Stasher Study Unveils Europe’s Most Affordable and Costliest Cities for Weekend Getaways

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A recent study conducted by Stasher, a global luggage storage company, identifies Cologne as the third most expensive city in Europe for a weekend getaway. This comprehensive study sourced data from Hotels.com, Kayak.co.uk, and Numbeo.com to determine the total costs for two people traveling in European cities with airports. The expenses calculated included flights, hotel stays, meals, and local transportation, totaling the minimum expected cost for a brief trip.

Krakow, Poland, emerged as the most costly destination, with a weekend trip averaging €617.79. This figure includes €217.30 for a budget-friendly round trip flight from any UK airport and €118.54 for an average nightly hotel rate. Additionally, a mid-range meal for two is priced at €42.36, and a one-way local transport ticket costs €1.15. Visitors to Krakow can explore iconic sites like Rynek Glowny Central Square, St Mary’s Basilica, and the Bazylika i Klasztor Franciszkanow.

Bucharest, Romania, ranks second at approximately €655.17 for a weekend visit. This city offers the lowest hotel rate per night at €100.68 and the cheapest average meal at McDonald’s at €6.98. Tourist attractions include the Palatul Parlamentului, one of the largest government buildings globally, Stavropoleos Monastery, and the Ateneul Român.

Warsaw, Poland, follows closely at €656.59, featuring vibrant sightseeing opportunities such as the Stare Miasto (Old Town), the Palace of Culture and Science, and the Chopin Monument. Accommodation costs average €121.35 per night, with round-trip flights from the UK costing about €245.10.

Riga, Latvia, takes fourth place with a trip costing €676.86, which includes €112.47 for nightly accommodation and €59.60 for a mid-range meal for two. Key attractions in Riga include the Old City, the House of the Black Heads, and the Town Hall Square.

Prague, Czech Republic, rounds out the top five, with a weekend trip priced at €716.76. The city, known for its scenic vistas and attractions like the Orloj Astronomical Clock and Prague Castle, offers the cheapest flight costs among the top ten at €197.48 and the lowest price for an inexpensive meal at €7.86.

Top 10 Most Affordable European Cities for a Weekend Getaway

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Zurich tops the list as the priciest European city for a weekend getaway, with a total expense of approximately €1,382.67. The most significant cost in this Swiss city is lodging, with a hotel room averaging €350.90 per night, and a mid-range dinner for two priced at £105.72, the highest on the list.

Following closely, Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is the second most expensive, with a weekend trip costing €1,349.55. Cologne, Germany, claims the third spot, with total expenses amounting to €1,260.97.

Edinburgh surprisingly ranks fourth, indicating that sometimes traveling within the UK can be costlier than going abroad, especially with hotel room prices peaking at €366.13 per night—the highest recorded.

The list concludes with Geneva, Florence, Venice, Rome, Copenhagen, and Milan, securing positions five through ten, respectively.

Top 10 Most Expensive European Cities for a Weekend Getaway

Anthony Collias, Co-Founder of Stasher, commented on the findings: “The data provides helpful insights into the European touristic landscape and can be easily used to plan your next trip abroad.

“With each of these cities providing plenty of opportunities for entertainment, as well as cultural enrichment, any destination can be the best fit based on your personal budget.”