Eastern Europe Itinerary
Here is an example itinerary through Eastern Europe. I feel that many of the Eastern European countries are overlooked, but are dramatically more affordable for on a backpacking budget. This was planned and budgeted for June/July which is also their summer, allowing for some very light packing. Despite this time being some of the best weather, I never found myself feeling as if it were too crowded in the cities, which made the experience even better!
Day 1
LAX>>TXL $227
Air Berlin (Flight 3547) Departs 1:00 am — TXL Arrives 6:25 am
-Train to hostel — $2
-Explore around
-Find a river bar
Overnight: Sandino World Improvement Network — Big Tent — $21
Day 2
-Use bikes from hostel
-Explore downtown, Brandenburg gate
Overnight: Sandino World Improvement Network — Big Tent — $21
Day 3
-Bike to downtown
-Holocaust Memorial
-Relax at Tiergarten park
-Beckett’s Kopf & Bar Tausend (ring the doorbell to get into this bar)
Overnight: Sandino World Improvement Network — Big Tent — $21
Day 4
-Badeschiff (cargo container pool in river) — $3.50 per person
-Walk around Berlin Wall and river
Overnight: Sandino World Improvement Network — Big Tent — $21
Day 5
Go to Prague with Eurail pass— $351 for summer
BERLIN TO PRAGUE 10:10PM to 8:27AM
-Relax
Overnight: On train
Day 6
-Arrive in Prague, drop off luggage at hostel
-Bus ticket- $1
-Astronomical Clock II
-Old Town Square
-Cross the Charles Bridge
Overnight: Czech Inn — 34 Bed Dorm — $13 per person
Day 7
-Prague Castle
-Walk around town
Overnight: Czech Inn — 34 Bed Dorm — $13
Day 8
-Bus ticket- $1
-John Lennon Wall
-Walk along river
Overnight: Czech Inn — 34 Bed Dorm — $13
Day 9
PRAGUE TO WARSAW 10:22AM to 6:05PM
-Explore around
Overnight: Orange Hostel — $11 per person
Day 10
-Grab groceries
-Old Town
Overnight: Orange Hostel — $11
Day 11
-Bus ticket — $0.70
-Willanow Palace
-Find the Heart bridge
Overnight: Orange Hostel — $11
Day 12
-Skaryszewski Park
-Walk by the river
Overnight: Orange Hostel — $11
Day 13
WARSAW TO BUDAPEST 9:20PM to 8:23AM
-Explore town before leaving
Overnight: On the train
Day 14
-Hungarian Parliament Building
-Chain Bridge
-Buda Castle
-Fisherman’s Bastion
Overnight: Studio Airbnb — $25
Day 15
-Heroes Square
-Central Market Hall
-Liberty Bridge
-Vaci Street
Overnight: Studio Airbnb — $25
Day 16
-Thermal baths — $20 per person
-Gresham Palace
Overnight: Studio Airbnb — $25
Day 17
-Matthias Church
-St. Stephen’s Cathedral
-Hungarian State Opera House
Overnight: Studio Airbnb — $25
Day 18
-Gellert Hill
-Vajdahunyad Castle
-Andrassy Avenue
Overnight: Studio Airbnb — $25
Day 19
-Explore around
Overnight: Studio Airbnb — $25
Day 20
BUDAPEST TO ZAGREB
-Explore town
Overnight: Mali Jago- 6 Bed Dorm — $11 per person
Day 21
-Get to Plitvice National Park before 9am!!! $25 to enter $16 RT for bus tickets
Overnight: Mali Jago- 6 Bed Dorm — $11
Day 22
-Go to the observation deck
-Museum of Broken Relationships — $5
Overnight: Mali Jago- 6 Bed Dorm — $11
Day 23
ZAGREB TO SPLIT 7:35 AM > 1:35 PM
-Explore around
Overnight: Apartment Perna in Podstrana- $25 per night
Day 24
-Explore the promenade and beaches
Overnight: Apartment Perna in Podstrana
Day 25
-Visit old town and cathedral
-Marjan Hill
Overnight: Apartment Perna in Podstrana
Day 26
-Explore around
Overnight: Apartment Perna in Podstrana
Day 27
Check out of Airbnb
Overnight: on train
Day 28
SPLIT TO VENICE
-St. Marks Square & Basilica
-Doge’s Palace
Overnight: Camping Serenissima — 2 Bed Dorm- $15 per person
Day 29
-Rialto Bridge and market
-Gondola Ride $80 per ride, split with others
Overnight: Camping Serenissima — 2 Bed Dorm
Day 30
-Acqua Altra Libreria
-Bridge of Sighs
Overnight: Camping Serenissima — 2 Bed Dorm
Day 31
-Venice Music Museum
-Parco Savorgnan
Overnight: Camping Serenissima — 2 Bed Dorm
Day 32
-Explore the city
Overnight: Camping Serenissima — 2 Bed Dorm
Day 33
-EXPLORRREEEEE
Overnight: Stay out all night
Day 34
VENICE>>LAX $462
-Bus to airport- $2
Turkish Airlines departs VCE 7:25 am
Stopover in Istanbul, arrives 10:50am, departs for LAX at 2:25pm
Arrives in LAX at 6:20pm on Monday, July 24
This entire trip came out to be under $2,000 when you add in food, souvenirs, and other miscellaneous items. Some of these spots, I did have to find someone to split the cost with, and hitchhiking was something I would take advantage of during the day. During this trip, I gravitated toward street foods again or quick bites. Each of these stops was full of history and culture that was incredibly interesting and I never found myself to be bored.
In Budapest, I would not skip out on going to the baths, and in Croatia, I would not miss out on going to Plitvice. Both of these are meticulously etched in my mind for good. A huge benefit of getting the Eurail pass, was that I was able to stop along my journey and get out to spend a day in other countries. I would highly recommend getting out in Slovenia and Austria along the way if the schedule works for you.
The hardest part of this trip for me was bringing enough water. I would highly recommend bringing multiple water bottles or bringing a couple extra bladders if you bring a hydration pack. Water was not always free once I was out on the town.
If you or anyone you know has a set budget and would like for me to put together an itinerary, send me a comment or reach out to me on Instagram and I would be happy to help with planning!
