Born and raised in Thailand and being a travel blogger myself, I do not have the same luxury as other travel bloggers from the Western Hemisphere when it comes to traveling the world.
For one, I hold a third-world passport, which prevents me from traveling to places like Europe and the US unless I go through hoops and hoops of bureaucracy to get the visa. And even then, I can only stay for a very limited time, so I can't travel on a whim like most first-world passport holders do.
Secondly, and one that is more important than you think, is the weak Thai currency, which stands at around 31 THB per 1 USD. Combine that with the low-income rate in Thailand, and traveling to places like Europe and the US becomes so SO expensive. That is why you don't see many representatives from countries like Thailand in the global travel blogging industry.
That said, I have since figured out a way to travel the world despite my circumstances and have been doing so for the last 8 years. One of those skills is in finding places and countries that are cheap for us Thais to visit, and I'm here to help you do just that - to find the cheapest countries you can visit.
Without further ado, here are the 13 cheapest countries to visit for those of you who are budget travelers, backpackers, or simply looking for a way to save more money while traveling the world.
1. Thailand
Of course, I have to include Thailand, my home country. I used to really hate living in Thailand since it was the only place I knew, and I wanted to experience the "developed" world, as most people from developing countries do. However, after traveling the world for the last 8 years and living in other countries for months on end, I finally realized the true value of Thailand and why the country is so popular among travelers.
I mean, how many countries out there can you go out and find a variety of delicious and fresh food straight from the street for less than 1.5 USD? How many countries can you find amazing accommodation for less than 15 USD per night? From my experience, not a whole lot.
Thailand is one of the cheapest countries to travel to, but that doesn't mean much if it isn't backed up with an abundance of beautiful tourist attractions travelers can visit. From the high mountains of Northern Thailand to the beaches and islands of Southern Thailand, there is plenty to explore.
If you are looking for a cheap country to visit that has it all - great and cheap food and accommodation, a tropical climate, and stunning scenery - you can never go wrong with Thailand.
2. Indonesia
Indonesia, the largest archipelagic state in the world consisting of over 17,000 islands, is one of the most diverse countries in Southeast Asia. With so many islands full of remote forests and volcanoes, each with different cultures and languages, Indonesia is one of the best countries to visit in the world.
It is also dirt cheap here, even in touristy places like Bali if you are willing to look for it. I have been to Indonesia more than 5 times now, and every time, the country always has something up its sleeve that I didn't experience the last time.
From hiking Mount Rinjani to swimming with manta rays around the Komodo Islands, there are countless things you can do here. Java, the main island of Indonesia, is home to some stunning temples like Borobudur and Prambanan, and it is still considerably cheap to visit.
Bali, even though it is becoming more and more expensive every day due to the number of tourists flocking to the place each year, there are still many pockets of places on the Hindu island where you can find cheap places to eat and do things.
For those looking for the ultimate adventure in Indonesia, Flores and the Komodo Islands offer a great place to visit that is relatively off-the-beaten-path and still very affordable, especially when you go out of the tourist cities like Labuan Bajo.
All in all, Indonesia is one of the cheapest countries to visit in the world that offers so many things to do and places to see for very little money. So, if you are looking to save some money without sacrificing your experience, Indonesia is the place to be.
3. Vietnam
Vietnam is another great and cheap travel destination in Southeast Asia that offers a unique experience and an abundance of things to do without breaking the bank. Like most countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is nothing like its neighbors, and it is worthy of a place to visit in and of itself.
The diversity of sceneries and cultures, emboldened by its rich history and dark past, are some of the main draws for travelers to visit Vietnam. From the dreamy landscape of Halong Bay to the mighty Mekong Delta, there is no shortage of things to do here.
The food in Vietnam is also one of the best in the region, and it is dirt cheap. For famous menus like Pho, Cao Lao, and Bahn Mi, it should cost you around 36,000 VND or 1.5 USD per dish.
Combine that with the cheap accommodation, the well-rounded tourist infrastructure, and the diverse landscapes, and you have yourself one of the cheapest countries in the world that you should definitely not miss when you are traveling in Southeast Asia.
4. Colombia
Colombia is the first place I visited when I first went backpacking through South America in 2016. I spent more than 2 weeks in both Bogota and Medellin, the 2 main tourist cities in Colombia, embedding myself into the city life and living like a local for a good amount of time, thanks to all my local friends there who allowed me to see just how cheap and amazing these 2 cities really are.
From the outside, Colombia might not seem as cheap of a country to visit, but if you look deeper and spend some more time here, you will find that the food, accommodations, and things to do in Colombia are actually very affordable and sometimes cheaper than most places.
The food in places like Medellin and Bogota usually costs around 2.5 USD per meal, which is pretty cheap already. However, if you go for the "Menu del Dia" or "Menu of the Day", which you can often find in most restaurants, you can get it for as low as 6,000 COP or 1.5 USD - almost the same price as food in Southeast Asia.
Not to mention, the food and accommodation become even cheaper the further you travel outside the 2 main cities. Combine that with all the cool things you can do in Colombia like attending the free salsa dance workshop in Medellin or going hiking in Cocora Valley in Salento, Colombia definitely deserves a spot on this list.
5. Peru
If I have to pick my favorite country in South America, it has got to be Peru. With all the amazing things you can do in Peru, from visiting the famous wonder of the world, Machu Picchu, to hiking around the Andes Mountains in Huaraz and Cusco, you can easily see why I chose Peru as my favorite country.
When it comes to tourist attractions, Peru is definitely one of the best countries in the world. It has a rich Mayan history, the stunning Andes mountain range that offers an infinite number of adventures one can embark on, and, hands down, the best cuisine in South America.
With the food costing around 2.5 USD per meal and accommodation costing as low as 7 USD per night, you can travel around Peru for as little as 15 USD per day. Combine that with the low cost of living, and you have yourself one of the cheapest and best countries for you to visit.
Peru is also one of the cheapest places to go high-altitude mountaineering, second only to Nepal, due to its proximity to the Andes and the higher average elevation of the country. So, if you are looking for a cheap place to go on an adventure or learn basic mountaineering, Peru is a great place to do so.
6. Albania
Albania is a country full of surprises. It is a place where you will find stunning mountains like the Albanian Alps, rich history like the towns of Berat and Gjirokaster, and beautiful beaches like those in the Albanian Riviera.
With so much to offer, you'd think that tourists would flock to this paradise, but I am happy to report that is not the case. Albania is still one of the few hidden gems in Europe that is both beautiful and affordable to travel in.
With the food costing around 5 USD per meal and accommodation costing as low as 9 USD per night, Albania is one of the cheapest and most beautiful countries to visit in Europe. If you are looking for a cheap place to travel in Europe that has everything at half the price, this is the place to be.
7. Sri Lanka
"Sri Lanka" is another great country to visit for those of you who are looking to travel to exotic places on a budget. I was there exploring Sri Lanka for 2 weeks, and I managed to only spend around 30 USD per day, yet I got to see everything I wanted to see there.
Sri Lanka is full of interesting tourist attractions and things to do. It has a rich and fascinating history deeply rooted in Buddhism, and there are several amazing sights, such as the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, and the most famous of all, the Lion Rock of Sigiriya, waiting for you to explore.
Accommodations are cheap as well in Sri Lanka, with a private room costing around 16 USD per night and a hostel costing only 6 USD per bunk bed. Food in Sri Lanka should also cost no more than 1.5 USD per meal, and transportation in Sri Lanka, with its vast networks of railways across the country, should also allow you to easily and cheaply move around the country.
Not to mention its beautiful coastlines, the tea plantations up in the highlands, and all the other beautiful places you can visit, Sri Lanka is, hands down, one of the cheapest countries you can visit in the world and a perfect destination for those who are looking to go off the beaten path without breaking the bank.
8. Turkey
Turkey used to be cheap. Not anymore. Unfortunately, I have to remove Turkey from this list due to soaring inflation and a recent decision to double entrance fees for nearly all tourist attractions across the country. You can still read my opinion about it below, but keep in mind that this is no longer the case.
Turkey is usually not a country you often see listed on a "cheapest countries to visit" list like this, and I am not sure why that is the case. From my experience traveling from west to east, Turkey is probably one of the cheapest countries to visit in the Middle East, that also offers so many awesome things to do and so many beautiful places to see.
From the perspective of most travelers who have only visited touristy places like Istanbul and Cappadocia, Turkey may not seem like a cheap place to travel to. However, if you decide to go off the well-trodden paths and visit places like Fethiye, Van, and Kars, you will be surprised at how cheap the country actually is.
On average, you can expect to spend around 30 USD per day minimum, with 12 USD for one night's accommodation and around 3 USD for a decent meal in Turkey. The country is also connected by an extensive bus network, with several companies like Metro and Ulusoy offering comfortable rides across the country at affordable prices.
When it comes to tourist attractions, there is also an abundance of interesting sights to see and awesome things to do across the country, from visiting the beautiful remote Armenian ancient city of Ani in Kars to hiking the Butterfly Valley and camping in Fethiye, or even better, hiking the Lycian trail, one of the most beautiful long-distance treks in the world.
As you can see, Turkey is not as expensive as people make it out to be. You can travel far and wide without spending very much, and with so many things to do in the country, you are definitely going to get your money's worth here.
9. Georgia
Georgia is one of my favorite countries in the Caucasus, and it is one of the cheapest countries to visit in the region. Traveling in Georgia, to my surprise, was even cheaper than traveling in Turkey, and there are quite a lot of things you can do that you can't do anywhere else in the region.
For one, Georgia has one of the best cuisines in the world, with dishes like Khachapuri and Khinkali spreading across big cities in Europe and beyond. When it comes to tourist attractions, Georgia is also home to the hipster city of Tbilisi, which is becoming more and more popular among backpackers, and there is no shortage of cozy cafes and bars with great vibes for you to explore.
For nature lovers, Kazbegi also offers a great place for you to escape the bustling capital city and immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of the Caucasus mountain range.
You can spend as little as $15 USD per day in Georgia, with food costing around $2 USD per meal and accommodation costing as low as $6 USD per night in a hostel. The transportation may not be as comfortable as in other countries, with cities mostly connected via marshrutkas (a shared mini-van), but they are dirt cheap, making it extremely affordable to move around the country.
Despite its small size, Georgia offers quite a variety of things you can do, from visiting cool historical sights to hiking in the mountains. And when you combine that with the low price of accommodation, food, and transportation, Georgia definitely deserves a spot on this list.
10. Nepal
Nepal, a small country nestled between the mighty Himalayan mountain range in South Asia, offers a ton of opportunities for nature lovers and hikers to explore the highest mountain range in the world on foot for cheap.
No, I'm not talking about hiking to the top of Everest. That is a rich people activity, and you would need at least 11,000 USD just to get the permit to climb the deadly mountain on the roof of the world.
I'm talking about all the other hikes you can do around the Himalayan mountain range like the Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang Track, Upper Mustang Track, and even the Everest Base Camp trek.
These hiking trails can be done solo, which will save you a ton of money, and they offer stunning views of the eight-thousanders of the world, mountain peaks standing over 8,000 meters (26,246 ft) above sea level. You can't get this kind of view anywhere else in the world but here.
Even if you are not into hiking, cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara can offer you a ton of things to do for cheap, such as visiting the famous Durbar Square for free or rolling a boat out onto Pokhara Lake for only a few dollars.
Food in Nepal can cost as low as 1.5 USD per meal, while accommodation can be found for as low as 6 USD per night in a hostel. It is cheaper than in most countries around the world and offers a view that you can't get anywhere else. That, for me, puts Nepal among the cheapest and very best countries to visit in the world.
11. Bosnia & Herzegovina
The Balkans is home to some of the most affordable places to visit in Europe, and among the best places to visit is Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the most diverse and interesting countries in Europe, filled with untouched natural wonders and often-forgotten history, waiting for you to explore.
With stunning old towns like Mostar and the diverse capital city of Sarajevo, it is hard not to fall in love with this wonderful country. Since the country doesn't get as many tourists as its neighbor, Croatia, you can expect everything to be cheap and affordable when it comes to food and accommodations.
And the best part is, the food here is really, REALLY GOOD! The fact that you are paying almost half the price of what you would expect to pay in countries like Croatia for such quality makes it even more satisfying to visit Bosnia. If you are looking for a country in Europe that is affordable and feels drastically different from all the other countries you've been to, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the best place to be.
12. Kosovo
You can go even cheaper than Bosnia in the Balkans by visiting Kosovo, one of the least traveled and cheapest countries in Europe, with one of the most untouched nature, culturally rich history, and a true hidden gem, which is not so easy to find nowadays in a well-trodden region like Europe.
Places like Prizren, Peja, and its lively capital Pristina, are some of the best places to visit in the Balkans, with a ton of things to do, beautiful sights to see, and great affordable foods to try.
Despite the country using the EUR, you can expect to pay a high-quality cup of coffee for around 1.25 EUR from cafes like Prince Coffee House, the local version of Starbucks, which I really REALLY love. You can eat like a king here and pay as little as 3.5 EUR for a full-blown meat platter that would have cost 10 EUR elsewhere.
Getting around is also cheap and easy, which makes for a perfect place to backpack if you don't mind going off the beaten path. If you are looking for the cheapest places to visit in Europe, Kosovo is definitely a place you should consider visiting.
13. Romania
Last but not least, we have Romania, one of the most beautiful countries in the Balkans, where you can find all sorts of magnificent old towns and medieval castles as well as all the untouched forests and mountains of the mythical region of Transylvania.
From the famous Dracula Castle to the medieval towns of Sibiu, Sighisoara, and Brasov, there is no denying that Romania, despite its troubling history, is no less beautiful than its Western counterparts like Hungary and Poland, but what makes Romania even better than these places is how easy and affordable it is to travel around the country without breaking the bank.
If you like medieval castles, beautiful old towns, and delicious cuisine, but you do not want to spend too much on your trip, Romania is definitely among one of the most affordable places to visit in Europe.
Further Reading for Inspiration
Looking for more articles to help inspire you to travel more? Here are a collection of articles you might like:
- If you love animals and want to experience some of the best wildlife encounters in the world, this is the article for you: 10 Best Wildlife Destinations You Have To Experience Once In Your Life.
- Hiking to the Everest Base Camp is one of the most memorable epic moments of my life. Here's a long-read piece about my experiences hiking the Everest Base Camp: On My Way To Everest Base Camp.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Ever wondered what it is like to travel the world on a third-world passport? Check out: Traveling The World On A Third World Passport.
- Here's why I always celebrate turning a year older with a hike: Climbing Kilimanjaro on My 33rd Birthday.
- Looking for the most beautiful travel blogs to follow? Here are the 24 Most Beautiful Travel Blogs to Follow.
- For adventurers and backpackers out there, here are the 10 Best Adventure and Backpacking Blogs You Should Follow.
- I truly believe we need more Asian representatives in the English-speaking travel blogging industry, especially for blogs about Asia. Here are the Top 10 Kick-Ass Asian Travel Bloggers To Follow.
- Did you know that you can travel without leaving your couch? Here are the 8 Great Travel Books You Should Read.
- For the best travel videos to inspire you to travel even further, here are the 20 Most Creative Travel Videos of All Time.
- If you are looking for travel vloggers to follow on YouTube that isn't cringeworthy, check out: 10 Best Travel Vloggers to Follow on YouTube.
- The best way to improve your photography skills is to learn from the best. Here are the 10 Best Photography YouTube Channels to Follow.
- A photo is worth a thousand words. Here are the 25 Most Beautiful Travel Photos I Ever Took From Around The World.
- Ever wondered what it's like to be a travel blogger during COVID-19? Check out: Being A Travel Blogger During COVID-19 - What Is It Like?
- Looking for off-the-beaten-path destinations to visit this year? Check out: 8 Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Destination to Visit.
- Can't travel internationally for the time being? How about traveling in your own country? Here are the 7 Reasons Why You Should Travel in Your Own Country.
- To find the most inspirational travel quotes and captions to go with your photos on your Instagram, check out 34 Short and Unique Traveller Quotes for Instagram.
- We often hear bad stories about locals from travelers, but what about the other way around? Here are some of the Notorious Stories Of Terrible Backpackers.
- If you lost your bag while traveling, here is how to deal with the situation: My Bag Was Stolen In Germany.
- Have you ever felt that you do not belong in the place where you were born? Read this: Where Is Home? - My Quest In Search Of Where I Belong.
- People often preach about how important it is to live in the moment, but sometimes, that may not be such a good idea. Here is The Problem With Living In The Moment.
- Want to embark on your first solo trip but not sure where to go? As a long-time solo traveler, here are my favorite places based on real experiences: 10 Incredible Travel Destinations for Solo Travelers.
- Solo traveling is not for everyone, and even though I love it to death, it is not always flowers and sunshine for solo travelers. Here are the 10 Things I Hate Most When Traveling Solo.
- Travel friends come and go, but that may not be such a bad thing. Here is why you should embrace your travel friends: A Life Of Brief Encounters.
- Hiking is life. Here's why: One Year Of Incredible Discomfort - 10 Things I've Learned From Climbing Mountains.
- Here's why having no plan is the best plan: Magical Things Happen When You Have Nothing To Do - The Art Of Doing Nothing.
- Is life getting you down? Here's why you can't always blame life for everything: Life Doesn't Suck. We Just Suck At Living It.
- Want to know why I chose to travel alone? Read this: We Travel Alone, NOT To Be Alone.
- For a meaningful solo trip, you need to share it with someone. Here is why Happiness Is Only Real When Shared.
- Traveling is no longer for the rich. Here is why: "People Think I'm Rich".
- The Himalayan Mountain is one hell of a teacher. Here are the 7 Life Lessons The Himalayas Taught Me.
- Want to travel alone but scared that you might get bored out of your mind? Here is How To Enjoy Yourself And Have Fun While Traveling Alone.
- Want to start traveling solo as well? Here is What It's Like to Travel Alone.
- Here is a simple story on how I started traveling: F*ck It, I'll Do This Alone.
- For more inspiring articles like this, visit my Inspiration page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
2 Comments
Hi.. I'm Celizia from.kota Kinabalu Sabah.. I read your stories and it's so impressive..I would love doing the things like that but Im scared and don't know how to start as I haven't been to many countries..only to the Philippines.. please advise.. thank you..
Hey Celizia,
Thank you for the comments. I know how you feel. I was like you before I started traveling alone. I found out that it's all about taking your first step. Book a trip, somewhere familiar and close by first, and all you have to do is just show up. That's exactly how I got myself started on this route. I book a flight to Cambodia on a random weekend, showed up at the airport, and had the best time of my life!
All you have to do is commit and just show up and you will be traveling the world in no time :)