Traveling the world may seem out of reach for many people, especially due to financial concerns. But the truth is that you can create a feasible plan if you take into account your goals and travel style.
And it’s not just about saving money—it’s also about knowing which places offer more for less and how to organize your transportation.
So, stick around and discover some practical tips, recommended destinations, and an estimated cost based on the type of trip you choose.
Traveling the world while taking care of your budget and safety requires a bit of planning and smart choices.
Here are some practical tips to help you do it:
If you know where to look, you’ll find affordable places to travel in 2025 that can surprise you with unforgettable experiences. The best part? They’re everywhere: Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe—for example, Peru, Thailand, and Albania.
Not all destinations cost the same.
Airfare tends to be one of the biggest expenses. But you can explore different low-cost options through sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights. If you plan ahead, you’ll likely find great prices.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on events like Hot Travel. During these times, you’ll get exclusive discounts on flights, accommodations, and more.
Staying in five-star hotels to feel comfortable isn’t always necessary. There are hostels with basic services that may be more than enough. You can also browse platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo to see other alternatives.
Avoid choosing expensive places to eat. Instead, go for street food and local markets. They’re excellent ways to experience the cuisine of a destination while spending much less.
Every now and then, if your lodging allows it, consider cooking your own meals.
Every time you look for travel tips you've come across this one? The less luggage you carry, the less you will pay for excess weight or extra luggage. Plus, getting around will be easier and faster.
If you’re visiting a new place, why not take public transportation?
It’s cheaper, usually safe, and lets you experience the daily rhythm of the city. You might even consider walking short distances to save money and discover new things along the way.
This also applies to travel between nearby countries. Taking trains or buses helps reduce flight expenses. And if you stay longer in each place, you’ll get to know it in-depth—no rush, no pricey transfers.
Would you like to explore the world, experience new cultures, and live unforgettable moments—but feel your budget is holding you back? We have good news: there are two ways to do it without spending a fortune—volunteering and becoming a digital nomad. Let us explain.
International volunteering is an accessible way to see the world. It’s based on an exchange: you offer a few hours of your time helping with specific tasks, and in return, you receive accommodation and often food. This significantly reduces your travel costs and allows you to authentically immerse yourself in local life.
There are many types of opportunities tailored to different profiles. You could help at a hostel front desk, teach languages, support social causes, or work with NGOs. Other tasks may involve caring for animals, learning about organic farming, or even sharing your specific knowledge.
Note: You’ll need to cover your flight costs, so it’s a good idea to search for cheap flights to Europe or whichever destination you’re headed for volunteering.
If you want to travel the world without stopping your income flow, becoming a digital nomad is an ideal option. This lifestyle allows you to work remotely while moving from place to place. All you need is a laptop and internet connection to stay productive from anywhere.
It could be a beachside café, a coworking space in a charming European city, or a cabin in the mountains.
Many careers are compatible with this lifestyle, especially freelance jobs like writing, graphic design, programming, marketing consulting, or content creation. Thanks to digital platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, it’s easier than ever to find clients or projects that let you earn money without being tied to one place.
Being a digital nomad means more than changing countries—it means changing your way of life. In the end, it’s not just about working while travelling, but about living on your own terms.
Before setting out to explore the world, it’s ideal to know how much you can spend on your adventure. To do that, you need to consider several factors that will help you make better decisions throughout the trip, including:
Travel style.
Specific destinations.
Time of year.
Domestic or regional flights.
Accommodation.
Food.
Local transportation.
Activities and entrance fees.
Some countries also require a visa, which would be an additional mandatory cost. Just like if you get travel insurance or need to buy local SIM cards.
To give you an idea, below are some estimates for some of the most popular destinations in the world.
It can be affordable or expensive depending on your choices. Eastern Europe and the Balkans, for example, offer great value for money.
To determine how much a trip to Europe might cost, we compared 2 travel styles in a 15-day itinerary as an example:
Estimated Budget for Europe (15 days per person):
Category | Budget Option (€) (Budapest, Krakow, Sofia) | Comfort Option (€) (Lisbon, Prague, Ljubljana) |
Accommodation | €15–20/night in hostels or shared dorms → €225–300 | €80–120/night in 3–4-star hotels → €1,200–1,800 |
Food | €12–15/day in markets, bakeries, or self-catering → €180–225 | €40–60/day in mid-range or tourist restaurants → €600–900 |
Local transport | €5–10/day using buses, metro, or walking → €75–150 | €15–25/day in fast trains, taxis, or private transfers → €225–375 |
Domestic flights | €100–200 on low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air) or intercity buses | €300–500 on regular flights or more comfortable interregional trains |
Activities/Entrance fees | €5–10/day in free museums, walking tours, or budget-friendly attractions → €75–150 | €20–35/day in popular tourist site entrances → €300–525 |
Travel insurance | Basic coverage → €30–50 | Full coverage → €80–120 |
Other expenses | €5/day for snacks, souvenirs, or laundry → €75 | €15–20/day for shopping, coffee, extras → €225–300 |
Estimated Total | €860–1,250 | €2,930–4,520 |
In general, the budget is lower than what you’d need for Europe.
Estimated budget for Southeast Asia (15 days per person):
Category | Budget Option (€) (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) | High-End Option (€) (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore) |
Accommodation | €6–10/night (hostels or guesthouses) → €90–150 | €40–80/night (3–4 star hotels) → €600–1,200 |
Food | €5–7/day (local markets, street food) → €75–105 | €15–25/day (tourist restaurants, cafés) → €225–375 |
Local transport | €3–6/day (buses, tuk-tuks, motorbikes) → €45–90 | €10–20/day (Grab, taxis, ferries) → €150–300 |
Domestic flights | Low-cost airlines (AirAsia, VietJet) → €100–200 | Flights to destinations like Bali or Singapore → €300–500 |
Activities/Excursions | €5–10/day (temples, hiking) → €75–150 | €15–50/day (organized tours, diving) → €225–750 |
Visas | Between €19–32 (depending on the country) | €0–32 (Malaysia and Thailand are free; Singapore may require one) |
Travel insurance | Basic coverage → €30–50 | Full coverage → €80–120 |
Other expenses | €3–5/day (souvenirs, SIM, laundry) → €45–75 | €10–15/day (extras) → €150–225 |
Estimated Total | €479–852 | €1,730–3,502 |
Important: Prices are an estimated average based on the experiences of different travellers. Furthermore, they do not include international flights, only expenses at the destination, as this depends on where you are when you embark on your adventure.
To travel the world in 2025, you don’t need to be a millionaire, but you do need to make smart decisions. There are plenty of destinations that may not be the most famous but still offer unforgettable experiences.
The key is to set a realistic financial plan from the start, choose wisely, plan ahead, and keep an open mind. There are countless places ready to welcome you with open arms—without draining your wallet.
We recommend that wherever you go, bring an international card to help you save while traveling. With DolarCard, coverage is global, and it operates with digital dollars and euros. This means you can pay without worrying about extra charges from currency conversion.
Order yours from DolarApp and activate it to use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
The world has borders. Your finances don’t have to.
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