Budget Travel Calculator 2025: Real Costs in 50 Countries
Last updated: January 2025 | 12 min read
Planning a budget trip but unsure about daily costs? Our comprehensive budget travel calculator provides real daily expenses from 50 countries worldwide, based on actual traveler data and current prices as of 2025.
Budget Ranges Explained:
- • Ultra Budget: $20-35/day (hostels, street food, local transport)
- • Budget: $35-80/day (budget hotels, local restaurants, some activities)
- • Mid Budget: $80-150/day (mid-range hotels, varied dining, tours)
- • Expensive: $150+/day (hotels, restaurants, frequent activities)
Interactive Budget Calculator
Showing 52 countries
| Country | Region | Accommodation | Food | Transport | Activities | Total/Day | Budget Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | Southeast Asia | $8 | $6 | $3 | $5 | $22 | ULTRA BUDGET |
| Laos | Southeast Asia | $10 | $7 | $4 | $6 | $27 | ULTRA BUDGET |
| Cambodia | Southeast Asia | $12 | $8 | $5 | $7 | $32 | ULTRA BUDGET |
| Thailand | Southeast Asia | $15 | $10 | $6 | $9 | $40 | BUDGET |
| Indonesia | Southeast Asia | $12 | $8 | $7 | $8 | $35 | ULTRA BUDGET |
| Philippines | Southeast Asia | $18 | $12 | $8 | $10 | $48 | BUDGET |
| Malaysia | Southeast Asia | $20 | $12 | $8 | $12 | $52 | BUDGET |
| Nepal | South Asia | $8 | $5 | $3 | $6 | $22 | ULTRA BUDGET |
| India | South Asia | $10 | $6 | $4 | $8 | $28 | ULTRA BUDGET |
| Bangladesh | South Asia | $12 | $7 | $5 | $6 | $30 | ULTRA BUDGET |
| Pakistan | South Asia | $15 | $8 | $6 | $9 | $38 | BUDGET |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | $18 | $10 | $7 | $12 | $47 | BUDGET |
| Guatemala | Central America | $15 | $10 | $8 | $12 | $45 | BUDGET |
| Honduras | Central America | $18 | $12 | $9 | $11 | $50 | BUDGET |
| Nicaragua | Central America | $20 | $12 | $8 | $15 | $55 | BUDGET |
| El Salvador | Central America | $22 | $15 | $10 | $13 | $60 | BUDGET |
| Ukraine | Eastern Europe | $20 | $15 | $5 | $10 | $50 | BUDGET |
| Bulgaria | Eastern Europe | $25 | $18 | $8 | $14 | $65 | BUDGET |
| Romania | Eastern Europe | $28 | $20 | $10 | $17 | $75 | BUDGET |
| Hungary | Eastern Europe | $35 | $25 | $12 | $20 | $92 | MID BUDGET |
| Poland | Eastern Europe | $40 | $28 | $15 | $22 | $105 | MID BUDGET |
| Bolivia | South America | $15 | $8 | $6 | $11 | $40 | BUDGET |
| Peru | South America | $20 | $12 | $8 | $15 | $55 | BUDGET |
| Ecuador | South America | $22 | $15 | $10 | $18 | $65 | BUDGET |
| Colombia | South America | $25 | $18 | $12 | $20 | $75 | BUDGET |
| Argentina | South America | $30 | $22 | $15 | $25 | $92 | MID BUDGET |
| Brazil | South America | $35 | $25 | $18 | $27 | $105 | MID BUDGET |
| Ethiopia | Africa | $12 | $8 | $5 | $10 | $35 | ULTRA BUDGET |
| Kenya | Africa | $20 | $15 | $10 | $15 | $60 | BUDGET |
| Tanzania | Africa | $25 | $18 | $12 | $20 | $75 | BUDGET |
| Morocco | Africa | $30 | $20 | $15 | $25 | $90 | MID BUDGET |
| Egypt | Africa | $25 | $15 | $10 | $20 | $70 | BUDGET |
| Turkey | Middle East | $35 | $20 | $15 | $25 | $95 | MID BUDGET |
| Jordan | Middle East | $40 | $25 | $18 | $30 | $113 | MID BUDGET |
| Iran | Middle East | $25 | $15 | $8 | $17 | $65 | BUDGET |
| Portugal | Europe | $45 | $35 | $20 | $30 | $130 | MID BUDGET |
| Spain | Europe | $50 | $40 | $25 | $35 | $150 | MID BUDGET |
| Greece | Europe | $55 | $45 | $20 | $40 | $160 | MID BUDGET |
| Italy | Europe | $60 | $50 | $30 | $45 | $185 | EXPENSIVE |
| France | Europe | $70 | $55 | $35 | $50 | $210 | EXPENSIVE |
| Germany | Europe | $65 | $50 | $30 | $45 | $190 | EXPENSIVE |
| Netherlands | Europe | $80 | $60 | $40 | $55 | $235 | EXPENSIVE |
| Mexico | North America | $40 | $25 | $15 | $30 | $110 | MID BUDGET |
| Canada | North America | $90 | $65 | $45 | $60 | $260 | EXPENSIVE |
| United States | North America | $100 | $70 | $50 | $70 | $290 | EXPENSIVE |
| Australia | Oceania | $95 | $65 | $40 | $75 | $275 | EXPENSIVE |
| New Zealand | Oceania | $85 | $60 | $35 | $70 | $250 | EXPENSIVE |
| China | East Asia | $45 | $30 | $20 | $35 | $130 | MID BUDGET |
| South Korea | East Asia | $65 | $45 | $25 | $50 | $185 | EXPENSIVE |
| Japan | East Asia | $80 | $55 | $35 | $60 | $230 | EXPENSIVE |
| Russia | Europe/Asia | $40 | $25 | $15 | $25 | $105 | MID BUDGET |
| Israel | Middle East | $70 | $50 | $30 | $45 | $195 | EXPENSIVE |
Top 10 Ultra-Budget Destinations
These destinations offer the best value for money, where you can travel comfortably for under $35 per day:
Understanding Budget Breakdown
🏠 Accommodation Costs
- Ultra Budget ($8-20/day): Hostel dorms, basic guesthouses
- Budget ($20-50/day): Private hostel rooms, budget hotels
- Mid Budget ($50-100/day): Mid-range hotels, Airbnb
- Expensive ($100+/day): Luxury hotels, premium locations
🍜 Food Costs
- Ultra Budget ($5-15/day): Street food, local markets, cooking
- Budget ($15-30/day): Local restaurants, occasional western food
- Mid Budget ($30-60/day): Mix of local and international restaurants
- Expensive ($60+/day): Fine dining, hotel restaurants
🚌 Transport Costs
- Ultra Budget ($3-10/day): Local buses, walking, hitchhiking
- Budget ($10-25/day): Regional buses, some taxis
- Mid Budget ($25-50/day): Domestic flights, private transport
- Expensive ($50+/day): Frequent flights, rental cars, taxis
🎯 Activity Costs
- Ultra Budget ($5-15/day): Free attractions, hiking, beaches
- Budget ($15-35/day): Some paid attractions, occasional tours
- Mid Budget ($35-70/day): Regular tours, entrance fees, experiences
- Expensive ($70+/day): Premium tours, multiple activities
Regional Budget Analysis
🌏 Southeast Asia
Average: $22-52/day
The backpacker's paradise. Street food is incredible and cheap, accommodation ranges from $5 dorms to $30 private rooms.
Explore Asian destinations →🏛️ Eastern Europe
Average: $50-105/day
Great value with rich history and culture. Accommodation and food costs vary significantly between countries.
Explore European destinations →🌎 Central America
Average: $45-60/day
Affordable with amazing nature and culture. Transportation between countries can be time-consuming but cheap.
Browse all destinations →🦁 Africa
Average: $35-90/day
Huge variation by country. East Africa generally cheaper than southern Africa. Safari costs extra.
Explore African destinations →🏔️ Western Europe
Average: $130-235/day
Most expensive region but excellent infrastructure. Consider staying in smaller cities to save money.
Explore European destinations →🗾 East Asia
Average: $130-230/day
Higher costs but incredible experiences. Japan most expensive, China most affordable in the region.
Explore Asian destinations →Money-Saving Travel Tips
💰 Accommodation Tips
- • Book hostels in advance for better rates
- • Consider homestays and guesthouses over hotels
- • Stay slightly outside city centers
- • Look for places with kitchens to cook your own meals
- • Use apps like Hostelworld, Booking.com for deals
🍜 Food Budget Tips
- • Eat where locals eat - street food is often the best
- • Shop at local markets and cook when possible
- • Lunch menus are often cheaper than dinner
- • Avoid tourist areas for meals
- • Try local specialties - they're usually the cheapest
🚌 Transport Savings
- • Use local public transport over taxis
- • Book buses and trains in advance
- • Consider overland travel vs. flights
- • Walk or rent bikes in cities
- • Share rides with other travelers
🎯 Activity Budget Hacks
- • Look for free walking tours and museums
- • Visit during free/discount days
- • Book activities through local operators
- • Group bookings often get discounts
- • Nature activities are usually cheaper
Budget Travel FAQ
How accurate are these daily budget estimates?
Our estimates are based on 2024-2025 data from budget travelers, hostel prices, and local cost surveys. Actual costs may vary by season, travel style, and specific locations within countries.
Do these budgets include flights?
No, these are daily in-country costs only. International flights, visas, and travel insurance are separate expenses to factor into your total budget.
How can I stretch my budget further?
Stay longer in each place (monthly discounts), travel slowly, cook your own meals, use local transport, and seek out free activities like hiking and beaches.
What's not included in these daily costs?
Visa fees, international transport, travel insurance, souvenirs, alcohol, and emergency expenses are typically not included in daily budget calculations.
Which regions offer the best value for money?
Southeast Asia and South Asia offer the best value, followed by Central America and Eastern Europe. Your dollar goes furthest in countries like Vietnam, Nepal, and Guatemala.
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