Cheap Vacations in Summer: 20 Budget-Friendly Destinations This Year

Discover cheap vacations in summer with 20 budget-friendly destinations, smart money-saving tips, and real-world examples that actually work.

I’ve always believed that cheap vacations in summer shouldn’t feel like a punishment. You shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent and seeing the world, or between a “real trip” and six months of silently avoiding your banking app. The good news? You really don’t have to.

Over the past few years, I’ve watched friends spend thousands on crowded beach resorts, lining up for the same overpriced cocktails, while I’ve wandered through medieval streets in Eastern Europe, island-hopped in Southeast Asia, and explored volcanoes in Central America—often for less than what they paid just for flights. The secret isn’t magic. It’s knowing where to go, when to go, and how to stretch your money in places where your daily budget suddenly feels like it’s on performance-enhancing drugs.

This guide pulls together 20 destinations wherecheap summer vacations aren’t just possible—they’re normal. I’ll walk you through regions where you can travel comfortably on $20–$50 a day, plus practical strategies for booking, saving, and planning without turning your trip into a color-coded spreadsheet (unless that’s your love language, in which case, live your truth).

Why Budget Destinations Are Totally Possible

Let’s clear up one myth right away: summer doesn’t automatically equal “expensive.” Yes, if you’re trying to hit Santorini, the Amalfi Coast, or Disney World in July, your credit card may start smoking. But while those classic spots surge in price, other parts of the world quietly slide into their most budget-friendly season.

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:

Southeast Asia heads into monsoon season, which sounds dramatic but usually means short, heavy bursts of rain, lush green landscapes, and big drops in hotel prices.
Eastern Europe warms up beautifully without reaching the price madness of Western Europe’s Mediterranean coasts.
South America and Southern Africa enter winter—awesome for hiking and outdoor adventures, not so awesome for sky-high prices (which is great for you).

A 2023 report from the Adventure Travel Trade Association found that travelers who intentionally chose “counter-seasonal” destinations—places that aren’t at peak popularity during northern summer—saved an average of around 30–40% on overall trip costs compared to those following the usual summer hotspots. In other words: sometimes being contrarian isn’t just a personality trait, it’s a budget strategy.

When I talk about budgets in this article, I’m including the basics: accommodation, local transport, food, and a few activities. The goal isn’t to see how miserable you can be on $20 a day. It’s to show that, in the right destinations, $20–$40 per day can actually feel surprisingly comfortable—like “I ordered dessert and still stayed on budget” comfortable.

Southeast Asia: Where Your Money Feels Like a Superpower

If cheap vacations in summer had a home base, it would probably sit somewhere between Vietnam and Thailand. Yes, it’s monsoon season in many of these places from June through September. That sounds ominous until you realize it usually means a heavy afternoon rain, cooler evenings, and discounts that make you double-check the price.

I still remember my first Southeast Asia monsoon trip. I pictured weeks of nonstop rain and cabin fever. Reality? It would pour for an hour in the afternoon while I hid in a café with a $1 iced coffee and questionable Wi‑Fi, then the skies cleared and everything felt freshly washed. I could absolutely live with that.

Vietnam: Living Well on $25–$30 a Day

Vietnam is one of those countries that makes you question your life choices back home. In Hanoi, I’ve stayed in fantastic hostels with rooftop bars, free breakfast, and staff who remembered my name for $10–$12 a night. A steaming bowl of pho on the street? $1.50, and somehow better than the $15 version at home that comes with mood lighting and a rent payment.

With a daily budget of $25–$30, you can:

Sleep in decent hostels or guesthouses
Eat three satisfying meals a day
Use local buses or trains
Squeeze in activities like boat trips, street food tours, or museum visits

Summer is a great time to:

Cruise Ha Long Bay’s limestone formations on a budget day or overnight tour
Wander Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets at night and pretend you live there now
Explore Ho Chi Minh City’s chaotic markets and war history sites

One of my favorite Vietnam memories: sharing an overnight train cabin with a Vietnamese grandmother who kept refilling my plate with homemade spring rolls. We didn’t share a common language, but she had “You’re too skinny, eat more” energy that did not require translation.

Cambodia: Angkor Wat on a Budget

Cambodia is where cheap summer vacations go from “affordable” to “is this a typo?” You’re looking at roughly $20–$25 a day if you keep it simple.

In Siem Reap, basic but clean guesthouses start around $6–$10 per night. Street food and local restaurants keep meals in the $2–$4 range. The big “splurge” here is your Angkor Wat pass—but even that feels worth it when you’re standing in front of temples that have survived empires, invasions, and more sunrises than you’ll ever see.

Yes, it’s hot in summer. You’ll feel it. But if you:

Hit the temples early in the morning
Take a midday break (pool, nap, or ice‑coffee coma)
Head out again in late afternoon

…you’ll manage just fine. The bonus: you see fewer crowds and catch softer light for photos. I still remember standing almost alone in front of a massive tree root curling around a temple wall, thinking, “Where is everybody? And how is this my life right now?”

Laos: Slow Travel, Low Prices

Laos is the introvert of Southeast Asia—quieter, slower-paced, ridiculously charming. It’s also ideal if you want cheap vacations in summer that don’t involve dodging selfie sticks every five seconds.

Expect daily costs around $20–$25 in places like Luang Prabang, where you can:

Visit golden temples and watch the daily monk alms procession
Take boat rides on the Mekong River
Swim at waterfalls that look suspiciously like they were designed by a screen saver from 2003

When I stayed in Luang Prabang, my days fell into a lovely rhythm: early morning temples, $2 breakfast with strong coffee, lazy hours by the river, then night markets and street food in the evening. It was the closest I’ve ever come to accidentally moving to another country because “I just never got around to leaving.”

Northern Thailand: Best Destination for Culture Over Party Islands

Thailand has a reputation for wild beach parties. If that’s your thing, no judgment. But if your goal is a cheap summer vacation, the north—especially Chiang Mai—delivers better value, cooler temperatures, and fewer people trying to sell you neon buckets.

You can comfortably fit into a $30–$35 daily budget with:

Affordable guesthouses or hostels
Street food that’s both cheap and legendary
Day trips to waterfalls, mountains, and temples

I once took a $25 cooking class in Chiang Mai that included a market tour, all ingredients, and a feast at the end. The instructor gently corrected my tragic attempts at stir‑fry, and somehow I still walked out feeling like I could open a tiny restaurant in my kitchen at home.

Philippines: Thousands of Islands, Surprisingly Affordable

The Philippines is enormous—more than 7,000 islands—and packed with white-sand beaches and turquoise water that look stolen from a stock photo library. The best part? Many areas are still very budget-friendly.

On about $30–$40 a day, you can:

Stay in simple beach bungalows or guesthouses
Island-hop on local boats
Snorkel or dive on a budget

Dry season in many regions lines up nicely with northern summer, and even when it doesn’t, a little flexibility with location (choosing one region over another) can keep weather and costs on your side.

I still think about a $5 grilled fish dinner I ate on the beach in El Nido while watching the sun set behind jagged limestone cliffs. I remember checking the bill twice because I was convinced they’d missed a zero—or the fish had somehow come without the “ocean view” surcharge.

Eastern Europe: Europe’s Best-Kept Cheap Destination Summer Secret

If you’ve ever dreamed of a European summer but nearly fainted at hotel prices in Paris or Rome, Eastern Europe is your new best friend. You still get medieval squares, cobblestone streets, and café culture—but at a fraction of Western Europe’s cost.

The first time I did an Eastern Europe summer loop, I kept waiting for the catch. Surely something had to be terrible at these prices? Spoiler: there was no catch. Just great value, good food, and the smug feeling of knowing you were getting the “Europe experience” without needing a small loan.

Bulgaria: Black Sea Beaches Without the Price Shock

Bulgaria is one of those countries that quietly overdelivers. Summers on the Black Sea coast are warm and sunny, and cities like Sofia and Plovdiv offer history, nightlife, and architecture without the souvenir-shop overload you get elsewhere.

You’re looking at $35–$40 a day for:

Mid-range hotels that in Western Europe would be called “budget” only as a joke
Hearty local meals (think grilled meats, salads, fresh bread, and cheerful portions)
Inexpensive public transport between cities

Plovdiv’s old town feels like walking through a painting—colorful houses, Roman ruins, and hidden cafés. I stayed at a small family-run hotel where the owner insisted I try homemade yogurt with honey every morning. I nodded politely. Then I tasted it and immediately considered moving in.

Romania: Castles, Mountains, and Very Manageable Prices

Romania doesn’t always make the top-ten list of summer vacation spots, which is honestly great news for your wallet. A daily budget of $30–$35 goes a long way in cities like Brasov, Sibiu, and Bucharest.

In Transylvania, you can:

Wander through medieval towns framed by mountains
Visit castles that look straight out of a movie (yes, including “Dracula’s Castle”)
Hike in cool, forested mountain areas while the rest of Europe bakes

Bucharest adds a dose of big-city energy—cafés, galleries, parks—at prices that are still noticeably lower than in Western capitals. I grabbed a full dinner there—starter, main, dessert, and a drink—for less than what I usually pay for a single main course in London. My wallet and I had a moment.

Hungary: Budapest and Beyond

Hungary, and especially Budapest, hits that sweet spot between “developed enough to be easy” and “affordable enough to be fun.” Expect $40–$45 a day in Budapest, less if you head into the countryside.

Summer highlights include:

Thermal baths (perfect for soaking away long travel days)
Evening walks along the Danube
Ruin pubs—bars built in old buildings and courtyards that feel like adult playgrounds with fairy lights

If you have time, Lake Balaton is a great summer escape: laid-back towns, warm water, and far fewer international tourists than on Mediterranean coasts. I spent a day swimming, eating fried dough by the lake, and people-watching, and my biggest regret was not scheduling three more days to do exactly that.

Poland: Beautiful, Historical, and Surprisingly Affordable

Poland has quietly become one of Europe’s best value destinations, especially for summer. In places like Krakow, Wroclaw, and Gdansk, a $35–$40 daily budget covers:

Comfortable hostels or budget hotels
Filling meals (pierogi, anyone?)
Museum visits and day trips

Krakow’s old town feels storybook-pretty, and the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz-Birkenau make powerful, worthwhile day trips. Just be prepared emotionally—Auschwitz is important to see, but it’s heavy and it stays with you.

I still remember eating a plate of raspberry-filled pierogi in Krakow for about $4 and wondering if there was a way to legally adopt the cook.

Czech Republic: Beyond Prague’s Crowds

Prague is gorgeous and 100% worth seeing, but prices there have climbed with its popularity. The rest of the Czech Republic still offers excellent value, though.

In smaller cities like Český Krumlov or Brno, expect around $40–$50 a day for:

Guesthouses or hostels in historic centers
Cheap, excellent beer
Castles, viewpoints, and summer festivals

Český Krumlov’s old town curves around a river like it’s posing for photos, and in summer you’ll see people drifting by on rafts while church bells ring overhead. It feels like a movie set, but your bank account stays firmly in reality.

Central & South America: Color, Culture, and Low Costs

If you like your budget friendly travel destinations with a side of volcanoes, jungles, and colonial towns, Central and South America are packed with options—especially if you aim for higher-altitude areas where winter means comfortable temperatures.

Latin America is where I first realized travel didn’t have to be expensive to be incredible. I arrived in Guatemala with a tight budget and mild panic, and left with the very smug realization that my money went further there than it ever did at home.

Guatemala: Mayan Ruins and Lake Views

Guatemala is one of the cheapest countries that makes budget travelers light up. With $25–$30 a day, you can:

Stay in guesthouses around Lake Atitlán or in Antigua
Eat local food for a few dollars a meal
Visit Mayan ruins like Tikal

Lake Atitlán, ringed by volcanoes and dotted with villages, might be one of the most beautiful (and budget travellers-friendly) spots in the region. I once rented a lakeside room with a balcony and hammock for less than what I usually pay for a mediocre hotel breakfast at home. Waking up to volcano views is a lot more fun than waking up to email notifications.

Nicaragua: Underrated and Exceptionally Affordable

Nicaragua often gets overshadowed by Costa Rica, but if you’re chasing cheap summer vacations, Nicaragua gives you more for less.

On $25–$30 daily, you can:

Explore colorful colonial cities like Granada and León
Try volcano boarding (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like)
Hit Pacific beaches like San Juan del Sur

You’ll find hostels with pools, ocean views, and hammocks for under $15 a night. And the best part? Just add in $2 street food and $1 buses, and your budget suddenly feels very powerful. I still remember bombing down the side of a volcano on a board, covered in ash, thinking, “I paid less for this entire day than I usually do for parking back home.”

Colombia: Big Value, Big Personality

Colombia has bounced back as a favorite among travelers, and it’s easy to see why. With $30–$35 a day, you can split your time between:

Cartagena’s walled city and Caribbean atmosphere
Medellín’s perfect climate and metro system
Coffee region towns like Salento, surrounded by green hills

Coffee tours are surprisingly affordable, and the quality is obviously top-tier. One of my best travel days ever was spent hiking through the Cocora Valley among towering wax palms, then refueling on a huge plate of local food for under $6. It’s one of those places where every direction looks like a desktop background.

Bolivia: South America’s Budget Champion

If you want your money to work overtime, Bolivia is your place. Daily budgets of $20–$25 are very realistic here.

Highlights include:

The surreal white expanse of Salar de Uyuni (the salt flats)
La Paz’s dramatic setting and markets
Lake Titicaca from the Bolivian side

Multi-day salt flat tours—including transport, meals, and basic accommodation—are often cheaper than a single day trip in more famous destinations. The altitude will humble you, but your wallet will be thriving.

Mexico (Non-Resort Edition)

Mexico is a huge country, and while resort zones can get pricey, other regions are great options to travel on a budget.

In cities like Oaxaca, Guanajuato, or inland parts of the Yucatán, you can thrive on $35–$40 a day:

Family-run guesthouses or small hotels
Endless tacos, tamales, and market food
Rich culture, museums, and nearby ruins

Oaxaca in particular is a dream if you love food and art. I still think about a $3 tlayuda (imagine a giant toasted tortilla loaded with beans, cheese, and toppings) I had at a night market there. I finished it and briefly considered ordering a second one purely for scientific research.

Africa & the Middle East: Big Experiences, Surprisingly Affordable Vacation

Some of the most memorable cheap vacations in summer I’ve had were in places people assume are either too expensive or too complicated. Often, they’re neither—they just haven’t made it onto the mainstream “Top 10 Summer Destinations” lists (which, frankly, is part of their charm).

Morocco: Chaos, Charm, and Low Costs

Morocco mixes North African, Arab, and European influences into one very colorful package. Summer is hot, but with smart planning and a daily budget of $30–$35, it’s absolutely doable.

You can:

Get lost (in a good way) in Marrakech’s medina
Escape to the Atlas Mountains for cooler air
Visit coastal towns like Essaouira

Traditional riads—historic homes turned into guesthouses—give you a real sense of place. Some of my favorite travel evenings are from riad rooftops, sipping mint tea while the city hums below and the call to prayer echoes across the rooftops. It’s one of those “Wow, I’m really here” moments that stick with you.

Egypt: Ancient History on a Modern Budget

Egypt is one of those bucket-list destinations that people assume is expensive. It really doesn’t have to be.

On $25–$30 a day, you can:

Visit the Pyramids and Egyptian Museum
Travel down to Luxor for temples and tombs
Sneak in a bit of Red Sea beach time

Summer is hot—no way around it—but that’s also why prices and crowds drop. If you plan early morning sightseeing and stay hydrated, you’ll manage fine. Seeing the pyramids without a wall of tour buses blocking your view is worth the alarm clock.

I remember standing in front of the Great Pyramid, half melting, half amazed, thinking, “People built this without power tools, and I’m sweating just walking around it.” Humbling is an understatement.

Jordan: Petra and the Desert

Jordan sits at a slightly higher price point, but for what you get, it’s still strong value. Think $40–$45 daily if you’re careful.

You can:

Spend a full day (or two) exploring Petra
Camp under the stars in Wadi Rum
Explore Amman’s café and food scene

The Jordan Pass, which bundles visa fees and entry to major sites, helps keep costs from creeping up. Walking through the narrow Siq and seeing the Treasury appear in front of you is one of those few “famous” travel moments that actually lives up to the hype.

Unconventional Summer Spots: When “Off-Season” Works in Your Favor

Sometimes the best cheap travel destinations happen when you zig while everyone else zags. These destinations may not scream “July trip!” at first glance, but they’re fantastic if you don’t mind being a little unconventional—and you like having more of a place to yourself.

Patagonia in Winter (a.k.a. Northern Summer)

In June–August, Patagonia is in winter, which sounds bizarre if you’re used to summer = beach. But if you’re into hiking and dramatic scenery, it can be a gold mine.

Expect:

Lower prices on accommodation and some tours
Fewer crowds on popular trails
Crisp, clear days if you catch a good weather window

The key is packing proper layers and being flexible. On the right day, standing in front of Fitz Roy or Torres del Paine with snow-capped peaks and very few other hikers feels like winning some secret travel lottery. Yes, your nose might be cold. No, you won’t care.

Nepal: Monsoon Season with a Twist

Nepal in summer is technically monsoon season, but conditions vary a lot by region and altitude. In many trekking areas, mornings are clear and rains roll in later, which actually works well if you start early.

With around $20–$25 a day, you can:

Stay in teahouses along popular trekking routes
Eat simple but filling meals
Explore Kathmandu and Pokhara before or after your trek

If you’re not doing a long trek, you can still enjoy short hikes, cultural sites, and lakeside relaxation in Pokhara. I spent an afternoon there sitting by the lake, watching paragliders launch from the hills, and honestly considered texting people at home, “If anyone needs me, I live here now.”

Baltic States: Northern Europe Without the Northern Prices

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania don’t always get top billing, but they’re lovely in summer and generally lighter on the wallet than Scandinavia.

In cities like Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius, a daily budget of $35–$40 covers cheap places:

Centrally located hostels or guesthouses
Café-hopping and market food
Day trips to beaches or national parks

Tallinn’s old town alone is worth the trip—medieval walls, towers, and winding streets that feel like they’ve been waiting centuries for you to show up with a camera. I went for “a couple of days” and ended up extending my stay, which is the highest compliment I can give a city.

Smart Money-Saving Strategies for Affordable Destinations

Knowing the right destinations is half the battle. The other half is planning smart so you get maximum value without turning your trip into an extreme couponing challenge.

Budget Travel Booking and Timing Tips

A few patterns I’ve seen over and over while hunting for cheap vacations in summer:

Book flights 6–8 weeks out for many international routes (Skyscanner’s 2024 data backs this up for lots of popular corridors).
Travel midweek when possible—Tuesday and Wednesday flights often come in cheapest.
Use flexible date searches on flight tools so you can see which days are dramatically cheaper.
Look at secondary airports—sometimes flying into a nearby city and taking a bus or train saves $100+.

When it comes to accommodation:

Prioritize budget accommodation places with free breakfast and kitchens. That alone can save $15–$25 a day.
Mix it up: maybe a few nights in hostels for social time, a few in private rooms or guesthouses for rest.
If you’re staying put for a week or more, check apartment rentals for affordable accommodations, which sometimes undercut hotels and give you a fridge for your snacks, which is very important.

Backpacker Budget: Cutting Daily Costs Without Cutting Fun

Some easy ways to keep budget friendly trip actually cheap:

Eat like a local. Street food and markets are almost always cheaper (and often better) than tourist-facing restaurants.
Use public transport. Buses, trams, and metros are your best friends in budget destinations.
Walk when you can. Not just to save money from car rentals—it’s often the best way to actually see a place.
Skip the $6 latte habit. Local coffee is usually cheaper and more interesting than international chains.

I also love free walking tours (tip-based) as a first-day activity in any new city. You get history, orientation, and practical tips from someone who actually lives there—plus a chance to ask, “Where do you eat?” which is the most important research question of all.

Choosing Activities That Deliver Value

Some of the best travel experiences don’t require VIP passes or skip-the-line tickets. Think:

Hiking in national parks or mountain regions
Visiting public beaches and viewpoints
Exploring neighborhoods and markets
Joining free festivals or summer events

City passes can be worth it if you actually plan to use them. A quick rule: add up the costs of the museums and sights you genuinely want. If the pass saves money and includes transport, great. If you’re stretching your schedule to “get your money’s worth,” maybe skip it.

Final Thoughts: Budget Travel Destinations Don’t Have to Feel Cheap

The big takeaway? Cheap vacations in summer are not about suffering through uncomfortable hostels or surviving on instant noodles (unless you’re weirdly into that, in which case—no judgment). They’re about choosing destinations where your money naturally goes further, then layering in smart planning so you can relax and actually enjoy the trip.

Whether you’re wandering lantern-lit streets in Hoi An, soaking in a thermal bath in Budapest, watching the sun set over Lake Atitlán, or staring up at the pyramids in Egypt, you don’t need a luxury budget to have a luxury-feeling experience.

If you remember nothing else, remember this:

Go where it’s off-peak but still awesome.
Spend on experiences, not just fancy rooms.
Use your budget as a guide, not a prison.

Plan it right, and your next cheap summer vacation might be the trip you talk about for years—the one that proves to you (and maybe a skeptical friend or two) that seeing the world doesn’t require winning the lottery first.

And honestly? Once you realize how far $30 a day can take you in the right place, it’s very hard to go back.

Cheap Vacations in Summer: 20 Budget-Friendly Destinations This Year

Why Budget Destinations Are Totally Possible