Asia Check: 10 Best Affordable Asian Countries for Western Travellers!

Asia is the world’s largest continent comprising of over 48 countries. Whether you’re looking for extreme adventure, cultural inspiration, meditation or even just to meet friendly new people, Asia provides opportunities for all of this and more! A perfect collection of diverse flavours, experiences and landscapes, it’s hard to think of anything that you will not find. Read on to find out about places in Asia to include on your next budget-friendly holiday:

1. Cambodia

Famous for its Angkor Wat temple, Cambodia has a lot more to boast of. If you travel here, you can expect beautiful people, a fresh and modest cuisine and complete value for money. Being one of the least expensive countries in South East Asia, you can manage a great holiday here in around 25 to 30 USD a day. Banlung is a must see because of its beautiful waterfalls and exciting jungle hikes and you must also explore the beaches and museums.

2. Vietnam

This destination can be easily accommodated into any plan that includes Cambodia or Vietnam or even both. All three makes an easy plan for multi destination trip that offers you the perfect balance of nature and culture. Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) is a must visit and even Hanoi, though a little more expensive, is a great place to experience! In Vietnam, you’ll find no shortage of activities to help fill your days. Be it a trip to the market, a hike through the national parks or just time sampling the fantastic beer options; you should get ready for a fun but action-packed schedule where you can expect to spend about 30 to 36 USD for stay, meals, transport and even some exploration.

3. Laos

It is a country that combines boutique experiences, a seamless connection with nature and exquisite cuisine. In Laos, you’ll find all that you can really live in the dreams! As Buddhism is followed by the majority of population, there is a sense of tranquillity and abundance of beautiful sights. Some of the activities worth mentioning are a cruise on the Mekong, where you can explore Si Phan Don archipelago that comprises 400 islands. You should even consider a hike in the Nam Ha & Nam Et- PhouLouey National Parks, and get to roam through the streets of capital city, Vientiane. And all of this comes in a budget of 23 to 28 dollars per day!

4. Sri Lanka

When in Sri Lanka, you’ll almost certainly feel like the country is significantly larger than it looks on the map. Here you can choose between the coastal or inland experiences, each of which has a lot on offer. If you wish to do both, definitely plan a longer trip. With a prominent Buddhist culture, an ambiance of peace prevails, people are friendly, the curries are divine and the roads are fabulous too. Some recommendations include Kandy, Sigiriya, NuwaraEliya and of course, all the beaches are amazing too. And, it’s all at the cost of about 30 USD per day.

5. Thailand

Thailand is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world and it’s not a surprise as it has incredible beaches, cuisine and culture on offer! While Bangkok has always been the number one shopping spot in Thailand, Krabi and Phuket are definitely worth a visit. The southern part of Thailand is a bit more expensive, but, you can expect to spend around 30 USD per day when touring through the rest of Thailand. 

6. India

Many have commented on how India offers an incredibly diverse collection of cultures. Traveling from North to South or even East to West, it would not be unusual for you to feel as though you are crossing the borders of completely different countries. Being such a vast country, you may need to choose either a specific part to explore or plan your multi destination trip to focus only on India. From coastal delights to the grand Himalayas, India includes every kind of landscape, climate and culture you can imagine. Due to how different every part of India is, costs can also differ a lot. Smaller towns and rural areas will always be more economical but the metropolitan cities can often be quite expensive.

7. Indonesia

The ancient Borobudur temple situated near Java is one of the most culturally significant landmarks in Indonesia. It is a must visit and the hike at sunrise is a truly mesmerising experience. Besides Borobudur, Bali is another popular spot. Head over for luxury beach resorts, surfing and socializing. Nusa Dua and Sanur are quieter places in case that’s what you’re in the mood for. And the best part is you’ll manage a great holiday in the range of 25 to 35 USD a day!

8. Nepal

For adventure lovers, Nepal is a paradise. Flying into Kathmandu, you’ll get a real sense of where you’re headed and the rugged beauty will surely steal your heart away. Once in Nepal, you can start by exploring Kathmandu and then head out towards Pokhara, a stunning location surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the world. On the way you can even stopover in Bandipur and another place worth visiting is Chitwan National Park. It goes without saying that Everest Base Camp is also a must see. But for those who wish to take it a little easier, you can even take 18-seater flight to view Everest. On this flight, every passenger has a window seat. While Kathmandu has some restrictions about how much tourists from certain countries need to spend daily, for others this trip can be very economical ranging around 15 to 20 USD for accommodation, food and local transport.

9. Philippines

The rich biodiversity of the Philippines certainly makes it a place that you should put on your bucket list. In the centre of the Philippines Archipelago, is Cebu, an exciting city to explore with the combination of a Spanish and Chinese heritage. Besides this, other islands that you must see are Palawan; known for its diving and then there’s Luzon. The Island of Luzon provides views of the spectacular rice terraces and you will also get to experience the active Taal volcano which rises up from the middle of the lake. All of this and more at only 25 to 30 USD per day!

10. Uzbekistan

Having been on the ancient Silk Route, Uzbekistan was frequently visited by travellers and traders. As a result, Bukhara and Samarkand grew immensely in wealth and architecture. Today, this richness in their culture is very evident and if you ever have the opportunity to visit, you will certainly not be disappointed. The country also offers many opportunities for outdoor activities and you can manage your accommodation, transport and eating on a pocket-friendly budget, ranging from 30 to 35 dollars a day.

Asia certainly offers a range of budget-friendly holidays and, if you wish to pack in more destinations into one trip, a great way of going about it would be to book a multi destination ticket.  Besides the countries listed above Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong-Kong, and South-Korea are also amazing countries to visit in Asia. However, they happen to be a little less budget-friendly. China, Philippines and Indonesia on the other hand have parts that are expensive and others that are perfectly pocket-friendly. If you’re planning a holiday anywhere in Asia anytime soon, outline your budget and starting listing because as we mentioned earlier, there’s something for everybody!