For people like us, travelling is not a hobby; it is rather a way of life, a necessity in order to survive the everyday drudgery. And, the most crucial thing while deciding on the next vacation destination is the budget. Everything depends on that – specially whether to go international or national. International travel has its share of thrill, delight and most importantly, a lot of myth. One of it being that traveling abroad is super expensive. Let me spell it out for you one thing, though: NO, IT IS NOT SO NECESSARY. Lets look at the Cheapest Countries to Visit from India to get rid of the myth.
It all actually depends on the country you choose. One can easily travel in a foreign country in the same budget you would need for a destination within our own country. Yes, it requires thorough research, smart planning, advance booking and an adventurous soul ready to face all challenges but that is exactly where the fun is!
This list is for Indians if you're from any other country, check this out:
45 CHEAPEST COUNTRIES YOU CAN VISIT IN 2021
Also, if you want to have some tips on saving money during travel, check this one out:
15 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY DURING TRAVEL 2021
20 Cheapest Countries to Visit from India
1. Nepal
Nestled amidst the mighty Himalayas, Nepal is a beautiful country of snow peaks and streams, yaks and yetis, monasteries and magic. Nepal offers the calm and serene atmosphere for anyone who wants to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city life, and for the adventure junkies it is the perfect location to experience an adrenaline rush – and all without burning a hole in the pocket. It is one of the cheapest countries to visit from India!
Per Day Stay Cost: A decent hostel room will cost you anywhere between INR 1000 to 2000.
Activities/Things to do: Do visit the famous historically rich temples in Kathmandu and Pokhara. They all mostly have free entries.
(You SHOULD absolutely try trekking in the World’s Highest Peak- Mt.Everest Base Camp. Take Nature Tours and Adventure Sports.)
Places to see: Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Bhaktapur, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Pashupatinath, Dakshinkali temple, Shechen Monastery, Lumbini, Boudhanath Stupa, Siddha Gufa, Hanuman Dhoka, Devi Fall, Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve are among the variety of places to look for in Nepal.
Cost of Food Per Day: Meals range anywhere from INR 500 onwards depending on the cuisine and place you select.
Transportation Cost: Nepal is well connected. You can avail buses and taxis for your travels. Average bus costs range from INR 470 and above (from Kathmandu to Pokhara).
2. Vietnam
Vietnam, a country with nothing but ample natural beauty, rich history and unique heritage is nothing short of paradise. The must visit place for backpackers all around the world, this is one of the most cheap countries to travel from India.
Per Day Stay Cost: If you decide to stay in the backpacker’s hostels you can manage in less than INR 1000 per night for the stay.
Activities/Things to do: Sightseeing, Yacht or Boat Cruises, Local Market Tours, Caving, Cultural Tour, Island Tours, Wildlife Tours.
Places to see: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sapa, Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang, Mekong Delta are among the many places of interest in Vietnam.
Cost of Food Per Day: A 3-course meal in a mid-range restaurant will cost you approximately INR 800.
Transportation Cost: Taxi fare starts from INR 35 for 1 km.
3. Bhutan
The Happiest Country in the world is the best place to be for some peace, tranquility and on top of that, it is one of the most cheapest countries to travel from India. Known for its natural beauty and the vast expanse of unexplored terrains, Indians can visit this country without a passport!
Per Day Stay Cost: if you go for homestays it will charge you anywhere above INR 1500 per night. Decent hotels will cost around INR 2000.
Activities/Things to do: Cultural Tours, Local Sightseeing, Himalayan Tour, Treks, Adventure Sports & Activities, Religious Tours, Wildlife Tours are among the many things to do during your Bhutan trip.
Places to see: Phuentsholing, Thimpu, Punakha Dzong, Trashigang, Haa Valley, Trongsa, Dochula Pass, Rinpung Dzong, etc.
Cost of Food Per Day: A typical meal would cost you between Rs 100 to Rs 400 per person, depending on where you dine. Expect to pay a little more if you walk into high-end hotels
Transportation Cost: The cost varies depending on which part of the country visits. Most of the times it is feasible to hire an individual cab or shared taxi for multiple days since bus timetables are hard to come by and the frequency is poor.
4. Sri Lanka
One of our neighboring countries, it offers a wide range of budget-friendly options to one and all. Known for the amazing beaches, absolutely lip-smacking cuisine and the Ramayana connection – this country has something to offer for one and all.
Per Day Stay Cost: Choose hostels or Airbnb and reduce the per day stay cost to as low as INR 700-1000 per night.
Activities/Things to do: Heritage Tours, Religious Visits, Art and Culture Tours, Water Adventure Sports, Wildlife Tours, Plantation Visits are some of the things to look out for in Sri Lanka.
Places to see: Some of the places of attraction in Sri Lanka are Colombo, Kandy, Yapahuwa Kurunegala, Galle, Tissamaharama, Kirinda, Sabaragamuwa, Panduwasnuwara, Dambadeniya, Matara, Kataragama.
Cost of Food Per Day: INR 300 – 1000 depending on the place you choose to dine
Transportation Cost: Take trains to travel. It will cost you from INR 120 onwards and give you some amazing picturesque views to savor.
5. Laos
Per Day Stay Cost: You will get dorm rooms ranging from INR 400-800 per night. If you wish to stay in a hotel the per night charges will range from 1000 and above depending on the facilities you wish to avail.
Activities/Things to do: Laos’ line up of activities includes Night market, Heritage tour, Cultural tour, Temple tour, Bicycle tour, Nature tours.
Places to see: Luang Prabang, That Luang, Vang Vieng, Wat Sisaket, Bokeo, Buddha Park, The Plain of Jars, Wat Phu, That Ing Hang Stupa are some of the attraction points of Laos.Cost of Food Per Day: Restaurant prices for Lao food are around INR 200
Restaurant prices for Western food cost INR 300 and above.
Street food will range anywhere between INR 120-200.
Transportation Cost: Overnight buses cost from INR 1200-1500, you may rent bikes for INR 150-300 and tuk-tuks will cost anywhere between INR 250 and above depending on the distance.
6. Thailand
Thailand, a perfect mix of ultra modern cityscape and rich cultural heritage, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins should be your go-to place if you are looking for a cheap country to travel from India!
Per Day Stay Cost: INR 1200 and above, depending on facilities and the area you choose to stay in.
Activities/Things to do: Local Shopping, Floating Market Tour, Elephant Tourism, Medical Tourism, Water Sports, Treks, Night Parties are the major things to do in Thailand.
Places to see: Major places to leave you spellbound in Thailand are Krabi, Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Phi Phi islands, Chiang Mai, Koh Phangan.
Cost of Food Per Day: You get super cheap beer for less than INR 150, and street food will not cost you more than INR 200 per dish.
Transportation Cost: INR 40 Bath in small cities, INR 120 in Bangkok and INR 200+ in the islands.
7. Singapore
Gone are the days when Singapore was nothing more than a sterile stopover – it is now a go-to destination for everyone who has a budget to follow. It is such a diverse country that you can travel here and be happy even if you have a tight budget. Singapore is one of the cheapest countries to visit from India.
Per Day Stay Cost: You can get hostels ranging from INR 1700 and above.
Activities/Things to do in Singapore: Shopping, Nature Tours, Local Sightseeing, Food Tours, Art & Culture Tours, Garden Festival, Beach Tours, Wildlife Tours, Cruise are the prime activities that need to be done here.
Places to see to Singapore: Some of the best destinations of Singapore are Marina Bay, Sentosa Island, Universal studios, China Town, Botanical Garden, Orchid Garden, Helix Bridge, Temple of 1000 Lights, Civilian War Memorial, etc
Cost of Food Per Day: Meals can range from anywhere between INR 500 to 5000 and above depending on your choice of place
Transportation Cost: You can choose between a reloadable EZ-Link card or a single trip card. They are easy on your pocket as well as very useful. To get the pocket-friendly and exciting honeymoon trip check out the best Singapore honeymoon packages to make the trip of love memorable.
8. Malaysia
Per Day Stay Cost: You can get hotels ranging from INR 600 and above if you book in advance.
Places to see: Kuala Lumpur, Miri, Petronas Tower, Kangar, Sarawak, Labuan, Pangkor, Langkawi, Redang Island, Mount Kinabalu, Kapas Island, Rantau Abang Island are the places one should go to while in Malaysia.
Cost of Food Per Day: Each meal will cost anywhere from INR 300 in a business district.
Transportation Cost: There are public transportation cards available which cost INR 2150 and can be reloaded with values from INR 150 and above.
9. Indonesia
Per Day Stay Cost: You can get hotels ranging from INR 2000 per night. For cheaper options, dorms are available which will cost you less than INR 1000 per night.
Places to see: Bali, Jakarta, Malang, Lombok, Bandung, Yogyakarta line up to the Indonesian spots that need to be checked.
Cost of Food Per Day: Anywhere between 700 and above.
Transportation Cost: There are metered taxis, which are affordable, and if the taxis are unmetered – get your haggling shades on.
10. Maldives
Per Day Stay Cost: You can get guesthouses ranging from INR 1500 an above per night. In 2009, the Maldives government started permitting locals to start their own guesthouses, which changed the tourism scene totally making it extremely affordable for people who are looking for the cheapest countries to visit from India.
Places to see: Velligandu Beach Island, Atoll Transfer, Alimatha Island, Hukuruu Miskiiy, Hulhumale, Maldive Victory, etc.
Cost of Food Per Day: The local restaurants are very affordable, you will get dishes ranging from anywhere between INR 60 to 120.
Transportation Cost: you have to take a ferry or an additional domestic flight to move around. The ferries from the airport to and from Malé (the main island) are right near the airport exit. They are regular, costing around INR 70 for a 20 minutes ride.
11. Seychelles
Per Day Stay Cost: You will get hostels and hotels for as less as INR 1000 per night.
Transportation Cost: The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation offers public bus services on Mahé and Praslin, every day from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. They ride at a flat rate of 5 SCR, which converts to approximately INR 25.
12. Cambodia
Per Day Stay Cost: You will get guesthouses for less than INR 1000 per night.
Places to see: Angkor Wat, Silver Pagoda, Koh Ker, Bayon Temple, Tonle Sap, Preah Vihear, Sihanoukville, Tonle Sap, etc. These are the spots not to miss while in Cambodia.
Cost of Food Per Day: A meal in local restaurants will cost around INR 300 per person.
Transportation Cost: Share your taxis, take buses or rent a cycle – and you can go around in Cambodia for less than INR 1000 per day.
13. Philippines
Per Day Stay Cost: Go for homestays. It will cost you as less as INR 700 per night.
Places to see: Some must visit places in Philippines are Palawan, El Nido, Iloilo, Cordilleras, Ilocos, Bicol, Surigao. Chocolate Hills, China town, etc.
Cost of Food Per Day: You can eat a hearty meal at a local restaurant for less than INR 500 (including alcohol)!
Transportation Cost: The busses, jeepneys, and tricycles can all be incredibly cheap, but the ferries between islands tend to cost a minimum of INR 1200 per trip.
14. Turkey
Per Day Stay Cost: You can get hotels ranging from INR 1500 per night.
Places to see: Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Trabzon, Spice markets etc.
Cost of Food Per Day: A meal will cost around INR 500 per person.
Transportation Cost: Local transportation is very cheap for Turkey. It will cost you around INR 250 per day.
15. Myanmar
Per Day Stay Cost:Airbnb will get you deals as low as INR 3000 per night.
Activities/Things to do: Hot Air Balloon Rides, Cultural & Historical Tours, Nature Walks, Local Shopping and Food Tours are some of the popular activities of Myanmar.
Places to see: Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Golden Rock Pagoda, Kyaing Tong, Monywa, Putao, Ngwe Saung Beach and others are the major attractions of Myanmar.
16. Lebanon
Per Day Stay Cost: You can get hostels as low as INR 1500 per night.
Activities/Things to do: Cultural & Religious Tours, Leisure and Recreational Visits, Nature Tours, Local Sightseeing
Places to see: Historical & Religious Monuments, Tripoli, Batroun, Deir el Qamar, Sidon, Beirut, Zaarour, Chekka, Bsharri, Zahle, Tannourine, etc. Know More
Cost of Food Per Day: Local street food ( think falafel, sandwiches, kebabs, hummus, pita breads ) will cost you anywhere between INR 60-100 per dish.
Transportation Cost: Well connected through local transportations, you easily get enough buses or shared minivans for your travels. The buses cost around INR 70 per person and shared minivans cost around INR 150-200 per person.
17. Hong Kong
Per Day Stay Cost: AirBnB can get you deals as low as INR 2200 per night.
Activities/Things to do in Hong Kong: Things and activities to keep you restless in Hong Kong are Religious Tours, Adventure Sports, Recreational Visits, Local Sightseeing, Local Shopping, Wildlife Tours
Places to see in Hong Kong: Lantau Island, Central District, Stanley Market, Nathan Road, Happy Valley, Victoria’s Peak, Cheung Chau Island, Sai Kung, Macau, Disney Land and others fall into the big list of exciting spots of Hong Kong.
Cost of Food Per Day: You can get wholesome food for INR 700 per person.
Transportation Cost: A tourist travel pass costs around INR 550 per day. It covers unlimited travel on the metro, tram, and light rail service. The subways are well connected, and the taxis are cheap too.
18. UAE
Per Day Stay Cost: Stay in hostels for as low an INR 1700-2200 per night.
Activities/Things to do: Cultural Tourism, Shopping, Business Tours, Dubai Desert Safari, Luxury Tours, Sports Tourism, Indoor Skiing, Adventure Sports & Water Sports in Dubai.
Places to see: Some places to be checked in while in UAE are Burj Khalifa, Ferrari world, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and others.
Cost of Food Per Day: you can have a good meal for around INR 1000 per person.
Transportation Cost: The subways are well connected. You can spend around INR 170 for a ticket that provides unlimited travel for 24 hours.
19. Kenya
Per Day Stay Cost: Airbnb will get you accommodation as less as INR 1000 per night.
Activities/Things to do: Wildlife & Nature Tours, Eco-Tourism, Local Shopping & Sightseeing, Cultural Tours, Sports Tourism.
Places to see: Masai Mara National Reserve, Mount Kenya, Lamu Island, Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru, Samburu National Reserve, Malindi etc.
Cost of Food Per Day: You can have a hearty meal for INR 600 at a local restaurant. If you opt for street food, you can easily fill your tummy for less than INR 150.
Transportation Cost: Taxis are expensive, as they are not metered. The best bet will be availing bus services, which will cost you around INR 60 for one way.
20. Taiwan
Also known as “Formosa”, Taiwan is a place with lush greenery, beautiful beaches, yummy food. And also not to mention, it is one of the cheapest countries to visit from India.
Per Day Stay Cost: Hostel rooms start from Rs. 700 per night.
Activities/Things to do: Religious & Cultural Tours, Local Market Visits, Nature Tours, Museum Visits, Wildlife Spotting.
Places to see: Taipei, Taroko National Park, Anping, Caoling, Dajia, Dasi, Jiaoxi, Jinguashi, and others.
Cost of Food Per Day: Chinese Street food would be filling with a pocket pinch of INR 150 a meal. Mid-level Restaurants would cost you around INR 250 per dish.
Transportation Cost: Taxis charge around INR 300 for exchanges. The subways are a good option for travel too.
I hope this information was helpful to you.
Make sure you share it with your family and friends.
Your thoughts are welcomed in the comments.