15 Days in Europe on a Shoestring Budget

  • Day 1: London, England
    Start at Heathrow Airport (LHR)

    Start your trip by exploring the famous landmarks of London. Visit Big Ben and Parliament, take a ride on the iconic London Eye, and stroll through Trafalgar Square. End the day with a visit to the National Gallery.

  • Day 2: Paris, France
    By train from St. Pancras International Station (2.5 hours)

    Take in the sights and sounds of Paris. Visit the famous Eiffel Tower, see the Notre Dame Cathedral, and stroll down the famous Champs-Élysées. End the day with a visit to the Louvre Museum.

  • Day 3: Brussels, Belgium
    By train from Paris Nord Station (1.5 hours)

    Visit the heart of the European Union with a day in Brussels. Taste some of the world's best chocolate, see the famous Atomium, and walk through Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.

  • Day 4: Amsterdam, Netherlands
    By train from Brussels Midi Station (2 hours)

    Spend the day exploring Amsterdam. Visit the Anne Frank House, stroll through the colorful neighborhoods of the Jordaan, and take a canal boat ride to see the city from a different perspective.

  • Day 5: Berlin, Germany
    By train from Amsterdam Centraal Station (6 hours)

    Explore the city that shaped modern Europe. Visit the famous Brandenburg Gate, see the remnants of the Berlin Wall at Checkpoint Charlie, and walk through the beautiful gardens of Charlottenburg Palace.

  • Day 6: Prague, Czech Republic
    By train from Berlin Hbf Station (4.5 hours)

    Enjoy the beautiful architecture of Prague. Visit Prague Castle, see the stunning Charles Bridge, and walk through the historic Old Town Square.

  • Day 7: Vienna, Austria
    By train from Prague Hlavní Nádraží Station (4.5 hours)

    One of Europe's most beautiful cities, Vienna has much to offer. Stroll through the Hofburg Palace, see the St. Stephen's Cathedral, and visit the Museum of Natural History.

  • Day 8: Budapest, Hungary
    By train from Vienna Hauptbahnhof Station (2.5 hours)

    Visit one of Europe's most beautiful cities, Budapest. Relax in one of the city's famous thermal baths, take in the stunning Buda Castle, and walk across the famous Chain Bridge.

  • Day 9: Venice, Italy
    By train from Budapest Keleti Station (7.5 hours)

    Take a gondola ride through the beautiful canals of Venice. Visit the stunning St. Mark's Basilica, walk through the historic Rialto Market, and visit the famous Doge's Palace.

  • Day 10: Rome, Italy
    By train from Venice Santa Lucia Station (3.5 hours)

    Spend a day in Rome, the Eternal City. Visit the stunning Colosseum, see the famous Pantheon, and stroll through the beautiful gardens of Villa Borghese.

  • Day 11: Athens, Greece
    By plane from Rome Fiumicino Airport (2 hours)

    Experience the birthplace of democracy with a day in Athens. Visit the iconic Parthenon, explore the historic Acropolis, and see the ancient Theatre of Dionysus.

  • Day 12: Santorini, Greece
    By ferry from Piraeus Port (5.5 hours)

    Relax on the beautiful island of Santorini. Take in the stunning views of the Caldera, stroll through the beautiful Oia Village, and relax at one of the island's many beaches.

  • Day 13: Barcelona, Spain
    By plane from Santorini Thira International Airport (5 hours)

    Experience the vibrant culture of Barcelona. Visit the stunning Sagrada Familia, stroll through the historic Barri Gotic, and take in the views from Park Güell.

  • Day 14: Madrid, Spain
    By train from Barcelona Sants Station (2.5 hours)

    Visit the capital city of Spain, Madrid. Enjoy the beautiful Plaza Mayor, see the stunning Palacio Real, and visit the famous Prado Museum.

  • Day 15: Lisbon, Portugal
    By plane from Madrid Barajas Airport (1.5 hours)

    End the trip in the beautiful city of Lisbon. Visit the historic Belem Tower, take a ride on the famous Tram 28, and relax at the scenic Parque das Nações.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Big Ben and Parliament (2 hours, free)
  • London Eye (1 hour, £30)
  • National Gallery (2 hours, free)
  • Eiffel Tower (2 hours, €25)
  • Notre Dame Cathedral (1 hour, free)
  • Champs-Élysées (2 hours, free)
  • Louvre Museum (2-3 hours, €17)
  • Atomium (2 hours, €15)
  • Grand Place (1 hour, free)
  • Anne Frank House (1-2 hours, €10)
  • Jordaan (2 hours, free)
  • Berlin Wall at Checkpoint Charlie (1 hour, free)
  • Charlottenburg Palace (2 hours, €17)
  • Prague Castle (2 hours, €13)
  • Charles Bridge (1 hour, free)
  • Hofburg Palace (2 hours, €16)
  • St. Stephen's Cathedral (1 hour, free)
  • Museum of Natural History (2-3 hours, €12)
  • Buda Castle (1 hour, free)
  • Chain Bridge (1 hour, free)
  • St. Mark's Basilica (1-2 hours, €3)
  • Rialto Market (1 hour, free)
  • Doge's Palace (2 hours, €14)
  • Colosseum (2 hours, €16)
  • Pantheon (1 hour, free)
  • Villa Borghese (2 hours, €13)
  • Parthenon (2 hours, €10)
  • Acropolis (2 hours, €20)
  • Theatre of Dionysus (1 hour, €8)
  • Caldera (2 hours, free)
  • Oia Village (2 hours, free)
  • Sagrada Familia (2 hours, €20)
  • Barri Gotic (2 hours, free)
  • Park Güell (2 hours, €10)
  • Plaza Mayor (1 hour, free)
  • Palacio Real (2 hours, €13)
  • Prado Museum (2 hours, €15)
  • Belem Tower (1-2 hours, €6)
  • Tram 28 (1 hour, €3)
  • Parque das Nações (2 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €348

Transportation

Consider purchasing a Eurail pass or booking train tickets in advance to save on travel costs. Flights between destinations can also be affordable if booked in advance. Public transportation is usually the cheapest way to get around cities, with daily or weekly passes available.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding more destinations, such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, or Dubrovnik. If you have less time, consider skipping some of the cities or spending less time in each one. Be sure to research local customs and etiquette before arriving in each destination, as they can differ greatly.

Airports

One of the main airports in this itinerary is Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London, which is located approximately 14 miles west of the city center. Other major airports include Charles De Gaulle (CDG) in Paris, Schiphol (AMS) in Amsterdam, Berlin Tegel (TXL) in Berlin, and Athens International (ATH) in Athens.

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