10 Best Places to Travel on a Budget

The world is full of cheap vacation spots. No matter what continent — and no matter what interests you have — there are countless places you can visit on a budget.

Few destinations are “too expensive” as long as you do some research, get creative, and have some flexibility. You might not be living large when you visit them, but you can visit them.

Fortunately, there are lots of destinations out there that make budget travel easy, fun, and safe.

These destinations offer affordable accommodation, cheap food, and plenty of activities and excursions that can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.

Here’s my list of the best cheap travel destinations so you can get inspired and plan your next affordable adventure!

 

1. Thailand

Thailand is where it all began for me so it holds a special place in my heart. It is where I decided to quit my job and travel the world. I lived there. I loved there. Thailand is incredible.

With a tourist trail going back decades, Thailand is the heart of backpacking in Southeast Asia, and you can get by on between $40-55 USD per day thanks to cheap guesthouses, budget street food (which can be found for as little as $2 USD!), local buses, and the many cheap and free attractions. If you spend all your time on the islands and in expensive accommodation, expect to pay closer to $90 USD per day.

READ MORE:

• The Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide
• 9 Incredible Things to Do in Thailand
• How Much Does It Costs to Visit Thailand?

2. Central America

Want to roam ancient ruins, trek through the jungle, surf, and eat delicious food with few tourists around? Visit the smaller countries in Central America — think El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Here you will find budget hotels for $25–40 USD per night, meals for under $10 USD, most bus journeys for the same price, and beer for just a couple bucks.

Belize, Panama, Costa Rica — these are expensive destinations by regional standards (yet they are still quite affordable). If you visit these central Central American countries, you can get by on $50–60 USD per day as a backpacker or between $130–150 a day if you want nicer accommodation, activities, and fancier meals.

READ MY TRAVEL GUIDES TO THE REGION:

 
 

3. Cambodia

While you could put all of Southeast Asia on this list, Cambodia is one of my favorite countries in the region. It’s affordable, beautiful, and the locals are incredibly hospitable. You can get a private, air-conditioned room for $25 USD, street food for $3-5 USD, and transportation across the entire country for $25 USD. If you are spending close to $50 USD per day, you’ll be comfortable. Double that, and you’ll be living large.

Cambodia is cheaper than popular Thailand but just as beautiful and filled with some of the nicest people in the world. Plus, it’s home to the incredible Angkor Wat (which, while expensive to visit, is worth the expense!).

READ MORE:

• Cambodia Budget Travel Guide
• Backpacking Cambodia: 3 Suggested Itineraries for Your Trip

4. The Balkans

Located in southeastern Europe, the Balkans is the cheapest region in Europe. Composed of a handful of countries — most of which see very few tourists — it’s an off-the-radar region that’s super affordable while also offering incredible value. While places like Dubrovnik see A LOT of tourists (thanks to the cruise ships that dock there), the majority of the region is unvisited when compared to other parts of Europe. There’s cheap wine, incredible hiking and nature, stunning coasts, hearty food, wild nightlife, and really welcoming locals. .

You can get by for as little as $50 USD per day in most of the region (Croatia being the exception, which will be around $60–70 USD per day). While there’s a growing backpacking trail here and tourism is on the rise, it’s Europe still the least-explored region — but I don’t think it will be for much longer.

READ MY TRAVEL GUIDES TO THE REGION:

 
 

5. China

China has fascinated travelers ever since Marco Polo traversed the Silk Road in 1275. While the days of China being a dirt-cheap destination are gone, the country remains a budget destination (and one of the cheapest in Asia) but with a caveat. You need to get out of the big cities. Sure, the cities are still a bargain. Hostels cost less than $20 USD, street food is $2-5 USD, and public transportation in cities runs less than a dollar.

But the country becomes even cheaper when you get off the beaten path and the interior. This is where you’ll find the best travel deals and bargains. China still remains one of the best value places in the world and, with its massive size (it’s the 3rd largest country by landmass), there is a ton to see and do here!

READ MORE:

• 7 Lessons Learned from 3 Months in China
• China Travel Guide
• What Hitchhiking as a Solo Female in China Taught Me

6. India

While always a cheap country, the Indian rupee used to ride high at 39 rupees to the US dollar. Now, you get 85 rupees to the U.S. dollar! Unless you book five-star resorts and eat only Western meals, you’ll find it hard to spend $50 USD a day here. You can get by on closer to $35–40 USD by staying in cheap guesthouses, taking second-class trains, and avoiding Western food. Even iconic sights like the Taj Mahal (a Wonder of the World) are super affordable (it’s just $13 USD to enter). You can also take a private tour of Delhi for just $15 USD!

India is a cheap backpacking destination with a rich cultural history, mouthwatering food, helpful and curious locals, incredible regional diversity, great tea, and a lot to do. It’s a gigantic place best either explored in either one large trip or a few smaller chunks. Either way, don’t miss India.

READ MORE:

• 13 Amazing Things to Do in India
• India Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
• Is It Safe for Women to Travel India?

7. Georgia

Tucked away in the Caucasus, Georgia has been at a cultural crossroads for centuries yet it’s not nearly as popular as it should be. Tbilisi is a city bursting with activity, while the rest of the country offers intrepid adventures a rugged, off-the-beaten-path feel. Georgia has everything I need in a destination: it’s cheap, has delicious food and wine, offers incredible hikes and mountain scenery, and is devoid of huge numbers of tourists.

You can get by on next to nothing here too, with budget travelers spending as little as $50 USD per day. Beer is around $2–3 USD, a week’s worth of groceries costs around $35–50 USD, and most museums and historic sites cost around $5 USD.

READ MORE:

• The 15 Best Things to See and Do in Georgia
• The Ultimate Georgia Travel Guide
• Finding Love and Home in Tbilisi, Georgia

8. Portugal

Not all Euro countries are created equal, and Portugal is one of the bargain countries in the region — and one of my favorites. I fell in love with the country the first time I visited. How could I not, with beautiful beaches, a rolling wine country, stunning seaside cliffs, delicious food, jovial locals, and historic cities all at bargain prices?

Portugal has become a lot more popular and crowded in recent years (it has a growing expat and digital nomad scene) and Lisbon has become especially expensive as people move there and drive up prices. It’s a great place after all! However, once you get outside of Lisbon, prices are still relatively cheap compared to the rest of Western Europe — and you’ll see far fewer tourists too. Expect to get by on $55-75 USD per day if you’re a budget backpacker.

READ MORE:

• Portugal Budget Travel Guide
• That Time I Went to Portugal and fell Madly in Love with It

9. Mexico

While I’d been to Mexico before, it wasn’t until recently that I really spent a bunch of time there. And I was blown away. Mexico City is a foodie’s paradise, Oaxaca has copious amounts of charm (and a never-ending flow of mezcal to boot!), and the Yucatan is perfect for road trips and cenote exploring. And since it’s so close to the US, it’s not only cheap (beer is just $2–3 USD, groceries are around $35-40 USD per week, and you can get by $50 USD per day here) but it’s cheap to get to. Double win!

While there are some regions that aren’t that safe to explore, the majority of the country is yours to enjoy. No matter your interests — beaches, partying, food, history, nature — there’s a corner of the country that you can enjoy safely without breaking the bank.

READ MORE:

• Mexico: A Love Story
• The 20 Best Things to Do in Mexico City
• The Ultimate Mexico Budget Travel Guide

10. Morocco

Chaotic and colorful, Morocco is a popular bucket-list destination for travelers of all stripes. Offering rolling dunes of golden sand, winding markets and medinas, and towering mountains, Morocco is a photographer’s dream. While the hectic cities can be a tad overwhelming at times, the stunning silence of the desert and its postcard-perfect views makes the trek worthwhile.

I fell in love with Morocco when I visited, and not just because it’s super affordable (though that did help!). Budget backpackers can get around on just $40-55 USD per day here, while midrange travelers can have a comfortable trip for around double that. You get a lot of value here. In fact, I love it so much I used to run tours there!

READ MORE:

• 11 Reasons Why I Fell in Love with Morocco
• Morocco Budget Travel Guide
• Is Morocco Safe?

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I believe most destinations in the world can be explored on a budget without sacrificing too much comfort (heck, I even traveled Iceland on $50 USD per day).

If you’re a savvy traveler, you know how to maximize your money no matter where you go in the world. But your mission to travel on a budget gets a lot easier when the places you’re going to are already affordable, allowing you to make the most of your budget without missing out!