According to the European Backpacker Price Index for 2025, Zurich in Switzerland was the most expensive destination for budget travelers. The average daily cost in that city – based on prices for a cheap hostel, budget meals, public transport, and a limited budget for entertainment – amounted to almost 164 U.S. dollars as of January 2025. In comparison, the same trip to Budapest, one of the most affordable cities for backpacking in Europe, would have cost less than 50 U.S. dollars per day.
Least affordable cities for backpacking in Europe in 2025, by daily price index
(in U.S. dollars)
daily price based on cheapest bunk in the least expensive hostel (with a good location and good reviews), two public transport rides, one paid/famous attraction, three budget meals per day, and three cheap, local beers (or wine) as an "entertainment fund"
Supplementary notes
The index was published in January 2025 and based on 54 cities in Europe.
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Price of Travel. (January 22, 2025). Least affordable cities for backpacking in Europe in 2025, by daily price index (in U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved March 11, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/696870/most-expensive-cities-for-backpacking-europe/
Price of Travel. "Least affordable cities for backpacking in Europe in 2025, by daily price index (in U.S. dollars)." Chart. January 22, 2025. Statista. Accessed March 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/696870/most-expensive-cities-for-backpacking-europe/
Price of Travel. (2025). Least affordable cities for backpacking in Europe in 2025, by daily price index (in U.S. dollars). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: March 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/696870/most-expensive-cities-for-backpacking-europe/
Price of Travel. "Least Affordable Cities for Backpacking in Europe in 2025, by Daily Price Index (in U.S. Dollars)." Statista, Statista Inc., 22 Jan 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/696870/most-expensive-cities-for-backpacking-europe/
Price of Travel, Least affordable cities for backpacking in Europe in 2025, by daily price index (in U.S. dollars) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/696870/most-expensive-cities-for-backpacking-europe/ (last visited March 11, 2025)
Least affordable cities for backpacking in Europe in 2025, by daily price index (in U.S. dollars) [Graph], Price of Travel, January 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/696870/most-expensive-cities-for-backpacking-europe/
