Are you dreaming of a European adventure, but worried about the cost? Fear not! We’ve put together a list of Cheaper European destinations, that you can explore from India.
Major Travel Expenses
Usually, the airfare is the highest cost of travel expense. Whether you like it or not, flight costs will eat up 50% of the trip budget. However, you can use a few tricks while booking your tickets.
We all know that travelling to Europe can be expensive. However, let’s not forget that Europe is also home to many affordable countries worldwide. This blog post compiles the list of the European countries that are “relatively cheaper” to fly to from India.
These places are relatively affordable than other European countries due to their lesser airfares, budget accommodation & meals, and transportation.
Without any further ado, let’s take a look at some of the cheaper European countries 🙂
6 Cheaper European Countries To Visit From India
1. HUNGARY
Hungary is such an underrated country! Of course, we love Paris, Madrid and Rome, but it will be a crime not to explore this Central European country.
When we mention Hungary, Budapest is the first city that comes to mind. Trust me, Budapest is one of the most spectacular cities in Hungary.
Budapest has a wine region, access to the largest lake in Europe, delicious food, extravagant nightlife, and a colourful town.
Visa Type
Schengen Visa. Visit here for the Schengen Visa requirements.
Significant Places to visit
Budapest Castle, Parliament House, Hero’s Square, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, Jewish Quarter, and relax at Lake Balaton.
How To Save Money On Sights/Activities in Hungary?
There are plenty of free activities that you can opt for.
1. Opt for free Walking Tours: This is one of the best ways to start your explorations. Read more to see these several free walking tours in Budapest.
2. Exploring Sights: Multiple famous sights are worth exploring from the outside.
For example, there’s an entry fee to visit Budapest Castle from the inside. Budapest Castle is beautiful to wander in the gardens and grounds but not as much worth it from inside. You’ll get some beautiful shots of the exterior of this castle.
Approximate Cost break-up
Air Tickets: INR 70,000 return (Ex New Delhi/Mumbai). The tickets to Hungary are relatively inexpensive in March.
Accommodation: Budget hotels starts around INR 3000 per night, with double occupancy.
One of the affordable ways to travel in Hungary is to stay in hostels, as they are extremely popular. The cost for a shared backpacker hostel/ dorm starts at around INR 900.
Transportation: If you rent a car, it costs about INR 2500 per day. I am referring to a compact car. For good deals, I always refer to Car Rentals.
Personally, I did not use any car within Budapest. Instead, I opted to walk for visiting all the sights.
Food: Hungary is exceptionally affordable when it comes to eating out.
A multicourse meal with drinks at a mid-range restaurant will not cost more than INR 1000.
A portion of traditional Hungarian food will not cost more than INR 500. Don’t miss eating Langos, Goulash, and Fisherman’s soup.
Average Daily Budget
You’ll need around INR 2500-3000 per day if you are a backpacker. If you prefer upscale hotels/apartments, allocate another INR 5000 per day to travel comfortably.
Hungary is very affordable. It is hard to spend money here unless you are partying all the time and visiting fancy spas 😉
Best Time To Visit
June to August (Summer) is the most popular time.
I suggest travelling in shoulder months – November to March. This is the best season to visit Hungary.
The temperature is low (10-15 degrees) but warm enough to hike and explore.
Pro Tip: I always use Fare comparison website for booking tickets. My all time favourite is Skyscanner.
2. POLAND
In Poland, you don’t only get to appreciate town squares and architecture but also serene beaches, wildlife and the breathtaking Tatra Mountains.
Visa Type
Schengen Visa.
Major Places to visit
Poland is a country with 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
1. Walkthrough the Royal route of Krakow. This route starts from the old town, and you can end it all the way up to Wawel Hill, where the road ends.
2. Stroll in the beautiful Planty Park around the old town. Spreading over five acres, you’ll enjoy your time here.
3. Walkthrough the horrors of Ghetto Walls.
4. Hike to the top of Kopiec Krakusa. You will fall in love with this short hike if you like being in nature.
5. Stroll in the Botanic Gardens. The garden is part of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, which houses a museum. The museum has a paid entry, but you can stroll through its gardens with an extensive collection of plants.
You can read the 11 best places to visit in Poland here.
How to save money on Activities in Poland?
Poland’s main cities, Krakow and Warsaw, aren’t always cheap. Therefore, visiting Poland in the shoulder months, March to April, is ideal. During these months, the weather is warming up, but the prices are still low, and castles re-open during these months at discounted prices.
1. Opt for a free walking tour.
2. Free admission to museums: Most museums in Poland offer one day of free entrance in a week. For example, Royal Castle in Warsaw is free to enter on Wednesdays. Be sure to check the website of the museums you intend to visit.
Approximate Cost break-up
Air Tickets: INR 50000 return (Ex Mumbai).
Accommodation: A mid-range 3-star hotel costs anything from INR 3000 on double occupancy.
The cost for a shared backpacker hostel ranges from INR 1800 onwards.
Transportation: Trains aren’t very cheap in Poland, so buses will save money and get you almost everywhere. The buses/trams cost start around INR 86.
Food: Poland is reasonable when it comes to food. A typical traditional meal (served at local restaurants called “milk bars”) will not cost more than INR 600-700.
A three-course meal at a sit-down restaurant starts around INR 1300 (75 PLN).
Pro Tip: If you are on a very tight budget and staying in hostels, buy food/ groceries from the supermarket and cook in your kitchen.
Average Daily Budget
You’ll need around INR 3500 per day if you are a backpacker. It will be around 5000 for mid-range to travel comfortably.
Poland is an affordable country, so you won’t be spending a lot unless you find ways to do it! 😉
Languages Spoken in Poland
Polish is the official language. English is spoken in popular cities.
Best Time To Visit
March to May (Spring) and September to November (Fall).
During Summer (June-August), Poland is packed with tourists, so I would ideally recommend avoiding it.
3. Georgia
Georgia, a land characterized by its rocky terrain, medieval strongholds and religious sanctuaries, lush rolling hills, towering mountains, extensive caverns, and rugged shorelines.
A nation where aficionados of culture and history will experience a sense of time travel as they wander through its charming villages and towns.
Georgia is an emerging destination that should not be overlooked when talking about cheaper European countries from India!
Visa Type
E-Visa. Visit this official Website for more details.
Major Places To Visit
Some of the noteworthy attractions in Georgia encompass Tbilisi, Tusheti, Kazbegi, Signaghi, Borjomi, Bakuriani, Vardzia, as well as the stunning alpine lakes of Tabatskuri and Paravani.
How To Save Money On Activities In Georgia?
You may check out the best free things to do in Tbilisi.
Approximate Cost break-up
Air Tickets: INR 45,000 return (Ex New Delhi).
Accommodation: An average hotel costs from INR 3000 on double occupancy.
The cost for a shared backpacker hostel ranges between INR 1800-200.
For incredible deals on hotels in Georgia, click on Booking.com
Transportation: Opting for car rentals in Georgia is a top-notch choice. Depending on the vehicle you choose, daily rentals will come in at under INR 5000, and this price even includes comprehensive insurance. I highly endorse Tbilisi Auto Rent for their exceptional professionalism.
Food: Depending upon the region, the cheapest street food would cost INR 100. If you want to eat in a budget restaurant the local favourites (like khinkali, khachapuri), consider dish starting from INR 150.If you want something more special, main dishes in standard restaurants usually cost from INR 300 to 500.
Average Daily Budget
You’ll need around INR 2000-3000 per day if you are a backpacker.
For mid-range, it will be around INR 5000-7000 to travel comfortably.
Languages Spoken in Latvia
Georgian is widely spoken. English and Russian are spoken in popular places.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Latvia is May to October.
4. The Czech Republic (Czechia now)
This Central European country shares borders with Slovakia (to the east), Germany (to the west), Poland (northeast) and Austria (to the south).
I’ll be honest. The Czech Republic, especially Prague, is no longer as cheaper as it used to be. However, if you are travelling outside the capital city of Prague, you’ll still find many good bargains.
Termed Europe’s one of the fascinating cities, Prague is home to the medieval world Gothic architecture that offers a classic sight.
Visa Type
Schengen Visa.
Major Places To Visit
1. The Great Synagogue
2. The Renaissance-style Town Hall
3. Moravian Karst
4. Olomouc Castles
5. St Bartholomew’s Cathedral etc.
6. Visit Prague, Ceskey Krumlao, Karlovy Vary, Kutna Hora, Brno.
How To Save Money On Activities In Prague /The Czech Republic?
Many of Prague’s attractions are free but are also part of paid guided tours.
Instead of a paid tour, you can grab a map and explore the places at your own pace. This includes Charles Bridge, strolling on the cobblestoned streets, appreciating old town buildings, stopping by the Astronomical clock, etc.
Moreover, you’ll get a good bargain outside Prague, such as the unique town of Sedlec with its never-ending trails and Bohemian Switzerland National Park.
Approximate Cost break-up
Air Tickets: INR 55,000-60,000 return to Prague (Ex Mumbai/New Delhi).
Accommodation: An average hotel costs about INR 3000 onwards, on double occupancy.
The cost for a shared backpacker hostel/dorm starts at around INR 1000.
Airbnb in Prague is budget-friendly, with a private room starting from INR 1800. For private homes, expect to shell out INR 2800 onwards.
Transportation: Use local transport. Metro fares here are based on time. Tickets range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes to 1-day pass to 3-day pass. It starts from INR 140. Visit this website for more specific details.
Bus tickets too work the same way as the metro.
Car rentals cost around INR 1600 per day, which is not bad. However, rent a car only if you are heading out of the city.
Food: The average inexpensive meal cost is about INR 900-1000 per day.
A basic breakfast will cost about INR 400. You can find plenty of budget eating places and grocery stores.
Be mindful of where you eat as some places may get very expensive. For the best street food places, check out this list.
Average Daily Budget
You’ll need around INR 2700-3000 per day if you are a backpacker. For mid-range, it will be around 5500-6500 to travel comfortably.
These won’t include things like big night outs, fancy dinners, pub hopping, shopping etc.
Languages Spoken in Prague
Czech is widely spoken in the Czech Republic. English, German and Russian is also spoken in popular cities.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit the Czech Republic is from March to May and September to mid-November.
5. BULGARIA
Bulgaria is most favourite among the backpackers and budget travellers looking to travel to the cheaper countries in Europe.
One of the top things about visiting Bulgaria is the countryside, where castles, hiking trails, and beautiful villages are accessible or affordable.
Accommodations are cheap, especially in the months outside summer. Many hotels include complimentary breakfast and free shuttles.
Visa Type
Schengen Visa.
Significant Places to visit
1. Sofia is one of the most charming cities in Bulgaria.
2. Plovdiv is an iconic city with spectacular architecture and fascinating history.
3. Bansko is the mecca for ski-lovers. Bansko Ski Resort boasts of having the longest ski season. The town also has some fantastic trails.
4. Varna is the third-largest city in Bulgaria. The town is filled with history and impressive museums.
5. Nesebar is known for its superb beaches and beautiful ruins.
How To Save Money On Activities In Bulgaria?
Most of the major attractions in Bulgaria are accessible by public transportation. So, skip the tourist transfers.
Buy return tickets if you use the National Bulgarian railway as they offer discounts on the same.
Bulgaria’s museums and major attractions will not cost you more than USD 3. However, if you plan to visit many of them, check their respective websites for free-entry days.
Approximate Cost break-up
Air Tickets: INR 58,000-60,000 return (Ex New Delhi).
Accommodation: An average hotel costs about INR 2500 onwards on double occupancy.
The cost for a shared backpacker hostel starts from around INR 1500 (28 BGN).
Transportation: The public transportation in Bulgaria is affordable. Visit this website for more specific prices .
Food: Overall, eating out is affordable throughout Bulgaria. Local street food/fast food costs are as low as INR 90.
If you wish to splurge on a meal, it costs around INR 1100 onwards.
Average Daily Budget
You’ll need around INR 3200 (52 BGN) per day if you are a backpacker.
For mid-range, it will be around 6000 (120 BGN) to travel comfortably.
These won’t include things like big night outs, fancy dinners, pub hopping, shopping etc.
Languages Spoken in Bulgaria
Bulgarian is the official language. English is widely spoken in the country.
Best Time To Visit
April to May (shoulder months) and September to October (pleasant weather).
That’s a wrap!
These countries above can be categorised as relatively cheaper European countries to travel from India. You may not have a luxurious Europe trip, but I promise that you’ll leave with some beautiful memories.
So, go ahead and book that Europe trip!
Happy travelling!
You may also like to read:
“How To Travel Maldives on Budget“
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