12-Day Europe Itinerary on a Shoestring Budget

  • Day 1: London, England
    Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours

    Start your trip in London, one of the world's top tourist destinations. Walk around Covent Garden, visit the British Museum, and take the Thames River Cruise to see the iconic Tower Bridge.

  • Day 2: Paris, France
    Estimated Travel Time: 2.5 hours

    Take the Eurostar to Paris and explore the City of Love. Visit the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Palace of Versailles.

  • Day 3: Brussels, Belgium
    Estimated Travel Time: 1.5 hours

    Brussels is famous for its waffles, chocolates, and beers. Visit Atomium, Manneken Pis, and the Grand Place.

  • Day 4: Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours

    Explore Amsterdam by bike and visit Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and the Rijksmuseum.

  • Day 5: Berlin, Germany
    Estimated Travel Time: 6 hours

    Visit the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and Checkpoint Charlie. Sample delicious German sausages and beers.

  • Day 6: Vienna, Austria
    Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours

    Vienna is known for its classical music, art, and architecture. Go to the State Opera House, Schönbrunn Palace, and the Naschmarkt.

  • Day 7: Venice, Italy
    Estimated Travel Time: 7 hours

    Take a gondola ride in the Grand Canal, visit Saint Mark's Square, and try some delicious Italian gelato along the way.

  • Day 8: Florence, Italy
    Estimated Travel Time: 2 hours

    Visit the Uffizi Gallery, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and the Ponte Vecchio.

  • Day 9: Rome, Italy
    Estimated Travel Time: 2 hours

    Explore the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. Don't forget to try some authentic Italian pizza and pasta.

  • Day 10: Barcelona, Spain
    Estimated Travel Time: 2.5 hours

    Enjoy the colorful city of Barcelona by visiting Park Guell, La Sagrada Familia, and Las Ramblas. Sample delicious tapas and sangria along the way.

  • Day 11: Madrid, Spain
    Estimated Travel Time: 2.5 hours

    Visit the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace of Madrid, and the Puerta del Sol. End your day with some amazing churros and hot chocolate.

  • Day 12: Lisbon, Portugal
    Estimated Travel Time: 6.5 hours

    Explore the historic city of Lisbon by visiting the Belem Tower, the Jeronimos Monastery, and the Alfama district.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • London Eye (30 mins, £27)
  • Palace of Versailles (2-3 hours, €18)
  • Manneken Pis (20 mins, free)
  • Van Gogh Museum (2-3 hours, €19)
  • Anne Frank House (1 hour, €10)
  • Sacher Torte at Hotel Sacher (30 mins, €8)
  • Gondola ride (40 mins, €80)
  • Uffizi Gallery (2-3 hours, €20)
  • Colosseum (2-3 hours, €16)
  • La Sagrada Familia (1-2 hours, €24)
  • Prado Museum (2-3 hours, €15)
  • Belem Tower (1 hour, €6)
  • Total Estimated Costs: £113 / €142

Transportation

When it comes to transportation, Europe has an efficient and affordable train system. Consider purchasing a Eurail Pass or a multi-country train ticket to save money. Budget airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair offer low-cost flights between major cities, but be aware of baggage restrictions and added fees. Local transportation usually requires cash, so be sure to carry coins and small bills. However, walking or biking is often the best way to explore each city.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a day trip to Stonehenge from London or visiting the Swiss Alps from Vienna. For less time, skip Brussels or Lisbon and spend more time in Paris or Rome. When dining out, look for local cafes and restaurants instead of tourist traps.

Airports

The main airports in Europe include Heathrow (LHR) in London, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in Paris, Schiphol (AMS) in Amsterdam, and Frankfurt (FRA) in Germany. Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) in Lisbon and Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) in Madrid are also popular destinations. All major airports have direct connections to major cities and local transportation options such as trains, buses, and taxis.

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