You could be forgiven for believing that a European vacation is out of your budget. After all, cities like London, Paris, and Zurich aren’t particularly known for being wallet-friendly. However, some European destinations are more affordable than you think. Here are seven of the cheapest cities in Europe to visit in 2026.

Seville, Spain

In general, Spain’s a savvy choice for budget-conscious travelers, and that’s especially true of Seville. Explore city highlights such as the Seville Cathedral and its unique bell tower known as La Giralda, the Real Fábrica de Tabacos de Sevilla (Royal Tobacco Factory), and beautiful Plaza de España by booking a spot on a free walking tour. The Old Town of this popular Andalusian city is so charming you’ll want to continue wandering on your own to explore the hidden corners of the Santa Cruz neighborhood. 

Be sure to save enough euros to see an authentic flamenco show. A ticket for an intimate performance at La Casa del Flamenco will set you back about 25 euros ($30 USD), which is considerably less than the price of a ticket to a show at a bigger venue like El Palacio Andaluz. Seville is nicknamed “the Frying Pan” for its swelteringly high summer temperatures, so hold off until fall to visit, when hotel prices (especially in November) fall, too.

Budapest, Hungary

The city that’s famed for its “ruin bars” (pubs located in formerly abandoned buildings) and some of the best street food in Europe knows a thing or two about catering to those on a tight budget. It will cost you nothing to gaze out over the Danube from Fisherman’s Bastion or admire the architecture of the city’s famed Central Market Hall. While the splendid Art Nouveau-style baths at Danubius Hotel Gellért might set you back a few forints (about $22 USD to visit on weekends), you’ll probably agree that relaxing in such elegant surroundings is worth the price.

Better yet, many of the Hungarian capital’s must-see attractions are free. A double room in a centrally-located, three-star hotel is easy to find for under $100 per night, a plate of goulash costs less than $7, and the beer’s ridiculously cheap, too. It’s no wonder, then, that Budapest is a favorite locale among travelers on a budget.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

If you’ve ruled out Switzerland but still want to explore the Alps, how about Slovenia? The capital of Ljubljana makes an excellent base for trips into the surrounding countryside. Lake Bled, famous for its pretty island church and mountain backdrop, is under an hour away. When you’re finished relaxing in nature, stay in the city and take a romantic stroll beside the River Ljubljanica or spend less than $15 to nose around the medieval castle. Getting around the compact old town on foot is a breeze, but you can also hail a Kavalir, an electric vehicle that offers a free ride to anywhere in the pedestrianized city center.

Kraków, Poland

Even though Poland is landing on more tourists’ radars these days, the city of Kraków is still one of Europe’s best bargains. It’s free to watch the world go by in Rynek Główny, the historic main square of the sprawling Old Town, or inspect the amber jewelry on sale at the 15th-century Cloth Hall. Many of the city’s museums are free or discounted on certain days, such as Wawel Royal Castle and Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory on Mondays, the National Museum on Tuesdays, and the Museum of Contemporary Art on Thursdays. 

Away from the touristy, overpriced restaurants, cafés, and bars, food and drink is also cheaper in more residential parts of the city. When there’s a market in the Old Town square, you can also save money by snacking on pierogi (filled dumplings), ham hocks, and hot potatoes from the food stalls for just a few złoty (Poland’s currency).

Dresden, Germany

With fewer tourists than the likes of Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg, Dresden is one of Germany’s best-kept secrets. Its impressive art and architecture earned it the nickname of “Elbflorenz” (Florence on the River Elbe). It won’t cost you a cent to admire the magnificent buildings of the Altstadt (Old Town), including the Zwinger, Semper Opera House, the Royal Palace, and the stunning Lutheran church known as Dresdener Frauenkirche — though you may be tempted to stump up the very reasonable admission charges to nose around the buildings’ interiors. If you plan to visit several museums, invest in a two-day pass called a Dresden Museums Card, which costs only 35 euros ($41).

Sofia, Bulgaria

Take a free walking tour when you arrive in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, and you’ll soon get your bearings. Your guide will introduce you to landmarks such as the iconic Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the Sofia History Museum (once the city’s bath house), and the former Communist Party Headquarters. Even during peak season, a night at an upscale property like the Hotel Balkan can be secured for around $150 a night.

Riga, Latvia

Riga’s a charming city to wander through on foot. Littered throughout the Old Town are some quirky sculptures, such as an armadillo beside the cathedral, a ghost hovering between the Swedish Gate and the Latvian War Museum, and a glittering Venus of Willendorf outside the Art Academy of Latvia. When you’ve worked up an appetite, head to a traditional pub like Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs, where a generous plate of Latvian meatballs can be yours for less than $10, and a large beer to wash it down comes in at an extra $4 or so.

It’s an oft-dreaded but entirely legal aspect of air travel: If the flight you are booked on is oversold, then some passengers may be bumped. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines are permitted to sell more seats than they actually have in the expectation that a certain percentage of people will be no-shows. But how do they decide who gets bumped to the next flight? The precise criteria by which passengers are denied boarding varies, so it’s worth reading the small print. We’ve summarized the key points of the largest U.S. airlines’ policies below, but these can change, so it’s always best to do your own research before booking.

Why Airlines Overbook

Airlines, like any business, want to maximize profits, but there are a fixed number of seats they can sell on any given flight. If a booked passenger doesn’t show — whether they missed their connection or showed up too late to the airport — that seat goes empty when it could have been filled by a paying passenger. 

Because no-shows like this are common, airlines tend to book more passengers than they have seats for. The level of overselling is calculated based on past data, and most of the time the airlines get it right. Sometimes, however, they end up with more passengers than seats, and in these cases, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, some ticket holders won’t fly as they expected. 

According to DOT regulations, airlines have to first request that volunteers come forward; they often offer substantial financial incentives for those willing to change their plans last minute. If that doesn’t work and no one volunteers, airlines must follow prepublished guidelines for compensation, but it is up to the airlines themselves to determine who finds themselves offloaded. Find out more about the policies of major U.S. airlines below.

American Airlines

American Airlines is clear in its conditions of carriage about which passengers will get boarding priority — in other words, the last people to get bumped — in the event of a lack of sufficient volunteers to give up their seat on an oversold flight. Passengers who have special assistance needs or those who are traveling as an unaccompanied minor should not be bumped. Those with elite status in the airline’s AAdvantage frequent flyer program also receive preferential treatment in such instances. It helps to be traveling in the first, business, or premium economy cabins, too. Failing that, the earlier you check in, the less likely you are to be bumped, but American states that those who are involuntarily denied boarding will be chosen entirely at the airline’s discretion.  

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines states that they handle bumped passengers “with fairness and consistency in the case of an oversold flight.” In practice, this means that those who are involuntarily denied boarding are chosen according to a predetermined order. Preference is given to those requiring special assistance, including unaccompanied minors, followed by Delta One and Delta First customers and elite members of Delta’s SkyMiles frequent flyer program. Those without such status or those traveling in a nonpremium cabin are most likely to be involuntarily denied boarding.

Southwest Airlines

Flying Southwest Airlines soon? What happens to passengers denied boarding is set to change. For flights on or before January 26, 2026, how the airline chooses who to bump is determined by the order in which you were assigned a boarding position. 

After that date, if you wish to minimize the chance of being bumped, it pays to purchase a Choice Extra fare (the airline’s most expensive offering) or to fly enough to qualify for A-List Preferred or A-List Member status. Next, those traveling on an interline itinerary (one that combines flights with multiple airlines on a single ticket) are taken into consideration, followed by those who purchased higher fare classes, those with earlier booking dates, and passengers who checked in earlier.

United Airlines

Like other airlines, United Airlines resorts to involuntary denied boarding procedures only if it can’t find volunteers in the event of an oversold flight. According to Section 25 of the airline’s conditions of carriage, consideration is given to those with disabilities and unaccompanied minors. On flights departing from Canada, families may also be treated with priority if passengers need to be bumped. After that, factors such as fare class, itinerary, frequent flyer status, and the order in which you checked in come into play.

As required by the DOT, United, like all airlines, will also provide anyone who is involuntarily bumped with a written statement that shows how the decision was made and notifies you of your rights regarding compensation and flight rebooking. 

Alaska Airlines

Alaska’s customer service commitment outlines how the airline “will handle an overbooked flight consistently.” Alaska stresses that gate staff will seek volunteers before bumping anyone against their wishes; however, when involuntary denied boarding is necessary, they do so to the last person checked in without a seat assignment. 

Around 47 million people visit Orlando’s Disney theme parks each year, making it the country’s second-most-visited tourist destination. If you plan to join the crowds at the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” or its sister park, the “Happiest Place on Earth,” prepare to pay even more for admission. Price hikes have recently gone into effect for both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in Southern California. Here’s how much you can expect to pay in 2025 and 2026.

Disneyland and Disney World Get More Expensive

Disney’s theme parks use a tiered pricing system. The lowest tier, Tier 0, is for days with the lowest demand, while the highest tier, Tier 6, covers peak periods such as holidays. Effective October 8, 2025, prices have gone up for most types of tickets, as first reported by the Disney news site Mickey Visit. 

The good news is that, for the lowest tiers, pricing remains unchanged. The cheapest single-day, single-park admission for Disneyland is $104 per adult ticket and $98 per child ticket (ages 3 to 9; children under 3 don’t need a ticket). The same type of ticket at Walt Disney World starts at $119 for adults at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ($114 for kids). 

Wondering when you can score the cheapest tickets? Disney’s website for both theme parks has a handy calendar feature that points you to the dates with the lowest prices. For Disneyland, there were a total of 38 days available at Tier 0, the lowest price, in 2025, the company shared with Mickey Visit. 

If you’re planning to visit during peak periods, though, expect to shell out more. At Walt Disney World, Tier 6 tickets (the highest price level) for dates through October 2026 will continue to max out at $199 for adults. But for select peak dates in November and December 2026, one-day admission will now cost $209 — the first time a single-day admission ticket to Walt Disney World will cost more than $200. 

Tier 6 adult admission to Disneyland is jumping $18, from $206 to $224 per adult ticket. According to a study by Mickey Visit, that means the cost for the most expensive single-day ticket at Disneyland has increased by over 125% over the past decade. Prices are also increasing for the middle tiers (Tiers 2 through 5) by around $5 at both parks. 

Disney Theme Park Prices Over the Years

If you’re like us, the sticker shock may have you yearning for the old days: When Disneyland first opened in 1955, admission tickets cost just $1 for adults (equivalent to about $12 today) and 50 cents for children. When Walt Disney World followed in 1971, the price of adult admission was $3.50 (about $27 today). 

That said, when the theme parks first opened, guests had to pay extra for individual rides (starting at 23 cents for adults and 10 cents for kids when Disneyland first opened). And there were far fewer of them than there are today, so the comparison isn’t exactly apples to apples. 

But there’s no denying that a Disney vacation has been getting more and more expensive. Back in 2000, a single-day ticket to Walt Disney World cost $46 for adults (about $87 today) and $37 for kids, according to the popular unofficial Disney guide AllEars.net. By 2015, a ticket to Magic Kingdom passed the $100 mark. 

Other Price Changes

Disney is hiking prices on other types of tickets as well, including annual passes and multiday tickets. At Disney World, for example, annual prices will be going up by between $20 and $80. 

At Disneyland, a five-day Park Hopper pass (the most expensive daily ticket) will now cost an eyewatering $655 — a $39 increase. Most of Disneyland’s Magic Key annual passes will increase, too, but the two lowest tiers will remain unchanged.

And for those looking to skip the parks’ lengthy queues for rides, Disney is also raising the cost of its popular Lightning Lane passes by up to $6. For instance, a Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Disney’s Magic Kingdom during peak periods will now cost $45, up from $39. Prepare to pay a bit more for parking, too. The cost of a standard parking pass at Disney World is increasing $5, from $30 to $35. 

There’s some good news, though: Disney also announced that special pricing on a three-day California Resident Park Hopper pass will be available for purchase starting December 3. It will allow California residents to visit both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park for under $85 per day from January 1 through May 21, 2026.

And Disney plans to open a slew of new rides and attractions at both parks in 2026, including the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, starring the Muppets, in summer 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando.

Where To Experience the Real Thing

If price hikes have you reconsidering your Disney vacation — or if theme parks aren’t really your thing — you could travel instead to some of the real places that inspired many of the rides and attractions at Disneyland and Disney World. 

For instance, the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland, inspired one of Disneyland’s oldest and most beloved rides — the Matterhorn Bobsleds. According to legend, Walt Disney fell in love with the real Matterhorn, one of the most recognizable peaks in the Alps, on a trip to Switzerland in 1958, prompting him to design the Disney ride, which is exactly 100 times shorter than its real-life counterpart. 

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland also pays homage to a European landmark: the real-life Neuschwanstein Castle in the hills of Bavaria, Germany, which was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Commercial flying is one of the safest forms of travel. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), of the 40.6 million flights in 2024, there was only one accident per 810,000 flights. Nevertheless, an analysis from aircraft manufacturer Airbus shows that the takeoff, approach, and landing stages of a flight are statistically when the most incidents happen. Thankfully, clearly defined rules are in place to keep passengers and crew safe. One aspect of these precautionary protocols concerns lighting — you may have noticed that the cabin lights are dimmed before takeoff and again as the crew prepares for landing. Ever wondered why? We’ll explain below.

Your Eyes Need Time To Adjust if It’s Dark

If you walk from a brightly lit space into a dark one — such as when you first walk into a movie theater — it takes a moment for your vision to adjust. In fact, sometimes it takes much longer than a moment — that process, known as dark adaptation, can require as much as 20 to 30 minutes. As light levels recede, photoreceptor cells in the retina called cones and rods become more light sensitive, enabling you to see better. 

In the event of an aircraft evacuation, your eyes will need to similarly adjust, especially if it’s dark outside. Therefore, in order to balance out the light levels within and outside the plane, it makes sense for the cabin lights to be dimmed. This gives your eyes a chance to begin to adjust while you’re still on the plane, so that if an emergency evacuation is called for, you have more effective vision as you exit the aircraft.

Exit Lights Are More Visible in a Dim Cabin

Of course, if you are asked to evacuate the plane, you’ll need to find your way to an emergency exit. One of the features of an aircraft that helps you do so is a line of lights that illuminate the aisle. In the event of a smoke-filled cabin, for instance, the floor of the aircraft is likely to be where visibility is greatest, which is why the lights are embedded into it. 

Interestingly, in situations when your vision is impaired, studies show that up to 83% of your wayfinding ability is lost. A smoke-filled cabin can therefore seriously impair a traveler’s ability to safely evacuate, meaning that every single precaution that can be taken to counteract this disadvantage should be in place.

Though passengers are instructed to note the position of the nearest exit row during the crew’s safety briefing, this information may not register, or it may be forgotten in the event of an emergency. Emergency exit lights play a crucial role in helping passengers reach the exits as quickly as possible — and they will be easier to pick out if your eyes have already adjusted to a dim cabin.

You’ll Be Better Able To See What’s Happening Outside

In addition to dimming the cabin lights, sometimes you’ll find that crew members also instruct passengers to open window shades, at least in certain seats, which allows all those on board to better see what’s going on beyond the aircraft windows. On a routine flight, this means that travelers in a window seat will be able to enjoy the view, but really it’s safety that drives this.

These regulations ensure the cabin isn’t as brightly lit and are also useful in extraordinary circumstances when it could be beneficial to know what’s going on outside the aircraft. This may be especially advantageous if the plane is on the ground but the need to steer clear of a part of the aircraft effectively puts an emergency exit out of action.

Featured image credit: Santiago Urquijo/ Moment via Getty Images 

If you’ve run out of time to prepare before a trip, you might find yourself at the airport with a shopping list. But is buying travel items in the terminal a smart move? With a captive market, retailers may choose to hike prices knowing that it won’t harm sales. Take a look at 10 things you should never buy at an airport.   

Foreign Currency

High commission fees and unfavorable exchange rates mean that buying foreign currency at the airport, though convenient, is rarely a wise financial move. Alternatively, plan to withdraw the notes you need from an ATM on arrival at your destination, where the exchange fees will almost always be less than at airport kiosks.

In many parts of the world, you won’t even need cash. Throughout much of Europe, for example, acceptance of contactless payments is widespread. That said, you should bring a small amount of cash for those occasions when it’s needed. If you’re traveling somewhere and expect to use cash, it’s often also a good idea to order it through your bank or credit union in advance. 

Bottled Water

The dry, cool air that is recirculated through the plane cabin has a dehydrating effect on your skin, so it’s always a good idea to drink plenty of water during your flight. Unfortunately, long-standing restrictions mean that carrying liquids greater than 3.4 ounces through airport security is not permitted. 

But bottled water airside is often overpriced compared to what you’d find in a grocery store. Instead, bring an empty refillable bottle and fill it free of charge at a drinking water fountain before you board, which has the added bonus of reducing your consumption of single-use plastics. (Don’t have a reusable bottle? You can always try this trick, though it requires additional planning.)

Large Power Banks

Travelers are increasingly dependent on their mobile devices when they’re away from home. The rise of smartphones means that you can browse the internet, post on social media, check emails, and find your way around with considerable ease even when overseas. However, this level of use drains batteries, so you might be tempted to purchase a portable charger at the airport. 

Proceed with caution: Many airlines now ban the use of power banks on board for safety reasons because of the risks of fire associated with the lithium batteries in them. And while the TSA says that portable chargers containing lithium batteries are still permitted in a carry-on (they’re banned in checked bags), there are size limits. Lithium ion batteries must have a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery or less.  

Books

If you have a long flight ahead of you, stopping by a bookstore at the airport might seem like a logical move. But consider whether you’ll want to tote around a bulky, heavy book in your luggage after you’ve read it. A book could also tip the scales and make your luggage overweight. Instead, download books on an e-reader such as a Kindle in advance or subscribe to your favorite magazines and read digital editions on your device.

If you still wish to buy a physical book at the airport, one option is to look for a book swap at your destination so that someone else can also benefit from reading it. You can even sign up for BookCrossing and follow your giveaway’s journey once you release it into the wild.

Souvenirs

It’s no secret that many tourists love to buy souvenirs to take home from a trip. In fact, revenue from gift, novelty, and souvenir stores in the U.S. topped $21 billion in 2022. While souvenir shops at the airport might be handy for killing time, you’d be smart to rein in any impulse purchases. 

Prices tend to be higher than the equivalent at local stores and markets. Plus, fragile pieces can be easily damaged in overhead bins, and anything bulky will take up valuable space in your carry-on. Instead, browse the displays of reputable local stores at your destination to seek out authentic keepsakes that have been sustainably and ethically produced. With time to compare and consider, you’re far less likely to come home with something you’ll regret. 

Wi-Fi

If the airport doesn’t offer free Wi-Fi, or if it’s frustratingly slow, it might be tempting to pay for connectivity. However, even official airport networks can be vulnerable to hackers utilizing rogue access points. Instead, do your homework ahead of your trip: Research data roaming packages, e-SIMs, and safer wireless network providers such as Boingo to get yourself connected with minimal risk. Connecting via a VPN also helps ensure the data is encrypted. 

Duty-Free Liquor

While the price of duty-free items can sometimes represent substantial savings on prices in regular stores, it always pays to do your research. Buying liquor, for example, isn’t always cheaper at the airport, even with the savings on taxes. 

Check prices before you travel so you’re armed with the information you need to make comparisons. If there’s only a small discount, you may choose not to carry the heavy glass bottles on board, particularly if you are traveling with other bags or plan to use public transportation rather than a private car or cab once you arrive at your destination. 

Neck Pillows

If you’ve noticed a stand prominently displaying neck pillows at the entrance to a store in the airport terminal, you’ll understand just how effective the power of suggestion can be. Whether the pillow itself will help keep you more comfortable on a flight is a matter of opinion, but if you’re keen to try one, always compare prices before you fly. The airport version is typically, though not always, more expensive.

Medicines

It’s never a good idea to rely on airport pharmacies to have the medication you require in stock, but if you do end up needing to buy medicine at an airport abroad, make sure you know what to ask for. Make a note of any generic drugs you might need and see if you can figure out alternative brand names by which they’re known overseas to ensure any purchase, at the airport or otherwise, is the right one.

Electronics

Buying electronics at the airport can be a minefield. While the price of such goods, depending on where you’re traveling, may be considerably less than you’d pay at home, this type of purchase is also risky. Should the item prove to be faulty, it will be difficult to get a refund or exchange, and warranties may not be valid back in the United States. Additionally, there may be compatibility problems thanks to differing voltage, plug types, or even subtle differences with, for instance, the layout of laptop keyboards. At the end of the day, consider whether paying a little more back home will be worth it for peace of mind.