Looking for affordable international travel in 2025? Discover the cheapest countries to visit from India with low flight cost, visa ease, and budget-friendly daily expenses. Perfect for backpackers, couples & solo travellers.
Cheapest Countries to Visit from India in 2025 – Budget Travel Guide !
What Makes a Country “Cheap” to Travel
Before diving in, here are criteria that make a country budget-friendly:
- Low airfare from major Indian cities
- Affordable accommodation & food (street-food, guesthouses, hostels)
- Easy or inexpensive visa/e-visa/visa-free access
- Low transportation and activity costs
- Favourable exchange rates
Top Affordable Destinations for Indian Travellers in 2025
Here are 8 of the cheapest countries to travel to from India in 2025, based on flight cost, visa rules, and daily budget.
1. Nepal 🇳🇵
- Why cheap: You can travel by road or by short flights. India-Nepal relations let Indian travellers sometimes use voter IDs, making border crossing simpler.
- Daily costs: ₹1,500-₹3,000 depending on stay standard.
- Top experiences: Kathmandu’s temples, Pokhara’s lakeside, mountain treks.
2. Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
- Why cheap: Short flights, reasonable accommodation & food. Some visa-free or easy visa rules (check current status).
- Trip cost for 5-7 days: Around ₹35,000-₹50,000 total (including flights) depending on destination and season.
3. Thailand 🇹🇭
- Why cheap: Frequent budget flights, many low-cost meals & hostels, street vendors, good local transport.
- Visa: Often visa-on-arrival or e-visa (for Indians) depending on rules at the time.
4. Vietnam 🇻🇳
- Why cheap: Local food is extremely inexpensive, accommodation and internal transport have low costs. Strong backpacker infrastructure.
- Sample offers: Phở for very low price, sleeper buses, hostels.
5. Indonesia (Bali, Java etc.) 🇮🇩
- Why cheap: Beautiful nature, beaches, temples; local eateries & guesthouses that are affordable. Transport like scooters is cheap. Visa terms favourable for many travellers.
6. Cambodia 🇰🇭
- Why cheap: Angkor Wat entry fees are reasonable, local buses & tuk-tuks, street food & simple guesthouses. Visa on arrival or e-visa options.
7. Laos 🇱🇦
- Why cheap: Less touristy, simple lifestyle, cheap stays, low cost of local travel & food. Perfect for slow travel and peaceful time.
8. Bhutan 🇧🇹
- Why cheap: Although there is a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) or permit costs, Indian travellers benefit from visa-free or permit access. Accommodation and meals can be inexpensive outside luxury lodges.
Budget Tips to Maximise Your Savings
To get the most out of small budgets, use these tricks:
- Book flights well in advance, during sales, or use budget airlines.
- Travel during shoulder seasons (outside peak tourist season) for lower accommodation costs.
- Stay in hostels, guesthouses, homestays, or backpacker dorms.
- Eat local food, avoid expensive restaurants. Street-food is usually cheaper and authentic.
- Use public transport, shared rides. Rent scooters where safe & legal.
- Limit expensive tourist traps; prioritise free or low-fee attractions.
- Use apps & aggregators to compare flight/hotel prices.
Sample Budget Comparison: What to Expect
| Destination | Approx. Flight Cost (Round-trip from India) | Daily Budget (₹, modest stay) |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | ₹6,000-₹12,000 | ₹1,500-₹3,000 |
| Sri Lanka | ₹14,000-₹20,000 | ₹2,000-₹3,500 |
| Vietnam | ₹18,000-₹25,000 | ₹2,000-₹3,000 |
| Cambodia | ₹18,000-₹22,000 | ₹1,200-₹2,200 |
Note: Costs vary depending on season, city of departure, and travel style.
Why These Destinations Are Great in 2025
- Increasing number of budget carriers flying to Southeast Asia and neighbouring countries from India.
- Visa rules are becoming relaxed or simpler (e-visa / visa-on-arrival) in many of these cheap countries.
- Living costs in many places are stable, or rising slowly compared to inflation in India.
- Opportunity to experience very different cultures, cuisines, and landscapes without spending “luxury-trip” money.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which country is absolutely cheapest from India right now?
A: Usually Nepal — because of border access, low flight costs (or even road), and inexpensive daily expenses.
Q: Are visa costs too high to negate savings?
A: Often not. Many of these countries have low visa or e-visa fees. Sometimes visa is free or minimal. Always check latest visa policy for Indian travellers before booking.
Q: How much should I budget per day to travel cheaply in these places?
A: Depending on destination, you can get by with ₹1,200-₹3,000/day on food, stay, local travel, if you avoid luxury options.
Q: Best time to book flights and travel?
A: Shoulder seasons (before/after tourist peaks), mid-week flights, and early bookings usually give major discounts.
Conclusion
Travelling internationally in 2025 doesn’t have to be expensive. With smart choices for flights, visa, and daily spending, countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, and Bhutan can give you very high travel value without breaking the bank.
Pack your bags, pick one of these budget destinations, and start exploring the diversity of Asia and neighbouring regions—all on a budget that lets you enjoy, not worry.
Also Read : 59 Visa Free Countries for Indian Passport 2025