Eurovelo 6: Crossing Europe on a bike - Prices & Costs

My total costs for the entire trip climbed up to 31,800 CZK (1,389 USD, incl. initial and travel costs).

 

 

Initial pre-travel costs

Decathlon 2.700 CZK (117 USD - tent, sleeping mat, helmet, bike tools, bike rack)

Other camping equipment 800 CZK (35 USD - sleeping bag, camping pots)

Bike equipment 1.030 CZK (45 USD - lights, tubes, cycle computer)

Obi 200 CZK (9 USD - fast straps, tarp)

Cycle bags 1370 CZK (60 USD - price for both front and rear)

Tires 698 CZK (31 USD)

Note: For more details on used equipment and bike accessories, see the Equipment section.

 

Total initial costs: 6.800 CZK (296 USD)

 

Costs during the trip - travel costs

Total travel costs reached approximately CZK 25,000 or 1,090 USD per person respectively.

Divided by 49 days (total trip duration), I get an average of 511 CZK / 22 USD per day and person.

 

Now I have a closer look at the average daily costs in each country, and I sort the countries from the cheapest to the most expensive one accordingly. Austria placed first with 14 EUR per day per person (15.84 USD). Germany follows with 16.2 EUR per day and person (18.33 USD, one day spent in Switzerland I include within the balance of Germany). The Czech Republic ranks third with 17.3 EUR per day and person (19.58 USD). The ranking ends with the most expensive France with a daily average of 18.6 EUR per person (21 USD).

 

In addition to the above, please note that we adapted our consumer behavior fundamentally in correlation to the average price level of each country. Whilst in the Czech Republic we were spoiling ourselves daily with cheap, delicious restaurant meals and beers, in France, we had to make a great effort to keep our expenses relatively low.

 

The ranking of the Czech Republic, as the second most expensive country of our selection, is greatly influenced by our relaxed holiday-like behavior. During these few days, we regularly had lunch and dinner at a restaurant, and of course, we had a hard time saying no to the delicious Czech beer. Daily groceries we mainly purchased at Lidl and COOP (Coop is relatively overpriced in small villages).

 

As opposed to the CZ, in Austria, we didn't have an option of eating cheap meals in restaurants (restaurant prices are much higher). However, we had no problem at all buying very cheap hot deli food at Billa and Spar stores.

 

In Germany, some products were slightly overpriced compared to Austria, yet we did not have to worry about getting our favorite food for cheap from various discount supermarkets. Cheap Edeka, Penny, Netto, Lidl, and Kaufmarkt are good choices for your daily shopping. The average daily spending on accommodation is in German campsites about 0.8 EUR  per person/day higher than in Austria.

 

The biggest slap and surprise came towards the end of our trip. Whilst we were naively expecting low prices in France, the opposite come true. Outside Basel, the prices in supermarkets jumped sharply up to unreasonable amounts. Even though during our travels through France prices have stabilized slightly at a lower level, most of the products were still just too expensive for us, and we couldn't, unfortunately, afford to buy them. During shopping, we were often forced to make compromises. In 26 days of our stay in France, only twice we have decided to grab some fast food. Besides that, we solely ate cold meals purchased at SuperU, Auchan and Lidl. On a daily basis, our meal consisted of a baguette with Brie cheese or salami Fuet. Sitting on the terrace with a glass of good wine enjoying local French culinary specialties - that was just a bizarre dream of ours. Not only that restaurant prices were dizzyingly high, but overall, the quality of served meals and cleanliness of the restaurants seemed to be bad in our observation. France - the country commonly presented as Mecca of hospitality and gastronomy, seemed to us in reality as a backward village in that sense. There are countless other places around the world famous for their extraordinary cuisine. France is not among them in our opinion. Now, let's leave this subject aside.

 

Overall, France is expensive. Apart from expensive restaurants and shops, at least the costs of campings are kept somewhat at the level of German prices. If you plan to travel across France by train, I recommend using regional TER trains that allow you to transport bicycles free of charge and without obligatory reservation.  In the case of TGV trains, if possible, book in advance to ensure more favorable prices.

 

Follows the structure of costs incurred per country per person: