There are many low-cost travel destinations available. And nowadays, finding them doesn’t take much work. There are endless destinations you can go to on a budget, no matter what continent you’re on or your interests. As long as you do some research, get inventive, and exercise some flexibility, no place is ever truly “too expensive”; you just might not be living it up when you go there. Fortunately, there are a few places to visit that make traveling on a tight budget simple, enjoyable, and secure. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing dozens of countries that are welcoming to travelers on a tight budget during my more than ten years as a frugal nomad. This list contains something for everyone, whether you’re a history buff, gourmand, beach bum, or party animal.
In order to assist you in organizing your upcoming low-cost journey, here is a list of my current favorite cheap travel destinations:
Sponsered6
1. Thailand
Thailand is where it all began for me therefore it retains a particular place in my heart. I made the decision to leave my work and tour the world there. I called it home. I adored it there. Thailand is amazing.
It is also quite reasonably priced.
With a long history of tourism, Thailand is the hub of backpacking in Southeast Asia. Thanks to inexpensive guesthouses, street food (which can be purchased for as little as $1 USD!), local buses, and the many free and inexpensive attractions, you can get by on between $25 and $35 USD per day. Expect to spend closer to $60 USD a day if you spend all of your time on the islands and cheap lodging. Thailand is still one of the most budget-friendly travel locations in the world, so don’t pass it up even at the price!
Sponsered6
2. Central America
Want to see historic sites, go on jungle treks, go surfing, and eat wonderful food while there aren’t many other people around? Visit the smaller countries in Central America — think El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. The majority of the low-cost lodgings here cost between $15 and $30 USD a night, along with most bus trips, meals, and beers, all of which are under $5 USD.
By local standards, Belize, Panama, and Costa Rica are pricey travel destinations (yet they are still quite affordable). If you travel to these Central American nations, you can live comfortably on $40–50 USD per day as a backpacker or splurge on $100 per day to live opulently. In this region of the world, your money goes a very long way. Also, there aren’t many options for accommodations, making it simple to go around and see a lot without going broke.
3. Cambodia
Although you could include any nation in Southeast Asia on this list, Cambodia is one of my personal favorites because it is both gorgeous and reasonably priced, and the people there are wonderfully friendly. Street food costs between $2 and $5 USD, a private hotel with air conditioning costs $25 USD, and round-trip transportation costs between $20 and $25 USD. You are living lavishly if your daily expenses are close to $50 USD.
Sponsered6
Although less expensive than Thailand, which is more well-known, Cambodia is just as gorgeous and home to some of the world’s friendliest people. Moreover, it is the location of the magnificent Angkor Wat, a visit to which is both pricey and worthwhile.
4. The Balkans
The Balkans, which are in Southeast Europe, are the least expensive area of the continent. It’s an undiscovered region that’s really cheap and provides excellent value. It’s made up of a small number of countries, the most of which see very few tourists. While towns like Dubrovnik have experienced an inflow of tourists (due to the cruise ships that stop there), the bulk of the region is ideal for adventurous travel. Cheap wine, amazing hikes and scenery, beautiful coasts, hearty meals, and a wild nightlife are all available. It’s the best-kept secret in Europe.
In comparison to Western Europe, you can survive on as low as $30 USD each day. Food for a week can be purchased for as little as $25 USD, while a bottle of beer costs about $2 USD. And although the area historically had a bad reputation for being unsafe, conditions have significantly improved in the last ten years. The area’s backpacking trail is expanding, and tourism is expanding. Visit before the crowds and prices soar because it is now Europe’s least-explored location.
Sponsered6
5. China
Since Marco Polo traveled the Silk Road in 1275, China has captivated travelers. China is still one of the most affordable travel destinations in Asia, despite the fact that its once dirt-cheap reputation has faded. You should leave the large cities. Yes, the cities remain affordable. Hostels cost less than $20 USD, meals cost between $2 and $5 USD, and local transportation in cities is under $1 USD.
But the country becomes much cheaper, when you venture off the beaten path and the interior. The best travel offers and discounts may be found here! China is still one of the most affordable countries in the world due to its enormous size. There is a ton lot see and do in this country (which is the third largest by landmass)!
6. India
India has always been a cheap place to live, yet its currency once traded at a high of 39 to the US dollar. You can now go with roughly 50% more money according to the current exchange rate of 78 rupees to the dollar. You’ll have a difficult time spending $50 USD per day here unless you stay in five-star resorts and just eat Western food. By traveling on second-class trains, staying in inexpensive guesthouses, and eschewing Western cuisine, you can get by on less than $30 USD. You may live a luxurious lifestyle for as little as $60 USD each day if you want to splurge out. Even well-known attractions like the Taj Mahal, a Wonder of the World, are quite reasonably priced (entry costs only $14 USD).
Sponsered6
7. Georgia
The busy city of Georgia, Tbilisi, on a bright and beautiful day Georgia has everything I need in a destination: it’s affordable, has wonderful cuisine and wine, offers incredible treks and mountain beauty, and is devoid of big numbers of tourists. I fell in love with it right away and wish I had gone sooner (I actually stayed longer when I went since I loved it so much!).
Georgia, a country tucked away in the Caucasus, has long been a crossroads of cultures, but it isn’t nearly as well-known as it ought to be. While the rest of the country offers adventurous travelers a rustic, off-the-beaten-path feel, Tbilisi is a bustling city. Here, too, you can get by on almost nothing; frugal visitors only spend $25 USD per day. Most museums and historical places cost just $2–3 USD, beer is about $2 USD, and groceries for a week run about $25–30 USD. Georgia is one of the upcoming major backpacking hotspots, despite the fact that it may seem remote. I’d go back in a heartbeat!
8. Portugal
Portugal is one of the cheaper nations in the area and one of my favorite Euro nations because not all of them are created equal. The first time I went there, I instantly fell in love with it. How could I not, with gorgeous beaches, a picturesque wine region, jaw-dropping coastline cliffs, delectable cuisine, friendly locals, and historic cities all at affordable pricing.
Sponsered6
Lisbon has become particularly pricey as people move there and drive-up prices. Portugal has recently gotten much more popular and busier (it has a developing expat and digital nomad scene). after all, is a beautiful place! But after you leave Lisbon, prices are still quite affordable in comparison to the rest of Western Europe Moreover, you’ll see a lot less tourists. If you’re a traveler on a tight budget, plan to survive on $45–$60 USD each day. Portugal is one of your best options if you’re searching for an inexpensive spot to spend the winter in Europe, even though it’s beautiful there in the summer.
9. Mexico
I had gone to Mexico before, but I hadn’t actually spent a lot of time there until recently. And I was astounded. In addition to Oaxaca’s abundance of charm and its seemingly endless supply of mezcal, Mexico City is a foodie’s dream. The Yucatan is ideal for road trips and cenote exploration. However, because it is so close to the US, it is very inexpensive to travel to (alcohol costs around $1-2 USD, groceries cost about $25 USD per week, and you can survive here on less than $50 USD per day) – a win-win situation!
The majority of the nation is yours to enjoy, albeit some areas aren’t all that safe to go through. Whatever your interests—beaches, nightlife, dining, history, or nature—there is a region of the country where you may do so risk-free and without going over budget.
Sponsered6
10. Morocco
Travelers of all shades frequently include Morocco on their bucket lists because of its chaos and vibrancy. Morocco is a photographer’s paradise with its sweeping dunes of golden sand, twisting markets and medinas, and soaring mountains. While the busy cities can be a touch overpowering at times, the magnificent calm of the desert and its postcard-perfect landscapes makes the travel worthwhile.
I fell in love with Morocco when I visited – and not just because it’s extremely economical (though that did help!). Here, mid-range visitors may travel comfortably for less than half that amount, while budget backpackers can get by on just $30–40 USD each day. Here, you get a lot of value.
Sponsered6
