Travelling on a budget

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and our tips for the best destinations when travelling on a budget. As always we have been combing the globe to bring you the best destinations to visit. If you are looking for some spectacular destinations to visit this year, and to do so within a spectacularly low budget, we have the best list for you.

Travelling On a Budget: A Brand New List of 10 Cheap Travel Destinations

by Neha Singh*

The list below comprises new destinations that range from high up in the mountains to lands touching the sea. These amazing, stunning destinations satisfy your wanderlust in every aspect, but at the same time are amazingly affordable.

Excited? Read On for our top ten destinations for travelling on a budget.

Nepal

One of the most underrated but stunningly beautiful destinations, this list of our best cheap travel destinations is not complete without a mention of Nepal. Where on earth do you get such a perfect blend of beauty, hospitality and affordability?

If you love mountains and trekking, you just can’t afford to miss this tiny country that boasts eight of the 10 of the world’s highest peaks. Considered as one of the best places in the world for hiking and seeking inner peace, Nepal has a lot to be explored, loved and propounded.

Why go here: For the love of hiking and experiencing some of the best views in the world

Cambodia

While Cambodia is well known amongst travelers as a cheap destination they usually shy away thinking it to be a place to visit only for its ancient temples and war museums.

But when you come here you realize Cambodia greets you with amazements beyond Angkor Wat. When you come here, you fall hopelessly love with its paradisiacal beaches, and pristine islands. People here are not too rich and therefore, Cambodia still exudes a naïve charm that instantly strikes a chord.

Why go here: For Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh historical exhibits and serene beaches and islands

Albania

Albania is one place that proves that you can travel cheap in Europe. A small country with Mediterranean villages, vibrant nightlife, amazing coastlines and beach resorts; Albania is your destination to relax and enjoy a laid back life during the day and explore your wild side at night.

It has so much natural beauty that it makes you wonder what took this place such a long time to feature as a tourist destination.

Why go here: For laid back beach relaxation and to experience untainted natural beauty

Morocco

The cost of living in the beautiful Morocco is so low compared to its western counterparts that there was no doubt of its inclusion in the list of Cheap Places to travel in 2016.

After all, not a lot of stunning destinations allow you to stay for a month in an apartment for a mere cost of $300 (approx.). With stunning landscapes, abundance of natural beauty, cascading waterfalls, and craggy mountains, Morocco is a must on this list.

Why go here: For experiencing cultural diversity, abundant natural beauty and finest souks

Indonesia

Name Indonesia and the unsurprising destination of Bali immediately comes to mind. The predictable Bali where all the Bali Holiday Packages are aimed at, is definitely an expensive destination, but not the inland Bali we discovered. Move towards the South of Bali to discover prices dropping and an un-commercialized and backpacker’s favorite version of Bali.

Full of Hindu temples, spiritual huts, exceptional handicrafts and artwork of the locals in contrast to the other side of the ‘touristy’ Bali. Move a little towards areas like Java, Sumatra and Lombok to find the Indonesia of a traveler’s dream. It’s quiet, full of backwater Flores and still offering local prices.

Why go here: To discover the beauty beyond tourist beaches and get over the Eat Pray Love hangover.

India

While you may say it’s a very frequently talked about country, India technically is never a repeat destination for the sole reason that it’s almost impossible to cover the diversity, soak in the history and versatility of the country in a few trips.

India provides a new surprise no matter how many times it is visited. It keeps you longing for more. Whether it is the cuisine, the art, the culture, the history, the people or the festivals; the vibrancy and energy of this Asian country is infectious. You may love it or hate it but you cannot write it off.

Forget the need of going to high end designer stores of Mumbai and the luxury resorts of Goa, and India will give your heart its fill of cherished experiences without damaging your pocket.

Why go here: For the love of its culture, festivals, backwaters, beaches, mountains and people watching.

Vietnam

An ideal combination of affordability and awe- inspiring beauty, Vietnam is one of those rare beautiful destinations in the world that you can visit even on the minimum budget.

Here you can eat a full Vietnamese meal of delicious noodles for around $2 and book locally the tour of its star destinations like Ha Long Bay and Mekong Delta at unbelievably cheap prices. It may be an unfathomably cheap destination but the beauty of this country is priceless. The beaches may get a bit crowded but the inland of the country still retains its simplistic charm.

Why go here: Its cheap, beautiful and still naive

Estonia

Experience a splendid slice of Europe that surprisingly comes within your budget. You don’t have to find any special things in Estonia, it’s a completely unique destination.

Dotted with churches, castles and hilltop fortresses, Estonia boasts a diverse and rugged terrain with stunning beaches, dense old forests, and several breathtakingly beautiful lakes. It is a destination where you can buy several rounds of beer with the change in your pocket. Tallin, one of the most captivating cities of the destination, will make you fall head over heels in love with it.

Why go here: For an experience of Europe you’ve never had before

Dominican Republic

Complete value for the little money you want to spend, the Dominican Republic fits the bill perfectly. A destination boasting stunning vistas and amazing ports can get you sorted with accommodation, food and drinks for a mere $30-35.

All you have to do is shun the pricey restaurants and eat where the locals eat, travel the way locals travel and soak in the attractions of the place the way a local would do.

Why go here: For an unexpected trip of fun and relaxation at unbelievably low cost

Ireland

Ireland is a rare combination of unbelievably original beauty and a hugely affordable destination. Even the flight prices are cheap enough to provoke you to fly business class.

The whole of Ireland is full of castles, amazing mountains, and exudes the vibe of its adorable culture and merry people at every step. Even accommodation, food and travel in the capital city of Dublin won’t hit you more than $25-30 per day, if you don’t get enticed by its luxury options. Go towards the rural Ireland and the cost will get up to 20% cheaper and experience will become a 100% more real.

Why go here: It has everything- abundant natural beauty, loveable people, exceptional dance moves and low cost accommodation.

These destinations prove that travel doesn’t always have to empty your bank account and you can still come back with some money left! These places are not necessarily off the beaten track but still allow you to travel at budget prices.

So, go ahead and make use of this year by travelling and exploring the best of the world without burning a hole in your pocket. 

I hope you enjoyed reading Neha’s post about travelling on a budget as much as I did! It has certainly given me some ideas of places to visit this year.

I will be back soon with more style, lifestyle and travel inspiration and don’t forget to subscribe to the blog below to make sure you never miss a post,

 

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With love,

Neha is a postgraduate in Mass Communications, who loves everything about life. Travelling is extremely close to her heart and writing comes to her naturally. An avid trekker & explorer, who often takes off some time from her busy life for mountaineering, she loves meeting new people & gets attached to their culture very easily. Her ambition is to explore as many places as she can in her life. She strongly believes in the Gandhian principle – “simple living high thinking”. Follow her Dubai-focused travel blog Dubai Wikia