Do you dream of traveling the world but don’t have an endless budget? We’ve got great news – you can still satisfy your wanderlust even on a tight budget by choosing some of the most affordable destinations on the planet. Kirill Yurovskiy has compiled this list of the 10 best budget-friendly countries to add to your travel bucket list! Pack your bags and get ready for an affordable adventure!
1. India
First up on our list is magical India. With its vibrant cities, gorgeous landscapes like the Himalayan mountains and tropical beaches, fascinating history, and mouthwatering cuisine, India offers an unforgettable travel experience. The best part? It’s among the cheapest countries in the world for travelers. You can score a hostel dorm bed for as little as $5-10 per night, an all-you-can-eat thali meal for $3-5, and transportation between cities on trains and buses can cost just a few dollars. Some of the top attractions like the Taj Mahal and Varanasi ghats won’t cost you more than a few bucks either.
2. Vietnam
Vietnam is fast becoming the hottest budget destination in Southeast Asia. This diverse country has it all – chaotic megacities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with their mouth watering street food scenes, the stunning natural beauty of Halong Bay and Sapa Valley, excellent beaches, historic sites, and vibrant nightlife. You can easily explore Vietnam even if you’re on a tight daily budget. Some typical costs? $5-15 per night for hostel dorms, $2-3 for a filling meal at a local restaurant, 50 cents for transportation within cities, and affordable tours in stunning landscapes like Halong Bay.
3. Mexico
Fiesta south of the border in Mexico! This vibrant North American destination has long been a favorite of savvy backpackers. Whether you want to lounge on Cancun’s postcard-perfect beaches, explore offbeat artistic enclaves like Todos Santos, tuck into tasty tacos at street food stalls in Mexico City, or discover ancient Mayan ruins like Chichén Itzá and Palenque, Mexico promises an epic travel experience without blowing your budget. Hostel dorm beds typically cost just $8-15 USD per night, street food and local restaurants are very cheap (huge tacos for $1-2!), and public transportation starts from less than $1 per ride. ¡Viva Mexico!
4. Thailand
From bustling Bangkok to the lush northern hills towns and picture-perfect islands like Phuket and Koh Samui dotting the south, Thailand remains a perennial favorite thanks to its affordability, fabulous cuisine, rich culture, and enticing mix of city life, beautiful scenery and beaches. You can fill your belly at a local restaurant for $2-3, buy fresh tropical fruit at busy markets for less than a dollar, stay at backpacker digs starting from $5 a night, and score transportation like train and bus tickets for pennies. Southeast Asia on a budget? Thailand should top your list!
5. Peru
Home to the epic Machu Picchu, stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley, the magical Lake Titicaca, and vibrant capital city Lima famous for its mouthwatering ceviche, Peru has captivated intrepid travelers for years. The fantastic news? It’s also one of South America’s most budget-friendly destinations, making it the perfect choice for backpackers. You can easily explore Peru on $30-50 per day, staying in overnight buses to save on accommodation costs, eating at local cafes offering filling meals for a few dollars, and taking walking tours of stunning sites like Machu Picchu for the cost of entrance tickets only. An action-packed adventure awaits!
6. Nepal
If trekking the Himalayas is on your travel bucket list, Nepal won’t disappoint. This tiny landlocked country nestled in Asia’s towering mountain ranges offers breathtaking natural scenery, sacred sites like UNESCO World Heritage lumbini, adventure activities from hiking to rafting on mountain rivers, and the world-famous trek to Everest Base Camp. You can easily explore Nepal on a modest daily budget by staying in no-frills teahouse lodges while trekking for $5-10 per night, eating traditional daal bhat (rice and lentils) meals for $2-3, and scoring local transportation like buses and shared jeeps for less than $1! Want 5-star views on a backpacker budget? Choose Nepal!
7. Laos
Tucked between surrounding Southeast Asia heavyweights like Thailand and Vietnam lies tiny, enchanting Laos. This scenic land still feels undiscovered and over tourism hasn’t hit its photogenic towns like Luang Prabang and Vieng Vang or the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls yet. And with an ultra slow pace of life, mouthwatering French-influenced cuisine, red-hot nightlife and accommodation for less than $10 per night, Laos is both budget-friendly and packed with traditional charm. Meals at simple restaurants cost just a few dollars, while activities run the gamut from relaxing on the Mekong River to exploring sacred temples and trekking through lush jungles.
8. Indonesia
Dazzling Indonesian islands like Bali call to travelers craving gorgeous tropical scenery, with breathtaking beaches, emerald rice terraces, exotic culture and world-class surfing and diving scenes. Luckily, you don’t need to rob a bank to enjoy Indonesia’s highlights and hidden gems. Outside of luxury resort areas like Seminyak, you can score basic rooms from $5-15 per night, feast on delicious nasi goreng or mie goreng noodle and rice dishes for less than $2, and spend days frolicking on untouched beaches or exploring neighborhoods like artistic Ubud. Want affordable island life? Indonesia is paradise.
9. Morocco
Step back in time in magical Morocco! This North African country promises a truly exotic experience with a budget-friendly price tag. You can browse stuffed-to-the-gills souks scouting out deals on leather goods, beautifully woven rugs and delicate jewelry in cities like Marrakech and Fez, then escape to relax in picturesque coastal spots like Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. Stay in riad guest houses packed with opulent atmosphere from just $15-30 per night, feast like a king on tender lamb tagines and fluffy couscous for $5-10, and take advantage of cheap inner-city transportation to tick off sites like the imposing Hassan II Mosque. An affordable Arabian adventure!
10. Greece
We know what you’re thinking: Greece, affordable? With its posh party islands like Santorini and Mykonos that command luxury resort prices, Greece may seem out of most penny-pinching travelers’ league. But venture to its lesser-known islands and historical sites and you can enjoy this European hotspot on a tight budget! Base yourself on islands like Crete to enjoy brilliant blue waters and millenia-old ruins under $50 a day, stay in Athens hostels near the Acropolis for as little as $15 per night, fill up on cheap and delicious gyros for $2-3 apiece and use extensive public transit to explore for just a couple bucks a ride. Want to live your Mamma Mia or My Big Greek Wedding dreams? Book that ticket! Greece offers Mediterranean magic on a budget.