Popular tourist destinations are famous for a reason. From the food to the historical landmarks, gorgeous landscape or enticing tropical waters, these places have earned their claims to fame. Travelers hear incredible stories from friends and family or read adventurous travel articles and it's no wonder the flights and accommodations book fast. Unfortunately, this also means the prices to travel to these destinations inflate. Instead of traveling to a popular, overpriced tourist destination, choose one of our top five cheaper alternatives.
*All flight information in the U.S. is based out of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and is accurate at date of writing.
Slovenia Instead of Switzerland
For a quintessential mountain getaway without the high prices of Switzerland, check out the eastern Alps of Slovenia. There are endless free things to do in Slovenia, like strolling through Tivoli Park in the capital, Ljubljana. From the city, head to Triglav National Park for an unforgettable hiking adventure. Buses run throughout the national park, allowing visitors to see all the sights for just a few dollars a day.
Flights tend to be slightly more expensive to Slovenia than Switzerland, but the overall trip cost to Slovenia — including accommodations and food — would be far less expensive. Round-trip flights to Ljubljana, Slovenia, or Trieste, Italy (right on Slovenia’s border), start at $500. Flights to Switzerland vary depending on the city, but start around $400.
Just northwest of Ljubljana lies one of the top destinations in the country, Lake Bled. It boasts views of the cliffside Bled Castle with the snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps rising in the distance. The 11th-century Church of the Assumption on the center island is a must-see. It can be visited by a traditional Pletna covered boat, which only costs $20 roundtrip. Comparing Bled to one of Switzerland’s most popular mountain towns, Interlaken, reveals a significant price difference — restaurants are around 115% more expensive in Interlaken than in Bled, and even a pint of beer costs twice as much in Switzerland. Gasoline is around $2.50 more per gallon in Switzerland, too, an important consideration for those who are roadtripping their way through the Alps.
Vietnam Instead of Indonesia
There is no denying the beauty of Bali, one of Indonesia's most popular tourist destinations. It is known for being a relatively affordable place to visit, but there is a nearby Vietnamese locale that is even less expensive and just as beautiful. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay, is a breathtaking stretch of coastline in northern Vietnam, along the Beibu Gulf. It's one of the most-visited locations in the country, and for good reason. With rocky islands, ancient caves, and sandy beaches, there's tons to explore, and it comes at a much lower cost than its flashy neighbor.
A two-week hotel stay in Ha Long Bay costs around $1,700 per couple, while nearby in Bali, prices are just under $2,200 for the same type of stay. The Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long offers five-star accommodations in the heart of Ha Long Bay starting at $150 a night, while other mid-range hotels start at just $50, and well-appointed seaside hostels go for around $10. Restaurant and grocery prices are also 10% less expensive in Vietnam than in Bali. Airfares to these destinations are comparable. Flights to Denpasar, Bali, start around $490, while flights to Hanoi, Vietnam, are slightly less expensive, starting at $460. Aside from travel costs, inexpensive and free activities are everywhere to be found here — from snorkeling for $1 a day to low-cost paddleboard and kayak rentals.
Zanzibar Instead of the Maldives
The Maldives have become a go-to destination in the Indian Ocean for relaxing in breezy, overwater beach bungalows, but just to the west lies a similar island, Zanzibar, a province of Tanzania located off the coast of East Africa. Both island getaways cost roughly the same to fly to. Zanzibar starts around $500, and Malé, the capital of the Maldives, is just under $500 (but other islands can be upwards of $800). However, the overall cost of a trip would be, on average, thousands of dollars cheaper in Zanzibar.
In the Maldives, the average cost for a one-week hotel stay (per person) is $2,100, but the same type of accommodation in Zanzibar is just shy of $450. There are also plenty of free things to do in Zanzibar, including exploring the ancient city of Stone Town. Now a UNESCO site, this Swahili trading town features endless winding streets, bustling markets, and international cuisine to explore and enjoy. For under $10 (and with a free guide included), visit Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, a tropical forest home to unique endangered species that live nowhere else, including the Zanzibar red colobus monkey and Zanzibar servaline genet (a relative of the mongoose).
Norway Instead of Iceland
If a Viking-inspired voyage is on your agenda, head to Bergen on the west coast of Norway. It’s the country’s second-largest city, and one of its oldest, founded back in 1070. Today, its economy is largely based on local fishing, which visitors can enjoy at restaurants all along the coast. Bryggen, the historic UNESCO harbor city within Bergen, is the perfect place to sample the local fare. After enjoying a hearty meal, take the Fløibanen funicular from the city center to the top of Mount Fløyen for just $10 roundtrip — it’s one of Norway’s most visited attractions. As for getting to Norway, Bergen is surprisingly affordable to fly to from the U.S., with roundtrip flights starting at $250. This is comparable to Reykjavik, Iceland, which starts at $220.
Although flight prices are similar, accommodations in western Norway are far less expensive than in Iceland. A one-week hotel stay in Reykjavik will set you back over $1,700 per person, while in Bergen, it is just under $800. Unlike in the U.S., there are no entry fees to national parks in Norway, providing a perfect nearby option for low-cost outdoor exploration. Sognefjord, the country’s longest and deepest fjord, is not to be missed. Restaurant and grocery prices are also less expensive in western Norway than in Iceland, and for those road tripping to national parks, gasoline is over a dollar less per gallon in Norway.
Cyprus Instead of the Greek Islands
Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini are undeniably charming, but their neighbor to the east, the island country of Cyprus, is an often overlooked travel destination. Once dotted with ancient Greek kingdoms, today, this Mediterranean island has a unique blend of Turkish and Greek culture worth experiencing.
One major draw to Cyprus is its affordable accommodations. The average price for a one-week hotel stay in the picturesque coastal city of Paphos is around $1,500 per couple, while in Greek islands like Mykonos, it jumps to over $2,200. Dining is more affordable in Cyprus as well. The average meal for two in Paphos is around $55, while in Mykonos, it is over twice as much, around $120. Flight prices to Cyprus are nearly identical to the cost of flying to one of the Greek islands. The cheapest flight from New York City to Paphos is $600, while the cheapest flight to Mykonos is $590.
Entrance fees to most archaeological sites and museums in Cyprus are typically under $5. This includes the remnants of ancient Greek and Roman cities, as seen at the Pafos Archaeological Park (a UNESCO site). Many other sites are free, including Petra tou Romiou (the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite) and all of Cyprus’s beautiful public beaches, where parking is $1 (or at some beaches, free) for the entire day.
Philippines Instead of the South Pacific
Although the South Pacific islands of Bora Bora and Fiji are on the same side of the world as the island nation of the Philippines, the price for traveling to these places varies drastically. A round-trip flight from the United States to Fiji or Bora Bora rings in at about $1,000 to $2,000, respectively.
A round-trip flight to Cebu, however, slides in under $500. Once you see the white sand beaches, turquoise water, and swaying palm trees of the Philippines, you won’t care that you're not in the South Pacific. Accommodations are exponentially cheaper in the Philippines as well. Cebu’s four-star hotels start at $55 a night, whereas in Bora Bora, you’d be lucky to score a four-star hotel room under $200. Not to mention, once you get to the Philippines, food and drink is super affordable. Street food and domestic beer (like San Miguel) run about $1 to $2 a pop and main meals in restaurants are typically $5 and under.
Portugal Instead of France
European vacations aren’t cheap, but you’d be hard pressed to find a more affordable destination in western Europe than Portugal. France is bogged down with tourists year-round and the high cost of living makes it a tough place to tour on a budget. Portugal, despite clinging to the western coast of the continent, manages to stay in a class all its own.
Flights from the U.S. to Portugal are generally more expensive than to France, but once on the ground, you'll save on food, drink, and accommodations. When you compare the prices between Paris and Lisbon, the difference is undeniable. Transportation, food, and drink are all much cheaper in Lisbon. When it comes to hotels, most three-star establishments in Lisbon start at well under $100, whereas in Paris, you’d be lucky to snag a similar deal.
Puerto Rico Instead of Hawaii
Hawaii is a luscious land filled with waterfalls, volcanos, jungle treks, and tropical waters. It will also drain your holiday funds dry. Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in the U.S. and you will certainly feel the financial squeeze while on vacation. Puerto Rico, on the other hand, is full of budget-friendly oceanfront hotels.
To make the most of our your Caribbean vacation budget, head to Rincón (a laidback little surfer town) and shack up at Casa Verde Hotel for $115 a night. Additionally, food, drink, and transportation are all much more affordable in Puerto Rico than the rest of U.S. And you certainly don’t sell yourself short by picking this island nation as a destination — you’ll still find warm water, pristine beaches, and tropical vibes for days.
Colombia Instead of Peru
Don't be mistaken. Machu Picchu is incredible. What’s not so incredible are the hordes of people flocking to see the 15th-century World Wonder. What’s even more disheartening is the price to hike the Inca Trail to reach it. Depending on the level of service you desire, you can drop anywhere between $500 to $1,500 USD on a multi-day hike up to Machu Picchu. Colombia, however, is less-frequented by tourists. The first perk is that flights to Bogota are nearly $200 cheaper then to Cuzco and five-star hotels start around $5o per night in the Colombian capital.
Not to mention there’s a bevy of fun activities to do and historic places to admire around Bogota. La Candelaria is the prettiest neighborhood and it's free, the Gold Museum is only $1 to enter or free on Sundays, and the buzzing historic heart of the city — Plaza Bolívar — is a can’t-miss attraction.
Slovakia Instead of Germany
There’s no doubt that Germany deserves exploration, but its reputation as a historic European hub boasting an epic nightlife scene, admirable architecture, and an appetite for beer means tourists pay a heavy price. Instead of blowing through your holiday fund in western Europe, head east to the lesser-known, offbeat country of Slovakia.
The capital city of Bratislava has a flair for funky charm. There’s no shortage of castles and the historic Old Town and Kapitulska Street are more than aesthetically pleasing. Find your favorite café in the historic core of the city, order a $2 beer, and watch life unfold around you. Not only will you save on flights when you fly to Bratislava compared to Berlin, the eastern European capital offers three-star hotels starting at $40 a night and a decidedly more affordable cost of traveling. The bonus? Bratislava is still off the beaten path, which means you’ll experience far fewer tourists.
