The Cheapest Places to Travel to in 2017

Wherever you go in Cambodia, you’ll find excellent value, not to mention some of Southeast Asia’s most marvellous landscapes as well as the world’s friendliest people – yes, seriously. Beyond the UNESCO-listed sanctuaries of Angkor Wat, you’ll find sleepy colonial towns, bohemian riverside retreats and some of the most exquisite beaches our fair little planet has to offer.

Average costs (in US Dollars):

Local meals and street eats: US$1–3

Local buses: US$2–3 per 100km

India still is, and always will be one of the ultimate destinations for budget travel. Why? Well, there are few countries in the world where you can still travel so extensively for so little. If you want culture, conquer the Golden Triangle, for beautiful beaches and blinding temples explore Gokarna, for delicious street food look no further than Mumbai and for a challenge, enter Himalayan country.

Average costs (in Rupees):

Dorm bed: ₹100–200

Double room in a budget hotel: ₹300–700

All-you-can-eat thalis (plate meals): ₹120–300

Bus and train tickets: ₹300–500

Few places in the world offer as much diversity and culture as Mexico. The country’s glorious mosaic of regional identities are as varied as the nation’s fabulous landscapes, which encompass everything from high-lux beach escapes in Tulum to colourful and vibrant cities like Cancun – oh, and let’s not even mention the ancient ruins, dense rainforests and tequila. Convinced yet?

Average costs (in Pesos):

Hostel dorm bed: M$180; double room in budget hotel: M$350–600

Comida corrida (fixed-price lunch) in economical restaurant: M$60–80

250km bus trip: M$220

Not many people immediately think of Bulgaria as there go-to holiday destination – which is a great shame. The country has lots to offer budget travellers, not least deserted beaches, hotels at bargain prices and lots and lots of lovely towns. If you need an outdoorsy escape, the place is famous for its dramatic mountain ranges, which are perfect for exploration on foot or by bike!

Average costs (in Leva):

Dorm bed: 18–22 lv

Room in a simple guesthouse: 25–50 lv

Meals from cafeterias: 5–10 lv

Public transport tickets: around 1 lv

You’re probably thinking we’re all crazy, but after Brexit, the UK capital is that little more affordable. First things first, London is not cheap, but if you plan it well, stay in hostels, eat in dingy (but tasty) cafes and opt for all forms of public transport, you’ll save so much money. The best thing about the place is that few global capitals rival London’s plethora of free sights. Here, you can see the Rosetta stone, giant dinosaurs, roam through former royal palaces and glare at artistic masterpieces for absolutely nothing.

Average costs (in GBP):

Dorm bed: £10-32

Market-stall lunch: £5, supermarket sandwich £1.50-4.50

Many museums: free

Standby theatre tickets: £5-25

Santander Cycles daily rental fee: £2

One of the best things about South Africa is that you don’t need to spend millions to experience the awes and wonders of the bush. To take advantage of this natural paradise, ditch the tourist hotspots and safari in Hluhluwe—Imfolozi to see white rhinos and massive elephants, visit Drakensberg for hiking and for cheap food and amazing culture, spend a few days in the buzzing city of Cape Town.

Average costs (in Rand):

Hostel dorm bed: from R160

Budget main dish: less than R75

Two-week hop-on, hop-off Baz Bus pass: R4100

After years of turbulent change, Vietnam still remains amazing value for visitors from all over the world. Ask anyone that’s been, and they’ll immediately tell you the country’s greatest asset is its pristine countryside. Imagine twirling vistas, stratosphere-touching limestone karsts, charming waterways, blissful beaches and aromatic tea plantations. Then there’s the cuisine – oh the cuisine. Wherever you go, you’ll get amazing food for nothing – literally nothing.

Average costs (in USD):

One hour on a local bus: US$1-1.50

Cheap hotel: US$10-15 a night, dorms less

Local meal consisting of noodles: US$1.50-2.50

Having recovered from nationwide fuel strikes and a catastrophic earthquake, Nepal is a fabulous choice for budget-conscious travellers in search of life-changing hikes and otherworldly wildlife. What’s even better is that you can survive on as little as $50 per day, and wherever you go in this magical land, expect to see thousands of smiley faces – bliss.

Average costs (in USD):

Budget hotel room in Kathmandu: US$5–25

Dinner and breakfast in a trekking lodge: US$10–12

Trekking porter/guide: US$15/25 per day

Easy to navigate, stable and kaleidoscopic in every way imaginable, Morocco offers travellers a low-cost and affordable hit of exotic luxury. Only a few hundred miles south of Western Europe, there simply isn’t anywhere in the top half of the Northern tip of Africa that is so thrillingly at odds with the rest of it. Mysterious and unrelentlessly playful, Marrakech offers unmissable, affordable and luxurious accommodation you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

Average costs (in Dirhams):

Basic double (shared bathroom): from Dh50

Soup or sandwich: Dh4–30

Four-hour local bus trip: Dh60

Better value in every sense of the word, this South American beauty is less pricier than Brazil and Argentina combined. There are plenty of awesome beaches for you to chill on, and you’ll be relieved to know that the steak is cheap here too.

Average costs (in Pesos):

Hostel dorm bed: M$180; double room in budget hotel: M$350–600

Cheap lunch: M$60–80

Michigan’s upper peninsula is simply stunning. Filled with Norman Rockwell-esque villages, the entire place offers a bewitching charm unlike anywhere else in the USA. Predominantly buzzing with locals and Midwesterners from all walks of life, the area is relatively tourist-free so it’s a great alternative if you want something more causal and relaxed. Aside from its gorgeous towns, the region is known for its quaint collection of historic lighthouses, glittering beaches and lake shores and some of the country’s oldest forests.

Average costs (in USD):

Basic double (shared bathroom): from $50

Cheap meal: $4–15

National Park Entry: $10-15

Amazingly, this vibrant and lively city still manages to evade tourists. We can’t seem to understand why, given Porto’s picturesque setting on the Rio Douro and the countless, excellent and affordable eating spots and accommodation – oh, and it’s super cheap to get to on numerous budget airlines throughout Europe. Dubbed Portugal’s second city, the place is home to a string of inexpensive museums, Instagram-worthy vintage trams and several atmospheric wine caves that offer dead cheap tours and tastings. Yum.

Average costs (in Euros):

Dorm bed: €15–22

Basic hotel room for two: from €30

Lunch special at a family-run restaurant: €7–9

With the country’s currency at an all time low, there couldn’t be a better time to explore and experience this amazing country. What experiences, you ask? Think desert – wildlife spotting in the incredible Etosha National Park, challenging hikes in the wilderness of the Fish River Canyons and sand surfing down the epic Sossusvlei Dunes. With its exceptionally clear milky-way night skies and virdiscnet tundras, know that the best and most long-lasting memories of this natural paradise won’t cost you a single penny.

Average costs (in USD):

Guides/drivers: US$10 per person per day

Camp or lodge staff: US$10 per guest per day (usually placed in a communal box)

Transfer drivers and porters: US$3

Forget the country’s current economic turmoil – if anything, it’s more reason to travel here to support the country’s welcoming and notoriously friendly locals. The fiscal situation does mean that prices are a lot cheaper than usual, so lucky for you, you’ll be able to spend an extra night or two in Santorini. So what are you waiting for? History, culture, glittery coves and perfectly white sandy beaches await.

Average costs (in Euros):

Dorm beds: €10–20 and domatia (Greek B&B) from €25

Meal at markets and street stalls: under €10
Want more places to go to? Check out where all the millennials are heading to in 2017!