You finally make plans to travel around Europe and one week in Europe sounds absolutely amazing! Or you live on the continent and want to explore it during a vacation. A week in Europe is not enough to scratch the surface but, let’s be honest, many travelers cannot really take a longer vacation or cannot afford it.

That’s why I have come up with this simple one week in Europe trip itinerary using only low-cost carriers. Combining them with affordable accommodation and using public transportation in the cities visited, will keep your budget manageable. I bet Europe on a budget sounds pretty good to anyone.

2 days in London

I assume you will be landing in London– if you come from the Americas – and that the capital of Great Britain will be your first stop in Europe. Although you’ll be outside of the Schengen area and the European Union, London is still an outstanding choice for a travel hub.

With plenty of free things to do available in London , your cheap European vacation starts off in a positive note.

I recommend the British Museum – where you can easily spend an entire day! – and the change of guards in front of Buckingham Palace. Weather and budget permitting, you may want to head to either London Eye or The Shard for some amazing views of the city.

Accommodation wise, Bayswater is a very interesting neighborhood, located close to Hyde Park and with very easy access to two tube stations , which makes it super easy to connect to the airports. You can book a double room in a hotel from 158 USD per night in this area, if you book 2-3 months in advance.

Prefer to avoid flying into the UK?

Choose any of the other main hubs in Western Europe such as Amsterdam (the Netherlands) or Paris (France). You’ll right within the European Union and Schengen area. You will be able to find pretty good accommodation options in Amsterdam for prices starting at 137 USD per night.

As for hotels in Paris, booking 2-3 months in advance, can land you very good prices, starting at 60 USD per night in a budget double room.

Amsterdam or Paris to Rome by low-cost carrier

Ryanair + Wizz Air (connecting flights) offer the cheapest flights from Amsterdam (AMS) to Rome’s Fiumicino (FCO) airport, starting at 56 USD one way (when looking at November 2023 days, 2 months in advance). EasyJet also operates on the same route, and offers flights for slightly higher prices, starting at 79 USD one way.

As for flying from Paris to Rome, Vueling offers the most affordable flights, flying Orly (ORY) to Fiumicino (FCO), for prices starting at 29 USD one way. And EasyJet flies from Orly (ORY) to Fiumicino (FCO) for prices starting at 30 USD one way.

London to Rome by low-cost carrier

Back to the original itinerary.

You fly your first leg on Rynaiar . The route will be London Stansted (STN) to Rome Ciampino (CIA). The flight takes 2 ½ hours.

Looking at flights about two months out from the date the article was written, expect to pay from 26 USD for an adult (traveling in November 2023).

Don’t want to fly Ryanair ? Not a problem: EasyJet also flies the route , but departs out of London Gatwick (LGW) and flies to Fiumicino (FCO) . A similar flight costs from 28 USD for an adult.

WizzAir and Vueling also offer non stop flights on the route (both from Gatwick into Fiumicino) with prices ranging from 23 USD to 28 USD one way, for an adult.

2 days in Rome

Rome is an open air museum so you can easily spend your time just checking out the free things to do here. Budget permitting, I recommend visiting the Forum and the Colosseum.

Accommodation wise, staying close to Termini Train Station is not as bad as it sounds (yes, I’ve stayed exactly there). It offers quick connection to the airport and you are within walking distance of the major sites in Rome. You can find rooms in guesthouses from 67 USD per night, if you book 2-3 months in advance.

Rome to Athens by low-cost carrier

The second leg will be on Ryanair. The route will be Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Athens (ATH). The flight takes about 2 hours. Looking at the same time frame, expect to pay from 59 USD for an adult.

While EasyJet used to operate on this route, they no longer do, making Ryanair your only low-cost option if you don’t want to use connecting flights (on Wizz Air). Aegean, the full fare Greek carrier, has flights starting at 90 USD one way during the same time of the year.

2 Days in Athens

Out of all the cities in this article, Athens is the cheapest to visit. And yes, there are quite a lot of free things to do here as well. More so, a walking tour can we an amazing addition to your Europe trip itinerary.

I recommend visiting the Acropolis and the Greek Agora, which together will keep you busy for a day. For a bird’s eye view of the city and to check out a place which isn’t on the traveler’s radar usually, head to Anafiotika.

Accommodation wise, I prefer Monastiraki area or to be right smack in the city center. You can find a double room in a hotel in Athens from 29 per night in the center if you book 2-3 months in advance.

Athens to Budapest by low-cost carrier

You will fly your third leg on Wizz Air, as well. The route will be Athens (ATH) to Budapest (BUD). Looking at the same time frame, expect to pay from 48 USD for an adult.

While Ryanair was our choice on the route, they are currently having some “issues” with the Hungarian airport, causing a lot of flights to cost more or need to re-route through their base in Malta.

A day in Budapest

A day in Budapest is enough only to get a taste of what the city feels like. You can start with the free things to do and I recommend to just walk along the Danube, cross it on one of the bridges and go on Castle Hill.

Accommodation wise, anywhere close to Rakoczi ut is a good choice, as you will have quick access to the metro and the airport. You can find a room in guesthouses from 38 USD per night in this area, if you book 2-3 months in advance.

Important note: before planning your trip around Europe, check your visa entry requirements. European Union nationals can travel visa-free between these destinations.

Do you like this itinerary and want to personalize it to fit your needs? Drop me a note. I can help.

Note: all prices are valid for November 2023, as researched in September 2023 and may change without notice.
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