Inspired by my friends who did a two-week multi-country trip for their honeymoon, and also my uni pals who have taken their young family Interrailing this summer and are sharing photos from a whole cluster of European countries, I started thinking of ways to get the most out of your next holiday.
I’ve just got home from a 6-day trip to Basel that allowed me to visit three different countries within 20 minutes of each other – Switzerland, France and Germany. By the way, don’t forget to take your passport with you if your train or tram crosses a border (mine was checked on the way into Germany).
I didn’t really plan to see multiple places – our tram and train trips were spontaneous days out while we were there (visiting Lucerne, Mulhouse and Weil Am Rhein), but this proves it’s possible to have a multi-destination adventure when you’ve only got a few days away.
‘Making the most of your holiday’ can be measured in terms of money spent (my fave!), the amount of annual leave used (two countries over a long weekend, anyone?) or the number of countries visited while you’re away.
You may have heard me talk about ‘cost-per-wear’ when discussing the value of quality clothes that last for years, and this is a similar concept. Think of it as the ‘cost-per-country’ instead!
So, if you’ve ever scrolled through dreamy European destinations thinking, “I wish I could visit all of them… but my bank account says otherwise,” then this one’s for you.
And there isn’t just one way to achieve a country-hopping getaway – trains, river cruises and road trip routes all allow you to see more than one country on your next holiday.
Squeezing in multiple countries on one travel budget is not only possible, but it’s surprisingly easy when you know the tricks. And yes, I’ve tried most of them myself!
Let’s dive into the best frugal ways to make a three-, four‑ (or more!) country European adventure happen.
Interrail: The Train Traveller’s Friend
Interrail is the ultimate “choose your own adventure” train ticket. One pass, dozens of countries (I think it’s as many as 33) and the freedom to hop on trains to wherever you like.
There are different types of passes depending on the duration of your trip, from 4 days to three months, so the prices vary but cover places like The Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Greece, Scandinavia and many more — basically, if it’s on your European wish list, it’s probably included.
You can glide between three, four or more capitals in just a few hours. Vienna to Bratislava? Around an hour. Budapest to Prague? A scenic half‑day journey with lovely views – just add a packed lunch and you’re away.
Interrail also lets you be spontaneous. If you fall in love with a city (it happens – Porto, I’m looking at you), you can stay longer. And when you’re ready to move on, just hop aboard the next train to see some new sights.
River Adventures: A Surprisingly Frugal Treat
River cruises sound fancy – and sometimes they are – but there are also plenty of budget‑friendly options, especially if you’re flexible with dates. Keep an eye out for seasonal deals on Danube river cruise offers because they can be absolute gems.
A Danube cruise can take you through four countries (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Germany) in one scenic journey. You unpack once, sail past castles and vineyards, and then hop off the ship to explore cities like Vienna and Nuremberg.
It’s basically capital hopping like Interrail but without the faff of repacking your backpack every couple of days. I’m on the hunt for a fjords cruise to visit the Scandinavian triangle and it’s a good idea to look a year or two ahead to get the best prices because once these small-ish boats are full, you’ll have missed your chance to sail.
Road‑Trip Routes: From Le Shuttle or Calais Ferry Port
If you prefer the freedom of four wheels (and the ability to bring plenty of packing and snacks), driving from the UK into Europe is a brilliant budget option.
I’ve previously travelled through France, Belgium and Germany by taking the ferry across the channel, but Le Shuttle from Folkestone to Calais is an even faster way to get there with your car.
Both options drop you straight into northern France, where you can begin a multi‑country road trip with ease. From Calais, you can reach Belgium within about 45 minutes, The Netherlands in under 2 hours and even as far as Luxembourg in under 4.5 hours.
In fact, you can drive through about four countries in a single day if you fancy it. I once drove to Cologne and back in 24 hours for a work trip. Although, of course, I recommend stopping for pastries. Always!
I loved my tour of Brittany to find the filming locations of The Darling Buds of May and that trip wouldn’t have been possible without being able to drive around in my own car, scouting out the smaller locations. Here’s my packing list of what you’ll need for a driving holiday in France.
Here’s why road trips work for budget travellers:
- You control the pace
- You can stay in cheaper towns outside capital cities
- You can carry your own food
- You can split costs with friends or family
- You can explore hidden gems you’d never reach by train
- You can load up the boot of your car with European treats to enjoy back at home
How to Combine All Three for a Six‑Country Adventure
Also, there’s no reason why you couldn’t combine all three options – drive, sail and rail – if you want to reach even more countries during your holiday.
- Drive from Calais to Brussels Explore Belgium’s capital, eat waffles, try not to buy too much chocolate.
- Train to Amsterdam using Interrail Wander canals, visit museums, enjoy the Dutch cycling culture (or just admire it from a café).
- Train to Berlin History, art, nightlife – Berlin has it all.
- Danube cruise from Germany into Austria and Hungary Float your way to Vienna and Budapest for a grand finale.
Six countries (seven, if you count setting off from the UK!), one budget and a mix of transport that keeps things exciting while you travel around.
I hope this blog post has sparked ideas for your next adventure if you’re planning some frugal European capital hopping. Europe is wonderfully accessible, and surprisingly affordable, when you mix and match your travel styles.
If you’ve tried any of these routes (or have your own budget‑friendly tips), I’d love to hear about them. Pop your stories in the comments or explore more travel inspiration in the budget getaways category on my blog. 🙂
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