12 Cheap Countries You Can Travel to for Less Than $40 a Day
You do not need a big salary to see the world. In plenty of places, forty dollars a day covers a bed, three good meals, local transport, and a memorable thing to do — with change left over for an iced coffee. These cheap countries under 40 a day are proof that a tight budget does not mean a thin experience. From lantern-lit old towns in Vietnam to blue streets in Morocco and salt flats in Bolivia, each destination below stretches your money while still giving you the moments you actually travel for. Use this list to pick a first stop, or to build a longer slow-travel route where every day costs less than a dinner out back home.
1. Vietnam
Vietnam rewards slow travelers with huge variety for very little money. Wander the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An in the evening, cruise past the limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay, and hike through the rice terraces around Sapa. The street food alone is worth the flight: a bowl of pho, a crisp banh mi, and fresh spring rolls can cost less than a coffee at home. Budget guide: local meals $1–$3, guesthouses $5–$15 a night, and scooter rental a few dollars a day keep most days comfortably under $40.
2. Indonesia
Indonesia is far more than Bali, though Bali on a budget is very doable too. Head to Lombok or the Gili Islands for quieter beaches, walk the Campuhan Ridge in Ubud, and watch sunrise from Mount Batur. Local warungs serve nasi goreng and mie goreng for a couple of dollars, and guesthouses with breakfast are easy to find. Budget guide: meals $1–$3, stays $6–$15 a night, and scooter rental about $5 a day.
3. Guatemala
Guatemala is colorful, compact, and wonderfully affordable. Explore the cobblestone streets of Antigua, take a boat across Lake Atitlan to small lakeside villages, and browse the huge market at Chichicastenango. A guided hike up Volcan Pacaya, where you can roast marshmallows over volcanic heat, costs around $10. Budget guide: street food $1–$3, hostels $8–$15 a night, and local chicken buses under $1 for short rides.
4. Turkey
Turkey packs continents of contrast into one affordable trip: Istanbul’s spice markets and ferries, the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, and the beaches of the Turquoise Coast. A ferry between Europe and Asia costs about a dollar, and wandering the Grand Bazaar is free. Budget guide: street food $1–$4, hostels or pensions $10–$20 a night, and city trams and buses usually under $1 a ride.
5. Cambodia
Cambodia is quiet, warm, and one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia. Angkor Wat at sunrise is the famous splurge — a one-day pass is around $37 — but the rest of the country runs on a few dollars a day: riverside cafes in Phnom Penh, night markets in Siem Reap, and lazy beaches on Koh Rong. Budget guide: meals $1–$3, hostels $5–$12 a night, and tuk-tuk rides usually under $2.
6. Bolivia
Bolivia feels like another planet on a backpacker budget. The Uyuni Salt Flats tour, a multi-day trip across blinding white desert and pink lakes, starts around $70 for three days including transport and lodging — extraordinary value for a once-in-a-lifetime landscape. In La Paz, ride the cable cars for under a dollar and browse the Witches’ Market. Budget guide: meals $1–$3, budget stays $5–$12 a night, and long bus rides $2–$10.
7. Morocco
Morocco is all color and texture: blue Chefchaouen, the maze-like medinas of Fez and Marrakech, mint tea on a rooftop, and sunsets over the Sahara. Spend mornings getting happily lost in the souks, where just walking through is an experience, and afternoons hiking in the Atlas Mountains. Budget guide: meals $2–$5, riads or hostels $10–$20 a night, and small taxis $1–$2 a ride.
8. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka gives you beaches, mountains, wildlife, and ancient temples in one compact island. Ride the famous Kandy to Ella train through tea country, hike Little Adam’s Peak, and end the day on a quiet beach at Mirissa or Hiriketiya. The food is a highlight on its own: kottu, dhal curry, and fresh tropical fruit for a few dollars. Budget guide: meals $1–$3, guesthouses $7–$15 a night, and scenic trains and buses $1–$5.
9. Philippines
With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is made for slow island-hopping. Snorkel in El Nido or Coron, hike to Kawasan Falls, and eat grilled seafood steps from the sand. Ferries and jeepneys keep transport cheap, and beach guesthouses are easy to find. Budget guide: meals $2–$4, guesthouses $8–$18 a night, and local transport usually under $2.
10. Nepal
Nepal is a budget traveler’s paradise, especially if you love mountains. Trek through the Annapurna region with teahouses along the route, paddle a boat on Pokhara’s lake, and visit the temples and squares of Kathmandu. Even a jungle walk in Chitwan National Park can be done on a modest day budget. Budget guide: meals $1–$3, guesthouses and teahouses $5–$10 a night, and buses $1–$3.
11. Egypt
Egypt feels larger than life, and it is surprisingly affordable. Admire the Pyramids of Giza, wander the Khan El Khalili Bazaar in Cairo, ride a shared felucca on the Nile, and explore the temples of Luxor and Karnak. Many small museums and mosques cost only a few dollars or nothing at all. Budget guide: meals $1–$3, budget hotels $8–$20 a night, and metro or minibus rides $0.25–$2.
12. Thailand
Thailand is the classic first backpacking trip for a reason: it is easy, friendly, and cheap. Visit temples in Bangkok for a couple of dollars, eat pad thai and mango sticky rice from street stalls, and hop between free public beaches in Krabi or Koh Lanta. Renting a scooter for a few dollars a day opens up waterfalls and viewpoints in Chiang Mai and Pai. Budget guide: street food $1–$3, hostels $8–$15 a night, and local transport usually under $2.
Planning Tips for Cheap Countries Under 40 a Day
A few habits keep these cheap countries under 40 a day, day after day. Eat where locals eat, stay in guesthouses and hostels rather than resorts, and use buses, trains, and shared taxis instead of private cars. Travel in the shoulder season when rooms are cheaper, and build your days around free pleasures — beaches, markets, hikes, and old towns — with one paid highlight, like Angkor Wat or a salt flats tour, as the splurge. Keep a small daily budget in a notebook or phone note, and you will quickly see how far $40 actually goes. For more wallet-friendly trip planning, see our cheap vacation ideas and our budget-friendly beach vacations in the US. Couples can also find cheap anniversary trip ideas in the US for a romantic low-cost getaway. Check Lonely Planet guides and the US State Department travel advisories before you go.
Travel does not have to be expensive to be unforgettable. Whether you pick one country from this list or string several together, a little planning and an open mind will take you further than a big budget ever could. Choose the place that excites you most, book the flight when the price is right, and go see how much of the world $40 a day can actually buy.
What is the cheapest country to visit under $40 a day?
Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, and Bolivia are among the cheapest, with many travelers spending $20–$30 a day on food, lodging, and local transport.
Can you really travel for less than $40 a day?
Yes, in the countries on this list. Eating local food, staying in guesthouses, and using public transport keeps daily costs low, though flights and major attraction passes are extra.
Which cheap country is best for first-time budget travelers?
Thailand and Vietnam are great first picks: both are traveler-friendly, easy to get around, and full of affordable food, stays, and activities.
How much should I budget for a month in a cheap country?
At $30 a day, a month costs around $900 plus flights. Slow travel, longer stays, and cooking some meals can bring that down further.
Is $40 a day enough for a couple traveling together?
A couple sharing a room often spends less per person than a solo traveler, since lodging and some transport costs are split — $40 per person is usually comfortable in these destinations.
Emily Carter is the founder and editor of Her Everyday Nest. After nine years of renting in five apartments across three cities, she's learned how to make any rental feel like home.
