12 Budget Travel Destinations Around the Globe

It’s early in the year which means it’s time to start planning where you’ll travel next. And just because you might be working off a limited budget, doesn’t mean you have to stay at home all year. We’ve found 12 of the most affordable travel destinations around the world to help you escape in 2020. Pick a continent and go!

North America

Las Vegas, U.S.A.

Vegas, baby! Vegas! If you want to swap the glare of your laptop for the dazzling lights of The Strip, there’s good news for you—it’s super affordable. The best part about Las Vegas, no matter the time of year (unless there’s a huge sporting event), is that you can always find cheap deals on airfare, hotels, and even entertainment. You can basically visit New York, Paris, and Italy all in one day when you’re on the strip and you can gamble, drink, or watch shows to your heart’s content. It sounds way more fun than spending a Friday night at your local watering hole. Keep an eye out for packages combining flights and hotels for killer deals. 

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

In the colder months of the year, most of us are usually dreaming about palm trees and white sand beaches—why not make a Caribbean trip a new annual tradition? St. Thomas is the epitome of everything tropical: turquoise waters with sea turtles, gorgeous beaches lined with palm trees, golfing, delicious food, and much more. And the island is just 32-square-miles. Since a large portion of the island suffered significant damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017, St. Thomas is trying to reboot its tourism industry which means you can find flights and hotels at great prices. 

Europe

Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey is the perfect destination for the bargain-traveler and Istanbul is a city like no other. Straddling both the Asian and European continents, Istanbul is overflowing with culture, history, incredible food, and amazing people. Be sure to visit all the tourist ‘must-sees’ like the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Taksim Square. Then, to really revel in the moment, indulge in some of Istanbul’s mouth-watering street food and wash it down with some raki—Turkey’s equivalent to ouzo.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Planning an affordable trip to Amsterdam is crazy easy thanks to cheap apartment rentals, free and reduced-priced cultural attractions, and cheap flights into Amsterdam's Airport, Schiphol. While you’re in the Dutch capital, get on a bike and start exploring the city’s historic canals and make a visit to Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s sprawling green space. 

Asia

Bangkok, Thailand

Sure, more and more people are flocking to Thailand but it’s still cheap compared to many other destinations around the world. Experience the hustle and bustle of this sprawling city while taking in the total culture shock of Thailand. Bangkok is known for its friendly people, delicious and cheap food, crazy affordable accommodations, and quick flights to tropical islands for a steal.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka isn’t usually the first choice on people’s radar when they think of an Asian getaway—but it should be. The massive Sri Lankan capital has a mix of shiny, new hotels and Colonial-era buildings with a wonderful melting pot of cultures, races, and religions. Plus? You can make your way to some of the most gorgeous beaches on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some blue whales or sperm whales as they migrate during the winter months.

South America

Cusco, Peru

Aside from the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu located just outside the city, Cusco has so much to offer its visitors. It’s known as the ‘archeological capital of the Americas’ and has a rich Incan, Andean, and Spanish history with temples, cathedrals, and some seriously tasty food.

Bogotá, Colombia

Colombia’s high-altitude capital of Bogotá is great for so many reasons: it has a beautiful mix of modern and historic architecture, there is delectable food everywhere you turn, the nightlife is a blast, and the exchange rate makes it incredibly affordable. There aren’t any beaches at 8,600 feet but there are museums and cathedrals to explore during the day and plenty of fun bars and pubs to visit at night.

Africa

Rwanda

If you want to do something totally wild for a getaway, why not travel to Rwanda and go gorilla trekking to see the regal creatures in the wild? Rwanda is famous for gorilla trekking in the dense and lush jungles of Volcanoes National Park but as you might expect, due to its popularity, these excursions can be pretty spendy. Luckily, everything else in this stunning country is very affordable.

Mozambique

Picturesque beaches, mouthwatering street food, and an endless list of fun activities are just a few of the things you can find in the gorgeous African country of Mozambique. Spend your time kayaking, snorkeling, or getting your PADI (scuba) certification before relaxing with a local Mozambican beer. Flights aren’t the cheapest to get here, but once you’re in Mozambique—you can keep your budget to a minimum.