Travel, as we know it, is usually very expensive. However, what about the cheapest backpacking destinations? Surprisingly enough, it’s actually very possible to travel while broke, you just need to know where to go.
For the most part, the Asian continent is the cheapest backpacking destination in the world. And, anyone from over the world can usually afford to travel around this region without seriously breaking the bank.
Continue reading my informative guide to discover the cheapest destinations while travelling on a backpacker’s budget. Moreover, this list will give you a better insight to decide on which countries you want to visit next!
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Cheapest Backpacking Destinations
- Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the best and cheapest backpacking destinations for all travellers. Devour delicious Pho, Banh Mi, Banh Ceo and so much more for less than $2 AUD a serve!
Not to mention, you can see the entire country taking a train from town to town costing you only $7 – $12 AUD per ride. Moreover, this is an extremely cheap way to see the country and to get the most out of your experience! I recommend using 12go! Asia for booking buses and trains.
Vietnam is a gorgeous country with rice fields galore and limestone karsts exploding out of the ground; Everywhere you look there is beauty to be enjoyed. Some of the best highlights of the country are completing the motorcycle Ha Giang Loop in the north and the many underground caves of Phong Nha.
Budget: $40 AUD per day
Feel free to read all of my posts from Vietnam here
- Colombia
Colombia is one of the cheapest backpacking destinations within the Americas region. Colombia is in the northern region of South America and is easily one of the best counties to visit on the continent.
Moreover, the city displays a rich and vibrant history with stunning architecture and vibrantly coloured homes. Then, you can head out of the city and hike incredibly mountainous landscapes and relax on perfect white sand beaches. What’s not to love!?
Budget: $55 AUD per day
- Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a fascinating country in the Asian continent. And, there’s so much to see and do on this fascinating island. Enjoy tasty Sri Lankan curries, explore endless waterfalls, sip delicious tea and relax on stunning beaches.
Some of the highlights that I recommend include taking a train ride through the stunning landscapes and ancient ruins. Finally, there is so much history to explore in this incredible place and I couldn’t recommend it enough!
Budget: $50 AUD per day
- Laos
Laos is one of my favourite countries that I’ve visited and I truly think it lies so far under the radar. Laos is one of the least developed countries in South East Asia, however, it sure as heck packs an absolute punch!
There is a rich and diverse culture throughout the entire country, Laotians are extremely friendly people and the landscape is insanely gorgeous!
Not to mention, Laos is ultra-cheap to travel with food and accommodation at some of the lowest prices I’ve ever come across. Besides, there are a number of fantastic hostels throughout the country so that you can stick to the cheapest budget!
Finally, some of the highlights of Laos include the Kuang Si waterfall and the Mekong River. These are two fascinating natural wonders of the world that must be seen while visiting the country!
Budget: $45 AUD per day
Read more: Backpacking Laos: 2-Week Itinerary Map, Costs, and Travel Tips
- Albania
Albania is one of the cheapest European countries that you can visit. Moreover, it’s a little more under the radar since it attracts a lot fewer international tourists when compared to other European countries.
Nonetheless, Albania absolutely shouldn’t be skipped, especially if you’re travelling on a tight budget!
Albania is a gorgeous country with a stunning coastline, Albanian Alps, and many historical points of interest including castles!
Budget: $55 AUD per day
- Thailand
Thailand is yet another one of my all-time favourite countries to backpack, and I’ve spent 3 months enjoying many parts of this country. Besides, this country is massive and there are plenty of areas to explore, meaning it offers an extremely diverse experience all around.
Firstly, the northern part of Thailand includes Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pai. These cities are all very cheap and fantastic to explore. You can experience the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, and then head further north to Pai to relax in the beautiful Thai countryside.
Secondly, the southern part of Thailand is what makes up the tropical island paradise that we all know and love. Experience island hopping on the East and West coasts of Thailand and soak up the gorgeous tropical climate. Moreover, the Western islands include Phi Phi island, Railay, Phuket and Koh Lanta, while the Eastern side includes Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao.
Finally, the people are some of the loveliest I’ve come across and the food is absolutely divine! Indulge in curries packed with flavour and numerous noodle and rice dishes. Besides, meals are typically around $3 AUD making this an insanely affordable country to travel!
Budget: $50 AUD per day
Read more: Thailand Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know
- India
India is yet another one of the cheapest backpacking destinations in the world. And, there is so much to explore within this large and magnificent country.
If you love a bit of chaos, you’ll love exploring India. There is always something going on and the city never really seems to sleep. Additionally, there are stunning Hindu temples everywhere, large deserts and beautiful mountainscapes to enjoy.
Some of the highlights of India include the Taj Mahal and the beautiful town of Rishikesh. Besides, you could easily spend months exploring this incredible country and still feel as though you haven’t seen enough!
Budget: $30 AUD per day
- Philippines
Need I say more about how incredible the Philippines truly is? We’ve all seen the stunningly beautiful images of turquoise lagoons, limestone karsts emerging out of the oceans and pristine waterfalls.
And, you’ll be pleased to know that the Philippines is one of the cheapest places that you can backpack! Imagine island hopping, enjoying tasty local food and relaxing on the beach watching the sun go down with a beer in hand. An absolutely perfect day!
Some of the best islands of the Philippines include Coron, Siargao, Siquijor, Malapascua and Cebu, just to name a few.
Budget: $50 AUD per day
- Cambodia
Cambodia is yet another South East Asian country that offers the ultimate budget-saving experience! And, this gorgeous country doesn’t skip on culture or history with many fascinating ancient ruins throughout the entire country.
Some of the ultimate highlights of Cambodia include Angkor Wat and the stunning island of Koh Rong. Moreover, these are some of the must-visit locations for your time in Cambodia!
Finally, Cambodia is an extremely cheap country to travel, with many budget hostels and opportunities for cheap street food.
Budget: $45 AUD per day
- Bolivia
Last but not least, another cheap country to backpack is magnificent Bolivia in South America. Bolivia is in the centre of South America and borders Brazil. And, it’s a great place to visit for those on a budget, especially if you want to travel around South America!
Bolivia is a country rich in culture and has the highest population of Indigenous culture in South America. Therefore, making it a fantastic country to experience a magnificent depth of culture.
In terms of highlights, I highly recommend checking out the fascinating salt flats of Uyuni and the incredible pink salt lake of Laguna Colorada.
Budget: $50 AUD per day
Cheap Backpacking Tips
I’ve spent about 6 months backpacking parts of South East Asia and have discovered a range of useful tips that I would like to share with other travellers. Here are some of my top cheap backpacking tips:
- Find a travel card that has low withdrawal fees.
- Invest in a GRAYL water bottle (You can learn more here)
- Research the cost of things before going. This gives you an idea of money scams and how to ensure you get the best deal on everything.
- Set yourself a budget. Typically, a great backpacker’s budget is around $50 AUD per day.
- Book flights early to get the cheapest price.
- The cheapest time of year to travel is during the off-season. Moreover, this is usually when the weather isn’t exactly ideal, but it’s when accommodation and flights are cheap.
- Spend a long time in destinations instead of rushing around to multiple places. Travelling slowly is much more sustainable and will save you money in the long run.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, these are some of the best cheap backpacking locations, however, not limited to the only cheap spots! Besides, the world is full of many hidden gems just waiting for us to discover them!
And, just because these places are cheap, doesn’t make them any less worthy than some of the more favourable and more expensive locations such as Europe. I had the greatest time exploring a handful of these locations and couldn’t recommend them enough to any and every traveller!
So, save a few of these destinations and get inspired for your next backpacking trip! All of these countries will make for an incredible trip. Happy travels!
Finally, check out this post if you want to learn more about travelling on a budget.
Read more:
Solo Female Travel in Thailand: Tips for Travelling Thailand
Solo Travel Photography Tips: Get the Best Photos While Travelling Solo
