Cheap Places To Go in Asia Where You Can Travel for Under $30 a Day

Is Asia Still Cheap to Travel?

For decades, Asia has been the go-to region for budget travelers, backpackers, and long-term nomads looking to stretch their money. Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia became legendary for their $1 street food, $5 guesthouses, and cheap intercity travel. But in recent years, prices have gone up, and not every place in Asia is as affordable as it once was.

If you’ve seen travel influencers boasting about their luxury villas in Bali or weekend getaways to Tokyo on a budget, you might be wondering: is budget travel in Asia still possible? The short answer? Yes—but only if you know where to go.

Why Some Parts of Asia Are No Longer Cheap

Not all of Asia is budget-friendly anymore. Some places that were once backpacker havens have become over-commercialized, flooded with tourists, and much more expensive.

Bali is no longer the budget paradise it once was. Accommodation in Canggu, Ubud, and Seminyak has become as expensive as parts of Europe, and Western-style cafés now charge $10+ for basic meals.
Thailand’s famous islands (like Koh Phi Phi and Phuket) are overpriced. Expect to pay tourist prices for everything, from taxis to food.
Japan and South Korea are incredible but impossible to do on $30 a day. Even budget travelers will struggle to keep costs low in cities like Tokyo or Seoul.

But don’t worry—there are still plenty of destinations in Asia where you can live well on $30 a day or less. You just have to know which places still offer real value.

What This Guide Covers

This guide isn’t just another generic list of budget destinations. We’ll break down:
✔ The cheapest places to visit in Asia that are actually worth your time.
✔ What $30 a day really gets you in each country (food, accommodation, transport, activities).
✔ Which popular destinations are no longer cheap—and where to go instead.
✔ How to stretch your budget without sacrificing the experience.

Budget travel in Asia is still possible—you just need to avoid the overhyped, overpriced tourist traps and focus on the places where your money goes the furthest.

What $30 a Day Actually Gets You in Asia

People throw around the idea that Asia is dirt cheap, but what does that really mean? Can you actually live well on $30 a day, or will you be scraping by? The answer depends entirely on where you go and how you travel.

I’ve spent months in Southeast Asia surviving on less than $20 a day, and I’ve also seen travelers blow through $100 daily without realizing it. If you eat at tourist cafés, take taxis everywhere, and book overpriced tours, you’ll burn through your budget fast. But if you eat like a local, use public transport, and stay in guesthouses, $30 a day goes a long way—especially in the cheapest places to go in Asia.

Here’s what you can realistically afford per day on a $30 budget in different parts of Asia.

Accommodation: What Kind of Stay Does $30 Get You?

One of the best things about traveling in the cheapest places to visit in Asia is that you don’t need to stay in hostels to save money. If you’re willing to go for local guesthouses or budget hotels, you can often get a private room for less than the cost of a dorm in Europe.

$5–10 → A dorm bed in a hostel or a basic fan room in a guesthouse (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, India).
$10–20 → A private room in a budget hotel, often with A/C and WiFi (Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines).
$20–30 → A boutique guesthouse or beachfront bungalow (Sri Lanka, Malaysia).

💡 Personal Tip: Some of my best stays were in family-run guesthouses where I paid $8 a night and got free breakfast, insider travel tips, and even invites to local events. International hotel chains charge way more for a less authentic experience.

Food: Local Feasts vs. Overpriced Tourist Traps

Food is where you can either save a ton of money or accidentally spend Western prices. If you eat like a local, you’ll be stuffed for $5 a day. If you hit up trendy cafés, you’ll burn through $15+ per meal.

$1–3 per meal → Street food, market stalls, and local warungs (Vietnam, Cambodia, India).
$5–10 per meal → Sit-down restaurants, mid-range tourist spots (Thailand, Indonesia).
$10+ per meal → Western restaurants, fancy cafés (Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong).

💡 Personal Tip: I once watched a traveler in Bali pay $12 for avocado toast while I sat at a local warung eating a full plate of nasi goreng and a fresh juice for $3. If your café menu is in English, expect to pay double what locals pay.

Transport: The Cheapest Ways to Get Around

Transport is where a lot of travelers waste money. Taxis and private cars are a rip-off in touristy areas, but if you use local transport, getting around is shockingly cheap.

$1–5 per ride → Local buses, trains, and tuk-tuks (India, Vietnam, Cambodia).
$5–7 per day → Scooter rentals (Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines).
$10–30 per trip → Taxis, private drivers, and airport transfers (Expensive in tourist zones).

💡 Personal Tip: The first time I landed in Bali, a taxi driver quoted me $30 for a 30-minute ride. I checked Grab and saw the real price was $6. Moral of the story? Always check local ride apps first.

Activities & Sightseeing: Free vs. Paid Experiences

The best thing about the cheapest places to travel in Asia is that most experiences are either free or cost next to nothing.

Free → Beaches, temples, waterfalls, hiking trails, street markets.
$5–15 → National parks, local tours, entrance fees for temples & cultural sites.
$20+ → Scuba diving, island hopping, adventure sports.

💡 Personal Tip: In Bali, I was asked to pay $5 just to enter a “secret beach.” Meanwhile, I found a stunning beach in Lombok for free. Research before you go—some places charge ridiculous “foreigner fees” while locals pay nothing.

The Best Cheap Places to Go in Asia for Under $30 a Day

Some places in Asia drain your budget fast—overpriced beach towns, Westernized cafés, and tourist traps that charge you five times what locals pay. But then there are those destinations where your money stretches further than you ever thought possible. The kind of places where $30 a day isn’t just enough—it feels like luxury.

These are the destinations I’ve personally traveled to where $30 a day is still very real. No gimmicks, no unrealistic budgeting—just places where life is cheap, the experiences are incredible, and you won’t feel like you’re constantly trying to save every last cent.

Vietnam: Where You Can Eat Like a King for $5

There’s cheap travel, and then there’s Vietnam cheap. I still remember sitting on a tiny plastic stool in Hanoi, watching an old man grill skewers over a charcoal stove. The smoke curled into the humid air, mixing with the sound of motorbikes zipping past. I handed over less than $2 and got a bowl of bun cha—grilled pork, fresh herbs, and rice noodles swimming in a tangy broth. That was my fifth meal of the day. At these prices, why stop?

Vietnam isn’t just one of the cheapest places to go in Asia—it’s one of the best value-for-money destinations in the world.

$5–10 gets you a private room in a family-run guesthouse.
$1–3 buys you a meal that’s better than anything in a fancy restaurant.
$5 rents you a scooter for the entire day, letting you explore coastal roads or misty mountain passes.

💡 Best Budget Spots in Vietnam:

Hanoi: Street food heaven, cheap beers, and budget-friendly hostels.
Da Nang & Hoi An: Beautiful beaches, old-world charm, and ridiculously cheap seafood.
Ho Chi Minh City: Fast-paced, modern, but still incredibly affordable.

The truth is, Vietnam feels way richer than the price tag suggests. If you’re looking for the cheapest place to travel in Asia where you never feel like you’re missing out, this is it.

Indonesia (Beyond Bali): Where You Can Live Like a Local for Peanuts

Most people think of Bali when they hear “Indonesia,” but the truth is Bali is overpriced—unless you know where to go. Canggu? Forget it. Seminyak? You’ll spend half your budget on a smoothie. But head just one island over, or even just beyond the main tourist zones, and suddenly Indonesia is back to being one of the cheapest places to visit in Asia.

I spent a week in Lombok and barely broke $150. My days looked like this:

Waking up in a $10 bamboo bungalow overlooking the rice fields.
Renting a scooter for $5 and driving to hidden beaches with nobody around.
Eating fresh fish and rice for $2 at a roadside warung.
Ending the day with a sunset coconut ($1) while locals fished along the shore.

And the best part? There wasn’t a single overpriced Western café in sight.

💡 Best Budget Spots in Indonesia (Outside Bali):

Lombok: Stunning beaches, cheap food, and no crowds.
Yogyakarta: Culture, history, and some of the most affordable stays in Indonesia.
Sumatra: The cheapest jungle treks in Asia (Orangutans for $20, anyone?).

If you’ve written off Indonesia because you think it’s too expensive, let me tell you—you just need to leave Bali’s Instagram hotspots behind.

India: Where $10 a Day Feels Like Too Much

No country in Asia stretches your budget like India. I still remember arriving in Rajasthan, thinking I’d have to really watch my spending. Then I checked into a guesthouse for $5—with a rooftop view of an ancient fort. Lunch cost me $1.50—a thali plate piled with curries, rice, and fresh chapati. By the end of the day, I had spent less than $10, and I wasn’t even trying to save money.

India isn’t just the cheapest place to go in Asia—it’s one of the cheapest places to travel in the world. But more importantly, it’s a place where money doesn’t define the experience.

$5–10 gets you a private room in a heritage hotel.
$1–3 buys you an endless feast of local food.
$2 gets you a train ticket for a full-day journey across the country.

💡 Best Budget Spots in India:

Rajasthan (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur): Cheap stays, grand palaces, and unreal street food.
Himachal Pradesh: The best place for mountains, fresh air, and $10-a-day living.
Kerala: Houseboats, backwaters, and some of the cheapest seafood in Asia.

If you’ve ever wanted to travel for months on a tiny budget, India is the place where you can actually do it. Just be ready for the chaos, the intensity, and the occasional stomach disaster.

The Philippines: Paradise on a Backpacker Budget

I used to think island travel meant big money. Then I went to Siargao in the Philippines and lived in a bamboo hut on the beach for $12 a night. I spent my days riding a scooter through palm tree tunnels, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and eating grilled fish for $3.

If you avoid the overpriced resorts, the Philippines is one of the best cheap places to visit in Asia.

$10–15 gets you a private room in a budget bungalow.
$2–4 buys you BBQ skewers, fresh mango shakes, and street snacks.
$5–10 rents you a motorbike for island exploring.

💡 Best Budget Spots in the Philippines:

Siargao: Laid-back, budget-friendly, and nowhere near as touristy as El Nido.
Cebu: Cheap stays, great diving, and waterfalls that don’t cost a fortune.
Dumaguete: A small town where you can live like a king for under $30 a day.

The Philippines isn’t just beautiful—it’s one of the last places in Southeast Asia where you can have a tropical paradise experience without paying Bali prices.

What’s NOT Cheap Anymore (And Where to Go Instead)

Asia is still one of the best budget-friendly regions in the world, but not every place is as cheap as people claim. Some destinations have skyrocketing prices, tourist-driven inflation, and hidden costs that drain your budget faster than you expect. If you’re not careful, you can easily spend more in parts of Asia than in Europe.

Here’s where you need to be cautious—and where to go instead if you’re looking for the cheapest places to go in Asia.

1. Bali, Indonesia (Overpriced & Overhyped)

Bali still gets called a cheap place to travel in Asia, but that’s only true if you know where to go. If you stay in Canggu, Ubud, or Seminyak, be prepared for:

$50+ per night for a decent guesthouse.
$10–15 per meal at Western cafés.
Taxis charging 2–3x what they should.
Entrance fees for beaches and waterfalls that used to be free.

Bali’s problem is that it’s no longer an Indonesian experience—it’s a foreigner’s playground. Digital nomads and influencers have driven up costs, and now even small things (like a simple coconut) cost three times more than in Lombok.

💡 Where to go instead: Lombok (cheaper beaches, better surfing, and way fewer crowds) or Yogyakarta (affordable culture, street food, and stunning temples).

2. Thailand’s Famous Islands (Too Touristy & Overpriced)

Thailand used to be a backpacker’s dream, but places like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Samui are now just expensive, overcrowded resorts with little of the local charm left.

$60+ per night for budget hotels in Koh Phi Phi.
$15+ for average restaurant meals in Phuket.
Tours and excursions cost 3x more than in Northern Thailand.

I made the mistake of going to Koh Phi Phi during high season, and I paid $100 a night for a basic room that wasn’t even clean. Meanwhile, just a few months earlier, I was in Northern Thailand paying $8 a night for a guesthouse with mountain views.

💡 Where to go instead: Koh Lanta (cheaper and still beautiful) or Chiang Mai & Pai (way more affordable, with incredible nature).

3. Tokyo & Seoul (Impossible on a Budget)

Japan and South Korea are amazing destinations, but you won’t survive on $30 a day here. Even the most budget-conscious travelers will struggle unless they:

Stay in capsule hostels ($25–40 per night).
Eat only convenience store food.
Avoid most attractions that charge entrance fees.

A simple meal in Tokyo can cost $10–15, a train ride can be $5–10, and accommodation is the biggest budget killer. Unless you’re ready to couch surf, eat instant noodles, and take overnight buses, Japan and Korea are not part of the cheapest places to go in Asia.

💡 Where to go instead: If you love Japanese culture, try Taiwan—cheaper food, affordable transport, and $30 a day is actually doable.

4. Singapore & Hong Kong (Luxury Destinations in Disguise)

Singapore and Hong Kong may be in Southeast Asia, but they don’t come with Southeast Asia prices.

Hostels start at $30 per night (if you’re lucky).
A normal meal is $10–15.
Public transport is good, but taxis will destroy your budget.

Singapore’s hawker centers are the only cheap thing left, and while the city is incredible, it’s not for budget travelers. Same with Hong Kong—unless you’re staying in the infamous Chungking Mansions, you’ll burn through cash fast.

💡 Where to go instead: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia—a similar modern city, but way cheaper to visit.

How to Travel for Under $30 a Day (Even in Pricier Countries)

Even in destinations that aren’t dirt cheap, you can still travel affordably if you know how to budget. These are the best ways to stretch your money and make even expensive places feel affordable.

1. Eat Local, Not at Tourist Restaurants

A meal in a tourist café: $10–15
The same meal at a local eatery: $2–4
Street food: $1–3 and often better than restaurant food

I’ve seen travelers in Bali pay $12 for avocado toast, then complain that “Bali isn’t cheap anymore.” Meanwhile, I was sitting in a warung, eating a huge plate of nasi goreng for $2.

💡 Budget Tip: Find where locals are eating. If the place is full of foreigners, you’re probably overpaying.

2. Use Budget Transport (Scooters, Buses & Trains Instead of Taxis)

Scooter rentals: $5–7 per day
Local buses & trains: $1–5 per ride
Taxis & private drivers: $10–50 per trip (avoid whenever possible!)

Taxis are one of the fastest ways to kill your budget. In places like Bali, taxis cost 5x more than Grab or Gojek—and in some areas, these apps are banned so tourists are forced to pay ridiculous prices.

💡 Budget Tip: Use public transport or rent a scooter. In Vietnam, I rented a motorbike for $5 a day and traveled across entire cities for the price of one short taxi ride.

3. Skip Paid Tours & Do It Yourself

Tour operators love to package simple activities into overpriced tours. But in most cases, you can do the exact same thing on your own for half the price.

A tour to Mount Batur in Bali? $30–50.
Renting a scooter and hiking it yourself? $5 for gas, $3 for entrance.
Island hopping tours in Thailand? $50–80.
Taking local ferries and exploring solo? $10–20.

💡 Budget Tip: Research whether an attraction can be done without a tour. If it’s just transportation and a simple hike, chances are you’re overpaying.

Is Asia Still the Best Budget Destination in the World?

For years, Asia has been the ultimate haven for budget travelers, a place where $30 a day could get you a private room, endless street food, and world-class experiences. But with rising prices, over-tourism, and hidden costs, many travelers are asking: Is Asia still worth it for budget travel?

The short answer? Yes—but only if you know where to go and how to avoid the tourist traps.

Asia Is Still the Best Budget Region—If You Travel Smart

There’s no other region in the world where you can travel this comfortably for so little money. Sure, some places have gotten expensive, but if you avoid the overpriced hotspots and stick to the cheapest places to travel in Asia, you’ll still find incredible value.

Vietnam, India, Indonesia (outside Bali), Laos, and the Philippines remain insanely cheap.
Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia are still budget-friendly if you stay outside tourist zones.
Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong are expensive but doable if you plan carefully.

Who Will Love Budget Travel in Asia?

Backpackers & Long-Term Travelers – If you’re slow-traveling, living in guesthouses, and eating street food, you can survive on $20–30 a day with ease.

Adventure Travelers – From hiking volcanoes in Indonesia to diving in the Philippines, the best experiences in Asia are either free or very cheap.

Digital Nomads & Remote Workers – Cities like Chiang Mai, Da Nang, and Ubud offer cheap living, fast WiFi, and amazing food—all on a budget.

Who Might Be Disappointed?

Luxury Travelers Expecting Dirt-Cheap Prices – If you want high-end hotels, private drivers, and Western food every day, Asia isn’t “cheap” anymore.

Tourists Who Stick to Overpriced Hotspots – If you stay in Canggu, Phuket, or central Tokyo, expect to pay Western prices.

Final Verdict: Is Budget Travel in Asia Still Possible?

Yes—but only if you travel the right way. If you pick the right destinations, avoid tourist pricing, and stick to local food and transport, Asia is still the best place in the world to travel on a budget. $30 a day isn’t just doable—it’s more than enough for an incredible experience.