International travel does not always need to be big money. With Indian travellers, the choice of places to stay/eat/visit (accommodation, transportation and sightseeing) is very easy to make the foreign holiday a little easier on the pocket. Some of the most affordable places in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Africa are a great mix of affordable places to stay/eat/visit and nice things to see and do.
While exchange rates fluctuate and the cost of travel varies considerably on season, time of booking, and travel style for individual travellers, destinations with lower expenses can help Indian tourists to take their budget a bit further. Here are 10 international destinations that should be considered if you are planning a budget travel abroad trip.
1. Vietnam
Vietnam still remains popular among travellers as an affordable international holiday destination. Budget hotels, cheap local food, and cheap public transport in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer a nice price for people to go to history-rich areas of Hanoi city, bustling markets, and cultural places. Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ha Long Bay also allow city sights to be interlaced with beaches and natural landscapes.
2. Nepal
Nepal is a very convenient place for Indian tourists as it has a strong cultural tie to India. Kathmandu has heritage-based temples, traditional markets, and heritage sites, and Pokhara offers mountains, lakes, and adventure places. Given the itinerary, tourists can get cheap and good hotels and places to visit, and the people living there can take part in both short trips and longer holidays.
3. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka offers beaches, wildlife, tea plantations, historic towns, and beautiful train rides in a relatively compact destination. Cities and tourist areas offer hotels at all prices, while local food can be much more affordable than at the top tourist destinations. Colombo, Kandy, Ella, Galle, and the southern coastline can be added on to a longer trip with a variety of itineraries.
4. Indonesia
Indonesia is another place where Indian travellers can find a variety of options from different budget points of view. Bali is the most popular place, but visitors looking for lesser cost experiences can also visit Yogyakarta and Lombok. Visiting local restaurants, guesthouses, and public transport will help with all the daily expenses, and Indonesia’s temples, beaches, and natural landscapes are the best places to visit.
5. Thailand
With its beaches, nightlife, food, and culture, Thailand still draws Indian tourists. Bangkok could be visited using public transport, and Chiang Mai is more relaxed and budget-friendly. If you do not go to the most expensive tourist destinations and peak travel times, you can get cheap street food and accommodation.
6. Cambodia
Cambodia is particularly attractive to history lovers and architects. Siem Reap, home to the Angkor temple complex, is the country’s top tourist attraction. But beyond the temples, people can also visit Phnom Penh, local markets, and Cambodia’s countryside. Low-cost and cheap local dining will also make it a good place to go if you want to control daily expenses.
7. Laos
Laos offers a slower-paced alternative to some of the more busy tourist locations in Southeast Asia. Luang Prabang is known for its temples, colonial architecture, and traditional culture, and Vang Vieng is known for its imposing limestone landscapes and outdoor activities. Local restaurants and guesthouses can be inexpensive for travellers.
8. Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is an ever more intriguing destination for Indian travellers who want to experience a different culture. Historical cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva contain wonderful Islamic architecture, historical trade routes, and bustling markets. Accommodation and local dining can easily be covered on a budget, but international flights and inter-city travel must be factored into the total holiday cost.
9. Georgia
Georgia has mountains, historic towns, wine regions, and a unique taste for food. Tbilisi has modern architecture and old-world architecture, and places like Kazbegi are a great place to visit with mountain views. Hostels, guest houses, and mid-range hotels can be chosen for travellers to stay with a budget of a few hundred dollars. The country is very desirable for many European tourists looking for European-style places to visit without prices for it as much as Western European ones.
10. Malaysia
Malaysia has a mix of modern cities, tropical islands, rainforests, and cultural attractions. Kuala Lumpur is well connected and has various accommodation and food options at affordable prices. Travelers can also visit Penang for its heritage streets and food culture or Langkawi for a beach holiday. A good public transport system in major cities can also help to keep travel expenses down.
But for Indian holiday tourists, the total cost of international travel is much greater than the exchange rate. Airfare represents an enormous portion of the budget; visa costs, travel insurance, hotel price, seasonal demand, and sightseeing costs all affect the final bill. Travelling in shoulder seasons, booking flights and accommodation early, using public transport, and eating at local gastropubs are the ways of reducing costs.
The latest visa rules, entry requirements, currency exchange rates, and travel advisories are also important to look out for before booking an international trip. Exchange rates can change rapidly in the future, and travellers need to calculate their budget on current rates rather than taking as base conversion rates of the conversion figures of the old.
From Vietnam and Thailand to Uzbekistan and Georgia, these destinations show that there are all kinds of holidays with different budgets available for international travel. And with proper research and sensible spending, Indian travellers can go to foreign countries to see new things, eat different food, and see some new places without spending much money.
