One of the biggest things I learned after years of traveling is that budget travel is not about being cheap all the time. It is about choosing the right countries. In some places, you constantly worry about money. In others, you can eat out, stay in nice apartments, travel around, and still spend less than you would at home.
If someone asks me where to travel on budget, I always say the same thing: choose countries where the cost of living is low, travel slowly, and avoid very touristy areas.
Below are what I consider some of the best budget travel destinations where I could comfortably travel for weeks or months without spending a lot of money.
Quick Picks: Best Budget Travel Destinations
If you just want quick recommendations:
Cheapest overall: Vietnam, Bolivia, Indonesia
Best budget destinations in Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia
Best for digital nomads on a budget: Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico
Best for nature: Peru, Bolivia
Best for beaches: Albania, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico
Best for slow travel: Vietnam, Romania, Mexico, Georgia
1. Vietnam
Vietnam is one of those countries where I immediately felt like my money lasted much longer. I could eat out every day, move between cities, drink coffee in cafes, and still spend very little compared to most other places I had traveled.
What I like most about Vietnam is that it is very easy to travel slowly. I spent time in Hanoi, then moved to Da Nang, then Hoi An, and later Ho Chi Minh City, and transport between these places was cheap and simple. Sleeper buses and trains are very common, so you can travel long distances without paying for flights.
Food is another reason I always recommend Vietnam to budget travelers. Street food is everywhere, and meals are cheap but really good. I often ate pho, banh mi, rice dishes, and local coffee for just a few euros per meal. If you eat local food instead of international restaurants, it is very easy to keep your daily budget low.
Accommodation is also affordable, especially if you stay longer. In cities like Da Nang, many travelers rent apartments monthly, which makes Vietnam great for slow travel or digital nomad life.
If someone asked me how to travel the world on a budget, Vietnam would definitely be one of the first countries I would recommend.
Approximate daily budget: €20–30 (budget), €35–45 (comfortable)
2. Thailand
Thailand is one of the easiest countries I have ever traveled in, and that is one of the reasons it is so popular with budget travelers. Everything is quite organized, transport is easy, and there are accommodation options for every budget.
I spent time in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and several islands, and I found that it is very easy to control your spending in Thailand. If you stay in guesthouses, eat street food, and travel by bus or train, it can be very affordable. But if you stay in resorts and eat Western food, it becomes expensive quickly.
One of the things I like about Thailand is the variety. You can spend time in big cities, then go to the mountains in the north, and then relax on islands in the south. Many travelers move around slowly and stay in each place for a week or more, which helps reduce transport costs and makes the trip more relaxed.
Street food is everywhere and very affordable, so I rarely needed to cook. Eating local food is one of the easiest ways to keep your budget low in Thailand.
For many people learning how to travel the world on a budget, Thailand is often the perfect starting country because it is easy, affordable, and very traveler-friendly.
Approximate daily budget: €25–35 (budget), €40–55 (comfortable)
3. Indonesia
Indonesia is a huge country, and traveling there can be very cheap if you move slowly and avoid constantly flying between islands. I spent most of my time in Bali and Lombok, and I found that daily costs were quite low, especially if I stayed in one place for a while.
What makes Indonesia great for budget travel is that many activities are free or very cheap. Beaches, waterfalls, rice fields, viewpoints, and hikes often cost nothing or just a small entrance fee. If you like nature and outdoor activities, it is very easy to travel here without spending much money on attractions.
Food is also cheap if you eat local food like nasi goreng, mie goreng, and rice dishes from small local restaurants. Accommodation is affordable, especially guesthouses and small hotels, and monthly rentals are very common in places like Bali.
Transport between islands can be expensive if you fly often, so I think Indonesia is best for slow travel where you stay longer in each place instead of moving every few days.
Indonesia is definitely one of the best budget friendly travel destinations if you want warm weather, beaches, and a slower travel lifestyle.
Approximate daily budget: €20–30 (budget), €35–45 (comfortable)
4. Albania
Albania was one of the biggest surprises for me in Europe. I expected it to be cheap, but I did not expect it to be so beautiful. The beaches in the south look similar to Greece, but prices are much lower, especially for accommodation and food.
I traveled through Tirana, Berat, and down to the Albanian Riviera, and I found that eating in local restaurants was affordable and portions were usually large. Accommodation was also cheaper than most other European coastal destinations, especially outside peak summer.
Transport is mostly buses and minibuses, which are cheap but sometimes slow. Albania is not a country where you rush from place to place. It is better to travel slowly and spend a few days in each town.
What I liked most about Albania was that it felt like traveling in Europe but without Western European prices. You still have historic towns, mountains, beaches, and good food, but you spend much less money.
If someone asked me where to travel on budget in Europe, Albania would definitely be near the top of my list.
Approximate daily budget: €30–40 (budget), €45–60 (comfortable)
5. Bulgaria
Bulgaria is one of the countries where I felt I could stay for a long time without spending too much money. Cities are affordable, public transport is cheap, and food prices are reasonable, especially in local restaurants.
I spent time in Sofia and Plovdiv, and both cities were very livable and comfortable. Sofia feels like a proper European capital but much cheaper than cities in Western Europe. Plovdiv is smaller and very charming, and I really enjoyed walking around the old town and cafes.
Another thing I liked about Bulgaria is that you can combine different types of travel in one country. You can visit cities, mountains, and the Black Sea coast without traveling very far or spending a lot on transport.
Accommodation is affordable, especially apartments, and many digital nomads stay in Bulgaria for longer periods because living costs are low but infrastructure is still good.
For me, Bulgaria is one of the easiest budget travel destinations in Europe if you want to stay longer and live comfortably without spending a lot.
Approximate daily budget: €30–40 (budget), €45–60 (comfortable)
6. Romania
Romania is one of the most underrated countries I have traveled to in Europe. Cities are beautiful, internet is fast, food is affordable, and there are mountains, castles, forests, and historic towns all around the country.
I spent time in Bucharest, Brasov, and Sibiu, and I found that accommodation and food were quite affordable compared to most European countries. Traveling by train and bus was also reasonably priced, although sometimes slow.
What I liked about Romania is that it is very good for slow travel. Cities are comfortable to live in, cafes are affordable, and internet is fast, so it is easy to stay for a few weeks or even a few months.
Romania also feels very diverse. You can visit big cities, medieval towns, mountains, and countryside all in one trip without traveling very far.
If you are looking for budget friendly travel destinations in Europe that are interesting, comfortable, and not too expensive, Romania is definitely worth considering.
Approximate daily budget: €35–45 (budget), €50–65 (comfortable)
7. Colombia
Colombia is one of my favorite budget destinations in South America because it is affordable but still very comfortable for long stays. Cities like Medellín are very popular with digital nomads and long-term travelers because the cost of living is relatively low and the weather is good all year.
Food, accommodation, and local transport are reasonably priced, and buses connect most cities, although distances can be long. I found that the best way to travel in Colombia is to stay in each place for a while instead of moving too often.
What I liked about Colombia is the variety. You can spend time in big cities, then go to coffee regions, mountains, or the Caribbean coast. Each region feels very different, which makes traveling around the country very interesting.
Accommodation in cities like Medellín can be very affordable if you rent apartments instead of staying in hotels. Many travelers stay there for months because it is comfortable and affordable.
If you want to travel in South America without spending too much money, Colombia is one of the best places to start.
Approximate daily budget: €30–40 (budget), €45–60 (comfortable)
8. Peru
Peru is a great destination for budget travel, especially if you like mountains, hiking, and cultural destinations. Many people come only for Machu Picchu, but I found that traveling around the country was actually quite affordable.
Food markets and local restaurants are cheap, buses connect most cities, and budget accommodation is easy to find. Long-distance buses are very common and often cheaper than flying, which helps keep travel costs low.
I spent time in Cusco, Arequipa, and Lima, and I found that daily costs were quite reasonable, especially outside the main tourist areas. Hiking and nature activities are also relatively affordable compared to Europe or North America.
Peru is a country where I would recommend traveling slowly, staying in each place for several days, and using buses instead of flights. That makes a big difference to your budget.
If you like mountains, nature, and cultural travel, Peru is one of the most interesting budget travel destinations in South America.
Approximate daily budget: €30–40 (budget), €45–60 (comfortable)
9. Bolivia
Bolivia is one of the cheapest countries I have traveled to, and it is a very good place to reduce your travel expenses if you are traveling long-term. Infrastructure is more basic than in some other countries, but costs are very low and landscapes are incredible.
Accommodation, food, and transport are cheap, especially in smaller towns. One of the most famous places is the Uyuni Salt Flats, which is more expensive than daily travel but still worth it and usually a highlight of South America.
Bolivia is not a luxury destination, but it is perfect for backpackers and long-term travelers who want to travel for months without spending too much money.
I found that Bolivia was a good country to balance more expensive destinations. After traveling in more expensive countries, spending a few weeks in Bolivia helped reduce my overall travel budget.
If you are serious about how to travel the world on a budget, Bolivia is one of the best countries to include in your travel plans.
Approximate daily budget: €20–30 (budget), €35–45 (comfortable)
10. Turkey
Turkey is a very interesting budget destination because the country is huge and very diverse. You can visit big cities, historical sites, beaches, mountains, and small towns all in one country without spending too much money.
Food is one of the best parts of traveling in Turkey, and local restaurants are affordable. Buses are comfortable and relatively cheap, and accommodation prices are reasonable in most cities outside Istanbul.
I found that traveling slowly in Turkey works very well because apartments are affordable and food is cheap if you eat local food. Cities like Antalya and smaller coastal towns were quite affordable compared to many European coastal destinations.
Turkey is also a good destination if you like history and culture because there are many historical sites and interesting cities.
For me, Turkey is one of the best budget destinations between Europe and Asia.
Approximate daily budget: €30–40 (budget), €45–60 (comfortable)
11. Mexico
Mexico can be very affordable if you avoid expensive resort areas and focus on cities and smaller beach towns instead. I spent time in Mexico City and Oaxaca, and I found both cities affordable and very interesting.
Street food is cheap and very good, buses are comfortable and connect most cities, and long-term accommodation is affordable in many places. Mexico is also a good country for slow travel because it is easy to stay longer and move between cities slowly.
What I liked about Mexico is that every region feels different. Some places feel very modern and busy, while others are small and relaxed. You can travel for a long time without getting bored because the country is so diverse.
Mexico is also popular with digital nomads because living costs are reasonable and there are many cities where you can stay for a few months comfortably.
If you are looking for budget friendly travel destinations in the Americas, Mexico is one of the best options.
Approximate daily budget: €30–40 (budget), €45–60 (comfortable)
12. Georgia
Georgia is one of the most budget friendly countries I have traveled to between Europe and Asia. Food is cheap, accommodation is affordable, and transport between cities is inexpensive.
I spent time in Tbilisi and really liked the city. There are many cafes, coworking spaces, and a growing digital nomad community. The country also has mountains, wine regions, and the Black Sea coast, so there is a lot to see for a relatively small country.
Food in Georgia is very affordable and portions are usually large, so eating out often is still budget friendly. Transport between cities is cheap by train or minibus, which makes traveling around the country easy.
Georgia is also very welcoming to travelers and easy to travel around, which makes it a good destination for both short trips and long stays.
If you are looking for budget travel destinations that are affordable, interesting, and easy to travel, Georgia is definitely worth considering.
Approximate daily budget: €25–35 (budget), €40–55 (comfortable)
How to Choose an Affordable Travel Destination
Choosing the right destination is the most important part of budget travel. I usually look at a few simple things before deciding where to go.
Things I check before choosing a budget travel destination:
- Accommodation prices: I quickly check apartment and hotel prices for a week or a month. If accommodation is cheap, the destination is usually budget-friendly overall.
- Food costs: countries with street food and local restaurants are usually much cheaper than places where you mostly eat in restaurants.
- Transport costs: I prefer countries where I can travel by bus or train instead of flying between cities.
- Cost of living: if the country is cheap for locals, it is usually cheap for travelers too.
- Tourism level: very touristy countries are usually more expensive. The less touristy neighboring country is often cheaper and just as interesting.
- Long-stay accommodation: many destinations become much cheaper if you stay longer and rent apartments weekly or monthly.
If I combine affordable destinations with slow travel and longer stays, it becomes much easier to travel longer without increasing my budget.
Final verdict
After traveling through many countries on different budgets, I realized that budget travel is much less about constantly saving money and much more about choosing the right destinations. If you choose affordable countries, you can travel comfortably, eat out often, stay in nice apartments, and still spend less than you would at home.