20 Cheap International Vacations For Travelers On A Budget

It feels like the cost of everything is sneaking up, with a marked increase in groceries, gas bills, house prices, and public transport. And that's before we even get to the topic of international travel, which (given the increase in fees for everything else) might feel like a world away. But we're here to tell you that it's perfectly possible to experience what the rest of the globe has to offer — all you need is a little help from your friends at Explore, and that dream vacation is ready to become a reality — even with the tightest of purse strings. 

From the warm turquoise waters of Indonesia and the tropical rainforests of Malaysia to soul-stirring Bulgaria and colorful India, there's something for every budget, complete with a handful of money-saving tips to reduce costs even further. Starting with the good people at Hostelworld — why not book your shared accommodation there? Or, see if you can't bag the cheapest of all flights on Skyscanner.

Before we dig into the unbelievably affordable destinations, it's crucial to signpost how we put this list together. We primarily relied on personal experience to determine the cheap international vacations. We've provided a more detailed look at how we decided which countries to include and how we got to the daily average spend for each at the end of this article. Now, grab yourself a drink, and let us guide you through the most budget-friendly holiday hotspots for your next adventure.

Laos is perhaps one of the most affordable countries to visit in the world, and you don't need to be a backpacker to realize it. The "Land of A Million Elephants" packs a real punch when it comes to culture, food, and stunning scenery, meaning even those on a tight shoestring budget can explore happily. $20 a day is all you'll need, but it means sleeping in hostel dorms (around $5 per night) and eating only local food to free you up for all the amazing trips and tours available in this part of the world. Renting a scooter comes in at about $5 per day, and it's perfectly possible to get yourself a hearty meal for no more than $2, alongside the odd beer for a little over $1.

Fancy a private room? You need only push this budget up to $35 per day for a quieter, more comfortable stay, with boutique guesthouses and solid air conditioning, as much alcohol as your liver can put up with, and the odd Western meal thrown in for good measure. It will also allow you to travel up and down the country freely via flash new trains, with each journey costing between $5 and $20, depending on the desired location. Speaking of which, the world's your oyster regarding budget-friendly stops in Laos. This proud nation offers incredible bang for your buck, from stunning waterfalls in Luang Prabang to crystal clear lagoons in Vang Vieng.

Vietnam neighbors Cambodia and Thailand in Southeast Asia, so it's no wonder this country is also a low-cost international travel destination. Vietnam has plenty to offer, from limestone mountains and temples to majestic caves and cultural cities. Meals are just a few bucks each; if you fancy a beer, it's only about 20 cents. You can even find hotel rooms for $10 a night without skimping on comfort.

Most people can spend a day exploring Vietnam and only pay $25. Up this to around $46 per day, and you'll have a much more comfortable stay – a cheap hotel, eating at the occasional chain restaurant, and paid activities. To avoid spending more than your budget, book lodging with complimentary breakfast and water included and share transportation with other people to split the costs. Opt for Uber if they exist in the area you're visiting to avoid being scammed by taxi drivers. If you do take a taxi, make sure to agree on a price before leaving. 

Exploring Indonesia can be inexpensive, depending on how you travel. You can get by on as little as $28 each day. Meanwhile, $71 a day will offer you more comfortable options. This Southeast Asian country is made up of 17,500 islands, and 40% of them are undeveloped and unpopulated. Island hopping and traveling between cities isn't cheap, so the trick to a cost-effective Indonesian vacation is to pick one region and really dive deep. Bali seems to be the most popular of the well-known destinations, as it offers a little bit of something for everyone, from waterfalls and white sand beaches to rice terraces and ancient temple ruins. Bali is even home to some unique black sand beaches.

Hiking Bali's natural wonders and lounging on the beach are technically free; you'll just need to pay for transportation. Your cheapest options are renting a bicycle or taking the local public microbus called Bemo. Renting a motorcycle or scooter is only $4-10 a day, but the roads can be quite harrowing, so be wary of that option. You can find hostels for $5-10 per night here and spend $5-$15 on meals daily. Depending on your haggling skills, you might be able to land a fair price on scuba diving or a surfboard rental. 

Columbia has a bad reputation for being a dangerous country, but in fact, the locals are quite friendly and welcoming to tourists. While there are still some places you should try to avoid, overall, a trip to Columbia can be both compelling and affordable. The country is large and has a wide variety of attractions, from breathtaking beaches and countless national parks to bustling cities with street art and jaw-dropping architecture. The exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the Colombian Peso is strong — $30 a day is a good amount for a budget holiday in Columbia, while $61 a day is still affordable but gives you a little more luxury and privacy in the form of private rooms and public transport.

To cater an economical trip in Colombia, opt for street food, hostels or cheap Airbnbs, free walking city tours, public transportation, and avoid touristy areas. If you want to visit some of the phenomenal nature destinations, remember that most national parks charge an entrance fee. For example, a visit to the Caribbean coastline of Tayrona National Park is about $10. Still, you can sleep in a tent or hammock right on the beach for pretty cheap — just make sure to book it ahead of time. However, visiting the iconic Cocora Valley is only about $1. It is a bucket list trip for many, with its seemingly mile-high wax palm trees and green glowing valleys.

Despite its golden beaches, buzzing nightlife, and jaw-dropping mountains, Bulgaria often flies under the radar for those hitting it up in the region — a strange phenomenon, seeing as it hosts one of the best European cities for budget travelers. If you're backpacking here or plain old frugal, it's possible to get by on just $31 a day. Bear in mind this means sleeping in hostel dorms ($11 per night), using public transport to get around the city ($5), and cooking most of your own meals. It's fairly easy to keep costs down in other ways, too. The best time to visit Bulgaria if you're on a budget is in January because of cheaper flights, but if you'd prefer summertime, save a few bucks each day by grabbing your breakfast at local bakeries selling cheap (and filling) pastries by the name of banica and krenvirshka. Not to mention joining the free walking tours on offer in the likes of Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, and Plovdiv.

Fancy sleeping somewhere more private and the luxury of eating out more frequently? Set your max spend to $77 per day. With this sort of money, it's possible to find a cheap hotel room ($30 per night) and enjoy fast food or a sit-down meal for $20 per dish. This budget will also allow you to take the occasional taxi and get sucked into more tours and activities — who wouldn't want to explore the dramatic Rila Mountains?

Nestled in Central America, Guatemala is an underrated and often overlooked gem. Stunning nature backdrops, friendly locals, and Mayan temples make this destination unforgettable. $32 per day is ample for a trip to Guatemala, while around $83 per day will score you a more comfortable trip with private rooms and guided tours. Street food is abundant and inexpensive, and you can grab a drink at a bar for under $5. Hostel rooms range from $10-20, and affordable Airbnb options abound. Your accommodation will be even cheaper if you enjoy camping and have space in your luggage for a tent since plenty of hostels have camping areas. Some places even offer hammock rentals and a spot to sling it up for just $5 a night.

If you don't mind the rain, visiting in the off-season between May and October provides fewer crowds and better deals. Popular destinations in Guatemala include the Mayan temples of Tikal, Lake Atitlan, its surrounding hippie villages, and the jungle vibes and river of Semuc Champey. Transportation to these attractions may be your most significant expense; if you're feeling adventurous, ride in a chicken bus, a retired school bus now used for public transit. Getting from Antigua to Lake Atitlan on a chicken bus can cost as little as $8. At the same time, the loud music and flashy designs on the bus may seem like a party; beware that passengers are packed in tight, and the standing room is shoulder-to-shoulder. Theft is also quite common on chicken buses, so keep your wallet and phone tucked away.

Mexico has a fantastic culture, great food, charming cities, and beautiful nature getaways. If you're on a budget, $40 per day is possible there, but if you can stretch to $75, you'll be in for a much more comfortable trip. Most cities have street tacos that cost less than $1 apiece. You can easily get away with spending anywhere from $8-$15 daily on food and the same per night for a hostel. However, Mexico is a vast country, so the key to traveling here on a budget is to pick one region and stay there. Transportation between cities can be costly and time-consuming. One of the most popular cultural cities to visit is Mexico City, where you can find cheap Airbnbs and even affordable luxury hotels.

If you're craving more of a beach vacation, the Yucatan Peninsula is the place to be. Just stick to staying in hostels and traveling by bus to keep it economical. Not only does the Yucatan Peninsula offer iconic white sand beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and delicious authentic Mexican food, but it's also home to the cenotes, which are underwater caves that boast beautiful aquamarine colors and aquatic life. While diving or snorkeling around them is a bit more pricey, you can pay just $3 to visit one to go swimming for the day.

This country is sometimes on the expensive-to-travel list, but lately, South Africa has become a low-cost destination due to the excellent exchange rate. You could get away with $46 per day on a shoestring budget in South Africa, but $102 per day will be a more comfortable trip. Hostels remain the cheapest accommodation at just $10-15 per night. However, camping is also an option, and you may be able to find economical hotels and Airbnb options due to the exchange rate.

To save money on food, you'll want to factor in lodging with a kitchen; that way, you can cook some meals on your own instead of always eating out. Saving money on food and accommodation will allow you to splurge on a fancy restaurant now and then or even budget for your dream safari trip. We also recommend renting a car or opting for public transport like buses. Just be sure to check rental car prices across different companies like Priceline, Expedia, and Autoslash to get the best deals. 

When planning a low-cost international trip, Europe generally isn't the first place that comes to mind. However, Eastern Europe is much more affordable than its Western neighbors. Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the most economical Eastern European countries, and you can easily get by spending just $48 a day there or about $90 per day on a mid-range budget. Some popular destinations in the country include the capital, Sarajevo, for its impressive architecture and Mostar, a quaint Medieval town.

Hostel rooms range from $15-20 per night and you might be able to find an Airbnb for about $20, but hotels will be more pricey. Book your first night or two ahead of time, then do some legwork once you get there to find better lodging deals by asking locals. Most meals are a bargain — you can get cevapi, a type of grilled sausage, and Bosnian coffee for just a couple of bucks. A full meal, complete with several beers, can easily cost you under $15.  

While not an obvious choice, visiting Greece can be inexpensive. You could get away with spending $66 per day in Greece on a budget. Up this to $144 a day for more mid-range options. For this country, timing is everything. Summer is the most popular season for tourists, so opt out of going in July or August and shoot for an off-season spring or fall trip. Some restaurants can be pretty expensive, so rather than eating out for every meal, plan to buy some groceries and have picnic lunches. Plus, you can find cheap street food on every corner, and you can't go to Greece without eating a gyro.

You can find hostels for $16-27 a night here, and depending on how many people are in your group, you can also track down some affordable Airbnb options. Free walking tours are everywhere, so you can cover all your must-see spots at no price. And if you want to visit the nearby islands, be sure to book an overnight ferry in advance at a cheaper price, which means you'll save money on accommodation for that evening.