Most "cheapest countries" lists are opinions. This one is arithmetic: every country in our index is scored by the average mid-range, shoulder-season daily cost of the cities we track inside it — accommodation, food, local transport, activities and miscellaneous spending, per person, in USD. Flights and visas are deliberately excluded so the comparison stays apples-to-apples.
For each country we average the mid-range shoulder-season daily total of every indexed city it contains, then sort ascending. Countries with a single indexed city use that city as the baseline rather than pretending to a national average. Exchange rates are fixed as of 2025-05 so rankings move with real prices, not currency noise. The ranking is purely cost-based: it does not weight safety, visa difficulty or airfare, all of which can change the true cost of a trip more than a $5/day difference in this table.
Destination choice dominates every other budget decision. Moving from Switzerland to Nepal at the same travel style changes the daily figure by 7.7× — more than switching from mid-range to budget, more than travelling off-season, and more than any booking tactic. Pick the country first, then optimise style and season inside it.
| # | Country | Budget / day | Mid / day | Week (mid) | Month (budget) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nepal | $42 | $94 | $658 | $1260 |
| 2 | Cambodia | $47 | $108 | $756 | $1410 |
| 3 | Vietnam | $50 | $114 | $798 | $1500 |
| 4 | India | $53 | $118 | $826 | $1590 |
| 5 | Egypt | $52 | $120 | $840 | $1560 |
Weekly figures are seven days of mid-range spending; monthly figures assume budget-tier spending for 30 days and no long-stay rent discount. Booking a month-long apartment instead of nightly rooms typically pulls the monthly number down further — the cost-of-living pages show that split.
Ranked #1 at about $94/day mid-range in shoulder season — 66% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $42/day, which works out to $1260 for a month on the ground. Kathmandu is the single Nepal city in our index, so treat its $94/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in NPR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Oct–Nov.
Ranked #2 at about $108/day mid-range in shoulder season — 61% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $47/day, which works out to $1410 for a month on the ground. Siem Reap is the single Cambodia city in our index, so treat its $108/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in KHR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Nov–Feb.
Ranked #3 at about $114/day mid-range in shoulder season — 59% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $50/day, which works out to $1500 for a month on the ground. Inside the country, daily costs run from $108 in Hanoi to $120 in Ho Chi Minh City, so where you base yourself matters as much as when you go. Paying in VND; the best price-and-weather window we track is Oct–Apr.
Ranked #4 at about $118/day mid-range in shoulder season — 58% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $53/day, which works out to $1590 for a month on the ground. Inside the country, daily costs run from $108 in Delhi to $128 in Mumbai, so where you base yourself matters as much as when you go. Paying in INR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Oct–Mar.
Ranked #5 at about $120/day mid-range in shoulder season — 57% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $52/day, which works out to $1560 for a month on the ground. Cairo is the single Egypt city in our index, so treat its $120/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in EGP; the best price-and-weather window we track is Oct–Apr.
Ranked #6 at about $128/day mid-range in shoulder season — 54% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $58/day, which works out to $1740 for a month on the ground. Bali is the single Indonesia city in our index, so treat its $128/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in IDR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Oct.
Ranked #7 at about $128/day mid-range in shoulder season — 54% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $58/day, which works out to $1740 for a month on the ground. Bogotá is the single Colombia city in our index, so treat its $128/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in COP; the best price-and-weather window we track is Dec–Mar.
Ranked #8 at about $128/day mid-range in shoulder season — 54% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $58/day, which works out to $1740 for a month on the ground. Colombo is the single Sri Lanka city in our index, so treat its $128/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in LKR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Dec–Mar.
Ranked #9 at about $130/day mid-range in shoulder season — 53% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $56/day, which works out to $1680 for a month on the ground. Inside the country, daily costs run from $108 in Chiang Mai to $151 in Bangkok, so where you base yourself matters as much as when you go. Paying in THB; the best price-and-weather window we track is Nov–Feb.
Ranked #10 at about $151/day mid-range in shoulder season — 46% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $65/day, which works out to $1950 for a month on the ground. Manila is the single Philippines city in our index, so treat its $151/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in PHP; the best price-and-weather window we track is Dec–Feb.
Ranked #11 at about $154/day mid-range in shoulder season — 45% below the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $67/day, which works out to $2010 for a month on the ground. Amman is the single Jordan city in our index, so treat its $154/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in JOD; the best price-and-weather window we track is Mar–May.
Ranked #12 at about $171/day mid-range in shoulder season — 39% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $75/day, which works out to $2250 for a month on the ground. Bucharest is the single Romania city in our index, so treat its $171/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in RON; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Oct.
Ranked #13 at about $171/day mid-range in shoulder season — 39% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $75/day, which works out to $2250 for a month on the ground. Buenos Aires is the single Argentina city in our index, so treat its $171/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in ARS; the best price-and-weather window we track is Mar–May.
Ranked #14 at about $171/day mid-range in shoulder season — 39% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $75/day, which works out to $2250 for a month on the ground. Kuala Lumpur is the single Malaysia city in our index, so treat its $171/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in MYR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Dec–Feb.
Ranked #15 at about $171/day mid-range in shoulder season — 39% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $75/day, which works out to $2250 for a month on the ground. Lima is the single Peru city in our index, so treat its $171/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in PEN; the best price-and-weather window we track is Dec–Apr.
Ranked #16 at about $171/day mid-range in shoulder season — 39% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $75/day, which works out to $2250 for a month on the ground. Tbilisi is the single Georgia city in our index, so treat its $171/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in GEL; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Jun.
Ranked #17 at about $194/day mid-range in shoulder season — 30% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $84/day, which works out to $2520 for a month on the ground. Budapest is the single Hungary city in our index, so treat its $194/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in HUF; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Oct.
Ranked #18 at about $194/day mid-range in shoulder season — 30% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $84/day, which works out to $2520 for a month on the ground. Havana is the single Cuba city in our index, so treat its $194/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in CUP; the best price-and-weather window we track is Nov–Apr.
Ranked #19 at about $194/day mid-range in shoulder season — 30% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $84/day, which works out to $2520 for a month on the ground. Istanbul is the single Turkey city in our index, so treat its $194/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in TRY; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–May.
Ranked #20 at about $194/day mid-range in shoulder season — 30% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $84/day, which works out to $2520 for a month on the ground. Krakow is the single Poland city in our index, so treat its $194/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in PLN; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Sep.
Ranked #21 at about $194/day mid-range in shoulder season — 30% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $84/day, which works out to $2520 for a month on the ground. Marrakech is the single Morocco city in our index, so treat its $194/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in MAD; the best price-and-weather window we track is Mar–May.
Ranked #22 at about $236/day mid-range in shoulder season — 15% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $103/day, which works out to $3090 for a month on the ground. Cape Town is the single South Africa city in our index, so treat its $236/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in ZAR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Nov–Mar.
Ranked #23 at about $236/day mid-range in shoulder season — 15% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $103/day, which works out to $3090 for a month on the ground. Nairobi is the single Kenya city in our index, so treat its $236/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in KES; the best price-and-weather window we track is Jun–Oct.
Ranked #24 at about $236/day mid-range in shoulder season — 15% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $103/day, which works out to $3090 for a month on the ground. Prague is the single Czech Republic city in our index, so treat its $236/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in CZK; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Oct.
Ranked #25 at about $236/day mid-range in shoulder season — 15% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $103/day, which works out to $3090 for a month on the ground. San José is the single Costa Rica city in our index, so treat its $236/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in USD; the best price-and-weather window we track is Dec–Apr.
Ranked #26 at about $236/day mid-range in shoulder season — 15% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $103/day, which works out to $3090 for a month on the ground. Santiago is the single Chile city in our index, so treat its $236/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in CLP; the best price-and-weather window we track is Sep–Nov.
Ranked #27 at about $236/day mid-range in shoulder season — 15% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $103/day, which works out to $3090 for a month on the ground. Taipei is the single Taiwan city in our index, so treat its $236/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in TWD; the best price-and-weather window we track is Oct–Dec.
Ranked #28 at about $236/day mid-range in shoulder season — 15% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $103/day, which works out to $3090 for a month on the ground. Zanzibar is the single Tanzania city in our index, so treat its $236/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in TZS; the best price-and-weather window we track is Jun–Oct.
Ranked #29 at about $257/day mid-range in shoulder season — 8% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $112/day, which works out to $3360 for a month on the ground. Athens is the single Greece city in our index, so treat its $257/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Jun.
Ranked #30 at about $257/day mid-range in shoulder season — 8% under the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $112/day, which works out to $3360 for a month on the ground. Rio de Janeiro is the single Brazil city in our index, so treat its $257/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in BRL; the best price-and-weather window we track is Dec–Mar.
Ranked #31 at about $289/day mid-range in shoulder season — 4% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $127/day, which works out to $3810 for a month on the ground. Inside the country, daily costs run from $236 in Mexico City to $342 in Cancún, so where you base yourself matters as much as when you go. Paying in MXN; the best price-and-weather window we track is Mar–May.
Ranked #32 at about $290/day mid-range in shoulder season — 4% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $127/day, which works out to $3810 for a month on the ground. Inside the country, daily costs run from $279 in Porto to $300 in Lisbon, so where you base yourself matters as much as when you go. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is May–Sep.
Ranked #33 at about $300/day mid-range in shoulder season — 8% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $132/day, which works out to $3960 for a month on the ground. Panama City is the single Panama city in our index, so treat its $300/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in USD; the best price-and-weather window we track is Dec–Apr.
Ranked #34 at about $300/day mid-range in shoulder season — 8% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $132/day, which works out to $3960 for a month on the ground. Seoul is the single South Korea city in our index, so treat its $300/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in KRW; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Jun.
Ranked #35 at about $322/day mid-range in shoulder season — 15% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $140/day, which works out to $4200 for a month on the ground. Berlin is the single Germany city in our index, so treat its $322/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is May–Sep.
Ranked #36 at about $342/day mid-range in shoulder season — 23% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $150/day, which works out to $4500 for a month on the ground. Dubrovnik is the single Croatia city in our index, so treat its $342/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is May–Jun.
Ranked #37 at about $354/day mid-range in shoulder season — 27% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $155/day, which works out to $4650 for a month on the ground. Inside the country, daily costs run from $342 in Madrid to $365 in Barcelona, so where you base yourself matters as much as when you go. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Jun.
Ranked #38 at about $365/day mid-range in shoulder season — 31% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $159/day, which works out to $4770 for a month on the ground. Brussels is the single Belgium city in our index, so treat its $365/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is May–Sep.
Ranked #39 at about $385/day mid-range in shoulder season — 38% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $169/day, which works out to $5070 for a month on the ground. Hong Kong is the single China city in our index, so treat its $385/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in HKD; the best price-and-weather window we track is Oct–Dec.
Ranked #40 at about $397/day mid-range in shoulder season — 42% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $173/day, which works out to $5190 for a month on the ground. Inside the country, daily costs run from $385 in Florence to $408 in Rome, so where you base yourself matters as much as when you go. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–May.
Ranked #41 at about $397/day mid-range in shoulder season — 42% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $173/day, which works out to $5190 for a month on the ground. Inside the country, daily costs run from $385 in Kyoto to $408 in Tokyo, so where you base yourself matters as much as when you go. Paying in JPY; the best price-and-weather window we track is Mar–Apr.
Ranked #42 at about $408/day mid-range in shoulder season — 46% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $177/day, which works out to $5310 for a month on the ground. Amsterdam is the single Netherlands city in our index, so treat its $408/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Jun.
Ranked #43 at about $408/day mid-range in shoulder season — 46% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $177/day, which works out to $5310 for a month on the ground. Dublin is the single Ireland city in our index, so treat its $408/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is May–Sep.
Ranked #44 at about $408/day mid-range in shoulder season — 46% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $177/day, which works out to $5310 for a month on the ground. Helsinki is the single Finland city in our index, so treat its $408/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Jun–Aug.
Ranked #45 at about $408/day mid-range in shoulder season — 46% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $177/day, which works out to $5310 for a month on the ground. Vienna is the single Austria city in our index, so treat its $408/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Oct.
Ranked #46 at about $428/day mid-range in shoulder season — 53% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $187/day, which works out to $5610 for a month on the ground. Auckland is the single New Zealand city in our index, so treat its $428/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in NZD; the best price-and-weather window we track is Nov–Mar.
Ranked #47 at about $428/day mid-range in shoulder season — 53% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $187/day, which works out to $5610 for a month on the ground. Tel Aviv is the single Israel city in our index, so treat its $428/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in ILS; the best price-and-weather window we track is Mar–May.
Ranked #48 at about $471/day mid-range in shoulder season — 69% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $207/day, which works out to $6210 for a month on the ground. Copenhagen is the single Denmark city in our index, so treat its $471/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in DKK; the best price-and-weather window we track is May–Sep.
Ranked #49 at about $471/day mid-range in shoulder season — 69% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $207/day, which works out to $6210 for a month on the ground. Dubai is the single United Arab Emirates city in our index, so treat its $471/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in AED; the best price-and-weather window we track is Nov–Mar.
Ranked #50 at about $471/day mid-range in shoulder season — 69% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $207/day, which works out to $6210 for a month on the ground. Singapore is the single Singapore city in our index, so treat its $471/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in SGD; the best price-and-weather window we track is Feb–Apr.
Ranked #51 at about $471/day mid-range in shoulder season — 69% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $207/day, which works out to $6210 for a month on the ground. Stockholm is the single Sweden city in our index, so treat its $471/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in SEK; the best price-and-weather window we track is May–Sep.
Ranked #52 at about $471/day mid-range in shoulder season — 69% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $207/day, which works out to $6210 for a month on the ground. Toronto is the single Canada city in our index, so treat its $471/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in CAD; the best price-and-weather window we track is May–Oct.
Ranked #53 at about $493/day mid-range in shoulder season — 77% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $216/day, which works out to $6480 for a month on the ground. Inside the country, daily costs run from $471 in Melbourne to $514 in Sydney, so where you base yourself matters as much as when you go. Paying in AUD; the best price-and-weather window we track is Mar–May.
Ranked #54 at about $514/day mid-range in shoulder season — 84% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $224/day, which works out to $6720 for a month on the ground. Paris is the single France city in our index, so treat its $514/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in EUR; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Jun.
Ranked #55 at about $556/day mid-range in shoulder season — 99% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $245/day, which works out to $7350 for a month on the ground. London is the single United Kingdom city in our index, so treat its $556/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in GBP; the best price-and-weather window we track is May–Sep.
Ranked #56 at about $556/day mid-range in shoulder season — 99% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $245/day, which works out to $7350 for a month on the ground. Reykjavik is the single Iceland city in our index, so treat its $556/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in ISK; the best price-and-weather window we track is Jun–Aug.
Ranked #57 at about $728/day mid-range in shoulder season — 161% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $318/day, which works out to $9540 for a month on the ground. Inside the country, daily costs run from $728 in New York to $728 in San Francisco, so where you base yourself matters as much as when you go. Paying in USD; the best price-and-weather window we track is Apr–Jun.
Ranked #58 at about $728/day mid-range in shoulder season — 161% above the global median (~$279/day). Budget travellers get by on roughly $318/day, which works out to $9540 for a month on the ground. Zurich is the single Switzerland city in our index, so treat its $728/day figure as the country baseline rather than a national average. Paying in CHF; the best price-and-weather window we track is May–Sep.
Country rankings hide a regional pattern: once you know which region you are flying to, the affordable options within it cluster tightly. If your flight budget locks the region, use this table to find the cheapest entry point inside it rather than chasing a country ten time zones away.
| Region | Cities | Avg mid / day | Cheapest city |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Asia | 4 | $115 | Kathmandu |
| North Africa | 2 | $157 | Cairo |
| Southeast Asia | 9 | $168 | Chiang Mai |
| Central Asia | 1 | $171 | Tbilisi |
| South America | 5 | $193 | Bogotá |
| Caribbean | 1 | $194 | Havana |
| Eastern Europe | 4 | $199 | Bucharest |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 3 | $236 | Cape Town |
| Central America | 4 | $279 | Mexico City |
| Middle East | 4 | $312 | Amman |
| Southern Europe | 8 | $335 | Athens |
| East Asia | 5 | $343 | Taipei |
| Western Europe | 8 | $464 | Berlin |
| Oceania | 3 | $471 | Auckland |
| Northern Europe | 4 | $477 | Helsinki |
| North America | 3 | $642 | Toronto |