Recommendation: Favor a 7–10 night stay in Portugal, Poland or Hungary for the best value; plan a daily budget between €30 for strict low-cost options and €140 for comfortable mid-range choices. Example city targets: Lisbon mid-range ~€80–€120 per day; Porto ~€60–€100; Kraków ~€30–€60; Budapest ~€28–€55.
Typical per-day ranges by region: Iberian states such as Spain register ~€50–€160 for most city centres; France averages ~€90–€240; Italy shows ~€80–€210; Germany comes in at ~€70–€190. Central and eastern options are cheaper: Poland ~€35–€85; Hungary ~€30–€70; Czechia ~€40–€95. Nordic markets are pricier: Norway ~€150–€350; Sweden ~€120–€270; Switzerland ~CHF160–CHF400 per day.
Sample totals by visit duration: short break 2–3 nights equals per-day × nights plus transport fees; expect Barcelona 3-night mid-range ~€240–€480; Prague 3-night mid-range ~€120–€260. One-week stays (7 nights): Spain mid-range ~€420–€1,120; Poland mid-range ~€245–€595. Two-week stays (14 nights): Spain mid-range ~€980–€1,960; Norway mid-range ~€3,000–€6,000. Adjust totals for peak-season flight surcharges; budget an extra €50–€200 per person for return tickets inside busy months.
Practical tips: Book apartments or family-run guesthouses outside historic centres to cut accommodation by 20–40%; use regional trains plus buses for intercity legs; dine at markets and bakeries for breakfasts plus one main meal to halve food spend; reserve major flights 6–8 weeks before peak dates; travel during April–May or September–October to reduce nightly rates by roughly 15–35% without sacrificing weather.
2‑day, 7‑day, 14‑day budgets for 12 popular destinations – per‑day; total ranges
Use the midrange daily figure below for planning; low rows suit shoestring budgets; high rows reflect premium stays.
- United Kingdom (UK): Per‑day – Low $90; Mid $170; High $350. Totals – 2‑day: $180–$700; 7‑day: $630–$2,450; 14‑day: $1,260–$4,900.
- France: Per‑day – Low $85; Mid $150; High $320. Totals – 2‑day: $170–$640; 7‑day: $595–$2,240; 14‑day: $1,190–$4,480.
- Germany: Per‑day – Low $80; Mid $140; High $300. Totals – 2‑day: $160–$600; 7‑day: $560–$2,100; 14‑day: $1,120–$4,200.
- Italy: Per‑day – Low $80; Mid $140; High $300. Totals – 2‑day: $160–$600; 7‑day: $560–$2,100; 14‑day: $1,120–$4,200.
- Spain: Per‑day – Low $70; Mid $110; High $250. Totals – 2‑day: $140–$500; 7‑day: $770? wait compute: 7‑day: $490–$1,750; 14‑day: $980–$3,500.
- Netherlands: Per‑day – Low $90; Mid $150; High $300. Totals – 2‑day: $180–$600; 7‑day: $630–$2,100; 14‑day: $1,260–$4,200.
- Portugal: Per‑day – Low $50; Mid $90; High $200. Totals – 2‑day: $100–$400; 7‑day: $350–$1,400; 14‑day: $700–$2,800.
- Greece: Per‑day – Low $60; Mid $110; High $250. Totals – 2‑day: $120–$500; 7‑day: $420–$1,750; 14‑day: $840–$3,500.
- Switzerland: Per‑day – Low $150; Mid $260; High $500. Totals – 2‑day: $300–$1,000; 7‑day: $1,050–$3,500; 14‑day: $2,100–$7,000.
- Austria: Per‑day – Low $90; Mid $150; High $300. Totals – 2‑day: $180–$600; 7‑day: $630–$2,100; 14‑day: $1,260–$4,200.
- Czech Republic: Per‑day – Low $40; Mid $80; High $180. Totals – 2‑day: $80–$360; 7‑day: $280–$1,260; 14‑day: $560–$2,520.
- Hungary: Per‑day – Low $40; Mid $70; High $150. Totals – 2‑day: $80–$300; 7‑day: $280–$1,050; 14‑day: $560–$2,100.
Source: BudgetYourTrip – per‑day budgets; sample totals available at https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/
What lodging prices to expect for a 7‑night stay: hostels vs budget hotels vs short‑term apartments
Recommendation: For a seven-night stay, pick hostels in Kraków, Lisbon or Budapest to minimize the weekly bill; choose a short‑term apartment in Paris, Amsterdam or Barcelona only when two or more people split the nightly rate to beat hotel totals.
Quick weekly ranges (typical city averages): Hostels €56–€385 per week; budget hotels €245–€1,400 per week; full short‑term apartments €210–€2,100 per week. Use hostels for solo budget travel, budget hotels for solo/duo comfort, apartments when splitting costs among 2–4 people.
United Kingdom (London) – Hostels: £25–£45/night → £175–£315 for 7 nights. Budget hotels: £80–£150/night → £560–£1,050. Short‑term apartments: £100–£280/night → £700–£1,960. Pick hostels for solo savings; apartments work only for groups of 3+.
France (Paris) – Hostels: €25–€45/night → €175–€315. Budget hotels: €70–€140/night → €490–€980. Apartments: €120–€300/night → €840–€2,100. Apartment beats hotel per person for parties of two or more; book early for central units.
Germany (Berlin) – Hostels: €20–€35/night → €140–€245. Budget hotels: €60–€110/night → €420–€770. Apartments: €70–€180/night → €490–€1,260. Budget hotels often represent the best balance of price and privacy.
Spain (Madrid, Barcelona) – Hostels: €18–€35/night → €126–€245. Budget hotels: €50–€110/night → €350–€770. Apartments: €80–€200/night → €560–€1,400. For groups, apartments cut per‑person spend substantially; tourist areas push prices higher.
Italy (Rome, Milan) – Hostels: €20–€40/night → €140–€280. Budget hotels: €60–€130/night → €420–€910. Apartments: €90–€220/night → €630–€1,540. Central apartments are convenient but expensive during festivals and holidays.
Netherlands (Amsterdam) – Hostels: €25–€40/night → €175–€280. Budget hotels: €80–€150/night → €560–€1,050. Apartments: €120–€260/night → €840–€1,820. Apartment per‑person rate becomes attractive for two or more travelers splitting costs.
Portugal (Lisbon, Porto) – Hostels: €15–€30/night → €105–€210. Budget hotels: €50–€100/night → €350–€700. Apartments: €70–€160/night → €490–€1,120. Excellent value for apartments and hostels outside high season.
Greece (Athens, islands) – Hostels: €15–€35/night → €105–€245 (islands higher). Budget hotels: €55–€120/night → €385–€840. Apartments: €60–€220/night → €420–€1,540. Island accommodation can double mainland nightly rates in peak months.
Poland (Kraków, Warsaw) – Hostels: €8–€20/night → €56–€140. Budget hotels: €35–€70/night → €245–€490. Apartments: €40–€100/night → €280–€700. One of the cheapest weekly lodging markets; apartments frequently cheaper than hotels for pairs.
Czech Republic (Prague) – Hostels: €10–€25/night → €70–€175. Budget hotels: €45–€90/night → €315–€630. Apartments: €50–€130/night → €350–€910. Hostels and small apartments give the best value near the center.
Hungary (Budapest) – Hostels: €8–€20/night → €56–€140. Budget hotels: €35–€75/night → €245–€525. Apartments: €45–€110/night → €315–€770. Very competitive rates for hotels and private rentals.
Austria (Vienna) – Hostels: €20–€35/night → €140–€245. Budget hotels: €65–€120/night → €455–€840. Apartments: €80–€200/night → €560–€1,400. Hotels near transport hubs offer predictable pricing.
Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva) – Hostels: CHF30–CHF60/night → CHF210–CHF420. Budget hotels: CHF120–CHF220/night → CHF840–CHF1,540. Apartments: CHF140–CHF350/night → CHF980–CHF2,450. Expect the highest weekly totals; hostels only for strict budgets.
Sweden (Stockholm) – Hostels: SEK300–SEK600/night → SEK2,100–SEK4,200. Budget hotels: SEK900–SEK1,800/night → SEK6,300–SEK12,600. Apartments: SEK1,200–SEK3,000/night → SEK8,400–SEK21,000. Scandinavian markets carry substantially higher nightly and weekly rates.
Norway (Oslo) – Hostels: NOK300–NOK700/night → NOK2,100–NOK4,900. Budget hotels: NOK900–NOK1,900/night → NOK6,300–NOK13,300. Apartments: NOK1,200–NOK3,500/night → NOK8,400–NOK24,500. Plan for premium pricing outside hostels.
Ireland (Dublin) – Hostels: €20–€35/night → €140–€245. Budget hotels: €90–€170/night → €630–€1,190. Apartments: €100–€250/night → €700–€1,750. Hostels useful for solo visitors; apartments expensive in central neighborhoods.
Belgium (Brussels) – Hostels: €20–€35/night → €140–€245. Budget hotels: €70–€130/night → €490–€910. Apartments: €80–€200/night → €560–€1,400. Hotels around the station frequently have midweek bargains.
Croatia (Zagreb, coast) – Hostels: €12–€30/night → €84–€210. Budget hotels: €50–€120/night → €350–€840. Apartments: €60–€180/night → €420–€1,260. Coastal towns multiply nightly rates in summer; book months ahead.
How to budget transportation: typical fares for domestic flights, intercity trains and long-distance buses on common continental routes
Allocate roughly 20–120 EUR for one-way domestic flights, 10–120 EUR for intercity high-speed trains, and 5–50 EUR for long-distance buses on most popular routes; use those ranges to build a per-leg line item when planning an itinerary.
Typical fares (one-way, booked 2–6 weeks ahead)
Domestic low-cost airlines: 20–60 EUR for short hops under ~500 km (examples: Madrid–Barcelona 25–70 EUR, Rome–Milan 25–80 EUR, Berlin–Leipzig 20–60 EUR). Last-minute or peak-day fares commonly rise to 80–150 EUR. Expect extra fees for hold baggage (15–45 EUR), priority boarding or reserved seats (5–25 EUR), and airport-to-city transfers (10–40 EUR).
High-speed intercity trains: 25–70 EUR for 200–450 km if purchased in advance (examples: Paris–Lyon 25–65 EUR, Madrid–Barcelona 30–90 EUR, Rome–Milan 20–70 EUR, Berlin–Hamburg 20–60 EUR). Standard walk-up fares for the same trains can be 40–130 EUR. Regional or slower intercity services: 8–35 EUR for short runs under 200 km.
Long-distance buses: 5–25 EUR for 100–350 km when booked early (examples: Paris–Brussels 7–20 EUR, Berlin–Prague 10–30 EUR, Milan–Florence 8–25 EUR). Overnight routes or premium seats: 20–50 EUR. On-board extras (seat reservation, Wi‑Fi, bike) usually add 1–10 EUR.
Booking rules and practical recommendations
For cheapest airline fares, book 3–8 weeks ahead for domestic legs; set fare alerts and compare multi-airport options. Avoid peak holiday dates when prices quadruple. Factor in airport transfer time and cost; low fares from secondary airports can be offset by a 20–40 EUR transfer.
Buy high-speed train tickets as soon as the timetable opens (often 2–4 months) for the best fares. If flexible on time, use regional trains for short distances – they can be 40–70% cheaper if no reservation fee is required. Check whether a seat reservation is mandatory (France, Spain, Italy often require it on high-speed services; reservation fees 3–15 EUR).
Buses are the cheapest for strict budgets; reserve early for long nights and weekends, but allow extra time for slower schedules. Mix modes: for 300–800 km routes, compare a 30–70 EUR early train fare versus a 20–40 EUR bus; choose train if time saved exceeds the price gap divided by your hourly value.
Always add 5–15 EUR per leg for incidental booking fees, local taxes or city transit to/from terminals. When building a daily transport budget, convert multi-leg totals to a per-day figure and round up 10–15% to cover baggage surcharges, seat reservations or timetable changes.
Target a daily food + coffee + local transit budget: $35–120 per person depending on nation
Low-budget target: $20–45 per day; mid-range: $45–75; comfortable: $75–150. These ranges cover three meals, 1–2 specialty coffees, 3–6 urban transit rides or a day pass.
Typical daily ranges by nation
United Kingdom: breakfast $3–7, lunch $8–18, dinner $15–40; coffee $2.5–4.5; single transit $2.5–4; day pass $6–12. Typical daily total: $40–90.
Germany: breakfast $3–6, lunch $7–15, dinner $12–30; coffee $2.5–4; single transit $2.5–3.5; day pass $6–9. Typical daily total: $35–75.
France: breakfast $3–6, lunch $8–16, dinner $15–35; coffee $2.5–4; single transit $1.9–2.5; day pass $6–12. Typical daily total: $40–85.
Spain: breakfast $1.5–4, lunch $6–12, dinner $10–25; coffee $1.2–2.5; single transit $1.2–2.5; day pass $4–7. Typical daily total: $25–60.
Italy: breakfast $1.5–4, lunch $6–14, dinner $12–30; coffee $1–2.5; single transit $1.5–2.5; day pass $4–8. Typical daily total: $25–65.
Portugal: breakfast $1.5–3.5, lunch $6–12, dinner $10–25; coffee $1–2.5; single transit $1.2–2; day pass $4–6. Typical daily total: $22–55.
Czech Republic: breakfast $2–5, lunch $4–10, dinner $6–20; coffee $1–2.5; single transit $0.6–1.5; day pass $3–6. Typical daily total: $18–45.
Hungary: breakfast $2–4.5, lunch $4–10, dinner $6–22; coffee $1–2; single transit $0.6–1.5; day pass $3–6. Typical daily total: $18–48.
Greece: breakfast $2–5, lunch $6–12, dinner $10–25; coffee $2–3; single transit $1–2; day pass $4–6. Typical daily total: $22–55.
Sweden: breakfast $4–8, lunch $10–18, dinner $15–35; coffee $3–4.5; single transit $2.8–4; day pass $8–16. Typical daily total: $45–95.
Norway: breakfast $5–10, lunch $12–25, dinner $20–60; coffee $3–5.5; single transit $3–4.5; day pass $8–20. Typical daily total: $60–140.
Belgium: breakfast $2.5–6, lunch $7–14, dinner $12–30; coffee $2.5–4; single transit $1.8–3; day pass $6–10. Typical daily total: $35–75.
Austria: breakfast $3–6, lunch $8–14, dinner $12–35; coffee $2.5–4; single transit $2.4–3.5; day pass $6–12. Typical daily total: $35–80.
How to estimate daily meal plus transit spend
Formula: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Coffee(s) + Transit rides/day = daily subtotal. For transit choose single-ride price multiplied by number of trips, or use day pass price when trips ≥3. Example: Spain mid-range: $3 + $10 + $20 + (2 × $2) + (4 × $1.5) = $43.
Practical rules: choose supermarket meals to cut food spend ~30%; buy a 24-hour ticket when making ≥3 trips; order espresso at counter to save 20–40% versus table service; pick lunchtime set menus for dinner-equivalent savings of ~20–35%.
How season and booking lead time change prices: month-by-month multipliers and booking windows to lower total spend
Book flights 6–12 weeks ahead for shoulder months, 3–6 months ahead for peak-summer and year-end peaks; reserve accommodation 2–4 months ahead for high-season, 1–6 weeks for low-season stays.
| Month | Flight price multiplier (baseline Jan=1.00) | Accommodation multiplier (baseline Jan=1.00) | Recommended flight booking window | Recommended lodging reservation window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.85 | 0.80 | 2–6 weeks | 1–4 weeks |
| February | 0.90 | 0.85 | 2–6 weeks | 1–4 weeks |
| March | 0.95 | 0.95 | 4–8 weeks | 2–6 weeks |
| April | 1.05 | 1.05 | 6–12 weeks (account for Easter) | 4–8 weeks |
| May | 1.10 | 1.20 | 6–12 weeks | 8–16 weeks |
| June | 1.25 | 1.40 | 8–16 weeks | 8–16 weeks |
| July | 1.60 | 1.80 | 12–24 weeks | 12–24 weeks |
| August | 1.50 | 1.70 | 12–20 weeks | 12–20 weeks |
| September | 1.10 | 1.15 | 4–8 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| October | 1.00 | 0.95 | 4–8 weeks | 2–6 weeks |
| November | 0.90 | 0.90 | 3–8 weeks | 1–4 weeks |
| December | 1.30 | 1.25 | 8–20 weeks (holidays) | 8–20 weeks (holidays) |
Actionable tactics: book mid-week departures and arrivals to shave ~5–15% off airfares; favor flexible-date search windows of ±3 days to locate the lowest multiplier in the target month; for stays longer than one week, negotiate weekly rates directly with properties when booking inside the lodging reservation window shown; if booking within the listed windows is impossible, lock refundable tickets/rooms early and rebook if prices fall.
Data reference: market analyses and booking-window studies from Hopper Research – https://www.hopper.com/research/
Questions and Answers:
How much would a one-week solo trip to Italy realistically cost, excluding my transatlantic flight?
A realistic one-week budget depends on style. For a tight budget (hostels, local buses, simple meals) expect roughly €40–€70 per day: accommodation €20–40, food €15–25, local transport and misc €5–10. A mid-range plan (private hotel or apartment, occasional restaurants, regional trains) runs about €120–€200 per day: accommodation €70–120, food €30–50, intercity trains and attractions €20–40. So a week can cost about €280–490 on tight budget or €840–1,400 at mid-range. Add guided tours or frequent high-end dining and the total climbs accordingly.
Which European countries are the most budget-friendly for a two-week trip, and what are approximate total costs?
Countries with lower daily prices include Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Typical daily spending (including modest hotels, meals and local transport) is €25–45; a comfortable mid-range pace is €50–90 per day. For two weeks that translates to around €350–630 on a budget or €700–1,260 at mid-range. Flights into major hubs can change totals, but internal transport is usually cheap (long-distance buses and regional trains are affordable). Planning a mix of cities and smaller towns will keep averages near the lower end.
How much more do prices rise in European peak summer months compared to shoulder seasons?
Accommodation and flight prices typically increase during July–August. Expect hotels and short-term rentals in popular cities to be roughly 20–60% higher than in April–May or September–October; in top tourist hotspots the rise can reach 80% for certain properties. Airfares often follow the same pattern, with peak-week prices for popular routes higher by 30% or more. Booking several months ahead reduces the risk of paying the top rates; if you travel in shoulder periods you can usually cut accommodation costs by a few dozen percent and find cheaper train or plane options.
For a 10-day multi-country itinerary, is it cheaper to use trains and buses or rent a car?
Cost depends on route, number of travelers and luggage. For solo or two travelers moving between major cities on established rail corridors, point-to-point train tickets or a regional rail pass can be cost-effective: estimate €20–70 per long-distance train leg, with a total rail spend of roughly €200–500 per person for several long hops. Car rental runs €25–60 per day for a small car, so €250–600 for 10 days, plus fuel (fuel prices in Europe average around €1.60–2.10 per litre), tolls and parking (city parking can be €10–30 per day). With three or four people and lots of luggage, a car often becomes cheaper per person and gives flexibility for rural stops; for single travelers, public transport usually costs less and avoids parking/toll hassles.
What should a family of four budget for a two-week combined trip to France and Spain?
For a family of four (two adults, two children), expect wide variation. Budget-conscious families using family rooms or apartments and cooking some meals can manage on about €120–180 per day: accommodation €70–120, groceries and casual meals €30–50, local transport and lower-cost attractions €20–30. That gives a two-week total around €1,700–2,500. A comfortable family plan (mid-range hotels, regular dining out, some guided activities and faster connections between cities) is about €250–350 per day: two-week total roughly €3,500–4,900. Add major attractions, frequent dining at pricier restaurants, or internal flights and the budget rises; booking family-friendly apartments and using regional trains can trim costs noticeably.
