One of the richest country in Europe became my cheapest weekend trip. Luxembourg

Since 2020, all public transport in Luxembourg is free - buses, trams and trains, in the whole country, for everyone. Tourists too.

And this is why the richest country in Europe became, for me, the cheapest weekend trip. Strange, but true. I keep coming back, and after a few visits I have my own system. I want to share it.

Park the car once and forget it

I drive from the Netherlands. The first money saved comes before I see anything: I leave the car at a Park & Ride at the edge of Luxembourg City. Parking there is free, or almost free. Then a tram/bus takes me to the old town in ten minutes. No traffic, no expensive city parking. Done!

Hotels: better than I expected

I expected hotel prices like in Paris( it is the capital of the richest country, after all). But no. For the money that gives you a tiny room in Paris, in Luxembourg City you get a normal, good room.

And there is one more trick, my favourite. Because the trains are free, you can sleep outside the capital. A room in Ettelbruck, in Diekirch, or in a village on the Moselle river costs clearly less. The train back to the city is free and takes about half an hour. So you can wake up with a view of the hills, and then ride to the city like a local!

Hiking routes: many, and very well organized

I live in the Netherlands, the flattest country you can imagine. So yes, I call the hills of Luxembourg mountains. They are not really mountains — the highest point is around 560 metres — but for me it is like mountains. Green slopes, a castle on every second hill, rivers deep down in the valleys. Traveling through this country is simply a pleasure for my eyes. After all those flat Dutch horizons, I need this.

For walking, the classic of the country is the Mullerthal Trail — 112 km of mossy rocks and narrow gorges in the region they call "Little Switzerland". I will not describe all of it here; just know it exists, it is free, and the loops near Echternach show you the best parts in one afternoon.

A country of castles

Here is a fact I did not expect from such a small country: Luxembourg is full of castles. Really full — there are dozens of them, from big restored fortresses to romantic ruins on the hills. There is even a route called the Valley of the Seven Castles, where seven castles stand along one small river. You can spend the whole weekend only on castles and still not see them all.

But if you have time for only one, go to Vianden. You take the free bus from Diekirch, the road turns, and suddenly a huge medieval castle stands above the small town. For me it is the most beautiful view in the country. You can walk up through the old streets, or take the chairlift and see the castle and the whole valley of the Our river from above. The ticket is around ten euros, and honestly, it gives you more than many famous castles that cost double.

A bonus stop: Schengen

If you are already at the Moselle, go to Schengen. Yes, that Schengen. The agreement about a Europe without borders was signed in this small wine village in 1985, on a boat on the river. There is a small European Museum, a monument with the stars, and the point where Luxembourg, Germany and France meet. It is a special feeling to stand exactly at the place where the borders disappeared — especially when your whole trip works only because of it.

Museums: free or very cheap

The permanent collection of the National Museum of History and Art is free the whole year - Roman mosaics, medieval weapons, Luxembourgish paintings. Other museums in the capital are also free, or have one free evening every week. Compare this with the tickets of 20+ euros that are normal now in Paris or Amsterdam.

One more thing I want to mention: Luxembourg takes care of its World War II history, and you feel the respect. The Battle of the Bulge happened exactly in these hills in the winter of 1944–45. If this topic interests you, the free trains bring you to all the important places: the Military History Museum in Diekirch, the Patton Museum in Ettelbruck, the remembrance trail at Schumann's Eck, and the American Cemetery in Hamm, where General Patton is buried together with his soldiers.

So yes: rich country, budget trip

Free transport in the whole country. Free - or almost free - museums. Good hiking wherever you look. Hotels cheaper than in Paris, and small towns cheaper than the capital. You pay only for the way there, a bed and your food. Everything else, the richest country in Europe gives you for free.