Holiday Hacks
Europe on £30/day
Routes, hostels, and which countries still cost nothing.
A summer in mainland Europe on £30 a day is genuinely possible in 2026 — if you sleep in hostels, take overnight buses, and pick countries where the maths still works (Portugal, Greek islands off-season, all of the Balkans). The Schengen rail network does the rest.
Below are the routes, passes, and platforms British travellers use to do Europe cheap. Interrail is now multi-region; FlixBus undercuts most train fares.
Where to look
5 vetted links
- InterrailMulti-country train pass. Cheaper than booking each leg if you move often.
- Rome2RioMulti-modal route planner: trains, buses, flights, ferries.
- FlixBusCheap intercity coaches across Europe.
- HostelworldReviews actually decide for you. Filter by rating and area.
- CouchsurfingFree stays with locals. Less popular post-pandemic but still works.
Articles
1 story