Affordable Places to Visit in Europe This Fall: 13 Cities for a Vacation Under €100 a Day

In 13 European cities, accommodation, meals, transportation, and entertainment cost no more than €100 per person per day. Learn more about the most affordable destinations for a fall trip and the expenses included in the daily budget

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For a fall trip through Europe, you don’t necessarily have to budget several hundred euros a day. An analysis of vacation costs in 51 popular cities showed that 13 destinations allow you to stay within €100 per person per day, including lodging, meals, public transportation, and sightseeing. Tirana turned out to be the cheapest, with a budget of about €59, while a day in Amsterdam with a similar set of expenses can cost approximately €353. We’ll tell you which cities made the list and exactly what travelers can expect for that amount.

In our previous article, we wrote about 5 European countries that tourists are hardly visiting in 2026.

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How was the cost of a day’s vacation calculated?

British tour operator Thomas Cook analyzed tourist spending in 51 popular European cities. Data was collected from June 11 to 22, 2026, and accommodation costs were checked for trips in early September, after the peak summer season had ended.

The estimated daily budget per person included:

- A night at a three-star hotel

- A quick lunch and dinner at an inexpensive restaurant

- A cup of coffee, water, and local beer

- A one-day bus pass

- An admission ticket to a paid tourist attraction

The room rate was split between two people, so the amounts listed are based on double occupancy. Airfare, airport transfers, insurance, shopping, and other personal expenses were not included in the calculation.

In total, 18 cities allow you to keep daily expenses within €100, but only 13 of them cost no more than €100 per person. Eight destinations from the broader list are capital cities, and Turkey has the most entries—Antalya, Istanbul, and Muğla are featured in the ranking.

Learn more about the 10 most beautiful places in the Balkans for a budget vacation by following the link.

13 European Cities on a Budget of Up to €100 a Day

The top five in the ranking include the capitals of Albania, Romania, Poland, and Turkey, as well as the resort city of Antalya. The difference between the cheapest and the fifth-cheapest destination is €23 per day, or €115 for a five-day trip.

1. Tirana, Albania – €59 per day

Tirana is the most affordable city on the list. A night in a three-star hotel costs an average of about €32 per person, dinner at an inexpensive restaurant is €8.50, and a local beer is approximately €1.50. The average admission fee for a paid attraction is only about €4.

Most of the city center can be explored on foot: Skanderbeg Square, the New Bazaar, the Bloku district, and the park by the artificial lake.

In the fall, the weather becomes more comfortable for city walks, and you can spend the money you save on a day trip to Kruj or the Adriatic coast.

2. Bucharest, Romania – €66 per day

Romania’s capital is only €7 more expensive than Tirana. You can find lunch for about €6, dinner at an inexpensive restaurant will cost a little over €12, and a one-day bus pass is approximately €1.50. This is the lowest cost for a one-day bus pass among the cities included in the study.

You can add a stroll through the Old Town, Victory Avenue, and Cismigiu and King Michael I Parks to your free itinerary. The main additional expenses will be tours of the Palace of Parliament and museums, so it’s best to book tickets for those separately.

3. Antalya, Turkey – €78 per day

Antalya combines the prices of a budget city destination with the opportunity to extend the beach season. Food and drinks cost an average of about €19 per day, and a bottle of water costs approximately €0.40. In September and early October, it’s still warm here, but the heat and the number of tourists are gradually decreasing.

You can explore the old town of Kaleiçi, Hadrian’s Gate, the Old Harbor, and Karaalioglu Park for free. Trips to the Düden Waterfalls, ancient Perge, and other attractions outside the city center will require a separate budget.

In our previous article, we wrote about the TOP 5 uncrowded Mediterranean resorts where you can relax without lines or noise.

4. Warsaw, Poland – €78 per day

Warsaw tied for third place with Antalya, although it offers a completely different kind of fall getaway. For €78 a day, you can cover accommodation, basic meals, public transportation, and admission to one paid attraction. Affordable groceries and an extensive public transportation network help keep costs down.

The Old Town, the Royal Route, the Vistula River embankment, Saxon Garden, and Łazienki Park are all free to visit. Costs will rise if you add a few major museums to your itinerary, so it’s worth checking their free admission days before your trip.

5. Istanbul, Turkey – €82 per day

Istanbul has the cheapest accommodations among all 51 cities analyzed: a night in a three-star hotel costs about €24, or roughly €28 per person. An inexpensive lunch or dinner can be found for €8–9. At the same time, the average admission ticket to a paid attraction is €22, so a packed museum itinerary will quickly drive up costs.

The city makes up for this with 15 free attractions—the highest number among the destinations analyzed. You can visit the Grand Bazaar, Sultanahmet Square, mosques, and the Bosphorus waterfront without a ticket. For trips between the European and Asian sides, it’s more cost-effective to use public ferries rather than tourist cruises.

6. Muğla, Turkey – €87 per day

Muğla has the lowest food costs among all the destinations analyzed.

Lunch here costs about €6, dinner starts at €5, and the total cost of food and drinks throughout the day is around €16. A bottle of water at a store will cost approximately €0.40.

This refers specifically to the city of Muğla, not the entire province of the same name, which includes the resorts of Bodrum, Marmaris, and Fethiye. The historic center is known for its traditional houses, narrow streets, old bazaar, and clock tower. Trips to the coast and the Blue Lagoon in Oludeniz will require additional transportation costs and are not included in the basic daily budget.

7. Kraków, Poland – €87 per day

Kraków is €9 more expensive than Warsaw but remains one of the most affordable cultural destinations in Central Europe. With the stated budget, a tourist can cover the cost of a three-star hotel, basic meals, transportation, and one paid attraction.

The Main Square, the Kazimierz district, the Vistula River embankment, and the area around Wawel Castle are free to visit. Excursions to the Wieliczka Salt Mine or the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Complex can significantly increase expenses, as they involve separate travel costs and often require advance booking.

8. Vilnius, Lithuania – €90 per day

Vilnius ranked eighth in affordability and second in a separate value-for-money ranking, scoring 7.3 out of 10. The city allows you to combine relatively inexpensive accommodations with a packed itinerary without significant transportation costs.

Vilnius’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well-suited for walking tours. You can explore the Užupis neighborhood, Bernardine Garden, and Cathedral Square for free, and hike up to the Three Crosses. In the fall, it’s worth adding a little extra to your daily budget for a raincoat or public transportation in cooler weather.

Learn more about the 10 safest islands in the world in 2026 by following the link.

9. Frankfurt, Germany – €90 per day

Frankfurt has become one of the most unexpected entries on this list, as Germany’s major business hubs are rarely associated with budget travel. You can stay within the €90 limit thanks to affordable lodging options and supermarket groceries, though dining out quickly drives up your total expenses.

You can plan a free itinerary around Remerberg Square, the Main River promenade, the restored Old Town, and the financial district with its skyscrapers. The ranking does not take into account dates of major trade shows and conferences, during which hotel prices in Frankfurt can rise significantly.

10. Lyon, France – €91 per day

Lyon proves that a budget of up to €100 is possible not only in Eastern Europe or Turkey. The city ranked tenth with estimated expenses of €91 per person, but to stay within this budget, you’ll need to choose affordable accommodations and avoid planning multiple paid attractions in a single day.

Old Lyon, Place Bellecour, the banks of the Rhône and Saône rivers, and Tête d’Or Park can all be visited for free.

You should add the price of a funicular ticket to your basic expenses if your itinerary includes a trip up to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Fall is particularly convenient for exploring the city on foot, as the main neighborhoods are relatively compact.

11. Tallinn, Estonia – €93 per day

Tallinn ranked as the most affordable northern destination in the survey. An estimated €93 covers lodging, basic meals, public transportation, and admission to one paid attraction. The compact layout of the city center allows you to save somewhat on transportation costs.

Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Town Hall Square, Katarina Lane, the city walls, Kadriorg Park, and the Toompea observation decks can all be explored for free. In the fall, it’s worth setting aside a small budget for transportation, as wind and rain can make long walks difficult.

12. Heraklion, Greece – €99 per day

Heraklion came very close to the set limit with a result of €99 per day. The main advantage of visiting in the fall is Crete’s long, warm season: in September and early October, you can still combine city tours with a beach vacation.

In Heraklion itself, you can stroll through the old harbor, explore the Venetian fortifications, the Morosini Fountain, and Lions’ Square—all for free. Visiting the Palace of Knossos, the Archaeological Museum, and beaches outside the city will require additional expenses. With a daily budget of €99, it’s better to spread these visits over different days rather than try to cover them all in a single trip.

13. Porto, Portugal – €100 per day

Porto rounds out the ranking, fitting perfectly within the €100 per person limit. The city also ranked tenth for value for money and scored among the highest for the affordability of food and drinks. A cup of coffee here costs an average of about €2.

A free walking tour can take you to São Bento Station, the Ribeira waterfront, the Luís I Bridge, Bolhão Market, and the views from the Vila Nova de Gaia neighborhood. Given the steep streets, it can be difficult to completely do without public transportation. Port wine tastings, a cruise on the Douro River, and visits to popular attractions aren’t included in the basic budget and can easily push daily expenses above €100.

Learn more about the TOP 10 budget-friendly alternatives to the Maldives that will surprise even seasoned travelersby following the link.

What are the biggest differences in costs between cities?

A low total cost doesn’t mean that all aspects of the trip are equally inexpensive. In one city, the biggest savings come from the hotel; in another, from food, transportation, or free attractions.

The cheapest three-star hotels were found in Istanbul—about €24 per person per night. In Tirana and Bucharest, accommodation costs approximately €28.

By comparison, the average price of a hotel room in the United Kingdom is €142—more than five times as expensive.

Turkish cities lead the way in food costs. In Muğla, a daily package including two meals, coffee, water, and local beer costs about €16, while in Antalya it’s €19. The cheapest dinner was estimated at €5, and lunch at €6.

You can also save significantly on transportation and entertainment:

- 14 out of 18 cities offer day passes for less than €100;

- The most affordable pass costs €1.30 in Bucharest;

- In other cities, a day pass generally does not exceed €7;

- In nine destinations, the average admission fee to a tourist attraction is less than €10;

- Istanbul has the most free tourist attractions—15.

Therefore, travelers with a packed sightseeing itinerary would be better off considering not only a city’s overall ranking but also ticket prices. For a more leisurely trip with plenty of walking, however, accommodation and food costs will play a key role.

In our previous article, we discussed where to go in the summer without the heat: 4 cool European destinations.

How can you stay within your budget?

The amounts in the ranking serve as a guideline for a trip in early September, not a guaranteed fixed price. Actual expenses depend on the dates, neighborhood, meal plan, and the number of paid attractions on the itinerary.

To stay within the €59–100 per day range, you need to consider a few details:

1. Book a room for two. The cost of a three-star hotel in the ranking is split between two guests. For single occupancy, the daily budget will be higher.

2. Check the events calendar. Exhibitions, festivals, concerts, and sports matches can cause hotel prices to spike, especially in Frankfurt, Warsaw, and Porto.

3. Confirm whether breakfast is included. The estimate covers a quick lunch and an inexpensive dinner but does not include the cost of breakfast.

4. Plan one paid attraction per day. Several museums, a guided tour, or a sightseeing cruise can add tens of euros to your expenses.

5. Calculate travel costs separately. Airfare, intercity travel, and airport transfers are not included in the daily budget.

6. Set aside a 10–15% buffer. Prices were collected in June 2026, so exchange rates and rates for hotels, restaurants, and transportation providers may change.

It’s safest to treat the stated amounts as a minimum baseline budget. For example, for Porto or Heraklion, which are close to the €100 limit, it’s wise to plan for at least €110–115 per day. In Tirana or Bucharest, you can build in a buffer without even increasing the total limit to €100.

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We remind you! Popular tourist destinations can be a trap. We have already told you which 8 places in the world Fodor’s advises to avoid in 2026 due to overtourism, environmental risks and social tension – and what alternatives to choose instead.