Download Now!

How to Travel Europe on a Budget Using Self-Guided Tours

Explore more while spending less. Discover how self-guided tours can help you enjoy cheap city tours and smarter budget travel across Europe.

Budget Travel Europe | Cheap City Tours | Travel Tips
Updated on: 
July 28, 2025

Travel Europe Without Breaking the Bank

You want to experience Europe... the historic cities, the food, the culture. But high exchange rates, pricey attractions, and group tours that cost more than a hotel night can quickly blow your budget. The good news? Budget travel in Europe is entirely possible when you think smarter, not smaller.

One of the best ways to explore a city deeply without spending much is with a self-guided tour. You get curated stories, flexible timing, and total independence and all at a fraction of what traditional guided tours cost.

In this post, we’ll show you how to save money and make the most of every destination using cheap city tours from MyGuideGuru.

Why Self-Guided Tours Are the Budget Traveller’s Secret Weapon

A traditional walking tour can cost anywhere from €20 to €50 per person. Multiply that by several cities (or a family) and the total adds up quickly.

Self-guided tours, by contrast, offer:

  • One-time affordable pricing, often less than a coffee and croissant
  • No tipping, booking fees, or group size limitations
  • No need to pay for repeat tours, you can replay them as needed

MyGuideGuru gives you access to expert-level storytelling and navigation without the inflated price tag. Want to know how our app works? Check out How to Use MyGuideGuru.

Budget Travel Tips for Exploring European Cities

Here’s how to keep your travel costs down while still having an unforgettable experience:

1. Walk Instead of Ride
City transport costs can pile up fast. Self-guided walking tours let you explore entire neighbourhoods without spending a cent on taxis or buses.

2. Travel Off-Peak
Visit cities in the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) for cheaper flights and less crowded streets. Having just travelled during through a heat wave, you'll get better weather too!

3. Choose Street Food Over Restaurants
Want to sample local flavours without the restaurant markup? Often the most flavourful experiences are the inexpensive cultural staples from bakeries, food stalls, and local markets.

4. Use Offline Access
MyGuideGuru tours work offline, so you don’t need an international data plan or SIM card. That’s one more recurring expense eliminated.

5. Avoid the Big Group Tours
Not only are they expensive, they’re rigid. A self-guided option lets you see more and spend less.

Explore More, Spend Less, and Travel at Your Pace

When every euro counts, value matters. With self-guided tours from MyGuideGuru, you get:

  • Professional-quality routes and narration
  • The flexibility to start, pause, and stop whenever you want
  • A way to travel that’s rich in experience, but light on cost

Explore cities like Florence, Lisbon, or Barcelona through Classic, Scandalous, Culinary, or KidQuest tours, designed for every type of traveller.

Want to travel on your terms? Learn how to choose the right tour type for your mood.

Budget Travel Doesn’t Mean Missing Out

A smaller budget doesn’t mean a smaller experience. With MyGuideGuru, you can see Europe’s best cities, savour their stories, and feel like a local... all without blowing your travel funds.

Ready to travel smarter? Download the app and start your budget-friendly European adventure today.