Traveling the world doesn’t have to be expensive! In fact, some of the most beautiful countries on earth are also the most affordable. After spending the last several years traveling across Asia and South America (including a full month across China for just $3,550 for two people, 5 months in South East Asia and 2 months in South America), I’ve learned one thing:
Your destination matters more than your budget.
Choose the right country, and your money stretches 5–7x farther than it would at home.
Whether you’re planning a long-term trip, a digital nomad stint, or a budget-friendly vacation, here are the 10 cheapest countries to travel to in 2026 – with real costs, tips, and where to go.
1. Vietnam — The #1 Budget Destination for 2026
Daily budget: $25–$40
Why go: Elite street food, amazing nature, well developed tourism infrastructure.
Vietnam is unbeatable for value. You can eat for $1–$3, stay in great hotels for under $25, and travel the entire country by train, bus (or your own motorbike) for next to nothing.
Top spots:
• Hanoi
• Ho Chi Minh City
• Da Nang
• Ha Giang loop
• Hoi An
Stay tuned for a detailed Vietnam post.
2. Indonesia
Daily budget: $25–$45
Indonesia has a lot to offer beyond the overly touristy Bali. It has some of the cheapest travel in all of Asia. It offers world class nature, affordable snorkeling and scuba diving and a well developed tourism infrastructure which makes it easy to get anywhere.
Top spots:
• Yogyakarta
• Lombok
• Flores
• Bali (outside Canggu/Uluwatu)
• Komodo National Park
Stay tuned for a detailed Indonesia post.
3. Cambodia
Daily budget: $20–$35
Perfect for slow travel and backpacking.
Trust me, Angkor Wat alone is worth the trip. Bonus: get fresh fruit smoothies for $1
Stay tuned for a detailed Cambodia post.
4. Thailand
Daily budget: $30–$50
Consistently one of the best destinations for affordability, food, and comfort. Offers everything from culture, world class food, mountain peaks, jungle and tropical islands. Bonus: Thailand is the cheapest place in the world to get your scuba diving license.
Tip: Avoid peak season if you want lower prices.
Stay tuned for a detailed Thailand post.
5. India
Daily budget: $20–$40
Possibly the cheapest country on this list. Offers a rich mix of culture, delicious food and world class attractions. Side note, you can get incredible luxury experiences in India for very very little $.
Just be prepared: transportation, crowds and smell can be intense.
Stay tuned for a detailed India post.
6. China
Daily budget: $50–$70
Extremely affordable, world-class transit and food, and an insane amount of natural beauty.
Best for: food lovers, nature, high-speed travel. On a sidenote, the variety of food available in the “Chinese food” category across China is incredible. With regional and even local area differences, I’ve never in my life seem so much variety within the same food culture.
Stay tuned for a detailed China post.
7. Albania
Daily budget: $25–$40
Often called “the new Croatia,” but 3x cheaper.
Perfect for: beaches without the European price tag. Beware of pickpockets in popular areas.
8. Turkey
Daily budget: $30–$50
Your money goes extremely far due to currency fluctuations.
Must-see:
• Istanbul
• Cappadocia
• Antalya coast
Stay tuned for a detailed Turkey post.
9. Mexico
Daily budget: $35–$55
A great combination of affordability, culture, and food.
Tip: Avoid resort zones to save money.
Stay tuned for detailed Mexico City and Cancun posts.
10. Portugal
Daily budget: $40–$65
One of the cheapest Western European countries and one of the most beautiful.
Good for: first-time Europe travelers as the country is very foreigner friendly.
How to Make Any Country Affordable
No matter where you travel, these rules make your trip cheaper:
1. Use local apps, not Western apps
Just like Trip.com in China, many countries have local hotel, taxi, and train apps that are cheaper and more accurate.
2. Travel in the shoulder season
You’ll save 30–50% on hotels and flights.
3. Eat where locals eat
Forget Google Maps reviews and TripAdvisor. Watch where locals line up.
4. Use public transit
Metro, buses, and trains save you hundreds. PS: Always be mindful of pickpockets and scams in public transit
5. Book long stays
Weekly and monthly discounts on Airbnb or local apps can cut your price in half.
Final Thoughts
Travel doesn’t have to be expensive and, in many countries, it’s cheaper to explore the world than to stay home.
If you want a 2026 travel plan that gives you maximum value for your money, start with the destinations above. They’re safe, beautiful, and some of the best cost-to-experience ratios on earth.
And if you’re curious how I travel affordably while saving aggressively, check out my other posts:
