Bargain Backpacking: Uncovering Cheap Countries In Europe & Asia

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Updated: August 23, 2023
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Bargain Backpacking: Uncovering Cheap Countries In Europe & Asia

 

It is cheap to travel abroad even during a crisis. Just follow the three rules: give up the services of travel agencies, choose low-cost countries, and book everything in advance. Wadav.com will help you figure out when buying tickets is more profitable, and this article contains some places where you can inexpensively relax.

 

We studied guidebooks, forums, bloggers' reports, reservation systems, and websites with product prices and selected the most affordable countries for the holidays. For each, we calculated the budget for two per day and transferred it to dollars. It is the average amount for a couple of travelers who live in one room, do not like spending too much, and adhere to the golden mean. After all, under the comfort of everyone, understand the difference: one will have enough beds in the hostel, while others among the five-star hotels still pick up. Therefore, we did not consider the chic hotels and restaurants and found out how much it costs to have a snack in ordinary local cafes and live in guesthouses, mini-hotels, or apartments on Airbnb.

 

In some countries, expenses are cut in half or two if you use public transport. There are non-tourist places, and look for hotels on principle: "We just need to spend the night." For India and Indonesia, for example, we recommend a daily budget of $ 40-50, but these countries can travel together for $ 20 a day.

 

Cheap European Countries To Visit

 

Are you itching for a European escapade that won't cost you an arm and a leg? Well, it's time to discover the continent's hidden gems that offer fantastic value for money! Europe has everything from the breathtaking vistas of Romania to the storied past of Bulgaria, from the quaint hamlets of Montenegro to the untamed wilderness of Siberia.

 

If you're looking for a party, head to Hungary's capital, Budapest, known for its lively nightlife, where you can paint the town red without breaking the bank. And if you want to explore ancient ruins and medieval castles, Armenia has you covered. Georgia uniquely blends European and Asian cultures, towering mountains, flavorful wines, and warm hospitality.

 

If you're feeling adventurous, then Siberia might be the ticket to go off the beaten track and experience authentic Siberian life. Or if you're feeling daring, why visit the breakaway region of Abkhazia, where you can discover uncharted territory and soak up the sun on the stunning coast?

 

These European countries are a steal with cheap accommodations, mouth-watering cuisine, and exciting activities. So, pack your bags and hit the road for an unforgettable European journey without burning a hole in your pocket!

 

Romania

 

Daily budget for two: 80-90 $

 

Approximate Prices:

 

There is no street food in the Asian understanding of the term in Romania. You can dine in a cheap cafe or fast food for about 10-30 lei ($ 2.5-7). At 12-14, $ will cost a dense dinner in the restaurants of Brasov and Sighisoara, and dinner at the advertised institution of Bucharest will result in 100 lei ($ 24).

 

On average, a double room in a guesthouse or a two-star hotel costs $ 20-30. An apartment in the heart of Bucharest can be rented for $ 30-40 per day in Brasov, guided by 35-45 $.

 

Hungary


Daily budget for two: 85-95 $

 

Approximate Prices:

 

The famous Hungarian goulash cost 950 forints ($ 3.3). To have a bite together in an inexpensive cafe, it is possible for $ 10, and thoroughly to have supper in a restaurant - for $ 28. Amazing pizza will cost $ 5, and a cup of coffee with a delicate cake in Hungarian cukrászda (confectionery) is estimated at only $ 2.5.

 

Cozy apartments in the heart of Budapest on Airbnb cost from 35-45 $ per night. In guesthouses on the outskirts, you can live in comfortable rooms for $ 25, and apartments near Lake Balaton will cost another $ 5 cheaper.

 

Bulgaria

 

Daily budget for two: 80-90 $

 

Approximate Prices:

 

A cup of coffee in Bulgaria costs between 0.8 to 1.5 leva, around $0.5 to $0.8. A soup bowl (pilchard, chicken, or meatballs) costs around $1, while a lettuce salad costs around $2-$3. A cafe in Sofia charges $10 for two people. A three-course dinner with drinks would cost around $20-$22.

 

Double rooms in guesthouses in the city center cost $ 16 per night. For $ 18, you can rent a room with a shower, air conditioning, and a refrigerator in Kosharitsa and Ravda. Studio in Sunny Beach resort costs around $ 26. You can find an excellent apartment by the sea with a pool in the courtyard.

 

Armenia

 

Daily budget for two: $ 70-80

 

Approximate Prices:

 

It is possible to have a snack and cheap snack in Armenia at every step: khachapuri in Yerevan costs up to 500 drams ($ 1), a Lamajo (flat cake with sharp meat filling) - up to $ 1.7, and kebab from crayfish near Lake Sevan - about $ 3. The average bill in a simple cafe is $ 3-4, and for dinner for two in a tourist restaurant, it pays $ 7-30.

 

In the capital of Armenia, there are inexpensive hotels with double rooms for 25-30 $. If you like the comfort of home on vacation, rent a lovely studio in a quiet district for $ 20 or an apartment in the city center on Airbnb for $ 30-40 per day. Outside the capital, prices are slightly lower. A stranger can invite you to coffee, dinner, or even overnight in Armenia and Georgia. Agree: This is not fraud but hospitality.

 

Georgia 

 

Daily budget for two: 80-90 $

 

Approximate Prices:

 

There is no street food as such in Georgia. The intercept on the go can only be fresh khachapuri or Lobiani, which are sold at every corner for 2-3 lari ($ 1). Lunch in the cafe will cost $ 6; for a great dinner with wine, pay $ 8. Intermediate version - khinkali: you do not have to search for them long; one piece costs 60-70 tetri (0, 25-0, 30 $). A dozen khinkali with a salad and a mug of beer (for all - $ 4) is enough to eat all day.

 

A modest double room in Tbilisi and Batumi costs $ 40 per day. At $ 10 cheaper, will it cost an apartment in a pleasant area near the capital's center? In the seaside of Batumi, you can rent small apartments in the private sector in 2016 for $ 20-25. The prices in this region are closely linked to the season. During the middle of summer, an apartment by the sea with all amenities and fresh renovations costs about $40 per day. However, guesthouses with rooms priced between $15-$30 can be easily found in less touristy areas.

 

Serbia

 

Daily budget for two: $ 70-80

 

Approximate Prices:

 

Cheesecake gibanica, spicy sausages cevapcici, and Pleskavica (cutlets with garnish or in a loaf) are Serbian equivalents of fast food affordably priced at no more than 200 dinars or $2. These popular dishes offer a quick and satisfying meal option for those on a budget. A single Pleskavica is usually enough. A sit-down lunch in a decent restaurant ranges between $7-$9.

 

A simple double room in Belgrade hotels costs about $ 30 per day. For $ 16, you can rent a room in the hostel and an apartment in the center for $ 25-35.

 

Cheap Asia Country To Travel

 

Looking for adventure, stunning scenery, delicious food, and unforgettable experiences, all without breaking the bank? Then look no further than Asia! This vast and diverse continent offers a plethora of incredible destinations that won't cost you an arm and a leg. From the vibrant streets of India to the ancient temples of Cambodia, the stunning beaches of Sri Lanka to the misty mountains of Nepal, and the lush green forests of Vietnam to the sleepy villages of Laos, there's something for every kind of traveler in Asia.

 

Sri Lanka offers a tropical paradise with white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and lush jungles teeming with wildlife. At the same time, Vietnam is a feast for the senses with its bustling cities, delicious cuisine, and stunning natural wonders, such as Halong Bay. And in Laos, you can experience the laid-back lifestyle of a country where time seems to stand still, exploring hidden waterfalls and mystical caves.

 

Whether you're a backpacker on a shoestring budget or simply looking for a great value destination, these cheap countries to visit in Asia are sure to deliver an unforgettable travel experience. So pack your bags and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

 

India

 

Daily budget for two: 40-45 $

 

Approximate Prices:

 

Street food in India does not cost much: a portion of vegetarian thalli (rice, stewed vegetables, lentils, and flat cake) will cost 50 rupees ($ 0.8), and you can have a hearty lunch at a local snack bar for 150 rupees ($ 2.3). The average bill in tourist restaurants is $3-6.

 

With housing, the situation is similar: almost everywhere, for $ 5-8, you get a set of beds, walls, and roofs, and for $ 10-15 - a decent room with air conditioning. In Mumbai, Goa, and Kerala, prices during the peak season - from December to February - grow 2-3 times. You can rent a scooter for a day for 200-250 rupees (3-4 $). If you are going for a long time, it is better to take a scooter at once for a week or a month - it will be even cheaper, about 150 rupees a day, besides you will be able to see neighboring states.

 

Standard Route:

 

Visit Delhi and Agra, or take a trip through the cities and villages of Rajasthan. Alternatively, explore the foothills of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Depending on your interests, you can travel to Varanasi and Nepal or head south to Mumbai, Goa, or Kerala. If you have enough time, consider visiting Punjab (Amritsar), Kashmir, and Ladakh.

 

Visa:

 

If you enter India via the airports of Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Cochin, Hyderabad, and Trivandrum, you can apply for the visa online.

 

Nepal

 

Daily budget for two: on a track in the mountains - about $ 40; in the rest of the country - 45-50 $.

 

Approximate Prices:

 

In Nepal, you can eat heartily together in a street diner for 400-500 rupees (4-5 $). In tourist cafes, prices are 2-3 times higher, and lunch for two will cost closer to $ 15.

 

Double room in a cheap guesthouse with a shower and toilet on the floor; you will be charged $5-8 daily. For $ 15-20, you can live in a decent hotel in Kathmandu. The average cost of a small, comfortable room for two in Nagarkot is $ 15 per night; in Pokhara, it is $ 10.

 

Indonesia

 

Daily budget for two: 40-50 $

 

Approximate Prices:

 

Street food in Indonesia costs a penny: nasi goreng or mi Goreng (fried rice or noodles) will cost at most 1.5-2 $. Breakfast and lunch at local cafes can be 2.5-4.5 $, and a great dinner costs 5-8 $, depending on the level of the institution. Guesthouses in Sumatra offer decent rooms for $10, while in Java, you can find rooms for $10-15, and in Bali, rooms typically cost $15-20. Transportation between the islands is also affordable, with ferry rides costing around $3.

 

Standard Route:

 

Since you flew 9,000 km, to spend the entire vacation in Bali, however beautiful it is, means depriving yourself of many impressions. In front of you are 17,000 islands to choose from - tiny paradise corners like Gili to the Sumatra area from Spain. Take advantage of Borobudur and the Bromo volcano in Java, visit Lake Toba, or go on a track through the jungle to Borneo.

 

Cambodia

 

Daily budget for two: $ 70-80

 

Approximate Prices:

 

You buy a roasted spider, a kilogram of mango, or a bunch of bananas in Cambodia for $ 1. Two portions of baked mussels with salad will cost $ 6. The same is worth a hearty dinner with pork steak, potatoes, and vegetables, and for a massive pizza for two in an ordinary cafe, you will give about $ 5. A glass of local beer in nearshore bars costs $ 0.5; a jug will bring $ 2. You will spend more on spiritual food in Cambodia than usual: a ticket to Angkor for one day - $ 20 for three days - $ 40 for a week - $ 60. For lifting above Angkor Wat on a yellow balloon, pay $ 20.

 

The room with a double bed, air conditioning, and a shower in the guesthouse in Sihanoukville can be rented for $ 12-15 per day, and comfortable rooms in Phnom Penh hotels cost $ 15-20 per night. Bargain Khmers do not like to book accommodation in advance.

 

Vietnam

 

Daily budget for two: 45-55 $

 

Approximate Prices:

 

Sandwiches bathhouses in Vietnam are sold at every step for 10-15 thousand dongs (0.5-0.7 $) and juices in fruit shops. For a bowl of soup in a cafe, pay 1-2 $, and for 0.5 liters of home-brewing beer - $ 1. In local eateries, they feed for pennies: two portions of fish or chicken fried in ginger sauce, with a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup - $ 2. In a presentable restaurant, these amounts are multiplied by 2-3. A substantial seafood dinner in a tourist institution with Vietnamese cuisine will cost $ 12-20. If you miss the European dishes, save pizza for $ 5. Eating in fast food Lotteria burgers, French fries, and soda can be for $ 3. Imported alcohol in Vietnamese stores is less expensive than duty-free, and a bottle of local rum can be bought for $ 3-4.

 

Double rooms in the Hanoi Hotel cost $11-15. In the village of Mui Ne, prices start from $10 for a bungalow with a shower and air conditioning near the sea. In Nha Trang, you can rent a nice room with amenities for $6-10. Vietnamese hotels offer excellent service regardless of their star rating, and breakfast is included in the price in nine out of ten cases.

 

Laos

 

Daily budget for two: 55-65 $

 

Approximate Prices:

 

Lunch in street cafes costs 12 to 50 thousand kips ($ 1.5-6) and in a tourist cafe or restaurant - 50-100 thousand (6-12 $). On average, a simple double room costs around $ 12 per day. A room with a beautiful view of the mountains can be bargained for on the spot in the village of Vang Vieng. But in the capital - Vientiane - it's cheaper to book a hotel in advance: take a cozy room for $ 15-17.

 

Almost all the attractions of Laos - are paid for, although they are very cheap: for example, the entrance to the caves Paku will cost $ 2.5. Before these Buddhist caves can be reached by boat on the Mekong - $ 8 pays for the trip there and back and a stop in the "village whiskey." Renting a motorbike with a manual gearbox for a whole day in Laos costs about 70,000 kip - for $ 9, you are entirely free to travel around the country.