international travel on a budget

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10 Best Places to Travel on a Budget

The world is full of cheap vacation spots. No matter what continent — and no matter what interests you have — there are countless places you can visit on a budget.

Few destinations are “too expensive” as long as you do some research, get creative, and have some flexibility. You just might not be living large when you visit them.

Fortunately, there are lots of destinations out there that make budget travel easy, fun, and safe.

These destinations offer affordable accommodation, cheap food, and plenty of activities and excursions that can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.

Here’s my list of the best cheap travel destinations so you can get inspired and plan your next affordable adventure!

Table of Contents

1. Thailand

2. central america, 3. cambodia, 4. the balkans, 8. portugal, 10. morocco.

It’s also super affordable.

With a tourist trail going back decades, Thailand is the heart of backpacking in Southeast Asia , and you can get by on between $25-35 USD per day thanks to cheap guesthouses, budget street food (which can be found for as little as $1 USD!), local buses, and the many cheap and free attractions. If you spend all your time on the islands and in expensive accommodation, expect to pay closer to $60 USD per day. However, even at the price, Thailand is still one of the most bargain-friendly destinations in the world and should not be skipped!

• The Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide
• 9 Incredible Things to Do in Thailand
• How Much Does It Costs to Visit Thailand?

Belize , Panama , Costa Rica — these are expensive destinations by regional standards (yet they are still quite affordable). If you visit these central Central American countries, you can get by on $45-60 USD per day as a backpacker or splash out and spend $100-120 a day to live large. Your money goes really far in this part of the world. And with so many countries to choose from, it’s easy to bounce around and see a lot without going broke.

READ MY TRAVEL GUIDES TO THE REGION:

• El Salvador

Cambodia is cheaper than popular Thailand but just as beautiful and filled with some of the nicest people in the world. Plus, it’s home to the incredible Angkor Wat (which, while expensive to visit, is worth the expense!).

• Cambodia Budget Travel Guide
• Backpacking Cambodia: 3 Suggested Itineraries for Your Trip
• Angkor Wat Travel Guide

You can get by for as little as $45 USD per day — a fraction of what you’d pay in Western Europe. A week’s worth of groceries costs as little as $25 USD while a beer costs around $2-5 USD.

And while the region was once known for being unsafe, things have greatly improved over the past decade. There’s a growing backpacking trail here and tourism is on the rise. It’s Europe least-explored region — but not for long so visit before you crowds arrive and the price skyrocket.

• Bosnia & Herzegovina

But the country becomes even cheaper when you get off the beaten path and the interior . This is where you’ll find the best travel deals and bargains. China still remains one of the best value places in the world and, with it’s massive size (it’s the 3rd largest country by landmass), there is a ton to see and do here!

• 7 Lessons Learned from 3 Months in China
• China Travel Guide: What to See, Do, Costs, & Ways to Save
• What Hitchhiking as a Solo Female in China Taught Me

India is a cheap backpacking destination with a rich cultural history, mouthwatering food, helpful and curious locals, incredible regional diversity, great tea, and a lot to do. It’s a gigantic place best either explored in either one large trip or a few smaller chunks. Either way, don’t miss India.

• 13 Amazing Things to Do in India
• India Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
• Is It Safe for Women to Travel India?

Tucked away in the Caucasus, Georgia has been at a cultural crossroads for centuries yet it’s not nearly as popular as it should be. Tbilisi is a city bursting with activity, while the rest of the country offers intrepid adventures a rugged, off-the-beaten-path feel.

You can get by on next to nothing here too, with budget travelers spending as little as $30 USD per day. Beer is around $3 USD, a week’s worth of groceries costs around $25-30 USD, and most museums and historic sites cost just $2-5 USD.

While it might feel out of the way, Georgia is one of the next big backpacking hubs. I’d go back in a heartbeat!

• The 15 Best Things to See and Do in Georgia
• The Ultimate Georgia Travel Guide
• Finding Love and Home in Tbilisi, Georgia

Portugal has become a lot more popular and crowded in recent years (it has a growing expat and digital nomad scene) and Lisbon has become especially expensive was people move there and drive up prices. It’s a great place after all! However, once you get outside of Lisbon, prices are still relatively cheap compared to the rest of Western Europe — and you’ll see far fewer tourists too. Expect to get by on $50-60 USD per day if you’re a budget backpacker.

While is gorgeous in the summer, if you’re looking for a cheap place to spend the winter in Europe, Portugal is one of your best options.

• Portugal Budget Travel Guide
• That Time I Went to Portugal and fell Madly in Love with It
• Porto Travel Guide

While there are some regions that aren’t that safe to explore, the majority of the country is yours to enjoy. No matter your interests — beaches, partying, food, history, nature — there’s a corner of the country that you can enjoy safely without breaking the bank.

• Mexico: A Love Story
• The 20 Best Things to Do in Mexico City
• The Ultimate Mexico Budget Travel Guide
• How to Stay Safe in Mexico as a Solo Female Traveler

I fell in love with Morocco when I visited, and not just because it’s super affordable (though that did help!). Budget backpackers can get around on just $30-40 USD per day here, while midrange travelers can have a comfortable trip for around double that. You get a lot of value here. In fact, I love it so much I used to run tours there!

Morocco is a country that mesmerizes. Don’t miss it.

• 11 Reasons Why I Fell in Love with Morocco
• Morocco Budget Travel Guide
• Is Morocco Safe?

I believe most destinations in the world can be explored on a budget without sacrificing too much comfort ( heck, I even traveled Iceland on $50 USD per day ).

If you’re a savvy traveler, you know how to maximize your money no matter where you go in the world. But your mission to travel on a budget gets a lot easier when the places you’re going to are already affordable, allowing you make the most of your budget without missing out!  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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USA TODAY 10Best

Travel on a tight budget? No problem! Here are 10 stunning international destinations to visit

Best International Destination on a Budget (2023) May 19, 2023

Traveling to international destinations can be really expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of flights. However, these 10 destinations around the globe – chosen by a panel of travel experts and voted as the best by readers for their affordability – have an average daily cost between $15 to $100 per day. You'll still have to figure out how to get there on a budget, but you can rest easy knowing your wallet will enjoy a break once you arrive. 

No. 10: Turkey

Turkey is a transcontinental country, part in Western Asia and part in Southeastern Europe. The city of Istanbul is a dynamic and affordable spot to visit, with plenty of things to do on a budget, including experiencing a Turkish bath, visiting the splendid Topkapi Palace Museum and going to the historic Galata Tower.

No. 9: Philippines

The Philippines is a low-cost vacation destination, with many fun and inexpensive things to do scattered around its dynamic cities and breathtaking beaches. Many visitors flock to Manila with its historical attractions, shops, theaters, parks and museums.

No. 8: Peru

People come from all over the world to experience the wonders of Peru, including the marvelous sights of Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Inca Trail and the Sacred Valley. Even better, it’s an affordable place to visit, especially if you plan well in advance to enjoy all the free things the country has to offer.

No. 7: Thailand

Thailand is a popular destination among budget travelers interested in visiting Southeast Asia. Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket are the well-known tourist destinations in the country, but there are still places to visit that are a bit more under the radar. For instance, 10Best contributor Dave Stamboulis says, "Tarutao National Marine Park is where you'll find the Thailand of 30 years ago, with empty white sand beaches, jungle scenery, a rather nefarious history, and best of all, no development as it remains a truly protected national park."

No. 6: Bali

The westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands, Bali is a gorgeous province of Indonesia. It’s famously known as a wellness destination for tourists, and it can be enjoyed even on a low budget. From free activities like hiking and viewing waterfalls to affordable ones like visits to spas, you can relax in a natural paradise for less.

No. 5: Croatia

You get a lot for your vacation dollar when you visit Croatia, a beautiful, crescent-shaped country that lies along the Adriatic Sea. Hotels, food and wine are significantly less expensive here than they are in the United States. And lounging on the gorgeous public beaches won't cost you a single euro.

No. 4: Costa Rica

With its lush rainforests and picture-perfect beaches, Costa Rica is a gorgeous country in Central America. And wildlife is abundant in the protected jungles that make up around a quarter of the country. It's an idyllic vacation destination where you can enjoy volcanoes, beaches, jungles and wildlife viewing for less.

No. 3: Mexico

Mexico is a big country with many affordable places to see and experience. It’s also easily accessible from most parts of the United States. Must-see destinations include Bahia de Loreto National Park, Mexico City and Oaxaca. Expert Olivia Christine Perez says, "You can experience some of the best food in the world here – from street food to elevated fine dining – for considerably less."

No. 2: Sicily

The largest Mediterranean island, Sicily is west of the toe of Italy's boot. It’s a more affordable place to visit than other well-known Italian cities like Venice or Rome, and food and wine can be significantly less expensive than they are in major United States cities. Some of the things you can enjoy on a budget include art displays, architectural wonders and delectable cuisine.

No. 1: Poland

Poland is an affordable destination offering a tremendous number of things to see and do. Visitors can revel in the country’s natural beauty or visit some of its remarkable museums. An important historical site, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is a solemn and important experience that tops many visitors' lists of places to see. Additionally, the Crooked Forest is a marvel of nature, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine is an intriguing attraction.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Catherine parker.

Catherine Parker has a passion for travel that’s...   Read More

Catherine Parker has a passion for travel that’s driven her across North America, visiting all 50 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces, six Mexican states along with top destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Logging close to 100,000 miles behind the wheel, Catherine has explored 43 of the 63 U.S. national parks, 10 Canadian national parks in addition to national parks across the world. She is always willing to stop the vehicle for a great hike and has even been chased by a protective mamma bear.    As an awarding-winning journalist, she contributes to  U.S. News and World Report,   Trip Advisor ,  Popular Science, C hron.com   and Meredith Media’s  Family Fun  and Chicago’s  Suburban Family.  Her writing was featured in the onboard Alaskan travel guides:  Compass—The Onboard Magazine of Holland America   Line  and  Disney Cruise Line Wonder Onboard Guide.  Catherine also contributes to several Texas magazines as a monthly contributor well as online travel publications. Catherine publishes a family travel website,  CarfulOfKids.com . She lives in Central Texas in a 100-year-old house with a menagerie of animals and adult-sized kids. 

Cheryl Rodewig

Cheryl Rodewig is an award-winning journalist...   Read More

Cheryl Rodewig is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel. When she’s not planning her next trip — preferably to a waterfall or garden — she’s putting her MBA to use crafting marketing stories for brands. You can read her words in Thrillist, AARP, USA Today, Insider, The Guardian, and all over  cherylrodewig.com . She loves it when people reach out on  Twitter  and sometimes  Instagram .

Danielle Fear

Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized...   Read More

Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized and trusted cruise bloggers and is better known to her audience as CruiseMiss. As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel. Having embarked on more than 75 sailings, including 2 world cruises, it’s fair to say that Danielle knows a thing or two about cruising.  

Dave Stamboulis

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer...   Read More

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand , which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe. 

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She...   Read More

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for   Insider,   Fodor's Travel ,   Yahoo ,  the Huffington Post , the  Washington Post,   Viator  and  Reviewed  among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer.    Jamie can be reached at  [email protected]  and can be found on  Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok .

Lauren Mack

Lauren Mack is a freelance travel and food...   Read More

Lauren Mack is a freelance travel and food journalist whose work has appeared in 150+ publications, including The Daily Meal, Culture Trip, Cheapflights.com, TripSavvy, Booking.com, Newsweek International, ThoughtCo, and more. She currently writes for INSIDER, Thrillist, Time Out USA, Seeker, Goldbelly, Savory Traveler, and BestColleges. A journalist for 23 years, Lauren has edited and written travel guidebooks on Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Miami, and New York for Zagat, Time Out, GuidePal, and Explorer Publishing. Lauren has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia Journalism School. She has traveled to 54 countries on five continents and counts Beijing and Taipei, two cities where she lived for many years, as favorites. Lauren is a 2023 recipient of Columbia Scholastic Press Association's Gold Key award. Facebook:  laurenmackny  | Twitter:  @lmack  | Instagram  @mack_lauren  | Website:  www.laurenmack.com.

Melissa Curtin

Melisa Curtin is a travel and food writer who has...   Read More

Melisa Curtin is a travel and food writer who has documented her globetrotting adventures for over a decade. A Connecticut girl madly in love with California, her work has appeared in Lonely Planet, LA Weekly, Canadian Traveler, AAA, Roadtrippers, JohnnyJet, Travel Awaits, and many southern California print publications. Melissa is always on the hunt for the best local bites and destinations with few tourists, splitting her non-travel time between Malibu and Palm Springs with her husband and ever-growing collection of plants.    Traveling around the world at age 20 on Semester at Sea sparked Melissa's desire for learning about other cultures. As a 20+ year educator and new travel advisor with Fora, she inspires others to reach their goals and pursue their travel dreams. Some of her recent favorite jaunts include a Viking river cruise from Paris to Normandy with her mom, truffle hunting in Tuscany, and eating her way through Florence. Get to know the Best of L.A. and California by checking out her website  LaLaScoop.com  or following the @lalascoop on Instagram .

Melissa Locker

Melissa Locker is a freelance travel, lifestyle,...   Read More

Melissa Locker is a freelance travel, lifestyle, and culture writer and world-renowned fish telepathist. You can learn more about Melissa at  melissalocker.com  and connect on Instagram and Twitter via @woolyknickers. 

Olivia Christine Perez

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel...   Read More

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel wellness expert, author, and the creator of  O. Christine : a travel and wellness platform inspiring thousands of people to travel more and get outdoors for their wellness. Living with an autoimmune disease herself, Olivia helps people find wellness through the outdoors, self-care adventures, and mindful travel experiences. You can follow her work at  ochristine.com  and  instagram.com/ochristine.

Catherine Smith

Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards...   Read More

Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and  off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of  Her Bags Were Packed  where she focuses on helping  women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

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20 Cheap International Vacations For Travelers On A Budget

It feels like the cost of everything is sneaking up, with a marked increase in groceries, gas bills, house prices, and public transport. And that's before we even get to the topic of international travel, which (given the increase in fees for everything else) might feel like a world away. But we're here to tell you that it's perfectly possible to experience what the rest of the globe has to offer — all you need is a little help from your friends at Explore, and that dream vacation is ready to become a reality — even with the tightest of purse strings. 

From the warm turquoise waters of Indonesia and the tropical rainforests of Malaysia to soul-stirring Bulgaria and colorful India, there's something for every budget, complete with a handful of money-saving tips to reduce costs even further. Starting with the good people at Hostelworld — why not book your shared accommodation there? Or, see if you can't bag the cheapest of all flights on Skyscanner .

Before we dig into the unbelievably affordable destinations, it's crucial to signpost how we put this list together. We primarily relied on personal experience to determine the cheap international vacations. We've provided a more detailed look at how we decided which countries to include and how we got to the daily average spend for each at the end of this article. Now, grab yourself a drink, and let us guide you through the most budget-friendly holiday hotspots for your next adventure.

Brimming with dramatic landscapes, white-sand beaches, and tantalizing food, India offers a plethora of soul-stirring experiences — without burning a hole in your pocket. Aside from the cost of flights, you'll find this part of the world is very easy to explore cheaply. If you're careful, we're talking an average of $18 per day. This means staying in shared hostel rooms, eating local food, and using public transport. Don't believe us? Hostels and guesthouses are often no more than $5 per night, while you can expect to fill your tummy with mouthwatering delicacies for just $2. And public buses are very cheap indeed — it's possible to get from Delhi to Agra for just $4!

Wondering how much it would cost to up things just a little bit more in the comfort stakes? Budget for $50 per day, and you can expect to stay in a private hotel room with air conditioning, enjoy sit-down meals and get around in a private taxi. Given India's vastness, you might be unsure where to base yourself, but you're spoilt for choice when it comes to budget-friendly destinations there. Head to the mountainous, holy region of Rishikesh, otherwise known as "The Land of Yoga," for a spot of self-love, visit the home of the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, journey to India's "Pink City" in Jaipur for mesmerizing forts, or make your way to well-known Goa for an affordable beach break with sun, sea, sand, seafood, and spirituality.

Laos is perhaps one of the most affordable countries to visit in the world, and you don't need to be a backpacker to realize it. The "Land of A Million Elephants" packs a real punch when it comes to culture, food, and stunning scenery, meaning even those on a tight shoestring budget can explore happily. $20 a day is all you'll need, but it means sleeping in hostel dorms (around $5 per night) and eating only local food to free you up for all the amazing trips and tours available in this part of the world. Renting a scooter comes in at about $5 per day, and it's perfectly possible to get yourself a hearty meal for no more than $2, alongside the odd beer for a little over $1.

Fancy a private room? You need only push this budget up to $35 per day for a quieter, more comfortable stay, with boutique guesthouses and solid air conditioning, as much alcohol as your liver can put up with, and the odd Western meal thrown in for good measure. It will also allow you to travel up and down the country freely via flash new trains, with each journey costing between $5 and $20, depending on the desired location. Speaking of which, the world's your oyster regarding budget-friendly stops in Laos. This proud nation offers incredible bang for your buck, from stunning waterfalls in Luang Prabang to crystal clear lagoons in Vang Vieng.

Cuba is a romantic and colorful travel destination that can be affordable, depending on how you go about it. On a low-cost budget, you can expect to spend about $20 per day in Cuba or $120 on a mid-range budget. The key is to avoid staying in expensive luxury tourist hotels and instead look for locally-owned and family-operated "casas particulares." These may cost anywhere from $20 in small towns to about $45 in the more popular tourist cities. Most casas particulares also serve food at cheaper prices than many nearby restaurants.

Avoid visiting during the peak season between November and March and shoot for the off-season months of May, June, September, and October. Instead of paying for museums and art galleries, seek street art, parks with sculptures, or free-entry places. Plus, you can buy a cocktail or beer for under five dollars if you avoid the touristy bars.

Vietnam neighbors Cambodia and Thailand in Southeast Asia, so it's no wonder this country is also a low-cost international travel destination. Vietnam has plenty to offer, from limestone mountains and temples to majestic caves and cultural cities. Meals are just a few bucks each; if you fancy a beer, it's only about 20 cents. You can even find hotel rooms for $10 a night without skimping on comfort.

Most people can spend a day exploring Vietnam and only pay $25. Up this to around $46 per day, and you'll have a much more comfortable stay – a cheap hotel, eating at the occasional chain restaurant, and paid activities. To avoid spending more than your budget, book lodging with complimentary breakfast and water included and share transportation with other people to split the costs. Opt for Uber if they exist in the area you're visiting to avoid being scammed by taxi drivers. If you do take a taxi, make sure to agree on a price before leaving. 

5. Malaysia

Are you looking for a real adventure without the hefty costs? Malaysia's your ticket, offering buzzing metropolises, glistening waterfalls, dense tropical rainforests, and a breathtaking beach vacation on Langkawi Island. It provides unbelievable value for your money, too — $25 a day is a sufficient shoestring budget, which will see you sleeping in hostel dorms (around $12 per night), eating delicious street food ($3 a dish), and getting around on fantastically well-organized public transport. Buses from the north-western city of Penang to Malaysia's sleek and modern capital, Kuala Lumpur, will only set you back $9, and the transport app Grab offers outstanding value taxi journeys across all the major cities.

If you can increase your budget to $63 a day, you'll have the means to fork out for a private room in a hostel each night, with the occasional cheap hotel thrown in. Not to mention the privilege of enjoying a few drinks and a range of paid activities. The Cameron Highlands tea plantations tour, Langkawi Island's magnificent Sky Bridge, a trip up to the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, or an unforgettable visit to Taman Negara National Park, anyone? If you're looking to scuba dive at world-famous Sipadan Island, you'll need to part with a little extra to share the ocean with barracudas, manta rays, and whale sharks. But a handful of budget-friendly dive lodges offer 3-day packages here, including food and accommodation, for just $120 total.

6. Indonesia

Exploring Indonesia can be inexpensive, depending on how you travel. You can get by on as little as $28 each day. Meanwhile, $71 a day will offer you more comfortable options. This Southeast Asian country is made up of 17,500 islands, and 40% of them are undeveloped and unpopulated. Island hopping and traveling between cities isn't cheap, so the trick to a cost-effective Indonesian vacation is to pick one region and really dive deep. Bali seems to be the most popular of the well-known destinations, as it offers a little bit of something for everyone, from waterfalls and white sand beaches to rice terraces and ancient temple ruins. Bali is even home to some unique black sand beaches.

Hiking Bali's natural wonders and lounging on the beach are technically free; you'll just need to pay for transportation. Your cheapest options are renting a bicycle or taking the local public microbus called Bemo. Renting a motorcycle or scooter is only $4-10 a day, but the roads can be quite harrowing, so be wary of that option. You can find hostels for $5-10 per night here and spend $5-$15 on meals daily. Depending on your haggling skills, you might be able to land a fair price on scuba diving or a surfboard rental. 

7. Sri Lanka

You need not break the bank for a visit to this Asian gem, but what you get in return is warm and friendly hospitality, palm-fringed golden sandy beaches, and an island country offering you the chance to spot plentiful wildlife up close . $30 is a good daily budget for Sri Lanka if you're happy to go the backpacker route or accept you'll be staying in hostels for the entirety of your trip. Per night, this will likely set you back around $12, with a private room (including a fan and mosquito net) coming in around $20. It also means eating incredibly flavorful street food for the most part (usually less than $2 per dish) but with the occasional sit-down meal and getting around by public transport — bus journeys often cost less than $1, and you can always try sharpening your haggling skills with Tuk Tuk drivers! There are also plenty of free activities to tick off in this region, including a series of unforgettable hikes in the mountainous region of Ella, not to mention Adam's Peak in southwestern Sri Lanka.

You'll need to up the budget to around $55 a day if you'd prefer a private room with air conditioning or to rest your head at a boutique-style guesthouse. This kind of money will also allow you to eat out at established restaurants and get stuck into some of Sri Lanka's bucket list activities, including the famous elephant safari and shark cage diving.

8. Columbia

Columbia has a bad reputation for being a dangerous country, but in fact, the locals are quite friendly and welcoming to tourists. While there are still some places you should try to avoid, overall, a trip to Columbia can be both compelling and affordable. The country is large and has a wide variety of attractions, from breathtaking beaches and countless national parks to bustling cities with street art and jaw-dropping architecture. The exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the Colombian Peso is strong — $30 a day is a good amount for a budget holiday in Columbia, while $61 a day is still affordable but gives you a little more luxury and privacy in the form of private rooms and public transport.

To cater an economical trip in Colombia, opt for street food, hostels or cheap Airbnbs, free walking city tours, public transportation, and avoid touristy areas. If you want to visit some of the phenomenal nature destinations, remember that most national parks charge an entrance fee. For example, a visit to the Caribbean coastline of Tayrona National Park is about $10. Still, you can sleep in a tent or hammock right on the beach for pretty cheap — just make sure to book it ahead of time. However, visiting the iconic Cocora Valley is only about $1. It is a bucket list trip for many, with its seemingly mile-high wax palm trees and green glowing valleys.

One of Asia's most affordable tourist destinations, Nepal offers astonishing mountain views, cheap food, lodging, and economical public transportation. $30 is a comfortable backpacker-style budget for Nepal, but $70 is a good mid-range option for a more comfortable holiday. Backpacking through the Himalayas is considered inexpensive compared to other mountain trekking destinations, so long as you don't go through a guide, which can often be overpriced.

For better deals, avoid the busy season in October and November and shoot for the off-season during the spring, winter, or monsoon months. Also, don't be afraid to haggle, even on room rates. To save money on food, seek out the local "bhojanalayas," basic food spots offering simple but delicious eats. Nepal also has cheap street food, and your trip wouldn't be complete without trying samosas, dumplings, and local tea. 

10. Bulgaria

Despite its golden beaches, buzzing nightlife, and jaw-dropping mountains, Bulgaria often flies under the radar for those hitting it up in the region — a strange phenomenon, seeing as it hosts one of the best European cities for budget travelers . If you're backpacking here or plain old frugal, it's possible to get by on just $31 a day. Bear in mind this means sleeping in hostel dorms ($11 per night), using public transport to get around the city ($5), and cooking most of your own meals. It's fairly easy to keep costs down in other ways, too. The best time to visit Bulgaria if you're on a budget is in January because of cheaper flights, but if you'd prefer summertime, save a few bucks each day by grabbing your breakfast at local bakeries selling cheap (and filling) pastries by the name of banica and krenvirshka. Not to mention joining the free walking tours on offer in the likes of Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, and Plovdiv.

Fancy sleeping somewhere more private and the luxury of eating out more frequently? Set your max spend to $77 per day. With this sort of money, it's possible to find a cheap hotel room ($30 per night) and enjoy fast food or a sit-down meal for $20 per dish. This budget will also allow you to take the occasional taxi and get sucked into more tours and activities — who wouldn't want to explore the dramatic Rila Mountains?

11. Thailand

If you love Thai food, a trip to Thailand is a must. A neighbor to Cambodia, this country also boasts majestic ancient ruins, stunning tropical beaches, and rich culture. While the beaches and islands in the south are picturesque places straight out of a calendar, they are also more expensive to visit — sometimes more than double the price of northern Thailand destinations. Thailand's capital, Bangkok, falls between expensive and mid-range; you can expect to spend about $60 a day there. 

However, northern Thailand is both economical and exciting to visit- it's also less touristy, meaning it is a more authentic and culturally immersive experience. In sought-out cities like Chiang Mai and Pai, you can plan on spending about $5-15 on food and $5-10 a night for hostels. Chiang Mai also has many no-cost attractions, from cabarets to the Sunday Night Market, which is free to stroll but hard to walk away from empty-handed. The city also has over 300 Buddhist temples that can be visited at a far cheaper price than Angkor Wat. Nearby Pai offers waterfalls, canyons, and hot springs, all of which are free or inexpensive experiences. Overall, you can get away with paying around $32 per day in Thailand if you're on a budget. But $75 a day is an excellent mid-range option.

12. Guatemala

Nestled in Central America, Guatemala is an underrated and often overlooked gem. Stunning nature backdrops, friendly locals, and Mayan temples make this destination unforgettable. $32 per day is ample for a trip to Guatemala, while around $83 per day will score you a more comfortable trip with private rooms and guided tours. Street food is abundant and inexpensive, and you can grab a drink at a bar for under $5. Hostel rooms range from $10-20, and affordable Airbnb options abound. Your accommodation will be even cheaper if you enjoy camping and have space in your luggage for a tent since plenty of hostels have camping areas. Some places even offer hammock rentals and a spot to sling it up for just $5 a night.

If you don't mind the rain, visiting in the off-season between May and October provides fewer crowds and better deals. Popular destinations in Guatemala include the Mayan temples of Tikal, Lake Atitlan, its surrounding hippie villages, and the jungle vibes and river of Semuc Champey. Transportation to these attractions may be your most significant expense; if you're feeling adventurous, ride in a chicken bus, a retired school bus now used for public transit. Getting from Antigua to Lake Atitlan on a chicken bus can cost as little as $8. At the same time, the loud music and flashy designs on the bus may seem like a party; beware that passengers are packed in tight, and the standing room is shoulder-to-shoulder. Theft is also quite common on chicken buses, so keep your wallet and phone tucked away.

Peru is known as one of South America's most affordable vacation destinations. $37 a day could be enough to get you by on a budget, but $108 is a solid mid-range budget that means you can eat out more often and enjoy the luxury of your own room. Thanks to Machu Picchu, ancient ruins considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Peru is on many people's bucket lists. While the entrance fee is costly, currently $45, it is attainable with some budget planning. There are other beautiful landscapes to visit in Peru that don't have such a pricey entrance fee, like Lake Titicaca, the Andes, and the Amazon rainforest.

Aim to save money on food by avoiding touristy spots and following the cliche of "eating where the locals go." Further, try to DIY your sightseeing instead of paying for a tour. You can also find budget-friendly hostels and hotel rooms in Peru. In addition, be on the lookout for scams: Always count your change when you get it back; remember, tipping is not customary here, and if you take a taxi, settle on a price before taking off to avoid being overcharged. 

Mexico has a fantastic culture, great food, charming cities, and beautiful nature getaways. If you're on a budget, $40 per day is possible there, but if you can stretch to $75, you'll be in for a much more comfortable trip. Most cities have street tacos that cost less than $1 apiece. You can easily get away with spending anywhere from $8-$15 daily on food and the same per night for a hostel. However, Mexico is a vast country, so the key to traveling here on a budget is to pick one region and stay there. Transportation between cities can be costly and time-consuming. One of the most popular cultural cities to visit is Mexico City, where you can find cheap Airbnbs and even affordable luxury hotels.

If you're craving more of a beach vacation, the Yucatan Peninsula is the place to be. Just stick to staying in hostels and traveling by bus to keep it economical. Not only does the Yucatan Peninsula offer iconic white sand beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and delicious authentic Mexican food, but it's also home to the cenotes, which are underwater caves that boast beautiful aquamarine colors and aquatic life. While diving or snorkeling around them is a bit more pricey, you can pay just $3 to visit one to go swimming for the day.

15. Cambodia

This Southeast Asian country is home to beautiful beaches, spectacular temple ruins, and much more. You could enjoy your time here by spending $45 per day, including lodging. Many hostels charge only $ 6-8 per night, and some even come with breakfast (though don't expect this to be common). Eating out at a restaurant is about $3-10, but you could also get full off a street meal for $1-3. For transportation, consider renting a motorbike, a fun way to sightsee and get around for only $6-15 a day. You can also buy an intercity bus ticket or take tuk tuks, the area's version of taxi cabs — but if you opt for the latter, you'll want to brush up on your haggling skills since tuk-tuk drivers are known for overcharging tourists. Wherever you go, don't skimp on the tips; Cambodia is heavy with poverty, and locals are still recovering from the massive genocide by the Khmer Rouge that ended in 1979.

While you can make do with $45, increasing your budget to $90 daily will offer you a more comfortable stay in Cambodia. This range opens up upgrades like staying at cheap hotels or private hostel rooms and dining at fancier restaurants. Bear in mind that one of the most expensive things to do in Cambodia is a trip to Angkor Wat, the most iconic temple ruins in the area. Ticket prices range from $37-$103 depending on the days you wish to go and if you buy them in person or online.

16. South Africa

This country is sometimes on the expensive-to-travel list, but lately, South Africa has become a low-cost destination due to the excellent exchange rate. You could get away with $46 per day on a shoestring budget in South Africa, but $102 per day will be a more comfortable trip. Hostels remain the cheapest accommodation at just $10-15 per night. However, camping is also an option, and you may be able to find economical hotels and Airbnb options due to the exchange rate.

To save money on food, you'll want to factor in lodging with a kitchen; that way, you can cook some meals on your own instead of always eating out. Saving money on food and accommodation will allow you to splurge on a fancy restaurant now and then or even budget for your dream safari trip. We also recommend renting a car or opting for public transport like buses. Just be sure to check rental car prices across different companies like Priceline, Expedia, and Autoslash to get the best deals. 

17. Albania

Incredible mountain scenery, enchanting castles, and dreamy beaches are just three reasons to make your way to Albania, but that's not all. Although a touch more expensive than Bulgaria, the "Land of Eagles" is a cheap vacation by European standards, not to mention a more affordable alternative to nearby Greece. At the lowest end — $47 per day is a solid shoestring budget to aim for, although it requires you to stay in hostels ($14 per night), cook most of your meals, abstain from drinking much alcohol, and use public transport (around $10 per day). Having said this, many of Albania's most popular spots are walkable, meaning you can often save a few bucks. Like Bulgaria, it's also possible to join in with free walking tours in the country's captivating cities like Tirana, Berat, and Shokdër. Buying groceries for making your own meals is affordable, too, especially if you pick them up fresh from farmer's markets.

If you're looking for a touch more luxury, $95 is the mid-range budget to set. It will allow you to enjoy plush private accommodation and explore famous sites like the Palace of Brigades in Tirana and the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korçë. You can also expect to eat out at a handful of restaurants and let your hair down when it comes to Albania's buzzing nightlife scene.

18. Bosnia-Herzegovina

When planning a low-cost international trip, Europe generally isn't the first place that comes to mind. However, Eastern Europe is much more affordable than its Western neighbors. Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the most economical Eastern European countries, and you can easily get by spending just $48 a day there or about $90 per day on a mid-range budget. Some popular destinations in the country include the capital, Sarajevo, for its impressive architecture and Mostar, a quaint Medieval town.

Hostel rooms range from $15-20 per night and you might be able to find an Airbnb for about $20, but hotels will be more pricey. Book your first night or two ahead of time, then do some legwork once you get there to find better lodging deals by asking locals. Most meals are a bargain — you can get cevapi, a type of grilled sausage, and Bosnian coffee for just a couple of bucks. A full meal, complete with several beers, can easily cost you under $15.  

An affordable international vacation list wouldn't be complete without mentioning China. Visiting the cities of China, you can land a $20 hostel room, a meal for under five bucks, and a bus ticket that won't cost more than one dollar. However, if you can go to the countryside, you'll spend even less. If your ideal trip to China involves indulging in some beers now and then, along with entrance fees to a few of your must-sees, you can still get by spending around $50 a day here. But move this up to $140 if you want to go for the mid-range budget option.

The country is vast, so if you want to see a few different places, your best bet is to travel by high-speed train or find a low-cost airline ticket — these are the most efficient and cost-effective options—the good news: Most Chinese food is affordable, and the cheapest food is still delicious.  

While not an obvious choice, visiting Greece can be inexpensive. You could get away with spending $66 per day in Greece on a budget. Up this to $144 a day for more mid-range options. For this country, timing is everything. Summer is the most popular season for tourists, so opt out of going in July or August and shoot for an off-season spring or fall trip. Some restaurants can be pretty expensive, so rather than eating out for every meal, plan to buy some groceries and have picnic lunches. Plus, you can find cheap street food on every corner, and you can't go to Greece without eating a gyro.

You can find hostels for $16-27 a night here, and depending on how many people are in your group, you can also track down some affordable Airbnb options. Free walking tours are everywhere, so you can cover all your must-see spots at no price. And if you want to visit the nearby islands, be sure to book an overnight ferry in advance at a cheaper price, which means you'll save money on accommodation for that evening.

How we chose the cheap international vacations

To claim a spot on our list of cheap international vacations, each country needed to record a daily shoestring budget of under $70, with all the bare necessities included, such as food, accommodation, transport, and a handful of activities. We identified each destination using personal budget travel experience, backed up by spending data gathered from travel expert Nomadic Matt 's global destination guides. We've included a mid-range daily budget for each country, giving travelers who'd like to explore with a touch more comfort another affordable option.

We have ranked the destinations from lowest to highest based on the cheapest daily spend. If two countries had the same shoestring expenditure, we ranked them in order of the lowest mid-range spend. Lastly, we converted the average price per day in each destination from local currency into U.S. dollars, which means you should only use it as a general guide. Remember that these figures may go up or down due to ever-changing exchange rates.

The 30 Cheapest Places to Travel in 2024

01/01/2024 by Ashley Yap 88 Comments

Which countries in the world offer the most value? Where can you travel to in 2024 that will allow you to go for longer, enjoy a higher standard, and save more money? The following are 30 destinations around the world that offer the essentials – accommodation, transportation, and food – for less:

Table of Contents

Our Favorite Cheap Destinations Quick List:

• Best in Southeast Asia for Food: Vietnam
• Best in Southeast Asia for Beaches: Philippines
• Best in Asia for Hiking: Kyrgyzstan
• Best in Europe for Food: Greece
• Best in Europe for Beaches: Croatia
• Best in Europe for Quaint Towns: Estonia
• Best in Europe for Smaller Crowds: Georgia
• Best in the Americas: Guatemala
• Best for Safari: South Africa

1. Laos, $30/day

Back in my budget backpacking days around Southeast Asia , Laos was one of the two destinations where I was able to keep my budget at $30/day, even though the accommodation was slightly more expensive than most places in Southeast Asia at that time. Many of the amazing activities you can do in Laos are cheap. I paid $2.50 to see one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, $7 for a full-day tubing experience along the Vang Vieng river, and $6 for an awesome tiger balm massage. You can also rent a motorbike for cheap and venture off to the smaller towns, where everything is even cheaper! With more and more new hostels built to cater to the increasing number of backpackers, you can go for cheaper for longer. However, if you have a bit more to spend, you can get a gorgeous room for closer to $35 which would easily cost $100 in the US.

• Meals: $3 – $9 per day. Some hostels provide a basic breakfast
• Accommodation: $5-$10 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $6 – $15 for a motorbike for the day (prices may vary depending on the bike condition and your haggling skills), or up to $25 for an intercity bus ticket
• SIM card with data: $6 for 1.5GB with 30-day validity

– Read More –

A complete guide to Laos

2. Vietnam, $35/day

I probably had the healthiest and cheapest street food in Vietnam . Think a soup with rice noodles, cilantro, amazing broth, and a whole shank of pork for $1.50, or a cup of strong, aromatic coffee for $1. Regarding transportation, if you rent a motorbike, you are all set for the day. However, I understand that not everyone is comfortable riding a motorbike, especially in countries like Vietnam where the road traffic can be overwhelmingly chaotic. The good news is that GrabBike (similar to Uber but on bikes!) is widely available in all major cities, and the cost is as low as $0.50 for a 2km ride! Long-distance buses and trains are also affordable and reliable. Accommodation is similarly pleasant and easier to afford than almost anywhere else in the world.

• Meals: $5 – $12 per day. Some hostels provide a basic breakfast.
• Transportation: $8 – $15 for motorbike rental or GrabBike trips

The ultimate backpacking Vietnam route planner

A complete guide to Vietnam

3. Cambodia, $30/day

I know for sure that if you choose to rough it, you can easily spend a month in Cambodia with just $1000. Dorms are very basic but can be dirt cheap, the same goes for food and alcohol. I also had my haggling skills to thank as I was almost always able to talk my way out of being charged unfairly by the Tuk Tuk drivers. There are some one-off expenses such as the 3-day pass to Angkor Wat, which is currently set at $62, and diving trips that add up, but there will also be days of riding bicycle in a small village and eating cheap and delicious meat skewers when just a dollar or two could stretch very far.

Another thing is to consider the gorgeous, mostly new boutique hotels on booking.com . They are obviously not as cheap as staying in hostels, but for the price, they are so worth it! I’d definitely splurge on a couple of nights and have some R&R time by the pool.

READ NEXT: 23 cheapest 5-star hotels around the world

• Meals: $5 – $10 per day. Some hostels provide breakfast.
• Accommodation: $5-$15 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $6-$15 for a motorbike for the day (prices may vary depending on the bike condition and your haggling skills) or for an intercity bus ticket
• SIM card with data : $2 for 1.5GB with 30-day validity. Yes, it is that cheap!

A perfect Cambodia itinerary

A complete guide to Cambodi a

4. Northern Thailand, $32/day

The north of Thailand is easy on a tight budget. As one moves south, costs for accommodation start to double, triple, and even quadruple. Stay up north if you are short on time and budget for your Thailand trip. Even in popular places like Chiang Mai and Pai , you can easily find basic dorms for less than $7. If you stick with eating street food (To each her own, but why eat pasta when you can have pad Thai, am I right?), not only will you save yourself some money, the experience will be much more authentic and delicious, too. As far as activities go, you really do not need a lot of money to enjoy your day as most activities such as visiting the White Temple, hiking, or gathering three other people from your hostel to rent a car and go on some day trips , are all affordable.

Meals: $5 – $15 per day. Some hostels provide breakfast Accommodation: $5-$10 per night in a hostel Transportation: $6-$10 for a motorbike for the day (prices may vary depending on the bike condition and your haggling skills) or a rental car split between 4 people SIM card with data: $7 for 1.5GB with 30-day validity

Thailand bucket list: 50 best things to do

A complete guide to Thailand

5. Indonesia, $35/day

The thing about Indonesia is that it can be really cheap , or it can be quite expensive, depending on one big thing – transportation. Intercity traveling can be very time-consuming and costly, as is traveling from one island to another with a private boat. To save costs, stick with a region or two! There’s a lot to do and see , and spending more time in one place will only allow you to travel deeper and have a more meaningful experience anyway. If you want to travel far and wide on a budget, my biggest tip is to take the local transportation!

On the flip side, food and drinks are cheap throughout the country, not to mention absolutely delicious too! Riding a scooter through the mountains costs very little, and so does hiking, chasing waterfalls, and slouching in a hammock by the beach all day long. Hostels are plentiful, social, and affordable, especially in places like  the Gili Islands .

• Meals: $5 – $15 per day. Some hostels provide breakfast.
• Accommodation: $7-$15 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $8-$15 for a motorbike for the day (prices may vary depending on the bike condition and your haggling skills)
• SIM card with data: $5 for 2GB with 30-day validity

The Perfect Indonesia Itinerary for 2 weeks to 2 months

A complete guide to Indonesia

6. The Philippines, $37/day

The Philippines’s archipelago can cost quite a lot of money and time to get around, and the hostel options aren’t nearly as abundant as in other Southeast Asia countries. While these two factors seem like a big turn-off for travelers trying to stretch their budget as far as possible, there are ways to keep your travel cost in the Philippines low. If you choose to travel during shoulder seasons, book your flights and plan your journey way in advance (it is not the country to always wing it!), and try to stick within 1-2 regions, the Philippines can still be affordable. On top of that, the country has some of the most gorgeous islands , beautiful dive sites, affordable group island hopping tours , and hidden gems  you’d have had to pay so much more to experience in other parts of the world. In that sense, the Philippines is worth every peso you spend.

• Accommodation: $7-$20 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $10-$15 for a motorbike for the day (prices may vary depending on the bike condition and your haggling skills) or $15 – $20 for a boat ride from one island to another
• SIM card with data: $6 for 2GB with 30-day validity

The Perfect Philippines Itinerary

A complete guide to The Philippines

7. Malaysia, $40/day

Being one of the most economically developed Southeast Asian countries, Malaysia is often perceived as expensive . On top of that, when I visited Malaysia for the first time, a few people told me it wasn’t worth staying long. However, I ended up meeting lots of locals, more able to communicate and find more common ground with them than I had in Cambodia or Laos, and had so much fun exploring Cameron Highlands, the jungles of Borneo , and the gorgeous islands. The cherry on top? They were all affordable . An overnight bus from Kuala Lumpur to the Perhentian Islands costs as little as $15, there are so many interesting local neighborhoods and markets that are free to explore, and finally, the Malaysian cuisine is like no other – you can find food from just about any culture, and it’s so cheap and delicious – but not necessarily healthy. Malaysia is also one of the cheapest places in the world to get a PADI scuba diving certificate.

The one thing that could make Malaysia expensive to travel in is alcohol, which is highly taxed. However, if you don’t plan on drinking every night, that will not be an issue.

• Meals: $5 – $10 per day. Some hostels provide breakfast
• Accommodation: $7 – $15 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $5 – $7 for a full day of train and bus rides, or $15 – $20 for an overnight intercity bus ride
• SIM card with data: $8 for 2GB with 30-day validity

The Best Places to Visit in Malaysia

A complete guide to Malaysia

8. Sri Lanka, $35/day

Like many countries, Sri Lanka can be seen on a backpacker budget , or one can spend a small fortune there. The biggest kicker was the price of activities, such as safaris, and admission into the UNESCO World Heritage sites.  With each running about $40-$50 per ticket, this made Sri Lanka more expensive to fully explore. That said, Sri Lanka can be done on closer to $30 per day on the days that you don’t pay for expensive activities. Food, transport, accommodation, and Internet are relatively cheap. One thing to note about transportation is that in some cases, taking a taxi / uber (in major cities) can be cheaper than renting a bike. Hiring a driver for the day can be as low as $5 per person if you can find people in your hostel to split the cost. The cheapest transportation is the train, which is delightful and IMO, the best way to travel through Sri Lanka.

Disclaimer: 2022 saw a great amount of unrest in Sri Lanka. As of the publishing of this post, the country is still under a level 2 advisory (exercise increased caution) from the US State Department.

• Accommodation: $8-$15 per night in a hostel
• Transportation : $15-$20 per person for a private car and driver split between 4 people, or $3-$5 for a second-class cabin train ride between cities
• SIM card with data: $2 for 1.5GB with 30-day validity. Yes, it is that cheap!

Sri Lanka’s best plac es to visit

A complete guide to Sri Lanka

9. Nepal, $30/day ($15/day if trekking)

Nepal is a very cheap country to travel through, with most food, accommodation, and transport running at just a few dollars if you eat, sleep, and travel using local options. For food, while I never seem to get any stomach problems eating street food, street food in Nepal does not have the best reputation. You can get cheap and delicious home-cooked meals in local-run small cafes though. Be very mindful when you book your accommodation online, as big corporations have taken over local homestays and turned them into boutique hotels and resorts. The “local guesthouses” you’ve booked may very well be part of a big hotel chain. I suggest booking the first couple of nights online, and looking for accommodation from real local guesthouses when you arrive.

If you end up trekking , as long as you do so independently and avoid Mt. Everest itself, which costs tens of thousands of dollars, you can travel for as cheap as $10 per day on food and accommodation at the lower elevations, and closer to $20 USD at higher elevations on popular routes like the  Annapurna Circuit .

• Accommodation : $7-$12 per night in a local guesthouse
• Transportation: $10-$15 per person for a private car and driver split between 4 people, or a local bus ride between cities
• SIM card with data: $3 for 1.25GB with 30-day validity. Yes, it is that cheap!

A complete guide to N epa l

10. Taiwan, $45/day

Two words: street food. For less than $2, you can get a plate of fragrant rice with pork/chicken on top, a large deep-fried chicken chop, or a bowl of delicious vermicelli with oysters. Food in Taiwan is delicious and ridiculously cheap. If you are a foodie on a budget, you know where to go! In cities like Taipei and Tainan, you can register for their city bikes, which cost less than $0.50 per hour per ride and are free for the first 30 minutes. This means you can possibly get around the city all day without spending any money on transportation at all.

That said, high-end food and clothing prices in Taiwan can sometimes be at US-level. Intercity traveling is either expensive with the High-Speed Rail (HSR), or time-consuming with slightly cheaper options. Internet is also not as cheap as in the countries above.

• Accommodation: $10 – $35 per night in a hostel  (I highly recommend this one in Taipei !)
• Transportation : $0 – $3 for a full day of bike, bus, and train rides, or $20 – $40 for an HSR ride between cities
• SIM card with data: $33 for unlimited data with 28-day validity

11. India, $25/day

India is perhaps the cheapest country to travel to, but if and only if you’re willing to haggle and hunt for deals. Keep in mind that cheap rooms that run in the $3 range will be very basic and it’s normal to shower with buckets of heated water. You will be hard-pressed to find cheap gems in the north, but the south with its gorgeous beaches may prove more fruitful when it comes to budget accommodation.

The best way to travel through India on a budget is to book things yourself. This means no agents and no online booking sites (except for some intercity travel. For that, check out  12Go Asia ). Similar to Nepal, if you walk into local guesthouses, restaurants, and tour companies, you could easily get the same things in person for half the quoted price online.

• Meals: $3 – $6 per day
• Accommodation : $5 – $10 per night in a local guesthouse
• Transportation : $1 – $3 for a full day of bus and train rides, or $8 – $30 for an intercity train ride (sometimes a domestic flight costs as little as $30, if you want to splurge without actually splurging!)
• SIM card with data: $3 for 1.5GB with 30-day validity. Yes, it is that cheap!

12. Kyrgyzstan, $25/day

Kyrgyzstan is the country of choice for most travelers interested in trying out Central Asia, and thus most well-suited to  travelers of all budgets . Food is cheap and interesting, and so is getting around using the minibusses. Public transportation prices are fixed and are probably the cheapest aspect of traveling in Kyrgyzstan. As for accommodation, you can find hostels in major destinations and local homestays in more rural places for less than $10. If you are doing a multi-day hike like the Tian Shan Mountains , the tour price should include most things.

• Meals: $4 – $8 per day
• Accommodation: $8 – $12 per night in a hostel or a local guesthouse
• Transportation: $0.20 for a local minibus ride, or $4 for an intercity bus ride – that’s right!
• SIM card with data: $3 for 3GB with 30-day validity. Though I wouldn’t expect it to work in the mountains

A quick guide to Kyrgyzstan

13. Romania, $40/day

If you are planning a European trip that’s affordable and a little bit off the beaten path, Romania is perfect for you. While the country is known for Dracula, many charming towns and free activities remain unknown to most foreigners. Whether you’re taking a long stroll through the medieval villages, or people-watching in one of the beautiful parks, Romania is great for anyone after a European experience on a budget. You can also make use of the free walking tours to check out the numerous historical sites. Hostels run $10-$15 per night, and food is hearty and delicious (a money-saving tip: Have your breakfast at the hostel, have a big hearty meal for lunch, and cook your own meal for dinner. It’s easy and affordable to get fresh produce from the local market, make sure your hostel has a kitchen!), and public transportation is reliable and affordable.

• Meals: $10 – $15 per day
• Accommodation: $12 – $20 per night in a hostel or a local guesthouse
• Transportation : $5 – $10 for a full day of bus and train rides
• SIM card with data : $6 for 3GB with 28-day validity

14. Georgia, $30/day

Georgia is another underrated European destination that’s absolutely beautiful and affordable. Also, get this: most of you will be able to enter Georgia without a visa , and stay for one year. Say what?!

Quality hostels at a reasonable price range, a meal at a local restaurant for as low as $3, and a local minibus ride for less than $1 are just some of the great things Georgia can offer to its visitors. What’s more? Entrance fees to museums and historical sites are mostly less than $2.  The locals are extremely warm and welcoming, and hitchhiking is totally possible for short and long-distance travel. There are many day trips, hikes, and monasteries in Georgia, where one can easily spend months and not get bored. It’s perfect if you have more time than money.

• Accommodation: $10 – $15 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $3 – $5 for a full day of bus and train rides, $5-$10 for an intercity ride, or $0 if you hitchhike!
• SIM card with data: $3 for 1GB with 1-month validity

15. Greece, $45/day

Timing is crucial if you want to travel in Greece on a budget. While prices of flights, accommodation and tours have been largely cut down since the country’s debt crisis in 2010, summer months still cost more than others. This means avoiding July and August, which are the hottest and busiest months in Greece. Instead, go a few weeks before or after summer, and you will be able to enjoy Greece with smaller crowds and a lower budget. You can also cut down on food costs by buying fresh produce from the market and making your own meals, since eating out in restaurants can be expensive in certain parts of Greece. A little picnic by the gorgeous beach can be as enjoyable as a lavish meal at a seafood restaurant!

As far as activities go, opt for the free walking tours available, and if you are planning to do some island hopping in Greece , plan well and stick with a group of islands to minimize transfers. Remember that sometimes a domestic flight can be cheaper than a bus ride for any long-distance travel.

• Transportation : $10 – $15 per person for a rental car split between 4 people (note: scooter rental costs about $25 – $30/day), or $10-$20 for ferry tickets around the islands
• SIM card with data : $12 for 2GB with 30-day validity

16. Czech Republic, $40/day

As more and more tourists flock to the Czech Republic, or more specifically, Prague, for its rich history and cheaper-than-water beer, prices have inflated over the last few years. However, it is still easily one of the cheapest central European countries to travel in, especially if you go beyond Prague, such as Cesky Krumlov and Telc, to experience true Czech culture at a much lower cost. Local transportation is reliable and affordable, and if you plan to do a lot of traveling, consider getting a 3-day pass for $16.

Czech cuisine is very hearty and large in portion. While it’s not the healthiest (most meals consist of potato and meat), it will surely fill you up so to stretch your budget – eat out at a local restaurant for lunch, and have a light snack for dinner. Entrance fees to historical sites and museums can be quite expensive ($18 to enter the Prague Castle), but you don’t always have to actually enter – the hikes up are awesome, and you can always admire the architecture from outside, and pick the most intriguing ones to go in.

• Meals : $10 – $15 per day
• Accommodation : $12 – $20 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $5 for a full day of tram rides, $15-$20 for an intercity bus ride
• SIM card with data : $13 for 2GB with 1-month validity

17. Poland, $44/day

If you are a fan of heritage sites, Poland has 14 to offer. A country rich with culture and history, it’s a shame that Poland is often overlooked by tourists. It costs an average of $5 to enter museums and historical sites, which is fairly affordable by European standards. Food is delicious and has a bit more variety than its neighboring countries, though it’s still heavy on the calories. The trains are a bit dated but cost very little.

Poland is one of those countries where you can easily spend an entire day just wandering and people-watching. There will be days when you spend nothing else but on essentials. Make sure to eat at a “milk bar”, an affordable yet delicious option that’s popular with locals. Go beyond Krakow and Warsaw, and explore other smaller towns like Gdansk, Wroclaw, and Zakopane, which are all stunning and possibly even cheaper to travel in.

• Accommodation : $9 – $20 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $1 – $3 for a full day of train rides, $10-$15 for an intercity train ride
• SIM card with data: $3 for 2GB with 1-month validity

18. Croatia, $47/day

If you like turquoise waters, sunshine, and parties, look no further than Croatia to plan your next budget trip. There are thousands of islands surrounding its mainland, excellent weather from May – October, and beach and yacht parties year-round. The essential expenses including accommodation, transportation and food all come with a reasonable price tag. There is also beautiful architecture to marvel at, interesting sights such as the Museum of Broken Relationships , as well as cute small towns to explore.

To travel in Croatia on a budget, you need a similar approach to Greece – travel in the shoulder season. July & August are the country’s busiest months, so avoid them if possible. Also, keep your island hopping to a group of islands to minimize transfers. Since Croatia is gaining more popularity each year, expect prices to keep rising and aim to visit sooner than later if you want to snag a deal.

• Meals: $10 – $15 per day. Some hostels offer complimentary breakfast.
• Accommodation : $12 – $30 per night in a hostel
• Transportation : $12 – $15 per person for a rental car split between 4 people , or $10-$15 for a ferry ride
• SIM card with data : $8 for 2GB with 30-day validity

19. Turkey, $45/day

Turkey can be cheap or expensive, depending on what you want to do and how deeply you want to travel through the country. A hot air balloon ride costs around $400-$500, and intercity traveling can be really long and costly. However, the country has a bunch of other bucket list-worthy items that cost way less, and if you plan your route well, it is definitely possible, if not easy, to travel through Turkey on a budget.

The stunning Blue Mosque in Istanbul, the breathtaking white travertines in Pamukkale, and the hustling bazaars all over the country are relatively affordable to enter. While the long-distance buses are expensive, if you plan well and take the overnight buses, you get to save on accommodation. If you are short on time and money, stick with a city or two. Turkish food is delicious and cheap, so that’s one less thing to worry about!

• Transportation : $1 – $3 for a taxi ride or $30 – $60 for an intercity overnight bus ride

20. Lithuania, $44/day

Lithuania is a tiny country that most travelers skip or spend at most a night or two in just the capital city, Vilnius. However, this charming place is not only underrated but also very affordable to travel in! If you enjoy partying, the nightlife scene in Vilnius is vibrant and fun, and the alcohol is fairly affordable. If you’d like a quieter experience, check out the Old Town in Kaunas, Klaipeda, and Curonian Spit. Bear in mind that outside of the capital city, hostels can be hard to come by, so book in advance or even consider Couchsurfing!

• Accommodation : $10 – $20 per night in a hostel
• Transportation : $3 – $6 for a full day of bus rides within the city, or $15 – $20 for an intercity bus ride. Buses seem to be more reliable than trains in Lithuania!
• SIM card with data: Get a Baltic SIM card for $7 for 3GB with 30-day validity

22. Estonia, $44/day

Nature lovers will love Estonia – 53% of the country is forested. This also means that activities like hiking and exploring the national parks are plentiful and affordable (if not completely free). The small towns are also great for walking and cycling, so transportation costs can be minimized. On that note, affordable hostels can be hard to come by in these small towns, so consider basing yourself in the capital city, Tallinn, and make day trips to visit them.

• Accommodation: $10 – $20 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $3 – $6 for a full day of train rides within the city, or $10 – $15 for an intercity train ride

23. Latvia, $47/day

Similar to Estonia, half of the country is covered in forests. There are also thousands of lakes and rivers in Latvia, perfect for canoeing lovers. The best time to go to Latvia is during fall or winter, when you can canoe down the rivers with the color-changing leaves accompanying you or when the Christmas vibe is on full display at the local Christmas markets. One can also easily spend an entire day wandering through the enchanting forests with castles hidden in them (okay, maybe not “hidden,” but this sounds dreamier, as castles should be). All of these activities are affordable/free, which is why traveling in Latvia can be done on a budget.

• Meals : $12 – $15 per day. Some hostels offer complimentary breakfast.
• Accommodation: $14 – $25 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $2 – $5 for a full day of train rides within the city, or $10 – $15 for an intercity train ride.
• SIM card with data : Get a Baltic SIM card for $7 for 3GB with 30-day validity

THE AMERICAS

24. mexico, $42/day.

From Tulum to Baja California , Mexico is full of endless adventures . This vast country is rich in culture, nature, and some of the best food in the world. Though the country does not have the best reputation as far as safety goes , most violence takes place in certain areas, and Mexico is a big country with plenty of safe places to explore . Now the good news? It’s easy to travel in Mexico on a budget. For less than $20, you will be able to explore at least 5 stunning cenotes , like the one in the picture above; for less than $3, you can devour delicious street food like tacos (I LOVE tacos), quesadillas and tortillas; the white sand beaches are essentially free, and the hospitality? Priceless.

While getting around within a city is cheap, intercity traveling in Mexico can be costly, mainly because of how big the country is. The best case scenario is to rent a car , which costs about $50 – $70 per day and split between 4 people. If you are backpacking Mexico solo , try to stay in the same place for a longer time to stretch the transportation costs out. That way, you are able to travel deeper and experience authentic Mexico, too.

• Meals: $8 – $15 per day. Some hostels offer complimentary breakfast
• Accommodation: $10 – $17 per night in a hostel ( click here for the best hotels in Tulum )
• Transportation: $3 – $5 for a full day of bus and train rides, or $30 – $50 for an intercity bus ride (yikes!)
• SIM card with data: $10 for 2GB with a 30-day validity

Solo female travel guide to Mexic o

A complete guide to Mexico

25. Nicaragua, $35/day

Nicaragua is one of the cheapest Central American destinations to travel in, although it’s not likely to stay that way for much longer. The country is nicknamed as the next Costa Rica , and we all know what that means. For now, the country remains affordable, fun, and interesting so go before the prices go up and before mass tourism hits.

For outdoor lovers, Nicaragua is great for surfing, volcano hiking, and diving. For a more relaxing journey, the colonial cities are beautiful to take a stroll in, and there are plenty of gorgeous beaches to lie all day on. Food is cheap and delicious albeit repetitive. There are hostels all over the country so you don’t have to worry about finding cheap accommodation. One thing to note is that there is unfortunately safety concerns in the country, so check the official advisory site and be your own judge before going.

• Meals: $6 – $10 per day. Some hostels offer complimentary breakfast
• Accommodation : $5 – $15 per night in a hostel
• Transportation : $3 – $5 for a full day of chicken bus rides, or $8 – $15 for an intercity bus ride
• SIM card with data : $12 for 1GB with a 30-day validity

26. Guatemala, $38/day

For an amazing Central American adventure on a budget, check out Guatemala. A visit to Guatemala is no complete without seeing the beautiful Lake Atitlán , but that’s not all – the country is covered in lush jungles, volcanos, and ruins, perfect for outdoor lovers. When you need a break from outdoor sports, colonial cities like Antigua or unique spots like Hobbitenango will capture your heart with their stunning architecture and cobblestone streets. Local food is delicious and cheap at about $3 for a full meal (except in Antigua, where prices are actually close to US levels).

Local transportation can be very cheap but at times confusing and risky. The locals typically take the chicken buses, which are converted school buses from North America, and are the cheapest way to get around. The buses do not have specific stops, nor is there a board with prices on it. Instead, people simply wave the buses down, and pay the collector money. Watch how much the locals are paying and pay the same.

• Accommodation : $10 – $15 per night in a hostel
• Transportation: $1 – $3 for a full day of chicken bus rides, or $5 – $10 for an intercity bus ride
• SIM card with data: $13 for 2GB with a 30-day validity

27. Colombia, $35/day

A colorful destination with a dark past, Colombia is fast becoming a popular affordable destination. If you are a history geek, you will love the museums and historical sites in Bogota, the Lost City, and beyond. If you are into nature, the Amazon awaits. As for diving enthusiasts, Colombia also boasts some of the world’s best diving sites and gorgeous beaches. With accommodation, transportation and food being so affordable, you will have room for some occasional splurges – consider booking a luxurious villa for a night or two, you won’t get a deal this great anywhere else in this part of the world!

• Meals: $10 – $15 per day. Some hostels offer complimentary breakfast
• Accommodation : $8 – $12 per night in a hostel
• Transportation : $1 – $3 for a full day of bus rides, or $10 – $50 for an intercity bus ride (be sure to check the domestic flights which can sometimes be cheaper than buses)
• SIM card with data : $13 for 2GB with a 30-day validity

28. Arizona & Utah (for a road trip!), $45/day

While the US is generally not a super budget destination, if you are doing a road trip, you can definitely save in some areas and splurge in others to even out your overall budget. For my American Southwest road trip , I spent an average of $110/day , which included a camper van rental, food, gas, camping, plus little splurges here and there. Now, it was definitely more expensive because I was solo. If you had just one other person, you’d be able to split the costs almost perfectly in half. If you had two other people along, take it down to one third and so on. The more, the merrier (until you run out of room and start elbowing each other).

Some quick tips on saving money:

• Get a national park pass and for $80, you will be able to get a carload of people into any national park in the US for an entire year.
• Rent a camper van if you are renting a car. Then your accommodation apart from the van fee can be absolutely free by camping only on BLM land .
• Cook your own meals! Again, renting a camper van with kitchen facilities will enable this and save you a lot of money
• Meals : $12 – $15/day
• Accommodation : free
• Transportation : $9/day for a camper van split between 4 people
• SIM card with data : $35 for 1GB with a 30-day validity

A complete guide to Utah

A complete guide to Arizona

29. South Africa, $42/day

If you are traveling on USD or Euro, the exchange rate alone will do you a big favor. At this time of writing, 1 South African Rand is equal to 6 cents US. Any hostels/guesthouse/tourist accommodation in South Africa is called a “backpackers”, and they are typically in beautiful settings and each has a unique personality, not to mention affordable too . Food is where the big budget eater or saver can be, as it can get expensive in South Africa. To save money, cook your own food. Grocery stores are plentiful and have reasonable prices. By at least cooking your own breakfast and the occasional dinner, you can save a lot of money.

Unfortunately, public transportation outside of Johannesburg and Cape Town can be pretty limited. While there are a few private companies and trains that all provide transportation around the country, the best (and possibly) cheapest way to get around the country is to rent a car and share with 3 other people, and go on an epic road trip together.

• Meals : $12 – $15 per day
• Accommodation : $14 – $18 per night in a “backpackers”
• Transportation : $9 per day for a camper van split between 4 people

What does it cost to travel in South Africa?

A complete guide to South Africa

30. Namibia, $45/day

Namibia is home to some of the world’s most spectacular views including  the gorgeous Sossusvlei , the hauntingly beautiful Deadvlei, and the massive Fish River Canyon, just to name a few. At first glance, Namibia may not seem like a budget destination, as most accommodations cater to the luxury category, and transportation availability from one place to another can be limited in such a vast country. However, you just need to do things a little bit differently to save a lot of money.

The most important thing is to choose to camp instead of staying in a lodge. The luxury lodges cost about $50 – $200 per night, but you can camp at their campsites for about $8 – $10 per night. Camping at the government campsites will set you back about $15 – $18 per night. As for transportation, ideally you would want to rent a 4×4 and share it with a few people to split the cost. If your accommodation comes with a communal kitchen, make full use of it as cooking your own meals will definitely save you money. Entrance fees are generally cheap!

• Accommodation : $8 – $18 per night
• Transportation : $15 – $18 per day for a 4×4 split between 4 people
• SIM card with data: $16 for 1.5GB with a 60-day validity

The perfect Namibia road trip itinerary

A complete guide to Namibia

How Low Can You Go?

The suggested budget above includes basic accommodation, transportation, and 3 meals with a mix of simple breakfasts, hearty lunches, and light dinners, as well as Internet and 1 paid activity for the day. You will need to add on the other costs like shopping, alcohol, little splurges here and there to understand how much exactly is needed.

Some may want to dive or ski, which are typically higher cost activities, and some just want to walk around and explore the local neighborhoods. If you are on a shoestring budget, the suggested budgets can be cut down further should you choose to couchsurf, hitchhike, and skip certain activities.

Are there any that you would add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!

The Only Packing List You’ll Ever Need (for the Entire World)

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Nicoline says

01/03/2019 at 11:00 pm

There are so many of these places I would love to visit or revisit. Especially a Namibian road trip is on top of my bucket list and I hope that I can do it this year. 42$ per day is alright and the flight tickets from Denmark aren’t that bad right now – it must be a sign! ?

Kristin says

01/05/2019 at 9:12 am

It must be!

01/04/2019 at 9:09 pm

Bosnia is one of the cheapest places in Europe with so much to see! It’s a good deal cheaper than its neighbor Croatia.

Good to know! Thank you!

Anonymous says

04/25/2021 at 5:55 pm

Absolutely! Go hungry!! Food is excellent too!!

Jessa L says

06/10/2019 at 2:35 am

Excellent info but main thought regarding SE Asia, especially regarding Vietnamese street food: #1 many foreigners do not have the gut bacteria to fight off many forms of food poisoning that occurs from street food. #2 All the food in SE Asia has loads of MSG which immediately makes it NOT healthy. Sorry but there’s no cheap Vietnamese that can be considered healthy with the amount of MSG they put in the food. Tasty, yes. Addictive, yes. Healthy, ummm nope.

06/10/2019 at 6:54 am

Fact checking this. #1: The food is mostly bought fresh from the market each day and cooked right in front of you. If you go to a stand with lots of people eating there, you can trust it’s good for you, too. I have never had food poisoning after 7 years of traveling and eating street food. #2: I’ve seen the food made fresh from each raw ingredient and I also know what MSG looks like. I’ve seen it on the stands in China but not in Veitnam. I think it really depends on which stand you eat from, and if you’re worried about MSG the restaurants you eat at can just as easily, if not more easily, add it to the food. I wouldn’t avoid street food because of these reasons. Tourist restaurants serve the same thing, but often less fresh, for more money and you DON’T see it cooked in front of you.

09/09/2019 at 11:01 pm

I agree with your comments Kristen, its also easy to ask and or learn the local word to say dont put it in as a lot of stands will add a little MSG for “extra flavour”

01/17/2023 at 3:56 am

‘Hoom, Hoom, Ajinomoto’, is what to say if you don’t want MSG

Marissa says

01/20/2020 at 12:45 pm

Agreed. Kristen

Daniel says

01/11/2024 at 9:22 am

I am a US Citizen and often travel to Vietnam at least once a year and I believe you have no idea what you’re talking about. Do not eat food sold on the street or others food stands around the corner. You have no idea what they did to the pre-made ingredients that are served to you in front of you. Most of them do not even have gloves while handling YOUR foods. Most of the times, ingredients are prepared somewhere else and none are monitored as far as food safety is concerned. Anyone can prepare foods without any inspections or licenses requirements and sell to the public whenever, where ever they want!!! Rotten meats are often used to make egg rolls by adding artificial flavorings and fried until the bad smell is gone. Food stands are notorious for being dirty and contaminated badly because they do not have enough clean water to wash or sanitize utensils used to handle their foods. There was a big issue in Vietnam recently when a street vendor was caught “recycling” leftover from the previous customer and sell it to the next customer… Just google about food safety standards in Vietnam and you’ll know.

Kristin Addis says

01/11/2024 at 4:08 pm

If there’s a long line of locals eating there, and they’re bringing their kids there, I’m also going to eat there.

04/19/2020 at 11:09 pm

You clearly dont have a clue abour vietnamese food..they are not into Msg…dont get confuse them with China Mf

06/07/2020 at 10:28 pm

Jessa, I think you should educate yourself before taking such a strong opinion on MSG because you clearly don’t have your facts straight. Vietnamese food is pretty healthy whether or not there is MSG in it. MSG alone is simply not bad for you.

If you don’t believe me read this article:

https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/2018-10-10/scientists-have-known-msg-is-safe-for-decades-why-dont-most-americans

07/29/2021 at 8:16 pm

So safe it will puff many up like a puffer fish. So safe.

Hugo Lindum says

02/07/2022 at 6:15 am

Street food is about as safe as it gets. Rarely had problems, nor do most people. As for MSG being bad, it must be the most researched food product in human history and no peer reviewed researched shows there is anything wrong with it. Even the EU says its safe. MSG being unsafe is up there with antivax and Elvis being alive on the moon.

12/21/2023 at 1:14 pm

i think it sounds really delicious and MSG is very healthy for you

Jonene Oxford says

02/25/2023 at 3:45 pm

Wish I could add the scientific info on here about MSG not being bad for your health. You should read up on it. You’d be surprised

Mohsen Ghiasi says

06/14/2019 at 7:48 am

Whay you dont write iran at the top man, its cheapest in the world with much more facility.

06/15/2019 at 9:17 am

As an American I can’t go there without taking a tour so to me it’s not that cheap, unfortunately 🙁

mark doty says

07/01/2020 at 6:18 pm

who in their right mind would go to Iran?

09/23/2020 at 1:33 pm

I lived there in the 70s and would love to go back to hike the mountains and ski again. Maybe someday.

02/07/2022 at 6:16 am

I would go there in the 1970s in a heart-beat. But today is 2022.

06/18/2019 at 7:45 am

Great list! Makes my bank account seem all that bigger 😉

06/18/2019 at 9:12 am

06/19/2019 at 9:36 am

Great list! You have been very helpful in getting some unique options together for a Christmas getaway for my husband and I! Although we will probably do AirBnB places instead of hostels, I feel like I have a much better idea of how far our money will go and tips on how to avoid being overcharged.

The biggest expense for me is always the flights since we live in Colorado, but I did find a really good website that has given me fares below what places like Expedia can offer called Skiplagged. If you haven’t checked it out, it can definitely save you some $$! I’m not affiliated with them or anything. Just thought I’d put it out there for other savvy travelers like me who are looking for the best deals!

06/19/2019 at 10:09 am

Thanks Lissa! I’d also suggest travel hacking! I have tips here: https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/how-to-fly-for-free/

Leena Malhotra says

06/23/2019 at 1:28 am

What about Russia ?

Russia is on my list for next year – it has so much to explore but can’t make it in a single trip. How about Russia from India ?

06/23/2019 at 9:45 am

I have heard the cities in Russia can be quite expensive but a few years ago the Ruble fell in value quite a bit which has made it much more affordable.

07/11/2019 at 5:59 am

Nice list. I am planning for Ukraine. Any specific suggestions

08/02/2019 at 12:27 pm

I have been to Ukraine many times so here is a rundown.

Kiev the capital historical city and very beautiful. Liviv cultural capital with some of the best food. Odessa seaside vacation hub and center of comedy.

Each city offers so much to see and do.

These are the cities that you are more likely find someone who speaks english, however I would recommend learning a couple of phrases. The people are hospitable but there still a language barrier.

08/03/2019 at 5:14 am

Thanks for the info!

07/17/2019 at 1:56 pm

Tanzania is pretty cheap too and the people here are very welcoming! You should try it out.

07/18/2019 at 12:05 pm

Agreed I love it there.

Brad Carss says

07/30/2019 at 6:57 pm

I love Namibia and persisted in my efforts to visit the Himba People in Opuwo by catching a taxi from my hostel in Windhoek to the pickup point for the van taking locals to the north of the country. There I arranged with the local tour hut (John Jakurama) to go on day and an overnight visit to the villages of these rarely visited people. It was a very cost-effective and engaging interaction to experience the harsh reality of their lives. At the end of my stay the elder of the family kissed my hand in blessing for seeking his village out and bringing them much needed food stuffs and supplies. My kind of travel, cheap, interactive, moving and low priority on most people’s destinations.

Augustin says

08/03/2019 at 2:16 am

You had already mentioned about a lot of places with less expensive, but the matter is that the flight charges are not economical to many of the destinations. I am from India and feel affordable rates with some southeastern Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, loas, Burma, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The flight charges to these places are about 100 US Dollars with Air Asia flights, but it is really too high to Europe, Africa or America. This makes trips costlier. Anyway it is good exploring one.

08/03/2019 at 5:13 am

That’s true, I’m not taking into consideration where you might be flying in from, since we are all coming from different places, but once you get there it’s cheaper than other countries like Norway or Iceland.

08/03/2019 at 3:12 am

Hi! I have travelled before, I worked for a long haul airline and spent a few days in most countries. However, I really want to travel properly. What place would you recommend for newbie backpackers? Do you have any tips for me? Thanks 🙂

08/03/2019 at 5:12 am

Southeast Asia! https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/best-countries-for-beginner-travelers/

MikesRoadTrip says

08/05/2019 at 7:14 am

Really great piece!

08/17/2019 at 12:14 pm

It seems you generated this list based on where you went. I’m surprised Belorus, Russia, Abkhazia, Azerbaijan are not there

08/17/2019 at 12:19 pm

I haven’t been to most of these places, actually, but thanks for sharing more places that are affordable!

08/30/2019 at 7:47 pm

Pakistan is another beautiful country to visit and also very cheap. The Northern parts of Pakistan are full of natural beauty. People of Pakistan are very friendly and when you go there you will be amazed to find out that country is so different than what it is portrayed in NEWS. The hospitality of people there is simply amazing and food is simply awesome. Highly recommended place to visit.

09/02/2019 at 9:50 am

I’d love to visit!

Marianne says

10/09/2019 at 3:24 am

Hi! My boyfriend and I took a year off to travel Asia, and about 4 months in we have spent wayyy too much money (oops). We would like to settle down somewhere cheap for a month to try and make up for it. We are hoping to find somewhere close to the beach where the food is good. If there were some (free or cheap) things to do and see so we wouldn’t be too bored that would be even better. Does such a place even exist? ? I was thinking Cambodia, maybe, or Vietnam (cause I love Vietnamese food) but really anywhere in SE Asia would be perfect. Do you have any suggestions for a specific place like that you really loved?

Also, I love this blog, I have probably visited daily in the couple of years leading up to our trip ?

10/09/2019 at 10:22 am

Hey Marianne. It happens! I’d look at Southeast Asia for sure. I’d thought about Hoi An personally. The food is good, wifi is fast, it’s cheap. You can also think about Cambodia or even southern Thailand. You could think about Kuta in Lombok, Indonesia as well. Such a place definitely exists 🙂

Keep in mind it’s usually much cheaper to go check things out in person and ask around for places to rent longer term than it is to try to find them online.

Ian Culbertson says

10/13/2019 at 5:15 pm

Hi Kristin, I’d really like to do Incan trail in Peru to MP in December, any advice on tours for doing routes less traveled? Thanks Ian

10/19/2019 at 12:02 pm

If you want to do the Inca Trail unfortunately there’s just one trail and it’s not less-traveled, but there’s also the Lares trek and the Salkantay which will end up in Machu Picchu. I liked Alpaca Expeditions for the Inca Trail.

marla braden says

11/09/2019 at 11:18 am

I second Alpaca Expeditions. I did the Inca trail in December, not really high season. I got tickets when I got to Cusco (not 6 months advance) and our group of maybe 10 people plus the guides and porters were the only people I saw for 4 days until we arrived at Machu Picchu itself. Off season is the way to go anywhere, imo.

11/10/2019 at 11:36 am

Wow that’s amazing! Definitely wasn’t my experience. Nicely planned.

Renuka Walter says

12/06/2019 at 5:13 am

That’s a great list! I’m glad India is on the list. I have been exploring it for a decade now, and I agree it’s affordable and so rewarding! Would love to experience Romania.

12/06/2019 at 11:06 am

I’d love to experience India!

Md. Shakhawat Hossain says

01/08/2020 at 11:31 am

Hello there, Thank you very much for sharing a nice as well as the well-informative article here. The information you have described herewith was really amazing! However, if you allow me to add one more place to must-visit I would be glad, and the place name Bangladesh. The place of natural beauty and many more. And, also very cheap.

Thank you very much.

01/08/2020 at 7:01 pm

I’d love to go! Yes it should be on the list.

neymasport says

01/14/2020 at 8:18 pm

Thank you for sharing the colorful collection here, thank you for this article. This country is very beautiful. Hope to come here and try it once  

Nikola Webster says

01/22/2020 at 6:10 pm

Hi there, Wow – super-comprehensive list! I’ve been to more than half on this list. A couple I have on my list to visit that I’m told a super cheap (even cheaper than India) are Pakistan and Bangladesh. I’ve also heard Laos is wicked cheap! Nikki

01/22/2020 at 8:12 pm

I’d love to see Pakistan too! Laos is indeed pretty cheap.

Doona Neace says

02/04/2020 at 1:44 am

You recommended most of the places are on my list. Next year I want to visit Croatia and Turkey.

02/15/2020 at 6:31 pm

This is such a great list which really breaks down the costs and saves a lot of research time! Thanks for sharing.

02/16/2020 at 10:55 am

Thanks for such a great post! And thanks for sharing your valuable experiences. I already traveled to Most of EA countries but i have no any idea for african and S. American countries, i will use this post for my future plan.

05/03/2020 at 11:11 am

Wow, that’s article is amazing. I did not know that you can travel to places this cheap. This article chsnge the way I look at traveling. I have always thought it costly as I spend a lot when traveling, but after reading this things have changed.

takeoffwithme says

05/08/2020 at 7:21 am

Very nice article. Will be really helpful for backpackers

Vaishnavi Omprakash Jadhav says

07/08/2020 at 4:38 am

There is lot more in INDIA. Do come. We have a lot more than expected.

Samson says

08/21/2020 at 5:38 am

How is the Covid-19 situation there?

08/21/2020 at 5:39 am

How is the Covid-19 situation in India?

08/29/2020 at 4:32 am

Great article. Thanks

Greg Christensen says

09/03/2020 at 9:11 am

Recently did southern Utah (from OH) for 6 weeks and spent 9000 dolllars … that’s about 200 dollars per day. Gasoline 1500 (8000 miles), hotels and campsites 1200, NP pass and BLM trail fees 100, topo maps/books/gifts 400, my own jeep routine and unexpected service 500, jeep rubicon 4WD 10 day rental for The Maze 1950, 4WD and backpacking supplies 400, laundry 50, food/beverages/snacks/water 2900. Biggest expenses are always food from restaurants and the remote expensive trips that are hard to access.

09/03/2020 at 9:40 am

Yes restaurants can be a lot. If you have to rent the 4×4 yes that really adds up!

Amogue says

09/15/2020 at 3:54 am

all this country are awesome I am going ti visit vietnam after the covid situation

10/09/2020 at 2:22 pm

Maybe Nicaragua is not safe, but I think it’s way safer than Guatemala. Please, be careful if planning to travel to any of this countries. Specially women travelling alone.

Michelle says

11/30/2020 at 12:03 pm

Yes, very surprised you didn’t include Morocco! Marrakech (or Casablanca) can get expensive if you want the most luxurious accommodations/prefer gambling, but overall a very cheap country to travel. You can get around easily if you wish to visit multiple cities, for as little as $8 or so intercity. (overnight sleeper trains will cost a bit more) You can even fly from Madrid or Lisbon to Marrakech for around $100 if you know where to look 🙂 I’d say to definitely visit Marrakech, Fes, and Chefchaouen if you are not sure where to travel. Stay in riads or hostels. Walk around the souks, and take in all the sights the cities have to offer. Getting to the desert is a little more difficult and costly, but worth the experience if it is something you have always dreamed of doing!

12/03/2020 at 8:57 am

Good to know!

Catherine says

05/16/2021 at 5:54 am

India very risky for woman, last time I went there was groped, not once but multiple times. In india get used to man staring at your cleavage, boobs and ass all the time.

01/12/2023 at 8:24 pm

Did that happen in North India?

08/17/2023 at 3:52 am

Only in Punjab . Rest of India is very safe

Linniey???? says

05/22/2021 at 7:51 pm

Thank you for sharing… Very interesting and nice places for backpakers… South Korea is also very cheap and beautiful nature for nature lovers… ????

Tina Hallmark says

07/15/2021 at 2:27 pm

I know you are already bogged down with reply’s and on to your next adventure but I wanted to pick your brain. Myself, husband and our daughter, age 10 want to spend a month next year in another country (if all goes well, we may make it into an annual thing). We are great outdoors, we love food, we love history and love animals and we are all well traveled. We would like to pick our first month long trip for June 2022 (climate has to be below average of 85 degrees F). Basically we can’t decide on where we should go to stay around 10k for all 3 of us and how best planning for a month in a country. Any insight would be wonderful! We have thought about Bali/Philippians, Greece or Italy but I saw you mention Namibia and that sounds wonderful too! PS We do not want to stay in hostiles. Thank you for any information you may want to send our way! Tina

07/17/2021 at 12:40 pm

I’m not sure all of those places fall under your temperature requirements but it really depends on what kind of experience you want. I think they could all be wonderful.

02/20/2022 at 4:29 pm

03/01/2022 at 11:02 pm

Excuse me, but Georgia is not in Europe!! It is part of the Caucasus, which is in Asia. And as for Vietnam & most of southeast asia, can we say KRAITS!!! You fail to mention this very big danger…many people have gotten bitten by these snakes and died! Last but not least, that chicken or pork you get in Taiwan and China: might be DOG or CAT!!! Think about that B4 you scarf down just any streetfood!!

03/02/2022 at 11:19 am

lol I don’t think they’re eating cat or dog in Taiwan and I don’t know a soul who has been bitten by that snake you mention.

12/21/2023 at 1:21 pm

John im glad you got all your anger out on this message but no one really cares and all u did was waste everyones time thanks a lot JOHN!!

07/14/2022 at 9:22 pm

Ukraine really?

07/23/2022 at 11:50 am

Prior to the current situation it was a great place to travel, and it will be again one day.

Grace Christopher says

01/22/2023 at 9:01 am

I would love if someone can put me through how to go about the process of applying to any of the country mentioned above. That is work visa

01/26/2023 at 6:38 am

Hi I am planning to travel to Greece combined with some islands. Could you please tell me more about which places and accommodations you recommend and suggest. I will be traveling with my 21 year old son .

07/01/2023 at 9:54 am

Hi Nora: Recommend looking at this great BMYM post: 31 of the Absolute Best Things to Do in Greece It includes a huge variety of things to do which I am sure your 21 year old son would enjoy too! Also, in BMTM website, click on “Destinations” at the top of this page and pick “Greece” and it has other great resources! Good luck!

Austin A. McCary says

06/02/2023 at 8:27 pm

This article on the cheapest destinations to travel to is a goldmine of budget travel inspiration! I appreciate the thorough breakdown of affordable destinations across different continents. The inclusion of budget-friendly activities and accommodation options is incredibly helpful for planning a cost-effective trip. I’m excited to explore some of these destinations that offer incredible experiences without breaking the bank. Thanks for sharing this valuable resource!

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The 18 Cheapest Places to Travel in 2022

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Looking to catch a cheap flight this year? Kayak , one of the world's leading travel search engines, shared with Travel + Leisure a list of the cheapest places to travel this year.

To determine the most wallet-friendly destinations, Kayak analyzed the searches for flights from Nov. 20, 2020, through Nov. 19, 2021, for travel between Jan. 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022. Kayak then considered the top 100 most-clicked destinations with the lowest average flight price, excluding outliers based on criteria such as travel restrictions and security concerns.

Fly against the grain and get rewarded with major savings.

Unsurprisingly, Mexico makes the list of the cheapest places to travel in 2022. The country has long ranked as an affordable and easy-to-reach destination for many Americans; reasonably priced direct flights are abundant.

Within Mexico, San José del Cabo (in Baja California Sur), Puerto Vallarta, and Cancún come out on top as the cheapest places to fly, with January being the most affordable month to visit for each. Fortunately, January is nothing short of glorious in each of these beachy destinations — warm, balmy, and filled with rich colors, textures, and flavors to beat the winter blues.

Searching for a city break instead of a beach retreat? Mexico City, with its rich Aztec heritage and generous smattering of museums, is another affordable option in Mexico. May is the cheapest month to book a flight there.

Chicago, Illinois

Who wants to visit Chicago in winter? You will, once you see the rock-bottom prices you can score in January and all there is to do in this Midwest winter wonderland. Spend an afternoon on the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon, then warm up with a slice of deep-dish pizza.

Colombia is a beloved travel destination for its rich history, vibrant culture, and mouthwatering food. It's also well priced against what many Americans are used to paying for, say, a fresh arepa and cup of Colombian coffee.

February is the least expensive month to fly to the country's capital, Bogotá. The weather here is chilly, but not too cold to stroll the painstakingly maintained Bogotá Botanical Garden, which dates back to 1955 and is filled with almost 20,000 plants (and costs just over $1 USD to enter).

In January, head to Cartagena, a port city on the country's Caribbean coast. You don't have to spend much to enjoy your time here — simply walking the picturesque streets is enough for most visitors.

Nashville, Tennessee

There's a reason bachelorette parties and reunions of every sort flock in droves to the Music City — it's not hard to have a boot-scootin' time on a budget. Mural-hopping is free, hot chicken will only set you back a few bucks, and there's lots of live music to be heard (free of cover charge) along Honky Tonk Highway . January is the cheapest month to book.

New York City, New York

New York City isn't known for being a cheap destination, but go in January and you'll get the best prices they've got. The city never sleeps, but it does slow down during the cold winter months — the perfect time for you to swoop in and take advantage of the decreased demand for flights and hotel rooms. Plus, there are plenty of free things to do in New York City , too.

Mexico isn't our only neighboring country with deals aplenty — Canada also makes for an easy getaway, with well-priced flights widely available from most of the U.S.

In Montréal, Quebec, the must-try food is the steamé — the city's take on a hot dog — served steamed in a side-loading bun (which is also steamed). It's the perfect food to gobble up during freezing February, when the flights are cheapest. Best of all, each delicious (and filling) hot dog will only set you back a couple of dollars.

February is also the cheapest month to fly to Toronto, Ontario. The weather may make you leery, but don't let it: During February, the annual installation of art and lights, known as the Toronto Light Festival (totally free), takes place in the walkable and historic Distillery District. It's also a good time for The Bentway Skate Trail under the Gardiner Expressway overpass, which will set you back only $5.

And while Vancouver, British Columbia, is gorgeous in the summertime, January is the cheapest month to fly there. Take the ferry for an affordable "tour" of the city from the water.

Atlanta, Georgia

Jackson Vance/Travel + Leisure

Atlanta has all the big-city perks at prices far more wallet-friendly than most of its counterparts. Splurge on a SkyView Ferris wheel ride for views of Centennial Olympic Park and beyond, and go in January for the lowest possible prices. There are lots of things to do in Atlanta during this time of year, from visiting the marine animals at the Georgia Aquarium to learning about local history at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Baltimore, Maryland

Head to Charm City this year to keep costs low and still have a memorable travel experience. Chilly January may be the cheapest month to visit, but luckily, you can still check out places like the Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens ($5 donation encouraged) in the urban oasis of Druid Hill Park.

San José, Costa Rica

The capital and largest city of Costa Rica, San José is a must-visit for any intrepid traveler. Expect Victorian mansions, nightlife in El Pueblo, lots of culture, and surrounding historic coffee plantations.

Check out the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum for a glimpse into what it might look like to have an unlimited jewelry budget. Admission is $15 for non-residents, but offers access to more than 1,500 gold objects and artifacts. Head to San José in May for the cheapest airfare to this lively (and affordable) city.

Dallas, Texas

This year, visit Dallas outside of Cowboys football season — like in January, when prices are at their lowest. During this time, you can expect more reasonable rates, but still get in on the sports action by catching a home game for the Mavericks (basketball) or the Stars (hockey).

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be, but if you prefer to devote the majority of your dollars to slots and shows rather than airfare and accommodations, go in January. Just don't expect hot temps, as even the desert gets cold in the winter. Here are some more tips to keep in mind and mistakes to avoid on your next trip to Sin City.

Panama City, Panama

Panama City, the capital of Panama, is an impressively modern Central American destination framed by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Panama Canal on another — best viewable from the Miraflores Locks. Visit in January for great flight deals, and don't miss the cobblestone streets of historic Casco Viejo.

Tampa, Florida

Florida as a destination is hotter than ever, but Tampa isn't as inundated with crowds as the state's other major cities — plus, its location on the western coast promises gorgeous sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. Go in January for a good deal, warm (but not sweltering) temps, and plenty of sunshine.

Hamilton, Bermuda

If January's chill has you dreaming of pink-sand beaches, you're in luck, as it's a great month to visit Bermuda. Fly into Hamilton and stroll Front Street for a peek at the pastel buildings that are iconic to this glitzy British island territory, but stick to window-shopping if you want to keep your trip cheap. Biking and beach-hopping are the name of the game here.

Boston, Massachusetts

January may be the cheapest month to fly to Boston, but it's not the best season for strolling its idyllic Common or touring the Freedom Trail. Luckily, many stops along the historic route are indoors — and cheap (like the Paul Revere House, which is just $6 per adult).

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is another popular destination for American travelers. January is the least expensive month to visit the two most affordable cities to fly into: Santo Domingo and Punta Cana.

Though Santo Domingo is the country's capital, it doesn't have to be an expensive visit. Take in the architecture that dates back to the late 1400s and stroll the Colonial Zone for a memorable (and free) experience.

Punta Cana, on the other hand, is known as a tourist hot spot with plenty of resorts (and ways to spend lots of money). However, some of life's greatest treasures — like sandy beaches and waterfall hikes — are as free in Punta Cana as they are anywhere else.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

You don't need a passport to fly to St. Thomas, but you'll have a hard time believing this jaw-dropping, colorful island is technically U.S. soil. Make sure to visit Magens Bay, climb the 99 Steps in Charlotte Amalie, and marvel at the sheer blueness of the water surrounding this popular cruise ship port. Go in January for the best flight prices; you'll be glad for the savings when you see what accommodations cost on this luxurious island.

Denver, Colorado

Denver has a ton to do, even in January, which is the cheapest month to visit. Hitting the slopes is hard to do at a discount (unless you go in the summer to hike instead of ski), but at least you'll save money on airfare if you visit Denver during this snowy month.

Budget trips: 20 of the cheapest places to travel

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That ever-growing travel wish list might be putting pressure on your pocket – but there are plenty of destinations where you'll get more bang for your buck. From Greece to Guatemala , here are 20 of the cheapest places to travel.

1. Thailand — for fantastic local food and more

2. south africa for safari adventures at an incredible value, 3. vietnam for an affordable country with a lot to offer, 4. uruguay — for a budget destination with beaches, 5. cuba: a cheap destination with very few tourists.

• 6. Prague, Czech Republic — one of Europe's most affordable destinations

7. Greece for popular tourist destinations on a budget

8. guatemala: one of the cheapest countries to learn spanish, 9. bulgaria for an underrated tourist destination, 10. india: an all-time favourite for budget travellers, 11. portugal for a cheap country in western europe, 12. bolivia for natural beauty on a budget, 13. mexico: one of the cheapest places to travel, 14. new orleans — one of the cheapest major cities in the usa, 15. laos for national parks and more, 16. the gambia for a cheap destination with nature, 17. shanghai, china for delicious street food, 18. save money in istanbul, turkey, 19. london — for free things to do in a capital city, 20. egypt for one of the most memorable cheap travel destinations, plan your perfect trip.

This article is inspired by our Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget — your essential guide to making the most of this great region without breaking the bank. You might also want to discover how to explore the world's most expensive city without breaking the bank — find out how to visit Tel Aviv on a budget .

There’s a reason why Thailand remains so popular with backpackers. It’s got idyllic islands , a rich culture, beach huts aplenty, tantalising local food and adventures galore , and all are available at often staggeringly low prices.

Despite the well-trodden routes through the country, it’s not hard to get away from the crowds. Check out Nakhon Si Thammarat for some of the very best food the country has to offer or hire a motorbike to make the 600km trip along the Mae Hong Son Loop through the forested northern mountains. See why Thailand made our list of the best places to travel alone.

Find budget places to stay in Thailand

The Great Holy Relics Pagoda Nabhapolbhumisiri, Chiang Mai, Thailand - still one of the cheapest places to travel © Shutterstock

One of the great things about travelling in South Africa next to the beautiful landscapes is that it’s possible to have a safari experience here – complete with the Big Five – without encountering a budget-breaking bill. Head to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi to see a white rhino and avoid the crowds of Kruger .

Head to the Drakensberg for superlative hiking. Don’t forget to factor in at least a few days in the amazing Cape Town or Johannesburg to experience the nightlife in South Africa .

Start planning your trip with the best time to visit South Africa and our collection of the best road trips across South Africa .

Find budget places to stay in South Africa

Cape Town — popular with budget travellers © Mark Van Overmeire/Shutterstock

Vietnam is one of the best and cheapest places to travel. The country’s greatest attraction is its sublime countryside, from the limestone karsts of the north to the waterways and paddy fields of the Mekong Delta , with blissful beaches and frenetic cities crammed in between - see our reader's vote for the most beautiful places in Vietnam .

Then there’s the cuisine – pull up a stool at a pho stall and for just a few dollars you’ll eat some of the best food on offer, shoulder to shoulder with the locals. Check out our 9 tips for backpacking Vietnam and the best time to visit Vietnam , plus discover how to get off the tourist trail before you go.

Street Pho - Vietnam street food options make it a great cheap place to travel © JNEZAM/Shutterstock

If you’ve already visited Brazil and Argentina , or are just looking for a better value destination in South America, head instead to neighbouring Uruguay. You’ll be relieved to hear you can still find excellent steak here and some amazing restaurants .

Plus, there are plenty of lovely beaches to choose from – head to Cabo Polonio for quieter sands and abundant wildlife – and the gorgeous old capital of Montevideo. Want to learn more? You'll find all the information you need to plan a budget trip in our Rough Guide to South America on a Budget .

Find budget places to stay in Uruguay

Uruguay. Punta del Este - a great place to go on a tight travel budget © Chaykovsky Igor/Shutterstock

Related articles from the blog

Since relations between Cuba and the US started rapidly warming up, there's never been a better time to visit this Caribbean island. Go now before it changes beyond recognition – and before the prices start to go up and up even more.

Hit the salsa clubs of Havana , get caught up in the heady July carnival of Santiago, or dip your toes in the warm Caribbean at one of the picture-perfect beaches in Cuba – whatever you do, you’ll find it hard not to leave utterly intoxicated.

Get started with these 12 tips for backpacking Cuba , the best places to go on your first trip to Cuba and the best time to visit Cuba .

Cuba is a great place for cheap travel © Pixabay

6. Prague, Czech Republic — one of Europe's most affordable destinations

Despite being firmly on the tourist – not to mention bachelor party – trail these days, Prague still remains one of Europe’s cheapest capital cities to visit. For just a few Czech Crowns you can enjoy a hearty meal of Czech food , washed down with decent local Czech beer (of course).

The city itself is a beauty, crammed full of history and perfect for leisurely explorations by foot - check here to see how to avoid the crowds in Prague , and a great train travel itinerary starting in Prague. Want to explore more of Europe on the cheap? Check out The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget .

Where to stay in Prague

• For Baroque touches with a view : Questenberk
• For gardens and views: Golden Well Hotel
• For budget stays : Adeba Hotel

Find places to stay on a budget in Prague

Save money when travelling to Prague © Shutterstock

Greece has been having a tough time economically in the past few years. It finally started trading on financial markets in mid-2018 after years of bailouts, but for many, making ends meet day-to-day is still hard.

If anything, the financial situation is all the more reason to travel here and to support the local people. Prices are still cheaper than they once were, so you might be able to squeeze an extra Greek island or one of the beautiful beaches into your itinerary.

Pay by credit card for whatever you can in advance, but take enough cash with you for your travels, and you’re pretty much guaranteed an amazing trip. Read our indispensable travel tips for Greece by Nick Edwards, co-author of The Rough Guide to Greece , before you go - and of course, the best Greek food you need to try.

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Greece — one of the best budget destinations © Anastasios71/Shutterstock

It’s hard not to fall under the spell of Guatemala and its compelling mix of natural beauty, Mayan traditions and colonial legacies. Rock-bottom prices make this one of the best places to study Spanish.

Once your linguistic skills are up to scratch, jump onto one of the country’s famous camionetas or “chicken buses” to explore. Soak up the sights of graceful Antigua in the south of the country, explore Guatemala City or be wowed by the monumental Maya temples of Tikal .

For planning your trip, check out the best time to travel to Guatemala . It's also easy to extend your trip to see more of Central America, too.

Find budget places to stay in Guatemala

Guatemala for affordable accommodation and more © Shutterstock

Often unfairly overlooked, Bulgaria has a lot to offer budget travellers – not least some of the most deserted beaches in Europe, at bargain prices. In addition to its appealing coastline, there are also lots of lovely old towns.

One of the best and cheapest places to travel is Varna on the coast. Or the ancient Plovdiv — which made our Rough Guide list of the Best Places to Travel this year. Bulgaria also boasts a number of dramatic mountain ranges that are perfect for exploration on foot or by bike.

Find budget places to stay in Bulgaria

The underrated country of Bulgaria © Aleksandar Todorovic/Shutterstock

India is such a vast country and remains one of the ultimate destinations among the cheapest places to travel. There are few countries where you can still travel so extensively and eat so well for so little.

If you’re after a beach break, eschew Goa for the gorgeous beaches of the temple town of Gokarna. For amazing food, it’s hard to beat the puris and kebabs of Mumbai’s street stalls or head to the Golden City of Jaisalmer from where you can explore the seemingly endless sands of the Thar Desert. Need more inspiration? Check out our favourite places off the tourist trail .

Varanasi, India © Shutterstock

Portugal remains one of the best bargains in Western Europe and is especially worth considering if you want to avoid the more crowded resorts and cities of Spain. Skip the Algarve for the ruggedly beautiful Alentejo coast (with its cheap, fresh seafood) and vibrant, uber-cool Lisbon. If you're not sure where to start, read our top tips for travelling in Portugal and discover the best of Lisbon's food scene .

Find budget places to stay in Portugal

Portugal is arguably the cheapest country in Western Europe © Shutterstock

One of the cheapest places to travel in South America, Bolivia is also one of its most misunderstood . Travelling here may be a little uncomfortable at times, but it’s more than worth it for the wealth of amazing sights on offer.

Top of the list is undoubtedly the astounding Salar de Uyuni salt flats, a two or three-day tour of which will usually set you back less than £100/$150. Plan your trip with The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget , and be sure to try at least some of these best things to do in Bolivia .

Find budget places to stay in Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni - Bolivia is one of the cheapest places to travel in South America © Shutterstock

Your budget will definitely stretch to tacos and tequila aplenty in Mexico – which is great news as there’s a lot of ground to cover in this vibrant country.

Whether you want to string your hammock up along dazzling white sands, sample some of the country’s best street food in Oaxaca or cool off in a crystal-clear cenote (sunken swimming hole), the country will leave you eager to come back for more. To kick-start your wanderlust, these are 12 of our favourite places to visit in Mexico .

Find budget places to stay in Mexico

Zipolite beach, Oaxaca, Mexico © Shutterstock

You can’t escape from music in New Orleans – and with buskers on what often seems like every corner, and music in every courtyard and bar, it’s not hard to experience the city’s musical heritage without spending much more than the price of a beer.

The city is best experienced slowly, and on foot; it’s hard to beat people-watching over a cup of coffee and a plate of sugar-dusted beignets at the Café du Monde. Find out where to sample the city's top cocktails with our best bar guide .

Where to stay in New Orleans

• For a budget-conscious alternative: Hotel Provincial
• For classic New Orleans charm: Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter

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Bourbon St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Even in a region of the cheapest places to travel, Laos stands out. It’s hard not to be captivated by the slow pace of the country.

Head just north of elegant Luang Prabang to riverside Nong Khiaw, where for a small change you can bag a waterside bungalow and watch the boats travel up and down the karst-surrounded river over a cold bottle of Beer Lao. Get the full lowdown on this enchanting and unspoiled corner of Southeast Asia with The Rough Guide to Laos .

Find budget places to stay in Laos

Laos is famous for its national parks and more © akedesign/Shutterstock

Africa’s smallest country is already known for its beautiful beaches, but it’s well worth venturing beyond them to experience its other delights . Top of the list has to be the Chimp Rehabilitation Centre in the River Gambia National Park, where you can watch the primates in their natural habitat.

For birdlife, Baobolong Wetland Reserve is arguably the best place for ornithology on the continent and is at its most atmospheric at sunset. Read on for 8 off-the-beaten-track experiences in the Gambia.

Find budget places to stay in The Gambia

Gambia is Africa's smallest country © Dave Montreuil/Shutterstock

The biggest appeal for budget – if not all travellers – to Shanghai is undoubtedly the abundance of amazing street food on offer, from xiao long bao soup dumplings to scallion pancakes and sticky rice parcels ( zongzi ).

It’s still possible to find an accommodation bargain at the lower end of the scale, and much of the city’s appeal lies in exploring its busy streets on foot and experiencing for yourself the juxtaposition between old and new China. You'll find recommendations for where to find the city's best street eats and budget sleeps in The Rough Guide to Shanghai .

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Shanghai for street food and more © Shutterstock

With one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, Istanbul is undeniably alluring. Though seeing all the major sights – the Aya Sofya, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace to name but a few – can quickly eat into your lira, the city can still be great for tighter budgets.

Arguably the best ways to really soak up the city are from a Bosphorus ferry, wandering the streets of the Grand Bazaar or on a streetside terrace with a freshly-cooked kebab - read up our Turkish food guide before you go.

Where to stay in Istanbul

• For views: Hotel Poem
• For B&B: Mest Hotel Istanbul Sirkeci
• For location: Boutique Saint Sophia

Find budget places to stay in Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey © Shutterstock

First things first – we know London is not cheap. There’s no denying that even staying in hostels, using public transport and eating in cafés is going to massively eat into your budget.

But – and it’s a big but – there are few places in the world that can rival the capital city for its plethora of free sights, where you can see the Rosetta Stone and the Lindow Man, works by Monet and Dalí, not to mention dinosaur and blue whale skeletons, for absolutely nothing. Get off on the right foot by choosing the right area to stay .

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Hampstead Heath during the summer months in London © Chris Seddon/Shutterstock

Considering the abundance of mind-blowing ancient sights, you’d expect travel to Egypt to cost a lot more than it does. Sure, if you tick off all the major attractions – including the Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel – then costs are going to creep up, but tempered with cheap (and excellent) food and decent budget accommodation, it’s not hard to feel like you’re almost able to live like a Pharaoh.

Note, that due to safety concerns some governments currently advise against travel to certain parts of the country; check the latest advice before you go.

Find budget places to stay in Egypt

Egypt is a fantastic travel destination © Shutterstock

Want to travel without the hassle of planning and booking? Our local experts can plan wonderful trips for you to anywhere you have been dreaming of travelling. Simply get in touch when you would like to travel. We will then create a personalized itinerary, which you can amend until you are totally happy with every detail of the booking. All of our planned itineraries can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Inspired to take a trip to Europe? Don't miss our Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget for more tips on making the most of this great region without breaking the bank.

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Best International Travel Destinations for Those on a Budget

International travel often seems maddeningly out of reach. Friends seems to be constantly posting on social media about magnificent tropical vacations spent at lush island resorts. If you’ve even wondered (or fumed) how it was possible, there’s a secret you’re probably not aware of just yet. International travel need not be prohibitively expensive. With the right combination of airfare hunting and budget-friendly destinations, you too can have an incredible time abroad. We’ve done some of the heavy lifting for you and profiled these 20 international destinations we think offer great experiences without the corresponding risk you’ll need to refinance your home to afford them. These are our recommendations for the best international travel destinations for those on a budget.

Puebla, Mexico

Located a few hours south of Mexico City, Puebla is a wonderful town with strong colonial-era ties. In addition to being a renowned destination for mole, Puebla features incredible architecture and beautiful scenery. Start in the Zócalo de Puebla. The vibrant public square features fountains and benches and is surrounded by delicious restaurants. Visit the Cathedral de Puebla just opposite the Zócalo. This Roman Catholic cathedral contains a fascinating octagonal alter. It’s easy to get from there to Puebla’s commercial district where you can browse for bargains or hunt for a souvenir. The Museo Amparo has an impressive collection of Mexican art set in a unique gallery space. Biblioteca Palafoxiana is arguably one of Mexico’s finest libraries and well-worth a visit for its tasteful interior design. With strong ties to Spain and lots of great attractions, Puebla is a great cost-effective travel destination.

Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania is a place more associated with vampire novels than budget travel. Historically part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, modern Transylvania is located within the borders of Romania. From the capital Bucharest, travel first to Brașov, a lovely town with cobblestone streets and baroque buildings surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. Spend a day here getting acquainted with the region and snapping some lovely photos. Next travel onwards to the nearby village of Bran. Though not the inspiration for the castle in Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror masterpiece, Dracula , Bran Castle has nevertheless become intimately associated with the Dracula legend. Today, the castle houses a museum with exhibits on the art and furniture collected by Romania’s late Queen Marie. Despite having a reputation that strikes fear into many people’s hearts, Transylvania is an impressive and downright beautiful place. As with much of Eastern Europe, this is an excellent destination for price-conscious travelers.

Cape Town, South Africa

Though he hailed from Johannesburg, Cape Town is intricately linked to the life of South Africa’s most famous citizen, Nelson Mandela. Mandela’s leadership in the struggle against Apartheid resulted in his long imprisonment on the notorious Robben Island . Visitors can tour the island and see where Mandela and other prominent ANC comrades endured years of isolation. Cape Town is not far from the famed Cape of Good Hope, the geographic point sailors marked when they began traveling more eastward than southward on their long journey from Europe to Asia. The region’s geology is nothing less than stunning. Venture out to the Cape Peninsula for some lovely hiking trails. Also pay a visit to Table Mountain National Park , which offers stunning views over Cape Town itself. Visit the Iziko South African Museum located downtown and stroll through the neighboring Company's Garden . This beautiful destination is full of warm welcomes and amazing culture. Best of all, it won’t cost you a fortune to visit.

Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh has long fascinated travelers. Its narrow alleyways and distinctive red stone architecture are a delight for shutterbugs. Though somewhat less well-known than Casablanca, Marrakesh is no less important. The city’s main plaza, the Jemaa el-Fna , is among the busiest in all Africa. Likewise, the old quarter, known as the Medina of Marrakech, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Given Marrakesh’s history as a cultural crossroads, there are numerous museums in addition to a rich artistic tradition. The Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa showcases some of the city’s Islamic influences. Visit the intricately designed Bahia Palace and the nearby Dar Si Said museum. English-speaking guided tours are not hard to find and these can be great way to discover the city. Central Marrakesh is a tangle of tight streets so it’s advisable to have a guide. With lots to discover you should budget a least a few days. Fortunately however, this won’t drain your bank account.

Brisbane, Australia

The Land Down Under is a vast continent full of rich biodiversity, incredible culture, and untamed wilderness. The Australian Outback is the stuff of legend. Running along the country’s eastern coast is the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system. Brisbane , capital of Queensland, is a place to enjoy lots of Australian experiences without overloading your wallet. Start in Central Brisbane at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens . Enjoy a walk in the lovely park set long the banks of the Brisbane River. Cross Goodwill Bridge and visit the Queensland Maritime Museum . Grab something to eat at one of the cafes and restaurants along the river before dropping by Streets Beach for some fun and relaxation. Many people enjoy traveling out to St Helena Island National Park in Moreton Bay. The former penal island is lovely for a bit of bird watching. If you ask us, Brisbane is without a doubt a great budget-friendly travel destination.

Agra, India

India’s incredible heritage and dizzying pace make it a wonderful destination. Immense and diverse, it can be hard to know where to go or what to see. If you’re a budget-minded traveler looking to maximize your excitement and adventure, we recommend heading for the northern city of Agra. Located in India’s most-populous state, Uttar Pradesh, Agra is where you will find that most recognizable Indian landmark, the Taj Mahal . Tour Agra Fort, the former residence for emperors during the Mughal Dynasty. Be sure to visit the monumental Delhi Gate before walking through Taj Garden and Mumtaz Park on your way to the Taj Mahal. The temple’s outer gardens are great places for pictures. With its long history and rich cultural treasures, Agra is a fantastic place to simply wander around. This is one of the many reasons Agra a great destination for budget-conscious travelers.

Budapest, Hungary

Hungary’s capital is a beautiful Eastern European city set along the River Danube. Start your tour at Buda Castle and explore the former residence of Hungarian kings. Today, the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum are housed there. Walk to Matthias Church and then to Fisherman’s Bastion , a great place to snap photos of the Hungarian Parliament Building on the other side of the river. Parliament’s iconic architecture is easily one of the most recognizable sights in all Hungary. Cross the river and tour Parliament. Head east from the museum to Hero’s Square and explore the fairytale Vajdahunyad Castle . The Museum of Fine Arts is a great stop if you like Renaissance and 19th century European paintings. Finally, enjoy a bit of relaxation at one of Budapest’s famous thermal spas. Some occasionally host raucous rave parties catering to a younger crowd. Budapest is an absolutely fabulous city where you can enjoy the best of Eastern Europe without spending an arm and a leg.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu remains the gateway to the Nepalese Himalayas and is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Start at Kathmandu Durbar Square where you will find a collection of beautiful Hindu temples and sites. Not far away is the famous Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the monkey temple. The National Museum of Nepal and the National Military Museum are two fun stops if you like museums. Eventually make your way across town to Boudha Stupa, one of the largest stupas in South Asia and an important focal point for Nepal’s Tibetan Buddhist community. The National Museum of Nepal features many exhibits on the history and significance of Nepalese culture. Take a trip to the outskirts of town and see Bhaktapur Durbar Square with its ornate palace complex. Nepal is a welcoming destination and Kathmandu is the country’s vibrant center. Come discover all the wonders it has to offer.

Lombok Island, Indonesia

Neighboring Bali is often considered a tropical resort destination par excellence . However, international attention has made Bali something of a victim of its own success. Overpriced and often overcrowded, it’s one destination budget-minded travelers best avoid. Fortunately, you don’t have to go far for a great Indonesian resort experience. Lombok Island is just to the east and offers may of the same great attractions. Visit Indonesia’s second-highest volcano, Mount Rinjani and hike up to the beautiful a crater lake. Multi-day treks are popular with backpackers and are an excellent way to explore some rugged landscapes. You can also visit the island’s many popular waterfalls including Tiu Teja, Tiu Kelep, and Sendang Gile. Lombok is a great place to do some island hopping. To the northwest are the three famous Gili islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. These are worth a visit if you have the time. The best part is you don’t need much more than a strong sense of adventure.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

White sand beaches, great dive spots, fresh-from-the-ocean seafood, and a rapidly growing casino scene make Cambodia’s premier beach town of Sihanoukville a fantastic budget destination. Known locally as “Kampong Som,” this southern coastal city is the capital of Sihanoukville Province. Surrounded on three sides by the Gulf of Thailand, it has a long coastline with a series of beautiful beaches that are winning over tourists from around the world. Otres Beach, often highlighted as the number one beach in Sihanoukville, is known for its relaxing environment and clear waters. Stretching some 4.5 km and divided into several sections, Otres is exceedingly popular with Western tourists. Cambodia’s Buddhist heritage are also on rich display in Sihanoukville. Venture to Wat Leu Temple , situated on a hilltop 1.5 km northwest of the city center. At night checkout the nightlife near nightlife options are concentrated along Occheuteal and Serendipity beaches and you enjoy a fantastic resort vacation on the cheap!

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Argentina’s capital and largest city is a great destination for budget-minded travelers looking to enjoy South American culture with a dash of European flavor. For a fascinating and inexpensive tour, start outside the central train station where you can see the Torre Monumental, a large clock tower commemorating Argentina’s independence. Wander through General San Martin Plaza and visit the Monument to the Fallen in Malvinas. Nearby you’ll find Basílica Santísimo Sacramento, a large Catholic church with elaborate décor. Make your way west towards Recoleta Cemetery while exploring central Buenos Aires . Take some time to see the statues and mausoleums while enjoying the cemetery’s peaceful atmosphere. Head into the National Museum of Fine Arts where you can enjoy one of Latin America’s largest public art collections. At night, check out the city’s San Telmo neighborhood. We’re sure you’ll agree, Buenos Aires has a lot going for it, not least the fact that it’s a great budget-friendly travel destination.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Mongolia is a land where the vast Eurasian Steppe unfurls before as endless grassland and gorgeous rivers. With a backpack and some camping gear you can wander to your heart’s content. Most visitors will arrive in the capital Ulaanbaatar , which for several years has been one of the world’s fastest growing cities. A budding tourism industry is expanding to cater to foreign visitors. Start at Sukhbaatar Square and visit the State History Museum of Mongolia. Enjoy a traditional meal and visit some of the many temples and monasteries. Later travel to Gorkhi Terelj National Park, located about 37 km from downtown. See some Mongolian grasslands, explore traditional yurt accommodations, and sample authentic stone barbecue. Depending on your schedule, consider visiting a few other places around the countryside to get yourself out of Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia has for years now sought to attract travelers from abroad and it remains a fantastic budget-friendly travel destination.

Sophia, Bulgaria

Bulgaria continues to remake itself. Once trapped under Soviet domination, the country is now a full member of the European Union. In the capital Sophia, start at Cathedral Saint Aleksandar Nevski and explore the fantastic Bulgarian Orthodox church with its Neo-Byzantine architecture. Neighboring St. Sophia Church was built in the 6th century and features an underground crypt. From there you can easily walk to the National Art Gallery, National Ethnology Museum, and National Archaeological Museum. These three institutions are clustered together and make for a lovely few hours exploring Bulgaria’s history, arts, and culture. Afterwards spend time wandering Central Sophia where you can enjoy numerous restaurants, bars, and cafes. Southeast of downtown is Borisova gradina, the city’s oldest and best-known public park. Sophia’s many attractions are easily within reach of even the most price conscious budget traveler.

Ipoh, Malaysia

Ipoh is a former mining town located about two hours north of Kuala Lumpur. The tranquil atmosphere in the city’s Old Town makes it difficult to imagine that 70 years ago the region was one of the world’s largest producers of tin. In the early 1900s Ipoh was dubbed the “millionaires’ city” thanks to the number of fortunes made from mining-related activities. If you are a café lover, you will love Ipoh. Numerous boutique shops with peculiar designs have sprung up and are breathing new life into the city. Ipoh is also home to some of the most picturesque cave temples in Malaysia. The Gunung Rapat area contains two such temples. Sam Poh Tong temple is a Chinese Buddhist Temple discovered in 1912. It sits within a natural limestone cave and is the oldest and most famous cave temple in Ipoh. Climb the 246 steps to the cave opening and enjoy the magnificent view of Ipoh and its surroundings.

Berlin, Germany

When the Berlin Wall came down young people flooded east. In districts abutting the wall like Kreuzberg, a vibrant arts and culture scene sprung up. Start your Berlin tour at the famed Brandenburg Gate. Notice the small stone markers in the street indicating where the Berlin Wall used to stand. Make your way to the historic Reichstag Building and take the tour. See graffiti left by Soviet soldiers when they took Berlin in May, 1945 to end the Second World War in Europe. Visit the solemn Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and allow yourself to get lost as the monument’s undulating design evokes a world where nothing is stable. Spend your afternoon touring Museum Island before venturing to either Kreuzberg or Kurfürstendamm for some evening entertainment and a great meal. There’s a lot to do in Berlin so give yourself a few days in order to really get to know one of the most affordable cities in Europe.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia , located in central Turkey, is world famous for its geological formations called hoodoos. Also known as “fairy chimneys,” these rock structures resemble thin smokestacks. The thing to do is take a hot air balloon ride so you can see the otherworldly landscapes during the magic hours at dawn or dusk. Plan to stay a day or two and book a room in one of the famous cave hotels. These accommodations are often built right into the fairy chimneys and are a great place to meet fellow travelers. Be sure to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Göreme National Park and explore Derinkuyu underground city, the largest excavated underground city in Turkey. The natural landscapes in the area are truly remarkable and you can spend hours wandering around snapping photos. With so much to see outdoors, it doesn’t cost a lot to have a great time here. If you’re aiming to see Turkey on a shoestring budget, do yourself a favor and visit Cappadocia.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, the island nation in the Indian Ocean located off the southeastern tip of India, combines a world of wonder with growing travel amenities. Sri Lanka’s capital and largest city is a hive of activity. As the country’s entertainment, commercial, and financial center, there is always something happening. Viharamahadevi Park is a convenient place to start your tour. Wander through the green space and see the Golden Buddha statue. Visit the nearby National Museum as well as the National Theater. Enjoy a walk along the beach at Galle Face. The seaside park is popular with locals and is certainly one of the best things to see in Colombo . Stop in for a cocktail at the Galle Face Hotel before eventually working your way to Colombo Central. See the iconic Red Masjid, a famed mosque constructed in the early 20th century and known for its distinctive candy cane appearance. At night enjoy a lavish meal while you delight in the rhythms of this eminently fascinating (and budget-friendly) city.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Located off Tanzania’s Indian Ocean Coast is tiny Zanzibar . This semi-autonomous region has positioned itself in recent decades as a world-class travel destination. Economic incentives designed to spur development have succeeded in helping Zanzibar blossom into one of the best resort islands in Africa, if not the entire Indian Ocean region. Commonly referred to as the “spice islands,” Zanzibar produces significant quantities of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. Walk the narrow alleyways in the historic Stone Town neighborhood. Visit the Old Fort and explore the history at Old Slave Market. Find yourself some decent accommodations outside the main city where you can enjoy Zanzibar’s famous beaches and pristine waters. There are numerous small towns running up and down the island’s east coast. Zanzibar is a place where you can enjoy both the pace of urban life and a far more relaxing atmosphere. Best of all it won’t cost you a fortune.

Moscow, Russia

Despite its reputation as a playground for Russian billionaires, Moscow remains a relatively inexpensive place to visit. At the heart of the city is the famous Moscow Kremlin, the figurative and literal epicenter of Russian power. Take the tour and visit the impressive cathedrals there. Afterwards, wander around Red Square where you can see the famous Kremlin Wall, Lenin’s Mausoleum, and the tombs of other Russian dignitaries. Opposite the Kremlin across Red Square is the GUM Department Store. Head in there for some shopping and souvenir hunting. Next wander down to the iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral, recognized as the world’s finest example of Russian architecture. From there make your way to Gorky Park, a large central park along the Moscow River. At night, nearby Arabat District is a great place for food, drinks, and more shopping. Enjoy the Russian high life without spending a fortune is what makes this such a great place to visit.

Montreal, Canada

Montreal has an unmistakable French character. Start with a visit to Old Montreal. Wander the cobblestone streets and visit Notre-Dame Basilica, a stunning gothic revival cathedral inspired by its namesake in Paris. Pay a visit to the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History then explore the Centre d'histoire de Montréal, a nice local history museum housed in a former fire station. The city’s Chinatown neighborhood is where you’ll find the MAC Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, a wonderful contemporary arts museum highlighting local and international artists. For some scenic time, head up to Mont Royal where you can enjoy the many tree-covered paths and overlooks providing excellent vantage points for photos of the Montreal skyline. At night, return to Old Montreal and explore the diverse selection of restaurants and cafes. The music and entertainment here are some of the best around. Montreal offers a sense of Europe for far less than a ticket to Paris.

If you’ve been putting off some quality vacation time aboard for fear you just can’t afford it, let 2020 be the year you finally make it happen. These 20 budget-friendly destinations are sure to inspire the adventurer in you. Take a little time to consider what you’d most like to see and then hunt for that great bargain airfare. We’ve given you a lot to work with, but the rest is up to you. Don’t let another year go by before you finally take the trip of a lifetime!

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20 Great Websites for International Travel on a Budget

If you are teaching English abroad, studying overseas or just planning your next international adventure on a budget, here are 20 great international travel websites to help you plan, make arrangements and connect with like-minded travelers around the globe.

Written By: International TEFL Academy | Updated: June 29, 2023

Written By: International TEFL Academy

Updated: June 29, 2023

20. Frugal Traveler - New York Times

The New York Times' Frugal Traveler column  provides a wealth of tips, information and firsthand perspectives on international travel on a budget. 

19. BudgetTravel.com

From simple savings tips and travel deals to articles and destination profiles,  https://www.budgettravel.com , the website for Arthur Frommer's Budget Trav el magazine is a gold mine of information for those looking to travel on the cheap. 

18. Trippy.com

If you are looking for something fresh and to join a community of more than 250,000 travelers worldwide,  https://www.trippy.com is the way to go!!  Trippy integrates social networking sites such as Facebook, Google+, Twitter and others to enable travelers to connect with each other and to share tips, ideas and experiences.

17. TripTuner.com

https://triptuner.com  is a fun site that will match you to customized travel options.  Using virtual knobs that resemble a volume control on a stereo you can select preferences, such as weather, cultural interests, level of adventure, etc., and the site will help you select destinations and itineraries that match your interests.

16. - 21. Momondo, Skyscanner, Travelzoo & Kayak

Several great sites for comparing airfares, hotel rates and other travel deals include  https://www.momondo.com , www.skyscanner.com , www.travelzoo.com and www.kayak.com ! 

15. & Budget Air Travel in Europe - RyanAir.com & EasyJet.com

Twenty years ago air travel within Europe was so expensive that it was almost exclusively the domain of business travelers and upscale tourists from the United States and Japan. However since the European Union deregulated the airline industry in the 1990s, a number of budget airlines have offered high value service throughout the continent.  Check out Ryan Air  and www.EasyJet.com and you can often book flights within Europe for as little as the equivalent of $50 or even $25 USD one-way.

14. AirFareWatchDog.com

Just lined a great teaching job in Thailand, but need to be there in a week or sooner? If you are in rush to find the best airfare deal at the last moment, check out  https://www.airfarewatchdog.com !

13. Trip Advisor

https://www.tripadvisor.com   is one of the largest and most popular travel sites on the Internet today. Incorporating more than 100 million reviews and opinions from people like you, it's great for gaining the perspective of actual travelers! 

Here you can also find great tips about flight fees, hotels and other deals, plus comments and photos about restaurants, clubs, historical sites, museums, cultural attractions and more. If you use it through your Facebook account you can even check out your friends' comments about the places that they visit and have your own travel map! That’s my favorite part!

12. Agoda.com

This great site https://www.agoda.com will help you to find some awesome prices in hotels and hostels all over the world!

11. Priceline.com

If you are ready to negotiate and name your own price for a hotel, car rental, vacation packages, cruises and more https://www.priceline.com is worth a visit. 

10. Airbnb.com

Tired of the same old hotels and hostels?

Want to experience a city or a town while staying in an apartment in a local neighborhood?  

If so,  airbnb.com is a great resource! The site provides all sorts of home-style accommodations, so whether you are looking to crash on a couch for a night or two or rent out an apartment for a week, the site provides options!

It also provides participants the opportunity to save or make some money! For travelers, the site offers accommodations that vary from standard hotels and hostels. You can stay in an apartment like a local or perhaps enjoy a totally unique set of accommodations, including palaces, castles, water towers, tree houses, or even a restored Boeing 727 fuselage suite! This is Awe-so-me!!!

9. Couch Surfing

One of the great innovations in budget travel,  https://www.couchsurfing.org matches member travelers with welcoming hosts in more than 100,000 cities and towns all over the world who open their doors and their couches/spare bedrooms.  Accommodations are typically free and the terms of stays, including any financial arrangements to accommodate incurred expenses are usually worked out in advance.

8. Sleeping in Airports

If you are between flights or really under a budget https://www.sleepinginairports.net  can help you to find the best spot in your transit airport!

7. Google Maps

Think Google Maps ( https://maps.google.com ) is just for finding your way to a business appointment or the closest fast food outlet? Whether you are trying to navigate the alleys of medieval Cairo or the boulevards of Buenos Aires, Google Maps is an invaluable tool for locals and travelers everywhere for obtaining directions, locating services and even accessing telephone information and reviews!

6. RickSteves.com

Public Television host and prolific guidebook writer Rick Steves has been a guru for Americans traveling to Europe for more than two decades.  His website, www.ricksteves.com , offers a wealth of information, tips, articles and other resources for those looking to explore Europe. 

5. BudgetPlaces.com

https://www.budgetplaces.com is another great resource to find deals and offers for hotels, hostels, campsites and other budget-friendly accommodations around the world!

4. TravBuddy.com

If you seek to connect with other travelers that are going to the same place at the same time this is a great way to find them: https://www.travbuddy.com !

3. Travellers Point

This social networking site is designed for those travelers seeking to engage in interactive planning with others and for those looking to share their experiences by participating in forums, sharing photo galleries and writing their own blogs. Learn more at https://www.travellerspoint.com

2. Matador Network

If you want to read cool articles about potential destinations, get great travel tips or just to get inspired to head out and discover the world,  https://matadornetwork.com  represents the pinnacle of travel writing for independent and budget travelers on the Internet!

1. Lonelyplanet.com

One of my favorite sites!  Lonely Planet may be the top series of travel guidebooks in the universe for budget travel and their website,  https://www.lonelyplanet.com , is a goldmine of information and perspectives on international travel.

Country profiles feature not only great descriptions and information about the usual tourist attractions but also a wealth of practical information relating to everything from dining options and health and safety, to riding public transportation and work and study. Extensive forums also enable readers and travelers to share their perspectives and experiences with others!

Super Bonus Option:  International TEFL Academy

The best way to see the world on a budget is to get paid to live abroad as a home base and then travel country to country from there!  If you speak English fluently, you can become trained to teach English in a short-term training program (4 weeks full-time or 11 weeks part-time online) and then find over 100,000 new job openings around the world. International TEFL Academy www.InternationalTEFLAcademy.com is one of the world's largest TEFL certification schools with over 5,00 annual graduates who are teaching in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

If you are considering teaching English abroad contact us for a free brochure and to learn about International TEFL Academy TEFL Certification options and the great possibilities for you to teach English around the world.

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Posted In: Tips for Traveling & Living Abroad

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How to Travel on a Budget for Beginners

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Wondering how to travel on a budget? While it may seem like traveling is exclusive to those with cash to spare, you don’t have to overspend in order to get out of town. There are plenty of ways to travel on a budget — including using reward points or miles and traveling during ideal times— that can end up saving you a lot of money. Here's travel guide for beginners on a budget.

Start planning early

If this is your first big trip, odds are you’ve already started planning. That’s good — the sooner you start, the more time you have to save money . Travel prices rise and fall with demand, and the cycle fluctuates as your travel dates get closer.

Beginning your planning early gives you the best chance of finding discounted hotel rooms, cheaper flights and other less-expensive activities. Although you won’t find the cheapest prices far out in advance (as we mentioned, it’s a cycle) keeping an eye on rates will allow you to jump on them and book when they drop.

» Learn more: How to account for inflation in your travel budget

Book at the right time

This bears repeating. Why? Because when you book and when you travel can make a huge difference in the price of your vacation. This applies to flights and hotels.

Confused about when the "right time" to book will be? There are multiple free tools available online to help you.

One of the easiest to use is the price tracking tool available via Google Flights. This service lets you know how the fare you’re looking at purchasing compares with past pricing. It also lets you know if rates are high or low compared with average costs.

If the flight you’re considering does appear to be expensive, Google Flights also features a price tracker alert system that will email you when fares drop. You can toggle this feature on within the search bar.

According to Expedia, the best day of the week to buy your airline ticket is on Sunday.

Skip overpriced tours

There’s nothing like getting out into a new city to explore. But how much of that exploring can you do on your own? With the information available online, it’s simple and easy to conduct your own tour for free rather than paying for a guide.

If this doesn’t sound appealing to you, consider instead one of the many free tours that many major cities offer. These walking tours will give you tons of information about the area completely free of charge, though gratuities are welcomed.

Otherwise, apps such as Spotted By Locals , Tripadvisor and Rick Steves offer comprehensive information for many large cities. Often this is free, but sometimes you’ll need to pay a nominal fee.

Use reward points

One of our favorite ways to save money includes redeeming reward points for travel. Some of your biggest expenses, such as hotels and flights, can be wiped away by using reward points during your trip.

This type of travel takes planning; you’ll need to accrue enough points to make a travel redemption. Much of the time, this is accomplished through welcome bonuses earned when you open a travel credit card .

For example, a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Paris costs $1,255 at the beginning of November 2022.

This same flight can be booked using 45,000 American Airlines miles .

While 45,000 miles may seem like a lot, you can earn this amount of miles with ease. For example, you can earn more than enough miles needed for this flight with the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. The first purchase could be a stick of gum or a cup of coffee — it doesn’t matter.

Many co-branded airline credit cards also offer perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, saving you time and money.

The same can be said of hotel credit cards . Most major hotel chains have co-branded credit cards, including Hilton , Marriott , IHG , Hyatt , Choice and Wyndham . These credit cards — and their sign-up bonuses — can go a long way toward cutting costs on your vacation.

Even better, many of these credit cards offer complimentary elite status . Elite status can grant you perks such as free breakfast, room upgrades, free WiFi and late checkout.

It’s a good idea to consider booking hotel rooms using points, especially for budget family travel. Sometimes hotels charge more for additional people in your room, but these costs won’t translate to reward redemptions. You’ll generally pay the same standard price as long as you can all safely occupy the room.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Travel in the off-season

Along with using reward points, taking your trip during the offseason is another excellent way to save money. Each destination has a peak period of demand during which prices will be inflated.

This will include flights, hotels, tours and even dining, making traveling on a budget difficult. In Europe, the high season is in the summer, when most people come to visit.

During this time, flights will be at their most expensive. Remember the above example featuring that flight to Paris for $1,255? A similar flight during peak season will cost $2,070 round trip.

As you can see, even if you’re paying cash for your flights you’ll be saving over $800 by taking your trip when demand is lower.

» Learn more: Why "shoulder season" is the best time to travel

If you want to travel on a budget

Vacations don’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re a vacation veteran or a travel newbie, it’s easy to save on trips by starting planning early and keeping an eye on prices.

More importantly, taking advantage of reward points can significantly cut down on flight and hotel costs. Otherwise, traveling during the offseason can help drop expenses and allow you to travel on a budget.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

How to travel on a budget: Here are our 22 top tips

Editor's Note

"How can I travel on a budget?" is one of the top questions we receive at TPG.

There's no question that travel is expensive right now as millions satisfy the itch to travel more. Demand has been through the roof. Inflation and correspondingly high hotel, rental car and airline ticket costs have many would-be travelers throwing up their hands in frustration.

However, there are still many ways to save. In addition to using reserves of points and miles to book hotels and airfare, TPGers have many budget travel tips to help stretch your dollars when traveling.

Here are 22 ways to travel on a budget.

Use membership codes to save on car rentals

If you're a member of AAA or AARP, have a Costco membership, are a veteran or work for a large company with a car rental discount code, pull all of these levers. You might be eligible for discount codes you didn't even know about. A few examples from AARP include 30% off a car rental at Budget or Avis.

Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car

Look beyond traditional car rental companies and locations

Most people search for rentals at the airport with standard companies like Hertz and Avis. If you don't find good results, consider off-airport locations or try alternatives like Kyte , Turo and Silvercar.

Related: Delta and Turo launch partnership, allowing travelers to earn 2,000 SkyMiles on 1st rental

Check credit card merchant offers

Before booking your trip, review your credit cards' special merchant offers. Multiple issuers offer this option (although American Express is a leader in the category).

Every program works similarly: Log in to your card account online or through your banking app, review the offers available to you, add the ones you want and make a qualifying purchase using the card for which the offer is registered.

There are no promo codes to enter at online checkout or coupons to print to take to the register. There are likely offers you can activate that will provide discounts on dining, gas and entertainment.

Related: How credit card merchant offers can save you hundreds of dollars every year

Take advantage of free days at national parks

Every year the U.S. National Park Service sets aside several days when entry is completely free ; options include Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, the first day of National Park Week in April, National Public Lands Day in September and Veterans Day in November.

Visiting a national park on one of the NPS' free-entry days can save you up to $35 per vehicle at some of the most popular national parks, such as Glacier National Park and the Grand Canyon .

Stay outside the national parks

You might dream of a night in a rustic cabin inside a national park, but getting that reservation could be challenging or costly — especially if you can't pay for it with points.

However, just beyond the park, there's probably a hotel you can book with points. For example, you could stay at the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone with IHG One Rewards points; the SpringHill Suites just outside of Zion National Park is a great property if you have Marriott Bonvoy points to spend.

Related: The best campgrounds, hotels and lodges near Yellowstone National Park

Download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app

If you're a T-Mobile user, you're in luck: This app is a major perk that will put money in your pocket just for checking your phone on Tuesdays.

To participate, download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app , check the app on Tuesday and claim your discount code. We've seen weekly discounts on everything from rental cars to gas, hotels and theme park tickets.

Related: T-Mobile expands travel-focused 'Coverage Beyond' benefits

Get discounted gas at Shell through the Fuel Rewards app

At TPG, we love to stack savings. The Shell Fuel Rewards app is a good one to pile on the discounts.

You can link it to other loyalty programs — including American Airlines AAdvantage, Giant Food, Stop & Shop, Advance Auto and more — to receive extra discounts. Also, if you purchase through Fuel Rewards, link to partner retailers such as Petco, Bed Bath & Beyond, Office Depot/OfficeMax and many others to save even more.

Don't forget to use a credit card that gives bonus points or discounts at gas stations for even more savings. TPG likes the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees ), which awards 3 ThankYou points per dollar at gas stations, and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express , which also gives 3% back at U.S. gas stations.

Related: These are the best credit cards for gas purchases

Save on theater tickets in New York and London

Check TodayTix for cheap Broadway and West End tickets if traveling to New York City or London.

The TodayTix app has discounted tickets to various shows available. Prices vary, but most of the top shows currently playing are available on the site and the app.

While not all shows are hugely discounted, TodayTix often runs no-fee promotions. Keep in mind that for some shows, you won't be able to choose your precise ticket location. Instead, you will pick a section you'd like to sit in.

Related: On with the show! How to get a great deal on Broadway tickets

Save on entrance fees with Bank of America

Bank of America cardholders can enjoy free general admission to more than 225 cultural institutions in dozens of U.S. cities on the first weekend of every month just by showing their cards. It's through the Museums on Us program that's been going on for 25 years. It's open to Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit card holders.

Related: 5 reasons to get the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

Use your library card for museum entry

Another way to get free museum admission is with a library "lending ticket" — a program where libraries will lend museum passes for a set amount of time.

Also, check if your local museum's membership comes with ROAM (a reciprocity program across North America). It's an easy way to get maximum value from a regional (and usually less expensive) membership.

Take a free walking tour

Sign up for a free walking tour on your first day in a new city. It's an inexpensive way to learn about the city and orient yourself.

Look online for options before traveling and sign up in advance if necessary. Then, all you need to do is show up with comfortable shoes and enjoy your free tour.

Although tipping is suggested, you'll spend much less, even after generously tipping your guide, than you would with a standard tour option. You will likely also meet other like-minded travelers, which can be welcome if you're traveling alone or looking to make new friends.

If you're interested in seeing what's available on your next trip, Google the city you'll visit and the phrase "free walking tour" to see what comes up.

Dine on the cheap with Seated

Here's a fun one: The Seated app allows you to dine out and get paid for it.

The app rewards diners who sign up and eat at designated restaurants with cash they can redeem through gift cards. All you have to do is let the app know you'll be dining at a location before you take a seat. You can also get gift cards for Uber, Amazon and Starbucks.

Fly on weekdays

Flexibility on which days you fly is one of the keys to getting the best airfare prices. Leisure travelers most commonly book weekend flights, while many business travelers fly on Monday. So, the midweek days — Tuesday and Wednesday — have lower demand and are often the best days to travel for lower prices.

Related: When is the best time to book airfare?

Book vacation packages

Airlines that bundle airfare and hotels as vacation packages can offer better deals thanks to their vast buying power and inventory. These bundles can offer savings of up to 40% off. Savings on business-class plane tickets and high-end hotels can offer some of the best deals.

Also, purchasing directly from the airline gives you a one-stop shopping experience. You can even add a car and activities to your trip at the same time. Plus, you'll often be able to take advantage of special sales and bonus points and miles offers.

Related: Everything you need to know about saving money with vacation packages

Use a price monitoring tool

Airline fare monitoring sites such as Hopper and Google Flights ensure you get notifications when your trip's best and lowest prices become available. Set up as many combinations as you're considering, including different departure and return dates, so that you can get alerts for all possible fare reductions.

Be flexible on destination

If you're not locked into a fall or winter vacation location (like you would be for a destination wedding or family reunion that you can't change), try an alternative to find better prices. For example, consider subbing Quebec City in for Paris if you want Old World charm. For scuba diving enthusiasts, skip the expensive long-haul flight to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef and instead head to the second-largest barrier reef in the world in easy-to-access Belize.

Related: 5 key tools and tips for cheap airfare

Hold your deal

If you see a great deal but are not yet ready to book, hold it . For example, Hopper's Price Freeze allows you to lock in the price of a flight for up to seven days to take more time to finalize plans before you book. Some airlines will also let you hold flights for a small fee. (Remember that all U.S. airlines, by law, allow you to hold and cancel a flight booking within 24 hours without penalty as long as you book more than seven days in advance.)

Re-price your flights and hotels

As long as you've booked a hotel, car or flight that can be canceled without penalty, you should make it part of your weekly routine to check for price drops. If you find a lower price, rebook. You can use these same rebooking strategies with points to make dynamic pricing work in your favor for hotel stays so you can save on award nights.

Related: How I saved 33,500 points on upcoming hotel stays

Consider alternative airports

With prices high, now is the time to be flexible and check all nearby airports. For example, Houston and Chicago have two airports, while the New York City area has three, including Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey . In Southern Florida, you could easily fly to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Miami. It works internationally too: Try Gatwick Airport (LGW) instead of Heathrow Airport (LHR) when flying to London.

It may even make sense to get to one city by flying to another city and then taking a short train ride for the rest of the journey. For instance, you could fly into Philadelphia and catch a train to New York. Strategies like this can help you get to your destination on a flight with better pricing or award availability.

Use positioning flights

Positioning flights are unrealistic for every situation or trip, but they can often offer better award availability or pricing than those from your home airport. Can you reach your destination for a lot less by starting in Seattle or Chicago? Would adding another flight to a different airport save you money or miles? Just ensure you leave enough time between flights to avoid unnecessary travel headaches.

Related: Use positioning flights to get amazing deals

Use points and miles when appropriate

Since you are reading TPG, you may also want to earn points or miles through your everyday spending that you can use to pay for part of your trip. Some credit cards — like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card — can help you earn airline miles or hotel points that you can redeem directly with the airline or hotel. Cards such as the American Express® Gold Card earn transferable points you can redeem for travel or transfer to various travel partners.

If you have a stash of points and cash fares are high, it makes a lot of sense to use those points instead. For example, I recently priced a trip to San Francisco and found a flight over the Fourth of July weekend; it should normally cost about $400, but for this particular weekend, it was going to cost me at least $621. I used 46,000 Delta SkyMiles instead. While it wasn't the best redemption in the world, it was better than shelling out all that cash. Most of those SkyMiles came from credit card spending on my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card .

Related: Why I'm keeping my Delta Reserve card even when I'm flying less

There are many strategies for getting the most out of your credit card . You'll generally get the most value when redeeming for premium-cabin flights or luxury hotel stays. However, you may prefer to book economy award flights or lower-category hotel stays using your points to stretch your points further.

You can join AARP for discounts even if you are not retired. The advocacy group for older adults offers all kinds of cool discounts, including $60 to $200 off British Airways flights and 10% off Hilton hotels.

Related: How to use AARP discounts on travel

Bottom line

Spending a small amount of time researching the best ways to travel on a budget could easily make a dream trip, like a Paris vacation, more attainable.

It's possible to take an excellent vacation on a budget. You just need to put in the time to plan your trip, budget your expenses, download a virtual wallet of money-saving apps and consider using points and miles to decrease your out-of-pocket costs.

Some of our top budget travel tips include shopping around, signing up for deal alerts through websites like TPG and using points and miles. Opening a credit card or two for the sign-up bonus once or twice every few years could make your trips even cheaper. Don't forget to sign up for our daily newsletter , where we teach you how to travel better for less. At TPG, we make traveling on a budget easy.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• The 18 best places to travel in 2023
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

Additional reporting by Melissa Klurman.

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22 Best Budget Places to Travel This Year (2024)

Written by Becca

Updated on April 19th, 2024

What are the cheapest places to travel in the world? Check out these budget-friendly travel ideas for your next domestic or international travel.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Best Budget Places to Travel

• Medellin and Guatape, Colombia: Best for backpacking
• India: Good for everyone!
• Argentina: Search for your Latin soul
• Porto, Portugal: Keep an eye on the sunsets
• Tenerife, Canary Islands: Experience the island life
• Peru: skip Machu Picchu
• Tallinn, Estonia: Enjoy the long summer days
• Guatemala: See Mayan ruins, volcanic eruptions and culture
• Sri Lanka: Get adventurous
• Panama: See beaches, mountains and cities
• Taipei, Taiwan: Eat your way through!
• La Paz, Bolivia: See indigenous Bolivian Culture
• Mexico City, Mexico: Explore tacos, museums and mezcal
• South Africa: Must-see vineyards, safaris and hiking
• Vietnam: Let your budget take you far
• Thailand: Trekking, Markets, Nature and amazing food
• Philippines: Under-the-radar natural and cultural finds
• New York City, USA: Find free things to do
• Nicaragua: Climb volcanoes and visit colonial towns
• Ecuador: Enjoy high-altitude living

Lithuania: Travel the less-visited country!

• Laos: Take an adventure

Travel doesn’t have to be expensive! In my years of taking trips, I’ve felt the most confident (and happiest) when I’m in a destination with a budget-friendly cost of travel.

Some of my favorite places for travel are the cheapest, like Mexico, India, Colombia and Vietnam. I now make it my mission to travel to the affordable places with a bang for my buck.

Here’s muy list of the consistently most affordable places to travel where you can take a trip on the cheap.

Medellin and Guatape, Colombia: Best for backpacking

There are so many things to do in Medellin and its neighboring town Guatape that make them excellent destinations for any time of year.

Medellin is known as having ‘eternal spring,’ meaning it’s slightly cooler in Northern Hemisphere winter time, and a bit warmer in summer.

As for rainfall, it’s slightly “lower” in fall (September - December), but, as it rains mostly every day anyway, every month of the year is a fair time to visit Medellin and the surrounding region.

Despite what you may have heard, Medellin is an awesome place to be as a traveler, from heaps of types of accommodation for every budget, to delicious food options ranging from Colombian to other types of South American for every taste bud.

You can eat great early, late and for inexpensive prices. One of our favorite things to do is to try Colombian coffee at some of our favorite cafes near El Poblado and take the free city walking tour .

As for the rest of the region and to get out of the city, two of our favorite weekend or two-day breaks are Guatape and Santa Fe de Antioquia .

Guatape is easy to get to from Medellin and even if you don’t speak Spanish, people will help you navigate the bus station. And if you’re wondering about safety, head over to our article answering the question, “Is Medellin safe for travel?”

India: Good for everyone!

Yeah… India is really cheap for backpacking and international travel, and the rumors are true.

The cost of accommodation is cheap in India. The cost of food is cheap. The cost of traveling from place to place is cheap.

The only thing you have to watch out for in India is being gawked at as a foreigner or from looking different from the locals (and it’s likely you will), but the food is incredible, the markets are a shopper’s dream and basically everything is incredibly cheap.

On my first day in India, I picked up a pair of backpacker balloon pants for $4, and it felt expensive.

The currency in India is the Indian Rupee, and you can exchange it widely to and from the USD or other major currencies like EUR and GBP.

Bonus: if you’re gluten-free like I am, you’ll find Indian food rather gluten-free-friendly , so put it on the list.

Argentina: Search for your Latin soul

It happens to be an interesting time to visit Argentina , as the currency recently became favorable to holders of the US Dollar. In fact, (as of 2021), very favorable.

Argentina’s peso has fallen very sadly and incredibly against the USD, giving Americans lots of unexpected buying power in this otherwise slightly-pricey country for travelers.

Among some chilled-out things we have done in Argentina are exploring the cafe scene in Buenos Aires and walking for miles soaking in lots of the free sights of the downtown areas and cool neighborhoods.

If you venture westward toward Cordoba and the Sierra region, you’ll find that Cordoba, Argentina’s “second city,” has some unique things to do that travelers often overlook, and you can rent a car to road trip to small towns with scenic views.

Porto, Portugal: Keep an eye on the sunsets

We found Porto to be an absolutely wonderful place to be in summer, with late sunsets, great weather (most of the time) and friendly locals.

In summer, it’s a great time to picnic in Porto and watch the sunset near Gaia, or walk for hours seeing the different neighborhoods and beautiful tiled buildings.

For us, the highlights of Porto were all the places to see architecture, the trendy cafes, the views from Dom Luís I Bridge and the hilly streets of Ribeira.

Oh, and don’t forget the national artistic treasures all over the São Bento Train Station. This is a great sight to see, and it’s free.

We loved Porto and wished we had more time during summer to explore the nature not too far away. We continued on to the capital city of Lisbon , just a train ride away (book in advance for sure!).

Tenerife, Canary Islands: Experience the island life

In going back to Spain , we had no idea what to expect from Tenerife, a volcanic island famed for Carnival and the highest point in all of Spain, El Teide .

Summer is a great time to go, as rainfall is typically lowest during summer months, and this will be a pretty great time to travel there and enjoy the nature!

To get there, we had a layover and quick stop in Madrid that got our rusty Spanish back for the next few days we’d have in the Canary Islands.

In Tenerife, we spent some time in the absolutely lovely and relaxing town of La Orotava , working our legs on the hilly streets.

Tenerife has its own culture that’s similar yet different to that of mainland Spain. There are interesting outside influences (like an accent influenced by Cubans) and local cuisine as well.

For a coliving experience, if you’re traveling while working remotely or looking to stay in a house among some experienced travelers with a professional mindset, check out Nine Coliving , which was by far the best thing that happened to us in Tenerife!

With more time, you can island hop to Gran Canaria , which is worth a visit to see some awesome sand dunes in the south and the spectacular views along the roads in the southwest.

While we didn’t feel the Canary Islands were as budget-friendly as we had hoped, when it came to renting a car, but it was not terrible, either.

If you really want to keep your budget down, you can travel the entire island of Tenerife or Gran Canaria by public bus. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to access every village or off-the-beaten-path beach inlet with the Canarian mass transit system.

Peru: skip Machu Picchu

Peru is an affordable destination for travel if you skip the hyped super-touristy path that has now become a mainstay in ‘wonders of the world’ and bucket lists.

Peru is much more than Machu Picchu, which has come to be such a bucket-list item that you’ll find long lines, strict rules and crowds.

The cost of heading up to Machu Picchu for a few days will also set you back a few hundreds of dollars (even thousands, depending on which level of excursions you buy) as everything is priced for tourists, and even the train has a different prices for foreign nationals than for domestic travelers.

So, what to do in Peru, and why should you go there? Peru is massive, and for that reason, it can’t possibly be all touristy.

Get out to places like Arequipa, Iquitos, Mancora, Huaraz and Puno, if you want to skip Cusco, with its higher prices geared toward foreign tourists.

In Lima alone you can see authentic Peruvian-Chinese culture , a city park with rainbow fountains and heaps of other things to do in Lima on a modest budget like trying ceviche, ice cream made from local fruits and beer bars in Miraflores.

In Lima, we walked for miles, taking photos and eating street food, getting to know the city by foot. Do as the locals do: shop in the big markets, rent a bicycle and see some nice neighborhoods, sip a coffee at a cafe and people-watch in Barranco.

Then, take buses to the out-of-town destinations like Ica to go sandsurfing in Huacachina or Arequipa, one of my more favorite places, where Colca Canyon is another weekend trip away for hiking.

Tallinn, Estonia: Enjoy the long summer days

All of Tallinn, Estonia , was like a big surprise for us. In fact, we wish we could have stayed a whole lot longer in Estonia.

The charming city of Tallinn seems best to enjoy during summer, when the sun sets as late as 10:45 pm! (And you better have blackout curtains, because it rises at 4:00 am in July! Bring a sleep mask for sure).

Around the summer solstice, Estonians (and other cultures in the region, from Finland to Latvia) celebrate the Midsummer Festival, which means people take off from work, go to spend some time in the countryside and party all night (which is very short, because of how little darkness there is).

In Tallinn, walking around the compact Old Town is a great way to see architecture, history and lots of food, pubs and cafes. We stayed at one of the best hostels in Tallinn and found the city’s best cafes for digital nomads .

What we also liked about the Baltic region, especially in summer, is that it was easy (and picturesque!) to get from Estonia to Latvia .

With the stops along the way, we saw all the greens and other colors of Estonia (and the north of Latvia) that we had yet to see because we hadn’t left the Tallinn metro area.

Tallinn, Estonia, is a destination that will set you back in your budget more steeply than the Latvian capital of Riga or the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, but believe me, the prices in Tallinn are a far cry from Western European destinations like France, Switzerland and England.

Guatemala: See Mayan ruins, volcanic eruptions and culture

I went to Guatemala specifically because I wanted to travel somewhere very cheap. I also lucked out because I chose Guatemala and it’s a fantastic budget destination.

Guatemala is one of the cheapest places to travel to in Latin America. If you’re deciding between a destination like Costa Rica and Guatemala, and you have a budget to stick to, you can go to Guatemala and spend half of what you would in Costa Rica.

Guatemala is a special place because the cheap-to-thrilling ratio is certainly at one end of the spectrum, meaning you can spend very little money and have an AMAZING time.

In Guatemala, I have stayed in super cheap hostels at Lake Atitlan and splurged for great value local coffees at Antigua’s cafes .

You can do a lot for free in Guatemala, too. There are markets abound, and volcanic eruptions you can watch as you walk down the street in Antigua .

It’s worth putting together some money to go on a day trip from Antigua to places like Volcan Pacaya, Chichicastenango, Acatenango or Guatemala City.

Planning to work remotely? Coworking spaces like Impact Hub Antigua cost only $6.50 per day for the use of a hot desk with unlimited coffee and tea.

A travel budget of $35 USD per day would get you a pretty fun time in Guatemala for your next adventurous international trip on the cheap.

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Sri Lanka: Get adventurous

All of Sri Lanka is affordable as a destination and all of Sri Lanka is good for all-year travel.

We went in the middle of July, expecting rain showers or monsoons, but we got lucky, and you can, too! We counted rain on two occasions in total, and it goes to show that ‘general climate reports’ may not accurately picture your 12-day holiday. We were mostly greeted with lush and green nature !

There are a few things to know about Sri Lanka , so it pays to see if this is a good place for you and your travel style.

Sri Lanka is an island near India and it’s a fascinating country where the people are peaceful and kind.

It has lots of tropical sub-climates, so it’s hot all year round on the coasts, and pretty moderate, to even chilly, in the center where the altitudes get higher.

Because of Sri Lanka’s location, it has two rainy seasons: at one point in the year, the East has rain, and at another point, the West does.

Again, summer was a fine time to go to Sri Lanka (and winter is as well). During July, we experienced rain no more than twice, which was a miracle, and could happen randomly whenever.

We were amazed at how budget-friendly Sri Lanka is, from guesthouses to meals in restaurants to admission fees at cultural sights like temples and Buddhas. We did awesome things that taught us all about the country.

We loved our visit to the Mackwoods Tea Plantation , which in summer, had a rather temperate climate (I needed a sweater as the sun got lower).

We also spent a half day in Galle Fort , which has a fascinating mix of cultures, from colonial influences to several religious groups all calling this place home.

Walking around Galle Fort was completely free, as was walking along the fortress wall, seeing the famous lighthouse and exploring the historic quarter.

Your budget will take you farther than you ever imaged in Sri Lanka, so with your leftover money, be sure to tip generously, only haggle if you feel you are being seriously ripped off and let shop owners keep the change. It means a lot to them.

Planning to pull the trigger and take that trip soon? Don’t miss our checklist for international travel prep and favorite apps for travelers .

Panama: See beaches, mountains and cities

Panama is the gateway of North America to South America, and it’s a fascinating narrow country to spend some time in.

In case you hadn’t heard, traveling in Panama is pretty cheap, and it feels that way especially if you’re coming from Costa Rica, like I was.

Panama is a mix of urban (Panama City and the Panama Canal) and rural (Boquete, Volcan Baru) and beachy (Bocas del Toro).

In recent years, places like Bocas del Toro have become incredibly popular with backpackers looking to travel on the cheap, and the standard of accommodations and eating has taken to a touristic level, meaning prices going up.

However, bargains and deals are still around in Panama, because the country is BIG, despite how it looks on a map, and there are lots of things to see if you travel by land from Costa Rica onward to Panama City (it’s around ten hours).

I certainly ate cheaply in Panama as a backpacker, and I stayed in hostels (my favorite was Mamallena in Boquete, as I detail in our guide to booking accommodations ), always dorm rooms, and always with friends.

In fact, I met friends on my Panama backpacking trip with whom I’m still close in touch with, to this day!

Back to the budget, though, you can surely eat for $2-3 in Panama, travel for a few dollars more, and stay in a hostel for $10 or less, per night.

This is a rather straightforward destination to visit if you’re looking for one of the cheapest places to travel in North America.

Taipei, Taiwan: Eat your way through!

Taipei is one of our favorite new destinations, and although summer is high (and hot and humid) season, what’s interesting is that Taipei gets rain all year round.

It can rain any day and sometimes unexpectedly, throughout the year, so considering summertime is a fine thing to do.

In the rest of Taiwan , you can find different climates as altitudes change, and what many tourists fail to do is to go hiking in the center of the country.

This region is tons less touristed , and you could find yourself alone with nature.

As for Taipei, there’s so much culture to see, and we liked learning more about a history we had never been exposed to.

For when you need a break from sun and humidity, there are lots of large shopping malls with huge food courts that have an array of Asian foods from all over the region.

You can have Taiwanese cuisine, Mongolian BBQ, Japanese sushi and Korean kimbap, all in the same spot. It’s impossible to choose!

In Taipei, there are lots and lots of things you can do for free .

We went to night markets (free entrance), famous memorials and their plazas like Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial and even the changing of the guard ceremony that happens daily and the many hikes that exist within the city (all free).

To cool off, try Taipei’s best cafes with WiFi.

It’s easy to spend a lot of time in Taipei and never spend too much money.

Take mass transit like the beautiful and immaculately clean Taipei metro, stay in a local hostel or guesthouse to support local businesses, and shop at local markets, where you’ll find beautiful produce like fruits, veggies and local treats.

La Paz, Bolivia: See indigenous Bolivian Culture

Bolivia is one of my favorite countries because it represents Old World South America.

It is one of the South American countries with the highest percentage of indigenous people, and it makes it a rich cultural experience to visit.

In La Paz, take the city free walking tour and learn about the city prison (I won’t spoil the details), the witches market and why Bolivian women wear Italian bowl hats.

Don’t forget to try the local treats and stay in any of the awesome hostels that provide nightlife for backpackers in La Paz, like Wild Rover or Loki.

In Sucre, see the White City, all for not too much money at all! A dorm bed in Bolivian hostels will be between $7 and $12 USD, and all have great security. Sucre has a laid-back atmosphere and lots of local life. It’s high up, altitude-wise, so make sure to take it easy.

In the middle of your trip, savor the experience of the once-in-a-lifetime trip to the high-altitude Uyuni salt flats. Any tour operator will take you to the highlights on a sunset one-day trip or a three-day trip, during which you’ll stay in a salt hotel (bundle up!).

In Potosi, a mining town, see local markets, local Bolivian street life and a history of silver mining.

Best of all, it’s pretty safe to take night buses in Bolivia, which helps with saving money and traveling sustainably , at the same time!

You can even try to haggle for a two-person deal if you are traveling as a couple .

Bolivia is one of the best value destinations in South America, and because of its landlocked location and the fact that its tourism infrastructure is newer than, say, that of Peru, every visitor is in for a real treat.

Mexico City, Mexico: Explore tacos, museums and mezcal

We couldn’t find anything that we did not love about Mexico City, and for anyone who lives in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s never too long of a flight.

Also, without giving the secret away too much, Mexico City is not expensive to visit (neither is our honorable mention of Merida, Mexico ).

With heaps of things to do Mexico City for every type of traveler, Mexico City is an incredible place to try lots of new foods with a food tour , see the local markets, try a margarita (or three) at a variety of bars (some on rooftops) and cool off with a cold brew at any of the popular specialty cafes .

Travelers like Mexico City for its value. You can Airbnb within your budget, and you can try new hostels like Selina Mexico City , which also has a coworking space and bar.

If we could move to Mexico City, we would. In fact, I’m not sure why we don’t live there. I can’t get enough of the food, the people, the scenery and the culture, and with a trip on the Mexico City costing only USD 0.25, it was hard to leave.

Regarding safety, check out “Is Mexico City Safe?” , our guide to scams, safety and health concerns in CDMX.

South Africa: Must-see vineyards, safaris and hiking

One thing I have tried to research really intently is where in Africa to travel for cheap. It’s harder than it sounds.

In speaking with a really experienced traveler like my friend Daniel Herszberg , what I’ve learned is that a lot of Africa might be cheap for locals, but plain and simple: as a traveler, you’re in for a pretty penny.

I did not find this to be the case in South Africa, however.

For many reasons, South Africa is not like the rest of Africa. Its major cities have infinitely more Western influence, and South Africa’s European-descent population is about 9%, which is by far higher than other African nations.

This aside, South Africa has had a funny thing happen to it in recent years since about 2015. The currency took a big slide downward in value, and I talk about how this benefits the foreign traveler in my money tips for international travel .

What’s going on here is that the South African Rand (the national currency) devalued three to four times its former value pre-2015. This means thing started costing you, the visitor, only 25% of their previous prices.

So, for cheapest places in the world to travel, South Africa came out as an incredible destination of value. A $100 dinner cost $25, and that’s including steak and wine. A cocktail came out to $3 at a nice bar.

I could’ve done without these luxuries, and could’ve kept my budget even lower, to travel super cheaply in South Africa (but instead, I lived like a king).

My best recommendation for “know before you go” tips for South Africa is to check the exchange rate several months before you plan to travel, to determine what things like travel within the country and accommodation will cost.

I think food was my cheapest expense (it was continually unbelievable) in South Africa, because of that ZAR to USD conversion. These are the types of tricks that will keep you winning if you plan to travel the world cheaply and tick off all those super cheap places to travel (safely).

Vietnam: Let your budget take you far

Vietnam is incredibly affordable, even as prices might rise in summer (high season). Okay, Vietnam is actually one of the cheapest places I’ve ever been (I haven’t been to Pakistan, which many people say is the cheapest country in the world.)

During the summer, heaps of visitors from all over the world come to Vietnam, whether Europeans on summer holidays, Australians on their winter breaks, or Americans coming out for a big month-long Southeast Asia bender.

If you can book your Vietnam trip in advance, you’ll probably do fine, as most major Vietnamese holidays fall in January-February, when prices go up and have surcharges due to the new year festivals.

Vietnam is where your Dollar (or Euro) will for sure go further, from eating out to accommodation at great value. For example, it’s hard to get bored in the capital city of Hanoi, with all these things to do . Hanoi is a special place for us and we loved talking pictures to capture everything Hanoi has to offer.

You can drink Vietnamese coffee every day at [awesome cafes], take a trip to Ninh Binh or Sapa for the northern cultures, and see an impressive amount of the country without breaking the bank.

While summer is known as being wetter, with rainfall on average surpassing that of summer months in Vietnam, this is when places like the Sapa rice terraces will be vividly green, making for an incredible sight to see.

In winter, the same region of rolling hills is dry and brown because of lack of rainfall. Summer brings back the brilliance and the fresh crops.

Our secret: eat whatever’s on the street in cities in Vietnam. You can usually have a meal for 2 USD.

Thailand: Trekking, Markets, Nature and amazing food

I’m sure you’ve heard of Thailand, and I’m sure you have heard that Thailand is cheap.

How do I put this simply…. yes, Thailand is cheap (but Vietnam and Laos are cheaper - ha!).

But really, Thailand is an affordable place to travel on a budget. If you stick to Bangkok alone and you take guided tours or excursions, you will probably spend more than you thought you would.

However (!), if you head up north to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and you go to smaller towns with equally-beautiful things to do like hikes and minority cultures and eco-tourism, you’ll be very satisfied with a small budget in Thailand for travel.

Having been to Thailand three times, I’ve stayed in cheap hotels, cheap hostels and also really expensive hotels (on my friend’s frequent flyer miles points).

There are many ways to ‘do’ Thailand, and there is something for everyone.

If you’re on an extreme travel budget, you can make Thailand work, and have an amazing time. Things also change very fast in Thailand due to the fact that it is one of the most popular travel destinations on the planet .

In January 2012, I stayed in Julie’s Guesthouse in Chiang Mai, Thailand, for $2.50 USD per night. It’s true. And I was a broke backpacker looking for a good deal.

Places like Chiang Mai have since skyrocketed in popularity, bringing the type of luxe travel to become quite mainstream there, but you can still find good deals, bargain for prices and stick to a low trip budget.

If your budget is on the extreme low end and you’re seeking the cheapest things to do, I recommend going to smaller locales in the center and northeast of the country, where tourism is newer.

I’d recommend avoiding the south of Thailand and the islands, where you’ll have to dish out for ferries, and where tourism has been strong for 30+ years, making competition rather tough.

Philippines: Under-the-radar natural and cultural finds

I bet you don’t know many people who’ve been to the Philippines and haven’t been to Puerta Princesa or Boracay. I personally have not been to either.

I’ve had two low-budget trips to the Philippines, traveling in the Manila metro region and in Cebu and Bohol.

What I am positive of is that the Philippines is one of the cheapest places to travel to in Asia. I really mean that. It is up there with Vietnam.

For a small fee, you can stay in a hotel or hostel, and for only several dollars you can take a taxi to a beautiful beach.

The street food will cost you less than what you could imagine, and bargaining is fair game. While awesome natural landmarks like the Chocolate Hills (Bohol) may have an entrance fee, it won’t be hefty.

A small budget will take you a serious long way in the Philippines, where there are more than 7,000 islands (you probably can’t see them all, nor would you need or want to) and a heap of things to keep you occupied on a trip of a month or more.

New York City, USA: Find free things to do

Now, we know what you’re thinking: isn’t NYC one of the most expensive places to travel ? The short answer is yes, but the long answer is no.

Let me explain.

If you know what to do in NYC, you can have a fantastic time on a low budget. NYC can be a value destination if you know how to stretch a budget thinner and do all the free amazing things in NYC during your trip.

First, I’d really recommend finding a friend, family member or friend’s family member to stay with. Accommodation in NYC is one of the things that will cost the most, but if you can pin that down as a freebie, the rest will work itself out. See here.

If you’re okay with skipping the “must-see” tourist attractions that every book says you have to do, such as the viewing platform at the Empire State Building , the Top of the Rock, the MoMA and any type of entertainment (save it for another time), you can have a budget in NYC of around $50 USD per day (if you travel with a buddy) or if you stay in hostel dorms .

If you’re a traveling digital nomad , check out our favorite laptop-friendly NYC cafes where you can spend time in cafes with WiFi and sometimes even a backyard or two.

If you’re a coffee fanatic, we’ve already listed our favorite cafes in Brooklyn , which make for a great way to venture into different areas, for coffee. Lastly, bookmark our guide to safety and avoiding crime in NYC , which will be very helpful indeed.

A few budget hacks for traveling in NYC on the cheap and not breaking the bank are these following tips:

• Stay in a hostel-hotel like The Local , which books up fast, but plan ahead! They’ve got coworking space, rooftop views, a cool cafe-bar with friendly staff and clean, quiet shared rooms and privates.
• Skip the paid attractions and opt for walking endlessly through NYC’s many neighborhoods like the gorgeous and walkable Brooklyn Heights and ethnic enclaves. Check out Coney Island, Jackson Heights, Flushing Chinatown and Little Italy of the Bronx (Arthur Avenue) and ‘pass’ on those lists of hot restaurants that ‘every visitor to NYC must visit.’
• Take the subway and buses, always. This is the best way to get around New York, and if you opt for an unlimited weekly subway card, it’ll pay for itself in only a few days.
• If you don’t want to hostel, Airbnb in one of Brooklyn or Queens’ outlying neighborhoods and get a feel what it is like to stay outside Manhattan (the center of it all, of course!). You’ll find the most affordable Airbnb options in Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, Ditmas and Forest Hills.

Nicaragua: Climb volcanoes and visit colonial towns

Nicaragua is a place that’s great for travel at any time of year and you can be sure that your budget will take you far.

From eating in markets for prices comparable to $2 for a vegan meal of rice, beans and avocado, to taking 2-day treks for around $70 with all-included guides, transport and camping for a night with Quetzaltrekkers, you can do everything you ever dreamed of in this Central American nation.

For beaches, don’t miss San Juan del Sur, the center of all backpacker life on the coast.

Take chicken buses, the quintessential Central American transport on old yellow school buses that have new lives in countries like Nicaragua, and sit next to locals, plants and sometimes… chickens.

This is the way to get around for around a dollar or less.

Ecuador: Enjoy high-altitude living

Ecuador might be a country you skip over in your mind. Did you know that its name means Equator in Spanish? Now you know why this country was named after its location, with the Equator running right through its middle.

What’s there to do in Ecuador? You can explore Cuenca, a beautiful colonial city, by foot, and see the birthplace of the Panama hat (yep, a bit of a mis-nomer).

For beaches, there’s Montanita, the hippie-dippie backpacker hub of the Pacific coast.

For museums, there’s the culture of Quito, the hilly capital, where you can climb a cathedral and look out at a rolling expanse of scenery before climbing down and exploring colonial architecture in the old quarter.

Lastly, get lost in Parque Nacional Cajas, named for ‘boxes,’ which will remind you of mossy scenes from Scotland.

Ecuador will give you highs and lows, from high-altitude cities where you really have to watch your health and how your body handles altitude high up, to the coast — Guayaquil and the lowlands.

There’s something for everyone, and the prices will not set you back much at all.

If we told you we wished we had more time in Lithuania, would you believe us? We were lucky enough to have a whirlwind tour if Lithuania’s top sights by traveling from Riga, Latvia, to Vilnius, Lithuania with Traveller Tours.

What we liked best was the mythical Trakai castle, the pastel walls of Vilnius’s Old Town, the bizarre Hill of Crosses and beautiful and medieval Kaunas.

Had we had a week to spend, we would’ve loved to see all of Lithuania’s historic and cultural sights, including more about its Jewish history, by renting a car and going around.

Check out how excited we got about Lithuania in our interview on the Voyages of Tim Vetter podcast .

What’s more is that Lithuania is the most affordable of the three Baltic countries — we stayed at a hostel on Airbnb for under $30.

Wondering how we decide where to stay? Check out our comparison of Airbnb vs Hostels vs Hotels .

Laos: Take an adventure

Laos is a diverse and often forgotten-about country bordering Thailand, China, Vietnam and Cambodia. Why go here?

Laos is interesting because it’s landlocked, and so many travelers arrive by land via China, Thailand, or Vietnam. Well, what’s there to do?

The fact that tourism is newer in Laos than it is in Thailand makes Laos a bit less discovered. And being less discovered means that it’s a great place to travel to avoid other tourists !

See Buddhist culture at its finest in Luang Prbang, where you can also explore exquisite waterfalls and nature.

See the stars and give night photography a try at night in places like Vang Vieng, and explore a city through its cafes in Vientiane.

For the adventurous, there’s the Plain of Jars (it’s weird) and Phonsavan with its temple ruins.

If you’re not afraid to get off the beaten path, while not spending a lot of your savings, try some time in Laos and you could be surprised at what this modest country has to offer its visitors.

You can stay in hostels in Laos at prices as low as $4 USD per night for a dorm bed, depending on the city or town.

Can you beat that?

We hope you got tons of ideas from this list about where to travel on a budget and save money on your summer trip this year.

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Top 5 most affordable international destinations for a summer vacation

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL TRENDS , WORLD / Updated : Apr 23, 2024, 14:14 IST

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Discover affordable international getaways like Baku, Bali, Phuket, Colombo, and Hanoi. Experience history, beaches, affordability, charm, and culinary delights in these budget-friendly destinations for a memorable summer vacation … Read more

Discover affordable international getaways like Baku, Bali, Phuket, Colombo, and Hanoi. Experience history, beaches, affordability, charm, and culinary delights in these budget-friendly destinations for a memorable summer vacation. Read less

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Wednesday , April 24, 2024

Top travel destinations and spending habits

Americans’ top travel destinations and spending habits.

By The Currency editors

Americans are eager to pack their bags and explore: Over 90% are planning domestic travel this year, expecting to spend an average of $1,163 per trip. But how are they balancing their wanderlust with their wallets? 

One in 5 Millennials are planning to postpone major purchases like buying a home to fund their travel plans. A third of Americans (33%) say they aren’t waiting for retirement to see the world – and are prioritizing travel now. 

Key takeaways 

Nearly half (47%) of Americans plan to spend more on travel this year compared to 2023. 

Summer is the season of choice for 61% of travelers, with 35% of Americans planning trips during the holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc.) and 34% opting for the off-season. 

Over half of Baby Boomers (52%) prefer budget-friendly travel options compared to younger generations. 

45% of those surveyed finance their travel with extra money earned from side jobs, while 34% use their tax refunds or bonuses, and 32% use travel rewards and loyalty programs. 

Nearly 1 in 10 Americans (9%) have taken on debt to finance travel, averaging $2,849. 

A quarter of Gen Zers (24%) feel pressured by friends to take trips they can’t afford.

Peak season or off-season? 

With high inflation and sky-high prices, nearly half of Americans (47%) anticipate spending more this year on travel than last, but it’s not stopping them from prioritizing taking trips. 

Jetsetters are packing their bags for at least two domestic trips this year. Nearly 2 in 5 are taking to the skies for international travel (37%) at an average cost of $2,904 per trip. The most popular times of year for Americans to travel are summer (61%), followed by holiday weekends like Memorial Day and Labor Day (35%). To help offset inflation, a third are opting for off-season travel, when prices are typically lower (34%). 

Over half of Baby Boomers (52%) prefer budget-friendly travel options , compared to younger generations. Americans are most likely to plan their trips 3 to 6 months in advance (35%), but nearly 1 in 5 (17%) are more spontaneous, planning theirs just 4 weeks or less from departure. Waiting until the last minute to book a trip may have some benefits: Meticulous travelers anticipate spending 40% more on international trips than spontaneous travelers.

Smooth sailing vs. travel stressors 

Spontaneous travelers are 71% more likely than meticulous planners to go into debt to pay for travel. Overall, nearly 1 in 10 Americans (9%) have taken on debt to finance their trips, at an average amount of $2,849. Of these, 27% needed over a year to pay down their debt .

Close to half of those surveyed (45%) finance their travel with extra money earned from side jobs, while 34% use their tax refunds or bonuses and 32% use travel rewards or loyalty programs. More than 1 in 5 have a dedicated savings account for travel (21%), and Millennials are the most likely generation to do so (23%). 

More than two-thirds of Gen Xers (73%) and Millennials (69%) have cut back on dining out to save for their trips, as well as 61% of Gen Z and Baby Boomers. One in 5 Millennials (and 17% Gen Z) are planning to postpone major purchases like buying a home to fund their travel plans, and Americans overall are cutting back on their personal savings contributions (19%). 

Peer pressure and financial stressors impact some Americans’ travel experiences: a quarter of Gen Zers (24%) feel pressured by friends to take trips they can’t afford. The top financial stressors while on vacation include: 

Eating out for every meal (51%) 

Thinking about their credit card bill upon returning home (29%) 

Paying for experiences like special events and adventures (27%) 

Local transportation costs (24%) 

When it comes to splurging, Americans are most likely to indulge in dining (57%), experiences (47%), and lodging (41%). However, Gen Z is most likely to splurge on experiences while traveling (52%), while all other generations prioritize dining.

Travel style also plays a role in spending priorities, with people used to luxurious options being most likely to spend big on lavish lodging (74%) and budget-minded travelers splurging most on dining experiences (52%). 

The wanderlust wishlist 

Americans have their sights set on various domestic and international destinations in the year ahead. For domestic travelers, New York City, Las Vegas, and Honolulu top the list. Internationally, Tokyo, London, and Paris are the most desired locations overall and among our respondents who specifically identified as meticulous planners. Nearly 3 in 10 Gen Zers (29%) are also the most interested in traveling to Tokyo. 

As Americans plan ahead, these are the top five priorities travelers are keeping in mind when planning a trip or picking a destination: 

Relaxation (57%) 

Family time (51%) 

Adventure (47%) 

Spending time enjoying nature/wildlife (36%) 

Culinary experiences (30%) 

Gen Z is the generation most likely to seek adventure in their travels (69%), while Baby Boomers are more likely to prioritize relaxation (61%). 

On the move

Against a challenging economic backdrop, Americans are prioritizing travel and exploration, adjusting their budgets and splurging on the experiences that matter most.  

Methodology 

Empower commissioned a survey of 1,014 Americans to explore how they plan and pay for their travels. This survey was fielded from March 14-18, 2024.  

About Empower 

Empower, a leader in financial planning, investing, and advice, is dedicated to creating financial freedom through people and technology. Connect with us on  Empower.com  and  subscribe  to  The Currency™  for the latest money news and views shaping how we live, work and play. 

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You’re welcome to share our findings for any non-commercial purpose, but please include a link back to this page to provide access to our full study and methodology. 

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Ultimate List of the Best Family Vacations on a Budget

E veryone wants to travel, but who has the budget? Traveling with children in tow can be expensive, especially when you’re flying to your destination or have a larger family. However, there are some real gems out there, both domestically and internationally. Here are my favorite cheap places to visit with my family while sticking to a budget.

How to Travel Cheap

Traveling on a budget with your family is a rewarding experience. Transportation is often the most expensive portion, but there are numerous ways to make it more affordable. One of the first steps is to use travel websites like Expedia, Kayak, or Skyscanner to compare flight and lodging prices.

These platforms offer exclusive deals and package discounts to help you find the best option for your family. Oftentimes, bundling a hotel with a flight is the same price as the flight itself. Do your research! Set fare alerts to monitor price changes and grab a good deal when you see one.

Another strategy for saving on travel is accumulating credit card rewards points and miles. Many credit card companies offer sign-up bonuses. Before choosing this path, though, make sure you understand all the terms and conditions.

In addition to credit card rewards, there are numerous travel hacks to help you save money. Pack snacks to avoid overpriced airport food. Pack light with a carry-on bag only to avoid baggage fees. Travel during off-peak seasons. Camp or boondock to save money on hotels.

Combine these budget savvy strategies with the right credit card rewards and travel website deals, and you can have family adventures without breaking the bank.

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Places to Go in the U.S. with Your Family on a Budget

Both international and domestic destinations are available when you prepare in advance and use travel hacks and rewards to fund your trips. Here are my best family vacation destinations split up by region.

Eastern United States Family Travel Favorites

Traveling in the off-season will save you a ton of money in the Eastern United States. Traveling to beaches just outside of peak season oftentimes gets you a beachfront hotel for significantly less money.

• Washington D.C. : With 3 nearby airports and plenty of public transportation with buses and trains, DC is easily one of my favorite family vacation spots. All the Smithsonian museums and national zoo are free. You can spend hours walking the National Mall. Try to score tickets to the top of the Washington Monument – it’s worth it!
• North Carolina : There are a plethora of family-friendly activities in North Carolina. Our family spends hours looking for sea glass on the beaches. Save money by packing lunches or eating at local restaurants.
• New York City : Getting to New York City is relatively easy. it’s cheaper if you fly in and out of New Jersey and then take the train in to the city. Hotel rooms in New York City are expensive so look for credit card rewards or consider staying in New Jersey as well. Smaller, newer boutique hotels are sometimes cheaper than more established ones.
• Pittsburgh, PA : Filled with history, sports, and outdoor recreation galore, Pittsburgh is often overlooked as a cheap place to travel for families.

Visit the Southern United States on Your Next Budget Family Vacation

• Beaufort, SC : This charming southern town is brimming with local history, water front boardwalks, and nature trails. Go dolphin watching, hiking, and biking for outdoor family fun. Don’t forget to try the shrimp and grits.
• Mississippi: This is one of the most affordable southern states to visit. It also has a unique culture, stunning scenery, and delicious food.
• Florida : There’s so much more to Florida than DisneyWorld. Get outside and explore the beaches, Everglades, and other areas as these will be kinder to your budget.
• Bentonville, AR : One of the best cheap family vacations, Bentonville has loads of nature trails and outdoor recreation opportunities. It also has affordable accommodations for families.
• Alabama : This might not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re planning a beach vacation, but Alabama is so affordable. The beaches are less crowded than other touristy spots and the weather is great.

Midwest United States to Save Money on Your Family Trip

• Hot Springs, SD : Fly into Rapid City, South Dakota and then rent a car to explore the smaller towns around the area. Hot Springs is home to mammoth fossils, mom and pop restaurants, and nearby to Mt. Rushmore and Wind Cave National Park.
• Kansas City, Kansas : A small town feel in a big city! There are so many things to do for families in Kansas City both indoors and out.
• ​​Green Bay WI : No, Green Bay isn’t just for football fans. It’s one of our favorite places to visit as a family, especially outside of the tourist season. Check out local hiking trails and lakes, too.
• What to Do in Oklahoma City : Does this one surprise you? Oklahoma city is very affordable and there are 6 national parks in Oklahoma alone! It has a vibrant city feel, but the great outdoors is also readily available.
• Des Moines , IA: Probably one of the most underrated Midwest cities in my opinion. Des Moine is a beautiful city divided by the Des Moine River. It’s a growing city that values cultural diversity, arts, and green spaces.

Western United States for Family Vacation on a Budget

• North Texas : Visit Jellystone Park and your whole family will love it! Part theme park, part outdoor adventure – there’s always something to do in North Texas.
• Colorado Springs : Home to the U.S. Air Force, Colorado Springs is a growing city. It has museums celebrating air and space as well as mountains. Colorado has plenty of outdoor recreation in all the seasons. Several state parks are also near Colorado Springs.
• La Jolla , California: With some research and preparation, even places you think are expensive can be very affordable for families. I love the kayaking around La Jolla. Look for discounted packages and tours.

Best Family Road Trips on a Budget in the U.S.

There might be some great destinations in your own backyard. Road trips are one of the best ways to keep family trips affordable. Explore local history, landmarks, and natural environments.

• Illinois : Take a trip down memory lane with the first 100 miles of Route 66.
• Scottsdale to the Grand Canyon: A relatively quick road trip through Arizona celebrates local heritage, saguaro cactus, and plenty of natural beauty along the way.
• Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park : If you have just one day in Denver, rent a car and explore the Rocky Mountain National Park. Wildlife, mountains, fresh air – what’s not to love?
• East Coast Road Trips: Once you are in the East Coast , road trips are easy. Towns are relatively close to each other so pitstops are easy to plan. Trees, ocean, rolling hills, and tons of American history are just a car trip away.

National Parks

If you’ve got a 4th grader, be sure to sign up for the Every Kid in a Park program. Your whole family will get free entrance to national parks!

• National Parks in Oklahoma : There are 6 national parks in Oklahoma alone. Each has a different vibe and focus.
• Mammoth Cave National Park : Located in Kentucky, Mammoth Cave is a family favorite. It’s in an affordable area and the caves are living science.
• Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park : Save money by camping and packing your own food. Cabins in Estes Park can be pricey in the summer months, so traveling off-peak will save you some cash.

International Destinations on a Family Travel Budget

International family trips are not as out of reach as you may think. I’ve written about international travel and packing tips before. Plan in advance for getting passports and research your travel options. There are lots of good deals out there!

• Costa Rica : Costa Rica is great for families. Food is inexpensive, outdoor activities and cultural sites abound. Flights to San José from the US can be found for under $200/$300. Plus you can often pay with US dollars for a favorable exchange rate.
• Galapagos Islands : Visiting the Galapagos is truly the adventure of a lifetime. It is unique in every way from the animals to the landscape. Ecuador itself is a true hidden gem that is often overshadowed by Galapagos adventures. Making this trip affordable takes some travel hacking and advance preparation to get the best deals. Staying in boutique hotels and vacation apartments will help you save money.
• Rome : Rome is one of the world’s greatest historic sites and cities. It is also surprisingly affordable for family travel. There are usually low-cost flights into Rome. Stay in a small apartment near the center or a family-friendly hostel. Eat at local restaurants eating authentic Italian cooking. Visit the city’s many piazzas and fountains for free.
• Mexico : Resorts such as Cancun or Puerto Vallarta have beautiful beaches and are fun, safe and inclusive. Don’t forget to explore outside the resorts, though, as Mexico has beautiful landscapes, friendly people, and amazing food.
• Spain : Known as a digital nomad hotspot, Spain will not disappoint. It’s very affordable for families traveling on a budget. Barcelona has stunning architecture and endless outdoor activities. The smaller towns outside the city are adventures in their own right. Food is delicious and relatively cheap.

Wondering how the visa application procedure will take place? Leave it to Global Residence Index to take care of all your visa application process, and just think about how you are going to enjoy your vacation in Greece.

Follow the paths less traveled to get the biggest bang for your buck when planning your best family vacation on a budget. Use credit card rewards and other travel hacks such as using vacation rental homes instead of hotels to find good deals on both domestic and international travel spots. Remember, you don’t have to do all the things when you’re traveling. Pick the activities that will mean the most to your family and get out there to create memories – without breaking the bank!

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For more family travel inspiration, check out our latest posts here:

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The post Ultimate List of the Best Family Vacations on a Budget appeared first on Little Family Adventure .

6 Cheapest Business Class Airlines for an Affordable Upgrade

By Jessica Puckett

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

With the ever-shrinking seats in coach class, the allure of those spacious front-of-plane cabins has never been stronger. Flying business class can feel reminiscent of the golden era of travel, when glamour and comfort ruled the skies. Perks like lie-flat beds, privacy doors that encapsulate seats, airport lounge access, and even chauffeur services can entice even the most austere travelers among us to contemplate splurging on an upgrade every now and then.

Of course, those amenities all come at a price. Business class fares can be prohibitively expensive for the average traveler, with one-way tickets soaring as high as several thousands dollars. But did you know that the cheapest business class airlines offer many of the best perks for less money? If you know the right carriers, an affordable but luxurious business class ticket could be within reach. Here’s everything you need to know about the cheapest business class airlines .

What perks and amenities do the cheapest business class airlines give you?

On board a cheap business class airline that still offers good value, you can expect a spacious seat—one that lies flat on longer routes—better in-flight meals, complimentary alcohol, and reserved overhead bin space.

Other perks on the ground will vary from airline to airline. Some carriers “unbundle” their cheapest business class fares, meaning amenities like airport lounge access , seat selection, and over-the-top perks like chauffeur services aren’t offered to keep prices lower. Other airlines simply do not offer any customers amenities like lounges at all.

To get the cheapest business class fares, you’ll have to decide what perks are most important to you. Would you prefer to relax in a lounge during a long layover? Or is an affordable bed in the sky with fully closing doors of more importance? The airlines below all offer luxury, but the emphasis is put on different stages of the travel experience.

What prices are considered affordable for business class?

The price for that premium seat can get quite steep: Flights in top business class cabins can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. Like other airline tickets , the price of cheap business class fares can depend on the destination, time of year, when you book, and the airline itself. The longer the flight and the plusher the cabin, the higher the fare will climb.

However, according to recent data from aviation statistics firm Cirium , The average business class fare in 2023 was $1,845. So anything near or below that price point can be considered a pretty good deal for one-way in business class—keeping in mind the factors like the length of the flight and the amenities your ticket includes.

6 of the cheapest business class airlines

TAP Air Portugal business class tickets can occasionally be found for under $2,000 roundtrip.

TAP Air Portugal

Generally known as a budget carrier, TAP Air Portugal actually offers a solid—and affordable—business class product as well. According to Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going.com , TAP Air Portugal routinely prices its business class seats to Europe for less than $3,000 roundtrip—sometimes even slipping below $2,000 roundtrip. For that price, you’ll get lie-flat seats with bedding that includes wrap-around duvets and large pillows, as well as meal service that features Portuguese dishes and wines. The seats and finishes might not feel as plush as other business classes, but you’ll have space to stretch your legs and lie flat at an attainable price point.

Turkish Airlines

Offering a few more amenities but still cheaper rates in business is Turkish Airlines, a carrier that Nastro says also consistently offers seats in business class on flights to Turkey and other destinations in Europe for under $3,000 roundtrip. You’ll be well cared for in Turkish business class, which offers a lie-flat seat that’s more than six feet long and up to two feet wide, with an 18-inch entertainment screen. When it comes to dining, you’ll have access to the airline’s iconic flying chefs, who prepare a litany of Turkish dishes and other cuisines mid-flight and essentially transform the business class cabin into a flying, top-tier restaurant. Plus, business class passengers also have access to Turkish lounges when they arrive at the airport.

Emirates' most affordable business class option doesn't include perks like lounge access or seat selection.

Emirates “Special” business class fares

In order to give customers access to the cheapest business class seats, Emirates unbundles its business class fares. If you book one of these tickets, called “Special" business class fares by the airline, you won’t have access to Emirates lounges , chauffeur service, seat selection, or upgrades to first class. But once onboard the plane, you get all those bells and whistles Emirates business class is known for: ultra-comfy beds, gourmet food, premium cocktails, and even the A380’s onboard cocktail lounge.

Using the unbundled booking method can potentially save travelers thousands of dollars. A quick check of business class fares on Emirates’ New York to Dubai route for June 2024 showed the airline’s Special business class price at $2,787 one-way, while its Flex Plus business class ticket, which offers the most perks and rebooking options, clocked in at $6,229—a difference of more than $3,400. The Special fares are only available on certain routes and certain times of year, so if you see one that works for you, it could be worth locking in.

This little-known German carrier flies from 13 major US gateways to Europe, and is one of the best cheapest business class airlines out there. Condor’s sharp-looking business class cabins with striped accents offer seats that transform into a 6.5-foot lie-flat bed, 4K entertainment screens, and direct-aisle access for every passenger. Plus, each business class passenger gets access to Condor’s lounges. Fares start at about $1,100 on flights from New York to Berlin.

Qatar Airways’ Business Class Lite option is a more affordable way to book one of the best seats in the sky.

Qatar Airways Business Class Lite

Much like Emirates’ unbundled tickets, Qatar Airways’ Business Class Lite and Business Class Classic fares offer the same opulent seats to fliers who’d like to shave off a few amenities in order to save money. You won’t have lounge access or seat selection before check-in included in your ticket. But you can book into the revered Qsuites product, which offers fully closing doors around a spacious lie-flat seat (79 inches long and 21 inches wide) and impeccable in-flight service. While the price tag can’t be considered “cheap” compared to some carriers, the unbundled fares can be a more affordable way to book one of the best seats in the sky. The unbundled fares aren’t offered on all routes, but a search of Qatar’s flights from New York to Doha for August 2024 shows Business Class Classic fares for $6,268, while Business Elite is $8,810—a difference of more than $2,500.

JetBlue Mint

Although it’s not offered on every plane or every route, JetBlue’s Mint business class is among the best premium products in terms of value for the money. Mint offers a mix of standard lie-flat seats and more private suites with doors, depending on the aircraft layout. Each seat offers adjustable firmness, a massage function, and turns into a bed that’s six feet, eight inches long outfitted with blankets and pillows from Tuft and Needle. You can also expect some seriously scrumptious food and drink options, as JetBlue has partnered with New York restaurant group Delicious Hospitality, the collective behind Manhattan restaurants Pasquale Jones, Charlie Bird, and Legacy Records, to design the rotating menus in Mint. One-way tickets start at about $700 and range up to $2,000 to fly between New York and Los Angeles, but expect to pay more on JetBlue’s international routes.

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Top 10 budget-friendly international destinations for corporate offsites

When seeking to inspire creativity and foster team bonding, consider these 10 budget-friendly international destinations for corporate offsites.

Corporate offsites are a vital aspect of team building, strategising and rejuvenation for organisations worldwide and choosing the right destination for such events plays a crucial role in ensuring their success . Escape the confines of conventional conference rooms and embrace the refreshing breeze and scenic vistas of unexplored paradises for your next corporate offsite event.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Abhishek Gupta, Co-Founder and Director and Gavin D’Costa, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Trip Navigator, shared, “When seeking to inspire creativity and foster team bonding, consider budget -friendly international destinations that offer a delightful twist on traditional gatherings. Picture brainstorming sessions accompanied by the soothing sound of waves, team-building activities against the backdrop of stunning mountain views, and networking opportunities framed by breathtaking sunsets. These hidden gems provide the ideal setting for seamlessly blending work and leisure.”

They recommended the top five budget international destinations for corporate offsites.

• Pattaya, Thailand: Pattaya, Thailand, emerges as an ideal choice for corporate offsites, offering a vibrant mix of business amenities and leisure attractions. Located just two hours from Bangkok and accessible via three international airports, Pattaya boasts a well-established meetings and conventions infrastructure. With 30 convention centers and a bustling array of world-class hotels, it provides ample options for hosting corporate events of all sizes. Apart from its legendary nightlife, Pattaya offers a plethora of outdoor team-building activities, including beach outings and adventure sports. The city's excellent infrastructure, upscale shopping malls, and diverse dining options further enhance its appeal as a corporate offsite destination.
• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City stands out as one of Vietnam's premier MICE destinations, blending modern conveniences with rich cultural heritage. Renowned for its well-developed infrastructure, world-class convention facilities and five-star hotels, the city offers an immersive experience for corporate gatherings. Amidst its fascinating history and vibrant culture, Ho Chi Minh City provides ample opportunities for team-building activities and culinary experiences. Voted as Asia's Best MICE Tourism Destination in 2021, the city promises a memorable and enriching offsite experience for corporate teams.
• Baku, Azerbaijan: Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, offers a unique blend of cultural richness and modern amenities, making it an enticing choice for corporate offsites. Renowned for hosting prestigious events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix and Eurovision Song Contest, Baku provides a dynamic backdrop for team-building activities and corporate gatherings. From horseback riding to mountain jeep safaris, the city offers a diverse range of outdoor experiences for corporate teams. With its ultra-modern hotels and scenic Caspian Sea shores, Baku promises a captivating offsite experience infused with Azerbaijani hospitality.
• Colombo, Sri Lanka: Colombo, the vibrant capital city of Sri Lanka, presents a treasure trove of opportunities for corporate offsites. With its proximity, ease of access, and an array of MICE facilities, Colombo offers a seamless blend of business and leisure experiences for corporate travellers. From luxury hotels overlooking the Indian Ocean to unique leisure activities and culinary delights, Colombo captivates visitors with its diverse offerings. The city's renowned Taj Samudra Hotel stands as an iconic venue for hosting corporate events, promising unmatched hospitality and world-class amenities.
• Almaty, Kazakhstan: Nestled in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountain Range, Almaty emerges as a captivating destination for corporate offsites in Central Asia. Boasting a rich history and vibrant cultural scene, the city offers a captivating backdrop for team-building activities and corporate gatherings. With its range of hotels offering large conference rooms and modern amenities, Almaty provides a conducive environment for productive meetings and networking sessions. The Rixos Almaty Hotel stands out as an ideal venue for hosting corporate events, offering a blend of luxury and comfort amidst breathtaking natural surroundings.

The travel experts asserted, “These budget-friendly international destinations offer corporate teams an array of opportunities to connect, collaborate, and unwind in inspiring settings. With their unique blend of business amenities, cultural experiences, and outdoor attractions, they promise unforgettable offsite experiences tailored to the needs of modern organizations. Whether it's exploring the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City or soaking in the scenic beauty of Almaty, these destinations hold the key to unlocking corporate offsite success.”

Bringing his expertise to the same, Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, revealed that the tourism sector in India has observed a surge in both domestic and international travel, with a significant portion coming from the middle-class demographic. According to him, following are the top 5 destinations for Indian travellers -

1. Thailand: Renowned for its favourable exchange rates, Thailand offers a blend of vibrant city life in Bangkok, picturesque beaches in Phuket and cultural experiences in Chiang Mai, making it an appealing and affordable choice.

2. Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka is filled with stunning beaches, historical sites, and lush hill stations, catering to varied preferences from urban adventures in Colombo to tranquil retreats in Nuwara Eliya. To an Indian traveller’s ease, the country is just a short flight away and can also be reached through the waters.

3. Bhutan: Known for its happiness index and pristine landscapes, Bhutan offers opportunities to explore monasteries, Himalayan vistas, and local cuisines, making it a great blend for travel enthusiasts. It is accessible via road travel from Kolkata as well as Siliguri.

4. Nepal: Nepal offers exhilarating trekking experiences at affordable prices, attracting adventurers seeking outdoor escapades. Also famous for its majestic Himalayan peaks, it is a perfect destination for wellness and leisure, when looking at regenerating your energy.

5. Oman: Nestled in the Arabian Peninsula, Oman boasts diverse attractions including beaches, wildlife, and historical sites, with its capital Muscat emerging as a budget-friendly destination for Indian travellers. The country also offers great experiences to immerse in Arab culture and culinary delights.

These destinations offer a range of experiences catering to different interests and budgets, making them popular choices among Indian travellers, while being pocket-friendly.

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Five Ways to Save Big On Your Phone Bill When Traveling Abroad

Traveling internationally and want to save cash? Here are five smart ways to save big on your phone bill.

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Not long ago, a man from the U.S. returned home from a trip to Europe to a $143,000 T-Mobile bill, apparently because the phone had not been set up for international roaming, according to an article in The Guardian . Considering that 1.3 billion people traveled globally in 2023, there’s a real chance you, too, may come home to a high cell phone bill, especially if you don't determine your needs (or wants) beforehand.

Although using your smartphone has become a necessary part of international travel , roaming fees alone can be exorbitant, and depending on your carrier, using data outside the U.S. is also at a premium. 

What is the right way to set up your phone when traveling internationally? Here are five tips. 

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1. Before you travel, talk to your provider

The first thing to do before traveling overseas is to check out your service provider’s policy regarding international cell phone use. Although you may want to reach out a few months before traveling, check back often, as policies can change. You may also want to see what your current contract does and doesn’t allow.

In the past, global roaming was an extra feature you could opt into for an additional fee. However, many service providers now activate international texting, calling, and data features automatically as soon as you use your phone in a foreign country. Just understand that this feature can be pricey, so if you plan on traveling for a long time, find out ahead of time if it’s worth the price.

2. Use temporary data passes

When traveling abroad , you may find you need extra data because you want a higher data speed, the ability to stream HD video, or you’ve reached your data allotment. Providers like T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T all provide temporary data passes, although they have different names — Sprint’s $5 to $10 International High-Speed Data Roaming Pass , T-Mobile’s $5 International Pass , Verizon’s $10 TravelPass , and AT&T’s $10 International Day Pass . 

They each provide a set amount of roaming data that you can use for a certain amount of time for one price. Unfortunately, these temporary data passes are expensive. But If you can’t unlock your phone, they might be your only good option. 

3. Swap your SIM card

Renting a SIM card allows you to make calls or text and use data by swapping out your current SIM card for one compatible with the country you're visiting. When you rent a new SIM card, you’ll get a new number, so you won’t be able to receive calls or texts on your regular phone number. Before you go, make sure to notify family and friends so they can contact you via Facebook Messenger or a chat app instead. Even so, renting a card is generally a much cheaper option than paying for an international roaming service. 

Specialized stores in major airports and cell phone companies often offer SIM card rental. In fact, Amazon sells SIM cards for Europe ranging from around $20-$50, typically for 30 days of use.

Another option is an eSIM card . Unlike the regular SIM cards you remove from a phone, an eSIM is a microchip embedded in the phone’s hardware and is especially useful when you’re traveling internationally. According to AARP , you can purchase data through eSIM providers such as GigSky, Airalo, Nomad and Flexiroam, or you can add an eSIM from a local provider in the country you’re visiting. 

4. Get an international phone

f you think you will make many calls or use your phone extensively while visiting another country, consider purchasing an international phone. These international mobile phones often come with reduced international roaming rates and data. 

5. Other options when traveling internationally

Besides getting a temporary data pass or swapping your SIM card, you can also mix and match other options, such as: 

• Turning off data roaming in your phone’s settings when you don’t need it. 
• Downloading maps when you have Wi-Fi or using apps like Apple or Google Maps in offline mode.
• Shutting off all non-vital apps. When apps automatically update, you are charged if they are still active.
• Deactivating texting. This stops texts from being billed as data when you're traveling aboard. 

Best phone plans for international travel

When traveling abroad, choose an unlimited data plan , which often offers the most travel-related perks. Then, depending on your needs, check out these phone plans. 

• T-Mobile : Best choice for travelers
• Verizon : TravelPass options
• AT&T : Best for travel in Latin and Central America
• Google Fi : An underrated traveling companion
• Other options : Other international phone plans to consider

Related Content

• Switch to a Smaller Mobile Provider to Cut Your Phone Bill
• 24 Best Travel Websites to Find Deals and Save You Money
• 10 Annoying Hotel Fees and How to Avoid Them
• The 10 Cheapest Countries to Visit

For the past 18+ years, Kathryn has highlighted the humanity in personal finance by shaping stories that identify the opportunities and obstacles in managing a person's finances. All the same, she’ll jump on other equally important topics if needed. Kathryn graduated with a degree in Journalism and lives in Duluth, Minnesota. She joined Kiplinger in 2023 as a contributor.

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