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
- Balkan Express - Northbound. Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia
- Ancient Macedonia
- Belgrade to Budva (Standard) - 11 days
- 8 Days Cruise Ionian Islands, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Bari and more from Athens
- Athens to Transylvania
- 10 Days In Zagreb, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Split, Opatija and Ljubljana.
Belgrade to Tirana; Semi – Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
19 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great way to explore the region without the stress of planning. I felt safe, informed, and taken care of the entire time.”
Orianna, 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 $271 Operator Choose Balkans From $2,649
18% Off- US$2,172You save $477
Balkan Jewels (Intensive); Semi - Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This tour was just brilliant - especially if you have limited time and need to see/experience some of the beauty and diversity of the region at pace.”
Claire, traveled in March
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 $426 Operator Choose Balkans From
18% Off- US$2,129
Explore the Balkans
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Interesting history and great sight seeing. Competent, friendly, organised trip manager.”
Matthew, traveled in May
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“Lake Ohrid was beautiful and gave us a chance to swim and relax. The old town was stunning.”
Jill, traveled in July
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, Macedonia, Kosovo Age Range Ages 16+ Price Per Day $217 Operator Explore! From $3,280
7% Off- US$3,040You save $240
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 $80 Operator Penguin Travel From
7% Off- US$561+$350 local payments
Ancient Macedonia
40 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tomb of Phillip II at Vergina was very impressive.”
Jason, 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 $206 Operator Explore! From $3,300
6% Off- US$3,090You save $210
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 $256 Operator On The Go Tours From $3,755
25% Off- US$2,816You save $939
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 $198 Operator STM Tours LLC From $1,763
10% Off- US$1,587You save $176
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 $302 Operator Eskapas From $2,800
3% Off- US$2,716You save $84
The complete Balkans at approx. $290 per day covers 3-star hotels, daily breakfast, 7 dinners, and entrance fees. Visit stunning Plitvice Lakes, historic Dubrovnik monuments, and Sarajevo's powerful Tunnel of Hope with expert city tours.
Duration 10 days Destinations Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $363 Operator Remaz Tours GmbH From
3% Off- US$3,626
Budget Tours & Trips to Balkans Reviews
- Belgrade to Tirana; Semi – Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
From the first exchange of email we knew that they were the right operator! One of the best experiences we have ever had! The tour was great and the guide took a great care of us. Would definately go to another tour
- Balkan Jewels (Intensive); Semi - Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
We loved this trip. The scenery was spectacular. Our guide, "Tony," was superb. He was knowledgeable, kind and truly pleasant to spend time with. He gave us a lot of information about his country as well as the neighboring countries. He would stop at the sites we were most interested in and added several he knew we'd enjoy.
- Ancient Macedonia
I had a fantastic experience and was very impressed with the quality of the tour. The itinerary was well-planned and covered all the key historical sites in the region, from Pella and Vergina to Amphipolis and Philippi. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of ancient Macedonia, and did a great job bringing the sites to life with detailed explanations and insights. The logistics of the tour were also very well-handled, with comfortable transportation, good accommodation, and an overall smooth flow to the schedule. I never felt rushed or like we were missing out on anything. Overall, this was an exceptional tour that exceeded my expectations. I learned a tremendous amount and left with a much deeper appreciation for the legacy of Alexander the Great and the kingdom of ancient Macedonia. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone with an interest in classical history.
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."