You Can Travel in These 7 Countries for Less Than $30 a Day — Here’s How

In case you haven’t noticed, everything from groceries to rent is getting more expensive. Since 2021, the inflation rate has remained at or more than three percent, with the high being a seven percent increase in 2021. It’s no wonder people are choosing to move abroad.

When life feels expensive, it’s good to remember there are places where you can get a room for the cost of a movie ticket and a full meal for the price of a cup of coffee. In fact, once you get past the airfare, you can actually save money by traveling to certain countries for extended periods of time.

Here’s a rundown of how to get by in some of the world’s most affordable countries for less than $30 a day, including lodging, food, and activities.

Laos

While Vietnam and Thailand get plenty of attention, Laos is often overlooked. Perhaps it’s because the nation is landlocked in an area known for its beautiful coastlines, but those who visit will be rewarded with mountains, Buddhist monasteries, beautiful rivers, and a low cost of living.

When I visited Luang Prabang, I was able to stay in a place like Phai Guesthouse for $13 a night. The city is full of French colonial architecture and bakeries with delicious treats for less than $4. If you really want to save, buy your meals from roadside vendors who sell foods like noodle soup and sticky rice for around $1.

Nepal

I visited Nepal when I was traveling through northern India. Kathmandu, its capital, tends to have some of the most affordable lodging (like Thamel Eco Resort, with rooms for $20 a night, for two people), but if you want to see the Himalayas, you’ll want to hop on a bus to Pokhara, a city west of the capital. The journey costs $11 per person via an air-conditioned bus.

One of the most memorable things I ate in Nepal were momos (dumplings), which cost less than $1 for a plate of around seven.

Indonesia

When I visited Indonesia, I stayed on Bali, which is still relatively affordable, but more expensive than many of the country’s other islands. Sumatra and Java have some wonderfully low prices, while on Lombok, an island to the east of Bali, you can stay in a three-star hotel like the Hotel Puri Saron Senggigi for around $22 a night.

If you don’t mind simple meals of rice, meat, and eggs, you can grab local dishes like nasi goreng for around $2.

Thailand

Thailand is no longer the affordable darling it once was, but you can still find budget-friendly accommodations and affordable, delicious eats all over the country. For some of the best rates, head north to the cool mountains, rather than south to the islands. For example, in the northern city of Chiang Mai, you can book a private room in a guesthouse for under $20 a night. A nice meal in a restaurant typically costs around $8, while street food is around $2 a meal.

Vietnam

Vietnam continually ranks high among travelers looking for a deal. But beyond being affordable, the country is beautiful, with more than 2,000 miles of coastline. In the city of Hạ Long, which sits on Hạ Long Bay, visitors have easy access to snorkeling and climbing on the jutting limestone islands.

There are hundreds of hotels, hostels, and homestays in Hạ Long for around $15 a night. After a day of exploring in and along the bay, you can find a banh mi sandwich for around $1 or a bowl of pho for $3.

Philippines

It’s a haul to get to the Philippines, but once you’re there, you’ll enjoy a relatively low cost of living. Even islands like Siargao, known for its surf culture, have rooms for $30 or less.

After a day of riding the waves, you can find a plate loaded with local fare (like chicken adobo) for a few bucks. If you’re craving a Western comfort dish, expect to pay around $10 (a bowl of homemade pasta from La Carinderia, for example).

India

I spent more than a month in India and enjoyed the perks of affordable lodging and tasty, cheap eats. A private room in a central hotel in New Delhi will cost you around $15 a night (like in the case of one of my all-time favorite properties, Hotel Hari Piorko). A meal on the street is around $3, as is a train trip on a lower-tier car.