro doesn’t automatically make a destination cheap. Local prices still matter. But using one currency can make it easier to plan, compare costs and keep any leftover notes for another eurozone trip.

Our picks for the cheapest European countries to visit

These destinations offer strong value for money while still giving you a full holiday experience. From city breaks to beach trips, you’ll find plenty to do without overspending.

Poland

Currency: Polish złoty

Poland is one of the easier ways to enjoy Europe on a budget. Kraków, Warsaw and Gdańsk offer history, culture, nightlife and good food at lower costs than many eurozone cities.

Local meals and public transport can help keep daily spending down. Ordering Polish złoty before you go can also make it easier to plan how much you want to spend each day.

Hungary

Currency: Hungarian forint

Budapest is one of Europe’s best-value city breaks. You get grand buildings, river views, thermal baths and lively food spots without the higher costs of many other capital cities.

Use markets, bakeries and public transport to keep costs down. Hungary uses the Hungarian forint, so it’s worth taking some local cash for smaller spends.

Czech Republic

Currency: Czech koruna

Prague can still be affordable if you plan well. Prices are higher near the Old Town Square and Charles Bridge, but the wider city gives you more ways to manage your budget.

Choose local places to eat, use public transport and look for free walking routes, viewpoints and historic streets. The Czech Republic uses Czech koruna, so you’ll need local currency for some cash spending.

Bulgaria

Currency: Euro

Bulgaria is often one of the better-value countries in the EU, with beach holidays, ski trips and city breaks all in reach.

Food and transport are often cheaper than in many parts of western Europe. Bulgaria uses the euro, which can make travel money planning simpler if you’re visiting other eurozone countries too.

Portugal

Currency: Euro

Portugal is one of the cheaper countries to visit in western Europe, with coast, culture and food at better value than many nearby destinations.

For lower costs, try Porto, coastal towns or smaller places outside the busiest areas. Local restaurants, bakeries and public transport can help your euros go further.

Greece

Currency: Euro

Greece can offer strong value if you plan carefully. Some islands are expensive in peak summer, but many places cost less outside July and August.

For better value, look at mainland towns, coastal cities, smaller islands and quieter resorts. Ordering euros in advance can help you set a budget before you go.

Albania and North Macedonia

Currency: Albanian lek and Macedonian denar

Albania and North Macedonia are strong budget choices if you want something a little different. They’re often cheaper than more established European destinations and can offer good value if you plan your route well.

Albania offers beaches, mountains, food and historic towns at lower prices than many Mediterranean spots. North Macedonia is good for lakes, scenery, culture and low daily costs.

You may need to exchange or withdraw local currency when you arrive, especially outside larger towns and tourist areas.

Cheap doesn’t always mean best value

The cheapest country isn’t always the right holiday for you. Albania may cost less day to day than Portugal. But Portugal may have more direct flights from your nearest UK airport. Greece may cost more in August but feel much better value in May or September. Poland may be cheaper for a city break than a beach holiday elsewhere.

So it helps to ask three questions:

• What kind of holiday do you want?
• How much do you want to spend once you’re there?
• How easy and affordable is it to get there?

The best-value trip is the one that gives you what you want without pushing your budget too far.

What currency do I need for a European holiday?

Many travellers assume they only need euros for a European holiday. But some of Europe’s cheapest countries use their own currencies.

Here’s a quick guide. Remember, it’s easy to order any of over 60 foreign currencies at Post Office.

Local prices matter, but exchange rates can change how far your money goes. If the pound is weaker, everyday costs may feel higher.

Budgeting tips for a cheap European holiday

Keeping your spending money under control doesn’t mean missing out. A few simple choices can help your spending money go further:

• Travel outside peak summer if you can. May, June, September and early October can mean lower prices and fewer crowds
• Stay just outside the busiest city centres or beachfront areas. You can often save money and still stay close to the places you want to visit
• Eat where locals eat. Cafés, bakeries, markets and simple restaurants can help you keep food costs down
• Use public transport instead of taxis. Buses, trams and metros are often cheaper and easier than you might expect
• Book major activities in advance where it saves money. This can also help you plan your daily budget before you go
• Stay longer in one place if you can. Fewer transfers, taxis and luggage costs can make your trip feel less rushed too

Read more travel money and budgeting tips

Get your travel money ready before you go

One of the simplest wins is sorting your travel money before you go.

You may want to take some cash for smaller purchases, local transport, markets, tips or places that don’t accept cards. You might also prefer a card for bigger costs, hotels, meals and days out.

We can help with that.

Order foreign currency

You can order foreign currency before you travel, so you’re not sorting it at the airport or looking for somewhere to exchange money as soon as you arrive.

With Post Office, you can:

• Choose from over 60 foreign currencies
• Order travel money online or in branch
• Get a better rate the more currency you buy
• Collect your chosen currency from a nominated branch or choose home delivery

This can be useful if you’re visiting countries that use currencies such as Polish złoty, Hungarian forint or Czech koruna. It can also help if you’re taking euros to Portugal, Greece or Bulgaria.

Use a Travel Money Card

If you don’t want to rely only on cash, you could also take a Post Office Travel Money Card.

It’s a prepaid, reloadable travel card you can use alongside cash. You can load it with any of 22 supported currencies, including euros and US dollars.

You can also:

• Top up in the free travel app
• See the exchange rate when you top up through the app
• Use it anywhere you see the Mastercard Acceptance Mark
• Block or freeze the card if it’s lost or stolen
• Manage and track your money in the app
• Pick up a card in branch or get it delivered to your home

A mix of cash and card can give you more flexibility. Cash can help with everyday spending, while a card can be useful for larger payments or topping up while you’re away.