How to visit 3 countries for less than £500 – including France, Switzerland and Italy

WATCHED Race Across the World and now feel the urge to embark on your own adventure?

Across eight days keen travellers could head from London, UK, to six different destinations, across three countries including accommodation.

Aerial view of Paris, France, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. — The first city you would stop at would be ParisCredit: Getty

Place du Théâtre in Dijon, France, featuring the Eglise Saint-Michel and Musee Rude. — But it isn't just big cities you would get to go to, you would also explore lesser-known destinations such as DijonCredit: Getty

Panorama of Chur, Switzerland's old town, nestled in a valley with vineyards and mountains. — And the cascading hills of SwitzerlandCredit: Getty

On day one, travellers would start their adventure at London St Pancras, catching an early Eurostar to Paris, France.

The journey to the French capital takes just over two hours, meaning you would likely arrive mid-morning.

In Paris, you can wander the streets or stroll along the Seine - and save some pennies by having a picnic.

For cheap accommodation, head to Generator Paris - which offers affordable luxury from £56 per night for a bed in a dorm of four.

If you book directly, you will get an extra 10 per cent off.

Top tip: head to its rooftop bar to enjoy a drink and soak in one of the best views in Paris.

On day two, after getting up early and having breakfast in the hotel's Cafe Fabien, you would take a mid-morning SNCF train to Dijon, famously known for its mustard.

Tickets start from £11 and the journey lasts around an hour-and-a-half.

After a long day of exploring the charming old town, for just £31 per night, stay at Premiere Classe Dijon Nord in a private double room.

For an added extra cultural experience, you can visit the famous La Moutarderie Edmond Fallot - the mustard factory known for its classic dijon mustard for just £10.

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On day three, hop on an early train which takes you through the Swiss hills to Chur - a beautiful alpine village in eastern Switzerland.

The journey lasts four hours and 45 minutes and costs from £76 per person, when booked in advance.

Once in Chur, head to the pretty Old Town and soak in the peaceful alpine atmosphere.

Then for the night, stay at the VIVA Hostel for £35 per night in a dorm.

Whilst Switzerland isn’t known for its cheap food, local delicacies from the supermarket helps cut costs.

You can then take your buffet to Fontanapark, a beautiful park in the heart of Chur.

On day four, you would get on a FlixBus to Venice, lasting around eight-an-a-half hours, with an hour-and-a-half stop-off in Milan.

Busy Parisian street scene with cafes and pedestrians. — In many of the places, you can pick up food for cheapCredit: Getty

Colorful houses and boats in a Mediterranean town. — You would have two days in Naples, allowing you to explore it in more depthCredit: Getty

Tickets start from £30 when booked in advance.

Upon arrival in Venice, enjoy exploring the city's historic canals and grab a pizza or cicchetti (cheap Venetian tapas) for dinner.

After a long day of travel, head to Generator Venice, an affordable yet stylish hostel right on the waterfront of Giudecca Island - with a bed in a shared dorm starting at £54 per night.

Originally a warehouse, the Venice boutique hostel blends history and character with contemporary design including mosaic floors, a glass chandelier and an imposing stone fireplace.

For day five, you can wake up and enjoy the beautiful views of Giudecca Island from the hotel.

After this, take an early morning stroll around Piazza San Marco and St Mark’s Basilica before it gets crowded and walk by the Doge’s Palace (outside only, unless you want to splurge).

Getting hungry? Head to Osteria Al Portego for a cheap lunch - a hidden gem loved by locals.

Aerial view of a coastal town at sunrise. — Many of the hotels are also cheap, with some offering breakfastCredit: Getty

Elevated view of Piazza Bellini in Palermo, Italy, showing Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio and Chiesa di San Cataldo. — By train hopping, you also get to see the countryside between citiesCredit: Getty

After lunch explore Dorsoduro, another peaceful, artistic district.

And then walk to Punta della Dogana for panoramic views of the lagoon and San Marco, the perfect spot to enjoy beautiful sunset views.

After dinner, at 10pm head to Venezia San Lucia to board the overnight train to Naples.

The nearly-12-hour journey will drop you off in Naples centre the next morning at 10am.

In real Race Across the World style, opt for a seat, starting at £45 for a seat - although couchettes and sleepers are available at higher prices.

On day six and seven, you will be in Naples.

Start by heading to Gran Caffè Gambrinus to grab a pastry like a sfogliatella or babà and a strong espresso.

Then explore Naples’ Historic Centre (UNESCO World Heritage Site), including a wander down Spaccanapoli - the narrow street that slices the old town.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, viewed from across the Seine River. — Some of the journeys are as little as two hoursCredit: Getty

Boats on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, with Santa Maria Della Salute in the background. — After Venice, you would board an overnight train saving on the cost of a hotelCredit: Getty

One free spot to explore is Naples Cathedral (Duomo di San Gennaro) and visitors can peek into small artisan workshops along the way.

For lunch, head to Pizzeria Da Michele or Sorbillo to eat authentic Neapolitan pizza at one of the city’s legendary spots.

Expect queues but pizza here is fast and worth the wait, for example a Margherita or Marinara costs between £4 and £6.

For accommodation, stay at Hostel of the Sun in a shared dorm for £32 per night.

Enjoy another full day in Naples taking in the local culture, delicious Italian cuisine and rich history before heading to Port of Naples (Molo Immacolatella Vecchia) to catch an overnight ferry to Palmero, departing at 8pm.

This is a scenic and comfortable journey across the Tyrrhenian Sea, allowing you to rest overnight and arrive refreshed in Palermo.

Deck passage tickets start from £38.

On day eight, you would arrive in Palermo at 7:30 in the morning.

Tourists queuing in front of the Louvre Pyramid in Paris. — After Naples, you would also save on accommodation with an overnight ferryCredit: Alamy

Medieval houses on a street in Dijon, France. — Some dishes cost less than £2 in the destinationsCredit: Getty

Grab a cappuccino and cornetto (Italian croissant) at a neighbourhood café - skip touristy spots to keep costs low.

Then head to Palermo Cathedral, which has free entry, and take in the beautiful architecture.

Explore the historic streets with a stroll along Via Vittorio Emanuele, one of Palermo’s oldest streets and pass by the Quattro Canti, a spectacular Baroque square often called the "heart" of Palermo.

For lunch, visit Mercato di Ballarò, Palermo’s most authentic and lively street market and enjoy cheap street food staples like: arancina, pane con panelle (chickpea fritters in bread) and Sfincione (Sicilian-style pizza) with prices ranging from around £1.68 to £2.52 per dish.

And if you’re tired after your travelling, head towards the waterfront and relax in Villa Giulia.

Treat yourself to a private room at Astoria Palace Hotel for just £49 per night, before heading back to the UK the next day.

In total, the trip would set you back £485.

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Plus, the best value holiday destinations for 2025 revealed and a European resort is number one.

High-angle view of a colorful Italian coastal town with a harbor full of boats. — In total, the trip would set you back around £485Credit: Getty

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How to visit 3 countries for less than £500 – including France, Switzerland and Italy