Budget Guide for Long Trips Around Coastal Europe

So, you’re planning a long trip around coastal Europe and trying to figure out how to keep the whole thing from eating your wallet alive?

Good news: it’s doable — totally, thoroughly doable. You don’t need to be rich, retired, or backpacking in hostels with a can of tuna.

Whether cruising down the coast in a camper van or bouncing from town to town by train or ferry, you can stretch your euros a lot further than you’d think.

Let’s cut straight to it: if you’re smart with transport, food, lodging, and local experiences, you can travel coastal Europe for about €60–€90 a day, comfortably.

That’s not bare-bones. That’s with seafood dinners, wine, and yes, the occasional boat ride. But there’s a trick to it, and we’re going to cover all of it.

The Big Picture: Coastal Europe Isn’t Just The Med

People tend to think of Europe’s coast and instantly imagine the Amalfi or French Riviera — stunning, yes, but also aggressively priced in peak season.

The trick? Mix and match. Europe’s coastline stretches from the wild Atlantic cliffs of Portugal around to Croatia’s pebble beaches and beyond. There’s variety in cost, vibe, and accessibility.

Some underrated gems that are way more budget-friendly:

• Portugal’s Alentejo Coast: Cheaper than the Algarve and way less crowded.
• Galicia, Spain: Think Celtic vibes, endless seafood, and absurdly low prices.
• Montenegro: A quieter, more affordable cousin to Croatia.
• Southern Albania (the Albanian Riviera): Dirt cheap, staggeringly beautiful.
• Eastern Sicily: Still very local, especially inland, a bit from the coast.

The idea is to blend high-cost areas with the budget-friendly ones. You might splurge a little in Cinque Terre, but save big in southern Spain or Bulgaria. It evens out.

Getting Around: Wheels, Ferries, and the Occasional Train

Getting around is where you can either blow your budget or become a coastal legend. Long trips mean you’ll cover ground, so it pays to think strategically.

Option 1: Car or Campervan (Most Flexible)

Let’s get into it: if you’re doing more than a couple of weeks and want to visit smaller towns or scenic roads, a car is your best friend. Public transport along the coast can be great, but in many places, it’s irregular, crowded, or non-existent.

If you’re going by car:

• Buy or lease, don’t rent long-term. If your trip is over 6 weeks, leasing is almost always cheaper than renting. Citroën and Peugeot have lease-buyback programs — perfect for non-EU travelers.
• Diesel vs. Petrol: Most European cars still run on diesel — better mileage, cheaper per liter in many countries. Try to get one if you can.
• Tolls: Southern France, Italy, and Portugal all have toll roads. You can easily rack up €50–€100 a week if you’re not careful. Use apps like ViaMichelin or TollGuru to plan alternative routes.

If you’re going full vanlife:

• Budget €1,000–€1,500/month including fuel, insurance, campground fees, and occasional repairs.
• Save on lodging by sleeping in camper stops or “aires” — legal overnight spots, many of which are free.

Option 2: Trains, Buses, and Boats

Not everyone wants to deal with parking in medieval towns or shifting gears uphill in Cinque Terre. That’s fair. Trains are beautiful in some places, like Portugal’s northern coast or Italy’s Ligurian region. But they’re patchy in others.

• Spain & Italy: Train coverage is good but inland-oriented. Coastal towns may require bus transfers.
• Buses: FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus cover a surprising number of routes for cheap. Think €7–€20 for cross-country rides.
• Ferries: Don’t skip coastal boat connections. In Greece, Croatia, and even southern Italy, ferries are part of the ecosystem. Not always cheap, but often scenic and practical.

Speaking of ferries, if you find yourself in the central Mediterranean, say around Malta, look into local boat rentals or charters. You don’t need a millionaire budget. There are solid options for group trips, sunset cruises, and even private boat hires. You can start here — lots of people use them for a laid-back day out on the water without breaking the bank.

Where You Sleep: Airbnb Isn’t Always the Answer

Accommodation is where people either waste money or find absolute gold.

Budget-Wise Choices:

• Apartments & Guesthouses: Go local. Airbnb can be good, but don’t rely on it exclusively. In places like Albania, Greece, or Bulgaria, direct booking is way cheaper.
• Camping: Even if you’re not in a camper, many campgrounds in Europe offer “bungalows” or “mobile homes” — cheap, decent, and right on the beach.
• Pensions and Zimmer Frei: In places like Germany, Croatia, and Austria, look for signs saying “Zimmer Frei” (room available). They’re budget guesthouses — super common and often better than hotels.

Price snapshot (per night, for 2 people):

Country	Guesthouse	Airbnb	Campsite (tent spot)
Portugal	€45–€60	€60–€80	€20–€30
Croatia	€35–€55	€50–€70	€15–€25
Greece	€30–€50	€45–€65	€10–€20
Italy (South)	€50–€70	€65–€90	€20–€35

Tip: Go inland just 10–15 minutes from major coastal towns, and prices drop by 30–40%.

Food: Eating Like a Local Without Going Broke

Food in coastal Europe is a wild, wonderful thing — and not that expensive if you avoid the traps.

Coastal towns tend to have restaurants angled toward tourists, especially near ports or promenades. But a few blocks inland? Whole other story.

Smart Food Tips:

• Lunch is the steal: In Spain, Portugal, Italy, lunch menus (menú del día, prato do dia, etc.) give you 2–3 courses, wine, and coffee for €10–€15.
• Markets are your friend: Load up on bread, cheese, olives, and fruit from local markets. Perfect for beach picnics.
• Cook when you can: If you’ve got a kitchenette, great. Buy a bottle of wine and cook up some fresh seafood from a morning fish market.

Sample daily food budget:

Meal	Budget Option	Price
Breakfast	Bakery coffee + pastry	€3–€4
Lunch	Daily special at local café	€10–€15
Dinner	Shared dishes, house wine	€12–€20
Snacks & Extras	Gelato, fruit, wand ine	€5–€8

Experiences That Don’t Cost a Fortune

You don’t need to spend a ton to get rich experiences. Most of coastal Europe’s magic is outdoors: beaches, cliffs, harbors, and trails.

Worthwhile but Low-Cost Activities:

• Hiking Coastal Trails: The Camino dos Faros in Galicia, Spain. Cinque Terre’s Sentiero Azzurro. Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor loop.
• Snorkeling and Swimming: Bring your snorkel gear. The Med is often calm and clear, especially in Croatia or Cyprus.
• Free Festivals: Many towns have summer festivals — music, dance, fireworks. Just ask a local or check a town’s tourism board.
• Historical Sites: Many castles and old forts are either free or under €5 to enter, especially in Eastern Europe.

And if you want to spend a little? Small boat excursions, wine tastings, and local cooking classes are great value-for-money and connect you to the culture in a way that souvenir shops can’t.

Car-Specific Tips: For Those Driving The Long Haul

Alright, for those of you hitting the coast with a car or van — a few nerdy but necessary notes:

• Know the difference between a vignette and a toll: Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia require a “vignette” (sticker or electronic toll). Buy it before you enter those countries.
• Check the tire kit: Many rentals and leased cars in Europe don’t have a full spare tire. Make sure you have at least a sealant kit, a compressor, and a roadside assistance number.
• Plan fuel stops: In countries like France or Spain, rural gas stations close early or all weekend. Use apps like PetrolPrices or Google Maps filters to avoid running on fumes.
• Insurance: Get cross-border insurance if your trip covers more than 2 countries. And double-check if Albania, Montenegro, or Bosnia are excluded — many basic EU car insurances don’t cover them.

Final Word

You don’t need to shell out €200 a day just to enjoy Europe’s coast. With some planning, smart routing, and flexibility, you can travel like a seasoned local for less than you’d spend living at home.

Stay curious, stay relaxed, and don’t try to do it all. Coastal Europe has a rhythm of its own — slower, saltier, full of surprises. Let it unfold naturally. And when in doubt? Ask someone’s grandma where to eat. You’ll never go wrong.