10 cheap travel destinations for a dream holiday on a budget
1. Slovenia – Flights from €128* return
One of Europe’s true hidden gems, Slovenia is one the most beautiful, and cheapest holiday destinations in Europe. Not only is it home to the Slovenian Alps, stunning Lake Bled, lovely Ljubljana and lots of secret wine regions, but it’s also super easygoing on your bank balance.
Start your trip in the Slovenian capital, where you can spend long sunny days sitting out on one of the many terraces lining the river. The city is also famous for its delicious homemade ice-cream shops. We love Cacao the best, especially their mango delight! If you’re looking to get back to nature, try staying in a luxury landscape resort such as Big Berry, situated on the River Kolpa.
Wake up by taking a swim across the river to Croatia (the river forms the border between the two countries!), spend an afternoon wine tasting and learn how Slovenians like to keep things local by making as much of their own produce as possible. Finish your trip in Lake Bled, visiting the castle and renting a small rowing boat to cross the lake and visit the mythical church that lies on an island in the centre.
Looking for more travel ideas? Check out these 7 great destinations in Slovenia.
2. South Africa – Flights from €348* return
South Africa has it all, and thanks to a strong euro and a weak South African rand, it’s possible to have it all very cheap! From game drives to bungee jumping, diving with great white sharks, paragliding off Table mountain, and endless kilometres of perfect beaches, South Africa is an adventure lover’s paradise. It’s like Switzerland or New Zealand, but everything costs about a quarter of the price!
For a few euros you can do surf lessons in Coffee Bay and wine tasting in Stellenbosch. Or throw yourself off Africa’s highest bridge bungee for €80. The beaches are free, and once you see how white the sand is and how clear the water is, you’ll probably never want to leave.
Start your trip in Johannesburg if you are keen to spend a few days on a self-drive safari in Kruger National Park. Or fly to Cape Town if you are dreaming of long, sunny days at the beach, or road tripping up The Garden Route. Be it hiking, biking, sandboarding, kiteboarding or bungee-jumping, South Africa is a true adrenaline junkie paradise, so get ready to spend your days with action-packed adventures. With backpacker hostels starting from as little as €10 a night and private rooms in guesthouses starting from just €20 per night, this is one trip of a lifetime that won’t break the bank.
3. Albania – Flights from €158* return
One of Europe’s least visited countries, Albania is a very new but fast-growing tourist destination. Cheaper than all its neighbours by miles, this country has so much more to offer the visitor than first meets the eye.
Albania shares its southern border with Greece and the beaches of Sarande share the same crystal clear waters as Corfu. You can expect the same quality of resorts, food and drinks for a fraction of the price. In fact, Albania has some of the cheapest beers in all of Europe and you can get dinner for under a tenner in Tirana.
If you’re dreaming of a beach holiday, then head straight to Himara or Sarande for long, sandy beaches, ancient castles and water perfect for snorkelling or boat trips. If you are more interested in history and culture, the ancient city of Berat is an incredibly unique destination. The castle alone is home to over 1,000 residents and offers panoramic views of the city. There is world-class hiking in the north of the country, where you can do multi-day hikes along the Albanian Alps.
Albania is also a great base to visit some of the other countries in the Balkans, many of which are as beautiful as they are cheap. If you have trouble finding cheap flights direct to Albania, fly to nearby Corfu instead. It’s only a €20 ferry ride to Albania.
4. Sri Lanka – Flights from €477* return
While destinations in nearby India have been growing in popularity, and Southeast Asia has always been a popular budget travel destination, Sri Lanka has remained a mystery for a lot of travellers.
One of the most scenic destinations to visit in that part of the world, the country is also blissfully cheap to travel around. Sri Lanka is ideal for sun worshippers, surfers, hikers, or those looking to see huge populations of Asian elephants roaming in the wild. And the obvious lack of package tourists and drunk backpackers makes this a dream destination.
Rent a car (or if you’re feeling super adventurous try touring around in a tuk tuk) and spend the first few days driving south down the coast to Beruwala Bay and the famous coastal city of Galle. Try your hand at surfing in Midigama and book yourself a room with a view at the stunning Weligama Bay Resort. Finish your trip at one of the world’s most unique hotels, Cinnamon Wild Yala, where you might wake up to wild elephants outside your bedroom door!
5. Vietnam – Flights from €430* return
Vietnam has always been a cheap holiday destination and this year is no different. There is so much to see and do in this fascinating country, that you could return once a year and still not see everything on your bucket list.
If you’re tight on time (3 weeks or less) we highly recommend just exploring North Vietnam rather than trying to fit the whole country in. Fly into Hanoi and start your trip by soaking up the electric atmosphere of this buzzing capital city. Be sure to do a food tour to acquaint yourself with all the delicious delicacies. You’ll soon realise you can fill up on some of the tastiest food in the world for a few euros.
Take an overnight bus from Hanoi to Sapa, and spend a few days exploring the terraced rice fields and stunning mountain terrain in the north of the country – either on foot or on a bike. You can then start making your way to the central region by train, stopping off in the ancient city of Hue and the picturesque Hoi An. There, you can get custom-made clothes for a fraction of the price you would pay in Ireland.
Finish your trip relaxing by the beach in Mui Ne, a seaside town famous as a top kiteboarding destination. Accommodation across the country is inexpensive, the street food is amazing and the beer is some of the cheapest in the world. A glass costs less than 50 cents!
You really can’t go wrong with a cheap holiday in Vietnam! Read more about the top 7 places to visit in Vietnam.
6. Kerala, India – Flights from €476* return
While all of India is blissfully cheap to travel through, Kerala is sort of like “India for beginners”. You get a taste of the chaos, the bright colours, the beeping, the bartering and the incredible cuisine, but it’s far safer, cleaner and easier to travel around. It might not be the India you imagine, but it will definitely be the India you won’t stop dreaming about once you visit.
From staying in luxury 5-star hotels such as The Leela Kovalam for a tiny fraction of what you would pay elsewhere, to cruising the backwaters on a house boat, hiking the majestic hills around Wayanad or tea tasting in Munnar, Kerala is as cheap and cheerful a destination as you will ever find. Don’t be surprised to see elephants walking down the roads, vibrant and colourful festivals in tiny villages, or be welcomed to incredibly unique hotels with an entire parade of drums and men in costumes. A trip to Kerala will make you feel like royalty on a pauper’s budget.
When is the best time to visit India? This handy guide has tips to help you plan your trip.
7. Bosnia and Herzegovina – Flights from €119* return
Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of those mysterious European destinations that you probably don’t know too much about.
Ravaged by war up until April 1995, the country has been recovering for over a decade, but has a lot to offer visiting tourists. Neum, in the south of the country, is where you’ll find deserted beaches and the shimmering waters of the Adriatic sea – that same magical water to be found up and down the coast of Croatia. A little further inland you can spend a few days exploring historical Mostar, home to one of the most recognisable bridges in Europe. A true photographer’s dream.
From the famous religious site of Medjogoria to the stunning waterfalls of Kravica and the fascinating capital city of Sarajevo, which once played host to the Winter Olympics but is now a city recovering from the scars of wartime, Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most interesting destinations to visit this year.
Food, drink, transport and accommodation are all very cheap. You can spend your days doing tours of old war tunnels, white water rafting, kayaking or even hiking up old Austro-Hungarian forts for far less than you would pay in any other European country.
Discover Europe’s 10 smallest countries – including Bosnia and Herzegovina’s neighbour, the beautiful Montenegro.
8. Koh Lanta, Thailand – Flights from €420* return
One of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, and far more peaceful than the party-central islands of Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, Koh Lanta is the Thai paradise you have always dreamed about.
Thailand has always been a popular budget holiday destination, thanks to the endless adventure activities and beautiful temples to visit. Koh Lanta is no different. From chilled out beach bars lining the coast, to renting a scooter and touring the island, visiting Koh Lanta National Park, eating at local food markets or spending your days on day trips to neighbouring deserted islands, Koh Lanta is a beach lovers’ heaven.
Home to some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world, which can be watched from the comfort of your infinity pool, which you payed peanuts to bathe in, the fact that it costs so little to go on holiday to somewhere so beautiful is still a mystery to us all. Be sure to pig out on €1 Pad Thai at the local markets and rent a scooter for as little as €8 per day to explore some lesser-known beaches. And if you have time, pay a visit to the Lanta Animal Welfare Foundation, where you can play with, feed, look after and even walk abandoned cats and dogs.
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9. Mexico – Flights from €386* return
Mexico! One of the only places in the world where even saying the word conjures up images of a foodie paradise. Land of mouth-watering tacos, shots of tequila and palm tree-lined beaches calling your name, a trip to this beautiful budget holiday destination could be just what you need.
If you’re looking for a cheap beach holiday, then head straight to the resort town of Cancun, which is one of Mexico’s biggest party destinations. If you’re looking for something a little more peaceful and want to escape the strip of all-inclusive hotels and party places, head down the coast to tropical Tulum. Expect to pay as little as €25 a night for hotel rooms and €3 for some delicious Mexican cuisine, as well as less than €5 for short taxi rides.
Book a flight to Cancun for a heavenly winter sun holiday.
10. Bali, Indonesia – Flights from €518* return
Last but not least on our list of cheap holiday destinations is the magical Bali in Indonesia. While many people view Bali as a honeymoon destination, with exclusive resorts full of the rich and famous, there’s also a budget-friendly side to the island.
A backpacker paradise for many years, Bali is the perfect place to mix coconut cocktails with a taste of culture. Spend your days testing your surfing skills in Kuta, or exploring some of Bali’s more remote beaches on the back of a scooter. Then spend your nights either living it up in Seminyaks’ exclusive Potato Head Beach Club, or partying on the main strip in Kuta.
Mix things up by spending some time in quiet Ubud, where you can go from temple to temple following the scent of incense. Or visit Ubud Monkey Forest, where you’ll quickly lose your love of monkeys!
Bali is home to many of Indonesia’s best beaches. But it’s also a great base for exploring further afield with regular ferries and speed boats to the Gili Islands and Lombok.
Where to find winter sun in April? A sun-drenched holiday in Bali won’t let you down.
*Updated January 2019. Flight prices quoted are for return journeys from Ireland. Prices correct at time of publication. Prices indicative and subject to availability.
Bargain holidays: 10 cheap holiday destinations to visit around the world
| 1. Slovenia |
| 2. South Africa |
| 3. Albania |
| 4. Sri Lanka |
| 5. Vietnam |
| 6. Kerala, India |
| 7. Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 8. Koh Lanta, Thailand |
| 9. Mexico |
| 10. Bali, Indonesia |
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