Last updated: October 30, 2026. All flight and hotel prices below were checked on Google Flights and Trip.com on that date for travel in March 2027. Prices change daily, so treat them as a snapshot, not a quote.
“How much does Europe cost?” has no single answer, because Europe is dozens of countries with very different price levels. So instead of vague ranges, we checked the same thing in four of the most popular cities for American travelers: London, Rome, Lisbon and Berlin. Same dates, same method, real prices.
Quick answer: what does a Europe trip cost?
Per person, two people sharing a room, with a round-trip flight from New York:
- Budget: about $1,750–2,050 for 10 days
- Mid-range: about $2,250–2,950 for 10 days
On the ground, that is roughly $85–135 per person per day on a budget and $135–205 mid-range, depending on the city. London is the most expensive of the four, Lisbon and Berlin the cheapest.
The four cities compared
| City | Flight from NYC (round trip) | Good central hotel per night | Per person per day (budget / mid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | $682 (nonstop) | ~$99–114 | $95–135 / $150–205 |
| London | $704 (1 stop), $825 nonstop | ~$106–146 | $85–110 / $150–190 |
| Lisbon | $724 (1 stop), $773 nonstop | ~$96–103 | $90–120 / $135–180 |
| Berlin | $844 (1 stop) | ~$88–103 | $85–120 / $140–190 |
Flights: Google Flights, JFK, March 10–20, 2027, economy. Hotels: Trip.com, 2 adults, total incl. taxes. Daily costs: half a double room, food, local transport and sights, as calculated in each city guide (all checked October 30, 2026).
Two takeaways. First, flights to Europe in spring are cheaper than many people expect: $680–850 round trip from New York, and nonstop flights to Rome and Lisbon were barely more expensive than connections. Second, the daily cost on the ground is surprisingly similar across these cities. The hotel makes the biggest difference, and London hotels are the priciest.
Click a city name in the table for the full breakdown with hotels, transport, attractions and food.
Getting between cities
Budget flights
Within Europe, budget airlines are often the cheapest option. Round trips we found for March 2027:
- London – Berlin: from $112 (Ryanair)
- London – Rome: from $130 (Wizz Air)
- London – Lisbon: from $136 (Ryanair)
The catch: those fares usually include only a small under-seat bag. A carry-on or checked bag can cost as much as the ticket, and budget airlines often fly from airports far outside the city (London Stansted or Luton, for example). Add the bag and the airport train before comparing.
Trains
Trains are central-to-central and much more relaxed, but prices depend heavily on booking early. A good example: London to Edinburgh starts at about £20–41 booked weeks ahead, but can cost over £200 on the day. Most European rail operators work the same way.
A Eurail Global Pass (7 travel days in 1 month) costs about $300 in second class at the regular price and is often discounted. Many high-speed trains also need a seat reservation of about €5–35. The pass only pays off if you take many long train rides. For 2–3 cities, point-to-point tickets booked early are usually cheaper. Our guide to cheap European train tickets has more detail.
Entry rules and fees for Americans
- Schengen countries (Italy, Portugal, Germany, France and most of the EU): no visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180 days. Since 2026, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) registers your fingerprints and a photo at the border the first time you enter. It is free.
- ETIAS: a €20 online travel authorization is planned for these countries, but it is not live yet. The EU has said it will announce the start date several months in advance, and recent reports point to 2027. Do not pay any website for it until the official launch.
- United Kingdom: not part of Schengen. You need a UK ETA, which costs £20 (about $27) and must be approved before you fly.
For other countries, see our travel visa page.
Hotels: where the money goes
In all four cities, a clean, central budget or 3-star double room cost about $90–150 a night in March 2027. Hostels with private rooms or capsules start around $35–60. Prices in summer and around major events are noticeably higher.
Two things to remember:
- City tourist taxes. Rome, Lisbon, Berlin and many other cities charge a per-night tax, often paid at the hotel. Rome’s is among the highest at about €4–10 per person per night, depending on the hotel class.
- Short-term rentals are not always cheaper. Cleaning fees and taxes can make a simple hotel the better deal for short stays.
Food and sights
Food is where your own choices matter most. In all four cities, about $30–45 per person per day covers bakery breakfasts, casual lunches and a simple dinner. About $50–75 allows a sit-down dinner with a drink every night.
Many of the best sights are free: the British Museum and National Gallery in London, the Pantheon square, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain area in Rome (the fountain itself now has a small fee), and most of Berlin’s Wall memorials. The headline paid sights cost roughly $25–50 each, for example the Tower of London (£37) or the Colosseum. Pick a few that really matter to you. Guided tours and tickets are in our tours and activities section.
Sample budget: 10 days, two cities
Per person, two people sharing a room. Example: 5 nights Rome + 5 nights Lisbon, round-trip flight New York – Rome, plus a one-way budget flight between the two cities.
| Cost (per person) | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Flight JFK – Rome (round trip) | $682 | $682 |
| Flight within Europe (one way, with bag) | ~$100 | ~$100 |
| 10 days on the ground | ~$1,050 | ~$1,700 |
| Travel insurance, SIM, extras | ~$80 | ~$120 |
| Total | ~$1,912 | ~$2,602 |
Daily costs based on our Rome and Lisbon guides (checked October 30, 2026). The return to Rome for your flight home is not included; booking an “open-jaw” ticket (into Rome, out of Lisbon) avoids it and often costs about the same.
Common mistakes that make Europe expensive
- Too many cities. Every move costs money and a day. Two or three cities in 10 days is plenty.
- Booking trains late. Walk-up fares on long routes can be several times the advance price.
- Ignoring bag fees. A $40 budget flight can become a $100 flight with a carry-on.
- Traveling in July and August. Spring and fall are cheaper and less crowded.
- Paying fake ETIAS sites. The system is not live yet.
Last-minute planner? Our last-minute flights page can help.
FAQs
How much does a 10-day trip to Europe cost?
With our March 2027 prices, about $1,750–2,050 per person on a budget and $2,250–2,950 mid-range, depending on the cities, including a flight from New York and sharing a room.
Which European city is cheapest of the four?
Lisbon and Berlin had the lowest daily costs in our check, about $85–120 per person on a budget. London was the most expensive, mainly because of hotels.
Do Americans need ETIAS for Europe?
Not yet. ETIAS is planned but has not started. Until the EU announces the launch, you only need a valid passport for short trips to Schengen countries. The UK separately requires its own £20 ETA.
Is a Eurail pass worth it?
Only for many long train rides. A 7-day pass costs about $300 plus seat reservations. For a trip with two or three cities, early point-to-point tickets or budget flights are usually cheaper.
When is the cheapest time to visit Europe?
Generally November to March (outside Christmas) and the shoulder months of April, May, September and October. July and August are the most expensive.
