Looking to travel without blowing your budget? Whether you’re craving sun-soaked beaches, historic cities, or adventure in the mountains, these 10 countries offer unforgettable experiences without breaking the bank.
Here’s where to go for a cheap vacation, complete with the latest flight costs from D.C. — but these will vary depending on where you are and your plans.
Mexico
Flight Cost: From $156 round-trip (Skyscanner)
Mexico’s got everything — pristine beaches, ancient ruins, and a culinary scene that’ll ruin you for chain restaurants forever. The best part? It’s all dirt cheap. Tacos on the street, cold cervezas, and history older than your great-great-grandparents. You can’t go wrong here.
Thailand
Flight Cost: From $783 round-trip (Kayak)
Thailand is where budget travelers go to live like kings. Street food for a few bucks, budget beach bungalows, and full moon parties that redefine “late night.” Bangkok’s chaos, Chiang Mai’s chill, and the island vibes of Koh Phangan make it a must.
Portugal
Flight Cost: From $384 round-trip (Expedia)
Europe without the eye-watering price tag. Portugal’s got cobblestone streets, cliffside beaches, and wine that’ll make you wonder why you ever paid more than 5 bucks a glass. Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are all calling.
Vietnam
Flight Cost: From $879 round-trip (Kayak)
Epic landscapes, chaotic cities, and street food that’ll have you questioning your life choices back home. Cruise Ha Long Bay, motorbike the countryside, and haggle your way through bustling street markets without torching your savings.
Hungary
Flight Cost: From $449 round-trip (Kayak)
Budapest alone is worth the trip. Hot springs, ruin bars, and architecture that looks like it fell out of a fairy tale. All without breaking the bank. Grab a lángos and enjoy a night out that costs less than a bad cup of coffee in New York.
Indonesia
Flight Cost: From $999 round-trip (Momondo)
Beyond the Bali Instagram filter is a country with thousands of islands and a price tag that’s still shockingly low. Dive in Komodo, surf in Lombok, or get lost in the jungle temples of Java.
Colombia
Flight Cost: From $289 round-trip (Google Flights)
Forget what you’ve heard. Colombia’s safe, stunning, and stupidly cheap. Hike the Andes, dance in Cartagena, or sip coffee fresh from the source. It’s a vibe.
Greece
Flight Cost: From $458 round-trip (Expedia)
Yes, Santorini is expensive, but mainland Greece isn’t. The Parthenon, the Peloponnese, and the Ionian coast are all wallet-friendly alternatives. Plus, the food alone is worth the trip.
Cambodia
Flight Cost: From $1,109 round-trip (Expedia)
Come for Angkor Wat, stay for the low prices and warm people. Cambodia is one of the cheapest places in Southeast Asia, and the history alone makes it worth every penny.
Morocco
Flight Cost: From $609 round-trip (Expedia)
Chaotic souks, camel treks into the desert, and mountain hikes that’ll have you questioning your life choices. Morocco’s a wild ride and a budget-friendly one at that.
Start packing. These countries are calling, and your bank account won’t hate you for answering.
