I am frugal AF and I’ve been told I could be a great travel agent, so let me share some of my findings with you. I love adventure and spent some time researching amazing places you can go with little dough, so now it’s time to go get your travel on and start your Pinterest inspiration board.
1. Indonesia has white beaches, volcanos, savannahs, and jungles. Yes, from where I currently reside it’s on the other side of the planet, but it’s worth it. The island of Java is stunning and on a budget its around $55 a dollar a day. A round trip flight in 2020 to Bali will only cost you $1,000 in January, February and March. However, those are the rainy seasons. The best time to travel is from June through October.
2. Cambodia is filled with plenty of temples and truly incredible sights. You do need a travel visa, which you can obtain on arrival for $30 in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Preah Sihanouk. The best time to visit Cambodia is from November until March. For only a mere $25 a day you can enjoy a filling trip and explore everything. You can see more on how to plan a trip here.
3. Borneo is the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia. It is located east of Singapore and southwest of the Philippines and is full of wildlife and beauty, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. A lot of people have never heard of it, which is perfect for minimal tourists. This place is an ecotourist dream come true and costs around $65 per day. See more here. You can also use a travel agency that is local to help plan an affordable trip here.
4-5. Arizona and Utah are both located in the United States and the best times to visit are April through May, and September through October. Start in Arizona and drive up into Utah to see mountains, cactuses, rivers, waterfalls, and adventure galore. (or switch it up if you like) You can get a national park pass for only $80 and cheap car rental through Costco. I recommend flying into Las Vegas or St. George for the best value. Most hotels are $100 a night. If you are willing to be extra adventurous, you can even camp for free and truly enjoy the great outdoors. You can find a list of things to do in Utah here. One of my favorite trips by a fellow blogger of these locations can be found here.
6. The Faroe Islands is made up of 18+ rocky, volcanic islands between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean. This area is best seen by traveling in your car as it is connected by road tunnels, bridges, and more. The best time to visit this area is during the Summer months. You can see more about traveling to this area by clicking here. The cheapest flying option is going to Copenhagen and then to the Faroes. Airbnb has some AMAZING hotel stays and all of them have incredible views here. Also, you’ll want that rental car and in USD it will cost you around $200. If you like Puffins btw, try heading to the island in June. Like beer? There are two breweries in the Faroe Islands: Okkara and Føroya Bjór.
7. Lake District National Park is located in the United Kingdom and you will be shocked at this hidden gem. Covered with forests, mountains, and beautiful waters; this is a romantic destination that will steal your heart. The best time to travel is late March through early June and September through November. You will get the driest weather and many have ventured here for pure inspiration. If you fly into London you can make an even better adventure of it with a cheap $80 flight to the lake area.
8. Ireland is a must! The best time to visit Ireland is in May, and June, as well as in September and October. One of the cheapest areas to fly into is Dublin and if you use a major airport like JFK, EWR, or LAX your flight will be half the cost, and hotels are at a cheaper rate. You’ll spend about $60 per day here (depending on where you stay and how much you eat) but your flight will be the most expensive purchase. Be My Travel Muse has a great itinerary for an Ireland trip.
9. Saxon Switzerland National Park is located in Germany. Berlin is about a two-hour drive to Dresden which is where the park sits. The views are incredible and the best price and time to visit is April through May. Bonus favorite trip in Germany is Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe which is a long way from this national park, however, if you fly into Kassel, Germany its only 11 minutes away. Need help figuring out a way to get there? Click here.
10. Banff National Park is in Canada and truly something to be seen. You’ll need to bring a jacket or two, but if you love hiking and the outdoors, this is your place. The best time to visit is July through September. Hotels are all over the place, costing around $130 for a four-star and $50 a night for two and lower. You can see some hiking trails here.
If you need to find a cheap flight to go along with your trip, check out this great article by the Indie Traveller here. If you need help planning something extra special, Tourrader is also a great tool. Safe travels!
With love,
Lex Paige
