How much does it actually cost to travel the world on a budget? The answer varies dramatically depending on where you go. A day in Switzerland might cost $120, while the same level of comfort and experiences in Nepal could run you $18. Choosing the right destination is the single most impactful budget decision you can make.

This ranking is based on real traveler spending data from 2025-2026, covering accommodation in budget guesthouses or hostel dorms, three meals a day, local transportation, and one activity or entrance fee. International flights, visas, and travel insurance are excluded since those costs depend on your origin country.

Tier 1: Under $20 Per Day

These countries offer extraordinary value. You can live comfortably, eat well, and see remarkable things while spending less than most people spend on lunch at home.

1. Nepal -- $15-20/day

Nepal consistently ranks as one of the cheapest countries on Earth for travelers. Accommodation in Kathmandu or Pokhara ranges from $3-8 per night for a clean guesthouse room. The national dish, dal bhat (lentil soup with rice and vegetables), is served with unlimited refills at restaurants for $2-3. Teahouse trekking in the Annapurna or Everest regions costs $15-20/day including food, accommodation, and permits.

Accommodation: $3-8/night
Food: $3-5/day
Transport: $2-4/day
Sample daily budget: Guest room $5, dal bhat lunch $2.50, dal bhat dinner $2.50, local bus $2, temple entry $3 = $15

2. India -- $15-22/day

India's scale and diversity are unmatched at this price point. A plate of thali (assorted curries, rice, bread, and chutneys) costs $1-2 at a local restaurant. Budget guesthouses in cities like Varanasi, Jaipur, and Hampi charge $4-10 per night. Sleeper-class train tickets between major cities cost $3-8. The Taj Mahal entry fee is the most expensive thing most budget travelers encounter at $15 for foreigners.

Accommodation: $4-10/night
Food: $3-5/day
Transport: $2-4/day
Sample daily budget: Guesthouse $6, breakfast $1, thali lunch $1.50, dinner $2, rickshaw rides $2, temple entry $2 = $14.50

3. Pakistan -- $15-20/day

Pakistan has opened up significantly to tourism in recent years and offers some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the planet along the Karakoram Highway. Accommodation and food costs are comparable to India. The Hunza Valley, Lahore's Mughal architecture, and the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-daro are highlight experiences. Hospitality toward foreign visitors is legendary -- it is common to be invited for tea or meals by strangers.

Accommodation: $4-8/night
Food: $3-5/day
Transport: $2-4/day

4. Bangladesh -- $15-18/day

Bangladesh is rarely on any tourist radar, which keeps prices rock-bottom and experiences authentic. The Sundarbans mangrove forest, the tea plantations of Sylhet, Cox's Bazar (the world's longest natural sea beach), and the ruins of the ancient Buddhist monastery at Paharpur are all remarkable. A full meal at a local restaurant costs $0.75-1.50.

Accommodation: $3-7/night
Food: $2-4/day
Transport: $2-4/day

Tier 2: $20-30 Per Day

At this budget level, you can travel comfortably with occasional splurges on nicer meals or special experiences.

5. Cambodia -- $20-28/day

Cambodia offers incredible value outside of the Angkor Wat complex (which charges $37-62 for a pass). Street food meals cost $1-2, guesthouse rooms run $5-12, and a beer at a local bar is $0.50-1. The beaches of Koh Rong Sanloem and the riverside town of Kampot provide excellent low-cost alternatives to more expensive Southeast Asian beach destinations.

Accommodation: $5-12/night
Food: $4-7/day
Transport: $2-5/day

6. Laos -- $20-28/day

Laos moves at a pace that forces you to slow down, which conveniently saves money since there is less temptation to rush between paid attractions. The slow boat down the Mekong from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang costs $25-35 for a two-day journey. Vang Vieng has reinvented itself from a backpacker party town into an adventure sports destination with tubing, kayaking, and caving at modest prices.

Accommodation: $4-10/night
Food: $4-6/day
Transport: $3-6/day

7. Vietnam -- $22-30/day

Vietnam is marginally more expensive than its Mekong neighbors but offers superior infrastructure, food, and diversity of experiences. A bowl of pho costs $1.50-2, a Vietnamese coffee is $0.75-1, and overnight sleeper buses between cities cost $8-15. Motorbike rental ($5-7/day) opens up extraordinary countryside experiences.

Accommodation: $5-12/night
Food: $5-8/day
Transport: $3-6/day

8. Bolivia -- $20-28/day

South America's cheapest country delivers some of the continent's most dramatic scenery. The almuerzo (set lunch) tradition means a three-course meal costs $1.50-2.50 at local restaurants. The three-day Uyuni salt flat tour ($80-120 including accommodation and meals) is one of travel's greatest bargains relative to the experience.

Accommodation: $5-12/night
Food: $4-7/day
Transport: $3-6/day

9. Ethiopia -- $20-28/day

Ethiopia's unique cuisine (injera flatbread with stewed meats and vegetables), ancient Christian churches carved from rock in Lalibela, and the otherworldly Danakil Depression make it one of Africa's most fascinating destinations. A full injera platter for two costs $2-3 at a local restaurant. Budget hotels in smaller cities charge $5-10 per night.

Accommodation: $5-12/night
Food: $3-6/day
Transport: $3-6/day

10. Georgia -- $22-30/day

Georgia combines European-level cultural attractions with Central Asian prices. Tbilisi's sulfur bathhouses charge $2-5 for entry, a plate of khinkali dumplings (eight pieces) costs $2-3, and a bottle of excellent Georgian wine from a supermarket runs $3-5. The country offers visa-free entry for up to one year for citizens of most Western countries.

Accommodation: $6-14/night
Food: $5-8/day
Transport: $2-5/day

11. Albania -- $22-30/day

Albania is the cheapest country in the European Mediterranean. The Albanian Riviera between Vlora and Saranda has beaches that rival Greece at a fraction of the cost. Ksamil's white-sand beaches, the UNESCO cities of Berat and Gjirokaster, and the bustling cafes of Tirana's Blloku district are all highly affordable.

Accommodation: $6-15/night
Food: $5-8/day
Transport: $2-5/day

12. Egypt -- $22-30/day

Egypt is one of the world's greatest-value destinations when measured by iconic experiences per dollar. The Pyramids of Giza entry fee is about $10, a night in a Cairo hostel costs $6-12, and koshari (the beloved national street food) is under $1. The diving in Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh offers world-class reef experiences at a fraction of Caribbean or Maldivian prices.

Accommodation: $6-15/night
Food: $4-7/day
Transport: $3-5/day

Tier 3: $30-50 Per Day

These destinations require more budget discipline but remain very affordable by global standards.

13. Indonesia (outside Bali) -- $25-35/day

Bali tourism pricing has inflated well beyond the rest of Indonesia. Focus on Java (Yogyakarta, Malang, Surabaya), Flores (Komodo National Park access point), Sulawesi (Toraja highlands), and Sumatra (Lake Toba, Bukit Lawang orangutan reserve) for authentic Indonesian experiences at authentic Indonesian prices. Street food meals of nasi goreng or mie goreng cost $0.75-1.50.

Accommodation: $5-15/night
Food: $4-7/day
Transport: $3-8/day

14. Guatemala -- $25-35/day

Guatemala packs Mayan ruins, volcanic landscapes, and vibrant indigenous markets into a compact country where a chicken bus ride costs $1-2 and a meal at a local comedor runs $2-3. Antigua's language schools, Lake Atitlan's lakeside villages, and Tikal's jungle-wrapped pyramids are all accessible on a modest budget.

Accommodation: $6-15/night
Food: $5-8/day
Transport: $3-6/day

15. Nicaragua -- $25-35/day

Central America's most affordable country offers Pacific surfing, colonial architecture in Granada and Leon, and the twin-volcano island of Ometepe. Gallo pinto (rice and beans) served with eggs, plantains, and tortillas is the national breakfast and costs $2-3 at any local restaurant.

Accommodation: $6-15/night
Food: $5-8/day
Transport: $2-5/day

16. Morocco -- $30-40/day

Morocco's sensory intensity is unmatched in this price range. Riads (traditional courtyard guesthouses) in Fez and Marrakech start at $15-20 for a double room with breakfast. Tagine meals at local restaurants cost $3-5. A three-day Sahara desert tour from Marrakech or Fez runs $60-100 per person including transport, accommodation, and meals.

Accommodation: $8-18/night
Food: $5-10/day
Transport: $3-7/day

17. Philippines -- $28-38/day

The Philippines combines tropical beaches with genuine warmth and hospitality. Island-hopping tours in El Nido cost $15-25 for a full day including lunch. The Banaue Rice Terraces, Chocolate Hills, and underground river in Puerto Princesa are all affordable excursions. Domestic flights on Cebu Pacific regularly drop to $20-30 one-way.

Accommodation: $6-18/night
Food: $5-8/day
Transport: $4-8/day

18. North Macedonia -- $25-35/day

This small Balkan country centered on Lake Ohrid offers excellent value. Ohrid itself has medieval churches, clear water for swimming, and restaurants where a full grilled fish dinner costs $5-7. Skopje, the capital, is quirky and affordable with a fascinating blend of Ottoman, communist, and neoclassical architecture.

Accommodation: $8-18/night
Food: $5-8/day
Transport: $2-4/day

19. Bulgaria -- $28-38/day

Bulgaria offers genuine European cultural experiences at non-European prices. Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Plovdiv's Roman amphitheater, and the Rila Monastery are all extraordinary. The Black Sea coast in summer provides budget beach holidays. A beer at a neighborhood bar costs $1.50-2.

Accommodation: $8-18/night
Food: $6-10/day
Transport: $3-5/day

20. Romania -- $30-42/day

Romania combines Transylvanian Gothic atmosphere, vibrant Bucharest nightlife, and the painted monasteries of Bucovina at prices that remain well below the EU average. A hearty plate of sarmale (cabbage rolls) with polenta costs $3-5 at a local restaurant. Sleeper trains between major cities run $10-15.

Accommodation: $8-18/night
Food: $6-10/day
Transport: $3-6/day

21. Colombia -- $30-42/day

Colombia has become South America's most exciting destination without becoming expensive. Cartagena's walled city, Medellin's innovative neighborhoods, the Tatacoa Desert, and the Cocora Valley are all affordable. The menu del dia (set lunch) at neighborhood restaurants costs $2-4 and is consistently excellent.

Accommodation: $8-18/night
Food: $5-10/day
Transport: $3-6/day

22. Peru -- $30-45/day

Peru's costs have risen due to Machu Picchu's popularity (the entry ticket alone is $50-60), but the rest of the country remains affordable. Cusco, Arequipa, the Amazon basin near Iquitos, the Colca Canyon, and the food scene of Lima are all accessible on a budget.

Accommodation: $6-18/night
Food: $5-10/day
Transport: $4-8/day

Tier 4: $40-60 Per Day

These countries are not the cheapest in the world, but they still offer strong value relative to their offerings.

23. Thailand -- $35-50/day

Thailand's prices have crept up significantly in the past five years, especially in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the islands. It is no longer the rock-bottom budget destination it once was, but it remains affordable with good infrastructure. Street food meals cost $1.50-3, and mid-range guesthouses run $12-25. The full-moon parties and tourist-heavy islands (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui) are the most expensive areas.

Accommodation: $8-20/night
Food: $5-10/day
Transport: $3-8/day

24. Mexico -- $35-50/day

Mexico offers enormous diversity from Oaxaca's food scene to the Yucatan's cenotes and ruins to the Baja California coastline. A plate of tacos al pastor costs $2-3, and hostels in cities like Oaxaca, San Cristobal de las Casas, and Guanajuato charge $8-15 for dorms. The peso exchange rate in 2026 continues to favor international visitors.

Accommodation: $8-20/night
Food: $6-12/day
Transport: $3-8/day

25. Jordan -- $35-50/day

Jordan is the most expensive country on this list, but the Jordan Pass ($70-75) includes your visa fee and entry to over 40 attractions including Petra, making the per-day activity cost very reasonable once amortized. Wadi Rum Bedouin camps ($25-35/person including dinner and a jeep tour) are far better value than the luxury bubble tents marketed on social media.

Accommodation: $10-25/night
Food: $6-10/day
Transport: $4-8/day

How to Keep Your Costs Down in Any Country

Regardless of which country you visit, these strategies consistently reduce daily spending:

Eat Where Locals Eat

The single most reliable money-saving food strategy worldwide: find where working people eat lunch. In every country on this list, local restaurants and market stalls serving the working population offer the best food at the lowest prices. If the restaurant has an English menu with photos, you are probably in a tourist trap.

Choose Overnight Transport

Night buses and sleeper trains between cities save you a night's accommodation cost while covering distance. A $10 overnight bus replaces both a $5 day bus and an $8 hostel bed, saving $3 while arriving at your destination in the morning ready to explore.

Stay in One Place Longer

The fastest way to blow a budget is moving between cities every day or two. Transport costs add up, and you pay arrival-day premiums (airport transfers, not knowing where to find cheap food). Stay 4-5 nights in each place to bring your per-day costs down significantly.

Learn Basic Price Points

Before arriving in any country, research what common items should cost. Knowing that a tuk-tuk ride in Phnom Penh should be $1-2 prevents you from paying $5. Knowing that a plate of pad thai on a Bangkok side street should be 50-60 baht prevents you from paying 150 baht at a tourist-facing stall.

Use TripGenie for Budget Optimization

AI-powered travel planning tools like TripGenie can analyze your destination, travel dates, and budget to generate optimized itineraries that minimize costs while maximizing experiences. Input your daily budget and let the algorithm suggest the best routing, accommodation types, and activity combinations to stay within your target.

The Bottom Line

The world is far more affordable than most people realize. Twenty-five countries on this list allow comfortable travel for under $50 a day, and several of them -- including Nepal, India, Cambodia, and Bolivia -- deliver extraordinary experiences for under $25. The key is choosing your destination strategically, eating locally, and traveling at a pace that lets you soak in each place rather than racing through a checklist.

Pick a country, set your daily budget, and start planning. The world is waiting, and it costs less than you think.

The Cheapest Countries to Visit in 2026: Ranked by Daily Cost