The cheapest countries to travel to are all outside the Western world bubble. While they may not have the same standard of living, they offer unique and exotic travel experiences. These countries rely heavily on tourism, so they make a concerted effort to attract visitors and make their stay enjoyable. Here are 8 budget-friendly destinations you can keep in mind when planning your next trip.
1. Ukraine
Ukraine is an affordable country in eastern Europe. It’s the second-largest European country in terms of landmass and has a population of over 40 million. Ukraine shares its border with 7 countries: Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland. Its geographical placement gives it excellent (and affordable) access to the rest of Europe. Ukraine has a rich cultural history that dates backs to the time of the Cossacks in the 14th century.
The majority of travelers end up in the northern city of Kyiv, the western city of Lviv, and Odessa in the south. Kyiv is Ukraine’s lively capital, filled with multiple UNESCO Heritage Sites such as St. Sophia’s Cathedral and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (an Eastern Orthodox Christian monastery). Lviv is known for the historical significance of Old Town, which contains stunning Ukrainian architecture. It’s also popular for its coffee culture and knaipas (pubs) where you can eat and drink for cheap. In the south, Odessa is a beautiful seaside town with plenty of beaches for relaxing. In the north near the Belarussian border, you’ll find Pripyat. This is the location of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which runs tours should you wish to visit.
Accommodations: Hostels and budget hotel rooms cost 150 to 500 UAH (Ukrainian hryvnia) / $5.50 to $19 USD per night.
Food: Ukraine’s national dishes are borsch (beet soup) and varenyky (dumplings) and cost only a few dollars per meal. There are lots of cafes and food options, and you can spend anywhere from 50 to 400 UAH ($1.85 to $15 USD) depending on where eat.
Transportation: Subways, buses, and trams are all options and cost as little as 8 UAH ($0.30 USD) one-way.
Average daily cost: 815 to 1350 UAH ($30 to $50 USD).
2. Bolivia
Bolivia is a South American country centrally located on the continent. With a population of 11.5 million people, it’s surrounded by Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Bolivia doesn’t have a wealth of tourist attractions compared to some destinations. However, this makes it a great candidate for those looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience.
Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world, is not to be missed. It’s a massive expanse covering almost 11,000 square kilometers and is the remnants of a dried-up prehistoric lake. The Uyuni National Park has plenty of beautiful landscapes, mountainous terrains, and volcanoes for you to explore.
12,000 feet above sea level you’ll find the world’s highest city, La Paz, situated in the Andes Mountain range. La Paz’s telefericos cable car system allows you to avoid traffic while taking in the views from above. Nearby, you’ll find Lake Titicaca, which is filled with ruins from Inca and Aymara civilizations. The city of Sucre is also a popular stop, due to its historical architecture and museums.
Accommodations: Hostel dorm beds start as low as 48 BOB (Bolivian bolivianos) / $7 USD with private rooms being double the price. Hotels are more expensive at 205 to 275 BOB ($30 to $40 USD).
Food: Salteñas (baked empanadas) is the national dish costing 5 BOB (0.75 USD). The average meal price is 37 BOB ($5.35 USD).
Transportation: Small buses (micros) are offered in cities for as low as 2 BOB per trip ($0.30 USD).
Average daily cost: 290 to 415 BOB ($40 to $60 USD).
3. Nepal
Sandwiched between China and India in the Himalayas, you’ll find Nepal. Being the birthplace of the Buddha, it’s an important destination for Hindus and Buddhists. However, the main tourist draw in Nepal is its mountainous regions, as 8 of the world’s top 10 peaks are here. Leading the way is Mount Everest, which is located in Sagarmatha National Park. A popular trekking route for adventure tourists is the Annapurna circuit, which takes anywhere from 15 to 20 days to complete. Mountain climbing in Nepal can only be done with guides, while trekking can be done on your own (although it isn’t advised).
Kathmandu is Nepal’s main city, with a population of roughly 1 million. It’s filled with temples, street markets, gardens, and monuments. Freshwater lakes are also abundant in the country, and the city of Pokhara is a popular destination for outdoor activities. White water rafting, canyoning, paragliding, and bungee jumping are all offered. If you want to tour the mountains without all the physical activity, you can purchase a flight tour.
Accommodations: Hostels in Kathmandu are very cheap at under 1200 NPR (Nepalese rupee), or $10 USD. Budget hotel rooms cost roughly 3575 NPR ($30 USD).
Food: Gundruk (Nepalese kimchi) is the national food, and Dal Bhat (lentils and rice) is another popular dish. Meals cost between 250 and 750 NPR ($2.10 and $6.30 USD).
Transportation: Buses are the main source of transportation, costing only a few dollars to get around. It’s roughly 1200 NPR ($10 USD) to take the bus to and from major towns.
Average daily cost: 3580 NPR ($30 USD).
4. Vietnam
Vietnam is a southeast Asian country with a population of 96 million. Geographically, it’s a vertical country, sharing borders with China in the north, and Laos and Cambodia along its western edge. Vietnam is known for its exotic landscapes and its war history.
The two biggest cities are Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the south and Hanoi in the north. HCMC is a mixture of old meets new, whereas Hanoi maintains traditional Vietnamese culture. Traveling through Vietnam is easy as you can take trains, buses, or planes from one end to the other.
The country has a lot of Vietnam War sites, but you’ll also find a lot of natural beauty. The karst cliffs of Ha Long Bay and the exotic Mekong Delta region attract a lot of tourists. Another gem is the ancient town of Hoi An, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
Other places worth visiting? The sleepy mountain town of Da Lat, centrally located Da Nang, the historical city of Hue, and the northern regions of Ninh Binh and Ha Giang.
Accommodations: Hostels and homestays are usually under 345,000 VND (Vietnamese dong) / $15 USD per night.
Food: Pho (Vietnamese soup) is the national dish, and you can eat a variety of rice and noodle street food for only a few dollars per meal.
Transportation: Vietnamese cities are easily walkable but you can hire drivers or Grab for relatively cheap.
Average daily cost: 690,000 VND ($30 USD).
5. India
India is the largest democratic country in the world with a staggering population of 1.37 billion people. It’s located in South Asia and is known for its history, spirituality, landscapes, exotic food, and vibrancy. It shares borders with 7 countries: Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
One of the attractions of India is that there’s so much to see and do. The most famous site is the Taj Mahal, which is located south of the sprawling metropolis of Delhi. Dehli is one of the most visited areas in India and contains multiple UNESCO sites. The northwest city of Jodhpur features a walled “blue city”, and Mehrangarh Fort, which was built in the 15th century. Head southwest to experience Mumbai, a coastal town and India’s most luxurious destination. The natural beauty of Munnar brings people to south India. Its green hills, tea plantations, and Eravikulam National Park ensure visitors won’t be bored.
Train travel is very popular in India, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is on many travelers’ must-do lists. It’s located in the very north of India, sandwiched between Nepal and Bhutan. Known as the Toy Train, it’s a steam locomotive that takes you through villages and the woodlands of the Eastern Himalayan valley.
Accommodations: Hostels start are around 375 INR (Indian rupee) / $5 USD for a bed. Hotels rooms start anywhere from 1485 to 2975 INR ($20 to $40 USD).
Food: The average meal price is around 275 INR ($3.70 USD).
Transportation: You can rent a tuk-tuk with a driver for 8 hours for roughly 500 INR ($6.75 USD). If you wish to pay by the trip, tuk-tuk’s start at 25 INR ($0.35 USD) for the first 1.5 km, and 9.50 INR (0.15) for each additional kilometer.
Average daily cost: 2230 to 3720 INR ($30 to $50 USD).
6. Romania
Another budget-friendly destination is the eastern European country of Romania. With a history that dates as far back as 600 BC, it’s filled with old-world charm. Romanians are descendants of the ancient Romans, but pockets of the population also have Slavic/Ukrainian, German/Saxxon, Hungarian, Serbian, Turkic, and Polish ancestry.
The eastern and southern peaks of Europe’s Carpathian Mountain range are found in Romania, making up 50% of the country’s geography. The capital city of Bucharest is a hub of hustle and bustle with various tourists attractions to check out. However, the Transylvania region provides visitors with the “authentic” Romania. Cities like Brasov, Timisoara, and Cluj-Napoca should be explored, as they contain castles, medieval fortresses, and dense virgin forests.
Of note, Transylvania is also the region where Vlad The Impaler (the inspiration for Dracula) ruled in the 1400s. Bran Castle is billed as Dracula’s castle, but in reality, Vlad was only ever imprisoned there.
Accommodations: Hostels are affordable at 50 RON (Romanian Leu) / $12 USD. Budget hotel rooms will set you back 125 RON ($30 USD).
Food: Sarmale (cabbage rolls) is the national dish, with hearty soups and potato dishes being very popular. An average meal costs 25 to 50 RON ($6 to $12 USD).
Transportation: The Metro costs 5 RON ($1.20 USD), while trams and buses are even cheaper.
Average daily cost: 165 to 250 RON ($40 to $60 USD).
7. Morocco
At the northern tip of Africa in the Mediterranean is where you’ll find Morocco. Known for its scorching desert heat, it actually has 4 seasons. The winter months bring cooler temperatures and the mountainous regions even see snow. But for the most part, it’s a sunny destination with an exotic culture pulling from European, Berber, and Arabian influences.
Casablanca has over 3 million people and is Morocco’s largest city. It’s the commercial hub of the country and has a decidedly modern feel to it when compared to cities like Tangier, Marrakesh, and Fez. Marrakesh is dubbed the “red city” for its clay buildings and ramparts. It’s also a popular tourist destination with markets and maze-like alleyways.
Tangier is home to the spectacular Dar el Makhzen, which was once a sultan’s palace. It’s now a museum combining unique architecture with historical displays. Fez is Morocco’s oldest city and the main attraction is the Fez el Bali medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Desert tours in the Sahara are also a must when visiting, and you can also trek the Atlas Mountains.
Accommodations: The average price for hostels is 135 MAD (Moroccan dirham) / $15 USD.
Food: Tagine (stew cooked in a clay pot) is the most common dish in Morocco, and meals can be anywhere from 30 to 100 MAD ($3.35 to 11.15 USD).
Transportation: Buses and taxis are the main means of city transportation with trips costing an average of 20 MAD ($2.25 USD). Buses or trains connect major cities, with trains costing around 135 MAD ($15 USD) per trip.
Average daily cost: 448 to 537 MAD ($50 to $60 USD).
8. Indonesia
With over 18,000 islands, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. It’s the fourth most populous country with roughly 240 million people residing on 6,000 islands. Indonesia has two seasons – dry, and wet. Most everywhere you go the temperature is warm, although the mountainous regions are quite cool in comparison.
The island of Java is where the majority of Indonesians live, with Jakarta being its economic capital city. It’s second only to Tokyo in terms of the most populous areas in the world. Many tourists flock to Indonesia for its natural beauty, which is abundant throughout. The islands have unspoiled lands, with beaches, volcanoes, and underwater utopias. Mount Bromo on Java is a popular site, as is Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok. Komodo dragons are the attraction at Komodo National Park, and the Gili Islands provide a luxurious escape from the everyday world.
There’s also the tourist island of Bali, where you’ll find all-night parties in Kuta, world-class surf in Uluwatu, volcanoes in Kintamani, and spirituality in Ubud.
Accommodations: The average price for hostels is 145,000 IDR (Indonesian rupiah) / $10 USD. Hotels start at 360,000 IDR ($25 USD).
Food: Nasi goreng (fried rice) is the national dish and costs 30,000 IDR ($2.05 USD). Meals at cafes and western restaurants range from 45,000 to 175,000 IDR ($3 USD to $12 USD).
Transportation: Taxis, Grab, and GoJek are all available to get around the island. Prices depend on the trip length but the average cost is 30,000 IDR (2 USD) one way. You can also hire a driver for the day that will set you back around 500,000 IDR ($35 USD).
Average daily cost: 435,000 to 725,000 IDR ($30 to $50 USD).
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