10 cheap destinations

Travelling is an experience like no other. Diverse destinations are now more possible than ever for budget-conscious travellers looking to make their hard-earned income go far. In this first part, we have hand-picked five thrilling places to discover that will go easy on your pocket.

Vietnam, Southeast Asia

Floating fishing village surrounded by a karst landscape in Hạ Long Bay

Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam

Vietnam is a very beautiful country that is regarded as Southeast Asia’s cheapest travel destination. From the floating marketplaces of the Mekong River Delta to the mythical islands of Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam offers a breathtaking range of experiences. It is hard to imagine this friendly country was once the backdrop to the intense conflict of the Vietnam War, and you can still reflect on this thought-provoking past by venturing into historic tunnels dug by the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (Viet Cong) near Ho Chi Minh City.

Food is cheap and easily accessible in Vietnam. Once you taste the world-rated Pho Bo soup and spring rolls in fish or peanut sauce, you will know you are getting incredible value for your money. Vietnam’s national favourite, Saigon beer, is cheap and available everywhere. For just €4 a night you can get reasonable backpacker’s accommodation, and on a shoestring budget you can have outstanding experiences in Vietnam for €15-30 per day. With a very favourable exchange rate, Vietnam is an obvious choice for cost-conscious travellers.

As Vietnam has modernised the scooter has been embraced as a go-to vehicle to complete daily tasks and get around. Travellers can make use of this transport situation by hiring their own scooters to explore further afield, for around €5 per day. While traffic in Vietnam takes some getting used to, hiring a scooter can give an exhilarating sense of freedom and expands the territory you get to cover during your stay in this unique country.

Poland, Central Europe

Nice view on the red roofs of the Polish city of Wroclaw

Wrocław, Poland

Compared to its European neighbours, Poland is an affordable tourist destination that is known for its natural beauty and picturesque cities. Considered one of the cheapest countries to visit in the Old Continent, Poland is an incredibly popular sightseeing destination during the warm summer months. For this reason, scheduling your visit for spring or autumn will help avoid crowds and, depending on your timing, take advantage of lower off-season prices. These periods of year can also be culturally interesting times to visit Poland, which is home to many folk, religious and music festivals.

Eat at modest outlets, particularly those near universities catering to students, to sample the local flavour and save on day-to-day costs. Accommodation is a percentage of average European prices, and finding backpacker hostels will reduce your travel expenses even more. Poland has good rail services and other reliable and cheap public transport options, including buses and, in the cities, tram systems and trolleybus systems. A trip to Malbork Castle near the town of Malbork will allow you to see the largest fortress in the world by land area. Whether you are into nature sports, epic festivals or are a historic city enthusiast, Poland will embellish your memories without having a memorable impact on your wallet.

Granada, Nicaragua

People strolling down a street with colonial architecture in Granada

Granada, Nicaragua

The fun and atmospheric Nicaraguan city of Granada is an easy-going base for the cost-conscious traveller. A five-night stay here will be more than enough time to get sightseeing done, though if you want to relax in this colourful colonial city, then consider staying longer. If you are looking for a destination to learn Spanish, Granada is the cheapest option in Nicaragua, which makes it a perfect first point of call before embarking on longer backpacking trips through other Spanish-speaking parts of South and Central America.

Granada’s multiple hotels and accommodation options are extremely well priced. Get a good night’s rest and then explore the city at your own pace, browse the local markets, take a day tour to swim and kayak in Apoyo lagoon or make a day trip to San Juan Del Sur to learn how to surf. A must-see when staying in Granada is a nighttime visit to observe the red-glowing moving magma in the live (yet manageably-sized) nearby Masaya volcano. All told, Granada is a great place to have life-sized experiences on a small-sized budget.

Goa, Southern India

Goa, Southern India

India is a contrast to almost anywhere else. If you’re looking for free sun, palm trees and cheap drinks, head to the Southern Indian beaches of Goa, India’s smallest state. The peak tourist season is December-January, so going to Goa in November or between February and May will both avoid the monsoon and allow you to snap up cheaper deals on already affordable backpackers accommodation. If you are into seaside serenity or an active party scene, Goa has beaches for you.

Treat yourself to yoga on the beach or harmonising massages, browse the food and craft markets or hire a moped to make day trips to other nearby beaches. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Goa will cost you around €4, a dolphin-viewing boat trip will also cost you around €4, while a local beer will set you back just €1. So if as a discerning traveller you want to blow your mind without blowing your budget, go to Goa.

Bohemia, Czech Republic

Overview of the charming Czech town of Český Krumlov

Town of Český Krumlov, South Bohemia

Prague is a must-see city, with its iconic Charles Bridge), but many travellers forget there is much more to the Czech Republic than its castle-strewn capital. Yes, there’s no better place to get off the beaten track than Bohemia, a region ignored by many foreign visitors. Bohemia is big, but even just sticking to Central Bohemia near Prague will give you more than enough uncommon travel experiences to start with.

Like Prague, the whole of Bohemia is famous for its epic fairytale castles. Visit the Central Bohemian town of Kutná Hora, a one-hour train ride from Prague, whose Chapel of All Saints is decorated with thousands of human bones. Another alternative may be to explore the medieval city of Český Krumlov, an area that has been inhabited since the Older Stone Age (70,000–50,000 BC), the longest period of prehistory. Bus and train travel is recommended for getting around Bohemia, though a road trip with a car is also an option if you can cope with some suboptimal road surfaces. Getting out into the country will result in you finding the locals more friendly than in Prague! If you are into low-budget cycling holidays, then look no further than South Bohemia, which is criss-crossed by cycle paths.

10 cheap destinations – Part one