international trips with friends

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30 Best Trips with Friends! FUN Weekend and International Places to Go

But before you decide on a destination, be sure to keep the personalities and preferences of your friends top of mind. Some friends are awesome to lay on a beach with, but not so great for trekking through the jungle or road tripping through Europe.

My top tip: Embrace the personalities and preferences of who you’re traveling with, and let it guide your destination.

After getting trip ideas below, check out my travel planning guide to help you make it epic.

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15 FUN Places to go with friends on the weekend

I highly recommend OFTEN taking fun trips with friends near where you live. Short and sweet trips are a great way to “test the waters” of traveling with friends without putting too much stress on a relationship. Especially if your travel styles are quite different.

Here are awesome places to go with friends on the weekend, including ideas across the US and Canada.

1. HOUSEBOATING near you

My very first BIG trip with friends was a houseboating weekend in beautiful British Columbia. It was perfect! 

We soaked in the hot tub and slid down the waterslide when we got too hot. Ate way too much ice cream. Met some cuties. And we even crashed. Yup, we did. There’s nothing like a little drama to pull you together! (Make sure you get insurance, ‘cause those boats are harder to steer than they look!)

Find the nearest pretty lake country near you, book a car and make it happen. It’s like camping but with a waterslide.

2. Fun LOS ANGELES weekend getaway for girls

A girls trip to LA is pretty classic. Strut your stuff like Pretty Woman on Rodeo Drive. Hit up the star-prone restaurants. And time it with the Oscars to experience the red carpet. It’s possibly THE most epic place to travel with friends on the weekend.

Or, if you’re not into the Hollywood mayhem, stay on beautiful Santa Monica Beach. Cycle The Strand bike path along the waterfront. Ride the ferris wheel on the pier. And people-watch while enjoying incredible beachfront restaurants.

Where to stay with friends in Los Angeles:

• Casa Del Mar resort and spa (Santa Monica): Right on Santa Monica Beach, with an outdoor pool, restaurants and live music on Sundays. Every room has a hydrotherapy spa tub and floor-to-ceiling windows, some with an ocean view.
• Beverly Wilshire (Beverly Hills): As close as you can get to Rodeo Drive, overlooking Rodeo Drive and the Via Rodeo fountain and steps. An epic place for a trip with friends to explore Rodeo Drive’s boutique shops and cafes.
• SIXTY Beverly Hills (Beverly Hills): Five blocks from Rodeo Drive along Wilshire Blvd, with a pretty rooftop pool and bar.

3. FLORIDA KEYS road trips with friends

A road trip from Miami to the tip of the Florida Keys is the perfect mix of beach and culture. It’s only about 3.5 hours, with plenty of time to stop along the way.

If you’re not from Miami, spend a day exploring its museums, Bayside Marketplace at the waterfront, or cultural neighborhoods like Little Havana.

Then, rent a car and head out to Key West. Along the way, stop to play with dolphins, feel the sand between your toes, and eat and drink with a view. Want more adventure? Where better to go skydiving with the girls than in Key West?!

Find all you need to plan your Florida Keys road trip with friends .

4. NEW ORLEANS weekend getaway with friends

Visiting the plantations in Louisiana would certainly make for a memorable travel experience with friends in the USA. Stay in a former plantation mansion, the elegant Nottoway Plantation that dates back to the 1850s. It’s the south’s largest antebellum mansion, located right on the Mississippi River. It features antiques and fireplaces in the rooms. Plus, an outdoor pool, hot tub, onsite dining and self-guided tours.

Plantations to visit near New Orleans, Louisiana:

• Oak Alley Plantation : Known for the stunning Oak-lined path entrance to this sugarcane plantation. Features tours of the “big house” (with a pretty wrap-around upper balcony), slave cabins, expansive garden and exhibits.
• Whitney Plantation : Famous for its ground-breaking slavery museum, with restored buildings and educational guided tours.
• Destrehan Plantation : Established in 1787, this sugar plantation was the site of one of the three trials following the 1811 Slave Revolt. Features interpretive tours, exhibits and pretty grounds.

5. Fun trips with friends to NEW YORK CITY

New York City can be anything you and your friends want it to be. 

Times Square and Fifth Avenue are perfect for high-end shopping, flashing lights and nightlife. Its museums, Broadway theater and The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts are epic for the culturalists. Foodies will love exploring Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. And for those who love relaxation, Central Park, Staten Island and Brooklyn waterfront promise amazing views. I’d argue that NYC is one of the BEST places to travel with friends.

On my trip with friends to NYC, we stayed in a boutique hotel in the Upper West Side . Within a block, we had a small pastry shop, grocery store and plenty of cute cafes. We could easily walk to Central Park and Riverside Park (perfect for a You’ve Got Mail walking tour). And since we were surrounded by residential streets, I got to meet so many dogs out for their walk! Plus, easy subway access to everything else.

Find your perfect place to stay in Manhattan , Brooklyn , Staten Island , Queens and the Bronx (a 3-part series).

6. SEATTLE jazz weekend trips with friends

I love Seattle, Washington. Its Pike Place Market and waterfront restaurants. Plenty of jazz clubs. And lots of excellent shopping and coffee shops, too. Seattle has beautiful waterfront parks, artsy museums, Space Needle views, and boat tours to stay busy. Time it with a concert, too!

When I visited Seattle with one of my best friends, we LOVED the comfortable beds and pillows at the Staypineapple Maxwell Hotel . You simply cannot get a better sleep! It’s colorful vibe is super fun, too, and it has an indoor pool and bikes you can use. Price includes wifi.

Now, as much as I love the Staypineapple beds, you can’t get a better location than The Edgewater . It’s right at Pier 67, with fabulous views of Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Elegant rooms have fireplaces, cozy furnishings and spa bathroom. The property features an onsite restaurant, gift shop and coffee bar. Price includes wifi and downtown shuttle.

7. Fun LAS VEGAS weekend trips with friends

I’ll admit that Las Vegas is pretty low on my list of places to visit, but I understand the appeal – especially with friends. Awesome shows. Epic shopping. Sights you just won’t see anywhere else.

If you want to embrace the chaos, Las Vegas Strip is the place to stay. If you want to come up to breathe, consider a place like Tahiti Village Resort & Spa near the airport and outlet mall.

You’ll also find some incredible house rentals on VRBO , both near The Strip or near the mountains.

8. Epic CANYON road trips with friends

A great add-on to a friends Vegas trip, especially for the outdoorsy adventurers at heart, is a 2-day canyon road trip . Hike the amazing canyons of Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon North Rim and Antelope slot canyon.

You have some incredible options for places to stay, too. Under Canvas near Lake Powell has lovely tents with a cozy wood-burning stove and private balcony with canyon views. Or book the luxury Amangiri spa resort, tucked right into the rocks. It has an onsite restaurant, bar, concierge, sauna and spa. And the rooms look AMAZING.

9. AMUSEMENT PARK hopping trips with friends

Are you guys dare-devils? How fun would it be to go amusement park hopping together?!

Top on my list are Coney Island in New York City and Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. In Canada, Montreal’s Six Flags is lots of fun.

To visit a bunch on one trip, take a road trip through California or Pennsylvania. Yup, Pennsylvania! Check out this USA Today article for 17 awesome parks.

10. BEACH resort weekend getaway with friends

You can have an amazing beach resort getaway with friends even without leaving the continental USA. One of my favorite spots is about half an hour from downtown Jacksonville, Florida, at the lovely Ponte Vedra Beach seaside community. It’s also known as San Pablo Island, and is a great mixture of relaxing beaches and bustling Jacksonville nearby.

A wonderful place for a beach weekend getaway with friends is Ponte Vedra Inn and Club . Its beach and gardens are beautiful, with warm and comfortable rooms. Enjoy four heated pools, bikes, seven restaurants and lounges, and plenty of onsite shops and boutiques. Despite all of its amenities, it feels like a charming boutique inn.

Our equivalent for relaxation in Canada is Prince Edward Island. It’s super low-key and perfect for friends who just want to chill.

Dalvay by the Sea Hotel is classic and luxurious, located on the north shore. It’s inside a national park and has an onsite restaurant, bar, tennis courts and bike rentals. Or stay in one of many lovely historic inns in Charlottetown. I highly recommend the charming Fairholm National Historic Inn .

11. Fun ARTSY places to go with friends

Here are two very different types of artsy places to go with friends.

First, East Hampton Art Bed and Breakfast on Long Island. This sprawling property is perfect for art lovers and those looking for a refreshing getaway. Relax in the outdoor pool and jacuzzi while admiring the meditation garden, waterfalls, and lotus pond.

And second, head to Memphis to meet the king! If your friends are big music buffs, you’ll enjoy exploring the Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum, Gibson Guitar Factory, and Orpheum Theatre. And of course, the iconic Beale Street’s shops and restaurants. 

Stay at the Peabody Memphis with an onsite dining room, spa, indoor pool and luxurious bathrobes. And don’t miss Peabody’s “March of the ducks” tradition!

12. LAKEFRONT retreat weekend trips with friends

Head to Upstate New York for a weekend trip with friends at the lake. 

Inns of Aurora is a community of five lakefront properties. They’re beautiful and cozy, with wine tastings, yoga and painting classes. Plus, a private beach, lakeside firepits, paddling and bikes. Organic, fair-trade coffee and fresh scones in the morning. Farm-to-table restaurant during the day. Book a room with a fireplace and lake views.

13. Fun weekend trips with friends in TEXAS

There are plenty of beautiful resorts in Texas perfect for weekend trips with friends. One of my favorites is the JL Bar Ranch Resort and Spa in lovely Texas Hill Country. This estate is grand, with a full-service spa, outdoor pool and two restaurants. Plus, pretty gardens to explore, complete with a fountain. Rooms offer warm decor, with gorgeous dark wood accents, furnished patios, bathrobes and slippers. Price includes wifi.

Another favorite is Commodore Perry Estate in Austin Texas. Its manicured gardens are gorgeous, as is the massive library with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and plush couches. You’ll also spend plenty of time in its elegant tea room, pool, terrace and restaurant. Book a room with a terrace for pretty views. Price includes wifi and shuttle service.

14. WINE AND SPA getaways with friends

Do you girls love sipping wine and relaxing with beautiful views? One of the best places to travel with friends in the USA is Napa Valley, California. Napa Valley is about 1.5 hours northeast of the San Francisco International Airport. You’ll find more than 375 wineries, more than 150 restaurants, and beautiful weather year-round. Napa Valley is nestled among two mountain ranges, with incredible views wherever you look.

For weekend getaways with friends at Canadian wineries, choose from gorgeous views in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, and Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. All three locations have excellent wines, spas and views.

Where to stay for a wine and spa getaway with the girls:

• Auberge du Soleil Resort (Rutherford, California): This gorgeous resort is the ultimate friends weekend getaway, surrounded by a 33-acre olive grove. Relax in cabanas at the pool. Indulge at the spa and fine dining restaurant.
• Therapy Vineyards (Okanagan, BC): Suites overlook the vineyard and Okanagan Lake, with oversized windows, fireplace, patio and oversized tub. The property also has an outdoor fireplace and hot tub, and serves breakfast.
• Prince of Wales (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario): This elegant Victorian-style luxury hotel is the perfect base for exploring nearby wineries. Features an onsite spa and indoor pool. Enjoy traditional English tea at the onsite restaurant and local wines in the cozy lounge.

15. CRAFTING retreat with the girls

There’s something about a crafting getaway that screams “treat”! How often do you dedicate time to create together?

You can find accommodations that offer things like cooking classes or join a retreat that focuses on a particular craft, like painting. For me and my friends, we’d just bring our favorite crafting supplies to a cozy cabin retreat with a hot tub and views.

15 BEST Places to travel with friends in Europe and the world

Taking international trips with friends is a sure way to create lasting memories and bonds. But the stress of international travel will put pressure on your friendship. Make sure you choose a destination that complements your relationship and how you enjoy spending time together.

In Europe, my favorite place to look for accommodations is Plum Guide . You’ll find the coolest house rentals ever, all verified and not all ridiculously expensive.

Here are awesome places to travel with friends in the world, including Europe.

16. European CASTLE getaway with friends

Take your international trip with friends around Europe chasing castles! The biggest challenge will be narrowing your castle adventure to a geographical area, like England or France.

Pick the most iconic castle or area you most want to see and plan the rest of your friends vacation from there. Here are three ideas:

• Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany): The most classic fairytale-like castle nestled in the Bavarian Alps. Take in its stunning architecture, lush surroundings, and panoramic views. Other (relatively) nearby castles to visit include the medieval and mountaintop Hohenwerfen Fortress in Austria and 
• Château de Chambord (France): A Renaissance masterpiece with elegant French architecture and vast gardens. It’ll enchant you with its grand halls and intricate details. Other notable French castles to visit include the lovely Château de Chenonceau built atop an old mill and the opulent Palace of Versailles.
• Eilean Donan Castle (Scotland): A remarkably enchanting castle among many in Scotland, with its charming bridge and moss-covered walls near the entrance to the Isle of Skye. My other favorite castles are on the opposite side of Scotland: the grand Sterling Castle and romantic cliffside Dunnottar Castle.

17. International trips with friends to AUSTRIA

Austria is a captivating blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and cultural experiences. Start your trip with friends in Vienna , the capital city. It’s a hub of art, music and architecture, with magnificent palaces, cathedrals and museums. Pick accommodations near City Center so you can walk to St. Stephen’s Cathedral for evening drinks.

Then, travel through the Danube’s Wachau Valley before heading south to Salzburg. Wachau Valley is a beautiful area of vineyards and cute villages along the river valley. I also highly recommend a stop at Stift Melk Abbey .

Roam the streets and hills surrounding the lovely city of Salzburg , the birthplace of Mozart and setting for the Sound of Music. It’s a charming old town with cobblestone streets, lovely gardens, and the iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress looming above.

18. ENGLAND road trips with friends

Take a road trip with friends through the English countryside. There are SO many romantic castles, parks and gardens. Quaint villages in the Cotswolds. Rugged rolling hills in the Lake District. And haunting mysteries of Rosslyn Chapel. Experience England’s beauty on a drive from London to Edinburgh .

If you’d prefer a relaxing group tour rather than driving yourself, check out excellent tours of England from Trafalgar . Include a tour of Scotland and Ireland, too.

Find amazing places to stay on PlumGuide.com .

19. EUROPEAN CRUISE vacation with friends 

A European cruise vacation with friends would be AMAZING. You have all the benefits of world-class service, entertainment and food. Plus the gorgeous cities, islands and rugged coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. Elegant spires off the Baltic Sea. Incredible history and the Cliffs of Dover off the North Sea. And then the more intimate cruise experience of exploring the Rhine or Danube.

Choosing your perfect European cruise option will be the toughest part. River cruises are quite unique, and an incredible way to experience Europe together.

20. Road trips through ITALY with friends

I’ve been to Italy only once and long to go back. There is SO much to see in Italy and it would be absolutely amazing to experience it with my best girl friends. Given the variety of sights to see, I recommend either getting a train pass for the time you’re there or renting a car.

On a road trip through Italy, start and stop in the vibrant city of Rome. Rome is a must-visit for historical landmarks like the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Trevi Fountain. Stroll its charmings streets while indulging in pastas and gelato.

Then head up to Venice, a unique floating city built on canals. On your return to Rome, stop in Florence to see the famous Statue of David and beautiful churches. Then calm things down with a few days exploring the stunning Cinque Terre coastline and Tuscany wineries.

If you have more time, continue south of Rome to explore the historic ruins of Pompeii. It’s just south of Naples, another gorgeous coastal city. Sorrento and the Amalfi coast promise more spectacular views and memories for an epic trip with friends.

Find amazing home rentals on PlumGuide.com and hotels on Booking.com .

21. Explore ICELAND on a trip with friends

Iceland is a magical land of fire and ice, with waterfalls, the Blue Lagoon and ice caves. It’s an amazing trip with friends who love exploring nature’s wonders … and don’t mind a remote experience. There are no Starbucks in Iceland! But you will find other delicious coffee.

Visit the famous Golden Circle, which includes the breathtaking Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir geothermal area, and the Þingvellir National Park. Take in the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach. Hike through the mesmerizing landscapes of Landmannalaugar or the volcanic region of Mývatn. Discover rugged fjords and black sand beaches, and then soak in the soothing Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

If you want to explore Iceland’s famous ice caves or chase the Northern Lights, you must come in winter. Plan your friend’s trip between mid-November and mid-March.

22. Fun CARIBBEAN CRUISE trips with friends

A cruise is as easy as they come for trips with friends. Choose a destination, timing, and go!

A super easy cruise vacation for friends would be the Bahamas or Caribbean. Hop from beautiful island to beautiful island, all while enjoying luxury amenities, entertainment, and dining onboard.

A cruise is also a fantastic solution to taking trips with friends who have different interests. So long as you can agree on a cruise destination, you can go your separate ways in the afternoon and come back together at dinner.

Explore cruises on CruiseDirect.com .

23. INDIA adventure places to travel with friends

India is rich in cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and unforgettable experiences for friends traveling together. Explore the bustling streets of Delhi and vibrant markets of Jaipur. Visit the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. And take a spiritual journey in Varanasi.

But to see the best of India on your trip with friends, you need to leave the popular northern cities. Travel south to the popular Kovalam Beach and witness the breathtaking landscapes of Kerala’s backwaters.

Find incredible treehouses for your next best adventure with friends! Check out these treehouses on Booking.com , including in India, Chile, Costa Rica and more.

24. International trips with friends to THAILAND

Are you and your friends intrigued by Asian culture and finding the perfect secluded beach (like in The Beach movie)? Then I’m guessing Thailand is on your radar for international places to visit with friends. 

My main tip for visiting Thailand is to get out of Bangkok as quickly as possible. It’s busy, smoggy and not especially friendly. Instead, head north to Chiang Mai to experience the floating markets . Climb an ancient temple and brush up against an elephant. Then indulge at a beach resort at Phuket or the Phi Phi islands . Bask on white sand beach, surrounded by gorgeous limestone peaks and perfect turquoise waters.

Interested in a guided group tour? I highly recommend Intrepid small group tours for an incredibly rich, “local” experience. They have tours into Northern and Southern Thailand, including food and beach tours!

You may also like 5 Charities in SE Asia Tourists Should Visit .

25. Epic CAMBODIA trips with friends

Ancient temples, jungle and Tomb Raider. And an incredibly resilient people that carry an awful history of genocide. Cambodia is a place that will touch your soul and guarantees a friends trip you’ll never forget.

You’ll want to visit both the capital of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, home to the famous temples. In Phnom Penh, visit markets, temples and gardens. But hold onto your food, because those monkeys are gutsy! And my opinion is that tourists should pay their respects at the genocide sites . How else can we begin to appreciate what their people have been through?

In Siem Reap, explore the gorgeous temple ruins of Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm. A local guide can also take you to lesser-known temples you can climb with a jungle view all to yourself. Be sure to have a drink at The Red Piano and ask for a Tomb Raider drink. Cheers!

When I was in Siem Reap, my sister challenged me to do more than visit, so I will challenge you. Read about my experience of donating blood in Cambodia . (Yes, it was safe.)

26. JAPANESE MONASTERY places to travel with friends

I’ve only had a taste of visiting Japan on a layover in Tokyo on our way to Vietnam, but they completely charmed me with their hospitality! Japan is now on my bucket list, and specifically the zen experience of staying in Japanese monasteries.

Two iconic Japanese monastery communities to visit on a trip with friends include Kōya-san (Mount Kōya) and Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Mount Kōya is in a mountainous region about 7 hours southwest of Tokyo. It’s home to over a hundred temples including the famous Kongōbu-ji. Stay in shukubo (temple lodgings) with traditional Japanese-style rooms, vegetarian meals, and the opportunity to participate in morning meditations.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) is right in Kyoto. It’s known for its stunning golden exterior, and creates a breathtaking view as it reflects off the surrounding pond. Explore its exquisite gardens and the historic tea house inside the complex.

27. Fun AUSTRALIA beach road trips with friends

Australia is known for powdery white-sand beaches. So, rent a car and go beach-hopping on a road trip with friends!

Fly into Sydney and start your trip with friends at the iconic Bondi Beach . It’s known for its vibrant atmosphere, excellent surf and coastal walks. Take in the lively beach culture as you sample the many beachside cafes.

Then, head south for about 3 hours to Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay. It holds a Guinness World Record for having the whitest sand. Swim and snorkel at these beautiful clear waters and enjoy the laid-back coastal vibe.

Along the way, stop at the coastal Royal National Park and inland Heathcote National Park . They offer rugged hiking and other adventures that balance nicely with beach-bumming!

28. International trips with friends to BRAZIL

Have you heard of Iguazu Falls? Iguazu Falls is the world’s LARGEST waterfall, made up of a massive 270 separate falls! Check it out for yourself in the best virtual tours of waterfalls around the world . Iguazu Falls is right on the Brazil and Argentina border. 

Along with Iguazu Falls, experience Brazil’s beaches, rainforest and Rio de Janeiro. Make the epic climb up to Christ the Redeemer for epic views.

If you’re interested in a guided tour, check out Trafalgar’s tours in South America . This would be an easy way to explore the best sights on a trip with friends.

29. COSTA RICA best places to travel with friends

I SO want to experience the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica. And stay in treehouse resorts. It sounds incredible.

Costa Rica is a tropical paradise known for its incredible biodiversity and natural wonders. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve offers breathtaking views, misty forests, and the chance to see rare wildlife. The nearby Arenal Volcano National Park provides thrilling hikes and hot springs for relaxing afterwards. 

For a beach experience, head to Manuel Antonio National Park. Manuel Antonio National Park is renowned for stunning beaches and lots of wildlife, perfect for relaxing and snorkeling. It’s on the Pacific Ocean and accessible by road.

With its lush rainforests, stunning coastlines, and eco-friendly practices, Costa Rica offers a memorable and sustainable travel experience for friends.

30. Fun MEXICO beach trips with friends

There’s a reason why North Americans flock to beautiful Mexico! Mexico has some of the world’s finest beaches, best preserved Mayan ruins and fascinating, colorful cultures. But with all the options, where should you travel with friends? I suggest two. 

First, Cancun is an obvious choice. It’s a world-class destination with something for everyone. Exquisite beaches, first-class hotels, a more authentic downtown area, Mayan ruins and fantastic weather year-round. For an incredible trip with Mom to Cancun, stay at the adults-only all-inclusive Le Blanc Spa Resort . 

A second, quieter choice is Playa Maroma. About 30 miles from Riviera Maya, Playa Maroma has arguably the best beaches in the world. Plus rainforests and snorkeling right off the beach. A beautiful all-inclusive resort to check out is Catalonia Playa Maroma .

You may also like:

• How to travel with friends: Trip planning
• How to find better accommodations
• Trips with Mom and Trips with Dad

Featured photo: Priscilla Du Preez from Unsplash.

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11 Dream International Vacations That Are Surprisingly Affordable

From Portugal to Panama, here’s where you can get the most bang for your buck.

As the world becomes more connected by air travel, international vacations are increasingly affordable — but you have to know where to look and when to book. Typically, if you're hoping to save money, you should plan your trip around a destination's off-season. As a bonus, you're bound to have a better travel experience when you don't have to jostle your way through crowds to get to the top attractions.

Whether you're dreaming of a vacation as far from the U.S. as Australia or as close as Toronto, the actual cost could surprise you (in a good way). Using data from the booking platform Kayak , we've compiled a list of 11 international destinations where your dollar will go the furthest, plus when to book for the cheapest airfare and accommodation.

Toronto, Canada

Just north of the U.S. border is a growing city bursting with culture, a diverse culinary scene, and activities catering to a range of age groups and interests. Often mistaken for the Canadian capital, Toronto is sometimes known as "Hollywood North" for its wealth of celebrity residents. Foodies will want to make stops in Little Italy, one of several Chinatowns, and Little Portugal for a gastronomic jaunt around the world. Tourists may also be inclined to catch a hockey game, sample craft beer, and take a trip to the famous CN Tower to get unmatched views of the city.

Kayak data indicates that Toronto's low season runs from October to March, with the exception of December because of holiday travel. The cheapest flights can be found for about $180 from New York's JFK Airport in October. A direct flight from JFK to Toronto takes less than two hours.

Hotels downtown seem to be cheapest in January and February, when you can expect to pay as little as $33 per night for three-star accommodation. They're most expensive in September, going for an average of $371 per night.

Grand Est, France

The area formerly known as Alsace (now officially part of the larger Grand Est region) is beloved by French travelers. It doesn't attract nearly as many visitors as Paris or the Cote d'Azur, so you'll get a quieter experience. Kaysersberg, once featured on the TV program Le Village Préféré des Français as the French's favorite village, exemplifies many of the characteristics that have endeared Alsace to locals. It's got architecture that dates back to the 13th century, world-renowned wine cellars, and hearty Alsatian cuisine.

Fly to Strasbourg, the capital of Grand Est, in February or March for the best price. From New York City, round-trip flights can be found for less than $700, and you can stay in a three-star hotel for as low as $89 per night in the off-season. Kayak says the cheapest months for accommodation in Grand Est are August (an anomaly) and October.

Armenia attracts tourists with its rich arts scene, upscale shopping, and history museums packed with treasures. Though the capital, Yerevan, is a popular destination, no trip to this Asian country is complete without stepping into the gorgeous and rugged countryside. Head out to Khor Virap, a monastery first established during the 600s, for mountainside views and ancient architecture about 45 minutes away from Yerevan. It's worth the additional hour it takes to drive out to Garni Gorge, topped by a Roman temple, along the way.

Winter is Armenia's low season. The cheapest month to fly from NYC to Yerevan is November ($838 for a round trip, on average), though flights from January through March aren't much more expensive. Three-star hotels average $90 per night in January, the cheapest month for accommodation.

Brisbane, Australia

The capital of Queensland on Australia's east coast is arguably the country's design capital. Drop by the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (colloquially called QAGOMA , one entity) or the Institute of Modern Art ( IMA ) to get a sense of Asian-Pacific art. Go shopping in the Fortitude Valley district, where you'll be able to pick up pieces from local and international designers. And, of course, because it's Australia, it's easy to get in touch with the local wildlife. Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary , just about 20 minutes from the city, to hang out with more than 100 critters (not just koalas, either).

In general, Australia doesn't exactly fit the bill of "budget travel" for Americans, considering the absolute cheapest round-trip flight from NYC to Brisbane on Kayak costs almost $1,000. However, relative to other Australian destinations, this waterfront city is one of the more affordable entry points. The cheapest month to book a flight to Brisbane is September, the first month of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Three-star hotel stays average in the $150 range from April through July, then spike in August.

Madeira, Portugal

It's been 600 years since the Portuguese colonized Madeira, and the archipelago continues to astound visitors with its natural beauty. Trek along miles of rugged coast to see the Atlantic at its most paradisiacal. The capital of Funchal is home to a number of hotels offering glamour, glitz, and stiff cocktails. Speaking of drinks — be sure to check out the famous fortified wine named after the island where it was made.

Typically, a round-trip flight from NYC to Funchal will set you back anywhere from $650 to $1,100, with the lowest prices offered November and January to May. Hotel prices fluctuate on a similar schedule and range from about $150 to $330 per night for a three-star property.

If you're looking for a cheaper Mediterranean vacation , hop to the sea's southern side and try out Tunisia. The country has history (with a Roman colosseum — the Amphitheatre of El Jem — some say is even better than Rome's), miles of beautiful, sandy beaches, and bazaars with carpets, ceramics, and metalwork.

Kayak data indicates that the cheapest time to fly from NYC to Tunis , Tunisia's capital, is November (about $560), then September to October and January to May ($608 to $768). Prices for a night in a three-star Tunis hotel range from around $100 to $200, with the cheapest months on Kayak being September and December through March.

Etyek, Hungary

Budapest gets the majority of Hungary's visitors, but if you want to delve deeper into the country's culture, drive 18 miles west of the capital to Etyek, often called the "vineyards of Budapest." This area has been producing grapes since the 18th century and has been likened to Champagne for its excellence of crisp wines like chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. The town is also a pilgrimage for film buffs, with huge movies like "Blade Runner 2049" and "The Martian" having been shot there.

Etyek is about a 30-minute drive from Budapest. September through November and January through April are the cheapest times to fly to the Hungarian capital from NYC, according to Kayak data . Outside of the busy summer season, round-trip flights can be found for $524 to $620.

While September is a cheap time to fly to Hungary, it happens to be the most expensive month for accommodation. Book your trip in January, February, or March to snag a three-star hotel for $160 a night or less.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

That St. Vincent and the Grenadines were the last of the British colonies in the Caribbean to gain their independence (only in 1979) could be a reason why the islands have lagged behind other big players in drawing tourists. The upside of that, however, is the lack of crowds at beaches and on trails leading through lush rainforest to dormant volcanoes.

Visitors will fly into St. Vincent's Argyle International Airport, open only since 2017, and ferry over to the smaller islands of the Grenadines. The route is run several times a day from Kingstown.

Round-trip flights from NYC can be found for under $600 in March, May, and November. Hotels on St. Vincent remain surprisingly cheap throughout the year, showing the same sporadicity as flight prices. Go in January, May, June, August, or December for average nightly prices under $200 for three-star properties. The cheapest month for accommodation is December, when you can find a good hotel for about $50 a night.

Panama City, Panama

Meander through Panama City's old quarter where Spanish-style houses line cobblestone streets. Eat your way through Panamanian cuisine — yuca, plantains, empanadas, sancocho de gallina (chicken stew), and fish soup are among the most-loved dishes — and then top it all off with a tour of the city's thriving cocktail scene. The rainforest is easily accessible from Panama City if you're eager to swap the urban jungle for real jungle scenery.

Even though Panama is located in the Northern Hemisphere, its seasons — of which there are only two — are opposite of the U.S.'s. "Winter" (aka the wet season) lasts from around May to December and "summer" (the dry season) lasts from December to May. It's cheaper to go during the wet season, when the climate is least comfortable.

Prices for a round-trip flight from NYC to Panama City's Tocumen International Airport range from $339 to $659, with the cheapest times being April to June and September to October. The most expensive flights are in December. You can often stay in a three-star property for under $130 per night if you go between June and September.

Nicholas Schmidt/Travel + Leisure

Guatemala is consistently ranked a Travel + Leisure reader favorite for its combination of natural beauty and historic wonders. Visitors can wander through ancient Mayan ruins, hike the mountains and jungles, or explore the historic streets of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Antigua. Guatemala also boasts a thriving arts scene, perfectly preserved Spanish architecture, and unique cuisine like chuchitos (Guatemala-style tamales).

Book a trip for May or September for the cheapest flights ($269 to $344) on Kayak . Three-star hotels during that time should cost in the $120- to $140-per night range, while stays during August — the cheapest month for accommodation — cost, on average, $108 nightly.

Hanoi, Vietnam

You get a little bit of everything from a trip to Hanoi: vibrant culture, thousand-year-old history, a food scene that spans world-famous street carts to Michelin-starred restaurants, and a touch of jungle evidently seeping from the outskirts into the city. With $1 USD converting to about 25,000 Vietnamese dong, roughly the cost of a delicious banh mi , you should find it easy to stick to your budget and still live indulgently in this bustling capital.

Round-trip flights from NYC to Hanoi cost about $870 at their cheapest, from September through November, which is Vietnam's transitional period from the hot and humid wet season to the dry (and touristy) season. During this time, three-star properties go for about $125 to $150 a night.

8 amazing places to travel with friends

Mar 28, 2023 • 7 min read

Traveling with friends in Buenos Aires is a great adventure © South_agency / Getty Images

A holiday with friends is the perfect opportunity to escape the obligations that often come with romantic getaways, family holidays, and business trips.

Good friends will constitute some of the longest-term relationships you will ever form, and such relationships deserve that ultimate sort of celebration: getting away somewhere special together.

Whether your friendship is fuelled by heart-to-hearts in classy cafes or high-adrenaline adventures in the wilderness, these are the 8 best places in the world to travel with friends.

1. Buenos Aires, Argentina

South America ’s suavest destination, the Argentine capital Buenos Aires , is a sharp-dressing, good-looking city. For friends wanting an inexpensive taste of the good life, this is the place to go. Its historic and classy café scene is Paris-like, its excellent red wines are affordable and full-bodied ( Argentina is the spiritual home of Malbec, after all) and the steaks here are so huge you’ll need to share – even in the finest city restaurants like Don Julio .

The ‘to do’ list knows no limits, either: gorgeous, manicured parks best perambulated with a pal, explosive nightlife that will sate even the most exuberant compadre’s penchant for partying, plus an array of majestically faded architecture means the backdrop is invariably beautiful. The culture in BA is incredible, too. Think South America’s most respected opera house and some of the most fervent football matches on the globe . Plus, as the home of tango , it’s a great place to learn to dance with the pressure off.

2. Ko Tao, Thailand

Taking the plunge together assumes a whole new meaning in Ko Tao , an island idyll marooned in the Gulf of Thailand. Scuba diving is the local lifeblood here and cheap prices and oh-so-clear water reveal a rich menagerie of sea life – not least the turtles from which the island derives its name. As one of the planet’s best locations for learning to dive, taking classes in tandem with your friends is much more fun, especially when chatting about the marine creatures you’ve spotted on one of Ko Tao’s heavenly white sand beaches afterward.

If you prefer affirming your friendship above the surface, Ko Tao is increasingly a hiking destination, too, with several trails bisecting the hilly, jungle-clad interior.

3. Munich, Germany

Quaffing lots of lovely beer in lavish surrounds in Europe ’s hub of all things hop. For many friends, this will be the only incentive they need to indulge in the Bavarian capital Munich , a city that grafts hard to make its drinking scene globally renowned.

There are six major breweries here serving a stunning array of ornate beer halls, colonnaded, frescoed, and embellished by grand beer gardens. Home of the original Oktoberfest too, Munich’s various magnificent drinking establishments make each day feel like a celebration of fermented froth. Work up a thirst wandering around one of the continent’s largest city parks, Englischer Garten , where there also happens to be... a big beer garden.

4. San Francisco, USA

One of the 20th century’s most rigorously documented friendship groups, the Beat Generation, had San Francisco as their hangout. Emblazoned with the legacy of 1960s counterculture and a phenomenal music scene – bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane originated here – come to drink in the history-drenched bars that Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsburg and Neal Cassady frequented — like Vesuvio Café .

After that, clock some of the planet’s best and brightest street art in the Haight and Ashbury neighborhood , or check out the legendary live music scene with your pals. If that doesn’t do it for you, pan out a little. Take a cruise around the City by the Bay, which encompasses talismanic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz , or pull out all the stops with a foray into the USA’s most fabled wine country, Napa Valley , an hour’s drive north.

5. Budapest, Hungary

It’s difficult to conceive of a finer thing to do with friends than touring Europe’s only capital to sit on natural thermal springs, Budapest , sampling its dozen-odd historic spa complexes. These toasty waters are conducive for relaxing, gossiping, healing (body-beneficial minerals like magnesium, calcium and sodium are purportedly present), and even a game of chess (a big thing in Budapest’s baths). Start soaking up Budapest’s bathing culture with a dunk in turn-of-the-century Széchenyi Baths, where you can treat yourselves to a massage too.

6. Petra, Jordan

Nurture your friendship with a trip to perhaps the planet’s most remarkable Unesco World Heritage Site, the striking sandstone city of  Petra . If the Nabataeans managed to pull off the impressive feat of establishing this dramatic desert city by carving it out of the rocks in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, then there should be nothing and nowhere you and your mates feel you can’t do or go.

The approach – through a narrow, twisting passage between sheer rock walls known as the Siq – is an aptly enthralling trailer for the show of craftsmanship in the hidden city ahead. Here, the center of the drama is the Treasury, its Hellenistic façade sculpted in exquisite detail out of the iron-rich red sandstone cliff – although the Monastery, tucked away higher up in the complex, is similarly hewn from the rocks and far bigger. Get here early, for the 6 am opening, to dodge the crowds and see the sunrise on your special adventure together, bathing Petra’s phenomenal monuments in a red and pink glow.

7. Sydney to Gold Coast, Australia

It’s road trip time. One of Australia’s quintessential rides goes from Oceania’s biggest city Sydney to the Gold Coast , one of its most glorious beach destinations. For you and your buddies, though, it will be less about beginnings and ends and more about the journey: 850km along the Pacific Highway for coast lovers or 1000km via the New England Highway if you fancy mixing wine country in with your water time. Either way promises stunning national parks.

While neither distance needs to take upwards of a day, you’ll want to stretch it to several. A long drive dotted with magical stop-offs and far-removed from a rigid, rushed schedule is the optimal environment for letting your long-term friendships catch up, nurture and grow – and we guarantee, there is not one of you who won’t enthuse about some aspect of this east coast adventure.

On the Pacific Highway route, seek out the nation’s cutest marsupials in koala-dense Port Macquarie, chill in serene beach towns like Byron Bay , or swim and surf off the golden sands that rim this coast. On the New England Highway option, catapult your friendship into the churning waters of a Nymboida River rafting trip , or toast each other in Hunter Valley ’s mountain-backed vineyards.

8. New York City, USA

New York has something for every visitor. Better yet, most of it is available around the clock. If you and your pals can’t get mutually excited over the beacon of the arts, the fulcrum of fine dining, the kernel of culture, and the nexus of nightlife that makes NYC what it is, then you’ll likely struggle to agree on anywhere to travel together. Taking a bite out of the Big Apple can feel oddly familiar even for first-timers – this is one of the world’s most-filmed cities after all – yet utterly unique at the same time.

By day, bond with your bestie at a classy Manhattan café – the place that made a leisurely brunch out cool. Then climb a lofty building like the Empire State Building for unforgettable metropolis views, before hitting a titanic museum , like the Guggenheim , or seeing the sights linked with the planet’s best-known TV show about friends… Friends !

The after-dark experiences are just as legendary: head out to a historic speakeasy , all-night diner or jazz club to get acquainted with the city’s wildly diverse soul while you have one of those companionable catch-ups these trips are tailor-made for.

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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

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Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

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Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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The Complete Guide to Group Travel

By Stephanie Wu

The paella was a breaking point. I was in the middle of the most complicated group trip I’d ever planned—13 people, flying in from six different cities, all gathering in a seven-bedroom villa in Andalucia . We were there, ostensibly, on a joint 30th-birthday trip, a group vacation we’d been planning for years . As high school classmates, some of us had known each other for decades, and the group had grown to include significant others and even a not-yet-announced pregnancy.

It would have been an ambitious trip no matter how many people were attending. We had chosen Spain as a middle ground between North America and East Asia, where my friends and I had scattered after college graduation. We were basing ourselves in Ronda, but rented several cars and planned day trips to see the bigger cities—Seville, Granada, Cordoba. But, inevitably, the dreamy idea of bringing us together for a milestone trip took on a life of its own: destination suggestions ranged from Croatia to Marrakech , and a total of 26 people were invited at some point. And I was wrangling it all— finding a villa , planning activities, making restaurant reservations, confirming the rental cars , and generally making sure it all went smoothly. Thankfully, I had some help: a villa specialist , plus a subset of friends I could count on for strong opinions and quick decisions. I took on this role naturally—and my friends were great about checking in to see if I needed any organizational help whatsoever. But generally, it was up to me to shape the flow of the trip while accommodating every travel personality, from super-planner to totally blasé.

Like every group vacation I’ve ever been on, our Spain trip had its ups and downs. On the first night, my head spinning while trying to keep track of a group text chain that had lost all sense of reason, I found myself struggling to keep my eyes open. Even though I was seeing my friends for the first time in a while, enjoying a home-cooked, multi-course meal as we shared exciting news (A new job! An international move! That pregnancy!), all I wanted to do was lie down after a very long travel day of planes, trains, and cars. On day two, I came downstairs to a breakfast spread of eggs, cheese, meats, and bread (there’s nothing like traveling with someone who likes to wake up early and prepare breakfast), and proceeded to try and block out the morning noise—questions about what to wear, what to bring, where the chargers were—way too much before I'd had my morning caffeine.

I hung back a bit that day during the group tour, scanning the crowd to make sure all my friends were having fun. Did they like the tour guide we had booked? Were they tired and jet lagged? Was the lunch reservation at an appropriate time? That night at dinner, a random spot we found within walking distance of our villa, I was happy to let someone else take the lead in ordering for the group, since the menu was only printed in Spanish. And then, the next night, we were so excited when our paella was delivered. It was in a massive pan the size of my wingspan, and took two people to carry. The saffron-infused aroma was coming through the aluminum sheets, and we were all crowded around the stove, awaiting the big reveal—until we uncovered the aluminum and realized they hadn’t seen my note about dietary restrictions, and my friends with shellfish sensitivities would be eating leftovers instead.

At its best, travel has a way of making every daily anxiety feel absolutely insignificant. And at its worst, even the tiniest mishaps, like the wrong ingredients in the paella, feel like the end of the world. This is even more the case on group trips, when you’re dealing with people of different ages, needs, and activity levels, or traveling with a group of friends of friends, where you’re close with some and not quite as comfortable with others. When you’re trying to accommodate everyone’s travel wishes, but somehow end up pleasing nobody. And of course, that moment when you realize you’re going to need a vacation to recover from this vacation.

That’s not to say that I didn’t have a great time in Spain. When I look back, I think about the one night we picked to be our joint birthday dinner. We were all gathered around restaurant table, 13 of us trying to blow the candles out together, each dissolving into giggles at different times. And of the one day we smartly split up into smaller groups—one group exploring the town, the other hanging by the pool—and then gathered together at night to share the highlights of our day. And how our long car rides led to long conversations, which was a way for me to really get to know my friend’s significant other—something that would have been nearly impossible otherwise, as they live in Toronto and we only see them a few times a year.

It always takes a few days for me to settle into vacation mode, but this time around, I had the added stress of worrying about everything that could go wrong, when a group of people who became friends at 18 meet again to travel together a dozen years later. I needed those moments of joy, of spontaneous laughter, of lounging around in silence, to be reminded of why we were all together in the first place—and why a few years earlier, we had known that we needed to prioritize setting aside time in our schedules to find a week that worked for all of us.

I think about how, during the vacation, we fantasized about what the next reunion would look like. Would we alternate continents? Would we take a cruise? Would we bring partners and kids along for our 40th birthday trip? At one point, someone brought up making it an annual trip —but the panicked look on my face might have nipped that suggestion in the bud immediately.

Arati Menon

Hannah Towey

Maya Silver

Group travel requires a herculean amount of coordination and compromise. But there’s something about having a group of people in the same place at the same time that can give every trip that once-in-a-lifetime feeling—an adrenaline rush that I only get when I’m traveling. I got to see a new side of my friends, who I haven’t lived in the same city as since I was 18—how some woke up early to check in at the office, how others were unflappable through hours of traffic and confusing driving directions, and how the parents-to-be soaked up the last few months before they became a family of three. That’s the magic of a group trip—you get to see your travel companions out of their daily element, in their vacation selves. And, if you can manage to stay calm throughout the planning process, the truth is, that’s often our best selves.

Why we built this guide

Group trips don’t all have to be stressful before they get good. If you’re reading this, it’s likely because you’ve been tasked to be the planner, at least in some part, for an upcoming trip. Here at Condé Nast Traveler , we embrace group travel in all forms, from big family vacations to a core group of friends that always travels together to traveling alone in a larger group. And we put this package together to help you take care of the big things—from where to stay and how to save money with points and miles —to the little ones, like how one app can change the group travel game.

We’re also letting you in on our best-kept secret, for when it’s time to throw your hands up and let the travel gods take over: Book a cruise . It’s what I did for my recent bachelorette party, where we paid just over $300 per person for 3 nights in the Caribbean, unlimited food and drinks, and endless entertainment. Okay, there was still a little planning, but it was limited to where we’d eat lunch on port day and whether we had brought enough sunscreen for our kayaking trip. As the de facto planner, I never had to think about signing a bill , or making sure everybody was entertained. I simply soaked it all in as my friends congregated in various combinations and got to know each other in vacation mode. It was the best gift I could have given myself—second to this guide, of course.

Four golden rules for every group trip

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Come together for at least one meal a day.

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How to Plan the Perfect Stress-Free Trip with Friends

Candice Walsh

September 19, 2023

Picture this: you and your friends have just arrived in Argentina. You’re ready for an amazing two-week trip, but before you’ve even had your first empanada, there’s tension as you start disagreeing about how to split funds and how to do everything you want when the group has wildly different interests and budgets.  

Trip planning can be a lot of work even if you’re traveling solo, but when you add a handful of other people to the mix, things can get even more tangled. The good news: a little work and some honest conversations before you depart—and even before you book your trip—can reduce the stress and help ensure everyone gets the trip they want. 

Here are twelve tips for planning an epic trip with friends (going with family? Read our guide to multi-generational trips !) 

1. Choose the right friends, and set expectations from the start.

Let’s get the most obvious point out of the way first: You can be friends with lots of different people, but it doesn’t mean you’ll make good travel partners. Choosing your travel buddies wisely and being up-front on your expectations can mean the difference between a group trip you’ll always remember and one you can’t wait to forget. So how do you know you’ll be a match if you’ve never traveled together? 

Consider things like interests, budget, and personality. That doesn’t mean you need to be perfectly aligned on each of those things, but think about where you can appreciate the differences, and where they could cause friction. 

For example, if your art-loving friends expect you’ll do every activity as a group, but you’re just not into museums, you may get annoyed by the time they’re on their third hour at the Louvre. But on the other hand, if you’ve got independent friends who are cool with separating for an afternoon, you can do what makes you happy while they spend another 90 minutes admiring Etruscan antiquities. 

Have a frank discussion with your friends—and yourself—around the following: 

• Will they want to map out each hour, or are they open to spontaneity? 
• Do they want to go, go, go, and see it all, or do they prefer to take things slower? 
• Are they night owls who want to party until dawn or early-birds who want to rise with the sun? 
• Is their budget more street food and hostels or Michelin-starred dinners and luxury hotels? 
• Do they want to spend all their time as a group, or occasionally separate and do their own thing? 

2. Be upfront about your finances.

Money can cause a lot of resentment among friends, especially if you have different financial expectations for the trip. If you can only afford a hostel dorm but your friends want to stay in a resort, tell them. There’s no point in putting yourself in debt to please someone else.

From the start, be upfront about how much you can afford to spend—and how you would prefer to spend your money. While your friend may have the same budget as you, you might find out that while you prefer to splurge on a nice meal, they put their extra funds into shopping. 

Be clear not only on how much you can afford for the total trip, but also on how much you’re willing to spend per night for accommodations, what you’re comfortable spending on meals and activities, and how you prioritize your spending. Again, you don’t have to agree, but you should set expectations for what happens when you have different budgets and priorities. 

3. Consider how you’ll pick your destination. 

Deciding on a destination might actually be the toughest part of this whole trip planning process. How do you choose a place that everyone is happy with and can get to relatively cheaply?

One option: have each of your friends write out their top three to five preferred destinations, bearing in mind the length of time you have to travel and the budgets of everyone involved. 

You can easily do this over email or on paper. For a more tech-savvy way to do it, check out Kayak’s new Trip Huddle tool. First, you sign up and pick your destinations and preferred dates.

Once everyone has added their input and voted, Kayak will recommend some hotels and vacation rentals for your group. It’s useful if you have a large group and would prefer not to scroll through hundreds of messages to keep up with the conversation. 

However you vote, compare everyone’s answers, and see if there are any common destinations. If there are none, think about the common factors. Did you all choose a beachy destination or a European city? This can help narrow down your choices.

Another option: decide based on airfare and go wherever you find the best deal. The group might have been thinking London, but if nonstop flights to Paris pop up for $250, they might say “oui” to a different idea. 

If you’re coming from different destinations, make sure you choose a place that’s realistic for everyone, especially given the number of days you plan to travel. For example, you might be up for a 3-day weekend in Hawaii if you’re based in Los Angeles, but for your friend in NYC, that may be too far to go for a shorter trip. 

When you join Going, you can select multiple airports to follow, so if you’re got friends spread across the US, you can see which deals apply from the most departure cities. 

>>Read our guide to the world's cheapest destinations or check out ideas for where to go in Europe

4. use the right tools to find airfare deals. .

Aside from joining Going, there are a few tools you can use to make it easier to find the best deals, especially if you are flexible on travel dates and destinations. 

Skyscanner has a handy “Search Everywhere” option that shows you the cheapest flights from your airport during your selected date range. 

The Google Flights Explore map is similar. Input your departure airport(s) and it will show you the cheapest places on the map you can fly to either during specific dates, or during a date range like a weekend, one-week, or two-week trip during a specific month. You can type in a specific region or move the map to narrow down your options. 

>> Read our complete guide to finding cheap flights. 

5. start planning far in advance..

The more people involved, the slower the planning process can be—and speed is your friend when it comes to snagging cheap flights . Two to eight months in advance is the sweet spot for the best airfare prices, you’ll want to start looking for flights as early as you can, especially if your dates and destination are fixed or you’re traveling over peak season like the summer or holidays. Start tracking prices by setting up flight alerts so you’ll get notified when the price dips. 

If your dates and destination aren’t fixed and you’re open to wherever there’s a good deal, chat with your friends in advance about what dates you’re all free so that you can cut down on the back-and-forth and quickly jump in a great deal when you see one. And remember, the 24-hour rule means that in most cases you can cancel a flight within 24 hours of purchase so you don’t miss a deal while waiting for your friends to confirm the dates. 

6. Use apps to keep your finances sorted.

It’s important to keep track of everything you’re splitting as a group, whether it’s the flights, hotel rooms, activities, or meals. You can create a simple spreadsheet to do this, or use an app like Tricount or Splitwise .

Tricount was developed for roommates to keep track of split expenses, but it’s completely customizable so you can use it for your travels instead. Splitwise works the exact same way. If you want to keep it simple, Venmo is also a great option for sending money quickly to your friends (but it’s not available everywhere just yet). 

>> Check out our list of the best travel apps.

7. check refund policies carefully and don’t get stuck with the bill. .

It’s a cautionary tale often repeated: a group of friends plan an epic trip, with one friend making the reservations on her credit card. One by one the other friends cancel, until the friend who booked it all is left sleeping solo in a nonrefundable room for six. 

Book refundable hotels and tours as much as possible, and for anything nonrefundable, have each person book individually when you can. When you can’t, such as sharing the cost of a room, get payment upfront and be clear than any nonrefundable payments are just that: nonrefundable. Anyone who cancels at the last minute, will be out their share of the nonrefundable costs. 

If you’re booking Airbnb accommodations, you can use Airbnb’s “Pay Less Up Front” option to make a partial payment, giving you time to collect everyone’s share before the rest of the payment is due. 

If you’re traveling with a very large group and need several hotel rooms (usually at least 10) you can call the hotel and reserve a “room block.” This holds a certain number of rooms up until a specific date, but doesn’t require you to cover all the costs. When your friends book a room as part of the block, they pay individually. Any rooms not booked by the cutoff date are released, so you’re not personally on the hook if you end up needing fewer rooms than you thought. 

10. If you want to book your seats together, it may cost you.

If members of your group are each booking their own airfare, you’ll have to take a few steps to make sure you’re all sitting together. 

• Book early . Waiting until the last minute to book not only increases prices, but it increases the chance you’ll be left with only middle seats to choose from. 
• Don’t do basic economy . The cheapest rates come with fewer perks, like not being able to select your seat until check-in. While there’s a chance you could still get seats together at that point, if you want to guarantee it, upgrade to main economy, or pay extra to choose your seats in advance, if allowed with your fare. 
• Show up at the airport early . If none of the options above work for you, arrive early at the airport. You can speak with the attendant at check-in to see what seats are available, and if there are several seats altogether, he or she will likely be happy to accommodate you. 

11. Take some time for yourself. 

As mentioned above, it’s unrealistic to think everyone wants to do the same activities all the time, and taking some time apart from your group can help keep everyone stress-free. 

If there’s something you want to do and your friends don’t, there’s no harm in stepping out on your own—so long as that expectation was set at the beginning. A little bit of space ensures you get to do everything you want, and it can help you appreciate your time together even more. 

>> Read our tips for solo travel.

12. but don’t be afraid to let your friends push you out of your comfort zone. .

Maybe you’re not normally into the idea of cliff jumping in Hawaii, or tackling a via ferrata in Switzerland, but there’s a big difference between not wanting to do something, and wanting to do it but feeling apprehensive. 

In the latter case, a little encouragement from braver friends may be all you need—and if you decide it’s not, you can always hang out nearby or snap photos of their adventure.  

That’s the joy of traveling with friends. When it’s bad, it’s stressful and tense, but when all goes well, not only will you have an amazing adventure, you may wind up growing in unexpected ways. 

Freelance Writer

Published September 19, 2023

Last updated December 21, 2023

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10 International Destinations For A Perfect Friend’s Getaway

Solo trips are great for self-discovery, and family trips are fun, but there is nothing that quite matches up to getting away with friends. There’s nostalgia, inside jokes, laughing, epic playlists dance parties, junk food, and photographers who know your best angles. While 2020 has been lacklustre in terms of travel, there are so many cool places to explore with your gang after the pandemic that are adventurous, affordable, relaxing, and freakin’ beautiful. So, whether you want to dance away nights or enjoy spa days, here is the ultimate list of international destinations to enjoy with your friends.

1. Reykjavik, Iceland

Fancy an exotic spa? Go to Iceland. Besides being known for Icelandic horses, puffins, and breathtaking glaciers, Iceland is most famous for its Blue Lagoon spa. The geothermic seawater oasis experience screams friends’ trip. If you are lucky, you might even see the northern lights! Here are 5 Amazing Reasons Why You Must Travel With Your Friends.

2. Barcelona, Spain

The question is never what should you do in Spain, it’s how much time do you have! Apart from the quick list of attractions that you must check out,: Park Güell, Gothic Quarter, La Sagrada Familia, you must also catch the traditional flamenco show at Tarantos Club Barcelona. The tapas, chocolate and churros are a must, as is a trip to the Barcelona beach.  World Tapas Day Celebration With Food & History Of Spain | Curly Tales .

3. Austin, Texas

Are you looking for a wild country weekend with your gang? If the US is on your mind, you must go to Austin. Put on your flannel shirt and your boots because you will be line dancing from one club to the next in no time.  World’s First Amusement Park For Disabled People Opens Up In Texas!

Water sports activities? Check. Lazy day at the beach? Check. Fascinating sunsets? Book your tickets for Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba. There are also many private beaches in the city where you can spend your day making friends with flamingos! You can either stay at the resorts for direct access to a private beach or buy passes.  Here are 26 Countries That Have Opened & Are Opening Up For Tourism Again Rather Cautiously.

5. Folegandros, Greece

Santorini is already a hugely popular and overcrowded travel destination, so why not head to the island of Folegandros with your gang? With stunning views, crystal clear waters, untouched beaches and Greece’s signature whitewashed towns, you and your group will genuinely get away from it all here. Do not miss out on the classic Mediterranean dishes like gyros, homemade baklava, chicken and orzo.  Greece Hotels Reduce Resort Prices To ₹940 Per Night .

Nestled in the Italian countryside, Tuscany is the place to be with your friends. It offers mouth-watering food, endless relaxation and, of course, barrels and barrels of wine. With the city of Florence right around the corner and Roma and Venice a short train ride away, there is no shortage of things to do. Sign up for a pasta-making class, squash some grapes to make your wine, or go truffle picking!  An Italian Village Submerged Under Water Might Resurface After 25 Years

7. Cusco, Peru

If you are looking for some offbeat travel destination, Cusco is the place. The beautiful city is surrounded by Inca ruins, exquisite architecture and Peruvian Andes Mountains. A day trip to Machu Picchu is easily accessible, but you will be staying for Peru’s delicious cuisine and llamas that freely roam the city streets! Calling all the food lovers.  Have You Seen The Gorgeous Red River In Cusco, Peru?

8. Thailand

Thailand is a popular destination for Indians, but no matter how crowded it is, it can be more than worth it. Plan day trips to Wat Arun, Koh Phi Phi, and the Damneon Saduak Floating Market to immerse yourselves in the beautiful culture further. While there, be aware of strict dress codes when entering places of historical importance and worship. A Thailand trip cannot be organised or thrown together at the last minute. So plan ahead!  Thailand To Remain Closed To Travellers Until 2021.

9. Montreal, Canada

If you are in the mood for some exploration, head to Montreal. Known for its impressive architecture, Montreal might be the boost you and your friends need. With scenic city views from Mount Royal to taking in the beauty of Notre-Dame Basilica, you will never be bored on this trip. When there, be sure you try some poutine. Here’s How To Spend 48 Hours In Montreal.

10. London, England

Home to the royal family, tea time and so much history, London is a great vacation spot for sightseeing. Plus, if you and your gang love to shop, this is the place to be! High street shopping complexes and all-day dining restaurants, London defines class!  Go On An Epic Bus Journey From Delhi To London In 70 Days Covering 18 Countries .

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14 places to travel with your best friend

Updated On 27th May, 2021

Friends that travel together, stay together! Your bestie is the one person you can always rely on. The one that’s there to help you forget about all the hard days at work, the  difficult breakups  and to just generally embrace the good vibes with! They are also the perfect person to build a best friend bucket list with and tick off as many places to travel with your best friend as possible .

Jobs, colleagues, flings, hard times… they all come and go. But your best friend(s) will stick with you through it all. When you’ve got yourself a BFF, cherish them, appreciate them, and make the most of every second with them!  Life is short .

Get your pen and paper out and start your best friend bucket list for 2021.

Your best friend is the  perfect  adventure buddy. They know you inside out, perhaps even better than you know yourself. Creating a best friend travel bucket list together is such a fun task to do and  then there’s going out and ticking the adventures off!  Check out my guide to planning your next adventure here.

The memories you make as you work your way through your best friend bucket list are priceless. There are so many places to travel with your best friend that the adventures will last a lifetime. They are the memories you’ll be laughing about for years and years to come, especially if you  turn them into a scrapbook . Travelling and sharing memories is one of the best ways to  show your BFF that you love them .

If you’re looking for places to travel with your best friend, places to visit with your best friend or ideas for your best friend travel bucket list, this is the blog post for you. Go on, share this with your best friend, get your notepads out and get planning!

Check out my best friend bucket list here.

14 places to travel with your best friend...

1. australia.

Travelling or backpacking through Australia is high up on many people’s best friends bucket lists !  It’s not hard to see why Australia is one of the best places to travel with your best friend.

Maybe it’s the tropical climates, the wildlife, the laid-back beachy lifestyle, the epic road trips or the backpacker goals lifestyle that has you dreaming of a trip down under, or maybe it’s a combination of them all?

Whether you want to try a city break in Sydney , backpacking down the East Coast , a trip to the outback , or a laid back weekend in Byron Bay, there are so many best things to do in Australia that it can be hard to choose what to do first! Not to mention the bucket list trips to the Whitsundays , Fraser Island or the Great Barrier Reef! Wherever in Australia you decide to visit with your best friend, you’re sure to have an awesome time. 

Check out the best things to do in Australia here. 

2. Portugal

Portugal is somewhere I recently spent a fair amount of time in, exploring with my van and my girlfriends, and we absolutely loved it!  Portugal is 100% a stop off you should make on your European road trip or adventure. 

Portugal is a great place to travel with your best friend because there  are  many   awesome things to do in Portugal. W hether it’s for surfing in Nazare or Lagos , exploring the stunning city of Lisbon or relaxing on the Algarve, Portugal is definitely somewhere to add to your best friend bucket list. 

Whether you’re an avid surfer, walker, camper or beach bummer – Portugal is going to cater for you and your best friend… and some.

Check out the best things to do in Portugal here.

Travellers tend to give England a hard time for its rainfall but where there’s rain, there are lush greens. If you are your BFF love hiking, then a staycation in England is a great place for your best friend bucket list. The beautiful English countryside, such as that in Yorkshire ,  the Lake District ,  Devon  and the  South Downs  will be, without a doubt, one of the highlights of your English adventure and trust me, you’ll be missing the cosy English pub scene within days of departure. The most beautiful places in England are going to blow your mind.

From the bustling cities such as  London  and  Leeds , beachside towns in  Cornwall  and  Dorset , to the many Areas of Outstanding Beauty and  national parks , England really holds its own when it comes to choosing places to travel with your best friend. 

• 15 UK National Parks: which one should I visit?
• The best places to visit in England
• My favourite things to do in England
• Unique things to do in England

From taking on one of the incredible  French via ferratas , wine tasting in one of the French wine regions and hiking in the  French Alps  all the way to  Skiing in Val D’Isere , a  city break in Paris  and a  Christmas Market road trip , you aren’t short of things to do in France that you can add to your best friend bucket list.

I’ve done many road trips with my best friend through France over the years and your trip to France can include so many incredible types of adventure. You can also try surfing down in Hossegor / Biarritz, climbing in Chamonix and visiting the champagne region ! Gosh, France is amazing!

If you’re based in the UK, getting the ferry over to France is such an easy option, make France one of many great places to travel with your best friend. The crossing takes around an hour and it means you don’t have to worry about going to the airport / hiring a car when you get there. See my experience and tips for the ferry crossing here.

See all the best things to do in France here. 

5. Indonesia

A country that I’ve fallen in love with time and time again, Indonesia really is a great place to travel with your best friend. I’d say it’s one of the cheapest places to travel in Asia, or even in the world, making it perfect for anyone who is travelling on a budget. From exploring the famous island of Bali (for example the surf break in Uluwatu , or the monkey forest in Ubud ) to swimming with manta rays on Nusa Lembongan , and discovering the smaller, less travel islands that are equally as beautiful, Indonesia provides plenty of opportunity for adventures for your best friend bucket list.

Check out all the best things to do in Bali here. 

Beautiful Italy is one of the best places to travel with your best friend. Seeing the colosseum in Rome should be on everyone’s best friend bucket list, as well as taking a gondola in Venice, seeing the Duomo in Milan, eating all the pasta in Puglia, visitng Pompeii, going on a Calabrian road trip and exploring some of the best things to do in Sicily , such as exploring the multicultural capital of Palermo . Hop on a plane with your BFF for a well-deserved dose of sunshine, gelato and good wine!

See all the best things to do in Sicily here. 

There are million reasons to visit Greece, and it’s one of the best places to travel with your best friend. From swimming in the turquoise waters to exploring underground lakes, exploring the history in Athens or Crete, sailing around the Ionian Islands or going on a road trip across the Greek mainland, it’s one of the best places to put on your best friend bucket list. 

Check out the best things to do in Greece here. 

8. Thailand

Thailand is such a popular destination for first time backpackers due to its low cost of living, and high delivery of adventure and freedom (partying) – the best of both worlds and ideal for an adventure with your best friend. From buy one get one free buckets and partying with international backpackers in some of the most gorgeous locations in the world such as Bangkok, to volunteering in elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, PADI diving certificates and island hopping – it’s not hard to see why it’s popular. Why not add Thailand to your best friend bucket list and share all the fun with your BFF?

• Check out my top tips for travelling in Thailand in this post. 
• See all my tips for travelling in Southeast Asia in this post. 

With 50 provinces, 17 regions, and at least 5 languages, Spain is a super diverse country, so it’s one of the best places to travel with your best friend if you’re looking for some variety in your adventure! From hiking and skiing in the Pyreenes to surfing on the coast, spending a party weekend in Marbella to going on a road trip in Mallorca and catching some of the most beautiful sunsets in Formentor , or enjoing the winter sun in Gran Canaria or a city break in Barcelona , Spain has something to offer every set of BFFs! Don’t forget the amazing cuisine, stunning architecture and the fact that Spain hosts some of the best music festivals in the world – add Spain to your best friend bucket list now! 

10. Costa Rica

Get yourselves ready to be immersed  in the abundant, rich quality of nature that is on offer in   Costa Rica . From what I’ve seen, Costa Rica is truly a playground of nature, consisting of 27 National Parks dotted across the country. Can you imagine? It’s an awesome place to travel with your best friend!

If you’re not kicking back and relaxing on the Caribbean Coast in Santa Teresa , you could be trying your hand at riding the waves along the Pacific Coast. And then after that, you’ll most likely be spending a few nights in the treetops at one of the eco-resorts before diving into the jungle or climbing  Costa Rica’ s highest mountain. You get the picture… it’s adventure central, great for your best friend bucket list!

Check out all the best things to do in Costa Rica in this blog post. 

11. New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most popular places to visit in the world, especially for backpackers, and who wouldn’t want to go backpacking with their best friend?!

There are so many awesome things to do in New Zealand, that even though I’ve been twice now, I can’t wait to get on a plane and explore some more. Maybe it’s the breathtaking scenery, the friendly local people, the entralling history and culture, the epic road trips, the amazing food and wine, or the backpacker lifestyle that has you dreaming of a trip to New Zealand, or maybe it’s a combination of them all?

There are so many cool things to do in New Zealand, making it a great destination for your best friend bucket list. There’s skydiving in Taupo , bungy jumping in Queenstown , taking on the Tongariro crossing , seeing the dolphins , exploring Auckland , and more! 

See all the best things to do in New Zealand here. 

12. Croatia

From  sunset kayaking around Dubrovnik castle  to hiring a boat and  travelling around some of the islands , all the way to dancing the night away during the  Yacht Week  or Underground Market in the cellar of  Diocletian Palace in Split , you aren’t short of things to do in Croatia – it’s definitely one for your best friend bucket list.

I’ve been to Croatia a few times over the years, including with the  Yacht Week  and with the  Global Travellers family , and Croatia really is full of adventure. Whether you want a city break in  Split  or  Dubrovnik , to go  Croatia island hopping  along the Dalmatian Coast, to go hiking in the Plitvice Lakes National Park or go swimming under the  Krka waterfall,  Croatia really has adventure to offer everyone, making in the perfect place to travel with your best friend.

Check out all the best things to do in Croatia here. 

A luxury safari in Kenya . Talk about once in a lifetime opportunities… definitely one for your best friend bucket list! 

How does an adventure to uncover the big five sound? In the wild? In Africa? In your own private jeep? What dreams are truly made of, right? What’s more, after you’ve seen all the animals on safari you can head to Watamu for some beach time and fully chill out on the coast… pure bliss!

• See my guide to planning your Kenya safari here
• See my guide to Watamu on the Kenyan coastline here

14. The Philippines

The Philippines is a destination that  changed my approach to travel , and I can’t wait to return there one day. From the stunning beaches to the deep blue lagoons, you can really have a ‘luxury’ holiday on a backpacker budget in the Philippines! The Philippines is also one of the best places to do adrenaline-rushing activities such as canyoneering, skydiving, paragliding, and swimming with whale sharks – adventures that are perfect for your best friend travel bucket list! Check out my experience of canyoneering here.

Have you travelled with your best friend?

Where are your favourite places to travel with your best friend? Anything you’d add to this best friend bucket list?

Love as always and happy adventuring,

Passionate about adventure and creativity. Currently enjoying the sunshine while teaching English in southern Italy.

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IT’S LOVELY TO MEET YOU

I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. 

I’D LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WE’VE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN!

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17 Fun Trips to Take With Friends

Traveling with friends can be a life-changing experience. Check out this list of fun trips to take with friends and create a lifetime of memories!

From weekend getaways to New York City to long-haul adventures across Southeast Asia, traveling with friends can be an unforgettable experience. You not only learn a lot about each other but also about yourself. You also create great new memories that are sure to last a lifetime! It’s a time when you can focus on self-care and reflection and think about how lucky you are to have so many great people in your life.

We know how important and meaningful traveling with friends can be. So, we’ve put together a list of fun trips to take with friends. These adventures around the world can be done with just your bestie or with a whole heap of friends!

Enjoying Precious Time With Let’s Roam

If you’re interested in fun trips to take with friends, bonding must be on the brain! Let’s Roam is dedicated to helping you enjoy every precious moment of time you have with friends and family. It doesn’t matter if you’re hanging out at home or exploring the world! With hundreds of great scavenger hunts in cities across the globe, expertly designed scratch-off adventure books full of fun activities, and virtual games that are perfect for both kids and adults, Let’s Roam gives you plenty of great ways to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary!

Great Travel Experiences to Enjoy With Friends

Below, you will find a long list of travel ideas you can do with friends. Since we know some of these places may be a bit far to travel to from North America, we’ve included some additional adventures. You can include these in your trip to make the most of your travel time! We’ve also included some useful travel tips for traveling with friends based on our own decades of travel experience. 

1. Go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.

Roughly the size of 70 million football fields, the Great Barrier Reef off of the eastern coast of Australia is big. Like, really, really big. It’s the world’s largest coral reef system and is home to millions of colorful fish, turtles, sharks, sea snakes, dolphins, seabirds, eels, mollusks, sponges, and, of course, coral. Thanks to this incredible biodiversity and how easily accessible it is from cities like Sydney and Melbourne, it’s high on the bucket lists of many travelers. So, why not take a trip with a great group of friends?

You can choose to visit the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Cairns. These boats tend to be big and crowded. It can be difficult to explore the reefs without having a lot of other people around. Alternatively, you can book a spot on one of the liveaboard diving boats that go out for a few days at a time. This is a great option if you have the time and the budget. It allows you to experience the reef with significantly fewer people, and it gives you the chance to spend the night floating above this breathtaking natural landscape.

Expert tip: While you’re underwater, you’re very likely to hear a chomping sound, like someone or something is taking a big bite of something crunchy. That’s actually the colorful parrotfish eating algae off the coral. They’re an important part of the reef’s ecosystem. It’s one of my favorite parts of snorkeling, and I love watching the fish happily chomp away on the coral. 

Additional Adventures in Australia

After you’ve snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, you can continue your Australian adventure by heading up through northern Queensland to the Daintree Rainforest. This is the oldest rainforest in the world at a whopping 135 million years old. You can visit as a day trip from Cairns or spend the night in one of the many lodges located nearby. There are many different hiking trails within the rainforest that let you get a closer look at the unique flora and fauna there. 

2. Spend a weekend visiting the historic bars of New York City.

New York is a fascinating city, and many tourists barely even scratch the surface of what it has to offer. For many people, their first visit to the Big Apple includes highlights like Times Square and Broadway, Central Park, and the World Trade Center. However, if you want to see how New Yorkers really spend their time and learn more about the cultural fabric of the city, why not spend a weekend bar hopping through some of the city’s historic dive bars? 

The many dive bars scattered across the island of Manhattan are a treasure trove for history buffs looking to get a peek at old NYC. Some of the most popular historic bars, like McSorley’s, Rudy’s, and Jeremy’s Ale House, still have much of their original decor. If you look closely, you can often see the ornate woodwork, colorful flooring, and vaulted ceilings of yesteryears. To make it even better, the drinks are often much, much cheaper than what you would pay at some of the trendy bars of the Meatpacking District or Midtown. 

To help break up your day of drinking a bit, we suggest taking the time to see some of the many attractions located near the bars, especially ones off the beaten tourist path, such as the many tiny parks hidden amongst apartment buildings and niche museums that you had no idea even existed. 

While you’re there, don’t forget to check out one of the Let’s Roam New York scavenger hunts ! These hunts are expertly designed to help you get off the normal tourist trail and see some of the lesser-known sights. From the public art of Chelsea to the ghost of Greenwich , there’s something to fit the unique tastes of every traveler!

3. Check out the nightlife of Hong Kong.

With buildings that reach high into the sky, sparkling seas, and emerald-green hills, Hong Kong is one of the world’s most photogenic mega-cities. It’s also one of the most vibrant. While New York is often considered the city that never sleeps, Hong Kong can easily be considered the Big Apple’s sister from another mister. 

Additional Adventures in Hong Kong

If you don’t have a Chinese visa but still want to combine your trip to Hong Kong with another nearby destination, we highly recommend taking the ferry to Macau. Once a Portuguese colony, Macau is now the Las Vegas of Asia with tons of casinos, grandiose hotels, entertainment venues, and bars. You can still see vestiges of its colonial days in the downtown area as well as some of the original Chinese casinos built there. This creates a fascinating juxtaposition that you can’t find anywhere else and makes it well worth the trip.

4. Take a road trip across Patagonia.

With wide open spaces, rugged mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and charming mountain towns, Patagonia is the ultimate destination for a road trip. You can begin your journey in Santiago and head south, crisscrossing the border of Chile and Argentina. Or, head straight down to Ushuaia, the end of the world, and work your way north from there. 

When you’re planning your journey, make sure to leave plenty of time for hiking. This region is home to some of the world’s most magnificent hikes, including the incomparable W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. This five-day trek takes you high into the Andes Mountains, offering breathtaking views and breathtaking ascents along the way! 

Additional Adventures in Chile and Argentina 

The lands of Patagonia take a surprisingly long time to get to from the United States, so if you have the time, we definitely recommend staying a bit longer to see other great destinations. Check out the enigmatic Easter Island, the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, or Iguassu Falls, one of the world’s biggest waterfalls. Domestic flights are relatively inexpensive, which makes it easy to travel around. There’s so much to see that you may find yourself wishing you had many months to spend there!

5. Say hello to Lady Luck in Las Vegas.

Will luck be a lady tonight? This is something you can only find out by organizing a fun getaway to Las Vegas ! Las Vegas, Nevada, has come a long way from its days as the original Sin City. Besides what feels like an endless line of slot machines and over-the-top casinos that make you feel like you’re in some weird version of Disneyland, Las Vegas offers some of the world’s best hotels, entertainment venues, bars, and restaurants just waiting to show you a good time (and to take some of that hard-earned money off your hands!). It’s even the temporary home to some of the country’s most famous musical artists who have long-running residencies there. 

This fun combination of activities makes it the perfect spot for weekend getaways for anyone wanting to spend the day lounging by the pool with a colorful cocktail in hand, trying their luck on the slot machines, and watching their favorite musicians sing their hearts out.

6. Hit up the all-inclusive resorts of the Yucatan Peninsula.

While it’s fun to DIY your own trip, sometimes nothing beats a week at an all-inclusive resort with your best friends. Gone is the stress of having to pick a restaurant, call a taxi, or find a bar to go to. Instead, you have everything you need all under one roof! All-inclusive resorts range from intimate affairs with a handful of restaurants and idyllic poolsides to full-blown resorts with tons of restaurants, pools, and activities to choose from. These ones are usually a bit better suited for groups of friends, but to each their own, right? The beauty of going to an all-inclusive resort lies in the lack of planning you need to put into it. You can simply show up and be you!

While you can find all-inclusive resorts scattered across the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, we love going to the ones in the Yucatan simply because there is so much to do around them! Not only is the peninsula blessed with gorgeous white sand beaches and marvelous weather most of the year, but it’s also dotted with ancient Mayan ruins, fascinating sinkholes that are perfect for swimming in, and colorful colonial towns. This gives you the chance to easily learn more about the history, culture, and geography of this amazing country! 

Some of the most popular areas to stay in include Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, but you can find high-end resorts dotted all along the coastline. 

7. Swim with whale sharks in Mexico.

Mexico is famous for having good food, beautiful scenery, great weather, and friendly people. However, if you still need another reason to visit this amazing country, we have one more for you. Mexico is also one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks.

Whale sharks are the biggest fish on the planet, measuring more than 40 feet in length and weighing as much as 47,000 pounds. Their mouths alone can stretch up to five feet wide with 300 tiny teeth. Although they’re considered sharks, they’re not dangerous to humans. In fact, these gentle giants eat only plankton. Swimming with whale sharks is an incredible experience. Although you get just a few minutes in the water with them due to strict conservation rules, it feels like a lifetime as you watch their muscular bodies glide gracefully below you.

The best place to join a whale shark tour is in Isla de Mujeres, just a short boat ride from Cancun. This tourist-friendly island has a downtown area lined with budget-friendly accommodation options, souvenir shops, and restaurants. It’s a nice, laid-back spot to spend a few days before or after your trip, and it gives you a little taste of Mexico without having to deal with all the craziness of Cancun. 

8. Explore the Tuscan wine country in Italy.

While Napa Valley is considered one of the best wine regions in the US, why not think a bit bigger when it comes to having an awesome and memorable vacation with your besties? Just imagine yourselves sitting with a glass of Chianti, overlooking rolling hills lined with vineyards and dotted with historic farmhouses. Taking a wine tour of Tuscany is a great way to try a whole new range of mouthwatering wines that you normally wouldn’t have access to and learn more about Italian culture and heritage. 

The wine region of Tuscany in Italy is relatively easy to get to from major tourist hotspots like Florence, Rome, and Milan. Otherwise, you can base yourself in one of the smaller cities or towns nearby, like Sienna, San Gimignano, and Pisa. Here, you will find a wide range of accommodation options, including boutique hotels, charming B&Bs, and vacation rentals. There are also tons of different wine tours that you can choose from. Otherwise, you can create your own DIY wine tour and make your way to the wineries by train, car, or bike. Or go on foot for tours of the wineries and wine tastings. 

Additional Adventures in Italy

After you’ve tasted the nectar of the gods in Tuscany, why not visit the ancient delights of Rome or Pompeii? Check out the Renaissance masterpieces in Florence or pretend like you’re holding up a certain tower in Pisa. The comprehensive and budget-friendly train network makes it easy to get around!

9. Take the train across Canada.

All aboard! Epic train rides like the Orient Express may seem like a thing of the past, but in fact, they’re thriving in many parts of the world! The Blue Train in South Africa and The Ghan in Australia are still Mesmerizing riders today. But if you want to try something a little closer to home, you may want to consider riding the long-distance rails of Canada!

Train rides in Canada can range from multi-day adventures to shorter hops between destinations. Some of the most popular routes include Halifax to Montreal and the much longer Rocky Mountaineer that goes from Vancouver all the way to Banff. This luxurious rail journey takes you along the Canadian Pacific Railway in custom-designed trains complete with panoramic glass roofs. The daytime views along the way are breathtaking. At night, you can stop in towns like Whistler, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Quesnel.

10. Visit the honky tonks of Nashville.

Nashville has been THE place to go in the US for live music for decades. From the stages of the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium to the bustling honky tonks of the Broadway Historic District, it’s easy to see why it earned the nickname “Music City.” If you and your friends love spending a night out on the town shaking your groove thing, Nashville has plenty of fun in store for you! 

One of the best ways to get the night rolling is with our Nashville Bar Crawl Scavenger Hunt ! This hunt will take you to some of the best bars and watering holes in Nashville, giving you plenty of chances to make new memories as you complete one quirky challenge after another!

During the day, you can either explore the many different museums on offer in Music City or head out for a day trip to Mammoth Cave National Park or to the Jack Daniel Distillery, both of which are about an hour and a half drive away. You can also combine it with a mini road trip to Memphis!

11. Go for a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia.

Famous for its fairy chimneys, Cappadocia looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale. And there’s no better way to view these than from up above! There’s something quite magical about going on a hot air balloon ride. From feeling the heat of the fire to seeing the earth slowly melt away below you, hot air balloons have a special something that many other air activities don’t. It’s an even more memorable experience when you’re flying over something amazing!

Flights depart nearly every morning, weather permitting, and you only normally need to book a few days in advance. Make sure to wear plenty of warm clothes, as it can get pretty chilly up there, and have your cameras ready!

Additional Adventures in Turkey

Before or after visiting Cappadocia, make sure to spend some time exploring Istanbul. Straddling both Europe and Asia, this city truly is where east meets west. It’s a fascinating blend of cultures from all over the world. From there, you can head down to Izmir and begin a southwest Turkey road trip down toward Ephesus, one of the many ancient wonders left behind by the Romans. 

12. Island hop in the Aegean Sea.

Most of us have probably seen photos of the Greek Isles. The white-washed houses with their blue roofs surrounded by the sparkling Aegean Sea are the stuff that dreams are made of. This image has graced everything from mouse pads to coffee mugs. While islands like Santorini, Patmos, Mykonos, and Rhodes are incredibly beautiful, one of the best things about visiting them is just how accessible they are!

Although there are many cruises that roam the waters between the Greek islands, you can visit many of the islands simply by hopping onto one of the many ferries leaving Athens, Greece. While this does require a bit more planning than simply booking a cruise, this gives you the chance to spend as much time as you want on each of the islands. You can see what they’re like when the cruises leave. 

Additional Adventures in Greece

Once you’ve finished island-hopping, you may want to consider spending a few days exploring the ancient ruins of Athens or traveling up to see the sky-high monasteries of Meteora.

13. Unlock your inner mermaid at Miami Beach.

The beautiful shoreline and sunny weather of Florida have been attracting northerners for centuries, and Miami has long been at the top of the list of must-see destinations. From the white sand beach to the curvy Art Deco architecture, Miami Beach feels like a completely different city than the rest of Miami. By day, you can be lounging around in the sun or wandering up the cute residential streets. By night, you can go to some of the hottest clubs in the entire country. 

If you plan on spending the full day at the beach, there are places where you can grab beach chairs and umbrella rentals that allow you to get extra comfy, and don’t forget to bring plenty of sunscreen with you! Nothing ruins a great vacation faster than a painful sunburn. 

Travel tip: While you’re in Miami, don’t forget to visit Wyndood Walls. This collection of street art and murals spread across warehouses and shop exteriors resembles a long line of outdoor art galleries. The neighborhood is also home to a few microbreweries and pop-up restaurants, making it a great place for foodies and craft beer lovers who are in serious need of a break from the beach. 

14. Get weird in Austin, Texas. 

Located in the great state of Texas, Austin is unapologetically weird. Home to both the University of Texas’s main campus and the Texas State Capitol, the city has an interesting mix of government buildings and a fun, youthful energy. As you would expect from a city this diverse, there is a wide range of restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions to choose from. You can even do your very own pub crawl while you’re there! 

Austin isn’t just all culture-vulturing, though. There are plenty of unique activities to do here. During your stay, you can cool down at Barton Springs, a natural pool full of fresh water, watch millions of bats take flight at the Congress Avenue Bridge, take a stroll around Lady Bird Lake, or pick up your very own pair of authentic cowboy boots at Allen’s Boots, an Austin institution!

15. Enjoy a week of outdoor adventures in Iceland.

Iceland was once a bit of a hidden gem for outdoor adventure and other-worldly natural attractions. However, with the rise of low-cost airlines and a massive drop in their currency, Iceland became much more accessible as a vacation destination. Suddenly, it exploded onto seemingly every must-see list. While the excitement surrounding Iceland as a destination has abated a bit, this doesn’t mean that it is any less stunning than it was a few years ago. It simply means that you are likely to have many of the biggest sites all to yourself! 

Most people start their trip in the capital city of Reykjavik before venturing out for an epic road trip on Iceland’s famous Ring Road. Stretching 825 miles, this road takes you by some of the biggest natural attractions in the country, including Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Dyrhólaey cliffs, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. While the entire road can be driven in 24 hours, it is best to slow down and take your time so that you can truly enjoy all of the many waterfalls, glaciers, gorges, and hiking trails you see along the way. 

Before you leave, make sure to take some time to relax at the Blue Lagoon, which is conveniently located close to the airport. This will give you some time to reflect on your remarkable journey and all of the magnificent things you saw and did!

16. Get your jazz on in New Orleans.

Throughout the course of history, the city of New Orleans changed hands repeatedly. This wave of cultures left an undeniable mark on the city in terms of architecture, culture, cuisine, and, of course, music. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, so what better place could there be to spend a few evenings at a smoky jazz club listening to these lively melodies? Some of the most popular places to listen to jazz music include the historic Preservation Hall and the intimate The Spotted Cat, so one of these should be your first port of call regardless of whether you are a jazz aficionado or a new fan!

While New Orleans is famous for its nightlife, there is plenty to do during the day as well! You can explore the streets of the French Quarter, explore the wide boulevards lined with stately homes in the Garden District, or visit world-class museums, such as the National WWII Museum or the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Travel tip: If you plan on traveling to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, make sure to book your accommodation well in advance as places tend to sell out very quickly!

17. Explore the natural wonders of Costa Rica.

Thanks to the country’s focus on providing excellent ecotourism experiences, the country of Costa Rica has been a fantastic vacation destination for decades. With beautiful beaches, tranquil cloud forests, smoking volcanoes, and gushing waterfalls, Costa Rica provides the perfect backdrop for tons of great outdoor activities. During your trip, you can put some miles in on the hiking trails, go ziplining above the treeline, or spend your days relaxing on the beach, enjoying the sea breezes coming off the Caribbean.

Travel tip: Prices for hotels and activities have gone up substantially in Costa Rica over the past few decades, making it one of the most expensive travel destinations in Latin America. Make sure to double-check the prices of things before you book your hotels and flights to ensure you will be able to have the vacation you’re dreaming of without having to empty your bank account too much!

So, Ready to Roam?

We hope this list of fun trips to take with friends has given you plenty of inspiration! As always, we would love to hear your feedback, so please let us know if there are any great adventures you think should be added to this list!

If you would like to learn more about any of these destinations, make sure to check out the Let’s Roam Explorer blog , where you can find hundreds of travel guides, to-do lists, and blog posts about both domestic and international travel. You can also download the Let’s Roam app to find scavenger hunts near you as well as user-generated info on destinations around the world. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to have a nice time, what about a weekend in New York or Las Vegas ? If you want to go further afield, Australia , Argentina , and Italy are great options for something unique and memorable!

To make a friends’ trip a bit more fun for everyone, why not try a fun-filled destination scavenger hunt ? With hundreds of hunts to choose from, there is sure to be one perfect for your group!

Mexico , Australia , and Costa Rica all have beautiful beaches and are easy to travel to with friends. Download the Let’s Roam app to see how the locals spend their time in these great spots!

If you want to ensure that you have a great trip with friends , try to schedule a mixture of unique activities like scavenger hunts with plenty of free time for people to explore on their own!

New York , Las Vegas , and Miami all have something unique to offer, making them great destinations for getaways with friends ! Get the Let’s Roam app to access travel tips for these locations and more!

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Say goodbye to long email threads and group texts. Troupe is your one stop shop to plan a group trip everyone will love.

What is Troupe?

Your one-stop shop for group trip planning.

 With Troupe, you can invite your friends to participate in polls to decide essential details such as travel dates, accommodation options, and exciting activities. With Troupe, you can now plan your trip through our innovative AI-powered search features that will help you find the perfect accommodations that suit everyone in your group. Group travel becomes effortless and enjoyable, untangling the complexities along the way.

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Get your first trip up and running in 4 easy steps, create a tripsite and invite friends.

Create a custom tripsite that’s sure to get your group excited. Write out fun text, add GIFs, and upload images. Then, when you’re ready, invite friends via email or text. It’s that easy to get started!

Suggest Things and Vote on Your Favorites

Decide on key trip details by suggesting and voting on dates, destinations, stays, and activities. Once votes are cast, Troupe identifies the group favorites, so you can pick the options that work best for everyone. 

Poll Your Group and Share Notes

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Tired of planning alone? Users love the ability to suggest and vote alongside their friends, so they can make decisions everyone can get on board with.

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Columbus, OH

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• 32 Budget International Trips For Your Holiday In 2024 Which Will Cost You Less Than An iPhone!

23 Mar 2023

Bought an iPhone? Congratulations! But how long will the joy of owning an iPhone last – a few days, hours or months? Just imagine if you could buy yourself one of the best budget international trips at the same or a lesser price, the memory of which would last for a lifetime! You read it right, there are some amazing vacation spots around the world, where you can travel for as low as 50,000 and that’s for a round-trip! Some good amount of research, planning months in advance, and a few tricks & tips are all you need to get going. Read on to inspire the backpacker in you and head for these kickass international destinations at a shoestring budget.

If you do thorough research and plan well, then you can travel to even the most expensive countries on a budget. Here is all the information you would need to plan a trip to budget international destinations from India.

32 Budget International Trips From India In 2024

Below is a list of 32 budget international trips under 50k that’ll cost you less than an iPhone. Keep scrolling down and pick a spot for your next best international trips from India. If you carefully plan your vacation in advance, you could save some bucks and the entire cost of the trip will come out to be cheaper.

• Singapore: Trip Starting From INR 42,000
• Malaysia: Trip Starting From INR 40,000
• Thailand: Trip Starting From INR 35,000
• Indonesia: Trip Starting From INR 45,000
• Seychelles: Trip Starting From INR 40,000
• Qatar: Trip Starting From INR 45,000
• United Arab Emirates: Trip Starting From INR 50,000
• Hong Kong: Trip Starting From INR 40,000
• Sri Lanka: Trip Starting From INR 35,000
• Cambodia: Trip Starting From INR 25,000
• Vietnam: Trip Starting From INR 40,000
• Bhutan: Trip Starting From INR 35,000
• Nepal: Trip Starting From INR 25,000
• Turkey: Trip Starting From INR 30,000
• Kenya: Trip Starting From INR 30,000
• Egypt: Trip Starting From INR 40,000
• South Korea: Trip Starting From INR 40,000
• Myanmar: Trip Starting From INR 35,000
• China: Trip Starting From INR 40,000
• Taiwan: Trip Starting From INR 40,000
• Lebanon: Trip Starting From INR 45,000
• Sultanate Of Oman: Trip Starting From INR 30,000
• Russia: Trip Starting From INR 45,000
• Jordan: Trip Starting From INR 30,000
• Paraguay: Trip Starting From INR 45,000
• Laos: Trip Starting From INR 30,000
• Japan: Trip Starting From INR 65,000
• Greece: Trip Starting From INR 50,000
• Philippines: Trip Starting From INR 50,000
• Nicaragua: Trip Starting From INR 75,000
• Bangladesh: Trips Starting From 30,000
• Bolivia: Trips Starting From INR 75,000

1. Singapore: Trip Starting From INR 42,000

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Singapore is a country that celebrates colourful culture. Take the best low budget foreign trip from India to Singapore in 2024 and make loads of memories. A tiny yet modern country offers great bargains and is a wise way to spend money on a vacation. If you still haven’t explored Singapore then this is your time to plan a budget international trip and visit this country. With an extensive number of futuristic places to witness and some cherishable experiences to behold, Singapore is one destination that never fails to impress. All of this is exactly what makes Singapore the best of international tours that one can take this year! Don’t forget to indulge in free things to do in Singapore to save additional expenses.

Air Tickets: The round trip flight tickets can cost between INR 20,000 – 22,000 onwards if boarding from New Delhi or Mumbai or INR 11,000 – 15000 From Chennai or Kolkata Stay: Singapore offers accommodation options like the City Backpackers @ Kallang or Fernloft City Hostel which offers stay for as low as INR 600/ night. On the other hand, a single room can start from INR 2000/ night in a decent budget hotel Places To Eat: Chinatown food centre, Maxwell food centre or any hawker centre are the places where you can get a meal in less than INR 500 inclusive of main, drink, and dessert Places To Visit: Singapore is famous as a holiday destination either for its day excursions or Singapore cruises. Either way don’t miss out on the Singapore tourist attractions like the famous National Museum of Singapore or Orchard Road/ Dhoby Ghaut Shopping stretch. Must Visit include Underwater World, Dolphin Lagoon Suggested Duration: 4 Days and 3 Nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 42,000 Interesting Tips: Explore Singapore at night when it is beautifully lit up with the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel and Singapore flyer view Best time to visit:  February-April How to reach:  The international airport of Singapore – Changi Airport is well-connected with all the major parts of the country. Taking a flight to Singapore is the best way to reach this destination Currency of Singapore: Singapore Dollars Language of Singapore:  English, Malay, Tamil, Mandarin Chinese

Must Read: 10 Best Resorts In Singapore

2. Malaysia: Trip Starting From INR 40,000

There are numerous exciting things to do in Malaysia that will make you have the best time here! Think of Malaysia for budget foreign trips and you shall begin to imagine turquoise waters, stunning beaches and pleasant climate. One of the major tourist hubs in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is the perfect picturesque destination you’ve been waiting for and where you can plan a low-budget international trip from India. Those who are in search of international trips under 1 lakh should surely consider visiting Malaysia. This destination has plenty to offer well under the budget! Also, make sure you plan your trip during the months when in festivals in Malaysia take place!

Air Tickets: A round trip could start from INR 20,000 onwards Stay: You can easily find guesthouses or dormitory rooms in Kuala Lumpur starting for as low as INR 300 per night Places To Eat: Track down places in Kuala Lumpur like Nasi Kandar Pelita, Saravanaa Bhavan, Taman Paramount Night Market and so on Places To Visit In Malaysia : Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Pangkor, Redang Island and other places are visited in Malaysia. While top things to do are a day tour to Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary, dinner along the Singapore River, Chinatown Trishaw night tour, Batu Caves and temple tour, Petronas Towers Suggested Duration: 4 Days and 3 Nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 40,000 Interesting Tips: Malaysia is a Muslim country and drinking is frowned upon, so drinking is both restrictive and expensive. Save your drinking for a better-budget country Best time to visit:  December-February How to reach:  The best and the only way to reach Malaysia from India is by taking a flight. There are regular flights flying to and fro Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Air Asia and Malaysian Airlines are the best airlines to book Currency of Malaysia: Malaysian Ringgit Language of Malaysia: Malay

3. Thailand: Trip Starting From INR 35,000

Topping the charts is the world-renowned destination – Thailand. Indulge in its beaches, mountains, culture, food, and more. And the best part is, it is one of the cheap international destinations from India that fits just within the budget for all. It is one of the most cheap foreign trips from India. From adventure enthusiasts to leisure seekers, Thailand offers one of those international trips under 30k from India that is for every kind of traveller.

Air Tickets: The round trip flight tickets can cost fairly between INR 17000 – 20,000 if boarding from New Delhi or Mumbai. Taking a round trip from Kolkata could cost around INR 9000 approx. If you are looking for cheap foreign trips from India without a visa then this is one of the best destinations for you Stay: Whether you are travelling in a group or solo, Thailand is full of budget staying options starting from as low as INR 573 per night per person. You can choose from a dormitory-type accommodation, a hostel or even a decent budget hotel Places To Eat: Thailand is famous for its street food. A good budget meal can cost up to approximately INR 60 Places To Visit in Thailand : A combination of any 2-3 cities like Bangkok, Pattaya and coral islands, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai is a good option to explore the culture of Thailand. Almost every city will be home to a few of the many Ancient Buddha temples, Pattaya floating markets, elephant show and so on Suggested Duration: 6 Days and 5 Nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 35,000 Interesting Tips: Explore the “tuk-tuk ride”, underwater world, floating market, Thailand’s famous “Som Tam” (Papaya Salad) and needless to say, the street shopping around Victoria’s Monument in Bangkok Best time to visit:  November-April How to reach:  Thailand is home to two major airports – one in Bangkok and one in Phuket. Both the international airports connect Thailand to the major countries in the world. Thai Airways is the major airline running in this nation Currency of Thailand:  Thai Baht Language of Thailand:  Thai

Suggested Read: 31 Festivals In Europe

4. Indonesia: Trip Starting From INR 45,000

Rich in cultural heritage, visit Indonesia for its encouraging natural beauty bounded by much more! If you are looking for international trips under 1 lakh then Indonesia is one destination that you can surely consider! It is really is perfect for low-budget foreign trips from India. You could also plan your trip around the time of festivals in Indonesia for a unique cultural experience. Indonesia happens to be one of the best and cheapest foreign trips from India without a visa. So travel to this beautiful destination of luxury and tranquillity without any hassles!

Air Tickets: Flight expenses for a round trip could cost you approx. INR 25000 and could be less if booked well in advance Stay: Hostels in Jakarta could cost INR 700 onwards per night Places To Eat: Three square warungs (food stall) meals can cost as little as INR 120 per meal. Dining in decent local restaurants could cost INR 500-600 per day Places To Visit in Indonesia : Make sure to visit places like – Bali, Java, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, and Sumatra. Don’t miss out on things like the Bali Village cycling tour, Spa treatments at places like Anika Spa, water sports, and volcano tours Suggested Duration: 5 Days and 4 Nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 45,000 Interesting Tips: A shoestring traveller can spend as little as INR 800 per day and still explore the scenic island country! But confine yourself to selected cities as budget accommodation can be limited and also flying from one island to another is much more expensive Best time to visit: May-September How to reach:  One can book a flight to Soekarni-Hatta International Airport which is situated in Jakarta or head to Denpasar’s airport i.e. Ngurah Rai International Airport. It takes around 5 hours to cover the distance to Indonesia by airways Currency of Indonesia: Indonesian Rupiah Language of Indonesia:  Indonesian

5. Seychelles: Trip Starting From INR 40,000

Seychelles Islands would totally fit your requirements if you want to plan a a low-budget foreign tour. Nested amidst the sparkling Indian Ocean, this African nation is essentially an archipelago formed by over 100 islands. Famed for its boundless natural beauty and picture-perfect range of beaches, it is an ideal place to take budget international trips with your family or better half.

Air Tickets: The round trip flight tickets from New Delhi could cost approx. INR 36,000 onwards Stay: Le Duc de Praslin, Chateau St Cloud, and Le Relax Hotel are some great options for those looking for affordable accommodation in Seychelles Places To Eat: Bravo Restaurant, La Perle Noire Restaurant, Maria’s Rock Cafeteria, Chez Jules Restaurant, and many more Places To Visit in Seychelles : Mahe Island, La Digue, Vallée de Mai, Anse Source d’Argent, Frégate Island, and more Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 40,000 Suggested Duration: 7 Days and 6 Nights Interesting Tips: Choose to travel around by bicycle to make sure you enjoy the natural beauty of this island nation to the fullest Best time to visit:  April-May, October-November How to reach:  Seychelles is home to two major airports named Seychelles International Airport and Praslin Island Airport. The best one is the former one as that is the entry point for international travellers. This is the busiest airport of this island nation Currency of Seychelles:  Seychellois Rupee Language of Seychelles:  French, English, Seselwa

Suggested Read: Secrets Of The Seychelles

6. Qatar: Trip Starting From INR 45,000

With the stunning beauty of the Persian Gulf, Qatar is one of the most prismatic tourist destinations among the Arab countries. If you still haven’t explored this place then make sure that you plan your next budget international trip to Qatar this year. There are plenty of places to visit in Doha for a wonderful vacation. Qatar also happens to be one of the offbeat places to take affordable international trips from India that is not heavy on your pockets! It may not be one of the cheap international destinations but you can surely travel on a budget.

Air Tickets: While the tickets can cost you approximately INR 17000 if planned on time Stay: The accommodation could cost you approx INR 9000-10,000 for a 5-day stay in the country Places To Eat: The must-visits include Doha, Dhal Al Misfir, Khor Al Adaid Natural Reserves and Zubarah Fort Things to Do: Things to do in the country include helicopter rides, beaches, dune bashing and camel rides Suggested Duration: 4 days and 3 nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 45,000 Interesting Tips: December and January are the ideal months to explore the Gulf area with milder, pleasant and chilly evenings Best time to visit: April-May, September-October How to reach:  One can book their flight tickets to reach Qatar. Doha International Airport resides in the country and connects the country well to all the major parts of the world Currency of Qatar:  Qatari Riyal Language of Qatar:  Arabic

7. United Arab Emirates: Trip Starting From INR 50,000

Another stunning beauty of the Arab world is the United Arab Emirates with Dubai as its most precious tourist jewel. A hub for international tourists, UAE is found on the bucket lists of several travellers. If you are one of them then this is the year when you can plan a budget international trip and explore the UAE. This land of Sheikhs hides attractions that never fail to inspire awe and blanket experiences that are nothing less than Royal! Dubai is indeed one of the cheapest countries to visit from India.

Air Tickets: Flight tickets start from approximately INR 12,000 depending on the time of the year Stay: At the same time, the accommodation in Dubai for backpackers could cost approximately INR 2000/ night Places To Eat: For meals, a sprinkling of local knowledge could open plenty of budget-friendly options like Ravi in Al Satwa and Zaroob Places to Visit in UAE : Indulge in the city’s best views of Dubai Marina at night to the neck arching sight of Burj Khalifa Suggested Duration: The suggested time to spend your travel here is 5 nights Travel Calculation: Prepare to have a budget of INR 50,000 in the country Interesting Tips: Make use of Dubai’s recently invested rental bike scheme which allows you to rent sturdy bikes and save money on taxis Best time to visit:  October – April How to reach:  Although there are plenty of airports housing in UAE, the major ones are Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Ain International Airport, and the Dubai International Airport. There are direct flights that link UAE to the major countries all around the world Currency of UAE:  Dirham Language of UAE:  Arabic

Suggested Read: 10 Reasons Why You Should Never Visit UAE

8. Hong Kong: Trip Starting From INR 40,000

The former British colony perched on the shore of the South China Sea offers plenty of bargains despite being famous for its glitz lifestyle. Head here for a groovy and electrifying holiday experience. Hong Kong is one of the best places when thinking of cheap international destinations from India so make sure that you explore it this year if you still haven’t.

Air Tickets: If booking with a time gap of fewer than 2 months, the round trip could cost approx. INR 27,000 Stay: Hostel prices start around INR 700 per night at places like HK Downtown Backpackers Places To Eat: While Hong Kong is generally expensive, one can save money while eating the market food, noodles, and dumplings which could cost less than INR 100 at Tim Ho Wan on 2-2 Kwong Wa Street, Mong Kok Things to do: Include a hike on the famous Dragon’s Back Trail, Avenue of the Stars, and Hong Kong Museum of Art (entry is free on Wednesday). There are also plenty of day trips from Hong Kong that you could take on your vacation. Must visits include Lantau Island, Stanley Market, Cheung Chau Island, Sai Kung Suggested Duration: 5 Days and 4 Nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 40,000 Interesting Tips: Explore the top shopping favourites – The Temple Street Night Market and HK’s Kitschy-cool Street. For a better bargain try and say this: Tai Gwai la (It’s too expensive!) Best time to visit:  October-December How to reach:  Hong Kong International Airport is the most popular airport in this nation. There are direct flights such as Air India, Indigo, Cathay Pacific, and many more that operate to this destination Currency of Hong Kong:  Hong Kong Dollar Language of Hong Kong:  Chinese, English

9. Sri Lanka: Trip Starting From INR 35,000

Sri Lanka is one of the most cheap foreign trips from India. Famous for being the best backpacking destination, it is home to landscapes and culture which is much like India. Visit this home away from home that solves the purpose for those looking forward to cheap foreign trips from India. It is one of the world’s cheapest countries to travel from India. With the fragrance of tea plantations encircling the atmosphere, lush green foliage covering the floors, and locals serving mouth-watering dishes, Sri Lanka is a destination that takes away the breath of travellers!

Air Tickets: The round-trip flight tickets can cost

• From Delhi: INR 20,000 onwards
• From Chennai: INR 8000 onwards

Stay: Colombo Sea View Hostel, Colombo City Hostel and so on are dormitory-style accommodations that start at INR 600/night. Similarly, in other places like Kandy, Bentota and so on, hotel rooms can range from INR 1000 per night Places To Eat: Ceylon Tea Moments in Colombo is one of the top choices which offers a huge menu within the range of INR 100-500; A classic Sri Lankan meal of fish curry in local markets can cost you less than INR 100 Places To Visit: The must-visit cities include Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Bentota. Also visit world heritage sites like Temple of tooth Relic , boating or fishing on Lake Gregory, tea factory visits, Seetha Eliya garden and temple from famous Ramayana, turtle hatchery etc. Visit Odel, Majestic City etc for shopping Suggested Duration: 5 Days and 4 Nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 35,000 Interesting Tips: “Aa-yu-bo-wan” is hello in the local language. Travelling on public transport such as buses and trains is usually the choice which is both crowded as well as cheap! Best time to visit:  December to March for the west coast, April-September for the east coast How to reach:  The best and easiest way to reach Sri Lanka is by taking a flight to Bandaranaike Internal Airport. This airport is located in Colombo and is well-connected with the major parts of the world Currency of Sri Lanka:  Sri Lankan Rupee Language of Sri Lanka:  Sinhala, Tamil

Suggested Read: 10 Reasons Why Sri Lanka Should be Your Next Holiday Destination

10. Cambodia: Trip Starting From INR 25,000

Cambodia is one of the most beautiful yet cheapest international destinations from India . The enchanting form of cultural heritage, the country of Cambodia will leave you wanting more with its panoramic and rustic beauty. It is one of the most cheap foreign trips from India.

Air Tickets: The country also known as “Kingdom of Wonder” can be experienced in a round trip of INR 25000 onwards Stay: Being a cheap travel destination, an ideal accommodation for backpackers could cost as little as INR 300 per day Places To Eat: When travelling on a budget go for Cambodian food which is far cheaper and always quite good Places To Visit in Cambodia: The must-visits include Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Otres Beach and Kampot. You can travel in Cambodia on a budget of INR 2000 per day Suggested Duration:  5 days and 4 nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 25,000 Suggested Cost: The recommended stay duration is a week with a budget of approximately INR 45,000 Interesting Tips: Make sure to take a trip to the most popular beach in Cambodia- Sihanoukville. Attend the festivals in Cambodia for a vibrant experience Best time to visit:  November-April How to reach:  Phnom Penh International Airport is the major airport of Cambodia. One can easily take a flight to Cambodia from Bangkok, which is the most common way of reaching this destination Currency of Cambodia:  Cambodia Riel Language of Cambodia:  Khmer

11. Vietnam: Trip Starting From INR 40,000

Vietnam is indeed one of the best places for budget international trips. Shaped like the letter “S”, lying on the eastern part of the Indo-Chinese peninsula is Vietnam. In the country, you will find timeless charm and a flavour of another Asian culture which is why it is one of the best places to visit in March outside India.

Air Tickets: The round trip flight tickets can cost INR 16,000 onwards when planned 4-6 months in advance Tip: Stay on the lookout for promotional offers from Air Asia Stay: Ho Chi Minh City is home to hostels like Suite Backpackers Inn, Eco Backpackers Hostel and so on which provide single beds in dormitory rooms starting from as low as INR 400 per night. A decent hotel for a single room ranges from INR 700 per night Places To Eat: Some of the must-eat traditional Vietnamese food include Nem Raan or Cha Gio (Fried Spring rolls) and Cha Ca (Grilled minced fish). Eat at street stalls. Take note of places like Cha Ca Street and Nguyen Truong to a street in Hanoi for popular yet budget meals Places to visit in Vietnam : The best way to save time and money is to take a short Yacht or boat cruise in Vietnam besides obvious indulgences like local market tours, island tours, and wildlife tours. Must Visit include Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City Suggested Duration: 6 Days and 5 Nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 40,000 Interesting Tips: Learn a couple of words in Vietnamese like hello and thank you! Smile all the time here! Best time to visit:  March-May, September-November How to reach:  This destination is home to a total of three airports namely Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Danang International Airport in Da Nang, and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking a flight to any of these airports is the most convenient way to visit this destination Currency of Vietnam:  Vietnamese Dong Language of Vietnam: Vietnamese

Suggested Read: 7 Most Romantic Hotels In Vietnam

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12. Bhutan: Trip Starting From INR 35,000

The scenic country also called the ‘land of the Thunder Dragons’ or the ‘Druk Yul’, offers pristine untouched natural wonders. This year is full of long weekends and Bhutan is one of the best among the various cheap international destinations from India. Head to on a trip to the Shangri La of the Himalayas. It is one of the most cheap foreign trips from India.

Air Tickets: Finding a direct flight to Bhutan according to your convenience might be not a good option. Instead, catch a domestic flight to Bagdogra Airport which is the nearest airport to the Bhutan border. The round trip can cost INR 6000 onwards. Take a 5-hour bus journey ahead which could cost approx INR 1900 Stay: A Cozy and decent guest house room for two is easily available from INR 500 onwards Places To Eat: A meal at Sonam Trophel Restaurant in Paro serves a minimum of 7 dishes which can cost you approx. INR 480 is enough to satisfy two people or 2 meals together Places To Visit in Bhutan : Must visits in Bhutan include Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Haa Valley while the top things to do are – Monasteries, temples, farmhouses, visit the National Memorial Chorten, Takin Zoo, and Folk Heritage Museum Suggested Duration: 6 Days and 5 Nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 35,000 Interesting Tips: The only way to see the country is either by foot or by road so don’t forget to pack your walking shoes. Buses, minivans and SUVs can take you almost anywhere in the country! Best time to visit:  March-May How to reach:  One can either choose to take a flight directly to the airport located in Paro or take a plane till Bagdogra and then hire a cab to Phuentsholing from there Currency of Bhutan:  Bhutanese Ngultrum, Indian Rupee Language of Bhutan:  Dzongkha

13. Nepal: Trip Starting From INR 25,000

An ideal holiday destination for all types of travellers, surrounded by lofty peaks and scenic landscapes lies Nepal. It is a beautiful country which is every traveller’s delight and makes way for globetrotters to embark on one of the best budget international trips under 30k .  It is the world’s cheapest country to travel from India.

Air Tickets: The round trip flight tickets from New Delhi could cost approx. INR 9000 onwards. or you could also take a bus ride from Kolkata. You can definitely find many cheap international holiday packages including flights for Nepal. For travellers interested in international trips under 30k from India, Nepal is the best destination for cheap foreign trips from India Stay: Hostels in places like Kathmandu start from as low as 300/per night per person while a budget hotel for two could cost INR 600/per night at an average Places To Eat: OR2K a popular Israeli-run restaurant can be a budget saver in Kathmandu while Krishna’s kitchen in Pokhara can be another ideal dining choice Places To Visit: Must-visit tourist places in Nepal include Nagarkot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Pokhara while popular things to do: Devi Falls, gorge of Seti river, visit to Bindabasini Temple, Old bazaar of Pokhara Suggested Duration: 7 Days and 6 Nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 25,000 Nepal Travel Tips : Stroll across local markets in the region to shop for some of the exquisite Nepalese handicrafts and other trinkets Best time to visit: October, November How to reach: Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport that is situated in Nepal. This airport is situated in Kathmandu and is well-connected with the major cities of the country. One can book from various airlines available including Qatar Airways, Jet Airways, Indigo, and more Currency of Nepal:  Nepalese Rupee Language of Nepal:  Nepali

Suggested Read: 42 Most Popular Tourist Places In Nepal

14. Turkey: Trip Starting From INR 30,000

You think of Turkey and the instant obvious is Istanbul which also makes it the highest famed tourist spot in the world. It is the world’s cheapest foreign tour from India. If you are looking for the best budget international trips from India then you can surely plan a trip to Turkey!

Air Tickets: A round airfare trip to Turkey could cost you approximately INR 30000 – 35,000 Stay: But well then wait the accommodation compensates for that because a dormitory/hostel costs as low as INR 500/day Places To Eat: Local Turkish food is the key to saving money on food such as the delicious Durum Sandwich stalls Places To Visit in Turkey : With that being said if you decide to have a night on the town in Beyoglu and Bosphorous, you’ll need to be a little washed up Suggested Duration: 10 days and 9 nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 30,000 Suggested Cost: Suggested stay duration is around 4 nights with an approximate budget of INR 50,000 Interesting Tips: Break up your sightseeing between trips outside the city which fall within close proximity Best time to visit:  April-May, September-November How to reach:  Turkey is home to Atatürk Airport which is located in Istanbul. This airport is well-connected with all the major parts of the country. This is the best way to optimise time and travel more in Turkey Currency of Turkey:  Turkish Lira Language of Turkey:  Turkish

15. Kenya: Trip Starting From INR 30,000

Another destination that offers awesome low-budget international trip is Kenya. The first thing that pops up when you think about Kenya is the exorbitant African wildlife and safaris. Moreover, the destination is a perfect pick for wildlife photography.

Air Tickets: Located in eastern Africa, a round trip to Kenya costs approximately INR 26000 if booked 4-6 months in advance Stay: If you book a safari, food and accommodation are likely to be included. Accommodation could range from INR 900 onwards. While food expenses per day could cost approx. INR 300 Places To Eat: Must-try in food is the Chapati, Githeri and Kuku Paka Places To Visit in Kenya : The main wildlife reserve for safaris in Kenya is Masai Mara. You can arrange a tour including Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and a day to explore the capital city of Nairobi Suggested Duration:  4 days and 3 nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 30,000 Suggested Cost: Average cost per day per person is approx. INR 2700 allowing you to spend around 5 days in the country Interesting Tips: Do your safari research ahead of time and use only companies that are recommended. There are countless vendors and you would not want to be taken for a ride for a loss! Best time to visit:  July-September How to reach:  Reaching Kenya is never a hassle. There are a total of five airports located in Kenya namely Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kisumu International Airport, Eldoret International Airport, Moi International Airport, and Wilson Airport. All these airports are accessible from the country Currency of Kenya:  Kenyan Shilling Language of Kenya:  Swahili and English

Suggested Read: 20 Places To Visit In Kenya

16. Egypt: Trip Starting From INR 40,000

Egypt – the mum-mummy-in place could offer a vacation for a lifetime. If you still haven’t explored Egypt then grab this chance to plan the best budget international trips. Whether you are a history buff or an explorer, you will definitely enjoy a few days here.

Air Tickets: The costs associated with airfare start at approximately INR 24,000 and onwards Stay: You can get awesome dormitory hostels starting from as low as INR 400 Places To Eat: Restaurants such as the Al Tekkia are clean and reasonably priced Places to Visit in Egypt : Tourist attraction includes the Pyramids at Giza while other tourist cities include Alexandria, Aswan, the Red Sea and Sinai Suggested Duration: 6 days and 5 nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 40,000 Suggested Cost: The suggested trip duration is a week while the approximate budget is INR 40,000 Interesting Tips: The temperature is usually hot in June-August. Avoid the Western Desert and Mediterranean coast if planning a trip around this time Best time to visit:  October-April How to reach:  Cairo International Airport and Luxor International Airport are the main airports of Egypt. There are flights that connect Egypt to all the major parts of the world Currency of Egypt:  Egyptian Pound Language of Egypt:  Modern Standard Arabic

17. South Korea: Trip Starting From INR 40,000

South Korea is another place where you can take budget trips abroad from India. It will impress you with its lush green and hilly countryside, studded with cherry trees, along with the ancient Buddhist temples. The fusion of coastal fishing villages, sub-tropical islands and high-tech cities including the capital, Seoul, together contribute to an amazing low-budget international tour experience.

Air Tickets: The round trip flight tickets from New Delhi could cost approx. INR 25,000 onwards Stay: Hostels in places like Seol start from as low as 600/night per person while a budget hotel for two could cost INR 1700/night at an average Places To Eat: Cochon Tonkatsu is a restaurant that serves delicious food at reasonable prices. The golden fried items are a highlight of its menu Places To Visit in South Korea : Must Visits include Seol, Jeju Island, The Korean Demilitarized Zone, Busan, Gyeongju, Dadohaehaesang National Park, and Suwon Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 45,000 Suggested Duration: 7 Days and 6 Nights Interesting Tips: Don’t stick to one set-up, instead, make sure to enjoy and experience a bit of both Urban and Village setting Best time to visit:  March-May, September-November How to reach:  Airways is the best way to reach South Korea. Incheon International Airport is the closest to the capital city of Seoil and has connections with all the major cities of the country Currency of South Korea:  South Korean Won Language of South Korea:  Korean

Suggested Read: 30 Budget Trips In India

18. Myanmar: Trip Starting From INR 35,000

Also known as Burma, the country of Myanmar embraces multi-ethnicity and culture. Further, the scenic beauty of the country will leave you spellbound. So, make sure that you tick off this destination from your bucket list by planning budget-friendly international trips.

Air Tickets: The round trip to the country could cost you approximately INR 20,000 – 22,000 if booked 4-6 months in advance Stay: Hostels and dormitory set-up accommodation starts from INR 600 onwards per night Places To Eat: Eating out in Myanmar is generally not so expensive and could cost approx INR 60 -100 for a simple meal at a local restaurant or teahouse Things to Do: Experience the Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda, take boat trips to Inle Lake and explore Bagan’s Thousands of temples. There are plenty of places to visit in Myanmar to keep you occupied during sightseeing Suggested Duration:  2 weeks Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 35,000 Suggested Cost: The suggested cost per person per day is approximately INR 2500 which allows you to do pretty much everything for approximately INR 35,000 for a 5-day trip Interesting Tips: Trying the Mohinga soups in Myanmar is an essential Best time to visit:  November-February How to reach:  There might not be direct flights from the country to Myanmar. However, one can still reach Mandalay or Yangon and then take a domestic flight to reach this destination Currency of Myanmar:  Myanmar Kyat Language of Myanmar:  Burmese

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19. China: Trip Starting From INR 40,000

A giant tourist-attracting magnet of the Asian continent is China! It boasts of being the 3rd highest visited country in the world. Plan a foreign tour on a low budget and explore China the way you want. Indulge in Chinese delicacies, visit world-class attractions, and enjoy a sneak peek into its culture while making the most of your vacation. If you are looking for the best international trip from India, this place is an ideal destination for you.

Air Tickets: Well, the tickets start from INR 17,000 onwards Stay: Backpacker hostels in Beijing could range from INR 500 onwards Places To Visit in China : The main attractions include Beijing’s Great Wall, Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai’s Bund etc. The best way to hack most of China is to hit all the sites that matter as soon as possible. Save money by travelling inter counter in a train as they are 75% cheaper Places To Eat: Get to know the Chinese culture by indulging in the local delicacies Suggested Duration:  5 days and 4 nights Travel Calculation: Plan a trip for 5 days on a budget of approx. INR 40,000 Interesting Tips: Don’t Tip! There is no tipping culture in China so just take your change back everywhere you pay Best time to visit:  March-May, September-November How to reach:  There are numerous direct flights flying from the country to China. This Republic is connected to the major cities of the country including Delhi, Kolkata, Bombay, and many more Currency of China:  Chinese Yuan Language of China:  Mandarin

Suggested Read: 10 Tourist Places To Visit In China

20. Taiwan: Trip Starting From INR 40,000

Also known as “Formosa”, the stunning beauty of Taiwan will take you through varied landscapes of artistic buildings, shimmering skyscrapers, luxury resorts, high-rising mountains, and beautiful Chinese temples. Explore all these places by planning one of the best budget international trips this year. This place is one of the best places to visit outside India in low budget.

Air Tickets: Can be experienced with a round trip airfare of INR 25,000 – 27000 Stay: While an accommodation can be grabbed at a price starting from INR 900 Places To Eat: The night markets in all cities take care of the food budget. Kaohsiung and Tainan are blessed with night markets offering a selection of mouth-watering local eats Places to Visit In Taiwan : Include a trip to Taipei in the north to Tainan and Kaohsiung in the South. Use the High-Speed Rail for long-distance travel Suggested Duration: You can plan a trip for 5 day Travel Calculation: The trip could cost you approximately INR 40,000 Interesting Tips: Some of Taiwan’s most iconic sights such as the Taroko Gorge in Hualien County are free to enjoy! Don’t miss out on this Best time to visit:  April-June, September-November How to reach:  One can reach Taiwan by using airways. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is the major one in this destination. There are direct flights flying from the country Currency of Taiwan:  New Taiwan Dollar Language of Taiwan:  Mandarin Chinese

21. Lebanon: Trip Starting From INR 45,000

With the title of being one of the most ancient countries in the world, Lebanon represents a rich history and diversity in its culture. It is one of the best cheap international trips from India. If you still haven’t explored Lebanon then this is your chance to plan a budget international trip with your friends or family.

Air Tickets: Plan a trip in time and grab yourself a round-trip airfare for as low as INR 23,000 Stay: The easiest way to save money in the country is by staying in a hostel. The hostel options are a handful so the lowest rates start from INR 1000/night Places To Eat: Make street food at Babar your meal hub. Indulge in parcels of kosher or manoush (mini pizza) Places to Visit: Visit important world heritage sites and cities like Tripoli, Batroun, Deir el Qamar and so on Suggested Duration: 8 days and 7 nights Travel Calculation: A budget of approx INR 45,000 Interesting Tips: Cheap food and lodging travel and entertainment could get infuriatingly hard at times in the capital city of Beirut and thus pre-planning is strictly recommended Best time to visit:  April-May, September-November How to reach:  All flights reaching Lebanon will have at least one stopover. There might not be any non-stop flights, but it’s still the best way to reach the destination. Lebanon is home to Beirut International Airport where various airlines provide services including Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia, and Czech Airlines Currency of Lebanon:  Luvre Libanaise Language of Lebanon:  Arabic, English

Suggested Read: Nightlife In Jordan

22. Sultanate Of Oman: Trip Starting From INR 30,000

The Sultanate of Oman is the cheapest foreign trip from India. Another jewel in the Persian Gulf is Oman with Muscat at its capital which is famed for being the second-best city in the world. It is one of the best budget international trips under 30K.

Air Tickets: While the airfare round trip could cost approx. INR 18,000 Stay: One can easily locate cheap staying options on the Muttrah Corniche starting from INR 2000. Share a taxi or rent a car to get around Muscat and other important cities of the country Places To Eat: For food, you can easily find plenty of options offering shawarma, rotisserie chicken, rice and kebabs within INR 100 Places to Visit: Visit Muscat, Muttrah, Western Hajar and Misfat Al Abreyeen Suggested Duration:  5 days and 4 nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 30,000 Interesting Tips: Save a few night’s hotel costs and camp out at well-known tourist spots. The Capital Yacht Club and Oman Dive Centre offer inexpensive day rates Best time to visit:  October-March How to reach:  Flights to Oman are pretty cheap and that is why Airways is the most feasible way to reach the destination. There are direct flights reaching the only international airport located in Muscat Currency of Oman: Omani Rial Language of Oman:  Arabic

23. Russia: Trip Starting From INR 45,000

Russia is among the most stunning as well as tourist-friendly destinations in the world. It definitely qualifies for budget-friendly international trips from India. What’s more, its diverse cultures, varied traditions, and mouth-watering cuisine make it an indispensable part of your travel wishlist! In fact, it’s one of the highest visited places in Europe owing to its boundless natural beauty. Make sure that you cover Russia this year as it is one of the best places to plan cheap international trips.

Air Tickets: The round trip flight tickets from New Delhi could cost approx. INR 30,000 onwards Stay: Primorye Hotel, Apart Hotel Volga, and Ibis Moscow are some great options for those looking for affordable accommodation in Russia Places To Eat: Mari Vanna, Cafe Pushkin, Palkin, Ugolek, and many more Places To Visit in Russia : Moscow, Kazan, Saint Petersburg, Mount Elbrus, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and more Suggested Duration: 6 Days and 5 Nights Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 45,000 Interesting Tips: Do not carry your passport with you. Leave your important travel documents at the hotel and only carry a copy of them with you while you head out to explore Best time to visit: is early June when it is springtime in Russia How to reach: By using the air mode of transport, one can easily cover the distance between Russia and the country in 7 hours, if travelling by direct flights. There is an international airport located in the Moscow region of Russia Currency of Russia:  Russian Ruble Language of Russia:  Russian

Suggested Read: 21 Cool And Unusual Things To Do In Russia

24. Jordan: Trip Starting From INR 30,000

Counted among the best international destinations from India, Jordan isn’t just about open-air museums, ancient ruins, and great skylines. Its nightlife and gorgeous beaches also attract travellers from far and wide and the fact that it is one of the cheapest countries to visit from India makes it even more lucrative. The delicious cuisine, warm and friendly people, and unique activities make Jordan an adventure-packed destination for wanderers steeped in history. The government is developing Jordan as an important centre for tourism competing with its neighbours, and it has started contributing tremendously to its economy. So, include Jordan in your list of Bugdet international trips and tick off this destination this year.

Air Tickets: The round trip flight tickets from New Delhi could cost approx. INR 25,000 onwards Stay: Petra Moon Hotel, Art Hotel Downtown, and Candles Hotel are some great options for those looking for affordable accommodation in Jordan Places To Eat: Al-Quds, Hashem, Shawerma Reem, Shahrazad Restaurant, and many more Places To Visit In Jordan : Petra, Red Sea, Amman, Wadi Rum, Al Khazneh, and more Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 30,000 Suggested Duration: 5 Days and 4 Nights Interesting Tips: Women need to wear loose-fitting clothes covering their legs, arms and chest while men are supposed to wear long loose-fitting trousers, T-shirts or high-collar shirts in the conservative areas of Jordan Best time to visit:  March-May How to reach:  There are no direct flights flying to Jordan from the country. However, one can still opt for flights with stopovers to Queen Alia International Airport. Saudi Arabian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Jet Airways, and many more are a few flights that operate regularly Currency of Jordan:  Jordanian Dinar Language of Jordan:  Arabic

25. Paraguay: Trip Starting From INR 45,000

Image Source A less-popular country in the South American continent, Paraguay is what every adventurer dreams of. It is an unconventional choice for budget international trips from India. To give you the exact vibes of an offbeat holiday, this place boasts a mix of conventional and modern living styles – a place where you’ll see carts and Mercedez standing together. That’s right! With a subtropical forest land like the Atlantic in one corner and dense vegetation in Chaco on the other corner, you simply cannot go wrong with this place! Plan a budget foreign trip to Paraguay and explore this place with your loved one, family or friends.

Air Tickets: Since a flight to South America will usually cost you more, a round trip to this place from Delhi or Mumbai will be approximately INR 78,000 Stay: Some of the best hotels in the region include Sajonia Naval Airstrip, Asuncion, Jum of Monday, Ciudad del Este and Estancia San Geronimo South, Carapeguá Places To Eat: Johnny B Good Aviadores, Bolsi and Tierra Colorada Gastro are some of the good places to eat in this country Places to visit: La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná, Monday’s Falls and Yacyretá Dam are some of the places you can visit here Travel Calculation: Approx. INR 45,000 Suggested Duration: 7 days and 6 nights Interesting Tips: Pistol duelling is still legal in this country so far as people on both ends are blood donors who are duly registered. So, make sure you don’t end up meddling in one if you get to see it! Best time to visit: September-December How to reach:  The main airport of Paraguay is the Asuncion Aeropuerto International Silvio Pettirossi. One can take a flight to California, Dallas, or Chile and then continue their journey to this destination from any of these spots by a connecting flight Currency of Paraguay:  Paraguayan Guarani Language of Paraguay:  Spanish

Suggested Read: 7 Places To Visit In Paraguay 

26. Laos: Trip Starting From INR 30,000

If your wanderlust is giving you an itch but your pocket cannot afford any, then there is still one place where you could take a trip without losing much. Plan a low-budget international trip to Laos and have an amazing backpacking experience in this Southeast Asian country. In case your geography is weak, then you should know that Laos shares its borders with Vietnam and Cambodia. It is one of the most stunning yet cheap countries to visit from India.

Air tickets: The round trip to Vientiane, Laos starts from INR 15,000. Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and Air Asia have regular flights from New Delhi to Laos Stay: Settha Palace Hotel in Vientiane is an amazing place to stay. Ban Pako Eco Lodge is perfect for environment-conscious travellers. You can get a room in a hotel in Laos at as low as INR 700 per night Places to eat: KinSatCat Restaurant, Tamarind, The Apsara, Tangor, Utopia. You need INR 700 per day on the meals. The beer cost INR 70 Places to visit: Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Pakse, Vientiane Suggested duration: 7 days 6 nights Travel Calculation: INR 30,000 Interesting Tips: November to January is the best time to visit. Indians get visa on arrival Best time to visit:  From October to April How to reach: Direct flights fly from the country’s major airports till the Vientiane or Luang Prabang Airport. Various airlines flying to and fro this destination are Singapore Airlines, Jet Airways, Shandong Airlines, Qatar Airways, and more Currency of Laos:  Laotian Kip Language of Laos:  Lao

27. Japan: Trip Starting From INR 65,000

If you are looking for international honeymoon destinations on a budget, you could fly to Japan. It is not only a beautiful but also culturally rich country where you would get to experience a variety of things. It is the best foreign trip in low budget if you can manage.

Air tickets: Tokyo and Osaka both have flights from India. The return flights will roughly cost INR 45,000 Stay: Tokyo, Shinjuku and Ginza are the best areas to stay in Japan. The accommodation prices range between INR 1200 to INR 32,000 depending upon the location and type Places to eat: A meal in Japan may cost you between INR 600 to INR 2000. However, it could go higher for high-end restaurants. Kuuraku is where you will get the best ramen Places to visit in Japan : Mount Fuji, Shibuya, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Naoshima, Yokohama, and Kobe are some of the best places to visit in Japan. Do attend the Cherry Blossom Festival if you are there in Spring Season Suggested duration: 4-5 days Travel Calculation: INR 65,000-70,000 Interesting Tips: Carry enough cash. Learn a few phrases in Japanese. Book in advance to enjoy the international trip in low budget Best time to visit:  March-May, September-November How to reach:  Narita Airport, Kansai Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Haneda Airport are the major airports of Japan. There are a number of flights landing and taking off from these airports as they are well-connected with all the major parts of the world Currency of Japan:  Japanese Yen Language of Japan: Japanese

Suggested Read: Kyoto In November

28. Greece: Trip Starting From INR 50,000

Take a low-budget foreign trip to the island of Greece and enjoy Mediterranean landscapes. Greece is one of the most romantic places with its enchanting scenery and whatnot which ranks among best places for budget international trips for couples. If you plan your holiday carefully, you can definitely manage a low-budget international trip to Greece.

Air tickets: The return airfare to Athens, Greece would cost you as low as INR 35,000. There are a number of flights from New Delhi to major cities in Greece like Athens, Corfu, Thessaloniki Stay: Crete, Santorini, Athens, and Mykonos are all great places to spend your time on Greece. While you will find all kinds of accommodation in Athens and Crete, Mykonos and Santorini have only mid-segment and luxury properties Places to eat: A casual meal at a restaurant will cost you INR 1500 excluding wine. However, cheap street food will cost you around INR 400. Funky Gourmet, Varoulko, and Marco Polo Cafe are some of the best places to eat in Greece Places to visit in Greece : Santorini, Mykonos, Delphi, Nafplio Suggested duration: 6 night 7 days Travel Calculation: INR 50,000 Interesting Tips: Plan way ahead for budget-friendly vacations abroad. Carry enough cash. Book your hotel and flights way in advance Best time to visit:  September-October, April-June How to reach:  The main airport catering in Greece is the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport which is located in Athens. There are regular flights that operate from Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore to these destinations Currency of Greece:  Greek Drachma, Phoenix, Greek Lepton Language:  Greek

29. Philippines: Trip Starting From INR 50,000

The list of budget international trips couldn’t be complete without talking about the Philippines. With emerald rice fields, water buffaloes, beautiful beaches,  graffiti walls and a place where even the fuming volcanoes look pretty, the Philippines is made of dreams. You can indulge in canoeing, mountain biking and many other adventure activities here. The place can make you have the cheapest foreign trip from India.

Air tickets: The return airfare to the Philippines would cost you as low as INR 24,000. There are a number of flights from New Delhi to major cities in the Philippines Stay: Manila, Palawan, Cebu, and Bohol are all great places to spend your time in the Philippines. You can find whatever suits you as these places have both luxury resorts and something for budget travelers too Places to eat: A three-course dinner at a restaurant will cost you INR 1200 excluding alcohol. However, a hearty meal at a local restaurant will cost you around INR 250. Antonio’s, Abe, and People’s Palace are some of the best places to eat in the Philippines Places to visit in Philippines : Manila, Bohol, Cebu, Boracay Suggested duration: 6 night 7 days Travel Calculation: INR 50,000 Interesting Tips: Plan for your cheap international trips from India when you have sufficient time on your hands. Carry enough cash. Book your hotel and flights way in advance Best time to visit:  November – April How to reach:  There might not be a direct flight reaching the Philippines, however, one can still reach here by airways via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok. There are regular flights that fly to this destination Currency of Philippines:  Philippine Peso Language of Philippines:  Filipino, English

Suggested Read: Philippines Honeymoon

30. Nicaragua: Trip Starting From INR 75,000

As weird as the name might sound, this is one of the best cheap international trips you can take. Imagine a place that is beautifully tucked between two gorgeous countries with a marvellous coastline, that’s Nicaragua. Nestled between Costa Rica and Honduras, Nicaragua is best described as an unending terrain of lakes beaches and volcanoes. The place is known for the cheapest foreign tour packages from India.

Air tickets: The return airfare to the Philippines would cost you as low as INR 40,000. There are a number of flights from New Delhi and Mumbai to Nicaragua Stay: Leon, Emerald Coast, Corn Islands and Granada are all great places to spend your time in the Philippines. You can find whatever suits you as these places have both luxury resorts and something for budget travelers too Places to eat: A three-course dinner at a restaurant will cost you INR 7000 excluding alcohol. However, breakfast is cheaper than lunch and dinner and would cost somewhere around INR 2000. The Garden Cafe, Gallo Pinto, and Nacatamales are some of the best places to eat in the Philippines Places to visit: Admire Granada, Ometepe Island, León, Corn Islands Suggested duration: 5 nights, 6 days Travel Calculation: INR 75,000 Interesting Tips: Plan for your budget international trips when you have sufficient time on your hands. Carry enough cash. Book your hotel and flights way in advance Best time to visit:  December – April How to reach:  There are no non-stop flights from the country to Nicaragua. Sandino Onternational Airport operates in Managua, Nicaragua. One can travel to Mexico City, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Havana, and other cities and then continue their journey from there Currency of Nicaragua:  Nicaraguan Cordoba Language of Nicaragua:  Spanish

31. Bangladesh: Trip Starting From 30,000

Planning the cheapest international trip from India? Now we know Bangladesh is not the “go to” destination for everyone but nevertheless, it’s beautiful. If you are looking for places to visit outside India then Bangladesh is worth considering. It is a perfect combination of beautiful and cheap international holidays.

Air tickets: The return airfare to the Philippines would cost you as low as INR 7,000. There are a number of flights from New Delhi and Mumbai to the cities in Bangladesh. Stay: Dhaka,  Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna are all great places to spend your time in Bangladesh. You can find whatever suits you as these places have both luxury resorts and something for budget travellers too. Places to eat: Food prices for a day in Bangladesh on average is INR 1000 for a day, excluding alcohol. However, breakfast is cheaper than lunch and dinner and would cost somewhere around INR 400. Mermaid Cafe, Ambrosia, and Cilantro are some of Bangladesh’s best places to eat. Places to visit: Jafflong, Dhaka, Chittagong, St. Martin Islands Suggested duration: 4 nights, 5 days Travel Calculation: INR 30,000 Interesting Tips: Plan for your budget international trips when you have sufficient time on your hands. Carry enough cash and medicines. Book your hotel and flights way in advance. Best time to visit: March – April; November – February How to reach:  The best way to reach Bangladesh is by taking a direct bus that runs from Kolkata to Dhaka in this destination Currency of Bangladesh:  Bangladeshi Taka Language of Bangladesh:  Bengali

Suggested Read: 10 Incredible Indian Destinations Under 20k 

32. Bolivia: Trip Starting From INR 75,000

Well, imagine a destination where natural wonders and which is also one of the cheapest countries to visit from India! Well, that’s Bolivia for you. One of the offbeat countries in South America. If you ask what is the most unique and special thing about this country then it is its versatility. We are still wondering how one small country can house mountains, desert rainforests and even a glass smooth lake.

Air tickets: The return airfare to the Philippines would cost you as low as INR 7,000. There are a number of flights from New Delhi and Mumbai to the cities in Bangladesh. Stay: Dhaka,  Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna are all great places to spend your time in Bangladesh. You can find whatever suits you as these places have both luxury resorts and something for budget travellers too. Places to eat: The food price for a day in Bolivia on average is INR 200 for a day, excluding alcohol. Gustu, El Fogón del Gringo, and Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza are some of the best places to eat in Bangladesh. Places to visit:  Isla del Sol, Laguna Colorada, North Yungas Road Suggested duration: 6 nights, 7 days Travel Calculation: INR 75,000 Interesting Tips: Pick your international holiday destinations when you have sufficient time on your hands and plan efficiently. Carry enough cash and medicines. Book your hotel and flights way in advance. Best time to visit: May – October How to reach:  To reach here, one will have to make two stops. Airlines Jet Airways and Air India link with American Airlines and British Airways to make one reach Bolivia Currency:  Boliviano Language:  Spanish

Important Tips For Budget Foreign Trips

• Check out the weather forecast and other essential updates of the country you’re planning to visit.
• Plan your vacation well in advance to avoid high airfares and accommodation charges.
• Pack your suitcase according to the destination you’re planning to visit.
• If you are wondering how to plan an international trip on a budget, you must opt for a customisable package that is inclusive of all the essential elements such as sightseeing, transfers, accommodation, etc.

Further Read: 40 Most Romantic International Honeymoon Destinations On Your Budget

Impressed much? There is a lot to explore in the world and all these places will make you feel like you have been living under a rock till now. So, don’t wait up. Plan the best of budget international trips with TravelTriangle so that you can just live, love, travel, and repeat on a hassle-free vacation. Ask your friends or plan a surprise budget international trip for your fam and get ready to step into a new country. 

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Frequently Asked Questions About Budget International Trips

Is Portugal cheap or expensive?

Now, this totally depends on the seasonality as well. While the summer season happens to be the peak season, holidaying in Portugal turns out to be more expensive for travellers as the cost of flights, and hotels increase accordingly. However, when planned well, Portugal can actually turn out to be cheaper than Spain and Greece and a great choice for one of your best budget international trips.

What is the cheapest country to fly to in Europe?

Irrespective of the seasonality, it is pretty cheap and convenient to fly into Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Greece from the neighbouring countries in Europe. Apart from these, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Portugal, and Czech Republic are some of the other options that the travellers can look into.

Which is the cheapest country to visit from India?

Based on the rate, where the Indian Rupee has a higher exchange rate than compared to the local currency, the cheapest country to visit from India would be of Nepal. In addition to that, one can also visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Laos, and many more where the Indian currency rate is comparatively higher.

Is a passport required for going on a trip to Thailand from India?

The answer would be yes. A passport is one of the legal documents that is a must for all those travelling to Thailand from India. In addition to that, if you are travelling from India and hold an Indian passport, you can avail a visa on arrival from the Phuket International Airport in case your stay is not for more than 15 days. Otherwise, make sure you apply for a visa well before you plan your trip.

Which are the cheapest international flight destinations?

Places like Dubai in the UAE, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Kathmandu in Nepal, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur are currently the cheapest international flight destinations that one can visit.

What are some tips for traveling internationally on a budget?

A few pointers that one can keep in mind when planning a trip abroad includes buying air tickets well in advance, avoid eating out and opt for hotel buffets, researching for all the free things you can do in a destination, walk wherever possible, and such.

How many days are enough for Cambodia?

When travelling to Cambodia, one can easily witness all the major attractions and engage in experiences in a total of 5 days.

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13 Travel Products To Pack For International Trips

Posted: March 4, 2024 | Last updated: March 5, 2024

Embarking on an international journey is like opening a book filled with exciting stories and colorful pictures. But, just like you wouldn’t start a camping trip without a tent, there are some super important items you should pack to make your travel story a happy one. Imagine having a magic backpack that carries everything you need to explore new places, meet new friends, and create memories that’ll make you smile for years. Whether you’re wandering through ancient cities, discovering hidden beaches, or making friends with animals in the wild, these travel must-haves are your trusty companions, making every step of your adventure safer, easier, and much more fun.

Vaccination and Health Documents

Carrying your vaccination and health documents is crucial, especially in the post-pandemic travel landscape. These documents may be required to enter certain countries or avoid mandatory quarantines. They prove your health status and ensure that you comply with local health regulations, keeping you and others safe during your travels.

Passport and Travel Documents

Your passport is the most important document when traveling internationally. Ensure it’s valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Keep a digital copy and store it securely online in case the original is lost or stolen. Other travel documents might include visas, hotel reservations, and travel insurance—all of which streamline your travel experience and prevent any legal issues while abroad.

Language Translation App

A language translation app breaks down communication barriers, making it easier to navigate new places, read signs, and menus, and converse with locals. This not only enriches your travel experience but also helps in situations where clear communication is essential, like asking for directions or in an emergency.

Cash and Credit Cards

While credit cards are widely accepted, cash is indispensable in many countries, especially for small purchases or in areas where digital transactions are not common. Inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid any fraud alerts or blocks on your card. Diversifying your payment methods ensures you’re never left stranded without a way to pay.

Basic First Aid Kit

A basic first aid kit is essential for treating minor injuries. It should include band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any personal medications. This is particularly important in areas where immediate medical care may not be readily accessible, ensuring that you can address minor health issues promptly and effectively.

Portable Charger and Universal Power Bank

Staying connected is crucial, and a dead battery can be a significant inconvenience. A portable charger ensures your devices are powered up during long transit times or when power outlets are unavailable. A universal power bank is particularly useful as it adapts to different voltage standards and outlet types, making it ideal for international travel.

Portable Door Lock

For added security in hotels or rentals, a portable door lock can provide peace of mind. It’s a simple device that can be installed on nearly any door to prevent unwanted entry, ensuring your personal safety and the security of your belongings.

Travel Toiletries Set

A travel-sized toiletries set is convenient, ensuring you have all your hygiene essentials like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and soap. It’s also a good idea to include items like sunscreen and insect repellent depending on your destination. These sets comply with airport security regulations, making your travel smoother and more comfortable.

Comfortable Footwear

Comfortable footwear is a must for navigating airports, exploring cities, or hiking trails. Shoes should be well-fitted, suitable for extensive walking, and adaptable to various weather conditions and terrains. Having the right shoes can prevent discomfort and injuries, allowing you to fully enjoy your journey.

Versatile Clothing

Packing versatile clothing that can be layered or adapted to different situations saves space and ensures you’re prepared for any weather. Include lightweight, breathable fabrics for warmer climates and layers for cooler conditions. Quick-dry materials and items that can transition from day to night activities are especially useful.

Travel Insurance Documentation

Travel insurance is essential for covering unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, or lost baggage. Having your travel insurance documentation accessible ensures that you can promptly address any issues that arise, providing financial protection and peace of mind throughout your journey.

Multi-purpose Travel Adapter

Different countries have different plug types and voltages. A multi-purpose travel adapter ensures your electronic devices are always charged and ready to use, regardless of the country’s standard outlet, making it an indispensable item in your travel gear.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones are perfect for long flights or train rides, allowing you to relax or sleep without being disturbed by external noises. They can also enhance your entertainment experience by providing clear, high-quality sound for music or movies.

This article originally appeared on UnifyCosmos .

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Los Angeles To Singapore: 8 Best Destinations For A Trip With Friends

Planning a trip with friends bookmark these 8 beautiful locations to spend some quality time and celebrate international day of friendship..

By: Dinal Jain Published: Jul 30, 2023 03:02 PM IST

The best of friends are always by our side — be it good times or bad times. So when it comes to exploring the world, who better than your best buddies to go along with? Make this Friendship Day extra special by taking a trip with friends to these exciting destinations .

From a scenic road trip in Croatia to a beach getaway to Los Angeles , the options are endless when it comes to planning a vacation with your gang. Bookmark these eight locations where you can spend some quality time, feasting, partying and exploring.

Friendship Day celebration – Date and history

The history of the day can be traced back to the 1930s when the founder of Hallmark cards, Joyce Hall, proposed the idea of a Friendship Day on August 2. While it didn’t quite catch on with different countries celebrating the occasion on different days, it was later in 2011, that the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 30 July as the International Day of Friendship.

To mark the day, people express their gratitude for their closest buddies by exchanging gifts or hanging out together. However, if you want to make your Friendship Day celebration more memorable this year, then pack your bags for a grand vacation. From snorkelling to wine tasting, here are the best bonding ideas to add to your itinerary for a trip with friends.

The best international trip ideas for Friendship Day

Los angeles, california.

Get into the Hollywood vibe by basking in the sun with your pals in Los Angeles. The Southern Californian city, also known as La La Land, is the entertainment capital of the world. Here, you and your buddies can indulge in various once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland Theme Park, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and The Getty Art Museum .

Besides, being the perfect destination for history lovers, art enthusiasts, and Hollywood film lovers, the city also has a lot to offer for ocean enthusiasts. Venice Beach, Paradise Cove Beach, Santa Monica State Beach, and Huntington City Beach are some of the places you can hit for beach volleyball and other water sports.

Additionally, Playhouse in Hollywood, Skybar at the Mondrian, and L.A. LIVE are some of the places where you can experience the lively nightlife and try out delicious food. Head to Universal CityWalk Hollywood to catch a film in an LA theatre and shop your heart out.

How to reach: Located in Westchester, the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the nearest airport to areas in LA like Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Malibu.

Book Your Stay In Los Angeles

Stone Manor Malibu

Casa Del Mar Santa Monica

The Line Hotel Koreatown

London, England

If you and your best friends have always wanted to visit iconic places with old-world charm, London is the place to be. Set on the banks of the River Thames, London is perfect for all art, culture and history buffs. 

Visit the prominent Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, the National Gallery, Westminster Abbey, Madame Tussauds, Big Ben, and the Tower of London. You can take a cruise along the Thames, get a breathtaking view of the city from the London Eye, take the London Bus tour, and pass through London Bridge on your friend’s trip.

For cinephiles, the Warner Bros. Studios is a must-visit. You and your Potterhead friends can relive your childhood days in the Harry Potter section. Cosy up at the city’s various hidden gems, including Brixton for global cuisine, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pop Brixton for live music, and secret dining experiences with Gingerline. Oxford Street and Bond Street are two of the best places to shop for designer items.

How to reach: The centre of London is located around 9.6km from the London City Airport (LCY).

Book Your Stay In London

Fulham Home, Greater London

Mondrian Hotel, Shoreditch

Beaverbrook Town House, Chelsea

Santorini, Greece

Greece is no less than a dreamy paradise and a bucket-list favourite. So, if you and your closest friends are ready for stunning sunsets and gorgeous beaches, head to its most popular island, Santorini. Lined with white-washed houses, iconic blue domes, cobblestone streets, pristine volcanic beaches, caldera and Aegean Sea views and multicoloured cliffs, Santorini is simply mesmerising.

Along with your favourite company, explore local scenic bistros like Skiza Cafe and Vitrin Cafe Creperie, catch a film in an open-air cinema, go on archaeological tours, and wine tastings at SantoWines. Do try the local dessert wines with your group of friends. Head to Oia to catch a magnificent sunset and make a lifetime of memories.

Additionally, you can hop on a cruise tour to Palia Kameni for a dip in the hot springs.

How to reach: The Santorini National Airport (JTR), commonly known as Thira Airport, is the airport closest to the Greek island of Santorini.

Book Your Stay In Santorini

Villa Adrali, Kamari

Andronis Boutique Hotel, Oia

Katikies, Oia

Budapest, Hungary

If pampering yourself while catching up with your gang is the goal, plan a friend’s trip to the Spa capital of the world, Budapest. Located on the banks of the Danube River and blessed with natural thermal springs, the city is known for its gorgeous bathhouses . Visit the Gellért Baths and Széchenyi Baths for a rejuvenating experience.

Budapest is also known for its rich culture and art nouveau architecture. The Neo-Gothic Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Hungarian State Opera House, and the Great Synagogue are some of the most well-known structures you must have on your itinerary.

This energetic city also has a rich history. So take a tour of the Buda Castle and visit the National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, and the Széchényi Library. New York Café, a royal coffeehouse, is where you can try the 24-carat gold cappuccino. You can even visit ruin bars like Szimpla Kert and Mazel Tov, located in pre-war buildings.

How to reach: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the closest airport to this Hungarian city.

Book Your Stay In Budapest

3 bedroom Luxury Loft, Central Budapest

Matild Palace Budapest

Aria Hotel Budapest

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Bordering the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik, Croatia, exudes charm with its Baroque architecture and scenic beaches. Dating back to the 9th century, the city’s old town square is where you must start exploring. Walk around the battlements of the mediaeval city walls to explore historic buildings, local houses, and boutiques of Dubrovnik.

Rector’s Palace, St. Blaise Church, Onofrio’s Fountains, Dubrovnik Cathedral, Orlando’s Column, and Franciscan Monastery are some of the structures you must visit. Stradun, the 300-metre-long pedestrian street, is where you can find Gradska Kavana — an open-air cafe. In the evenings, you can go up to the popular cliff bars, like Bard Bar and Buža II, and have a drink while watching the blue sea.

Take the Game Of Thrones Dubrovnik official tour to witness all the shooting locations of the fictional King’s Landing. Kawa, a concept store outside Ploče Gate, is the best place to shop for local Croatian jewellery, bags, and more. Filled with pristine beaches, the city offers you chances to go sea kayaking and snorkelling.

How to reach: You can land at the Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) to explore this European city.

Book Your Stay In Dubrovnik

Villa I&M, Orasac

Villa Dubrovnik, Ploce

The Pucic Palace, Dubrovnik City Centre

Istanbul, Turkey

Step into mediaeval times in this culturally rich city, Istanbul , with your best friends. Discover the Turkish city’s history, culture, and cuisine. Some of the historic monuments you must include in your itinerary are the Hagia Sophia Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Istanbul Archaeology Museum, and Süleymaniye Mosque.

The dining scene at the Mesai Karaköy is something to relish with its expansive menu of meze (Turkish appetisers) and kebabs . Visit the Grand Bazaar to shop for spices, fabric, Turkish antiques, and home décor. The Dolmabahce Palace, Topkapi Palace, and the Yedikule Fortress are some places to witness the grandiosity of the city.

Create unforgettable memories with your friends by taking a Bosphorus Strait cruise, which will let you sail in the serene city and see the most famous landmarks and iconic structures.

How to reach: Land at Istanbul Airport (IST) to explore this spectacular city, which is a blend of Western and Eastern traditions.

Book Your Stay In Istanbul

19th Century Luxury Loft, Beyoglu

Ecole St. Pierre Hotel, Beyoglu

Hagia Sofia Mansions, Sultanahmet

Krabi, Thailand

If you are craving a group vacation among the natural beauty of coral reefs and the fresh air of exotic islands, Krabi is the ideal destination. Situated in Thailand, the island city is perfect to bask in the sun at pristine beaches, dive into the Andaman Sea from limestone cliffs, go rock climbing, and set off in the deep sea while snorkelling.

Being a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties, you can find various group activities on offer. Hike up the Tiger Cave or Wat Tham Sua, try rock climbing at Railay Beach, discover the prehistoric caves at Khao Khanap Nam, and trek at Khao Phanom Bencha. If you’d like to indulge in Krabi’s nightlife, check out beach clubs like Joy Beach Bar and Reeve Beach Club Krabi.

Thailand is well-known for its night markets. Naturally, Krabi holds one in Pak Nam, Mueang district that you must not miss. Sign up for a grand adventure by visiting the neighbouring islands of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta while on a friend’s trip to Krabi.

How to reach: The Krabi International Airport (KBV) is around 15 km away from the city centre.

Book Your Stay In Krabi

Eco Luxury Retreat, Ko Yao Noi

Zeavola Resort, Ao Nang

Rawi Warin, Koh Lanta

Friend’s trips are the best way to explore Lion City, as there is something for every kind of traveller. Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Merlion Park, Singapore Botanic Gardens, and the National Gallery of Singapore are some of the must-visit attractions.

Enjoy the light and music shows at the Gardens by the Bay, head to Universal Studios for a thrilling time, and get in the Singapore Flyer for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the city. On a group trip to Singapore, you can even do the night safari at the Singapore Zoo and take an extra day to visit Sentosa Island. You can also rent a bicycle and ride it along the bike paths throughout the big city at your own pace.

There are several art installations, murals, and galleries in the city. The riverside location of Clarke Quay is where you can enjoy free drinks for ladies at local bars and have a tranquil meal at various live music venues and cafes. Orchard Road and Chinatown Street Market are two of the most popular places to shop on the trip with your friends.

How to reach: Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) is the easiest way to reach the city. Filled with amenities and attractions, the world-class airport is no less than a tourist attraction.

Book Your Stay In Singapore

The St. Regis, Downtown

Capella, Sentosa Island

Ann Siang House, Central Business District

(Hero & Featured Image credit: Mikhail Nilov/ Pexels)

Related: Who Is Your Ultimate Travel Partner As Per Zodiac For A Romantic Holiday?

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Answer: For group travel, Booking.com and Agoda are the best travel booking apps to reserve stay options in any part of the world. You can plan the best trips by booking your stay in advance.

Answer: When travelling to international destinations, it is best to hire a local guide, who can seamlessly take you through the attractions in a new city with their in-depth knowledge. Especially on your first trip, it’s best to have a local guide explain the history, help you with directions, to make the most of your trip duration.

Answer: Close friends and great adventures go hand in hand. So, if you're seeking an adrenaline rush, places like Krabi, Singapore and Los Angeles, are the perfect destinations to head to for a Friendship Day trip.

Answer: Los Angeles, London, Santorini, Budapest, Dubrovnik, Istanbul, Krabi and Singapore are some of the most popular destinations to take a trip with friends.

Answer: Krabi in Thailand and Singapore are two destinations where you can go on various nature treks.

Answer: Create the best memories with your gal pals by going on an international trip to destinations like Los Angeles, London, Santorini, Budapest, Dubrovnik, Istanbul, Krabi and Singapore.

• international destinations
• International Friendship Day
• international travel guide
• international trip
• Trip With Friends

An interior design graduate, Dinal is a writer by passion and profession. She is an avid traveller and has worked with lifestyle brands and publications like Nykaa Fashion and Little Black Book. When she's not recommending the coolest things to do, she explores offbeat villages, writes poems, and goes stargazing! She is an enthusiast of all things handmade. Read Less

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