Luxembourg might be one of the smallest countries in Europe, but it has a ridiculous amount of scenery, UNESCO history and easy day trips. However it’s not the cheapest destination in Europe as cost of living is really high. On the other hand, transport is free here so that is one cost that will definitely work to your advantage.
This Luxembourg on a budget travel guide is designed to give you everything you need to plan a first visit, plus links to the key posts that make planning an itinerary easy. My Luxembourg guides focus on the two main stops: Luxembourg City and the Mullerthal Trail.
Best Time to Visit & Where To Go in Luxembourg
Luxembourg works well as a long weekend or a 2–3 day detour between Belgium, Germany and France. Shoulder seasons (late April to June and September) tend to mean fewer crowds and milder temperatures, while summer brings long days and fuller camping sites. I visited in winter in February and it was quite quiet. This was a risk as my plan was to hike the Mullerthal trail could have gone badly with bad weather. Luckily weather was as perfect as it gets for February and I managed albeit some muddy trails.
Conclusion: Shoulder seasons are the best like always as you’ll get the weather, the less crowds and maybe a bit cheaper accommodation as well.
Luxembourg City: Things to Do & Day Trips from Luxembourg City
Luxembourg City is the main base in Luxembourg and it is where you can splurge your budget. However my one day in Luxembourg City lists a guide where you will see this city without spending a penny. There is only one paid attraction and the rest of your money will go for the essentials food and drinks. Don’t pay for taxis. Buses and trams are on time and FREE
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Luxembourg City in One Day – 11 Amazing Things to Do!
The country of Luxembourg is a tiny dot landlocked between the European giants of France, Germany and Belgium. It is a bustling hub for workers and has a thriving economy but is it worth visiting for tourists? Personally I discovered Luxembourg as a destination through my love of hiking with the country’s famous Mullerthal Trail.
If you’ve got a second day, consider adding a day trip: Vianden Castle is one of the most famous (and most photographed). You can hike up for free or take the chairlift (paid) if you want views without effort. Even just walking around Vianden itself is worth the trip. If you are spending more time in Luxembourg there is only one place to go and that is…
Mullerthal Trail: Little Switzerland on a Budget
The Mullerthal (often called “Little Switzerland”) is what attracted me to Luxembourg. This is a hiking destination with narrow rock passages, moss-covered forests, caves, streams and dramatic viewpoints, all packed into a relatively compact region. There are multiple hikes and sections to choose from and it is not clear where to base yourself and which bits to hike. This guide tries to answer all these questions & more!
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How To Hike Mullerthal Trail – Best Sections & Accomodation!
The Mullerthal Trail is what attracted me to visit Luxembourg. While Luxembourg City has charm and character I wanted to immerse myself in nature. However when I was researching on which bits to hike even for a moderate hiker, it was not always clear on which parts to tackle of the network of trails the
Luxembourg Practical Tips
Where to Stay in Luxembourg
If you’re travelling on a budget, the best accommodation strategy is usually: stay in Luxembourg City for the urban sightseeing and nightlife, then pivot to Echternach (or another Mullerthal village) for the hiking portion. I would pivot more to outside villages for slightly cheaper prices. Look for hostels, budget hotels or well-reviewed apartments that balance price with access to hikes. In Luxembourg City, proximity to a bus/tram stop matters for easy access to outside the city.
Food & Drink on a Budget
This is your main cost in Luxembourg as dinner in restaurants especially the decent ones are quite expensive. I only had dinner, and I bought some breakfast, bread and snacks for my hikes from local restaurants which were extremely reasonable in price.
Airports in Luxembourg
Luxembourg’s main airport (LUX) is small and convenient, but flight prices can spike as many foreign workers fly from/to home. If tickets feel steep, compare routes via Brussels or Frankfurt-Hahn or other nearby hubs and connect by train. Sometimes the cheapest move is to fly into a neighbouring country and treat Luxembourg as either a day trip or an extension of your European trip.
Transport in Luxembourg
Like I said in the intro, Luxembourg is one of the easiest countries to explore on a budget because internal public transport is famously free and tiemly. There are buses that connect Luxembourg City with the Mullerthal gateways, and with a bit of planning you can string together hikes without renting a car. I went into detail into the above post about this.
A car can make sense only if your schedule is extremely tight or you’re travelling as a group splitting costs. Otherwise, public transport plus walking is the must go to.
