Many people, especially in India, tend to assume that international travel is something that is quite expensive and can only be afforded by those with deep pockets. However, if you know where to go and don’t mind living in budget accommodations, there are a number of places that you can visit without losing your entire life’s savings. Here are 10 international destinations that you can visit without getting broke. The list is presented in no particular order and tourists are advised to double check everything as the prices that have been listed may change. They are also advised to double check with the staff at the eating/drinking establishment to know whether the dish/drink is non-vegetarian/alcoholic. List of 10 cheap international destinations from India :
Vietnam
Vietnam is a beautiful country that is mostly untouched by the recent modern developments of the world. As a result, a vast majority of the country is covered by lush green forests. From phantasmagoric seascape of islands to dramatic cave chains, Vietnam brings plenty of opportunities for experiencing mother Earth’s beauty at its best. Many areas in Vietnam give you a glimpse of pure country life, the conventional rural lifestyle. In addition to that, one thing that the whole of Vietnam offers is their hospitality.
Stay: The hotels in Vietnam are incredibly cheap, even the luxury hotels. Budget accommodation can be enjoyed for less than $16 a day.
What to See: Halong Bay, a World Heritage site, is a natural wonder with many islands rising from the sea. The ruins at My Son Sanctuary give a glimpse of Vietnam’s rich history, while The DMZ gives a peek into its more recent past. The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is ideal for those who are looking for a bit of spelunking, while the Cuc Phuong National Park is for those who wish to enjoy Vietnam’s natural beauty from above the ground.
Cities to Visit: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Dalat.
Eat: Pho, Bánh cuốn, Gỏi cuốn, Ca Kho To, and much more.
Drink: Nước Sâm, Trà Atisô, and Rượu Nếp Cẩm amongst others.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island country that is located to the southeast of India. It is one of the most exhilarating beach-escapes in the world. However, it is still not that popular among Indian tourists as it should be. The country is extremely beautiful. Sri Lankan culture is a delightful amalgamation of Buddhism and Hinduism, with some influence of the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. It provides you with ample opportunities for exploring its halcyon beaches; so just be ready with your beachwear, straw hats, and the sunscreen. On the top of everything, the country also offers affordable delicious food.
Stay: It is quite easy to find low-priced accommodation in Sri Lanka with decent features for as low as $40 a day and it can even go lower than $20 a day if you are willing to rough it out a bit.
What to See: The Uda Walawe National Park is a great place to check out some of the animals that call this country home. If history and culture are up in your alley, then check out Anuradhapura, where a number of ancient ruins have been partially restored. There is also the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, where a tooth of Lord Buddha is said to be kept. If you just want to relax, then there are numerous beaches scattered throughout the country.
Cities to Visit: Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Kandy, and Ratnapura.
Eat: Mallung, Sambol, Lamprais, Kottu Rotty, Wattalappam, and many more.
Drink: Coconut Water, Toddy, and Arrack are a few of the local favorites.
Albania
Almost everyone will agree that the words ‘budget’ and ‘Europe’ don’t seem to go along very well. However, that is only when you consider the more popular western half of Europe, the Eastern Europe is still quite cheap and offers more or less the same charm as the rest of Europe. Out of these, Albania is a country that offers you a chance to see and experience not only the rich cultural history of Europe but also the calm waters of the Mediterranean Sea; all at very low costs.
Stay: It is possible to find an accommodation in Albania for as little as $40 a day or even less if you look carefully.
What to See: Gjirokastra Castle is one of the most popular monuments in the country and a must-see when visiting Albania. The Albanian Alps are also a great way to check out the natural beauty of the country. Sarandë and Vlorë are blessed with some stunning beaches.
Cities to Visit: Tirana, Berat, Shkodra, Sarandë, and Vlorë.
Eat: Fërgesë Tirane, Flija, Tarator, Baklava, and more.
Drink: Çaj Mali and Albanian Raki are very popular
Thailand
Thailand is one of the most popular international destinations to visit. The country offers a lot of things to do and see at very low costs. Thailand offers delicious food, vibrant culture and amazing beaches at a fraction of the cost, making it one of the most sought after destinations in the world.
Stay: There are a plethora of good accommodation options in Thailand that are available for $20 a day or maybe even less!
What to See: The Elephant Nature Park is a great way to observe and understand how elephants live; you can also feed and bath them. Apart from that, you can also visit the Khao Yai National Park that offers amazing natural scenery. The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a must for shoppers as it provides a large variety of items ranging from souvenirs to handicrafts. There are plenty of dive spots in Thailand with some of the best diving spots in Ko Tao.
Cities to Visit: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya.
Eat: Phat Thai, Tom Yam, Khao soi, Laap, and so much more.
Drink: Coconut Juice and Cha Yen along with Chang Beer is very popular.
Malaysia
The culture of Malaysia is a fine coalescence of traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures and everything in the country represents that be it the architecture, the food, the festivals, or even the lifestyle.
Stay: $25 can get you a very decent accommodation in Malaysia. However, you can also get accommodation for less than $20 a day if you search a little bit.
What to See: The Taman Negara National Park is quite popular for its green cover and abundant wildlife, while the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is well-known for its orangutans. The island of Sipadan is famous for its waters that are a scuba divers dream, while Sarawak is ideal for explorers. If you wish to indulge in little bit of shopping or eating, then Jonker’s Walk Night Market or the Imbi Market are the places to check out.
Cities to Visit: Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Malacca, and Miri.
Eat: Apam Balik, Nasi Lemak, Rendang, Popia Basah, and innumerable other dishes.
Drink: Teh Tarik, Kopi Tongkat Ali Ginseng, and Tuak are some of the most popular drinks in the region.
Check out the amazing Places to Visit in Malaysia
Turkey
Turkey has always been very popular among tourists throughout its history due to its central location. Pilgrims traveling from Europe to the Holy Land in the Middle East often pass through Turkey. As a result, the culture of Turkey is an interesting blend of Europe and the Middle East.
Stay: Budget accommodation in Turkey generally hovers around the $40 mark. However, it is possible to find accommodation at lesser prices.
What to See: Historically significant buildings are almost everywhere in Turkey. The Topkapi Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque, and Aya Sofya are amongst the most popular sites visited by tourists. There are also a number of museums in Turkeys such as the Mevlâna Museum, the Göreme Open-Air Museum and the Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts that are quite popular. If history and museums aren’t your things, then head over to Antalya for its beautiful beaches.
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and was its former capital as well. It is the centre of the country’s cultural and historical prestige.
Also Read : Istanbul Street Food Tour
Stay: Accommodation in Istanbul can be a bit expensive; however, one can find places that charge about $40 or even less per day.
Cities to Visit: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ankara, and Antalya.
Eat: Kuyu Kebabı, Menemen, Adana Kebap, Künefe, Baklava, and many more.
Drink: Türk Kahvesi, Şalgam, and Rakı are amongst the most popular drinks in Turkey.
China
China is an enormous country and covers nearly all of the eastern Asia. As a result, the culture and language used in one part of China could be very different from another. Combined with the size of the country, this means that it is nearly impossible to see the whole country in one go. However, you can try to visit at least some places as traveling there is quite cheap.
Stay: One can easily get decent accommodations for about $30 per day. However, there are many places where one can stay for much less than that, especially if one is not staying in one of its major cities.
What to See: The Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China is a must-see for anyone traveling to the country for the first time along with the Jiāyùguān Fort and the Potala Palace. China is also a home to a number of religious structures like the Sakya Monastery and Lóngxīng Temple along with much more. The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is an excellent place to check out Giant Pandas. There is much more to see and explore in the country.
Cities to Visit: Beijing, Guangzhau, Nanjing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Xi’an.
Eat: Tang Cu Li Ji , Yu Xiang Rou Si, Huǒ Guō, Kao Rou, and hundreds more.
Drink: Báijiǔ, Mai Dong, Qingdao Beer, and many different varieties of tea.
Spain
Spain is another country that many people associate with as an expensive holiday spot. However, traveling to Spain from India is extremely reasonable and so is the cost of accommodation. All this combined with its rich history and culture and calm climate make it best for a great vacation.
Stay: Budget accommodations in the country hover around the $40 mark. Spain may not be as cheap as some of the other travel places in the list; however, it is quite reasonably priced for what one gets. However, if one looks well enough, there are places that are much cheaper.
What to See: Spain is filled with palaces and castles such as the Alhambra, Alcázar and Palau de l’Almudaina along with cathedrals such as the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, Real Monasterio de Santa María de Guadalupe, and the unfinished Sagrada Família. If you just want to relax, then head over to the beaches in Barcelona or Almería where you can work on your tan.
Cities to Visit: Madrid, Barcelona, Cadiz, Seville and Valencia.
Eat: Patatas Bravas, Tortilla Española, Chorizo, Churros con Chocolate, Paella, and many more.
Drink: Sangria, Orxata, Agua de Valencia, Cava, and many more.
Russia
Russia is the largest country in the world and as one would expect, it has a lot to offer to tourists. From jaw-dropping natural wonders, bustling cities, quite country sides, rich history, vibrant culture to what-not, Russia has got it all.
Stay: Budget accommodation in Russia generally hovers around the $30 mark. However, it is possible to find places that charge a lot less.
What to See: The historic Red Square is definitely a place that every tourist must visit once along with the Kremlin and Lenin’s Mausoleum. The Catherine Palace along with Yusupov Palace will remind you of Russia’s rich history, while the State Hermitage Museum and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts are great places to learn more about the history and culture of Russia. There are also numerous natural wonders in the country like Lake Baikal and Mount Elbrus.
Cities to Visit: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Irkutsk, Sochi, and Vladivostok.
Eat: Pelmeni, Borscht, Blini, Solyanka, and more
Drink: Medovukha, Vodka, Kvas, Mors, etc.
Indonesia
Indonesia is a country with thousands of islands and is equally rich when it comes to natural and cultural diversity. It is no wonder that Indonesia has always been a very popular place for tourists and the low costs at which it offers travel opportunities just seal the deal.
Stay: It is very easy to find hotels for as less as $20 a day or even lower if you are fine with roughing it out a bit.
What to See: Indonesia is full of natural beauty and one of its most prominent features is the volcanoes in the region. There are also a number of dive sites located all through Indonesia. The Orangutan Feeding Centre is a great way to get up close and personal with the wonderful creatures. The religious sites at Borobudur, Candi Sukuh and Jin de Yuan should satiate the historical and spiritual needs of any traveler.
Cities to Visit: Jakarta, Medan, Yogyakarta, and Manado.
Eat: Gado Gado, Saté, Kerak Telor, and Rendang amongst many others.
Drink: Bajigur, Bandrek, Wedang Jahe and Cendol are very popular amongst the locals
Related: Places to Visit In India | Places to Visit In Delhi
That concludes this list of the cheapest international destinations you can visit from India. If you have any suggestions or additions, we would love to hear from you in the comments below.
Image credits : Artur Malinowski