Last Updated: 10/27/22 | October 27th, 2022
It has never been simpler to travel with no money. Revenge travel has caused prices to go up in the short term, but they are already going back to their pre-COVID levels. Getting away has never been more affordable due to the spread of the sharing economy.
The strong dollar makes a lot of places very cheap to visit if you are an American. It isn't good for other people, but it is good for us Americans, as we're getting the best exchange rates we've had in a long time.
I wanted to list a few of my favorite destinations. These are places that are easy to get to and offer good value. There are cheap places to travel in the United States.
Costa Rica is my favorite Central American country. Though it’s one of the most expensive in the region, your money will still go far here. It also strikes a balance between budget-friendly and safe, while still offering plenty of amazing sights and activities.
There is a lot to see and do here. Cloud forests, turtles, incredible surfing, volcanos, white-water rafting, fantastic nature preserves, deep-sea diving, and some of the happiest and nicest people around can be found here.
If you use hostels and buses and cook your own food, you can travel for less than $50 per day. The US is a very cheap place to fly. Round-trips can be found for under $300USD if you are flexible.
On a budget of $100USD per day, you can stay in an apartment, eat out more, take a taxi, and do more paid activities, such as surfing lessons and museum visits. You won't want to spend money on this budget.
You can learn more and plan your trip with my guide.
Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in an already budget-friendly region. If you budgeted $25 USD per day, you would want for little. Hostels are just a few bucks a day, and you can get delicious street food for around $1 USD. (You can visit the country comfortably quite comfortably for $50-75 USD per day if you’re looking for more luxury.)
It's a good idea to spend some time in the capital of Hanoi. There is a bay in the north. Don't forget the C in the south. During the war with the US, the Chi tunnels were used.
Da Lat is a great place for canyoning and cliff jumping. If you want to go on a beach vacation, you should look at Nha Trang and Mui Ne.
You can learn more and plan your trip with my guide.
Not only is Romania an underrated destination in Europe, but it’s also a budget-friendly one. Bucharest is a modern, up-and-coming capital, and the entire Transylvania region is breathtaking. Bra?ov, my favorite city there, offers lots of history (including the infamous Bran Castle). Transportation is cheap, and both rideshares and hitchhiking are common. It’s a huge country, too so you can easily spend a few weeks and still just scratch the surface.
Backpackers can spend as little as $35-40USD per day in Europe, which is a steal. If you want to stay in a hotel and eat out more, you can do that for less than $100 a day.
It is likely that it will get more and more popular as more and more visitors come here to wait out their visa restrictions.
You can learn more and plan your trip with my guide.
While India has always been a cheap country, with the US dollar doing so well, it’s even cheaper! You can get by on as little as $20-30 USD per day — often less! Mouthwatering meals can be found for under $2 USD, and accommodation is just $5-10 USD per night, depending on where you are.
Unless you stay at a five-star resort, you won't be able to spend more than $50USD per day. Everything is a bargain once you get to India.
Don't miss the Taj Mahal, the laid-back beaches of Goa, the holy city of Varanasi, and the sweeping metropolises of New Delhi and Mumbai.
Argentina — filled with history, beautiful people, culture, wine, football, and outdoor wonders like Patagonia — is one of my favorite countries in South America. And its capital, Buenos Aires, is considered one of the liveliest cities in the world. (Most people speak English, which makes it easier to get around.) I’ve never drunk so much wine or eaten as much steak as I did here (which blew my budget — but it was worth it!).
Prices are always changing because of inflation. You can still make ends meet by sticking to cheap and free activities, such as hiking and free walking tours, and staying in a hostel.
Stunning landscapes and world-class hiking are offered here. The largest waterfall in the world is Iguaz Falls. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and guided hikes cost upwards of $450USD.
Plan your trip and learn more with my guide to Argentina.
Safaris, wineries, mountains, and an endless coastline that is perfect for road trips — that’s South Africa. As a backpacker or budget traveler, this country is a great destination to visit, as there are a lot of work opportunities as well as plenty of adventurous activities (and some great hiking) to keep you busy.
South Africa has a booming tourism industry and a growing backpacker scene.
South Africa is so appealing because of its laid-back lifestyle and great beaches. You will get a lot of value in this place.
You can visit the penguins in Cape Town when you are there. Kruger National Park is a great place to go if you want a world-class experience.
You can learn more and plan your trip with my guide.
Cambodia is one of my favorite countries in the world. The people are so incredibly welcoming, and even after a long absence between visits, I still found it to be one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia: affordable, friendly, and safe.
It is still cheaper than Thailand, but prices have gone up a little over the years. Backpackers can easily make ends meet for less than 50 dollars a day. hostel costs under $10USD per night and street food is cheap. If you want to travel across the country, you can take a bus for $20USD.
One of the best historical sites in the world is Angkor Wat. The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum are great places to see the country's violent past.
Plan your trip and learn more with my guide to Cambodia.
I don’t know why most people don’t talk about it, but if you want a cheap East Asian country with stunning countryside, South Korea is it. The country offers a lot of value!
I was shocked when I visited South Korea a few years ago. It is not as cheap as Southeast Asia, but it is quite affordable. With the South Korean won at 1,372 KRW perUSD and most everything costing only a few thousand won, I don't think you'll be able to break your budget here.
We went to Korean BBQ with drinks and each spent $8USD. You can get bottles of beer at a discount. Hotel rooms in Korea start at $30 per night, while hostel rooms start at just$15 per night. Backpackers can get by for less than 60 dollars a day here.
The Gyeongbukgung Palace is a great place to visit while you're here. There are beaches and fun in the sun on the island.
You can learn more and plan your trip with my guide.
I confess, I was late to the party on Mexico. While I had visited some of the touristy areas, it wasn’t until recently that I finally explored beyond the resorts. And I loved every minute.
Mexico City is a world-class metropolis with amazing food and nightlife, Oaxaca has an abundance of delicious eateries and the Yucatn Peninsula is perfect for road trips and swimming in secluded cenotes.
The US gets a bad rap, but it is actually much safer and cheaper than people think. Travelers can get by on as little as $50USD per day ($80-120USD if you want hotels and not hostels) and flights from the US are often just $200USD round-trip.
It is a great option for US travelers who are short on time but still want to go somewhere fun and cheap.
Plan your trip and learn more with my guide to Mexico.
In years past, the British pound (GBP) has been worth up to double the US dollar. That’s not the case anymore. Still struggling post-Brexit, it’s now worth just 20% more than the dollar, if that. So, while the UK isn’t exactly a cheap place to visit, the weakened pound and strong dollar mean that now you’ll get a lot more value compared to years past. Backpackers can get around for as little as $75 USD per day by sticking to hostels, free museums, and cheap pub food.
You can learn more about England and Scotland with my guide.
Right now, everywhere is “discounted” if you’re an American. The euro is at an all-time low against the US dollar and the pound is weak, as are the yen, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand dollars, etc. etc. It’s an especially good time to travel to countries that are usually expensive, such as Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and New Zealand. Your dollars will go much further than in years past, so you should really take advantage of that opportunity, because you don’t really know how long this will last!
While you can, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity. Who knows when the strong dollar will end?
The New York Times best-selling guide to world travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you can save money and have a deeper travel experience. Thebible for budget travelers is a planning guide.
Start reading it now if you click here to learn more.
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
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