Laos is the cheapest country for a vacation in 2026, with a daily budget of around 20–25 euros (23–29 dollars) for accommodation, food and transport. India and Bolivia are close behind, while in Europe, Albania and Georgia are the most affordable. Here are the eight cheapest countries to vacation in, what a day costs and what you can experience there.
In brief
• Cheapest overall: Laos, with a daily budget of around 20–25 euros (23–29 dollars).
• Cheapest in Europe: Albania, closely followed by Georgia.
• Best value for a long trip: Vietnam and India.
• Best for mountains: Nepal and Bolivia.
• A short flight from much of Europe: Albania and Georgia.
• The daily budget covers accommodation, food and transport at the destination—not the flight.
We look at what a day at the destination costs—not the flight. The daily budget covers basic accommodation (a hostel, guesthouse or budget hotel), meals at local eateries and domestic transport.
The figures are based on two independent rankings from 2026. The Dutch travel site World-Travellers named the ten cheapest countries for long trips, based on Numbeo price data and its own travel experience. Insurance company HelloSafe ranked 131 countries by average daily budget, and Laos also comes in last there—as the cheapest of them all.
All prices are given in euros and US dollars, converted at 1 euro ≈ 1.16 dollars (October 2026) and rounded. If you travel in greater comfort, you should expect to spend twice as much.
Country | Daily budget (euros) | Daily budget (dollars) |
|---|---|---|
Laos | 20–25 | 23–29 |
Bolivia | 20–25 | 23–29 |
India | 18–28 | 21–32 |
Nepal | 20–28 | 23–32 |
Indonesia | 22–30 | 25–35 |
Vietnam | 25–30 | 29–35 |
Georgia | 28–35 | 32–40 |
Albania | 26–48 | 30–55 |
Albania has the widest range because prices on the coast rise sharply in July–August. Travel outside peak season and you’ll be at the lower end.
Laos has topped lists of cheap countries for several years. Expect to spend around 20–25 euros (23–29 dollars) a day, with simple street-food meals from 1–3 euros and guesthouses from 5–10 euros a night.
Hot-air balloon over the limestone mountains in Vang Vieng at sunrise. Balloon rides and paragliding are among the most popular activities in Laos’s adventure capital. Photo by Teodor Kuduschiev on Unsplash
Explore the temple town of Luang Prabang and the monks’ morning procession.
Kayak and explore caves around Vang Vieng.
Take a boat trip on the Mekong River.
The new high-speed train takes you from Vientiane to Luang Prabang in two hours, for around 6–30 euros.
Best time to visit: November–March, during the dry season. The cheapest flights often go via Bangkok.
India is one of the world’s cheapest countries, thanks in particular to inexpensive transport and local food. The daily budget is around 18–28 euros (21–32 dollars), and a local meal costs 1–2 euros.
The Taj Mahal in Agra reflected in the long water pool in the morning light. Arrive early to avoid the biggest crowds. Photo by Julian Yu on Unsplash
See the palaces and desert towns of Rajasthan.
Sail along the backwater canals of Kerala.
Relax on the beaches of Goa.
Cool off in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh.
Best time to visit: October–March for most of the country. Trains and buses make long distances affordable, but require a little patience.
Bolivia is much cheaper than its neighbors Chile and Argentina. Expect to spend 20–25 euros (23–29 dollars) a day and 6–10 euros a night for a hostel.
An off-road vehicle crosses the Salar de Uyuni salt flat, where a thin layer of water turns the ground into a mirror. Multi-day trips across the salt flat are surprisingly affordable. Photo by Matan Levanon on Unsplash
Drive across the Salar de Uyuni salt flat—multi-day trips are surprisingly affordable.
Visit Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest large lake with boat traffic.
Ride the cable car over La Paz.
Best time to visit: May–October, during the dry season. Keep in mind that much of the country is at very high altitude—take it easy for the first few days.
Outside Kathmandu and Pokhara, accommodation and food are very affordable. The daily budget is 20–28 euros (23–32 dollars), and along the trekking routes you can stay cheaply in simple teahouses.
The stupa at Namche Bazaar on the way to Everest Base Camp, with Everest and Lhotse in the background. Along the route, you can stay cheaply in simple teahouses. Photo by Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash
Hike the Annapurna Circuit or trek to Everest Base Camp.
Go kayaking or paragliding at Phewa Lake in Pokhara.
Explore the temples in the Kathmandu Valley.
Best time to visit: October–November and March–April. Check the current guide and permit requirements before you go, as they vary between areas.
Indonesia is still affordable, as long as you choose islands beyond the most touristy parts of Bali. Budget 22–30 euros (25–35 dollars) a day, with hostel beds from 5–11 euros (6–13 dollars) a night. If you’re travelling solo, Bali is still one of the best places to meet people—see the best destinations for solo travel.
Treehouse on the cliffs at Thousand Islands Viewpoint on Nusa Penida, a short boat ride from Bali. The island has a dramatic coastline and lower prices than the most popular parts of Bali. Photo by Tom Bixler on Unsplash
Watch the sunrise over Borobudur near Yogyakarta.
Hike Mount Bromo in East Java.
See the Komodo dragons in Komodo National Park.
Go diving or snorkelling around Lombok, Flores and Sulawesi.
Best time to visit: April–May and September–October, outside the July–August peak season.
Vietnam combines low prices with excellent infrastructure, making it ideal for a long trip from north to south. Budget 25–30 euros (29–35 dollars) a day, with local meals costing 1–2 euros. Hue and the Mekong Delta are cheaper than Da Nang and Phu Quoc. Da Nang is also among the most searched-for destinations in 2027.
Turquoise water and limestone islands in Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s best-known landscapes. A boat trip among the nearly 2,000 islands is a highlight of any journey north. Photo by Marina Lobato on Unsplash
Sail in Ha Long Bay.
Wander among the lanterns in Hoi An’s Old Town.
Cycle among the limestone mountains in Ninh Binh.
Visit the floating markets in the Mekong Delta.
Best time to visit: February–April and August–October, outside the Tết New Year celebrations.
Georgia is a popular blend of European ambiance and low prices. Budget around 28–35 euros (32–40 dollars) a day. Prices rise noticeably in the most popular areas, so it’s worth going soon.
Hikers making their way through green mountain meadows towards Udziro Lake in the Caucasus. Georgia offers spectacular mountain hikes for a fraction of the price of the Alps. Photo by nika tchokhonelidze on Unsplash
Explore Tbilisi’s Old Town and sulfur baths.
Hike in the Caucasus Mountains around Kazbegi.
Taste wine in the Kakheti wine region.
Best time to visit: May–June and September–October.
Albania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe and only a short flight from much of the continent. Budget around 26–48 euros (30–55 dollars) a day. A guesthouse room costs from 13–26 euros (15–30 dollars) a night, and a meal costs 5–9 euros (5–10 dollars).
Crystal-clear water and white beaches in Ksamil, at the southernmost end of the Albanian Riviera. Visit in May, June or September for lower prices and fewer crowds. Photo by Filip Bartos on Unsplash
Swim along the Riviera in Himara and Dhërmi – for a fraction of the price in Greece and Italy.
Wander through the UNESCO-listed old town of Berat.
Hike from Valbona to Theth.
Explore the capital, Tirana.
Best time to visit: May–June and September, before and after the coastal high season.
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Travel in the shoulder season. The months just before and after the high season bring lower prices for both flights and accommodation.
Eat where the locals eat. Street food stalls and small family-run restaurants cost a fraction of tourist restaurants.
Take buses and trains. Local transport is almost free in several of these countries, and overnight trains save you the cost of a hotel night.
Stay longer in one place. Many guesthouses offer discounts for stays of several nights, and you'll spend less on transport.
Avoid the most popular places. Bali, Phuket and Koh Samui are noticeably more expensive than the rest of their countries. On Thailand's most popular islands, food, rooms and activities often cost 25–50 percent more, according to Orange Travel's Thailand budget guide.
If you want the lowest possible daily cost and a relaxed pace, choose Laos. If you want the most experiences for your money on a long trip, Vietnam and India are hard to beat. Dreaming of mountains? Nepal and Bolivia are top choices. And if you only have a week or two, Albania and Georgia offer low prices without a long, expensive flight. Traveling with a group? Find tips in the guide to planning a group trip.
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Laos is the cheapest country to holiday in, with a daily budget of around 20–25 euros (23–29 dollars). HelloSafe also ranks Laos as the most affordable of 131 countries.
Albania is Europe's cheapest holiday destination, at around 26–48 euros (30–55 dollars) a day. Georgia, on Europe's eastern edge, costs around 28–35 euros (32–40 dollars) a day.
A budget traveler can get by on 25–30 euros (29–35 dollars) a day in Vietnam. A local meal costs 1–2 euros.
The cheapest time is the shoulder season: February–April and August–October in Vietnam, and April–May and September–October in Indonesia. Both flights and accommodation are cheaper then than during the high season.
No. The daily budget covers accommodation, food and transport at your destination, not the journey there.
Collect the places that inspire you, build a day-by-day itinerary and keep every ticket, booking and note in one place.
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