Cheap Places to Visit in Asia
Despite being the largest continent in the world, and hosting some of the most expensive countries like Japan and Singapore, Asia is still one of the most favorite destinations for backpackers who want to get the most bang for their buck.
So, when you are planning your next budget-friendly trip, here is a quick guide on the cheapest Asian countries to visit.
Where are the Cheapest countries in Asia?
Here are our Top 10 Cheapest countries in Asia.
10. The Philippines.
Palm trees, beautiful beaches, diving spots, and unforgettable sunsets make the Philippines the perfect country to indulge in and have a pleasant time while traveling on a budget.
Even though visiting the country will cost you slightly more than the others. It is possible to keep a reasonable budget if you avoid large cities. A night in a dorm room will cost you between $10 and $15. The boat offers an alternative to the plane since it goes for a little under $10 but is also very slow.
Street food is cheap, between $3 to $7. Since beer is around $1; then The Philippines qualify to be on this list of the cheapest Asian countries.
9. Myanmar (Burma).
You better hurry and go!
At first inaccessible, the country has been gradually opening up to tourists since the end of the dictatorship in 2011. Still affordable, prices are rising from year to year. Rumor has it that the government wants to make the country a luxury destination. Nothing is surprising as the country has so many wonders to offer. The ancient city of Bagan, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a reason to visit Myanmar.
The train is affordable, but the buses are expensive compared to other Asian countries. But the comfort they provide makes up for it. The main cost in Myanmar will be accommodation as it is sometimes hard to find dorms, yet private rooms go for about $20 to $25. Cut down the expenses by meeting other travelers and sharing private rooms.
8. Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is ridiculously one of the cheap countries to travel to in Asia. Despite the immense beauty that lies in the little gem. Not so little, Sri Lanka has become a popular destination among travelers. Especially backpackers due to its unbelievably low cost of living.
This Asian Island boasts over 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites, incredible wildlife, amazing white sand beaches, and landscapes. From landmarks; like Sigiriya, Adam’s Peak, and Ella, you’d think money is needed to enjoy Sri Lanka.
But with an average budget of $25 to $33 a day, you can expect to enjoy Sri Lanka to the fullest. Food in Sri Lanka is cheap, so you can expect to spend $2 on a meal, $7 on accommodation, $8 on activities, and $2 on transportation. With that low cost of living, it’s undeniably true that Sri Lanka is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Asia.
7. Thailand.
With a could brimming with beauty, you’ll be surprised to know that it’s one of the cheapest to visit in Asia. With everything well organized compared to other inexpensive places in Asia. Thailand is an easy country to travel in by all kinds of travelers, no wonder it has become a popular destination for backpackers.
Thailand is a must-visit place if you’re looking for the cheapest country to travel to in Asia without compromising on beauty. Though, some resorts are a bit more pricey than others. The best way to stick to a budget is to stick to the wide variety of street food, sleep in hotels, and use public transportation.
Sleeping in a private room at a hostel; will cost you around $8. You can expect to spend $3 on street food and $5 on transportation within the city. With an average budget of $30 per day, Thailand truly qualifies to be one of the cheapest places to visit in Asia.
6. Nepal.
Home to the highest mountains in the world, Nepal has become a perfect hiking destination for many hikers. And since it’s one of the cheap countries in Asia, the number of backpackers keeps increasing now and then.
From the impressive views from a flight over Mount Everest, and incredible hikes to the Himalayas, to the beautiful views of rice terraces, there are so many things to do in Nepal. Even though the flight over Mount Everest is expensive, the general cost of living is low, making it the cheapest country in Asia.
One tip to save money in Nepal is to stay away from organized guided hiking trips since the country is more about hiking. Budget for $5 for a dorm room and slightly more for a private room. Food is pretty cheap, and that should set you behind by just $2, expect to spend around $4 on a bus of 5 hours, but transportation within one area can be $1.5.
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5. Indonesia.
With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is a land of contrast and variation. From forests, volcanoes, and beaches to wildlife, Indonesia has so much to offer if you are willing to go off the beaten tracks. Each island is different when it resonates with food, language, religion, and culture. Bucket list destinations Bali or Jakarta can be expensive. But once you get away from the most tourist areas, prices become lower.
Street food is the way to eat cheaply, between $3 to $5. You will also be able to find dorms for $5 and private rooms starting at $15. Even though the daily budget immensely differs from island to island, Indonesia is still one of the cheap countries to visit in Asia.
4. Vietnam.
Halong Bay, a World Heritage site and dozens of islands covered with tropical forest, is probably one of the most beautiful places in the world. Still protected from mass tourism, Vietnam is adapted to world travelers, (15) bucks a day will be more than enough to travel, eat, sleep, and discover this country which has managed to preserve its cultural heritage perfectly.
A pint of Bia Hoi, the cheapest beer in the world, costs a few dozen cents, a meal will cost less than $4, and you can easily find private rooms for under $10. Renting; a motorbike, which is; highly recommended, costs around $13 per day.
Whether biking through the country or camping in the third world’s giant cave in Hang En, Vietnam will offer you some of the best cheap holidays in Asia.
3. Laos.
Due to the lack of a coastline, people neglect Laos, and that’s a huge mistake! This small and authentic country has a lot to provide. Both untamed and welcoming, life in Laos is slightly more expensive than in Cambodia, especially in touristy cities like Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
But if you are too “greedy” and get off the beaten track, you’ll get away with it for a low price. Bus rides cost around $1 per hour, and the classic fried rice; that you can find everywhere costs roughly $2. A three-course meal in a restaurant is approximately $10. Private rooms are $20.
Laos also offers an opportunity to do outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, ziplining, and hot air ballooning at undeniably budget-friendly prices making it one of the cheap places to travel in Asia.
2. Cambodia.
Cambodia is a perfect place to start your trip in Asia. It is not only; one of the best places to visit in Asia but also one of the cheapest places to backpack. The country is most known for its famous Angkor Temples. From taking a bike ride through the rice fields to relaxing on the white sand beaches of the Koh Ring Islands. Indubitably cheaper than its neighbor Thailand, everything here is affordable.
You will find superb hostels and guest houses for just $3 a night. If you are not a fan of street food, even more, traditional restaurants are affordable for less than $5. Make sure to try the delicious local food like the Amok, a fish cooked in banana leaves with coconut cream! Buses and tuk-tuk are also very cheap and convenient.
Cambodia is one of the cheap Asian countries to visit that won’t rob you of your arm or leg.
1. India.
Welcome to the land of the mighty Taj Mahal! From superb beaches in the south to the Himalayas in the north and the historical sites in the center, India is a world in its own right, a fascinating country-continent to discover at a low budget, making it the cheapest Asian country to visit.
Luckily, it is also one of the cheap destinations in Asia, especially the northern half of the country. Though, the south is more tourist and slightly more expensive. It also remains very affordable. The cost of living is so low that you can fully enjoy your trip without the guilt of spending too much.
Transportation is incredibly cheap. For example, a 20-hour train ride will cost you less than $9. Don’t be afraid to try street food. There is no better way to eat cheaper than this. Veg-thali is less than $2, a glass of fresh fruit juice costs only a few cents, and classic restaurants are about $4/7.
Accommodation in India is also cheap, with a night in a dormitory varying between $2 and $5.
Now that you know most of the cheap Asian countries to travel to, you can start planning your trip around this incredible and diverse continent of Asia.