top 10 budget travel destinations

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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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Budget trips: 20 of the cheapest places to travel

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

• roughguides.com
• budget-trips-cheapest-places-to-travel-around-the-world

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 6.03.2024

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

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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.

Find budget places to stay in Greece

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

Find budget places to stay in New Orleans

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 .

Find budget places to stay in Shanghai

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 .

Find budget places to stay in London

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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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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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

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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

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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.  

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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

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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

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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 .

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Back to readers' choice.

21 Cheap Places to Travel in 2024

By Caitlin Morton

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.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

There are many factors to consider when planning a vacation, from finding cheap places to travel and the safety of your intended destination to hotel options . But like it or not, there’s one thing that influences our travel decisions more than anything else: money. All those resort fees, plane tickets , and life-changing meals add up pretty quickly—so at the end of the day, we really want to prioritize places where our greenbacks have the most spending power.

We did a little digging to find the countries where the U.S. dollar goes the furthest, based on current exchange rates. And while our fickle global economy means those rates can change at any time, certain places have consistently offered more bang for our buck over the years—and, fingers crossed, they should stay that way well into 2024 .

Without further ado, here are 21 of the best cheap places to travel around the world.

Budapest, Hungary

1 USD = 351.21 HUF

Hungary’s favorable economy is great news for anyone planning a trip to Budapest , where a growing scene of Michelin-starred restaurants and high-tech spas are calling to us from across the globe. The city just celebrated its 150th anniversary in November 2023, which means there are even more reasons to visit during the next calendar year, including the newly reopened Chain Bridge and the brand-new House of Music Hungary . Be sure to book a room at the art deco W Budapest —formerly a palace and on a UNESCO World Heritage-listed street—which opened in July 2023 opposite the Hungarian State Opera.

South Korea

1 USD = 1,301.45 KRW

While other travelers head to the popular tourist destinations of Seoul , Busan, and Jeju Island, we have our eyes set on another South Korean city:  Mokpo , located in the Jeolla region at the southern tip of the peninsula. The port city offers some of the most interesting dining in the country, and specialty dishes like  hongeo (a naturally fermented, extremely pungent skate-fish dish) attract food lovers from around the world.

1 USD = 17.22 MXN

Mexico is consistently one of our favorite places to travel on a budget. In Mexico City , with a street food culture rivaled only by its forward-looking restaurant scene, you’ll be spending most of your money on eats. But make sure to leave some bucks to visit all the cultural wonders the city has to offer, starting with the iconic Museo Jumex . If you’re looking to go a little farther afield, head to Jalisco to see tequila being made at the source, or Isla Holbox for a sleepy beach scene.

An eagle hunter riding near the Altai Mountains in Mongolia.

1 USD = 3,449.69 MNT

We’ve long been fans of Mongolia for its seemingly limitless expanses and adventure camps—and the fact that travel here costs as little as $75 per day (including accommodations). The country is on a mission to lure even more travelers into its borders in 2024, with upcoming initiatives like its first-ever direct US flight and visa-free travel for dozens of nationalities. You can also expect even more offbeat cultural experiences next year: Local operator Breanna Wilson is expanding her 2024 tours to include a digital nomad week, a women-only retreat in Orkhon Valley, and a three-day archery training session.

1 USD = 24,275.00 VND

Plenty of countries in Southeast Asia are great deals for dollar carriers right now, but we recommend a trip to Vietnam—in part because of the steadily increasing exchange rate, but mostly for the country’s mind-blowing beauty. Hanoi is arguably the most romantic city in the region, but don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten track during your next visit: Places like  Ninh Van Bay and Phú Quốc island have pristine beaches and intimate resorts you won’t find in the more touristed areas.

1 USD = 4.94 BRL

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Blane Bachelor

Kyler Alvord

Like much of South America, Brazil is a good place to visit if you don’t want to break the bank. But the fact that a dollar gets you nearly five Brazilian reals means you can get even better value than usual. Rio de Janeiro is the most obvious place to spend time and money, with incredible restaurants—like  Lasai , a 2023 Hot List winner—just steps away from some of the world’s  best beaches . But don't forget to visit  São Paulo , too, where a younger generation has introduced hip galleries, museums, and bars to several long-neglected neighborhoods.

South Africa

1 USD = 18.30 ZAR

The value of the South African rand has fluctuated a lot over the past few years, but we’re pretty happy with where it is today. (To compare, one U.S. dollar only got you 8.57 ZAR 10 years ago.) Stretch those bucks on the  Test Kitchen ’s 21-course tasting menu in Cape Town , then head into the wilderness at  Singita Castleton Lodge in the Sabi Sand game reserve.

Traditional stilt fishermen in Sri Lanka

1 USD = 327.31 SLR

The Sri Lankan rupee has slowly gotten more and more favorable over the past couple of decades, but it completely skyrocketed starting a couple of years ago (a dollar converted to 200 SLR in February 2022, and now look where we are). We’re more excited than ever to explore this incredible island nation, where you can see leafy tea plantations, Buddhist temples, golden beaches, and 200-mile hiking trails in one memorable trip.

1 USD = 525.96 CRC

The Costa Rican colón has depreciated a bit in recent months, but it remains favorable for US travelers. Then there’s the fact that the country’s best asset (i.e. its natural beauty) is mostly free to enjoy. From trekking through the tropical cloud forests in the mountains of Alajuela to surfing off the coast of Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica is one of the world’s best countries for outdoor adventure. (And the  hotels are pretty great , too.)

Philippines

1 USD = 55.89 PHP

We’re never not dreaming about island hopping in the Phillippines. It’s hard to believe that places like Palawan and Siargao are so economically accessible, given that they are some of the most beautiful places on the planet. Even five-star resorts like  Shangri-La Boracay can be reserved for under $350 per night, which is all the incentive we need to book a trip right now.

1 USD = 4,580 MGA

For your next tropical island vacation, skip pricey, popular locations like the Maldives and Bora Bora for inexpensive Madagascar—an Indian Ocean treasure filled with breathtaking rainforests and lemur-filled national parks. Plan your visit around the opening of Namoroka Tsingy Exploration Camp ( scheduled for mid-2024 ), which will feature seven luxury safari tents inside the essentially unvisited Namoroka National Park. Alternately, swing by the island nation as part of a cruise itinerary: Luxe cruise lines like Silversea , Lindblad , Swan Hellenic , and Seabourne have all added the country as a port of call on new voyages.

Cairo, Egypt.

1 USD = 30.93 EGP

Following in the footsteps of pharaohs in Egypt feels like it should be expensive, but the Egyptian pound has skyrocketed this year—that means touring the Pyramids, cruising the Nile, and exploring Cairo has never been more affordable. We’re excited to check out relatively new openings, like St. Regis Cairo and the beach villas at Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria . And we’ve been anxiously awaiting the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum for years now, but it looks like it might actually happen in 2024.

1 USD = 4.67 MYR

Your cash will stretch far in Malaysia, especially if you fill up on street food and explore cities like Kuala Lumpur on foot. It’s also inexpensive (or in some cases, free) to visit the country’s pristine beaches, limestone caves, and some of the most beautiful tea plantations. If you’re ready and willing to shell out the big bucks, however, we highly recommend shacking up at  The Datai Langkawi —it’s definitely expensive but wholly worth it.

1 USD = 83.04 INR

India has always been a cheap travel destination; now that you can get 83 rupees to the dollar, however, the country is more affordable than ever. Hotels run the gamut from $60-per-night bungalows to pricy Oberoi and Six Senses outposts, plus hundreds of options in between. But as long as you don’t hole up in your resort the entire time, you can visit plenty of attractions and dine at local restaurants on an extremely tight budget.

1 USD = 107.45 RSD

Belgrade continues to emerge as one of Europe’s most exciting cultural epicenters, but it’s massively less expensive than, say, Paris or Berlin (at least for now). It’s relatively easy to find hotels under $100, though accommodations aren’t all that important when you spend all night dancing in clubs around the city. But you will want to get some rest to explore Belgrade’s wealth of museums and contemporary art installations, many of which just opened in the  past few years .

Ohrid, North Macedonia

North Macedonia

1 USD = 56.44 MKD

Perhaps it’s because the coastal countries get all the attention, but North Macedonia remains one of the most  criminally underrated (and therefore affordable) countries in Europe. The landlocked nation is a sleeper hit for those in the know, especially if you head to the charming city of Ohrid. It has all the cobbled streets and quaint churches one would expect from a European town, with the added advantage of being right on the shores of the incredibly gorgeous and biodiverse Lake Ohrid.

1 USD = 132.92 NPR

Nepal is one of the cheapest countries to visit for all travelers, but the U.S. dollar is particularly strong there right now. Most people immediately associate Nepal with Mt. Everest, but the tiny nation has much more to offer than bucket-list climbs. Kathmandu is overwhelming at first, but it hides some great hotels and museums once you start digging. Bhaktapur and Patan—both close by in the Kathmandu Valley—are a bit more low-key but still packed with culture.

1 USD = 66.99 GMD

It may be continental Africa’s smallest country but don’t you dare overlook the Gambia . The ultra-affordable nation has long been a coveted spot for wildlife enthusiasts, but it’s starting to rise in the ranks as both a  food destination and luxury cruise  port of call .

1 USD = 15,556.65 IDR

Despite the post- Eat, Pray, Love influx of tourists, Indonesia remains an affordable vacation spot overall. While millions of people flock to Bali (where resort prices are steep in response), you can enjoy a much cheaper and more peaceful trip on  the islands of Sumba and Lombok. And don’t forget about Jakarta, where a solid day includes filling up on greasy noodles and  nasi goreng gila  from makeshift street stalls—all for just a couple of US bucks.

Beach near Ksamil, Albania.

1 USD = 93.95 ALL

Albania is much less expensive than other European countries—and it’s a bit under the radar as a tourist destination, which means there’s still a chance to visit before the word gets out and the crowds descend. One of the most enticing reasons to plan a trip is the food: Picture tables filled with rosemary-scented lamb, tart mountain cheeses, blackened sea bass, and bottles of fruit juices. In Tirana, book a stay at Agroturizëm Gjepali , a restaurant turned hotel with river views and doubles starting at just $70.

1 USD = 12,375.00 UZS

Uzbekistan is still on the up-and-up when it comes to foreign travel, which makes it one of the most exciting and affordable destinations in Central Asia. The major cities are filled with both intricate mosques and brutalist monuments—all free to explore—and you’ll be hard-pressed to spend more than $5 per meal at restaurants. There aren’t too many name-brand hotels set up yet, but even places like the Hyatt Regency Tashkent have nightly rates below $170.

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20 Best Cheap Places to Travel in 2024

Explore a national park, see a space shuttle launch or even leave the country with these safe, family-friendly vacation destinations.

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It’s true that those bucket-list destinations might have to move to a back burner for many travelers due to financial considerations. That doesn’t mean they need to sit at home, though. More people are turning to smaller cities, national parks, and other destinations they’ve never considered as they plan their next adventure.

Utilizing chain hotels with reward programs is one way travelers can save money, as is choosing cabins or condos with kitchens. Every fourth grader in America (and their family) is eligible for a free National Parks pass , as are people with disabilities and military members. Travel does not need to be expensive to be valuable. The benefit of looking at travel through this lens is that these locations are still packed with amenities and attractions at a lower price point. Check out some of the best cheap places to travel in 2023 that might not be on your radar — yet. I was lucky enough to be invited as press by many of the locations, and got to explore all the fun they have to offer firsthand.

Looking for more unique travel ideas? Good Housekeeping's Family Travel Awards features top-tested locations, based on data from travel experts and real families.

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

California draws thousands of tourists each year to its most widely-known national parks, like Yosemite and Joshua Tree . They are fabulous, but the state is also home to Lassen Volcanic National Park . Located in the Cascade Mountains, Lassen has everything that visitors could need within the park, including lodging, junior ranger programs and dining options. Most visitors camp or stay at cabins or the guest ranch located within the park, but neighboring towns have a slew of motels and chain hotels that are incredibly affordable. According to Priceline , the average hotel room near Lassen costs around $116. There are also some kitschy properties like the River Inn , which evokes Schitt’s Creek vibes, for around $80 bucks a night.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

An example of Rust Belt Revival, the steel city has worked hard to shed its smoggy skies and expose its award-winning skyline . With more than 400 bridges and steeper streets than San Francisco, the city often surprises first-time tourists with how vast it is and how much there is to do. Pittsburgh is home to Mr. Roger’s legacy and is still the filming location for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood . Stop by The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to pose by Roger’s iconic shoes and explore four floors of hands-on activities. There are also Carnegie Museums , a Smithsonian location and the National Aviary to explore. An influx of tech and medical sector workers has kicked the local food scene up a notch, too. While in town, every tourist must ride the Duquesne Incline to the top of Mount Washington to absorb that stellar skyline. An average domestic plane ticket to Pittsburgh costs around $280.

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Badlands, South Dakota

Most Americans have seen a photo of Mount Rushmore, but more than half have never been there. While stopping by the mountain carving is a cool photo opp, the Badlands of South Dakota have so many other attractions to visit in addition. It’s also ultra-affordable, with an average hotel price of under $100. The Crazy Horse Memorial is an impressive rock carving — still uncompleted — honoring the Lakota leader who fought back against colonization. Badlands National Park is one of the richest fossil beds in the world, making it particularly enticing for dinosaur lovers. Every visitor to the Badlands is also required (unofficially, of course) to stop by Wall Drug , the rambling curiosities shop that attracts millions of visitors each year.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia

Of America’s 63 national parks, New River Gorge is the most recent. The park is centered around the dramatic path of New River — which is, ironically, one of the oldest rivers on the planet. Geared towards adventure, there are more than 1,600 climbing routes , world-class whitewater rafting and amazing fishing. There’s plenty of camping within the park and hotels averaging $100 per night in nearby Beckley. ACE Adventure Resorts has everything from luxe cabins to rustic campsites as well as whitewater tours where kids raft free with an adult ticket. Locals love Tudor’s Biscuit World — a regional chain based in West Virginia — for a hearty breakfast before outdoor adventures.

Door County, Wisconsin

A popular getaway for locals, the waterfront fun of Door County is actually a great budget option for travelers from any region. Lodging in Door County ranges from chain hotels and Airbnbs to condo communities with amenities such as The Landmark Resort , with rooms starting at around $150. From sand sculpture contests to kayak and stand-up paddleboarding rentals, there are a ton of low-key affordable and free activities in Door County. While water sports are one of the biggest draws, it’s also a great winter-time getaway for ice fishing and cross-country skiing. It’s also a great spot to curl up with a good book in front of a fire.

RELATED: The Most Unique Airbnb Properties in Every State

Panama City, Panama

Who says you can't go international on a budget? Travelers who frequent Mexico’s resort towns should try Panama City, a wallet-friendly option with so much to do. While flights from the U.S. can be a bit expensive — Priceline cites an average cost of $650 — the affordability of lodging and dining makes up for it. At Riane Aeropuerto Hotel and Casino , which has a pool with swim-up bar, outdoor games and a round-the-clock airport shuttle, a standard hotel room is around $100. Hyatt’s Hotel La Compañía , located in a former Jesuit convent in the historical cultural district, offers a luxury stay for around $350 per night — half what a comparable room would be in Cancun. Along the Amador Causeway, which has a bit of a Key West Vibe, guests can explore museums, check out a sloth preserve, bike or grab dinner at a local favorite — Fishlovers Ceviche y Bar.

Québec City, Canada

Tourists regularly flock to Canada’s two largest cities, Toronto and Montreal, when it's time to head up north. But travelers shouldn't miss their third-largest metropolis, Vieux Québec, or Old Québec City. The destination is a UNESCO World Heritage site lined with cobblestone streets and 400-year-old buildings. Don’t worry about not speaking the language: Québécois kids begin learning English in first grade and residents are happy to assist tourists. With an average hotel price of $200 per night, Quebec City is often described by visitors as having a European feel due to the architecture and French language, but at a fraction of the cost of an overseas trip.

Titusville, Florida

Florida has developed a reputation for affordable oceanfront vacations, but the post-pandemic travel boom has left many top spots like Daytona and Tampa short on hotel rooms. Titusville, located near Cape Canaveral on “ The Space Coast ,” offers everything more populous beach towns do at a more affordable price. The flight to Titusville costs around $250 and hotels average just $150. The Kennedy Space Center provides a full day of space flight simulations, tours and interactive experiences for kids and adults. While rocket launches are visible from many spots in and around Titusville, Marriott has a new hotel with rooftop launch viewing. There’s also a robust ecotourism industry in the region. The Marine Discovery Center offers boat tours, exploration, and even an occasional manatee sighting.

Washington, DC

While it’s not a small city or a lesser-known vacation spot, the nation’s capital is a truly affordable vacation with endless entertainment options. The Smithsonian museums and galleries, as well as the National Zoo, are all admission-free. D.C. has a vibrant and ever-evolving food scene that is perfect for a splurge dinner during a trip, but the cafés within museums as well as the food trucks and food halls across the city are packed with options at a much lower price point. The metro system is simple to navigate, so most visitors who fly to the capital will not need to rent a car.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

A survey by Campspot for their 2023 Outdoor Almanac ranked Great Smoky Mountains National Park as one of the top five national parks Americans hope to visit in 2023. Gatlinburg, considered the gateway to Smokies, is the perfect home base for travelers who want to explore the area. There are family-friendly campgrounds packed with amenities like Jellystone Pigeon Forge ; motels and cottages like Carr’s Cottages with family suites starting under $150 and plentiful chain hotels. From Ripley’s museum to mountain coasters and even their own space needle , it's impossible to get bored in Gatlinburg.

Indianapolis, Indiana

The largest children’s museum in the world is located in Indianapolis. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis covers nearly 30 acres and draws over one million visitors each year. For families with kids, this attraction alone makes Indy a great destination for a vacation. There’s so much more to do there, though. Time your visit to coincide with the Indy 500 , or visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum to learn about the history of auto racing any time of year. For an experience with a slower pace, take a pedal boat tour on a portion of the Indiana Central Canal . Like most smaller cities, Indy is home to a plethora of hotels and Airbnbs — the average cost of a nightly stay is only $130.

Big Bear Lake, California

Located in San Bernardino National Forest , Big Bear Lake is an easy drive from Phoenix, SoCal and Las Vegas. Some visitors compare it to Lake Tahoe at a lower price point. The skiing includes more beginner trails and affordable lift tickets — and is generally less crowded than Tahoe. During the other months of the year, Big Bear has all the popular mountain town activities like kayaking, horseback riding, mountain coasters and ziplining. There’s also a vibrant mountain biking community in and around Big Bear Lake.

Leesburg, Virginia

For East Coast travelers looking for a quaint town to spend a quiet vacation in, Leesburg fits the bill. Located within Loudoun County just about an hour outside of Washington, D.C., it also makes a great home base from which to explore the city without staying in an expensive hotel. Downtown Leesburg looks like stepping into a postcard, with art galleries, restaurants and retail space tucked into historic buildings. Shoe’s Cup and Cork is a popular local spot located in a former shoe store that serves local sustainable food, wine and beer. In surrounding Loudoun County , there are tours of wineries, breweries and a woman-owned distillery, Catoctin Creek , inside a former Pontiac dealership. Flights to nearby Dulles Airport average just over $300 for domestic flights.

Flagstaff, Arizona

When tourists think of visiting the Grand Canyon , the most popular base camps are Phoenix and Las Vegas — which can be pricey. Flagstaff , which is just over an hour away, allows vacationers to explore the canyon on a smaller budget. Flying to Flagstaff can be expensive, but it makes a great road trip destination for folks who want to explore the southwest. There are many hotel and bed-and-breakfast options that average just over $100 per night. For a quirkier accommodation, the vintage Airstreams at Village Camp Flagstaff are adorably Instagrammable.

Columbus, Ohio

Half of the U.S. population lives within a one-day drive of Columbus — making it both accessible and affordable. Columbus is home to Jack Hannah’s zoo , which includes a water park called Zoombezi Bay . Visitors should give themselves two days to enjoy everything the zoo has to offer. The local science center, COSI , has been rated the best science center in America for three years in a row by USA Today . Many museums and zoos have reciprocal programs with the Columbus attractions, so check your local memberships for discounts. While in town, guests can spend a free evening walking, biking or enjoying the spray park along the river on the Scioto Mile .

Galveston, Texas

Galveston has developed a reputation for Texans as an affordable beach getaway — but with the average flight costing under $300, the Gulf Coast hotspot is a great option for any traveler on a budget. It’s easy to use hotel rewards in Galveston, but there are also RV parks like Camp Margaritaville and plenty of privately owned rentals averaging $160 per night. There is also no shortage of delicious beach-town eateries in Galveston that are uber-affordable. Playground Patio Bar & Grill has entertainment for all ages, and the Shark Shack makes a great quick lunch stop without having to brush off too much sand.

Arches National Park is one of the most stunning geographical formations in America. It’s also very, very rural. For adventure-seeking travelers who want to explore the 2,000 documented rock arches, the tiny town of Moab is a great spot to stay. Devil’s Garden Campground , located within the park itself, is traditional rustic camping with stunning desert views. Expedition Lodge , a vintage motel, is a better choice for visitors who want their own toilet and shower. Despite its rural roots, Moab has a great little food scene . The food truck park is a hit with visitors because everyone can get exactly with they want — no compromising necessary.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, visitors do not need a passport — which can be an expensive document to obtain. The average flight, according to Priceline, is also just around $300. San Juan is more than 500 years old and filled with historic buildings — with stunning beaches and rainforests surrounding it. Spotin Tours offers ecologically-conscious rainforest excursions for adults as well as kids. The Hotel El Convento is a registered historic hotel in Old San Juan with rooms starting under $150, and the Sheraton by Marriott in the same historic district is a great option for utilizing reward points.

Jekyll Island, Georgia

The sleepy sister to the more popular Saint Simon, Jekyll Island is a budget-friendly way to enjoy Georgia’s Golden Isles . The oceanfront Holiday Inn resort includes free meals for kids 11 and under at any time of day as well as sweeping views of the Atlantic with a full-service poolside tiki bar restaurant. It’s a quick trip over to Saint Simon for more plentiful dining options, but part of the draw of Jekyll Island is its slower pace. Driftwood Beach has plentiful climbing opportunities for little kids, and the Summer Waves Water Park provides a great break from the waves. It’s not easy to fly to Jekyll, but it makes a great road trip.

Estes Park, Colorado

This mountain town situated just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park is made for individuals and families who love adventure. The average flight to Estes Park is under $250, and the town is less than 90 minutes from Denver. With classic eateries like Penelope’s World Famous Burgers and Fries and more foodie-friendly spots such as Himalayan Curry & Kebab , there are great meals for any budget. ATV and horseback tours allow visitors to see the mountainous terrain, and the fly-fishing is world-class.

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100 Cheapest Places to Travel in the World

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Want to find the cheapest places to travel? You’re in the right spot.

Welcome to our annual report on the world’s most affordable travel destinations! We’ve updated our rankings for 2022, and we even have a new number one…but we’ll get to that in a bit!

Finding cheap vacation ideas can be frustrating. Getting the best travel deals typically takes hours of time-consuming research – including comparing hotels,  finding cheap flights , and considering your meal options. And this is  after  you’ve spent weeks researching where to go.

So, we’ve taken the top 100 travel destinations in the world and ranked them according to price. You’re welcome.

Before we get started, though, don’t forget to grab our free travel checklist! It’s a great tool to help you get organized and save money on your next big trip. Just click the button below to get it now. (You’re welcome again!)

Cheapest Places to Travel: Destinations #1-#10

Without further ado, here’s our list of the cheapest places to travel in the world for 2022.

1) Hanoi, Vietnam

Average Cost: $19.75/day

For the first time ever, Hanoi has managed to grab the top spot on our list of cheap places to travel. As the capital of Vietnam, the city is a cultural hub full of museums and important places of interest. The hectic Old Quarter is definitely something you don’t want to miss. Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and Hoan Kiem Lake are also popular spots for tourists.

2) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Average Cost: $19.83/day

Known as Saigon before the Vietnam War, Ho Chi Minh City is home to a vibrant arts scene and loads of French colonial architecture. Many visitors enjoy spending time in the energetic Ben Thanh Market, where street vendors serve up local flavors at a price that can fit inside anyone’s budget. Those seeking quieter spaces will enjoy wandering through the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground tunnels built by the Viet Cong during the war that span thousands of miles. It’s also worth noting that Ho Chi Minh City ranks in the top 6 cheapest places to travel for food and beverage prices, while it comes in at #2 for the cheapest places to stay.

3) Pattaya, Thailand

Average Cost: $27.51/day

Sure, there are plenty of cultural activities for visitors to enjoy in Pattaya, Thailand. However, what people really come here for is the beach. Situated on the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya’s is home to some of the most beautiful beaches you’ll find anywhere. The area is also famous for its lively nightlife and excellent shopping. Best of all, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to stay here. Pattaya ranks 4th on our list for the cheapest places to stay and 11th in daily food costs.

4) Phuket, Thailand

Average Cost: $28.34/day

Do you love cheap vacation spots that are home to beautiful mountains, lush rainforests, and pristine beaches? Traveling to Phuket, Thailand may be for you. Although some luxury travel options are available, one of the best things about this island is that you don’t have to mortgage the house to stay here. There are plenty of 3 and 4-star accommodations from which to choose. In fact, of all the travel destinations we’ve surveyed, Phuket ranks #1 for cheapest hotel costs. As with other places in Thailand, the nightlife here won’t disappoint you either.

Travel for Pennies on the Dollar  – Find the right rewards card for your family and save thousands on your next trip by booking with points and miles.  Get started here.

5) Samui, Thailand

Average Cost: $29.18/day

Samui, Thailand continues the run for Thailand and is also the first of 20 new destinations to make our list. The second largest island in Thailand, Samui (a.k.a. “Ko Samui”) has become a bustling tourist destination. Resorts, bungalows, and private villas, grace the palm-lined beaches. Visitors should also check out the famous Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai Temple.

6) Bangkok, Thailand

Average Cost: $30.06/day

Bangkok ranks as the cheapest place to eat on our survey. That, in combination with its affordable hotels, helps the city land solidly inside our top ten for this year. The relatively high cost of beverages is the only thing keeping it from moving higher. Renowned for its exciting nightlife and entertainment, Bangkok isn’t just a party town. While you’re there, don’t miss out on the city’s amazing religious sites, including the Wat Phra Kaew – the most sacred Buddhist Temple in Thailand. There’s also the Grand Palace, the Wat Arun Temple, and some serious shopping for you to enjoy.

7) Krabi, Thailand

Average Cost: $31.05/day

You know those beautiful photos of the jagged limestone cliffs you see on Instagram? Most of those are pictures of Thailand, and many of them come from Krabi province. Located just across the bay from Phuket, Krabi is a super cheap vacation idea. While it may cost a few bucks to get over there, Krabi ranks in the top 10 for both meals and accomodations. With those types of prices, Krabi has definitely been added to our bucket list!

8) Chiang Mai, Thailand

Average Cost: $31.42/day

Chiang Mai is one of the most interesting places to travel in Thailand, and one of the world’s best bargain vacations. Chiang Mai offers the 5th cheapest food prices and the 9th most affordable accomodations of any destination on our list. Located in the mountains of northern Thailand, the city is home to countless Buddhist temples and sacred religious sites. Nature and wildlife tours are also popular excursions in Chiang Mai.

9) Delhi, India

Average Cost: $36.70/day

Delhi scores high marks for its low prices across the board, which helps keep it in the top 10 on our list of the world’s cheapest places to travel. With an estimated 30.7 million inhabitants living in the metropolitan area, the city is also huge. Delhi is home to a ridiculous amount of important sacred and religious sites. At just 3.5 hours away by car, it’s also a decent starting point to explore the Taj Mahal. Be sure to check out the Chandni Chowk bazaar and the Red Fort as well.

10) Cusco, Peru

Average Cost: $37.24/day

Rounding our top 10 cheapest destinations in the world is Cusco, Peru. A newcomer to our list, Cusco also snags the distinction of being the cheapest place to travel in South America. This mountain town was once the capital of the Incan Empire and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The city features well-preserved archeological sites as well as some great examples of Spanish colonial architecture.

Cheapest Places to Travel: Destinations #11-#20

11) istanbul, turkey.

Average Cost: $41.42/day

For more than 2,000 years, Istanbul has straddled the continents of Europe and Asia, making it one of the most important and culturally rich cities in the world. It is literally the point on the map where east and west collide. Thankfully, it is still one of the cheapest places to visit, too. Prices for hotels, food, and beverages all rank within the top 20 of our list.

12) Antalya, Turkey

Average Cost: $43.93/day

Moving from the city to the beach, Antalya is a Turkish resort city located on the country’s Mediterranean coast. It’s also one of the cheapest vacation spots in the world. Known for its beaches and Old Harbor, the city serves as the gateway to Turkey’s “Turquoise Coast,” named for the beautiful blue waters that are found there. But, beaches aren’t the only thing that Antalya has going for it. The area is home to museums, ancient Roman ruins, and a variety of waterfalls that give Antalya a certain splash appeal.

13) Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

Average Cost: $46.20/day

Sharm El-Sheik is an Egyptian resort town located on the Siani Peninsula and sits directly on the Red Sea. The inviting sandy beaches and clear waters make this a great spot to kick back and relax. If you’re more adventurous, get up close and personal with a diverse aray of sealife wile enjoying a diving trip to Ras Muhammad National Park. When you’re done, be sure to grab a drink and a bite to eat while strolling along the promenade at Naama Bay.

14) Cairo, Egypt

Average Cost: $46.70/day

If checking out some ancient Egyptian ruins is more your speed, Cairo may be the place for you. Luckily, if you enjoy budget travel, it still ranks as one of the cheapest places to travel in the world. While you’ll want to visit Tahrir Square and several of the city’s museums and mosques, Cario’s biggest tourist attraction is the nearby location of Giza – home of both the Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx.

15) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Average Cost: $47.47/day

Known throughout the world for its incredible beaches and nightlife, Rio de Janeiro is also one of the most affordable places to visit. Lucky for tourists, the pandemic appears to have made things even cheaper. Food prices have dropped in Rio, moving from the middle of the pack pre-pandemic to the top 25 today. Hotels have also gotten cheaper, ranking inside the top 20, while Rio ranks a stellar #9 for beverage prices. In addition to visiting Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, you’ll want to check out the famous “Christ the Redeemer” statue towering over the city from the mountains above. While attending the city’s Carnival festival (the world’s largest) may be on your bucket list, remember that prices during this time of year are significantly more expensive.

16) St. Petersburg, Russia

Average Cost: $48.34/day

Serving as its capital for more than 200 years, St. Petersburg is one of the best places to travel in Russia. The city has a more European feel than other cities in the country, and that goes beyond just the architecture. St. Petersburg is filled with dozens of museums, churches, and historic sites. Prices for hotels in St. Petersburg are also the cheapest of any European city you’ll find on our list. Coming in as the 5th cheapest city for hotels is the main reason St. Petersburg tops our list as the cheapest European city to visit in 2022.

17) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Average Cost: $50.76/day

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and one of the most visited cities in the world. The city itself is instantly recognizable because of the Petronas Towers – the tallest twin skyscrapers in the world. Although Kuala Lumpur has plenty of notable sites, touring the Batu Caves makes for a great day trip outside the city.

18) Mexico City, Mexico

Average Cost: $52.26/day

Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, and – by our numbers – the cheapest place to travel in North America. With world-class museums, incredible architecture, and historical sites, Mexico City is a religious and cultural mecca that deserves a spot on your budget travel destinations list. While you’re there, take a day trip to the famed Aztec temple Teotihuacan – known as the “Pyramid of the Sun.” If you’re traveling with the kids, a stop by Six Flags Mexico may also be in order.

19) Buenos Aires, Argentina

Average Cost: $53.18/day

Continuing it’s rise in both popularity and our rankings, Buenos Aires jumped inside the top 20 on our list of cheapest places to visit. Tourists will find Buenos Aires to be one of South America’s most cosmopolitan areas. While you’re there, be sure to visit the Casa Rosada, Argentina’s famous presidential palace. The Teatro Colon, a 2,500 seat opera house, is also worth a visit.

20) Zhuhai, China

Average Cost: $54.25/day

Neighboring Macau, but significantly less expensive, is the thoroughly modern Chinese city of Zhuhai. While Macau offers more adult-themed entertainment (like casinos), Zhuhai can be considered more family friendly. In addition to golf courses and parks, the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is one of the most popular attractions here. Thankfully, adults can still take advantage of the sites in nearby Macau but at a fraction of the cost.

Cheapest Places to Travel: Destinations #21-#30

21) lima, peru.

Average Cost: $55.35/day

As the capital of Peru, Lima is the nation’s largest city. Hotel prices in Lima rank inside the top 40. However, food and beverage prices speak to every budget traveler’s heart – ranking 14th and 24th, respectively. While spending time in Lima’s well-preserved town center is enjoyable, taking a trip to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu is a must while in Peru.

22) Hurghada, Egypt

Average Cost: $55.79/day

Hurghada is the third Egyptian destination to make our top 25 cheapest places to travel. Located on the Red Sea, Hurghada’s sandy beaches occupy roughly 25 miles of coastline. Still, beaches and scuba diving isn’t all the city has to offer. This resort town is also known for its restaurants, nightclub scene, and even it’s old town known as El Dahar.

23) Beijing, China

Average Cost: $59.41/day

For 2022, Beijing moves up 9 spots to #23 on our list of cheap places to travel. Although the city is roughly 3,000 years old, the Chinese capital offers an excellent blend of ancient and modern sites. Inside Beijing, visiting the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are a must. You should also be sure to make the 1.5 hour drive to the Great Wall of China while you’re there. Don’t miss it.

24) Cancun, Mexico

Average Cost: $59.76/day

Warm weather? Check. Beautiful sandy beaches? Check. Fantastic nightlife? Cancun has it all. Even better, it is one of the cheapest places to travel in North America. While you can find super-cheap hotels, if you want to stay in the hotel zone along the beach (and you definitely do), you’ll end up paying significantly more. Still, that’s right in line with most hotels throughout North America and Europe. Meals here still rank #45 overall, and prices for an adult beverage rank just outside the top 25 of all the destinations listed here. So, if you’re looking for cheap beach vacations, Cancun should be near the top of your list.

>>Related:  Cancun Travel Guide

25) Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Average Cost: $60.43/day

Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and is Islam’s holiest site. Millions of muslims descend upon the city each year during the Hajj pilgrimage, making their way to the Kaaba – the most sacred shrine in all of Islam. Be aware that only muslims are allowed to enter this sacred city. Non-muslims could be fined or deported for trying to pass through.

26) Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Average Cost: $61.66/day

Located south of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula, Playa del Carmen is the crown jewel of Mexico’s Riviera Maya region. Famous for its incredible sandy beaches and thriving coral reefs, this exciting city is more than a simple beach town. Lively 5th Avenue and the city’s close proximity to several Mayan archeologial sites makes Playa del Carmen a great and cheap vacation destination for almost any type of traveler.

>>Related: Playa del Carmen Travel Guide

27) Osaka, Japan

Average Cost: $66.03/day

Osaka may be the 3rd largest city in Japan, but it makes the biggest jump forward on this years’s list – ranking as the 27th cheapest city in the world for 2022. The city is most famous for its popular entertainment district, but it is also packed with museums, a stunning castle, and a family-friendly aquarium. Universal Studios Japan is also located here.

28) Busan, South Korea

Average Cost: $66.85/day

Busan is the second most populous city in South Korea, but don’t believe for a second that it takes a backseat to the capital city of Seoul. Here, you can wander through the bustling international market or go ice skating inside the world’s largest department store. Want to hit the beach? Busan has got that too. Haeundae Beach boasts nearly a mile of beautiful sandy beach while Gwangalli Beach offers a quieter respite from the city (and beautiful views of the evening lightshow at Gwangan Bridge).

29) Prague, Czech Republic

Average Cost: $66.93/day

When searching for affordable European holidays, be sure to put Prague near the top of your list. Why? For starters, it’s one of the cheapest place to travel in Europe, according to our methodology. Known for its cheap beer, affordable hotels, and reasonable meal prices, Prague is a great place to hang out. Sure, there is plenty to see – like visiting the Old Town Square and Prague Castle – but simply soaking up the atmosphere is the city’s main attraction.

30) Marrakech, Morocco

Average Cost: $67.57/day

Located in western Morocco, Marrakech is an important economic and cultural center in North Africa. A former imperial city, one of the most popular things to do here is to tour the palaces and their gardens. Also consider getting lost in the chaotic streets of Medina, the walled medieval city within the city which is designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located relatively close to both the mountains and the desert, nature and wildlife tours are also popular.

Cheapest Places to Travel: Destinations #31-#40

31) kiev, ukraine.

Average Cost: $68.67/day

Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kiev is more than just the capital of Ukraine. It is one of the most important cultural, educational, and industrial hubs in all of Eastern Europe. Packed with beautiful churches and a thriving street art scene, this city will delight art, history, and architecture lovers alike. Although political tensions in the region are currently running extremely high, be sure to put Kiev back on your travel bucket list once the tensions subside.

32) Seoul, South Korea

Average Cost: $69.46/day

South Korea’s largest city, Seoul, is widely considered to be one of the world’s top cultural and economic hubs. Blending ancient cultures and architecture with modern skyscrapers and entertainment, Seoul provides a unique mix of the past meeting the present. In addition to visiting the area’s numerous palaces and temples, be sure to check out the incredible views at nearby Bukhansan National Park.

33) Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Average Cost: $69.49/day

If beautiful beach vacations are more your thing, Punta Cana may be a great fit for you. As one of the cheapest places to travel in the Caribbean, Punta Cana is an attractive option for budget travelers from the United States and Canada. With spectacular sandy beaches, relatively affordable prices, and the incredible turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sean, this place is sure to help you get your relax on.

34) Sapporo, Japan

Average Cost: $69.97/day

Known across the world for its beer, the Japanese mountain city of Sapporo is also one of the world’s most affordable travel destinations. Skiers come for the magnificent slopes while ice scupltors from around the world transform the city into a winter wonderland during the Sapporo Snow Festival. Check out the city’s fantastic museums, catch a game at the Sapporo Dome, and sample a local dish called “kegani” (hairy crab) while you’re there!

35) Budapest, Hungary

Average Cost: $70.96/day

Central and Eastern Europe are full of cheap vacation ideas, and Hungary is one of the cheapest countries to visit. Budapest, the nation’s largest city and capital, is a delight for tourists – both for its sightseeing and the fact that it’s easy on their pocketbook. While food, hotel, and beverage prices are some of the cheapest you’ll find in all of Europe, taking a short cruise through town on the Danube River is something you’ll never forget.

36) Fukuoka, Japan

Average Cost: $72.22/day

Situated on the northern coast of Kyushu Island, Fukuoka, Japan is known for more than just its beaches. It is a popular destination for shopping, boasting the enormous Canal City Hakata shopping center. You’ll also want to explore Fukuoka’s historic ancient temples and check out the view from the Fukuoka Tower observation deck – Japan’s tallest seaside tower.

37) Taipei, Taiwan

Average Cost: $72.64/day

Taipei, Taiwan ranks as the 37th cheapest city in the world for 2022. With incredible night markets and tons of street food, Taipei is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. The city is also home to a host of temples and museums for tourists to enjoy. Elephant Mountain and Yangmingshan National Park make for great day trips from the city.

38) Moscow, Russia

Average Cost: $74.87/day

Speaking of cheap places to travel, in terms of value, Russia’s capital city is one of the best places to visit in Europe. While you’ll definitely want to spend time visiting the Red Square and the Kremlin, Moscow is also a major cultural hub. Wander around the city’s cadre of art and history museums before catching a performance from the Bolshoi Ballet.

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39) Macau, Macau

Average Cost: $75.74/day

Like its neighbor Hong Kong, Macau is an autonomous region of China located on the country’s south coast. As a former Portuguese territory, the area features a mix of cultural influences and tastes. The area is also home to several mega casinos, earning the nickname the “Las Vegas of China.” Unlike other areas known for their showy nature, food and hotel prices in Macau rank relatively affordable on our list. However, prices for adult beverages are more in line with what you’d find in Western Europe and North America.

40) Porto, Portugal

Average Cost: $77.20/day

Slipping barely inside the top 40 of our cheapest places to travel list is Porto, Portugal. Located on Portugal’s northwestern coast, this city is known for its majestic bridges, cobbled streets, and port wine. While prices for accommodations and meals are some of the best you’ll find in Western Europe, beverage prices rank as some of the cheapest in the world. Porto ranks a solid 31st overall in the beverage category. We’ll drink to that!

Cheapest Places to Travel: Destinations #41-#50

41) tokyo, japan.

Average Cost: $77.56/day

Tokyo is another ultra-modern city that finds itself on our list. Although finding cheap places to travel in Asia is pretty easy, Tokyo ranks among the most expensive in the region. Still, Japan’s largest city is relatively affordable compared to many places in Europe and North America. With that said, Tokyo is one of the world’s hottest tourist destinations, ranking 15th overall on Euromonitor’s Top City Destinations Index for last year.

42) Johannesburg, South Africa

Average Cost: $78.27/day

Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and ranks as the #42 cheapest travel destination in the world for 2022. Beverage prices rank in the top 25%, but hotel and meal prices helped push the city further down the list (39th for accommodations, 56th in restaurant costs). Popular things to do in Johannesburg include visiting the Apartheid Museum, checking out the “Cradle of Humankind” UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoying nature safaris.

43) Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Average Cost: $79.06/day

Located in the UAE, Sharjah is a popular and affordable travel destination which sits on the shores of the Persian Gulf. Families love the fun-filled theme parks and aquarium. Architecture lovers and religious travelers enjoy the Al Noor Mosque and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. Of course, the bustling waterfront attracts travelers of all types.

44) Heraklion, Greece

Average Cost: $80.26/day

Located on the island of Crete, Heraklion is a popular resort area in Greece. Heraklion remains a relatively cheap vacation spot in Europe, coming in at #44 overall. While families may come to enjoy a beach vacation, they can also soak up some of the area’s remarkable museums and ancient ruins. Just a few minutes from the city, tourists will find the ancient archaeological site of Knossos, believed to be Europe’s oldest city.

45) Krakow, Poland

Average Cost: $80.66/day

Cracking the top half in two of our three categories, Krakow lands at #45 on our list of the cheapest places to travel in the world. The city is famous for its medieval town center, which is remarkably well preserved considering all of the political turmoil this country has faced throughout history. Wandering through the large Jewish quarter is also a must. Located within close proximity to Auschwitz-Birkenau, Krakow also makes a good home base for a journey there.

46) Athens, Greece

Average Cost: $82.07/day

In my opinion, a trip to Greece represents one of the best value vacations in all of Europe. Although some tell you to hit the highlights in Athens and leave quickly, I disagree. The birthplace of western culture, Athens is an incredibly unique city, filled with some of the most amazing historical and cultural sites you’ll find anywhere. Sure, you’ll want to head out into the Greek countryside, but the gritty, lively streets of Athens are something you should consider taking a few days to enjoy.

47) Cape Town, South Africa

Average Cost: $82.45/day

The second largest city in South Africa, Cape Town is another newcomer to our list. This naturally beautiful seaside city is filled with fun things to do. It also serves as the home of South Africa’s parliament. Be sure to check out the various beaches, check out the Bo-kaap neighborhood, and ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for some breathtaking views.

48) Kyoto, Japan

Average Cost: $85.81/day

Once the capital of the Japanese empire, Kyoto is now one of Japan’s best places to travel. Famous for its traditional wooden houses, buddhist temples, and imperial palaces, the city also provides beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. While you’re there, be sure to enjoy a kaiseki dinner and a geisha show.

4 9) Guangzhou, China

Average Cost: $86.94/day

Located just to the northwest of Hong Kong and Shenzhen is Guangzhou, China. Like its neighbors, Guangzhou is a popular destination for tourists of all stripes. Adventure seekers may wish to go bungee jumping at nearby Baiyun Mountain. The Chimelong Safari Park and Chimelong International Circus tend to be popular for families traveling with children.

50) Medina, Saudi Arabia

Average Cost: $86.98/day

Located in western Saudi Arabia, Medina is an extremely popular destination for pilgrims. Inside the city, you’ll find the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi mosque. The mosque was originally built by the Prophet Muhammad in the year 622 and is considered to be the second-holiest site in Islam – containing the tomb of the the Prophet Muhammad himself. Medina is also home to another important mosque, Masjid al-Qiblatain. After the Prophet Muhammad received the revelation to change the direction of prayer, it was here that Muslims first began to pray toward Mecca instead of Jerusalem.

Cheapest Places to Travel 2022: Complete Results

Our methodology.

Let me assure you, we haven’t taken this project lightly.

To accurately measure the cost of each location, we’ve created a methodology which ensures that each destination stands on relatively equal footing. So, as we’ve done in the past, we have focused our efforts on factors that were universal, controllable, and useful.

First, we had to decide which destinations to include. Although Brookings, South Dakota may be a cheap place to travel for fellow South Dakotans, how many people actually visit Brookings each year? How useful is that to the vast majority of people?

For that reason, we have limited inclusion on our list to the cities which appear on Euromonitor International’s  Top 100 City Destinations Index  for 2021. The index ranks international travel destinations accross 6 key metrics – including Economic & Business Performance, Tourism Perfomrance, Tourism Policy & Attractiveness, Tourism Infrastructure, Health and Safety, and Sustainability. It also replaces Euromonitor’s now defunct Top 100 City Destinations Report – which is what we have used in the past to determine which cities make our list.

Since everybody’s travel style is different, we also must determine which factors best represent the overall cost of a destination. Average food and beverage costs are an important factor in our rankings, as we feel they are indicative of an area’s overall affordability.

Using numbers from  Numbeo , our food and entertainment numbers are based on the average cost of a meal at an “inexpensive” restaurant (3 per day) and the average cost of a domestic beer (3 per day). We have added an extra 10% to both, just to be on the safe side.

Prices for accommodations are also a major factor in our rankings. Clearly, one’s travel preferences will affect the amount it costs to stay in a certain area. For instance,  overwater bungalows , no matter how affordable, are going to cost a heck of a lot more than a standard hotel room.

Additionally, because rates change based on occupancy and the time of year in which they are booked, it is important to find a consistent way in which to apply our methodology. Therefore, our numbers are based on a midweek stay during the “low season” in each destination – averaging the 5 cheapest 3-star options for accommodations during that time. We have also ensured that the accommodations are located within the most popular tourist areas of the city.

To help you put this all together, here’s a quick breakdown of our methodology:

• Must be listed in Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Index
• 3-star+ accommodations
• “Low season” pricing
• Located within popular tourist area
• Midweek stay
• Double occupancy
• Plus 10% for accuracy

Known Issues with Our Methodology

This isn’t to say that our methodology is perfect.

As with any study, our rankings are only as accurate as the data we’ve collected. While we’re confident in our sources, there is certainly some room for error. However, the results tend to correlate with what most experienced travelers would expect.

Of course, there are some really cheap places to travel that didn’t make the list because – well – they don’t qualify. For instance, Sofia, Bulgaria and Bucharest, Romania are widely considered some of Europe’s most affordable travel destinations. However, they didn’t meet the standard of the number of visitors needed to make our report.

This year, in particular, sees a big change in some of the destinations that made our list. In the past, we have used Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Report to determine the 100 cities on our list. This report ranked cities based entirely on international arrivals. With Euromonitor replacing the report with their Top 100 City Destinations Index (which ranks destinations on a number of factors outside of simply arrivals), this has caused a reshuffling of which cities we’ve included on our list.

For example, since the last time we published our list, 12 of the cheapest 20 cities are no longer included because they did not qualify for Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Index. That is a huge shift.

Although this may seem unfair, many of these cities represented a redundancy of cheap tourist areas. The 12 cities no longer listed are located in just 5 different countires. All but one of those countries is still represented by other cities in the top 20 cheapest places to visit.

Additionally, the new index allows for a broader representation of cheap travel destinations across the world. In our last survey, all of the top 20 cheapest places to visit were located in Asia and Oceania. While these areas still dominate the top spots, at least one city from every region of the world now cracks the top 20.

Moving on, one of the biggest expenses for any vacation is transportation. This is an extremely difficult metric to gauge. Flight costs vary wildly depending on where you’re flying to and from. Because we couldn’t find a consistent way to apply airfares across the globe, we decided to leave them out entirely.

For that reason, some of the cheapest places to travel may not be as affordable for  you . For example, flights from New York City to most Asian destinations can cost 2 or 3 times as much as flights to Europe. Keep this in mind before settling on a destination for your next vacation.

Since it’s nearly impossible to predict transportation costs from around the world, our list represents a metric of what you can expect to spend once you arrive.

Final Thoughts on Cheap Travel Destinations

If you’re a  veteran of budget travel , the results of our study shouldn’t shock you.

As expected, the cheapest countries in the world are found mostly in Asia. However, while travel destinations throught Asia dominate the top spots on our list, our new criteria has opened the door for places around the world to climb in our rankings.

Several affordable destinations in South America, Africa, and the Middle East now grace our list. And, although travel destinations in Europe and North America are generally the most expensive places to visit, our updated criteria even allows a few cities from these regions to sneak into our top 20.

Keep in mind, however, that comparing the best travel destinations by price is extremely relative. When searching for cheap places to travel, numerous factors come into play – including your proximity to the destination and the time of year you plan to visit. Seemingly cheap vacation spots can quickly turn into budget busters if you don’t account for every expense.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the cheapst places to travel in the world. Thanks so much for reading and happy traveling!

Are any of these cheap travel destinations in your budget travel plans? Let us know in the comments below!

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Greg Johnson is the co-founder of Club Thrifty and an expert in personal finance, family travel, and credit card rewards. His work and commentary have been featured in publications like Newsweek , Kiplinger’s Personal Finance , Dough Roller , CreditCardReviews.com , and more. He also works as a freelance personal finance editor at Bankrate.com.

Greg travels the world for about 20 weeks each year and has visited over 40 countries. He holds two bachelor's degrees, is the co-author of the book Zero Down Your Debt , and owns his own independent travel agency. Learn more about Greg here.

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22 Comments

This list is great for any budget traveler and it provides enough destinations for anyone looking to include new places on their bucket list. I’m glad to see that Romania is also included, especially because it’s one of the most affordable European travel destinations.

I love all of these destinations. I will include most of them in my travel plans. Please consider Montreal, Canada. It’s gorgeous and affordable, especially for US citizens. Also, Iceland is more and more popular. It has the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Finally, for non-US citizens, Habana Cuba it affordable, happy, and beautiful.

San Francisco is a really good place for fun where I stay for two days. I had a blast of fun at this most amazing and alluring destination and came back with a lot of pleasant memories. Truly your shared all these places are the best for travelling and you can comfortable stay with family and kids at reasonable prices.

San Francisco doesn’t qualify for cheap in any category..

What a great list you have here and the details are very informative. A trip to Europe seems everything but cheap, thanks for including some great destinations.

Great list! City travels are really cheaper than any other kind of travel. Thanks for posting this.

London, Italy and Thailand are definitely on my top 3 bucket list. Although Scotland wasn’t on this list, I heard their castles are great for sight seeing.

Will include some of these travel destinations in my travel list! Thanks for this.

Wow, awesome list of places! I can’t even decide which I should visit first.

I know, right?!? Thanks for reading!

Thanks for this great post, i enjoyed reading it. But: unbelievable that u left out the whole philippines!

Thanks for reading! Yes, the Philippines is certainly a cheap place to travel, but there isn’t a spot there that makes the top 100 most visited destinations in the world. So, it didn’t quite make the list 🙂

Hey, thank you so much bud! this is what I exactly needed couldn’t figure it out at first where should I trip this year after reading the whole blog now I have some in my bucket list, keep it up thanks for sharing such wonderful article across the internet.

Hi Greg, I have been to 5 of your top 10 but nothing is as cheap as GOA, India. I have visited GOA 8 times and the affordability is unbelievable. Would suggest these places in Goa if you are looking out for specifics. Trust me these places have wonderful food and most affordable accommodation, restaurants and beer. Listed down a few for your reference: calangute, baga, condolem, Palolem, Anjuna, colva and vegator.

I’ve already checked out up to ten items from this list. Lviv is probably the most memorable. This year I’m travelling to Porto with my girls. We’re really excited about cheap beverages. Thanks for the article, makes it easier to choose my next 90 destinations.

Fantastic! Glad you enjoyed it and happy traveling!

This is a fine list of bucketlist destinations, but you lost me on the budget/cheap angle when you mentioned taking “a sunset cruise, and maybe try a helicopter ride over the active volcanoes” in Hawaii.

I’ll definitely be getting myself to India though. So many incredible places to explore there.

Hey Man! Where is Cox’s Bazar? It’s a beautiful and longest sea beach in the world. You should include it in your article.

Where is the Philippines? El nido, Coron, Port Barton, Cebu etc. Any of those destination can make the top 10 cheapest.

Hey !! Thanks ,its really informative. Just tripped over this and I love the info. Well done! I’m a “young” active 65 year old looking to start traveling alone to places more intriguing than Paris or Rome( which I love ,but…)

I have always had a penchant for travel and have visited a number of countries throughout my life. This year, I decided to take a trip to a country that I had never been to before- this has been the cheapest country where I have ever visited. After much deliberation, I opted for the Central African Republic (CAR). I researched the country extensively before deciding to make the trip, and found that there were a number of reasons why this was the perfect country for me. First and foremost, it is one of the least developed countries in the world, which means that there are a lot of opportunities for tourism. Second, it is a country with a rich historical heritage, which I was interested in learning more about. Third, it is a safe country, which is important to me as a traveler. Finally, it is a country with a large variety of landscapes, which I knew I would enjoy.

Awesome travel guide on the internet, I’m feeling more confidence after reading the article.

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26 of the best affordable holiday destinations for 2024

Turkey’s a steal, india offers serious value and packages to the gambia are absurdly cheap. these are the destinations where your pound will go further.

H ow to unearth a bargain? You could look for somewhere with a favourable exchange rate. You could delve into the cost of staples such as sandwiches, sun cream, buses and beach umbrellas. Or you could trust us, and our sources. Pulling together the latest research by the Post Office, currency specialists and others, we’ve listed 2024’s best-value places to visit. They range from Sri Lanka, Egypt and Turkey to the lesser-sung likes of North Macedonia, Ikaria and Bolivia — via a few surprising candidates in Spain, France and Portugal. Each comes with the typical prices for coffee, food and, of course, a beer.

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1. Ikaria, Greece

Lonely Planet recently ventured to name the globe’s ten best-value destinations (in no particular order). One of them was this teeny-tiny Greek island, which is especially good for budget-friendly rooms, even if other costs are hardly low. Best accessed via a flight from Athens, Ikaria hitherto had various other claims to fame: it’s of the world’s four original blue zones, where people live longer than average; it’s where Icarus is said to have crashed after cockily flying too close to the sun; and it’s supposedly the birthplace of pleasure god Dionysos, which perhaps explains all the wineries. The big draw, however, lies in beaches such as Seychelles, christened for its Indian Ocean-esque white sand, pale pebbles and turquoise waters.

Average prices Coffee £3, evening meal £15, beer £4

• Best beaches in Greece • Best affordable villas in Greece

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2. penang, malaysia.

For its Holiday Money Report, another annual publication, Post Office Travel Money analyses the costs of eight typical items — among them a three-course dinner for two, sunscreen and insect repellent — in 40 global destinations. Many of the top performers in 2024 have become more expensive than in 2023, but not so Penang, off Malaysia ’s northwestern coast. A large island where pure shores and rainforests sit alongside Buddhist temples and hawker street food, it has lots of beach hotels happily available in three-figure, flight-inclusive package deals from Britain. At less than £7 for a queue-jump pick, the Penang Hill funicular is similarly economical.

Average prices Coffee £2, evening meal £6, beer £3

• Best islands in Malaysia • Best destinations for June

3. Czech Republic

It’s always nice — for us, at least — when the pound soars in value against another currency, meaning lots more bang for the same buck. That’s the case right now with the Czech koruna, versus which sterling soared by more than 12 per cent since early 2023. As such, you’ll be able to afford more walnutty trdelnik pastries in saintly Cesky Krumlov, extra pints in Pilsen, an additional wine tour in student-powered Brno and a bonus castle visit in Prague. In general, try to limit your time in the capital — which is predictably the most touristy Czech destination — in favour of exploring the rest of this underappreciated, frequently fairytale Central European country.

Average prices Coffee £2, evening meal £10, beer £1.50

• Best things to do in Prague

4. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo has a reputation for being expensive — and it certainly can be, especially compared to other parts of Asia — but it’s also great at catering to travellers of every budget. Its capsule hotels, for example, offer horizontal cubicles at prices comparable to a bed in a hostel dorm room but with considerably more privacy, while a piping hot bowl of ramen in a typical restaurant costs as little as £4. There’s plenty to see without spending a penny, from the busy crossing at Shibuya to the Buddhist temple at Senso-ji.

Average prices Coffee £1.80, evening meal £5.50, beer £3

• Best hotels in Tokyo • Best things to do in Tokyo

5. Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

Home of sherry wines, Jerez is a vibrant Andalusian city that’s managed to escape most of the tourist hordes of nearby Seville, which means prices here are comparatively modest too. At restaurants like Tabanco Plateros, for example, you can get a flight of five sherries with matching cheese and charcuterie for around €10. And of course you can take advantage of the menu del dia , a set lunch menu that generally costs around €15 for two courses plus wine. Touring and tasting through the bodegas in the city is an essential part of any visit here, but otherwise this is a laid-back city where people watching from a terrace cafe is greatly encouraged.

Average prices Coffee 90p, evening meal £12, beer £1.70

Despite sterling’s well-documented struggles, it has gained ground on some other faltering currencies. Easily the biggest leap concerns Turkish lira; in 2023 for example, you could get more than twice as much for each pound as you could in 2021. Even allowing for soaring inflation, that means huge savings. The obvious places in Turkey to splash such bonus cash are buzzy, beach-speckled Turquoise Coast resorts such as lively Marmaris, busy Bodrum and quieter Dalyan.

Average prices Coffee £2, evening meal £6.50, beer £2.50

• Best all-inclusive hotels in Turkey • Best hotels in Bodrum

7. Lisbon, Portugal

The Post Office’s Travel Money department produces an annual City Costs Barometer charting the best-value European centres. In the most recent edition, Lisbon came top, having barely seen any rise in prices; the average total cost of two nights’ three-star accommodation over a weekend is now estimated to be £121. Aiding the Portuguese capital’s status as western Europe’s most wallet-friendly option are numerous bars serving filling petiscos (small plates) such as octopus salad.

Average prices Coffee £1.50, evening meal £14, beer £2.50

• Best affordable hotels in Lisbon • Best things to do in Lisbon

8. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka ’s still-recovering currency is offering astounding value to visitors, who are being welcomed back with open arms. In the capital Colombo, opulent hotels with 40m rooftop infinity pools are barely £50 a night. Trains to the Portuguese-era fort city of Galle cost around £5 — in first class — while you can pay around £40 to look for leopards in Yala National Park or take a whale-watching cruise. Then, after glorious days on white-sand beaches, the finest crab curries should bring change from a tenner.

Average prices Coffee £1, evening meal £4, beer £1

• Best hotels in Sri Lanka • Best beaches in Sri Lanka

9. The Gambia

Mainland Africa’s smallest country packs plenty in. Spellbinding sandy beaches are the Gambia’s most famous attribute, with Cape Point the most Instagram-worthy, but there’s much more to relish: bird, hippo and chimp-watching cruises in River Gambia National Park, leopard-patrolled wetlands and mysterious stone circles. Nevertheless, and despite some excellent beachfront hotels, winter sun packages to this West African country are absurdly cheap. With the shared GMT time zone, you needn’t even worry about jet lag.

Average prices Coffee £1, evening meal £7.50, beer £1

10. Bali, Indonesia

This volcanic, tropical Indonesian island can be startlingly affordable — especially if you travel in its shoulder seasons of April to June or September to October, when the weather is usually getting gradually drier or wetter. High-quality budget hotels proliferate, most of Bali ’s beaches are free and activities tend to be a bargain: less than £30 for cookery classes or guided sunrise treks up Mount Batur. Taxis also cost little, as does zooming around on a rented scooter. Food-wise, stick to classic streetside snacks such as nasi jinggo (rice and side dishes such as sambal-fried peanuts, all wrapped in banana leaves) or dine in the affordable restaurants of Canggu and Ubud.

Average prices Coffee £2, evening meal £6.50, beer £3

• Best hotels in Bali

In the pint-sized Central American country of Belize you’ll find jaguar-filled jungle, marvellous Maya ruins, caves, coffee farms, Caribbean beaches and, to enable splendid snorkelling and diving, a portion of the world’s second-longest barrier reef. Alongside some eye-wateringly expensive resorts for dot-com squillionaires come excellent boutiques in chilled-out beach towns. A good bet is Placencia, from which a two-dive outing will set you back as little as £125.

Average prices Coffee £3, evening meal £8, beer £3

• Best hotels in Belize

12. Jamaica

According to the Post Office’s 2023 Long Haul Holiday Report, Jamaica remained the best-value destination in the Caribbean. That ranking was based on prices surveyed in the north-coast hub of Montego Bay, a destination for beach-goers, snorkellers and rainforest explorers. The reggae-loving Caribbean island also lays on waterfalls galore, with Viator tours starting from £40. Even Jamaican rum is inexpensive at the airport duty-free.

Average prices Coffee £3, evening meal £13, beer £2.50

• Best all-inclusive hotels in Jamaica • Best things to do in Jamaica

13. Bolivia

Sightseeing trips are shockingly cheap in this landlocked country. Multi-day tours in cross-country vehicles to the epic Salar de Uyuni salt flats (that are turned by rains into a surreal mirror from January to April) can be priced as low as £80. Voyages on Lake Titicaca, taking in floating villages, are often less than £10, while Amazon jungle lodges tend to be more affordable than anywhere else in South America. In fact, the only expensive thing about Bolivia is getting there in the first place. A two-week tour with Exodus will deliver all the highlights; transport and most meals are included.

Average prices Coffee £2, evening meal £5, beer £2.50

• Best places to visit in South America

14. Hong Kong, China

According to currency-card provider FairFX, sterling has enjoyed great recent growth versus Hong Kong ’s dollar. Although bars and restaurants are often pricey, the vast array of accommodation allows for budget-conscious stays that can be fuelled by the output of the city’s sizzling street-food stalls; the likes of skewered curry fish balls, egg waffles and stinky tofu are wonderfully affordable. Taxis in Hong Kong are also cheap compared with Europe or North America.

Average prices Coffee £4, evening meal £16, beer £5

• Best hotels in Hong Kong • Best things to do in Hong Kong

15. Tallinn, Estonia

In the Gonsiori branch of La Prima Pizza, which has topped TripAdvisor’s rankings as the best restaurant in the Estonian capital, those titular pizzas cost from around £8. Serving a wider Italian cuisine than its name implies, the cosy venue also offers homemade limoncello. Elsewhere, you’ll find Nordic-inspired high-end dining — try Rataskaevu 16 — at prices considerably lower than for the same fare in western Europe, plus some superb rates at very cool design hotels. Most are close to the 14th-century old town in Tallinn — 2023’s European Green Capital — and its many free walking tours.

16. Albania

Everyone knows that eastern Europe is cheap — yet, even by those standards, prices in Albania are absurd. At a perfectly decent bistro here, couples can eat three courses of traditional food (try tave kosi — baked chicken or lamb in yoghurt), throw in a bottle of wine, and still struggle to spend a tenner. The same goes for entrance fees to the castle of national hero Skanderbeg or sunbeds on the Albanian Riviera amid Himare’s blissful, sandy shores. Luxury stays generally cost a pittance too.

Average prices Coffee £1, evening meal £7, beer £1.50

• Best things to do in Albania

17. Brittany, France

Crêpes. Together with their savoury, buckwheat galette counterparts, these omnipresent pancakes are a key reason why Brittany is so doable on a budget. Open at all hours and never expensive, crêperies allow you to save up for splashier seafood dinners. Also helping to cut costs are direct ferries from Portsmouth, Plymouth or Poole, lower petrol costs and an abundance of self-catering accommodation including holiday parks. While here, spend your days on sandy shores or admiring standing stones older than the Pyramids.

Average prices Coffee £1, evening meal £16, beer £5

18. Hoi An, Vietnam

Frugal travellers are thrilled by large portions of southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Laos and the original backpacker destination, Thailand. But, according to the 2023 Post Office Long Haul Travel Report, Vietnam brought the best value of all — indeed, the city of Hoi An was named the year’s cheapest long-haul destination. Because everything else is so cheap, it’s possible to stay in top-notch hotels and still subsist on £100 a day, including sunscreen, cocktails, coffees and a three-course dinner for two. Local draught beers are especially cheap, while renting a moped will cut taxi costs and help you get to the nearby beaches. Cua Dai’s stretch of white sand is only a couple of miles to the east.

Average prices Coffee £1.50, evening meal £5, beer £1

In a 2023 study, travel-money specialist Eurochange compared the pound’s strength against various countries’ currencies, looking at its value in late 2022 in comparison to the two preceding years. One of its tips was for India , where British currency converters benefitted from an additional £217 worth of rupees for every £1,000 exchanged. From the beach resorts of Goa to Keralan canal cruises or boutique hotels in pink-hued Jaipur, the south Asian country is a great option for anyone economising — aided by its affordable, excellent vegetarian food.

Average prices Coffee £1, evening meal £3.50, beer £2

• Best hotels in Goa • Best places to visit in India

20. Andorra

According to the 2023 Post Office Ski Resort Report, prices at most European pistes are steadily increasing. Brilliant value for families, however, is Vallnord-Pal Arinsal in Andorra — a petite, Pyrenean principality wedged between France and Spain — courtesy of free pre-booked lift passes for children aged under 11. These allow a family of four to save over £400, and reduce the weekly cost to an estimated total of £1,784. Not bad for somewhere with a decent range of runs across handsomely wooded slopes.

Average prices Coffee £2, evening meal £14.50, beer £2

21. Bamburgh, UK

Among more than 100 seaside towns investigated by the consumer body Which? in 2023, Bamburgh was one of just four to receive five stars for value for money. Dramatically overlooked by its namesake Norman castle, Northumberland’s most memorable resort also scored full marks for the quality of its sandy beach, for its tourist attractions — including a golf course — and, unsurprisingly, for that scenery. On days out, visitors can go dolphin-watching in the Farne Islands or cross the causeway to mystical Lindisfarne.

Average prices Coffee £2.50, evening meal £14, beer £3

22. Marrakesh, Morocco

Having analysed 41 prominent holiday locations, the money-saving website Savoo named Morocco ’s most famous city as the cheapest all-inclusive destination outside Europe in 2023. Overlooked by the Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh offers affordable riads around its souks, then bigger, resort-style places in leafier suburbs. Petits taxis are a cheap way to get around and haggling on every price is positively expected.

Average prices Coffee £1, evening meal £9.50, beer £3

• Is it safe to travel to Morocco right now? Latest travel advice

23. North Macedonia

North Macedonia delivers canyons, mountainous national parks and Ottoman-era villages announced by narrow minarets. The standout sight is beach-lined Lake Ohrid, below its clifftop church, with the possibility of biking jaunts, kayak hire or waterside wine tasting. Just as enjoyable is kayaking through the quiet, spellbinding Matka Canyon and looking for lynx around the forests and waterfalls of Mavrovo National Park. Despite all of that, few tourists come, meaning absurdly low prices for Britons, further helped by the absence of the euro.

Average prices Coffee £1, evening meal £6, beer £2

Avoid peak season (December to February) and holidays in Egypt can be extremely cost-effective, especially with the pound strong against the local dollar. From £2 shakshuka breakfasts to 50p fava bean falafel wraps, meals sell for a song. Cross-country trains are not only eco-friendlier than flying but far cheaper — 12-hour Cairo to Aswan services can begin at £36, for example. Shop around for well-reviewed excursions — a Nile sunset cruise or a Luxor tour — and consider the Luxor Pass; it’s both decent value and mighty convenient. As for the Red Sea, skip pricey hotspots such as Sharm el-Sheikh in favour of more authentic Dahab.

Average prices Coffee £1, evening meal £5, beer £1.50

• Best hotels in Egypt • Best all-inclusive hotels in Egypt

25. Mombasa, Kenya

Rather overshadowed by the country’s safari offerings, Kenya ’s stunning coast ranked as second cheapest in the Post Office’s 2023 Long Haul Travel Report. A string of gorgeous, pearl-white beaches await in and around the city of Mombasa, as do plenty of other cost-efficient options: an old town with elegantly carved wooden doors, diving in the Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve (entry £14pp), crocodile farms and giraffe-filled wildlife sanctuaries. Use Ubers to get around and visit in October, November, March or April for the best rates.

Average prices Coffee £1, evening meal £5.50, beer £1.50

26. Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa’s most popular city is another place where prodigious Ubers are a cheaper bet than taxis. There’s no charge to walk up Table Mountain (though cable car return tickets from £16 will tempt) and a staple “Gatsby” (a long sub with salad, fries and, often, masala steak) provides stodgy fuel for a song. In July and August many Cape Town restaurants offer special deals, perhaps helping you afford a Winelands tour or trip to see Boulder beach’s penguin colony.

Average prices Coffee £1.50, evening meal £11, beer £2

• Best hotels in Cape Town • Best things to do in Cape Town

Additional reporting by Qin Xie

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Top-10 Budget Travel Destinations from US 2024

• 1. San Antonio, Texas, USA
• 2. Puebla, Mexico
• 3. Hawaii, USA
• 4. Brisbane, Australia
• 5. Agra, India
• 6. Budapest, Hungary
• 7. Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 8. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

9. Sophia, Bulgaria

• 10. Cappadocia, Turkey

Show More 

Budget travel could be fun if you got the right destination choices. We’ve scoured the globe looking for destinations where fun and excitement abound and where you won’t be asked to take out a second mortgage. From North America to Asia, Europe to Australia, we’ve come up with a list that will make even diehard globetrotters jealous. These are the top-10 budget-friendly travel destinations for 2024.

1. San Antonio , Texas, USA

There’s plenty going on deep in the heart of Texas. San Antonio is a lovely travel destination that won’t break your bank account. Here you will find heaps of Texas culture and a vast array of great attractions. The relatively compact city center affords ample opportunity to string together several stops. Start at the famous Alamo , the historic garrison and pivotal battleground during the Texas Revolution in 1836. Since that time, the Alamo has become a potent symbol used by generations of Texans to proclaim their identity. Walk to the nearby Buckhorn Saloon & Museum where you can have a drink at this Old West-themed gift shop. From there it’s easy to enjoy San Antonio’s River Walk, a charming landscaped green space winding past numerous restaurants, hotels, and bridges. Tour the Briscoe Western Art Museum where you can explore art and artifacts reflecting the culture and history of the American West. Snap a few pictures of Rosita's Bridge and then cross over to explore La Villita Historic Arts Village . The many art galleries and shops offer plenty to see and a chance to enjoy some great San Antonio culture. Swing through Hemisfair Park where you can see the Tower of the Americas , visit Institute of Texan Cultures, and relax by the fountains and playground. San Antonio’s collection of things to do make it one of the top-10 budget-friendly travel destinations for 2019.

2. 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 boasts incredible architecture and beautiful scenery. Unlike other colonial-era cities in Mexico, Puebla was founded by the Spanish upon their arrival. Elsewhere in Mexico, colonial authorities built upon existing structures and urban developments. This was not the case in Puebla. The rich legacy makes it a great destination for budget-minded travelers. Start in the Zócalo de Puebla. The vibrant public square features fountains and benches and is surrounded by delicious restaurants. Visit the Catedral de Puebla just opposite the Zócalo. This Roman Catholic cathedral contains a fascinating octagonal alter. From here you have easy access 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. Architecture fans will want to snap a few pictures. Biblioteca Palafoxiana is arguably one of Mexico’s finest libraries and well-worth a visit for its tasteful interior design. Finally, the nearby town of Cholula boasts an ancient Mesoamerican archaeological site known for its enormous pyramid. With strong connections to Spain and lots to see, Puebla is one of the top-10 budget-friendly travel destinations for 2019.

3. Hawaii , USA

Hawaii is America’s tropical paradise. Lush green landscapes, black volcanic beaches, world class surf breaks…it’s an all-around ideal destination. Ascend Mauna Kea or dive amongst the ship wrecks on O’ahu . Hang Ten on the North Shore or head into Honolulu for some great shopping and dining. Whatever your passions, you can scratch the itch in Hawaii. On the western side of Kaua’i Island you will find Waimea Canyon State Park . Known to many as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea was carved over centuries by rainwater runoff from Mount Waiʻaleʻale. Among the wettest places on Earth, the mountain feeds Waimea’s innumerable waterfalls. Come see the reddish soils and green vegetation set against azure blue skies. It will leave you with the memories of a lifetime. Visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial , see the remains of the USS Arizona, and tour the decommissioned USS Missouri. Along O’ahu’s northern shores are famous surf breaks including Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline . This is the place that put the big in big wave riding. Head to the Big Island and visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park . This is where you will find Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Kīlauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and has been erupting nearly continuously for decades. Explore the black volcanic rock and see how molten lava adds to the Hawaiian shore. Contrary to the popular image, Hawaii isn’t all about resorts and luxury. There’s a ton of fun to be had amongst all the great scenery and national parks. Hawaii is a surprisingly budget-friendly destination.

4. Brisbane , Australia

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. A bit further north is Queensland Museum and Science Centre, a great place to learn about the science, culture, and history specific to the Queensland region. 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. Further out is Moreton Island where you can see whales, seabirds, dolphin pods, or enjoy sand tobogganing. Australia’s third-largest city offers something for everyone. Its rich landscapes provide spectacular vistas. If you ask us, Brisbane is without a doubt one of the top-10 budget-friendly travel destinations.

5. Agra , India

India has long fascinated travelers. The country’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 . If you’re traveling by train, book your ticket to Agra Fort station, which is conveniently located near many of the city’s important sights. Wander the labyrinthine streets to acquaint yourself with the local culture before heading to Agra Fort, the former residence for emperors during the Mughal Dynasty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fort’s historical significance make it a must-see attraction. Be sure to see the monumental Delhi Gate, considered an architectural marvel when it was built. Wander the fort and gain an appreciation for how Mughal royalty lived. Walk 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.

6. Budapest , Hungary

Hungary’s capital on the River Danube is a beautiful Eastern European city with unique charm and plenty to see. Having survived behind the Iron Curtain, the character here is markedly different from say Paris or Rome. Start along the river at Buda Castle and explore the former residence of Hungarian kings. Visit the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum , both now housed at the castle. Walk to Matthias Church and then to Fisherman’s Bastion , a great place to snap photos of the Hungarian Parliament Building across the Danube. Parliament’s iconic architecture is easily one of the most recognizable sights in all Hungary. Once you’ve had your fill, venture across the river and tour Parliament. The nearby Museum of Ethnography has a wonderful collection of artifacts detailing life in Hungary and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 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. The bathhouses around the city offer a range of services and occasionally host raucous parties catered to the city’s youth. Budapest is an absolutely fabulous city where you can enjoy the best of Eastern Europe without spending an arm and a leg.

7. Buenos Aires , Argentina

Argentina’s capital and largest city is a great destination for budget-minded travelers hoping to enjoy a bit of South American culture and a dash of European-inspired architecture. 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 is Basílica Santísimo Sacramento, a large Catholic church with elaborate décor. Make your way west towards Recoleta Cemetery while exploring central Buenos Aires. Recoleta is a famous burial ground built in 1822 and contains a number of famous graves, include that of Eva Perón. Take some time to see the statues and mausoleums while enjoying the cemetery’s peaceful atmosphere. Nearby you will find several lovely green spaces including Plaza Francia, Plaza Mitre, and Plaza Rubén Darío. Walk the paths and see the sculptures. Head into the National Museum of Fine Arts where you can enjoy one of Latin America’s largest public art collections. Enjoy works by internationally renowned masters as well as some of the finest Argentinian artwork on display anywhere in the world. At night, head for the city’s San Telmo neighborhood where you will find popular bars and nightlife entertainment. 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.

8. Ulaanbaatar , Mongolia

Mongolia is a land of incredible pastures, horses, and amazing people. The vast Eurasian Steppe unfurls before you as the horizon fills with grasslands and gorgeous rivers. With a backpack and camping gear you can essentially wander around to your heart’s content. Follow nomadic peoples as they graze their horses or explore vast desert tracks. Most people will arrive in the capital Ulaanbaatar, which for several years has been one of the world’s fastest growing cities. Global mining concerns have invested enormous resources here and the city’s budding tourism industry is expanding to cater to foreign visitors. Start at Sukhbaatar Square and visit the State History Museum of Mongolia. The National Museum of Mongolia is nearby and has an extensive collection of artifacts and antiquities showcasing Mongolia long history. Wander around the central city to get a sense for contemporary Mongolian culture. 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 Ulaanbaatar. See some of the country’s famed grasslands, explore traditional yurt accommodations, and sample authentic Mongolian stone barbecue. Depending on your schedule, consider visiting a few other places around the countryside to get yourself out of Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia has for many years now sought to attract travelers from abroad and remains a fantastic budget-friendly travel destination.

Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union in 2004 was a remarkable achievement for a country long under Soviet influence. Fifteen years later Bulgaria continues to remake itself. In the capital Sophia, start at Cathedral Saint Aleksandar Nevski and explore this 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 some time wandering around Central Sophia where you can enjoy numerous great restaurants, bars, and cafes. Southeast of downtown you will find Borisova gradina, the city’s oldest and best-known public park. The forested paths are great for walking and quiet time in the midst of urban Sophia. Travelers looking for something off the beaten path should venture east to the town of Kazanluk. From here you can visit an obscure and now abandoned attraction known as Buzludzha Monument. Opened in 1981, it was abandoned after the fall of communism and stands a curious testament to Bulgaria’s recent history. This is one of those places you can definitely brag about to friends and family.

10. Cappadocia , Turkey

Cappadocia, located in central Turkey, is world famous for its many 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 easily spend hours wandering around snapping photos. Budget-minded travelers will find much to enjoy without having to spend a lot of money on fancy resort accommodations. Go for a hike in Love Valley or explore around Sunset Point. Find a spot where you can enjoy the view and let the magic of the moment inspire you. Spend time in the small town of Göreme where you can explore the shops and find a good café. Almost any way you slice it, there is a ton to do. With so much beautiful land to explore you can easily spend several days just hitting the highlights. If you’re aiming to see Turkey on a shoestring budget, do yourself a favor and visit Cappadocia. We have no trouble recommending this as a great budget-friendly destination.

The world is a beautiful and diverse place. With great experiences around every corner, you don’t have to spend your life savings to visit great destinations. We’ve put together a list with something for everyone. Come see what all the excitement is about. Stop waiting for the perfect time to take the vacation you’ve always wanted. The time is now with our guide to the top-10 budget-friendly travel destinations.

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The Busy Retiree

2024’s Top 15 Budget-Friendly Travel Destinations

Posted: March 7, 2024 | Last updated: March 7, 2024

Deciding on a budget-friendly travel adventure doesn’t mean compromising on the excitement of exploration. In 2024, several enchanting destinations offer incredible experiences without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, history buff, or beach lover, these affordable destinations promise a memorable journey. Let’s look into the cheapest places to travel in 2024, where your wallet can breathe a sigh of relief while you create lasting memories.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Known for its rich history and vibrant culture, Ho Chi Minh City is a budget traveler’s dream. Explore the bustling streets filled with delicious street food, visit historic landmarks like the War Remnants Museum, and take a boat trip through the iconic Mekong Delta.

Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City offers a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Wander through the historic center, marvel at ancient Aztec ruins in Teotihuacan, and savor authentic tacos at local markets. With affordable accommodations and many free cultural attractions, Mexico City is a top pick for budget-conscious travelers.

Sofia, Bulgaria

For a taste of Eastern European charm without the hefty price tag, Sofia is an excellent choice. Visit the stunning Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, stroll through Vitosha Mountain, and indulge in budget-friendly local cuisine. The affordable public transportation and low-cost attractions make Sofia an ideal destination for those seeking an affordable European getaway.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Another gem in Vietnam, Hanoi boasts a unique blend of French colonial architecture and traditional Vietnamese culture. Explore the Old Quarter’s narrow streets, sample delicious pho at street stalls, and take a leisurely stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi’s affordability extends to accommodations and local experiences, making it a top destination for budget travelers.

Quito, Ecuador

Nestled in the Andes, Quito offers a mix of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, take a cable car ride up Pichincha Volcano, and discover the vibrant markets. Quito’s affordability makes it an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers looking to experience the charm of South America.

Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, charms visitors with its colorful neighborhoods, historic architecture, and scenic views. Enjoy affordable local cuisine, explore the iconic Belem Tower, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of this coastal gem. Don’t miss the famous custard tarts, Pastéis de Nata, at a fraction of the cost compared to other European capitals.

Krakow, Poland

Steeped in history, Krakow offers a budget-friendly European escape. Wander through the picturesque Old Town, visit the Wawel Castle, and experience the lively atmosphere of the Kazimierz district—all at an affordable cost. Enjoy a ride in a traditional horse-drawn carriage through the charming streets of the Old Town.

Bucharest, Romania

Romania’s capital, Bucharest, is a blend of grand architecture and modern delights. Explore the Palace of the Parliament, stroll through Herastrau Park, and indulge in the city’s thriving nightlife without breaking your budget. Discover hidden gems in the city’s lively neighborhood of Lipscani, filled with trendy cafes and vintage shops.

Kathmandu, Nepal

For an adventurous yet budget-friendly trip, head to Kathmandu. Discover ancient temples in Durbar Square, trek the nearby Himalayas, and experience the rich cultural heritage of Nepal without straining your wallet. Dive into the local culture with a visit to the bustling Thamel district, known for its vibrant street markets.

Bogotá, Colombia

Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, is a vibrant city with a rich cultural scene. Explore the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, visit the Gold Museum, and take a cable car ride to Monserrate for panoramic views—all within a budget-friendly travel plan. Immerse yourself in the city’s artistic spirit by exploring the vibrant street art scene in La Candelaria.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Home to the iconic Angkor Wat, Siem Reap offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. Explore ancient temples, discover the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake, and enjoy affordable street food in this enchanting Cambodian destination. Catch a breathtaking sunrise at Angkor Wat, a moment that won’t cost you a dime.

Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is known for its lively atmosphere and diverse cultural scene. Visit the historic Belgrade Fortress, stroll along the Danube River, and experience the city’s vibrant nightlife—all without breaking the bank. Join locals in a traditional kafana for live music and a taste of Serbia’s hospitality.

La Paz, Bolivia

Nestled in the Andes, La Paz captivates with its stunning landscapes and indigenous culture. Explore the Witches’ Market, take a cable car ride for panoramic views, and embrace the unique atmosphere of one of the world’s highest capitals. Challenge yourself with a stroll along the famous El Camino de la Muerte, the Death Road, for an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Manila, Philippines

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, offers a mix of history and modernity. Explore the historic Intramuros district, visit Rizal Park, and indulge in the diverse street food scene—all at an affordable cost. Attend a traditional Filipino cultural show to witness the country’s rich heritage come to life.

Accra, Ghana

Experience the vibrant culture of West Africa in Accra. Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, explore Jamestown’s colonial architecture, and relax on the beautiful Labadi Beach, all while enjoying the affordability of this welcoming city. Join locals in a dance at Independence Arch during one of Accra’s lively festivals.

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing the joy of discovery. The cheapest places to travel in 2024 provide unique experiences, rich cultural encounters, and breathtaking landscapes—all without breaking the bank. From the lively streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the historic charm of Mexico City, these destinations offer budget-friendly adventures that will leave you with cherished memories for years to come. So, pack your bags, embrace the spirit of adventure, and explore the world affordably in 2024!

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10 Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.

Stats show that these 10 U.S. destinations will tread lightly on your wallet. 

Being short on discretionary funds doesn't mean you can't travel — it just means you have to travel smart. One easy way to tackle budget travel is to stay domestic and stretch your dollar as far as it'll go by planning trips to affordable destinations in the U.S.

According to data pulled from Priceline 's top 100 U.S. destinations, the 10 destinations below offer the most affordable average daily rates at hotels at all star levels. So, get wandering — without breaking the bank. These are the cheapest places to travel in the U.S.

1. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Head to Oklahoma's capital — nicknamed the Modern Frontier — for Western cowboy culture, working stockyards and oil wells, a surprisingly buzzy arts scene, and hotels averaging just $89.47 per night. It's an especially low price for a destination with a slew of new improvements and attractions like the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 70-acre Scissortail Park, streetcar lines, and more. There are also museums , including the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum , Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, and Oklahoma City Museum of Art, but don't miss the opportunity to attend a horse show in the Horse Show Capital of the World — many are free or priced very low.

Oklahoma City is also known for its Bricktown entertainment district, an old warehouse district that transformed into an entertainment hot spot with a scenic canal winding through it. As it undergoes further evolution, expect to see this city get hotter than ever.

2. El Paso, Texas

Don't mess with Texas , and don't ask questions when you find a city that sports average daily hotel rates of $90.95 yet is chock-full of quality attractions like the El Paso Zoo, El Paso Museum of Art, Franklin Mountains State Park, and even the Western Playland amusement park. This Mexican border town, located on the western tip of Texas, also has some deliciously authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants, so arrive hungry. The Magoffin Home State Historic Site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is also worth a visit, and admission costs only $7.

3. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Another Oklahoma city, another low average daily hotel rate (this time $93.75). Located on the Arkansas River, Tulsa will delight your eyes with its art deco architecture (mostly in the central Deco District) and your mind with its fascinating history and art, which is best browsed at the Philbrook Museum of Art. Be sure to pay a visit to the Tulsa Historical Society & Museum to learn about the city's history, including the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre . And if you're driving in on old Route 66 , don't miss the Blue Whale of Catoosa, a quirky roadside wonder.

4. Little Rock, Arkansas

The capital of Arkansas, located on the Arkansas River, Little Rock offers a lot to do and see. Plus, with an average daily hotel rate of $95.93, you'll have extra room in your budget for activities and souvenirs.

While the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, which has a replica of the Oval Office and presidential artifacts, is a top attraction, visitors should also check out the Museum of Discovery, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, and Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, where you can learn about desegregation history. The Big Dam Bridge — ripe for wordplay jokes — is another must-visit.

5. Albuquerque, New Mexico

There's a lot to do and see in the high-desert city of Albuquerque (New Mexico's largest), and each night in a hotel will set you back $98.54 on average. Whether exploring the modern downtown area or adobe-filled Old Town , you can expect a diverse and active destination with rich Native American influence and beautiful scenery. Make sure to include Albuquerque's museums, traditional New Mexican cuisine, and Route 66 on your itinerary. Save room in your budget for a splurge: Albuquerque is the hot-air ballooning capital of the world, making it the perfect place to experience this thrilling adventure.

6. Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville 's thriving downtown area makes it a great place to visit, and the average nightly rates of $99.47 aren't too shabby, either. Ride the free trolleys, tour the town's multiple installations of public art pieces, and don't leave without strolling 36 acres of riverside gardens, waterfall views, and a suspension bridge at Falls Park on the Reedy, the " crown jewel " of downtown Greenville.

7. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

You'll find stays for $100.18 per night on average in the metro areas of Raleigh and Durham. Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina , is known for its universities (together with Chapel Hill and Durham, the area makes up a region called the Research Triangle), but there's also great hiking , biking, and BBQ beyond the library walls. Check out the Morgan Street Food Hall and Transfer Co. Food Hall in Raleigh and the Durham Food Hall in Durham for memorable eats from the area's culinary talents.

8. Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia is the capital of South Carolina , but its hotels linger around just $101.46 per night. Don't miss the botanical garden and animals at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, centuries of art at the Columbia Museum of Art, and the sprawling gardens at the Robert Mills House. For fun that's totally free, walk along the canal at Riverfront Park or picnic on the shores of Lake Murray. Congaree National Park is another local favorite, and kids will get a kick out of the hands-on learning experiences at EdVenture Children's Museum.

9. Baltimore, Maryland

For being such a major city, Baltimore's average nightly hotel rates of $102.37 are amazingly low. Make sure to visit the Inner Harbor — one of the oldest seaports in America — for shopping, crab shacks, the National Aquarium , and even a Civil War-era warship. While the Baltimore Museum of Art and Walters Art Museum showcase marvels from the past centuries, the American Visionary Art Museum offers a peek into the future (and the funky). Book lovers, meanwhile, will find a literary wonderland at the George Peabody Library. With gorgeous waterfront views and lots of museums, you can spend your days in Baltimore indoors or outdoors.

10. Somerset, New Jersey

Not far from New York City , Somerset County boasts hotel rates of just $102.60 per night, a far cry from the typically steep prices found in the city. The surroundings couldn't be more different, either: Somerset County has an abundance of parks , preserves, and gardens to enjoy. Head to Snyder's Farm for fresh produce and u-pick berries during the season or Jersey Cyclone Brewing Company to sample locally brewed craft beers.

Looking for more cheap places to travel in the U.S.? Here's the bottom 10 cities from Priceline's top 20 list:

11. Lexington, KY ($102.69 average nightly rate)

12. Dallas , TX ($102.80)

13. Houston , TX ($103.60)

14. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN ($103.65)

15. Des Moines, IA ($103.74)

16. Detroit, MI ($104.76)

17. Columbus, OH ($104.84)

18. Rochester, NY ($105.09)

19. Charlotte, NC ($105.25)

20. San Jose, CA ($105.73)

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• TRAVEL+LEISURE

This Malaysian city is one of Asia’s most budget-friendly summer destinations in 2024

Summer is approaching swiftly, bringing along the excitement of planning a memorable vacation in 2024! Before you begin your selection process, delve into the budget-friendly destinations of Asia for summer 2024, where you can travel without exceeding your limit.

Agoda, the popular online travel agency, surveyed to determine the most budget-friendly destination in Asia for 2024 by comparing the average room rates across top destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. This exclusive list features Udon Thani from Thailand as the top-ranked destination, followed by Surabaya in Indonesia, Hue in Vietnam, and Kuching in Malaysia . These cities offer affordability and unique experiences within their respective countries, with Bangalore standing out as India’s most budget-friendly destination.

Discover the most budget-friendly summer destinations in Asia 2024

Udon thani, thailand.

Ranked first in Asia, Udon Thani offers affordability without compromising on cultural and natural richness. Explore archaeological wonders such as Kham Chanot, the Red Lotus Sea, and Phu Phra Bat Historical Park.

Surabaya, Indonesia

Located on Java island in Indonesia, Surabaya blends the traditional and the modern along the coast. Discover the myth of Sura and Baya as you navigate the bustling streets of the port city through its Javanese, Chinese, and Arab influences. Explore the nightlife, local cuisine and culture at Pasar Atum and Townsquare Surabaya.

Hue, Vietnam

Former home of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue is steeped in history, making it a fascinating destination in Vietnam. Explore the UNSECO-enlisted Hue Citadel and the tombs of past emperors. Also famous for its cuisine, the Dong Ba Market is the centre for relishing world-class Vietnamese dishes like Banh Khoai and Banh Beo.

Kuching, Malaysia

The capital of Sarawak, Kuching offers breathtaking nature on Borneo island and showcases Malaysia’s diverse culture. Witness the lush greenery, stunning landscapes and pristine waters of Bako National Park, Kubah National Park, Kuching Waterfront and Semenggoh Wildlife Centre.

Iloilo, Philippines

Designated as UNESCO’s first “Creative City of Gastronomy” in the Philippines, Iloilo offers a blend of history, culture, delicious cuisine, and nature in one destination.

Bangalore, India

Dubbed the “Silicon Valley of India”, Bangalore is also the most affordable destination in the country. You can witness India’s past, present, and future through its monuments, bustling streets, and innovative spaces like Bengaluru Palace, Cubbon Park, Commercial Street, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, and Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum.

Narita, Japan

Beyond being a gateway to Tokyo, thanks to the Narita International Airport, Narita offers cultural gems like Naritasan Temple, Katori Shrine, Sawara Town and Boso no Mura, providing a glimpse into Japanese heritage.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

The port city on the tip of Taiwan, Kaohsiung is a major trading centre and metropolis. Catch a glimpse of Taiwanese city life through Liouhe Tourist Night Market, Ruifeng Night Market, The Pier-2 Art Center, Kaohsiung Music Center and Great Harbor Bridge.

(Feature image credit: Sasha India/Unsplash)

Priyaja Bakshi

Priyaja took her love for reading to the next level by majoring in English and minoring in Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College For Women (DU). She is extremely curious about the world and wishes to visit all the countries once in her life. She identifies as a foodie and loves to spend her free time exploring different cuisine and curating new dishes. As a former Food Writer at NDTV, she can help you find the best places to eat in Delhi!

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