Most people know that India and Eastern Europe are cheap places to travel in but most of the world’s best budget backpacking destinations are a little off the beaten track, and you won’t find most of these countries on other ‘budget travel destinations’ lists… This is some real adventure gold right here, folks.
I’ve been traveling the world broke for nearly nine years now, I normally travel on a budget of around $10 – $15 a day, but this becomes a lot more fun when you pick a cheap place to travel as suddenly you can afford beer!
When you are seeking out the best cheap countries to visit, keep in mind that the whole spectrum is on offer. Do you like trekking in the mountains? Is the beach your thing? Do you want a life-changing cultural experience? Do you just want to find the country with the cheapest beer?
Whatever it is you want to experience, there is a budget-friendly country for you.
For adventurous backpackers and those who want to explore the world without breaking the bank, this is the ultimate list of cheap places to travel in 2019…
- Iran
One of the most overlooked budget destinations out there is Iran. Backpacking Iran is a truly incredible experience, and Iran is probably the easiest country worldwide to hitch a ride; you will often be invited into homes so you rarely even have to pay for a place to sleep. Iran is an often misunderstood country and frequently slated in the media, something which continues to anger me. I’ve spent nearly six months in Iran, visiting four times across 2016, 2017 and 2018. My wife is Iranian, I speak some Farsi, and I feel strongly connected to this amazing country. Iran is one of the cheapest countries to visit in the world and is a broke backpacker haven…
With gorgeous Islamic architecture, legendary hospitality, beautiful women, and the stunning island of Hormuz, this is a country which will take your breath away at every turn.
Backpacking across Iran is a truly amazing experience and it’s one of my favorite budget travel destinations in the world. If you’re happy to hitch and to Couchsurf, you can travel here for under $10 a day.
I’ve camped out all over Iran, Couchsurfed with dozens of hosts, hitchhiked thousands of kilometers – the legendary Iranian hospitality means it’s totally possible to travel on a tight budget and Iran is actually a very safe country and is a cheap place to travel in as well! Score. If you’re into hitchhiking, this country is a mecca…
2. Sri Lanka
Somehow, Sri Lanka has slipped off the radar for many budget backpackers. With the ever-increasing popularity of India and Southeast Asia to either side, I expected Sri Lanka to be a little more crowded. Or, maybe just a little better known from folks back home.
What I found there is a country full of landscapes just begging to be explored by foot or train and a smaller community of vibey backpackers spending their holiday hiking mountains or chilling on the pristine beaches.
Okay, so maybe the backpacking route is well-trodden here, but that makes it easy to get to different sections of the island – from where you can set out on your own to find a lesser-known beach or a wild section of jungle.
Some of the best hostels in Sri Lanka will set you back about $7, and you can expect even less for the cheaper sort. Also, the government has announced that it will reduce the cost of flights into and out of the country, making it all the more accessible for budget travelers!
I mentioned those train rides, right? If you can save enough on everything else, splurge on a train ride. Yes, they’re worth it.
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