There are many low-cost travel destinations available, and nowadays, finding them doesn't take much work. There are countless locations you can travel to on a budget, no matter what continent you're on or your interests. If you do some research, get inventive, and exercise some flexibility, no place is ever truly too expensive. Luckily, there are a few places to visit that make traveling on a tight budget simple, enjoyable, and secure.
Whether you're natural beauty, cultural experiences, or delicious food, there's a destination on this list that's perfect for you. So, start planning your next budget-friendly adventure today.
#10. Morocco
Travelers of all colors 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. The magnificent calm of the desert and its picture-perfect views make the journey worthwhile, despite the fact that the busy towns can occasionally be a bit overwhelming.
#9. Mexico
Foodies will love Mexico City, charm seekers will love Oaxaca (with its seemingly endless supply of mezcal), and adventure seekers will love the Yucatan for its road adventures and cenotes. Because of its proximity to the United States, it is not only inexpensive (beer costs just $1–2 USD, groceries cost about $25 USD per week, and you can get by on less than $50 USD per day here), but also inexpensive to visit.
While it may not be wise to travel to certain parts of the country, you are free to enjoy most of the country. There are regions of the country where you may travel freely without worrying about your safety or your wallet, whether you're interested in beaches, nightlife, cuisine, history, or nature.
#8. Portugal
Portugal is a favorite destination in Europe and happens to be one of the best deals in the area. Travelers cannot help but fall in love with the low pricing, pleasant residents, rich history, and gorgeous scenery of the region's beaches, wine regions, seashore cliffs, gastronomy, and cities.
As a result of its growing popularity in recent years, Portugal has become increasingly congested. This is especially true of Lisbon, which has seen a surge in both population and housing costs as a result of the influx of expats and digital nomads. Indeed, with further inspection, this is a fantastic location! Outside of Lisbon, though, you'll find much fewer tourists and costs that are still lower than the rest of Western Europe. If you're a low-cost traveler, you can get by on $45-$60 USD each day.
Portugal is one of the best places in Europe to spend the winter on the cheap, despite its beautiful summers.
#7. Georgia
Georgia is the ideal vacation spot in Europe for its low cost, excellent cuisine, and is home to breathtaking natural landscapes with little to no crowds or tourists.
Georgia, a landlocked country in the Caucasus, has been a cultural crossroads for millennia but has not attracted nearly the attention it deserves. Tbilisi is a bustling metropolis, but the rest of the country has a more remote, rough vibe that adventurous travelers will appreciate.
Travelers on a tight budget can do rather well in this destination on as little as $25 USD per day. Several museums and historic places charge only $3 to $5 USD, while a six-pack of beer costs roughly $2 USD.
Although it may seem out of the way, Georgia is quickly becoming one of the most popular backpacking destinations in the United States. I would return in a jiffy!
#6. India
While India has always been an inexpensive country, the Indian rupee used to trade at 39 rupees to the American dollar. You now earn 78 rupees to the dollar, which is roughly 50% more money to travel with. You won't be able to spend $50 USD per day here unless you stay in five-star resorts and eat solely Western food. By living in cheap guesthouses, travelling second-class trains, and avoiding Western food, you can get by on less than $30 USD. If you really want to splurge, you may live large for as little as $60 USD every day. Even prominent monuments like the Taj Mahal, a World Wonder, are quite reasonable (entrance is only $14 USD).
India is an inexpensive backpacking destination with a rich cultural past, delicious food, helpful and curious inhabitants, remarkable geographical diversity, great tea, and enough to do. It's a massive place that's best visited in either one big excursion or several smaller ones. In any case, don't pass up India.
#5. China
Ever since Marco Polo travelled the Silk Road in 1275, people have been interested in China. Even though China isn't as cheap as it used to be, it is still one of the cheapest places to visit in Asia. However, there is one catch. You should leave the big cities. Yes, cities are still a good deal. Hostels cost less than $20 USD, food costs between $2 and $5 USD per meal, and getting around in cities costs less than a dollar.
But the country is even cheaper when you get away from the tourist areas and into the middle of it. This is where you'll find the best travel deals and deals. China is still one of the best places to visit for the money, and since it is the third largest country by land area, there is a lot to see and do here.
#4. The Balkans
The Balkans, which are in southeast Europe, are the cheapest part of Europe. This off-the-beaten-path region is made up of a few countries, most of which don't get many tourists. It's very cheap and has a lot to offer. Even though cruise ships bring a lot of tourists to places like Dubrovnik, the rest of the area is great for a more adventurous trip. There's cheap wine, great hiking and nature, beautiful coasts, hearty food, and a crazy nightlife. It is the best-kept secret in Europe.
You can get by on as little as $30 USD per day, which is a small fraction of what you'd pay in Western Europe. A week's worth of groceries can cost as little as $25 USD, while a beer costs about $2 USD.
The area used to be known for being dangerous, but things have changed a lot in the last ten years. Backpacking is becoming more popular here, and more people are coming to visit. It's the least-visited part of Europe, but that won't last long, so go now before everyone else does and prices go through the roof.
#3. Cambodia
Southeast Asia as a whole could be on this list, but Cambodia is one of my favorite places there because it's cheap, beautiful, and the people are very friendly. For $25 USD, you can get a private room with air conditioning, street food for $2–5 USD, and transportation anywhere in the country for $20–25 USD. You are living well if you spend close to $50 USD per day.
Cambodia is less expensive than Thailand, but it is just as beautiful and has some of the friendliest people in the world. Plus, it's home to the amazing Angkor Wat, which costs a lot to see but is worth a visit.
#2. Central America
Want to explore old ruins, hike through the jungle, surf, eat delicious food, and meet few other tourists? Visit some of the smaller Central American countries, like El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Most cheap hotels cost between $15 and $30 USD per night, meals cost less than $5 USD, and you can buy beer for as little as a dollar.
By regional standards, Belize, Panama, and Costa Rica are all expensive places to visit (yet they are still quite affordable). As a backpacker, you can get by in these Central American countries on $40–50 USD per day, or you can spend $100 per day and live like a king. In this part of the world, your money goes a long way. And because there aren't that many countries to choose from, it's easy to move around and see a lot without going broke.
#1. Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand is an amazing place and it’s really cheap!
Thailand is the center of backpacking in Southeast Asia. It has been a tourist destination for decades, and you can get by on $25–$35 USD per day thanks to cheap guest houses, cheap street food (you can get a meal for as little as $1 USD!), local buses, and the many free or cheap attractions. If you spend all of your time on the islands and stay in expensive places, you can expect to spend about $60 USD per day. But even with the price, Thailand is still one of the cheapest places to visit in the world and shouldn't be missed.