Asia is the world's best continent for budget travel — but some countries are far cheaper than others. Here is the complete 2027 ranking of the cheapest countries to visit in Asia, with daily budgets and what you get for your money.
Cheapest Asian Countries — 2027 Ranking
| Rank | Country | Daily Budget (USD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pakistan | $15–$25 | Mountains, hospitality, Karakoram Highway |
| 2 | India | $15–$30 | Culture, food, deserts, Himalayas |
| 3 | Nepal | $20–$30 | Trekking, mountains, culture |
| 4 | Vietnam | $20–$30 | Food, beaches, history |
| 5 | Cambodia | $20–$30 | Angkor Wat, beaches, Mekong |
| 6 | Laos | $20–$30 | Slow travel, mountains, Luang Prabang |
| 7 | Bangladesh | $15–$25 | Off-the-beaten-path, river delta |
| 8 | Indonesia (Java/Sumatra) | $20–$30 | Volcanoes, temples, food |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | $25–$40 | Beaches, tea, history |
| 10 | Philippines | $25–$40 | Beaches, island-hopping |
| 11 | Thailand | $25–$40 | Beaches, food, culture |
| 12 | Myanmar | $25–$35 | Temples, Bagan (if political situation allows) |
| 13 | Malaysia | $30–$50 | Cities, food, rainforest |
| 14 | China | $30–$60 | Culture, food, history |
| 15 | Indonesia (Bali) | $35–$60 | Beaches, yoga, rice terraces |
Top 5 Cheapest Asian Countries — Detailed
1. Pakistan — $15–$25/day
Pakistan is the cheapest country in Asia for travellers, and one of the most rewarding. The Karakoram Highway is one of the world's great road trips, the Hunza Valley is paradise, and Pakistani hospitality is legendary. Stay: $5 guesthouse. Eat: $1–$2 local meals. Transport: $2–$5 long-distance buses. Pakistan is safe for tourists in most areas — see UK FCDO Pakistan travel advice.
2. India — $15–$30/day
India offers the most 'experience per dollar' of any country in the world. Stay: $5 dorm, $10 private room. Eat: $0.50 thali, $1 dosa, $2 curry. Transport: $0.20 local bus, $5 overnight train. Activities: $1 Taj Mahal (for Indians; $15 for foreigners), $5 fort entry. India is intense, chaotic and unforgettable — see our related guide on budget travel.
3. Nepal — $20–$30/day
Nepal is the cheapest country in the world for Himalayan trekking. Stay: $5 dorm, $10 guesthouse. Eat: $2 dal bhat, $1 momos. Transport: $0.30 local bus, $10 tourist bus. Trekking: $25–$40/day including permits, guide, food and lodging. See our Nepal travel budget guide for the full breakdown.
4. Vietnam — $20–$30/day
Vietnam is the cheapest country in Southeast Asia. Stay: $5 dorm, $10 private room. Eat: $1 pho, $1 banh mi, $2 bun cha. Transport: $0.30 bus, $15 overnight train. Activities: $1 temple entry, $3 Cu Chi Tunnels. Vietnam has it all — beaches, mountains, cities, food — at incredibly low prices.
5. Cambodia — $20–$30/day
Cambodia is cheaper than Thailand and has Angkor Wat — the world's largest religious monument. Stay: $5 dorm, $10 private. Eat: $2 amok, $1.5 noodle soup, $1 Angkor beer. Transport: $0.50 bus, $1 tuk-tuk. Activities: $1 Royal Palace, $37 Angkor Wat 1-day pass. Cambodia is hot, flat, and very budget-friendly.
Honourable Mentions
Bangladesh — $15–$25/day
Bangladesh is one of the least-visited countries in Asia, and one of the cheapest. The Sundarbans (world's largest mangrove forest, home to Bengal tigers) and the river delta are unique. Stay: $5 guesthouse. Eat: $1 biryani, $0.50 dal. Transport: $0.20 local bus, $5 overnight ferry.
Kyrgyzstan — $20–$30/day
Kyrgyzstan is the cheapest country in Central Asia, with stunning mountains, nomadic culture and yurt stays. Stay: $10 guesthouse, $15 yurt camp. Eat: $2 laghman, $1 plov. Transport: $2 marshrutka (shared taxi). The Tian Shan mountains rival the Himalayas.
Sri Lanka — $25–$40/day
Sri Lanka is slightly more expensive than India but offers tea plantations, beaches, ancient cities and wildlife in a compact country. Stay: $10 guesthouse. Eat: $2 rice and curry, $1 kottu. Transport: $0.50 bus, $3 train. Activities: $30 Sigiriya, $25 Yala safari. Sri Lanka has had political and economic challenges — check current advice.
How to Travel Asia on a $500/Month Budget
If you want to travel Asia for $500/month ($16/day), focus on:
- Pakistan — $15–$25/day = $450–$750/month
- India — $15–$25/day = $450–$750/month (avoid Goa and Kerala)
- Bangladesh — $15–$25/day = $450–$750/month
- Vietnam — $20/day = $600/month (very doable)
- Cambodia — $20/day = $600/month (without Angkor Wat for multiple days)
Cheapest Asian Cities to Visit
| City | Country | Daily Budget | Why Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | Vietnam | $20–$25 | Food, Old Quarter, French colonial architecture |
| Chiang Mai | Thailand | $25–$30 | Digital nomad hub, temples, mountains |
| Luang Prabang | Laos | $25–$30 | UNESCO town, waterfalls, French colonial |
| Pokhara | Nepal | $20–$25 | Lakeside, Annapurna views, trekking base |
| Kathmandu | Nepal | $20–$30 | Temples, Durbar Squares, trekking base |
| Yogyakarta | Indonesia | $20–$25 | Borobudur, Prambanan, batik |
| Siem Reap | Cambodia | $25–$30 | Angkor Wat, Pub Street |
| Kolkata | India | $15–$20 | Colonial architecture, Bengali culture, food |
| Tashkent | Uzbekistan | $25–$30 | Silk Road architecture, cheap |
| Vientiane | Laos | $20–$25 | Sleepy capital, French colonial |
Most Expensive Asian Countries to Avoid on a Budget
- Singapore — $100+/day
- Japan — $80–$150/day
- South Korea — $70–$120/day
- Taiwan — $50–$80/day
- Hong Kong — $80–$150/day
- Bhutan — $250/day mandatory minimum
Visa Costs for Asian Countries
| Country | Visa Cost (USD) | Visa Type |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | $30–$125 | Visa on arrival |
| India | $25–$80 | E-visa |
| Vietnam | $25–$50 | E-visa |
| Cambodia | $30 | E-visa or visa on arrival |
| Laos | $30–$42 | Visa on arrival |
| Thailand | Free for many nationalities | Visa exemption |
| Indonesia | Free for many nationalities | Visa exemption |
| Philippines | Free for many (30 days) | Visa exemption |
| Sri Lanka | $35 | ETA |
| Pakistan | $20–$60 | E-visa |
| Bangladesh | $50 | Visa on arrival |
| China | $140 (US citizens) | Visa required |
| Myanmar | $50 | E-visa |
Money-Saving Tips for Asian Travel
- Eat at local markets and street stalls — 1/3 the price of tourist restaurants
- Stay in dorms or Couchsurf — saves $10–$15/night
- Use local buses and trains — saves $5–$10 per ride vs taxis
- Travel in shoulder season — 20–30% cheaper than peak
- Use Grab/Gojek/Pathao instead of taxis
- Book internal flights on AirAsia, VietJet, Lion Air 2+ weeks ahead
- Avoid Western food — local food is 1/5 the price
- Limit alcohol — beer is cheap but adds up
- Use a LifeStraw instead of buying bottled water — saves $2/day
- Take overnight transport — saves a night's accommodation
Best Budget Asian Destinations by Interest
- Mountains: Nepal ($25/day), Pakistan ($20/day), Kyrgyzstan ($25/day)
- Beaches: Vietnam ($25/day), Philippines ($35/day), Cambodia ($25/day)
- Culture: India ($20/day), Sri Lanka ($30/day), Indonesia ($25/day)
- Food: Vietnam ($25/day), Thailand ($30/day), India ($20/day)
- Temples: Cambodia ($25/day), Indonesia ($25/day), Sri Lanka ($30/day)
- Cities: Vietnam ($25/day), Thailand ($30/day), India ($20/day)
- Off-the-beaten-path: Bangladesh ($20/day), Pakistan ($20/day), Myanmar ($30/day)
Asia is the world's best continent for budget travel — and with 15+ countries under $30/day, you have plenty of options. Pick 1–2 countries for a month-long trip, and you will have an incredible experience for under $1,000. For more budget travel guides, see our how to travel Southeast Asia on $30/day guide and our Nepal travel budget guide.
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