Backpacking on a Budget
Backpacking doesn’t have to mean draining your savings or putting off travel plans. With the right destination, it’s completely possible to explore the world on a tight budget. If you’re up for an adventure, all while feeling comfortable and good about your expenses, here are 20 pocket-friendly backpacking destinations.
1. Nepal
Home to the world’s highest peaks, including Everest, Nepal is a haven for trekkers. Affordable guesthouses, local buses, and budget-friendly street food—like momos and dal bhat—make daily costs incredibly low. Many temples and heritage sites also have modest entry fees or are free.
2. India
India feels like a backpacker's rite of passage. It's not just about cheap food and trains; it's the layered cultures and timeless monuments that steal your attention. Take a rickshaw through Old Delhi, then hop an overnight train to the beaches of Goa or the ghats of Varanasi. Here, no trip is ever the same twice.
Sergio Capuzzimati on Unsplash
3. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a compact country packed with beaches, highlands, ancient ruins, and rainforests, all fit within a day’s travel. What makes it special for backpackers isn’t just affordability, but access. You can ride a train through tea-covered hills or hop on a local bus to sacred temples.
4. Vietnam
This place has it all at prices that’ll make your wallet sigh with relief. Traveling from north to south (or the other way around) is a breeze with cheap trains, sleeper buses, and even budget airlines if you're short on time.
5. Thailand
Thailand might be one of the most visited backpacking hubs, but it’s never boring. In the north, places like Pai and Chiang Rai promise mountain air and slow living, while the south offers sun-drenched islands. Backpackers find their groove here quickly, with budget-friendly hostels and cheap street food.
6. Laos
Located between more touristy neighbors, this landlocked country offers a relaxed pace of life that appeals to slower travelers. Here, accommodation ranges from rustic bungalows to affordable hostels, often priced below $10 per night. Traveling around the country is inexpensive, too, thanks to a network of local buses.
7. Cambodia
In Cambodia, daily expenses are incredibly low—hostels can cost as little as $4-6 a night, and hearty local meals like amok curry or fried rice rarely exceed $2. Even major highlights like the Angkor Wat complex remain accessible with a reasonably priced multi-day pass.
8. Indonesia
Spread across thousands of islands, Indonesia offers numerous experiences. Backpackers can find comfortable accommodations for under $10 a night and eat like royalty for just a few dollars a day. Even in well-traveled areas, many natural wonders are free or cost very little to explore.
Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash
9. Philippines
With over 7,000 islands to explore, this country is a paradise of white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Moreover, domestic flights and ferries are cheap and frequent, connecting popular spots like Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, and Siargao without draining your funds.
10. Malaysia
Malaysia is one of those places where your money goes surprisingly far without sacrificing comfort or experience. For instance, Kuala Lumpur features gleaming skyscrapers and night markets, while Penang delivers a food scene so rich and affordable that you’ll want to stay longer just to eat your way through it.
11. Romania
In Romania, accommodation is affordable, with dorm beds and budget hotels often available for $10-20 per night. Also, public transportation—especially trains and buses—is widespread and inexpensive, making it easy to travel between cities and rural areas.
12. Bulgaria
Start your Eastern Europe route with Bulgaria if you want a low-cost base surrounded by nature, history, and beaches. Backpackers benefit from inexpensive hostels in Sofia and Plovdiv and $1 bakery snacks. Moreover, Black Sea coast towns and mountain villages are both easy and cheap to reach.
13. Poland
Poland is ideal for backpackers looking to stretch their money while traveling through well-preserved cities. If you’re on a long trip, head south to Zakopane for hiking in the Tatra Mountains or east to Lublin for a quieter, cheaper alternative to the main hubs.
14. Hungary
Begin your Hungary leg in Budapest, where most budget travelers settle into dorms in District VII or VIII for easy access to the metro. Interestingly, dishes like goulash, lángos, and stews cost less than a fast-food meal in Hungary’s food markets and traditional eateries.
15. Georgia
As a backpacker-friendly country that allows long stays at low prices, Georgia's perfect for any itinerary. Tbilisi is a convenient and central base with hostels often under $10 and high-speed internet widely available. Trips between April and October provide the best combination of weather and accessibility.
16. Turkey
Turkey is also a solid choice for budget travelers due to its low daily costs and wide range of experiences. In cities like Istanbul, you can visit historic mosques without spending much. Plus, many landmarks, such as the Hagia Sophia or Ephesus, have modest entrance fees.
17. Nicaragua
This country provides affordable dorm rooms in places like León, Granada, and San Juan del Sur. Local transport is based around colorful school buses known as “chicken buses,” which charge less than a dollar for short intercity routes. If you stick to comedores or street stalls, you can save on food, too.
Jezer Josué Mejía Otero on Unsplash
18. Guatemala
It’s easy to find a decent hostel or guesthouse in Guatemala, and local meals rarely cost more than a few dollars. Getting around is also a part of the adventure here—the local “chicken buses,” which are colorful converted school buses, are extremely cheap and go just about everywhere.
19. Bolivia
When you’re exploring Bolivia, your money stretches the furthest. What makes this country especially appealing is that its top attractions, like the Salar de Uyuni (salt flats) or Lake Titicaca, are surprisingly accessible without luxury pricing. You get to enjoy the best experiences in the most affordable way!
Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Pexels
20. Peru
Peru is filled with highlights like Machu Picchu and the Amazon basin in a price range suitable for backpackers. Also, alternative treks to Machu Picchu, such as Salkantay or Inca Jungle, are cheaper than the classic Inca Trail and easier to book at the last minute.
