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These Are the Cheapest Cities to Visit in Europe This Fall

Aug. 25, 2018
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3 min read
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These Are the Cheapest Cities to Visit in Europe This Fall
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The end of summer is rapidly approaching, and in Europe that means a number of things: tourism is simmering down, the weather is beginning to cool and, most importantly, prices are becoming cheaper. But there are some European cities where your dollar will simply go farther than others.

According to a recent Money City Cost Barometer report from Post Office — a UK-based retail and financial services chain — the Serbian capital of Belgrade is the cheapest city to visit in Europe this fall.

Of the 46 European cities analyzed, nine others made the Post Office list, mostly located in Eastern Europe. The top 10 affordable European destinations were selected based on the average cost of a weekend in each city this October:

  1. Belgrade, Serbia, £148.70 ($172.83 USD)
  2. Krakow, Poland, £169.21 ($196.67 USD)
  3. Vilnius, Lithuania, £169.56 ($197.08 USD)
  4. Bucharest, Romania, £174.94 ($203.34 USD)
  5. Warsaw, Poland, £176.95 ($205.67 USD)
  6. Riga, Latvia, £182.28 ($211.87 USD)
  7. Porto, Portugal, £183.74 ($213.57 USD)
  8. Athens, Greece, £199.54 ($231.93 USD)
  9. Bratislava, Slovakia, £202.56 ($235.44 USD)
  10. Moscow, Russia, £206.35 ($239.85 USD)

If a trip to Belgrade is a possibility this October, plan on budgeting about $173, which is 12% less than last year’s cheapest destination: Krakow, Poland. This price tag does not include airfare, so you'll have to plan accordingly to account for that added cost.

Though the report didn't include flight prices, it did compare the cost of 12 other common travel purchases, including a visit to a top art gallery and a city bus tour. In Belgrade, a three-course dinner for two with a bottle of house wine, for example, averages £33.99 ($39.53 USD). And a two-night stay for two would set you back £91.00 ($105.81 USD).

Travelers should note, however, that flight prices for certain European destinations on the list — though not Belgrade — are in fact cheaper in the fall. The flight search engine Skyscanner told TPG that travelers heading to Warsaw (No. 5) in autumn can save nearly $186 on airfare, while the savings on flights to Athens are even greater: more than $206.

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But No. 10 on the Post Office's list, Moscow, is also the best European city for fall airfare savings this year. Travelers flying to this Russian city can save $292, compared to other times of year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm20BAwAuw9/?hl=en&taken-by=torolatingastrobar

As for the most expensive cities to visit this fall, Oslo, Norway is at the top of the list, costing a projected £510.47 ($593.57) for a weekend getaway, followed by Amsterdam.

Major cities in Europe have become so oversaturated with visitors, many travelers have shown an increasing interest in cities “off the tourist track," according to Google metrics discussed in the report. Belgrade certainly meets that criteria, but don’t be deterred by this reputation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm0gqdmn_2W/?taken-at=213338498

Belgrade is an understated city with a surprising mix of Brutalist, Ottoman and Neo-Byzantine architecture; a bustling nightlife; and one of the world’s largest Eastern Orthodox churches.

And, of course, if you're visiting Belgrade in the fall, be sure to seek out some of the city's lovely parks for leaf-peeping, such as the thickly forested Košutnjak Hill park.

Featured image by Getty Images

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.