15+ Cheapest Countries to Backpack Before You Die
Backpacking around the globe is one of the cheapest ways to explore world without investing huge amount of money. If you are one who plan your next tour itinerary and looking for cheapest countries to backpack, your search ends here.
It’s no surprise that thousands of people every year pick up their backpack and go on journeys that will last a lifetime. So, get ready folks, here’s your complete guide of cheapest countries to backpack on a budget in 2024. Do not skip out on reading!
16 Best & Cheapest Countries to Backpack
1. Nepal
Nepal is one of the cheapest countries to visit & also a home of Mount Everest, garden of dreams & Himalayas. For adventure lover and hikers, Nepal is truly a unique gem. During your stay in Nepal, you will easily find plenty of hikes, things to do and famous attractions to explore. Shankar Acharya Gate, Durga temple and clock tower are some of the famous attractions.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- Starts from $2.5
Cost Per Day
- $18 per person
2. Thailand
Cheapest backpacking routes in Thailand allows visitors to go for a tropical trip with rich culture & world-class cuisine. Thailand is one of the cheapest countries to backpack, even students could backpack as low as $20 per day. Stroll around Buddhist temples, architectural masterpieces and fill up appetite with local street food and delicious cuisines.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- Starts from $2.3
Cost Per Day
- $22 per person
3. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a backpacking cheap country with green hills, urban cities, tropical gardens, surf beaches and more. The transport and accommodation in Sri Lanka are crazy affordable. Have you ever heard of Bentota? If no, must visit this coastal town to spend few days in budget-friendly way. Also, remember not to miss train journey between Kandy to Ella.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- $0.50-$1
Cost Per Day
- $30 per person
4. Laos
Landlocked country with countless places or destinations to swim. Laos in Southeast Asia is actually a worth-visiting spot for families, adventurers and couples. From North to South, you can backpack in Laos while discovering the famous attractions, top-rated hidden gems and swimming spots. In comparison to Vietnam & Thailand, it’s expensive but still affordable.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- $2 to $5
Cost Per Day
- $30 per person
5. Bolivia
Are you looking for backpacking South America or backpacking around South America? Bolivia is a hidden gem backpacking spot near South America. Go to the untouched parts of amazon forest and surprise yourself with amazing views of Andes Mountains. If you are hesitant about language barrier issues, you can go with group tour.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- Starts from $5
Cost Per Day
- $25 per person
6. Portugal
Portugal is no doubt one of the cheapest countries to backpack in Europe. Enjoy your weekend in Portugal’s capital named as Lisbon and must give Couch Surfing a try for memorable adventure.
For solo travelers, couples and someone who want peace & tranquility, Portugal is the best option to go for. With budget airlines, it is super affordable to go to Portugal.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- $5 to $10 for casual dining.
Cost Per Day
- $42 per person
7. Cambodia
Cambodia’s island is full of gorgeous temples, exotic super markets and beautiful islands. In just three words, it is a mixture of sights, sounds & nature. At roadside stores, you will be able to eat delicious foods for just few dollars. In Southeast Asia backpacking itinerary, it’s impossible to visit Cambodia especially for budget-conscious backpackers.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- $2 to $5
Cost Per Day
- $22 per person
8. Turkey
Turkey is one of the cultural, fascinating and ancient countries to backpack in budget-friendly way. it welcome visitors with ancient ruins, amazing sights, friendly locals and breathtaking scenery. Cappadocia, Blue Lagoons & Istanbul are 3 of the best & must-visit spots. Turkish culture and foods are really exceptional to try.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- Starts from $4.5
Cost Per Day
- $32 per person
9. Guatemala
Guatemala is one of the best backpacking destinations USA and luckily more affordable as compared to Costa Rica and Panama. This destination is totally safe to backpack with epic adventurous views, amazing food scenes and pleasant climate. Semuc Champey, Atitlan Lake, Tikal & EI Paredon are some of the famous places to visit here.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- Starts from $2.58
Cost Per Day
- $43 per person
10. Nicaragua
This central American backpacking destination is an ideal spot for backpackers looking for best countries to backpack solo. Nicaragua is an amazing land of gardens, volcanic peaks, jungle hikes and Mayan sites. Enjoy street food within one dollar and book mid-level accommodations in only $10. What’s more is that it’s easy to get and safe to explore.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- From only $1
Cost Per Day
- $34 per person
11. Iran
Iran may not be the best destination for luxurious experience but still it provides backpackers amazing budget-friendly things. This is a land of ancient history, local foods & immersive culture that can take you breathe away. Kavir National Park, Islamic architecture and unique hospitality is really a unique experience for anyone looking for something unique.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- $2 to $5
Cost Per Day
- $40 per person
12. Pakistan
Backpacking across Pakistan is really a unique Asian experience with mixture of history, art and north side beautiful scenery. Pakistan’s mountains are best in the world that welcome backpacking tourists with world-class beauty, backpacking treks and amiable people. Hitch-hiking is the budget-friendly way for budget travelers.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- As low as starts from just $2 dollar
Cost Per Day
- $13.75 per person
13. India
India is a vast & diverse country and considered as one of the best places to backpack for beginners. It’s cheap, extraordinary in culture and features scenic landscapes. Here, you will experience a combination of colors, flavors & chaos that leave you inspired & surprised. You can also explore unique camping places, Northern mountains and south beaches in India.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- Starts from $5
Cost Per Day
- $56 a day per person
14. Vietnam
Vietnam is rich in street food, diverse landscapes and beautiful coastal towns. You can easily find incredibly affordable food and inexpensive guesthouses. Also, the transportation cost is relatively lower. Visit to Ha Long Bay, rolling sand dunes and Sapa rice fields will definitely make your experience worth-considering and memorable.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- Starts from $2
Cost Per Day
- $50 a day per person
15. Mexico
Do you know that Mexico is the 8th most-visited country on planet? This list would be incomplete without mentioning Mexico. Mexico is a massive north American national country that is home to stunning landscapes. Rugged mountains, barren desserts and tropical rainforests make Mexico one of the famous backpacking destinations.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- $1–$3
Cost Per Day
- Around $15 to $25 per person
16. Morocco
For starting backpacking adventure in Morocco, three major cities i.e., Marrakesh, Casablanca and Chefchaouen places are famous spot to start off backpacking. Above this, you can do hiking, exploring markets and ancient places are some of the best things to do here. No matter where you go, Morocco won’t disappoint you in terms of money.
Pocket-Friendly Meal
- $5 per person
Cost Per Day
- Between $5 and $10 per night
In Summary!
No matter where you want to go for backpacking, there are various cheapest countries to backpack right now. From coastal landscapes to beautiful scenery and new cultures to discover, there’s a lot to do during your next backpacking experience.
We hope that this blog post has given you enough information on cheapest backpacking. All these travel destinations proofed that you won’t need to spend more money on backpacking. Plan your next backpacking adventure today without any delay!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which country is best for backpackers?
Countries that are best for backpackers:
Sri Lanka
Nicaragua
Tibet
Iceland
Mexico
2. What is the least expensive country to visit?
Following are the most budget-friendly countries to visit:
Costa Rica
Indonesia
Laos
Vietnam
India
3. What country is cheaper than USA?
If it’s possible for you to go to USA just because of having higher cost of living, you can go for Portugal. From food to accommodations & daily life experiences, Portugal offers low cost of living.
4. Which country is least expensive?
According to Number’s cost of living index (2024), Pakistan is the least expensive country to visit and explore.
5. Where to backpack for 2 months?
For 2 months backpacking itinerary, you could visit Central America. Flight to Central America is inexpensive and you can start your itinerary either in Mexico or Cancun.
6. Which country is the cheapest to backpack?
Cambodia
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Easter Europe
Bolivia