Top 5 Cities Under 30 Dollars Per Day
The notion that travel is always expensive is a myth. There are so many destinations you can travel in the world that will keep you ‘in pocket’ once you get there.
Budget travel does not always mean cheap and nasty, it is often more fun and will surprise you with how much you enjoy yourself by stepping out of the all-inclusive 5 star luxury while not sacrificing comfort or safety in any way. $30 goes a very long way in many parts of the world. Let me show you!
These cities may surprise with their affordability. With this comprehensive breakdown, see how far you can stretch $30 or less per day and not sacrifice any fun…or beer.
CRITERIA
Pay your own way by land or air, then…
$30 USD maximum budget allocation
WHAT YOU GET
1 night of accommodation in a centrally located guesthouse or hostel dorm
2 meals & a snack
A couple of cold beers
A short local transportation ride
1 site visit to a popular tourist attraction in the city or town
NUMBER 5 SIAM REAP – Cambodia
Accommodation
$10
Guest house stay in shared twin room
2 Meals
$8
Sit down restaurant meal
Snack
Numerous street cart options or fruit
Bonus tip – Eat a wok fried spider
2 Beers
$3
2 x Cambodian Angkor Beers bought at a local store
Transport
$2
Short distance on a tuk tuk. Bumpy & cheap.
Activity
$6
City markets tour by tuk tuk with purchase of a tacky souvenir
Insider Tip – Negotiate the length of time for the tuk tuk ride and confirm the price. Do not feel pressured to go to any shops that the driver insists you to go in. It is likely they will be motivated to get you in for the pre-arranged kick back commissions. Just say no & don’t feel forced to do anything you don’t want to, just because you want to appear polite. The best defence is a firm no with a laugh and smile. Remain calm and everyone saves ‘face’
Budget Daily Total
$30
The Final Say
The ever increasing popularity of this south-east Asian hotspot is no longer deemed a forgotten cousin to the better developed and much more expensive neighbours such as Singapore. Cambodia is a long time favourite for budget minded travellers who have long seen through the extreme poverty to recognise the core beauty and charm of the communist nation and in turn kick started a now burgeoning tourism scene.
I must mention that a day long temple visit to Angkor Wat will blow the budget with an additional $20 expense. It’s a must see as the country’s number 1 highlight, however I suggest staying for more than just temples and all of Cambodia is very cost effective, even cheaper than Siam Reap in many cases.
Good weather, cheap food, cheap transport, cheap everything!
TOP 5 CITIES UNDER 30 DOLLARS PER DAY
NUMBER 4 CUSCO – Peru
Accommodation
$10
Dorm room in Loki Hostel Cusco
2 Meals
$8
2 x budget sit down restaurant meals around the city centre
Snack
$1
Many options at street stalls
2 Beers
$2
2 x bottles of local beer in store
Transport
$4
4 km taxi ride
Activity
$6
Free walking tour of the city offered by Loki Hostel
Budget Daily Total
$30
The Final Say
South America is traditionally a cheap destination for overland travel and day to day expenses. Flights can be pricier in the continent, therefore travel slow if you want to manage the budget. Peru & Cusco city in particular really is a great place to visit and spend an extended stay. It is on the steps of the Inca Trail and Machu Pichu tribal ruins, which will be blow the $30 a day budget, but as Angkor Wat, this is a must do when in this part of the world. Handling the high altitude can take some adjusting to, however you will be rewarded with a very affordable city with plenty of options to enjoy a budget holiday.
TOP 5 CITIES UNDER 30 DOLLARS PER DAY
NUMBER 3 BUDAPEST – Hungary
Accommodation
$10
Dorm room in Budapest hostel
2 Meals
$8
Sit down restaurant meal
Snack
$2
Late night gyros/kebab
2 Beers
$2
2 x take away small bottles of beer in a local shop
Transport
$2
Metro/Bus/Tram return trip
Activity
$0
Free walking tours or better still pub crawls are offered out of many hostels. Explore the eclectic mix of bars on offer in this wonderful city
Budget Daily Total
$25
The Final Say
Readers of the blog will be familiar with my love for Budapest. The city is an undiscovered gem of Eastern Bloc Europe. very affordable with plenty of beautiful historic buildings, thermal baths, underground caves and ruin bars to party the night away for a pittance.
TOP 5 CITIES UNDER 30 DOLLARS PER DAY
NUMBER 2 SAN JUAN DEL SUR – Nicaragua
Top 10 Things to do in Nicaragua video
Accommodation
$10
Dorm room in a San Jan Del Sur hostel
2 Meals
$8
Cheap eats at casual dining style restaurants including fresh fish x 2
Snack
$2
Street stall serving of rice & beans
2 Beers
$2
2 x local beers in a grocery store or at a bar wont be much of a difference in price.
Beer Tip – Tona is the most popular.
Bonus tip – Quality local rum can be purchased for $5-$10 per bottle.
Transport
$2
The half hour ride from Rivas to San Juan del Sur in a collectivo, which is a shared shuttle style taxi
Activity
$2
Hike for 20 minutes up the steep incline to the statue Mirador del Cristo de la Misericordia and be rewarded with a huge pointing Jesus as well as the stunning view down the coast to the beach below
Budget Daily Total
$26
The Final Say
Suan Jaun Del Sur in Nicaragua is a surf, party and relaxation destination in Central America. Daily living comes at a very low price. Once you make it to the centre of Central America you’re rewarded with a surprisingly safe and cost friendly destination to sip rum and stumble through your Spanish under the sun.
TOP 5 CITIES UNDER 30 DOLLARS PER DAY
NUMBER 1 KRAKOW – Poland
Krakow Timelapse Video
Accommodation
$10
Dorm room in Krakow
2 Meals
$10
If you avoid the very tourist centric places, a good sized main meal at a lower-mid range sit down restaurant x 2
Snack
$1
Yummy takeaway soup at a family run store – no Seinfeld soup jokes accepted!
2 Beers
$2
2 x Small bottles of beer in store
Transport
$4
All day tam/buss pass
Activity
$0
Many free walking tours available in central Krakow
Budget Daily Total
$27
The Final Say
A still undiscovered, somewhat forgotten destination, Krakow in Poland is as beautiful as it is cheap,- very. The city offers plenty of things to do and see at a minimal outlay. There’s something for everyone, with churches, tonnes of bars, tasty food and very attractive locals as a bonus.
