12 Fun, Adventurous Travel Destinations That Will Save You Money On Your Next Vacation
Everything is getting more expensive these days — from filling your car with gas to buying eggs — and travel is no exception. But after traveling all over the world, I've learned that one of the best ways to keep your budget in check is to visit an affordable country — places where a private room will run you $10 and a grab-and-go lunch costs less than $2.
According to the consumer price index, flight prices reached — and then quickly surpassed — their prepandemic rates in early 2022 and have remained high since. So flying in 2023 isn’t going to be cheap — no matter where you go.
If you're interested in planning an affordable vacation, say hello to Asia. While it may not be particularly affordable to get to — especially from the US (but really, at this point, where is?) — it can be relatively affordable to travel in if you know where to look.
In some places in Asia, a bed in a dorm might cost travelers $3 a night, and a bowl of noodles from a street vendor can cost as little as $1. In fact, there are a good number of Asian countries in which you can spend under $20 a day, quickly offsetting a pricey flight.
To help you wrap your mind around some of Asia's most affordable countries, here's a handy rundown of destinations (along with general prices you can find for hostels or food) if you're looking to travel on a budget:
1.Indonesia
When most people think of Indonesia, they imagine Bali, and while the island of Bali is still relatively affordable, you'll find the best prices (and more adventure) by visiting the islands of Flores, Java, and Sumatra.
I spent several months in Bali in 2016 and paid less than $10 a night for a private room. That low nightly rate is still the norm at several hotels and hostels in Sumatra, where you can book a night for $10 and eat for less than $2 a meal.
2.Laos
Without any sort of coastline, and a location sandwiched between its two better-known neighbors (Thailand and Vietnam), Laos is easy to overlook. But if you love the mountains and French food, this is the place to visit.
I fell in love with Luang Prabang during my visit in 2014. There's French colonial architecture and French bakeries alongside roadside vendors selling noodle soup and sticky rice for around $1.
3.Thailand
Of all the countries on this list, Thailand is probably the most popular, welcoming almost 40 million travelers annually before the pandemic. Travelers love Thailand, and for good reason. The country has it all: white-sand beaches, ancient ruins, opulent temples, and incredible palaces.
I've visited Thailand several times, mainly sticking to Bangkok and the islands. But according to friends, you'll find some of the best rates in the northern part of the country, where you can find a private room for around $12 a night and a dorm-room bed for $3.
4.Sri Lanka
Just off the coast of India is Sri Lanka, an independent island nation with the climate and island vibes of the Maldives for a fraction of the price. Sri Lanka has the idyllic beaches you'd expect from a tropical island, along with spicy foods, exotic fruits, and herds of Sri Lankan elephants.
A night in a hostel might cost you as low as $10 a night, and a meal could run you about $4.
5.Nepal
Many Westerners go to Nepal to climb in the Himalayas — but you don't have to be in Everest shape to experience this country, which has plenty of affordable hostels and affordable eats.
You can find a private room in Pokhara (a city to the west of Kathmandu) for $6 and a dorm-room bed in Kathmandu for $3 a night. When I was in Nepal, I ate my weight in momos (dumplings), which cost less than $1 for a plate (and still do).
6.Vietnam
The coastline of Vietnam is long and beautiful, stretching over 2,000 miles. People come for the food and to explore places like Hạ Long Bay, where you can rock climb the rainforest-topped limestone islands or scuba dive in the bay's emerald waters.
Along the coast, a room might cost around $10 a night, while a bed in a dorm room could cost you well under $5.
7.Malaysia
Malaysia doesn't receive nearly as many visitors as some of the other countries on this list (looking at you, Thailand), which is surprising, considering that the country has pristine beaches, lush jungles, and cost-effective prices.
A street meal of noodle soup and meat skewers might cost you around $2, while a private room often costs around $10 a night (and a dorm-room bed is about half that).
8.Cambodia
Cambodia has one of the most significant archeological sites in the world: Angkor Wat, a massive complex of temples built in the early 12th century. People come from all over the world to explore what Guinness World Records has claimed to be the world's largest religious structure.
And when they do, they're treated to extremely economical costs — including $3 dorm-room beds and $1 noodle dishes. I spent a full month in Cambodia in 2016, and my costs were a fraction of what I was used to paying in the US.
(PS: The US dollar is commonly used, so you don't have to exchange money and worry about exchange rates.)
9.India
You could spend months traveling around India, and thanks to its myriad railways, incredible food, and affordable hotels and hostels, it's more than doable.
I spent a little over a month in the northern part of the country in 2015 and was able to travel around a bit too. Prices were wildly affordable. In a lower-tier car, a train trip might cost less than $1; a dorm-room bed, $5 a night; and a meal on the street, $1.
10.The Philippines
The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands, providing travelers with plenty to explore. The mountainous islands are ringed with beaches providing travelers with opportunities for scuba diving, surfing, and swimming.
The island of Boracay is known for its stellar beaches and resort feel, while Banaue is known for the rice terraces that were carved into the mountains largely by hand.
A street food meal might cost between $1 and $4, while a dorm-room bed can be found for as low as $6 a night.
11.Bangladesh
The landscape in Bangladesh is wildly lush, thanks to the many waterways that crisscross the country on their journey south to the Bay of Bengal. Along the coast, the largest mangrove forest in the world stretches toward the sea and houses the rare Bengal tiger.
Eating and getting around Bangladesh is incredibly doable on a budget (tandoori chicken will cost under $2). However, the cost of accommodations runs relatively higher, with few hostels available to book online. For instance, a Dhaka hotel room typically costs around $30 a night.
12.Uzbekistan
This may be the most surprising (and unknown) country on this list, but Uzbekistan is extremely cool and extremely travel-friendly. The Silk Road, an ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean, passes through the country, which is known for its beautiful mosques and mosaic-covered buildings.
Samarkand, one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia, has rooms starting at $5 a night.
