Europe has a way of living in the “someday” folder. The dream trip you talk about, save pins for and quietly assume might always be just out of reach. But it doesn’t have to be. Big trips can feel expensive when they’re one blurry number with four or five figures – but it’s much less scary when you break them into parts.
That’s what we’ll do in this guide covering how to budget for Europe. We’ll unpack the real costs of travelling Europe in 2026, piece by piece.
But consider this: if you travel with Trafalgar, many major expenses are already covered or included in the tour price – accommodation, transport, logistics, guided experiences, airport transfers and many meals – add to that the priceless peace of mind that someone’s taking care of you and your needs. Save up for a tour (bonus points if you snag spots during a sale), and you’ll mainly need spending money for snacks, optional experiences and shopping.
How much does it cost to travel in Europe?
The cost of travelling in Europe can vary wildly. Europe isn’t one destination – it’s dozens of countries, currencies, cultures and costs stitched together by rail lines and now-open borders. A week wandering Portugal’s coast will feel very different on your wallet than the same time in Switzerland. Even within a country you might see a huge difference between villages and cities (and downtown vs the suburbs).
In 2026, a realistic Europe trip cost depends on these factors:
- Where you go
- How many days (timing and pace)
- Accommodation style
- Choice of experiences
Whatever your style, Europe sits somewhere between affordable and aspirational – not cheap, but far from unattainable. With a clear plan, the numbers stop feeling intimidating and start feeling… possible.
What is a realistic daily budget for Europe?
A realistic daily budget for Europe depends less on the country you’re in and more on the kind of days you want to have. Slow, simple days cost less. Fast, experience-packed days cost more. And – funnily enough – most trips sit somewhere in between.
If you want to simply flâneur around the parks of Paris with a croissant in hand and don’t mind a budget hotel, then that will cost substantially less than visiting the Louvre (€32), eating multiple courses at a chic French bistro and staying in a four-star hotel. In 2026, many travellers find a comfortable daily range reveals itself once accommodation, food, transport and a handful of meaningful experiences are factored in.
A lot of that is included in a Trafalgar tour, so if you divide the tour price by the number of days you’ll find an average daily rate. For example, the Best of France is a 13-day tour with prices from €3,428. That’s €263 per day, which is not bad when you consider all the inclusions (like staying at a 15th-century retreat once favoured by King Louis XIII), and priceless things like having a Travel Director and driver on hand as you lap most of the country.
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How do you create a Europe travel budget?
Below we’ll break your trip into manageable parts – flights, accommodation, transport, daily spending and a little buffer for unexpected costs (trust us, there’s always something that pops up!).
Some days will cost more than others and a good travel budget isn’t super rigid – you want to understand where your hard-earned cash is going, but also have some fat so you can relax, stop second-guessing every euro and just enjoy your vacation!
Before you reach for a spreadsheet, decide what matters most to you. Those priorities will shape every number that follows.
Then break down your:
- Fixed costs (flights, insurance)
- Semi-flexible costs (accommodation, transport)
- Daily living costs
- Buffer (a joy margin!)
Start with flights
Flight costs to Europe depend heavily on where you’re starting from, but flexibility is everything. Jump on Google Flights or Skyscanner and start playing with dates to get a feel for prices from your hometown.
Shifting your departure or return by a few days can make a surprising difference. Booking earlier usually helps, but that flexibility helps more. Flying midweek, travelling in shoulder season or arriving in alternative cities may lower costs.
Consider your transport options
There are plenty of options to get around Europe in 2026 – trains, planes, automobiles (if anyone still says that…). Transport is a sneaky one that can creep the costs of your budget up as you factor in airport transfers, metro passes, train or coach tickets, and even low-cost airlines (that always have sneaky fees for luggage or extras). Honestly, sometimes the best budget strategy is simply slowing down.
If you don’t like the unknown factor of all this transport, join a Trafalgar tour. All that logistics planning? Gone. Airport transfers, buses and timings are all sorted so you can truly relax and enjoy the ride. And if the air-conditioned coach with wi-fi isn’t good enough, join a Trafalgar rail tour – Contrasts of Italy or Contrasts of Switzerland.
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Accommodation – budget or boujee
Accommodation is personal. Some people are happy with just a place to rest their head between adventures, while others need the comforts and standards of home. Europe has everything from budget-friendly private hostel rooms to five-star luxury hotels. Where you choose to stay – your budget and standard – are super personal. You might go cheap for most of the trip, then splurge for a few nights somewhere exceptional.
Food budget for Europe
Eating in Europe doesn’t have to break the bank. Eating like a local often saves money, with markets, bakeries, and lunch menus offering big local flavors for less.
You could choose one or two memorable meals (like that French bistro meal in Paris) to splurge on, and let the rest be easy and intuitive. If you’re counting pennies, avoid stopping at touristy squares and cafes – find a back street spot and your money will go further.
Budget for experiences
What’s worth paying for are the moments you’ll never forget – a famous gallery, a guided tour, a special performance, a fun adventure. Some of the best memories will come accidentally – wandering streets, hearing music spill from a plaza…. Yes, free experiences, like parks, markets and city walks will keep costs down – but don’t travel so tightly that you don’t factor in experiencing places, people and things that make Europe, well, Europe.
Buffer – your joy margin
Think of a buffer as your joy margin. Travel is a vacation, not a math exam – you don’t want to check your account every two days in a panic because you’re €5 over on Monday. The more you build into your buffer, the more freedom you have: cocktails at a local bar, a souvenir that makes you smile or handling surprise costs without stress.
The buffer turns your budget from a constraint into a safety net that actually lets you enjoy the trip.
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Factor in these costs people forget about
Even careful planning can overlook costs that quietly add up. Don’t let small surprises derail your Europe budget – factor in these often-forgotten essentials:
- Tourist taxes and city fees: Appear on hotel bills or attraction tickets.
- Visa costs and entry authorizations: Most visitors to the EU will now need an ETIAS, and the UK requires an ETA.
- Travel insurance that actually works: Medical emergencies abroad can be expensive.
- Phone data: SIM cards or eSIMs for staying in touch.
- Emergency buffers: For missed trains, sudden weather or last-minute experiences you can’t resist. You don’t want this to eat into your shopping budget!
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How to start saving for Europe
Starting to save for Europe begins with a clear picture of your personal finances. Look at your current savings and monthly income, then realistically decide how much you can set aside each month. This will show when your trip could happen – whether in four months or a year.
If a guided tour with Trafalgar is on your radar, remember trips often require a deposit of just €100, with deposit protection and free booking changes. That small first step turns a long-held dream into something tangible, letting you start planning, saving and anticipating the trip ahead. Lock your European dreams in!
That’s our guide on how to budget for Europe. Any tips to add? Leave a comment…