15 cheapest European countries to visit in 2024

This article looks at the 15 cheapest European countries to visit in 2024. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of tourism in Europe and ways to budget your vacation, you can skip to 5 cheapest European countries to visit in 2024.

Tourism in Europe

Europe is by far the most popular tourist destination of all continents. According to UNWTOIn 2023, 54% of the world’s international tourist arrivals took place in Europe, with the southern/Mediterranean region being the most visited destination. Europe is extremely attractive to tourists due to its friendly visa policy, diverse range of destinations and the fact that it is considered safer than other global destinations.

Like most of the world, tourism in Europe has still not managed to recover to pre-pandemic volumes. In 2023, Europe had 700 million tourists across the continent, representing 94% of 2019 arrivals. This is despite the fact that many southern European and Mediterranean destinations have surpassed pre-COVID-19 tourism levels. The European Travel Commission reports that countries such as Serbia, Portugal and Montenegro all received 10% more tourists in 2023 than in 2019. In comparison, 65% of destinations in Europe are still below pre-pandemic volumes. The slowest recovery has been seen in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, each of which has failed to reach even 75% of pre-COVID-19 tourist numbers. This stark disparity in tourism recovery across the continent poses a challenge. Despite the huge number of tourists flying to Europe every year, many of the most exquisite locations remain downtrodden in favor of hotspots such as the beaches of Ibiza, the busy streets of Paris or the canals of Venice. The rapid influx of tourists to just a handful of destinations is endangering the sustainability of tourism in Europe. Recently, more and more holidaymakers have become critical of tourist hotspots, criticizing them for being “tourist traps” and seeking out less crowded destinations instead. Another factor making tourists uneasy is inflation in post-pandemic tourism. According to Allianz researchthe daily rate for a hotel room (global median) increased to $212 in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $156 in the first quarter of 2022 and $129 in the first quarter of 2021. Additionally, a recent Travel Weekly survey found that 87% of European travelers are taking measures to reduce the cost of their holidays. This includes opting for cheaper accommodations, lowering the budget for excursions and switching to more affordable destinations.

With more and more tourists becoming irritated by the overcrowded and bloated vacation experiences in certain hotspots, it’s possible that by 2024 tourists will set their sights on destinations that offer budget-friendly vacations with similar itineraries. With websites like Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB), Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG) and Sun Life Financial, Inc. (NYSE: SLF), tourists have the opportunity to map out, at most, their entire vacation. affordable prices, while discovering new and exciting destinations.

Budgeting your trip

Some argue that the true beauty of Europe lies in destinations that have been spared the tirade of excessive tourist flows. In the past, there were either no opportunities for the ordinary tourist to arrange a holiday to such areas, or they were considered unreliable, unsafe and unsuitable for tourists. However, over the past decade, this perception has changed as people have access to more and more options to plan trips to some of the most remote places in the world.

Websites like Booking, owned by Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), and Budget Your Trip provide data for locations, resorts and excursions. This allows previously unknown tourist spots across Europe to market themselves without investing the same level of resources as world-renowned hotel brands. Tourists can book Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG) and similar services to break down every part of their trip into precise monetary terms, without being seduced by the fame of prominent destinations.

Similarly, Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) the world’s largest alternative accommodation platform. Alternative housing is a relatively new way of lodging where you live in rental apartments, hostels or even a spare room. Compared to hotels, such accommodation is cheaper and can also be found in rural travel destinations. By offering this service, Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) diverted a large number of tourists from saturated hotspots to less crowded communities.

If you want to visit a cheap European country in 2024, you may also consider getting travel insurance, such as the packages offered by Sun Life Financial, Inc. (NYSE: SLF). These cover medical treatment and hospital bills in the unfortunate circumstance that you or a family member becomes ill. By purchasing insurance from companies such as Sun Life Financial, Inc. (NYSE: SLF), you can head out into the wilderness and enjoy your vacation in spirit.

Methodology

To develop our list of 15 cheapest European countries to visit in 2024, we went through similar recommended lists around the web to develop a shortlist of budget-friendly countries. For these countries, we used Google Flights to obtain data on the cheapest available flight from the US (using JFK as a reference point for departure). Moreover, we used Budget your trip to obtain the average amount needed to spend a week’s couples holiday in each country. By collecting these data points, we were able to calculate the total expected amount needed for a trip to each country. Each country was ranked in ascending order with respect to this metric, and the top 15 countries were selected as the best cheapest European countries to visit in 2024.

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Be here 15 cheapest European countries to visit in 2024.

15. Latvia

Cheapest round-trip ticket: $1011

Average cost during stay: $1722

Total cost: $2733

Latvia has a number of beautiful beaches along the Baltic Sea, while the capital Riga features prominent Art Nouveau architecture. There are many historic castles in cities across the country. So there’s plenty to enjoy on a weeklong trip, all for the low price of $2,733.

14. Estonia

Cheapest round-trip ticket: $941

Average cost during stay: $1544

Total cost: $2485

Another Baltic state, Estonia, is one of them the cheapest European countries to visit. It offers a mix of picturesque landscapes, diverse wildlife and Soviet-era sights. The Lennusadam Museum in the capital Tallinn is an excellent starting point if you want to get acquainted with the rich Estonian culture.

13. North Macedonia

Cheapest round-trip ticket: $1083

Average cost during stay: $1388

Total cost: $2471

If you’re looking for a location with picturesque scenery without having to take out a second mortgage on your home, forget the Madeira coast and travel east to the country of North Macedonia. You’ll have the chance to explore one of Europe’s deepest lakes and some of its most stunning peaks, along with the historically rich city of Ohrid.

12. Croatia

Cheapest round-trip ticket: $868

Average cost during stay: $1436

Total cost: $2304

Croatia makes for a very cheap holiday that also offers the chance to explore its Roman heritage, enchanting coastlines and modern attractions. Zagreb is becoming an increasingly popular tourist spot; however, it is still a very affordable destination where you can enjoy museums, festivals and vibrant street life. The city of Split offers the chance to visit the iconic Diocletian’s Palace and go to one of the country’s several islands in the Adriatic Sea.

11. Czech Republic

Cheapest round-trip ticket: $741

Average cost during stay: $1548

Total cost: $2289

While the capital Prague is famous for its State Opera and other orchestras, the rest of the country sees few tourists. The Czech Republic is a great destination for adventure travel, with places like the Bohemian Switzerland National Park and the caves of the Moravian Karst. Moreover, if you avoid certain excursions in the capital, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in the local culture at an affordable price.

10. Lithuania

Cheapest round-trip ticket: $872

Average cost during stay: $1393

Total cost: $2265

Lithuania does the cheapest European country to visit in the Baltic states. For just $2,265, you and your partner can enjoy yourself on an extended getaway. Your itinerary can include museums, baroque monuments, serene national parks and pristine beaches.

9. Georgia

Cheapest round-trip ticket: $1765

Average cost during stay: $461

Total cost: $2226

If you’ve managed to rack up some airline miles, Georgia is one of them the cheapest European countries to visit in 2024. With average costs for transport, accommodation and food of just $461 per week for 2 people, the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains are the perfect place to enjoy a budget-friendly European holiday.

8. Hungary

Cheapest round-trip ticket: $1018

Average cost during stay: $1170

Total cost: $2188

Budapest is considered one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. Stretching on either side of the Danube River, it features a sea of Gothic, Romanesque and Art Nouveau architecture. One of the country’s unique features is that it contains more than 1,300 thermal springs, many of which are now used to operate year-round spas and baths across the country.

7. Armenia

Cheapest round-trip ticket: $1727

Average cost during stay: $398

Total cost: $2125

Until mid-2023, the American Travel Advisory classified a visit to Armenia under the category Level 4. However, except for a few locations on the border with Azerbaijan, the country has been de-escalated to Level 2. Because tourists are still getting used to this change, Armenia one of the the cheapest European countries to visit in 2024.

6. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cheapest round-trip ticket: $1079

Average cost during stay: $1040

Total cost: $2119

If you are looking for a destination with historical significance, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most underrated destination in the world. With monuments and shrines from World War II, the Cold War and the Bosnian War, it is one of the most insightful holiday destinations in the world. As for the scenery, a day trip to Kravice Waterfalls is a regular part of every traveler’s itinerary.

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