Traveling abroad on a budget might seem daunting, but many destinations offer incredible experiences without breaking the bank. Here's a curated list of the 20 cheapest countries to visit from India, complete with approximate costs and must-see attractions.
1. Nepal
- Stay Cost: ₹1,000–2,000 per night (hostels)
- Food: ₹500 per day
- Highlights:
- Trekking to Everest Base Camp
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Bhaktapur & Boudhanath Stupa
2. Vietnam
- Stay Cost: ₹800–1,000 (backpacker hostels)
- Food: ₹800 per day
- Highlights:
- Ha Long Bay cruises
- Hanoi Old Quarter
- Sapa trekking
3. Bhutan
- Stay Cost: ₹1,500–2,000 per night (homestays)
- Food: ₹100–₹400 per meal
- Highlights:
- Dochula Pass
- Rinpung Dzong
- Punakha Valley
4. Sri Lanka
- Stay Cost: ₹700–1,000 per night (Airbnb)
- Food: ₹300–1,000 per day
- Highlights:
- Beaches in Galle
- Temple of the Tooth Relic
- Tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya
5. Laos
- Stay Cost: ₹400–800 (dorm rooms)
- Food: ₹200–300 per meal
- Highlights:
- Luang Prabang temples
- Vang Vieng caves
- Buddha Park
6. Thailand
- Stay Cost: ₹1,200+ per night
- Food: ₹150–200 for street food
- Highlights:
- Krabi beaches
- Phi Phi Islands
- Bangkok’s floating markets
7. Singapore
- Stay Cost: ₹1,700+ per night (hostels)
- Food: ₹500+ per meal
- Highlights:
- Sentosa Island
- Marina Bay Sands
- Universal Studios
8. Malaysia
- Stay Cost: ₹600+ (budget hotels)
- Food: ₹300 per meal
- Highlights:
- Petronas Towers
- Langkawi beaches
- Batu Caves
9. Indonesia
- Stay Cost: ₹1,000–2,000 (hotels/dorms)
- Food: ₹700+ per day
- Highlights:
- Bali beaches
- Borobudur Temple
- Mount Bromo
10. Maldives
- Stay Cost: ₹1,500+ (guesthouses)
- Food: ₹500–1,000 per day
- Highlights:
- Snorkeling & diving
- Local island hopping
- Sunset cruises
11. Seychelles
- Stay Cost: ₹2,500+ (budget guesthouses)
- Food: ₹800–1,500 per day
- Highlights:
- Pristine beaches like Anse Lazio
- Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
- Island-hopping tours
12. Cambodia
- Stay Cost: ₹400–1,000 (hostels)
- Food: ₹300 per day
- Highlights:
- Angkor Wat temples
- Phnom Penh museums
- Floating villages
13. Philippines
- Stay Cost: ₹700–1,500 per night
- Food: ₹300–500 per meal
- Highlights:
- Palawan’s lagoons
- Chocolate Hills in Bohol
- Boracay beaches
14. Turkey
- Stay Cost: ₹1,500+ per night
- Food: ₹300+ per meal
- Highlights:
- Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia
- Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
- Pamukkale thermal pools
15. Myanmar
- Stay Cost: ₹1,000+ (budget hotels)
- Food: ₹400–700 per day
- Highlights:
- Bagan’s ancient temples
- Inle Lake boat tours
- Shwedagon Pagoda
16. Lebanon
- Stay Cost: ₹1,500+ per night
- Food: ₹500–800 per meal
- Highlights:
- Byblos ruins
- Beirut’s vibrant nightlife
- Jeita Grotto
17. Hong Kong
- Stay Cost: ₹2,000+ (hostels)
- Food: ₹500+ per meal
- Highlights:
- Victoria Peak
- Disneyland
- Star Ferry rides
18. UAE
- Stay Cost: ₹1,500–2,500 per night
- Food: ₹1,000+ per day
- Highlights:
- Dubai’s Burj Khalifa
- Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque
- Desert safaris
19. Kenya
- Stay Cost: ₹2,000+ per night
- Food: ₹800 per day
- Highlights:
- Masai Mara safaris
- Mount Kenya
- Nairobi National Park
20. Taiwan
- Stay Cost: ₹1,200+ per night
- Food: ₹500 per meal
- Highlights:
- Taipei 101
- Sun Moon Lake
- Taroko Gorge
Pro Tips for Budget Travelers
- Plan ahead: Early bookings save significant costs.
- Opt for public transport: Buses and trains are cheaper and offer local experiences.
- Stay local: Choose hostels, Airbnb, or homestays to cut costs.
- Eat street food: It’s both delicious and economical.
By choosing the right destination and planning smartly, you can have an incredible international trip at a fraction of the cost. Happy traveling!
