The Prices of Gap Year Tours to Europe
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For students and younger travelers looking to make the most of a year off, gap year tours around Europe in provide the perfect opportunity to explore the world while gaining new experiences, skills, and perspectives. These tours offer a mix of adventure, cultural immersion, and personal development, allowing you to travel, volunteer, study, or work in various destinations. Whether you're trekking through remote landscapes, participating in community service projects, or diving into a new language and culture, gap year tours are designed to provide meaningful and unforgettable experiences. In this article, we'll explore the costs of gap year tours around Europe, highlight some of the best options, and share destinations that are ideal for making the most of this exciting time in your life.
To help you find the perfect gap year experience, we've carefully researched a variety of tours. By comparing price ranges, tour quality, included activities, and the personal development opportunities offered, we've identified the best value options for gap year travelers in Europe. Whether you're looking for a short-term cultural exchange or a year-long adventure, these tours offer a perfect mix of exploration, education, and growth. So, pack your bags and get ready for a journey that will shape the rest of your life.
Why does Europe appeal to gap year travelers?
Europe's relative affordability, adventure opportunities, and welcoming culture make it ideal for gap year and long-term travelers. Budget travelers love Rome, Istanbul, and Paris because of the affordable activities and social vibe. You can't miss the nightlife of Rome, Paris, and London, either. Volunteering projects, language learning, and connections with other travelers make Portugal a meaningful and exciting destination for those taking a year to explore.
How much do gap year tours in Europe cost?
The average price per day for gap year tours in Europe is $179, based on our analysis of 13 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $159 to $217 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $163 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $199 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in Europe
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable gap year tours in Europe average $163 per day, with daily prices from $159 to $169. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Vienna to Rome Trail (Standard, Summer ( From Mar '27), Gap 18-22) here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical gap year tours in Europe that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $175 per day. Daily prices range from $172 to $179. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Vienna to Rome Trail (Gap).
Luxury Tours
Luxury gap year tours in Europe average around $175 per day, with daily costs ranging from $181 to $217. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is London to Barcelona Quest (Standard, Start Paris, Gap 18-22).
Contiki
Contiki is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Great Britain, Italy, France, and Germany. Younger travelers looking for adventures love this company. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as island hopping, snorkelling, wine tasting, surfing, camping, whale watching, diving, rock climbing, white water rafting, and jet boat rides.
Gap Year Destinations in Europe
Wondering where gap year tours visit in Europe? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Calais
Many people overlook this part of France for the more popular southern regions, but those who do visit can enjoy sandy beaches and nice wine and cheese. UK visitors often arrive by ferry and enjoy some shopping as they pass through.
London
London is a world class international city that has charming neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and a vibrant nightlife scene. There are a diversity of attractions that offer something for everyone. Although prices can be steep, there are many free activities as well, with wandering the many markets being a favorite of many visitors.
Dover
Dover is home to the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. This spectacular sight offers views down the coastline and highlights the remoteness of the setting. On the east side you'll find the Dover Castle, which warrants at least a few hours of exploration.
Rome
Rome is the capital city of Italy, and for many visitors it serves as the entry and departure point of their trip. Rome is filled with ancient ruins hidden next to modern development. It's a history enthusiasts dream. The city is also filled with cafes and Italian restaurants where you can sip wine and dine on Italian pasta dishes.
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Other popular destinations for gap year tours through Europe include Krakow, Hopfgarten im Brixental, Auschwitz, Banska Bystrica, and Kutna Hora.
Which is cheaper?
Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided gap year tours? The answer isn't clear-cut. Tours typically package accommodations, transportation, meals, entry fees, and activities into one price, whereas independent travelers must arrange and pay for these themselves. To understand the cost difference, compare the tour's price with the cost of booking everything individually. Depending on whether you choose budget-friendly options or splurge on certain aspects, the tour might be a better deal—or not. Make sure to check what's included before drawing conclusions.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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