This small country of Luxembourg with the highest squeezed in the very center of Europe, is graced by striking landscapes, rich history, and a vivid culture, too often sidelined by travelers at broke budget levels. Never worry, fellow explorers! You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the cream of what Luxembourg has in store. From free museums to cheap accommodation and from nice hikes to street food, we will show you how to explore this beautiful country without spending your last coins. We’ll share our tips and tricks for visiting Luxembourg on a broke budget so that you won’t struggle with the Grand Duchy’s charm at the expense of your savings. Let’s dive in!
How to get there:
From France:
- Train (SNCF): Frequent trains from Paris, Metz, and Nancy to Luxembourg City
- Bus (FlixBus, Eurolines): Connections from Paris, Lyon, and other French cities
From Germany:
- Train (Deutsche Bahn): Direct trains from Trier, Saarbrücken, and Koblenz to Luxembourg City
- Bus (FlixBus, Eurolines): Services from Berlin, Munich, and other German cities
From Belgium:
- Train (SNCB): Frequent trains from Brussels, Liège, and Arlon to Luxembourg City
- Bus (FlixBus, Eurolines): Connections from Brussels, Bruges, and other Belgian cities
From the Netherlands:
- Train (NS): Trains from Amsterdam, Maastricht, and Heerlen to Luxembourg City (with a change in Liège or Brussels)
- Bus (FlixBus, Eurolines): Services from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and other Dutch cities
Transportation:
Trains (CFL)
- Operate throughout the country, connecting major towns and cities
- Frequent services, with trains running every 15-30 minutes
- Affordable fares, with a single ticket starting from €2
Regional Buses (RGTR)
- Cover rural areas and smaller towns
- Integrated with train services for seamless connections
- Same fare structure as trains
Urban Buses ( AVL )
- Serve Luxembourg City and surrounding suburbs
- Frequent services, with buses running every 5-15 minutes
- Affordable fares, with a single ticket starting from €2
Trams
- Currently under development, with the first line opening in Luxembourg City
- Will connect key areas, including the city center and train station
Tickets and Fares
- Single ticket: €2 (valid for 2 hours)
- Day ticket: €4 (valid for unlimited travel)
- Monthly subscription: from €40
- Luxembourg Card: free public transportation and attractions
Things to do:
Free Attractions:
- Bock Casemates: Explore the underground tunnels and fortifications of Luxembourg City’s old town.
- Chemin de la Corniche: Take in stunning views of the Alzette River and valley.
- Mudam Luxembourg: Discover modern art at this free museum (permanent collections only).
- Luxembourg City Parks: Relax in the beautiful Parc de Merl-Belair or Parc Edith Klein.
- Echternach: Visit the historic town center and Basilica of St. Willibrord.
- Vianden: Explore the charming town center and scenic river views.
- Remich: Visit the picturesque wine town and enjoy the Moselle River views.
Budget-Friendly Attractions:
- Luxembourg Castle: Visit the ruins of this medieval fortress (€5 entry).
- National Museum of History and Art: Learn about Luxembourg’s history and art (€5 entry).
- Wincrange Wildlife Park: Encounter local wildlife (€5 entry).
- Vianden Castle: Explore this picturesque castle (€7 entry).
- Clervaux Castle: Discover the stunning photography exhibitions (€6 entry).
- Beaufort Castle: Visit the medieval castle and scenic gardens (€5 entry).
- Bourscheid Castle: Explore the impressive medieval fortress (€5 entry).
Outdoor Activities:
- Hike the Müllerthal: Discover unique rock formations and scenic trails.
- Cycle the Moselle Valley: Rent a bike and enjoy the scenic views (€10-20 per day).
- Kayak the Sauer River: Paddle through the beautiful Luxembourgish countryside (€20-30 per day).
- Explore the Ardennes: Hike and camp in the stunning Luxembourgish Ardennes.
- Visit the Seven Castles Valley: Hike through the picturesque valley and explore the castles.
- Hike to the Three Acorns: Enjoy panoramic views from the highest point in Luxembourg.
- Explore the Our Valley: Hike and bike through the scenic Our Valley.
Museums and Galleries:
- National Museum of Natural History: Learn about Luxembourg’s natural history (€5 entry).
- Musée d’Histoire de la Ville de Luxembourg: Discover the history of Luxembourg City (€5 entry).
- Cercle Artistique de Luxembourg: Explore local art exhibitions (free entry).
- Musée de la Photographie: Discover stunning photography exhibitions (€5 entry).
- Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean: Explore modern and contemporary art (€7 entry).
Festivals and Events:
Spring:
- Echternach Festival (June): Music, theater, and dance performances in the historic town of Echternach.
- Luxembourg City Film Festival (March): Free outdoor movie screenings in Luxembourg City.
- Wine Festival (May): Sample local wines and enjoy live music in the Moselle region.
Summer:
- Schueberfouer Funfair (August-September): Annual funfair with rides, attractions, and traditional food.
- Luxembourg City Carnival (July): Colorful parades, music, and festivities in Luxembourg City.
- Rockhal Summer Festival (June-August): Outdoor concerts and music events at the Rockhal venue.
Autumn:
- Luxembourg Jazz Festival (September): Live jazz performances in Luxembourg City.
- Oktoberfest Luxembourg (September-October): Traditional German beer festival with live music and food.
- Wine and Gastronomy Festival (October): Showcase of local wines, food, and culinary delights.
Winter:
- Christmas Markets (December): Festive markets offering local crafts, food, and drinks in Luxembourg City and other towns.
- Winterlights Festival (December-January): Illuminated installations and light shows in Luxembourg City.
- Luxembourg City Film Festival – Winter Edition (February): Indoor movie screenings and film events.
Other Events:
- Luxembourg Pride (July): Colorful parade and festivities celebrating diversity and inclusivity.
- National Day (June 23rd): Celebrations and festivities marking Luxembourg’s national day.
- Fête de la Musique (June 21st): Free live music events and performances across the country.
Accommodations:
Best Hostels and Campsites for Broke Backpackers in Luxembourg
Luxembourg offers a range of affordable accommodations for broke backpackers. Here are some top picks for hostels and campsites:
Hostels:
- Luxembourg City Hostel: Central location, dorms from €15, privates from €35.
- Youth Hostel Vianden: Scenic views, dorms from €17, privates from €40.
- Auberge de Jeunesse Echternach: Historic town, dorms from €20, privates from €45.
- Hostel Wincrange: Rural setting, dorms from €15, privates from €35.
- Kiku Guesthouse: Budget-friendly, dorms from €20, privates from €40.
- Ibis Budget Luxembourg: Affordable hotel, rooms from €35.
- Auberge de Jeunesse Remich: Moselle region, dorms from €20, privates from €40.
- Hostel Beaufort: Castle town, dorms from €16, privates from €35.
Campsites:
- Camping Kockelscheuer: Luxembourg City, pitches from €8, amenities.
- Camping Wincrange: Rural setting, pitches from €6, basic amenities.
- Camping Echternach: Historic town, pitches from €10, amenities.
- Camping Vianden: Scenic views, pitches from €8, amenities.
- Camping Gritt: Moselle region, pitches from €6, basic amenities.
- Camping Berdorf: Müllerthal region, pitches from €8, amenities.
- Camping Clervaux: Ardennes region, pitches from €9, amenities.
- Camping Bourscheid: Castle town, pitches from €8, basic amenities.
Food:
Well, I was bracing myself for another culinary test in Luxembourg as a broke backpacker. Oh boy, was I up for a nice surprise! This small country is certain to hit you with impressive yet very affordable food. From traditional Luxembourgish fare to international cuisines, I found a whole world full of flavors on budget-friendly menus.
I started with traditional food from Luxembourg, and it gave me exactly the right push—the offerings were along the lines of Judd mat Gaardebounen, smoked pork with broad beans, and Gromperekichelcher, potato pancakes. Such meaty portions tasted not only good but also came at very affordable prices starting from €10.
The Luxembourg City street food scene is quite upbeat, and most of the available street food there is relatively inexpensive. I binge on the crispy €5 falafel and €3 waffles at the Luxembourg City Market. There were a good many fresh produce vendors that offered a mix of cheese and bread, making for a picnic lunch.
International residents have added a great deal of variety to the pot. I recently enjoyed a tasty €10 curry at a small restaurant in the Grund area and a €5 Vietnamese banh mi from a street food vendor.
For self-catering, I found the Delhaize and Cactus supermarkets to be very competitive regarding fresh produce, meats, and dairy products. I’ve even stumbled upon a €1.50 pizza one time in one of the local shops!
Nightlife:
Clubs:
- Club de Grunewald: A popular spot for electronic music fans, with top DJs and themed nights.
- Rocksolid: A rock and indie music haven, hosting local and international acts.
- The Tube: A lively club playing a mix of genres, from hip-hop to house.
- D’Coque: A modern club with a focus on electronic and dance music.
- Mudam Cafe: A trendy club with live music and DJ nights, located in the Museum of Modern Art.
Bars:
- The Flâneur: A stylish cocktail bar with expertly crafted drinks and a speakeasy vibe.
- The Lab: A trendy bar serving innovative cocktails and hosting live music events.
- Crossfire: A rock ‘n’ roll bar with a vast whiskey selection and live music performances.
- Bistro des Artistes: A cozy bar with a focus on live music and art exhibitions.
- Urban Bar: A modern bar with a wide selection of cocktails and a lively atmosphere.
Live Music Venues:
- Rockhal: A premier music venue hosting international acts and festivals.
- den Atelier: An intimate setting for live music, with a focus on indie and alternative acts.
- Kulturfabrik: A cultural center with a varied program of live music, theater, and dance.
- Sonic Visions: A live music venue with a focus on rock, pop, and electronic music.
- Rotondes: A cultural center with live music, theater, and dance performances.
Areas to Explore:
- Grund: A nightlife hub with a concentration of bars, clubs, and live music venues.
- Gare: A lively area around the train station, with bars and clubs catering to a diverse crowd.
- Kirchberg: A modern neighborhood with trendy bars and restaurants.
- Hollerich: A vibrant area with a mix of bars, clubs, and live music venues.
- Wenzel Walk: A pedestrian street lined with bars, clubs, and live music venues.
Best Streets for Bar-Hopping:
- Rue de la Bourse: A lively street in the Grund area with multiple bars and clubs.
- Avenue de la Gare: A bustling street near the train station with a variety of bars and clubs.
- Rue des Bains: A trendy street in the Kirchberg area with modern bars and restaurants.
- Rue de Hollerich: A vibrant street in the Hollerich area with a mix of bars and live music venues.
- Wenzel Walk: A pedestrian street lined with bars, clubs, and live music venues.
Conclusion:
For broke backpackers, this small country with a large personality has proved to be simply a treasure trove of exciting experiences. Luxembourg offers something for every kind of traveler, from stunning natural beauty to rich history and from a pumping nightlife to delicious food.
From the beautiful countryside and historic castles to the plethora of cultural attractions offered within the cities, visiting Luxembourg doesn’t necessarily means breaking one’s wallet.
With its laid-back atmosphere, easy transportation, and affordable prices for accommodation, Luxembourg is another one of those places that really offer something unique to a broke backpacker on the move.
So why not venture off the beaten path and discover the secret gem of Luxembourg? Your wallet – and your sense of adventure – will thank you!
Safe journey!
