Budgeting for Your European Solo Trip
Planning a European solo trip is an exciting venture that combines independence, discovery, and personal growth. Yet, it can also feel overwhelming when it comes to finances. How much will it cost? How can you make your budget stretch further without sacrificing comfort or safety? Let’s break it down step-by-step so you can plan a trip that’s memorable and financially manageable.
1. Set Your Budget Goals
The first step in budgeting for your European adventure is understanding your financial boundaries.
How much can you comfortably spend overall? Are you planning to use a bonus from work or your income tax refund to pay for the trip? Or will you set aside a certain amount each paycheck to save? Be honest about what fits within your means.
What are your priorities? Do you want to splurge on accommodations, dining, or activities? Identify where you’re willing to spend more and where you can cut back, based on your interests. If you love dining out, be sure to budget for at least one fancy restaurant. If food is less important to you, maybe you want to be sure to see a play or take in the opera.
I’ve found that a 7-10 day trip to Europe from the U.S. can cost between $2000-$3000 per person. When traveling solo, it tends to be on the higher end because I can’t split the hotel costs with another person. It also depends significantly on airfare, which can vary from $350 to $1000 for economy class, depending on the time of year you travel.
2. Research Your Destination Costs
Europe has a wide range of cost profiles. Cities like Paris, London, and Zurich are more expensive, while Lisbon, Prague, and Valencia (my home city!) offer excellent value for money.
Use online tools like Numbeo.com or BudgetYourTrip.com to get a sense of daily costs for food, accommodations, and activities in your chosen destinations.
Don’t forget to factor in exchange rates and potential bank fees for currency conversion. As of this writing, the Euro is worth about $1.02, so I don’t worry much about making conversions, but you can check xe.com for the latest exchange rates for any currency.
Pro Tip: One advantage of smaller cities is that they are also less touristy and easier to navigate. Of course, we all want to visit Paris and Rome, but consider spending fewer nights there and more in other cities.
3. Save on Flights
Flights can be one of the biggest expenses, but there are ways to keep costs down:
Book strategically. Use fare comparison sites like Google Flights or Skyscanner, and consider flying mid-week or at off-peak times. The difference between winter and summer can be hundreds of dollars.
Use points and miles. If you have a travel rewards credit card, this is the time to redeem your points for flights. Note that you’ll often need to redeem points fairly far in advance. Check out The Points Guy for tips on redeeming points and miles.
Pro tip: If you can, be flexible with your dates and destinations. You might find a great deal that inspires a change in your itinerary.
4. Choose Budget-Friendly Accommodations
Accommodation options have expanded greatly in recent years.
Apartments and hostels: Websites like Airbnb and Booking.com have a range of options, from private rooms in hostels to full apartments.
Hotels with perks: Look for places that include breakfast or are centrally located to save on transportation.
Women-friendly stays: Platforms like Host A Sister or women-only accommodations can provide safe and welcoming spaces for solo travelers.
Pro Tip: Be aware of the single supplement. When booking a trip on a group tour or a cruise (both of which can be a great way for solo women to have others to travel with), know that the tour company will generally charge more to have a room to yourself. If you’re comfortable sharing a room with another person (friend or stranger), the cost is cheaper, because the tour company wants to fill as many beds as possible.
5. Master Transportation Costs
Getting around Europe can be budget-friendly with some planning:
Overall Planning: Start by using Rome2Rio to compare the cost of trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
Trains: Booking a few months out can save you money, but you may lose the flexibility to change your plans. Eurail passes can also save money if you’re covering multiple countries, but check carefully, as they are not always the bargain they used to be.
Buses: Buses in Europe are generally more pleasant and comfortable than in the U.S. Don’t dismiss them as an affordable option.
Flights: Low-cost carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet offer cheap fares for short hops. Use Skyscanner to find cheap fares within Europe.
Public transit: European cities have efficient and affordable public transportation. Most cities have a combination of metros (subways), buses, and trams. While the metro is fast, you’ll be underground and miss all the sites. Hopping on a public bus is often a great way to get an overview of the city without paying for a pricey bus tour.
Pro tip: Walking is not only free but often the best way to explore charming European cities. You’d be surprised how much ground you can cover on foot. When I visited Portugal, I skipped public transit for walking in Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon, with one exception: I took the funicular in Lisbon just for the experience!
6. Eat Well Without Overspending
Food is one of the greatest joys of European travel, and it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Visit local markets for fresh, affordable meals. Make a picnic lunch by grabbing some local cheese and fresh fruit to take with you.
Stop at local bakeries to pick up pastries for breakfast in your hotel room the next morning.
Opt for “menu del día” lunch specials, which are a great value in many European countries.
Keep snacks and a refillable water bottle with you to avoid overpriced convenience items.
I’m a huge fan of the picnic lunch. I’ll start my day in the market (most cities have at least one produce market open 6-7 days a week) to grab some bread, cheese, meat, and fruit to stick in my daypack. When I’m ready for a break, I’ll find a bench, park, or scenic view to stop and eat. I’ve had some memorable meals this way, including sitting along the Seine in Paris, atop the hills in Coimbra, Portugal, and in a piazza overlooking the Roman Forum.
7. Plan Activities Wisely
Experiences make your trip memorable, but they don’t have to cost a fortune.
Look for free or discounted entry days at museums and attractions.
Explore free walking tours or self-guided tours using Free Tours by Foot or GPSmyCity.
Enjoy Europe’s beautiful parks, beaches, churches, and architecture—many of which are completely free.
Pro Tip: Much of Europe’s great art is housed in churches. For a small donation, you can walk in anytime except when services are being conducted.
8. Create a Realistic Daily Budget
Once you have a sense of costs, create a daily spending plan for essentials like food, transportation, and activities. Build in some extra room for unexpected expenses or spontaneous treats—you’re on vacation, after all!
I just use a simple spreadsheet to create my budget. Before the trip, I usually already know airfare and accommodations costs, which are the bulk of the overall budget, so then I subtract to figure out how much I can spend each day on food and tours. I keep that number in mind as I travel, but I remind myself that it’s okay to go over some days and under on others.
9. Embrace the Unexpected
While planning is essential, leave room for surprises. Sometimes, the best experiences happen when you deviate from your plan. Having a financial cushion for these moments can make your trip even more special.
On a 10-day trip to Southern Spain, we planned a few activities in advance but left room for spontaneity. Once there, we realized we were only a 45-minute ferry ride from Morocco, so we knew we had to take a day trip! Since we didn’t know much about Tangier, we found a recommended tour guide online who was available in two days. Having left flexibility in our schedule, we were able to make it work. That tour is still one of the most memorable activities I’ve done on any trip.
Closing Thoughts
Budgeting for your European solo trip doesn’t mean sacrificing the joy of exploration. It’s about making mindful choices that align with your priorities and values. With some planning, you’ll find that solo travel can be both empowering and affordable.
Remember, your adventure is an investment in yourself—and that’s always worth it.
What’s your top tip for stretching your travel budget? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!