Travel and Tourism Competitiveness report recently released it’s thorough index for 2015, where it ranks 141 nations from cheapest to most expensive based on the cost of traveling to that country and being a tourist there. The variables used in their country roundup are the average cost of roundtrip flights, hotel accommodations, cost of living, fuel prices, and purchasing power parity (PPP). What PPP simply means is the cost of something valued at $1 in the U.S. against the value of that same item in these selective countries. So if a pack of gum costs $1 in the U.S. it’s value in Poland would be $.6, 40% cheaper than the cost in the U.S. PPP is relative to the country’s home currency.
#10 Algeria
PPP in Algeria is .4, which means that the average cost of goods and services is about 60 percent less than that of the United States (i.e. the same cup of coffee would be much cheaper in Algeria than in the United States). Plus, gas is a meager $1.09 per gallon on average, equivalent to the 6th cheapest gas price in the world. While there, go on safari, check out Algiers, go to the beach, and see the Notre Dame d’Afrique.
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#9 Pakistan
This Mideast country features the 36th cheapest airfares in the world. A first-class hotel in Pakistan will run you an average of $94.30 per night, which is the 18th cheapest in the world.
The PPP in Pakistan is .3, which is tied with several other nations for the lowest PPP in the world, meaning that goods and services in Pakistan are 70 percent cheaper than they are in America. Pakistan also ranks 38th in the world for the cheapest gas at a rate of $4.30 per gallon on average.
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#8 India
Flights to and from India are the 16th cheapest in the world and hotel accommodations will run you an average of $93.00 a night, good for 14th cheapest in the survey.
In addition, India is tied with Pakistan and several other nations with a PPP of .3, meaning goods and services will be 70 percent cheaper in India than in the US. Gas is slightly more expensive, at $4.72 per gallon on average (48th). During your stay Visit Bombay and New Delhi, see the Golden Temple of Amirstar, explore the Buddhist caves of Ajanta, go on camel safari in Bikaner, and visit the Taj Mahal.
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#7 Tunisia
Tunisia’s PPP is .4, the 20th lowest in the world and reflecting a 60 percent reduction in prices for comparable goods and services in the US. Gas costs $3.51 per gallon on average, which is 25th cheapest in the world. The ancient Roman ruins near Mediterranean beaches are a must see, and visit Tataouine in the south, the real-life inspiration for the hometown of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars movies.
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#6 Malaysia
The PPP of Malaysia currently sits at .5 (42nd cheapest), meaning Americans can enjoy goods that will be 50 percent cheaper than what they are used to paying. Gas costs just $2.34 cents per gallon on average, good for 14th cheapest in the world. Head to the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo, go to Kuala Lumpur and see the Petronas Towers, visit the orangutan sanctuary in Sepolik, one of only four orangutan sanctuaries in the world, and wander through the Batu Caves.
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#5 Gambia
Gambia boasts the lowest PPP in the world, tied with several other nations at .3, which means Americans can enjoy prices that are 70 percent less than what they pay for similar goods. Gas is cheaper than in the U.S. as well at $2.98 per gallon on average, which is 20th cheapest in the world. Hotel info is N/A, but we’re guessing it’s fairly cheap compared to it’s PPP. See the Kachikally crocodile pool in Bakau, visit the bustling market in Serekunda, and go to the African Living Arts Center.
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#4 Yemen
According to Business Insider, the war-torn country on the Gulf of Aden is not a recommended travel destination. At present, you cannot fly directly from the US to Yemen (flights from other countries to the Middle Eastern nation are the 48th cheapest in the world).
The PPP of Yemen is .4 (19th cheapest), meaning goods in Yemen are 60 percent cheaper than in the United States. Gas currently stands at $2.19 per gallon on average, which is the 13th cheapest in the world.
Hotel prices are N/A, but if you manage to smuggle yourself into the country, hike the Haraz Mountains, visit the island of Socotra (knows as the “Galapagos Islands of the Indian Ocean”), and travel to the isolated desert town of Shibam.
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#3 Indonesia
A first-class hotel room on average will cost you $93.90 a night, which is 17th cheapest in the world.
Goods and services in Indonesia are about 60 percent less than that of the U.S. according to it’s PPP (.4), which is good for the 17th lowest in the world. Gas costs a miniscule $1.77 per gallon on average, which is the 11th cheapest in the world. During your stay, island hop across Indonesia’s roughly 17,000 islands, see Mount Bromo in Java, visit Palau Komodo, home to the worlds largest lizards, visit the beach resorts on the Gili Islands, see orangutans roam wild in the Bukit lawang rainforest, and see Borobudur temple, the largest and most revered Buddhist temple in the world.
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#2 Egypt
Egypt’s PPP sits at .3, making goods and services 70 percent cheaper for Americans. Egypt also ranks 10th cheapest in the world in gas prices, at an average of $1.70 per gallon. Obviously see the ancient pyramids of Giza, visit the Luxor Museum, travel through Cairo, and take a cruise on the Nile River.
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#1 Iran
The current state of Iran is considered a state sponsor of terrorism, so definitely not a reccomended travel destination, especially for Americans, but Iran is the cheapest place to travel in the world, though you can’t fly directly from the U.S. to Iran.
The PPP in Iran is .3, tied with several other nations for the lowest PPP in the world. Gas on average costs $1.24 per gallon, good for 8th cheapest in the world. While you’re there hike the Alborz Mountains, check out Golestan Palace and don’t get killed or captured.
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