Budget Tours & Trips to Balkans
Think the Balkans can’t be done on a budget? You’re wrong! It’s entirely doable. Ever thought about walking the streets of Budapest, soaking in hot thermal baths, then enjoying a cruise along Danube River? Don’t miss trying the local speciality, bosanski cevapi. The Balkans offer serious bang for your buck, and it’s time to see for yourself.
10 best cheap Balkans tour packages
Compiled by
NadineBalkans travel expert at TourRadar
- Belgrade to Tirana; Semi – Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
- Balkan Jewels (Intensive); Semi - Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
- Explore the Balkans
- Undiscovered Balkans
- Ancient Macedonia
- 8 Days Cruise Ionian Islands, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Bari and more from Athens
- Belgrade to Budva (Standard) - 11 days
- Balkan Express - Northbound. Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia
- Athens to Transylvania
- Central European Explorer: Budapest, Transylvania & Sofia (Small Group)
Belgrade to Tirana; Semi – Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing time in this tour during spring time!”
Elidjana, traveled in April
A Balkan tour at approx. $200 daily includes 3-star accommodations with breakfast. Entry fees covered for Belgrade Fortress and BUNKART museum. Private transport and guided tours of UNESCO sites like Stari Most and Kotor's Old Town included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $282 Operator Choose Balkans From $2,656
15% Off- US$2,257You save $398
Balkan Jewels (Intensive); Semi - Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An amazing tour highly recommended for adventurers. Beautiful way to learn and enjoy balkan countries culture and history.”
YOLANDA, traveled in November
This Balkan trip runs approx. $200 daily with 3-star accommodations, breakfast, and transport. UNESCO treasures like Kotor's Old Town and Berat's castle city await. Entry fees and professional guiding included, meals average $50/day extra.
Duration 5 days Destinations Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $363 Operator Choose Balkans From $2,135
15% Off- US$1,814You save $320
Explore the Balkans
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Well planned and well priced.”
Marlene, traveled in June
The Balkans await at approx. $150 daily, including 7 breakfasts and varied accommodations. Complimentary activities include Kalemegdan Park visits, Bascarsija bazaar walks, and Church of St. Blaise entrance in Dubrovnik's Old Town.
Duration 10 days Destinations Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Croatia Age Range Ages 15+ Price Per Day $128 Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,500
15% Off- US$1,275You save $225
Undiscovered Balkans
26 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Valbonë Valley was utterly magical. The Dečani Monastery in Kosovo was fascinating and beautiful.”
Michael, traveled in June
Complete Balkan circuit at around $3,100 for 14 days includes hotels, transport, and guided tours. Walking tours in Tirana, Pristina, and Skopje included plus airport transfers. UNESCO sites and wine tasting experiences featured.
Duration 14 days Destinations Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia Age Range Ages 16+ Price Per Day $192 Operator Explore! From $2,900
7% Off- US$2,690You save $210
Ancient Macedonia
40 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The museum of the tomb of Philip II at Vergina and his burial treasure, I had not expected something quite to dazling and so brilliantly well presented.”
Nigel, traveled in September
Three Balkan countries unfold at approx. $200 per day, including 13 hotel nights and 1 monastery stay. UNESCO sites like Ohrid and Rila Monastery included, plus complimentary airport transfers and local transportation across Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Greece.
Duration 15 days Destinations Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece Age Range Ages 16+ Price Per Day $211 Operator Explore! From $3,440
8% Off- US$3,160You save $280
This 8-day cruise costs around $210 per day with full board, soft drinks, and onboard entertainment included. You'll see UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik's medieval walls, climb to the Castle of San Giovanni in Kotor for panoramic bay views, and visit the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks. Groups of 15-35 travelers depart starting April 2026.
Duration 8 days Destinations Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Greece Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $182 Operator STM Tours LLC From $1,940
25% Off- US$1,455You save $485
This 11-day trip costs around $240 daily and covers Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro with 4-star hotels and breakfast. You'll cruise Belgrade's Sava and Danube rivers, taste wine in Vardar Valley, and see UNESCO sites like Saint Naum Monastery and Kotor Old Town with entrance fees included.
Duration 11 days Destinations Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $274 Operator On The Go Tours From $3,765
20% Off- US$3,012You save $753
At around $160 daily, travel from Sofia to Belgrade's Kalemegdan fortress, then see Sarajevo's Turkish bazaar and Mostar's UNESCO Old Bridge. Stay in 3-star hotels with en-suite bathrooms across Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia with breakfast and local guides included.
Duration 7 days Destinations Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $81 Operator Penguin Travel From
20% Off- US$566+$354 local payments
Athens to Transylvania
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Enjoyed the trip. Superb service.”
Lakshmi, traveled in January
The Balkans beckon at approx. $290 daily, featuring Hotel Egnatia in Thessaloniki and Best Western Terminus in Sofia. Includes 8 breakfasts, Meteora monasteries access, and Rila Monastery guided tours.
Duration 9 days Destinations Greece, Bulgaria, Romania Age Range Ages 6+ Price Per Day $292 Operator Eskapas From $2,800
6% Off- US$2,632You save $168
Central European Explorer: Budapest, Transylvania & Sofia (Small Group)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
At $180 per day, this trip offers 8 nights in 4-star hotels with breakfast and transfers. See Bulgaria's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Veliko Tarnovo's medieval clifftop capital, plus Romania's Bran Castle and royal Peles Castle, with guided tours of Bucharest's Old Town and Transylvania's UNESCO Sighișoara.
Duration 9 days Destinations Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria Age Range Ages 6+ Price Per Day $276 Operator Eskapas From $2,640
6% Off- US$2,482You save $158
Budget Tours & Trips to Balkans Reviews
- Belgrade to Tirana; Semi – Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
It is an amazing tour, the guides Markel [in Tirana] and ANNA [for the rest of the trip] were incredible and we had a great time in Albania and North Macedonia. We did the 7 day tour starting in Tirana and ending in Athens.
- Balkan Jewels (Intensive); Semi - Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
The tour was amazing! We had such a great time! The countries we visited were beautiful, and we learned so much from our guide, Ilir. He was friendly, patient, kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. Every site and restaurant he recommended we visit in our free time was outstanding. I also sincerely appreciated the tour company and our guide staying in touch with us using WhatsApp--it was so easy and convenient. The only thing that wasn't so great was that some of our hotels didn't have strong AC, so it was hot when we tried to sleep. One of those hotels, Beatrix Luxe (in Budva), also had no lift, and our rooms were on the top floor. We had to carry our luggage up all those stairs and the rooms were hot. The location of all of our hotels was excellent, though. Hotel Mozart was outstanding, and the AC worked great!! I would enthusiastically recommend Tour Radar and Choose Balkans to travelers interested in visiting the Balkans. I wouldn't hesitate to take another tour with either company. I'm so impressed with how amazing and affordable this tour was.
- Explore the Balkans
Awsm experience. Learned so much about the former Yugoslavia. Great guide, great group of travelers.
What our customers ask about Budget Tours & Trips to Balkans
Which destinations offer the best value for money on Balkans budget tours?
Albania Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia stand out as the most economical choices in the Balkans. In these countries travelers find reasonably priced meals transportation and places to stay. A visit to Tirana's Skanderbeg Square and National Museum costs just a few euros while cities like Belgrade and Sarajevo provide similar value. For those willing to travel during quieter periods Montenegro's Kotor and Croatia's Split become notably more affordable.
What is the best time of year to find budget-friendly tours in the Balkans?
Travel during April-May or September-October to get the best deals. These months bring pleasant weather fewer tourists and reduced prices at popular spots like Dubrovnik's Old Town and Budapest's thermal baths. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Mid to late March or April allows you to miss the crowds of summer while still enjoying comfortable weather for exploring."
How much should I budget for optional activities not included in the tour price?
Budget around 150-200 USD for extra activities on a typical 10-day tour. Common add-ons include food tours in Athens that cost 40-60 USD sunset boat trips along the Croatian coast for 50-70 USD and walking tours through Budapest priced at 15-25 USD. As one TourRadar traveler suggests: "Don't skip the optional activities - they really add to the experience especially the local food tours."
Are entrance fees to attractions included in budget Balkan tours?
Most tours cover entry fees to main attractions. This typically includes places like Rozafa Castle in Shkoder Ohrid's St. John Church and Berat Castle with entry fees ranging from 3-5 USD. Extra activities such as cooking classes or boat excursions usually cost more. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The tour included all the main attraction entry fees which was great value. We only paid extra for optional activities we chose to do."
How much should I budget for meals not included in Balkan tours?
Set aside 25-35 USD daily for meals not in your tour package. Local eateries in Prizren and Ohrid serve full meals for 8-12 USD while street food and casual cafes cost between 3-7 USD per meal. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Food costs were very reasonable - we had amazing local meals in Kosovo and Macedonia for under 10 USD per person."
What type of accommodation can I expect on budget Balkans tours?
These tours typically combine stays at hostels and 3-star hotels. You might find yourself at Belgrade's Best Western Hotel M or Budapest's Novotel Centrum. Most rooms come with basic amenities private bathrooms and convenient locations near city centers. As one TourRadar traveler notes: "The hostels were brilliant and I haven't been nervous at all. I felt very welcomed into the group when I started my tour."