Don’t let the weak exchange rate stand in your way, we list incredible destinations where you’ll get the most for your money. For each destination there’s a list of travel costs for the back-to-basics traveler as well as some more comfortable mid-range options. In countries like Bali, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and India ultimate luxury is much more affordable than if you were to stay in a 5 star hotel in San Francisco or London. Airbnb is another great money-saver, rent a room for very little, shop where the locals do and sample delicious street food to save extra bucks.
1. India
Meet India’s many contradictions from snow-capped mountains in the North to palm-lined beaches in Goa, ancient and futuristic cities bursting with life, sacred cows in the streets and a world-class tech industry.
Courtesy of Taj Lake Palace on Facebook
Exchange Rate
R1 = just under 5 rupees
Flights
Return flights, Johannesburg to Mumbai, from around R6000
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R180; Midrange: from R870
Food
Budget: R90; Midrange: R460
Water
R6 for a 1.5 litre bottle
Inner city transport
Budget: R36; Midrange: R178
Inter city transport
Budget: R124; Midrange: R609
Alcohol
Budget: R40; Midrange: R204
Sound good? Find out more here.
2. Lisbon, Portugal
Lose yourself in cobbled streets, pause for breath at steep miradouros, catch a tram, pass beautiful old buildings by the sea then stop in for a traditional flaky pastry and espresso.
Courtesy of Goexplo.com
Exchange Rate
€1 = just under R15
Flights
Return flights, Johannesburg to Lisbon, from around R8000
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R245; Midrange: from R530 (Airbnb)
Food
Budget: R170; Midrange: from R415
Water
R7.50 (1.5 litre bottle)
Inner city transport
Budget: R69; Midrange: R184
Inter city transport
Budget: R152; Midrange: R387
Alcohol
Budget: R73; Midrange: R172
To find awesome flights check here.
3. Istanbul
Where Asia meets Europe, a city of enticing food, bustling quarters, sweet mint tea and Prince’s islands
Mosques in Istanbul courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Exchange Rate: R10 gets you 2.21 turkish liras
Flights
Return flights, Johannesburg to Istanbul, from R6000
To find great flights deals check here.
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R185; Midrange: from R420
Food
Budget: R64; Midrange: R154
Water
R6 for a 1.5 litre bottle
Inner city transport
Budget: R28; Midrange: R65
Alcohol
Budget: R33; Midrange: R90
4. Cuba
Music in the streets, shuttered windows, old cars rusting by the sea
Old Taxis courtesy of Gerry Balding on Flickr
Exchange Rate
R1 equals 0.076 CUC, but best to use dollars, R13.16 is equal to $1.
Flights:
The flights to Havana are quite pricey as it’s quite a distance, but once you’re there you won’t be breaking the bank. Return flights from R24 000.
To find awesome flights check here.
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R122; Midrange: from R325 (Airbnb)
Food
Budget: R45; Midrange: R100
Water
R11 for a 1.5 litre bottle
Inner city transport
Budget: R35; Midrange: R85
Inter city transport
Budget: R70; Midrange: R170
Alcohol
Budget: R42; Midrange: R110
5. Sri Lanka
Untouched hill forests, balmy sea towns and unforgettable food markets
Buddhists in Ruwanweliseya Dagoba courtesy of Sergio Carbajo on Flickr
Exchange Rate
R1 is equal to 10.69 Sri Lankan Rupees
Flights
Return flights, Johannesburg to Colombo, from around R8400. Check here.
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R63; Midrange: from R190
Food
Budget: R54; Midrange: R131
Water
R7.41 for a 1.5 litre bottle
Inner city transport
Budget: R45; Midrange: R60
Inter city transport
Budget: R375; Midrange: R150
Alcohol
Budget: R140; Midrange: R60
6. Thailand
Pristine tropical waters, coconut drinks and spicy papaya salads
Colliding Waves by Marc-Olivier on Flickr
Exchange Rate
R1 is equal to 2.69 Thai Baht
Flights
Return flights, Johannesburg to Bangkok, R8000.
To find awesome flights check here.
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R130; Midrange: from R360
Food
Budget: R56; Midrange: R141
Water
R5.90 for a 1.5 litre bottle
Inner city transport
Budget: R25; Midrange: R70
Inter city transport
Budget: R90; Midrange: R240
Alcohol
Budget: R25; Midrange: R62
7. Madagascar
Lemurs, mythical baobabs, volcanos and adventures waiting to happen
Sunset at Avenue of the Baobabs by Tee la Rosa on Flickr
Exchange Rate: R1 is equal to 249.663 Malagasy Ariary
Flights
Return flights, Johannesburg to Antananarivo, from around R7000.
To find awesome flights check here.
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R86; Midrange: R196
Food
Budget: R46; Midrange: R105
Water
R13.56 for a 1 litre bottle
Inner city transport
Budget: R17; Midrange: R37
Inter city transport
Budget: R60; Midrange: R130
Alcohol
Budget: R11; Midrange: R25
8. Brazil
Samba in the streets, drink on the beach (it’s legal!) and take the cable car up Rio’s answer to Table Mountain – Sugarloaf mountain.
Escadaria Selarón, Rio de Janiero courtesy of Flickr
Exchange Rate
R10 is equal to 2.89 Brazilian Reals
Flights
Return flights, Johannesburg to Rio, from R13 000 and Sao Paulo return R11 400. Check here.
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R140; Midrange: R400
Food
Budget: R65; Midrange: R155
Water
R8.54 for a 1.5 litre bottle of water
Inner city transport
Budget: R27; Midrange: R70
Inter city transport
Budget: R96; Midrange: R262
Alcohol
Budget: R19; Midrange: R45
9. Zanzibar, Tanzania
Follow the minatour into Stone Town, sink your feet into fine sand, while watching dhows spear the sunset.
Exchange Rate
R1 is equal to just over 166 Tanzanian shillings
Flights
Return flights, Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam, from R5200. Check here.
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R186; Midrange: R461
Food
Budget: R78; Midrange: R186
Water
R10 for a 1.5 litre bottle of water
Inner city transport
Budget: R40; Midrange: R112
Inter city transport
Budget: R130; Midrange: R318
Alcohol
Budget: R30; Midrange: R70
10. Vietnam
Experience ethereal Halong Bay by boat then take on fiesty Hanoi on two wheels.
Exchange Rate
R1 is equal to about 1696 Vietnamese Dong
Flights
Return flights, Johannesburg to Hanoi, from R7400. Check here.
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R249; Luxury: R738
Food
Budget: R119; Luxury: R265
Water
R6.33 for a 1.5 litre bottle
Inner city transport
Budget: R62; Luxury: R175
Inter city transport
Budget: R194; Luxury: R600
Alcohol
Budget: R55; Luxury: R145
11. Ethiopia
Ancient churches built into sheer rock in mythical Gondar and tasty Ethiopian dishes
Gondar Fasiladas Bath Timket on Wikimedia Commons
Exchange Rate
R10 is equal to 15.96 Ethiopian Birr
Flights
Return flights, Johannesburg to Addis Ababa, from R7200 return. Check here.
Good to Know:
Ethiopian Airlines @flyethiopian will begin direct flights from Addis Ababa to Durban as of mid-December 2015.
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Midrange: R113
Food
Budget: R28; Midrange: R61
Water
R14.50 for a 1.5 litre bottle
Inner city transport
Budget: R8; Midrange: R21
Inter city transport
Budget: R90; Midrange: R220
Alcohol
Budget: R22; Midrange: R56
12. Bali
Luxury villas for a song, disappear into a surfer and yoga-lover’s paradise
Surf Bungalow, Bali courtesy of Flickr
Exchange Rate R1 is equal to 1029.84 Indonesian Rupiahs
Flights
Johannesburg to Denpasar return from R9500. You can also fly via Hong Kong. Find out more here.
Average costs per day:
Accommodation
Budget: R120; Midrange: R342 ; Luxury: R1100
Food
Budget: R59; Midrange: R144; Luxury: R344
Water
R6.43 for a 1.5 litre bottle of water
Inner city transport
Budget: R19 ; Midrange: R53; Luxury: R166
Inter city transport
Budget: R49; Midrange: R156; Luxury: R585
Alcohol
Budget: R23; Midrange: R55; Luxury: R134
Source: www.budgetyourtrip.com and www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/