Travelling doesn’t have to mean spending thousands of pounds on an expensive holiday.

Choose your destination carefully and your money can go considerably further, particularly once you arrive.

Some countries offer affordable local food, public transport, accommodation and attractions, while others make it possible to combine beaches, cities and outdoor adventures without the prices associated with more expensive destinations.

The best cheap travel destinations aren’t necessarily the places with the lowest possible daily spend. Flight prices from the UK, visas, insurance, season and the type of accommodation you choose all affect the real cost of a holiday.

We’ve selected eight cheap travel destinations that can offer excellent value while still providing plenty to see and do.

1. Laos

Laos can be an excellent choice for travellers looking for Southeast Asian scenery without building their entire trip around resorts.

Luang Prabang combines historic architecture, temples, markets and easy access to the surrounding countryside.

Nearby Kuang Si Falls is one of the country’s best-known natural attractions, with cascading turquoise pools surrounded by forest.

Vang Vieng offers dramatic limestone scenery and outdoor activities, while the capital Vientiane provides a different experience with temples, markets and riverside areas.

Why Laos Can Be Affordable

Local restaurants, guesthouses and ground transport can make Laos one of the more interesting cheap travel destinations in Southeast Asia.

The arrival of the Laos-China Railway has also changed how travellers can move between several major destinations.

However, don’t rely on old online articles quoting a fixed daily budget.

Accommodation prices vary significantly between simple guesthouses and higher-end hotels, particularly in popular areas such as Luang Prabang.

British citizens should also check current GOV.UK travel advice for Laos before travelling. FCDO advice applies to certain areas of the country, and entry requirements can change.

2. Vietnam

Vietnam offers an enormous amount of variety.

You can explore the streets and food scene of Hanoi, cruise through spectacular northern landscapes, visit the historic centre of Hoi An, experience Ho Chi Minh City or relax along the country’s extensive coastline.

Food is one reason Vietnam remains attractive to budget-conscious travellers.

Local restaurants and street-food vendors can provide inexpensive meals compared with many European destinations.

Transport options range from trains and coaches to domestic flights.

How to Keep Costs Down in Vietnam

Vietnam works particularly well for travellers prepared to use local services rather than expecting international resort standards throughout the trip.

Consider:

• Eating at local restaurants
• Comparing trains, coaches and flights
• Staying in locally run accommodation
• Travelling outside major holiday periods
• Spending several nights in each destination rather than constantly moving

That combination helps keep Vietnam among the cheap travel destinations worth considering for a longer trip.

Remember that travelling farther isn’t automatically cheaper overall. A low daily cost after arrival can be offset by long-haul airfare from the UK.

Use TravelHype to find flights across different dates before deciding whether Vietnam fits your total budget.

3. Cambodia

Cambodia combines famous historical attractions with cities, countryside and islands.

For many visitors, Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap is the headline attraction.

Angkor Wat is only part of the enormous archaeological landscape, so allow enough time to explore rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

Phnom Penh offers museums, markets, food and an insight into Cambodia’s complex modern history.

Travellers looking for beaches can also explore Cambodia’s southern coast and islands.

Budget Travel in Cambodia

Simple accommodation and local food can make Cambodia attractive to travellers trying to control everyday spending.

But the cheapest possible trip shouldn’t be the goal.

Allow money for entrance fees, reliable transport, appropriate insurance and reputable guides or operators where needed.

Cambodia remains one of our cheap travel destinations because you can tailor the trip to different budgets rather than because everyone can travel for an unrealistic fixed amount per day.

British travellers should check current GOV.UK travel advice for Cambodia before booking.

Current FCDO advice includes restrictions concerning areas close to the land border with Thailand, so check your specific itinerary rather than assuming advice applies equally across the whole country.

4. Indonesia

Indonesia is enormous.

Trying to see too much of it during one holiday can quickly increase transport costs and turn an inexpensive destination into an expensive itinerary.

Bali is the country’s best-known tourism destination, but Indonesia extends across thousands of islands.

Java, Lombok and parts of Sumatra are among the many alternatives worth researching.

Choose Fewer Islands

One of the easiest ways to keep Indonesia affordable is to slow down.

Every extra flight, ferry and transfer adds to the cost.

Choose one region or a small number of islands and spend more time exploring them.

Local food and accommodation can offer good value, although prices vary enormously between destinations.

A fashionable part of Bali with luxury beach clubs shouldn’t be used as a benchmark for the whole country.

Likewise, a cheap rural guesthouse doesn’t represent what everyone will pay.

Indonesia earns its place among our cheap travel destinations because travellers have considerable control over how much they spend.

If Bali is part of your plans, our guide to a Bali honeymoon includes more ideas for experiencing the island.

5. Northern Thailand

Thailand can suit everything from backpacking to luxury holidays.

For travellers concentrating on value, the north is particularly interesting.

Chiang Mai is the obvious starting point, with temples, markets, cafés, restaurants and access to mountain scenery.

Chiang Rai is another option and is home to the striking Wat Rong Khun, commonly known as the White Temple.

Pai attracts travellers interested in a smaller mountain-town atmosphere.

Why Consider Northern Thailand?

Accommodation and dining choices cover a broad range of budgets, while local transport and inexpensive restaurants can help control everyday spending.

Northern Thailand also provides a completely different experience from the southern islands.

Rather than building the holiday entirely around beaches, you can focus on cities, mountains, temples, markets and food.

That variety makes northern Thailand one of the cheap travel destinations particularly suited to travellers who want plenty to do without staying at an expensive resort.

If you’re travelling farther around the country, see our guide to the best things to do in Thailand.

6. Colombia

Colombia offers Caribbean beaches, Andean cities, colonial architecture, coffee-growing regions and extraordinary landscapes.

Cartagena is famous for its colourful historic centre and Caribbean setting.

Medellín provides a completely different city experience surrounded by mountains.

Travellers interested in coffee can head towards areas such as Salento and the wider coffee region.

There are also hiking opportunities, national parks and coastal destinations across the country.

Colombia on a Budget

Colombia can offer good value, but the original version of this article claimed it was possible to spend a day “lavishly” for $10.

That’s not a realistic figure to use as general travel advice.

Your actual spending depends heavily on location and travel style.

Cartagena, for example, can cost considerably more than less touristy parts of the country.

Long-distance transport also matters in a country of Colombia’s size.

Despite that, local food, accommodation choices and public transport can still make Colombia one of the cheap travel destinations worth comparing with more expensive long-haul alternatives.

Always check current official travel advice before deciding which parts of the country to visit.

7. Morocco

Morocco has a major advantage for UK travellers looking for value: it’s considerably closer than Southeast Asia or South America.

That means you may be able to combine relatively affordable costs after arrival with shorter flights.

Marrakech is the obvious introduction for many visitors.

Its medina contains markets, food, historic buildings and busy squares, while the Atlas Mountains provide opportunities for trips beyond the city.

Elsewhere, Chefchaouen is famous for its blue-painted streets, while destinations such as Essaouira provide a coastal alternative.

Morocco Can Work for Shorter Trips

Not every budget holiday needs to last several weeks.

Morocco can work particularly well for a shorter break where the cost and time involved in reaching the destination matter.

Food and accommodation span everything from simple local options to luxury riads and resorts.

Shop around rather than assuming Morocco is automatically inexpensive.

Marrakech in particular can become expensive if you choose high-end accommodation, private tours and tourist-focused restaurants.

Used sensibly, however, Morocco deserves its place among cheap travel destinations for UK holidaymakers.

8. Nepal

Nepal is best known for the Himalayas, but you don’t have to attempt a major expedition to enjoy the country.

Kathmandu provides temples, historic areas, markets and access to the Kathmandu Valley.

Pokhara is a popular base for mountain scenery and outdoor activities.

For trekkers, Nepal offers routes ranging from relatively accessible hikes to demanding high-altitude expeditions.

Don’t Underestimate Trekking Costs

Nepal can offer excellent value for accommodation, local food and transport.

But trekking changes the calculation.

Permits, guides where required, equipment, insurance, domestic transport and accommodation along a route all need to be considered.

Never choose travel insurance solely because it’s cheap if you’re planning mountain activities. Check the altitude and activities covered by the policy.

Nepal remains one of the cheap travel destinations with enormous appeal, but responsible budgeting means allowing for safety as well as food and accommodation.

British travellers should check current GOV.UK travel advice for Nepal, particularly before visiting mountainous or weather-affected regions.

What Makes a Destination Cheap?

A cheap hotel room doesn’t automatically make a destination inexpensive.

Your total holiday cost includes much more.

Consider:

• Return flights
• Accommodation
• Airport transfers
• Local transport
• Food and drink
• Attractions
• Visas or entry fees
• Travel insurance
• Mobile data
• Tours and activities
• Currency exchange costs

This is why comparing cheap travel destinations using a single daily figure can be misleading.

A country where you spend £30 a day after arrival isn’t necessarily cheaper overall than somewhere costing £50 a day if the first destination requires a much more expensive flight.

Calculate the approximate whole-trip cost instead.

Cheap Doesn’t Mean Choosing the Cheapest Everything

Budget travel should be about spending money intelligently rather than selecting the lowest price every time.

A suspiciously cheap tour, unsafe transport option or unsuitable insurance policy isn’t good value.

Spend more where safety, reliability or experience justify it.

Save money on areas that matter less to you.

For example, you might choose simple accommodation but spend more on a memorable guided tour.

Alternatively, stay somewhere comfortable and save by using public transport and inexpensive local restaurants.

The most useful cheap travel destinations give you these choices.

Travel Outside the Busiest Periods

Timing can have a major effect on holiday prices.

Flights and hotels often become more expensive when demand increases around school holidays, major festivals and popular travel periods.

But travelling in the cheapest month isn’t always sensible.

Some low seasons coincide with extreme heat, monsoons, storms or other conditions that can affect your holiday.

Look for a balance between price and conditions.

Travelling during a shoulder season can sometimes provide better value without the disadvantages of the least popular months.

Our holiday budget tips include more ways to control your spending.

Compare Flights Before Choosing a Destination

For UK travellers, airfare can be one of the largest expenses.

This is especially important when comparing nearby destinations such as Morocco with long-haul cheap travel destinations in Asia or South America.

Don’t choose the country first and dates second if you’re flexible.

Try reversing the process.

Compare several destinations across a range of dates and see where the strongest overall value appears.

You can also read our guide on how to find cheap flights for practical ways to compare fares.

Save on Accommodation

Accommodation is another major part of your budget.

Hostels can work for solo travellers, but they’re not automatically the cheapest solution for couples or families.

A private guesthouse, apartment or simple hotel may provide better value when the cost is shared.

Location matters too.

Saving £10 per night isn’t particularly useful if you then spend £15 every day travelling to the places you want to visit.

When comparing cheap travel destinations, consider both the room price and the cost of getting around from that location.

You can search for hotels across different areas and dates through TravelHype.

Eat Locally

Food can be one of the pleasures of travelling on a budget.

Vietnam, Thailand, Morocco and several other destinations on this list have strong local food cultures that don’t require expensive restaurants.

Look for busy local restaurants, markets and established food stalls.

That doesn’t mean eating the cheapest thing you can find regardless of hygiene.

Use sensible judgement, particularly with food storage, drinking water and preparation.

A good budget allows you to enjoy local food without treating every meal as a competition to spend as little as possible.

Don’t Forget Entry Requirements

Visa and entry requirements can add both cost and administration.

They can also change.

For example, British visitors to Nepal require a visa, while Cambodia and Laos also have visa requirements for British tourists.

Check official information for your nationality before booking non-refundable travel.

Our international packing guide can help with the practical side of preparing for a longer journey.

Which Cheap Travel Destination Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on the holiday you want.

Choose Laos for relaxed Southeast Asian travel and dramatic scenery.

Consider Vietnam for food, cities, landscapes and an itinerary that can stretch across several regions.

Visit Cambodia if Angkor is high on your travel list, or Indonesia if islands and tropical landscapes appeal to you.

Head to northern Thailand for temples, food and mountain scenery.

Choose Colombia for South American cities, coffee regions and Caribbean influences.

Morocco is particularly attractive to UK travellers wanting a shorter journey, while Nepal combines budget travel with some of the world’s most famous mountain landscapes.

The best cheap travel destinations aren’t simply those with the lowest prices.

They’re places where your available budget can buy the kind of holiday you actually want.

Planning Your Budget Holiday

Before booking, set a realistic total budget.

Start with flights and accommodation, then add an allowance for food, local transport, attractions, insurance and activities.

Leave some spare money for unexpected expenses.

Also check current FCDO travel advice, passport requirements and entry rules for every country on your itinerary.

This is especially important for multi-country trips, where border arrangements and visa requirements can differ.

If you’re comparing cheap travel destinations, don’t automatically pick whichever country appears at the top of somebody else’s “cheapest countries” list.

Prices change, currencies move and every traveller spends differently.

Instead, compare the total cost of the destinations that genuinely interest you.

Cheap Travel Destinations: Final Thoughts

There are cheap travel destinations across Asia, Africa and South America that can provide memorable holidays without requiring a luxury budget.

Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and northern Thailand give travellers several different ways to experience Southeast Asia.

Colombia provides a South American alternative, Morocco is comparatively accessible from the UK, and Nepal combines cultural travel with Himalayan scenery.

The key is to look beyond unrealistic claims about surviving on a few pounds per day.

Choose accommodation carefully, eat locally, compare transport and travel at sensible times of year.

Most importantly, judge cheap travel destinations by the total cost and experience, not simply the lowest hostel price you can find online.

If you’re ready to compare a trip, you can find flights, search for hotels and compare car hire through TravelHype.