Backpacking in Europe - statistics & facts

Europe is home to a wide variety of cultures, languages, and landscapes contained in a (relatively) compact space. This, combined with the fact that its countries often have traveler-friendly public transport systems, has made it a prime destination for backpackers from all over the world. Backpacking is typically defined as a low-cost form of travel which includes carrying all required possessions in a backpack and staying in budget accommodation. While Europe is popular among global backpackers, only one European country appeared in the list of the most affordable backpacking cities worldwide in 2022, with the majority of the list comprising of cities in Asia.

What are the cheapest cities in Europe?

While there may not be many European cities in the global ranking, that does not mean there are not affordable city destinations on the continent. In 2023, the cheapest cities in Europe for backpackers were indexed by taking into account the price of the cheapest bunk in the least expensive hostel, two public transport rides, one paid/famous attraction, three budget meals per day, and three cheap, local beverages. Most cities that made the index were based in Eastern Europe, yet a Central European city, Budapest in Hungary, took the top spot in the ranking. Meanwhile, when looking at the cheapest cities in Europe based on average daily cost in 2022, Athens, Greece was the most affordable at 207.2 British pounds. In contrast, the most expensive European city for backpackers was Zurich in Switzerland.

How do backpackers budget their trips?

One of the biggest money savers on a trip is staying in budget accommodation, which can include options like hostels, short-term rentals, and couch surfing. In recent years, home-sharing platform Airbnb has become a popular choice for booking budget lodgings. The total nights and experiences booked on Airbnb saw steady growth up until the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, However, despite this dip, figures reached pre-pandemic levels again in 2022, with 393.7 million bookings worldwide. Another way to cut costs when backpacking in Europe is by traveling with public transport. One of the more popular public transport tickets used by backpackers in Europe is sold by Interrail. The Interrail Global Pass allows unlimited rail travel in (and between) the 33 participating countries. As of July 2023, the most expensive Interrail Global Pass was the three-month pass at 947 euros. Meanwhile, for non-European residents, the Eurail Global Pass is available.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Feb 29, 2024

Key insights

Most affordable city for backpacking in Europe, by index score
Sofia, Bulgaria
Cheapest city in Europe, by daily travel cost
Lisbon, Portugal
Most expensive city for backpacking in Europe, by index score
Zurich, Switzerland
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Most affordable cities for backpacking worldwide as of June 2022, by daily price (in U.S. dollars)

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