Picking a destination for your trip isn’t always easy. There are so many factors to consider, like what kind of weather you want, what activities you enjoy, and what cultures intrigue you the most. Being real, though, the biggest consideration is usually finances.
I’ve been to 6 out of the 7 continents on planet earth, and each has its own price point, but that varies even further depending on which part of the continent you’re traveling through. It can be pretty confusing coming up with a budget, so after about 20 hours of research (from my own travels and some from other great resources out there in the interwebs), I’ve come up with the comprehensive guide for what it costs to travel anywhere in the world, broken down by region.
Keep in mind, these estimates are for mostly budget-minded people who aren’t big spenders on vacation, with tips for how to do things a little cheaper and get a great value. Ready for an adventure? Let’s go!
Jump to:
North America
Central America
South America
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East
Northern Africa
The Caucuses and Central Asia
East Asia
Southeast Asia
South Asia
Oceania
South Pacific
Antarctica
North America: Expensive
If you’re looking for varied culture, amazing food, some of the best road trip options in the world, tropical locales, some of the coldest spots on planet Earth, great skiing, and gorgeous beaches, you really can find it all in North America.
You can also expect to break your wallet open a lot more in North America than in most of the other regions on this list, thanks to expensive transport, food, and accommodation. Some areas are cheaper than others, but in general, expect to spend more in this region.
Best websites for savings:
Accommodation: Hostelworld, AirBnB (click for $25 off!), Booking.com
Transport: Amtrak, Greyhound busses, ADO in Mexico, car rentals on Expedia, Canrail
Canada
Canada is growing in popularity with international travelers thanks to an awesome working visa option and wide open beauty. Another adventure seekers dream Canada has something for everyone no matter the season. With a suggested daily budget of about $70-$80 CAD, Canada is about on par with many European countries.
Dorms and campsites range $25-$40. Transportation in Canada is fairly expensive but you can get a Canrail pass for $699 7 one-way tickets, $899 10 one-way tickets, $1,299 for unlimited travel. Like anywhere sitting down at a restaurant can be expensive $15-$35 CAD, so if you want to save money on food keep your eye out for cheap sandwich shops or cook your own meals. Lastly accommodation rates are dependent on the city you are in but expect to pay around $30 CAD for a dorm and $60 CAD for a hotel.
United States
The U.S. might be one of the most expensive destinations on this list but it is also one of the destinations with the most diversity in terms of culture and natural beauty. Anything you want to experience, from the tropics in Hawaii to the northern lights in Alaska is on offer. The U.S. can be a fairly expensive destination because of high transportation and accommodation costs, but these costs can vary greatly from state to state with prices running highest on the coasts, in the National Parks, and in Hawaii. A suggested daily budget is around $100 for decent meals, non-dorm accommodation, and transport. Travelers who prefer dorms should expect to pay about $28 for a dorm in New York or Los Angeles, but should also know that the US doesn’t have a big dorm culture. The best ways to save are to cook your own food, camp, and couchsurf.
Public transport isn’t great in the US, therefore road trips are popular for most visitors, either across the US or on the Pacific Coast Highway, among others.
Mexico
Mexico has a lot to offer from gorgeous beaches along two coasts, to the vibrant culture of Mexico city and Oaxaca, and of course Mexican cuisine, which has been added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List by UNESCO. Mexico is also known for its ancient Mayan ruins and tropical weather. As a result of this popularity Mexico can be a bit more expensive than its neighbors in Central America, even if you do skip the resorts, but it’s still much cheaper than the US or Canada. Accommodation in hostels begins at around $6 to $14 in budget hotels. Food is delicious and street food is the best with Tacos at $1. To travel around Mexico you can take busses using the ADO website and the cost ranges from $10-$40.
Central America: Cheap
Central America is a great choice for those on a budget who want to find a slightly older crowd on the road (more people in their 30s and 40s as opposed to more in their 20s in Southeast Asia). The most expensive countries to travel to in Central America are Costa Rica, Belize, and Panama. Excursions and activities such as zip lining or ATV tours in Costa Rica are always priced with American tourists in mind and are usually over $50. Entry to the parks for hiking without a guide will cost at least $15. In Belize, expect to pay more for diving and tours than you would elsewhere in Central America.
Conversely, traveling to Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, or Honduras is more affordable. Accommodation can cost as low as $10 per night and local public transportation is so cheap in comparison to private transportation. Hiking is a fraction of the cost in these countries than Costa Rica while you may pay more for more touristic backpacker activities such as volcano boarding outside León, Nicaragua. Food is the best, tastiest, and cheapest when exploring the local street food. In countries like Guatemala, you can enjoy a full lunch “menu del día” for $5 or less!
South America: Mid-Range
South America really varies in cost, but it’s still generally cheaper than most of Western Europe, Oceania, and North America. Plan on spending less in the countries farther north and a lot more in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. That said, the busses are generally great, there’s camping and hostels, and varying degrees of luxury (and bang for your buck) as well.
Accommodation: AirBnB (click for $25 off!), Booking.com
Transport: Check this guide for bus recommendations per country.
Bolivia
Bolivia is one of the cheaper countries to travel to in South America. Accommodation costs for backpackers in dorms are cheaper than many other South American countries, ranging from around $10-20 for dorms and $15-30 for private rooms. Eating local meals will be cheaper (under $10) than westernized restaurants.
Public transportation is very cheap, but the quality and safety is better on tourist buses that are more expensive. When traveling in Bolivia, the most expensive thing you’re likely to encounter is activity costs. Tours to mountain bike down the World’s Most Dangerous Road, for example, vary depending on the safety gear provided, but range from $50-100. The Bolivian visa cost for Americans is $160.
Argentina
Prices in Argentina tend to fluctuate thanks to an unstable currency. Sometimes, Argentina can be a great value to travel through and at other times, prices can essentially double. The black market on currency which used to make Argentina cheap, is gone now, so don’t expect it to be as cheap as the glory days of yore. Hostels can run as much as $60 for a private room in popular places. Food can also be expensive, but when you’re eating delicious steak in Argentina, you just might be willing to overlook that.
Colombia
Colombia is affordable when it comes to local meals and accommodation. A typical bandeja paisa platter costs around $6-7. The menu of the day is always a tasty, affordable option as well. A nice hostel dorm can cost as low as $12 per night.
Colombia can get expensive for transportation on overnight buses (around $50 one-way). In some cases it is more economical to fly via VivaColombia, Colombia’s budget airline. Prices for everything in popular cities like Medellín and Cartagena (especially in the historic center) are higher than in less traveled cities. Note that tourism in Colombia is rapidly growing, so price increases should be expected year over year.
Chile
Chile’s economy is the strongest in Latin America. As such, expect Chile to be a more expensive place to visit. You can still save by camping through most of the country, ordering the menu del dia (menu of the day) for lunch, and you can even hitchhike through part of it pretty safely. Your budget can vary pretty wildly in Patagonia, in particular. I personally spent an average of $53 per day over 60 days there.
Expect places like Easter Island to be super expensive for food and activities, and for the middle of the country and Santiago to be mid-range with lots of accommodation levels and options.
Brazil
Brazil is one of the most expensive countries in South America. The visa entry cost for Americans is $160 USD, $65 USD for Canadians and $35 USD for Australians.
Since to the 2016 Summer Olympics, prices in Rio have skyrocketed. Activities in Rio such as the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf mountain cost around $15-20. Visiting the Brazil side of Iguazu Falls costs approximately $15-20. Accommodation in hostels ranges from $10 during low season to as much as $50-70 in high season. Traveling by buses is relatively cheap but flights from around $80-100 may be a more efficient use of travel time for long distances considering that Brazil is such a massive country. Meals range from $10-20; consider the self-service option in which you can eat as much as you want for a fixed price!
Peru
Peru has the potential to be pretty affordable. Where it can get expensive is depending on which activities you want to do and how independently you do them. For example, there are very expensive tours to Machu Picchu using the train and bus, but you can also travel to Machu Picchu independently and without the help of a tour for a fraction of the cost. Day trips to Huacachina or the 2 day/1 night Colca Canyon hike are about $20-50.
Local meals and street food are the cheapest options while food in more tourist-heavy areas such as Cusco are more expensive. Lima, which is very much like any American city price-wise, is also inherently more expensive. There are many affordable accommodation options ranging from dorms to guest houses or hotels. Cruz del Sur is one of the better bus companies for the long-haul overnight journeys, but these tickets are more expensive than some of the less comfortable overnight bus companies.
Western Europe: Expensive
Western Europe includes the countries on Europe’s west coast from Portugal and Spain, to as far east as Germany, Italy, and Finland, and all of those in-between. This region isn’t a budget destination, but it does cater to travelers of every type from budget backpackers to high-end luxury travelers. Expect to pay about what you would in the US for most things, with some, sometimes extreme, variations.
In general, winter is much cheaper than summer for accommodation and activities, and as of this writing in 2017, the exchange rate is better than it has been in years at USD $1 equaling 93 cents Euro. The beauty of traveling through Europe is that while the exchange might not be as great as countries like Vietnam or Cambodia there is awesome infrastructure for every kind of traveler, and you can stay for a whole 3 months no visa required. While the northern countries such as Norway and Sweden can be incredibly expensive, Greece, Spain and Portugal can offer amazing rates on food and accommodation. Moving slowly and taking trains as much as possible will of course cut your transportation costs. But thanks to budget airlines like Ryanair and Norwegian, airline travel between countries like Italy and Greece a can be as low as $65 one way.
Best websites for savings:
Accommodation: Hostelworld, AirBnB (click for $25 off!), and Booking.com
Transport: Eurail (especially if you’re visiting mulitple countries!), Flixbus, Megabus
Portugal
Hit hard by the financial crisis and still recovering, Portugal is one of the cheapest places to visit in Western Europe. People here are reportedly much better at speaking English here than on the other country located on the Iberian Peninsula, so getting around is fairly easy. Nomadic Matt has a suggested daily budget of around $26-$47 usd if you are staying in hostels and eating at cheaper restaurants. If you’re not into hostels, a quick Airbnb search shows entire homes from $30-$200.
Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, has great public transportation starting at $1.50 and intercity trains and buses are very reasonably priced as well. A pint of beer in Portugal is around $2, and you can find reasonable priced snacks in bakeries for $2-$7 euros. A sit down restaurant should be around $10-$15 depending on if you buy alcohol. The cost of museums and other attractions ranges from $5-$12 and is often half or free with student ID or, in some cases, free after a certain time of day.
Iceland
Iceland is one of the most expensive countries to travel to, mostly because everything from food to vehicles has to be imported there. Expect to pay a lot for food, transportation, tours, and accommodation. Thankfully, though, the sites are mostly free to see and experience, and you can cook your own food to save.
I spent $93 per day in Iceland, making it my most expensive country I’ve ever traveled through.
Italy
Depending on where you want to go in Italy, the cost can vary quite dramatically. Rome, Milan, Venice and Cinque Terre will all most certainly be much more expensive than perhaps some less traveled destinations in Italy, like Bologna. That said, a search on hostelworld showed hostels starting at $20. Many cities in Italy also have good public transportation. A metro ticket in rome is $1.50. Local trains in Italy are also reasonable with a ticket from Rome to Bologna costing as little as $19 euros with trenitalia.
A daily food budget of $25 euros ought to help satisfy a fancy pasta craving if you only eat fancy for one meal and consider shopping at markets for bread, cheese, and wine for other meals. There is also pretty decent street food in Italy with slices of square pizza for $1.50 and even some cheap pasta places for $5 a plate. Aperitivo is also popular in much of Italy, which is a happy hour with snacks and drink discounts. In some cases, wine is even cheaper than bottled water in Italy! Do note that in many places you might get charged extra for sitting on the terrace. Museums tend to run $5-$16 euros, and The Vatican and Sistine chapel cost $16 euros, or is free on last Sunday of of the month, or is half price with a student ID.
United Kingdom
Although many were quite sad to see the UK leave Europe, travelers may have done a secret happy dance, as it brought the dollar and the pound closer than they have ever been before, thus, making the UK a much more affordable place to visit. $1 USD equals 81 pence.
If you’re looking to go to London or the UK in general from October-April you’ll likely find the prices to be much more reasonable than the summer months. Dorm rooms in June in London start at £13, but in January start at £9.78. If you’re into museums you’re in luck as many are free. The cathedrals, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London all have entry fees. The Tower and Buckingham palace together cost over £30. Public transportation in UK tends to be expensive as well. A trip from Liverpool to London can range from £25 to £150. Low cost travel options can be found through Megabus where if you book far enough in advance you can find bus tickets for as little as 1 GBP. England does have fairly cheap options for street food, and you can find kebab or fish and chips for around £6.
France
Great wine, great food, beautiful mountains, rural farm lands and gorgeous coastline make France a much-loved destination. Despite Frances fame for being a rather expensive destination a smart traveler can get by on €47-€75 per day. Besides hostels and BnBs there are also several cheap hotel chains that are becoming popular on budget websites with prices beginning at €22 (in off peak) around €60 (high season). Hostel Dorms in Paris start around €20 and range higher or lower depending on region.
As always, street food and bakeries will be cheaper than restaurants. Crepes from street vendors are delicious and cheap at around €4 for ham and cheese. It’s always possible to stop in a local delicatessen and buy bread, cured meats, and cheese for a great picnic of around €10-13. A bottle of wine can be as cheap as €6. Sit down restaurants can average $25 and up.
Local transportation, like in most Western European countries, is very reliable and reasonable. Longer distance, the farther in advance you book the cheaper it will be. A ticket from Toulouse to Paris on the TGV high speed train begins at €74 for a 2nd class seat, for example. Major attractions are reasonable, at €7 for access to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, and €17 for access to the elevator and 3rd floor. The Louvre is €15, Musee d’Orsay is €12, and the Dali Museum is €11.50. On the first Sunday of the month, museums are Free. If you are 25 or under bring your student ID you will receive discounts, and all EU nationals under 25 can enter most museums free of charge.
Russia
(Note: It’s a big country, and to be honest, I’m not sure where it belongs regionally, so here it is in Europe. Correct me if I’m wrong!)
The good news for travelers visiting Russia these days is that the devaluation of the Russian ruble makes tourist’s pockets a little heavier. Costs are almost half what they were just two years ago, specifically for food and accommodation. Expect to pay about $50 per day in Russia, and consider the visa cost, which for US citizens, is $160.
Eastern Europe: Cheap
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has been growing in popularity since the early ’00s and despite its location in Eastern Europe, its not as cheap as some of its neighbors. Consider a daily budget of USD $25-$50. Dorm beds and rooms range from $8-$20 but entire homes on Airbnb start at $40. Transportation in the capital, Prague, is fairly simple as they have a good network of trams buses and subways. 30 minute tickets are the equivalent of $1 USD and 24 hour tickets are $4.65. Food in Prague is tasty and well priced, budget lunches and dinners can be found in pubs for around $7 and a pint of beer is $2. Museums range from $3-$8 with free walking tours on offer and free castle entrance.
Croatia
With Split gaining popularity and giving the Greek Islands a run for their money, Croatia has been called one Eastern Europe’s best kept secrets, though largely the news is getting out and Croatia’s costs are rising. Accommodation in popular tourist spots such as Dubrovnik, Split, and Hvar range from $12 to $30 USD in dorms and mid range hotels. Public and local transportation is $1-$2 usd per ticket. Traveling by bus or Ferry is the most common way to get around with bus tickets from Zadar to Dubrovnik costing around $26 usd and a ferry from Split to Hvar starting at $10 in off season. A sit down meal runs from $10-$20.
Albania
Just north of Greece, Albania, like Croatia, is one Europe’s best kept secrets. On the road to recovery from a civil war the ’90s, Albania is finally showing of her beautiful coastline. As one of the most underdeveloped European nations, Albania’s public transportation can be a bit bumpy but cheap. A bus in Tirania runs every 10 minutes on 12 routes to various cities and is 40 lek. Accommodation in Albania begin at $30-$50 USD for top end hotels and $9-$15 in budget hostels. Finally, eating at a midrange restaurant will run you $5-$10.
Serbia
With fun festivals, great architecture, and sweet old world charm it’s no wonder Serbia has been popping up on many budget travel lists. Hostels in Belgrade start at around $11 USD but beware that some smaller cities may not have hostels. Guest houses run closer to $20 USD. Busses in Serbia cost around $2-$5 USD and short train rides from city to city are $4-$7. A cup of coffee is cheap at $1 and kebab can be about $2-$3.
Middle East: Expensive
Cost of travel around the middle east can vary greatly depending on country and activity. While there are some cities like Cairo Egypt, that can be as cheap as $18.75 usd per day Dubai in the UAE can be over $200. Tourism has dropped due to bad press in former tourist hotspots like Turkey (which wasn’t much cheaper than countries like Greece or Spain) and Egypt, causing prices to drop there as well. If you don’t want to brave it there you can check out Oman which, while considerably more expensive, is known as one of the cleanest and safest countries in the Middle East.
Best websites for savings:
Accommodation: Hostelworld, AirBnB (click for $25 off!), and Booking.com
Dubai
If you are looking to travel to Dubai, as a U.S. citizen there, is a free 30 day visa on arrival. While Dubai is known to be pricy you can keep costs down by avoiding peak season (December and January) and staying in hostel dorms which range from $23-$34 USD or in a private rooms which range form $47-$118. If you are looking to save cash eat Shwarma (wraps that are similar to Greek Gyros), it is a great local snack and ranges from $1.36-$2.18. If you’re not tight on money check out any sit down restaurant and where prices can be as low as $10 or almost limitless in the other direction.
Public transportation in Dubai is fairly cheap. Dubai, has a metro, tram and monorail to get you almost anywhere you need to go. Fares for the metro begin at $2 AED (less than one dollar). The tram is 3 AED and the monorail is 16 AED.
Israel
Traveling around Israel might not be as cheap as you’d like but you certainly will get quality for what you pay for. Israel has a growing network of hostels with rooms starting at $20 usd. Busses are the most popular mode of travel often offering free wifi. A bus from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv is $5 usd. The quality of food is very high in Israel and can be quite affordable, Falfals are delicious and only cost about $2 usd.
Turkey
Many people view Turkey as the place where East meets West and in many ways it is. There’s even some debate as to whether it should be classified as European. Turkey isn’t a particularly expensive destination, with dorms in Istanbul start at $10 USD and entire homes on Airbnb start at $40. Food in Turkey is similar Mediterranean food but with more spice and flavor. Street food in Turkey is quite delicious with pinerli, a type of turkish pizza, starting at $2.50. Hot air ballon rides in Cappadocia range from $100-$175 per person.
Northern Africa: Mid-Range
A rise in protests and attacks by the Arab Spring in Northern Africa have made places like Libya and Egypt a bit less tempting to travel to these days. However, as any seasoned traveler knows things aren’t always as bad as they appear and there are still some countries in Northern Africa that are safe and cheap.
Morocco
If you’re still dying to go to Northern Africa but not sure where to start consider Morocco, though it’s not exactly cheap. It is easy to fly into, and requires no visa for US citizens. If you fly into Morocco you will likely land at Casablanca airport and from there it is fairly simple to take a train, bus, or taxi to many of the most popular cities such as Marrakesh and Fez. By taxi from Casablanca to Fez is about 3 hours and $147 USD. Once inside the city there are city buses for .50 cents.
Dorms in Morocco begin at $6 USD, rooms on Airbnb begin at $15 USD or if you have some extra cash, check out booking.com to stay in Riad, which is a traditional Morrocan house built around a court yard these start at $40. A typical Morrocan meal will range $3-5 a higer end meal is $12. A nottle of beer is $ 3 usd and water is 0.60usd. Museums are $2-$6 and camel trekking is $50 and Fes tanneries ar $1-$2. A daily suggest budget between $30-$60 a day. *Money saving tip: Negotiate your hostel or hotel in person. Be wary of touts trying to steer you the wrong way or scam you.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Mid-Range to Expensive
This part of the world has the potential to be mid-range if you camp, cook your own food and, or stay at backpacker accomodation, it also has the potential to be incredibly expensive and high into the luxury end, with very little in the middle.
Transportation can be difficult and you might be scratching your head wondering how locals afford $30 taxis to go short distances, until you see how overpacked and dangerous the cars and vans are. Hiring a private car, or even buying one, can sometimes be more economical in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, but as soon as the roads turn to dirt and mud as you head farther north, you’ll want a 4×4 and they can be very expensive to rent. National Park fees and safaris can get expensive too, ranging from as cheap as $80 per day for a safari to thousands.
Best websites for savings:
Accommodation: Check free Coast to Coast books in hostels, and AirBnB (click for $25 off!), otherwise, check individual camping and hostel websites and call ahead
Transport: Intercape, Greyhound
South Africa
It used to cost a lot more to travel in South Africa, but lately with the value of the Rand falling, it’s becoming a cheaper and cheaper destination, particularly for a part of the world that can be on the expensive side. The big cities cost the most, and the rural areas tend to be the cheapest. The backpackers accommodation has everything from camping to higher end rooms at almost every one, and are great places to stay with communal spaces and friendly vibes.
My personal spend was $56 per day in South Africa, which included renting a car, staying in a mixture of dorms and with friends, and eating out often instead of cooking.
Mozambique
Mozambique runs pretty similar to South Africa in terms of pricing. A plate of delicious, fresh seafood will cost you $6-$12 at most beachside shacks, while buying directly from a fisherman can be pennies on the dollar. Transport is slightly expensive, annoying to use, and something you should definitely haggle on, which will be your biggest price consideration.
Activities like SCUBA diving and boating around the islands can get very expensive, while accommodation is well-priced at $15-$20 for a private beach bungalow with a mosquito net and fan.
Kenya
Kenya had focused much of its attention on luxury tours and safaris in the past, but more recently has begun to focus attention on lower budget travelers as well. Backpackers accommodations offer dorms from $6-$12 depending on location, mid-range hotels cost $15-$30, and high-end hotels cost $50-$80. Eating in Kenya can be very cheap if you eat local. A typical Kenyan meal is just 0.87. If you prefer to eat Western meals, you ‘ll likely pay $4-$8. Some attractions in Kenya are costly, such as Nairobi National Park for $40 per day and Maasai Mara Game Reserve for$60 per day, but for the most part Kenya is a more budget friendly destination than its neighbors.
Tanzania
Tanzania can get very costly very quickly due to the pricing of major activities. Safaris to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater each run several hundred to several thousand dollars, and climbing Kilimanjaro is in the thousands as well. The visa for Tanzania is also expensive, at $100 for US citizens. It gets cheaper when it comes to local busses, which are just a few dollars for long distances, food can run just a few dollars per day from street vendors and cafes, and Accommodation in hostels starts at $6 per night.
Mauritius:
Hanging out in the indian ocean covered in lagoons, rainforests and waterfalls the island of Mauritius is the definition of paradise. But how much does it cost to go to this particular paradise? This luxurious island offers hotels on the budget end for $48-$85, and upwards for the fancy hotels and resorts. Public busses are cheap, and an opportunity to met locals, so try one out for only 0.34-0.86. Regular restaurants meals are $9 while a – course meal at a midrange restaurant for 2 people costs $35.
Central Asia and the Caucus Region: Cheap
The Caucasus region is not commonly traveled and still very affordable though Azerbaijan is generally more expensive than Armenia and Georgia. Americans don’t need visas to enter the region through Georgia or Armenia, though Azerbaijan requires payment for a visa on arrival ($20). Hotels or hostels cost around $20-40 per night for private rooms, while home stays are cheaper options. Food can be as cheap as $5. Rides in shared vans are common for public transportation in addition to buses or private taxis.
Georgia
Clean, inviting, affordable, and understated, Georgia is a hidden gem. Accommodation in Georgia starts at around $10 USD. In Tsibilis, public transportation is easy to use and cheap costing 0,50 Lari which is nearly 0.19 cents. Food in Georgia is also quite cheap with meals costing as little as $2.50. Such a meal includes a type of dumpling called Khinkali which are sold for 0.30 each. Activities such as museums range from 0.60 to $2.00 and are cheaper for students.
Tajikstan
Despite recent improvements in Tajikstan’s tourist infrastructure this remains a little-traveled to destination partly due to the the police corruption of the past and partly due to the fact that its not as cheap as some nearby alternatives. This is due to high costs of transportation. A Suggested daily budget for two people is $89. Hotels in Tajiksta are $30 USD per night. For an incredible experience, you can do a homestay or stay in a yurt for about $15. Local dishes will cost $3-$5 while western meals will cost $5-$10.
East Asia: Mid-Range
Overall, East Asia will feel pretty expensive if you spend it mostly in Japan and South Korea. China, on the other hand, doesn’t have to be as expensive, especially if you stay in dorms and eat cheap. Spots like Hong Kong will make you break open your wallet again, and Taiwan lands somewhere in the middle, with prices easily reaching that of the US for some things, like high-end food and clothing, and super cheap for others, like accommodation and street food.
Best websites for savings:
Accommodation: hostelworld, hostelbookers, Agoda
Transport: Air Asia
Japan
Believe it or not, Japan might not be as costly as you’ve heard. Hostels start at about $20 a night, which is no worse than Paris or London. Private ryokans can cost as little as $40 a night. If you’re craving sushi you can find sushi trains selling 6 pieces of sushi for $2 and ramen for $6. Transportation around Japan can get costly, particularly if you take a bullet train, which can cost nearly $100 for one hour. To save money consider a bus which costs about 60 yen, or 0.50 cents.
China
China’s big cities have all kinds of fancy restaurants and hotels that can eat right into your budget in a big way, but it’s also possible to stay in hostels, which might just be the best-value hostels in the world at $5-$10 per night, and eat street food for just a few dollars per plate.
Transportation can run a bit more expensive at $20+ for 8-hour busses and upwards from there. China is a huge country and therefore, moving around quickly and on higher classes of train can add up quickly. My personal spend was about $50 per day, and I was hitchhiking to avoid train costs.
South Korea
South Korean boasts one of the most educated populations where 78% of them are on smart phones. The cost of traveling in South Korea is about $50 dollars a day but you could do it on a shoestring for closer to $30. Soups like kimchi jjigae can be found for $4-$6 and are full of delicious vegetables like cabbage and sprouts. The cheapest option for accommodation is jjimjilbang. This is a public bathhouse and costs $6-$10 you will be sleeping on a mat in a room with other people.
Mongolia
Nestled between Russia and China is a country with more horses than people. Mongolia offers unique cultural and outdoor adventures that aren’t packed with tourists. A single entry visa to Mongolia costs $53 and has an average daily cost of $50 per day. Transportation in and out of Mongolia can be a bit expensive, with trains from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar costing over $190 one way. A cheaper third option includes an overnight bus a local jeep ride then a local train ride for around $80. Flights are typically over quite expensive but still an option if you are tight on time and have extra cash. Hostels in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar are around $6-$15 a night and many only take USD, so carry both forms of currency. Expect food to cost $4-$7 per day and just 0.78 per beer!
Southeast Asia: Cheap
The White Temple Chiang Rai, Thail