Travelers looking to stretch their budgets in 2025 should consider destinations like Laos and Kazakhstan, while those seeking luxury experiences should brace for hefty expenses in the Caribbean and Switzerland, according to a new report by Hellosafe.
The report reveals details average daily travel budgets for a range of countries, excluding international airfare.
Laos tops the list of most affordable destinations, with an average daily budget of just $15. Kazakhstan follows closely at $19, with Rwanda ($21), Ghana ($22), and Mongolia ($24) rounding out the top five. Other economical options include Armenia, Burkina Faso, Georgia, Mali, Burma, Cuba, Moldova, India, Malawi, and Nepal, all with average daily budgets under $40.
For those seeking high-end experiences, the Caribbean islands dominate the list of most expensive destinations. Barbados leads with an average daily budget of $330, followed by Antigua and Barbuda at $310 and Saint Kitts and Nevis at $271. The Maldives, Grenada, and Switzerland also feature prominently, with daily budgets exceeding $250.
The United States and Micronesia share an average daily budget of $248, while Greenland, the UAE, the Bahamas, Oman, São Tomé and Príncipe, Puerto Rico, and Qatar all present average daily costs above $180.
Travelers exploring the Balkan Peninsula in 2025 will find a diverse range of costs, with Croatia emerging as the region’s most expensive destination, particularly along its Adriatic coast. Cities like Dubrovnik and Split, popular for their historical charm and coastal beauty, command higher prices for accommodation and dining.
Conversely, budget-conscious travelers can find more affordable options in countries like Kosovo, Serbia, and North Macedonia, where costs for lodging, food, and activities remain significantly lower.
Factors influencing these disparities include the level of tourism infrastructure and coastal popularity. Well-developed tourist hubs in Croatia and coastal Montenegro drive up prices, while inland regions and less-traveled countries offer more economical experiences.
The average daily travel budgets were calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of accommodation costs, including hotels and Airbnb-style rentals; food expenses, utilizing local consumer price indices and restaurant costs; in-country transportation costs, encompassing domestic flights, trains, and buses; and xpenditures on tourist activities.
It is important to note that these figures do not include the cost of international travel to the destination.