cheap places to travel long term

34 best countries to travel for less than $40/day (total) in 2024

• Post author: Andrew D'Amours
• Post published: March 1, 2024
• Post category: General wanderlust / Travel inspiration
• Post comments: 2 Comments

The cheapest countries to travel to are also wonderful destinations, allowing you to travel for less, for longer, or in luxury. It’s so sad that so many people think that travel is necessarily expensive because it’s just not true. It absolutely can be affordable, that’s not debatable. But you have to want to of course.

Most importantly, you have to choose the right destinations to make it as cheap as possible. Good news: they’re awesome destinations too!

Here are the details of the 34 best countries to travel to for a TOTAL of less than $40 a day in 2024, with a few basic tips because it’s such an important topic (arguably THE most important to travel for less).

Basics of the cost of traveling

It’s important to understand the difference between:

• What most people sadly think is affordable
• What is really affordable

Quite frankly, as pro travelers, it fascinates us that so many people find Portugal affordable. No, it’s objectively not.

It’s normal to just not know , you can’t know until you discover it yourself or someone tells you, like so many things in the world of travel . For a long time, I myself thought traveling was expensive, and I wasted so much time because of that. I badly wish someone had told me earlier…

So now, you do know!

North America and Western Europe are obviously the worst places in the world in terms of cost of living, and unfortunately, a lot of people have never gone outside of that axis. Of course, compared to that, Portugal is more affordable . But it’s still not affordable !

Countries where you can easily pay just $40 total per day (if you want), that is affordable. Also, they’re often less overcrowded with tourists, a double-win!

Basics of planning how to travel for less

Here’s something that seems obvious to us but that sometimes isn’t for everyone, so we’ll clarify it:

• We’re not saying to always go to these countries
• But at the very least don’t just always go to the expensive ones

If you want to save money , it’s really not rocket science: go to affordable countries.

That way, you don’t need to change anything else in the way you travel , and everything will be half as expensive, or even better than half. And those on this list are all safe too!

My Taylor Swift tickets for US$23 in Brazil in November are a great example. Those tickets are selling for $1500 in Toronto. It’s the exact same artist, the exact same concert, the exact same decor, everything is the same. It’s just in an affordable country (and not even among the most affordable , as it isn’t even on this list).

The same simple principle obviously applies to hotels, meals, activities, EVERYTHING: the same quality is much cheaper if you simply choose affordable countries.

And even if you prefer luxury… luxury is so much cheaper in these countries too, obviously. So it’s still the best tip!

Basics of the cheapest countries to travel to

It’s very important to know this (I believe the vast majority does, and others need to please travel more to broaden their horizons and destroy their prejudices):

• Affordable countries have a lot to offer
• Almost all of our favorite countries are on this list

I am going to be quite direct about this: when someone tells me that cheap countries have nothing to offer and aren’t worth visiting, it blows my mind . Tell me you don’t know what you’re talking about without telling me you don’t know what you’re talking about… 

Everyone has different tastes, but in this guide, you’ll find 34 super-affordable countries where you can definitely discover some incredible places.

Cities, culture, food, history, architecture, nature, beaches, mountains, hikes… if you want to, you can find anything in affordable countries. If not, you’re really not trying very hard. It’s fine to not want to … it’s not fine to say there’s nothing interesting in all affordable countries . Because it’s absolutely false.

As I said, personally, almost all my favorite countries (I’ve visited 71) are really on this list, hands down. Same thing for Flytrippers’ co-founder, Kevin (who’s visited 86). We know better than most people, just like most people who do more hiking know more about that than we do. Basic math 🙂

Basics of the $40 per day cost

Here are the basics of how this budget works :

• It’s easily attainable with budget travel (of course it’s easy to spend more, as it is everywhere)
• It’s not 100% equal in all 34 countries, it’s a bit easier in some (it’s a general guideline)
• It’s illustrated with 2 lodging examples for each country (highly-rated ones only, you can find cheaper)

Of course, even in the cheapest countries in the world, you can still spend $400 a day. There’s never a maximum limit anywhere. But there are minimum limits. Good luck spending just $40 a day in France! Almost impossible. 

But in the 34 countries listed below, it’s quite easy, especially if you use a few basic budget travel tips . 

To give you some examples, we’ve used the cost of accommodation. It’s not perfect, but it’s often the biggest expense. For each country, we’ve put 1 example of a hotel for those traveling with a buddy and 1 example of a hostel for those traveling solo.

There are much cheaper ones than our examples (there’s ALWAYS a way to save more), including guest houses for example, but the ones we’ve included are always hotels and hostels that are very highly rated too .

Map of 34 best affordable countries in 2024

Here’s the map version, and we look at them all one by one below, by region.

Southeast Asia

The favorite region of just about every traveler who likes to save money and for good reason!

1. Indonesia

With 17,000 islands, Indonesia has so many absolutely incredible destinations (with great biodiversity). The world’s 4th most populous country has a rich culture and much to discover.

Bali is obviously the most popular (and touristy) island, which I still found very interesting. But Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea are other huge islands and generally have even lower prices obviously.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $11 per night ($6 per night per person) in Bali, Indonesia.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $9 per night  in Bali, Indonesia.

2. Malaysia

Possibly the most underrated destination in Southeast Asia, Malaysia has been a favorite of mine and has sublime natural attractions. It’s 1 of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world, meaning they’re the richest in terms of biodiversity.

The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is fantastic. There are other destinations worth exploring on the peninsular and on the island of Borneo. These happen to be the cheapest in the country. Smaller islands like Penang and Langkawi are also worth a visit.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $25 per night ($13 per night per person) in Langkawi, Malaysia.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $17 per night in Langkawi, Malaysia.

3. Thailand

Thailand is Southeast Asia’s best-known country. The Land of Smiles attracts a huge number of travelers in search of a change of scenery and heavenly beaches. Kevin has been there a dozen times and loved it.

There’s no shortage of variety here: Bangkok is certainly one of the world’s most iconic cities, and Chiang Mai literally plunges you into the jungle. The islands are mostly in the south, including the popular Phuket.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $16 per night ($8 per night per person) in Phuket, Thailand.

Here’s an example of a hostel for $8 per night in Phuket, Thailand.

4. Viet Nam

The 15th most populous country in the world, Viet Nam has a recent tumultuous history but offers so many beautiful places to discover from north to south, including over 3,000 kilometers of coastline. Kevin enjoyed all the places in the country.

The metropolises of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) are very dynamic. The country also has magnificent national parks, such as the famous Ha Long Bay, and other pretty little towns too, such as Da Nang and Hoi An.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $15 per night ($8 per night per person) in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

Here’s an example of a hostel for $5 per night in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

5. Cambodia

Cambodia is another country with a very long history, but this one is relatively sparsely populated for this region, giving it a different vibe. Kevin also recommends this country, which he visited for 1 month.

The capital, Phnom Penh, is interesting, but most travelers spend more time visiting the famous Buddhist temples, including the gigantic and impressive Angkor Wat, as well as Kampot and Sihanoukville.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $23 per night ($12 per night per person) in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Here’s an example of a hostel at$5 per night  in Siem Reap, Cambodia

6. Philippines

An archipelago of 7641 islands, the Philippines is a favorite destination for many explorers. Its people are extremely welcoming and its nature is second to none, not even countries where everything is 5 times more expensive!

City fans will love Manila, but the most popular spots are generally the islands of Palawan, Cebu, and Coron.

Here’s an example of a $23 per night hotel ($12 per night per person) in Cebu, Philippines.

Here’s an example of a hostel for $4 per night  in Cebu, Philippines.

The least-known country and the only one without access to the sea in this beautiful region of the world, Laos is less populated than Ontario!

Its capital, Vientiane, is far from being the most popular destination. However, this country has some very charming small villages and a much more attractive city, Luang Prabang.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $28 per night ($14 per night per person) in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $5 per night  in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Formerly known as Burma (and still wrongly called that by many, even 30+ years later), Myanmar is the most off-the-beaten-path country in Southeast Asia.

Very authentic, in many parts of the country, locals still live traditional lives. In addition to the cities of Yangon and Mandalay, Bagan and the coast are also popular.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $43 per night ($22 per night per person) in Bagan, Myanmar.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $11 per night in Bagan, Myanmar.

The most exotic part of the most exotic and awesome continent is also one of the most affordable… talk about a win-win combo!

Earning the title of the most populous country in the world since 2023, India is an iconic destination for many travelers. Like all of South Asia, this place will definitely take you out of your comfort zone.

The big cities of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata are well worth a visit, but the mountains of the north, the desert of the center, and the beaches of the south are just as interesting. It’s a country that really does have something for every traveler, and I enjoyed visiting it last summer.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $17 per night ($8 per night per person) in Goa, India.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $5 per night  in Goa, India.

This small mountainous country is one of the most iconic destinations in this part of the world. Yet it’s still very affordable!

Trekking all over the country is usually well-loved by travelers, as are the temples you can find in some cities, including the capital Kathmandu. Kevin spent some time there and highly recommends it.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $18 per night ($9 per night per person) in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $7 per night  in Kathmandu, Nepal.

11. Bangladesh

The 8th most populous country in the world, Bangladesh is not as well known, so few travelers add it to their itinerary. It’s a unique, out-of-the-ordinary destination that certainly deserves to be explored further.

In addition to cities like Dakha and Chittagong, Bangladesh boasts incredible temples and the world’s longest beach. It is also one of the greenest countries in the region.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $34 per night ($17 per night per person) in Sylhet, Bangladesh.

This country is easier to discover on a budget with a buddy: unfortunately, there don’t seem to be any hostels in Bangladesh.

12. Sri Lanka

The small, beautiful island of Sri Lanka is one of Kevin’s highlights. It’s one of his favorites among the 86 countries he’s visited! It’s definitely worth exploring if you love nature.

There’s a lot of variety for such a small country, with sublime coastlines, lush green landscapes, and surprising safaris! 

Here’s an example of a hotel at $28 per night ($14 per night per person) in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $9 per night in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Central Asia

A region often overlooked but with so much history and sublime scenery.

13. Uzbekistan

One of my all-time favorite countries, Uzbekistan is both a change of scenery and very orderly, a rare combination. The ancient Silk Road has left behind many magnificent vestiges.

The 3 historic cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are the preferred itinerary, and all 3 are worth a visit. There are no words to tell you how much I recommend Uzbekistan if you want to venture off the beaten path.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $42 per night ($21 per night per person) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $23 per night in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

14. Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is renowned for its grandiose landscapes, perfect for those who want to be out in nature without the crowds.

Bishkek is the starting point, but there are plenty of places to go to explore the traditional nomadic lifestyle of this region. I can’t wait to go back and venture out of the capital, even though I found it to be a cool city: the rest looks even better.

Here’s an example of a $53 per night hotel ($27 per night per person) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $11 per night in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The last region of Asia with very affordable countries, which has countries that look like Europe… including one of my favorite countries in the world!

15. Türkiye

Türkiye spans 2 continents, Asia and Europe. This country has a lot to offer, including a rich cultural heritage, splendid landscapes, and delicious cuisine! One of my absolute favorites in the world!

Istanbul is the country’s must-see metropolis, followed by the capital Ankara. The Cappadocia region is famous for its underground cities and hot-air balloon flights over rocky landscapes. The long Mediterranean coastline is sublime. The east of the country is another world entirely.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $39 per night ($19 per night per person) in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $15 per night in Istanbul, Türkiye.

16. Georgia

Just like Türkiye, Georgia is located at the crossroads of these 2 continents, which are not clearly defined. This beautiful country is recognized for its cultural, historical, and political affiliation with Europe, especially since it obtained official status as a candidate for European Union membership in December 2023.

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a dynamic city with captivating architecture, picturesque streets, and traditional thermal baths. Other places to explore include Mtskheta, Batumi, and Signagi. Kevin spent 3 months there because he loved it so much!

Here’s an example of a $32 per night hotel ($16 per night per person) in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $16 per night in Tbilisi, Georgia.

17. Azerbaijan

With its UNESCO World Heritage sites, varied landscapes, and delicious cuisine, Azerbaijan is attracting more and more travelers! 

The capital, Baku, is well worth a visit, with its historic quarter, lively nightlife, and proximity to the Gobustan National Park. Nature lovers, meanwhile, will appreciate the beautiful mountainous region of Gabala.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $24 per night ($12 per night per person) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $10 per night  in Baku, Azerbaijan.

18. Armenia

Located in the Caucasus region like the 2 previous ones, this landlocked nation attracts visitors with its thousand-year-old history, mountainous landscapes, and thriving artistic traditions combining music, dance, and handicrafts, all at affordable prices!

Armenia is full of iconic religious sites and lush nature. Yerevan, the Armenian capital, will surely charm you with its vibrant mix of ancient history and modernity, as well as its bustling streets. Kevin enjoyed this city a lot!

Here’s an example of a hotel at $44 per night ($22 per night per person) in Yerevan, Armenia.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $18 per night in Yerevan, Armenia.

The world’s least explored continent has many affordable destinations. Note that not all countries are affordable for travelers despite their low cost of living, because often they have too few infrastructures for travelers.

Famous for its legendary pharaohs, the pyramids of Giza, the emblematic Nile River, its vast deserts, its diving in the Red Sea, and ancient temples, Egypt is a traveler’s dream!

Cairo is a different and surprising capital, close to all the main places of interest. What’s more, this year the world’s largest museum of Egyptian civilization will finally open its doors to visitors after 2 decades of construction. 

Don’t forget to visit Alexandria, once home to the famous library and lighthouse, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Kevin spent over 3 weeks in the country and loved it: he’ll be sharing his experience with you soon.

Here’s an example of a $26 per night hotel ($13 per night per person) in Cairo, Egypt.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $10 per night  in Cairo, Egypt.

20. Morocco

This jewel of the Maghreb in North Africa attracts travelers for its unique cultural diversity and fascinating history, ranging from bustling medinas to imperial cities. Not the most affordable of affordable countries, but I still loved my trips there.

Marrakech, also known as the “Red City,” awaits you with its exquisite Arab and Berber cuisine and spice markets. Chefchaouen, the “Blue City” of Morocco, is highly appreciated by photographers and absolutely stunning. Other must-visit places include the unique city of Tangier (once a city that didn’t belong to any country), the beautiful city of Fes (with one of the prettiest historic centers), Rabat (the capital), and Casablanca (the country’s largest city).

Here’s an example of a hotel at $38 per night ($19 per night per person) in Chefchaouen, Morocco.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $11 per night in Chefchaouen, Morocco.

21. Tunisia

Tunisia reveals its unique charms through the vast desert expanses of the Sahara, its Berber culture in the Atlas Mountains, its picturesque oases, and sunny Mediterranean beaches, not to mention its affordable prices for travelers! It’s the exact same sea where everything is pricier on the north coast!

The vibrant atmosphere of Tunis’ medina is sure to please you, as are the ancient ruins of Carthage. Other Roman remains can be found in El Jem and Dougga.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $24 per night ($12 per night per person) in Sousse, Tunisia.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $22 per night in Djerba, Tunisia.

22. Algeria

Algeria is the largest country in Africa, the Arab world, and the Mediterranean basin. It ranks 10th in the world in terms of area. It’s the most developed country on the continent of Africa (according to the Human Development Index), so it’s on the higher end of these affordable countries obviously.

This land, with its impressive historical heritage, is filled with natural treasures such as the Tassili n’Ajjer National Park, as well as dynamic cities like Algiers and Oran. Archaeological sites such as Timgad, the M’Zab Valley, and the Casbah of Algiers are among the most popular destinations for travelers.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $51 per night ($26 per night per person) in Algiers, Algeria.

It’s another country that’s easier to discover on a budget with a buddy: there don’t seem to be any hostels in Algeria.

23. Madagascar

Located off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the 4th largest island on our planet and the 2nd largest island country in the world.

It’s Madagascar’s incredible landscapes and unique biodiversity that give it its must-see reputation. Attractions like the Avenue of the Baobabs and Lemurs’ Park offer unforgettable experiences. In addition to the capital Antananarivo, you absolutely must visit Nosy Be, a small tropical paradise.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $26 per night ($13 per night per person) in Antsirabe, Madagascar.

This is the last of the countries that are easier to discover on a budget with a buddy: there don’t seem to be any hostels in Madagascar.

Located in East Africa, Kenya is one of the best-known destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The country is renowned for its wildlife reserves and safaris, particularly in the Masai Mara. Travelers also appreciate the main cities of Nairobi and Mombasa, as well as the idyllic beaches of the Indian Ocean and the island of Lamu.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $21 per night ($11 per night per person) in Malindi, Kenya.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $14 per night  in Mombasa, Kenya.

With an estimated population of over 34 million people, Ghana is a growing tourist destination in West Africa. Kevin is in the 2nd month of his journey in this region of Africa and will soon be able to tell you about Ghana.

Its coastline is bordered by the Gulf of Guinea, offering beautiful beaches like Busua and Kokrobite, popular for relaxation and surfing. In addition to the major cities of Accra and Kumasi, there are national parks, forts, and castles in Cape Coast and Elmina, not to mention Lake Volta, the largest artificial lake in the world.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $36 per night ($18 per night per person) in Accra, Ghana.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $19 per night  in Accra, Ghana.

Far from being the most affordable continent, there are still a few options.

26. Bosnia-Herzegovina

If you think traveling around Europe costs a fortune, you’ve never been to Bosnia-Herzegovina! Despite its small size, this country offers a rich variety of landscapes, including mountains, rivers, and a small but very charming coastline along the Adriatic Sea.

There are many interesting cities, including the capital Sarajevo, Banja Luka, the country’s second-largest city, and the picturesque towns of Mostar and Blagaj. There’s just as much history as out West!

Here’s an example of a hotel at $38 per night ($19 per night per person) in Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $16 per night in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

27. North Macedonia

Here’s another European country that won’t break the bank! North Macedonia is a landlocked Balkan country. It’s a beautiful, mountainous place with around fifty lakes, perfect for travelers who enjoy outdoor activities.

Skopje, the capital, is famous for its architecture, which blends the old and the modern (I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere else in the world), while Lake Ohrid offers breathtaking views. The town of Ohrid, famous for its medieval churches, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $50 per night ($25 per night per person) in Skopje, Northern Macedonia.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $22 per night in Skopje, Northern Macedonia.

28. Moldova

This Eastern European country is one of the least visited on the continent. It’s therefore an off-the-beaten-path destination for travelers seeking unique experiences, another one that I absolutely loved. Plus, it’s cheap there!

Don’t miss the many vineyards, including the world’s largest wine collection, which is completely underground: we explored it by car, that’s how big it is. The capital Chișinău is interesting too.

We lovedthe separatist region called Transnistria , self-proclaimed independent since 1991. Even though it’s not recognized abroad, Transnistria is a de facto country, with its own government, customs, and currency! Although Transnistria might be the only region in these 34 countries to avoid now, with the Russia situation.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $36 per night ($18 per night per person) in Chișinău, Moldova.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $16 per night in Chișinău, Moldova.

Central America

The affordable region that’s closest to home, so often the cheapest overall for shorter trips because of cheaper flights.

29. Guatemala

This beautiful country was once home to the heart of the Mayan civilization. Today, Guatemala is Central America’s most populous country and is usually a favorite among travelers. Personally, I’d never been much attracted to Central America, but I really liked this country.

Guatemala is splendid, offering majestic volcanoes, lush jungles, and picturesque lakes like Lake Atitlán. The capital, Ciudad de Guatemala, is often overlooked by visitors who prefer to explore Antigua and Chichicastenango. Yet they are all well worth a visit! 

Here’s an example of a hotel at $35 per night ($17 per night per person) in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $17 per night in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala.

30. El Salvador

Despite its small size, El Salvador has a diverse culture, influenced by its colonial history and Indigenous roots. This country is less well-known than its neighbors, yet it doesn’t lack character. We visited in early 2022 and loved the country, but if the price of bitcoin keeps going up, this might not be an affordable destination for long (it was the first country in the world to make bitcoin legal tender). Lodging already seems much more expensive.

Beyond the capital San Salvador, which has surprisingly interesting neighborhoods, get ready to explore breathtaking archaeological sites, pretty beaches like El Tunco, and stunning national parks. La Libertad is a coastal town not to be missed, especially by surfing enthusiasts.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $43 per night ($22 per night per person) in La Libertad, El Salvador.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $24 per night in La Libertad, El Salvador.

31. Nicaragua

Although Nicaragua is not as visited as other places, its charm lies in its well-preserved nature. Prices are affordable, people are friendly, and the beaches are sublime, especially in San Juan del Sur! 

You can also find colonial towns like Granada and León, abundant biodiversity, active volcanoes, and Central America’s largest lake, Lake Nicaragua. Managua is the country’s capital and largest city.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $43 per night ($22 per night per person) in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $15 per night in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

South America

Last but not least.

32. Argentina

Argentina is the 8th largest country in the world and has a unique history with many different influences. Over 97% of the population has some European origins (mainly Italian, not Spanish as many people imagine), but 56% of the population also has Indigenous origins. It’s a beautiful melting pot of cultures! Kevin loved his month and a half there!

The capital, Buenos Aires, is not to be missed, with its elegant architecture, lively neighborhoods, tango dancers, high-quality nightlife, amazing steaks, and very affordable prices. Buenos Aires is also called “the Paris of the South” for its European flair. The majestic Iguazú Falls and Patagonia also delight travelers, as do the less-visited inland regions. However, Patagonia is a very expensive region, it’s not at all a cheap destination.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $54 per night ($27 per night per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $16 per night in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

33. Colombia

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with its Caribbean beaches, Amazon rainforests, Andes mountains, and national parks like Tayrona. We both loved our trips to Colombia too!

Colombian attractions are diverse, ranging from the old town of Cartagena to the mystical Ciudad Perdida, from the dynamic capital Bogotá to the sumptuous beaches of San Andrés and Santa Marta, and from the majestic Los Nevados National Park to Comuna 13 in Medellín. This exceptional diversity explains why the country is attracting more and more visitors!

Here’s an example of a hotel at $39 per night ($20 per night per person) in Santa Marta, Colombia.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $14 per night  in Medellín, Colombia.

34. Bolivia

This beautiful landlocked country in central-western South America has a culture strongly influenced by Indigenous traditions.

Bolivia offers a variety of scenery, from the high plateaus of the Andes to the vast plains at the edge of the Amazon, including the famous Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt desert on the planet. Be prepared for altitude: La Paz is the world’s highest capital and Titicaca is the highest navigable lake on the planet.

Here’s an example of a hotel at $30 per night  ($15 per night per person) in La Paz, Bolivia.

Here’s an example of a hostel at $11 per night in La Paz, Bolivia.

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This post has 2 comments.

You forgot Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Very safe and inexpensive. Also Brazil and Uruguay.

Usually slightly more pricey than the others, but still very affordable indeed!

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13 of the cheapest countires to visit in 2024

Depending on where you live in the U.S. and how long you plan to travel abroad, your cross-pond jaunt might actually end up being cheaper than what you would pay for a comparable length of time in the States. And it will be vastly more memorable than a trip to Tampa.

Below is a short lineup of affordable international getaways, including approximate prices for shoulder season flights, possible accommodations, traditional meals, and activities.

• Round-trip flight : $749 JFK-PRN (March-April)
• Lodging (one night) : $13 shared dorm room ; $30 one-bedroom apt .
• Meal : $11 for lamb casserole + roasted veggies + beer + baklava at Tiffany

Once associated with its war-torn independence struggle, the tiny, partially-recognized state of Kosovo should really be known for its exceedingly warm people (even by Balkan standards), underrated food culture, and rock-bottom prices.

Kosovars are welcoming of all visitors, but they really roll out the red carpet for American tourists. Don’t be surprised if you’re invited into a Kosovar home for a marathon meal of highly-Instagramable dishes you’ve never heard of. The epic Skanderbeg steak — rolled meat and gooey cheese, breaded and then fried — is a must-try.

You can burn off the calorically-rich cuisine with a hike through the idyllic Rugova mountain range , which connects Kosovo to two of its stunningly beautiful and stunningly affordable neighbors, Montenegro and Albania.

The Americas

• Round-trip flight : $837 FLL-EZE (November)
• Lodging (one night) : $18 shared dorm room ; $23 entire apartment
• Meal : $25 for 14oz filet mignon + mashed potatoes + arugula salad + bread pudding at Parilla Cero 5

Argentina is a rare playground for both arts aficionados and nature enthusiasts. Melomaniacs will be left breathless by the opulent Teatro Colón , one of the world’s finest venues (if not the finest) for opera and symphonic music. Entrance to a Colón performance can cost as little as $5 to $6 — about 1/5 the price of a comparable ticket in New York or London. And between shows, you can take private tango lessons for a fraction of what you’d pay stateside.

Prefer to trek rather than tango your way through South America? Semi-affordable domestic flights take you into the hikers’ paradise Patagonia. But there are more cost-effective, environmentally-friendly buses that connect to the hinterland’s major jump-off cities, like Puerto Madryn and El Chaltén. An 18-hour bus ride might sound unbearable, but fully-reclining seats and a bottle of quality Malbec (≈ $2) will do wonders for your mood. And the penguins and glaciers galore are worth the schlep.

Note : In an effort to discourage cash use and limit inflation, Argentina has implemented a special, super-low exchange rate for purchases made with non-Argentinian credit cards. Basically, when you use a U.S. credit card in Argentina you get nearly twice the pesos you would normally nab when withdrawing cash from an ATM. And while it’s wise to carry at least some cash in less developed countries, credit cards are safer and more cost effective than repeated ATM trips (provided your card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees).

Read more: Best travel rewards credit cards

• Round-trip flight : $831 MIA-GIG (September)
• Lodging (one night) : $16 shared dorm room + breakfast ; $26 private floor of a home
• Meal : $15 for seafood stew + coconut banana rice + salad + cachaça cocktail at Yayá

Picture this: You’re walking along a white sand beach, sipping coconut juice (directly from a coconut, that costs about $1.50), humming the melody of “The Girl from Ipanema” when you meet the actual Girl from Ipanema (now in her 70s; still a knockout), and she invites you to an informal, free samba circle later that night.

This could totally happen to you in Brazil. Why? Because magical. things. happen. in. Brazil . And at very affordable prices.

Feeling spiritual? Take a train through Rio de Janeiro’s lush urban forest (about $18) up to the indescribably massive, 635-ton Christ the Redeemer statue. While JC might be the star, the mugging monkeys at his feet are an amusing sideshow.

Care to bathe in the rainbow shimmer-mist of Iguaçu Falls (aka ‘that makes Niagara look like my leaky bathroom faucet’)? It’s about $12.70 for park entrance . Or $80 for a jungle walk + boat ride to the base of the astonishing torrent.

Fancy a 5-day ferry down the Amazon all the way to the Atlantic Ocean? $155 for a contemplative, old-school Manaus to Belém cruise is a bargain.

• Round-trip flight : $732 JFK-AMM (February/March. But be mindful of Ramadan.)
• Lodging (one night) : $16 Bedouin desert tent (including meals) ; $33 studio apartment
• Meal : $11 for lamb kofta + tabbouleh + baba ghanoush at Alshinawi

Jordan is a gift to anyone who wants a spectacular vacation, in a short amount of time, at a low cost. The desert marvel offers a quartet of ‘musts,’ which are quite affordably priced given their bucket-listyness.

Petra. The ancient Nabatean kingdom is an open-air, sandstone museum with unforgettable temples, tomb-lined canyons, well-preserved mosaics, and an enormous amphitheater. About $80 for a two-day pass.

Wadi Rum. Like your deserts pretty in pink? A full-day, guided 4×4 tour through Earth’s closest approximation to Mars starts from $78 .

The Dead Sea. No need to work on your breaststroke before visiting the lowest point on earth, as the Dead Sea’s dense salinity allows you to effortlessly float. Free access from this beach .

The Red Sea. Paradise for anyone who loves coral reefs and colorful sea critters. $50 for a guided dive .

All of the above are within a three-hour drive of one another and will set you back about $200. More importantly: Camel sightings are complimentary, abundant, and unavoidable.

• Round-trip flight : $1,448 JFK-FRU (July)
• Lodging (one night) : $7 shared dorm room ; $23 private yurt + breakfast
• Meal : $16.50 for horse rib + smoked trout with radish salad + vodka at Frunze

Before there was glamping, there was yurting. Overnighting in a yurt — the traditional domicile of nomadic Central Asian sheepherders — is one of myriad charms awaiting those who visit entirely mountainous, serene Kyrgystan. It’s not exactly the most convenient travel destination airfare-wise, but as a Kyrgyzophile once explained to me: Convenience and adventure rarely intersect.

The jewel in the Kyrgyz crown is arguably Issyk-Kul lake and its surrounding wetland biosphere. Stepping onto the lake’s warm sandy beaches in the peak of summer, while staring at the inexplicably snowy Tengri Tagh (“Mountains of Heaven”) that envelope the lake, is pleasantly disorienting.

Can’t get to Central Asia until after summer passes? You’ll instead arrive in the fall/winter eagle hunting season, in which horse-mounted berkutchi hunters send their highly-trained Golden Eagles to retrieve rabbits, foxes, and even wolves.

• Round-trip flight : $1,076 JFK-TAS (April)
• Lodging (one night) : $12 shared dorm room + breakfast ; $18 private room + breakfast
• Meal : $9.50 for lamb plov + stuffed grape leaves + salad at Caravan

If Kyrgystan fulfills your need for pastoral bliss, Uzbekistan delivers on ancient urban unfamiliar. Its key Silk Road cities — Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khiva — are an architecture and/or history buff’s Disneyland, and are as enchanting today as they were when Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Marco Polo once trotted in.

Sightseeing in Uzbekistan can be cheap or cheaper. Entrance to Samarkand’s stunning Registan Ensemble (public square and three gorgeous madrasahs) is about $4 or so. A 5-hour, English-guided tour of Bukhara is a well-spent $30 and can be followed by a $25 sauna + skin scrub + massage at the historic Bozori Kord Hammam (traditional bathhouse). Cap the day off with Tajik green tea and a series of delectable sesame and pistachio confections at the Silk Road Tea House for $5.

• ​​Round-trip flight : $1,327 LAX-KUL (July/August)
• Lodging (one night) : $9 shared dorm room ; $32 for one-bedroom apartment
• Meal : $2.50 for a large bowl of braised duck meat noodle soup (koay teow th’ng) with fish balls and greens + chrysanthemum tea at Restaurant 113

Ever get the sense that you’re a little more food-curious/obsessed than your peers? Malaysians are your kind of people.

The majority of Malaysian millennials eat out at least every other day. And why not? Their food culture is diverse, unpretentious, and cheap cheap cheap.

A Southeast Asian grub odyssey should start in the colonial city George Town, which is widely considered Malaysia’s gastronomic capital, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its mix of Malay, Han Chinese, Tamil, and European cultural influence.

Do some preliminary research at Wonderfood Museum ($8 entry fee), which introduces tourists to the breadth of Malaysian cuisine via plastic reproductions of various recipes. Once you’ve lost track of the number of dishes you plan to taste, take a 15-minute walk to a nearby food market, like Kimberley Street . Below are some of the definitive local treats to try there:

• Roti canai — pan-fried flatbread served with a variety of curries. Recently named the best street food in the world by Taste Atlas .
• Assam laksa — sour/spicy/sweet soup made with mackerel fish stock, tamarind, torch ginger, and noodles
• Char kway teow — fried flat rice noodles with shrimp, eggs, cockles, etc.
• Sate — skewers of succulent meat served with peanut sauce and chili paste
• Hainanese chicken rice — poached chicken and fragrant rice. Beware: It’s geopolitically sensitive .
• Cendol — refreshing dessert with shaved ice, coconut milk, green pandan jelly, and fruit
• Round-trip flight : $1,140 IAD-ACC (February)
• Lodging (one night) : $14 shared dorm room ; $20 private double room + breakfast
• Meal : $9 for vegan fufu soup + salad + pineapple crumble at Tatale

Ghana is an ideal starting point for anyone interested in West African culture. And the best part of your trip — chumming with Ghanaians — won’t cost a single cedi.

A good icebreaker for making Ghanaian friends is to learn and introduce yourself by your full day of the week name . Follow that up with an impromptu lesson in Ghana’s ‘snap’ handshake to fully endear yourself to your hosts. Hopefully, your new pals might be charmed enough to join you for a beach day at Kokrobite, which you can get to via tro-tro (shared taxi) for around $0.70.

Contemporary Ghana’s congenial, upbeat vibe must be contextualized with a sobering look at its history. A guided tour of Cape Coast Castle , which once imprisoned slaves before they were trafficked across the Atlantic, should be legally mandated for any American tourist in Africa. A bus from Accra to Cape Coast costs about $6, and entrance to the castle is $2.75.

Domestic travel fares to other can’t-miss parts of Ghana, like cultural capital Kumasi, are similarly low, even if you elect to fly rather than bus it. Just leave room in your return luggage for the kente cloth and Ashanti sandals you’ll find at the city-sized Kejetia Market.

• Round-trip flight : $1,369 JFK-WDA (May)
• Lodging (one night) : $17 shared dorm room ; $29 private double room
• Meal : $12.50 for grilled kingklip fish + baked potato + salad + local beer at The Fish Deli

Sparsely populated Namibia is a perfect alternative to more tourist-trodden national parks in the U.S., and it’s one of Africa’s best choices for group road trips and camping. You can rent a 4×4 with tents, bedding, cooking equipment, etc. from around $80 per day for a 3-week trip.

Namibia’s premier attraction is perhaps the Etosha salt pan and surrounding wildlife sanctuary , a fauna-fest of ostriches, honey badgers, and white rhinos, to name but a few standout species. From there you can head southwest toward Walvis Bay for flamingo and pelican-watching, along with a guided kayaking trip in waters teeming with surprisingly social seals (about $60 per person).

Shutterbugs can end the trip with a visit to the Namib Sand Sea , known for its surreal, 300-foot+ orange dunes (some of which are easily accessible by road) and dead-but-photogenic camel thorn trees.

• Round-trip flight : $1,670 IAD-LUN (September)
• Lodging (one night): $19 shared dorm room : $30 private room + breakfast
• Meal : $9.50 for goat stew + cassava porridge + house veggies + Zambian beer at Mpoto Yathu

Zambia is surprisingly under-traveled compared to regional household names like South Africa and Kenya. But what it lacks in PR it more than makes up for in unspoiled beauty.

With its key attractions spread out across an area larger than Texas, Zambia is best suited to journeys of three weeks or more. Start by visiting mile-wide, jaw-dropping Mosi-oa-Tunya (aka Victoria Falls) for a $20 entrance fee. After drying off you can take an overnight train ($8 for a sleeper cabin) to the capital city Lusaka. Renting a car from there allows you to unwind on the isolated southern beaches of Tanganyika, a lake so massive it feels more like a sea.

The trip is incomplete without a visit to ​​ South Luangwa National Park . It’s a dream safari in the dry season (July to October), when crowds of elephants, giraffes, and zebras forage along the banks of the Zambezi river’s tributaries, and are tracked by hungry lions and leopards. There’s a widespread misconception that the park is financially out of reach for budget travelers, but you can keep costs reasonable by selecting an affordable tour operator , for which all-inclusive packages (lodging, food, and excursions) start at $209 per day.

Cheapest countries to fly to

The countries highlighted in this article are affordable across a range of travel expenses, including grub, housing, sightseeing, and domestic transit. But they’re not always cheap to get to. And after factoring in airfare, some are only truly cost effective if you can stay for a few weeks or longer.

If you’re craving a foreign escape but you have a relatively short window of time to travel, you might want to zero in on destinations with low-cost airfare (which, for U.S.-based travelers typically = countries in Central America and the Caribbean).

Below are some of the cheapest countries to fly to from the three most popular U.S. airports. Approximate airfare prices are round trip.

ATL Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

• Dominican Republic ≈ $170 in February/March via Frontier
• Mexico ≈ $175 in February/March via Frontier
• Jamaica ≈ $237 in May via Frontier

LAX Los Angeles International Airport

• Canada ≈ $104 in April via Flair
• Mexico ≈ $180 in February/March via Viva Aerobus
• Costa Rica ≈ $213 in August via Volaris

ORD Chicago O’Hare International Airport

• Mexico ≈ $218 in May via Volaris
• Canada ≈ $241 in April via American Airlines
• Colombia ≈ $383 in January via Spirit

Read more: Best booking sites for travel

How to choose your destination

The randomized ‘spin the globe and see where it stops’ method of decision-making does have its merits. But consider the below before you give Skyscanner your credit card deets.

Travel interests

Ever asked yourself, ‘Why all the wanderlust?’ We all want to get away for different reasons, and doing some preemptive soul-searching can help you better predict which countries you’ll truly vibe with.

Poland’s conveyor belt of medieval villages will captivate anyone who’s fond of cobblestone streets and Brick Gothic castles. But its conveyor belt of potatoes (followed by more potatoes) will bore insatiable chow-hounds, who should pay the extra airfare to get to a bonafide gastroparadise, like Malaysia.

Ease of domestic travel

Is there enough to do in one small region, or will you need to be mobile to feel satisfied with your trip?

Transit costs won’t be too much of a factor if you plan on confining your visit to one city — and there are some megacities where you can spend weeks without a moment of boredom (hello Istanbul). But trying to reach two far-flung locales within one ginormous country can bloat your budget, particularly if public transit options are limited.

And keep in mind that two comparably developed countries may have completely different levels of public transit access. India’s vast rail network makes it a haven for low-cost inter-city travel. But ask a Brazilian about trains from Rio to Salvador and expect a dumbfounded, ‘Hã?’

Medical care

If you have a history of medical issues, it shouldn’t categorically prevent you from traveling overseas. But it might influence your destination choice. Low cost of living/travel often correlates to limited health care infrastructure, though there are some exceptions (e.g., Portugal).

Uncle Sam’s input

Always check the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisories just before buying an international flight, and check again in the days leading up to your departure.

All of the countries featured in this article had Level 1 or 2 advisories at the time of publication. A number of places that otherwise would have featured on this list — like Nicaragua, Peru, or Egypt — were omitted due to an increased risk assessment.

If your planned destination is currently safe but historically prone to turmoil, consider booking refundable flights and lodging. And check that your travel insurance will cover an early return home in the event of an outbreak of violence or a natural disaster.

There’s nothing more economical than an open mind

It’s a bummer if you’re priced out of traveling in a fabulous yet exorbitantly expensive locale.

But there are nearly 200 different countries scattered around our shared rock today. And for every Switzerland and Singapore (or, for that matter, United States), remember that there’s an equally exciting and less wallet-crippling alternative waiting for you to visit.

About the author

Michael Dempster

Michael is a credit cards guru knowledgeable across the board in personal finance. He has on-and-off again contributed and edited for Money Under 30 over a number of years, sharing information on topics like travel.

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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!

18 Cheap Places to Travel in 2024

There’s nothing better than being able to travel to the destination of your dreams without spending your entire savings. Depending on where you choose, your money can stretch much further. Because of this, it’s all about making wise choices. For example, do you want to travel to Paris for four days or two weeks in Sri Lanka ? Whether you want to laze on a beach in the Philippines , canoe through the Amazon Rainforest , or sightsee in Spain , we’ve made a list of the best cheap places to travel. And the best part of traveling to one of these locations? Saving your money for the next trip!

Europe as a whole isn’t known for being a cheap place to travel. However, there are a few countries that are affordable, and Spain is certainly one of them! Whether it’s Gaudi’s art in Barcelona , Paella tasting in Valencia , or flamenco shows in Sevilla , there’s something flamboyant and beautiful around every corner.

Food and Transport

Prices for food and drink vary in every city. However, you can find a ‘menu del dia’ (starter, main, dessert) for as little as $9 USD and a beer for as low as $1.80 USD! Better still, head to places like Granada , where it’s common to get free tapas when you buy a drink. Make sure to go with an empty belly!

Landscapes in Spain are stunning, from the wide-open bays of the South to the green mountains of the north. Choose a train from Barcelona to Madrid for $20 USD or a bus from Malaga to Granada for the small price of $10 USD. Alternatively, choose to lift share on blablacar.com – a very popular choice in Spain for those traveling on a budget .

Where to Stay in Spain

Accommodation in Spain is generally very reasonable, particularly in smaller towns and villages. If you’re looking for the cheapest cities to stay in Spain, choose more affordable options like Valencia and Seville over pricier, more popular cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

Hotels in Valencia 😴

Hotels in Seville 😴

When it comes to cheap countries to visit, Poland is up there as a well-known destination. Particularly popular for cheap city breaks, the country offers both beautiful cities and varied landscapes. 

Where to Stay in Poland

Your money will go far in cities like Krakow . Here, you can find accommodation from $10-60 USD (45-220 Polish Zloty) per night, depending on whether you’re looking for budget or mid-range hotels.

Hotels in Krakow 😴

Attractions & Transport

What’s more, the attractions in Poland are some of the most memorable in Europe. For example, the incredible Wieliczka Salt mine or the humbling experience of visiting Auschwitz ; both of which have a well-priced ticket of around $25 USD (90 Polish Zloty).

Poland’s reputation for being industrial and grey couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, it’s home to colorful villages, fairytale castles, national parks, and even beaches!  Road-tripping around Poland is an incredible experience, and hiring a car is very cheap here. Public transport is fast and punctual, and trains cost $12-30 USD.

For renting a car in Poland we recommend Sunny Cars because they work with local car rental companies. When booking through Sunny Cars, all insurances are included, and you will not have any surprises when collecting your car. Book your rental here .

Not only is Hungary home to one of the most beautiful European capitals, but it’s also a cheap place to travel to. Due to the affordability of Budapest , it has become a popular place to both live and travel, with students and digital nomads making the most of the cheap prices.

Book your flight to Budapest

Best of all, sightseeing in Budapest is mostly free, which means your money will go way further. For example, St Stephens Basilica and the courtyards of Buda Castle are free to enter. There are also lots of cheap places to eat and drink. For example, the trendy ruin bars and street food gardens where you can get drinks for less than $2.50 USD.

Where to stay in Budapest

Budapest has plenty of options for all budgets when it comes to hotels and hostels ( you can search for your hostel here ). The best areas to stay are on the Pest side between Keleti station and the Danube River.

Hotels in Budapest 😴

Looking to escape the city? Head out to beautiful areas of natural beauty, such as Lake Balaton. You can visit on a day trip by train starting from $10 USD one way.

4. Best cheap place to travel: Albania

Albania is one of the most underrated countries in Europe, home to incredible beaches with turquoise water, snow-capped mountains, fields of wildflowers, and Ottoman hilltop towns. Best of all, it’s one of the cheapest places to travel in the world – with affordable accommodation, hotels, and transport.

Also read: Tips on How to Travel Cheap

Food and Attractions

Food is super cheap in Albania; you can get a huge meal for 2 people (with salad and 2 main courses) for just 10 EUR (10.15 USD), and it’s delicious! Choose from a selection of delicacies, from stuffed peppers and eggplants to locally sourced olives and baked cheeses.

Besides the affordable dining options, most of the things to do in Albania are free. Wander among the Albanian Alps, stopping at viewpoints and dipping in natural pools, or road trip among coastal roads and enjoy this natural paradise for next to nothing.

Budget Tip: The Albanian currency is LEK, but Euros are also accepted. Save on exchange fees by converting your own local currency to LEK/EUR with a  Wise card . You can use this card to withdraw from the ATM in Albania or pay by card at most shops. Get a Wise card here; it’s free!

Where to Stay in Albania

You can stay in incredible hotels all over the country for 50 EUR (51 USD) per night, although you can find good hotels for as little as 15 EUR (15.20 USD). Some of our favorites were in places like Himare and Theth .

Hotels in Himare 😴

Hotels in Theth 😴

Turkey is unique in that it straddles both Europe and Asia. The benefit of it being part of Asia is that it’s much cheaper than many other western European countries!

Cities like Istanbul not only offer free sightseeing but also have cheap accommodation options and mouthwatering street food! Grab yourself a delicious durum flatbread from a street vendor for just 15 Turkish Lira ($2 USD).

Hotels in Istanbul 😴

Excursions in Turkey

Other must-visit destinations in Turkey include the moon-like landscapes of Cappadocia and the incredible beaches in the south. Turkey is a huge country, but taking internal flights is cheap! As such, you can hop on a quick flight from Northern Istanbul to Southern Dalaman for around $25 USD. The prices of travel, accommodation, and food in Turkey make it a really cheap country to visit for every type of traveler.

Georgia is truly the hidden gem of Europe and another transcontinental treasure to add to your list. It is relatively unknown, and its location means it is one of the world’s ‘cheap places to travel’.

Most travelers head straight for the capital city of Tbilisi , which offers amazing food and wine, as well as a mix of old and new sights. By morning, visit the charming leaning clock tower and old city courtyards. By night, visit the modern ‘Fabrika’ – an old sewing factory converted into space for bars, cafes, and art studios. World-famous sites such as the ‘Chronicles of Georgia’ are completely free to visit!

See the full budget in the Tbilisi guide

Best of all, those looking to shop on a budget have endless bazaars and flea markets. Here, you can find anything from second-hand film cameras to traditional Georgian handicrafts. After you’ve finished shopping, take a break and try the traditional dish of ‘Khachapuri’. This is bread filled with eggs, cheese, and butter, which you can enjoy for just $1 dollar!

Where to stay in Tbilisi

Most things to do in Tbilisi are located in the old and charming city center, and this is also the best area to stay in Tbilisi. The city has become a hub for digital nomads, offering short-term and long-term accommodation for any kind of budget, including some great hostels ( search for a hostel here ).

Hotels in Tbilisi 😴

7. Thailand

Thailand is a backpacker favorite for good reason – it’s one of the cheapest countries to travel to! You can find budget accommodation for extremely low prices, as well as luxury accommodation that doesn’t break the bank. For example, it’s common to find beautiful beachside hotels and island retreats for as low as $10 USD per night! 

A cheap place to travel to for the food

It’s also a hotspot for street food. Travelers can enjoy chicken satay skewers on the streets of Bangkok , noodle soup served at the edge of the jungle, or fresh fruit sold on the beach. The street food culture is an important part of Thai culture, and a dish can be enjoyed for just $0.50.

Hotels in Bangkok 😴

Transport in Thailand

The country is huge! However, it’s super easy to get around; famous for its cheap buses and trains, as well as the tuk-tuks (small taxis). Tuk-tuk prices can be negotiated, so if you don’t get offered a fair price the first time, keep trying. Loads of ferries and trains can be booked in advance here .

We recommend booking a car through  Sunny Cars  because with them all insurances are included.  Book your rental car here .

8. Indonesia

Laidback beach vibes, stunning rice paddies, epic volcanoes, luscious jungles, and paradise islands – Indonesia has it all! Its diverse ecological landscapes and cheap prices make it an incredible place to travel.

It’s also a paradise for foodies! Especially in places like Canggu (Bali) , you can find incredible restaurants and bars serving great veggie/vegan options. Head to Warung Bang Mi: a buffet-style restaurant where a full plate of deliciousness will set you back $1.70 USD.

Where to Stay in Indonesia

Whether you’re a backpacker looking for an island hostel close to the beach, or a honeymooner looking for a luxury jungle retreat, Indonesia offers cheap accommodation. One of our favorite places to stay in the beautiful island of Bali , are places like Canggu or Ubud.

Hotels in Canggu 😴

Hotels in Ubud 😴

Transport in Indonesia

Although the country is big, it’s affordable to travel around, with its cheap internal flights and boat island boat services. Take a flight from Bali to Yogyakarta or a ferry from Bali to the Gili Islands for around $30-40 USD.

9. Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has to be one of the most underrated countries to visit in Asia; home to the silk road and a very cheap place to travel. Tourism is relatively new here, which is reflected in the ‘local’ prices. As a result, the Uzbekistan people are genuinely happy to see you, and their hospitality is overwhelming. 

Where to Stay in Uzbekistan

Accommodation in Uzbekistan is very affordable, and you can find plenty of charming hotels within the city walls of beautiful cities like Samarkand and Bukhara.

Hotels in Samarkand 😴

Hotels in Bukhara 😴

Transport in Uzbekistan

The infrastructure of the country is modern, and the trains are exceptional. Tickets cost between $5-20 USD, which is cheap, considering how comfortable and fast they are. Additionally, each main city has a domestic airport. Because of this, cheap internal flights are on offer for those looking to travel a bit faster around the country. 

Book your flight to Uzbekistan

Adventures in Uzbekistan

Once you’re on the silk road route, discover the most incredible historical cities, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Most of the silk road cities are UNESCO world heritage sites and have endless colorful mosques, tombs, and city walls. The huge range of things to see doesn’t affect budget, as entrance fees are low, ranging from $1-5 USD. 

10. Philippines

Island vacations don’t get much better, or cheaper, than in the Philippines! The huge archipelago of over 7,000 islands is home to white-sand beaches, palm tree forests, and the clearest ocean you’ve ever seen. You don’t need much money to explore this tropical paradise, as you can hike in the jungle, snorkel in the oceans, and relax on the beaches for free! 

Where to Stay in the Philippines

Accommodation prices may be a little higher than in other countries, but it’s still possible to find hostels/hotels at a low price. Some of the best accommodation is on the islands of Siargao and El Nido .

Hotels in Siargao 😴

Hotels in El Nido 😴

Traveling cheap in the Philippines

The main expense in the Philippines is hiring a motorbike to explore (approximately $9 USD per day) and taking boats/planes to move between islands. Internal flights can be bought for between $25-50 USD. For a cheaper option, take overnight ferries, which also reduces your travel budget by eliminating one night of accommodation costs.

Book your flight to the Philippines

11. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an incredibly special part of Asia and a really cheap place to travel! The trains here are famous, taking you through luscious tea plantations, over viaducts, and across rolling hills. Aside from being a  must-do on your trip, the trains are also cheap. You can travel on a 6-hour train journey for just $6 USD (2nd class) and $12 USD (1st class).

A popular choice in Sri Lanka is to hire a driver for the day to take you to remote places, such as waterfalls or secret beaches. The price is very reasonable, at around $50 USD per day. Split between a  group, this is a super affordable option to help you get from A – B in Sri Lanka!

Search for transportation options in Sri Lanka here

Eating Out in Sri Lanka

Food is a huge part of Sri Lanka’s culture, and its proximity to India makes for an incredibly flavorsome experience. Best of all, you can get a bowl of rice and curry for between $1-3 USD! Make sure to try the snacks that are sold on the trains: fiery samosas and flatbreads that cost less than a dollar.

Tip: make sure to budget for your Sri Lanka visa. Find out more information and purchase your visa here.

Where to Stay in Sri Lanka

Where you stay in Sri Lanka will depend on the season of that side of the island. If you choose to visit in the rainy season, you can still have a really enjoyable time, and prices will be much lower. Consider staying in places like Kandy or Arugam Bay for budget-friendly accommodation.

Hotels in Kandy 😴

Hotels in Arugam Bay 😴

12. Vietnam

Street food is king in Vietnam! Part of any trip to this amazing country is pulling up a stool and eating a delicious Banh Mi sandwich or a steaming bowl of noodles. Much like the rest of Asia, this way of eating makes it one of the cheapest countries to travel to; a bowl of food costs anywhere between $2 USD – $5 USD. 

Cheap Places to travel to in Vietnam

The fascinating history of Vietnam means that it’s bursting with unique sights to visit, a lot of which can be entered for free or for a low price. For example, Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi costs just over $1 USD to enter. If you want to join an organized tour, such as the one to Ha Long Bay (one of the seven natural wonders of the world), you can book a day trip for $25 USD. 

Where to Stay in Vietnam

The best thing about Vietnam is that hostels and hotels are more or less the same price. Especially if you’re traveling in a group or a couple, you can find stunning hotels that are so cheap! Some top places to stay are:

Hotels in Hanoi 😴

Hotels in Hoi An 😴

13. Cambodia

Cambodia is less developed than some of its neighbors, and because of that, the range of accommodation is less diverse. However, the plus is that its prices have not caught up yet with tourism, so you can stay in beautiful guesthouses for ‘hostel prices’. Even in the island paradise Koh Rong, you’ll still find plenty of affordable options.

Hotels in Koh Rong 😴

Transport in Cambodia

The country is incredibly rural and doesn’t have a modern infrastructure which means the only option is to travel by bus. However, you can take a bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap for between $8-$10 USD (make sure to check your bus has air conditioning).

Find bus tickets here

Cambodia Attractions

The one thing you must budget for in Cambodia is your entrance fee to Angkor Wat: the largest temple complex in the world and a once-in-a-lifetime experience! An entry pass for 1 day is $37 USD. However, there are around 70 temples to visit in this huge 400 square kilometers park. Because of this, many people choose to buy the 3-day pass for $62 USD or, for ease, join an organized tour.

See availability and tickets for Angkor Wat here

Laos is one of the most remote and landlocked countries in South Asia. The natural unspoiled beauty is made even better by the low prices.

Where to Stay in Laos

The accommodation here is particularly budget-friendly, making it an exceptionally cheap country to visit! For example, hostels cost as little as $7 USD per night. One of the most popular places to stay is Luang Prabang , a beautiful town home to golden temples and turquoise waterfalls.

Hotels in Luang Prabang 😴

Activities in Laos

Activities revolve around nature in Laos, whether it’s hiking in the mountains, swimming in waterfalls, or exploring caves. Most travelers will pay is $1-$2 USD to enter a cave, a lagoon, or cross one of the beautiful bamboo bridges. 

Tip: the visa for Laos can be expensive depending on your country of residence. It can cost anything from $50-60 USD and can be ordered online before your trip starts. See requirements and buy your visa here.

15. Morocco

Morocco is a country where all your senses will come to life. See the colorful spices in the bazaar, smell the tagines, and hear the sounds of traffic in the narrow streets. The culture of markets and souks makes it one of the cheapest countries to shop for handicrafts, textiles, and ceramics. Negotiating is a way of life here, and everyone is out to get a cheap deal!

Traveling Around Morocco

The country is huge and totally diverse – with the Sahara desert lying close to the snow-capped Atlas mountains. It can take a long time to travel between locations, but buses and trains are very cheap. For example, a bus from Marrakech to Fes costs around $10 USD.

Book your transport in Morocco

Where to Stay in Morocco

Make sure to have the authentic experience of staying in a traditional riad. These can range from $25 USD for a more basic riad to $100 USD per night for a more luxurious experience. 

The capital city of Morocco is Marrakech which is a little more expensive than other cities like Fes and Chefchaouen . However, you can still find some cheap deals!

Hotels in Marrakech 😴

16. Egypt – Unique cheap place to travel to

Egypt is one of the cheapest countries to travel to in Africa . From the pyramids of Giza to the Red sea, there are endless wonders to see in this fantastic country.

Attractions in Egypt

Seeing the sights in Egypt is the biggest cost, but it’s all down to whether you choose to take an organized tour or self-guided. An organized tour can save you money and time, as they will pre-book all your accommodation and activities for you. It’s also a great way to learn more about the history from a certified guide and to meet other people.

Alternatively, you can book your own travel and entrance fees for each site. The entrance fee into the Pyramids of Giza is only $13 USD!

Where to Stay in Egypt

It also has similar accommodation prices to South East Asia, with hotels costing $10-$50 USD per night (for budget/mid-range accommodation). Most people choose to base themselves in Cairo to be as close as possible to the magnificent Pyramids of Giza.

Hotels in Cairo 😴

17. Colombia : cheap place to travel in South America

As soon as you hit the streets of Colombia, you’ll find vendors selling local delicacies at super cheap prices. Not only is Colombian food delicious (think arepas, churros, and empanadas), it’s low cost which makes it easy for travelers to stick to a small budget. Walk around the main cities, such as Medellin and Bogota , on your own street food tour, and see the sights and street art while you’re at it! 

Book your spot at this popular Bogota street art tour.

To keep your trip cheap, head straight for the beautiful beaches or volunteer on a farm or homestay in the jungle. Colombia is certainly as diverse as it is beautiful and a great cheap country to travel to. ( Volunteer Abroad via Worldpackers )

Where to Stay in Colombia

In popular cities like Medellin and Bogota, hostels and guesthouses can be a little more expensive than you’d find in South East Asia (approximately $15 USD a night for a dorm room). Combat this by taking overnight buses wherever you can and booking hostels in Colombia that have breakfast included in the price. 

Hostels in Bogota 😴

Hotels in Medellin 😴

18. Bolivia 

Bolivia is one of the cheapest countries to travel to in South America. It’s full of natural wonders, which are free to visit, like the Valley of the Moon, Lake Titicaca, and the Amazon Rainforest.

Activities in Bolivia

Taking a tour to the Bolivian part of the Amazon is much cheaper than doing so from Brazil; 3-day tours cost around $75 USD per person, which includes transport, fees, accommodation, food, and a guide.

Visiting the salt flats is an absolute must-do on any Bolivian trip. You can organize this yourself by buying a bus ticket from any of the major cities in Bolivia. A bus from La Paz will cost you anything between $5-$20 USD depending on the operator and time of day.

f you have a tight schedule and want to travel quickly, there are plenty of internal flights within Bolivia. However, prepare to pay considerably more than you would for a bus.

Tip: remember that tap water in Bolivia is not safe to drink. Avoid buying bottled water (and reduce single-use plastic ) by bringing a water purifier like the life straw.

Where to Stay in Bolivia

Accommodation is a little cheaper than you’ll find in Colombia, with hostels priced at around $10 USD per night and 4-star hotels around $30-$40 USD. Find your hostel in Bolivia .

Fun fact: Bolivia is considered to have two capital cities, La Paz and Sucre.

Hotels in La Paz 😴

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10 Best Beaches in Sri Lanka

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Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

I was particularly drawn to your recommendation of Sri Lanka. The stunning scenery and rich culture make it a destination that is definitely worth adding to my bucket list. Your tip about traveling by train was also a great insight. I am a big fan of slow travel and exploring the local way of life, and it seems like the train ride through Sri Lanka would be an incredible way to do just that.

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How to Find Cheap Accommodation in 7 Easy Steps

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

But that’s not something you have to do.

No matter what your accommodation tastes may be, one thing everyone has in common is that no one wants to pay a fortune for it. Since you have to stay somewhere every night, reducing this expense can save you a lot of money off the total cost of your trip. Next to finding a cheap flight , finding free or inexpensive lodging will have the biggest impact on your budget.

Luckily, there are many ways to find cheap accommodation when you travel. Here are the best ways to do so:

Table of Contents

Cheap Accommodation Tip #1: Stay in Hostels

Cheap accommodation tip #2: house/pet sit, cheap accommodation tip #3: collect points, cheap accommodation tip #4: volunteer, cheap accommodation tip #5: stay in hospitality exchanges, cheap accommodation tip #6: stay on a farm, cheap accommodation tip #7: stay in a monastery, cheap accommodation tip #8: stay in airbnb, my favorite accommodation resources.

I have met people in hostels in their 50s, 60s, and even in their 70s! The myth that they are dirty, gross places to stay designed for young people is outdated. Many hostels offer more amenities than hotels and are really clean as young people expect more comfort. These aren’t the hostels you see in movies or have the horror stories your parents talk about. They come with Wi-Fi, tour desks, bars, curtains, lockers for your stuff, big bathrooms, and lots more! I am constantly amazed at how hostels get better and better each yer.

This page has all my favorite hostels around the world if you want to learn more .

I think hostel dorms are the best value for budget travelers. Yes, you have to share a room with a lot of people, but if you are on a budget, it’s your best way to save money.

While many hostels are geared toward young travelers and set age limits, some of the bigger international chains such as YHA and Hostelling International focus more on older or group travelers . I’ve seen families, tour groups, and older travelers in hostels all over the world. A hostel is really for anyone who wants to meet other travelers, regardless of age.

Hostels are safe, secure, and cheap . Don’t overlook them — even if you’re not part of the young backpacker set.

My favorite hostel booking website is Hostelworld . They have the best inventory, deals, and interface. If you’re going to book, book with them!

And if you’re heading to Europe, consider getting a HostelPass . It’s a discount membership that offers 10-20% off hostels in Europe (as well as discounts on activities and tours).

This website connects travelers looking for accommodation with locals who need a pet sitter while they are away. It’s an excellent opportunity for travelers who like to slow down and really spend a few weeks (or months) in a destination. Yes, you’ll have to watch someone’s pets, but you’ll get access to a home with a kitchen, laundry facilities, and possibly even perks like a car or pool. It can save you a fortune if you’re a long-term traveler.

House sitting is gaining in popularity, but it’s still a little-known landscape for so many travelers. You’ll need to pay to join Trusted Housesitters ($129 USD per year) but it will open up opportunities all around the globe. I know several travelers who pet sit full time, hopping from destination to destination while enjoying free accommodation along the way.

It can take time to get started as you need to build up your reviews, but once you’ve done that you’ll be able to find sitting gigs in amazing destinations!

Collect hotel points through various programs and redeem them for free nights at hotels. Most cards come with welcome offers that are equal to multiple nights of free hotel stays. Best of all, you can earn points just with your regular day-to-day spending. It doesn’t cost anything extra!

Here are a few posts to help you get started:

• Points & Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• The Best Travel Credit Cards
• How to Pick the Best Credit Card
• The Best Premium Travel Cards
• How to Earn Free Travel By Paying Your Rent

I save thousands of dollars every year thanks to points and miles. It’s the #1 thing you can do to lower your accommodation costs!

Many hostels will have job boards up if they are looking for help. But it never hurts to just ask either!

If you want to find opportunities before you head abroad, check out Worldpackers . They offer travelers a chance to find volunteer experiences overseas. In addition to hostels, it can help you find experiences with NGOs, home stays, and eco-projects all over the world.

Simply the Worldpackers website , sign up (it’s $49 USD/year, and start browsing for opportunities. It’s super fast and easy to use. You’ll get $10 off signing up if you use my link too!

There are a few websites that make this happen. Two of the most popular are:

• Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is my favorite of them all. It’s not as popular as it used to be, but it is still the best place to start. The goal of the site is to help travelers not only save money on accommodation but also learn about the local culture by being able to stay and interact with a local .

What I especially love about Couchsurfing is that you don’t even have to stay with people either. If you’re not ready to stay with a stranger, you can just use the app to meet people. I get taken to parties, restaurants, and sites that aren’t in any guidebook all the time — all thanks to using the app!

To ensure I find a great host, I use the following criteria:

• There has to be a picture with the profile . This just shows me that it’s a real person.
• The profile has to be filled out. It shows they are interested and involved. Most people aren’t going to spend the time to fill this out if they aren’t going to be comfortable with strangers in their home. If someone hasn’t bothered to fill out the profile, they probably don’t use the site and I simply move on.
• They should have reviews. If other people have stayed with or have at least traveled with the host and had a good experience, you and your stuff will probably be fine. The more positive reviews, the better.
• Verification helps. Knowing that a person has been verified (by showing their ID to Couchsurfing) reduces the likelihood that they are going to be a crazy psycho killer. However, if someone isn’t verified but has a lot of reviews, that’s fine with me!
• They should be active . If the person hasn’t logged on in months, I won’t waste time applying to them.

No matter what, you need to use your own judgment when picking a host. Usually, you end up messaging hosts to get a feel for them and what they expect. If it doesn’t feel right, there’s no obligation to stay with them.

Once you Couchsurf for the first time, you’ll see that there really isn’t anything to fear. And, if you do it frequently, you’ll end up saving hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on accommodation while making friends around the world.

For more information on how to crush it on these services, read this article . It will give you tips and tricks on how to find a host and how to stay safe!

There are thousands of farms spread out over 100 countries. Some stays are for a couple of weeks, while others can be for months. Simply sign up, pay the small fee, and you can start searching for opportunities!

For more information, check out this post , which breaks down everything you need to know to get started WWOOFing!

Resources for finding a monastery stay:

• Monastery Stays
• How to Stay in a Monastery
• 15 Great Monastery Stays

These apartments are a nice bridge between a hostel and hotel, though they can get a bit expensive if you are a solo traveler. They are roughly double the cost (if not more) than a hostel dorm room. However, if you are part of a group or a couple and are looking for a respite from the dorms and hordes of travelers but don’t want a hotel room, this is your ideal accommodation option. Another reason to use this method? You get a kitchen, allowing you to cook and reduce your food costs.

But let’s face it. Everyone uses websites now. Airbnb is a major platform and one of the primary ways people travel now. If you don’t want a hotel but also don’t want a hostel dorm, this is the perfect middle ground.

Here’s my guide to finding the perfect Airbnb or short term stay .

• Hostelworld.com – My go-to site for finding hostels.
• Booking.com – The best website for finding budget guest houses, hotels, and more.
• Agoda.com – Another great website for homestays and guest houses, especially in Asia.
• TrustedHousesitters.com – The biggest (and best) pet-sitting platform.
• Couchsurfing.com – A great app for finding free acommodation with locals.
• Airbnb.com – My go-to app for renting apartments/homes while traveling.

It has never been easier to find cheap accommodation — if you know where to look. So, the next time you head out on the road, consider one of the options above. They will help you reduce your expenses, freeing up more money so you can do activities, eat out, drink more, and overall, experience the destination you saved so long to visit.

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Cheapest Countries to Visit Right Now

Home » Blog » Travel Tips » Cheapest Countries to Visit Right Now

We are always looking for ways to stretch our travel budget to the fullest. We put together this list of the cheapest countries to visit in every region of the world, including money-saving tips from our personal experience.

If you’re anything like us, your ever-growing travel bucket list may be putting a bit of pressure on your wallet. Luckily, the world is full of cheap places to travel that don’t require too much effort to get to.

There are budget-friendly destinations on every continent, and you can travel pretty much anywhere on a budget if you know the tips and tricks .

We’ve put together a list of the cheapest countries to visit on each continent (except for the expensive ones – sorry Australia and Antarctica!) where your dollar will go further. We even included money-saving tips for each country based on our personal experience.

Regions of the World

Jump to the section you are looking for, or just scroll down the page.

• North/Central America
• South America

Other contents:

• Finding cheap flights
• Budget tips for notoriously expensive places

Finding cheap airfare

Choosing a budget-friendly travel destination is smart if you’re looking to save money on travel. However, the costs below do not include airfare. So if budget is a big concern, you’ll want to use some of these handy tips for finding cheap flights:

• Sign up for newsletters to get notified about mistake fares and take advantage of a cheaper “accidental” price.
• Always compare prices on travel search engines such as  Skyscanner , Kayak and Expedia. But! If you can find the cheapest price there, it’s always best to book directly with the airline itself.
• Be flexible: Know when the best time to fly is, book self-transfer layovers to save, and compare prices to different airports in the area or region.

For more information, check out our in-depth guide on  how to find cheap flights using travel hacks .

Budget Destinations in Asia

Asia is the largest continent and home to some notoriously expensive places (like Japan !), but it’s also where you’ll find some of the cheapest countries to visit in the entire world! We’ve spent a lot of time living in and traveling through Asia and we’re here to tell you it can absolutely be done on a shoe-string budget!

Low cost of food and accommodation

Cambodia has it all. From turquoise waters on white sand beaches to a lush rainforest, ancient temples, a rich culture and warm, welcoming people. Despite a dark history, the spirit of Cambodian people has never been higher.

It’s location in Southeast Asia and reputation for affordability makes Cambodia a hot spot for backpackers and vacationers alike. Most people come here to visit the ancient temples of Angkor, which is an impressive sight (especially at sunrise!), but there is so much more to add to your  Cambodia itinerary .

Cost per day

• Backpacker budget:  $15 USD per day
• Mid-range budget:  $35 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Cambodia:  The currency in Cambodia is a mix of US dollars and local Riel. Vendors will try to overcharge foreigners by asking for USD, when the price in Riel would be a much lower equivalent. Try to avoid paying in USD by always asking for the price in Riel to save money.

Average costs (on a mid-range budget) 

• Local meal:  $2 – $4 USD
• Beer:  $2 – $5 USD
• Accommodation:  $12 – $25 USD/night
• Local Transportation:  $5.50 USD/day
• Regional Transportation:  $15 USD
• Entertainment:  $10 USD/day

Cheap things to do in Cambodia

• Spend the day at the beach with a good book: Free!
• Discover the best street food: $2 USD
• Browse a night market: Free!
• Hike to a waterfall: Free!
• Stroll the grounds of the Royal Palace Parks: Free!
• Take a tuk tuk around town for the day: $8 USD
• Visit the ancient temples of Angkor Wat: $37 USD

A relatively low currency and plenty of off-the-beaten-path options

From the bucket list wonder, the Taj Mahal, to the tropical backpacker’s party hub of Goa, India has a vast range of destinations for budget travelers. And with a relatively weak currency, the exchange rate makes traveling on a budget fairly easy for most foreigners.

But before you start planning your trip, keep in mind that  India is not for everyone . It can be a challenging place to visit for particular or inexperienced travelers.

• Backpacker budget: $10 USD per day
• Mid-range budget: $30 USD per day

Money-saving tip for India:  Opt out of AC. This may seem like a stretch for anyone who’s looked at the average temperatures in India and knows it can reach well over 100° F. However, if you are really trying to pinch your pennies, accommodation without AC can be as little as one-third to half the cost of rooms with an air conditioning unit.

• Local meal:  $2 – $3 USD
• Beer:  $1.50 USD
• Accommodation:  $16 – $31 USD/night
• Local Transportation:  $3.50 USD/day
• Regional Transportation:  $10 USD
• Entertainment:  $6 USD/day

Cheap things to do in India

• Stroll a local food market: Free!
• Visit the Taj Mahal : $15 USD
• Take a cooking class: $20 USD
• Party on the beach in Goa: Free!
• Get lost in the chaotic streets of Varanasi: Free!
• Gaze at the unique architecture in Mumbai: Free!

Plenty of free things to do and cheap accommodation

When people think of Indonesia, they usually immediately jump to Bali. Yes, the  tropical island of Bali  is a special kind of paradise with its Balinese Hindu culture and plethora of infinity-edged pools alongside ancient temples. And its cafe culture attracting  digital nomads  from around the world.

However, there is so much more to Indonesia from  world-class diving  to exploring unique natural wonders such as  active volcanos  to the hustle and bustle of the capital city of Jakarta. Where you decide to travel in Indonesia will have a significant impact on your budget. So if you are trying to save, stick to islands that are lesser known to tourists such as  Java  or  Flores .

• Backpacker budget: $20 USD per day
• Mid-range budget: $35 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Indonesia:  Stick to the off-season. Like most tourism destinations, accommodation prices shoot up during peak season. In Indonesia, this is over New Years and during the school holiday from June – August. If you want to save money on your accommodation costs, try booking during the off season instead.

• Local meal:  $4 USD
• Beer:  $2 USD
• Accommodation:  $25 – $50 USD/night
• Local Transportation:  $5 USD/day
• Regional Transportation:  $12

Cheap things to do in Indonesia

• Visit the monkey forest in Ubud: $6 USD
• Spend an afternoon on the beach: Free!
• Visit the  best temples in Yogyakarta : $25 USD
• Entrance to Komodo National Park: $11 USD
• Browse the street markets: Free!
• Take a yoga class: $10 USD

A bargainer’s market in the off season for accommodation prices

Nestled in the Himalayas, Nepal is best known as a destination for trekking. Especially those who want to summit the highest mountain in the world, or at least  tackle the multi-day trek to Everest Base Camp  like we did.

What this small nation lacks in size, it makes up for in adventure, culture, beauty, and warmth. This country has so much more to offer than just trekking. And it makes a fantastic budget destination for its affordable accommodation, meals, and relatively low currency exchange rates.

• Mid-range budget: $25 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Nepal:  Bargaining is part of the culture in Nepal and if you don’t take advantage of that, you will be paying a premium rate for everything from accommodation to souvenirs.

• Local meal:  $1 USD
• Beer:  $2.25 – $3.15 USD
• Accommodation:  $12 – $23 USD/night
• Local Transportation:  $2 USD/day
• Regional Transportation:  $5 USD
• Entertainment:  $8 USD/day

Cheap things to do in Nepal

• See the famous Buddhist Stupas: $2 USD
• Browse a local food market: Free!
• Go shopping for souvenirs: Free! (unless you buy something)
• Try a momo cooking class: $20 USD
• Go on a multi-day trek: $15 – $30 USD/day
• Check out one of Nepal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites: $9 – $13 USD

South Korea

High-tech mecca with prices to rival those of Southeast Asia

You may be surprised to see a country known for their tech-boom on a list of budget destinations. But, here we are. Contrary to what you may think, it is possible to  travel on a budget in Korea . Take it from us…  we managed to save $22,000 in just one year while living in South Korea teaching English .

The exchange rate in South Korea makes everything more affordable than you would find in other Asian destinations like China and Japan. As long as you come with a solid plan and limit your unnecessary spending, you will be able to enjoy traveling in South Korea on a budget.

• Backpacker budget: $45 USD per day
• Mid-range budget: $120 USD per day

Money-saving tip for South Korea:  If you are excited about exploring South Korea on a budget, consider moving there to work as an English teacher for a period of time. You’ll get free accommodation (!!!) and the pay is better than most countries that hires ex-pats for the same job.

• Local meal:  $5 USD
• Beer:  $3.20 USD
• Accommodation:  $50 – $100 USD/night
• Local Transportation:  $4 USD per day
• Regional Transportation:  $14 USD
• Entertainment:  $10-$15 USD/day

Cheap things to do in South Korea

• Experience a noraebang (Karaoke room) with friends: ~$5 USD per person
• Eat fresh fish at a fish market: $15 USD
• Wander the beautiful Boseong Green Tea Fields: Free!
• See the cherry blossoms in bloom in April: Free!
• Treat yourself at a jjimjilbang (Korean spa): $12 USD
• Get a glimpse of North Korea at the DMZ: Free!

Plenty of free things to do and cheap street food

Thailand is probably the number one destination on every backpacker’s list and for good reason. Not only is the country warm and welcoming to foreigners — it’s known as the land of smiles after all — but it’s unparalleled beauty and cheap cost of travel make it a hot spot for travelers of all kinds.

• Backpacker budget: $25 USD per day
• Mid-range budget: $65 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Thailand:  Take out large sums from ATMs. Thailand runs on a mostly cash economy, so you’ll need to take out money from ATMs along the way. The ATM fees in Thailand can actually be quite steep (usually around 200 baht ~$6 USD) so it’s best to plan your expenses and take out large sums at once. Just be sure to leave the extra cash in a safe or hidden back at your accommodation.

• Local meal:  $1.50 USD
• Accommodation:  $32 – $63 USD/night
• Local Transportation:  $12 USD/day
• Regional Transportation:  $30 USD
• Entertainment:  $15 USD/day

Cheap things to do in Thailand

• Visit the famous Doi Suthep temple in Chiang Mai: $3 USD
• Browse the night markets: Free!
• Hike to one of the many island’s famous viewpoints: Free!
• Ferry between islands to explore: $9 USD
• Climb the Sticky Waterfall near Chiang Mai : $30 USD

The Philippines

Lots of cheap eats and natural wonders to explore for free

An island nation in southeast Asia straddling the Philippine and South China Seas, the Philippines has a lot to offer travelers. Even those on a tight budget! When we traveled there back in 2015, we were easily able to keep our  budget under $50 per day  for our 2-week vacation.

• Mid-range budget: $50 USD per day

Money-saving tip for the Philippines:  Since the Philippines is an island nation, getting from place to place can be tricky and may require many modes of transportation. This can make your transportation costs add up fast. In order to save money, we recommend booking flights early and having flexible dates. Our go-to for finding reasonable transportation in the region is  12goAsia .

• Beer:  $1 USD
• Accommodation:  $19 – $38 USD per night
• Local Transportation:  $16 USD/day
• Regional Transportation:  $53 USD
• Entertainment:  $13 USD/day

Cheap things to do in the Philippines

• Spend a relaxing day at the beach: Free!
• Enjoy a fresh mango smoothie: $2 USD
• Eat fresh seafood on the beach: $1.50 USD
• Hike to a viewpoint above Twin Beaches: Free!
• Go on an all day island hopping tour: $27 USD
• Rent a motorbike and explore the island for the day: $7 USD
• Catch an epic viewing of the sunset from the beach: Free!

Cheap street food, lots of backpacker accommodation and affordable transportation options

Vietnam offers a plethora of flavors, sounds, landscapes, and people. From urban cities to island-dotted bays, terraced rice fields to cavernous rock structures, there is no much to see and do is this country. Travelers on a budget love it because of the low cost. For as low as $20 per day, you can survive on a backpacker budget and travel around the country.

• Mid-range budget: $40 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Vietnam:  Traveling overland throughout the country can be pretty affordable in Vietnam. Just be sure to book your transportation ahead of time on a  trusted website  and sleep on overnight buses for long trips to save money on accommodation.

• Accommodation:  $20 – $40 USD per day
• Local Transportation:  $6 USD/day
• Regional Transportation:  $19 USD
• Entertainment:  $10 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Vietnam

• Take a walking tour of Hanoi: Free!
• See a traditional puppet show: $3-5 USD
• Visit the Saigon War Remnants Museum: $0.65 USD
• Do a junk boat cruise in Halong Bay: $40 USD (and up)
• Enjoy Vietnamese street food with a fresh brewed local beer: $2 USD

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We Traveled the World for  4 years on a Budget  with these  21 Brilliant Travel Hacks!

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Budget destinations in europe.

You may see dollar signs when you think of travel to Europe, especially for those countries operating on the Euro or the Pound, but not all European destinations will break the bank. There are a few hidden gems on this continent that are not only budget-friendly, but absolutely worth a visit for so many other reasons.

One of Europe’s cheapest and most under-rated destinations

Bulgaria took us by complete surprise when we first traveled there. We had no expectations whatsoever and the country really blew us away with it’s charm, beauty and adventure.

Easily one of the cheapest places to travel in Europe, you can travel in Bulgaria on a reasonable budget —especially compared with destinations in central and western Europe.

• Mid-range budget: $55 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Bulgaria:  Take public transportation. Nearly all of the highlights and attractions in this country can be visited via public transportation, which will save you loads instead of booking tourist transfers. The national railway system even offers discounts on return tickets, which makes day trips very affordable.

• Local meal:  $6 USD
• Beer:  $1.25 USD
• Accommodation:  $30 – $60 USD per night
• Local Transportation:  $11 USD per day
• Entertainment:  $9 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Bulgaria

• Take a walking tour of the city: Free!
• Do a food tour in Sofia: Free!
• Visit the historical site in Nebet Tepe Park in Plovdiv: $5 USD
• Marvel at the Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko: $4 USD
• Try Bulgaria’s version of a Shopska Salad: $4 USD

Affordable luxury on the Dalmatian Coast

If piercing turquoise seas and fairytale-like architecture is what you seek, then Croatia is the budget destination for you. While we found the country to be a bit… how can we put it delicately?… over-hyped. Let’s just say it didn’t impress t didn’t impress us as much as

Spanning most of the Adriatic Sea, you’re never too far away from the coast when traveling in Croatia. And even if it’s not pretty beaches you seek, stone castles and magnificent waterfalls await travelers of all kinds.

• Backpacker budget: $30 USD per day
• Mid-range budget: $75 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Croatia: Travel to Croatia during the off-season (winter months in the Northern Hemisphere) to get the best rates on accommodation and avoid crowds.

• Local meal:  $8 USD
• Beer:  $3 USD
• Accommodation:  $40 – $80 USD per night
• Local Transportation:  $7.75 USD per day
• Regional Transportation:  $20 USD

Cheap things to do in Croatia

• Rent a bike and explore Korčula: $16 USD
• Enjoy a picnic while watching the sunset over Dubrovnik: Free!
• Walk the Dubrovnik City Walls: $25 USD
• Explore the Old Town in Split: Free!
• Climb Marjan Hill for sunset: Free!
• Explore one of the famous national parks full of waterfalls: $30 USD

Cost of travel drops significantly outside of the capital city

Most people only go to Hungary to visit the capital city of Budapest. While Budapest is a super fun city (we liked it so much we came back a second time!), you will find lots of hidden gems outside of the capital. And prices decrease significantly as well!

The landscape, history, culture and cuisine here is definitely worth exploring. And can easily be done on a budget if you stick to local markets, public transportation and cheap accommodation.

Money-saving tip for Hungary:  Get the  Budapest Card . It’s a travel pass that allows for major discounts and deals on attractions around the city. Plus you get lots of stuff for free such as entrance to certain museums and the Lukács thermal baths. The pass can be purchased in 24-hour increments. The more days you get the pass for, the cheaper the daily rate.

• Local meal:  $7 USD
• Accommodation:  $35 – $70 USD per night
• Local Transportation:  $10 USD per day
• Regional Transportation:  $18 USD

Cheap things to do in Hungary

• Take a waking tour of the city: Free!
• Enjoy the lookout from Fisherman’s Bastions: Free!
• Have a drink at one of the famous ruin bars: $3 USD
• Take a dip in the Szechenyi Thermal Baths: $20 USD

Less touristy and more affordable than it’s northern neighbors

Montenegro may be a small country, but it isn’t lacking in things to do. From the medieval-style Bay of Kotor to the Dinaric mountains surrounding Zabljak, this country has a lot to offer budget travelers.

As an emerging tourist destination in the past few years, Montenegro’s popularity is growing. However, it’s still much less traversed than it’s northern neighbor, Croatia and prices of travel reflect the undersaturated market.

Money-saving tip for Montenegro:  Rent a car. Montenegro is a small and easily navigable destination. The cost of  renting a car  here is cheap and it’ll save you a lot of money on tourist transfers.

• Beer:  $2.25 USD
• Accommodation:  $25 – $55 USD per night
• Local Transportation:  $8 USD per day
• Regional Transportation:  $35 USD
• Entertainment:  $7 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Montenegro

• Climb up to the Kotor Fortress: Free!
• Spend a day at the beach in Perast: Free!
• Wander through the Old Town of Kotor: Free!
• Go for a hike in Žabljak: Free!
• Visit Black Lake and the Ice Caves: Free!

Rich culture and history, often overlooked by tourists

When we started traveling in Poland we had no expectations, but it ended up being one of our favorite countries in Europe. Poland’s deep history shows through in everyday life and it’s a place you can easily spend the day people watching while sipping a coffee at a street-side cafe.

Full of museums and historical sites that cost on average only about $5 USD to enter, Poland is easily one of the best budget destinations in Europe. It turns out there is so much nature to explore in Poland, delicious food to eat, and history to absorb.

• Mid-range budget: $60 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Poland:  Use bike sharing to get around in the cities. Public transportation is generally pretty affordable in Poland, but the cheapest (and most eco-friendly) mode of transportation is the bike sharing programs. In fact, most bike-sharing offers free rides for the first 20 minutes. So as long as you park every 20 minutes to explore, you could get away with a free ride for the day!

Check out our other  tips to travel more responsibly  on your next vacation!

• Accommodation:  $37 – $75 USD per night
• Local Transportation:  $5 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Poland

• Take a walking tour of Krakow: Free!
• Reflect in the Ghetto Heroes Square: Free!
• Tour Schindler’s Factory Museum: $6.60 USD
• Hike to Emerald Lake (aka Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy Lake): Free!
• Soak in the hot springs at Terma Bukowina: $8 USD

Eastern Europe’s best-kept secret for affordable travel

A popular misconception of this former Soviet-occupied nation is that it’s dangerous or full of ugly Soviet-era buildings. Trust us when we say this couldn’t be farther from the truth! (I mean… just look at the colors in that photo!)

With its charming medieval towns, ancient fortified churches, and the magnificent Carpathian mountain range, Romania has a lot to offer. And as one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, we think its a must-see for travelers on a budget!

• Mid-range budget: $70 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Romania:  You can find cheap accommodation with Hostels and Airbnb in the cities, but in the country there is an even better option. You can  rent a private room in a local’s house . Staying in the countryside in a traditional home with picturesque scenery and warm hosts will cost you even less than a hostel dorm in the city.

• Accommodation:  $25 – $50 USD per night
• Local Transportation:  $18 USD per day
• Entertainment:  $8 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Romania

• Take a walking tour of Brasov: Free!
• Hike up to the Tampa Mountain viewpoint to see the Brasov sign: Free!
• Tour the Peleș Castle: $9 USD
• Rent bicycles to explore the countryside: $3.50 USD
• Visit the museums in Bucharest: $3 – $5 USD

A weaker currency means you get more bang for your buck

Turkey is a fascinating travel destination that is easy to fall in love with. On our first visit, we planned to stay just a week and wound up there for nearly one month. And we still cannot wait to return for more exploring one day!

The Turkish Lyra has not been at it strongest in recent times and this means travelers coming from nations with stronger currencies (USD, Euro, etc.) have an advantage. Plus there are tons and  free and cheap things to do in Istanbul , Turkey’s capital and largest city.

• Backpacker budget: $15 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Turkey:  Travel during shoulder seasons (April – May & October) to save money on accommodation. Hotel prices spike during peak travel from June – September and can add a lot to your travel costs in Turkey.

• Accommodation:  $15 – $30 USD per day
• Local Transportation:  $1.50 USD per day
• Regional Transportation:  $8 USD

Cheap things to do in Turkey

• Go on a walking tour of Istanbul: Free!
• Cruise the Bosphorus by ferry: $4 USD
• Catch the sunset on Galata Bridge: Free!
• Try some amazing local street food: $4 USD
• Witness a Whirling Dervish Ceremony: $12 USD

Budget Destinations in North & Central America

If you haven’t given Central America much thought until now, it’s time to think again. Your money goes far in this region of the world and we’d highly recommend traveling here to anyone looking for a bit of an adventure.

Don’t overlook North America either. While the US can be expensive to travel around, there are ways to cut down on costs ( road trip anyone!?) and Mexico is always a great bet to find more bang for your buck.

The Central American hub for backpackers and surfers

Probably the most popular and well-traveled destination among backpackers in Central America, Costa Rica is easily the most expensive country in the region. But… that doesn’t mean you should cross it off your cheapest places to travel list.

The exchange rate for foreign currency makes it possible to travel on a budget here without skimping on the necessities. And with the jaw-dropping landscapes, friendly locals and  epic adventures to be had , you are not going to want to miss this Central American hot spot!

Money-saving tip for Costa Rica:  Skip the tours and rent a car instead. You’ll find that driving in Costa Rica is actually quite easy and comfortable. With so many places to explore from waterfalls to volcanos, jungles and beaches, you’ll save a lot of money not paying for over priced tours and driving yourself instead.

We’ve put together a comprehensive  guide to renting a car in Costa Rica  that’ll walk you through everything you need to know so you don’t have to spend hours trying to find answers with Google.

• Beer:  $2.50 USD

Cheap things to do in Costa Rica

• Soak in natural hot springs: Free!
• Spend the day surfing and catch some waves: $10- $15 USD per day
• Go chasing (hiking) waterfalls: Free!
• Hike the Arenal Volcano: Free!
• Take a walk on Whale Tale Beach: $6 USD

A Central American gem at half the cost of Costa Rica

Known as Central America’s Mayan heart, you will find yourself enchanted by the beauty that Guatemala has to offer. While Costa Rica may be the region’s better known hot spot, Guatemala is made that much better because it feels a lot less touristy… and at half the cost of it’s southern neighbor (a few “doors” down), who can complain!

There are dozens of historical sites found in this country. With its rich Mayan heritage, indigenous culture, and colonial charm, we dare you not to fall in love with this welcoming and adventure-filled country.

Money-saving tip for Guatemala:  Take the chicken buses… We know what you’re thinking: Wait, back up, did they just say “chicken buses”? Yes we did! Keep reading…

Chicken buses are what the locals use to get around Guatemala. They are brightly painted American school buses that can been converted for local transportation. The buses earned the nickname “chicken bus” because locals bring everything on board—from machinery parts to giant bags of produce to, you guessed it—chickens!

There are no set stops, nor is there a price list. Simply tell the driver your destination when entering the bus. Then find a seat or a place to stand. Someone will come around to collect the fare, and the amount will be based on your final destination. But don’t worry, it is much cheaper than a shuttle bus or private coach!

• Beer:  $1.60 USD
• Accommodation:  $12 – $25 USD per night
• Entertainment:  $20 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Guatemala

• Go handicraft shopping at a local market: Free!
• Watch Volcan Fuego erupt: Free!
• Hike to Indian Nose viewpoint above Lake Atitlan: Free!
• Visit the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey: $7 USD
• Go on a self-guided ruins tour of Antigua: Free!
• Explore the Mayan ruins of Tikal: $20 USD

Hidden gem of Central America with more affordable options than it’s neighbors

The hidden gem of Central America, Honduras is often skipped by most tourists. However, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t at least consider traveling to this beautiful and diverse country. Compared to it’s more popular neighbors, Honduras is considerably cheap. And affordable travel here is relatively easy to do.

• Backpacker budget: $12 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Honduras:  Check your bill. A lot of restaurants in Honduras will add a service charge to your bill, so make sure you are not double-tipping. Also, paying in cash will save you as credit card charges often cost an extra 3-5% processing fee.

• Accommodation:  $8 – $15 USD per night

Cheap things to do in Honduras

• Jump off the pier and go swimming in the ocean: Free!
• Participate in a beach clean up: Free!
• Hike to waterfalls in the jungle: Free!
• Go kayaking on Lake Yojoa: $10 USD
• Explore the Los Naranjos Eco Park: $6 USD

An exchange rate that makes cultural & adventurous experiences affordable

Newsflash:  There is more to Mexico than beaches ! While the beaches here are top notch, avoiding the tourist-heavy resort towns is the best way to save money while traveling in Mexico. And you might just find the “real” Mexico is much more enjoyable!

The food, the culture, the energy of the Mexican people— it’s intoxicating and you won’t want to miss this experience by spending your time at an all-inclusive resort. Plus, due to the value of the Mexican Peso, you can get more value for your money than you could 5 years ago.

Money-saving tip for Mexico:  Use public transportation! If there is one thing that will cost you necessary money in Mexico it is paying for over-priced taxis. Instead opt for colectivos (Mexico’s version of a shared taxi van) or buses for longer distances.

The ADO bus company is a first-class bus system that connects cities throughout the country. Their buses are comfortable and air conditioned, affordable, and best of all safe for travelers. We have a complete guide to traveling around Mexico by ADO bus .

• Accommodation:  $20 – $40 USD per night
• Entertainment:  $12 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Mexico

• Explore ancient Mayan ruins like Chitchen Itza: $13 USD
• Go hiking in the Sierra Norte Mountains: Free!
• Jump off a cliff into a cenote: Free!
• Catch a  Lucha Libre wrestling match : $9 USD
• Sample traditional Mexican cuisine in a food market: $4 USD

Southwestern U.S.A. (road trip)

Road tripping the wild West is a great way to cut down on costs

The US isn’t exactly known as one of the cheapest countries to visit, especially when compared to many of the other places on this list. However, doing a road trip can seriously cut down on your daily costs. Coupled with the fact that the American southwest is absolutely filled with spectacular scenery and incredible natural wonders, it makes the perfect place for a budget vacation.

Related:   How to Plan an Epic USA Road Trip

• Backpacker budget: $85 USD per day
• Mid-range budget: $150 USD per day

Money-saving tip for road tripping the southwestern US:  Look into getting the  America the Beautiful National Park Pass  if you plan to stop at more than one of nationals parks along the way. (And believe me – you’ll want to stop at them all!) The southwestern United States is full of breathtaking national parks and having the pass will allow you to enter all of them with a full car of people at no extra cost.

Related:   Money Saving Tips for a Cheap Road Trip Across the US

• Local meal:  $9 USD
• Hotels: $80 – $120 USD per night
• Campervan rental: $40 – $140 USD per night
• Camping: Free – $50 USD per night
• Car rental:$20 – $50 per day
• Gas costs: $20 – $30 USD per day
• Entertainment:  $0 – $20 USD per day

Cheap things to do in the western United States

• Visit Horseshoe Bend lookout: Free!
• Drive through Monument Valley: Free!
• Entrance to  Arches National Park : $30 USD per vehicle
• Tour Antelope Canyon: $25 USD
• Snap a photo in front of the classic Las Vegas sign: Free!

Related:  Get inspiration for your next road trip with our list of  Best USA Road Trips .

Budget Destinations in South America

We think South America is one of the best places in the world for ultra-budget travelers. It was the location of our first ever long-term backpacking adventure and the birth place of this very blog you are reading.

This enchanting region is filled with incredible nature, scenic landscapes, and welcoming people. And best of all, most of it can be experienced on the cheap!

South America’s most affordable destination

As one of the least developed nations in South America, Bolivia is not only one of the cheapest countries to visit in South America, but it is bursting with untouched natural beauty to be discovered.

If you’re an adventurous traveler, you will find plenty to do here from Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest lake, to the other-worldly salt flats of  Salar de Uyuni  to  pedaling down the most dangerous road in the world .

Money-saving tip for Bolivia:  Don’t pay the sales tax. When checking out at a cash register, the clerk will usually ask you, “Con factura o sin factura?”, meaning “with tax or without” (this is sometimes displayed on the credit card machine as an option as well). Always opt for “sin factura” which allows the vendor to eliminate the sales tax and lower the price to you. With sales tax at a whopping 13% this common work-around will save you money here and there.

• Local meal:  $3 USD
• Accommodation:  $8 – $16 USD per night
• Local Transportation:  $2.25 USD per day
• Entertainment:  $15 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Bolivia

• Take the teleférico for a tour of La Paz from above: $0.50 USD
• Visit the Witch Market in La Paz: Free!
• See the sunset from Valley of the Moon: Free!
• Visit the Train Cemetery outside Uyuni: Free!

No more narcos, just beautiful colonial cities, white sand beaches and cheap, delicious eats

Gone are the days when Colombia was considered a dangerous place for travelers. Ask any traveler who’s been there in the past decade and they’ll tell you that Colombia is a warm and welcoming budget-friendly destination.

From the coast to the mountains, Colombia has something for every kind of traveler. Home to a whopping 10% of the world’s biodiversity, Colombia is a country that should not be missed by travelers who enjoy outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.

Money-saving tip for Colombia:  Uber it! If you’re in any of Colombia’s major cities, you’ll find that Uber is readily available. Because the ride-sharing app is generally cheaper and safer than taking a local cab, its a good way to save a few bucks here and there.

• Accommodation:  $10 – $20 USD per night
• Local Transportation:  $3.50 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Colombia

• Hike Pico de Loro in Cali: Free!
• Get a mud bath in Volcan del Totumo: $13 USD
• Explore the streets of the Old City in Cartagena: Free!
• Hike to Monserrate Church in Bogata: Free!
• Rent bikes to explore the city: $20 USD

Lots of free things to do and cheap adventures to be had

This small but diverse country has so much to offer from the enchanting Galapagos islands, to the mountains, colonial cities, and surfing beaches. While a trip to the Galapagos may not exactly be cheap, we proved you can even do the  Galapagos Islands on a budget  if you plan right. Traveling elsewhere in Ecuador is actually quite affordable

• Local meal:  $3.50 USD
• Accommodation:  $15 – $30 USD per night

Cheap things to do in Ecuador

• Browse a local market: Free!
• Spend the day soaking up the sun at the beach: Free!
• Swing at the edge of the world: Free!
• Go hiking in the Andes Mountain Range: Free!
• Take a dip in a thermal bath in Baños: $1.50 USD

Affordable adventure for every type of traveler

Peru is one of the most popular countries in South America. With all the delicious cuisine, local culture, and beautiful natural landscapes, there is so much more to this country than  Machu Picchu  – although it is pretty spectacular! Traveling on a budget here is not hard to accomplish as you can see by the crowds of backpackers that make their way through the country every year.

• Mid-range budget: $45 USD per day

Money-saving tip for Peru:  Eat like a local. Eating our at restaurants in Peru, especially in hot spots like Lima and Cusco can get pretty expensive. Instead, do as the locals do and eat at local markets or cook for yourself.

Cheap things to do in Peru

• Marvel at the Huaca Pucllana ruins: $5 USD
• Rent a bike and cycle around Barranco: $15 USD
• Hike to a viewpoint above Cusco: Free!
• Try a pisco sour: $4 USD

Budget Destinations in Africa

With expensive tour packages and luxury safari resorts, Africa is not exactly known as a budget-friendly travel destination. However, if you plan your trip right and forego the tours and resort stays, you can travel many countries on this continent at a fraction of the tour prices. Below are some of our favorite budget destinations on the continent of Africa.

A country welcoming tourism with lots of affordable things to do

A prime example of ancient meets modern, Ethiopia is full of unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else in Africa. The capital city of Addis Ababa is the fourth-largest city in Africa and home to some of the country’s best museums and traditional food.

You will not find safaris here — the reason to come to Ethiopia is to experience the mix of modern and ancient culture and see the geographic wonders and historic landmarks that cover the land.

• Local Transportation:  $3 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Ethiopia

• Go camping in Simien Mountains National Park: $10 USD
• Visit one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites: Free!
• Tour the Lake Tana monasteries: $30 USD
• Hike through Bale Mountains National Park: $3 USD

A Northern African wonderland, just a stone’s throw from Europe

With its proximity to Europe and its reputation as the most stable country in northern Africa, Morocco has become a popular tourist destination for travelers of all kinds in recent years.

There is a small but growing network of backpacker hostels in the country and regional transportation is incredibly cheap. As long as you manage to steer clear of the shop owners trying to to push rugs and handicrafts on you, you can reasonably expect to spend a lot less than in Morocco’s northern European neighboring countries.

Money-saving tip for Morocco:  Haggle or bargain with shop owners and taxi drivers. It is expected as part of the culture and reasonable to pay 50% less than what they initially ask for.

• Accommodation:  $20 – $45 USD per night
• Regional Transportation:  $11 USD
• Entertainment:  $6 USD per day

Cheap things to do in Morocco

• Browse the local souks: Free!
• Get lost in the maze of the medina of a city: Free!
• Stroll through Jardin Majorelle: $8 USD
• Marvel at the beautifully designed mosques at sunset: Free!
• Try a local tagine: $50
• Get a scrub down at a hammam: $25 USD

Forgo luxury tours for a road trip and camping under the stars to make this a budget-friendly destination

Home to some of the world’s most surreal landscapes — the Skeleton Coast, Deadvlei and Sossusvlei to name a few — Namibia is a country that should be on everyone’s Africa bucket list. While it’s not known for being particularly cheap, there are ways to make traveling in Namibia super affordable.

Tours in this country can cost a pretty penny, but renting a car and doing a road trip is a great way to keep your travel budget down. Plus, it is the best way to see all the highlights around this vast country. And believe us when we say, there are tons of  things in do in Namibia  you won’t want to miss!

Money-saving tip for Namibia:  Opt for camping instead of lodges. Accommodation is going to be one of your biggest expenses in this country, but you can seriously cut those costs if you rent camping equipment and sleep outdoors.

• Accommodation:  $20 – $35 USD per night
• Entertainment:  $100 per day

Cheap things to do in Namibia

• Do a self-drive safari in Etosha National Park: $6 USD per adult
• Shop for souvenirs at the street market in Swakopmund: Free!
• Climb to the top of Dune 7: Free!
• Drive the Skeleton Coast highway: Free!

South Africa

A low exchange rate with plenty of free outdoor adventures

South Africa has so much more to offer travelers than high end luxury safaris. From Cape Town to Jo’burg, the Garden Route and Kruger National Park, there is endless adventures to be had in this diverse landscape. And with a relatively low exchange rate for foreign currency, you can make your way around this country with a pretty cheap daily budget.

Money-saving tip for South Africa:  Cook for yourself. Eating out at restaurants can add up fast. Especially in the big cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town. Save money by booking accommodation with a kitchen ( Airbnb  is our go to!) and buying your food at grocery stores.

• Accommodation:  $40 – $80 per night

Cheap things to do in South Africa

• Hike Lion’s Head for sunrise: Free!
• Ride the Table Mountain Cable Car: $20 USD
• Swim with the penguins at Boulders Beach: Free!
• Browse a Sunday market in Johannesburg: Free!
• Road trip the Garden Route: $60 USD per day

The most affordable destination in Africa!

According to the 2019 Backpacker Index, the tropical island of Zanzibar, Tanzania is the cheapest destination to travel to in all of Africa. Nicknamed the “Spice Islands” the archipelago in the Indian Ocean offers a mixture of both African and Indian cultures, white sand beaches, and world-class diving and snorkeling opportunities.

Money-saving tip for Zanzibar:  Being an island destination, one of your biggest costs will be getting here. Save money on flights by traveling during the off-season and following our  steps to finding cheap airfare .

Cheap things to do in Zanzibar

• Soak in the culture while wandering through Stone Town: Free!
• Visit the National Museum of Culture & History: $6 USD
• Pay your respects at the Slave Museum: $5 USD
• Spend a day at the beach: Free!
• Try a local dish at Forodhani Market: $4 USD
• Explore the Jozani Forest: Free!

Got champagne taste on a beer budget?

If you’re like us, you’ll want to see  all  of the world’s most exciting destinations and not just the cheapest places to travel. We’ve traveled to some of the most expensive places in the world and have seen them on a budget.

Lucky for you we’ve created articles full of advice and tips for traveling on a budget in some of the world’s most popular destinations that aren’t exactly known for being cheap.

• Galapagos:  If soaking up sunshine and frolicking with sea lions seems like a dream to you, you’re in luck! We’re going to share our best tips for  traveling the Galápagos Islands on a budget  because we believe it’s a place that not only the rich should experience.
• Iceland:  We’ve put together some of the  best money-saving hacks that helped us keep our costs down in Iceland . We’re sharing them with you so that you can follow in our footsteps and visit this beautiful country on a budget!
• Japan:  Yes, Japan is an expensive country to travel in, especially when compared to it’s neighboring countries in Asia. However, it is totally possible to  travel in Japan on a budget  and we’re here to show you exactly how to do that.
• Las Vegas:  A city known for its opulence and excess, you might be surprised to find out that you don’t need to have a high-roller budget to have one hell of a time in Sin City. Find out  how to travel in Vegas without spending all of your cash .
• New York City:  NYC is notoriously expensive, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stick to a budget. There are plenty of free things to do and other ways you can  save money during your NYC trip  so you don’t come home from vacation completely broke!
• New Zealand:  Traveling in New Zealand is not cheap. But don’t let that ruin your dreams of visiting this absolutely epic country. Just because it’s not as cheap as backpacking through Southeast Asia doesn’t mean you can’t  travel to New Zealand on a budget .

You may also like…

• Ultimate Guide to Traveling on a Budget
• How to Save Money to Travel the World
• How We Afford to Travel (and You Can Too!)
• Our Favorite Money-Saving Travel Resources and Tips

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We want to hear from you!

Have you been to any of the destinations on our Cheapest Places to Travel list? Do you think there are any places we’ve left off the list that you’d recommend? Comment below and let us know!

Comments (1) on “ Cheapest Countries to Visit Right Now ”

Great list! Budget travelers will appreciate these affordable destinations for their next adventure.

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Two Can Travel

Digital Nomads & House Sitters

How to Find Cheaper (or Free!) Long-Term Travel Accommodation

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

Table of Contents

How to find less expensive (or even free) accommodation while slow traveling around the world.

WATCH Digital Nomad Accommodation ~ 6 Ways to Travel for Cheaper or Free! ON YOUTUBE

When it comes to the cost of living while traveling long-term, one of the most expensive parts is accommodation. That’s one of the reasons why we love slow travel! The longer you stay in a place, the more you can cut down on your overall expenses.

Just as importantly, when you travel slowly you can get to know a place better. You can form deeper connections with the people there, try more of the local food, create routines for yourself, and immerse yourself in the community. When long-term travel is your lifestyle, these things become very valuable for your overall health and happiness. They are for us!

We like to stay at least one to three months in most of the locations we travel to. Then we use it as our base for further exploration in the region and just enjoy life.

The two main ways we find long-term accommodation while traveling are through Airbnb and house sitting/pet sitting. And there are several other ways we’ve found accommodation that we’d also like to share with you.

The Best Ways to Find Long-Term Accommodation While Traveling (Staying 1 month or longer)

In this article, we’ll go through six of the best ways you can find long-term housing while traveling slowly.

1. Airbnb Monthly Rental

When you book a monthly rental on Airbnb, staying for 1 month or longer, many hosts offer a big discount. Sometimes up to 50% off!

Here are some examples with screenshots from Airbnb comparing the cost to stay at the same place for different lengths of time.

Let’s say you want to find an Airbnb in Berlin, Germany.

7 nights = $454 ($64.86/night)

When you book for a 1-week stay (7 nights) at this beautiful 1-bedroom apartment in Berlin, the total cost is $454 ($64.86/night). Not too bad.

21 nights = $1,271 ($60.52/night)

If you book a three-week stay (21 nights) at the same apartment, the total cost is $1,271 ($60.52/night). Getting cheaper. But wait…

30 nights = $1,342 ($44.73/night)

This is where things get really good! When you book a 1-month stay (30 nights) at this same property the total cost is $1,342 ($44.73/night). That’s because the Airbnb Monthly Discount has kicked in!

If you compare the overall cost of the 21-night stay with the 30-night stay (1,342-1,271=71), the difference is $71. That means if you were to book the additional 9 nights (30-21=9), you’re only paying $7.88 per night for each of the last 9 nights!

23 nights = $1,388 vs. 30 nights = $1,342

It’s worth checking the price of places on Airbnb with a monthly discount because even if you don’t need to stay for the full 30 nights, it could still work out to be cheaper.

In this Berlin example, even if you only wanted to stay at this apartment for 23 nights, you’re still better off booking it for 30 nights because it is cheaper overall. Sometimes the monthly discount kicks in after 29 nights, so you can play around with the dates too.

This works all over the world!

Check out the long-term Airbnbs we stayed at in Bucharest, Romania and Bangkok, Thailand .

2. House Sitting and Pet Sitting

Living out of Airbnbs and having the comforts of a home or apartment is great. But the biggest game-changer for us in terms of our lifestyle and saving money on accommodation has been long-term house sitting and pet sitting. This way of travel is ideal if you are responsible, like pets, and are willing to be flexible with your travel dates.

Stevo doing some yard work at a housesit with Nana, the “branch manager”.

How do you find house sits and pet sits?

We usually find house sits and pet sits through the website Trusted Housesitters . We have also done house and pet sits through friends and friends of friends.

There are lots of different house-sitting websites out there. We’ll put together another article sharing about those. In this article, we’ll focus on Trusted Housesitters because that’s the website we use and have had great success with.

How does it work?

Trusted Housesitters works as an exchange. You stay in a place and take care of the home, pets, and plants/gardens. The owner has peace of mind while they are away knowing their home and animals are being looked after, plus they save money not having to board their animals.

The benefit for you is getting to stay in their homes without having to pay rent. We love the chance to have temporary pets since it’s not easy to have pets of our own with our full-time travel lifestyle. Not only do we save money by not paying for Airbnbs or other accommodation, but we’ve also had the chance to stay in some incredible properties in amazing locations that we wouldn’t typically be able to!

House sitting is a win-win for both the housesitters and the homeowners. We are very grateful for the opportunities we’ve had through house sitting and the lovely people and pets we’ve met along the way.

Our experiences house sitting

Since April of 2019, we have done seven house sits, five of them through Trusted Housesitters and two through friends and friends of friends. We’ve taken care of dogs, cats, and sometimes just the home and gardens. In total, we’ve had 13 months of free accommodation through house sitting (so far)!

We usually try to find long-term house sits that are for at least one month. But we’ve done house sits ranging from one week to six months.

We’ve been fortunate to get house sits all over the world including in Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Romania, the USA, and France.

Trusted Housesitters has memberships for sitters, owners, or you can have a combined membership as both a sitter and an owner. Trusted Housesitters is one of the most expensive housesitting websites out there, however, we believe it’s completely worth it. There is a huge database of housesits all over the world. Members are verified and there are reviews from both owners and sitters so you can feel secure with the sits you choose. Just getting one house sit will more than cover the cost of your membership. We’ve saved thousands of dollars on accommodation over the past three years since we joined. We have the Basic Membership and that works great for us! Get 25% off any Trusted Housesitters membership . 

3. Facebook Groups and Facebook Marketplace

Finding accommodation through Facebook groups and Facebook Marketplace is becoming more common all around the world. Facebook can be a great place to find long-term accommodation while traveling.

Something to keep in mind when booking accommodation through Facebook is that you need to be diligent in checking out the person making the listing and ask lots of questions to ensure that where you are booking is safe.

One way to find accommodation through Facebook is to search for expat groups in cities all around the world. These groups are a great way to learn more about living in that place and you can often find info about housing options too. Some of these groups are private, so you’ll need to answer questions and let them know you are planning to relocate or travel there soon in order to get in. Search “expats X city” to find these groups. Be sure to follow all of the group’s rules once you are in!

Search “X city apartment rental” to find Facebook groups that offer short and long-term rentals.

Real-life examples

In Cambodia, especially Phnom Penh where we used to live, going through Facebook groups is a very common way of finding housing. There are over a dozen Facebook groups that pop up when you search “Phnom Penh Housing” on Facebook. Here are two Facebook groups you can check out as examples: Phnom Penh Housing and Phnom Penh Shared Housing . The second group is to find a room in a house if you would prefer to have roommates and lower your accommodation costs even more.

You can do similar searches for countries and cities all around the world. Type in combinations such as: ‘X city name Apartments’, ‘housing X city name’, or ‘short term rental furnished X city name’ in the search bar on Facebook.

Our experience using Facebook to find housing

Personally, we’ve only used Facebook Groups once to find long-term accommodation while traveling. In our experience, it worked out really well! We were in Chiang Mai, Thailand and our next stop was Bangkok. We knew we wanted to get a place for one month, but we weren’t finding anything that looked good within our budget on Airbnb (which doesn’t happen often!).

I started looking around in Facebook groups and Facebook Marketplace in Bangkok and found a listing for an apartment in an excellent location just slightly higher than our budget. I sent a private message to the person who posted the listing. We spent time looking over his profile to ensure he was a real person and that he seemed safe and trustworthy.

After several conversations back and forth and asking lots of questions, we felt comfortable and decided to book with him. We were even able to negotiate with him to get the price down to what we wanted to pay!

He drew up a contract which he emailed to us and sent us check-in instructions. He wasn’t actually there when we checked in but the process went smoothly with getting the key and getting in. We signed the contract in person once we arrived then took pictures of the contract and emailed them to him.

We paid him by going to a bank in Bangkok and paying directly into his bank account. It was much different than anything we’d done before, but it worked out well and wasn’t too much of a hassle. (As an aside, the apartment was amazing! Especially for the price!

We wouldn’t default to using Facebook for finding apartments, but if you aren’t finding what you want on Airbnb, Facebook groups and Facebook Marketplace are good places to look for more housing options.

Have you ever used Facebook to find housing? Share your experience in the comments!

Jen in the gym at an apartment we found through a Bangkok Facebook group.

4. Scouting Out Places On the Ground

“for rent” signs.

If you’re already traveling in a place and decide you want to stay there longer, one option is to walk around town and look for ‘For Rent’ signs in the areas you’d like to live in. Then you can call directly and go see the place in person before you book!

I know it seems strange that people might still post ‘For Rent’ signs these days, but some owners aren’t tech-savvy enough to know how to post their place online. It’s also quite expensive to advertise your home or apartment online, so some homeowners choose not to do it.

It can get a little tricky if you don’t speak the local language, but it’s certainly worth trying as many homeowners speak English or have family members who do and can help.

Local Real Estate Websites

Another good trick is to look at local real estate websites and find places for rent in the areas you want to stay in. A quick Google search with your VPN off will help you find these.

This is something we did when we were already traveling in Bangkok back in 2018. We knew we wanted to stay there longer so we started Googling “short-term apartment rentals in Bangkok.”

We found a place listed on a local rental website in an amazing location in downtown Bangkok. The price was great, but the pictures were terrible. They were super grainy and it was hard to tell what it really looked like.

I called and asked if we could come by to see the place in person. When we arrived it was so much better than it had looked online and we couldn’t believe how low the price was for that location. We signed a one-month contract and moved in! We ended up staying at that place on three different occasions when we traveled to Bangkok, contacting the owner via email each time before we arrived.

A lovely guest house we stayed at for about four weeks in Goa, India.

5. Long-term Stays in Guest Houses

A guest house is another name for a hotel in many parts of the world. Many guesthouses welcome guests to stay long-term! You can even negotiate the rate down when you book a longer stay upfront.

Staying long-term in a guest house is a good option if you don’t require all of the amenities of an apartment or house and are okay with just having a room and bathroom. In some cases, you may have access to a kitchen on the property where you can cook some of your meals.

Oftentimes, guest houses are smaller and more simple than hotels, but they can still be very comfortable. In many cases, guest houses are family-run businesses and the family may even live on-site.

We stayed in a lovely family-run guest house in Goa, India for almost four weeks in 2019. Our room and bathroom were very simple but comfortable enough. The owner rented us a motorbike so we could get around more easily. She also helped us organize transportation when we needed to get to the train station. She was available to answer any of our questions during our stay and we felt a nice homey vibe staying there.

Since there wasn’t a kitchen we could use, we ate all of our meals out and also did our work from different cafes and restaurants. This worked out well because the accommodation was quite inexpensive and we preferred to get out and about to explore every day.

Depending on where you are traveling, staying in a guest house long-term may be your best and most affordable option for accommodation.

We recently joined an expat group on Facebook for a city in Albania, where we are thinking about going soon. The members are so friendly and helpful!

6. Bonus Tip: Friends and Digital Nomad or Expat Communities Online

Friends you meet along the way during your travels can be some of your greatest inspirations and resources for places to go and where to stay. You’ll meet a lot of people once you’ve been living the digital nomad lifestyle for a while. Stay in touch with them!

Don’t hesitate to ask questions or for advice from people. Most travelers are generous and will be happy to share information with you, just as you would for them. Plus, this can be a really great way to find accommodation options that are vetted by people you know and trust!

You can also get involved in different digital nomad and expat communities online. You’ll find people from all over the world in digital nomad and expat Facebook groups who are openly sharing information to help one another.

These groups can be great resources for figuring things out, including housing! Search for “expats in X city name” or “digital nomad X city name” on Facebook.

We hope this information is helpful as you figure out designing your own travel lifestyle. We have found a lot of balance and enjoyment in slow traveling, and the savings from long-term accommodation has made this lifestyle more sustainable for us as well. Plus, we have more money available for food and activities!

If you have any questions or want to chat, email Jen@twocantravel (dot) com

You can find all of the info from this article on our Youtube channel too!

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Which of these tips have you tried or would you like to try? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

[…] There’s nothing to say you can’t try all of these types of accommodation out at different points to see what suits you. We’ve shared our six favorite ways to find digital nomad housing in this article. […]

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Long Term Travel and Digital Nomad Lifestyle.

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Knowing the basics of long term travel on the cheap is crucial for a simple reason: The less we spend, the more time we can travel. Knowing how to travel on a budget also allows us to reduce our workload and have more free time since we can sustain ourselves with less revenue. Listed below are the most substantial tips to make you a guru of long term travel on the cheap, combining a healthy mindset with practical advice.

• Spending on value and not comfort.   Finding the difference between perks and necessities is the first essential practical tip. Avoid spending on things which have higher cost than benefit. Do you really need it? Will it make you happy? Usually the expenses you can cut are related to comfort and ego which you can do without. Spend instead on the things that really matter: Health, friends, learning, safety, real experiences. And yet there’s a thin line – don’t get too obsessed with saving that you miss out on value. As an example, I used to pick the cheapest night buses (to avoid a night at a hotel), and it worked out perfectly. Today however, I don’t choose to sacrifice that good night’s sleep, because the work I can do when I sleep well is more valuable than what I save. There is no right or wrong here, its only about making the best decision based on your specific circumstances.
• Be local from day one.  You want to avoid being a tourist since tourists pay a large premium for their lack of information and need to fully maximize the short their short vacation. If you’re a nomad/long term traveler on a budget, you have to act like a local, and make appropriate concessions. A cheaper restaurant. Budget accommodation. Public transport.
• Staying longer . We’ve explained how staying longer saves money before , but nutshelling it, staying longer saves you money. You can get monthly passes for public transport, long-term accommodation discounts, gain more information for the cheaper places in your locale, and you save money on transport since you don’t travel this much. In addition to saving money, you’ll get to know the place better and make a larger circle of friends, too.
• Travel as a couple or in group.  A double room in a hostel/shared apartment is often quoted the same price just as a private room (that’s what keeps many marriages together, the living cost per person are lower living together). Groups also get good discounts in some activities, as you have more bargaining power.
• Have no ego.  When something’s expensive and of little real value, ignore your ego and say No. To do that, you ought to choose travel companions and a social circle that doesn’t value splurging.
• Be curious and conscious.  If you’re curious in nature/habit and have your eyes open, you will be much more informed about the good value options and opportunities out there. In addition to saving money, curiosity will get you some new friends and increased awareness will make you happier and better oriented.
• Map the cheap places.  Since you are staying longer, work on upgrading your list of cheap providers. Good options for cheap healthy food, barber shop, supermarket, 1$ Shops, cheap transport, economical laundry places. If something is missing, or overpriced, actively seek for solutions.
• Research.  Take time to research on big spending items. Long term accommodation, flights, transportation- spend a some time on comparing, gathering information and choosing the best value option.
• Choose cheaper destinations for long term travel (off-season is also better).  If your revenue is generated outside of the place to which you’re traveling, it makes sense to choose a destination with low cost of life. Your quality of life will greatly increase while you can maintain the same amount of expense in expensive countries. It is also recommended to travel off season to get better deals on accommodation and avoid the masses. Unfortunately, low cost places (Asia, South America etc.) usually involve more expensive flights and might not be as cost-effective per day if you are not staying for a few months.
• Free and discounted events.  There are always free city tours, meet-ups and worthwhile events if you’re looking to really get to know a place. Groupon and LivingSocial give you great deals and discounts too.
• Befriend locals.  Local friends know the “hacks” and information that will help you decrease spending, and can even offer you free accommodation. They also tend to have the same schedule (which allows you to work during the day and socialize at the evenings). Locals also usually spend less than tourists when going out. Conclusion: Get local friends.
• Go to places you have friends . Not only meeting you past friends is fun, it can also save you money. Many will invite you to their home, or take you around with their car. Take into account their availability and location when planning your next destination.
• Keep flexible and say yes.  If you’re flexible, you can say yes to opportunities all the time. Try to avoid longer term attachments (Rent, projects, jobs), and take advantage of all the opportunities around you.
• Cook for yourself.  The rule is simple, the more expensive a country is, the more critical it will become to cook your own meals. If you don’t have a lot of time, preparing a only quick healthy breakfast will really save money on the long run.  If you can’t cook, locate the cheap and healthy lunch and dinner options, that you can keep on returning to. One of the best places to start with are the buffets in Supermarkets that offer great value on cooked food to go. On that note, carrying a water bottle with you (preferably aluminum if you have electronics in your bag) will keep you healthy reduce your expenses.
• Cheap transport.  Try finding ways of getting cheap flights . Walk when you can instead of paying for a ticket (its also healthier). Go for public transport and avoid taxis. If it’s safe enough (I personally don’t take the risk), hitchhike or rideshare.
• Accommodation.  If you’re alone, a dorm bed is the cheapest option there is (and you will also not be alone anymore). If you need space, look around for the monthly deals on AirBnB and other short term accommodation sites (Monthly search will get you far better rates per day). Use free accommodation options like Couchsurfing , WWOOFing (free accommodation for work), house-sitting . Also, when picking accommodation for a longer period, opt for the outskirts of the city. Not only it will be more quiet and feel more at home, it will also be cheaper. Those places are in low demand by tourists since getting there is a bit tricky and tourists prefer accommodation in the center in the few days they have to spend in a location.
• Learn from mistakes.  Since you are constantly changing to new locations, mistakes that increase your expenses are bound to happen. Instead of being frustrated from mistakes, consider them as learning opportunities to improve your nomadic skills.  Make sure you understand what needs to be changed in the future to avoid similar mistakes.
• Keep track of your finances.  Track and sum your monthly expenses, understand if you’re balancing your costs or not, and address anything which needs reducing. Analyze your monthly spending and check what items there can you save on, without reducing much your happiness and quality of travel.
• Bargaining.  Bargaining is especially effective and expected in developing countries. However, even in developed countries, asking for a discount (or deals if you feel uncomfortable to bargain) on the higher price tag expenses such as long term accommodation and transport is well worth it. If you have a student card, always ask if there are price/deals for students.
• Minimalism.  On the road, less is more. If you carry less, you spend less on purchasing “Stuff” and replacing your stuff ( Securing your things will also prevent spending in case you lose them). A lot of stuff also has increased costs in storage and extra luggage while traveling. But more than costs, having less stuff makes you lean, mean and free.
• Save money when you are back home. Every nomad has home breaks. When you are have one, opt to stay with the family. Not only will it save you money on accommodation, but most importantly, being away means lack of quality time with the people you love. When you are home, stick with family and friends.

If you have any suggestions or lessons you’ve learned to help others traveling on the cheap, feel free to share them in the comments!

An audio version of this article is available below:

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Long term travel include lots of planning. So you have to really careful specially while booking your flight tickets because it is the most expensive thing in the whole travel specially for long term.

Gracey, I totally agree on your flight insight! There is an article in the blog that might help with that one: https://becomenomad.com/ways-getting-cheap-flights/

For a long term travel you need to find a place where you can stay for many days. This will obviously increase your expenses. If you are looking for a hotel then it will definitely exceed your budget, so better too find a room for rent the is less expensive and is also comfortable at the same time.

Roby, thats true, staying longer makes a lot more sense financially in comparison to constantly switching locations

Your points help me to understand that how to travel with cheap budgets with extent joy. The minimalism person able to enjoy more than those with extra luggage and stuffs.

Less is more.

i like staying longer but it demand more money to live

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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)

9 Ways Long Term Travel is Cheaper Than You Think

There’s a flaw in the way that non-long term travelers calculate the potential cost of long term travel.

Short-term travelers tend to make an inherent assumption that their two-week vacation is how much it costs to travel for 2 weeks, and then conclude that spending at that level for an entire 3 months/6 months/year/lifetime is obviously impossible, therefore long term travel isn’t possible.

We should know: we used to be those people, back when we thought that our long term travel dreams would have to wait until wrinkles, gray hair, and ready-to-retire amounts of savings showed up in our lives.

But here’s the thing about long term travel: you can travel cheaper than you think–without sacrificing quality.

Far from costing as much as however many 2 week vacations strung together, long term travel is often cheaper than staying home!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

And even better?

The longer you do it, the cheaper travel gets–especially if you start working some travel jobs   along the way.

I initially published this blog post about the costs (or lack thereof) of traveling long-term when Jeremy and I were closing in on one year of living nomadically.

After writing this post, we went on to spend a total of more than 4 years without a permanent home base, before outside circumstances (read: 2020), caused us to finally settle into a home base again.

And after all that time, I can say with absolute certainty that the original thesis of my blog post remains true: long term travel is not only possible, but you can travel much cheaper than you think.

Here’s why.

You have very few, if any, permanent bills.

On the road, our life/travel budget (because it’s all the same thing at that point) consisted of 4 basic categories: food, shelter, entertainment, and miscellaneous.

During our first year of travel as (theoretically) invincible 20-somethings, we maintained a travel insurance policy and had no other monthly bills.

Eventually, we added US health insurance back into our lives as an extra security blanket, though many American long term travelers (even those who are retirement age) opt not to.

Here’s a short, incomplete list of all the things that you don’t pay directly for when living nomadically: rent/mortgage, property taxes, HOA fees, utilities, internet, business clothes, some toiletries (toilet paper/soap etc.), gym memberships, car insurance, gas, and car registration.

The actual traveling is what makes travel expensive.

Planes, trains, buses–these are the things that cost the most money when traveling.

If you buy a $500 roundtrip plane ticket for a two week trip, that’s a large cost per day of traveling.

If you buy two $300 plane tickets four months apart, and you have significant flexibility in your schedule to seek out cheap flights ?

Suddenly, the cost per day isn’t nearly as high, and your long term travel budget has more breathing room.

With long term travel, you control how much it costs to live.

If you have a job and a mortgage in one location, your cost of living is inherently tied to that place.

When traveling, though, you have complete control over how much it costs to live: if France is getting pricey, go to Romania .

If you want to cut your budget dramatically, plan on a few months in Thailand or Guatemala .

Even more dramatically? Programs similar to Workaway can be a great option.

This gets even more interesting when you start making money to travel  while  you’re already traveling–sustaining yourself on the road indefinitely often isn’t as far away as you think!

You won’t go on excursions every day.

You know all those cliches about wanting to go to Paris and sit in a cafe all afternoon sipping coffee, or wandering the streets of a city aimlessly until you find a favorite street food stall and return there every day, or spending a whole day just staring out at a beautiful sea while reading a book?

Here’s the thing: if you’re anything like our former, short-term traveling selves, or most other short term travelers we’ve met, those things don’t end up happening on a one or two week trip.

It’s hard to justify flying across the world to basically enjoy the art of nothingness when excursions and activities are calling from every direction.

You know when those things happen?

On long term trips, when you slow down, and get tired of going somewhere specific every day.

You know what else those activities are?

A way to travel cheaper.

You find cheaper travel deals.

When booking a one week trip, the idea of maybe losing 6-8 hours waiting on a slow bus that you can’t find the exact schedule for online would impact your trip dramatically–so you book a private airport transfer in advance and call it good.

It’s a completely justifiable decision… that is almost always exorbitantly expensive to the tune of a possible a 500% upcharge, and I’m not remotely exaggerating.

By being on the ground, you’ll not only have a chance to find transportation, lodging, and excursions at deep discounts compared to what you can book in advance.

You’ll also be less stressed about losing a few hours here or there: on a long term trip, waiting just becomes part of the experience.

Souvenir shopping is very limited during long term travel.

On a short term trip, it’s easy (and fun!) to pick up all kinds of odds and ends to take home.

But when traveling long term, the prospect of carrying around wood carvings, musical instruments, glass figurines, and more for months on end makes it very easy to turn down even the most persistent craft sellers, helping keep your travels cheap.

While even as full-time travelers we found ourselves wanting the occasional memento (and we savor every one of them), there’s no doubt that we buy more physical things on the road now that we have somewhere to put them!

You develop a system to travel cheaper.

When you book a place to stay 3 times a month instead of 3 times a year, it’s easy to develop an efficient system of booking hotels and apartments.

After a few dozen tries, you know what you’re looking for in an accommodation, what you can tolerate not having, and where your priorities lie.

Not only does this end up leaving you more satisfied with where you stay (or rent a car from, or fly with), it also means that you end up finding places much more efficiently.

For Jeremy and me, our lodging search almost always starts with Airbnb or Booking.com depending on how long we’re staying somewhere and what our plans are for that destination.

You can even try out things like house-sitting to save money while traveling long term, which requires more flexibility than an average vacation can provide.

Delaying purchases becomes simple.

When reading about how to save money (on travel or otherwise), a common tip is to delay gratification on your purchases: when you want something, consider sleeping on it for a week, a month, or more before laying out the cash.

During long term travel, this becomes incredibly easy to do!

Your values change during long term travel.

It sounds trite, but it’s true: your list of “needs” drops dramatically during long term travel.

All of the general expenses of maintaining your life at home–such as that long list of bills at the beginning of this post–melt away when living out of a backpack on the road.

You need a place to sleep, some tasty food, and some adventure.

When that’s all you’re looking for in a long term adventure, it’s amazing how affordably you can find it.

It’s hard to quantify exactly how many more remarkable memories and fantastic adventures we have under our belts now as compared to what we would have if we didn’t leave decide to try our hand at long term travel more than 5 years ago–but money is easier to track.

Long term travel may be hard on a savings account, on an income, and on a planned pattern of life… but if you haven’t tried it before, I can virtually guarantee that long term travel is cheaper than you think.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

9 thoughts on “9 Ways Long Term Travel is Cheaper Than You Think”

Useful post explaining that travel does not have to be expensive. So true that all you need is a place to sleep, good food and an adventure, when you travel material things become less important. We look forward to long term travel all part of our retirement plan!

Thanks, guys! Sounds like you have the perfect retirement plan to me.

Great thoughts on this subject.

Having none or minimal bills and expenses is definitely a great way to save money. I guess most people will be concerned that they have money coming in too. Being able to work freelance or having a passive income stream is a good way to relieve some of that pressure.

What do you recommend for accommodation with long term travel, so as to keep costs minimal? I guess hostels are cheap but you’d want your own space after a while. Would Airbnb be a good option?

Hey Mike! Actually, we use Airbnb every chance we get. Otherwise, we stay in budget hotels/B&B’s or private rooms in hostels–we like our space and don’t care for hostel dorms. If you’re going to be in one location for a month or longer, looking into local short term rental options once you arrive can also be a good option, though we haven’t tried that out yet.

Nice Article!

Somehow I found your blog thru Google and noticed you said San Antonio. I’m born and raised in San Antonio! Following your blog now. 😎

Aw thank you so much! Love to have you here. 🙂 We lived in San Antonio from the time we graduated college to when we left to travel full-time and I still miss the food like crazy! Luckily we’ve been based in Austin lately and we’ve been able to get down to San Antonio to enjoy it again.

Thanks for this post- I found your blog when I was searching out the best routes from England-France-Italy… my husband and I, along with our 2 boys (10 and 12) have made the decision to take this fall semester and do life abroad. I’m nervous as we’ve never done anything like this- but when I saw the boys do online school during Covid, I realized that they could do that from anywhere! (unfortunately, my job as a nurse isn’t so mobile). We start in the London area and hope to head to Paris, then to Florence. Using those places as home bases, we will do smaller travel stints from there (Scotland/Denmark, French countryside/Austria, Switzerland/Italy). Right now I’m just trying to research the best way to plan for rail vs plane, if we should add a week here and there in-between bases, etc. It’s all overwhelming!

It’s definitely overwhelming, but it’s worth it! A lot of the stress melts away once you’re on the road and putting one foot in front of the other. 🙂

Your trip sounds incredible, I’m sure it’ll be unforgettable! Lots of our favorite places are on that list!

As far as trains go, if you haven’t seen it yet, we do have a whole guide to traveling Europe by train, too: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/travel-europe-by-train/

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13 exciting places where you can live for $1,500 (or less) a month.

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Living in the United States is not cheap—especially as prices continue to soar, from groceries to transportation to housing. According to recent reports, an American household spends an average of $61,334 per year on their expenses, with housing being the largest expense, at almost $1,800 a month. So why not move someplace where it costs a whole lot less to live?

International Living recently released a list of 13 places around the globe where a couple can live for as little as $1,500 a month (or less). This figure covers everything: housing, healthcare, food, fun and more. And here’s the good news: That’s for a couple. If you’re single, you can live for a whole less.

An aerial view of Isla Mujeres, Mexico—one of the 13 cheapest places to live on a new report.

To come up with this list of cheapest places to live, International Living analyzed seven key factors: housing, visas, cost of living, healthcare, climate and more. Beyond this, the report considered additional amenities such as high-speed internet access, networking opportunities and English-speaking communities.

From Mexico, which leads the list with its three budget-friendly locations to Southeast Asia (with five standout destinations), these places offer a glimpse into a life where saving money doesn’t mean sacrificing a rich lifestyle.

Check out these 13 exciting places where you can live for as little as $1,500 a month.

Top Places To Live In The Americas

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A village overlooking Arenal volcano in Costa Rica.

Arenal, Costa Rica

Why Move There: Located about three hours north of San José and three hours east of Liberia, Arenal captivates residents with its breathtaking views and moderate, breezy weather. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Arenal for hiking in the rainforest and a rich diversity of wildlife, with over 200 bird species, monkeys and coatis. The region’s allure extends beyond its natural beauty to its affordable real estate and low cost of living.

The Cost: According to International Living, expats report living comfortably on $1,500 or less per month, with rents as low as $400 for chic apartments or cozy homes with tranquil Mediterranean views. Dining out is affordable, with meals ranging from $6 to $15, and local sodas offering breakfast for $3.50.

A bridge in a tropical rainforest in Parque del Café, part of Armenia, Colombia.

Armenia, Colombia

Why Move There: Armenia features natural beauty and a vibrant coffee culture. With a population of just over 300,000, it’s a mid-sized city with easy access to colonial towns and parks. Known as the “eternal spring” city, it has year-round warm weather, ideal for outdoor activities.

The Cost: According to International Living, expats can live comfortably on $1,500 or less per month. Renting in Armenia offers an affordable alternative to buying, with one-bedroom apartments ranging from $400 to $550 per month. Food costs average around $200 per month, with options available for those seeking more budget-friendly living outside the city center.

Panoramic view of Cozumel, Mexico.

Cozumel, Mexico

Why Move There: Cozumel , known for its laid-back island vibe and stunning natural beauty, attracts an international mix of residents drawn to its white-sand beaches. It’s also renowned as a scuba diving destination and a haven for nature enthusiasts. Plus, with more than 350 restaurants, there’s something for every taste and budget.

The Cost: Many expats comfortably live on $1,500 a month, according to International Living. Cozumel also features top-notch healthcare services. Renting a one-bedroom condo typically ranges from $450 to $700 a month. High-speed internet services are available at a reasonable $20, and utilities, including electricity and water, average around $70. Dining out is affordable, with lunch for two costing as little as $10, while a dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant comes to about $25.

IslaMujeres, Mexico.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Why Move There: Located a short 20-minute ferry ride from Cancun, Isla Mujeres welcomes visitors with its vibrant Mexican Caribbean vibe and Mayan influences. Despite being a major tourist destination, this small island offers a charming lifestyle for expats with white-sand beaches and laid-back neighborhoods. Most residents navigate the island via golf carts or the hop-on hop-off bus, which costs just over a dollar and conveniently drops passengers at their doorsteps.

The Cost: Renting an apartment with utilities included can cost around $600 a month, according to International Living. While beachfront restaurants in the hotel zone cater to tourists at higher prices, local kitchens and street food stalls provide authentic Mexican cuisine at a fraction of the cost, like a three-course meal for $5 to $6.

A pretty street with windows and bougainvillea flowers in Queretaro, Mexico.

Querétaro, Mexico

Why Move There: Located in Mexico’s Colonial Highlands, Querétaro blends historic charm with modern amenities. With a population of about 1.1 million in the greater metropolitan area, this city is renowned for its high quality of life. Its well-preserved historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. You’ll find modern malls, excellent medical facilities and a vibrant cultural scene, plus easy access to international flights from nearby Mexico City.

The Cost: According to International Living, expats can live comfortably on $1,500 or less per month, with rents starting at $500 for a one-bedroom apartment and dining out for about $25 for a couple.

Top Places To Live In Asia

A pagoda in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Why Move There: In the northern mountains of Thailand, Chiang Mai is an ancient city with modern appeal. With a population of 127,000 residents, Chiang Mai has a population of Thai, Chinese, Indians and expats—who all coexist seamlessly. Beyond its historical and cultural richness, Chiang Mai offers an affordable lifestyle and a temperate mountain climate.

The Cost: According to International Living, renting a three-bedroom condominium with panoramic hill views can cost as little as $300 a month, with monthly living costs, excluding housing, averaging $300 for a solo explorer and $1,000 for a couple. Dining out becomes an adventure with a three-course meal for two costing around $10, allowing you to savor this city’s vibrant food scene without straining your budget.

Sightseeing in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Why Move There: Hoi An , a World Heritage Site, captivates with its rich history and idyllic setting along an estuary of the Thu Bon River. The town’s pedestrian-friendly environment, with its central area off-limits to cars and motorbikes, invites leisurely strolls. Home to about 120,000 people and home to one of Southeast Asia's prettiest beaches—An Bang Beach—Hoi An is steeped in history, with its Ancient Town once a bustling port of call for traders from China, Japan and Europe.

The Cost: According to International Living, renting a two-bedroom apartment in the center of town can cost as little as $500 per month, while studio and one-bedroom houses start at less than $300 per month. A couple can live comfortably for under $1,500 per month, including rent, utilities, dining out and incidental expenses. Dining options abound, with a meal for two at a cheap restaurant costing $5 or less, and a cup of high-quality coffee (Vietnam is one of the world’s largest coffee producers) for just $1.50.

The Kuching waterfront.

Kuching, Malaysia

Why Move There: Founded in 1839 along the tranquil Sarawak River, Kuching, Malaysia was once a strategic trading post connecting Asian seaports with Borneo's lush interior. Today, it is known for its bustling streets alive with food stalls and its vibrant café culture. The city’s picturesque setting, with the meandering river and antique stores lining its banks, adds to its appeal for expats. Plus, with its proximity to national parks, Kuching is an ideal base for day trips to explore wild coastal and rainforest destinations.

The Cost: According to International Living, living in Kuching offers affordability and charm. A high-quality cappuccino costs just $3, while local coffee provides excellent value at $0.60 per cup. Renting a three-bedroom house within walking distance of the town center typically costs $700 per month. Monthly living costs for a couple, excluding housing, average an additional $500.

Scenic view of Penang, Malaysia.

Penang, Malaysia

Why Move There: The island of Penang blends history, golden beaches and culture. With a vibrant population of 1.6 million residents, Penang has a diverse population where Malays, Chinese, Indians and expats coexist seamlessly. Penang stands out for its cost-effective living and first-rate healthcare.

The Cost: According to International Living, you can easily find a three-bedroom condominium with sweeping sea and hill views within a five-mile radius of the city center for an affordable $380 a month. Monthly living costs, excluding housing, are remarkably budget-friendly—a mere $500 for a single person and $1,000 for a family of two. Dining out is a pleasure, too, with a three-course meal for two costing around $15.

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Why Move There: Set at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers, Phnom Penh is a vibrant capital city that seamlessly blends ancient Khmer heritage with French colonial charm. Its bustling streets (this is a big walking city), diverse architecture and fusion cuisine create a unique atmosphere. Plus, its affordability and expat-friendly environment make it an attractive destination for retirees and expatriates alike.

The Cost: Living in Phnom Penh offers affordability and a high quality of life. According to International Living, monthly living costs for a couple, excluding housing, amount to $300 per month. Renting a three-bedroom, 900-square-foot apartment within walking distance of the town center typically costs $1,100 per month. In total, a couple can expect to spend around $1,400 per month.

Top Places To Live In Europe

Colorful beach homes in Villajoyosa, a charming Mediterranean village in Alicante, Spain.

Alicante, Spain

Why Move There: Alicante , on the sun-drenched Costa Blanca, is known for its relaxed seaside living. With a warm, sunny climate, a wealth of dining options, plus a pretty historic old town Alicante provides a pleasant lifestyle that won’t break the bank. It’s home to sizable numbers of expats—about 15% of the permanent population is foreign. As a result, you can get by fairly easily in Alicante with minimal Spanish. It’s also easily accessible. The international Alicante-Elche Airport is served by both major and discount carriers serve the airport.

The Cost: Alicante offers affordability alongside its cultural richness. According to International Living, renting a chic apartment in the heart of the city or a cozy home with a view of the Mediterranean can cost less than $700 a month. With monthly expenses for a couple, excluding rent, averaging around $700, living in Alicante is both comfortable and budget-friendly—coming in at around $1,400 a month.

The town Bergerac, reflected on the Dordogne river

Bergerac, France

Why Move There: In southwest France, Bergerac—also known as the Périgord region—offers quintessential French charm. With its picturesque villages, honey-colored stone farmhouses and pastoral landscapes, it’s a dream destination for many expats seeking the essence of France. The city itself has a rich cultural scene, including art exhibitions, music festivals and gastronomic celebrations like Les Tables de Cyrano. Additionally, Bergerac’s central location makes it convenient for exploring the rest of southwestern France or venturing to the French Riviera.

The Cost: While the region is renowned for its beauty, it remains relatively accessible in terms of cost, coming in at around $1,500 a month. According to International Living, expats can find charming village houses or rustic farmhouses for reasonable prices.

The skyline of Granada, Spain.

Granada, Spain

Why Move There: Set at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalusia, Granada offers a captivating blend of Moorish heritage and Spanish charm. Its ancient streets and centuries-old buildings (including the the iconic Alhambra fortress complex) provide a glimpse into the city’s rich history. Fueled by the energy of its university, Granada is an ideal destination for expats seeking a culturally rich yet relaxed lifestyle, along a lively social scene.

The Cost: With a budget of around $1,000 a month for a couple, Granada offers an enriching and affordable lifestyle. According to International Living, comfortable apartments in the city center are available for under $600 a month. You can enjoy a café con leche for just over $1 or savor a traditional meal for two at a local restaurant for about $25.

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Best term life insurance for 2024

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Mandy Sleight has been a licensed insurance agent since 2005. She has three years of experience writing for insurance websites such as Bankrate, MoneyGeek and The Simple Dollar. Mandy writes about auto, homeowners, renters, life insurance, disability and supplemental insurance products.

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Kenneth Chavis IV is a senior wealth counselor at Versant Capital Management who provides investment management, complex wealth strategy, financial planning and tax advice to business owners, executives, medical doctors, and more.

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Best term life insurance companies

How to find the best term life insurance company for you, frequently asked questions.

Not everyone needs life insurance that covers you for your entire life. For anyone looking for more temporary coverage — like those with young children or a mortgage to pay off — there is term life insurance. Term life insurance provides coverage for a pre-set period of time, which is usually between 10 and 30 years. In exchange for your regularly paid premium, your beneficiaries receive a payout if you die while the policy is active. However, the payout tends to be lower compared to other types of life insurance policies. Bankrate’s guide to the best term life insurance can help you find an insurer that meets your policy needs and budget.

Compare life insurance providers quickly and easily

See which provider is right for you.

Whole life insurance combines life insurance with an investment component.

• Coverage for life
• Tax-deferred savings benefit if premiums are paid
• 3 variations of permanent insurance: whole life, universal life and variable life include investment component

Term life insurance is precisely what the name implies: an insurance policy that is good for a specific term of time.

• Fixed premium over term
• No savings benefits
• Outliving policy or policy cancellation results in no money back

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The best term life insurance companies depend on an individual’s needs and preferences. While your quoted premium will typically not vary as much as for life quotes as home or auto insurance, different companies do offer different coverage types and levels. We chose the following companies based on their third-party financial strength and J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores , as well as the policy options and available coverage capacities (the maximum dollar amount a policy can be). It may be helpful to start your research with the following providers:

Why we chose it: State Farm has the highest J.D. Power score for customer satisfaction on our list.

State Farm is our 2024 Bankrate Awards winner for Best Term Life Insurer for the third year in a row thanks to its superior AM Best score and near-nationwide availability. State Farm offers several term insurance products, but its return-of-premium policy option may be particularly helpful for certain term life insurance policyholders. This add-on coverage (also known as a life insurance rider ) lets policyholders choose between a 20- or 30-year payment term and receive a portion of their premiums back if they outlive the term. The return-of-premium policy can be renewed annually until age 95. While the return-of-premium option comes at an additional cost, it also builds cash value , which is rare in a term life insurance policy.

Why we chose it: Mutual of Omaha offers easy online quoting for its term life insurance policies and a wide array of riders for potential policy customization.

If you want to get an idea of how much term life insurance might cost, Mutual of Omaha offers a term life insurance quote tool online. Enter your gender, date of birth, tobacco usage and coverage amount to get a rate. Mutual of Omaha offers a plethora of additional riders that can be added to its term life policies. It should be noted that not every rider can be used with every type of policy. To verify how much coverage you need and which riders can be added to your policy, you may want to consult with an agent. This company also offers a locator service to help you find a financial advisor near you.

Why we chose it: Pacific Life has term life insurance policy options with high coverage levels.

Anyone wanting to tailor their term life insurance with riders or purchase higher coverage limits might consider Pacific Life for term life insurance. The carrier offers two policy options, Promise Term and Elite Term, both of which are convertible to cash value life insurance. Its Promise Term policy offers a minimum amount of $50,000 in coverage, while the Elite Term starts at $750,000 and goes to $3 million or more. Available options include a waiver of premium for disability, as well as a terminal illness and child term rider.

Why we chose it: Northwestern Mutual offers a wide array of informational resources and policy management tools online.

Northwestern Mutual is the largest life insurer in the U.S. by direct premiums written, with just over 7 percent of the total market share. The company has been insuring consumers for more than 150 years. Its term policies allow you to select your coverage period based on either a set amount of years or until a specific age, depending on which option is most suitable for you. Northwestern Mutual plans are also convertible to whole life insurance , meaning you may be able to adjust your policy as your needs evolve. The company’s A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best is the highest level available. However, the company only offers one term life insurance rider, so if you want greater policy customization, it may not be the carrier for you.

Why we chose it: Guardian life insurance offers four different term lengths and a long list of potential riders.

Guardian's term life insurance policies are available in four term lengths. The carrier also has a long list of riders for potential policy customization, including a guaranteed renewability clause in the event that you are diagnosed with a serious illness. However, be aware that the company does not offer a network of local agents, so if you prefer to handle your insurance needs face-to-face, you may not be satisfied with the level of service.

There are several factors to consider when shopping for a quality term life insurance policy. Since your life insurance will ultimately be responsible for providing the coverage you want for your family, these considerations may be beneficial to keep in mind when determining which provider is right for you. In addition to policy types, you could consider the following.

Consider customer satisfaction scores and financial strength ratings

Customer satisfaction scores may provide insight for consumers looking to purchase insurance products. These scores reflect how satisfied existing customers may be with the customer service and claims process. You might use these scores to get an idea of how your customer experience could be and which carrier might best fit your expectations.

A life insurance company’s financial strength score reflects its past ability to pay out claims and could help you decide if a company is financially sound. Third-party agencies such as AM Best and S&P publish financial strength ratings for each major provider.

Consider your personal situation

Term life insurance remains active for only a set number of years. To decide whether term life insurance is right for you, it may be helpful to consider what you want coverage for. Do you simply want coverage while your children are young, or would you prefer lifelong coverage?

While term life insurance may be sufficient for temporary needs, like ensuring you could pay off debt and finance college for your kids if you were to pass away, it may not be the right choice if you want coverage for longer. If you need coverage for final expenses or to take care of a lifelong dependent, permanent life insurance may be a better choice. There are several options to choose from, including:

• Whole life insurance : Whole life offers level premiums and a guaranteed death benefit for life. It also builds cash value over time, which you may be able to access through withdrawals or loans. 
• Universal life insurance : Similar to whole life, universal life offers permanent coverage with more flexibility. You can increase or decrease premium payments or the death benefit if life circumstances change. 
• Final expense life insurance : If you only need a small amount of coverage or have serious health issues, final expense life insurance may be your best option. It works like whole life, but doesn’t require a medical exam. Some policies are guaranteed issue, meaning there is no medical exam or health questions on the application. 

Compare multiple quotes

Getting quotes for different types and levels of coverage may help you get an idea of how much you’ll pay for your life insurance. However, keep in mind that term life insurance quotes for the same person and policy type likely won’t vary as much from company to company as auto insurance or home insurance quotes do.

How does term life insurance work?

Term life insurance is a type of life insurance that offers coverage for a set period of time, or term. Term life is usually the most affordable type of life insurance because it only lasts for a specific number of years, usually 10 to 30 years. Unless you buy return-of-premium life insurance, you receive nothing back if you outlive the term. However, many term life insurance policies offer the option to convert to a permanent life insurance policy at the end of the term. Many carriers also provide the option to renew a term life policy annually if you still need coverage past the expiration date.

What is the difference between term and whole life insurance?

Term insurance is designed to provide a death benefit if the insured passes away within the policy term. As the name suggests, term life insurance remains active for a predetermined “term,” which is the window of time that the policyholder chooses — typically between 10 and 30 years. When the term expires, the policyholder stops paying the premiums and the death benefit will no longer be paid out. Whole life insurance , on the other hand, is a type of permanent policy that pays out when the insured dies as long as premiums are paid. It typically contains two parts: a death benefit and a cash value component. Because whole life insurance policies usually have larger payouts, premiums can be two to three times more expensive than a term policy.

What factors impact my life insurance premium?

Life insurance premiums are largely based on mortality risk. In general, the higher the likelihood someone has of passing away while the policy is active, the higher the premium will be. Each insurer has its own underwriting algorithm for calculating your rate. Although each underwriting process is different, your age, gender, weight, health conditions, smoking history and occupation are typically used to help calculate your premium. The amount of coverage that you want to purchase is another key factor in determining the cost of life insurance . For those looking for cheap life insurance , it may be wiser to start shopping at a younger age.

Does having a preexisting condition impact my ability to purchase term life insurance?

Yes, having a preexisting condition may impact your ability to purchase term life insurance. Different conditions may be considered more or less serious by different insurers. If a life insurance provider does approve you for a term life policy with a preexisting condition, your premium may be high to reflect the health risks. Insurance providers may be more likely to approve you if you have conditions that can be managed. For instance, if you have Type 2 diabetes and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you may be more likely to be approved for term life insurance. If you have a preexisting condition, speaking with a licensed insurance agent may help you navigate your life insurance options.

Is term life insurance cheaper than whole life insurance?

The cost of life insurance will vary based on your policy details and personal rating factors, but term life insurance coverage is typically cheaper than whole life insurance, a type of permanent coverage. This is because whole life insurance is designed to offer coverage for your entire life and guarantee a payout to your beneficiaries, as long as premiums are paid and terms of the policy are met. Term coverage, on the other hand, may not pay out a death benefit if you outlive the policy term and do not renew your coverage. That being said, the cost of life insurance coverage varies based on coverage amount and individual risk rating factors, so a term policy with a high coverage amount for an older individual may cost more than a permanent policy for a younger applicant with a low coverage amount.