Planning for a 10-day vacation in Europe on a budget is not as hard as it sounds. 10 days already gives you enough time to check out at least three-four cities and using low-cost carriers to fly between them will make sure you will go on a cheap Europe vacation.

In this article, I have put together a simple itinerary for 10 days traveling around Europe, using only low-cost carriers and choosing home stays or rentals for accommodation.

2 days in Paris

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I assume you will be landing in Paris, one of the best cities to use a hub for your entry point in Europe, so this will also be your first stop on the Europe trip itinerary. Two days are not enough to visit the entire city, but you still have plenty of time to check out the main sights.

You should at least take a selfie with the Eiffel Tower unless you want to go up for some amazing views of the city. L’Arc de Triomphe should also be on your Paris itinerary. Don’t forget about the Pantheon and Notre Dame. If time allows, Louvre Museum is an interesting stop.

Accommodation wise, you may want to stay close to the city center, close to metro stations, with easy access to sights and the airports. You can rentals from 55 EUR per night, if you book 2-3 months in advance.

Paris to Lisbon on low-cost carrier

You can fly your first leg on EasyJet or Ryanair. Depending on the offers available, you may find the latter to be more affordable. Looking at 2-3 months in advance, you can find flights from 23 EUR /adult/segment on Ryanair (with small carry-on included only).

2 days in Lisbon

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Lisbon is a compact city, easily handled on foot. Bairro Alto can keep you busy for hours, especially if you like to take photos. Castelo de Sao Jorge and Alfama will also make sure you get hooked. Belem Tower and Sintra Castle are two more sights you should not miss while in Lisbon.

Accommodation wise, you can find rentals from 36 EUR / night, if you book 2-3 months in advance. It is a good idea to stay in places with quick access to public transportation.

Lisbon to Milan on low-cost carrier

You will fly your second leg on EasyJet or Ryanair.

Looking at flights about two months out from the date the article was written, expect to pay from 39 EUR / adult/segment on EasyJet or 47 EUR / adult/segment on Rynair, including only the small carry-on. Of course, special offers come often into play when we talk about low-cost carriers.

2 days in Milan

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Although famous for its shopping and fashion, Milan is a beautiful city, worth checking out. Unfortunately, it was almost flattened during the Second World War, so it doesn’t have the historical feel of the rest of Italy. Which can be a plus, if you are looking for something different.

Checking out Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) is a must and you may want to climb to the top for amazing views of the city. Oh yes, and for that perfect selfie! Don’t forget to visit Castello Sforzesco, which is an old fortress, now home to museums. A lot of churches also dot the city and you can spend some time people watching in the park.

Accommodation wise, you can find rental for prices starting at 78 EUR / night, if you book 2-3 months in advance. It’s a good idea to choose places that offer quick access to public transportation.

Milan to Bari on low cost carrier

You will fly your next leg on EasyJet or Ryanair.

Looking at flights about two months out from the date the article was written, expect to pay from 20 EUR /adult/segment on Ryanair or from 31 EUR / adult / segment on EasyJet

4 days in Bari (with two days trips: to Alberobello and Poligano a Mare)

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Bari is super easy to tackle on foot. The old town is compact, with small streets where you can quite easily get lost. But, you can find your way out easily. The new town, close to the old one, is a compact area of streets, arranged in a square pattern, all dotted with restaurants and shops.

And since you’ve made it here, you must take a day trip to Alberobello . You will lose about 4 hours (by bus) on the journey, but the hours spent in Alberobello are totally worth it. Plan to leave by noon and you’ll be back to Bari in time for dinner.

Another interesting day trip from Bari is Poligano a Mare, where you can see the interesting Adriatic architecture, with its whitewashed houses, perched on hills overlooking the sea. It only takes a half hour to get here by train from Bari, so take your time to enjoy the city and the food.

Accommodation wise, expect to pay from 45 EUR/night if you book 2-3 months in advance. You want to stay close to the train station as the area gives you quick and easy access to both the old and new town, as well as to the trains and buses so you can easily connect to the cities nearby and the airport.

Important note: before planning your trip around Europe, check your visa entry requirements. All the cities in this article are part of the Schengen Agreement. 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.

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The article was updated in September 2023 to reflect the updated accommodation and flight prices.