Budget Travel: TOP 11 Cheapest Countries to Visit

Are you a travel lover who wants to see the world without spending a fortune? Do you wish you could visit exotic places without breaking the bank? If so, you are in luck. There are many incredible destinations that you can explore on a shoestring budget. You just need to plan ahead, be flexible, and be creative. You can cut costs on transportation, accommodation, food, and activities without sacrificing quality or fun.

In this article, we will reveal how to travel cheaply and enjoyably to 10 of the cheapest countries to visit in 2023. These countries are rich in culture, history, and natural beauty, and they can all be visited for less than $50 a day. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or inspiration, you will find it in these budget-friendly destinations.

So get ready to pack your bags, grab your essentials, and discover some of the best places to travel on a budget. Here are 10 cheap vacations that you can take in 2023.

Table of Contents

Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the best value-for-money destinations in Southeast Asia. You can travel around the country for as little as $25 per day and experience its diverse attractions. From the vibrant cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the breathtaking landscapes of Halong Bay and Sapa, Vietnam has something for everyone.

cheapest countries to visit

Some of the best ways to save money in Vietnam are:

Travel by bus or train instead of flying. You can book tickets online or at the station for a fraction of the cost of airfare.
Stay in hostels or homestays instead of hotels. You can find comfortable and clean rooms for as low as $5 per night. You can also meet other travelers and locals and get tips and recommendations.
Eat street food instead of restaurants. You can enjoy delicious and authentic Vietnamese dishes for as low as $1 per meal. Try pho (noodle soup), banh mi (sandwich), bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), and more.
Do free or cheap activities instead of tours. You can explore the cities by walking or renting a bike, visit museums and temples for free or a small fee, hike in the mountains or national parks, or relax on the beach. You can also join free walking tours or use apps like Klook or GetYourGuide to find discounted deals on attractions and experiences.

Cambodia

Cambodia is another affordable country in Southeast Asia. It is famous for its ancient Khmer temples, especially Angkor Wat, which is one of the largest and most impressive religious monuments in the world. But Cambodia has more to offer than just temples. You can also enjoy its vibrant culture, friendly people, delicious cuisine, and stunning nature.

Some of the best ways to save money in Cambodia are:

Travel by bus or tuk-tuk instead of taxi or moto. You can get around the country by bus for as low as $5 per trip. You can also use tuk-tuks, which are motorized rickshaws, to get around the cities for as low as $1 per ride.
Stay in guesthouses or hostels instead of hotels. You can find cozy and clean rooms for as low as $3 per night. You can also use apps like Booking.com or Agoda to find cheap deals on accommodation.
Eat local food instead of western food. You can savor tasty and filling Cambodian dishes for as low as $1 per meal. Try amok (curry with fish or chicken), lok lak (stir-fried beef with rice), nom banh chok (noodle soup with fish sauce), and more.
Buy a multi-day pass for Angkor Wat instead of a single-day pass. Angkor Wat is the main attraction in Cambodia, and it is worth visiting. However, the entrance fee is quite expensive, at $37 per day. You can save money by buying a multi-day pass, which costs $62 for three days or $72 for seven days. This way, you can explore the complex at your own pace and see more than just the main temple.

Laos

Laos is another cheap country in Southeast Asia. It is often overlooked by travelers, but it has a lot to offer. It is a landlocked country with a rich culture, a laid-back vibe, and a diverse landscape. You can explore its charming towns, ancient temples, lush jungles, and scenic rivers.

Some of the best ways to save money in Laos are:

Travel by bus or boat instead of plane or car. You can travel across the country by bus for as low as $10 per trip. You can also take a boat along the Mekong River, which is a scenic and relaxing way to see the countryside.
Stay in guesthouses or bungalows instead of hotels. You can find comfortable and clean rooms for as low as $5 per night. You can also use apps like Hostelworld or Airbnb to find cheap and unique places to stay.
Eat street food instead of restaurants. You can enjoy delicious and fresh Lao food for as low as $1 per meal. Try laap (minced meat salad), khao jee (baguette sandwich), tam mak hoong (papaya salad), and more.
Do free or cheap activities instead of tours. You can explore the towns by walking or renting a bike, visit temples and markets for free or a small donation, hike in the forests or waterfalls, or chill on the river. You can also join free yoga classes or meditation sessions at some guesthouses or temples.

India

India is one of the cheapest countries to visit in the world. It is also one of the most diverse and fascinating countries to visit. It has a rich history, a vibrant culture, a diverse cuisine, and a stunning nature. You can experience its colorful festivals, majestic monuments, sacred temples, exotic wildlife, and more.

Some of the best ways to save money in India are:

Travel by train or bus instead of plane or taxi. You can travel around the country by train for as low as $1 per trip. You can also use buses, which are cheaper than taxis or rickshaws. You can book tickets online or at the station for both modes of transportation.
Stay in hostels or homestays instead of hotels. You can find cozy and clean rooms for as low as $3 per night. You can also use apps like Couchsurfing or Workaway to find free accommodation in exchange for work or cultural exchange.
Eat local food instead of western food. You can savor delicious and spicy Indian dishes for as low as $0.50 per meal. Try dal (lentil soup), roti (flatbread), biryani (rice with meat or vegetables), masala dosa (crepe with potato filling), and more.
Do free or cheap activities instead of tours. You can explore the cities by walking or renting a bike, visit monuments and temples for free or a small fee, watch Bollywood movies at cinemas, or join free walking tours or cultural events.

Nepal

Nepal is one of the cheapest countries to visit for all travelers, but the U.S. dollar is particularly strong there right now. Most people immediately associate Nepal with Mt. Everest, but the tiny nation has much more to offer than bucket-list climbs.

Some of the best ways to save money in Nepal are:

Travel by bus or jeep instead of plane or taxi. You can travel around the country by bus for as low as $2 per trip. You can also use jeeps, which are shared taxis that run on fixed routes and fares.
Stay in teahouses or hostels instead of hotels. You can find comfortable and clean rooms for as low as $2 per night. You can also use apps like Hostelworld or Booking.com to find cheap deals on accommodation.
Eat local food instead of western food. You can enjoy tasty and filling Nepali dishes for as low as $1 per meal. Try dal bhat (rice with lentil soup), momo (dumplings), thukpa (noodle soup), and more.
Do free or cheap activities instead of tours. You can explore the cities by walking or renting a bike, visit temples and monasteries for free or a small donation, hike in the mountains or national parks, or volunteer at orphanages or schools.

Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Southeast Asia. It is also one of the most diverse and beautiful countries to visit. It has more than 17,000 islands, each with its own culture, cuisine, and nature. You can experience its stunning beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, wildlife, and more.

Some of the best ways to save money in Indonesia are:

Travel by ferry or bus instead of plane or taxi. You can travel between the islands by ferry for as low as $5 per trip. You can also use buses, which are cheaper than taxis or motorbikes. You can book tickets online or at the port for both modes of transportation.
Stay in hostels or homestays instead of hotels. You can find cozy and clean rooms for as low as $4 per night. You can also use apps like Hostelworld or Airbnb to find cheap and unique places to stay.
Eat local food instead of western food. You can savor delicious and diverse Indonesian dishes for as low as $1 per meal. Try nasi goreng (fried rice), gado gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce), rendang (spicy beef stew), and more.
Do free or cheap activities instead of tours. You can explore the islands by walking or renting a bike, visit temples and markets for free or a small fee, snorkel or surf on the beach, or join free yoga classes or cultural events.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the cheapest countries to visit in South Asia. It is also one of the most underrated and beautiful countries to visit. It has a rich history, a vibrant culture, a delicious cuisine, and a stunning nature. You can experience its ancient ruins, sacred temples, tea plantations, wildlife, and more.

Some of the best ways to save money in Sri Lanka are:

Travel by train or bus instead of plane or taxi. You can travel around the country by train for as low as $1 per trip. You can also use buses, which are cheaper than taxis or tuk-tuks. You can book tickets online or at the station for both modes of transportation.
Stay in guesthouses or hostels instead of hotels. You can find comfortable and clean rooms for as low as $6 per night. You can also use apps like Hostelworld or Agoda to find cheap deals on accommodation.
Eat local food instead of western food. You can enjoy delicious and spicy Sri Lankan dishes for as low as $1 per meal. Try kottu (chopped roti with vegetables and meat), hoppers (rice flour pancakes), curry and rice, and more.
Do free or cheap activities instead of tours. You can explore the cities by walking or renting a bike, visit ruins and temples for free or a small fee, hike in the mountains or waterfalls, or watch whales and dolphins on the coast.

Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular and cheapest countries to visit in Southeast Asia. It is also one of the most diverse and fun countries to visit. It has a rich history, a vibrant culture, a delicious cuisine, and a stunning nature. You can experience its bustling cities, serene temples, exotic islands, and more.

Some of the best ways to save money in Thailand are:

Travel by bus or train instead of plane or taxi. You can travel around the country by bus for as low as $3 per trip. You can also use trains, which are cheaper than taxis or motorbikes. You can book tickets online or at the station for both modes of transportation.
Stay in hostels or guesthouses instead of hotels. You can find cozy and clean rooms for as low as $5 per night. You can also use apps like Hostelworld or Booking.com to find cheap deals on accommodation.
Eat street food instead of restaurants. You can savor delicious and varied Thai dishes for as low as $1 per meal. Try pad thai (stir-fried noodles), tom yum (spicy soup), som tam (papaya salad), and more.
Do free or cheap activities instead of tours. You can explore the cities by walking or renting a bike, visit temples and markets for free or a small donation, relax on the beach or party on the islands, or join free cooking classes or cultural events.

Iran

Iran is one of the cheapest countries to visit in the Middle East. It is also one of the most misunderstood and fascinating countries to visit. It has a rich history, a vibrant culture, a friendly people, and a stunning nature. You can experience its ancient monuments, beautiful mosques, colorful bazaars, and diverse landscapes.

Some of the best ways to save money in Iran are:

Travel by bus or train instead of plane or taxi. You can travel around the country by bus for as low as $2 per trip. You can also use trains, which are cheaper than taxis or cars. You can book tickets online or at the station for both modes of transportation.
Stay in hostels or guesthouses instead of hotels. You can find comfortable and clean rooms for as low as $10 per night. You can also use apps like Hostelworld or Couchsurfing to find cheap and social places to stay.
Eat local food instead of western food. You can enjoy delicious and hearty Iranian dishes for as low as $2 per meal. Try kebab (grilled meat), tahdig (crispy rice), ash (thick soup), and more.
Do free or cheap activities instead of tours. You can explore the cities by walking or renting a bike, visit monuments and mosques for free or a small fee, shop at bazaars and haggle for bargains, or join free walking tours or cultural events.

Philippines

The Philippines is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Southeast Asia. It is also one of the most diverse and beautiful countries to visit. It has more than 7,000 islands, each with its own culture, cuisine, and nature. You can experience its stunning beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, wildlife, and more.

Some of the best ways to save money in the Philippines are:

Travel by ferry or bus instead of plane or taxi. You can travel between the islands by ferry for as low as $4 per trip. You can also use buses, which are cheaper than taxis or tricycles. You can book tickets online or at the port for both modes of transportation.
Stay in hostels or homestays instead of hotels. You can find cozy and clean rooms for as low as $6 per night. You can also use apps like Hostelworld or Airbnb to find cheap and unique places to stay.
Eat local food instead of western food. You can savor delicious and varied Filipino dishes for as low as $1 per meal. Try adobo (meat stew), sinigang (sour soup), pancit (noodles), and more.
Do free or cheap activities instead of tours. You can explore the islands by walking or renting a bike, visit churches and museums for free or a small donation, snorkel or surf on the beach, or join free yoga classes or cultural events.

Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Southeast Asia. It is also one of the most diverse and modern countries to visit. It has a rich history, a vibrant culture, a delicious cuisine, and a stunning nature. You can experience its bustling cities, serene temples, exotic islands, and more.

Some of the best ways to save money in Malaysia are:

Travel by bus or train instead of plane or taxi. You can travel around the country by bus for as low as $3 per trip. You can also use trains, which are cheaper than taxis or cars. You can book tickets online or at the station for both modes of transportation.
Stay in hostels or guesthouses instead of hotels. You can find comfortable and clean rooms for as low as $7 per night. You can also use apps like Hostelworld or Agoda to find cheap deals on accommodation.
Eat local food instead of western food. You can enjoy delicious and diverse Malaysian dishes for as low as $1 per meal. Try nasi lemak (coconut rice with anchovies and sambal), laksa (noodle soup with coconut milk and spices), roti canai (flatbread with curry), and more.
Do free or cheap activities instead of tours. You can explore the cities by walking or renting a bike, visit temples and markets for free or a small fee, relax on the beach or hike in the jungle, or join free walking tours or cultural events.

Conclusion

Traveling the world doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many amazing destinations that you can explore on a shoestring budget. All you need is some planning, flexibility, and creativity.

In this article, we have shown you how to travel cheaply and enjoyably to 10 of the cheapest countries to visit in 2023. These countries are full of culture, history, and natural beauty, and they can all be visited for less than $50 a day.

We hope you have found this article helpful and inspiring. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And if you are ready to book your next trip, don’t forget to check out our website for more tips and deals on travel.

Happy travels!

Tip on Trips hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thank you for reading and happy travels! 😊

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