I want to go on a holiday abroad somewhere, but near enough all the destinations which I think about going to are quite costly, be it the flight fare or hotels there. I have joined this travel forum to get some help in finding out which are some cheap international destinations from India where I can go for a holiday. Obviously, I don't want it to be some deserted or boring place and would prefer it to be a touristy place.
Hi, welcome to the forum! (Images from Uwe Aranas, Dschen Reineke, Christopher Fynn and McKay Savage) Overview Limited funds and travelling don't seem to go hand in hand but with the advent of modernity, certain benefits can now be enjoyed by travellers. You can book air fare tickets as early as a year before your travel, thereby saving you some money when it comes to flights. You can opt to stay in hostels or even guest houses for a more affordable accommodation finances. You can research online and find out about the cheap restaurants around the city you're visiting, but still enjoy delicious food. For a wise traveller, these are all the aspects that he or she needs to do in order to save some money when travelling abroad. Somehow, international destinations don't seem as daunting or as scary as before, because you can always travel backpacker style and stretch your rupees to make it more worth it. Below, we would highlight some of the cheapest international destinations that an Indian can afford, considering the air fare, the visa policy, the accommodation and the food. Transportation is a given, you need to travel from one point to the other by the cheapest way, like buses or trains. Cheapest International Destinations from India For the history buffs... 1. Yogyakarta (Indonesia) - The Soul of Indonesia (Image from Uwe Aranas) While many tourists flock to Bali when in Indonesia, why not go the lesser taken path and reach Yogyakarta instead? History buffs would be delighted with the collection of heritage sites in this ancient city. Often considered as the cultural capital of Indonesia, Yogyakarta has done well to preserve many of its traditions, ancient temples and heritage structures. Indonesia also have very lenient visa policies for many nations, including India. Indians can visit the country visa-free for tourism purposes for 30 days. That's plenty of time, enough to explore the sites around Yogyakarta. You can board a direct flight from Delhi to Yogyakarta, with round trip air fares ranging between Rs. 32,000 to Rs. 40,000. If you book a ticket earlier, you can get great discounts. Or you can opt to reach Jakarta instead, but from there, Yogyakarta is about 10 hours away. Budget hotels such as All Stay Hotel and Sriwedari Hotel won't cost you more than Rs. 1,500 per night. These are highly rated hotels despite their cheaper prices so services and facilities won't be compromised. Want to truly go backpacker style? Try out guest houses such as Omah Sabah or Rumah Roso Homestay, both won't cost more than Rs. 600 per night. Don't worry as these are safe guest houses too, highly rated by fellow backpackers. For food, venture into the streets of Yogyakarta and try out street food meals, which won't cost more than Rs. 150 per meal. Now that we have your expenses covered, what can you do in Yogyakarta? Lots of sightseeing, that's what! Start by visiting the Borobudur Temple, about an hour away from Yogyakarta proper. Make sure you reach it before the sun rises though as the views here are spectacular. But more than the views, this is the oldest and one of the largest of the Buddhist temples in the world, built over 1,000 years ago. It also features bas reliefs or carvings depicting the life of Buddha. Next would be the Prambanan Temples, which is in contrast, a series of Hindu temples, with the main one being dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built a little over the former temple by the Sanjaya dynasty, Hindu rulers of the region. Some walls of some parts of the temple compound feature scenes from the epic Ramayana. Entry tickets for both attractions cost around Rs. 2,004 per person. You can also visit the Ullen Sentalu, a privately-owned museum with vast collections depicting the history of the Indonesian people. Collections of the royal family of Yogyakarta can be viewed here and the entrance fee of Rs. 250 already includes a free guide. The Water Castle used to be the residence of the royal family of the region and boasts of a swimming pool where the royal women used to bathe and even an underground tunnel. Entrance fee is just Rs. 67 for this attraction. Finally, if you still have the time, you can watch the Ramayana Ballet, which is an evening show in an open-air theatre with a backdrop of the Prambanan Temples. The show depicts the story of Rama and Sita, from the Ramayana epic, and is a great way to end your trip to Indonesia. The cheapest rate for the ticket is at Rs. 627 but you'd be a bit distant from the stage. You can spend a whole week in Yogyakarta and still not be able to explore the region. That's just how vast and diverse are the city's attractions. But even spending just a few days here can be quite enjoyable, especially for those who love ancient history sites. You can definitely spend less than Rs. 50,000 for the whole trip if you plan well ahead and take advantage of discounted air fares and other packages. Visa Policy of Indonesia - Visa-Free for Indians (30 Days) Air Fare from Delhi (Round Trip) - Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 36,000 (Delhi to Jakarta) or Rs. 32,000 to Rs. 40,000 (Delhi to Yogyakarta) Budget Accommodation Rate - Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 1,500 per night Average Cost of Meal Per Day - Rs. 400 to Rs. 500 per day 2. Kathmandu (Nepal) - The Capital of Nepal (Image from Jorge Lascar) Nepal shares several border points with India so it is easily accessible. It also has friendly relations with India so you can visit the country visa-free. If you're arriving by land, you won't even need your passport, just carry any photo identification that you have. But if you're arriving by air, you would need either your passport or voter's card. Still, as compared to other international destinations, the visa policies are very lenient and you can enjoy your stay the hassle-free way in Nepal. If going by land, there are direct buses from Delhi to Kathmandu. You can also opt to take the train until Gorakhpur and then ride a jeep or bus until Sunauli, the Indian side of the border, and make your way into the bus station of Bhairawa. There are buses here that can take you to Kathmandu directly. If you decide to go by air, air fares from Delhi to Kathmandu range between Rs. 9,900 to Rs. 12,000 for a two-way trip. Flight duration is usually just under 2 hours and there are usually daily flights that you can take. So what about the accommodation options? Well, Kathmandu has a number of very backpacker-friendly hotels. For as little as Rs. 600 per night, you can enjoy staying in decent hotels such as Hotel Discovery Inn or Kathmandu Friendly Home. If you can spare at least Rs. 1,000 per night, then hotels like Hotel Florid Nepal and Hotel Nepalaya are your best options. Still on the budget range but provides guests with high end facilities and warm hospitality. There are also a number of hostels around Kathmandu, which won't cost you more than Rs. 500 per night but the facilities would be very limited and you have to share the room with other backpackers. For meals, you won't need to shell out more than Rs. 500 per day when in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the bustling capital of Nepal, a bit on the chaotic side but also has its share of attractions. It's where the old mixes with the new, where traditions are bountiful, along with the modernities as well. While some tourists prefer to skip Kathmandu because it can be crowded, it's a great city to understand the unique culture of the locals. It also has a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites worth exploring like the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Pashupatinath Temple. Also included in that list is the Boudhanath Temple, the biggest Buddhist stupa in Asia and was built over 1,600 years ago. You can spot locals and monks encircling the stupa too, chanting as well, which makes the experience of visiting this all the more authentic. The Dakshinkali Temple is another must visit, dedicated to the Goddess Kali, but renowned for the hundreds of animals sacrificed here on a daily basis. Last but not the least is the Kathmandu Durbar Square, where if you're lucky, you can have a chance of spotting the only living goddess in the world, in the Kumari Chowk. Visa Policy of Nepal - Visa-Free for Indians Air Fare from Delhi (Round Trip) - Rs. 9,900 to Rs. 12,000 (Delhi to Kathmandu) Budget Accommodation Rate - Rs. 600 to Rs. 1,000 per night Average Cost of Meal Per Day - Rs. 400 to Rs. 500 per day For the love of beaches... 3. Langkawi (Malaysia) - An Idyllic Beach Destination (Image from Dean Bromley) Malaysia requires some nationalities for an application of an electronic visa, which also includes India. In total, you would be spending around Rs. 2,800, more or less, for your visa application for Malaysia. Once approved, you can stay in the country for 30 days at the most. Air fares from Delhi to Langkawi average between Rs. 26,500 to Rs. 34,000. You can also opt to reach Kuala Lumpur instead, rates would be around Rs. 12,500 to Rs. 25,000 so you save some money. However, you need to drive a few hours from Kuala Lumpur and then to Penang, before finally riding a ferry into Langkawi. It can time-consuming so if you're rushed for time, you can avoid this route. For good accommodation options, as in hotels, you need to spend at least Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 per night. Hotel Bahagia and Hotel Asia Langkawi are good options, they are centrally located and has room rates under Rs. 1,500 per night. If you can afford to spend at least Rs. 2,500 per night, beachfront hotels such as Malibest Resort and Sandy Beach Resort are also good options. If you want to save money, opt for guest house like hotels such as Chomelle Hotel and Zackry Guest House wherein you won't have to spend more than Rs. 1,000 per night. Meals are a bit on the higher side though, as you need to spend at least Rs. 600 per day for all meals of the day. Venture into the night markets of Langkawi for cheap but delicious meals. What makes Langkawi's beaches stand out is that they are not that crowded. As compared to popular Asian beach destinations such as Phuket or Bali, Langkawi is rarely populated and most especially at the midst of off-peak season where you would find almost deserted beaches. Keep in mind that Langkawi is mainly an eco-tourism destination so the beaches here are only mildly developed to preserve their natural beauty. The Tanjung Rhu Beach is perfect for those who want a quiet time, away from the hustles of other beaches. There are no water sports available here, the water is a clear greenish blue and the sands are soft and white. Or if you like livelier beaches, try out Cenang Beach, where bars and restaurants are plentiful, or Tengah Beach, where water sports can be enjoyed. Visa Policy of Malaysia - Electronic Visa for Indians (30 Days) Air Fare from Delhi (Round Trip) - Rs. 26,500 to Rs. 34,000 (Delhi to Langkawi) Budget Accommodation Rate - Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 per night Average Cost of Meal Per Day - Rs. 600 to Rs. 900 per day 4. Eastern Province (Sri Lanka) - A Lovely Beach Destination (Image from Jaliyaj) Sri Lanka's visa policy for Indians is in the means of the Electronic Travel Authorisation. Travellers need to apply for this prior to entering Sri Lanka, either online or via the diplomatic office of Sri Lanka which is nearest to them. The fee costs around Rs. 1,000 when converted into rupees. If you don't apply for the ETA prior to entering Sri Lanka, you can also get it on arrival but the fee would be higher so it isn't advisable, especially if you're on a struct budget. Air fares from Delhi to Colombo cost around Rs. 25,500 to Rs. 36,600 for a round trip. Now, from the Colombo International Airport, you need to reach the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, which is about 7 hours of travel time away. There are buses that go through this route, which you can ride, if you want to save some money. There are also trains plying from Colombo to the different cities of the Eastern Province like Trincomalee and Kalkudah. Or you can opt to rent out a car or cab if there are plenty of you reaching the Eastern Province, you can just split the fare to yourselves. There are many accommodation options around the Eastern Province, but they are mainly in the form of guest houses. Unlike the western and southern coasts which are fully developed, the eastern coast is still not that developed and tourist infrastructures are lesser. But for about Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 per night, you can stay in decent accommodations like Arne's Place and Mambo's Arugam Bay Hotel. There are also accommodation options that cost less than Rs. 1,000 per night such as Sanju Beach Villa and Simla Inn but facilities would be very limited. Food-wise, Sri Lanka has very delicious meals which cost less than Rs. 50 per person, especially if you try it out from the street food stalls. There are many beaches around the Eastern Province that you can enjoy. One of which is the Passikudah Beach in Kalkudah, a stretch of creamy white sands, turquoise water and coconut palms on one end. This is probably one of the most popular beaches in the east coast but still not that overdeveloped or commercial. The Nilaveli Beach has a bit of rough waves but still has signature creamy white sands. It's laid-back but there are some activities on its centre. The further you reach to the ends of the beach, the lesser the crowds are. For snorkelling, the Pigeon Island is good for that, it has a nice variety of corals and other marine animals which are easy to spot on a clear day. The island is usually reached via boat ride from Trincomalee Beach, where you can indulge in some water sports before heading off the the snorkelling destination. For surfing, nothing beats Arugam Bay, with its consistently great waves and lots of accommodation options, this is one of the livelier beaches in the region. Visa Policy of Sri Lanka - Electronic Travel Authorisation for Indians (30 Days) Air Fare from Delhi (Round Trip) - Rs. 25,500 to Rs. 36,000 (Delhi to Colombo) Budget Accommodation Rate - Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 per night Average Cost of Meal Per Day - Rs. 150 to Rs. 400 per day Spiritual and enjoyable... 5. Siem Reap (Cambodia) - The Gateway to Angkor Wat (Image from Emilio Labrador) Cambodia has a lenient visa policy for many countries, including India. You can obtain a visa on arrival but you need to pay at least Rs. 2,000 or 30 USD for this. You do need to spend a bit when it comes to air fare, as this costs around Rs. 43,000 to Rs. 51,300 during peak season. If you are able to book an air ticket earlier, you can get a lower rate so do so, worry about the itinerary and the hotels later. There are no direct flights from Delhi though, you'd have stopovers in either Bangkok or Singapore. You'd be arriving directly at the Siem Reap International Airport so there would be no need for long duration bus journey thereafter. For decent three-star hotels, you need to spend at least Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000 per night. Some of the best-rated three-star hotels here are the Golden Angkor Hotel, Xing Angkor Hotel and Tu Casa. There are also many hostels around the city, which won't cosy you more than Rs. 500 per night. Or if you want a more authentic experience, opt for staying in a home stay or guest house. Garden House Guest House and Tropical Breeze Guest House are good options with rates under Rs. 600 per night. Steamed pork, sweet potato buns and stir-fried noodles are plenty around the streets of Siem Reap and it won't cost more than Rs. 100 per meal as well. After a disturbing and tragic regimen of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia was freed from the terrors of the past. Although it still has a long way to go before it can fully recover and be developed, just the immense hope and positivity of the locals are enough to know that one day, this country would be back in full glory. For now, different attractions giving you a glimpse of the spiritual past of the country are worth exploring. Of course, you can't mention Cambodia without the Angkor Wat, the largest religious site in the world. Originally, the temple was built in the early 12th century and was a Hindu site dedicated to Vishnu. By the end of the 12th century, it was converted into a Buddhist shrine but still gains tourists' praises from its bas reliefs that depict carvings from scenes of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Bayon Temple has many bas reliefs too, but this time depicting scenes from the daily lives of the people back then. It is also famed for the 200 smiling faces of Lokesvara, though you need to climb a bit to reach it. Next is the Ta Prohm, which is interesting because the temple is mixed with lush jungles. The temple has a rustic and eerie vibe to it, probably because of the outgrow of large roots that intermix with the structures. As compared to the former temples though, this one has less carvings though you can still find a few bas reliefs depicting the life of Buddha. The Banteay Srei stands out because of its red sandstone facade plus it's further from the city centre so it's not that crowded. Though it isn't as grand as the other temples, it has many carvings too that are worth exploring and is dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Visa Policy of Cambodia - Visa on Arrival (30 Days) Air Fare from Delhi (Round Trip) - Rs. 43,000 to Rs. 51,300 (Delhi to Siem Reap) Budget Accommodation Rate - Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000 per night Average Cost of Meal Per Day - Rs. 500 to Rs. 800 per day 6. Paro (Bhutan) - The Happiest Place on Earth (Image from Nagarjun) Bhutan is fairly expensive for many countries, except three, which are Bangladesh, India and Maldives. For the remaining countries, they need to spend a minimum of 250 USD per day, mandated by the government, throughout their stay in Bhutan. This restriction does not hold true for India though and you can enjoy visiting the happiest place on Earth even on a budget. While you need to spend a bit more for air fare, as it costs Rs. 31,700, more or less, for a one-way trip, you can also opt to travel via land. There are three border points in India to enter Bhutan but the most utilised one is the Jaigaon Phuentsholing border. By combining train and bus journey, you save a lot of money and reach Bhutan although it can take more time.It won't cost more than Rs. 10,000 per person when you travel via land. The tricky part is finding affordable accommodation options in Paro. This is probably the aspect that you'd be spending most in, as the most affordable hotels around Paro cost on average Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 6,000 per night. The Namsey Chholing Resort is a good option, with its cheapest room at Rs. 2,500 per night. The Tiger's Nest Resort and Kichu Resort both have rooms which cost under Rs. 4,000 per night. There are also some homestay options around Paro like the Nivvana Lodge & Homestay or the Galing Homestay, with rates under Rs. 2,500 per night. Food is more or less affordable, about Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 per day, as long as you stick to local restaurants and eateries. Paro is home to many Buddhist monasteries but perhaps the most notable one is the Taktshang Goempa. It is fondly referred to as the Tiger's Nest, perched on a side of a cliff and requires a bit of trekking to reach. With its white facade and bright red roofs, it is very easily distinguishable from the surroundings. It also has a small cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated in after defeating the demon Tenzin, though it is only opened once a year. One of Paro's largest monasteries, the Rinpung Dzong is also worth a visit. Its sheer size and elevated location makes it visible from any point of the city. It also has a number of murals that you can explore and enjoy. There's also the Kichu Lakhang, supposed to be the oldest monastery in Paro. The monastery was built around the 7th century and has a traditional Tibetan style of architecture. The Tachogang Lakha is another must visit, not only because it is one of the ancient temples of the region, but also because it can be approached only by a bridge. Do not use the older bridge though, however charming or authentic it might be, it isn't safe anymore. It has the distinction of being the oldest bridge in Bhutan though. There are many more that you can explore around Paro aside from its religious sites and you certainly would enjoy the authenticity of these attractions, where serenity and tranquility still dominates. Visa Policy of Bhutan - Visa-Free for Indians Air Fare from Delhi (Round Trip) - Rs. 59,340 (Delhi to Paro) Budget Accommodation Rate - Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 6,000 per night Average Cost of Meal Per Day - Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 per day Nature and wildlife... 7. Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe) - Where There is Ample Wildlife (Image from Letizia Barbi) Zimbabwe requires travellers from India to obtain an electronic visa. You can apply for this online or via the nearest diplomatic vision to your residence. It costs around Rs. 2,000 per application though. Now, Zimbabwe has many international airports but the most affordable flight from Delhi is via the Harare International Airport. If you are able to book flights a year earlier, you can save more money. But the average rates for flights are between Rs. 54,000 to Rs. 76,000. From Harare, you need to reach Hwange by bus, though the journey can be around 8 to 9 hours. You can also opt for a direct flight from Delhi to Victoria Falls International Airport but that would cost over Rs. 85,000 per person. Accommodations are also on the higher side, averaging around Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 20,000 per night. The Gwango Elephant Lodge, Hwange Safari Lodge and Ganda Lodge are some of the cheapest accommodation options, with rates under Rs. 9,000 per night. A better options would be to avail of all-in packages that include accommodation, wildlife safaris and sightseeing already. These packages would cost around Rs. 17,000 to Rs. 24,000 per person. Some packages already include meals of the day too, plus transfers to the airport or your hotel. Fortunately, food won't cost as much as these two aspects and you can get by with just Rs. 500 per day for food allowance. Most tour packages offer two main attractions, which are the Hwange National Park and Victoria Waterfalls. The Hwange National Park is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Zimbabwe. It is home to many elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, crocodiles and many species of birds. The terrains of the sanctuary are rugged, almost underdeveloped, but in a good way. You don't need to worry about spotting the wildlife because the open grasslands provide one with plenty of opportunity for seeing them. On the other hand, the Victoria Waterfalls is about an hour away from the former attraction. It is the world's largest waterfall and looks quite stunning in any season but especially in the monsoon. You can trek to reach the different angles of the waterfalls and rest assured, you would get wet so make sure you have your gadgets covered! Visa Policy of Zimbabwe - Electronic Visa Air Fare from Delhi (Round Trip) - Rs. 54,000 to Rs. 76,000 (Delhi to Harare) Budget Accommodation Rate - Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 20,000 per night Average Cost of Meal Per Day - Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 per day 8. Lampi Island Marine National Park (Myanmar) - Paradise in South Myanmar (Image from Lampi Park) Myanmar requires visitors from India to obtain an electronic visa online or via the nearest diplomatic mission to them. This electronic visa would be valid for 90 days from the day of issue and allows the tourist to stay in the country for a maximum of 28 days. It costs around Rs. 3,350 per application for the electronic visa. You would be reaching Myanmar via the Yangon International Airport, with rates costing between Rs. 37,500 to Rs. 38,600 for a round trip from Delhi. From Yangon, Myeik, where the national park is located, is about 20 hours away by bus journey. Perhaps this is the most difficult part of the journey but don't worry as it is all worth it. In Myeik, you can find accommodations ranging between Rs. 2,700 to Rs. 6,500 per night. There are not too many options and they are mostly basic ones, since the region is not yet that developed. Hotel Grand Jade is a decent option, with room rates ranging between Rs. 2,800 to Rs. 3,000 per night. The Eain Taw Phyu Hotel is another good option, with its cheapest rate at Rs. 3,600 per night, more or less. There are also some guest houses around the village that can offer budget stays though most of them are not available online. For food allowance, you can allot at least Rs. 300 to Rs. 700 per day per person. The Lampi Island Marine National Park can only be visited through licensed tour operators conducting live aboard cruises for tourists. Since the region was just opened for tourism, it is largely pristine and virgin. The most noted activities here are snorkelling and diving, because the region has a rich collection of corals and marine life. Canoeing is yet another fun activity as you venture into the mangrove areas of the national park where crocodiles reside. There are also lush jungle areas around the hills of the national park where you can indulge in trekking alongside bathing in the white sand beaches. And finally, experience catching fishes with the local sea gypsies of the island, a one-of-a-kind experience that you can only do here. Visa Policy of Myanmar - Electronic Visa (28 Days) Air Fare from Delhi (Round Trip) - Rs. 37,500 to Rs. 38,600 Budget Accommodation Rate - Rs. 2,700 to Rs. 6,500 per night Average Cost of Meal Per Day - Rs. 300 to Rs. 700 per day Off the beaten track... 9. Madaba (Jordan) - The Middle Man Between Asia and Europe (Image from Wikipedia) To enter Jordan visa-free, you need to obtain a Jordan Pass online which costs around 99 USD or about Rs. 6,700 when converted. You also need to be staying in the country for three days at the least. Indian travellers can also visit visa-free if they have a government-registered travel agency to back them up. If you are not able to get the Jordan Pass, you can get visa on arrival for about Rs. 3,800 and you can stay in the country for a maximum of 2 months. Although it's kind of pricey, it's not that difficult to get into Jordan, whether you choose the visa-free route or the visa on arrival route. You would be reaching Amman in Jordan when coming from India, with round trip fares around Rs. 33,000 to Rs. 43,000. From Amman, Madaba is just a few kilometres away. For accommodation options, you can have decent rooms at around Rs. 2,400 to Rs. 6,000 per night. You can also opt to stay in Amman, as there are many options there. The Moab Land Hotel and Queen Ayola Hotel have rates under Rs. 2,000 per night. Mariam Hotel and Saint John Hotel have rates under Rs. 3,500 per night. In Amman, there are hotels like Nobel Hotel and Jordan River Hotel which have rates under Rs. 1,000 per night. Despite the affordable rates, these are all good hotels that even families can stay in. For food, you can opt for local eateries and you would get by even with just Rs. 500 per day. There are many places to visit around Jordan but Madaba rarely gets in the limelight. The Church of Saint George has the original Madaba Mosaic Map. This map is believed to be the oldest map of the holy land in the world. The map depicts important regions mentioned in the bible like the Dead Sea, the Old City of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and many more. The Church of Saint John the Baptist is another must visit, where you can find a replica of the mosaic map mentioned above. Aside from that, it has interesting underground tunnels as well as thousand-year old well that still has clear potable water. There's also the Mount Nebo, where you can view the promised land to Moses. From this peak, the Dead Sea, Jericho and Bethlehem can also be seen. Also worth visiting is the Church of the Apostles, although it looks plain from the outside, it has an amazing mosaic map as well. Visa Policy of Jordan - Visa-Free (With Jordan Pass and 3 Nights Stay at Least) Air Fare from Delhi (Round Trip) - Rs. 33,000 to Rs. 43,000 (Delhi to Amman) Budget Accommodation Rate - Rs. 2,400 to Rs. 6,000 per night Average Cost of Meal Per Day - Rs. 500 to Rs. 700 per day 10. Luang Prabang (Laos) - The City of the Royal Buddha (Image from Chi King) Laos has a very lenient visa policy for Indian tourists, with their visa on arrival that is valid for 30 days. You can directly access Luang Prabang as it has its own airport and air fares cost around Rs. 39,900 to Rs. 44,000 for a round trip from Delhi. However, there are usually stopovers at other countries like Thailand and Myanmar. Laos is not a well-known tourist destination despite what it has to offer to tourists who love history. You can even go the unconventional route by land, reaching Bangladesh, Myanmar and then Laos through the different borders. Now, wouldn't that be an exciting, thrilling and a unique road trip adventure? Accommodation options are plenty around Luang Prabang. For as little as Rs. 800 per night, you can guarantee yourself a decent room in a basic hotel. The Khammany Inn Hotel is a good option, with rates under Rs. 800 per night. The Namkhan Riverside Hotel has higher rates, around Rs. 2,500 per night, but you can enjoy high end hotel facilities and services when you stay here. There are even guest houses with price ranges of Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 per night that can cater to the backpackers. The Khonesavanh Guest House and Viradesa Guest House are good options, with basic facilities and rates under Rs. 500 per night. Food is very affordable as long as you stick to street food stalls or local eateries, you won't spend more than Rs. 500 per day with these. For sightseeing, the attractions around Luang Prabang are varied. If you love religious sites, there's the Wat Xieng Thong, built by King Sethathirath around the middle of the 15th century. It has a traditional Lao architecture, complete with gold-plated gildings and walls. It is also one of the oldest temples in the region. Or if you like natural attractions, there's the Kuang Si Waterfalls, a series of cascading waterfalls at different levels. The clear water and surrounding greenery are sure to entice you. If you love history, then there's the Royal Palace Museum, once the home of the royal family which was then converted into a museum, showcasing the lavish life of the rulers. Visa Policy of Laos - Visa on Arrival (30 Days) Air Fare from Delhi (Round Trip) - Rs. 39,900 to Rs. 44,000 (Delhi to Luang Prabang) Budget Accommodation Rate - Rs. 800 to Rs. 2,500 per night Average Cost of Meal Per Day - Rs. 500 to Rs. 900 per day Conclusion Don't let money restrict you from fulfilling the wanderlust in you. Even on a budget, there are many international destinations that you can visit from India. Just rely on your resourcefulness in order to find the best deals and packages that can help you save money. Leave all sorts of comfort behind and you're sure to have authentic travel experiences as well. Good luck and I hope this helps you!
