What you can buy with 1 dollar in European countries

Attention travellers! As you well know, Hostelworld ‘s mission is to help you save money and make your trip as fun as possible, whether it’s with accommodation or other tips to make your life easier. So we asked our Facebook community what you can buy for the equivalent of 1 dollar in European countries. Check out the list below, surprise yourself and prepare the itinerary for your next backpacking trip!

Iceland – 1 litre of milk

The most you can buy in Iceland for just one dollar is a litre of milk… well, at least it feeds you.

Portugal – 1 espresso

As in most Mediterranean countries, in Portugal you know how to make a good cup of coffee. This is the perfect way to spend your dollar.

Spain – 1 pintxo

If you look hard enough, you can enjoy a delicious pintxo for the modest price of 1 dollar. Like in Carrer Blai in Barcelona, for example. How can you resist?

Ireland – 1 bag of crisps

In Irish pubs, it’s customary to eat a bag of crisps to go with a Guinness (which will cost you more than a dollar).

United Kingdom – 1 tinned hard-boiled egg

Although you won’t be able to try the famous fish and chips for a dollar, you can try another delicacy typical of English pubs: thepicked egg.

France – 1 baguette

Known for being bread experts, the French can’t do without a baguette at any time of the day; and for around 1 dollar, every visitor can try one too.

Belgium – 1 box of chewing gum

It wasn’t easy to find something to buy for so little in Belgium… so how about a packet of chewing gum?

Luxembourg – 1 1.5 litre bottle of water

It may not be the most exciting option for investing your dollar, but it’s certainly something every traveller needs to stay hydrated.

Switzerland – 1 tiny cheese tasting (Swiss, of course)

To repeat: a tiny, tiny, practically a sample of a Swiss cheese can be bought for 1 dollar. But you can get a flavour..

Germany – 1 pretzel

You might have to search a bit, but you can try a fresh pretzel in German cities for just 1 dollar.

Italy – 1 good espresso

The Italians claim to have the best coffee in the world… so it’s only fair that you taste it and judge for yourself.

Austria – Kornspitz

A typically Austrian type of bread that is very popular there. If you invest a little more than a dollar, it makes a great sandwich.

Denmark – 1 ciabatta bread

Although it’s not a typical Danish delicacy, it’s a good idea to invest your dollar there. Rumour has it that you can find it at this modest price in the bakeries in the Godthaabsvej area.

Norway – Absolutely nothing

Well, if you didn’t already know… Norway is VERY expensive! So you’ll need a bit more than a dollar to eat anything there.

Sweden – 1 Piggelin popsicle

One of the Swedes’ favourites and the most refreshing option to enjoy at this price.

Czech Republic – 1 beer in a bar or 3 in the supermarket

Czech beer has a great reputation and, good news, it’s also cheap. For 1 dollar, you can have one in a pub or, if you prefer quantity, you can have it in the supermarket.

Slovenia – 1 Lasko beer (half a litre) in the supermarket

Although you won’t find beer for 1 dollar in Slovenian bars, the good news is that you can buy a half-litre beer in the supermarket.

Croatia – 1 scoop of ice cream

Ah, for Croatia’s hot summer days, it’s not a bad idea to savour a scoop of ice cream.

Bosnia – 1 local beer (half a litre) in a bar or restaurant

Half a litre of beer for just a dollar? If that sounds good, include Bosnia in your travel itinerary.

Slovakia – 1 small bottle of imported beer or a half-litre local beer at the supermarket

Even if you can’t get a beer at the bar, buying a half-litre beer and drinking it with your hostel mates for just a dollar also seems like a good deal.

Poland – 2 pączki (doughnuts)

The pączki is a typical Polish sweet, similar to doughnuts, filled with jam or other delicacies. This is an irresistible option for spending your dollar there.

Hungary – Local beer or wine in a bar

In Hungary, you can not only try a local beer for a dollar, but even one of their wines!

Albania – Beer, wine or juice in a bar, or a kilo of tomatoes!

It’s up to you: in Albania, you can quench your thirst in any bar for a dollar or, if you prefer, make a nice tomato salad in the kitchen of your hostel.

Serbia – 1 kilo of peaches

Who says a dollar is nothing? A kilo of peaches in Serbia is a real bargain.

Macedonia – 1 hot dog or a beer

You can eat or drink for a dollar in Macedonia, but only one – which do you choose?

Greece – 1 glass of retsina

Retsina is a resin wine (white or rosé) that is very popular in Greece. So it’s not bad to be able to try this typical Greek drink for so little!

Cyprus – 1 small bottle of water in a restaurant or a kilo of potatoes

Temperatures in Cyprus can be quite high, so a bottle of water will always come in handy… But who can say no to a kilo of potatoes for a dollar?

Bulgaria – Banitsa and Boza

This is a traditional Bulgarian cake, perfect for breakfast. Tasty and really economical!

Romania – 1 slice of pizza or a beer

Difficult choice in Romania… beer or pizza?

Ukraine – Breakfast, beer in a pub or entry to the Chernobyl museum

Lots of options for a dollar in Ukraine: from breakfast to a beer at happy hour, to the cultural tip of the Chernobyl museum.

Belarus – 1 litre of petrol or a beer in a bar

Belarus is the ideal place to travel by car, as 1 dollar pays for 1 litre of petrol. But if you don’t fancy getting behind the wheel, relaxing with a beer in the pub is just as good.

Lithuania – Train ticket from the airport to the centre of Vilnius, or funicular to the castle

Both options are a hand in the wheel: travel to the city centre or enjoy the incredible view from the funicular that takes you up to Vilnius’ famous castle.

Latvia – Local cider (0.5 litre)

Good, pretty and cheap. Local cider is delicious and you can try it in any pub.

Estonia – 1 kilometre taxi ride

If you’re too lazy to walk or the weather’s bad, taxis aren’t that expensive in Estonia!

Finland – Entrance to public toilets

Some say that if you ask nicely and politely, you can even use the toilet for free..

Turkey – 1 baklava

One of Turkey’s most traditional desserts and the ideal option for spending your dollar, especially for the ants on duty.

Anything missing from this list?

Tip: to choose the perfect hostel for your trip, be sure to download the free Hostelworld app for mobile phones and tablets. There are more than 30,000 properties in 180 countries, with photos, descriptions and prices just a click away. Available for iPhone, Android and iPad.

Thanks to jacqueline, fredenslund, Tim Tregenza , Nathan Collins, chezshai, Sebastian Mary, Michael Summers, The Integer Club, catarina clemente, arbyreed, a_kep, OUCHcharley, erik forsberg, Bob Marquart, IceBone, sea turtle, Eugenia Vlasova, Lorenzo Caleca, Corey Burger, rageforst æsthir,Yelp Inc and Elliott Brown for Flickr photos (with Creative Commons licence).