Cheapest Places to Travel in the World

Why travel to expensive places when there are enough affordable and cheap places that you can travel to. Hotel accommodation in Paris or Dubai is more costly than in some southeast Asian countries. You just have to explore a bit more and you will find some incredible travel destinations that are cheap, affordable, and offers more value to your money. You don’t have to go far though, for here goes a list of all the cheapest places to travel in the world.

Cheapest Places to Visit in Asia

Nepal

Nepal is a scenic travel destination and it’s also one of the cheapest places to travel in the world. You can find accommodation for as cheap as $30 in Nepal. If you into trekking, then Annapurna Base Camp, Lower Mustang Trek are some cheap trekking options. Buddhist monasteries here are a must-see and wildlife is abundant in national parks and sanctuaries. Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, Langtang region, Lumbini are scenic places in Nepal.

Cambodia

Cambodia is famous for Angkor Wat, which is the world’s largest Hindu temple. Cambodia is incredibly cheap and you can spend an entire month in Cambodia with just under $1000. Cambodia is a temple country, and there are so many mesmerizing temples here, other than Angkor Wat. Zipping through streets in a tuk-tuk, eating out with skewers, visiting pagodas and monasteries are the many things you can do in Cambodia.

Laos

Laos is stunningly beautiful, and you may find yourself staying in a treetop house, or winding through the meandering course of a river, and wonder whether life could be as simple as it is in Laos. Luxury comes cheap in Laos, and for just under $20, you can stay in luxury and dine the most exotic dishes with a myriad amount of vegetables and meats. If you’ve always fantasized yourself, bathing in a waterfall, then Laos has plenty of them. Exploring caves, capturing the beauty of rice fields, and Khmer temples are the must-do things in Laos.

Thailand

Thailand may look expensive but you’ll get many cheap guesthouses, dorms, even hotels and homestays in Thailand that cost you $20 or less. The northern part of Thailand is breathtakingly beautiful, and you’ll love the Buddhist temple architecture, ethnic tribes, super delicious food, local culture, art, festivals, bazaars, and scenic waterfalls. If you are looking for a more exotic vacation, then the beaches, islands, full moon parties, discotheques of Pattaya City, Phuket may allure you, but it will be too costly in your pockets.

Vietnam

Tropical jungles, limestone caves, spectacular temples, scenic villages, endless paddy fields… this is what Vietnam is all about. You will see the world’s largest cave here in Vietnam, and if you love noodles, then go nowhere else, but in Vietnam. There are beaches, floating markets, exotic bustling bazaars, mind-boggling landscapes, lush jungles, and more to discover in Vietnam. The average price ranges from $20 per day. Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta are the must-see sights in Vietnam.

Sri Lanka

You’ll discover culture and luxury on a budget in the tourist attractions of Sri Lanka. This pearl-shaped island is one of the cheapest places to visit in the world. You may have to just shell out $20-$30 per day, and yet spend your vacation in luxury in Sri Lanka. Beaches, cuisine, heritage trails, ancient ruins, waterfalls, lush jungles, temples… there is this and more in Sri Lanka. Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Sigiriya, Adam’s Peak, tea plantations, are the must-see places in Sri Lanka. No wonder, it is one of the most budget-friendly places to travel in the world.

Indonesia

Indonesia is vast, and Bali is not the only place to visit in Indonesia!! But if you want to explore Indonesia, then stay at one place and you can have a truly mesmerizing travel experience of Indonesia. Traveling between islands can be costly, but you can always take local transport to make things easy in your pocket. Some activities too cost more in Indonesia, but the food is cheap, and you get delicious cuisine. You can explore Java, Lombok, Gili Islands, Raja Ampat Islands in Indonesia.

Philippines

This Asian archipelago is also one of the cheapest places to travel in the world and entire Asia. While many places are expensive and pure luxury, you can always find cheap homestays in the Philippines. And once you’ve found a place to stay, there are some wonderful and thrilling activities that you do. Crystal clear beaches, mesmerizing paddy fields, unique wildlife, picture-perfect islands, tropical evergreen forests, diving and snorkeling sites, underwater wildlife are the essential things to do in the Philippines.

Malaysia

Malaysia may or may not be very expensive as it seems to be. You can book a hotel, homestay, guesthouse, camping lodges at $30 or less. Even transport is cheaper if you know the right way to go from one place to another. Local transport is cheaper here. Malaysian meals too are not very heavy on the pocket. There is a lot more to do here than just scuba diving or sunbathing on the beaches. Kuala Lumpur, Borneo Islands, Malacca, Cameron Highlands are some gorgeous places to visit here.

India

Mountains, beaches, desert, lush forests… India offers this and more!! You get hotels that are cheap at $15, and if you travel through local transport, then also you will not find it expensive to travel across this spectacular Asian country. If you know how to bargain, then you are in luck. You will be able to explore India within a budget of $30-$40 per day. You must see Taj Mahal, backwaters of Kerala, Sanchi Stupa, Khajuraho Temples, Hawa Mahal, Mahabodhi Temple in India.

Kyrgyzstan

This central Asian country is heaven for adventure tourists. You will find mountain valleys, pristine lakes, snow-capped mountain peaks, nomadic tribes, ethnic local cuisine found nowhere in the world, among other things. Homestays, rural hutments, hostels, guest houses, cost only up to $15 or less per day. Minibus, taxis, is the local mode of transport. Hiking in Tian Shan Mountains, sightseeing around Bishkek, the wildlife of Ala Archa National Park, cultural flavors of Osh are some top experiences you can have in Kyrgyzstan.

Cheapest Countries to Travel in Europe

Ukraine

One of the most underrated European destinations, Ukraine offers so much to the tourist who wants to see culture, luxury, and history on a budget. Living in a hostel room would cost $10 or less. Meals are also under $10 and transport in intercity train is less than $3. St. Sophia’s Cathedral, Kamenets Podolsky Castle, Tarakaniv Fort, Tunnel of Love, Odesa Catacombs are the best sites of Ukraine. You can visit sunflower fields, visit local markets, eat traditional Ukrainian cuisine, visit ski resorts, or bathe in beaches on the Black Sea.

Romania

Bran Castle is the best monument you will see in Romania. If you’ve forever imagined medieval castles, quaint villages, idyllic towns, and a typical European setting, then there’s every reason for you to visit Romania. It’s cheap too, and a typical day’s accommodation will only cost $15 or less in a hostel. Meals and cuisine are fabulous and so is the transport, which includes bus and train rides. Transylvania region, Carpathian Mountains, Corvin Castle, Bucharest are some top places to visit in Romania.

Georgia

One of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe is Georgia. Accommodation, food, transport, all is damn cheap here. Hostels and even hotels are cheap at under $15. Meals too cost you less than $10 per day. And there are scenic ski resorts of the Caucasus Mountains, scenic towns on the Black Sea Coast, cliff monasteries, picturesque nomadic villages, rural hamlets to see in Georgia. You get spectacular wine, delicious Georgian food dishes, trekking and hiking routes, ski slopes in Georgia.

Baltic States (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia)

The three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia are cheap if you want to travel in luxury and see culture and historic sights on a budget. You will get to see the Scandinavian flavor and countryside feature here in these three Baltic States. Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia), Vilnius (Lithuania) tops the tourist attractions, medieval town of Cecis, Jurmala and Haapsalu resort towns on the Baltic Sea, The Curonian Spit are breath-taking places to see here.

Bulgaria

If you are looking for an old and vintage European vacation, think of Bulgaria! Here you can spend just about $30 and even less and have live with royal comfort. Bulgaria is best for those who want to visit lonely beaches on the Black Sea and experience European culture at its best. Sofia is the best place to visit, and there are more like Rila Monastery, Nesebar, Varna, Bansko, Sozopol, etc. You can see beaches, old monasteries, medieval fortresses, ski resorts, churches, lakes, etc.

Turkey

Nothing matches the charm of Turkey when it comes to the culture and sheer history of the place. Turkey is also a cheap European country and you can live here for as cheap as $20-$30 per night. It has the best street food, and the sheer magnificence of its landmarks makes it one of the most fascinating travel destinations in Europe. Aya Sofya Museum, Roman ruins of Ephesus, photogenic Cappadocia, the natural wonder of Pamukkale, Mount Nemrut, the roman amphitheater of Aspendos are just some sights to see in Turkey.

Cheapest Places to Travel in Americas

Nicaragua

At just $35 a day, you can visit one of the cheapest Central American nations – Nicaragua. For rates as cheap as $20, you can get decent accommodation in hostels. Meals are also cheap at $10 per day. There are volcanic mountains to climb, beaches to sunbathe, surfing, scuba diving, cloud forests to spot wildlife, islands to explore, and unique seafood to try your appetite. Without any doubt, you will find Nicaragua listed amongst some of the cheapest places to travel in the world.

Guatemala

You’ll love Guatemala if you want a complete adventure. And it all fits in the budget too. You pay $40 and less on a day if you want to do sightseeing, dine, and live in decent hotels and hostels. Meals are cheap and you can hop on a bus and explore Guatemala. Limestone caverns, volcanic mountains, Mayan ruins, local markets, nature reserves, deep jungles, Caribbean coasts are some most scenic and vibrant landmarks you must visit in Guatemala.

Colombia

This South American nation where you can visit on a budget of $40 per day in Colombia. Towering snow-clad Andes Mountains, beautiful beaches, equatorial rainforests… Colombia has it all. You get to travel by bus or trains, find cheap hostels to stay within your budget. You can visit lost cities, ancient ruins, remote Caribbean islands, historic cities of Cartagena, Bogota, Medellin, and explore national parks, wildlife, taste coffee, and so much more.

Bolivia

Bolivia is one of the most affordable and cheapest places to travel in the world anytime during the year. You can eat a hearty lunch for just under $6, and find first-class hotels for as cheap as $10 – $15. And you’ll love the many sights that Bolivia offers. There’s Lake Titicaca – the world’s highest lake, Salar de Uyuni – the world’s largest salt flat, cities like Potosi, La Paz, Sucre, Santa Crus, Cochabamba, surreal mountain valleys, volcanic mountains, hot springs, geysers, and the Amazonian equatorial forests.

Cheapest Places to Travel in Africa

The Gambia       

You may wonder why this tiny African country stars on this list, but it still is one of the cheapest countries you can visit. Hotels, guest houses, resorts, lodges, are all within a budget of $20 per night. Meals are also within every budget and that also, you get to try Gambian cuisine. And there’s so much to explore – bird watching tours, a river cruise along Gambia River, walking along the beaches with the backdrop of the tropical sunset, exploring traditional markets, spotting wildlife like crocodiles, chimpanzees, etc.

Morocco

Morocco is one of the cheapest places to travel in Africa and the entire world. It’s closest to Europe, and you’ll get plenty of hotels here that offer decent meals and comfortable amenities. You can also stay in traditional guesthouses called Riad, desert camps in the Sahara Desert, or Kasbah (fortified castles of traditional Berber tribes), which offer more ethnic glamour. You will find plenty of awe-inspiring sights – the souks, lavish mosques, old towns of Marrakesh and Fes, roman ruins, blue houses, Dades Valley (natural wonder), and dunes of the Sahara Desert among the many beautiful places to visit.

Kenya

Kenya is cheaper than most African countries, and if you can afford $40 – $50 per day, then you can easily see all that’s to see in Kenya. Kenya is famous for its wildlife safaris and there are plentiful places where you can watch African wildlife like Lake Nakuru National Park, Tsavo National Park, Amboseli National Reserve, Maasai Mara National Reserve. Nairobi is also at top of the list and there are other places like Mombasa, Malindi which are famous for snorkeling and diving.

Egypt

Egypt is also one of the cheapest African countries to visit, and with a daily budget of $30 – $50, you can see the magnificent wonders of Egypt. Egypt is the home of the Pyramids, and equally fantastic is the cruise on the Nile River. You’ll get a hotel room at under $30 and meals are reasonably priced at $20 or less. Pyramids of Giza, Luxor Karnak temples, Cairo and its Islamic monuments, diving in the Red Sea for its underwater marine life, Mount Sinai, Alexandria, Siwa Oasis, White Desert National Park, St. Catherine’s Monastery are some fabulous sites you will want to see in Egypt.

What’s next waiting for you?

The above world travel guide covers all the least expensive places to travel in the world. Now you know what to do and where to go, you can plan your itinerary within your budget. Check out our other travel guides to explore some other budget-friendly places to visit in the world.