26 Amazingly Cheap Places to Visit from the UK in 2027
If you thought a proper holiday abroad meant draining your savings, it's time for a rethink. Some of the world's most rewarding destinations — think ancient temples, jungle-fringed coastlines, mountain treks, and cities that never stop buzzing — are also some of the cheapest to visit. And with flight prices from UK airports more competitive than ever heading into 2027, there's rarely been a better time to go further for less.
At Birdvoyage, we don't just believe cheap travel means cutting corners. It's the opposite: it's freedom. When your money goes further, you can stay longer, eat better, add on that extra excursion, and worry less about the bill at the end of the trip. We've pulled together this list of 26 outstanding budget destinations reachable from the UK — organised by region, with realistic daily budgets, flight guidance, and the best time to go for each. Wherever you land on this list, our team can help build the flights and packages around it.
A quick note on the numbers: "backpacker budget" assumes hostel dorms or shared rooms, local food, and public transport. "Mid-range budget" assumes private rooms or budget hotels, the odd guided tour, and eating out properly at least once a day. Flight prices are indicative return fares from London airports, correct as of mid-2027 booking windows — always cheaper the further ahead (and the more flexible) you book, and regional UK airports often add attractive low-cost routes too.
Quick answers — cheap places to visit from the UK
Cheap short-haul destinations (under 6 hours from the UK): Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Romania (Transylvania), the Baltic States, Georgia, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt
Cheap long-haul destinations in Asia: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India
Cheap long-haul destinations in the Americas: Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Argentina, El Salvador
Cheap long-haul destinations in Africa: Morocco, Egypt, Cape Verde, South Africa
Best for an easy, affordable beach holiday: Turkey, Egypt, Cape Verde, Thailand, Mexico
Best for backpacker bargains: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Bolivia, Nepal
Best for culture and adventure on a budget: Georgia, Colombia, Romania, Sri Lanka, Bosnia & Herzegovina
1. Turkey
For UK travellers, Turkey is about as unbeatable as budget travel gets: short flight times, no jet lag, and prices that stretch remarkably far once you get beyond the big resort strips. Istanbul alone is worth the trip — the Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, and a Bosphorus ferry ride all for the price of a coffee back home — while the Turquoise Coast delivers the kind of turquoise water and pine-backed coves that Greek islands charge triple for.
Street food like köfte or a simit pastry can cost under £1, and a proper sit-down meal with a view rarely tops £8-10. Head inland to Cappadocia for hot air balloons over surreal rock formations, or the ruins at Ephesus, and you'll find prices drop even further away from Istanbul and the coastal resorts.
Backpacker Budget: £25 a day Mid-range Budget: £45 a day Flights from the UK: from around £60-£110 return (direct flights under 4 hours from most UK airports) When to go: peak season Jun-Aug — shoulder season Apr-May, Sep-Oct offers better value and cooler sightseeing weather
2. Bulgaria
Bulgaria remains one of Europe's best-kept secrets and one of the cheapest countries on the continent to visit — a rarity given how short the flight is. It's not just Black Sea beach towns either: the interior is packed with history, from the fortress at Belogradchik to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, and Plovdiv claims the title of Europe's oldest continually inhabited city.
A local meal costs a few pounds, a pint even less, and a comfortable city-centre guesthouse can be found for £25-£35 a night. Sofia, the capital, is wonderfully walkable and criminally underrated as a city break.
Backpacker Budget: £30 a day Mid-range Budget: £50 a day Flights from the UK: from around £50-£90 return direct to Sofia When to go: spring, summer, and early autumn
3. Albania
Albania has been having a moment — mostly thanks to social media clips of Ksamil's beaches, which are (rightly) compared to the Maldives. Prices in Ksamil itself have crept up, but the rest of the country is still remarkably affordable, and largely free of the crowds the hype might suggest.
Beyond the coastline, don't miss Tirana's quirky, colourful capital energy, the Ottoman-era towns like Berat and Gjirokastër, and the wild landscapes of the Albanian Alps. The newly protected Vjosa Wild River National Park is a brilliant, uncrowded spot for rafting and canyon walks.
Backpacker Budget: £28 a day Mid-range Budget: £45 a day Flights from the UK: from around £70-£120 return, mostly via Tirana When to go: peak season Jul-Aug — shoulder season Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct for better prices and fewer crowds
4. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Still overshadowed in the public imagination by a conflict that ended three decades ago, Bosnia has quietly become one of the Balkans' most rewarding — and cheapest — destinations. Mostar's Old Bridge, rebuilt stone by stone, is one of Europe's most photogenic sights, while the capital Sarajevo mixes Ottoman old town charm with a genuinely moving, layered history.
Meals, transport, and accommodation are all a fraction of Western European prices, making it easy to combine with a Croatia trip for a two-country adventure that won't blow the budget.
Backpacker Budget: £25 a day Mid-range Budget: £42 a day Flights from the UK: from around £80-£140 return to Sarajevo (often via a connection) When to go: peak season Jul-Aug — shoulder season May-Jun and Sep for the best value
5. Romania (Transylvania)
Say "Transylvania" and most people think of Dracula — but the reality is medieval towns, fortified Saxon churches, and the dramatic Carpathian mountains, all at prices that make the rest of Europe look overpriced by comparison. Brașov and Sibiu are gorgeous, walkable old towns, and in winter you'll find low-cost ski resorts and snow-dusted castles that feel a world away from the price tags of the Alps.
Backpacker Budget: £30 a day Mid-range Budget: £48 a day Flights from the UK: from around £45-£95 return to Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca When to go: peak season Jun-Aug — shoulder season Apr-May and Sep-Oct, or winter for skiing and Christmas markets
6. The Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
Think of the Baltics as Scandinavia at a third of the price. Medieval old towns, deep forests, saunas, and a genuinely fascinating recent history — all reachable on a short, affordable flight from the UK. Tallinn's compact, fairytale old town has become a favourite short-break destination, while Vilnius and Riga offer just as much charm with even fewer crowds.
Backpacker Budget: £32 a day Mid-range Budget: £55 a day Flights from the UK: from around £40-£90 return When to go: late spring through early autumn; winter is atmospheric but cold
7. Republic of Georgia
Straddling the edge of Europe and Asia, Georgia is one of the best-value destinations you can currently fly to. Tbilisi's crumbling wooden houses sit alongside daring modern architecture and Soviet-era relics, and from the capital you can easily reach the dramatic Caucasus Mountains, Black Sea beaches, and ancient cave monasteries. Georgian food and wine — some of the oldest wine-making traditions on earth — are exceptional value too.
Backpacker Budget: £16 a day Mid-range Budget: £32 a day Flights from the UK: from around £120-£200 return to Tbilisi When to go: May-Jun and Sep-Oct for the best weather without the peak summer crowds
8. Morocco
A short hop from the UK puts you in an entirely different world. Morocco delivers bustling souks, Sahara desert camps under an incredible starlit sky, and the Atlas Mountains, all at prices that rarely strain a budget — provided you steer clear of the persistent rug salesmen in the markets.
Riads — traditional courtyard guesthouses — offer real character for surprisingly little; budget options in central Marrakech can be found from around £35-£45 a night. Head to Chefchaouen's blue-washed streets or Essaouira's breezy Atlantic coastline for a change of pace from Marrakech's intensity.
Backpacker Budget: £28 a day Mid-range Budget: £45 a day Flights from the UK: from around £60-£100 return, with regular direct flights to Marrakech When to go: spring (Mar-May) and autumn (Sep-Nov) avoid the summer heat, especially inland and in the desert
9. Egypt
Currency devaluation has made Egypt one of the sharpest-value destinations around right now, and the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza gives 2027 a genuinely good reason to finally tick the Pyramids off your list. Beyond the big cultural sights, laid-back Red Sea towns like Dahab offer excellent-value diving and windsurfing.
A guide is worth having at major historical sites to navigate the persistent hassle for tips and souvenirs, but overall costs — food, domestic transport, hotels — remain low even for a comfortable trip.
Backpacker Budget: £22 a day Mid-range Budget: £40 a day Flights from the UK: from around £150-£280 return to Cairo, with cheaper resort-focused fares to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh When to go: peak season Oct-Apr avoids the fierce summer heat, especially for Cairo and Luxor sightseeing
10. Vietnam
Vietnam has been rediscovered in a big way lately — no longer just a backpacker classic, it's now a favourite with long-stay digital nomads too, thanks to a booming economy, cleaner cities, and prices that have barely moved despite the development. Da Nang, in Central Vietnam, has become a particular darling for its liveability and low cost of living.
Eat like a local and you'll rarely spend more than a couple of pounds a meal, while a clean, comfortable hotel room can be found from around £11 a night. Vietnam is less about picture-perfect beaches (Thailand and Indonesia edge it there) and more about extraordinary food, dramatic limestone landscapes, and rich culture.
Backpacker Budget: £24 a day Mid-range Budget: £40 a day Flights from the UK: from around £480-£600 return to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City When to go: peak season Nov-Mar — shoulder season Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct
11. Thailand
Thailand's reputation as a tourist-friendly, easy-to-navigate budget destination is well earned. The islands and beaches get the attention (and, on the most popular ones, the higher prices), but head inland to the Chiang Mai region and you're in proper budget-travel territory — rice paddies, temples, hill tribe villages, and hostel beds from around £5 a night.
For an easier first-timer's trip, Birdvoyage can combine a few days in Bangkok with an island stay and a northern add-on, all built around the cheapest available flight windows.
Backpacker Budget: £24 a day (inland) Mid-range Budget: £42 a day Flights from the UK: from around £335-£420 return, direct flights available from Heathrow When to go: peak season Nov-Feb — shoulder season Apr-Jun and Oct
12. Cambodia
Most visitors come for Angkor Wat, and rightly so — it's one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on earth. But Cambodia rewards travellers who go further: the riverside calm of Kratie, the untouched jungles of the Cardamom Mountains, and the low-key island of Koh Rong Sanloem. It's also one of the very cheapest countries in Asia to travel.
Backpacker Budget: £20 a day Mid-range Budget: £36 a day Flights from the UK: from around £500-£650 return, typically via a connecting hub When to go: peak season Dec-Feb — shoulder season Apr-May and Nov
13. Laos
If Thailand feels a little too well-trodden, Laos is what you're looking for. Mountainous, sparsely populated, and around 70% forest, it's a paradise for trekking, kayaking, and zip-lining — all at rock-bottom prices, and without the crowds. Sleep in a treehouse and zip-line through the jungle canopy at the Gibbon Experience, or chase waterfalls across the Bolaven Plateau.
Backpacker Budget: £20 a day Mid-range Budget: £36 a day Flights from the UK: from around £520-£680 return via a connecting hub to Vientiane or Luang Prabang When to go: peak season Nov-Feb — shoulder season Oct and Mar-Apr
14. Indonesia
Bali gets all the attention, and it's an easy, affordable island to visit — but it's also increasingly overtouristed, and it's just a tiny speck in a vast archipelago. Venture to Lombok, Flores, the Komodo islands, or further into Sulawesi and Sumatra, and prices drop even further while the crowds thin out dramatically.
A recent guesthouse stay with air conditioning in Sulawesi cost around £9-£10 a night, with meals often under £2. From white sand beaches to volcano treks and wild orangutans, Indonesia rewards those willing to look beyond Bali.
Backpacker Budget: £22 a day Mid-range Budget: £38 a day Flights from the UK: from around £480-£620 return to Bali (Denpasar), usually with one stop When to go: peak season Jun-Sep — shoulder season Mar-May and Oct-Nov
15. The Philippines
With over 7,000 tropical islands, the Philippines has a fair claim to Southeast Asia's best beaches. Palawan is the standout for a beach-and-island-focused trip, but the country also delivers spectacular rice terraces in the north and a genuinely unique cultural mix of Southeast Asian, Spanish, and American influences.
Backpacker Budget: £27 a day Mid-range Budget: £46 a day Flights from the UK: from around £550-£700 return to Manila, typically via a Middle Eastern or Asian hub When to go: peak season Dec-Feb — shoulder season Nov and Apr-May
16. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is finally back on many travellers' radars after years of pandemic and economic disruption, and current currency weakness makes it exceptional value. Beyond the famous Ella scenic train route, expect the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, superb wildlife-spotting (leopards, elephants, whales), and beaches that are still far less developed than Thailand's.
Restaurant meals can be found for around £2-3, and a comfortable budget guesthouse for around £18-£20 a night.
Backpacker Budget: £18 a day Mid-range Budget: £34 a day Flights from the UK: from around £480-£600 return to Colombo, usually via a Middle Eastern hub When to go: peak season Dec-Mar (west/south coasts) — with the east coast better Apr-Sep
17. Nepal
Nepal offers some of the world's cheapest mountain trekking, guided or independent, alongside the warmth of Kathmandu and the kind of natural drama that photos never quite do justice to. Well-supported teahouse routes through the Himalayas mean you don't need to camp or carry heavy supplies to reach genuinely epic viewpoints. A week-long trek to Annapurna Base Camp can realistically cost under £16 a day.
Backpacker Budget: £15 a day Mid-range Budget: £30 a day Flights from the UK: from around £480-£620 return to Kathmandu, usually with one stop When to go: peak trekking season Oct-Nov — shoulder season Sep, Dec, and Mar-Apr
18. India
India is a country of extraordinary contrasts — a booming modern economy sitting alongside pockets of real poverty, and a range of prices to match. A mid-range hotel in central Mumbai might cost £45 a night, while a room in desert-city Jaisalmer might cost a fifth of that. It can be intense for first-time visitors, so regions like Rajasthan and Kerala are a gentler introduction than diving straight into the biggest cities.
Backpacker Budget: £12-15 a day Mid-range Budget: £30 a day Flights from the UK: from around £420-£550 return to Delhi or Mumbai When to go: peak season Nov-Feb — shoulder season Oct and Mar
19. Mexico
Mexico remains an inherently affordable destination, and it's easier to reach from the UK than many people assume, with direct and one-stop flights to Cancun. The catch is that the Yucatan's beach hotspots — Cancun and Tulum especially — are priced close to Western levels, geared entirely towards tourists.
For real value, head inland from the coast: Merida, Bacalar, Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca all offer superb food and culture without the resort mark-up.
Backpacker Budget: £30 a day Mid-range Budget: £48 a day Flights from the UK: from around £450-£640 return to Cancun When to go: peak season Jun-Sep and Jan — shoulder season Oct-Nov and Apr-May
20. Colombia
Once defined by its troubled past, Colombia has transformed into one of South America's most compelling — and most affordable — destinations. It has both a Pacific and a Caribbean coast, a slice of the Amazon, and the northern reaches of the Andes, plus the buzz of Medellín and Bogotá and a famously warm welcome from locals.
Some border regions are still best avoided, but the north coast and the coffee-growing zone are consistently praised by travellers as safe, beautiful, and cheap.
Backpacker Budget: £24 a day Mid-range Budget: £40 a day Flights from the UK: from around £480-£650 return to Bogotá, usually via a US or European hub When to go: peak season Dec-Mar — shoulder season Jul-Sep
21. Guatemala
Guatemala doesn't get the attention neighbouring Costa Rica does, but its landscapes are every bit as dramatic — and considerably cheaper. The Mayan temples of Tikal rising out of the jungle at sunrise are unforgettable, as is Lake Atitlán, ringed by volcanoes and slow-paced lakeside villages. Add in the jungle river caves of Semuc Champey and you have one of Central America's best-value adventure destinations.
Backpacker Budget: £20 a day Mid-range Budget: £40 a day Flights from the UK: from around £520-£680 return to Guatemala City, usually via the US When to go: peak season Nov-Apr (dry season)
22. Nicaragua
Think of Nicaragua as Costa Rica's better-value neighbour — many of the same experiences (volcano treks, surf towns, colonial cities, jungle wildlife) at a fraction of the cost. Highlights include the colonial towns of Granada and León, and Ometepe, a volcanic island sitting inside a vast freshwater lake.
Backpacker Budget: £24 a day Mid-range Budget: £32 a day Flights from the UK: from around £550-£700 return, typically via the US When to go: peak season Nov-May (dry season)
23. El Salvador
El Salvador's reputation lags well behind its reality. A sweeping crackdown on gang violence in 2022-23 transformed the security situation, and it's now considered one of Central America's safest countries to visit — with some of the region's lowest prices to match. Surfer beaches, volcano hikes, and colonial towns give it a "see it before everyone else does" appeal.
Backpacker Budget: £24 a day Mid-range Budget: £36 a day Flights from the UK: from around £550-£700 return, usually via the US When to go: peak season Nov-Mar (dry season)
24. Bolivia
Bolivia is South America's ultimate budget destination — a mountainous, remote-feeling country that's often overlooked in favour of beach destinations elsewhere on the continent. The otherworldly Salar de Uyuni salt flats and the world's highest navigable lake, Titicaca, are reason enough to visit, and it pairs naturally with a trip to neighbouring Peru.
Backpacker Budget: £20 a day Mid-range Budget: £40 a day Flights from the UK: from around £600-£780 return, usually routed via Lima or a US hub When to go: May-Oct (dry season) for the best conditions on the salt flats
25. Argentina (the north)
Argentina's peso strength in recent years has pushed up prices in Buenos Aires and the Patagonian trekking hubs, but the country's northwest — Jujuy, Salta, and Tucumán — remains an under-the-radar bargain, with European-level infrastructure at a fraction of European prices. Expect cloud forests, vast salt flats, and high-altitude desert landscapes that rival Bolivia's for drama.
Backpacker Budget: £38 a day Mid-range Budget: £55 a day Flights from the UK: from around £650-£850 return to Buenos Aires, with onward domestic flights to the north When to go: peak season Nov-Feb — shoulder season Sep-Oct and Mar-May
26. Cape Verde
Off the coast of West Africa, this small archipelago is one of the Atlantic's best-value hidden gems — and a genuinely underrated winter-sun option for UK travellers looking for something different from the usual Canary Islands trip. Sal is the easy resort-style choice, while Santo Antão delivers some of the best hiking anywhere, through dramatic terraced, mist-wrapped mountains.
Cape Verde is safer and more developed than much of mainland West Africa, while still offering excellent value — a realistic daily budget staying in B&Bs and eating locally comes in well under many closer, "safe" beach destinations.
Backpacker Budget: £32 a day Mid-range Budget: £50 a day Flights from the UK: from around £280-£420 return, with direct seasonal flights from several UK airports When to go: peak season Dec-Jan and Jun-Sep — shoulder season Feb-Apr and Sep-Nov
How we define the budgets
Backpacker budget assumes hostel dorms or shared rooms in cheap guesthouses, mostly local food from cafes and street stalls, and local transport — buses, shared taxis, trains — rather than private tours.
Mid-range budget assumes nicer B&Bs, local guesthouses, or budget hotels, regular day tours and organised activities, and at least one proper sit-down restaurant meal a day.
These figures are daily spending guides per person and don't include flights, visas, or travel insurance — and they're only ever a starting point. How far your money goes always comes down to your own travel style.
Getting there for less
Flight prices for every destination on this list fluctuate constantly with season, demand, and how far ahead you book — generally speaking, booking 6-10 weeks out and staying flexible on dates and departure airport (Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, and Manchester often beat Heathrow on price) will get you the best fares.
That's where Birdvoyage comes in as a UK-based travel agency, we track fares and package deals across all these destinations and more, and we can build a trip around your budget rather than the other way round — whether that's a straightforward flights-only booking to Marrakech or Istanbul, or a fully planned multi-stop package through Southeast Asia. Get in touch with our team and let us know which of these 26 destinations has caught your eye — we'll find the best way to get you there in 2027.