October 2, 2024, 4:38 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
In which European city do alcoholic drinks cost the least? A British ranking compared popular tourist destinations such as Berlin, Budapest, and Paris according to this criterion. TRAVELBOOK reveals the fun details.
Whether combining a bachelor party with a city trip, jetting off for a long party weekend with the girls, or sharing a romantic toast for two with champagne – many people indulge a bit more in alcohol while on vacation*. This can lead to some wild adventures. On organized “pub crawls” with an English-speaking guide, for example, ambitious drinking tourists can discover cities like Berlin without any knowledge of the local language. Or at least their alcohol offerings. However, these all-you-can-drink tours face increasing criticism and are certainly not the best way to truly experience a city.
Budapest is the cheapest European city to party in
However, even a moderate nightlife tour can put a strain on your travel budget. A recent British survey has pinpointed which European city is the cheapest to party in. It is Budapest! In the Hungarian capital, a round of alcohol costs less than half as much as in Amsterdam, Ibiza, Berlin, Tallinn, Paris, Barcelona, or Dublin.
Prague (2nd place) and Riga (3rd place) are also inexpensive, according to the ranking by “The Post Office Travel Money”, as reported by the “Telegraph”, among others. Ten popular European city break destinations were compared based on the prices of various alcoholic drinks.
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Berlin more expensive than Amsterdam and Ibiza
The ranking of the European city that is cheapest to party in is based on the total cost of a diverse round of drinks for a group of ten people. Included: one bottle of beer, one bottle of lager, one glass of white wine, one glass of sparkling wine, one glass of Southern Comfort, one cocktail (e.g., Cosmopolitan), one gin & tonic, one rum & cola, one glass of scotch & soda and one dry martini. Berlin is, therefore, medium-priced: cheaper than Dublin, Paris, and Tallinn but more expensive than Prague, Amsterdam, and Ibiza.
Even if the cost of alcohol isn’t your main criterion for choosing a destination, this city comparison offers some intriguing insights. A notable price disparity persists between Eastern and Western Europe. Though, Estonia bucks the trend: its capital, Tallinn, ranks as the fourth most expensive city, surpassing even Ibiza and Amsterdam. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, pub crawls in Berlin aren’t as wallet-friendly as one might expect.
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*Note: Alcohol must be consumed responsibly. Alcohol consumption can endanger your health and be addictive. Do not drive if you have been drinking alcohol, and observe the regulations for the protection of minors. You can find tips on the responsible use of alcohol here.
The original of this article was published in 2015.