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Best places for budget travelers in Asia

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Sri Lanka
Ancient cities, tea hills and surf beaches
7.3
Sri Lanka is compact so travellers spend little time and money on transport. Slow trains and local buses link the main sights at very low fares. Guesthouses run by families offer good value in every region. Beaches, ruins and tea country all lie within a short journey of each other.
Highlights:
  • 🚂 Take a scenic train ride through the tea plantations to Ella
  • 🐘 Spot elephants on safari in Minneriya National Park
  • 🪨 Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress and admire its ancient frescoes
Bangladesh
Mangrove tigers, tea hills and a long beach
5.2
Bangladesh is one of the cheapest countries in South Asia and sees very few tourists. Guesthouses, local restaurants and buses all cost little. Rickshaws and river ferries make short trips easy and cheap. Travellers who pack patience find a friendly country where money goes a long way.
Highlights:
  • 🚶🏻 Stroll through Dhaka’s chaotic and colorful Sadarghat river port
  • 🏛️ Visit the ancient terracotta Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur
  • 🚤 Cruise through the serene backwaters of the Sundarbans mangrove forest
Cambodia
Angkor temples, riverside cities and quiet coast
7.1
Cambodia is a long time favourite of backpackers because everyday costs stay low. Hostels and guesthouses are plentiful in every tourist town. US dollars are widely used so travellers rarely lose money on exchange. Buses and shared vans link the main sights at low fares.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Cruise along Tonlé Sap Lake and visit floating villages
  • 🌿 Explore the jungle-covered ruins of Ta Prohm Temple
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise over the ancient temples of Angkor Wat
Georgia
Wine country, mountain villages and old Tbilisi
7.2
Georgia combines low prices with a welcoming visa policy for many nationalities. Hostels and family guesthouses are easy to find in cities and mountain villages. Minibuses called marshrutkas link almost every town at low fares. Free walking tours and open landscapes keep sightseeing costs down.
Highlights:
  • 🏙️ Walk through the historic Old Town of Tbilisi
  • 🕳️ Explore the ancient Uplistsikhe cave city carved into rock
  • ⛪ Climb Gergeti Trinity Church overlooking Mount Kazbek
India
Palaces, temples, backwaters and Himalayan peaks
7.5
India is one of the most affordable countries for long trips. A huge rail network links cities at low fares and offers overnight berths that save on hotels. Simple guesthouses and local eateries are found in every town. Travellers can stretch a small budget across months.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Sail on the serene backwaters of Kerala
  • 🛺 Take a colorful rickshaw ride through Old Delhi’s lanes
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise over the majestic Taj Mahal
Indonesia
Volcanoes, temples, rice terraces and coral reefs
8.5
Indonesia offers low prices across a chain of thousands of islands. Homestays and hostels are common from Java to Bali and beyond. Buses, ferries and shared boats connect the main islands at modest fares. Local eateries and markets keep daily food costs low. Travellers can stay for weeks without spending much.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Snorkel with manta rays around Nusa Penida
  • 🏄‍♀️ Relax on Bali’s white-sand beaches and surf perfect waves
  • 🌋 Watch the sunrise over Mount Bromo’s smoking crater
Iran
Where ancient meets modern charm
7.0
Iran is a very affordable country because most local prices stay low for visitors. Guesthouses and small hotels cost little and buses run comfortably between major cities. Many historic sights charge only small entry fees. Travellers should carry cash because foreign bank cards do not work.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Stroll in Shiraz’s fragrant Persian gardens
  • 🏛️ Wander through the ancient ruins of Persepolis
  • 🕌 Admire intricate tilework at Isfahan’s Shah Mosque
Jordan
Ancient wonders meet desert landscapes
8.0
Jordan is more expensive than some neighbours but stays manageable with careful planning. The Jordan Pass bundles the tourist visa and entry to many sights including Petra. Hostels and simple hotels offer low cost beds. Cheap local food and buses help travellers keep costs down.
Highlights:
  • 🐪 Ride a camel across the desert dunes of Wadi Rum
  • 💧 Float weightlessly on the salty waters of the Dead Sea
  • 🏛️ Marvel at the rose-red rock city of Petra
Kyrgyzstan
Untouched mountain wilderness awaits explorers
7.5
Kyrgyzstan is a low cost mountain country that welcomes many nationalities without a visa. Community run homestays and yurt camps offer beds and meals at modest prices. Shared minibuses and taxis link towns at low fares. Hiking and horse riding in the mountains need little more than time.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Sleep in a traditional yurt under the starry sky
  • ⛰️ Hike to the waterfall in the red canyons of Jeti-Ögüz
  • 🏞️ Ride horseback through the alpine meadows around Lake Issyk-Kul
Laos
Land of untouched natural beauty
6.9
Laos is a slow paced country with low prices and a well worn backpacker route. Guesthouses are common in every town and cost little. Buses and boats connect the main sights at modest fares. Nature activities such as waterfalls and river trips keep entertainment cheap.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Cruise the Mekong River and visit rural villages
  • 💦 Swim in turquoise pools at Kuang Si Waterfall
  • 🧡 Watch monks collect morning alms in Luang Prabang
Myanmar
Ancient temples meet natural wonders
6.1
Myanmar has low prices for lodging and food and a wide network of local buses and trains. Simple guesthouses are found in most towns that receive visitors. Travellers can get around cheaply by bicycle and shared taxi. Conditions can change so it pays to check advice before travelling.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Climb Mandalay Hill for sweeping city views
  • 🚤 Cruise along the Irrawaddy River at sunset
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise over the ancient temples of Bagan
Nepal
Land of Himalayan wonders
8.5
Nepal is a natural choice for budget travellers thanks to its low prices and its teahouse system. Trekkers can sleep and eat in simple lodges every night without carrying a tent. Kathmandu and Pokhara have many cheap guesthouses. Local buses reach most trailheads at low fares.
Highlights:
  • 🕍 Explore the ancient temples and squares of Kathmandu Valley
  • 🛩️ Take a scenic flight over Mount Everest
  • 🏔️ Hike to Everest Base Camp and witness majestic peaks
Pakistan
Land of ancient heritage
6.0
Pakistan is a low cost country known for its warm welcome of visitors. Guesthouses and local hotels are cheap in the cities and the northern valleys. Buses and shared vans connect towns at low fares. Travellers often find that hospitality from locals lowers costs even more.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Visit Lahore Fort and stroll through Shalimar Gardens
  • 🏛️ Explore the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-Daro
  • 🏔️ Admire the stunning mountain views of Hunza Valley
Philippines
7,641 islands of tropical wonder
6.5
The Philippines offers low prices across more than seven thousand islands. Hostels and beach huts are easy to find in popular areas. Jeepneys, buses and ferries link towns and islands at modest fares. Island hopping tours in small groups keep costs down and add variety.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Cruise the emerald lagoons of El Nido, Palawan
  • 🦈 Dive with whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu
  • 🏖️ Relax on the powdery white sands of Boracay
Uzbekistan
Ancient Silk Road's hidden treasure
6.9
Uzbekistan is an easy and affordable country for Silk Road travellers. Family guesthouses offer good value and breakfast in every historic city. A fast train links several major cities at a modest fare. Compact old towns mean travellers can save on taxis by walking between the sights.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Explore Khiva’s Itchan Kala fortress at sunset
  • 🕌 Walk the ancient Silk Road streets of Bukhara
  • 💎 Admire the blue-tiled majesty of Registan Square in Samarkand
Vietnam
Ancient charm meets natural wonder
7.7
Vietnam is one of the most popular budget destinations in Asia thanks to low prices and easy transport. Hostels and guesthouses are plentiful in every city and beach town. Sleeper buses and trains link the north and south at low fares. Street food keeps daily costs low.
Highlights:
  • 🍜 Taste authentic Vietnamese pho at a bustling street stall
  • 🏮 Walk the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An at night
  • ⛵ Cruise through Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts at sunrise
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