15 Dream International Vacations That Are Surprisingly Affordable

As the world becomes more connected by air travel, international vacations are increasingly affordable—but you have to know where to look and when to book. Some off-the-beaten-track destinations offer unforgettable experiences for far less money than more famous locales. Plus, traveling in the off-season can help you save money even in places that may be at the top of your travel list. Seeing the world this way also comes with another perk: you’re bound to have a better experience when you don’t have to jostle your way through crowds to get to the top attractions.

Whether you’re dreaming of a vacation as far from the U.S. as Australia or as close as Toronto, the actual cost could surprise you (in a good way). We’ve compiled a list of international destinations where your dollar will go the furthest, plus added recommendations on when to book your trip for the cheapest airfare and accommodations.

Here are 15 of the most affordable vacations.

Laos

“For the budget traveler, Southeast Asia is a dream,” says Rebecca Mazzaro, a Travel + Leisure A-List advisor specializing in Asian travel. While deals can be found nearly anywhere in the region, Laos is an especially good option, with fewer crowds (and fewer pricey tourist traps). Mazzaro particularly recommends Luang Prabang, a historic town and UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Laos. “This is one of my favorite cities on earth,” she says. “Unbelievable temples, incredible local feel, stunning countryside, hiking, incredible textiles.”

Getting to Laos is, of course, the expensive part, since trans-Pacific flights don’t come cheap. To save money, fly into Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok during the May to October off-season—United Airlines and American Airlines typically run direct flights from California starting around $700—then use a low-cost regional carrier to connect to Vientiane, Laos, or Luang Prabang. Once you arrive, four-star hotel rooms can run for as little as $50 USD per night, and local meals can be found for less than $5.

Toronto, Canada

Just north of the U.S. border is a growing city bursting with culture, a diverse culinary scene, and activities catering to a range of age groups and interests. Often mistaken for the Canadian capital, Toronto is sometimes known as “Hollywood North” for its wealth of celebrity residents. Foodies will want to make stops in Little Italy, any of its multiple Chinatowns, and Little Portugal for a gastronomic jaunt around the world. Tourists may also be inclined to catch a hockey game, sample craft beer, and take a trip to the famous CN Tower to get unmatched views of the city.

Toronto’s low season runs from October to March, except for December when the holidays raise demand. A direct flight from New York City to Toronto takes less than two hours, and on budget airlines, you can sometimes snag tickets for as little as $100 round-trip. Hotels are typically cheapest in January and February, when it’s possible to find three-star rooms for less than $100 per night.

Grand Est, France

The area formerly known as Alsace (now officially part of the larger Grand Est region) is beloved by French travelers. It doesn’t attract nearly as many visitors as Paris or the Côte d’Azur, so you’ll get a quieter experience. Kaysersberg, once featured on the TV program “Le Village Préféré des Français,” is France’s unofficial favorite village, exemplifying many of the characteristics that have endeared Alsace to locals. It has architecture that dates back to the 13th century, world-renowned wine cellars, and hearty Alsatian cuisine.

Fly to Strasbourg, France, the capital of Grand Est, in February or March for the best prices. From New York City, round-trip flights can be found for less than $700, and you can stay in a three-star hotel for as low as $89 per night in the off-season.

Armenia

Armenia attracts tourists with its rich arts scene, upscale shopping, and history museums packed with treasures. Though the capital, Yerevan, is a popular destination, no trip to this country is complete without visiting the gorgeous and rugged countryside. Head out to Khor Virap, a monastery first established during the 600s, for mountainside views and ancient architecture about 45 minutes away from Yerevan. It’s worth the additional hour it takes to drive out to Garni Gorge, topped by a Roman temple, along the way.

Winter is Armenia’s low season. In the inexpensive month of January, especially, flights from the U.S. can be found for around $800 round-trip, and Airbnbs priced at $50 a night aren’t uncommon.

Kenya

African vacations may seem unattainable to travelers on a budget, but T+L A-List advisor Casey Hermansen says that safari dreams can come true with off-season travel in Kenya. “Kenya offers really good value,” she says, especially when compared to au courant spots like South Africa, where safari prices often start in the five figures. Plus, the country’s geographic diversity gives visitors the chance to have a trip with an exciting mix of activities: you could be admiring rhinos one day and lounging on an Indian Ocean beach the next. 

“The key to affordability is to travel during low-demand season, from the end of November through March,” she says. This time of year has both good prices—flights from the U.S. to Nairobi can often be found for around $1,000—and warm, dry weather.

Brisbane, Australia

The capital of Queensland on Australia’s east coast is arguably the country’s design heart. Drop by the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (one entity, colloquially called QAGOMA) or the Institute of Modern Art to get a sense of Asian-Pacific art. Go shopping in the Fortitude Valley district, where you’ll be able to pick up pieces from local and international designers. And, of course, because it’s Australia, it’s easy to get in touch with the local wildlife. Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, about 20 minutes from the city, to hang out with more than 100 critters (not just koalas, either).

In general, Australia doesn’t exactly fit the bill of “budget travel” for Americans, considering flights to the continent typically cost at least $1,000. However, relative to other Australian destinations, this waterfront city is one of the more affordable entry points. Book your trip between April and August to hit the city’s low season, when three-star stays can be found for under $100 per night.

Madeira, Portugal

It’s been 600 years since the Portuguese colonized Madeira, and the archipelago continues to astound visitors with its natural beauty. Trek along miles of rugged coast to see the Atlantic at its most paradisiacal. The capital, Funchal, is home to a number of hotels that are full of glamour, glitz, and stiff cocktails. Speaking of drinks—be sure to check out the famous fortified wine named after the island where it was made.

Typically, a round-trip flight from NYC to Funchal will set you back anywhere from $650 to $1,100, with the lowest prices usually being on sale in November and from January to May. Hotel prices fluctuate on a similar schedule and range from about $150 to $330 per night for a three-star property.

Tunisia

If you’re looking for a cheaper Mediterranean vacation, hop to the sea’s southern side and try out Tunisia. The country has history (including a Roman colosseum—the UNESCO-recognized Amphitheatre of El Jem—that some say is even better than Rome’s); miles of beautiful, sandy beaches; and bazaars teeming with carpets, ceramics, and metalwork.

Flights from the U.S. to Tunis, Tunisia’s capital, are surprisingly affordable, with prices in the $500-$800 range not uncommon in the September to May off-season. Prices for a night in a three-star Tunis hotel range from around $100 to $200, with December through March typically being the cheapest months.

Etyek, Hungary

Budapest gets the majority of Hungary’s visitors, but if you want to delve deeper into the country’s culture, drive 18 miles west of the city to Etyek, often called the “vineyards of Budapest.” This area has been producing grapes since the 18th century and has been likened to Champagne, France, for its excellent crisp wines like chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. The town is also a pilgrimage for film buffs, and movies like “Blade Runner 2049” and “The Martian” have been shot there.

Etyek is about a 30-minute drive from Budapest, so you’ll fly straight into the Hungarian capital. Outside of the busy summer season, round-trip flights from the U.S. can be found for less than $700. Book your trip in January, February, or March to snag the best hotel deals: accommodations in Etyek can be found for $160 a night or less this time of year.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were the last of Britain’s Caribbean colonies to gain their independence (only in 1979), and that could be a reason why the islands have lagged behind other big players in drawing tourists. The upside of that, however, is the lack of crowds at beaches and on trails leading through lush rainforest to dormant volcanoes.

Visitors will fly into St. Vincent’s Argyle International Airport (SVD), and ferry over to the smaller islands of the Grenadines. The inter-island route runs several times a day from Kingstown, the archipelago’s capital. 

Flights can be found under $300 round-trip from the U.S., and since there’s not much difference between prices in the high and low season, you can snag deals at almost any time of year. Hotels on St. Vincent are also often affordable year-round: average nightly prices under $200 are common, and determined planners can find good hotels for as little as $50 a night.

Panama City, Panama

Meander through Panama City’s old quarter, where Spanish-style houses line cobblestone streets. Eat your way through Panamanian cuisine—yuca, plantains, empanadas, sancocho de gallina (chicken stew), and fish soup are among the most beloved local dishes—and then top it all off with a tour of the city’s thriving cocktail scene. Once you’ve had your fill of the urban jungle, you can also easily reach the rainforest for some real jungle scenery.

Even though Panama is located in the Northern Hemisphere, its seasons—of which there are only two—are opposite to North America’s. “Winter” (aka the wet season) lasts from around May to December, and “summer” (the dry season) lasts from December to May. It’s cheaper to go during the wet season, when the climate isn’t as ideal.

Off-season flights start below $300 round-trip from Miami, with prices rising from there depending on time of year (December is often most expensive) and U.S. point of origin. For hotels, three-star properties often cost less than $130 per night between June and September.

Valparaiso, Chile

Located just north and west of Santiago, Chile’s Valparaiso region is packed with destinations that make for perfect low-cost dupes of pricier locales. For beach lovers, there’s Viña del Mar, a resort city with all the oceanfront charm of Rio de Janeiro but far fewer crowds. For artsy types, the city of Valparaiso proper has colorful architecture and a thriving creative community. Finally, the region’s Aconcagua Valley produces red wines frequently compared to Bordeaux’s, making this an ideal alternative to pricey wine tourism in France. 

All these destinations lie within two hours of Chile’s capital, so getting here is easy on the heels of a flight to Santiago. Direct flights to the city can cost as little as $600 from New York, or even less at times from southern U.S. cities like Miami and Dallas. Four-star hotels can be found throughout Valparaiso for less than $200 a night, while in wine country, tasting tours are often available for well under $50 per person—even at vineyards like Errázuriz, a local icon in operation since 1870. 

Traveling during Chilean winter (June to August) will net you the lowest prices, since cooler temperatures make this Valparaiso’s off-season. For a good balance of accessible prices and more comfortable climes, visit in a shoulder season month like April or October.

Hanoi, Vietnam

You get a little bit of everything from a trip to Hanoi: vibrant culture, a thousand-year-old history, a food scene that spans from world-famous street carts to Michelin-starred restaurants, and a touch of jungle that seems to creep from the outskirts into the city. With $1 USD converting to more than 20,000 Vietnamese dong—roughly the cost of a delicious banh mi—you should find it easy to stick to your budget and still live indulgently in Vietnam’s bustling capital.

Round-trip flights from NYC to Hanoi cost about $870 at their cheapest, from September through November, which is when Vietnam transitions from hot and humid wet season to the dry (and touristy) season. During this time, three-star properties go for about $125 to $150 a night.

Albania

Does traversing a waterfront on par with the Italian Riviera sound appealing to you? What about hiking or biking in a mountain range that’s often compared to the Alps? In Albania, you can do all that and more while paying $50 a night for Airbnbs and less than $10 per lunch. This Balkan country borders the Mediterranean just like Italy and Greece do, and its Accursed Mountains have hundreds of miles of trails—but, unlike most of Europe, Albania is just beginning to catch the eye of tourists. 

There’s not a huge difference yet here between high and low season, so we recommend traveling in summer when the weather is good (despite the fact that most other visitors will come then too). As of 2025, no airlines fly direct between the U.S. and Albania, but the capital city of Tirana can be reached with a European layover for well below $1,000.

Donegal, Ireland

If you’ve dreamed of exploring the green hills of Ireland but balked at the prices in hot spots like the Ring of Kerry, County Donegal may be the place for you. Tourists often skip this rugged northwestern region due to its remoteness, but those intrepid enough to visit will be rewarded with stunning countryside, towering ocean cliffs, and costs far lower than you’ll find in busier counties. Transit routes are sparse, so rent a car and chauffeur yourself to attractions like Glenveagh National Park and Malin Head. 

The Irish airline Aer Lingus regularly runs sub-$500 flights between the U.S. and Dublin, and flights from Dublin to Donegal can be found for less than $40 each way, if you want to avoid the three-hour drive between the destinations. Once you’re in the county, it’s not uncommon to find scenic Airbnbs for less than $100 per night and hearty pub meals for less than $20. 

The high end of the scale comes cheaper here, too. At Donegal’s five-star castle hotel, Lough Eske, you can find rooms under $400 a night even in the summer high season—a fraction of the typical prices at marquee castles elsewhere in Ireland, but with every ounce of the luxury.