The word “cheap” is thrown around a lot these days and it is very much in the eye of the beholder. I’ve never considered myself a “budget” blogger, though at times I have certainly travelled on less than a shoestring budget. As I’ve grown and been able to afford more, I’ve often paid up to stay somewhere nicer, but this is rarely staying at the Ritz-Carlton, usually, it’s finding something very good value (one time, this was actually at a Hilton). I’m speaking primarily about accommodation, but I can’t resist a good value flight either.
But now I present some of the cheapest and best value places I’ve been to in about the last decade. From Asia to Europe, and the Pacific to the Caribbean, no matter where you are in the world there should be something on this list near you, and Justfly can help you get there.
India
India is one of the most culturally different places I’ve ever visited. It is also home to some of the most incredible architecture in the world. I was in constant awe of the buildings constructed through its history from the 12th Century ruins of the Qutb Complex to the Red Fort and Humayan’s Tomb, all in Delhi. The Taj Mahal, surely the most beautiful building in the world, goes without saying.
And yet, India remains one of the cheapest places I’ve visited. I stayed at some Five Star hotels for only around $200 a night, while there is absolutely no shortage of full-service hotels for under $50 a night. A trip on the metro was under a dollar, while you could easily have a cheap meal under $10.
Bali
People ask me all the time “Is Bali worth going to?” They ask me this because it is one of the most popular holiday places Australians choose.
Bali is cheap, it has great food, and the scenery can be fantastic. The emphasis here is cheap, which is one reason Aussies love it. I even wrote an article about my exploits hopping from market to market in Seminyak. But my answer to that question is always that “it depends where you go”.
If you’re staying nearish to the airport (i.e. Kuta, Legian, Seminyak) get ready to be surrounded by lots of Aussies and lots of Aussie food options in a place devoid of any local culture. BUT, we also went out to Nusa Lembongan and this was one of the best island experiences of my life. It was so laid back, it was quiet, there were so many great local food options for cents on the dollar, and it was so easy to get around on a scooter. I could not get enough $2 mee goreng. 10/10 would go again.
Honourable mention to Uluwatu as well, which was super laid back and felt very much removed from the hubbub of the Kuta area.
St Maarten
If you were to pin to a map all the countries you have visited from this list and wrap it around a globe, St Maarten would be about on the other side to Bali. Despite the similarities, I had very different stays in each.
A few years ago I did a cruise around the Caribbean with my family. My favourite place that we stopped was the dual country island of St Maarten. At St Maarten, you can watch the jumbos land over Maho Beach, climb an historic, ruined fort in Marigot, or just sit by some beautiful beaches at Orient Beach or Philipsburg.
We also stopped for lunch in Grand Case, where a handful of smoky eateries sit above a quiet beach. We picked one at random at sat down for some chicken, a Caribbean specialty. You could get BBQ spare ribs for $6, a plate of wings for $5, sides like potato salad, mac and cheese and fried plantains for $3, not to mention johnny cakes for $0.75. And of course, this was all the while sipping $2 local beers. The best part was actually being serenaded by a steel drum band the whole time.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a beautiful and surprisingly diverse country, considering its size. Visit the elephants, water buffalo, birds and other wildlife at a National Park. I went to Minneriya and loved it! You can hike up one or both of Pidurangala and Sigiriya Rock Fortress and also explore mountains, forests and beaches.
You can eat at local restaurants for merely a few dollars in Sri Lanka and transport is really cheap too, even for long train rides. For those with a mid-sized budget you could even hire a private tour guide to take you around the island, giving you a vehicle at your disposal. In terms of value for money — and if you have a few friends to split the cost with — this can be a very affordable option.
Turkey
I visited Turkey back when I lived in the UK during a study abroad semester. That sentence should be enough to suggest I did it on a budget. I remember getting an authentic street kebab for a few dollars and a highlight was wandering the Grand Bazaar. Although not a necessary expense, I did enjoy buying souvenirs like genuine Turkish delight and football jerseys of the local teams on my limited budget.
There is so much to see in Turkey but my short trip only took me to Istanbul and Gallipoli as it was an ANZAC Day tour. You can stay in backpacker dorm rooms for under $10 and transport is reasonable too.
Flores, Indonesia
Yes, I’m including an Indonesian place again because Indonesia is both cheap and massive. Flores is one of my favourite places that I’ve travelled to in recent years. It is home to the incredible Komodo National Park, where you can see komodo dragons in the wild, swim in the famed Pink Beach, and of course, there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel to see the abundant and colourful marine life under the surface.
We spent a few days island hopping on a traditional phinisi boat and it was a marvellous way to see the area. It was also quite inexpensive. Your food onboard is included and food off the boat is cheap too (since you are still in Indonesia).
Fiji
Fiji is a favourite holiday destination for Australians too, as it is relatively close to us and offers the tropical getaway at a reasonable price. You might not be able to stay at a resort for a dirt cheap price, but it’s still a far cry from a resort at home.
In Fiji, there is either heaps to do or there’s nothing to do, it’s really your choice. You can sit by the beach, take a cruise, get hammered at the swim-up bar, play golf, go kayaking, hire some jet skis, or even go zip lining through the forest. I had no idea this was an option until I visited and it’s so much fun. One day we even hired bikes and went cycling through the muddy forest to a waterfall.
Cheap destinations abound in our world and no matter where you are, you shouldn’t have to travel far to get there.
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