This article covers Best Budget Backpacking Trips Across Europe from India that represent a blend of affordable culture, history, and scenery.
From Portugal offers beautiful beaches to the landscape of Montenegro, affordable hostels, local meals, and transportation make these countries a backpackers dream. This is a guide for any Indian traveler to Europe who wishes to explore on a budget.
Key Points & Best Budget Backpacking Trips Across Europe from India
| Destination | Key Highlights |
|---|---|
| Portugal | Affordable coastal towns, rich history, great food, and low-cost public transport. |
| Greece | Budget-friendly islands, ancient ruins, and cheap hostels in Athens and Thessaloniki. |
| Hungary | Budapest offers thermal baths, vibrant nightlife, and inexpensive accommodations. |
| Czech Republic | Prague’s architecture, beer culture, and low-cost travel make it a backpacker’s dream. |
| Poland | Krakow and Warsaw offer history, hearty cuisine, and budget hostels. |
| Romania | Explore castles, Carpathian Mountains, and medieval towns on a shoestring budget. |
| Slovakia | Natural beauty, hiking trails, and charming towns with low travel costs. |
| Bulgaria | Black Sea beaches, mountain villages, and cheap food and lodging. |
| Albania | Underrated gem with stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and low tourist costs. |
| Montenegro | Scenic Adriatic coast, national parks, and affordable travel options |
10 Best Budget Backpacking Trips Across Europe from India
1. Portugal
Portugal features beautiful coasts and rich history and culture for little money. Lisbon is very welcoming for backpackers due to its inexpensive hostels and its beautiful streets and famous streetcars.

Those on a budget will be drawn to Porto for its stunning riverside setting and wine cellars, and inexpensive bridge viewing and walking. Public transportation is inexpensive, and pastelarias, or little cafes, proliferate offering budget food.
The Algarve is a good destination for budget backpackers with its beautiful beaches, and Sintra has inexpensive palaces. Portugal is very affordable, offering a rich mix of history, stunning nature, and culture.
| Famous Things | Description |
|---|---|
| Lisbon Trams | Iconic yellow trams that take you through historic neighborhoods. |
| Belem Tower | UNESCO World Heritage site, symbol of Portugal’s maritime history. |
| Porto Wine Cellars | Sample world-famous port wine in scenic riverside cellars. |
| Algarve Beaches | Stunning coastline with cliffs, caves, and budget-friendly hostels. |
| Fado Music | Traditional Portuguese music, often enjoyed in affordable local bars. |
2. Greece
Greece welcomes backpackers by offering historical sites, stunning beaches, and lively nightlife for a great price all year. For budget travelers, Athens’ ancient ruins and cheap hostels make it even more appealing.
All ferries to the islands and Crete, Naxos, and Santorini are cheap and meals at local tavernas average low cost.

Daily expenses are greatly offset by street food and local markets. Wander the walking tours and visit the many free beaches to make the cost of walking tours even more. Seasonal flights are provided for backpackers from India.
They also use budget airlines to island hop and city hop. Greece remains the best option for a low cost backpacking trip all throughout Europe for the beautiful Mediterranean weather and ancient historic sites.
| Famous Things | Description |
|---|---|
| Acropolis, Athens | Ancient citadel with the Parthenon, central to Greek history. |
| Santorini | Picturesque island with blue-domed churches and sunsets. |
| Greek Islands | Crete, Naxos, Mykonos – ideal for budget ferry travel and beaches. |
| Street Food | Souvlaki, gyros, and baklava at affordable prices. |
| Meteora Monasteries | Monasteries perched on rock pillars offering breathtaking views. |
3. Hungary
Hungary, and especially the city of Budapest, is a great destination for people traveling on a budget. The city boasts thermal baths and historic castles, as well as entertainment at a low price via the famous ruin pubs.
Budapest also has affordable hostels that provide free walking tours and community meals, as well as a cheap and efficient public transport system for getting to and from the city.

The Danube River and Buda Hills are two of the scenic spots that transport will take you to. You can also get to many good cheap eats like Goulash and street food.
Budget flights from India into Budapest make it cheap to enter central Europe. Still, the best option remains Budapest itself, as it is relaxing and is a great combination of history and nightlife.
| Famous Things | Description |
|---|---|
| Budapest Thermal Baths | Famous baths like Széchenyi, relaxing and affordable. |
| Buda Castle | Historic castle with museums and panoramic city views. |
| Ruin Pubs | Unique nightlife experience in abandoned buildings. |
| Danube River | Scenic boat rides and riverside walks. |
| Hungarian Cuisine | Goulash and chimney cake, cheap and delicious. |
4. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is ideal for budget backpacking, especially for those heading to the beautiful city of Prague. The city is populated with beautiful architecture, historical squares, and inexpensive beer.
There is no shortage of reasonably priced hostels and guesthouses. There are lots of free activities to help reduce costs, including walking tours, the Charles Bridge, and the Old Town Square.

The intercity buses and train services are highly affordable to Český Krumlov and Kutná Hora. Czech food like goulash, and the plethora of dumplings, is filling and inexpensive.
Cheap flights with layovers from India, and the mixture of medieval charm, rich culture, and inexpensive offerings, backpackers looking for a more economical option choose the Czech Republic without a second thought.
| Famous Things | Description |
|---|---|
| Prague Castle | Massive castle complex with Gothic architecture. |
| Charles Bridge | Iconic historic bridge connecting Old Town and Lesser Town. |
| Old Town Square | Famous for Astronomical Clock and medieval streets. |
| Český Krumlov | Charming UNESCO town with castles and cobbled streets. |
| Czech Beer | World-famous beer culture, very affordable for travelers. |
5. Poland
Combining history, culture, and affordability is what Poland shows, making it a destination for budget travelers.
Explore Krakow’s medieval streets, Wawel castel, and cheap hostels for a backpacker-friendly city. and cheap hostels for a backpacker-friendly city.
Buy a cheap ticket and visit Warsaw Museums, for cheap entrance, and enjoy the parks and take food in the street markets.

Public transport at street food like pierogi makes dinning for the whole family cheap. Other than that, Poland also offers cheap gorgeous natures, like Tatra mountains and Masurian lakes. backpacker flights from Immigration ads to major cities.
For its history, Poland is the most cheap and rich in culture and food in all of Europe. Poland is also rich in culture and value, and is defently a place to visit in Europe for any traveler.
| Famous Things | Description |
|---|---|
| Krakow Old Town | Historic square, Wawel Castle, and vibrant street life. |
| Auschwitz-Birkenau | Museum and memorial of historical significance. |
| Warsaw | Modern city with parks, museums, and affordable attractions. |
| Tatra Mountains | Hiking, adventure, and scenic nature for low budgets. |
| Polish Cuisine | Pierogi, zapiekanka, and local street food. |
6. Romania
Romania also has medieval and history like Poland. With its nature, scenery and roads, it attracts low-cost travelers. Budget and cheap hostels offer good value.
Romania also makes cheap hostels and budget transport. With cheap and easy transport, rest is also easy and cheap.

All Romanian food is cheap and tastes good. Romania also offers cheap folk towns. Backackers from Immigration ads and budget flights from different cities visa.
Romania also offers rich historic towns. For cheap, it offers a good amount of nature and folk history.
| Famous Things | Description |
|---|---|
| Bran Castle | “Dracula Castle” in Transylvania, historic and scenic. |
| Bucharest | Parliament Palace and Old Town with budget-friendly attractions. |
| Transylvania | Medieval towns like Brasov and Sibiu. |
| Carpathian Mountains | Affordable trekking and natural beauty. |
| Romanian Cuisine | Sarmale, mici, and hearty local meals at low cost. |
7. Slovakia
Slovakia remains one of the best unexplored countries for affordable backpacking and appreciating the beauty of nature.
The capital, Bratislava, has beautiful old cobbled streets, a castle, and inexpensive hostels, and the High Tatras are a short distance away.
The Tatras are incredible, there are a wide of adventures and hikes for breathtaking views, and priced minimally. You can dine and sample traditional Slovak cuisine, like bryndzové halušky, without spending a lot.

Slovakia has affordable and efficient public transport and less tourists. Slovakia is perfect for backpackers looking for tranquility, especially those coming from India, who can take budget flights to Bratislava or Vienna.
You can enjoy the culture and beauty of Slovakia for a low cost, which is a perfect option for backpackers looking for something different in Europe.
| Famous Things | Description |
|---|---|
| Bratislava Old Town | Charming streets, castles, and budget hostels. |
| High Tatras | Mountains for hiking and adventure at minimal cost. |
| Orava Castle | One of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia. |
| Slovak Folk Culture | Traditional villages and festivals. |
| Slovak Cuisine | Bryndzové halušky, inexpensive and delicious local dish. |
8. Bulgaria
As one of Europe’s most budget-friendly destinations, Bulgaria boasts mountains, beaches, and historic towns.
For backpackers, Sofia’s churches and museums, along with its budget hostels, are quite enticing. The Black Sea coast, especially Varna and Burgas, features beautiful beaches and affordable accommodations.
In winter, the Rila and Pirin mountains are great for low-cost and rewarding hiking. The Bulgarian cuisine is abundant and cheap, from banitsa to kebapche.

The local transport system is cheap and well connected, making access to cities and tourist sites simple.
For backpackers from India, Bulgaria is reachable by one-stop flights. For low-budget backpackers trying to traverse Europe, Bulgaria’s culture, history and stunning nature is perfect.
| Famous Things | Description |
|---|---|
| Sofia | Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and museums. |
| Black Sea Coast | Sunny beaches with cheap stays in Varna and Burgas. |
| Rila Monastery | UNESCO heritage site surrounded by mountains. |
| Plovdiv | Ancient Roman theaters and cultural streets. |
| Bulgarian Food | Banitsa, kebapche, and fresh markets. |
9. Albania
Albania is an emerging European gem, known for pristine beaches, mountains, and low prices. Tirana offers colorful streets, museums, and budget hostels.
The Albanian Riviera, including Saranda and Himara, features beautiful beaches with inexpensive accommodation.
Hiking in the Accursed Mountains is an adventurous yet affordable experience. Local cuisine, like byrek and seafood, is flavorful and cheap.

Public transport and buses are cost-effective for exploring the country. Backpackers from India can reach Albania via flights with stopovers in European hubs.
Albania provides a mix of Mediterranean charm, natural landscapes, and historic sites, making it perfect for a low-cost, memorable backpacking journey.
| Famous Things | Description |
|---|---|
| Tirana | Colorful streets, museums, and affordable hostels. |
| Albanian Riviera | Beautiful beaches like Saranda and Himara. |
| Accursed Mountains | Scenic hiking and adventure for backpackers. |
| Berat | UNESCO city with Ottoman-era architecture. |
| Albanian Cuisine | Byrek, seafood, and cheap local meals. |
10. Montenegro
Visiting Montenegro is an experience to consider. Montenegro has beautiful views. It is perfect for budget backpackers. You can walk and savor the bay and old town of Kotor.
There are beaches and budget hostels at Budva and Sveti Stefan. You can hike the beautiful and inexpensive mountain and lake trails of Durmitor National Park.
Eat in local restaraurs which offer mouth watering Balkan cuisine at reasonable prices. Ideal for backpackers as Montenegro has a mix of public transport and inexpensive to free public acess to major towns and features.

Indian backpackers can catch flights to Podgorica or Tirana as a nest to reach Montenegro.
With a mix of mountain, historic towns and Adriatic coastline, Montenegro is perfect for backpackers to offer adventure and relaxation at an affordable price.
| Famous Things | Description |
|---|---|
| Kotor Old Town | Medieval architecture and UNESCO bay views. |
| Budva | Beaches, nightlife, and budget hostels. |
| Durmitor National Park | Hiking, mountains, and lakes for adventure. |
| Sveti Stefan | Small historic islet with photogenic scenery. |
| Balkan Cuisine | Local dishes at affordable prices for travelers. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Europe provides fantastic opportunities for Indian budget backpackers without sacrificing any historic, cultural, or scenic marvels for the budget-politically minded.
Each destination, from the Algarve to the Montenegrin mountains, has its own character, scenic landscapes, affordable accommodations, and local gastronomy.
Thoughtfulness in Europe pays dividends, allowing explorers to walk through the invited many Europe worth is steps in the adventure, spirited cities, and the “secret” places down a budget.
FAQ
Which European countries are best for budget backpacking from India?
Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Albania, and Montenegro.
What is the average daily budget for backpackers?
Around €30–50 per day, including hostels, food, and local transport.
Which cities offer the cheapest accommodations?
Cities like Budapest, Krakow, Sofia, Tirana, and Porto have affordable hostels and guesthouses.
Are budget flights available from India to Europe?
Yes, with layovers in major hubs like Dubai, Istanbul, or Doha.
What are the must-visit attractions on a budget?
Prague Castle, Santorini beaches, Bran Castle, Kotor Old Town, and Algarve beaches.
