Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. When thinking of the world’s cheapest countries to travel to, destinations in Southeast Asia probably immediately come to mind first. While that’s a great place to start, I wanted to go a step further and create a definitive list of the cheapest countries to travel beyond the usual spots.
To get the very best and most complete list possible, I asked travel bloggers to help me come up with some of the cheapest countries to visit in the world.
The answers I got span five continents and a multitude of regions, topographies, and cultures. And as commenters have noted — I still have yet to scratch the surface of some other amazingly affordable countries. So before you go saying you can’t afford to travel, take a look through this post and have another think.
It’s funny; even though I considered myself a master of budget travel, I learned a lot while compiling this list. Some countries I thought were expensive – like Russia and Chile – ended up surprising me with their affordability and sneaking onto this list of cheapest countries to travel to.
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Cheapest Countries to Travel in Asia
- Thailand
By Getting Stamped :Travel in Thailand can be super cheap or you can even get a 5 star hotels for under $100. If you prefer to spend less and travel longer, then Thailand is definitely one of the cheapest countries to visit. If you are looking to go to the beaches you’ll realize fast accommodation can be pricey.
- Myanmar (Burma)
By Borders of Adventure : Myanmar still falls under Southeast Asia travel budgets, but just tips the daily average price slightly while it still adjusts to a tourism level on par with its neighbors. But not by much – and by that I mean $5-$10 more per day, depending on if you are sharing a room and what activities you choose.
- Laos
By Surfing the Planet : It is definitely not one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. This is the only country in the region without beaches, and hence tourists prefer to visit the neighboring countries. Nevertheless, partly due to the lack of tourist hordes, Laos is a very authentic destination with beautiful landscape, inspiring culture and very friendly people. In the North of Laos you can explore the dense rainforest and visit several communities with different ethnic groups. In Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos, you can admire the mixture of French colonial architecture and ancient Buddhist temples. Vientiane is surely the calmest capital of the region, where you can visit the national monument of the country.
- Vietnam
By NOMADasaurus : Besides being one of the most beautiful, captivating, and cultural countries in all of Southeast Asia, Vietnam is also one of the cheapest! Even without checking your budget every day it’s easy to live on less than $30 a day! It is completely normal to find private, ensuite rooms in modern hotels for around $10 a night, even in the major destinations of Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An and Hanoi.
- China
By the Crowded Planet : To be honest, I thought China was going to be much more expensive than it actually was. We travelled around the country for one month in 2014 and our budget was an average of $30 per day.
- Malaysia
By Tiki Touring Kiwi : Peninsula Malaysia is often overlooked as a destination for long term backpackers in Southeast Asia. Malaysia may not quite be as cheap as ‘the big four’, but still definitely possible to travel well under $30/day.
The food, wow! Malaysia is known for its food scene with a heavy influence of Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures ensuring you can try new dishes for weeks. Street food can be found for $1 – 2, and meals at local restaurants will go for $1 – 4. Each city has its own specialties to enjoy.
- India
By Wee Gypsy Girl : Due to the vast size of the subcontinent, you could spend months there and still feel like you’ve not scratched the surface. Plus, you’ll probably find you’ve not skimmed much off your bank balance, either.
To experience the laidback, tropical vibes of India, head South to Kerala. Here you can hike for miles through tea fields, cruise the iconic backwaters and spot wildlife at one of the many vast, unspoiled national parks.
As a backpacker, you can live comfortably on a budget of between 1,000 INR and 1,500 INR ($15 to $22). Double rooms can be found in local guesthouses for as little as 300 INR ($4).
- Cambodia
By My Adventures Across the World : Siem Reap, despite being the ultimate tourist destination in the country due to its proximity to the complex of Angkor Wat, is very budget friendly.
A boutique hotel is as cheap as $15 USD per night, and a meal in an exclusive restaurant costs no more than $10.
But it is Battambang, which is a bit less explored, that is truly budget friendly. During my time there, I paid $3 for a bed in a 6 beds mixed dorm – and I even had air conditioning in the room. I added around $2 for breakfast, and $4 for a full meal.
- Taiwan
By Taiwan’s Waterfalls : Taiwan might get confused with a popular Southeast Asian country by many, but it is more similar to Japan in many ways. Taiwan is one of the world’s most densely populated countries, but its high mountains and lush valleys are practically unknown to many that haven’t visited.
Southeast Asia is easier to travel on a $30/day budget, but here are three ways to explore Taiwan’s lush valleys and incredible mountains relatively inexpensively. The easiest option is to use mass transit from the major cities to access incredibly lush places that unbelievably exist near the big city.
You’ll pay on average $10 USD per night for a nice hostel and $15-20 per night for the more stylish hostels. A meal will cost from $2-5, and transit will run you about $2-5 per day for MRT/bus fares. Luckily, most hikes and national parks are free.
Here are some ideas for great day trips: Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail and Shifen Waterfall (stay in Taipei or Ruifeng/Jiufen), Cising Mountain in Yangmingshan National Park (stay in Taipei), Guguan’s Seven Heroes and Hudie Waterfall (stay in Taichung), Taroko Gorge National Park (stay in Hualien), Wufengci and Yuemeikang Waterfalls (stay in Yilan or Taipei), Yunsen Waterfall (stay in Taipei).
- Philippines
By The Crowded Planet : The Philippines are a perfect place to treat yourself – we paid less than $30 for a stunning beachside bungalow on Siquijor Island! Even adventure activities are quite affordable – a dive can be as cheap as $25! To make matters even better, the stunning nature, beaches and sunsets of the Philippines are free for everyone to enjoy.
- Pakistan
By Lost with Purpose : Beyond being a cheap travel destination, Pakistan has something for everyone.
Whether you want to camp in the presence of the tallest mountains in the world, have entire Mughal-era wonders to yourself, or drown yourself in spicy delectables day in and day out for less than $3 per day, Pakistan is sure to be worth your while.
- Armenia
By Wild Junket : In comparison to its Caucasian neighbors, Armenia is truly unique in its culture and history. The country has its own alphabets and language family, own ethnicity, and cultural identity.
At times it feels like Asia and at times it’s very much European. The charming blend of East and West is very evident in this intriguing country. What’s more, it’s cheap and safe to travel, and easily accessible from most parts of Europe.
- Oman
By Dan Flying Solo : It is packed full of incredible nature. You can wake up in the morning on a beach, watching turtles laying their eggs, and by sunrise be walking through a desert surrounded by camels.
Hospitality is a big deal here, so expect to be invited, fed, and spoilt by any locals you make a connection with. Whilst most people think Oman is not doable on a budget, and with traditional accommodation and tours it wouldn’t be, there are a few ways to keep your costs low.
Wild camping is possible in most of the country, whether you are in the desert, on a beach, or high upon a mountain range – grab your tent and sleeping bag and you get nature’s best bedrooms for free.
- Bangladesh
By Teacake Travels : There are so many reasons to come here but the most famous are that Bangladesh has the largest mangrove forest in the world and the longest beach in the world. Cool huh? To whet your appetite, literally, Bangladesh has some of the most amazing food I’ve ever tasted. Their curries are just so goddamn delectable and varied, starting from just $1 USD in a local restaurant.
- Russia
By Travels of A Bookpacker : The Moscow metro is a tourist attraction in itself as the stations look more like museums and a ride will cost you just 50 cents for as long as you like.
There are also great free walking tours in both cities which will allow you to orientate yourself and see some of the major sights. We loved the Space Museum in Moscow and then wandering around the parks surrounding it which are filled with impressive statues and buildings.
Food in Russia varies and, despite the large scale of just about everything else in this country, portions can be small.
We applied the rules of budget travel (eat away from main attractions, check the prices before going in, ask locals for recommendations) and ate decent food for around $3-5 USD per meal.
Russia’s main cities are incredibly beautiful and impressive and can easily be enjoyed for under $30 USD a day.
Cheapest Countries to Travel in the Americas
- Mexico
By Castaway with Crystal : Mexico is the ultimate destination for traveling cheap! And it has everything! Mountains, waterfalls, beaches, surfing, diving, deserts.
If you’ve never been to a cenote – that’s something you definitely need to try out. Even in the most expensive tourist areas you can get street food for cheap as chips and hostels for a steal.
If you want it to be cheap, easy, if you want to do something luxurious, well that’s easy too!
The average street food stall will cost you around $2 USD for a decent bit of food.
As for getting around you have a couple of options… You can take taxi collectivos (shared taxis) between cities for really cheap (Playa del Carmen to Tulum, 2 hours is $4 USD) or catch buses.
- Nicaragua
By Road Affair : There is way too much fun to be had when backpacking Nicaragua, and the best part is it won’t empty out your wallet, as Nicaragua is one of the cheapest countries to travel to in the Americas.
That is, if you do it right, of course. Doing it right would be on a budget of $25-30 USD a day with activities included.
Nicaragua has so many cool things to do, like boarding down a volcano, riding a motorbike on Isla Ometepe, diving on the Corn Islands, partying until you drop in San Juan del Sur, or catching a sweet wave at Maderas Beach.
Whatever tickles your fancy, I am sure you will find something cool to do there.
- Guatemala
By Road Affair : The country’s vibrant and colorful culture and rich history draws thousands of backpackers each year.
After all, you can climb active volcanoes, walk the cobblestone streets of the UNESCO World Heritage city (Antigua), enjoy a boat ride on one of the world’s most beautiful lakes (Lake Atitlan), take a Spanish speaking course, or visit the most breathtaking Mayan ruins (Tikal) in the world on a budget of just $20 USD a day.
The amount of cheap things you can do in Guatemala is endless. On $20 USD a day, a budget backpacker can drink a few beers, sleep in a decent budget hotel, eat out twice a day, take local transport to and from their hotel and still have some change left over in their pocket
- Panama
By My Adventures Across the World : From the Caribbean beaches with fine white sand and clear waters to the Pacific ones with waves galore; from the hiking trails of the Boquete region to the jazz festival and the beautiful sights of Panama City, there is something for just about anybody.
Panama isn’t the cheapest country to visit in Central America, and the fact that the US dollar is the official currency may have something to do with it.
But it can be done on a backpacker’s budget, even in the most touristy places such as Bocas del Toro. Here, a bed in a dorm costs around $10 USD, and a meal in a local eatery between $3 and $5 USD.
- Peru
By Inspired by Maps : Peru in Quechuan (the language of the Incas) means abundance and that’s what you will find on a trip here.
Abundant nature, culture, food, and warm weather. There are gorgeous coastlines, vast deserts, picturesque mountains, the AMAZON – really, they have everything!
One of the cradles of civilization – this exotic destination is just being re-discovered by tourism and the prices everywhere outside of Machu Picchu reflect this!
- Chile
By Chronic Wanderlust : Dorms in hostels are found for $10 USD per night. Of course it’s cheaper to buy food in a supermarket and cook it in the hostel, but there are also cheap and tasty empanadas (but there are awful ones too, so be prepared!) for little money.
If you use long distance buses and take night buses you can save a night at a hostel. The bus from San Pedro de Atacama to La Serena took about 15 hours and cost me $22 USD.
- Bolivia
By Journey Wonders : Out of all the South American countries I have visited, Bolivia is definitely one of the cheapest countries to visit when it comes to value travel.
Usually, when you hear the word cheap you imagine something of low quality but trust me, hotels and hostels in Bolivia are so comfy that you won’t believe that a night in a private room can cost less than $10 USD sometimes.
- Ecuador
By Travel Outlandish : While many people skip out on Ecuador for lack of a Galapagos budget, those who take the time to explore the mainland are in for a time.
With a jungle full of wildlife, a coastline blessed with perfect waves, modern cities, and culturally rich mountain towns, it seems there’s something perfect for any type of traveler.
So what makes Ecuador one of the cheapest countries to travel to in South America? A backpacker can get by on just $20/day without cutting too many corners!
- Colombia
Colombia is full of beauty, from the lush countryside full of coffee plantations to the Caribbean coastline. Cartagena in particular is especially beautiful with its colonial charm. Hostels are cheap as can be in Colombia, typically about $10 for a dorm, and around $20 for a private room. It isn’t the cheapest country to travel in the world, but you get a lot for your money, making it excellent value.
Meals are similarly affordable, with delicious soups like ajiaco, the national dish, only costing around $4 or so for a delicious and fulfilling meal. Bogotá is a fun and young city, with cheap nightlife and plentiful street art. It’s definitely worth a visit, and easily done at $25 to $30 per day!
Cheapest Countries to Visit in Africa
- Ethiopia
By Travelgal Nicole : Ethiopia has something for everyone. It’s a diverse country with something for everyone such as culture, history, food and wildlife.
One of my favorite cities in Ethiopia is Gondar in the north near the Simien Mountains. It is often called the Camelot of Africa for what it used to be – the home of the Emperor and the Royal Enclosure and Castles. Entrance to the Enclosure is 100 birr ($4.50).
While generally Africa is not home to the cheapest countries to travel to, Ethiopia is a pleasant exception. Traveling through Ethiopia is fairly cheap with accommodation in a two star hotel for around $10/night for two people.
- Morocco
by Nomad Revelations : Halfway between Europe and Africa, Morocco is one of the most exotic destinations around the world.
A tangle of Berber, Arab, African, and European influences give this country a certain “je ne sais quoi” that makes people want to visit.
Apart from a great and vast history, Morocco offers unspoiled coastline with fabulous beaches, endless cedar wood forests, stunning waterfalls, desert landscapes with dunes as far as the eye can see, and high snowy mountain peaks above 13,000 feet.
What I love most about Morocco is the optimism, generosity, and friendliness of its population. Lively markets, everlasting blue skies, and a wide variety of fresh fruits and veggies also get my attention.
- Egypt
By Bookpacker : Despite recent civil unrest, Egypt remains an amazing travel destination and is very easy for budget travel even in major cities.
Hostels in Cairo start at around $4 USD in a dorm room and are even cheaper in the rest of the country. The easiest and most efficient way to get around is using Uber as it is cheaper than taxis and there are no language issues as you input your pick up and drop off locations.
There is no shortage of amazing activities to do in Egypt and almost all of them cost $5-10, including the Pyramids of Giza!
In Luxor there are a number of affordable tours which include the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Temple of Karnak. Every price is negotiable which makes it easier to find a bargain, especially with the low numbers of tourists in Egypt at the moment.
- South Africa
By Luxury Backpacking : We LOVE South Africa — without a doubt, it’s in our top 3 favorite countries, just because it never fails to impress us no matter how many times we visit.
It’s full of so much diversity: you can go on safari, go wine tasting, or even ski in winter!
There are SO many unique and amazing activities you can partake in, cage diving, sky diving, canyon swinging, or for the more tame witnessing the third largest canyon in the world, which is absolutely breathtaking!
Because it is still a developing country, South Africa is still super cheap!
You can hire a car for under $20 USD a day including insurance, and stay in a rest camp in Kruger for around $10 USD a day. You can have a BBQ on site from the local shops to save a ton of money, and take in the local surroundings.
Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe
- Estonia
By My Trip Hack : Estonia – the best value destination for 2016 according to Lonely Planet. I have to admit, this country has exceeded my expectations by the quality of experience it offers.
In addition to fascinating scenic nature, the mix of architecture, and nice people, I love Estonia for its connectivity.
As Wi-Fi access plays an important role in choosing a destination nowadays, in e-Estonia you will find free Wi-Fi almost everywhere: from intercity buses to the streets of the cities.
Here’s a breakdown of expected travel costs. A hostel costs about 9-13€. The common price is 10€ even during the peak season.
- Lithuania
By Gamin Traveler : Lithuania is a special destination to visit when in the Baltic countries. There are various plans to do in Lithuania.
Visiting Vilnius the capital is a nice first contact with the country. There are amazing beaches with white sand and warm water like Klaipeda, and my favorite place to visit is Trakai. It’s a quiet town with a castle inside an island, which is very nice and picturesque.
Lithuania can be visited on a budget for around $15-25 USD per day.
You can sleep in a hostel for $6-8 and you can get transportation for even less than a dollar. You can get a local meal for $3-4.
- Latvia
By Skye Travels : If you’re a budget traveler headed to Europe, you might want to consider heading to the Baltic States.
Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are usually overlooked as holiday destinations. However, they happen to be some of the most beautiful locations in Europe.
A particularly key city to visit is Riga, Latvia. With a perfect climate, beautiful Old Town and plenty of culture, you’ll never want to leave.
Making your dollar (or $30) last is a piece of cake. There are dozens of hostels, all charging from $5-10 USD a night. Tourist restaurants will charge $10 for a plate, but the local shops and street food are more like $3 a meal.
- Macedonia
By Travel Addicts : One of the most affordable places we’ve ever been is Macedonia.
Most of the Balkans are cheap by European standards, but Macedonia is particularly cheap.
It is easily possible to travel in Macedonia on less than $25 or $30 USD per day.
In both Skopje (the capital) and the Lake Ohrid region, hostels range from $8-14 on a shared basis. You can find budget hotels for $20 per night with private bathrooms.
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
By Wild World : Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, did blow my mind! I was not so sure how cheap or expensive the city would be as I did not previously research what to expect and boy, was I surprised.
A basic hostel will cost you between 9-15€ per night, depending on the location and the quality of the hostel, of course. However, I must say that the one I stayed at ran at a pretty good price of 10€ a night, and it was a good hostel!
- Albania
By Jones Around the World : Whether you’re looking for gorgeous lakes, massive mountains, or pristine beaches — Albania has got you covered.
The most important aspect about traveling Albania, is renting a car and exploring it on your own!
You can rent a car for pretty cheap, especially if you travel during the shoulder seasons. While I did enjoy the entire country, I’d say you definitely can not miss Sarande and the Albanian Riviera.
The average costs of hotels is only $20-$30 USD per night, and you can get a nice meal for less than $10! If you’re a backpacker, there are plenty of budget hostels to meet fellow travelers for only $8-$15 USD per night!
- Ukraine
By Kami & The Rest of the World : The local currency – hryvnia – is worth three times less than in 2013! During my latest visit there for the first time ever I felt bad for paying so little for just about everything.
A double room in the oldest hotel in Lviv (with hearty breakfast included) was just $20 USD/night, while the spacious apartment in the center of Kiev, enough for up to 4 people, was $30/night!
Eating out is very cheap, you can get a decent meal for as little as $5 and even if you choose upscale restaurants it still will be a price you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
Cities in Western Ukraine have an amazing cafe culture, you can spend the whole day cafe hopping and your bill will be maybe $10 at the end of the day!
- Portugal
By Breathe with Us : Portugal is one of the hottest travel destinations of the moment.
For a relatively small country, it has a vast and rich history of almost 900 years, interesting culture, countless beaches, and food to die for.
Plus, on top of all this, it’s one of the best value countries in Europe for travelers.
The hotspots are Lisbon, Porto, and the South coast, but if you’re looking for more there are plenty of places worth checking out such as Évora, Coimbra, Aveiro, Guimarães, Braga or the archipelagos of Madeira and the Açores. And this just to name a few.
Portugal is a perfect destination and one of the best places to backpack. Food is of excellent quality, diverse, and not very expensive, with a pretty decent meal costing between 5 and 10€.
Groceries are also budget-friendly. Lodging starts at 10/15€ for a hostel bed and 35/50€ for a basic yet decent hotel, depending on the location.
- Spain
By The Travelling Tom : Spain is famous as the land of sun and sangria, but it’s actually much more diverse than that.
You can find rugged mountains and deserts in the South; it’s a big country, with great contrasts. Contrary to belief, Spain can be one of the cheapest places in Europe, especially in off-season!
A bed in a hostel can be as cheap as 8 euros, while a 2 course lunch, can cost as little as 7.90 in places such as Valencia!
If you’re savvy, you can travel around Spain quite comfortably on a budget!
- Kosovo
By Every Steph – Green & Glamorous Travel : From chasing waterfalls to visiting mosques and sipping the best espresso outside of Italy, there’s so much to do in this tiny country.
Don’t forget to include Prizren in your Balkans itinerary. This little gem of a city is filled with UNESCO-listed monuments and mosques, friendly locals, and a young vibe.
Try and visit the city during the month of August, when Prizren hosts the DokuFest which brings thousands of people to the city.
If you are on a tight budget, you will soon find out that you can spend less than $25 a day in Kosovo.
Eating out will set you back $3-5, and a night in a hostel dorm will cost you about $10-12.
- Greece
By LookNWalk Greece : The capital, Athens, is an excellent place to explore during the low season, specifically between November and March.
The tourists are almost non-existent and thus the prices for everything are affordable.
The wealth of historical sites will keep you busy for a good while (days!). Make sure not to miss exploring the Acropolis. There’s a combined ticket (costing 30 EUR or $31.40 USD) which allows you to visit six archeological sites.
Book your hotel in advance you will pay about 20 EUR / $21 per night in a double, in a hotel located close to the heart of Athens (Plaka and Acropolis). If you don’t mind dorms, then you can find beds starting at 8 EUR.
- Serbia
I stayed at the awesome Sun Hostel within walking distance of downtown, where I treated myself to a private room for around $18 a night in peak season. Hostels in Belgrade will run you about $7 or 8. Meals are incredibly cheap, at about $1-3 for “Serbian fast food” which includes tasty options like pljeskavica, which is essentially a Balkan burger.
I even went crazy and got a fancy sushi dinner after having serious Asian food withdrawal syndrome (it’s a real thing, guys) – for two delicious, fresh rolls and a beer I paid about $11! Bus transit is about 50 cents a ride within the city, and buses between cities are usually $10-15.
Ps: No matter what your budget, it’s crucial that you travel with travel insurance.
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