The 9 Most Affordable Destinations to Travel in 2027
From Southeast Asian river towns to Balkan mountain capitals, these are the places where your money stretches furthest in 2027 without sacrificing the trip of a lifetime.
Last updated June 22, 2026
Peaceful sunset view of a lake with mountain backdrop in Laos, reflecting serene beauty and nature's tranquility. · Artem Korsakov
"Affordable" means different things to different travelers, but the destinations that win on value share a common trait: a cheap currency, a low cost of living, and enough to see and eat that you never feel like you settled. The picks below are all places where a comfortable day, including a room, three good meals, and a sight or two, can cost less than a single restaurant dinner in Paris or New York.
These are not the cheapest places on earth at any cost to safety or comfort; they are the best balance of low prices and genuine reward in 2027. Each entry tells you what makes it special, what to eat, how to get around, and who it suits best.
Use the list as a shortlist for a year of smart travel: pair a couple of nearby countries into one trip, travel in shoulder season, and let the savings fund a longer stay rather than a fancier one.
1
Luang PrabangNorthern Laos, Southeast Asia Google
This UNESCO-listed former royal capital sits where the Nam Khan meets the Mekong, a town of gilded temples, French-Lao shophouses, and saffron-robed monks. Laos remains one of the cheapest countries in Asia: a clean guesthouse runs a few dollars, a bowl of khao soi costs little more than pocket change, and the night market is a feast of grilled river fish and Lao coffee. Days drift between Wat Xieng Thong, the turquoise tiers of the Kuang Si Falls, and slow boats on the Mekong. It is calm, photogenic, and astonishingly good value.
- Dawn alms-giving procession (tak bat)
- Kuang Si Falls swimming pools
- Mount Phousi sunset over the Mekong
- Lao street food at the Luang Prabang night market
Best for: slow travelers, photographers, first-time Southeast Asia visitors
Getting there: Direct flights from Bangkok, Hanoi, and Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang airport, or the China-Laos high-speed railway from Vientiane (about 2 hours)
2
TbilisiEastern Georgia, Caucasus Google
Georgia's capital tumbles down hillsides above the Mtkvari River, mixing sulphur bathhouses, crooked old balconies, Soviet brutalism, and a thumping wine and natural-bar scene. It is one of Europe's best value cities: hearty meals of khachapuri and khinkali cost a few dollars, wine is poured generously, and many nationalities get a full year visa-free. Wander the Old Town, ride the cable car to Narikala Fortress, and day-trip to the cave city of Uplistsikhe or the wine country of Kakheti. Few capitals deliver this much character for so little.
- Cheese-and-egg adjaruli khachapuri
- Abanotubani sulphur baths
- Narikala Fortress cable car
- Kakheti wine region day trip
Best for: food and wine lovers, budget city breaks, digital nomads
Getting there: Direct flights to Tbilisi from many European and Middle Eastern hubs; cheap marshrutka minibuses and trains connect the rest of the country
Plan it on MagicTrips
3
SucreCentral highlands, Bolivia Google
Bolivia is the cheapest country in South America, and Sucre is its prettiest city: a whitewashed colonial capital of red-tiled roofs and grand plazas at a comfortable 2,800 meters. Spanish lessons, set lunches, and dorm beds all cost a fraction of what you would pay in Peru or Chile, making it a favorite long-stay base. Climb to the Recoleta viewpoint, browse the chaos of the Mercado Central, and use the city as a launchpad for the dinosaur tracks at Cal Orcko and the surreal salt flats of Uyuni. It is relaxed, walkable, and easy on the wallet.
- Mercado Central set lunches and fresh juices
- Cal Orcko dinosaur footprints
- La Recoleta viewpoint at sunset
- Tarabuco Sunday textile market
Best for: long-stay budget travelers, Spanish students, South America backpackers
Getting there: Flights to Sucre via La Paz or Santa Cruz; long-distance buses connect to Potosi, Uyuni, and the rest of Bolivia cheaply
4
Hoi AnCentral Vietnam, Southeast Asia Google
Vietnam is a perennial value champion, and Hoi An is its most charming stop: a lantern-lit former trading port of yellow walls, tailor shops, and riverside cafes. The Old Town glows after dark when silk lanterns reflect on the Thu Bon River, and the regional food, cao lau noodles and white rose dumplings, is some of the country's best. A custom-tailored suit, a cooking class, and a beach day at An Bang all stay remarkably cheap. Rent a bicycle and pedal through rice paddies for the price of a coffee back home.
- Lantern-lit Old Town and the Japanese Covered Bridge
- Cao lau noodles and white rose dumplings
- Custom-tailored clothing
- An Bang Beach and the surrounding rice paddies
Best for: couples, food lovers, first-time Vietnam visitors
Getting there: Fly into Da Nang International Airport, then a 45-minute taxi or shuttle to Hoi An
5
KotorBay of Kotor, Montenegro Google
Montenegro packs Mediterranean drama into one of the Adriatic's cheapest corners, and Kotor is its showpiece: a walled medieval town wedged between fjord-like cliffs and a deep blue bay. The old stone lanes, cat-filled squares, and the breathless climb to the fortress above town rival pricier Croatia for a fraction of the cost. Swim in the bay, drive the serpentine road up to Lovcen, and eat fresh-caught fish and Njegusi prosciutto. It is the value alternative to Dubrovnik, just an hour down the coast.
- Climb to San Giovanni (St John's) Fortress
- Boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks
- Old Town's Romanesque churches and squares
- Njegusi prosciutto and Adriatic seafood
Best for: Adriatic coast on a budget, hikers, couples
Getting there: Fly to Tivat (15 minutes away) or Podgorica; buses run along the coast from Dubrovnik (about 2 hours)
6
PokharaCentral Nepal, Himalayas Google
Nepal offers some of the best mountain scenery on earth at backpacker prices, and lakeside Pokhara is its gateway to the Annapurnas. The town hugs Phewa Lake, with snow peaks mirrored in the water and a string of cheap guesthouses, gear shops, and momo joints. It is the launch point for the Annapurna treks, but you can do plenty without lacing up boots: paddle the lake, paraglide off Sarangkot, and watch the sunrise light up Machhapuchhre. Trekking permits, teahouse beds, and dal bhat all cost very little.
- Sunrise over the Annapurnas from Sarangkot
- Paragliding above Phewa Lake
- World Peace Pagoda hike
- Bottomless dal bhat in teahouses
Best for: trekkers, adventure travelers, mountain lovers on a budget
Getting there: Short flight or 6-7 hour tourist bus from Kathmandu
Plan it on MagicTrips
7
Oaxaca CitySouthern Mexico Google
Oaxaca is Mexico's culinary heart and a remarkable value, especially compared with the resort coasts. The colonial center is full of color, with the grand Santo Domingo church, mezcal bars, and some of the country's most exciting markets. Eat your way through tlayudas, moles, and chapulines at Mercado 20 de Noviembre, then day-trip to the ruins of Monte Alban and the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua. Street food, comedor lunches, and small guesthouses keep daily costs low while the experience stays world-class.
- Seven moles and tlayudas at the city markets
- Monte Alban Zapotec ruins
- Hierve el Agua mineral terraces
- Mezcal tasting in nearby palenques
Best for: food lovers, culture seekers, solo travelers
Getting there: Direct flights from Mexico City (1 hour) and some US cities; comfortable ADO buses from Mexico City or Puebla
Plan it on MagicTrips
8
TiranaCentral Albania, Balkans Google
Albania has become the Balkans' value story, and its capital Tirana is a surprising, colorful base. Communist-era blocks repainted in bold geometry, a buzzing cafe culture, and Bunk'Art's bunker museums make for a few engaging days at very low prices. Espresso costs cents, byrek pastries fuel cheap lunches, and the Dajti Express cable car lifts you to mountain views above the city. From here the famously cheap Albanian Riviera and the stone town of Berat are easy, inexpensive onward trips.
- Bunk'Art Cold War bunker museums
- Dajti Express cable car
- Blloku district cafe and bar scene
- Day trips to UNESCO-listed Berat
Best for: Balkan explorers, budget city breaks, off-the-beaten-path travelers
Getting there: Direct flights to Tirana from many European cities; buses and ferries connect to the Riviera, Berat, and neighboring countries
9
KandyCentral highlands, Sri Lanka Google
Sri Lanka delivers beaches, tea country, wildlife, and ancient cities at low prices, and Kandy sits at its cultural core around a serene lake. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the island's holiest site, and the surrounding hills hold botanical gardens and tea estates. From Kandy you can ride one of the world's most beautiful train journeys through emerald tea fields to Ella for next to nothing. Rice and curry feasts, guesthouses, and tuk-tuk rides all stay cheap, and the welcome is warm.
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Scenic hill-country train to Ella
- Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya
- Rice and curry and Ceylon tea tastings
Best for: culture and nature lovers, train enthusiasts, value-conscious families
Getting there: About 3 hours by train or car from Colombo; the airport is near Colombo with onward train and bus connections
Plan it on MagicTrips
Good to Know
When to go Travel in shoulder season for the best mix of weather and price: late spring and early autumn suit the European and Caucasus picks, while November to March is driest for much of Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka.
Money Carry a no-foreign-fee debit card and some cash, as many markets, guesthouses, and rural buses in these destinations are cash-only. Withdraw larger amounts less often to minimize ATM fees.
Getting around Local buses, shared minibuses (marshrutkas, ADO, tuk-tuks), and second-class trains are where the real savings are, and often the most memorable rides. Book long-distance trains like Kandy-Ella or the Laos railway a day or two ahead in peak months.
Stretch your budget Stay longer in fewer places to cut transport costs, eat where locals eat (markets and family comedores), and pair neighboring countries, such as Georgia with Armenia or Albania with Montenegro, into a single trip.
Visas Several of these countries offer generous visa-free or visa-on-arrival access, but rules change; check your nationality's current requirements before booking flights.
The cheapest trips are rarely the least rewarding; more often they are the ones where low prices buy you time, space, and a deeper sense of a place. Pick one or two of these destinations, travel slowly, and let the savings fund a longer, richer 2027 on the road.