Have you made your bucket list but put it aside because your pocketbook will not support the extravagant places you are longing to see? Maybe you need to rethink your list. There are exotic, beautiful locations that are well within your budget. You just need to know where to find them.
Asian countries are typically the least expensive places to travel to, but there are other regions with limited travel costs. There are cheap plane tickets to South America, Africa, and even Europe, places that will easily replace those higher ticket trips that most people have on their list.
Keep reading to discover 10 cheap places that you can afford that will satisfy your longing for adventure. Revise your bucket list and start making your plans to travel.
How We Chose the Cheapest Places to Travel To
Airfare costs to your destination are probably the biggest investment you will make in your bargain trip, so checking for decent flight prices will affect your bottom line. It is always an excellent choice to check for flight deals on the bargain flight hunter websites before you buy directly from an airline.
Depending on your need for comfort, choosing a place to stay can vary tremendously, even in the cheaper countries chosen for your list. Many of these countries have inexpensive hotel rooms or bed and breakfasts, but for the most inexpensive resource, check the hostels.
In the countries chosen for this list, meal costs can be relatively inexpensive if you eat in local establishments where the locals eat. But of course, there are also more expensive places available if you want to splurge. Affordable local transportation is a necessity to keep expenses low once you have arrived at your destination.
Keep in mind that safety should be a top priority when traveling abroad to unfamiliar countries. The United States Department of State Website provides travel safety information for each of the countries listed below. It is always wise to check this website before you travel since it provides other information relevant to customs, local laws, and what you need to get in and out of the country.
What are the Cheapest Places to Travel?
One of the cheapest places on Earth to visit is Laos. Most travelers have neighboring Thailand on their bucket list, but Laos is just as beautiful and much less expensive. You can stay for less than $20 a day if you eat locally, barter a bit for your guest house, and ride public transportation.
Hostels in Georgia are about $5 a night. Guest houses start around $12 a night. You can ride a local minibus on the cheap. You can even hitchhike if you want to meet the locals since it is also one of the top ten safest countries in the world.
You may not think of China as a cheap country to visit, and of course, you could spend a bundle if you stay in one of the largest cities. Instead, choose Sichuan province where you can bike inexpensively or even free, stay at a guest house for under $10 a night, and eat cheaply with the locals.
10 Cheap Places to Travel to for Your Bucket List
Here are places you may not have thought about adding to your bucket list, but each one holds hidden gems that will make your bucket list more exciting than you imagined.
Consider adding these inexpensive locations to your list.
1. Laos
Visit Luang Prabang, the city of temples, where Buddhist monks traverse the streets each morning asking for alms. Trek to Kuang Si Falls, one of the most amazing waterfalls you will ever see. The entrance fee is only $2.50, but you can take your swimsuit and enjoy a dip in one of the turquoise pools beneath the falls.
If you want to splurge on an amazing experience, there are several options you may choose:
- See the elephants at the Elephant Conservation Center ($210 for 2 days)
- Take a boat down the Mekong ($115)
- Enjoy a guided tour of the Phou Hin Poun Conservation Area ($115 for 2 days)
Because Laos is one of the most underdeveloped countries in Southeast Asia, it is also one of the most inexpensive. Budget hotels start around $12. Street food is around $2 a meal and may include noodle soup, fruit, and grilled meats. A restaurant meal will cost you around $11.
Taxis and tuk-tuks will cost you more than local transportation, which starts at $.25. Buses run between cities at reasonable prices. Or you can hire a river taxi for about $10 an hour.
(How much would a trip to Asia cost? find out in that article!)
2. Kyrgyzstan
In Kyrgyzstan, you can travel the Silk Road in the land of Kyrgyz. The people there are very hospitable.
Issyk Kul is the second largest salt lake after the Caspian Sea. It stretches across the eastern portion of the country like a small ocean. A sunset cruise should make your list of things to do here. At $15 per person, it is not even a splurge.
You can also stay in a home or a yurt for about $10 a day, and that may include meals. You can find inexpensive meals for $1-2 in local eateries. It will cost you about $10 a day to hire a horse, probably $15 a day to hire a guide. You will need to fork over $.15 to ride the bus and about $1 for busses between cities.
3. Sichuan China
Siguniang Shan (Four Sisters Mountain) in Sichuan Province in southwestern China offers stunning views, hiking trails, and rock climbing. It is considered one of the finest attractions in China. Visit the world’s largest carved stone Buddha in Leshan City ($12).
Buy a sugar figure from a local craftsman on Jinli Street in Chengdu.
Who can resist visiting the giant pandas at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding for only $8? Plan to spend about $18 a day on meals and about $5 a day on transportation. Eat noodles and dumplings for lunch for $2. Stay in a hostel for $8. Plan ahead and check airline prices, but you may be able to find flights from San Francisco to Chengdu for under $600.
4. Georgia
Spend a night at the opera or see a ballet in Tbilisi ($8). Bicycle along the Black Sea. Admire the stunning view of merging rivers from Jvari Monastery, built in the 6th century on a hill above Mtskheta. Enjoy wine tastings along the wine route of the Kakheti region. There is so much to explore in this beautiful country.
You can stay in a hostel here for $5-10 a night or fork out a bit more and stay in a guest house for $15-25. However, be aware that hostels in the country are quite nice. You will even find some boutique hostels that are both comfortable and in great locations.
Enjoy a glass of local wine for less than $1. To eat on the cheap, buy a few khinkali, the traditional dumpling, for about $.50. Most places require you to buy five for an order. It costs $.15 to ride a city bus, and between cities, you can ride the marshrutka, a minivan transport, for $1-6.
5. Latvia
You will find beautiful beaches, dense forests, and remarkable architecture in this land on the Baltic Sea. In Riga, the capital, you will want to explore the massive market. Visit a castle in Sigulda. If you visit for Midsummer, celebrate this longest day of the year with the locals by staying up all night to greet the rising sun. There will be bonfires, food, and dancing.
Here are a few things you will not want to miss while visiting Latvia:
- Central Market in Riga (free)
- Art Nouveau Museum ($6)
- Gauja National Park (no entry fee, but maybe fees for activities)
- Rundale Palace and Museum ($15)
Dorms and hostels start between $6-12 a night, depending on how many beds are in a room. A private hotel room starts at around $30 a night. Eat with the locals. Grab a sausage from a street vendor for $3.50 or eat at an inexpensive restaurant for around $9. It is easy to walk in Latvia’s towns, and you can take the local bus when ready to move on. Most trips are less than $12.
6. Nepal
While trekking to the top of the world’s tallest mountain may not be doable on an economical budget, it is certainly possible to trek the lower slopes of Mt. Everest at a reasonable price. And there are eight other peaks over 8,000 feet in elevation.
Many of the guest houses in Nepal are now owned by large hotel conglomerates, so you will want to book only the first few nights online. Once you reach the country, local guest houses are available for $5-10 a night, even in Kathmandu. Nepal street food is not always safe, so plan to purchase a home-cooked meal in a small cafe for $3-5.
7. Greece
If you have always wanted to go to Greece, it is possible to see this iconic land at a value price. But you will need to travel in the off-season, from May to June or August to September, when crowds are smaller, and prices are less. You should also choose one of the islands not on everyone’s bucket list. Check out Sifnos, Serifos, Anafi, or Paros instead of Mykonos and Santorini. Plus, there are some tips and tricks to find the cheapest way to travel to Greece.
It is possible to rent a car for around $25 a day, but you should make rental arrangements as early in your planning as possible. You will need to ride the ferry if you plan to visit more than one island but ride overnight for lower costs. You can find hostels for $15-25 a night and family-run hotels for only a bit more in more rural areas. Gyros from street vendors are only a few dollars.
8. Indonesia
To visit Indonesia on a budget, you will need to stay off the beaten path. Travel in the dry season from May to November, especially if you want to climb a volcano. Visit the Gili Islands, where you can fish, snorkel, or just watch the sunset. Check out Komodo National Park ($11), part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, to see the giant lizards.
Stay in a dorm for $6-10 or get a private double room for $14. Budget hotels start at about $14, as well. A private room in a house, through Airbnb, is about $10. You can get a meal at a mid-range restaurant for $6 or eat street food for even less. Local bus travel is less than $3, and taxis are affordable. A ferry between islands costs $.50 and up.
9. Spain
If Europe is where you want to go, it is possible to find inexpensive ways to make it happen. There is so much to see in Spain. Try these tips for seeing the sights on the cheap.
- Check for free hours at museums
- Enjoy the free walking tours
- Visit Spain’s national parks (all are free)
Travel in April or May, before the tourist season starts, and while the weather is not so hot. Your least expensive option for lodging in hostels that run from $15-30 a night. Or check for pensiones, Spanish guest houses. Use bus transportation around town for $1.50 a trip. Travel by bus between cities for $12-20 depending on distance or find a rideshare on BlaBlaCar.
Buy your groceries and eat out only one meal a day. The lunch meal will be less expensive. Visit the local tapas bar where you can try local food specialties. If you want to see major attractions, buy your tickets in advance for a discounted price.
10. Peru
If archeology and history are your jam, then Peru is the place to be. Machu Picchu is expensive to hike, but there are other similar experiences available. Check out Batan Grande, where you will find 50 tombs and pyramids. Sandboard on the dunes in Huacachina. Take a boat tour to Paracas National Reserve to see the penguins.
Plan to spend $10 a night for dorms or $20-40 a night for a private room. Collectivos are shared taxis that are available in most cities. When traveling between cities, you can take a bus for a reasonable price, but sometimes a flight with a small airline is as cheap as bus fare. Take a train to Machu Picchu for under $50, depending on where you begin.
Make lunch your main meal, as most of the locals do. You can get a starter, a main course, drink, and dessert for $6. Ceviche, an incredible raw fish dish soaked in citrus juices, is a must in Peru. Prices vary from place to place, $2-11.
(If you are looking to stay in the states, but still have a pretty cheap getaway, you may want to check out some Texas vacation spots. You may even try to catch a cruise line out of Galveston.)
Conclusion
Whether you are drawn by culture, adventure, history, or simply enjoy meeting new people and seeing new places, there is an affordable country that will satisfy your longings. Pick a new place, move it to the top of your bucket list, and start making plans to travel.