Home > Tours > Europe Tours > Eastern Europe Tours > Explore > 5 Budget Trips through Eastern Europe

5 Budget Trips through Eastern Europe

Much of Eastern Europe is less-travelled than its Western counterparts, often meaning fewer crowds and a bit more to discover off the beaten track. With plenty of history and epic scenery, why not consider doing a tour through Eastern Europe?...
03 July, 2018Budapest

Much of Eastern Europe is less-travelled than its Western counterparts, often meaning fewer crowds and a bit more to discover off the beaten track. With plenty of history and epic scenery, why not consider doing a tour through Eastern Europe? No need to break the bank doing it either! Check out these five budget trips that will showcase what this part of Europe has to offer.

Cosmos Tours 13 Day Treasures of the Balkans & Transylvania


Tour from $169 per day

Enjoy a regional discovery with Cosmos taking in Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. The round trip from Budapest sets off to showcase the Petrovaradin Citadel, a fortress in Novi Sad, and the traditional cuisine of Belgrade in Serbia. Onward to Bulgaria to discover the best of its intriguing capital and marvel at the intricate artwork of Rila Monastery founded in 927. Enjoy a folklore dinner, admire the Roman Amphitheatre in Plovdiv, and admire the scenery as you wind over the mountain ranges.

Romania is on show with two nights in charismatic Bucharest where you will discover artisan workshops at the open-air Village Museum and marvel at the Royal Palace. Enjoy a visit to Sinaia Monastery as you tour north, stroll through Brasov’s town square, and explore Bran Castle known around the world as Dracula's Castle. Continue to the film capital of Romania, Cluj-Napoca, before finishing your tour back in Beautiful Budapest on the banks of the Danube.

Bran Castle, Romania

Costsaver: 10 Day Croatia & Bosnia Herzegovina


Tour from $190 per day

If you are after a mix of cobbled streets, rich history, and beautiful countryside, then this is a great tour for you! Spend 10 days exploring the cities and landscapes of these stunning Balkan countries. The round trip from Zagreb sees you enjoy the bustling market places and breathtaking architecture of Croatia’s capital before heading into Bosnia and Herzegovina to marvel at the places of worship in Sarajevo, and the vibrant Bazaar of Mostar.

Tour to the Dalmatian Coast where you will wander through the old city walls of Dubrovnik, explore the historic inner-city heart of Split, and perhaps choose to take a day trip to Montenegro. On this tour you will also get to visit one of the most stunning places in Europe, Plitvice Lakes National Park, where tiered waterfalls cascade into the turquoise pools below. Stunning!

Plitvice Lakes National Park

G Adventures 10 Day Budapest to Sofia Adventure


Tour from $158 per day

This small group tour discovers another side of Eastern Europe, unravelling the stories of Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Start your journey in the charismatic city of Budapest, where you can enjoy a thermal bath or stroll along the banks of the Danube River. Take an overnight train from Budapest into Romania, where you can visit Casa Dracula, the home of young Vlad, which is now a restaurant perfect for a hearty meal and some spooky stories.

You will come to appreciate some lesser-known gems on this itinerary, including the medieval city of Brasov and the Soviet-influenced architecture in Bucharest. Finish your tour in Sofia, where you can enjoy some great dining and impressive architecture. While the tour only has a light physical grading and there is nothing too challenging, you will have the opportunity to do some hiking and biking if you choose. This is a great tour with a mix of free time and plenty of itinerary options to make the holiday truly yours.

St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, Bulgaria

Intrepid Travel_ 15 Day Russia Expedition - Footsteps of the Reindeer Herders


Tour from $262 per day

Getting off the beaten path is one thing, but following one carved out by the reindeer herders is another entirely. This tour takes you from the richly historical city of St Petersburg on an exploration of remote landscapes in Russia. This means there are some long travel days and overnight trains on the journey, but it is well worth it for what awaits.

You will visit Velikiy Ustyug, officially declared to be the home of the Russian Santa Claus, before heading into the remote reaches of Russia to spend time with the Nenets people, the Siberian Arctic's indigenous reindeer herders. Enjoy four nights in a Nenets camp where you will stay in traditional yurts and get an insight into their nomadic lifestyle. Try your hand at reindeer sledding before you say goodbye to your new Nenets friends and head to Moscow. Explore the cobbled Red Square or check out the striking walls of the Kremlin as your tour draws to an end. A trip full of contrasts, culture and adventure.

Reindeer in the snow

Topdeck: 13 Day Eastern Escape


Tour from $157 per day

Topdeck’s Eastern Escape is a tour for young travellers aged 18 – 39 years only. Full of youthful energy and want to see the classic gems and lesser-known treasures of Eastern Europe? Then this tour might be for you! Kick off in the stunning city of Budapest, full of history to discover by day and nightlife to enjoy amidst the trendy ruin bars at night.

Head to Romania to discover the Old Town neighbourhood in Timisoara, the vibrant capital of Bucharest, and the charming cobbled streets of Brasov. Slovakia shows off its largest church and longest street in Kosice, and Poland exposes its history with centuries-old synagogues in Krakow and the moving vestiges of the Holocaust at Auschwitz. Cross the border to the Czech Republic to explore Cesky Krumlov before finishing your tour among the beautiful towering spires and striking bridges of Prague.

Prague4

You will feel richer for having taken a tour of Eastern Europe, and not just because you chose one of these incredibly valued trips!

Prices current at time of publication and subject to availability.

Similar Posts
5 Reasons to go to Sziget Festival

18 October, 2018

5 Reasons to go to Sziget Festival

The Sziget Festival in Budapest has skyrocketed to one of the biggest music and cultural...

Exploring the Moroccan Wilderness

25 March, 2024

Exploring the Moroccan Wilderness

Morocco is a captivating destination where its vivid culture and historical depth converge,...

Discover Top of the South Island

20 March, 2024

Discover Top of the South Island

Have you travelled with Grand Pacific before and are now looking for a tour that’s a little...

A 'Slice of Italy'

12 February, 2024

A 'Slice of Italy'

Ciao Italy! TruTravels is back, unveiling their latest European tour, 'Slice of Italy'. Get...

Good For the Seoul: Contiki in South Korea

01 August, 2023

Good For the Seoul: Contiki in South Korea

CONTIKI DROPS FIRST EVER SOUTH KOREA TRIP With backpacking south-east Asia ticked off the...

Tasmania Through the Seasons

24 July, 2023

Tasmania Through the Seasons

Tasmania often faces unfair criticism regarding its climate, but despite being Australia's...

THE CAPTIVATING WONDERS OF AFRICA WITH SCENIC

21 July, 2023

THE CAPTIVATING WONDERS OF AFRICA WITH SCENIC

Scenic invite you to seamlessly explore Africa’s stunning coastlines, vibrant cities and...