20 worldwide destinations people say are surprisingly affordable to visit (2024)

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Mexico is an inexpensive place for a tropical vacation, especially for people living in the United States. It’s easily accessible for most, and the exchange rate is in Americans’ favor. Like any place, there are ways to make Mexico more expensive, but it can also be a very affordable destination.

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Travelers who’ve gone to Vietnam have been pleasantly surprised by its affordability. When flying from the United States, the plane ticket is pricey, and it takes quite a while to get there, but once there, the food and accommodations aren’t bad in price.

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Many places in Europe are spendy, but Scotland is an underrated destination for travelers on a budget. If you fly into Edinburgh and stay there for at least part of your trip, you’ll find that all you need to spend money on is lodging and food, as there is so much sightseeing and exploring to do for free.

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There are many places in South America that are cheaper to fly to than Europe, including Brazil. Many coastal cities are surprisingly easy to get to, and they’re perfect places if all you want is a beach and great nightlife.

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Portugal doesn’t often get its flowers when it comes to European countries, but travelers always have great things to say about it. The flight is an average price for a flight to Europe, and it’s one of the cheapest countries to visit in the western part of the continent.

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It’s almost shocking how much cheaper it is to get to Belize from the United States than many surrounding countries. Travelers have complained about the cost of certain items in Belize compared to other countries in Central America, but it about evens out when offsetting the cost of roundtrip travel.

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Places in the United States vary in price, too, and one of the less expensive places to visit is Grand Teton National Park. Nestled in western Wyoming, it might be pricey to get to depending on where in the U.S. you live, but once you’re there, there’s so much to do for free.

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Buying a plane ticket to Madagascar from the United States is not cheap, but once you get there, you’ll find it to be a very moderately priced country. If you can swallow the cost of the plane ticket, it’ll be worth it for the affordability of the rest of the trip and the destination’s unique beauty.

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Canada is a very affordable option for travelers. It's comparable to most places in the United States. For those near the northern border, it's a good option for a different slice of culture without too much hassle getting there.

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South Korea is another pricey country to get to (although a ticket to Seoul is comparable to a ticket to some places in Europe), but it is affordable while there. The country has lots of public transit and many free or low-budget activities and sights that make it entertaining and affordable.

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Flying to Egypt will cost about as much as flying to Europe, and once there, it’ll be comparable to or cheaper than many places in Europe. Egypt is so full of history and has such a different landscape than the United States that it’s easy to stay occupied without having to spend too much money.

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United States travelers have found Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to be an underrated destination. It’s affordable, full of history, and near other cities with more history and culture to add to the trip.

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Italy can absolutely be affordable if you go to the right places. Travelers have found that taking the time to scope out hidden gems is worth the time as they’re far cheaper, have fewer tourists, and feel more authentic. There are so many coastal towns in Italy that aren’t in Amalfi and are just as beautiful.

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India is a great place to go if you want to choose your level of luxury. Plane ticket prices vary greatly depending on where you go, and the prices of food, accommodations, and transportation also vary greatly depending on what you want to spend.

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It costs a little bit more to travel to the Balkans than Western Europe from the United States because they’re farther away, but many of those countries, including Serbia, are incredibly affordable. The U.S. dollar goes a long way in the Balkans.

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It’s cheaper to get to Poland than many places in Germany and Switzerland, and it’s just as fun. Many of its cities have the quintessential European charm that United States travelers desire when visiting the continent, and it’s got fewer tourists than France, Spain, and Italy.

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Indonesia is one of those countries where the only genuine expense is a plane ticket. Food, transportation, and even luxury accommodations are unbelievably affordable in Indonesia. It’s a good place to batch with neighboring countries to get the most out of the cost of airfare.

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National parks across the United States, including Grand Canyon National Park, are great for budget travelers. There’s lots to do and see, and it’ll feel like you’ve left the country.

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Most travelers have wonderful things to say about Taiwan. It’s full of culture, safe, and very comparable in price to places in the United States. It takes much longer to get to Taiwan than to get to Europe, but the flights are similar in price.

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Morocco is another country that’s great for travelers who want to choose between affordability and luxury. Getting there costs about as much and takes about as long as getting to most places in Europe, but it’s a totally different experience thanks to its culture and terrain.