Updated 2026
Answer Capsule
Europe is the most expensive continent, but offers unparalleled history, museums, food, and transportation infrastructure. Most RTWers spend 6-8 weeks in Europe with budgets of $80-150+ daily. Slow travel and shoulder seasons help stretch your budget.
Why Europe for RTW
Europe has everything - ancient ruins, medieval cities, world-class museums, incredible food scenes, and getting between countries is easy. It's expensive, but the value is there. Many RTWers visit Europe multiple times during their RTW trip, rotating back through.
Eastern Europe (Budget-Friendly)
Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria are far cheaper than Western Europe. Prague is stunning and cheaper than most Western capitals. Budapest has thermal spas. Warsaw and Krakow are underrated. Poland especially offers great value - $40-70 daily for budget travelers. These countries are less touristy and feel more real.
Western Europe (Expensive)
France, Italy, Spain, UK - these are the dream destinations and priced accordingly. Paris and London expect $120-180+ daily. Small towns and southern Spain are cheaper ($70-100). Greece is affordable-ish ($60-100 daily). The south (Spain, Greece, Portugal) is pricier than Eastern Europe but cheaper than France/UK.
Northern Europe (Very Expensive)
Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) and Switzerland are beautiful but brutal on the budget. Expect $120-200+ daily. If your budget is tight, skip Scandinavia. Iceland is dramatic but very expensive. The German/Netherlands region is middle ground ($80-120).
Cities vs. Villages
Stay in smaller towns and villages where possible - accommodation is cheaper and more authentic. Take trains between cities rather than flying (trains are fast and scenic in Europe). Use rail passes if you're hitting multiple countries.
Getting Around Europe
Rail infrastructure is excellent. A Eurail pass ($800-1,500 for 3+ weeks) makes sense if you're hitting many countries. Otherwise, budget airlines (Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz) are $20-80 for regional flights. Buses (FlixBus) are cheapest but slow. Overnight trains save accommodation costs.
What NOT to Do
Don't feel obligated to see every famous landmark. You'll exhaust yourself and your budget. Pick 3-4 countries and explore them properly rather than rushing through 10 countries in 6 weeks.
Don't visit Western Europe's biggest cities without understanding the cost. Rome, Paris, London, and Barcelona are touristy and expensive. You get better value in smaller towns and Eastern Europe.
Don't skip Europe because it's expensive. Go slower, stay longer in cheaper regions, and adjust your budget. You can RTW through Europe on $50-60 daily if you're careful.
The Bottom Line
Europe is expensive but incredible. Most RTWers spend 6-10 weeks here. Focus on 3-4 countries, slow down, use public transit, and embrace small towns. Consider visiting Europe earlier in your trip when you have more budget cushion, or later when you're ready for comfort. Shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) are ideal - weather is good, crowds are lower, and prices drop slightly.