Exploring the world on the cheap does not necessarily mean you need to sacrifice thrill, art or beautiful landscapes and views. It is important to know that there are so many amazing places to visit around the globe and which are cheap to visit. Historic cities, pristine beaches, or exotic landscapes, we have curated the top 21 cheap travel destinations that offer fantastic experiences at affordable prices.
1. Vietnam:
Vietnam is one of the most cheap travel destinations in Southeast Asia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the stunning landscapes of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam offers cheap accommodations, delicious street food, and budget-friendly transport.
- Must-Visit Places: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An
- Best Time to Visit: March to April, September to November
- Estimate Budget: $25–$40 per day
2. Cambodia:
Affordable hotels and unique Cambodian food are attractions along with world-renowned sightseeing spot such as the Angkor Wat. Aside from Phnom Penh, there are other tourist attractions, such as Siem Reap.
- Must-Visit Places: Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Koh Rong
- Best Time to Visit: November to March
- Estimate Budget: $20–$35 per day
3. Thailand:
From bustling urban city of Bangkok to the tanned beach of Koh Lanta, travelling across Thailand is always a good idea for youths, where most of the places are cheap, food is cheap and transportation is cheap.
- Must-Visit Places: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Lanta
- Best Time to Visit: November to February
- Estimate Budget: $30–$50 per day
Also Read: Travel Bucket List: 30 Destinations You Must Visit in Your Lifetime
4. Indonesia:
With its attractions as Bali and Lombok, this cheap travel destination offers meals and a variety of cheap accommodation enhancing it to be among the best places to travel to when in need of a cheap holiday.
- Must-Visit Places: Bali, Lombok, Yogyakarta, Komodo Islands
- Best Time to Visit: May to September
- Estimate Budget: $25–$45 per day
5. Philippines:
It has almost 7,000 islands that provide the visitors with amazing opportunities for travel for those who want to travel on a low budget. Palawan and Cebu are popular for the beautiful beaches and numerous adventures that can be enjoyed for cheap.
- Must-Visit Places: Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, Siargao
- Best Time to Visit: November to April
- Estimate Budget: $30–$50 per day
6. India:
Starting from the hills of Himalayas to the beaches of Goa, India is comparatively cheap travel destination. Public transport and street food make exploring incredibly cheap.
- Must-Visit Places: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Goa, Kerala
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Estimate Budget: $20–$40 per day
7. Nepal:
Nepal is one of the dream destinations for hiking and other adventurous activities. Ever since there are several ways of organizing the trek which keeps costs relatively low and even the capital city of Kathmandu is not expensive with food and shelter.
- Must-Visit Places: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Everest Base Camp, Chitwan National Park
- Best Time to Visit: October to April
- Estimate Budget: $20–$35 per day
8. Sri Lanka:
Having beautiful beaches, wildlife, and a culture, Sri Lanka is a cost-effective choice for cheap travel destinations with affordable transportation and accommodations.
- Must-Visit Places: Colombo, Sigiriya, Ella, Mirissa
- Best Time to Visit: December to April
- Estimate Budget: $25–$45 per day
9. Laos:
Lao is one of the Asian nations that are not so popular among the tourists; however, it has beautiful sceneries, comparatively low prices for food and transport.
- Must-Visit Places: Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane, Pakse
- Best Time to Visit: November to March
- Estimate Budget: $20–$35 per day
10. Malaysia:
Malaysia provides the best mix of modernization and nature at an affordable price. Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi are great for affordable stays and experiences, making them excellent choices for cheap travel destinations.
- Must-Visit Places: Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Borneo
- Best Time to Visit: December to February
- Estimate Budget: $30–$50 per day
Also Read: 10 Magical Christmas Vacation Destinations You Need to Visit This Year
11. Mexico:
Street food, vibrant culture, embracing people, and affordable backpacker accommodations are some of the main attractive aspects of Mexico. Cancun, Oaxaca, and Mexico City must be included in the cities that you should consider visiting.
- Must-Visit Places: Cancun, Oaxaca, Mexico City, Tulum
- Best Time to Visit: November to April
- Estimate Budget: $35–$60 per day
12. Guatemala:
Guatemala has some of the stunning geological features like the volcanoes, beautiful colonial cities such as Antigua and affordable transport and food.
- Must-Visit Places: Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, Semuc Champey
- Best Time to Visit: November to April
- Estimate Budget: $25–$40 per day
13. Nicaragua:
Not so popular as the neighboring countries, Nicaragua has inexpensive hostels, various tasty kitchens, and picturesque views, the reason why it belongs to splendid cheap travel destinations.
- Must-Visit Places: Granada, León, Ometepe Island, San Juan del Sur
- Best Time to Visit: November to April
- Estimate Budget: $20–$35 per day
14. Colombia:
Colombia has beautiful cities, delicious food, friendly locals, beautiful beaches and is relatively cheaper to travel in compared to other countries. Medellín and Cartagena are must-visits.
- Must-Visit Places: Medellín, Cartagena, Bogotá, Tayrona National Park
- Best Time to Visit: December to March
- Estimate Budget: $30–$50 per day
15. Ecuador:
Being home to the famous Galápagos Islands, Ecuador is also home to other affordable cities such as Quito and Cuenca that offer cheaper food and lodgings, therefore making it among the cheap travel destinations.
- Must-Visit Places: Quito, Cuenca, Baños, Galápagos Islands
- Best Time to Visit: June to September
- Estimate Budget: $30–$50 per day
16. Bolivia:
As one of the cheapest destination for tourists in South America, Bolivia boasts places of interest such as the Salt Lake of Uyuni and inexpensive means of transport.
- Must-Visit Places: Uyuni Salt Flats, La Paz, Sucre, Copacabana
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- Estimate Budget: $20–$40 per day
17. Peru:
Machu Picchu is fairly expensive, but the rest of the country is relatively cheap which makes Peru one of the cheap travel destinations and the food, lodgings and tourist attractions are relatively cheap.
- Must-Visit Places: Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lima, Arequipa
- Best Time to Visit: May to September
- Estimate Budget: $30–$50 per day
18. Portugal:
Considering local prices, Portugal is one of the cheapest place in Europe which provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the seashore, taste delicious food and stay in comfortable hotel in Porto or Lisbon for a rather moderate price.
- Must-Visit Places: Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Sintra
- Best Time to Visit: March to June, September to October
- Estimate Budget: $40–$60 per day
Also Read: 15 Best Solo Travel Destinations for First-Time Travelers
19. Hungary:
Within the capitals of the European countries Budapest can be easily ranked as one of the cheap travel destinations to visit due to low prices for public transport, low prices for the hostels and many free sights.
- Must-Visit Places: Budapest, Eger, Pécs, Lake Balaton
- Best Time to Visit: April to October
- Estimate Budget: $30–$50 per day
20. Romania:
From the medieval castles in Transylvania to the colorful life of Bucharest, Romania can indeed be called a budget travel destination.
- Must-Visit Places: Bucharest, Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- Estimate Budget: $25–$45 per day
21. Greece:
While Santorini can be relatively costly, mainland Greece and other overlooked islands are cheapest with beautiful landscapes and yummy food, which makes them cheap travel destinations.
- Must-Visit Places: Athens, Santorini, Meteora, Crete
- Best Time to Visit: April to June, September to October
- Estimate Budget: $40–$70 per day
Final Tips for Budget Travelers
- Use public transport instead of taxis.
- Stay in hostels, guesthouses, or budget hotels.
- Eat at local street stalls and markets.
- Travel during the off-season for better deals.
- Look for free attractions and walking tours.
Exploring the world on a budget is possible with the right planning. These cheap travel destinations offer incredible experiences without emptying your wallet, making them perfect for budget explorers!
:- Note: Prices mentioned are subject to change or may vary based on season, availability, and service providers. Always check with the venue for the latest rates.
