9 Most Expensive European Countries To Visit In 2024

If you’re planning a trip to Europe you must be wondering what the most expensive European countries to visit are.

I traveled to almost every country in Europe at this point, and I’ve lived in 6 different places throughout Europe over the past 5 years. And trust me when I tell you, the living standards throughout the continent vary dramatically. 

If you’re backpacking Europe on a budget, you’ll probably want to keep these countries off of your itinerary or at least adjust your plans and budget for visiting.

On the other hand, you might be curious if your bucket list destination is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to visit, so you start saving money for your next trip.

In that case, let’s jump right in! 

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Most Expensive European Countries To Visit

If you’re generally curious if is Europe expensive to visit, it really depends on which countries are on your itinerary.

Countries on this list are expensive as they have a high cost of living, or it is hard to get around with affordable public transport or find cheap accommodation.

If these countries are on your backpacking Europe itinerary, you’ll want to reevaluate your backpacking Europe budget.

Little disclaimer, the average daily cost is calculated from a backpacker traveler to an average budget-conscious traveler perspective. 

You could easily spend over 500€ a day in all of these places if you wanted to, but I assume that’s not why you’re here, as this is solo female travel on a budget travel blog. 

1. Switzerland

The average daily cost of travel in Switzerland: 70-200€ ($75-220 US)

Despite its stunning outdoors and breathtaking landscapes, Switzerland is not one of the countries to travel to when you’re young and broke. In fact, it is the most expensive country in Europe!

The standard of living in Switzerland is the highest in Europe, everything is expensive, but people are well-paid. It’s good for them, but not helpful if you’re not coming to Switzerland to look for a job. 

The accommodation in Switzerland is okay but pricey. Unlike some other cities on this list, at least you feel like you’re paying for what you get.

Even the scenic train rides around Switzerland are rather costly. The famous Glacier Express will cost you about 200€ full price for a ticket in high season!

Switzerland budgeting tips

If you’re traveling around Switzerland, the best budget hack is to get a rail pass. With a rail pass, you can save a lot on train travel in Switzerland.

Use your hostel kitchen to prepare quick meals so you don’t have to eat out every meal. 

Also, don’t think you’re too old to stay in hostels. All generations of travelers pick hostels over hotels to save money in Switzerland!

2. Iceland

The average daily cost of travel in Iceland: 60-200€ ($66-220 US)

Iceland is one of the countries that are on most people’s travel bucket lists. The Land of Ice and Fire is undoubtedly stunning, with some of the most unique scenery in the world.

Yet, when people are showing breathtaking UNESCO-listed landscape photos of Iceland on social media, nobody tells you how expensive that country truly is. 

Iceland is one of the most expensive countries to visit in Europe!

If budget is not a problem, Iceland is one of the safest countries for solo female travelers. 

When you look at the map, you can see Iceland is a very remote island, closer to Greenland than continental Europe. That means almost everything has to be imported.

It is almost impossible to travel around Iceland without a car, and renting a car as a solo traveler is far from budget-friendly. 

Iceland budgeting tips

The best way to save money in Iceland is to travel in a group. 

Unusual advice from somebody running a solo female travel blog, but if you can split the cost of a rental car and gas, lots of things in Iceland are actually completely free to visit. 

Check out Rentalcars to see the prices of rental vehicles in Iceland!

Use the hostel kitchen to prepare your meals, and even pack little snacks like granola bars from home. 

3. Norway

The average daily cost of travel in Norway: 70-200€ ($75-220 US)

If you’re wondering if is Norway expensive to visit, the answer is yes, it is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. 

Accommodation in Norway is expensive, and so is eating out and public transport. If you want to go to the cinema or theater, it will cost you more than double the price of a ticket in Eastern European countries. 

However, Norway is well-known for its stunning scenery and the unique ability to explore nature with its “right to roam” – It is completely free to hike nearly anywhere you want!

Norway budgeting tips

To save money when traveling in Norway get outside of the cities and spend time in nature. It is free to discover some of the most stunning nature spots throughout the country. 

A fun way to save money on accommodation and transportation at the same time is to rent a camper van and discover Norway’s countryside at your own pace. 

4. Ireland

The average daily cost of travel in Ireland: 65-200€ ($70-220 US)

When you’re looking at cheap flights, Dublin is one of the destinations that often come up as the cheapest to fly to.

However, even if you only pack a personal item and keep the flight price low, Ireland will test your budgeting limits. 

When it comes to expensive cities in Europe, Dublin is often at the top of the list. While the capital city of Dublin is the most expensive in Ireland, the rest of the country is not far behind. 

Depending on the season, you can find a hostel in Ireland for under 40€ a night. Food and drinks costs are pretty stable throughout the year, with average Western European prices.

Ireland budgeting tips

To save money on visiting tourist attractions, consider getting a Heritage card which free access to over 45 heritage sites throughout the country. 

While driving is the best way to see the country, you can get a rail pass for unlimited travel over 4 or 5 days, which cuts down your transportation costs dramatically.  

5. Denmark

The average daily cost of travel in Denmark: 70-200€ ($75-220 US)

You might be surprised to learn that Denmark, together with Ireland, is the most expensive European Union country!

What makes Denmark an expensive country is the prices of eating out, drinking, and getting around. Public transport is reliable and frequent, but it can get quite pricey, so many Danes opt for biking!

Also, the food in supermarkets is more expensive than you might be used to.

You can actually find nice hostels for less than 30€ a night, which is better than what you can do in Paris or London!

Denmark budgeting tips

Hostels in Denmark are good value for money and a great way to stay on budget. 

Consider renting a bike if you visit in summer to get around!

Copenhagen is one of the most expensive European cities, so venture out and discover more of the country, as it gets slightly cheaper when you leave the capital.

6. United Kingdom

The average daily cost of travel in the UK: 60-150€ ($65-160 US)

The UK is one of the most expensive European countries to visit, there’s no way around it. 

London is notorious for being overpriced, so don’t be surprised if you get served a 10€ coffee. Eating out is an experience and a luxury, so be ready to pay 10-20€ for a main dish in a mid-range restaurant.

If you think you’ll save money by using public transport, think again.

Trains in the UK are only affordable if you book well in advance. Those who like spontaneous last-minute trips will struggle to try to stay on a budget. 

Some say the UK has the best nightlife in Europe, which could be true if you’re not worried about your budget!

UK budgeting tips

Get away from London and explore the rest of the country!

However, even if you stay in London, there are so many free museums and tourist attractions. One of the best things to do in the city is to stroll the streets of the city. 

Food in supermarkets tends to be quite affordable, and stores often have good-value meal deals. Avoid eating out by preparing a meal in your accommodation. 

Buses are cheaper than trains! If you’re not in a rush, opt for a good old coach.

7. Finland

The average daily cost of travel in Finland: 70-200€ ($75-220 US)

Another Scandinavian country on the list, Finland keeps up with its neighbors when it comes to prices. 

When it comes to the Nordic countries, Finland is cheaper than Norway, but you can expect the same prices as Sweden.

If you want to see the capital and the Lapland in a week, you’ll probably have to fly, which elevates the cost of your trip. Opting for a night train might be a good trick to save on accommodation and transportation.

An average dish in a mid-range restaurant will cost you 15-20€, which is kind of a standard in Western Europe.

The tax on alcohol is high in Finland, so going out for drinks will be more expensive than you might expect.

Finland budgeting tips

Stay in hostels, as there are some affordable options. 

If you visit in summer, the days are long, so you’re not in a rush to see as much as possible before the sun sets. 

8. Sweden

The average daily cost of travel in Sweden: 70-200€ ($75-220 US)

When it comes to Sweden, most people only visit the capital and move on to cheaper destinations. 

While Stockholm is certainly worth the visit, Sweden is a great travel destination for those who enjoy nature.

Eating out is expensive. However, you can go out for lunch instead of dinner and take advantage of lunch deals.

If you want to party, Sweden might not be the right country for that activity. Most clubs have hefty entrance fees, which are outside of most backpackers’ budgets.

Sweden budgeting tips

If you want to save money on transportation, book your trains and buses in advance. The prices increase closer to the departure date.

Get a day pass for public transport if you’re going to use it more than 2 times a day. 

9. France

The average daily cost of travel in France: 70-180€ ($75-190 US)

While it is possible to travel to France on a budget, it is safe to say that the country is not among the cheapest countries in Europe. 

The number one reason why France is expensive to travel to is Paris, often named the most expensive European city. 

I’ve lived in Paris, and while the cost of living in Paris is high, I wouldn’t say it’s the most expensive city to visit in Europe if you’re a tourist.

Yes, the accommodation is expensive. We’re talking 50€ a night for hostel dorm rooms in Paris. It is virtually impossible to find a well-rated hotel for under 100€ a night in Paris.

At the same time, if you get outside of the capital, the accommodation prices start to go down. 

If you don’t book in advance, the price of train tickets throughout the country can easily match the price of your flight to France. 

Eating out is expensive, and so are the drinks. 

If you’re dreaming of spending summer in the South of France, it won’t be a cheap beach holiday destination either.

France budgeting tips

You can visit France on a budget if you plan your trip well. 

Many monuments and tourist attractions in France are free for EU citizens under 26, including the Louvre!

If you’re backpacking France book train tickets in advance, and you can save up to 70%! Buses are much cheaper than trains, and for short journeys (up to 3 hours) they take almost the same time.

To save money on eating out, book accommodation with a kitchen. If you have one meal outside, have lunch! Lunch menus are much cheaper than dinner.

Get outside of Paris, and discover other French cities like Strasbourg in the east or Bordeaux in the southwest. 

Most expensive summer destinations in Europe

As you can see, all the countries on this list are Northern and Western European countries. 

So what about the South, what are the most expensive summer destinations in Europe?

Funnily enough, Southern European countries are generally some of the cheapest countries in Europe. 

I know if you’re planning island hopping Cyclades this summer and looking at accommodation prices in Mykonos, you might disagree with me. Also, you’ve probably heard that Dubrovnik is expensive and you should avoid visiting in the summer.

Unlike the countries on this list that are expensive year-round, countries like Greece, Spain, Croatia, and Portugal are some of the best places to backpack in Europe and quite affordable if you avoid visiting in July and August.

At the same time, the South of France will probably always be expensive to visit.

FAQ

Final Thoughts: Most expensive European countries to visit

If you ever wondered what are the most expensive countries to backpack in Europe, Iceland, and Switzerland are at the top of the list.

Europe is an incredibly diverse continent, with so many stunning places to discover. 

It is possible to visit all these countries on a budget, with some intense planning! Whether it is spending less time in each of these countries, or backpacking in winter when fewer people visit.

Despite the high price, there are so many free things to do in each to balance it out and have an amazing trip!

If you’re not convinced, check out the best countries to backpack in Europe here!