As many of us feel the effects of the cost of living crisis, we are all looking for ways to cut costs while still enjoying life. And going on vacation is an important part of that.
Sure, you want sunshine and a good life, but you don’t want to pay unexpected money for it.
There’s more to it than just checking off your vacation budget for cheap flights. A truly great value travel experience requires affordable accommodation, free sightseeing, and most of all, plenty of street food.
With that in mind, here are 10 cheap vacation spots that will give you some adventure without breaking the bank. Since these are all about cheap short-haul flights, I’ve also included some flights closer to home that you might not have expected.
France
You might not expect France to be on the list of cheapest countries to visit, but let us surprise you. First, flights to France are cheap. You can also find one-way flights from Manchester to Marseille from just £15. does not matter.
Of course, hotels in major cities like Paris, Lyon, Nice and Bordeaux may be expensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay there. Camping is a cheaper option throughout France. There are many local campsites on the outskirts of Paris, so you can sleep under canvas at night and explore the city during the day. Plus, there are cheap campsites all over the countryside for sleeping under the stars. You can also rent a car in France from as little as £17 a day and get transportation from your campsite to various attractions.
Average cost in Paris, France
Restaurants: Some of the most affordable restaurants in Paris start from £20-30 per meal.
Transport: Get unlimited travel with a Navigo Pass (£18.50 per week).
Museums: Top things to do in Paris include visiting world-famous museums such as the Louvre (admission £10-£13).
Accommodation: Stay in tech-friendly campsites (from £10 to £30 per night)
Car rental: from £17 per day
Morocco
Morocco is perfect for British travelers looking to travel a little further away from their European holiday destinations. Although it’s not too far by plane, the North African country is full of Berber culture, desert landscapes, and bustling bazaars. Casablanca and Marrakech have a mix of ornate architecture and handicraft markets, while Essaouira on the west coast is a beautifully faded seaside resort (famous for being where Jimi and Hendrix vacationed in the summer of 1969). is).
Hotels in Morocco are great deals no matter where you go. The 4-star Riad Gari & Spa in Marrakech has rooms from £65 per night, while The House by His Riad Inna in Essaouira costs £15 per night.
Elsewhere in the country, you can admire the Atlas Mountains, where the Greek god Atlas is said to have fallen when he could no longer bear the weight of the world. You can also go down to the ocher belt of the Sahara desert and read a book. Ride a camel.
Average travel cost for Marrakech (Morocco)
Meals at local restaurants: £3
Fine dining meal: £15
Local beer: £2
Taxi: 40p per km
Budget hotels or hostels: from £5 per night
Mid-range hotel or riad in Marrakech: £30-40 per night
Car rental: from £20 per day
Türkiye (Turkiye)
History, culture, virtually guaranteed sun…Turkey has it all. The first stop on your budget-friendly trip is Istanbul. Try the street food’s signature balik ekmek (fish of the day sandwich) before visiting Hagia Sophia. This 1,500-year-old complex of his was used as a church during the Byzantine period and then as a mosque by the Ottoman Empire. Since it was recently returned to the mosque, admission is now free.
Apart from its grand historical importance, Turkey is also home to endless golden beaches along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, where traditional yacht cruises are a must. Another highlight is the inland village of Pamukkale, where you can channel your inner Roman while soaking in thermal pools.
We are fans of small and friendly guesthouses. You’re sure to receive a warm welcome at Istanbul’s glamorous Buyukada Cankaya Hotel. Rooms cost around £100 per night.
India
India, the mother of all adventure destinations, doesn’t necessarily scream ‘luxury’, but traveling to this awe-inspiring country has its perks. And one of the biggest things is for your wallet.
Spending weeks traveling by train or road between colorful cities, temples and historic buildings will only cost you around £300. Because the average daily budget for three meals, drinks, a few rickshaw trips and a comfortable bed can be less than £20 per person. You may also find it cheaper in off-the-beaten-path locations.
Entry to the Taj Mahal costs around £10, and a privately guided multi-day Himalayan hiking tour proves to be one of the world’s most affordable epic adventure experiences.
Average travel cost in India
Meals at local restaurants or street food: from 50p
Great restaurant meals: often less than £5
Local beer: 70p
Rickshaw: 20 pence per kilometer, but drivers are willing to haggle. Please make sure to agree to the set price before traveling.
Train: £15-20 for a long overnight journey
Cheap hotels or hostels in Goa: from £5 per night
Mid-range hotels in New Delhi: £15-30 per night
Car rental: from £29 per day
Spain
As with France, flights from the UK to Spain are cheap. Direct flights to Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela and more for less than £20. Food and drinks are also much cheaper than at home. A half-litre glass of chilled local beer costs around £1, while a bottle of mid-priced wine costs less than £5 in the supermarket. Bargain.
Even if you live in an expensive city like Barcelona, Madrid or Valencia, you can still buy cheap tapas meals at local restaurants away from the tourist areas. Additionally, there are campgrounds across the country where you can save on lodging costs.
Average cost in Madrid, Spain
Eating out: Meals in mid-range restaurants in Madrid cost between £8.50 and £17 per person.
Public transport: Tube tickets cost between £1 and £2
Coffee: A cup of coffee usually costs around £1.30 in Madrid
Campsites: from £24 per night in summer
Car rental: from £7 per day
Portugal
Whether you’re traveling to Lisbon, Porto, Faro or Madeira, you can find relatively cheap flights to Portugal from a variety of UK airports. When you come here you will notice that the food is also much cheaper than in England. In Lisbon’s tourist restaurants, you can get a three-course meal with wine or beer for around £20. Plus, a pint of beer at a bar will set you back just under £3.
Libson itself is a super cool city to visit, whether it’s eating at Time Out Market, climbing the castle, or riding the number 28 tram. Porto is full of wine, ports and culture, while the Algarve brings sunshine without breaking the bank.
Average cost in Lisbon, Portugal
3-course meal in a tourist restaurant: £20
Local beer: 1 pint £3
Pastel de Nata: £1 each
Local train fare: £1 to £3 depending on distance
Vietnam
Yes, it will cost a little more to fly to Vietnam, but the cost of living will more than make up for it once you get there. He can stay in Ho Chi Minh City’s top luxury hotels for as little as £80 a night. La Bella Saigon Hotel offers 5-star luxury and a rooftop pool. Alternatively, you can stay in a local guesthouse for around £20 per night. You can also stay at Hanoi’s famous Grand Plaza Hotel for around £80 a night. Very cheap for his 5 star hotel in the capital.
Come here and enjoy the treasures of Vietnam. Wander the narrow streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, explore the imposing limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, immerse yourself in the vibrancy of Ho Chi Minh City, and don’t miss the beaches of Da Nang. The beautiful ancient city of Hoi An is worth a visit.
Additionally, you can enjoy a fresh beer on the roadside in Hanoi for around 30p and buy street food for £1.
Get into safari mode early by booking a large luxury tent at Wildebeest Eco Camp in Nairobi for around £25 a night.
Average cost in Hanoi, Vietnam
Budget hotels: around £20
Luxury hotels: £50 to £80
Meals: Meals at local restaurants cost around £2 to £5.
Drinks: Local beers usually cost around 30-60p
Car rental: from £32 per day
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is one of the cheapest holiday destinations in Europe. In fact, if you’re looking to party, Sunny Beach is consistently named as one of the most budget-friendly vacation spots around the world. Besides the hedonistic lifestyle of Sunny Beach, the Black Sea port city of Varna is also worth a visit. Book a room at the 4-star Capitol Hotel for less than £70 a night.
Away from the beaches, Bulgaria has mountains for hiking in the warmer months and skiing in the winter. In fact, a ski holiday in Bulgaria is one of the cheapest in Europe.
If you want to learn about the culture, head to the capital, Sofia. Take a day trip to St. Alexander He to admire the beauty of Nevsky Cathedral, check out St. Paraskeva Church, and visit Rila Monastery. You can stay at the Central Hotel Sofia for around £74 a night.
Average travel cost in Bulgaria
Dine at a local restaurant or street food: from £10 per person
Dine in a nice restaurant: from £29 per person
Local beer: £1.50 for 500ml
Budget hotels: £38 per night
5-star hotels: £80-100 per night
Car rental: from £20 per day
Indonesia
The biggest expense when traveling to Indonesia is airfare, but once you land, you’ll find it’s a very cheap destination. At Le Grande Bali you can stay in a five-star luxury hotel for less than £40 a night, while his five-star beach bungalow at Meili Bali Villas and Bungalows costs less than £60 a night.
You can buy delicious Indonesian street food for around £1, and Bali’s local warungs (restaurants) offer local cuisine for around £2. A small Bintang beer costs nearly £2. Surfing lessons on Bali’s famous beaches cost less than £10.
Relax on the sand, enjoy a beachside beer, dip your toes in the water and count the money you save on this tropical getaway.
Average travel cost in Bali, Indonesia
Street food: £1
Bintang beer (small): £2
Surfing lesson: £10
Stay in a 5-star hotel: £50-£60 per night
Car rental: from £29
Hungary
Although Budapest has become increasingly popular in recent years, it remains one of the cheapest cities in Europe. So what to do in Budapest? Have a drink in a crumbling ruin bar, soak in a thermal pool (Széchenyi Thermal Baths is the most popular), visit Buda Castle, check your shoes on the banks of the Danube, and admire St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Also, don’t forget to explore this amazing city on a river cruise, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other.
If you like to drink, get out of town and explore Hungary’s 22 wine regions.
In Budapest, a night’s stay starts at £25 in a local guesthouse like Omega Guesthouse Budapest, to £60 a night in a four-star hotel like Marmara Hotel Budapest.
Average travel cost for Budapest, Hungary
Train tickets: £1 to £3 depending on distance
Affordable restaurant meals: £5 to £10 per person
Riverboat Cruises: From £20 per person
Local beer: £2
Stay in an affordable hostel/guesthouse: £25 to £30
4-star hotel: approximately £60 to £80
Car rental: from £11
All prices and details are subject to change and availability.
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