Travelling is the ultimate way to level up your personal growth and appreciation of this pale blue dot. The longer your travel, the more rewards you reap.
I’ve been travelling the world broke for over ten years now. I normally travel on a budget of around $10 – $15 a day, no matter what part of the world I find myself in. So yes, budget travel is possible ANYWHERE!
But travelling cheap becomes a lot more fun when you pick a destination that allows you to spread your money further. Instead of slumming it every single night and dumpster diving for breakfast, you can afford the occasional hostel room and beer! Picking the right place to travel helps you in your quest to save money while travelling.
Most people know that India is a cheap place to travel, but most of the world’s best cheap places to travel to are well off the beaten path. Seek and ye shall find!
I have compiled for you the 10 cheapest places in the world to travel to. Get inspired to get off the beaten path and have a whirlwind of an adventure!
Before You Travel to the Cheapest Places in the World…
A little forethought goes a long way! No destination is ever impossible to travel to on a budget – but some places are definitely cheaper than others.
If you know why you want to be travelling, it will make it far and away easier to choose a place to go to. If you’ve got a pocket full of spare change and a hitchhiking thumb, then you will want to stick to the absolute dirt cheapest places in the world. If you are on a backpacking trip that is more time-sensitive, sticking to a budget might become less important than your schedule.
Photo: Will Hatton
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Do you like trekking in the mountains? Is the beach your thing? Do you want a life-changing cultural experience? Do you just want to find the country with the cheapest beer?
Whatever it is you want to experience, there is a fantastic budget destination waiting for you to come and explore it! You can stretch your spare change a long way in much of the world, so let’s get into the best places to do just that.
Want to save money on accommodation?
We got you. For reals.
The Cheapest Places to Travel in 2024
For adventurous backpackers who want to explore the world without breaking the bank, here are 10 cheap travel destinations to add to your bucketlist…
1. Iran
One of the most overlooked budget destinations is Iran. Backpacking Iran is a truly incredible experience! Iran is probably the easiest country worldwide to hitch a ride.
Plus, the Couchsurfing scene is alive and well here so you rarely even have to pay for a place to sleep. And you make epic friends along the way!
With gorgeous Islamic architecture, legendary hospitality, beautiful women, and the stunning island of Hormuz, this is a country that will take your breath away at every turn!
Photo: Will Hatton
Iran is an often misunderstood country and frequently slated in the media; something which continues to anger me. I’ve spent nearly six months in Iran, visiting four times across 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Iran is one of the cheapest countries to visit in the world and is a broke backpacker haven…
I’ve camped out all over Iran, Couchsurfed with dozens of hosts, hitchhiked thousands of kilometres – the legendary Iranian hospitality means it’s totally possible to travel on a tight budget.
Plus, Iran is actually a very safe country, and is a cheap place to travel in as well!
2. Sri Lanka
Somehow, backpacking Sri Lanka has slipped off the radar for many budget travellers. With the ever-increasing popularity of India and Southeast Asia on either side, I expected Sri Lanka to be a little more crowded!
What I found there is a country full of landscapes just begging to be explored by foot or train, especially in the Sri Lanka National Parks. There’s also a smaller community of vibing backpackers spending their holiday hiking mountains or chilling on beautiful beaches. Sri Lanka makes for a truly great cheap place to travel to in Asia AND one of the best places to travel alone!
Okay, so maybe the backpacking route is fairly well-trodden here, but that makes it easy to get to different sections of the island – from where you can set out on your own to find a lesser-known beach or a wild section of jungle. You’ll most likely be starting in the capital city Colombo, which is definitely worth a day of exploring.
Photo: @furysuri
Some of the best hostels in Sri Lanka cost around $7, and you can expect even less for the cheaper sort. Cheap food is everywhere–especially if you seek out local eats. Cheap flights can be scored from India or elsewhere in the general SEA region.
I mentioned those train rides, right? If you can save enough on everything else, splurge on a train ride. They’re insanely beautiful! Greenery seems to engulf you from all sides and you feel like you’re flying for a split second.
Psssst…. Searching for your Tribe?
Tribal Hostel – Bali’s first purpose-built co-working hostel and perhaps the greatest hostel in the world!
An ideal hub for Digital Nomads and backpackers, this very special hostel is now finally open…
Come on down and enjoy amazing coffee, high-speed wifi and a game of pool 😉
3. Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a GREAT cheap place to travel in Central America! It is a wonderland of volcanic peaks, crazy parties, jungle treks, and Mayan sites.
I spent nearly three months backpacking Nicaragua and it is HANDS DOWN my favourite place to travel on a budget in Central America.
You can score a room for under $10 a night and expect to eat street food for less than a dollar. Alcohol is cheap and the beaches are free! If you’re a first-time budget backpacker, Nicaragua is a solid choice.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
Compared with other countries in Central America, Nicaragua is certainly one of the cheapest countries to travel to. A hostel bed in Costa Rica may well cost you double what it does in Nicaragua! But beyond being a cheap place to travel to, Nicaragua is simply an EPIC experience.
Nicaragua is safe, easy to get around, and has something for everyone. I made some dear friends for life here, while going volcano boarding, learning to surf, and eating the best damn tacos!
4. Cambodia
A popular stop on the backpacker trail, Cambodia is a deservingly popular cheap place to travel to! You can score beers for 25 cents and dorm rooms in hostels for just a couple of dollars.
Many backpackers in South East Asia save Cambodia for the last part of their trip as this is the place you can make your money stretch the furthest! It is safe, easy, and fun.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
At a fraction of the price of neighbouring Thailand, and with plenty of gorgeous beaches, steamy jungles, and the amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat, Cambodia is another solid choice for a first-time budget traveller. One minute you find yourself deep within the ruins that inspired tomb raider and the next you are tripping balls on a jungle island!
You can always purify the mind and soul with some yoga here too. And did I mention the street food is delicious? Asia is full of cheap destinations, but backpacking Cambodia takes the cake (or noodles)!
5. Pakistan
What is the first place that comes to mind when you are planning your round the world trip on a budget? Whatever country it was, it probably wasn’t Pakistan… But think again!
Backpacking across Pakistan is a simply awesome experience! Not only is it an epic adventure, but it’s cheap and there are lots of free attractions.
The mountains in Pakistan are the best in the world and the hospitality you will experience here is truly very special. I couchsurfed my way across Pakistan with no problems. The amazing food, the surreal natural beauty, the chaotic traffic, the chai – it all leaves a very special mark on your heart!
Photo: @intentionaldetours
I have spent many months on many trips to this incredible country. I can say that Pakistan feels like a second home to me. I believe in its potential as a cheap place to travel to, but I also believe in it as one of the premier destinations, period.
Whilst transportation costs can add up, it’s possible to hitchhike and you can expect numerous offers of a place to crash. Food will rarely set you back more than a couple of dollars and you can camp for free in the Karakoram mountains. You can even make your way overland to Central Asia via the Khunjerab Border with China when it’s open.
Pakistan is a wonderland of:
- Stunning treks
- Friendly people
- Underground parties
- Ancient traditions
- Rich history
484 pages with cities, towns, parks,
and ALL the out-of-the-way places you will WANT to know.
If you truly want to discover Pakistan, download this PDF.
6. Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe has become the go-to destination for budget travellers wanting an adventure. There’s vodka, epic raves, grand architecture, and very attractive locals! 😉
And the BEST part? You’ll notice as soon as you leave the Euro currency countries behind, things are suddenly much more affordable. Eastern Europe is an epic and underrated budget place to travel thanks to its reasonable prices.
Backpacking Eastern Europe is one hell of a good time for any adventurer. Beer is often the same price (or less) as bottled water. You can score a bed and breakfast for $10, and a long-distance bus ride for less than that. It’s also extremely easy to hitchhike.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Most countries of Eastern Europe were part of the former Soviet Union, and the relics of those times are still visible across the region. You can still find statues of Lenin next to a new Starbucks. Ah, the historical irony.
All travellers – first-timers and the feral veterans alike – need to experience the magic of this wilder cousin of boring, overdone Western Europe!
Albania is probably the cheapest cheap place to travel in Europe, followed closely by Bulgaria and Romania. You can also get excited over the likes of Bosnia, Kosovo, and Georgia! Even Poland is a solid candidate for a budget trip.
Whatever you’re looking for here, you’re sure to have a good time! And do get out of the major cities – this region of the world is bursting with insane natural beauty!
7. India
An oldie but a goodie. Broke backpackers have been travelling to India for decades now! It might just be the cheapest country on our list.
In fact, when I was nineteen, I spent a year backpacking around India and spent under $3000. It’s possible to survive here comfortably on $10 a day! Especially if you stick to the delicious street food and cheap sleeps.
India is one of the most popular budget travel destinations and sometimes that can burn you out. There is a lot of sensory overload to contend with here, and travelling to this wild place can feel like an uphill battle. BUT! You can use it as your training ground for even more epic adventures in South Asia.
For further offbeat adventure – and to avoid the hippie-wannabe hordes – cross the Wagah border and explore Pakistan!
India is definitely one of the cheapest countries to visit in Asia. It is also one of the most budget-friendly places to visit in the world.
Photo: @elibaaba
In India, the cost of living is low. But, the trick to super cheap backpacking in India is to travel slow. The faster you travel, the more it will cost.
- The average room costs $5 – $10.
- Average meal costs $1 – $3 (less if you eat street food).
- A twelve-hour train journey in 3AC sleeper class: $16.50 (the lower classes are cheaper).
- The entrance fee to a historical site costs around $3.50 for foreigners.
In total, I’ve spent nearly two years backpacking across India and have probably only scratched the surface of the amazing experience India has to offer.
Like many veterans of travel in India, I both love and hate the country. I’ve had some of the best days of my life riding a tuk-tuk around the countryside, but the struggle to carve out a life here – as a local and a traveller – can sometimes get too much.
But, the juicy truth remains: India is absolutely one of the cheapest places to travel in the world.
8. Bolivia
With the famous salt flats, stunning architecture, dirt cheap parties, and world-renowned trekking, Bolivia is an EPIC budget travel destination in South America.
Bolivia is a very ethnically diverse country. It’s actually the most indigenous country in the Americas, with a majority of the population having Native American ancestry.
Unlike its neighbours, Bolivia remains an off the beaten path destination. Intrepid travellers who make it here are rewarded with an abundance of adventure activities and some of the most beautiful landscapes on the continent!
If you stick mostly to local markets and restaurants, it’s easy to fill up your belly without emptying your wallet. You can surely get a good meal for $2-3.
It’s fairly easy to keep yourself entertained on a cheap backpacking trip to Bolivia. Free walking tours (tip-based), hiking, and exploring local parks and markets cost little to nothing.
Of course, your budget will go up significantly depending on how many big tours you add to your itinerary. You might have to fork over a few hundred dollars for a 3-day Salt Flats tour, but it’s well worth it! That’s the beauty of travelling like a dirtbag: you save money in your everyday activities and get to splurge on some truly special experiences.
Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.
Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!
We’ve tested the Geopress rigorously from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!
View on REI Read the Review9. Turkey
In 2016, I hitchhiked across Europe to Turkey. Then I went from Turkey up to Georgia. This is a fucking BEAUTIFUL destination to travel to – and a cheap place at that!
Turkey isn’t quite European, isn’t quite Asian, isn’t quite Eastern European. It is a truly special blend of them both.
It’s worth travelling with a tent when backpacking Turkey. There are also lots of caves – especially around the Cappadocia region!
Photo: Roaming Ralph
In 2017, I returned to stay in Cappadocia for some time without my phone and some time beneath the stars.
Turkey is an often overlooked destination, but this is crazy! Istanbul is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with incredible places to stay. It is a crossroads of cultures – and the fantastic food reflects this. It has epic hiking and is easy hitchhiking.
If all of this wasn’t enough, Turkey is also one of the cheapest places in the world to travel to!
10. Mexico
Mexico is a country that’s hard to sum up in a few sentences!
This massive North American nation covers nearly two million square kilometres and is home to just about every landscape imaginable. Here you’ll find:
- Stunning beaches
- Rugged mountains
- Barren deserts
- Sprawling metropolises
- Tropical rainforests
Backpacking Mexico is an incredible experience with endless options. In just one trip, you can wander around ancient Mayan cities, stroll through colourful colonial towns, get lost in Mexico City, and wind down on a pristine beach. Plus, tacos for DAYS, son!
Travellers flock to Mexico in droves every year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. In 2016, it was the eighth most-visited country on Earth with over 45 million international visitors! Most of those tourists also have a perfectly safe visit to Mexico.
That said, unfortunately, many tourists never see Mexico outside of their resort walls. Yikes.
Photo: Indigo Blue
That’s not you, though! You’re here for an adventure, and an adventure is exactly what you’ll get.
You can hitchhike through the countryside and drink mezcal until you see stars; you can hike through the jungle; some of the world’s best diving is here; you can even have a taste of the boat life! The Gulf of Mexico is very popular to go sailing in.
The best part of all this? Mexico can be a VERY cheap country. It can also be incredibly expensive. It largely depends on where you stay, what you eat, and how you get around. If you do everything the local way, your money will go very far here.
Those who prefer all-inclusive resorts and taxis will obviously spend a lot more. Lame! Be a dirtbag – see the REAL Mexico!
Talking of cheap! Ryanair has redefined the art of budget travel. We have created this expert guide on the top 10 Ryanair destinations. It details who this location is ideal for, the best time to visit, and (most importantly) what you can actually get up to while there.
Hitting the road for the first time?
If you’re a first-time backpacker about to embark on an around the world adventure, you’re in for a rollercoaster of a ride… You can even continue your travels for as long as you wish: ditch your desk, quit your job, and earn money whilst travelling around the world.
What to Pack While Travelling Cheap
Being able to camp and cook your own meals shaves all-important dollars from your daily spending. If you are committed to travelling to all the best budget destinations on offer, it’s worth sorting out your packing list. Not only do you open yourself up to more epic camping, but your valuables are safer too. A happy camper is a prepared camper!
Osprey Aether 70L Backpack
Ya can’t go backpacking anywhere without a blasted backpack! Words cannot describe what a friend the Osprey Aether has been to The Broke Backpacker on the road. It’s had a long and illustrious career; Ospreys don’t go down easily.
Feathered Friends Swift 20 YF
My philosophy is that with an EPIC sleeping bag, you can sleep anywhere. A tent is a nice bonus, but a real sleek sleeping bag means you can roll out anywhere in a and stay warm in a pinch. And the Feathered Friends Swift bag is about as premium as it gets.
Grayl Geopress Filtered Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator – so you can enjoy a cold red bull, or a hot coffee, no matter where you are.
Petzl Actik Core Headlamp
Every traveller should have a head torch! A decent head torch could save your life. When you’re camping, hiking, or even if the power just went out, a top-quality headlamp is a MUST. The Petzl Actik Core is an awesome piece of kit because it’s USB chargeable—batteries begone!
First Aid Kit
Never go off the beaten track (or even on it) without your first aid kit! Cuts, bruises, scrapes, third-degree sunburn: a first aid kit will be able to handle most of these minor situations.
Staying Safe as a Broke-ass Backpacker
Being a budget traveller is only fun as long as you live to tell the tale. Call me dramatic all you want, but you gotta take care of yourself on the road!
At the end of the day, drugs can eat into a budget very quickly. And where the drugs are cheap, it’s pretty easy to get stuck in your vices. But drugs on the road are almost guaranteed to be part of your travelling experience. Use them wisely, and take care of your homies!
Insurance
Call it getting older, but I think getting insured is a good idea. I can let my wild side loose in good conscience knowing that, if shit hits the fan, I won’t be left to rot in the Guatemalan jungle!
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Advice to Travelling to Cheap Places!
There is no need to have thousands of dollars in your bank account before you go travelling! There are many amazing and affordable destinations just waiting to welcome you. As a backpacker, you will quickly learn how to stretch your precious dollars just that little bit further!
But, not all destinations were born equal! You will find it easier to travel cheaply in Asia than you will in Australia or America. That being said, the tried and true methods of hitchhiking and volunteering can make most places accessible. As can sticking to local food and local transportation.
Travel is truly one of the greatest things you can do for your personal growth and understanding of the world.
So pack your bag, count your coins, and get exploring–the cheapest places to travel in the world are waiting for you!
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
Updated March 2023
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
This is a great budget list. I have been wanting to go to Eastern Europe for awhile now and have already done Cambodia. There is just so much to see and do.
It’s totally accurate and worthy information. Will, you doing great buddy. Thanks for sharing!
Question. When I was in Belize and Guatemala as a backpacker I was able to get into parks without a guides or even paying. This was 20 years ago. The places knew about these other entrances the back packers used and didn’t care. Out of courtesy I paid the entrance fee originally. In SA , Boliva in particular, are you able to do that as well?
It was awesome to walk into the parks like Tikal when there was no one there whenever I wanted to and I had some awesome adventure doing it.
Are you able to backpack the Amazon or the salt flats without a guide?
Turkey is a great destination and yet not expensive.
Mexico – Although the US/Mexico land border is still close for nonessential travel, Americans can FLY to Mexico – no covid testing, no quarantine. My sister just came back from Cancun. Also, Americans can travel to Turkey (which I love, love, love by the way), no covid testing needed. Croatia is also open to Americans with a (-) covid test within 48 hours. Albania and Serbia are open to Americans without restrictions. Armenia is open but you will have to take a covid test at the aiport OR quarantine for 14 days. Nicaragua never really officially closed. Airlines just stopped flying there, but i heard flights are resuming in October.
Hi Will.
My name is Marius
What a great article. I’m from South Africa and came across this while job hunting.
This article just made up my mind for me.
I’m definitely going. Not sure where to start with all the planning and add-ons.
My entire life was planned, and I think it’s time to just Go. Take each day as it comes.
Great article.
All the best.
Marius
I’m happy to hear that Marius! Wishing you an awesome adventure 🙂
Wonderful article, full of usable information and tips…
But despite showing updated on June 18th, 2020, just last week, neglects to mention all these countries are closed due to COVID….
Or did I miss something?
I sold off everything 12 years ago and lived in SE Asia for 7 years in a $150 new bungalow near a secluded beach. Magnificent! Selling off again in July, ready to go…..
But where?
Thanks for any input.
Oh, yes, I’m American.
Hey Tom, yeah so parts of the post we updated last week but obviously most of these countries are indeed not accessible right now – to be honest we are not trying to be ‘up to date’ with country specific Covid info on the site as it changes too frequetly for us to follow – so we assume that folks reading our backpacking guides are coming for the travel info and doing their covid research seperatly. I will start sending out members of my team later this year to update guides with more Covid info but right now it isn’t safe to do so.
Great ideas! I really need to checkout Sri Lanka and Turkey ASAP! What are your favorites out of your lists?
Pakistan is always a good choice!
Great list and so much detail 🙂 I’ve done a lot of SEA including the Philippines, Sri Lanka and now off to India. I like the idea of going to some of these countries, but as a young solo woman I think it’s very different. How safe are some of these places for females? I could never hitch hike through Iran or Pakistan and not get into trouble. Can I ask which of the list would be safe for a young woman, as in you’d be happy for your daughter to go backpack alone? I want to go to all of these places but if you could let me know which are safe for solo females would be very helpful 🙂
I love being a woman, expect when it comes to travelling. So much more to worry about and you can end up in some scary situations.
Hi Mandy,
I’d say anywhere in Europe on our list is safe for solo females. Also Nepal is arguably much safer than India is. Pakistan and Iran are also safe for solo female travelers, but in Pakistan, solo females do tend to get a lot of attention from locals and sometimes that attention is too much.
If you are keen to explore either Iran or Pakistan but don’t want to do it solo, you can travel with our partner company Epic Backpacker Tours! Feel free to email EBT with any trip questions. Cheers
Great list Will! I had a great time learning that even if you don’t have so much money you can have a lot of fun and travel! I have went to Nicaragua and Cambodia and belive me it were amazing jounreys! Nicaragua had some of the most beautiful landscapes me eyes have ever witness!
What an informative post, I came here to see where is Nepal, btw I’m from Nepal and as you have written, In Nepal, there are often two prices: the price for locals and the price for backpackers. I hated that!
That’s what I hate to,
Last time during Annapurna Circuit we faced kind of same thing;
But before you actually travel, make sure you do the proper research and connections.
That helps alot in Nepal
Great post I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this interesting and knowledgeable article.
Amazing post, so detailed! Very useful as a quick go-to guide, definitely fueled our wanderlust!
Great article. I got back from a 6 month trip to South east asia recently. Glad to see Malaysia up here, such friendly people. Vietnam is definitely worth mentioning as well. Very easy to find a teaching job as well.
Hey! Thank for sharing such great ideas for traveling in a low budget. I will Love to go on some of these places for a long trip. Your Blog will Really help those who are looking for such type of travel. Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful blog. Keep Sharing.
I have always dreamt of visiting Croatia. Hopefully, 2019 will be the year.
Unsure why “beautiful women” was a necessary comment.
I also don’t understand why Eastern Europe has been treated as one country- they are very different.
Let me break it down for you – Beautiful women are definitely a highlight, that’s why it’s included! Eastern Europe is referred to as a region, not a country.
Great list! Turkey is definitely on my list for 2019.
Great list and I have to say that all the places are amazing. Just a reminder though that Czech Republic is not in Eastern Europe, they are Central Europe.
We are traveler with experience. Eastern Europe is not so cheap unless you want to sleep under a bridge. A very manipulative article, as the travelers in Philippine above wrote!!! And for the Philippines I can tell stories…
Cheap is, of course, relative, but Eastern Europe is much more affordable than other parts of Europe and the world, and we have successfully traveled in many Eastern European countries for less than $30 a day. You don’t have to sleep under a bridge to explore these countries on a budget.
Love the list, I wish you added a bit more info about the internet speed of each location, I’ve been to some, and for instance, working in La Paz, Bolivia was a huge headake due to slow wifi.
Excellent idea!
I think it’s a brilliant idea for traveling to 2018 and hats off to your great work. thanks for sharing this post across the fellow blogger keep it up.
$5-7 per day? Sounds impossible to me… Even a bed in dorm room costs at least US$5 a night, not to mention more expensive countries like Malaysia…
You can get a bed for less than that in countries like Nepal, Iran, Pakistan, Nicaragua… but crucially if you wanna travel real cheap you won’t be paying for a bed anyway; you’ll be camping or Couchsurfing.
That’s possible in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh;
As he have mentioned you can travel 3 to 5$ around the country, that’s bit low, for around the country but for most of the places you can bus ticket on that price.
In Nepal if you wish to travel to the Mount API, Darchula then ticket for bus will be around 25$.
So it varies according to the places;
These are some exceptional travel destinations which everyone can visit without breaking the bank. I am currently exploring Turkey and I couldn’t agree more with you. It is an excellent budget travel destination.
Great list! I did backpacking in Eastern Europe and I can confirm that there are numerous hidden gems there at really affordable prices.
Thanks Will, I would recommend you visit Sumatra and northeast India if you get a chance, these were two places I really loved. They both have spectacular nature, jungle, waterfalls and amazing tribes.
Hi Mary, it’s accurate but it wasn’t always easy to travel on this budget and it took a lot of careful planning, plenty of hard work surveying destinations for the best value rooms, a lot of hard bargaining and sometimes required slipping into overpriced attractions unnoticed. Another factor that made this possible was travelling with my partner, which enabled us to split many expenses literally in half. It’s very difficult to maintain this budget as a solo traveller. It’s still possible, but requires even more innovation. I’m writing up a detailed 8,000 + word post at the moment that summarizes exactly how I played the travel game to maintain this budget across all these countries. I hope it’ll be useful to many people and will elucidate exactly what’s involved when travelling on this kind of ultra-low budget. I really love Asia too, and I’ve only scratched the surface of it in 4 years of uninterrupted travel, even India alone is just massive and offers endless new places to explore. The food is wonderful in Asia for sure, my favourite would probably be Indian food. I stayed in mostly double rooms with my partner with fan, Wi-Fi and usually attached bathroom, sometimes with a balcony. The odd time I stayed in a hostel dormitory, but mainly during phases where I was travelling alone.
Interesting list, thanks for putting it together. I wouldn’t be able to comment on the South American or European countries as I’ve spent the last 4 years travelling in Asia, but I’ve confirmed for myself through detailed recording of my expenses over the past 4 years of travel that the following countries can all be comfortably travelled on $5-7 per day without couchsurfing and hitchhiking seldomly(paying for all expenses):
1. India
2. Nepal
3. Thailand
4. Indonesia
5. Malaysia
6. Laos
7. Cambodia
8. Vietnam
9. Sri Lanka
I found Myanmar more difficult to do on this budget as the minimum cost for accommodation per person was normally $4-5. There I averaged $8-9 per day.
So my conclusion from this 4 year experiment is that all of these 9 countries can be considered more or less on a par with each other in terms of cheapness to travel – they can all be done comfortably on a budget of $5-7 per day.
Anyway, hope that the data I’ve gathered is useful to some people.
Those sound like some epic adventures through super awesome, super cheap countries! Nice one dude 🙂
Hi Eoghan. If this is accurate than you just made my day. I am retiring soon and I want to do it just on my pension and not have to touch my savings. And I just happen to love Asia. WOW! Anything under ten bucks a day is fantastic. The food is outstanding in Asia. I was there a few years ago for a six week trip through the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam. Best food ever. All local and very cheap. I stayed in a variety of places and comfort levels from five dollars a night to the Crown Plaza on Manila Bay. What kinds of places did you stay? I need to do it on a budget because of what will be my fixed income.
I think you should include Pakistan in this list. we have so many beautiful places to visit around.
Great list! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Have you been to Central Asia as well? Just curious whether you could include any countries from that region on your list…
Another question came to my mind: besides price, how do you pick your next destination? Do you also consider the best time to visit destinations (like here https://rove.me/ or here https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2017/04/19/map-find-best-time-to-visit/)? Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
Hey Emily! So I usually just pick where I want to go based on where I am and where is nearby that looks interesting. I haven’t been to Central Asia but it ain’t cheap from what I’ve heard…
We are actually in the Philippines at the moment, and it is definitely not cheap at all.. most of the stuff here on Palowan costs more then it does back home in the states! And the locals are not friendly at all! They stare, and don’t smile at you and it seams all that they want is your $$$! I’m sorry but the Philippines as of 2018 is not a budget friendly country if it ever was once, it’s not anymore!
We are leaving as soon as our 3 weeks is up, and won’t be back..
Camp? Hitchhike? Couchsurf? Any country can be tackled cheaply if you put your mind to it 😉
Thanks for the fun list! I’d already considered some places but not all of them. I must say that I’m surprised about Venezuela… I have some Venezuelan friends who are terrified of the place and I have heard a lot of horror stories about fun times and parties ending in someone being murdered. I think it’s off my list for now, but it may get added again when I’m wandering round South America!
Venezuela is amazing, but it’s rough around the edges and for experienced backpackers only – that’s for sure.
What an article! Thanks so much for the tips! I heard about the tattoo master in the Philippines, Whang Od, the last Kalinga tattoo master. Her style is so traditional and I love it! I also love to visit the ruins of Angor Wat in Cambodia! So beautiful… So majestic.
Awesome list! This makes me want to just grab my bag and head out the door
Hi Will. This is a beautiful and very correct post. My favourite place in the world is the Philippines. Sooooo cheap, and the people are the absolute sweetest. Nicaragua is stunning so I had to go twice…lol. Pakistan is on my radar and so is Iran. I must get the ten dollar a day book. Sahadeo and I are budget people, and he is really really good at it. And he is not pretentious. He took me to a beautiful little resort in Tobago, that was not all inclusive. A romantic gesture on his part. We were about to order dinner, and he decided we should order one entre to share. I thought that was a great idea, and it turned out to be plenty. I was so glad he thought of it, because it is that kind of thinking that keeps money in your pocket for the next day’s beers on the beach. Keep up the good work, Will. Very well done.
Thanks for your lovely message Mary! Hopefully I’ll catch you on the road soon 🙂
Cambodia <3
What an amazing compilation of destinations. Instead of spending a large amount on a single trip this would be amazing. I will let you know once I travel some of these places.
Iran and Cambodia are on my wish list, can’t wait to go there, especially after seeing these pictures.
And it’s true, Eastern Europe is really cheap!
This is a great list. Just found your site and it is exactly what I’m looking for as I’m planning a nomadic year in 2018.
Some of these places sounds really cool! Hopefully I will be able to visit Nicaragua and the rest of Central America next year 🙂
Loved the post – nice photographs and useful information for budget travellers everywhere. Cambodia has been on my list for some time now, hopefully will be there sometime soon.
Such a good list, Will! I’ve been to many, but the Philippines has been my fav so far and I’m about to check out some of Eastern Europe soon! Wooo! Thanks for sharing <3
Amazing photos.I am planning for my first time road trip.And this post helps me a lot. I think these places are so good,can’t wait to try in Turkey. Thanks a lot.
Great article. We were surprised how cheap Eastern Europe was. I love your Iran photo. That mosque looks incredible. Iran has been very high on our list for a very long time. I think it is time we get there. Cheers for sharing.
You have to come to Iran… 🙂
I love hitting the road in countries such as India and Cambodia. I’m yet to travel to Iran but it’s on my radar and Nicaragua also makes my wish list. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Cheers for the Bolivia mention, Will! You’ve been instrumental in fuelling my desire to get to both Iran and Pakistan in the near future so I’ll keep your cheap advice in mind :p
its nice to visit here , Pakistan in Feb or March. you are most welcome any time.
Will I love this post. I didn’t realize Venzuela and Bolivia were that cheap. I know it may be weird to say this but I have been recommending beginning backpackers that want to travel cheap to walk the Camino de Santiago.
It was a bit more than $10 a day but to break people in, its a good way to experience a month long travel if you do the entire Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port, France to Santiago, Spain and you tend to only spend about 25Euros/day (10 for Albergues + 10 for Dinner + 5 for lunch/Breakfast)
I figure lets ease some of these people in to it
I’ve heard a lot about the Camino De Santiago and it’s been on my radar for a while… I would love to check it out.
I’m sure you would have a great time Will because no I don’t know you you seem to have that personality but no worries but for your experiences and skill level I often wonder if going a little bit mainstream is a let down? Don’t get me wrong, the Camino de Santiago for about 85% of the human population is pretty crazy and out there.
Great resource for budget travelers everywhere – thanks Will! WOW to that stack of cash from Venezuela! While it’s fantastic to travel so cheaply through countries such as this I always enjoy spending a little extra … it’s nice to know that I’m able to help local businesses without too much of a financial burden to myself 🙂
This might be my favorite budget travel list, thanks for all the great advice Will! I’m gonna be traveling in Eastern Europe, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran and India in the next coming months so I’m really happy to read this 😀