A trip to foreign places is the dream of almost every traveler. Every travel freak wants to explore the beautiful places of the world. But our responsibilities and money issues keep us away to fulfil this dream. Sure, everyone loves an international trip but not everyone can afford their dream vacation.
Until you save up, these destinations have a lot to offer at a ridiculously low price. The list is compiled based on the quality and return of what you spend in each of these destinations. Here we listed the cheapest countries that you can visit from India.
Also see: Budget International Trips under 50000 INR from India
Cheapest Countries To Visit From India
These are the cheapest countries to visit from India:
1. Nepal
The buffer state right above India, Nepal sits right with the mighty Himalayas. You can visit this beautiful country and the snow peaks at a nominal amount of money, just as if you’re visiting an Indian state. And there’s no lengthy process for obtaining visas too. You can visit as a tourist, a hiker, or even as someone seeking enlightenment among the snowy peaks.
The rent for rooms starts at INR 1000 to 2000. And the Nepalese rupee is worth a little more than half an Indian rupee, so your expenses if calculated in terms of INR will make the trip cheaper than traveling within India itself. The popular temples and holy sites mostly have free entries. Additionally, you can visit the various National Parks and wildlife reserves like Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, and Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. The expenditure on food can start from INR 500, depending on the type of food and place you select; but that’s still nearly half the cost of that in India. And the same goes for transport too.
2. Vietnam
A simple country, rich with natural beauty and history, Vietnam is a great spot to visit for a nearby international trip. Flights are cheap, and visas are easy to get from India, this place is ideal for backpackers and adventurers who have a fixed budget.
A simple hostel costs less than INR 1000 per night for stay and meals can cost up to INR 800. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sapa, and Ha Long Bay are some of the places to visit along with several beautiful monasteries and temples. You can shop at the local market, and also get one of the several tours like market tours, culture tours, wildlife and island tours too. The conversion to Vietnamese dong from INR is in favor of Indians, and that contributes to the cheap travel of this country.
3. Bhutan
Another buffer state in the North from India, Bhutan is named one of the happiest countries in the world and is also the only carbon negative country in the world. With views of the majestic Himalayas and serene atmosphere in the monasteries, Bhutan is the ideal place for some peace and tranquility.
Indians can travel to Bhutan without a visa and the journey is simple from Delhi. From the flight, you can even get a glimpse of Mount Everest from the top. The homestays and simple hotels start from INR 1500 per night in the off-season, and the good ones reach up to INR 2000-4000. Food can cost from INR 100-400 per person, while transportation depends on the area you travel to in this hilly region. Taxis and rented cars are the most convenient and economic for going around.
4. Sri Lanka
One of the largest island countries in the world, Sri Lanka is another neighbor of India, lying a bit East of the Indian peninsula. Simply by the fact that it’s an island, the beaches are deemed to be beautiful and exotic with luxury. All that luxury and natural beauty come at a budget-friendly price too.
Low-cost hotels go as low as INR 700-1000 per night because of the conversion rate, and luxury hotels and resorts cost at standard rates like that in India. The famed exotic Sri Lankan food can cost from INR 300 to 1000 per meal, again depending on the place you choose. Clearly, there are many ways to make the trip budget-friendly. While there you can also indulge in water sports, heritage tours, visit the temples surrounded by natural beauty or even take wildlife tours.
5. Laos
Just next to Vietnam lies, the mountainous country of Laos where other than natural beauty, there are several monasteries and beautiful French architecture to explore. Being a smaller country in comparison, it is easy and cheap to travel within the country too.
Normal hotels start at just INR 2000 while luxury hotels can go from INR 3000. It again depends on the facilities and amenities you want, otherwise, there are plenty of activities to do in the country itself. The options for food range from economical ethnic street food at INR 100 to Western food from INR 300. You can bike around the hills and the beautiful roads too, while local transport like tuk-tuks doesn’t cost that much either (INR 200 for long distances).
6. Thailand
A thrilling party destination as well as a serene escapade, Thailand has it all for all rates. You can start your stay at a mere INR 2000 per night, or spend a bit more to stay in the city to save on transport costs. The modern city has a lot to be explored on foot or local transport, like street food, party clubs, and even heritage sites.
From the city life in Bangkok to the landscapes in Phuket and Pattaya, you can travel internal at modest rates while the trips to the islands can get expensive. The food costs around INR 200 while there’s beer available at a cost of INR 150.
7. Singapore
Once a glamorous holiday destination, Singapore is still the same but just a bit more budget-friendly. This go-to destination for family vacations offers a lot to see and at a modest price due to its tourist-friendly rates. At 50-60 USD per day, you can stay at inexpensive hotels and it also includes food and travel.
For stays more than 3-days, you can get a Singapore Tourist Pass which makes some public transportation free for you and thus saving costs for your trip. Also, there are plenty of free activities to do in Singapore, like visiting the Botanical gardens, walking around town, China Town, visiting the ancient temples, and more. The cost of meals can range from INR 500 to 5000 based on your choice of food.
8. Malaysia
A neighbor to Singapore, Malaysia is also another popular tourist destination for Asians, especially Indians. Serene and pristine natural views, wildlife parks, enjoyable weather, and even exotic beaches; all of that are available for a budget-friendly price.
Per day you’ll need to spend 25-30 USD including accommodation, food, and travel in Malaysia. Many people consider backpacking through Malaysia because of the great weather and pleasant surroundings that allow enjoyable walking and hiking. You can get transportation passes similar to that in Singapore to make transport cheap. As an Indian, you have an advantage in the currency conversion rate and even in visas as you get a 90-day visa-free for travel.
9. Indonesia
This large state made of mostly archipelagos is a growing nation in many aspects. For 8-15 USD you can get comfortable and air-conditioned rooms in almost all cities including Jakarta. There’s a ton of stuff to do once you’re there: visit religious and ancient sites, nature walks, beaches, water sports, and enjoy the tropics. Indians have a visa on arrival option for Indonesia for a maximum stay of 30 days. Local transport is modest in cost, and you can haggle too if the massive currency conversion doesn’t support you either.
10. Maldives
We’ve all seen or heard of someone vacationing in the exotic islands of Maldives. And the fact that it is so popular and luxurious shouldn’t mean that it isn’t that affordable. As a country, Maldives is cheap to travel due to the conversion rate and proper research can get you luxurious resorts at a good price. In the Maldives, the locals can operate their own guesthouses which makes the accommodation really affordable for the tourists who don’t want exotic resorts. To move about the country, there are ferries from the airport going to and from Malé, else you can take domestic flights too. The ferries are cheap and cost around INR 70 for a 20-minute ride.
11. Myanmar
Myanmar is also known as Burma and officially known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. It is a country in Southeast Asia that is bordered by Bangladesh and India. You can enjoy Hot Air Balloon Rides, Cultural & Historical Tours, Nature Walks, Local Shopping and Food Tours in Myanmar.
The trip to Myanmar costs approximately Rs. 40000 if booked 3-4 months in advance. You can get a good hotel in Myanmar for around Rs.1,800-Rs.2,200.
12. UAE
United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an elected monarchy created from a federation of seven emirates that consist Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Desert safaris, Burj Khalifa, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Louvre museum and world’s longest zipline are the main attractions in UAE.
The total trip to UAE costs only Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 55,000 if you book a place for Rs.1,700-Rs.2,300 per person per night. You can enjoy food at Rs. 700-Rs. 1000 per person.
Read More, Budget Places to visit for Best and Cheap European Vacations
There are plenty of choices around the world, but these countries offer more than most in exchange for the price you pay. As an Indian, visas are available on arrival for most and the conversion rates are in your favor. Good planning and research will get you the best prices and the most returns.