The European Backpacker Index (now in its second year) has been updated for the 2012 edition. With Europe in financial turmoil and the masses cutting back on travel, now more than ever this index will be highly relevant and monitored by thousands of travellers visiting European destinations.
Americans in particular will be a little happier in 2012 and get more bang for their buck, as the US Dollar is up against most European currencies (including the euro) compared to 2011.
How does the Backpacker Index work?
Prices for most things (hostels, transportation, attractions) are fixed and measurable, however prices for things like a “budget lunch” or a "pint of beer" tend to vary depending upon area, establishment and type. The European Backpacker Index still makes a great job of it and estimates are based on a comprehensive research, and in most cases are close to the right numbers, if not right on. here below is how the Index is measured...
Costs for each city
One night in the cheapest bunk at the least expensive hostel with a good location and good reviews
Two public transportation rides per day
One paid/famous attraction per day (Every city is loaded with free things to do for budget-conscious travelers, but here we take the average cost of a major attraction in each city for each day.)
Three “budget” meals per day (We took our minimum meal price and added 20% to make it more realistic for a longer trip).
Three cheap, local beers (or wine) each day as an “entertainment fund.” Non-drinkers might have dessert and coffee or attend a local music performance instead, so this is a general benchmark that should be proportional for each city.
European Backpacker Index for 2012
Here below are the top 20 cheapest cities for 2012 taken directly from the European Backpacker Index's own website.
1. Sofia, Bulgaria (cheapest)
Now declared as Europe’s cheapest tourist city, Sofia is becoming ever more popular each year. This is in part because of the generally cost effective prices, but its remote location will still be a problem for most casual travelers. Prices crept up last year, though Sofia will remain cheap for most of us.
Currency: Bulgaria Leva
Cheap/good hostel: Hostel Mostel – 13.34 (includes breakfast)
Transportation: 2.00
Meals: 13.20
Drinks/Entertainment: 4.50
Attractions: 3.00
Daily Backpacker Index: BGN36.04 = US$23.71/day
Find the cheapest flights to Sofia
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2. Krakow, Poland
Krakow continues as Europe’s best travel bargain. The low prices have drawn in larger numbers of Europeans for weekend breaks, and there’s many great and cheap hostels, bars, and restaurants to keep prices low while you are enjoying the beautiful old city and the local culture. A weak currency has offset small price increases for most.
Currency: Polish Zlotych
Cheap/good hostel: Atlantis Hostel – 25.00/night
Transportation: 5.60
Meals: 21.60
Drinks/Entertainment: 18.00
Attractions: 12.00
Daily Backpacker Index: PLN82.20 = US$23.83/day
Find the cheapest flights to Krakow
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3. Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade is one of the Balkan cities that had years of trouble in the 1990s and still struggles a bit to attract tourism. Fortunately for those who make the trip, the city is very cheap compared to most of Europe, and the nightlife gets high marks as well.
Currency: Serbian Dinar (fixed, so prices below are in euros)
Cheap/good hostel: Avnoy Hostel – 8.34/night
Transportation: 1.80
Meals: 7.20
Drinks/Entertainment: 3.00
Attractions: 2.00
Daily Backpacker Index: €19.76 = US$25.66/day
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4. Riga, Latvia
It’s surprising to see a city so far north also so high on the cheap-cities list, but it turns out that Riga is quite a bargain for the backpacking set. Hostel beds in particular are very affordable, and so is pretty much everything else. Riga’s main problem is that it’s a bit out of the way for those not on an extensive tour.
Currency: Latvian Lats
Cheap/good hostel: Central Hostel – 3.70/night
Transportation: 1.00
Meals: 4.80
Drinks/Entertainment: 3.60
Attractions: 1.00
Daily Backpacker Index: LVL14.10 = US$26.11/day
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5. Kiev, Ukraine
Speaking about out of the way destinations, Kiev is a long way from the normal backpacking trail so it doesn’t get any accidental visitors. It’s also still somewhat challenging for those who don’t know Russian or Ukrainian, though that part is likely to change in the coming years. Fortunately Kiev is quite cheap for budget travelers.
Currency: Ukraine Hryvnia
Cheap/good hostel: Magic Bus Kiev – 83.59/night
Transportation: 4.00
Meals: 90.00
Drinks/Entertainment: 42.00
Attractions: 10.00
Daily Backpacker Index: UHR229.59 = US$28.56/day
Find the cheapest flights to Kiev
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6. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Another Balkan-area city whose name conjures up images of its past troubles, Sarajevo is another that is struggling to attract tourists. Having most of its state museums close down over lack of funding in early 2012 certainly isn’t helping, but at least things still open tend to be cheap.
Currency: Converted Mark (fixed, so prices below are in euros)
Cheap/good hostel: Tower Hostel – 8.34/night
Transportation: 1.80
Meals: 7.20
Drinks/Entertainment: 3.00
Attractions: 2.00
Daily Backpacker Index: €22.34 = US$29.01/day
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7. Budapest, Hungary
Another excellent travel bargain, Budapest is all-around cheap and it gets high marks from visitors. The castles and cathedrals are enough, but here you also get thermal spas that are cheap enough even for the backpacking set. Hostels, in particular, are great value.
Currency: Hungary Forint
Cheap/good hostel: Hostel Budapest Center – 2032/night
Transportation: 640
Meals: 2640
Drinks/Entertainment: 960
Attractions: 1000
Daily Backpacker Index: HUF7032 = US$30.05/day
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8. Warsaw, Poland
Poland’s largest city is still rather cheap overall, but most visitors vastly prefer Krakow of the two. Still, Warsaw is building a tourist infrastructure quickly these days, and this is an interesting piece of the post-Soviet puzzle in the region. The weak Polish currency has made it even cheaper recently.
Currency: Polish Zlotych
Cheap/good hostel: New World St. Hostel – 35.75/night
Transportation: 5.60
Meals: 32.40
Drinks/Entertainment: 21.00
Attractions: 14.00
Daily Backpacker Index: PLN 108.75 = US$31.52/day
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9. Bucharest, Romania
Definitely not Romania’s most charming town, Bucharest seems in little rush to attract visitors from the West. Fortunately, those that make the effort to come will at least be rewarded with low prices all around, which certainly help make up for the other frustrations of visiting. And that huge parliament building is worth a look.
Currency: Romanian leu
Cheap/good hostel: Happy Hostel = 43.41/night
Transportation: 4.00
Meals: 39.60
Drinks/Entertainment: 7.50
Attractions: 12.00
Daily Backpacker Index: RON 106.51 – US$31.79/day
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10. Bratislava, Slovakia
You’d think that practically being walking distance from Vienna would make Bratislava a very popular stop for those on a Europe tour, but so far it’s still mostly forgotten. It’s cheaper than Prague and much cheaper than Vienna, so perhaps it will start catching on more in the coming years.
Currency: Euro
Cheap/good hostel: Hostel Blues – 10/night
Transportation: 1.40
Meals: 9.60
Drinks/Entertainment: 3.00
Attractions: 4.00
Daily Backpacker Index: €28 = US$36.36/day
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11. Istanbul, Turkey
The classic east-meets-west city is one that’s creeping up in price, but it’s still a great bargain by European standards, and there’s no shortage of markets, temples, and attractions for even a longer stay. Accommodation is more expensive that you might expect.
Currency: Turkish lira
Cheap/good hostel: Aga Hamam Hostel – 19.00/night
Transportation: 4.00
Meals: 16.80
Drinks/Entertainment: 18.00
Attractions: 14.00
Daily Backpacker Index: TRY 71.80 = US$38.19/day
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12. Saint Petersburg, Russia
While struggling to develop enough hostels and tourist-friendly businesses, Saint Petersburg is still definitely in the bargain category for those who can pull it off. Most things are very affordable, and the city would seem even cheaper if its incredible Hermitage Museum/Winter Palace didn’t (justifiably) cost so much. Hotels and tourist restaurants aren’t so cheap, however.
Currency: Russian ruble
Cheap/good hostel: Sunny Hostel – 300/night
Transportation: 50
Meals: 312
Drinks/Entertainment: 210
Attractions: 400
Daily Backpacker Index: RUB 1,272 = US$39.49/day
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13. Prague, Czech Republic
Ten or fifteen years ago Prague was always used as an example of a city that is incredibly cheap yet still beautiful and historic, but that sort of chit-chat triggered the masses to follow. Still, in spite of high-ish hotel prices and a currency that keeps creeping up, Prague is still quite cheap for those willing to stay in hostels and scout for bargain food and drinks. Plus, it’s still gorgeous, if crowded.
Currency: Czech krona
Cheap/good hostel: Hostel Marabou – 169/night
Transportation: 48
Meals: 348
Drinks/Entertainment: 75
Attractions: 220
Daily Backpacker Index: CZK 860 = US$43.61/day
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14. Zagreb, Croatia
Croatia’s capital is developing quickly so it might not be wise to keep putting off a visit for the future. Still fairly cheap by European standards, and especially compared to Italy next door, Zagreb is a bargain and a worthwhile stop on the way to one of the beach towns.
Currency: Croatian kuna
Cheap/good hostel: Funk Lounge – 96/night
Transportation: 20
Meals: 78
Drinks/Entertainment: 30
Attractions: 30
Daily Backpacker Index: HRK 254 = US$43.64/day
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15. Moscow, Russia
Certainly one of the world’s most important cities, Moscow continues also to be frustrating for many travelers, with relatively few hostels and traveler-friendly budget restaurants. Still, if you can get through the paperwork and find a cheap flight, it’s a fairly cheap place for backpacker-types. Tourist hotels and restaurants can be quite expensive.
Currency: Russian ruble
Cheap/good hostel: Moscow Home Hostel 455/night
Transportation: 56
Meals: 432
Drinks/Entertainment: 180
Attractions: 320
Daily Backpacker Index: RUB 1443 = US$44.80/day
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16. Tenerife, Spain
The Canary Islands (off the northwest coast of Africa) are a popular warm-weather retreat for many Europeans all year, and Tenerife is the most popular island with English speakers. Prices tend to be similar to mainland Spain, which makes it a relative bargain for most Europeans who are just a cheap flight away.
Currency: Euro
Cheap/good hostel: Hostel Tenerife – 13/night
Transportation: 2.70
Meals: 13.20
Drinks/Entertainment: 6.00
Attractions: 3.00
Daily Backpacker Index: 37.90 = US$49.22/day
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17. Tallinn, Estonia
Interestingly, the first Euro-zone member on the list is the one that just officially joined as of January 2011. Tallinn is still quite cheap compared to all of its northern and Scandinavian neighbors, and it’s definitely an interesting and worthwhile stop if you are in the region.
Currency: euro
Cheap/good hostel: The Monk’s Bunk – 10/night
Transportation: 2.00
Meals: 15.24
Drinks/Entertainment: 9.60
Attractions: 5.00
Daily Backpacker Index: €41.84 = US$54.34/day
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18. Lisbon, Portugal
Its out-of-the-way location seems to keep tourism well below the levels that the city otherwise deserves, but those who go to the trouble to reach Lisbon will find an extremely handsome and charming city that is a great bargain as well. The city is particularly known for excellent and cheap hostels that are always in a race to outdo each other, with visitors being the ultimate winners.
Currency: euro
Cheap/good hostel: Oasis Backpackers Mansion – 10/night
Transportation: 1.58
Meals: 16.80
Drinks/Entertainment: 9.00
Attractions: 6.00
Daily Backpacker Index: €43.38 = US$56.34/day
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19. Berlin, Germany
Those of us who love Berlin still find it hard to convince most people to check it out, which is a shame. This city has endless things to see and do, along with an arts and entertainment scene that rivals anywhere in Europe. All that, plus the competition among its many hostels keeps things weirdly cheap. Put it on your list and schedule a trip before things change much.
Currency: euro
Cheap/good hostel: BackpackerBerlin – 9.90/night
Transportation: 4.60
Meals: 16.80
Drinks/Entertainment: 7.50
Attractions: 8.00
Daily Backpacker Index: €46.80 = US$60.78/day
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20. Athens, Greece
The Greek capital was once one of Europe’s great bargain cities, and it likely will be again depending on the currency situation. The infrastructure created for the Olympics has actually turned Athens into a modern and easy-to-visit place, and the Acropolis and other attractions continue to amaze, so it still seems like a reasonable deal for the moment and may get even cheaper.
Currency: euro
Cheap/good hostel: Pagration Hostel – 10/night
Transportation: 2.80
Meals: 19.20
Drinks/Entertainment: 7.50
Attractions: 8.00
Daily Backpacker Index: €47.50 = US$61.69/day
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