If you’re a backpacker, you know the importance of a good deal. The ultimate goal for most budget travellers is to have the longest holiday possible for the lowest price, which is much easier in certain parts of the world than others.
The other goal is typically to get the most value for your money so that you can save funds without resorting to subpar living conditions or an obsolete social life.
In each of these seven destinations, both goals are achievable. Some are more pricy than others, but they’re all relatively affordable considering the standard of living you can maintain whilst there.
If you’re looking for a cheap destination to tick off this year, make it one of these seven spots
India is a huge place, meaning you’ll want to spend a lot of time there to feel like you’ve done the country justice. Luckily, a budget of around $20AUD a day is enough to live comfortably, making it easy to extend your stay. Food is extremely affordable in most part of India. Think all-you-can-eat vegetarian Thali platters for as little as $2-3. Accommodation is also very inexpensive, although if you’re after an even cheaper option, many Ashrams offer free accommodation in exchange for light volunteer work.
Thailand is a beautiful location and a great place to live like a baller on a backpacker's budget. Hostel dorms are not a necessity when travelling in Thailand. If you’d like to upgrade to an entire beachfront villa, you can do so for less than $50AUD a night in some regions. The food in Thailand is incredible and also very affordable, at around $2 a plate for restaurant quality fare.
Like Thailand, Vietnam is a lush tropical haven where it’s easy to live well for less. Private rooms are available for around $7AUD per night including breakfast and you can order a meal at a restaurant for even less! If you prefer Vietnam’s incredible street food, costs will be even lower. Transportation is also very cheap in Vietnam, although it's worthwhile to use Uber versus taxis, as prices are more consistent.
4. Costa Rica
As we recently pointed out, Costa Rica can be an incredibly cheap place to travel when you know how to do it. The flights will be the most expensive thing. Once there, it’s easy to live cheap with filling meals available from around $5AUD and lodging starting at around $12 a night. Participating in activities is also quite affordable in Costa Rica (which is a great thing because you'll want to do a lot while in this nature lover’s wonderland).
5. Nicaragua
If you’re already visiting Costa Rica, why not pop on over to Nicaragua? It’s the largest country in Central America, offering all sorts of amazing attractions such as volcanoes and pristine beaches and untouched old towns. Getting to these locations shouldn’t be a problem, with short taxi rides costing around $2AUD per person and long bus rides (up to half a day) costing around $8. AirBnBs are a great accommodation option at around $14 for shared spaces or about $40 for a whole house!
6. Morocco
Spain is a highly-sought destination for many backpackers, but it’s not super affordable. If you want to cut back on costs but stay nearby, Morocco is the place for you. Budget
We all know Greece to be one of Europe’s most affordable travel destinations. While prices are starting to slowly rise as the country’s economy rebuilds, it’s still much cheaper than other parts of Europe. If you’re happy with a dorm, it will cost you around $15 a night in most places. But food is where you will really save. Greeks know how to eat, meaning you can eat like royalty for about the same daily cost as your accommodation.
What's your favourite destination for budget travel?
