Sitting at your office desk wishing you’d have a little getaway for yourself – but scared you’ll have to sell a kidney for it? Here’s 7 countries you can put on your map where memories can be made without breaking the bank. Stretch your rupee further with these stunning destinations that won’t have your wallet crying at the end.
Let’s dive right into it, shall we?
1. Thailand – Bhat & Bliss
Visa & Entry: Visa-free – Visa on arrival for 60 days
Flight Costs : Cheap flights to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi etc.. with Air Asia (approximately Rs.100k)
Hotel Prices : Mid-range hostels starting at Rs.7000 a night with budget hostels as low as Rs.2000
Best time to travel :
November to February – Peak tourist season with pleasant and sunny vibes
March to September – Off-season (relatively cheaper but can be rainy)
Cheap Thrills :
- They’re known for their breathtaking beaches – you could make a day of it catching a tan, surfing the waves or simply being there for the gram.
- They have a bustling Thai street-food scene with dishes (and prices) that are absolutely mouthwatering.
- They have many free religious sites for a day of temple-hopping sightseeing Thailand’s rich heritage
Cheaper Cities – Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya, Krabi & Koh Lanta
Affordable Attractions –
- Pai – A rural village that’s one of Thailand’s best hidden secrets with stunning landscapes
- Wat Rong Khun – A uniquely designed temple
- Khao San Road – Bangkok’s famous road for yummy street-eats and vibrant night-life
- Kanchanaburi – Many sights in one including the famous Kanchanaburi bridge , Erawan Falls and the Hellfire Pass
- Koh Samui – a happening island with a tourist-friendly community
- Krabi – Free access to beautiful stretches of beaches
Tips/Tricks :
- The metro-skytrain, intercity trains and buses are affordable for tourists but Thailand’s traffic is one of the worst in the world. Your best bet is motor-bike rides.
- Everything being cheap may be a disaster in disguise. Keep a strict budget to avoid over spending.
- Bargain with local vendors who may give unreasonable tourist mark-up prices.
- Grab an e-sim for good deals on data.
- Avoid tap water
- Dress appropriately
- Carry mosquito repellent during rainy seasons
2. Malaysia – Come on lah!
Visa & Entry : Apply in advance for E-Visa for RM 15 + Other Charges
Flight Costs : Starting at around Rs.50,000
Hotel Prices : Starting at around Rs.5000
Best time to travel :
West Malaysia tends to be drier from December to March whereas East Malaysia offers the best weather from February to September.
Cheap Thrills :
- The iconic Petronas Twin Towers are free from far and make a jaw-dropping photo-location.
- Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, KL Bird Park and KLCC Park are free of charge or have low fares for entry.
- Day and Night markets that can fill your hours with endless exploration eg: Jalan Alor, Central Market
- Different temples including the main temple of Batu Caves are free for entry – so add this to your list.
- Penang has some viral-worthy street art, cheap local food from hawker stalls and temples with free or low-entry fees
Tips/Tricks :
- Avoid taxis and opt for public transport for cheaper travel fare.
- Eat from local stalls rather than high-end restaurants.
- Avoid travelling during public or school holidays to avoid higher prices.
3. Vietnam: Pho-nominal Adventures
Visa & Entry : E-Visa for 90 days entry starting at $25
Flight Costs : Starting at Rs.100,000
Hotel Prices : Starting at Rs.6000
Best time to travel :
March to April and October to December have the most comfy weather whereas May to October although rainy can mean lower prices.
Cheap Thrills :
Old towns like Hanoi, Old Quarter are streets of wonder for endless exploration along with occasional pretty lantern festivals in Hoi An.
Free attractions for all such as the Dragon Bridge, Lady Buddha, Central Post Office and St.Joseph’s Cathedral.
Many temples and museums are a free doorway to Vietnam’s history and heritage.
Street-food that’s so cheap you wish you’d never get full from street markets like Ben Thanh Market and Bui Vien Street.
They have a few beaches that are aesthetic and instagram-worthy.
Tips/Tricks :
- Book sleeper trains for overnight accommodation + transport combinations = savings
- Always carry cash in small change for local vendors
- Watch out for traffic as not all drivers will stop for pedestrians.
- Use apps like Grab or companies like Vinasun or Mai Linh to avoid getting overcharged by taxis.
4. India – Our Rupee-Ready Neighbour
Visa & Entry : E-visa required – apply online via Indian High Commission for 90 day entry for around Rs.3,840.
Flight Costs : Usually affordable due to proximity and frequent flies starting at around Rs.50,000.
Hotel Prices : Starting at Rs.8000 for 3-4 star stays
Best time to travel :
Depends on the region (It’s so huge that it has its own seasons!)
- North India – October – March
- South India – November – February
- Try to avoid major holidays for Diwali that may call for higher travel costs.
Cheap Thrills :
- Stroll through local markets, heritage-rich cities with endless street-food.
- Local buses and trains are extremely cheap.
- Free temples/sites for cost-free sightseeing eg: Golden Temple, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Lodhi Gardens, Cubbon Park, Gateway of India
- Interstate trains can be super scenic.
Tips/Tricks :
- Use overnight trains/buses to hop across states to save flight-costs
- Try focus on one region and have a good itinerary planned to avoid overextending yourself
- Be cautious of safety and hygiene
- Take care of your personal belongings and always stay vigilant
- Bargain with vendors to avoid scams (eg: check local travel rates in advance)
5. Laos – Asia’s Chill Pill
Visa & Entry : Visa on Arrival for $30+ depending on the entry point E-Visa / Embassy Visa for $50 for 30 day entry
Flight Costs : Cheap direct flights are limited so check connects via countries like Bangkok starting at around Rs.130,000
Hotel Prices : Starting at Rs.3,500 for 3 star stays
Best time to travel :
November to early April are the best for travel but can be more expensive whereas the season of April-June is a cheaper but hotter alternative.
Cheap Thrills :
- Natural beauties like waterfalls, hiking trails etc.. are either free or super low in price offering ethereal views that are a bang for your buck eg: Kuang Si Falls, Vang Vieng
- There are free museums such as COPE Visitor Centre or UXO Lao Visitors Centre.
- Cultural attractions such as Pha That Luang, Patuxay Monument and Wat Sensoukaram are free of charge.
- Bicycle, motorboat and boat (yes, boats) rentals are affordable.
Tips/Tricks :
- Dress modestly covering knees and shoulders
- Respect locals eg: ask before taking photos of them, avoid PDA (oops) and avoid touching monks
- Use mosquito repellent especially during rainy seasons
- Book tours with local providers for cheaper prices rather from Sri Lanka
6. Cambodia – Temple Run vibes in real life
Visa & Entry : Visa on Arrival or E-Visa for a 1 month stay for $30
Flight Costs : Connecting flights are cheaper than direct flights starting at around Rs.199,500
Hotel Prices : Starting at around Rs.4000 for 3-star hotels
Best time to travel : November to February are known to be its dry season
Cheap Thrills :
- Enter temples like Wat Phnom and the Silver Pagoda for absolutely free.
- Stroll through local markets like Made in Cambodia Market, Psar Chaa and Russian Market.
- Looking costs nothing in public spaces such as riverside walks along Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh and Royal Gardens in Siem Reap.
- Angkor Silk Farm offers a free tour of the silk making process.
Tips/Tricks :
- Get a multi-day Angkor Archaeological Park pass which is considered as a worthy investment to see world-famous sites such as Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm.
- Learn a few Khmer phrases to get around.
- Always use bottled water and do not leave your drinks unattended.
- Learn basic Cambodian etiquette.
7. Indonesia – Bali on a Budget
Visa & Entry : E-Visa on arrival for 30 days (IDR 500,000) or B211A Visit Visa for 60 days (IDR 1,500,000) with a tourist tax of IDR 150,000 to be paid upon arrival
Flight Costs : Can be through direct or connecting flights starting at around Rs.150,000
Hotel Prices : Starting at Rs.8000 for 3 star hotels
Best time to travel :
Dry Season from May to September give the sunniest and least humid weather but October to April although bringing heavy rainfall may also bring about lower prices and lush green landscapes.
Cheap Thrills :
- Beach days eg: Sanur Beach, nature walks eg: Campuhan Ridge and waterfall hunts are absolutely free but rich in beautiful views.
- Cheap attractions such as Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Taman Hutan Raya Ir, H. Djuanda and Monas National Monument have a low entry fee.
- Museums such as the Museum Bank Indonesia and National Museum of Natural History have a nominal entry fee for tourists.
Tips/Tricks :
- Canggu and Ubud hostels tend to be relatively cheaper.
- Scooter rentals are a cheap way to explore on your own terms.
- Ferries between islands are affordable and fun.
Final Boarding Call – How to think budget
- Book early – The earlier you book, the cheaper you fly
- Opt for budget airlines – Air Asia, Fits Air, Scoot and IndiGo after comparing flight-rates
- Pack light
- Opt for guesthouses and backpacker hostels for stays that don’t stress your bank account out
- Travel in tourist-off seasons to avoid price hikes
- Watch the rates : Exchange money wisely
- Please don’t get scammed- Bargain! Research local rates beforehand
So that’s our rundown. Convinced yet?
Take this as your sign to Pack Light, Plan Right and Book that Flight!
