Born to see the world, but forced to do so on a tight budget? We’ve got you covered. This list includes cheap places to travel to from the US, along with tips for keeping things budget friendly once you get there. In the process, you’ll get a more local cultural experience too.
Cheap places to travel in the Americas
One way to keep things affordable is to fly close to home. That’s why first up on our list of cheap places to travel are destinations in the Americas. But don’t worry. Despite their proximity, these locations are full of sun, sea, and street food – key ingredients to make your next vacay one to remember.
Pirates and white sand beaches in Nassau, Bahamas
White sand and crystal-clear, turquoise waters? Only a short flight away! And even budget travelers can hack it. Just opt for staying in a local guest house downtown rather than a stuffy resort. Snack on cheap eats like conch fritters and enjoy free beach options like Junkanoo.
This island was also known as the Pirate’s Republic for much of the 18th century. So if you want to take a break from sunbathing, check out the Pirates of Nassau Museum (for a small fee).
Plus, in Nassau you don’t have to worry about currency exchange if you’re paying USD, which will help keep more bucks in your bank account.
- Best time to visit: May, early June, and November are the sweet spots. You’re still in the off-season but are likely to miss any big tropical storms or hurricanes.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $5.00
- Price of a cappuccino: $5.75
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $15.00… just look for beachside food stalls and local spots
- Free activities: Junkanoo Beach, National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (free every first Sunday of the month)
Pura vida, dude: San José, Costa Rica
In Costa Rica’s capital, San José, you’ll be able to sip on top-notch local coffee for cheap, enjoy culture at the Museo Nacional, and get around easily on its public transit system.
The also city boasts lots of amazing cheap – and filling food – like empanadas and gallo pinto, a magical dish of humble beans and rice that’s much more than the sum of its parts.
You can also easily take buses to the country’s famed beaches, mountains, and volcanoes for just a few dollars.
- Best time to visit: May, June, and November are technically part of the euphemistically-termed ‘green season’ (aka rainy season). But they’re on the cusp, so you can find cheap prices but still encounter plenty of sunshine.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $2.95
- Price of a cappuccino: $3.91
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $11.79
- Free activities: Chill out in the leafy Parque Nacional and tour the bustling Mercado Central to get a feel for every everyday Costa Rican culture.
Oranjestad, Aruba: your tranquil island getaway
Queue up your Beach Boys (or dancehall) and grab your bathing suit because Aruba is the tranquil – and affordable – island of your dreams. Stay downtown off the main drag in local inns of guesthouses to keep things budget friendly.
Eat like a local and munch on pastechi (stuffed pastries kind of like empanadas) for breakfast and fresh seafood for lunch.
And take in the beautiful beach views for free. The colorful and charming downtown is also totally walkable and the Arubus is a cheap public transportation option.
Extra points for the fact that Aruba is a Caribbean island that’s just off the hurricane belt so you can enjoy a calmer climate year round.
- Best time to visit: In the off season from May – November
- Price of a beer (domestic): $3.00
- Price of a cappuccino: $3.72
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $19.00
- Free activities: Tour the city on the antique Oranjestad Streetcar, and swim at Surfside Beach.
Lush and lovely: Lima, Peru
Lima will allow you to eat like royalty on a backpacker’s budget. For this reason alone, it’s a must when it comes to cheap places to travel from the US.
And the cuisine in Peru is truly like nowhere else, thanks to its multitude of unique biospheres. (It’s home to over 4,000 species of potato alone!) We’d recommend picking up local fruits from the market (don’t miss the lucuma) and taking every chance you can get to savor the famous ceviche.
Wander the romantic streets of Barranco, and immerse yourself in arts and culture at many of the city’s free or low cost museums, galleries, and churches. In March and April you can also catch El Día de la Canción Criolla in late October, which features many free music concerts with local artists.
- Best time to visit: March to May and September to November are considered shoulder seasons in Lima. You’ll be able to skip the tourist crowds while still enjoying pleasant weather.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $2.18
- Price of a cappuccino: $2.61
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $4.22
- Free activities: Explore the Centro Historíco, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the Plaza de Armas and the Basilica Cathedral, and wander the sultry streets of Barranco.
Guayaquil, Ecuador: your gateway to the Galapagós
Guayaquil is cheap, colorful, and full of surprises. Don’t miss the tree-lined Malecon 2000 Waterfront that looks out over the Guayas River. And observe the iguanas at Parque Seminario.
Enjoy Ecuadorian street food for cheap like bolón de verde (fried plantains). This is also an amazing city for art, and we highly recommend checking out the Museo Presley Norton and Museo Antropológico y de Arte Contemporáneo. For nature lovers there’s also Reserva Ecologica Manglar Churute and the zoo at Parque Historíco.
Plus, you’ll find lots of cheap stays, especially downtown.
- Best time to visit: April to June and September to November will keep you out of touristy peak season, while also helping you skip the heavy humidity of the high rainy season.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $3
- Price of a cappuccino: $2.51
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $3.25
- Free activities: Walk the Malecon 2000 river promenade and get in touch with local life. Take in the nature at Parque Historíco and Parque Seminario, and wander the vibrant Las Peñas neighborhood.
Cheap places to travel in Europe
If you’ve been dreaming of overseas travel, Europe offers many surprisingly affordable options, too – especially if you’re willing to go off the beaten path. With their rich history and vibrant culture, these cheap places to travel will reward you for doing so.
Hidden histories: Skopje, North Macedonia
Skopje is a dream for travelers looking to explore Europe beyond the usual tourist traps, and on a budget.
Stay near the historic Old Bazaar, and explore the city’s oversized statues and quirky architecture. These features speak to its fascinating history and mixed cultural influences – from Ottoman to Byzantine to the more recent Yugoslav era. You can still visit many Dardanian and Roman-era archaeological sites as well.
Enjoy Balkan staples like burek and rakija liquors on the cheap as well. Public transit here is easy and well connected, and you can also stay at boutique hotels without breaking the bank.
- Best time to visit: Late spring and early fall are best both weatherwise and because they’re outside of peak tourist season. So you’ll avoid the crowds and find cheaper travel deals.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $2.14
- Price of a cappuccino: $2.06
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $6.96
- Free activities: Explore the Old Bazaar, which blends Ottoman and Macedonian architecture, and offers a glimpse into contemporary local life and culture. Also check out the Museum of the City of Skopje for an overview of the city’s history.
Poor but sexy: Berlin, Germany
Okay, the whole ‘poor but sexy’ tagline was really just a marketing ploy pushed by the city’s mayor in the early 2000s to revamp the German capital’s image. But that doesn’t make it untrue. The city is renowned for its no-frills cool, and it’s still one of the cheapest major European cities you can visit.
Berlin, however, is much more than its hedonistic nightlife, although it certainly has that too. It’s also home to tons of culture, a cosmopolitan array of cuisines, and an infamous history.
It’s especially ideal for a budget traveler because simply hanging out with some beers in the park or strolling by the Landwehrkanal is the ideal way to take in the local life – and costs next to nothing!
- Best time to visit: May or September will likely help you find cheaper flights and accommodations,while still giving you a taste of the city in full swing.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $4.50
- Price of a cappuccino: $4.11
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $12, at a sit-down restaurant. But you can – and should – definitely try classic street food favorites like the döner kebap for cheaper.
- Free activities: the city’s many museums are generally free on Thursday evenings, and you can wander Berlin’s open air markets like the canalside Maybachufer every Tuesday and Saturday.
Atlantic island: Ponta Delgada in Portugal’s Azores
Situated on São Miguel Island in the Azores archipelago, you’ll find an amazing blend of nature and culture on Ponta Delgada. In fact, it’s one of the most underrated cheap places to travel from the US.
The largest city in the Azores, you’ll find a blend of seafaring history and Portuguese culture, local folklore music, and lots of traditional cuisine unique to these islands for affordable prices. This includes dishes like steak in wine, fresh seafood and cozido stew, which gets cooked underground in geothermal vents.
Book affordable stays at local guesthouses and get around for cheap by e-scooter. And definitely check out the island’s surrounding volcanic hot springs, lakes, and hiking trails as well.
- Best time to visit: The shoulder seasons, early fall and late spring, will help you avoid the crowds, find better travel deals, and enjoy comfortable temps.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $2.20
- Price of a cappuccino: $1.76
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $10.99
- Free activities: Explore Portas da Cidade (city gates) at the entrance to the historic old town, check out the bustling Mercado da Graça to get a taste of local life, and wander the public botanical garden Jardim António Borges.
Picture perfect Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is like a place out of a storybook. Its medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and bohemian vibe make it great for a budget traveler because you can take so much of the city’s charm simply by wandering around.
Definitely don’t miss Staré Mesto, the city’s old town that’s filled with baroque and gothic architecture. Here you can find iconic places like the Charles Bridge and the Prague Castle.
Prague is also famous for its unique type of unfiltered pilsner beer, and the Czech Republic actually drinks the most per capita of anywhere else in the world! Try one of these brews and you’ll understand why.
You can also find a vibrant art scene for both classical and modern tastes.
- Best time to visit: Like other European destinations on our list, visiting Prague in spring or fall is optimal. Try to avoid high tourist season in the summer because this city does get a lot of them.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $2.61
- Price of a cappuccino: $3.20
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $9.12
- Free activities: Explore the Old Town Square, walk across the Charles Bridge, and take a visit to Letná Park for incredible panoramic views of the city.
Balkan beauty: Tirana, Albania
Tirana is a rising star when it comes to cheap places to travel from the US. Set in the Dajti Mountains, the city is known for its fascinating mix of Ottoman, Fascist, and Soviet-style architecture that will take you through its long and winding history.
Today, you’ll find lively neighborhood vibes in Blloku, chic cafes, and quirky art museums like Bunk’Art. You can eat for cheap here too, and you definitely don’t want to miss the qofte grilled meatballs and Albanian-style byrek. You can also easily take day trips to the surrounding mountains for hikes and scenic views.
- Best time to visit: Spring and fall will also be the ideal times to visit Tirana, as the weather is great. Be warned, it gets quite hot in the summer months! It’s not particularly tourist heavy, though, so you could visit year round and get into the local vibe.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $2.72
- Price of a cappuccino: $1.81
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $10.89
- Free activities: Visit the Skenderbej Square, a great place to people watch and take in the local architecture, like the Et’hem Bej Mosque. Pass by the infamous Pyramid of Tirana, with its curious architecture, that was once intended to be a museum for the country’s dictator.
Dublin, Ireland on a dime
At first thought, Dublin might not come to mind when you think of cheap places to travel from the US. But in actuality, you can find relatively cheap flights to the Irish capital from the states, and there’s plenty to do for free once you get there.
The National Museum of Ireland offers rich historical and cultural portrayals of the country, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art is also free, and you can also find free walking tours (just be sure to tip). And green spaces like Phoenix Park, one of the largest in Europe, are perfect for people watching and picnicking. And cute cafes and English bookstores abound.
You can also find hearty, traditional pub food like boxty potato pancakes or bowl of coddle stew that will keep you full for hours. And of course, you can sip on a beer or two and hang out in a pub all evening.
- Best time to visit: Dublin has seasonal charm year round – like St. Patrick’s Day in March in Christmas Markets in December. But spring (aside from St. Patrick’s Day itself) and fall are the best for budget prices.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $7.69
- Price of a cappuccino: $4.48
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $21.97
- Free activities: People watching on the pedestrian Grafton Street. Also check out the renowned (and free!) museums and public parks. Take a day trip to the green coastal cliffs of Howth Head, and wander the Dublin Castle grounds.
A grand tour on a budget in Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is a fascinating place whose architecture is oddly Parisian – except it’s much cheaper to visit. Stay in Old Town, stroll its grand boulevards, and take in the communist architecture throughout the city.
Sample classic dishes like sarmale cabbage rolls and mici grilled meat at low cost. You can get around just fine using public transportation. and many of Bucharest’s museums – like the Zambaccian Museum and the National Museum of Art of Romania – offer free entry on the first Wednesday of the month.
- Best time to visit: Late spring and early fall offer good weather and the likelihood of finding cheaper deals on flights and accommodation.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $3.31
- Price of a cappuccino: $3.26
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $13.24
- Free activities: Take in the massive palace of Parliament, perhaps the city’s most well-known landmark. Also tour the ornate Stavropoleos Monastery and wander in the vast Cismigiu Gardens.
Culture capital: Kraków, Poland
Kraków is quaint, beautiful, and historic. It’s also incredibly walkable. Known to many as Poland’s cultural capital, there’s tons of ways to explore the stories this city has to tell – and you can do it all on a budget. For example, many museums, like Schindler’s Factory and the Castle Underground Museum, are free on Mondays. Definitely don’t miss the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz as well.
Classic dishes like pierogies, zurek soup, and Polish pastries are also quite affordable here. And you can drink for cheap.
Take public transportation at low cost to other points of interest outside the city, including Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
- Best time to visit: Shoulder season, like May and September, are ideal times to visit. Beware that Krakow can get quite touristy during the summer months.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $3.85
- Price of a cappuccino: $3.78
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $10.28
- Free activities: Wander the historic districts of this city at no cost, and make the most of the free museum Mondays. On this day, you can skip admission to the Old Synagogue and the New Jewish Cemetery to pay homage to the large Jewish community that resided here before the Holocaust.
Cheap places to travel in Asia and the Middle East
For those who want to expand their horizons further beyond Europe and the Americas, we’ve handpicked places with affordable flights and gathered tips for maximizing your budget once you’re there.
Budget-friendly wonders in Cairo, Egypt
Cairo is very cheap, marvelously chaotic, and bursting with history and culture. You definitely won’t want to miss the classics like the Pyramids of Giza, as well as the Khan el-Khalili market and the Al-Azhar Park.
And your dollar will stretch especially far on transportation – including taxis – as well as food. Koshari, Egypt’s national dish, is especially cheap, filling, and vegan. And you can snack on falafel sandwiches and fill up on foul for breakfast from the city’s many street vendors.
As the city’s culture hub, Zamalek offers a great homebase, with cheap accommodations and lots of vibrance.
- Best time to visit: Early spring and late fall are the best times to visit Cairo, both weather wise and to cop cheaper travel deals while avoiding tourists.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $1.18
- Price of a cappuccino: $1.53
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $3.93
- Free activities: Browse in the Khan el-Khalili market. Get to know Egypt’s religious influences – past and present – at Al Azhar Mosque and in Coptic Cairo. Weave in and out of Cairo’s many contemporary art galleries.
Travel while you can: Tokyo, Japan
This destination doesn’t normally rank among cheap places to travel. But for the moment it is more affordable because of the current state of the yen, and it may not stay that way for long. So if you’ve always dreamed of visiting Tokyo, this could be your chance.
And the novelty of immersing yourself in Japanese culture on the cheap is a delight in itself. To keep things extra budget friendly, you can stay in a capsule hotel and eat conveyor belt sushi. Green spaces like Ueno Parked, famed for its cherry blossoms, and going to the top of the Metro Government Building are free and offer incredible views.
- Best time to visit: January and February are the most budget-friendly months to visit Tokyo.
- Price of a beer (domestic): $4.11
- Price of a cappuccino: $3.52
- Price of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $8.22
- Free activities: Explore the many famous neighborhoods of Tokyo, like Shibuya and Harakuki. You can also enjoy the city’s parks for free and get a great view from above from the Metro Government Building. Some temples and shrines throughout the city also offer free entry.
Average prices are estimated from KAYAK internal data from the search period ‘2024/09/01 – 2025/02/28’ for the travel period ‘2025/06/01 – 2025/09/15.’ Flight prices include economy class return trips for one traveler. Price insights may vary depending on the exact departure airport and over time as travel dates are approaching.
The prices used in this article for beer, coffee and meals are sourced from Numbeo, the world’s largest cost-of-living database, as well as our writer’s personal experience in the Bahamas and Berlin.
