Cheapest Countries to Visit in 2024
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With the prices of things going up all the time, we’ve created this guide of the cheapest countries to visit in 2024. It is so important to make sure that you’re travelling within your budget. However, travelling doesn’t need to be really expensive and you can find plenty of budget vacation destinations. You can easily travel with a small amount of money and on a low budget. One of the best ways to travel with a low budget is by looking at the cheapest countries to visit in 2024.
If you’re planning to backpack or have a multi-itinerary trip then try to be flexible. It’s worth flying to a cheaper area of the country and using public transport to where you want to go. Of course, make sure you’re always researching how long it will take to get there and the cost. This way you can weigh up whether it is worth your time or not. We have tried to include a couple of countries from different regions. As most people know Asia is one of the cheapest regions to visit and in particular Thailand. We have not included Thailand in this list. There are so many guides that will help you with the costs of Thailand. We’ve included some options for North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. You have the pick of the bunch! We’ve also made sure to include plenty of affordable warm destinations too as we all know how much most people love to enjoy the sun on their travel.
Mexico
Flights
You wouldn’t expect Mexico to be one of the cheapest countries to visit in 2024 but it is a really affordable travel destination. If you’re looking for cheap and warm vacations then this is definitely the option for you. Depending on where you are flying from, flights to Mexico can be a little bit pricey. Make sure that you look around and keep your mind open on where you’re planning to travel within Mexico.
When you’re planning your trip, consider looking at cheaper areas to fly to. You can then travel within the country internally instead. We used BusBud whilst we were there and it is so easy to get around in Mexico. You will often find that flights to Guadalajara are cheaper than Mexico City. You can easily get a bus from Guadalajara to Mexico City for much less the cost than if you were planning to go direct.
If like us, you’re flying from the UK then the prices vary per destination in Mexico. Generally speaking, the flights cost between £400 – £800. A lot of people from the US like to travel to Mexico. As it is a lot closer, the flights will be much cheaper.
Hostels
Whilst the flights are not the cheapest, the country itself is very cheap once you arrive so this is a great option for long-term travellers. Depending on where you’re planning to stay within Mexico, most hostels vary between £5 – £10 per night. You will find that the more popular destinations such as Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Mexico City a bit more expensive as they are main destinations for tourists. However, it is still much cheaper than lots of other countries.
Food & Drink
The average cost for a beer in Mexico is 40MXP which equates to around £1.80 GBP. You will also be able to purchase street food for between £2 – £4 so you won’t need much money to eat whilst visiting Mexico. If you are travelling long-term then you will be able to go grocery shopping. You can then take some of these items with you. This is much cheaper than eating out all the time.
Activities
There are plenty of excursions that you are able to do within Mexico that cost between £20 – £100 but if you want to keep costs really low then you can easily arrange transport and cost of the item for yourself. For example if you want to visit the Museum of Anthropology then you can get public transport to the museum and just pay for the entry price. However, bear in mind that the signs in the museum are in Spanish so unless you speak the language, you may want to consider hiring a local tour guide to explain the artefacts. We find that the activities are quite reasonably priced in Mexico even the tours in Cancun are budget friendly and that’s one of the more touristy destinations in Mexico.
Daily Spending
Prices really can vary depending on the destinations you choose to visit but for backpacking Mexico you can expect to spend between £25 – £40 a day to stay in Mexico comfortably. If your budget is lower than this then we would recommend making a plan so that you can analyse where you can save costs or use our tips to save money for backpacking before you go.
Summary
Average Flight Price – £400 – £800
Average Hostel Per Night – £5-£10
Cost of Beer – £1.80
Street Food – £2 – £4
Average Excursions – £20 – £100
Approx. Spend per Day – £25 – £40
Cambodia
Flights
Asia is well-known to be a cheap place to travel which is why so many students spend their gap year backpacking in this continent. This is easily one of the cheapest countries to backpack.Cambodia is one of the cheapest places to travel within Asia. It is a highly underrated country with plenty of good food, history and awesome things to do. To catch a flight to Cambodia you will be looking at around £400 – £800 from the UK. There are no direct flights from the UK but if you are travelling from another country then you will most likely find that the flights are a lot cheaper than this too!
Hostels
Depending on where you want to stay the prices for a hostel can average between £2 – £10 per night. You can also easily stay in a hotel for around the same price you would stay in a hostel in other destinations.
Food & Drinks
The beer will cost you between 50p – £2 so it is very cheap to drink and you’re looking between £2 – £5 for food depending on where you want to eat. Street food in Cambodia is incredible but just make sure that you’re looking at where you eat. You will find that if locals are eating at that particular place then you know that the food is good!
Activities
Excursions can vary in price depending on what you want to visit. Most temples are free to enter and it doesn’t cost too much to get there either especially if you negotiate a price with a tuktuk driver. The main attraction to visit in Cambodia is the Angkor Wat temples. The entrance costs between £30 – £83 depending on the type of pass that you purchase. You will also find that there are many tours that offer this and will walk around explaining why each temple is important.
Daily Spending
On average you will spend approximately £5 – £20 a day depending on what your plans are for the day. Cambodia is generally one of the cheapest countries to visit every year and not just in 2024! Most of your cost will come from the original flight!
Summary
Average Flight Price – £400 – £800
Average Hostel Per Night – £2 – £10 per night
Cost of Beer – 50p – £2
Street Food – £2 – £5
Average Excursions – £0 – £100
Approx. Spend per Day – £5 – £20
Vietnam
Flights
As we have already mentioned, Asia is one of the cheapest continents to travel around. Whilst not as cheap as Cambodia, Vietnam is very high on the list of budget destinations to visit within Asia. There is so much history to learn about in this country and the people are incredibly friendly. Similar to Cambodia, you will be looking at around £400 – £800 for return flights to Vietnam. You will not be able to get direct flights from the UK but if you’re travelling from another country then this may be a bit easier.
Hostels
Hostels are an awesome way to meet people especially if you’re travelling on your own. On average a hostel in Vietnam will cost between £5 – £15 per night. You will often find that you will be able to get a private room or a hotel for the same price you would spend on a hostel dorm in other countries.
Food & Drinks
This is another country where you will find that beer is pretty cheap. You will be able to get a domestic Saigon beer for between 50p to £1. The food is incredibly cheap in Vietnam too. If you are on a budget then you can easily get street food for between £1 – £3 per meal. The street food is absolutely amazing in Asia so even if you don’t want to eat street food every night, make sure that you try it at least once!
Activities
Similar to Cambodia, most of the temples you plan to visit are free to enter. In Vietnam you will most likely want to visit Ha Long Bay which will be 2 day trip and one night on the boat. This can cost between £45 – £200 depending on the type of package that you choose for the excursion. Other common attractions that tourists like to visit are the Cu Chi Tunnels, the War Remnants Museum and the Mekong Delta. The Tunnels and Museum you will be looking at around £15 – £20 for each of them, not including transportation. If you want to cruise down the Mekong Delta which we highly recommend then you would need around £20 – £30 depending on the type of tour you choose. On average for an excursion in Vietnam you will need between £20 – £50 except for more expensive trips such as Ha Long Bay.
Daily Spending
With all this in mind, you will need roughly between £25 – £50 per day depending on what excursions you have planned. We would definitely recommend visiting Ha Long Bay if your budget does allow but this is one of the more expensive things to do within this gorgeous country.
Summary
Average Flight Price – £400 – £800
Average Hostel Per Night – £5 – £15 per night
Cost of Beer – 50p – £1
Street Food – £1 – £3
Average Excursions – £20 – £50
Approx. Spend per Day – £25 – £50
Slovenia
Flights
Like most countries, if you visit Slovenia out of season then you will definitely notice the difference in costs. Slovenia is a truly beautiful country to visit with lots of nature, walking routes and culture. It is also one of the most romantic European Cities to visit too so it is a perfect choice for couples travelling together. There are plenty of cheap cities to visit within Slovenia that you will be spoilt for choice. If you’re visiting Slovenia then try to avoid between June to August as this is when you will find that it is most popular for tourists. From the UK, you will find that flights cost between £50 – £150 during the both seasons depending on the month that you’re looking at. The prices for flights between the non-tourist seasons tend to be around £50 – £80.
Hostels
Prices for hostels tend to range between £10 – £25 per night depending on where you’re staying in Slovenia and the time of year that you’re visiting.
Food & Drink
Most importantly, you will be looking at around £2.50 – £3 for a beer. We often use the price of beer to measure how expensive the country is going to be when we arrive. Street food isn’t as common in Slovenia so you will find yourself eating at more restaurants than anything else unless you’re planning to buy groceries and cook at your hostel. If you’re planning to visit Ljubljana on your trip to Slovenia (which we highly recommend) then you will find some street food at the central market. Depending on the food you are planning to eat you will find that the cost of food ranges between £5 – £20 of course this does depend on what you order, the restaurant you’re eating and once again the time of year that you’re visiting.
Activities
There are a lot of caves, parks, lakes and mountains to visit within Slovenia and most of these are of course free. However, you will need to pay for transport to get to each of these places. One of the most popular excursions that tourists like to do within Slovenia is visiting Lake Bled. Seeing the lake itself is free to do but you may want to take a boat on the lake, visit the castle and the church. If you’re planning to do this then the castle costs approximately £12 to enter the castle. It does also cost money to enter the church too which is approximately £11 for a trip to the island and inside the church.
You can also arrange for a tour which will include transport to the island and entrances to all of this so that you don’t need to worry about anything once you arrive as it will all be arranged for you. Cost of most excursions in Slovenia will cost between £5 – £50 depending on what you’d like to do when you visit. You can also purchase a Ljubljana tourist card which will help you save money on popular attractions, enable you to have unlimited bus rides, half-day bike rental and also a river cruise and sightseeing train. If you’re planning to spend a good few days in Ljubljana then it is definitely worth purchasing one of these cards.
Daily Spending
On average, you will need approximately £25 – £75 per day in Ljubljana but this of course does depending on where you’re planning to eat, what time of year you’re visiting and how many tourist attractions you are planning to visit too! However, if you plan effectively you will find that you can explore Slovenia quite cheaply especially if you’re able to get some budget flights.
Summary
Average Flight Price – £50 – £150
Average Hostel Per Night – £10 – £25 per night
Cost of Beer – £2.50 – £3
Street Food – £5 – £20
Average Excursions – £5 – £50
Approx. Spend per Day – £25 – £75
Turkey
Flights
As Turkey is a very popular holiday destination during the summer especially for families you may find that you want to avoid their peak season in order to save costs. Not just that but when you’re visiting different tourist attractions, you will also not have to worry about lots of crowds and being unable to take photos without being photobombed. Turkey has an incredible culture and there are so many amazing places within this country to visit.
You will find that their peak season is between June – August so you may want to avoid visiting during this period. Depending on where you’re planning to fly to in Turkey and the season you’re visiting, you will find that flight costs range from between £60 – £200 from the UK.
Hostels
Prices of hostels can range between £8 – £25 per night depending on where you’re staying in Turkey. Areas such as Istanbul and Cappadocia you can expect to pay a little bit more to stay in a decent hostel. However, always double check the price of hotels too as you may find that you’ll find good deals on hostels especially if you’re travelling with someone else and are splitting the cost.
Food & Drink
Generally you will look to be paying between £2 – £3 for a local beer. You will find with Turkey as well that often everything is in Turkish Lira but there will also be a lot of places that will accept euros and sometimes even English pounds. If that is the case then make sure that you double check the exchange rate yourself before making any payments.
Prices of street food in Turkey really can vary depending on where you’re ordering from. You will find that on average you will spend between £1 – £5 for a meal at a street food stall. A lot of the street food stalls sell snacks such as corn and pastries so you can always buy a few of these to have as a meal instead. However, if you’re looking to explore some of the restaurants then you will be looking at around £5 – £20 for a meal depending on the restaurant which is also not too expensive. However, don’t rule out street food as an option as there are so many amazing different dishes that you can try to really get a taste of the local culture.
Activities
If you’re visiting Turkey to go to a few different destinations then you will most likely be looking at going to Istanbul, Cappadocia and maybe even Antalya, Bodrum and Marmaris. You will most likely be looking at visiting a variety of mosques, palaces and ruins. There are a lot of things that you can do for free but you will find that experiences such as the hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia and Turkish Hot baths are where most of your money for excursions will go.
Most of the mosques, palaces and ruins will be free of charge. If you’re looking in particular to experience the hot air balloon ride then you will expect to pay between £110 – £200 depending on the experience package you purchase. However, with these more high bucket list items aside you will need on average between £10 – £40 a day for excursions.
Daily Spending
Generally, Turkey is quite a cheap place to visit and you will find that you can easily explore on a budget. Of course, depending on the locations that you’re planning to visit whilst in Turkey you will roughly spend between £40 – £60 per day. It is an incredible country with so much to do so we definitely recommend adding this to your list for your next budget trip.
Summary
Average Flight Price – £60 – £200
Average Hostel Per Night – £8 – £25
Cost of Beer – £2 – £3
Street Food – £1 – £5
Average Excursions – £10 – £40
Approx. Spend per Day – £40 – £60
Morocco
Flights
With snake charmers, bustling markets and plenty of historical sites to visit, you will not have a dull moment in Morocco. There are a lot of things you can do in this gorgeous country without having to spend much money. The best times to visit are between September – November and March – April. This is because you will find that the weather is still warm but not too hot that you won’t want to go out and explore. Generally, you will find flights from the UK to Morocco for around £30 – £200 depending on the time of year that you’re visiting and of course who you’re flying with.
Hostels
Hostels can range in price depending on which area of Morocco that you’re staying. However, you can generally find a decent hostel between £8 – £25. As always, make sure that you research where you’re planning to stay and check out other travellers reviews as this will help you know whether it is worth booking or not.
Food & Drink
Prices of beer will often range from between £2 – £3. Whilst Morocco is not considered a ‘dry’ country, you are only able to consume alcohol in certain places in Morocco. It is against the law to have alcohol in a public street. You will find plenty of licensed hotels and bars where you can purchase alcohol. You will also be able to purchase alcohol from supermarkets and take this back to your apartment if you prefer. Just make sure that you are not drinking it in the street. During Ramadan, you will find that there are still some places that will serve alcohol. However, some restaurants and bars will stop serving it. As a sign of respect, try to avoid eating and drinking in public during the month of Ramadan.
You will find a good amount of street food in Morocco. The price of this can vary between £2 – £3. However, it is not too expensive to eat out in Morocco either with the average meal costing approximately £7 -£10. There are so many delicious dishes that you need to try. You will be constantly wanting to try everything that they have to offer!
Activities
There are plenty of different sights to see in Morocco whether that is just exploring the city of Marrakech or experiencing the different mosques. Marrakech is one of the most popular places in Morocco to visit. If you’re not sure it’s for you then read about check out this guide ‘is Marrakech is worth visiting?’
You can get to know the Moroccan culture and take a wander off the beaten path by exploring the nature that Morocco has to offer. You will often pay around £10 – £30 for tourist attractions. This will depend on what you are looking to do when visiting the country.
Daily Spending
Bearing in mind on the time of year you’re visiting, you can expect to spend between £20 – £50 per day. Morocco is a really cheap country to visit if you’re mindful of your budget and travel outside of peak season. There is so much to do in Morocco and a lot of culture that you can soak in.
Summary
Average Flight Price – £30 – £200
Average Hostel Per Night – £8 – £25
Cost of Beer – £2 – £3
Street Food – £7 – £10
Average Excursions – £10 – £30
Approx. Spend per Day – £20 – £50
Colombia
Flights
Colombia resides in South America and is well known for its colourful buildings, exotic fruits and quality coffee. There is plenty of beautiful cities, viewpoints and nature to explore whilst you’re in Colombia. Flights from the UK range from between £500 – £900 depending on the time of year that you’re travelling and as always who you’re flying with. Whilst the initial
Hostels
You will find that the hostels are quite cheap too. You can find yourself a nice stay from between £6 – £15 depending on the area of Colombia that you’re staying in. As with anywhere you’re visiting, make sure that you research the areas that you’re planning to stay in so that you know whether it is a good and safe area to stay. There are some parts of Colombia that are considered a bit unsafe. Just be sure to do your research beforehand!
Food & Drink
The beer is very cheap in Colombia costing between 70p -£2 maximum. You will find plenty of local bars that will offer cheap beer and at times even promotions. Just make sure that you are always keeping your drinks safe especially if you’re a solo traveller. Street food is incredibly cheap in Colombia and you will find some of the best things to try too. You will be looking at approximately between £2 – £3 for street food. However, it is not too expensive to eat out at restaurants for around the same price too. It all just depends on what kind of food you’re looking for.
Activities
Some of the most popular things to do in Colombia is to visit the Pablo Escobar museum, Zipaquira Salt Cathedral and various National Parks. The prices do vary for these activities. Most tourist attractions will range in price between £5 – £50 unless you are going on any full day trips or bucket list experiences. There are a lot of things that you can do in Colombia for free too. Make sure that you take full advantage of this and immerse yourself in the culture too!
Daily Spending
On average, you will be looking to spend between £20 – £50 per day. This does entirely depend on what you’re planning to do when you’re there. The cost of food and drink are relatively cheap. You will have no problem sticking to a low budget whilst you’re there. The initial flights are a little bit more expensive than other places we have listed but the average costs balances this out.
Summary
Average Flight Price – £500 – £900
Average Hostel Per Night – £6 – £15
Cost of Beer – 70p – £2
Street Food – £2 – £3
Average Excursions – £5 – £50
Approx. Spend per Day – £20 – £50 per day.
We hope that this article helps you decide where your next budget trip is going to be. If you’re not looking to go as further afield as some of these destinations then make sure to check out our cheapest destinations in Europe!
