7 Countries Where You Can Travel Comfortably on Less Than $30 a Day

While Vietnam and Thailand get plenty of attention, Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s most overlooked gems. Those who make the effort are rewarded with mountains, Buddhist monasteries, and stunning rivers — all at prices that feel almost impossibly low. In Luang Prabang, you can stay in a guesthouse for under $20 a night, explore streets lined with French colonial architecture, and find bakeries selling fresh pastries for under $4. Roadside vendors sell noodle soup and sticky rice for around $1.

Nepal offers world-class trekking, ancient temples, and near-unbeatable affordability. In Kathmandu, rooms are available for under $20 a night. A bus to Pokhara — the gateway to Himalayan trekking — costs around $10 per person. The food is equally wallet-friendly: momos (steamed dumplings) can be found for less than $1 for a plate of seven. Dal bhat — the traditional lentil and rice dish — is filling, nutritious, and costs just a couple of dollars.

Indonesia is a vast archipelago with price points to match every budget. On Lombok — the island immediately east of Bali — three-star hotels run around $19 a night. Sumatra and Java are even more affordable. Simple local dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice with egg and meat) cost around $2 from street stalls and local warungs, and they’re genuinely delicious.

Thailand still delivers excellent value with the right strategy — head north rather than south. While the islands have become significantly more expensive, the mountain city of Chiang Mai remains one of the best budget destinations in Asia. Private guesthouse rooms run under $20 a night, restaurant meals cost around $8, and street food is still a bargain at around $2 a serving.

Vietnam consistently ranks among the best-value destinations on earth — and beyond being affordable, it’s genuinely beautiful, with over 2,000 miles of coastline. In Hạ Long City, you have easy access to the famous Hạ Long Bay. Hotels and homestays run around $15 a night. A bánh mì sandwich costs about $1, and a steaming bowl of phở runs roughly $3.

The Philippines requires a longer flight for most Western travelers, but once you arrive, the value is exceptional. Even Siargao — one of the country’s trendiest surf destinations — offers rooms for $30 or less per night. A plate of chicken adobo costs just a few dollars, and fresh seafood is plentiful and cheap across the islands.

India is one of the world’s great travel destinations — and one of its most affordable. A private room in a well-located hotel in central New Delhi runs around $19 a night. Street meals cost about $3, giving you access to some of the world’s most diverse cuisine at prices that feel almost implausibly low. Train travel between cities costs around $3 as well.