Travelers Pivot to More Budget-Friendly European Destinations

23 hours ago 1

Travelers feeling the pinch of rising travel prices to Europe are looking to more budget-friendly destinations as summer trip costs climb 38 percent.

With the average trip expected to run $10,346, European hot spots are offering alternatives that include lower trip costs without sacrificing experience, resulting in a quick rise in popularity.

According to data from Squaremouth, the nation’s top travel comparison service, price-conscious travelers are prioritizing destinations that deliver on culture, scenery and value.

The top 10 stand out, affordable European summer destinations with average trip costs include:

Poland $5,505
Finland $6,577
Austria $7,177
Greenland $7,321
Germany $7,897
Ireland $8,258
Spain $8,699
Great Britain (UK) $8,779
Portugal $8,903
Sweden $9,072

Due to the rising cost of European travel, travelers have become more cautious and strategic in their planning.

Flexibility is a priority, with a number of travelers opting for Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, which more than doubled in 2025, climbing to 12 percent vs 5 percent in 2024.

Health is also a top concern with more than half (52 percent) of summer travelers reporting their biggest worry is getting sick or injured while on travel. For international trips, travel medical insurance is crucial, especially since most U.S. health plans don’t cover medical care abroad.

In fact, emergency medical claims made up 27 percent of all paid travel insurance claims in 2024, the highest of any category.

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