Choose fewer bases and spend more time in each
Prague, Budapest and Ljubljana form a useful shortlist for a city-based backpacking holiday across Central and south-eastern Europe. The broad label “Eastern Europe” covers places with different geography, currencies and transport arrangements. Choose the actual destinations before making a budget.
For a week, try two bases rather than adding a new city every night. For a longer trip, add a third only when the transport plan leaves time to enjoy it. Allow for transfer days when deciding how many cities to visit.
| City | Build the stay around | Accommodation check |
|---|---|---|
| Prague | Historic walks and public transport | Your arrival stop and useful tram or metro route |
| Budapest | Buda, Pest and a chosen bath visit | Your evening neighbourhood and river crossing |
| Ljubljana | The pedestrian centre and regional outings | Arrival walk and day-trip departure point |
Prague: choose a base around walking and transport
Prague has an extensive public transport network alongside its historic walking areas. Compare a central stay with accommodation near a useful tram or metro connection. The cheapest bed may be less convenient if you repeatedly cross the city to reach your plans.
Use a first-day walk to understand the centre, then choose individual sights rather than trying to cover everything at once. Check how you will reach your accommodation in the evening, especially with luggage.
Sources: (Prague Tourism: public transport)
Budapest: plan both sides of the Danube
Budapest combines areas such as the Buda Castle District, the Jewish Quarter in Pest, and City Park. Choose a base around the outings and evening plans that matter to you. A river view and easy access to your preferred neighbourhood are different priorities.
If a thermal bath is part of the trip, compare the individual bath’s facilities, admission and opening arrangements. Leave time for it as an activity rather than fitting it between several other appointments.
Sources: (Budapest Tourism: attractions)
Ljubljana: use the centre as a base
Much of Ljubljana’s city centre is closed to car traffic. Walking, cycling and local transport give you ways to move around the city. Its railway station connects with several cities in the wider region, but check the actual timetable and changes for your chosen journey.
Compare the walk from your arrival stop to the accommodation and the departure arrangements for any day trip. A central room can make a short stay simpler; a cheaper address outside the centre needs a workable final connection.
Sources: (Ljubljana Tourism: getting around) (Ljubljana Tourism: how to reach Ljubljana)
Compare the cost of the route, not just the bed
List accommodation, transport between bases, local journeys, food and paid activities separately. Compare a hostel dorm with a private room using your party’s total cost. Do not build the holiday around a blanket assumption that every destination is cheap.
Check baggage rules, station locations and check-in times before paying for a connection. Keep the final night near a reliable departure route if you have an early flight, and choose booking terms that fit the certainty of your plans.
Keep the route flexible without losing the bookings
Choose the travel leg before locking in your next room. A budget that works in one city may feel very different after baggage fees, late arrival transport and a short stay are added. Our traveling tips help turn the arrival plan into a short checklist. If you want to extend the route north, our Estonia guide covers city stays and nature outings; check the connections for your dates.
Keep one flexible afternoon in each base. Use it for laundry, a missed walk or a change of plans instead of scheduling every hour. Our guide to traveling cheap in Europe compares costs across the whole journey. For a different southern route, backpacking Greece gives you a compact mainland or one-island alternative.
Good questions, clear answers.
Should I include all three cities in a one-week route?
Choose two bases if a third would turn too much of the week into transfers. Compare the actual journeys and give each base enough time.
Is backpacking the region always inexpensive?
Compare current accommodation and transport quotes for the destinations you choose. Room type, dates, and the number of moves change the total cost.
Compare the stays along your route
Choose your bases first, then compare the exact addresses and room types.