Spent $5.5K CAD on a 36 day solo trip in Europe, July 2025
By Holidays in Europe / December 17, 2025 / No Comments / Visiting Europe
A Deep Dive into My 36-Day Solo Eurotrip: Budget Breakdown and Insights
Embarking on an extensive European journey is an exciting experience, demanding meticulous planning and budgeting. Recently, I reflected on my own 36-day solo adventure across Europe in July 2025, during which I spent approximately CAD 5,500. To provide a comprehensive perspective—and perhaps assist fellow travelers—I analyzed my expenses using Sankey diagrams, illustrating how my budget was allocated throughout the trip.
In this article, I’ll share the details of my itinerary, spending priorities, and some practical lessons learned that can inform your future travels.
About Me: Setting the Context
- Age & Origin: 19-year-old female from Canada
- Educational Background: Third-year university student
- Travel Experience: Previously completed a short family cruise around the UK and Amsterdam
- Travel Philosophy: Chose a flexible, interest-based itinerary, visiting cities that captivated my attention rather than following a traditional route across countries.
My Itinerary: Unconventional but Personalized
| City | Duration | Highlights |
|————|——————-|—————————————————–|
| Paris | 4 nights | Iconic sights, museums, cuisine |
| Rennes | 11 nights | Summer study abroad program, small-town charm |
| London | 4 nights | Cultural landmarks, vibrant neighborhoods |
| Florence | 6 nights | Art, architecture, Italian cuisine |
| Paris | 7 nights | Revisiting for deeper exploration, additional sights |
Note: My route was intentionally unconventional, emphasizing cities of personal interest over efficiency.
Budget Priorities and Spending Habits
- Top Expenses: Excursions, souvenirs, food, and accommodation
- Core Philosophy: Focus on experiences and cultural immersion over luxury accommodations
- Dining: Ate out daily, with notable indulgences like gelato for breakfast in Florence—often choosing budget-friendly options but occasionally splurging
- Accommodation: Primarily hostels, selected based on location and affordability; Airbnb used in Rennes
- Payments: Primarily via Apple Pay (Wealthsimple Mastercard), supplemented with cash from my previous cruise
Financial Data Collection & Methodology
To keep track of my expenses, I recorded every purchase daily in Excel, applying specific methods:
- For expenses spanning multiple days (e.g., museum passes, tickets bought in advance