Travelling doesn’t have to be an expensive affair unless you are talking about luxury. Travel can be pocket-friendly without having you compromise on quality experiences. You can see it all, you can. All you have to do is opt for the right places that not only let you travel for pleasure but assist in reducing commute time too. Planning a budget-friendly international trip? Perfect. Here are 10 countries that are close to India and are budget-friendly too!
1. Nepal
From wildlife to adventure sports, people usually underestimate Nepal until they visit it. A perfect getaway for us city folks, the country has more charm to offer than one gives it credit for. Be it monasteries nestled in between Himalayan peaks or the infamous trekking tours at Mt.Everest Base Camp, Nepal is not only a pleasant surprise but also a pocket-friendly one. If you’re looking to simply unwind and experience a culture that’s refreshing, to say the least, Nepal is a great pick. This is one of the best budget countries to visit for your next international trip!
Also Read: Travel To Nepal & Bhutan Using Only Your Aadhar Card
Air Time From India to Nepal: 1 hour, 12 minutes
2. Bhutan
It isn’t the world’s happiest country without good reason. Bhutan is known for its wild, wild mountain monasteries coupled with serenity that’s hard to find anywhere else. The best part? Indians can visit here without a passport! An average meal here costs between Rs 100 – Rs 400 and there’s private transport within the country if you want to explore multiple locations. From Thimpu to the Dochala Pass, Bhutan’s one of those few places in the world where one can head if they are seeking quality alone time.
Air Time From India To Bhutan: 2 hours, 30 minutes
3. Sri Lanka
Want to head the beach? Well, ditch Goa and head to Sri Lanka instead. Known for its clear water beaches and a history that’s rich with elements of the Ramayana, Sri Lanka is perfect for a budget-friendly vacation. Also inherently well known for its delicious cuisine, if you’re a seafood lover, you might never want to leave. Homestays are the preferred choice of accommodation if you’re planning to explore the country. Looking for a budget country that is also international? Srilanka is the place to be!
Also Read: 7-Day Itinerary In Sri Lanka With Your Girl Gang
Air Time From India To Sri Lanka: 1 hour, 58 minutes
4. Indonesia
Also know as the largest archipelago in the world, Indonesia is a popular holiday destination for folks around the world. Home to our beloved Bali, there’s also Lombak, Jakata and Malang that you shouldn’t miss out on. Indonesia is known for its active volcanoes and if you’re up for it, they even have guided tours around these volcanic spots. Not surprisingly it also caters to an expansive range of water sports that are every adventure junkies dream. And of course, it’s a great choice for a vacation if you don’t want to burn a hole in your pockets.
Air Time From India To Indonesia: 4 hours, 97 minutes
5. Seychelles
An archipelago that composes of 115 islands, Seychelles is where you head if you want to bask among coral reefs, sparkling blue water and untouched beaches. A pocket-friendly cousin to the fancy Maldives, Seychelles is a paradise for water babies. Feel free to explore islands or head for nature and wildlife tours here. An average meal costs around Rs 500 per person and the accommodation rates are as low are Rs 1000 per night.
This is a must-visit budget country! Also Read: One Country, 115 Islands – Seychelles The Ultimate Travel Goal
Air Time From India To Seychelles: 4 hours, 21 minutes
6. Maldives
Maldives is our personal favourite travel destination. It is filled with pristine beaches, pretty skies, crystal clear beaches and a lot more. And you will be surprised to know that this lavish vacation will come at a fair price. Earlier, reaching the Maldives was difficult but after the introduction of direct flights from India to Male (capital of Maldives), the distance has reduced drastically, and the travel has become much easier. Here you can stay at the local islands and travel by local ferries which is not expensive and will definitely not burn your pockets. The cost of a round-trip flight to the Maldives is somewhere around ₹ 20,276 currently. And the stay should not cost more than ₹ 3-4 thousand on the local islands.
To plan a detailed trip to the Maldives, take a look at how out Chief travelling officer, Kamiya Jani travelled the Maldives on a budget.
7. Philippines
How can you leave behind the Philippines? The country that is known or its islands, beaches, rice fields, dense forest, majestic mountain ranges and historic monuments. It is a hidden paradise and if you are a water baby and love pristine beaches, this is your place to be. There are approximately 700 islands in the country, making it perfect for a romantic getaway. And the best part is that it takes only 6 -7 hours from India to reach there! The flight tickets to the country are the only major expense, the round trip will cost you around ₹ 28 – 30 thousand. The local travel and stay should not cost you more than ₹ 3 thousand per day.
Some of the must-visit spots to visit in the Philippines are Boracay, Chocolate Hill, Panglao Island, Bohol, Cebu among many others.
8. Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the most visited destinations by Indians and for all the right reasons! It is home to some of the best islands, rain forests and the colonial buildings. Kuala Lumpur is the major tourist destination and is filled with sky scrapes, caves and areas like Bukit Bintang where tourists can explore the market area and shop. The round trip cost from India to Kuala Lumpur is currently around ₹ 20,073. The stay in Malaysia will cost you between ₹ 2 -5 thousand which will have decent rooms. The local travel in Malaysia is not so expensive you can opt to take train or bus services to travel internally and the cost will be between ₹ 200-500.
9. Vietnam
Vietnam is another close destination to India and it takes just 3-4 hours to reach there. This south-east Asian country is rich with beaches, forests, paddy farms and more. Here you will find a strong cultural influence of Buddhism and they have a lot of temples, monuments and Pagodas. To travel in Vietnam you would require ₹ 500 – 800 per day and it can be a comfortable amount if you are not looking to buy anything expensive. The round trip flight from India to Vietnam is ₹ 25,000 – ₹35,000 depending on the airline you choose.
10. Cambodia
If you are a sucker for religious places and want to learn about the culture and enrich your self with some historic and traditional information, then you must visit Cambodia. Some of the popular tourist spots here are Krong Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Tonle Sap, Banteay Seri among others. The travel to Cambodia will cost you around ₹ 26,380 for a round trip from India. The daily expenses will not be more than ₹ 3-4 thousand. This south-east Asian country is underrated and deserves all our attention!
Another great option, for you to visit is Thailand: