Discover Cheap Places to Travel in Eastern Europe

When most people plan their European adventures, their focus often remains on Western and Central regions of the continent. Countries like England, Spain, France, Germany, and Italy consistently attract large numbers of tourists.

Travelers embarking on longer journeys might extend their explorations slightly, perhaps visiting the Czech Republic, Austria, or enjoying the beautiful coastline of Croatia for some sun-drenched fun.

However, relatively few tourists venture into far Eastern Europe.

This includes countries like Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine. While Bulgaria sees a bit more tourism due to its proximity to the Balkans and serving as a route between Turkey and Budapest, the further north one travels, the fewer international visitors are typically encountered.

During my time in Ukraine, prior to the ongoing conflict, my interactions were primarily with US Peace Corps volunteers and a small number of European travelers.

It’s difficult to understand why this region is often overlooked, particularly given that (with the current exception of Ukraine due to the Russian invasion) these countries are both inexpensive and safe, offering a welcome contrast to the overwhelming crowds found in many other popular European destinations. Moreover, if you appreciate delicious, high-quality meals that would command premium prices elsewhere, this region delivers exceptional value. Take Varna, Bulgaria, for example, where you can savor exquisite coastal seafood at a fraction of the cost you would incur in Italy, without compromising on taste.

These countries are generally around half the price of their Western European counterparts. Across 46 days spent exploring these three nations, my total expenditure was $1,876.50 USD. This figure even includes some splurges on sushi! This represents remarkable value for over six weeks of travel in Europe.

While I could provide a separate cost breakdown for each country, presenting them together highlights the overall affordability of this part of Europe. Seeking tips to travel europe on a budget? Eastern Europe should be high on your list.

For those planning their trips, understanding typical costs and saving strategies is key. Eastern Europe remains one of the most budget-friendly areas on the continent. If you’re looking for affordable places to travel in august or any time of year, these countries offer great options.

The Cost of Bulgaria

During my 23 days in Bulgaria, I spent a total of 1,405 BGL. This equates to approximately $1,000 USD, averaging about $44 USD per day based on the exchange rate at the time of my visit. My travels included visiting all major sightseeing locations, including the popular but somewhat overpriced Sunny Beach.

How I Spent My Money in Bulgaria:

• Food: 475.90 BGL (This covered cheap local meals, a few restaurant visits, and notably, a significant amount on sushi).
• Accommodation: 445.70 BGL (Primarily stayed in dorm rooms, supplemented by five nights of Couchsurfing).
• Alcohol: 259.40 BGL (Engaged in significant partying, particularly along the Black Sea coast).
• Buses: 100 BGL
• Taxis: 19 BGL (Used for a few intra-city rides and airport transfers).
• Tours/Sightseeing: 53 BGL
• Movies: 42.05 BGL
• Water: 8.90 BGL
• Chess in the park: 1 BGL

How Much Can You Really Do It For in Bulgaria?

Realistically, your costs could be similar or slightly lower. Excluding my sushi spending spree, my daily average would have dropped to around $38.29 USD. My travel style in Bulgaria was typical for a budget traveler; I used local transport, ate inexpensive local food, and stayed in affordable hostels. If you are not particularly keen on sushi, budgeting around $35–40 USD per day should be quite feasible, potentially even less if you reduce alcohol consumption and partying.

For travelers preferring more comfortable accommodations and dining out more frequently, a budget of $50–55 USD per day would be advisable. Those aiming for a “mid-range” trip, including hotel stays, could manage on approximately $75 USD per day. Compared to Western Europe or Scandinavia, even these higher budgets represent considerable savings.

How to Save Money in Bulgaria

While Bulgaria is inherently affordable, several strategies can help you minimize expenses further:

1. Stay with a Local: Hostels are cheap, but staying with locals via Couchsurfing offers free accommodation and the valuable perspective of a local guide who can share insider tips. It’s an excellent way to save on lodging while enriching your travel experience. It’s also a good approach for best solo travel destinations europe, enhancing safety and cultural immersion.
2. Cook Your Own Meals: Grocery shopping and cooking are even cheaper than eating out. Local markets offer an abundance of inexpensive fruits and vegetables. Expect groceries for basic necessities like pasta, vegetables, and meat to cost around 45-70 BGN per week if you cook frequently.
3. Stay at Hostel Mostel: This hostel chain is known for its affordability and offers discounts for stays longer than three nights. They have popular locations in Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo.
4. Utilize Buses: Buses are generally more economical than trains in Bulgaria. Sofia serves as an excellent hub for bus travel, offering routes to most parts of the country. For example, a bus ticket from Sofia to Varna costs around 33 BGN, to Plovdiv is 15 BGN, and to Veliko Tarnovo is 23.50 BGN. Prioritizing bus travel is wise for budget-conscious visitors.
5. Avoid Sunny Beach: This destination is often crowded and overpriced, with more beach chairs than visible sand. Unless your primary goal is intense partying and binge drinking, consider alternatives. For a more relaxed beach atmosphere with smaller, more charming bars and restaurants, explore Varna or Burgas instead.
6. Travel in the Off-Season: Peak season in Bulgaria runs from June to September, leading to higher prices and larger crowds. Winter offers a great opportunity for budget travel, with fewer tourists, scenic beauty, and skiing possibilities (though avoid the Christmas period when prices increase).
7. Eat at Bakeries: Bulgarian bakeries offer a delicious and incredibly affordable selection of pastries and snacks, perfect for a cheap breakfast or quick bite throughout the day.
8. Bring a Water Bottle: Tap water in Bulgaria is safe to drink. Using a reusable water bottle saves money and reduces plastic waste. Brands like LifeStraw offer bottles with built-in filters for added peace of mind.
9. Take Free Walking Tours: These tours are an excellent way to explore a city and learn about its history and culture without spending money upfront. Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, and Plovdiv all offer free walking tours covering major highlights. Remember to tip your guide at the end to show your appreciation.

The Cost of Romania

Romania has gained popularity over recent years but still retains a sense of being relatively undiscovered by mainstream tourism, making it one of the inexpensive exotic places to travel. During my 16 days there, I spent 1878.30 RON, averaging 117.38 RON ($36 USD) per day. This covered travel from Bucharest through Brasov and Transylvania to Cluj-Napoca.

Fairytale Peles Castle, a historic landmark to visit in Romania

How I Spent My Money in Romania:

• Food: 724.4 RON (This included sushi, a few meals at nice restaurants, and cooking for three days).
• Accommodation: 881 RON (Stayed in dorm rooms, with two nights in a private room).
• Alcohol: 9 RON (Very low expenditure).
• Transportation: 113.9 RON (Buses and airport taxis).
• Tours/Sightseeing: 80 RON (Included visiting Bran Castle, several museums, and walking tours).
• Cold Medicine: 57 RON
• Water: 13 RON

How Much Can You Really Do It For in Romania?

Given current price increases, it is still possible to travel very cheaply, though it requires careful budgeting. Most backpackers should aim for a daily budget of around 140 RON ($31 USD). This budget assumes staying in hostels, using public transport, sticking mostly to free activities, cooking most meals, and limiting alcohol consumption.

If you prefer a few nights in private rooms, dining out more often, and participating in more paid activities, your budget would likely be around 265 RON or $58 USD per day. As these figures show, it’s very achievable to explore Romania on a budget without feeling like you’re missing out significantly.

How to Save Money in Romania

While I didn’t discover revolutionary, unique methods to save money in Romania beyond the common budget travel advice (like Couchsurfing, cooking, and eating local), there are still valuable tactics to reduce costs:

1. Use Rideshares: The BlaBlaCar app is a popular ridesharing option in Romania and across Europe. It can sometimes be faster than buses or trains and offers a unique local interaction. It’s also useful for travel to neighboring countries. Simply find a driver heading to your destination, request a ride, and pay a small fee upon approval. Drivers have reviews, similar to Airbnb. Keep in mind that many drivers post trips only a day or two in advance, requiring flexibility.
2. Hitchhike: Hitchhiking is relatively common and considered reasonably safe in Romania. For adventurous backpackers comfortable with thumbing rides, it’s a viable option to save on transportation. Always exercise common sense, take precautions, and trust your instincts. Hitchwiki provides useful tips and information.
3. Shop at Discount Grocery Stores: For cooking ingredients or simple snacks, shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, and Penny Market offers significant savings compared to other stores.
4. Stay at Balkan Backpacker Hostels: This network of hostels operates across Romania and the Balkans. Booking directly through their app can often provide a 10% discount on your stay.

The Cost of Ukraine

My final destination in the region was Ukraine. It is important to note that, as of late 2023 when the original article was written, the ongoing war in Ukraine meant travel there was not advisable due to safety concerns. Hopefully, travel will become possible again in the future. During my previous visit, I spent a total of 2377.95 UAH ($297 USD at the time) over seven days, averaging 339.70 UAH ($43 USD at the time) per day. My time was spent in Kyiv and Lviv.

How I Spent My Money in Ukraine:

• Accommodation: 740 UAH (Stayed in dorm rooms, typically costing around 100–110 UAH per night).
• Food: 1122.50 UAH (Mostly local Ukrainian restaurants, plus two expensive sushi dinners).
• Alcohol: 261 UAH (Included two nights out in Kyiv).
• Transportation: 219.20 UAH
• Tours/Sightseeing: 10 UAH
• Water: 15.25 UAH
• Chess: 10 UAH (Paid for a game of chess in the park).

How Much Can You Really Do It For in Ukraine?

One reason my budget seemed relatively high for Ukraine was the two sushi dinners. Excluding those meals, my daily average drops significantly to 251 UAH or $31 USD. It would be challenging to travel in Ukraine for much less than this, as I already adopted an extremely frugal, backpacker-style approach, opting for the cheapest options available for everything.

However, once travel is safe and possible again, I would encourage visitors to spend a little more and not be overly strict with their budget. Splurging occasionally on a nice meal, drinks, or a better room is highly affordable in Ukraine. This country was the cheapest European destination I had visited at the time. When tourism resumes, supporting the local economy by spending freely would be beneficial. Ukraine represents exceptional value in Europe when conditions allow for travel.

How to Save Money in Ukraine

If you are determined to spend even less when traveling in Ukraine, here are a few strategies:

1. Stay with a Local: If 140-280 UAH per night for accommodation feels too expensive, Couchsurfing is an excellent way to save money and connect with locals for insider recommendations.
2. Explore Beyond Kyiv: While Kyiv is fascinating, the cost of living and travel is substantially lower outside the capital, particularly as you venture further east.
3. Eat Local: Sticking exclusively to local restaurants, like the Puzata Khata chain, is the most effective way to keep food costs down. Cooking your own meals is an even cheaper alternative.
4. Book Overnight Trains: Ukraine’s train system is generally slow and inexpensive. Utilizing overnight trains not only provides transportation but also saves on one night’s accommodation cost.
5. Buy Beer at Supermarkets: If you plan to drink alcohol, purchasing beer from supermarkets or corner shops is significantly cheaper than buying it in bars or restaurants, even though bar prices are already relatively low.

A Final Note

Alcohol is prevalent and remarkably cheap in Eastern Europe. Across Bulgaria, Romania, and formerly Ukraine, you can purchase beer in supermarkets and corner shops for just a few dollars. This offers exceptional value for those who enjoy socializing or partying on a budget. Prioritizing buying your own alcohol instead of drinking exclusively at bars and restaurants can lead to substantial savings over a multi-week trip.

Eastern Europe arguably offers the best travel bargains on the continent. The three countries discussed proved far more affordable than anticipated, helping to balance out higher costs experienced in Western Europe. While the conflict in Ukraine currently impacts travel to that specific country, the wider Eastern European region remains perfectly safe to visit, provided you avoid Ukraine and areas directly bordering conflict zones.

Beyond the monetary savings, these countries boast rich history, delicious cuisine, and offer travelers a sense of adventure and discovery distinct from the more heavily trafficked routes elsewhere in Europe. Visiting this region provided incredibly rewarding experiences. For those considering expanding their travel horizons beyond a [2 week travel itinerary sri lanka](https://shocknaue.com/2-week-travel-itinerary-sri-lanka/) or other distant locales, Eastern Europe presents a nearby, affordable adventure.

It’s worth noting that countries like Poland, the Balkans, and the Baltic states also offer tremendous value for travelers. These regions should not be overlooked if you are exploring affordable options in Eastern Europe. Moldova’s prices are reportedly on par with the rest of the area, though I did not visit due to time constraints. Similarly, Belarus was omitted from my trip due to the high visa cost relative to the planned duration of my stay; these will be destinations for future trips.