How much does the Peaks of the Balkans cost? A full budget for 2027
Short answer
Budget roughly €450–700 per person for the full 10-day loop independently: about €35–50 per night for guesthouses with half board, €5–10 per day for packed lunches, plus permits and local transport. Flights and gear are extra. Luggage transfers by car or horse between valleys cost extra and vary with the distance.
The Balkans are still affordable compared with the Alps, but the remote logistics add up. All prices are based on 2026 and are indicative.
Example budget per person (10 days, independent)
| Cost | Budget | Comfortable | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guesthouses, half board | €300 | €450 | 9–10 nights, €30–50 per night |
| Packed lunches and snacks | €50 | €80 | €5–10 per day |
| Border permits | €10 | €45 | Yourself vs. through an agency |
| Transport to start and back | €30 | €80 | Minibuses, Komani ferry, taxis |
| Drinks, showers, extras | €40 | €80 | Beer, raki, coffee, hot showers |
| Total | ± €450 | ± €700 | Excluding flights, luggage transfers and gear |
Luggage transfers
Many guesthouses can arrange to send your main bag to the next stop by car (via long roads around the mountains) or by horse. Prices vary widely with the distance, because roads often go all the way around the mountains: ask when you book your guesthouse.
Cash, not cards
Bring enough cash. Guesthouses in the mountains rarely take cards, and the only reliable ATM directly on the route is in Plav. In Albania you can usually pay in euros, though prices are often quoted in lek.
Hidden costs
- Extra nights in Tirana, Shkodër or Podgorica
- A spare day for bad weather
- Taxis between valleys when you change plans (can be €50–100+)
- Mobile data: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro are outside EU roaming
Independent or organised?
Independent is cheapest if you do the planning yourself and own the gear. Organised trips bundle permits, transfers and places to sleep. The Balkan Trail, for example, is a 7-day camping trip with five hiking days, starting from about €595–605 per person for 2027 before flights and options such as meals, luggage transport and gear rental. Compare what is included, not just the headline price.
