Discover the cheapest countries to visit around the world, sorted by month. Find low-cost gems in Europe, Asia, and Africa with USD tips.
Let’s be honest. Traveling can feel like choosing between a beach vacation and a kidney. Between sky-high airfares, $8 airport coffees, and hotels that charge extra for air (no, really), it’s easy to believe globetrotting is just for crypto bros and lottery winners.
But good news: you can still travel the world without selling your houseplants or rehoming your dog. You just need to know where (and when) to go.
Table of Contents
12 Cheapest Countries to Visit by Month
From springtime deals in Eastern Europe to tropical steals in Southeast Asia, we’ve rounded up the cheapest countries to visit, month by month, so you can travel smart, spend less, and still post smug beach photos from your hammock.
🌱 January: Vietnam
Vietnam’s low cost of living, affordable street food, and budget-friendly accommodations make it one of the cheapest countries to visit in January.
💱 Exchange Rate (July 2025): 1 USD ≈ 24,500 VND
📅 Why Visit in January?
Cooler temperatures and dry weather make the north ideal to explore, especially around Hanoi and Sapa.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Local Meal: $1.50 – $3
- Hostel Bed: $6 – $10/night
- Ha Long Bay Tour: from $28
🗺️ Pro Tip: Use Grab for rides. A Vietnam eSIM costs under $5.
❄️ February: Morocco
Thanks to favorable exchange rates and affordable food and riads, Morocco remains one of the cheapest countries to visit from the USA.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 9.8 MAD
📅 Why Visit in February?
Cooler weather means fewer tourists. Great for exploring the Sahara, Marrakech, and Fez.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Street Food: $2 – $4
- Budget Hotel: $10 – $15
- Sahara Tour: from $40
🗺️ Pro Tip: Book your Sahara trip online to skip overpriced city packages.
🌸 March: Albania
Albania is among the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, offering Mediterranean beauty at Balkan prices.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 92 ALL
📅 Why Visit in March?
Mild spring weather and no crowds. Visit Berat, Gjirokastër, and Tirana comfortably.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Local Meal: $3 – $5
- Guesthouse: $12 – $20
- Entry to Castles: $2 – $4
🗺️ Pro Tip: Use local buses, not taxis, for massive savings.
🌼 April: Nepal
Nepal has remained one of the cheapest countries to visit in April, thanks to its low daily costs and trekking lodges that charge pennies.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 134 NPR
📅 Why Visit in April?
It’s the best month for trekking in the Annapurna region. Dry, warm, and clear.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Dal Bhat Meal: $2 – $3
- Teahouse Stay: $3 – $7
- Guide/Porter (optional): $20/day
🗺️ Pro Tip: Bring a refillable water filter to save on bottled water.
🌿 May: Egypt
The Egyptian Pound’s slide has made Egypt incredibly affordable. It’s one of the cheapest countries to visit in May for history lovers.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 48 EGP
📅 Why Visit in May?
Shoulder season = fewer crowds at the pyramids and warm Red Sea waters.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Falafel Sandwich: $0.30 – $0.50
- Budget Hotel: $10 – $15
- Nile Cruise: from $40/day
🗺️ Pro Tip: Book trains early for long-haul journeys like Cairo to Luxor.
☀️ June: Sri Lanka
After economic recovery, Sri Lanka is back as one of the cheapest countries to visit in June, with epic beaches and hill country trains.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 303 LKR
📅 Why Visit in June?
Avoid high monsoon areas. Explore the cultural triangle and the southern coast.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Rice & Curry: $1.50 – $2.50
- Guesthouse: $8 – $12/night
- Train Ride (Kandy–Ella): $2.50
🗺️ Pro Tip: Try local buses. They’re wild, but cheap and authentic.
🔥 July: Romania
One of the cheapest countries to visit in July, Romania mixes medieval towns, Carpathian hikes, and Dracula legends, all for less.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 4.6 RON
📅 Why Visit in July?
Festivals bloom, and Transylvania’s landscapes are at their greenest.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Ciorba Soup: $3
- Hostel: $10 – $15/night
- Castle Entry: $5 – $8
🗺️ Pro Tip: Buy combo tickets for museums and castles to save more.
🏖️ August: Indonesia
Despite tourist traffic, Indonesia remains one of the cheapest countries to visit in August, especially beyond the Bali hotspots.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 16,300 IDR
📅 Why Visit in August?
Dry season = perfect beach weather. Ideal for surf, volcano hikes, and the Nusa islands.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Nasi Goreng: $1.50 – $3
- Homestay: $8 – $15/night
- Scooter Rental: $5/day
🗺️ Pro Tip: Use ATMs that don’t charge local fees – BCA and Permata are solid.
🍂 September: Georgia
Still off most radar, Georgia (the country!) is one of the cheapest countries to visit in September, especially for wine, hiking, and cheese.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 2.7 GEL
📅 Why Visit in September?
Warm weather, wine harvest season, and epic views in Kazbegi and Svaneti.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Khachapuri: $2 – $4
- Hostel: $10 – $14/night
- Marshrutka Ride: $1 – $3
🗺️ Pro Tip: Tbilisi has free walking tours. Tip generously.
🍁 October: Tanzania
Though safari lodges can be pricey, DIYers will find Tanzania among the cheapest countries to visit in October, especially for Zanzibar.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 2,580 TZS
📅 Why Visit in October?
Great month for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro without full-season rates.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Local Meal: $1.50 – $2.50
- Budget Lodge: $12 – $18
- Park Entry (DIY): from $35/day
🗺️ Pro Tip: Use local buses like “Dalla-dallas” to save on travel between towns.
🎃 November: Philippines
Even in peak season build-up, the Philippines remains one of the cheapest countries to visit in November, especially the less-touristed islands.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 58 PHP
📅 Why Visit in November?
The dry season begins. Great for Palawan, Siargao, and island-hopping adventures.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- BBQ Skewer: $0.50 – $1
- Beach Hostel: $10 – $15
- Island Tour: $15 – $25
🗺️ Pro Tip: Book ferries and local flights early; prices spike closer to departure.
🎄 December: Portugal
Yes, even Portugal! It stands out as one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe in December, with mild weather and lower rates.
💱 Exchange Rate: 1 USD ≈ 0.91 EUR
📅 Why Visit in December?
Off-season pricing + festive lights in Lisbon and Porto without the bitter cold.
📉 Daily Budget Snapshot:
- Pastel de Nata: $1
- Hostel: $12 – $18/night
- Tram 28 Ride: $3
🗺️ Pro Tip: Get the Lisbon Card for free transport and museum access.
💰 Budget Travel Tips to Stretch Every Dollar
World travel doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you know a few sneaky tricks. These budget travel tips will have you globetrotting like a millionaire on minimum wage.
- Travel in Shoulder Season: Skip peak-season prices and crowds by traveling just before or after. Think April instead of August, or October over July.
- Embrace Group Tours: Solo travel sounds cool, until you realize your wallet’s doing all the heavy lifting. Group tours offer bulk discounts, free guides, and new travel buddies (hopefully non-snoring ones).
- Master the Art of Flight Alerts: Set up alerts on the best flight search engines. You don’t need to refresh every hour. Let the deals come to you while you binge Netflix.
- Go Where Your Dollar Goes Further: Exchange rates are your secret weapon. You can often live like royalty, for the price of a burrito back home.
- Book Accommodations with Kitchens: Eating out every day adds up fast. Find cheap lodging options with a kitchen and save your bucks for gelato and boat rides.
- Use Public Transport Like a Local: Taxis are tempting, but buses, trains, and tuk-tuks are where the real savings (and stories) happen. You might even meet someone’s grandma offering you snacks.
- Travel Overnight: Combine transportation with accommodation by taking night buses or sleeper trains. You save on a hotel and wake up somewhere new. Win-win!
- Don’t Be Loyal (to Airlines): Your favorite airline probably doesn’t love you back. Mix and match airlines and use airfare comparison tools to get the best bang for your buck.
- Skip Major Cities (Sometimes): Smaller towns and off-the-beaten-path gems are often more authentic and way cheaper.
- Buy an eSIM Card: Avoid painful roaming charges and get better rates for transport, food delivery, and translation apps. Plus, Google Maps without Wi-Fi? Chef’s kiss.
- Budget Doesn’t Mean Boring: Markets > malls. Street food > fancy restaurants. Free walking tours > pricey excursions. It’s not about how much you spend, but how you travel.
Whether you’re sipping $1 coffee in Vietnam or sunbathing on a budget in Morocco, the world is wide open (and surprisingly affordable) if you know where to look.
Remember: the only thing worse than overspending on vacation… is staying home to save money and spending it all on takeout anyway.
So go ahead – book the ticket, pack light, and thank us when you’re bragging about your $4 beachfront dinner. 🌍✈️💸
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