We've already conducted a series of price comparisons for this summer, ranging from ferry crossings and car hire to the cost of a pint. If you're looking to holiday on a budget and haven't booked yet, you might also be interested in knowing which countries offer affordable dining. We've examined restaurant price data across Europe.
We looked at the average cost of a three-course dinner for two people in mid-range restaurants across Europe. The average price is €56.
Switzerland is the most expensive, while Portugal, Spain, and Greece are more affordable. While Norway tops the list for the priciest pint in Europe, Switzerland takes the lead when it comes to the cost of a three-course meal. Other countries in the top 10 most expensive include Denmark, Ireland, Belgium, Sweden, the UK, Finland—basically, almost all of North-Western Europe.
On the other hand, if you're searching for countries where you can enjoy a meal out without breaking the bank, you'll need to look elsewhere. Eastern Europe and the Balkans often come up in this list, as expected. North Macedonia is the cheapest, with an average price of just over €24.
If you’re considering popular holiday destinations that offer affordable dining, Portugal (€40), Spain (€50), and Greece (€50) stand out. This is the cost for a three-course meal for two people, meaning in Portugal, you’re spending just €20 per person. Below, you can find a map and table with the price data per country. Is your dream destination among the affordable options?
Prices by City in Europe.
Naturally, average national prices can vary significantly between cities, with major cities often being more expensive than the national average. For example, in Zurich and Geneva, you’ll spend more than €123. In Copenhagen, it's €107, and in Amsterdam, €87. These are some of the pricier cities.
Affordable (Popular) Cities in Europe
We've also compiled a selection of cities—carefully chosen—that offer good value. Skopje is particularly affordable at €26, while in Valencia, Lisbon, and Athens, you can enjoy a meal for two for around €50. In Porto, the cost is €44.50. In cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Cologne, you’ll spend around €60 for a dinner for two.
Rome and Turin are also fairly affordable, with three-course meals priced at €65 and €60, respectively.
The prices can also be accessed in this Google Drive file, with data sourced from Numbeo.[1]https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
Mapping Out Holiday Costs
Why do we look at these costs? It’s obvious why we’d consider the price of a ferry crossing. However, beyond travel and accommodation expenses, the costs at your destination can significantly add up. Not everyone considers this in advance. For instance, while tickets and ferries to Ireland are often affordable, once there, you might find that dining out is quite expensive. Similarly, in Norway, you’ll pay a premium for things like car hire and beer. By having a more complete picture of costs, you can make a well-informed decision for your holiday.
References
| ↑1 | https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ |
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JW, one of the co-founders of FerryGoGo, has a passion for food, drink, and travel. He loves exploring data and the history of the many destinations featured on FerryGoGo, and he's always curious about the population of each place.
[…] After securing accommodation, many holidaymakers delay planning their transportation to and around their holiday destination. Earlier, we discussed ferry prices for the upcoming summer; now, it's time to examine the costs of renting cars at sought-after holiday spots. We've also dug up the difference in the cost of a beer across European countries and the costs of dining out in Europe. […]