If you are like me and basically plan your next destination based on what the most affordable countries to travel in are, then this post is for you.
Seriously, if I had a dollar for each time I googled “cheapest countries to visit”, “affordable destinations to travel to” or “backpacker friendly countries” I would have enough money to fund my travels in those more expensive countries such as France, basically just so I can eat all the cheese.
But, until then I will keep marking off the cheapest countries to backpack off my must-visit list. So here is the cheapest countries that are backpacker-friendly round-up for 2023!
Cheapest Countries To Visit: The Ultimate List
I have traveled to both expensive and extremely affordable countries and for some reason, I always have the best experiences in the cheapest countries. If something goes wrong then I know that I will be able to afford to fix the issue without breaking the bank.
My monthly expenses are always cheaper than what they are even in my home country of New Zealand. I spent $4000.00 in Asia over a 6 month period, that amount also includes return flights and insurance. That same amount in somewhere like the United Kingdom might last me 3 months max if I am lucky!
So let’s get into the details about which countries are the cheapest to travel to and why.
Cheapest Countries In Asia
Let’s start with the most obvious continent, Asia. This is a region in the world which is famous for affordable holidays. Accommodation, food, and activities are all cheap. Flying around Asia can also be extremely affordable with budget airlines galore. Whether that is traveling the banana pancake trail in Southeast Asia or trekking in the Himalayas. You will certainly get a lot of bang for your buck in Asia, ultimately allowing you to travel better and longer.
Find out what you need to know before traveling Asia
Sri Lanka
I feel like India is on every single cheapest countries list, so I decided to mix it up and add in Sri Lanka instead. This teardrop-shaped island is located off the southern coast of India, so it is super accessible and can also be easily reached thanks to cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur.
With rolling green hills, tea plantations, urban cities, surf beaches and wildlife safaris Sri Lanka seriously has something for everyone. It is a cheap country to travel to with backpacker hostels in all main towns and transport is crazy cheap! Enjoy some of the best meals of your life while sipping a beer on the beach.
Ever heard of Bentota? Well, you should have! This coastal town is the perfect way to spend a few days, there are so many fun things to do in Bentota!
Remember not to miss the gorgeous train journey between Kandy to Ella.
Check out the impressive formation of Sigiriya.
Cost per day: $30.00
Laos
Laos is a super up and coming country, slowly growing in popularity and making its mark within the South East Asia banana pancake backpacking trail.
Even though Laos is a landlocked country you will have no problem finding the perfect place for a swim. From the Mekong River which flows straight past Luang Prabang to the beautiful blue lagoons which are dotted around Vang Vieng and the amazing Kuang Si Falls, you will be spoiled for choice in activities that will help beat the heat.
As Laos was colonized by the French prepare yourself for deliciously cheap baked goods and baguettes. I highly recommend checking out the Luang Prabang night market for the best danishes of your life!
Unfortunately, Laos is one of the pricier destinations in South East Asia, well in comparison to Vietnam and Thailand. Though, compared to other places around the world and it is still one of the cheapest countries to travel for 2023.
Cost per day: $30.00
Find out exactly how I backpacked Laos for $30.00 per day!
Indonesia
Indonesia is no doubt one of the most affordable countries to travel. As well as being cheap it is also super stunning with surf beaches, rice paddies sprawling metropolises and beautiful islands. Your time in Indonesia will for sure be one to remember.
Thanks to cheap and delicious street food, super affordable backpacker hostels and the low cost to hire a motorbike, it is no doubt Indonesia is a backpackers paradise. You can even find yourself in a private bungalow for the same price as a hostel bed in Western Europe! This has made it a super popular hangout for digital nomads (if you are interested in becoming a digital nomad have you thought about Remote Year?) and tourists from all over the world!
Just remember to eat local and get away from the tourist destinations. Staying in touristy Bali and eating at restaurants catering for western tourist will result in you breaking the bank. I happened to find this out the hard way.
Cost per day: $28.00
Nepal
Nepal is known as the cheapest country in the world and because of this, it has an excellent backpacker scene. Hostels are in all major towns and if you are getting off the beaten track you will be able to find an affordable guesthouse with no issue.
The perfect country for the adventurous, Nepal will keep you constantly busy. Whether that is exploring a new city, hiking or checking out rhinos in the amazing Chitwan National Park. Home of the Himalayas and one of the best trekking scenes it is the perfect place to do shopping, with knock-off Patagonia and North Face clothing for cheap.
If you are wanting to hike in the Himalayas I highly recommend the Annapurna Circuit. It won’t break the budget unlike the Everest Base Camp trek and the views are equally amazing thanks to the Annapurna Himalayas. You can even find yourself free tea houses to spend the night at, which these days even have wifi!
Make sure you try the cheesy momos and some delicious Indian curries. To say I ate well in Nepal would be an understatement.
Cost per day: $18.00
Thailand
You certainly cannot talk about the cheapest countries of 2023 in Asia and not include Thailand! Phuket is the perfect place to visit post covid and was actually the first part of the country to reopen to international tourism. This backpacker paradise is an absolute hub of international travelers and the perfect place to travel solo.
This is a country full of amazing people, beautiful landscapes and paradise beaches. Mix this in with a desirable travel scene and you are in heaven. Arriving in the bustling city of Bangkok you cannot miss the backpacker hangout of Khao San Road, especially if you are a party person. From there head up north to Chiang Mai to check out an elephant sanctuary or head south to the islands to enjoy the paradise beaches in Koh Phangan.
Hostels can be easily found in many towns where you can quickly meet new people. The famous 7/11 provides the most affordable toasted sandwiches you could ever imagine. It is seriously a major hang out spot for travelers at breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- Khao San Road Hostels For Backpackers
- Best Elephant Sanctuaries In Chiang Mai
- Travel Bangkok To Koh Tao
Cost per day: $22.00
Vietnam
Vietnam is an awesome country full of some amazing sights. Whether you are wanting to check out the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, the rice fields in Sapa or discovering rolling sand dunes, it is a country for everyone. Oh, and I must say the food in Vietnam is some of the best I have ever had.
There is a train which runs down the country, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh. This makes it extremely easy for travelers to move around with minimal stress. I took plenty of overnight trains and cannot recommend them enough!
Vietnam is also one of the streetfood capitals of the world. There are so many enticing dishes to get your taste buds watering. All for just a few dollars as well! Hostels are plentiful here and many of them will have happy hour specials such as free beer!
Cost per day: $25.00
Find out exactly how I backpacked Vietnam for $25.00 per day!
Find out exactly how I backpacked Vietnam for $25.00 per day!
Cambodia
A country filled with history and some of my favorite islands in the world, Cambodia is a must on the cheapest countries to visit list! There is an excellent backpacker scene here with hostels extremely easy to find and affordable nightly rates.
Make sure you head south to the islands and check out Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. These places have some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen and I spent over a week exploring these two islands alone. Staying at Sunset Beach over of Koh Rong Samloem I even got to swim with stingrays right off the beach, its complete paradise.
Transport is extremely easy here and the majority of hostels will be able to organize it for you. In all but one trip in Cambodia we traveled around in minivans, rather than buses like you would in the rest of South East Asia.
As with many South East Asian countries, you will need to negotiate in order to receive a good price when hiring a tuk-tuk or purchasing souvenirs at a market. Though we managed to hire tuk-tuks for $9.00 for half a day on multiple occasions.
Make sure you don’t miss visiting the impressive Angkor Wat Archaeological Complex!
Cost per day: $22.00
Myanmar
One of my favorite countries, it is often considered one of the most expensive countries to backpack in South East Asia, but I am proof that it is possible. From the temples in Bagan, the colonial architecture in Yangon and the impressive U-Bien Bridge in Mandalay there are plenty of magical sights to keep you busy while exploring Myanmar.
In my personal opinion, what makes Myanmar a slightly more expensive country than its neighbors is the accommodation costs. This is certainly not the land of $3.00 hostel beds, you will be paying at least $10.00 per night. Though I did notice that the overall quality of the hostels is much higher than the rest of South East Asia.
Don’t be too concerned by the high cost as it balances out the overall cost per day thanks to the availability of extremely affordable food.
Cost per day: $26.00
Find out exactly how I backpacked Myanmar for $26.00 per day!
India
The cheapest country to travel, India. This would be complete without including India in the cheapest countries to backpack list. With gorgeous sights such as the Taj Mahal and the backwaters of Kerala, India is certainly a country to visit if you are tight on money. Make sure you cross off some bucket list items and check out the top things to do in Varanasi.
You can find rooms here from a few dollars per night, though up that budget slightly and you could be sleeping extremely comfortably. This large country has an impressive train network to help you get around. There are a variety of tickets you can choose from at different price points. Though, if you are going to get the cheapest, just remember to expect the most basic comfort levels.
Nevertheless, it is worth traveling India just for the food alone. A delightful mix of spices it will get your mouth watering and have you excited for your next meal. Street food is abundant here are very affordable. Just make sure to eat where the locals do and if you are not comfortable with the hygiene levels just walk away.
Cost per day: $20.00
