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
- Balkan Jewels (Intensive); Semi - Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
- Southern Europe: Montenegro, Corfu & Medieval Fortresses
- Explore the Balkans
- Balkan Express - Northbound. Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia
- 8 Days Ionian Islands, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Bari and more from Athens
- Belgrade to Budva (Standard) - 11 days
- Undiscovered Balkans
- Central European Explorer: Budapest, Transylvania & Sofia (Small Group)
- Ancient Macedonia
- 10 Days Zagreb, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Split, Opatija and Ljubljana
Balkan Jewels (Intensive); Semi - Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The scenery was spectacular. He gave us a lot of information about his country as well as the neighboring countries.”
Cindy, traveled in September
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 $357 Operator Choose Balkans From $2,100
15% Off- US$1,785You save $315
Southern Europe: Montenegro, Corfu & Medieval Fortresses
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had some difficulties but our positive, fun experiences far outweighed anything else.”
Chloe, traveled in August
The Balkan journey costs approx. $160 per day with breakfast and accommodation. Mixed hostel and hotel stays, featuring free Lekuresi Castle visits and Donji Stoliv hikes. Optional extras include €20 Kotor Bay kayaking.
Duration 8 days Destinations Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece Age Range Ages 18-35 Price Per Day $125 Operator G Adventures From $1,329
25% Off- US$997You save $332
Explore the Balkans
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Trips are always perfect if you are limited to time as you get to see a lot in a short space of time.”
Kelly, 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 $130 Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,530
15% Off- US$1,301You save $230
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 $79 Operator Penguin Travel From
15% Off- US$553+$346 local payments
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 $174 Operator STM Tours LLC From $1,909
27% Off- US$1,394You save $515
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 $287 Operator On The Go Tours From $3,715
15% Off- US$3,158You save $557
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
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 $284 Operator Eskapas From $2,640
3% Off- US$2,561You save $79
Ancient Macedonia
40 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Ohrid was a lovely town and I like Skopje. The ancient sites were excellent.”
Alison, traveled in July
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
Complete Balkan immersion at around $2,600 total. Features 3-star hotels, daily breakfast, 7 dinners, and entrance fees to Plitvice Lakes and Diocletian's Palace. Guided tours and comfortable transfers included.
Duration 10 days Destinations Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $336 Operator Remaz Tours GmbH From
8% Off- US$3,364
Budget Tours & Trips to Balkans Reviews
- 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.
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."