So, you’ve got the travel itch again—but your wallet? Not so much. Maybe you’re somewhere between daydreaming and doomscrolling flight deals, wondering if there’s anywhere left that won’t cost a small fortune to explore. Good news: there totally is. Quite a few places, actually. And not just backpacker-hostel-bean-sprout-salad places either (though hey, those have their charm).
If you’re thinking 2025 might be your year to travel on a budget, you’re not alone. More people are chasing experiences over stuff lately, and luckily, there are still budget-friendly travel destinations where you can live large(ish) without spending big.
Here are 10 of the cheapest countries to travel to in 2025—places that are easy on your wallet but heavy on the memories.
1. Vietnam
There’s something quietly magical about Vietnam. The kind of place where a street-side noodle bowl tastes better than most restaurant meals you’ve had back home—and it costs, what, two bucks?
You can snag a comfy guesthouse for $10–$15 a night in many parts of the country. Motorbike through misty mountains in Ha Giang or drift along lantern-lit rivers in Hoi An. Budget travel doesn’t have to mean boring. Here, it feels a bit like an adventure movie you somehow wandered into.
And honestly, coffee lovers? Vietnam will ruin you in the best way.
2. Georgia
Tbilisi has this quiet charm—cracked balconies, winding streets, and wine that’s cheaper than water. Georgia feels a little off the beaten path without being inaccessible. Which, maybe, is part of its magic.
Accommodation is crazy affordable, and the food? Let’s just say khachapuri deserves its own passport stamp. If you’re looking for inexpensive countries for tourists that still feel special, Georgia might be your sweet spot.
3. Mexico
Okay yes, parts of Mexico can be touristy and pricey. But get just a little outside the obvious—Oaxaca, Guanajuato, maybe even Chiapas—and your budget goes a lot further. Street tacos, vibrant culture, warm people, and all for surprisingly little.
Plus, it’s one of those cheap places to travel internationally where flights from the U.S. (or even Canada) aren’t astronomical. The affordability and diversity of experiences make Mexico one of the most wallet-friendly countries to explore in 2025.
4. Albania
This one surprised me. A friend went in 2023 and basically didn’t stop raving about it. She paid less than $20 a night for a seaside guesthouse—with breakfast. Albania is a bit like Greece’s low-cost cousin who’s still figuring things out but has way fewer crowds.
Beaches, mountain towns, castle ruins—it’s all there. And if you’re doing some cheap backpacking around Europe, it’s a dreamy detour. Not perfect, but refreshingly real.
5. India
India’s… a lot. In the best way and sometimes the most overwhelming way. But when it comes to economical travel options in 2025, it’s hard to top. Trains, street food, temples, chaos, color—you could spend weeks (or months) exploring and still spend less than a week in Western Europe.
Delhi might punch you in the face a little. Then somewhere like Udaipur gently takes your hand and makes you forget the noise. India’s full of contrasts like that.
6. Bolivia
If South America’s been calling, Bolivia should be on your radar. It’s got those dramatic landscapes—the salt flats, high-altitude lakes, jungles—that feel almost alien. And the prices? Comfortably low.
Meals for a few dollars. Hostel beds even cheaper. Sure, it’s not the most polished travel infrastructure, but that’s part of the charm. And it’s one of those budget-friendly travel destinations in 2025 that still feels relatively undiscovered.
7. Indonesia (beyond Bali)
Everyone talks about Bali, but Indonesia is huge. And honestly, once you skip the usual Instagram spots, the prices drop fast. Places like Yogyakarta, Sumatra, or even parts of Lombok can be shockingly affordable.
You’ll find cheap guesthouses, tasty street eats, and that warm Southeast Asian hospitality that makes everything feel easier somehow. It’s a cheap backpacking destination, yes—but also a place to slow down if you need that.
8. Morocco
There’s this moment in the medina where you’re probably going to get lost. Happens to everyone. But then you turn a corner and find a little courtyard café with mint tea and a cat watching the world go by. It’s all part of it.
Morocco is colorful, layered, and surprisingly budget-friendly. Especially if you’re okay with a bit of haggling and the occasional surprise detour. For anyone chasing affordable vacation spots in 2025 with a strong sense of place, this one’s got soul.
9. Nepal
Mountains. Monasteries. Momo dumplings. Nepal is kind of ridiculously good value. You don’t have to be a hardcore trekker either—though if you are, the Himalayas are right there.
Kathmandu is chaotic but interesting. Pokhara? That’s where things slow down a bit. Nepal makes travel on a budget in 2025 totally doable—especially if nature and simplicity speak to you.
10. Türkiye
Turkey toes that line between Europe and Asia, old and new. Istanbul can feel a little intense (so many layers to it), but once you start exploring the coast or smaller towns inland, the costs ease up fast.
You’ve got ruins, bazaars, beaches—and yeah, all the kebabs your stomach can handle. Given the current exchange rates, Turkey easily qualifies as one of the best travel deals 2025 is offering right now.
Final Thoughts
Truth is, you don’t need a giant budget to have a memorable trip. Some of the best travel moments come when you least expect them—when you miss a bus and end up discovering a hidden café, or book a $5 room and get a million-dollar view.
Traveling cheap isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about shifting your lens. Slowing down. Saying yes to things that maybe don’t make it onto Pinterest boards but feel more… real.
And in 2025, with so many low-cost countries to visit still welcoming curious travelers, you’ve got plenty of options. Take your pick. Or just spin the globe and see where your finger lands.
Worst case? You end up with a good story.
