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New Delhi: A trip to an international destination is always on the bucket list of travellers. A chance to experience new cultures, try different foods, and see unique places fascinates people. Travel also leads to personal growth by challenging people, providing new perspectives, and creating lasting memories and a sense of adventure. And for many, it might be a distant dream. Many factors, including the expenses involved, feel daunting. But brush aside your worries. There are many budget-friendly international trips from India that you can easily choose from.
All you need to do is carefully curate the international trip without breaking your bank or burning a hole in your pocket. We have made a list of the affordable international destinations to visit from India. Additionally, here is a list of how much expenditure you can expect for a solo trip within a week. Scroll down to know.
1. Bhutan
Bhutan is great for travellers who are looking for exceptional natural beauty, serenity, unexplored natural terrain and adventure.
Estimated cost: It may cost between Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000.
Food and stay: Rs 2,200 | Rs 100 and Rs 400.
Flight: Rs 28,695 to Rs 78,424
No visa required
Local transport: Rs 100 to Rs 200 for bus, Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for share taxi, Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500 for private taxi.
Activities: It can be from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for major sites like Tiger’s Nest, Rs 300 to Rs 700 for places like Punakha Dzong, and Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 daily for guided tours. Other expenses include entry fees for smaller museums and local markets, with prices around Rs 100 to Rs 300 for individual attractions, and special activities like hot stone baths costing Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500.
Top attractions
Dochula pass, Thimpu, Phuentsholing, Mt Jomolhari, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Haa valley
2. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a variety to offer, such as beautiful beaches, culinary delights, a plethora of heritage sights other and scenic beauty.
Estimated cost: It will be around Rs 27,000 and Rs 35,000.
Food and stay: Rs 400 | Rs 1,000.
Flight: Rs 12,509 to Rs 12,809
Visa required
Local transport: Tuk-tuk rides cost Rs 50 to Rs 200. Bus rides cost from Rs 200 to Rs 500. Train journeys cost between Rs 300 and Rs 800, depending on the class. Hiring a car costs Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 per day, while a self-drive rental is around Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 per day.
Activities: Major entry fees include Rs 1,500 for Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 for national parks, while other activities like temple visits and exploring areas like Galle Fort can be free. Budget travellers can find some activities for under Rs 1,500 per day, while premium experiences will be more expensive.
Top attractions
Sabaragamuwa, Panduwasnuwara, Matara
3. Cambodia
Cambodia, which houses the famed temple of Angkor Wat, is a cultural hub, along with a hotspot for natural beauty, numerous temples and ancient ruins for tourists to visit.
Estimated cost: It will be around Rs 32,000 to Rs 35,000.
Food and stay: Rs 1,000 per day | Starting from Rs 900 per day.
Flight: Rs 16,468 to Rs 22,104
Visa or visa on arrival required
Local transportation: Rs 100 to Rs 800 for short tuk-tuk rides, Rs 1,760 to Rs 2,640 for a full-day hire, and Rs 530 to Rs 880 for budget intercity buses between major cities like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Domestic flights between cities will cost around Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000.
Activities: Angkor Wat passes cost around Rs 3,100 for one day and Rs 5,200 for three days, while museum entries like the Angkor National Museum are around Rs 970 to Rs 1,055. Apsara Dance performances range from Rs 615 to Rs 1,585, a Cambodian Circus Show is about Rs 1,320 to Rs 1,760, and a Mekong River cruise costs about Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000. Snorkelling and scuba diving in Sihanoukville can range from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000.
Top attractions
Preah Vihear, Tonle Sap, Bokor Hill Station, Kratie, Koh Ker
4. Nepal
Nepal is a picturesque country. If you love temples, monasteries, bustling markets, mesmerising scenic beauty nestled in the Himalayas and adventure sports, this is the ideal international destination.
Estimated cost: Somewhere between Rs 38,000 and Rs 45,000.
Food and stay: Rs 3,000 per day.
Flight: Rs 9,000 to Rs 30,000
A visa is not required for Indians.
Local transportation: Buses cost a few hundred rupees for short distances, while tourist buses range from NPR 800 to over NPR 1300 for routes like Kathmandu to Pokhara. Taxi costs start from NPR 200 to 300 and an hourly rate of around NPR 150, while a full-day taxi tour can cost NPR 4,999 or more.
Activities: You can expect to pay around Rs 3,180 for an upper Seti River rafting trip, and entry fees for sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square can be around Rs 1,200. Activities, including trekking and rafting, may cost around Rs 4,000.
Top attractions
Bungee jumping in Pokhara, Pashupatinath temple, Sagarmatha National Park, The ancient town of Pathan, Rafting at Bhote Koshi
5. Bali
Bali, located in the Indonesian archipelago, ideal destination for people who love beaches, aqua blue sea, tropical forests, and rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Bali is often termed as ‘The Island of the Gods’ as it houses beautiful temples, alongside hosting different festivals for explorers.
Estimated cost: It is somewhere between Rs 40,000 to Rs 44,000.
Food and stay: Rs 1,500 per day | Rs 1400 per night
Flight: Rs 15,000 to over Rs 50,000
A visa or visa on arrival is required, and it's valid for 30 days.
Local transportation: A rental scooter costs Rs 300 to Rs 500 per day, while a 10-hour private car costs Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per day. Ride-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek offer short rides for roughly Rs 200 to Rs 500.
Activities: Temple entry fees are around Rs 50 to Rs 500, scuba diving or paragliding costs Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,500. Other activities, such as river rafting, ATV rides, and water sports like surfing, cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000, depending on the specific tour or operator.
Top attractions
Pura Tanah Lot, Mount Batur, Uluwatu Temple, Tegallalang and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, The Nusa Islands
6. Vietnam
A traveller can experience deeply ingrained ethnic culture, glorious history, and a tropical climate. Here, explorers can witness the French culture in the northern region, including the capital city of Hanoi American influence in the southern part.
Estimated cost: It is Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000.
Food and stay: Rs 3,200 a day | Rs 1,894
Flight: Rs 7,000 to more than Rs 15,500
A visa (valid for 30 days) or a visa on arrival (valid for 90 days) is required.
Local transportation: Buses cost Rs 25 to Rs 100 per ride, motorbike rentals cost Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 per day, and ride-sharing apps like Grab cost around Rs 80 to Rs 300 for short distances. For intercity travel, options include sleeper buses and trains at Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500, while domestic flights cost about Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000.
Activities: Museum entry fees are around Rs 200 to Rs 500, guided tours to the Cu Chi Tunnels cost Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000, and adventure activities like trekking or kayaking cost Rs 2,000 and above. A week-long trip might cost Rs 7,600 to Rs 9,600 per person, and longer or more exclusive experiences like an overnight Halong Bay cruise cost around Rs 12,000.
Top attractions
Con Dao islands, My Khe beach, The Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Cao Dai temple, The Bac Ha market
7. Kenya
The African country Kenya is a great choice for travellers who love wildlife with picturesque settings. Home to some of the indigenous tribes, Kenya is also a perfect destination to feel Africa’s pulse.
Estimated cost: It is about Rs 58,000 to Rs 60,000.
Food and stay: Rs 2,000 | Starts at Rs 2,000 per day
Flight: Rs 12,154 to Rs 30,340
Visa: Indians require an Electronic Travel Authorisation or eTA. Visa on arrival is not available.
Local transportation: Long-distance buses cost around Rs 2,080 for inter-city trips like Nairobi to Mombasa, and city travel via matatus (minibuses) and taxis is reasonable. The SGR train is another affordable option with tickets available online.
Activities: Budget safaris cost around Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 per day, and luxury or private safaris cost Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 or more per day. Other expenses include a Yellow Fever vaccine for around Rs 500, a 7-day travel insurance plan that starts at about Rs 289, and a buffer for local activities and food.
Top attractions
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lamu Island, Nairobi, Mombasa, Malindi
8. Australia
Australia is popular for the open fields of wilderness, the deep ocean, and the coral reefs. The cosmopolitan cities offer urban luxuries, while long coastlines are ideal for exploration.
Estimated cost: It will cost around Rs 85,000 to Rs 90,000.
Food and stay: Rs 2,000 per day | Starts at Rs 5,000 per day.
Flight: Rs 23,000 to over Rs 150,000
A visa is required for Indians, and no visa-on-arrival option
Local transportation: It costs around Rs 150 to Rs 200 for a short one-way metro trip in Sydney, up to Rs 300 to Rs 500 for longer tram or light rail journeys, and can range from Rs 100 to Rs 300 for a single bus or light rail trip. You can pay with contactless cards, using city-specific travel cards like Sydney's Opal or Melbourne's Myki, or buy single-journey tickets.
Activities: A day trip on public transport costs around Rs 300 to Rs 400, while popular attractions like SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium can start at Rs 2,000 and theme park tickets for the day can cost Rs 4,500 plus. For Sydney's iconic attractions, wildlife sanctuaries, and theme parks on the Gold Coast, prices range from Rs 1,700 to over Rs 4,500.
Top attractions
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Blue Mountains National Park, Bondi Beach, Daintree National Park
9. Dubai
Dubai city is perfect for grand parties, lavish lifestyle, desert safaris, and endless shopping. However, it is crucial to note that travellers need to follow the laws which are enforced quite strictly.
Estimated cost: The cost ranges from Rs 60,000 to Rs 90,000.
Food and stay: Rs 1,000 | Rs 7,000 per day
Flight: Rs 8,210 to Rs 17,466
A visa is required for Indians, and visa on visa-on-arrival option is there.
Local transportation: It costs around Rs 10 to Rs 40 for the metro, Rs 10 to Rs 25 for buses, and Rs 270 plus for taxis, with ride-sharing services varying between Rs 200 and Rs 800. For frequent travellers, an Nol Card is recommended for cheaper travel on public transport.
Activities: They range from about Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000 or more for popular paid attractions like the Desert Safari, Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Parks. Cheaper options include free activities like Jumeirah Beach and the Dubai Fountain Show, with a traditional abra boat ride costing around Rs 250.
Top attractions
Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Creek, The Palm Islands, Al Bastakia, Kite Beach, Deira Clocktower
Travelling abroad does not have to strain your finances. With smart planning, early bookings and the right destination, Indian travellers can enjoy memorable experiences without overspending.