Backpacking the Baltics: Realistic budget itinerary for 10 days?

I am planning a trip to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia this summer and want to see as much as possible without breaking the bank. Could anyone suggest a realistic budget-friendly itinerary that covers the main capitals and maybe one or two coastal towns? I am interested in knowing if public transport between these countries is affordable and if there are any specific local tips for saving money on food and accommodation. Any advice on how much I should realistically set aside per day for a mid-range backpacker style trip would be greatly appreciated.

For a 10-day trip, I'd suggest 3 days in Vilnius, 3 in Riga, and 4 in Tallinn. Use Lux Express for buses between capitals; they are super affordable and comfortable. If you're into music, check out summer music festivals in the region to time your visit!

A realistic budget is about 50-60 EUR per day. Stay in highly-rated hostels and eat at 'canteen-style' restaurants like LIDO in Latvia—it's cheap, authentic, and fast. Don't skip the Curonian Spit in Lithuania; it's stunning and budget-friendly if you rent a bike.

Public transport is very cheap here. I recommend buying bus tickets in advance on the Lux Express website to snag the lowest fares. For accommodation, look for boutique hostels or Guesthouses. It's nothing like a Ring Road trip where costs skyrocket, so your money will go much further here.

10 days is tight but doable. Vilnius to Riga (via Siauliai for the Hill of Crosses) and Riga to Tallinn (via Pärnu) is the perfect route. Pärnu is a great coastal town to spend a day or two in during the summer.

Eat lunch specials ('dienas piedāvājums' in Latvian) between 12-2 PM. You can get a full meal for 5-7 EUR. Avoid the main squares for dinner; walk 10 minutes away from the tourist hubs and prices drop significantly.

For coastal vibes, definitely visit Klaipeda in Lithuania. It's much cheaper than the resorts in Estonia. If you want to keep costs down, stick to hostels with kitchens so you can cook breakfast and dinner yourself.

Don't worry about the currency; all three use the Euro. Use the Bolt app for taxis if you're in a rush, but the public transport systems in these capitals are excellent and very inexpensive for backpackers.

I'd budget around 600 EUR for the 10 days excluding flights. That covers decent hostel dorms, bus travel, and a mix of street food and sit-down meals. The Baltics are still one of the most underrated budget destinations in Europe!