Incredible Destinations for Less: 14 of the Cheapest Places to Travel in 2018
India
Today, India is quite possibly the cheapest country to visit in the world. It’s the ultimate budget travel destination — if you’re adventurous enough!
Steeped in culture, tradition and tasty cuisine, India is a one-stop adventure for those who seek it. India is vast — there is every possible kind of destination here. You can find beaches, mountains, temples, yoga and meditation retreats or adventure sports. Tourism in India is growing quickly thanks to its fantastic culture and breathtaking landscapes, so it’s now easier than ever to travel.
Plus, the U.S. dollar is nearly 70 times stronger than the rupee, so you’ll get the most out of your money.
A meal in a restaurant costs less than $3 USD, and if you dare brave street food you can find snacks for 50 cents. Taxis can cost as little as $1 USD, and decent hotels will only set you back around $20 USD. Plan to spend around $60 USD a day. (You can get by on a lot less if you don’t mind roughing it.)
Morocco
Morocco is only a short hop from Europe, but it feels like a different world. It’s a country that indulges the senses, with richly colored, bustling medinas packed with donkeys and eye-catching textiles alike, flavorful tagines and landscapes that range from crisp mountains to the golden expanse of the Sahara Desert.
It’s a shopaholic’s paradise, and you’ll struggle to resist entering into a bartering session or two while in the souks. Morocco is also a land of temptation for photographers — Chefchaouen’s blue walls make it one of the most photogenic towns in the world, and glimpses of the Atlas Mountains from rooftops of Marrakesh are hard to ignore.
What makes Morocco all the more attractive is the fact that it is a cheap place to vacation. You can live like royalty, staying in majestic riads, riding camels and exploring palaces, for less than $70 USD a day.
Hitchhiking is a controversial topic with lots of questions surrounding it. Is hitchhiking illegal? Is it possible to do so safely? Those answers and more!
Turkey
Sprawled across both Europe and Asia, Istanbul has a particular mystique that’s hard to resist. It’s also a cheap place to travel, so you may as well give in to the temptation!
As well as the grand mosques and spires of Istanbul, Turkey destinations include the ethereal “fairy chimneys” of Cappadocia, the regal terraces of Pamukkale and a Mediterranean coastline that has a bounty of beaches and walking trails alike. Then there’s the food — lush breakfasts of white cheeses, tomatoes and olive oil, gozleme pancakes stuffed with goodies, babaganoush, and toppings of yogurt on everything.
Turkey strikes a perfect balance between the new and unfamiliar and the comforts of Europe. Exploring this incredible country is possible for a mere $40 USD a day. Traveling overland by sleeper bus, eating in basic restaurants and using your feet to explore will help to keep costs down on your trip.
