Want to see the world but not sure your bank balance could take the financial hit?
There are some beautiful destinations that don’t have to break the bank!
It is possible to travel on a budget you just have to choose the right spot.
From the cheapest eats to transportation that only costs pennies these are the top 10 cheapest countries to visit for 2024:
Sri Lanka
Incredible wildlife, beautiful beaches, and bustling cities. Sri Lanka has it all. And it offers all of these things at incredibly affordable prices.
You’re main expense if you choose to travel to Sri Lanka is the airfare. But when you’re on the ground, you won’t need to budget for more than $30 a day as long as you stay in a cheap beach cabana and eat in local cafes.
Allow a little extra in your budget to visit the best and most fascinating sites in Sri Lanka. These operate a two-tier entry system so while locals will pay around 25 cents to access the national parks, reserves, and government-run archeological sites foreign visitors will pay between £10-£25.
Many travelers visit Sri Lanka specifically to see the elephants. And this is a great budget activity well worth adding to your bucket list. Entrance to the Pinnawala elephant orphanage as a foreign visitor will cost around $10 (3500 Sri Lankan rupee).
Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in the world to travel to, even by Southeast Asian standards.
The US Dollar, Euro, and British Pound all have strong purchasing power against the Vietnamese Dong.
Getting around is cheap, and you can fly between Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi for around $25 or take the bus using your pocket change. Expect to pay $0.20-$2 to travel within cities and $5-30 to travel between cities.
Average hostel prices range between $5-15 in Vietnam and the hostels are much nicer and more luxurious than in other countries in the region.
Not a fan of hostels? Even 5-star hotels in the country can cost as little as $30 a night if you travel during low season. You can have a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget in Vietnam!
Colombia
Colombia is an amazing country to visit on a budget, and its proximity to the U.S. means even getting to Colombia can be affordable if you shop around for your airfare options.
Once you’re there, your wallet will thank you.
You can grab lunch in Colombia for less than the cost of a Big Mac. A three-course authentic Colombian meal in a local eatery will cost between 15,000 and 25,000 COP(£3.82- £6.36).
And so many of the best activities in the country are free.
Walk around Old Town Cartagena, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, or relax on the beach at Tayrona National Park, and you won’t have to spend a penny.
Argentina
An unstable economy means that now is a great time for budget travelers to visit Argentina.
You can spend as little as US $20-25 per day if you’re happy to stay in a hostel and eat cheaply in local restaurants. Stay in the capital of Buenos Aires to get the best prices.
Getting around is easy and affordable too thanks to Argentina’s large and budget-friendly public transit network.
There are many free attractions to enjoy in Buenos Aires. These include the Usina del Arte cultural center, or exploring the architecture of the Cementerio de la Recoleta.
Turkey
Turkey’s unique geographical location means that it straddles East and West and it sits in both Southeast Europe and Western Asia. This is reflected in the food and the culture of the country.
Turkey isn’t as cheap as it once was but it is still an incredibly affordable vacation destination particularly when compared to other European countries.
It is still easy to visit Turkey on a tight budget. In Istanbul you should expect to spend an average of $144 for a week in a hostel dorm room.
Eating here is also affordable for budget travelers. Food prices are satisfyingly low especially the delicious traditional street food. Indulge in a Turkish kebab for around 10 Turkish Lira ($1.30).
Indonesia
Indonesia has been voted one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia to travel, and the further you get out of Bali, the more affordable this already-cheap destination will be.
Grabbing cheap eats is easy here and you can expect to pay between 50 cents and $4 for a filling street food lunch.
You’ll spend between $2.50-$20 for a dorm hostel bed and if you prefer a private room then increase your budget to between $4-$40+ per night.
Getting out and about won’t break the bank and there’s plenty to see and do without opening your wallet at all. The most popular activities of relaxing on the white sand beaches or hiking through the incredible landscapes here are completely free of charge.
Thailand
Perhaps one of the most famous destinations for travelers on a budget is Thailand.
A room in a basic guesthouse will cost between $15-30 per night. If you’re on a really tight budget and are happy to stay in a dorm room in a hostel and eat street food with the locals, then it’s easy to travel in Thailand for as little as $20 per night.
Some of the best free things to do in Bangkok include exploring Lumpini Park, taking free meditation classes at Wat Mahathat, or wandering through the flower market in the Old Town.
Nepal
Nepal is an off-path destination with affordable prices. This is particularly true if you visit during the shoulder season of March-April, which offers great weather for trekking at the lowest available prices.
Nepal is a beautiful and culturally rich country that’s easy to explore on a budget, provided you avoid the pricey tours that are often touted to tourists here.
Expect to spend between $25-30 per day for a budget trip in the country. This will involve eating street food, staying in a hostel, and traveling via public transportation.
Guatemala
Guatemala is an incredibly affordable destination for budget travelers. The average cost of a dorm hostel for a whole week in Guatemala is just $84.
Combine this with eating out at the country’s best street food stalls instead of fine dining in the top restaurants, and your stay in Guatemala will be surprisingly cheap.
You can entertain yourself without breaking the bank too. Entry to the 17th century Casa Mima is free, and the famous Cervecería Centroamericana brewery also offers free tours.
The average traveler spends $48 a day when they’re in Guatemala, but you can cut this in half if you’re savvy.
Bulgaria
Many budget travelers avoid Europe like the plague, but it is possible to visit this rich and culturally fascinating destination incredibly cheaply.
Bulgaria is the cheapest country to visit in Europe. You can buy a glass of beer or wine for just $1.50 for example so staying lubricated won’t break the bank.
Perhaps the cheapest aspect of traveling in Bulgaria is the transportation. With a bus ride across Sofia costing just 90 cents (1.60lv) you can explore the whole country for less than you would usually spend on a tank of gas.
And for culture vultures, visiting many of the country’s best attractions won’t have to cost you a penny. The city of Sofia offers free 2-hour walking tours to tourists, which are a great way to get to know the place better.
Entry to the beautiful domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the National Park of Culture are also free.
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