In this article, we’ll show you the 30 cheapest places in the world to travel to. If you want to skip the tourist industry explanation, check out 11 cheapest places in the world to travel to.
The global tourism market is expected to grow at a healthy compound annual growth rate of 5% over the ongoing forecast period from 2022 to 2032. It was valued at $10.5 trillion in 2022 and is expected to reach $17.1 trillion by 2032. One of the major drivers of growth in the tourism industry is the exploration of new places.
While the US and European countries have traditionally been the most popular tourist destinations, lesser known countries in Africa, Asia and South America have recently emerged as places with great tourism potential. These places are also budget-friendly, with most of them appearing in the list of “The 30 Cheapest Places to Visit in the World”. Moreover, new trends such as adventure tourism and art tourism are also helping the market grow.
The adoption of tourism websites is also becoming a common trend around the world. The abundance of online resources has made travelling easier. Furthermore, Asia, Africa and South America have seen a strong growth in the cultural and pilgrimage tourism sectors.
At the same time, tourism can be adversely affected by geopolitical tensions and disease. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas could have geopolitical implications for other countries. Similarly, the emergence of COVID-19 has previously negatively affected tourism. Diseases such as SARS, Ebola, and COVID-19 can also have a negative impact on tourism.
Despite the rise of new travel and tourism destinations, the United States remains one of the major players in the market. The United States is one of the most popular tourist destinations, and Americans are among the biggest spenders in the tourism industry. In December 2023, foreign tourists spent $19.5 billion in the United States. This figure was up 22% from December 2022 and was the highest level of monthly spending since December 2019, just before the COVID-19 lockdown.
Americans also contribute significantly to the tourism industry around the world. Americans traveling internationally spent a total of $18.9 billion in December 2023. However, it is worth noting that the U.S. tourism industry still had a trade surplus of $544 million as of December 2023. This marked the sixth consecutive month that the U.S. maintained a trade surplus in tourism.
The tourism industry is complemented by the global tourism insurance industry, which is a rapidly growing market. The global tourism insurance market is expected to achieve a CAGR of 15.4% during the forecast period 2021-2030. It was valued at $17.8 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $63.9 billion by 2030. Some of the top players in travel insurance include Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) and Sun Life Financial (NYSE: SLF).
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Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) is a leading financial services company. The company operates in the property/casualty and travel insurance segments of the insurance industry. Recently, Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) announced the launch of a new developer portal to provide B2B2C partners access to digital insurance products and services.
Sun Life Financial, Inc. (NYSE:SLF) is included in our list of the 15 best travel insurance companies. It is one of the leading financial services companies that specialize in insurance, investments, financial advice, and asset management. Sun Life Financial, Inc. (NYSE:SLF) is ranked as one of the best travel insurance companies and operates worldwide.
With this backdrop in mind, let’s take a look at the 30 cheapest places to visit in the world.
The 30 cheapest places to visit in the world
Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock.com
methodology
To come up with a list of the top 30 cheapest places to travel in the world, we first created a list of budget-friendly countries. Then, we noted down the busiest airports in each country, as these are the cheapest airports to fly to. We then used Google Flights to find the cheapest round-trip fare from John F. Kennedy Airport (one of the busiest airports in the US) to the busiest airport in each country. Our research assumed a one-week trip for two people. Then, for each country, we looked up the average cost of a one-week vacation for two people, including hotel accommodation and domestic transfers, on the Budget Your Trip website. Finally, we added up all the costs and selected the top 30 cheapest travel destinations.
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30 – Malaysia
Lowest round-trip airfare for two people – $2,802 Average cost for a week-long trip for two people – $1,136 Total cost for two people – $3,218
Malaysia ranks 30th on the list of the cheapest places to travel in the world. Popular tourist attractions in the country include the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and Balutu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, plus the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town.
29 – South Africa
Lowest round-trip airfare for two people – $1,992 Average cost for a week-long trip for two people – $1,219 Total cost for two people – $3,211
South Africa is one of the most budget-friendly travel destinations, offering a unique blend of historical landmarks such as Constitution Hill and Mandela Square, and panoramic views from Table Mountain.
28 – Uruguay
Lowest round-trip airfare for two people – $1,982 Average cost for a week-long trip for two people – $1,112 Total cost for two people – $3,094
Uruguay ranks 27th on the list of the cheapest places to travel in the world. The capital, Montevideo, is known for its blend of modernity and historical charm, offering affordable living costs and cultural experiences.
27 – Nepal
Lowest round trip airfare for two people – $2,550 Average cost for a week trip for two people – $527 Total cost for two people – $3,077
Nepal is not only one of the most budget-friendly places to visit but is also very unique. The country is famous for its trekking routes such as the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek.
26 – Sri Lanka
Lowest round-trip airfare for two people – $2,326 Average cost for a week-long trip for two people – $685 Total cost for two people – $3,011
Sri Lanka offers a variety of experiences for budget travelers. On average, you can expect to spend $44 per day on transport, food and activities. The country offers hiking treks, temples and monasteries.
25 – Mexico
Cheapest round trip airfare for two – $1,092 Average cost for a week trip for two – $1,786 Total cost for two – $2,878
Mexico ranks 25th in the list of the top 30 cheapest places to travel in the world. It caters to people with a wide range of tastes and interests, with museums, clubs, bars, beaches and more.
24 – Czech Republic
Lowest round-trip airfare for two people – $1,274 Average cost for a week’s trip for two people – $1,547 Total cost for two people – $2,821
The Czech Republic is one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe. Its capital, Prague, is famous for its historical sites and beautiful scenery. In addition, the Czech Republic offers a wide range of cultural experiences, including theaters, operas, and concerts.
23 – Latvia
Cheapest round trip airfare for two – $1,070 Average cost for a week trip for two – $1,715 Total cost for two – $2,785
Latvia is known for its beer gardens, where travelers can enjoy traditional Latvian beer at affordable prices, and the country has many affordable tourist attractions, including medieval castles and beaches.
22 – North Macedonia
Cheapest round trip airfare for 2 people – $1324Average cost for a week trip for 2 people – $1400Total cost for 2 people – $2724
North Macedonia is one of the most underrated budget-friendly travel destinations, with breathtaking views and great hiking and picnic opportunities in the Matka Gorge.
21 – Brazil
Lowest round-trip airfare for two people – $1,500 Average cost for a week-long trip for two people – $1,220 Total cost for two people – $2,720
Brazil comes in at number 21 on our list of the top 30 cheapest places to travel to in the world, offering a variety of budget-friendly activities and experiences, including Iguazu Falls and the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Rio de Janeiro’s Corcovado Hill.
20 – Indonesia
Lowest round trip airfare for two people – $18222Average cost for a week trip for two people – $8366Total cost for two people – $2658
Indonesia is one of the cheapest places to travel to. Round-trip airfare is expensive, but low local prices make it easy on the wallet. Indonesia is home to some of the best public and cultural parks in the world. Bali is a popular tourist destination and is home to the sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Tegallalang Rice Terraces.
19 – Croatia
Lowest round-trip airfare for two people – $1,160 Average cost for a week’s trip for two people – $1,468 Total cost for two people – $2,628
Croatia offers a wide range of activities and experiences for those on a budget, and some activities, such as hiking at Marijan Hill, are free.
18 – Estonia
Lowest round-trip airfare for two people – $1,070 Average cost for a week-long trip for two people – $1,538 Total cost for two people – $2,608
Estonia ranks 18th in the list of the cheapest places to travel in the world. The median budget for a trip to Estonia is between 50 and 75 euros per person per day.
17 – Philippines
Lowest round trip airfare for two people – $1,604 Average cost for a week trip for two people – $944 Total cost for two people – $2,548
The Philippines is a popular tourist destination and one of the cheapest places to travel to in the world. The country has some of the most beautiful beaches and a diverse range of islands.
16 – Costa Rica
Lowest round trip airfare for two people – $866 Average cost for a week trip for two people – $1643 Total cost for two people – $2509
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Despite covering only 0.03% of the Earth, the country boasts 5% of the world’s biodiversity and has 26% of its land area set aside as protected areas.
15 – Albania
Lowest round trip airfare for two people – $1,400 Average cost for a week trip for two people – $1,090 Total cost for two people – $2,490
Albania ranks 15th on the list of the 30 cheapest places to travel in the world. Nearly three-quarters of Albania’s land area is made up of mountains and hills that are over 650 feet above sea level, making it a paradise for mountain lovers.
14 – India
Lowest round trip airfare for two people – $1,932 Average cost for a week trip for two people – $552 Total cost for two people – $2,484
India is one of the cheapest places in the world to travel to; the exorbitant airfare prices are offset by the extremely low prices of local goods. The country is home to some of the most iconic sites in the world, including the Taj Mahal.
13 – Lithuania
Lowest round trip airfare for two people – $1,072 Average cost for a week trip for two people – $1,388 Total cost for two people – $2,460
Lithuania ranks 13th on the list of the cheapest places to travel in the world. Vilnius Old Town is famous for its cobbled streets and Baroque architecture.
12 – Hungary
Lowest round trip airfare for two people – $1,238 Average cost for a week trip for two people – $1,185 Total cost for two people – $2,423
Hungary ranks 12th on the list of the cheapest places to travel in the world. For those looking for adventure, culture, and relaxation, Hungary has plenty of experiences to suit your trip. Hungary is home to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest. It is also known for its thermal springs.
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Disclosures: None. “The 30 Cheapest Places to Visit in the World” originally appeared on Insider Monkey.
