12 Cheap Places to Travel in 2026 That Are Actually Worth It

Travel’s not exactly getting cheaper these days. 

If you're flying out from Australia, just the ticket price alone can set you back more than you'd like to admit. Cheap flights are hard to come by these days, not to mention hotel expenses, transportation fees, and meals.

But here's the thing. Once you get over that first financial hurdle, there are loads of places where your money goes a lot further than you'd expect. We're talking about proper adventures and top-notch holidays, rather than budget alternatives.

For this article, we’ve carefully compiled a list of legit affordable destinations built on actual experiences, stories swapped in hammocks and hostel kitchens, and the kind of real-world advice you’d give your mates. So, if you’re chasing value and adventure over white-linen luxury, you’ll find some good options here.

Quick note before we begin: If you’re someone who likes to stay connected on the road (booking trains, messaging your hostel, Googling ‘how to deal with Delhi belly’ at 2 am), a Travel e-SIM saves loads of hassle. ZenSim has one for just about anywhere, so make sure to grab one before getting on that plane. 

Without further ado, let’s look at the best budget destinations to consider in 2026.

1. Vietnam

When it comes to cheap places to travel, Southeast Asia is a force to be reckoned with.

Your first day in Vietnam will be a whirlwind of unforgettable experiences for a shockingly reasonable price. It’s common for tourists to spend under $40 a day and still manage to eat like royalty. Hanoi’s vibrant vibe is like a breath of fresh air: endless motorbikes, amazing food, and the clang of street vendors selling the most exquisite trinkets. 

You’ll find pho, a traditional Vietnamese soup, on virtually every corner. It’s hearty, spicy, and steaming hot, and it will only set you back two bucks. Banh mi sandwiches are crunchy, messy, and somehow better when you’re squatting on a low plastic stool. The coffee? Thick, sweet, and caffeinated enough to launch you into orbit (while being gentle on your bank account).

If you’re even slightly adventurous, hire a motorbike and tackle the Ha Giang Loop. Consider it a rite of passage for all tourists in Vietnam.

Picture misty mountain passes, locals waving as you cruise by, and the occasional water buffalo blocking your path. And by the end of the trip, you just might end up in a wooden stilt house, sipping rice wine with a host family with surprisingly good self-taught English skills.

However, there’s one catch. Cruising around Vietnam is rewarding, but it can be quite chaotic. Unlike Australia, you won’t find a full-bar WiFi connection on every corner. That’s why mobile data is a must here, especially if you're checking bus schedules. Zensim’s e-SIMs work great in Vietnam.

2. Georgia (The Country)

Georgia’s the kind of place that doesn’t bother with flashy tourist resorts or glamour. Instead, it quietly impresses you with every hearty meal, more than a couple of glasses of tangy wine, and unforgettable hikes. 

The capital, Tbilisi, is both quirky and picturesque. One minute you’re in a crumbling alley of wooden balconies, the next you’re soaking in sulphur baths that smell like boiled eggs (with incredible health benefits to boot). 

The food is unreal. Khinkali are soupy dumplings you eat with your hands. Don’t bite into them too fast, though, or you’ll end up wearing your lunch. And after you’ve finished your last dumpling (trust us, you’ll wipe the plate clean), don’t forget to wash it down with homemade wine poured from an unlabelled bottle by someone who insists on a toast every five minutes.

While the cuisine and scenery are amazing, local transportation is a bit chaotic. Minibuses, also known as Marshrutkas, sometimes depart at irregular intervals rather than adhering to a rigid schedule. However, they’re inexpensive and often lead to interesting stories.

If you're headed into the mountains, don’t count on having a strong signal. That’s where a Caucasus-friendly Travel e-SIM comes in handy. It will get you by when the hostel WiFi doesn’t.

3. Albania

If you’ve ever wandered around an Instagram-worthy Greek island thinking, “This would be a perfect destination if it didn’t suck my bank balance dry,” Albania’s your answer. 

Think of Albania as a Mediterranean-esque destination for budget travellers, costing only a third of the price. The coastlines are wild but stunning: clear water, soft sand, and barely any crowds if you time it right.

While Albania is not the cheapest country in Eastern Europe, it's undoubtedly one of the more affordable gems. You can easily spend a few nights in Ksamil for around $20 per night, including breakfast. What’s more, you may just wake up to a plate of fresh figs, homemade cheese, and bread still warm from the oven. 

Tirana’s still rough around the edges, but it has excellent local food and quirky charm. Picture bright buildings, retro cafes, and some surprisingly solid espresso. Similar to Georgia, local transportation is somewhat of a mystery. Sometimes, buses show up when they feel like it. But don’t worry; the city is so tourist-friendly, someone will always help you figure it out.

And those mountain towns inland? Berat and Gjirokastër resemble something from a storybook, with their cobbled streets and castles. You won’t find those views on a luxury resort in the UAE, that’s for sure. 

4. Mexico 

Calling all foodies! This destination is for you.

First things first: you’ll eat ridiculously well in Mexico, even on a tight budget. Forget the resorts. Head to Mexico City, Oaxaca or Chiapas if you want flavour and authenticity without the price tag.

Oaxaca, in particular, is a dream. Mole sauces so rich that they’re like a separate meal, markets buzzing with colour, and tlayudas the size of small pizzas. Just take a seat on a wooden stool at a food stall and get a three-course lunch for under $6. Bonus: The cook might give you a shot of mezcal "for digestion", turning your culinary experience into a crazy cheap deal.

Long-distance buses are comfy, and you’ll probably befriend the granny sitting next to you, regardless of whether you speak Spanish or not. However, Wi-Fi can be dodgy in the mountains or beach towns like Mazunte. A Travel e-SIM keeps things simple.

5. Bulgaria 

Bulgaria is an often overlooked destination, which is a pity considering it's an incredible country. Then again, this destination isn’t called Europe’s best budget secret for nothing.

If you’re into that kind of thing, Sofia is a classic European city with a faint grunge vibe: cool cafes, delicious food, old trams, and a real mix of cultures. And even if elegance is more up your alley, spend a few nights in Sofia, and you might just change your mind. 

Plovdiv’s a charmer. It's brimming with beautiful landscapes, Old Roman amphitheatres, cobbled streets, and sleepy cats sunbathing everywhere. It’s got just the right mix of history and relaxation.

Food is proper comfort fare: grilled meats, salads with a generous serving of feta, and soup served hot or cold, depending on the season. In Bulgaria, it’s easy to get a full dinner (including salads and sides) for around $10.

Getting around is simple enough. Trains aren’t fast, but they’re scenic. A Balkan-friendly Travel e-SIM is useful if you’re trying to figure out how many stops you have before reaching a picturesque rural village.

6. Sri Lanka 

While Sri Lanka isn’t unheard of, many assume that you need to have a lot of money set aside to enjoy the country. You’ll be glad to know that’s not the case. It's actually one of the more affordable destinations, as long as you can plan ahead.

Sri Lanka packs a lot into one destination: beautiful beaches, tea hills, great food, and even wildlife safaris. Many landmarks are within walking distance of one another, allowing you to cram as many activities as you want into one memorable trip.

If you're stuck on ideas, let’s start with the basics. The train ride from Kandy to Ella is a must! It’s slow, sure, but the scenery is unforgettable: misty hills, waterfalls, and tea pickers waving from the slopes. And the best part is that the ride costs around $3, perfect for a backpacker budget.

You can also eat incredibly well for next to nothing. Every guesthouse seems to have someone’s mum cooking up fiery rice and curry to tickle your taste buds. Our personal highlight? Learning how to make egg hoppers in someone’s backyard kitchen, then eating about ten of them.

Transport in South Asia can be inconsistent, so make sure to have a trusty Travel e-SIM at your disposal to check train times or grab an Uber tuk-tuk. 

7. Colombia 

Colombia’s one of those budget-friendly places that takes you by surprise. The whole country is alive and vibrant, rich with music, colour, and energy. Bogotá has altitude and hot chocolate with cheese (no, really). The coast has that Caribbean rhythm that makes it hard to leave.

Medellín used to be off-limits, but now it’s packed with young budget travellers, digital nomads, remote workers, and locals who are proud of the city’s turnaround. The cable cars are part of the public local transportation system and double as scenic lookouts.

A meal from a local spot will cost you a few dollars. Hostels are reasonably priced, especially outside peak travel months, making it an ideal destination for American tourists seeking shorter flights. Just don’t expect a quiet week during Semana Santa.

8. Romania 

Romania has a hauntingly beautiful quality about it. The country is brimming with misty forests, pointed churches, and train stations that have remained unchanged since the Cold War. It’s the perfect place if you like your fairy tales with a hint of gloom.

Sibiu and Brașov are great bases, but be sure to take a day trip to the countryside; that’s where the real beauty lies. 

Public transport can be on the slower side, but it gets you to your destination. And the food’s heavy but satisfying: stews, sausages, polenta, all the sour cream you could ask for.

Signal can be patchy outside cities, so having your mobile sorted ahead of time is worthwhile.

9. Morocco 

Morocco is everything all at once. Marrakesh throws you into the deep end with snake charmers, spices, and relentless mopeds. After you’re (positively) overwhelmed from the experience, it will pull you back with peaceful riads, rooftop sunsets, and endless cups of mint tea.

Food is cheap and tasty. Tagine, couscous, fried bread; it’s all hearty and full of spice. One of our team members claims that their favourite meal was served in a modest café on the side of a mountain road: grilled meat, a loaf of bread, and olives for under $4.

While the cities are fun to explore and often include free walking tours, you’ll definitely get lost in the medina at some point. That’s where having a local Travel e-SIM becomes a lifesaver. After all, Google Maps won’t judge you when you circle the same alley three times.

10. Nicaragua 

When looking for cheap destinations, many travellers focus on South America. However, the Caribbean can be just as spectacular. This brings us to our next incredibly affordable destination: Nicaragua.

It's a shame that Nicaragua doesn’t get as much love as its neighbours (such as Costa Rica), but it should. The cities are colourful, the beaches are uncrowded, and the prices are still backpacker-friendly.

León’s full of energy, packed with excited students, memorable murals, and damn good food. Granada’s quieter but just as photogenic. And the coast? San Juan del Sur has that classic surf-town vibe.

Then there’s volcano boarding. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. You hike up a giant ash pile and slide down it on a wooden board. It's definitely one of the riskier outdoor activities, both slightly terrifying and totally worth it.

Food’s basic but tasty, based on rice, beans, and grilled meat. If you’re someone who likes to keep it simple (or track macros),  you’ll fill up easily for a fiver. Accommodation is easy to find and rarely overpriced, making Nicaragua ideal for budget-conscious travellers. 

11. Turkey 

While known for its affordable flights and cosmetic services, Turkey is also one of the best budget destinations you could possibly ask for.

Istanbul is fast-paced and rich in stories. It’s also known as the Cat Haven of the world, with hundreds and thousands of street cats roaming around, enjoying their home.

Cappadocia is still surreal, no matter how many photos you’ve seen. And the Aegean coast? It’s chill, breezy, and has ancient ruins hiding behind olive trees.

As you may have already seen from social media, Turkish street food is king. Simit for breakfast, dürüm wraps for lunch, baklava for dessert. And always tea, served in small curved glasses by someone who insists you have just one more. 

But make sure to ask a local to show you where the truly good street food is: you don’t want to risk taking days off your vacation with a funny stomach.

Buses in Turkey are cheap and comfy, and you’ll probably end up talking to a stranger who invites you for dinner. It happens more often than you’d think.

12. The Philippines 

When looking for budget-friendly travel destinations, Southeast Asia is definitely a leading contender. This brings us to one of the most affordable yet vibrant countries: the Philippines.

Before you hop on a plane, keep in mind that the Philippines is spread out. And by that, we mean the country is spread across over 7,000 islands.

You’ll need to be patient in navigating the country, but if you’re after stunning beaches, turquoise water and laid-back vibes, it doesn’t get much better.

Palawan is stunning. Siargao’s got the surf and smoothie bowls. Bohol has unusual hills and even more unusual monkeys. You could easily spend a month hopping around and still return to see more.

Staying in a wooden hut with a hammock out front for $25 isn’t unheard of. While you might risk getting a leaky roof from the weather, you’ll also wake up to the sound of waves and kids playing on the beach.

The Internet isn’t great everywhere, so having an e-SIM that works across the islands is a huge win. 

Before You Go

Travelling on a shoestring budget doesn’t mean expecting the worst. Quite the opposite; it just means planning ahead and researching the cheap destinations more thoroughly.  You’ll meet more locals, eat better food, and come home with better stories. And yes, you'll even be able to save money if you plan in advance.

That said, we strongly advise you to sort your mobile ahead of time. Seriously. We’re speaking from experience here. A Travel e-SIM is one of those things that feels optional until you’re standing in a rural bus station with no idea what’s going on. 

Grab one before you leave: Travel eSIMs

Be open to new experiences, take in the local scenery and architecture, and dare yourself to eat dishes you can’t pronounce.

That said, it's time to start exploring the best budget destinations for yourself.