Europe does not have to mean expensive capital cities and peak-season Mediterranean resorts.
Looking at total trip cost rather than flights alone can reveal destinations where accommodation, food and local transport offer better value.
Plan your budget
How much will your trip cost?
Build a personalised estimate for flights, accommodation, food, transport, activities and other major travel costs.
Calculate My Trip →How much should you budget?
The cheapest trip is not necessarily the destination with the cheapest flight. Compare accommodation and daily spending for the full length of the holiday.
Your final cost will depend on travel dates, booking time, accommodation standard and the experiences you choose. Treat estimated figures as a planning guide and compare live prices before booking.
Accommodation costs
Secondary cities and destinations outside the busiest tourist centres can often provide stronger accommodation value.
Location can make a major difference, so compare the total value of staying centrally with the cost of travelling in from cheaper areas.
Food and drink
Local cafés, bakeries, markets and casual restaurants can make a major difference to a week-long budget.
A useful approach is to mix inexpensive everyday meals with a smaller number of restaurants or experiences you particularly want to try.
Getting around
Walkable cities and affordable public transport reduce the need for taxis or car hire and can materially lower the total.
Remember to include airport transfers and any longer journeys or day trips rather than budgeting only for short local transport.
Activities and experiences
Destinations with strong free sightseeing, historic centres, beaches or hiking can provide plenty to do without paying for an attraction every day.
List your must-do experiences before travelling so that attraction and tour costs do not become an unexpected addition to your budget.
How to keep the trip cost down
Compare several destinations using the same dates and trip length so you can judge the whole-trip cost rather than one attractive headline fare.
You can also use the Mystique Getaways travel cost calculator to create a starting estimate for your own route, trip length and travel style.
Frequently asked questions
Planning your trip
Is this destination expensive?
It can suit different budgets, but the biggest variables are usually flights, accommodation, season and travel style. Planning those costs first gives you a much clearer idea of the total trip price.
How much spending money should I take?
That depends on what you have already paid for. Build a daily allowance for food, local transport and activities, then add a buffer for optional purchases and unexpected costs.
How can I get better value?
Compare dates, accommodation areas and transport options before booking. Shoulder periods can sometimes offer a better balance of price, weather and crowds than peak dates.