I’ve spent the last 17 years traveling the world solo, and if there’s one question I get more than any other, it’s this: what are the cheapest places to travel solo? After nearly two decades of budgeting, backpacking, and stretching every dollar across six continents, I finally put it all in one place.
Hi Trisha! I've been reading your posts for months and I'm finally ready to book my first solo trip but I'm terrified of blowing through my savings. I work a regular 9-to-5, I've saved up about $2,000, and that has to last me as long as possible. I don't want to feel like I'm 'roughing it' the whole time, but I also can't afford anywhere fancy. Where in the world can I actually go without stressing about money every single day? I don't even know where to start.
- Sarah, United States
Sarah, here’s the truth: with $2,000, you could realistically travel for weeks, sometimes even months depending on where you go. The world is full of solo female travel destinations where a strong US dollar, low cost of living, and welcoming solo-travel scenes work in your favor.
But not every “cheap” country is created equal, and the difference between a $15 day and a $50 day often comes down to which country and which region you choose.
After nearly two decades of doing exactly this, I’ve narrowed it down to the destinations that consistently deliver the most value without sacrificing safety, culture, or comfort.
Let’s break it down continent by continent, starting with the region that taught me just how far a small budget can really go! Good luck and feel free to send me an email if you have any questions!
Xx, Trisha (@psimonmyway)
✈️ If you’re like Sarah and want a plan built specifically around your budget, timeline, and comfort level, I offer 1-on-1 solo travel consult calls where we map it out together. No generic advice, just a real itinerary that fits your $2,000 (or whatever your number is).
[Book a solo travel consult call →]
If there’s one region that made me realize how far a small budget can stretch, it’s Asia. Hands down home to some of the cheapest places to travel solo anywhere in the world!
I’ve backpacked through parts of it solo on less than $30 a day and still eaten well, slept comfortably, and seen more than I expected to.
A quick note before we get into it: traveling solo on a budget doesn’t mean traveling recklessly.
I always kept digital copies of my documents, used trusted transport apps (Grab is a lifesaver across Southeast Asia) instead of hailing random taxis, and did a bit of homework on common scams before landing anywhere new.
None of the countries below felt unsafe to me as a solo traveler, but like anywhere, staying alert and doing your research goes a long way.
With that said, here are three of the cheapest places to travel solo in Asia that consistently surprised me with how affordable they were.
Nothing tested or rewarded, my budget-travel instincts like India. I once ate a full thali meal for less than $1 and took a multi-hour train ride for the price of a coffee back home.
It’s chaotic, overwhelming at times, and unlike anywhere else, but if you’re looking for the cheapest places to travel solo, this is as good as it gets.
Why India is so cheap for solo travel: India’s economy is built around serving a huge domestic population, which means prices are naturally low — and that benefits solo travelers enormously.
Vietnam might be the country where I felt like I was getting away with something. A bowl of pho for $1.20, a guesthouse room for $6, and an overnight sleeper bus that doubled as my hotel for the night.
It all added up to some of the lowest daily spends of my entire trip, and reinforced why Vietnam keeps showing up on lists of the cheapest places to travel solo in Southeast Asia.
Why Vietnam is so cheap for solo travel: The cost of living is low across the board, and once you’re outside Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, prices drop even further. Sapa, in particular, felt like a steal.
Thailand was my first taste of budget travel done right, and it’s often the entry point for first-timers searching for the cheapest places to travel solo.
I remember paying around $7 a night for a clean hostel dorm in Chiang Mai, and my go-to dinner (pad see ew from a street cart) never cost more than $2.
Hopping on a local songthaew instead of a taxi saved me even more, though I’ll admit the islands (Koh Phi Phi, I’m looking at you) tempted me to loosen the purse strings.
Why Thailand is so cheap for solo travel: Thailand’s tourism scene is massive and competitive, which keeps prices low almost everywhere except the most touristy pockets. Head north to Pai or Chiang Rai if you want your dollar to go even further.
Africa surprised me in a different way than Asia did — the landscapes and history felt richer than the price tag ever suggested, and it quietly holds some of the cheapest places to travel solo on the continent’s less-touristed edges.
As a solo traveler, I did more planning here than I did in Southeast Asia: research on safe transport options, checking neighborhoods before booking accommodation, and occasionally arranging a driver instead of navigating unfamiliar routes alone at night.
It’s worth it, though these three countries proved that an incredible trip doesn’t require a big budget.
Ethiopia might be the most underrated of the cheapest places to travel solo that I’ve been to. A plate of injera with several stews cost me around $2, and a guesthouse room in Addis Ababa ran $8–10 a night. Getting around by minibus was chaotic but dirt cheap, and I never felt like I was paying a “tourist price.”
Why Ethiopia is so cheap for solo travel: Ethiopia sees far less tourism than its neighbors, so prices stay grounded in the local economy rather than inflated for visitors. Lalibela and the northern circuit are especially good value.
Egypt had a way of making me feel like I was splurging even when I wasn’t. Hostel beds in Cairo cost $6–10, koshari (Egypt’s go-to street food) was under $1.50, and even a felucca ride on the Nile didn’t break the bank.
Bargaining is part of the culture here, so prices flex depending on how well you negotiate — one more reason Egypt lands on so many lists of the cheapest places to travel solo.
Why Egypt is so cheap for solo travel: A weaker local currency against the dollar/euro stretches foreign travelers’ money significantly, even as prices rise for essentials.
Morocco felt like the “gateway” African destination for a lot of solo travelers I met — accessible, atmospheric, and still affordable. Riads in Marrakech ran $12–18 a night for a private room, tagines cost $3–5, and shared grand taxis made intercity travel cheap and social.
Why Morocco is so cheap for solo travel: Morocco’s tourism infrastructure is well developed, but competition among riads and street vendors keeps prices reasonable outside peak season and the most touristy squares.
South America stretched my budget further than I expected, especially outside the well-worn Peru-Bolivia-Chile loop. It’s also where I felt my solo-travel instincts sharpen the most: busier bus terminals, more Spanish practice, and a bit more street smarts required.
If you’re chasing the cheapest places to travel solo with dramatic scenery to match, this continent delivers.
Bolivia might be the most underrated of the cheapest places to travel solo on this entire continent. A three-course “almuerzo” (set lunch) cost me around $2.50, and a private hostel room in La Paz ran $6–8 a night.
Even the famous Salar de Uyuni tour (normally a splurge item elsewhere) was shockingly affordable when booked locally.
Why Bolivia is so cheap for solo travel: Bolivia has the lowest cost of living in South America, and tourism infrastructure, while growing, hasn’t driven prices up the way it has in neighboring countries.
Colombia surprised me with how much personality $25 a day could buy. A plate of bandeja paisa cost around $3, hostel dorms in Medellín ran $8–10, and hopping between cities by bus was both scenic and cheap. It’s easy to see why Colombia keeps climbing the ranks of the cheapest places to travel solo in South America.
Why Colombia is so cheap for solo travel: A favorable exchange rate for foreign travelers, combined with a well-developed backpacker circuit, keeps prices low without sacrificing comfort or safety.
Peru asked for a slightly bigger budget, mostly thanks to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, but everyday costs stayed low.
A hearty menú del día lunch was around $3, and hostel beds in Cusco ran $8–10. Even with the bucket-list splurges, Peru still ranks among the cheapest places to travel solo if you’re strategic about it.
Why Peru is so cheap for solo travel: Outside major tourist hubs like Cusco and Lima, prices drop significantly, and local transport (colectivos, buses) remains extremely affordable.
Europe has a reputation for draining budgets fast, but a handful of countries quietly buck that trend. These three proved that Europe still has a few pockets that belong on any list of the cheapest places to travel solo — you just have to know where to look.
Albania might be the most underrated of the cheapest places to travel solo on the entire continent. A hearty plate of byrek cost me around $1.50, and a private hostel room in Tirana ran $10–12 a night.
The Albanian Riviera, often compared to the Amalfi Coast at a fraction of the price, was the real showstopper.
Why Albania is so cheap for solo travel: Albania’s tourism industry is still developing compared to its Balkan neighbors, which keeps prices low even as word gets out about its coastline and mountains.
Romania stretched my budget further than I expected for an EU country. A full meal of sarmale cost around $4, hostel dorms in Bucharest ran $8–12, and train travel between cities like Brasov and Sighisoara was both scenic and cheap.
It’s easy to see why Romania keeps appearing on lists of the cheapest places to travel solo in Europe.
Why Romania is so cheap for solo travel: Romania hasn’t fully caught up to Western European price levels, and its currency (the leu) stays favorable for travelers holding dollars or euros.
Portugal asked for a noticeably bigger budget, but it still felt like a bargain compared to the rest of Western Europe. A petisco-style dinner ran $8–10, hostel beds in Lisbon cost $18–22, and the extensive train and bus network made getting around affordable.
Even at this higher price point, Portugal remains one of the cheapest places to travel solo in Western Europe specifically.
Why Portugal is so cheap for solo travel: Portugal’s cost of living is lower than most of its EU neighbors, though popularity in cities like Lisbon and Porto has been pushing prices up in recent years.
? Exploring Europe’s cheaper countries like (Albania or Romania) often means going where trains and buses just don’t reach. That’s where a rental car can actually save you money, especially when the cost is spread across a few weeks of solo exploring instead of piecing together taxis and tours. If you’re planning a road trip through Europe’s budget-friendly gems, this is worth comparing before your dates fill up.
[Compare Rental Car Prices →]
Oceania is easily the priciest region on this list. Isolation and import-dependent economies mean even its “budget” countries cost more than backpacking staples elsewhere.
Still, these three islands proved that solo travel in the Pacific doesn’t have to break the bank, as long as you adjust expectations from Southeast Asia-level prices.
Samoa might be the most underrated of the cheapest places to travel solo in the Pacific. A plate of oka (Samoan-style ceviche) cost me around $5, and a beach fale (a simple open-air hut right on the sand) ran $15–20 a night, often including breakfast. Local buses were slow but ran for pocket change.
Why Samoa is so cheap for solo travel: Samoa’s beach fale culture keeps accommodation prices low by design, and the local economy hasn’t been reshaped by mass tourism the way some other Pacific nations have.
Vanuatu stretched my budget a bit further, mostly due to imported goods driving up food costs. A simple meal at a local market ran $5–7, guesthouse rooms in Port Vila cost $15–18, and getting between islands added up quickly. Still, for the Pacific, Vanuatu holds its own among the cheapest places to travel solo if you stick to local eateries and transport.
Why Vanuatu is so cheap for solo travel: Vanuatu is cheaper than Fiji partly because it sees less tourism infrastructure investment, keeping prices more grounded outside the capital.
Fiji asked for the biggest budget on this list, but backpacker-style travel is still very doable. Dorm beds at budget resorts ran $18–22 (often including meals), local curry dishes cost $4–6, and inter-island boats made hopping around manageable on a budget.
Even at this price point, Fiji remains one of the cheapest places to travel solo in the South Pacific specifically.
Why Fiji is so cheap for solo travel: A well-established backpacker resort circuit (especially in the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands) offers all-inclusive-style pricing that keeps daily costs predictable, even if not dirt cheap.
The Middle East rarely makes it onto budget travel lists, but it deserves to. Between ancient history, incredible food, and legendary hospitality, this region quietly holds some of the cheapest places to travel solo outside of Asia.
As a solo female traveler, I did a bit more research here than usual, checking current entry requirements and local customs, but never once regretted adding it to my route.
Turkey might be the best value-for-history trade I found anywhere on this list. A full meal of kebab and pide cost me around $4, and a hostel dorm bed in Istanbul ran $8–12 a night.
Long-distance buses between cities like Cappadocia and Antalya were comfortable, cheap, and often ran overnight to save on a night’s accommodation.
Why Turkey is so cheap for solo travel: A weaker Turkish lira against the dollar and euro has made Turkey increasingly affordable for foreign travelers in recent years, even as prices rise for locals.
Jordan asked for a slightly bigger daily budget, largely due to Petra’s entry fee, but everyday costs stayed reasonable. A plate of mansaf ran around $5, hostel dorms in Amman cost $8–12, and shared taxis (known as “servees”) made intercity travel both cheap and efficient.
Even with Petra factored in, Jordan still ranks among the cheapest places to travel solo in the region if you budget around that one splurge.
Why Jordan is so cheap for solo travel: Outside major tourist sites, Jordan’s cost of living is low, and a strong backpacker trail between Amman, Petra, and Wadi Rum keeps hostel competition (and prices) reasonable.
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