Destinations

Where to go on a budget

Every destination we cover, with a realistic daily budget, currency, and the best time to visit.

Turquoise water and small wooded islands off the beach at Ksamil on Albania's southern coast$35/day

Albania

Albania

Ionian beaches that rival Greece, Ottoman-era stone towns, and wild mountain hikes — Albania is Europe's best-value country, at a fraction of the price of its neighbours.

The towers of Angkor Wat and its palm trees reflected in a still pond under a blue sky$25/day

Cambodia

Cambodia

Angkor Wat, laid-back riverside towns, and quiet islands — Cambodia is one of the cheapest and most rewarding stops in Southeast Asia.

Green forested mountains and valleys under low cloud in Colombia's coffee region, with orange flowers in the foreground$30/day

Colombia

Colombia

Colonial Caribbean towns, coffee-country hikes, and vibrant cities — Colombia is South America's most exciting value destination.

The pyramids of Giza and the smaller queens' pyramids rising from the desert sand under a clear sky$25/day

Egypt

Egypt

The pyramids, Nile temples, and Red Sea reefs at rock-bottom prices — Egypt is one of the most spectacular budget destinations on the planet.

Aerial view of Tbilisi's Rike Park and the Bridge of Peace, with the Caucasus hills behind the city$25/day

Georgia

Georgia

The Caucasus mountains, ancient wine regions, and some of the cheapest, most generous hospitality anywhere in the world make Georgia an underrated budget gem.

A young girl waving the Indonesian flag in a rice field lined with palm trees$28/day

Indonesia

Indonesia

From Bali's rice terraces to Komodo's dragons and Flores' volcanoes, Indonesia's 17,000 islands offer a lifetime of budget adventure.

The Petronas Twin Towers and their skybridge rising against a deep blue sky in Kuala Lumpur$35/day

Malaysia

Malaysia

Hawker-stall feasts, jungle-covered highlands, and island hopping with modern, English-friendly infrastructure — Malaysia is Southeast Asia made easy.

A palm-lined plaza in front of the white cathedral bell tower in Veracruz, Mexico$35/day

Mexico

Mexico

World-class food, colonial cities, and Caribbean and Pacific coastlines — Mexico delivers an enormous range of experiences for a fraction of US or European prices.

A narrow blue-washed alley with steps leading to a turquoise door in Chefchaouen, Morocco$30/day

Morocco

Morocco

Labyrinthine medinas, the blue city of Chefchaouen, and nights under the Sahara stars — Morocco delivers big adventure just a cheap flight from Europe.

A traditional outrigger boat in a turquoise lagoon between limestone cliffs in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan$35/day

Philippines

Philippines

More than 7,000 islands of white-sand beaches, limestone lagoons, and world-class diving — the Philippines is a tropical paradise that still rewards budget travelers.

A vintage red tram passing the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal$55/day

Portugal

Portugal

Portugal is the rare Western European country where a real budget trip is possible — cheap wine, affordable hostels, and stunning coastline without the price tag of its neighbors.

The Bangkok skyline of high-rises and glass towers under a dusky sky$30/day

Thailand

Thailand

Islands, jungle, and world-class street food — Thailand is the easiest place to start a budget trip through Asia, with a travel infrastructure built for shoestring travelers.

Aerial view of Cappadocia's eroded pink and white rock valleys at golden hour, with farmland and mountains beyond$35/day

Turkey

Turkey

Istanbul's bazaars, Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, and a turquoise coast lined with ancient ruins — Turkey packs huge variety into one affordable, easy-to-travel country.

Wooden boats on the river at sunset in Hoi An, Vietnam$25/day

Vietnam

Vietnam

Motorbike through rice terraces, sleep on overnight trains, and eat like royalty for a few dollars a day — Vietnam remains one of the best-value countries on earth.