April is a fantastic month for budget travelers. It’s the sweet spot between high and low seasons in many destinations, meaning cheaper accommodations, fewer tourists, and pleasant weather. I’ve traveled to some of the best budget-friendly places in April, where $50 a day covered everything—lodging, food, transport, and experiences.
Bali, Indonesia – Island Paradise on a Budget
Bali is often associated with luxury resorts, but it’s also one of the cheapest places to go in April if you know where to look. April marks the beginning of the dry season, meaning you get great weather without the peak-season prices.
My stay in Bali was surprisingly affordable. I booked a guesthouse in Ubud for about $10 per night, which included breakfast. In more touristy areas like Canggu and Seminyak, budget accommodations were around $15–$20, but still very reasonable.
Local food in Bali is one of the best ways to save money. I often ate at warungs (small local eateries), where a filling plate of nasi goreng (fried rice) or mie goreng (fried noodles) cost just $1.50–$3. Western-style cafés exist but charge much more—around $6–$10 per meal—so I avoided them most of the time.
Transport was another major budget win. I rented a motorbike for IDR 70,000 per day (≈$5) to explore at my own pace, which was both cost-effective and fun. Fuel was cheap, with a full tank costing about $2. When I didn’t feel like driving, I used ride-hailing apps (Grab/Gojek), which were affordable—most 20-minute rides cost under $4. For longer distances, Bali’s shuttle buses and shared vans (Perama Tours) offered rides between towns like Ubud and Kuta for $5–$8.
Read also: Cheap Places to Go in March - Budget Travel Guide
Overrated Experiences
Bali has its fair share of tourist traps. The famous “Lempuyang Temple Gate of Heaven” was one I skipped because of the long lines and hidden costs. While the temple is technically free, tours charge a premium for transportation, and the famous mirrored photo is just a trick done with a handheld glass pane. Instead, I opted to visit lesser-known temples that were just as beautiful but cost nothing.
Beach clubs can also be a budget-breaker. I visited a popular one in Canggu where a cocktail was $12—almost a quarter of my daily budget. Instead, I enjoyed the same sunset views from a free public beach with a cheap store-bought drink in hand.
Another hidden cost? ATM fees. Many ATMs in Bali charge high fees for international cards, so I withdrew larger amounts at once to minimize transaction costs.
Money-Saving Tips
- Eat at warungs instead of Western cafés. A full meal costs $2 instead of $10.
- Rent a scooter to explore the island cheaply instead of relying on taxis.
- Visit free attractions like Ubud’s Campuhan Ridge Walk and Amed Beach for snorkeling.
- Travel in April, which is just before peak season, so flights and hotels are more affordable.
Bali proves that even a tropical paradise can rank among the cheapest places to visit in April with a bit of savvy planning.
Georgia (the Country) – Caucasus Charm on a Budget
When I told friends I was heading to Georgia in April, I got a few puzzled looks – “Georgia, as in the country?” Yes indeed, and it turned out to be one of the cheapest places to go in April for those in the know.
This little Caucasus gem offers European-style scenery and hospitality at prices that often made me do a double take. Tbilisi, the capital, became my base. I strolled its historic Old Town, admiring carved wooden balconies and stopping into ornate Orthodox churches – none of which cost a penny to enjoy.
My hostel in Tbilisi was a modern, comfy spot for about $8 a night, and I later upgraded to a guesthouse in the wine region of Kakheti for $20 (which included huge home-cooked breakfasts and samples of the family’s homemade wine!). In fact, value for money is off the charts here.
One traveler on a forum accurately noted that “the country Georgia is incredibly cheap – 5-star suites for less than $30 a night, 3-star rooms for $10–14, and hostel beds for under $7” reddit.com. I didn’t try a 5-star myself, but I believe it – I saw luxury hotels in Tbilisi advertising rooms for under $100 that would easily cost $300 elsewhere.
Food in Georgia deserves its own love letter. Even on a tight budget, I ate (and drank) like a king. The local cuisine is hearty and ridiculously affordable. Take khachapuri, the famous cheese-filled bread: one massive boat-shaped khachapuri (easily a meal by itself) cost around 10 GEL, which is just $3–$4. I’d often grab street khinkali (juicy soup dumplings) for under $0.50 each – a dozen of those make a very satisfying dinner for a few bucks.
And the wine! Georgia is the cradle of wine-making, and the tradition is everywhere. I’m no sommelier, but I was floored to be tasting excellent house wines in restaurants for 5 GEL a glass (about $1.50). Even bottles of decent local wine were as low as $5 in shops.
It’s easy to see how I sometimes struggled to spend $30 in a day. For instance, one day I took a public marshrutka (minibus) from Tbilisi to the mountain town of Kazbegi – a 3-hour scenic ride for 15 GEL (~$5). I split a room at a simple guesthouse there with a fellow traveler ($10 each), hiked all day to the postcard-famous Gergeti Trinity Church (free), and ended the day with a huge dinner of stew, bread, and wine for under $8. My daily total? Around $25, and I went to bed utterly content.
Overrated experiences
Honestly, in Georgia few things felt overrated because crowds were minimal and prices low to begin with. If anything, some tour companies in Tbilisi charge a premium for day trips that you can replicate via public transport if you’re adventurous.
For example, a guided day tour to the Kakheti wine region was $60; I instead took a $4 marshrutka to the town of Telavi and used a free map to do my own wine-tasting walkabout. It was a bit more effort but saved a lot.
A hidden cost in Georgia could be simply not realizing how cheap things are and over-tipping or over-paying out of habit. I caught myself assuming a taxi in Tbilisi would be, say, 20 GEL, when in fact it was 8 – the metered fare or using the Bolt app ensured I paid the local rate and not a tourist-inflated price.
Another small expense: if you love museums, note that while many are only 5–10 GEL ($2–$3), they add up if you binge them. I visited maybe one paid museum (the National Museum, for its fascinating gold artifacts, ~10 GEL) and stuck to mostly free sights.
Money-saving tips
Many guesthouses will include breakfast and even offer you dinner or wine if you chat with the owners – Georgians are famously generous. Taking overnight trains can save a night’s accommodation; I took the Tbilisi–Zugdidi train (en route to Svaneti region) for about $8 in a sleeper car.
In cities, use Bolt (the regional Uber equivalent) for cheap rides – I never paid more than a couple of dollars to crisscross Tbilisi. Public minibuses are an adventure but extremely cheap and reach most towns and even tourist sites. To get to the cave monasteries of Davit Gareja, a group of us chartered a van for the day, costing each of us only 20 GEL ($7) because we found more people to join.
If you’re a digital nomad or just need Wi-Fi, pocket Wi-Fi devices and data SIMs are dirt cheap (a few dollars for several GB – much cheaper than in Western countries). And don’t forget to bring an empty stomach: in Georgia, skipping a meal is not an option (locals might not allow it!) and fortunately, the meals are as easy on the wallet as they are filling.
All these factors make Georgia a delightful surprise for budget travelers – truly one of Europe’s (or Asia’s) best-kept secrets for cost-effective travel, especially in April when the winter chill is gone but peak summer tourism has yet to arrive trip.com.
Portugal – Western Europe on an April Bargain
It might be hard to believe that a Western European country appears on a list of cheap places to travel in April, but Portugal absolutely earns its spot. I journeyed through Portugal one April on roughly €45 ($50) a day and rarely felt pinched.
April in Portugal is splendid: spring flowers blooming across Lisbon’s seven hills, mild weather in the Algarve (though the ocean is still bracing), and shoulder-season prices on everything from hotels to car rentals.
In Lisbon – which is the most expensive part of the country – I stayed in a hostel for €20 ($22) a night and found that was one of the larger expenses of my day. The city itself can be enjoyed for next to nothing: I spent days just riding the famous Tram 28 (a few euros for a ticket) through old neighborhoods, listening to street musicians play fado for coins, and admiring free sights like the Portugal pavements and viewpoints (Miradouros) overlooking the Tagus River.
It’s entirely possible to survive on $50 a day in Lisbon and Porto, as one travel article points out – just skip plush hotels and gourmet dining bootsnall.com. Indeed, wandering the cobblestone lanes, sipping a €1.20 bica (espresso) standing at a cafe counter, I felt I was living richly on very little.
One of my best cost-saving moves was taking advantage of free museum days. Many museums in Lisbon (and across Portugal) have one day a week or month where entry is free – for example, the Berardo Museum of modern art was free on Saturday, and I happily spent a cultured morning there at no cost. When it came to food, Portugal made it easy to eat cheaply and well.
A typical lunch for me was the prato do dia (dish of the day) at local eateries: often a hearty plate of grilled fish or pork, with sides and a drink, for around €8. In Porto, I tried the infamous francesinha sandwich (a calorie bomb of meat, cheese, and gravy) for €5 at a locals’ diner – it was more than I could finish. And every bakery beckoned with pastéis de nata (those divine custard tarts) usually under €1 each.
I may have had one too many natas, but at that price, who could blame me? Intercity travel was also reasonable: a bus from Lisbon to Porto during an off-peak time cost me about €15 booked in advance. Intra-city, I walked a ton (burning off those natas) and occasionally took the metro or trams which were just a couple euros.
Overrated experiences
The Algarve coast is Portugal’s big draw, and I did visit – but I found that staying in a smaller town rather than the famous Albufeira or Lagos saved money and felt more authentic. Big resort areas can be pricier (and a bit tourist-saturated). Instead, I based myself in Portimão in April – the hotels there were markedly cheaper due to it being pre-season.
I scored a hotel room for €30 that would cost triple in July. One thing in Portugal that can catch you off guard is how costs in remote or tourist-heavy spots spike: for example, a simple bottle of water might be €2 at a beach kiosk vs €0.50 in a supermarket inland. It’s a mild annoyance – so I learned to stock up in town before heading to isolated beaches or castles.
Renting a car was a splurge I allowed for a couple of days to explore the Algarve’s nooks – at ~€25/day it wasn’t bad split with a friend, but toll highways in Portugal are an extra cost (we accidentally racked up €20 in tolls fast). The hidden expense here was those toll roads; sticking to national roads is slower but free.
Also, while not exactly a cost, I’ll warn that the endless bread and olives Portuguese restaurants place on your table aren’t complimentary. If you eat them, they’ll add a few euros to your bill (I often sent them back untouched – I’d rather spend €2 on a pastel de nata later!).
Money-saving tips
I found lower accommodation rates and even tour prices; for instance, a dolphin-watching boat tour in the Algarve cost me €30 in April, whereas the same tour is €50+ in summer. Stay in smaller towns or on the outskirts: In Lisbon, I stayed just outside the city center (a 15-minute tram ride away) and paid much less than downtown hotels.
In the Algarve, consider towns like Tavira or Lagos in April where you can get reasonable rates and then day-trip to more expensive spots. Also, share costs where possible: I teamed up with hostel mates to rent that car, and later to share a fado show experience (we found a local bar with free fado as long as we bought a drink).
Public transport is your friend – Portugal’s trains and buses are comfortable and cheap, especially if booked online ahead of time (look for regional rail passes or discount fares). Finally, take advantage of what’s free: hikes along the cliffs, roaming medieval alleyways, visiting churches (most cathedrals are free or request a tiny donation).
Portugal shows that even in Western Europe, a $50 daily budget in April can let you savor wine, culture, and sunny beaches without feeling like you’re scrimping. In the end, my average spend was so low that I had enough left over to treat myself to a delightful splurge on my last night: a seafood feast in Lisbon with riverside views, proving that saving in travel is all about smart choices, not denying yourself pleasures.
New Orleans, USA – Jazzed Up on a Budget
Not all cheap places to go in April require a passport. For a domestic option, I found New Orleans to be an incredible budget destination – yes, the Big Easy can be easy on your wallet! April is one of the best times to visit NOLA: the weather is warm but not yet sweltering, and the city is buzzing with festivals.
I arrived just after Mardi Gras (when prices skyrocket) and in time for the French Quarter Festival, a massive music festival in early April that, amazingly, has free admission travelnoire.com. Imagine four days of live jazz, blues, and brass bands on outdoor stages – all for free.
I spent my days dancing in the streets with locals and fellow travelers, with the Mississippi River breezes keeping us cool. My biggest expense during the festival was food, and even that was reasonable: the event had dozens of stalls selling local favorites, from po’boys to jambalaya, often $5–$8 per dish. I filled up on a $3 bowl of gumbo that was so good I considered getting a second.
New Orleans’ French Quarter is surprisingly walkable, which saved me transport costs. I stayed at a hostel on the edge of the Quarter for about $28/night in a dorm – not the cheapest in the world, but for the U.S. and for such a prime location, a steal.
Each morning, I’d wander down to Café du Monde for budget-friendly breakfast bliss: for less than $5, I savored a trio of beignets (those piping hot powdered-sugar donuts) and a café au lait. That sugar rush fueled me for hours of exploring. Many classic NOLA experiences cost little or nothing: I joined a free walking tour (tip-based) of the Garden District to ogle at the mansions and Lafayette Cemetery;
I listened to live jazz at Jackson Square where street performers play their hearts out for tips; I even took the historic St. Charles streetcar for $1.25 each way, just for the fun of a rattling ride under oak trees.
When I craved museums, I picked wisely – the Louisiana State Museum (with those eerie Mardi Gras costumes) was around $7 entry, but on one rainy afternoon I discovered the Historic New Orleans Collection has free exhibits about the city’s history that were excellent.
Overrated experiences
Bourbon Street is the elephant in the room – it’s loud, chaotic, and can be pricey if you plant yourself at tourist-trap bars buying Hand Grenade cocktails for $15. I’ll be honest: as a budget traveler, one night on Bourbon was enough for me.
I grabbed a cheap beer (many bars have carry-out windows selling beers for $3–$4, which is a hack to avoid the higher drink prices inside) and enjoyed the spectacle without draining my funds. Instead of expensive nightclubs, I found my groove on Frenchmen Street, where live music pours out of every venue – and there’s no cover charge at several clubs.
I caught an amazing funk band at The Spotted Cat with just the cost of a $5 beer. One hidden expense in New Orleans can be transportation late at night. The streetcars stop running in the late evening, and at 2am you might need a rideshare – which surges during festival times. I budgeted for a couple of Uber rides (~$10 each) on nights I stayed out past the streetcar schedule.
Another thing: New Orleans’ food portions are huge. This isn’t exactly a cost, but I often found one meal could serve as two. If you’re not super hungry, consider splitting a famous muffuletta sandwich or take leftovers; it’s like getting two meals for the price of one.
Money-saving tips
Avoiding big events like Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest (late April/May) will significantly cut your costs on accommodation. But even if you come during a festival, do what I did and enjoy the free aspects – for instance, Jazz Fest itself has an entry fee, but many of the artists play gigs around town that week; I stumbled into a free outdoor show by a Jazz Fest band at Lafayette Square.
Lodging is a major expense in NOLA, so consider staying in a simpler guesthouse or hostel. If traveling as a couple or family, look into B&Bs or budget hotels in Faubourg Marigny or Bywater – those neighborhoods are right next to the Quarter, often cheaper, and you’ll experience a more local vibe.
Eat smart: sample the local street food and daily plate specials. A $10 red beans and rice plate from a tiny takeout joint fed me for lunch and dinner. Many restaurants have inexpensive happy hours – I got $0.50 chargrilled oysters at a happy hour on Bourbon Street, of all places!
Also, take advantage of the city’s free attractions: City Park, the levee by the river, window-shopping for art on Royal Street, or just chatting with locals (New Orleanians are friendly and love to share their city). I spent one memorable evening just sitting on the banks of the Mississippi with new friends, listening to a steamboat calliope play – completely free entertainment.
In sum, New Orleans delivered a rich cultural experience (and plenty of lagniappe) for well under $50 a day in my case. It was the perfect capstone to my April travels: proof that even in the USA, you can find cheap places to travel to in April that don’t compromise on fun or flavor.
Conclusion
Each of these destinations – whether an exotic international getaway or a domestic city break – taught me that traveling on a $50 daily budget is not only possible, it can be deeply rewarding.
By visiting in April, I enjoyed pleasant weather and off-peak prices in places as varied as the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, and the American South. I learned to live large on little: to trade tourist traps for local gems, to embrace street food over fancy restaurants, and to prioritize experiences over extravagances.
The result? My memories are of watching Himalayan sunrises, wandering ancient temples at twilight, clinking glasses with new friends, and dancing to world-class music – not of what I spent. After all these journeys, I truly believe the cheapest places to travel in April can also offer some of the richest travel experiences anywhere.
Sources
- travelnoire.com Travel Noire – Natasha Decker, “10 Cheapest Places To Travel To In April” (Mar 11, 2025).
- simify.com Simify Travel Blog – “Discover Affordable Gems: Top Cheap Places to Travel in April.”
- trip.com Trip.com – Alex, “Trip to Nepal Cost: How to Make the Most of Your Money” (June 28, 2023).
- trip.com Trip.com – “Unveiling the Trip to Georgia Cost 2025” (Aug 9, 2023).
- neverendingfootsteps.com NeverEndingFootsteps – Lauren Juliff, “The Cost of Travel in India: A Detailed Budget Breakdown” (Mar 9, 2024).
- neverendingfootsteps.com NeverEndingFootsteps – Lauren Juliff, “The Cost of Travel in Cambodia: A Detailed Budget Breakdown” (2025).
- reddit.com Reddit – r/solotravel discussion, user comment on Georgia’s affordability (2022).
- travelrebels.com Travelrebels – “Costs & Budget for Travelling in Colombia” (Greg & Irene’s expense report, 2021).
- travelthru.com TravelThru – Dieu Cao, “Bali Travel Cost: A Comprehensive Guide for Your Trip” (Sep 26, 2024).
- bootsnall.com BootsnAll – Jessica B. Canepa, “Indie Travel in Portugal for $50 Per Day” (BootsnAll Articles).