10-Day Shoestring Budget Trip to Europe

  • Day 1: London, UK
    Travel from Heathrow Airport
    Estimated Time: 1 hour | Estimated Cost: $15

    Start your trip in London at the iconic Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Keep walking to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guards. End your day at Piccadilly Circus for some cheap eats and a bustling atmosphere.

  • Day 2: Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Travel via train from London to Amsterdam
    Estimated Time: 4 hours | Estimated Cost: $40

    Visit the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum for an art-filled day. Take a walk through the Jordaan District, famous for boutique shops, canals, and incredible street art.

  • Day 3: Paris, France
    Travel via train from Amsterdam to Paris
    Estimated Time: 3.5 hours | Estimated Cost: $30

    Start your day early and head straight to the Eiffel Tower for stunning views of the city. Keep walking to the Champs-Élysées for some cheap eats and shopping. End the day at Montmartre to see the beautiful Basilica of Sacre Coeur.

  • Day 4: Rome, Italy
    Travel via plane from Paris to Rome
    Estimated Time: 3 hours | Estimated Cost: $50

    Start with a visit to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Have lunch at Campo de' Fiori, a popular outdoor market in the city. End your day at the Trevi Fountain, famous for tossing coins and making wishes.

  • Day 5: Florence, Italy
    Travel via train from Rome to Florence
    Estimated Time: 2 hours | Estimated Cost: $20

    Visit the Il Duomo di Firenze, the jewel of Florence. Head to Piazza Signoria for some street performances and shopping. End the day at Ponte Vecchio, a beautiful bridge with stunning views of the city.

  • Day 6: Venice, Italy
    Travel via train from Florence to Venice
    Estimated Time: 2 hours | Estimated Cost: $20

    Start by taking a gondola ride through the Grand Canal and enjoy the beautiful buildings and scenery. Visit the iconic Rialto Bridge and have some cheap eats at the Mercati di Rialto. End your day with a visit to St. Mark's Basilica.

  • Day 7: Vienna, Austria
    Travel via train from Venice to Vienna
    Estimated Time: 7 hours | Estimated Cost: $50

    Start with a visit to the impressive Schönbrunn Palace and stroll through the beautiful gardens. Have lunch at Nashmarkt, Vienna's largest food market. End your day with a visit to the Belvedere Palace.

  • Day 8: Prague, Czech Republic
    Travel via train from Vienna to Prague
    Estimated Time: 4.5 hours | Estimated Cost: $40

    Start with a visit to the Old Town Square and the beautiful Astronomical Clock. Climb up to the Prague Castle for stunning views of the city. End your day with a visit to the famous Charles Bridge.

  • Day 9: Berlin, Germany
    Travel via train from Prague to Berlin
    Estimated Time: 4 hours | Estimated Cost: $30

    Start by visiting the iconic Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Building. Have lunch at Markthalle Neun, Berlin's popular food market. End your day at Museum Island, a set of five internationally recognized museums.

  • Day 10: Copenhagen, Denmark
    Travel via plane from Berlin to Copenhagen
    Estimated Time: 1.5 hours | Estimated Cost: $50

    Start by taking a canal tour and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Visit the famous Little Mermaid Statue and stroll through Nyhavn for some cheap eats and souvenir shopping. End your day at the beautiful Rosenborg Castle.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Big Ben (1 hour, Free)
  • Rijksmuseum (2 hours, $20)
  • Eiffel Tower (2 hours, $25)
  • Colosseum (2 hours, $15)
  • Il Duomo di Firenze (2 hours, Free)
  • Rialto Bridge (1 hour, Free)
  • Schönbrunn Palace (2 hours, $25)
  • Prague Castle (2 hours, $25)
  • Brandenburg Gate (1 hour, Free)
  • Rosenborg Castle (2 hours, $15)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $170

Transportation

Traveling around Europe by train is the most cost-effective and efficient way to travel. Book in advance and use comparison sites to get the best deals. Consider taking a budget airline for long distances. If traveling by taxi, pre-arrange prices to avoid being overcharged.

Useful tips

If you have more time, consider visiting other popular destinations like Barcelona, Madrid, or Zurich. If you have less time, consider skipping Vienna, as it requires a longer train ride. Keep in mind that summer is peak tourist season, so expenses might be higher.

Airports

Europe has many international airports, but some of the most popular ones include Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London, Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris, and Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome. Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is located just 8 km from Copenhagen city center.

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