The 7 cheapest places to travel in 2023

Which countries in the world offer the most value? Where can you travel to in 2023 that will allow you to go for longer, enjoy a higher standard, and save more money? The following are 7 destinations around the world that offer the essentials – accommodation, transportation, and food – for less; 

1. ROMANIA (Rs 2800/Day)

If you are planning a European trip that’s affordable and a little bit off the beaten path, Romania is perfect for you. While the country is known for Dracula, many charming towns and free activities remain unknown to most foreigners. Whether you’re taking a long stroll through the medieval villages, or people watching in one of the beautiful parks, Romania is great for anyone after a European experience on a budget. You can also make use of the free walking tours to check out the numerous historical sites. Hostels run Rs 850-1245 per night, food is hearty and delicious (a money-saving tip: Have your breakfast at the hostel, have a big hearty meal for lunch, and cook your own meal for dinner. It’s easy and affordable to get fresh produce from the local market, just make sure your hostel has a kitchen!), and the public transportation is reliable and affordable.

Meals: Rs 800 – 1500 per day
Accommodation: Rs 800- 2000 per night in a hostel or a local guesthouse
Transportation: Rs 400–800 for a full day of bus and train rides
SIM card with data: Rs 550 for 3GB with 28-day validity

2. GREECE (Rs 3320/Day)

Timing is crucial if you want to travel in Greece on a budget. While prices of flights, accommodation and tours have been largely cut down since the country’s debt crisis in 2010, summer months still cost more than others. This means avoiding July and August, which are the hottest and busiest months in Greece. Instead, go a few weeks before or after summer, and you will be able to enjoy Greece with smaller crowds and a lower budget. You can also cut down on food costs by buying fresh produce from the market and making your own meals, since eating out in restaurants can be expensive in certain parts of Greece. A little picnic by the gorgeous beach can be as enjoyable as a lavish meal at a seafood restaurant!

Meals: Rs 800 –1200 per day
Accommodation: Rs 800 -1200 per night in hostel
Transportation: Rs 100 – 1500 per person for rental car

3. The Baltic States (Rs 3500/Day)

Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia are the perfect trio for those who want to travel northeastern Europe on a budget, especially if you like rich history, vibrant culture, and towns that are best explored on foot. Spend a few days to a week in each country to soak everything in, enjoy different things each country has to offer, and venture into the small towns outside of their capital cities, where you will see very few tourists.

Meals: Rs 800 – 1300 per day. Some hostels offer complimentary breakfast
Accommodation: Rs 600-1200 per night in a hostel
Transportation: Rs 250 – 500 for a full day of bus rides within the city, or Rs 1250 – 1650 for an intercity bus ride. Buses seem to be more reliable than trains in Lithuania!
SIM card with data: Get a Baltic SIM card for $ 600 for 3GB with 30-day validity

4. Nicaragua (Rs 3000/Day)

Nicaragua is one of the cheapest Central American destinations to travel in, although it’s not likely to stay that way for much longer. The country is nicknamed as the next Costa Rica, and we all know what that means. For now, the country remains affordable, fun, and interesting so go before the prices go up and before mass tourism hits.

Food is cheap and delicious albeit repetitive. There are hostels all over the country so you don’t have to worry about finding cheap accommodation. One thing to note is that there is unfortunately safety concerns in the country, so check the official advisory site and be your own judge before going.

Meals: Rs 500 – 900 per day. Some hostels offer complimentary breakfast

Accommodation: Rs 400 - 1200 per night in a hostel

Transportation: Rs 250 - 400 for a full day of chicken bus rides, or Rs 500 - 1500 for an intercity bus ride

SIM card with data: Rs 1000 for 1GB with a 30-day validity

5. TURKEY (Rs 3500/Day)

Turkey can be cheap or expensive, depending on what you want to do and how deeply you want to travel through the country. A hot air balloon costs around Rs 15000 - 20000, and intercity traveling can be really long and costly. However, the country has a bunch of other bucket list-worthy items that cost way less, and if you plan your route well, it is definitely possible, if not easy, to travel through Turkey on a budget.Meals: Rs 800 – 1200 per day. Some hostels offer complimentary breakfast

Accommodation: Rs 500 - 1200 per night in a hostel

Transportation: Rs 100 - 300 for a taxi ride, or Rs 2500 – 5000 for an intercity overnight bus ride

SIM card with data: Rs 600 for 2GB with 30-day validity

6. TAIWAN (Rs 3000/Day)

2 words: street food. For less than Rs 150, you can get a plate of fragrant rice with pork / chicken on top, a large deep fry chicken chop, or a bowl of delicious vermicelli with oysters. Food in Taiwan is delicious and ridiculously cheap. If you are a foodie on a budget, you know where to go! In cities like Taipei and Tainan, you can register for their city bikes, which cost less than Rs 40 per hour per ride, and are free for the first 30 minutes. This means you can possibly get around the city all day without spending any money on transportation at all.

Meals: Rs 400 – 800 per day. Some hostels provide breakfast

Accommodation: Rs 800 - 1600 per night in a hostel

Transportation: Rs 200 for a full day of bike, bus, and train rides, or Rs 1600 – 3200 for an HSR ride between cities

SIM card with data: Rs 2500 for unlimited data with 28-day validity

7. SRI LANKA (Rs 3000/Day)

Like many countries, Sri Lanka can be seen on a backpacker budget, or one can spend a small fortune there.  The biggest kicker was the price of activities, such as safaris, and admission into the UNESCO World Heritage Site.  With each running about $40-$50 per ticket, this made Sri Lanka more expensive to fully explore. That said, Sri Lanka can be done on closer to $30 per day on the days that you don’t pay for expensive activities. Food, transport, accommodation, and Internet are relatively cheap. One thing to note about transportation is that in some cases, taking a taxi / uber (in major cities) can be cheaper than renting a bike. If you can find people in your hostel to split the cost, hiring a driver for the day can be as low as $5 per person. The cheapest transportation is the train, which is delightful and IMO, the best way to travel through Sri Lanka.

Meals: Rs 400 - 800 per day. Some hostels provide breakfast

Accommodation: Rs 600 - 1000 per night in a hostel

Transportation: Rs 800 - 1500 per person for a private car and driver split between 4 people, or Rs 250- 500 for a second-class cabin train ride between cities

SIM card with data: Rs 150 for 1.5GB with 30-day validity. Yes, it is that cheap!