Central Asia is definitely one of my favorite regions in the world. It’s absolutely amazing and, on top of that, the 3 most magnificent countries are very affordable once you get there! If you enjoy experiencing a culture shock, history, and warm hospitality… drop everything and start planning a trip to the “-stans.” Seriously, you won’t regret it.
We shared the updated list of 40 best countries to travel to for less in 2025.
Now we continue this important feature with a little more detail by region. To give you an idea of what each destination has to offer and to give you an idea of accommodation prices (often the biggest expense once there).
Here are the 3 best cheap countries in Central Asia.
Details of the best cheap countries in Central Asia
For each of the 3 countries, this article includes:
- 2 short paragraphs providing an overview of the destination
- To give you a general idea of the country
- 2 examples of well-rated accommodation prices
- To give you a general idea of prices
- For both duo travelers and solo travelers
To be very clear, there are cheaper accommodations than the examples in this article if you want to save money with options that have lower ratings. All those in the examples have a rating of at least 7.5 out of 10 (the minimum threshold of what is usually considered “good”).
There are also luxury options and private accommodation rentals (Airbnb/Vrbo), obviously, and we’ll give concrete examples of those in a guide on each cheap country. The price of well-rated, more basic options gives you an idea of the prices for more luxurious options, even if the correlation is not always 100% perfect.
Infographic of the best cheap countries in Central Asia
Here’s the infographic of the 3 best cheap countries among the 5 countries in Central Asia.
It’s such an underrated region, but so interesting! I truly can’t recommend it enough. It has such a unique blend of the very different influences from neighbors on all sides. You can read about the 6 different regions of Asia if you want to learn the definitions.
Let’s look at each country ordered by the price of our hotel example for now (we’ll rank them by total cost in the next part of the feature).
1. Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
Teaser of trips to Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is renowned for its grandiose landscapes, perfect for those who want to be out in nature without the crowds. The highlights are the Tian Shan mountains and Issyk-Kul lake, one of the world’s deepest, largest, and saltiest lakes. The people are so proud to show you their country and to welcome you, and with good reason.
Bishkek is the starting point, but there are plenty of places to explore this region’s traditional nomadic lifestyle. I can’t wait to go back and venture out of the capital, even though I found it to be a cool city: the rest looks even better.
You’ll be able to check out our list of the best destinations soon, but in the meantime, you can read the 5 reasons why I enjoyed visiting Bishkek.
Teaser of accommodations in Kyrgyzstan
There are hotels in Bishkek for $22 per night, so $11 per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Bishkek for $9 per night per person.
2. Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
Teaser of trips to Kazakhstan
If Kazakhstan is even remotely as interesting as the 2 other countries that I loved, it’s promising. The world’s 9th-largest country’s natural beauty is just as impressive as that of more popular countries. But like all countries in this region, the rich history of the Silk Road is very present, and you’ll get a warm welcome.
The nomadic culture and a surprising metropolis nicely complete the offering that allows each type of traveler to find what they’re looking for. There’s even a coastline on the world’s largest inland body of water, the Caspian Sea. A small part of the country is actually geographically in Europe, although that is very subjective. Kazakhstan is also the most developed country in the Central Asia region.
You’ll be able to check out our list of the best destinations soon.
Teaser of accommodations in Kazakhstan
There are hotels in Almaty for $24 (KZT 12,027) per night, so $12 per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Almaty for $10 (KZT 4975) per night per person.
3. Uzbekistan 🇺🇿
Teaser of trips to Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is one of my all-time favorite countries (after visiting 70+). It has absolutely and undeniably beautiful architecture along with a rich history. The ancient Silk Road has left behind many magnificent vestiges. I honestly can’t believe that the country is still a relatively well-kept secret.
It offers both a culture shock and a very orderly vibe, a rare combination. The 3 historic cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are the preferred itinerary, and all 3 are worth a visit. I still enjoyed the capital, Tashkent, which is very different (and the largest city in the entire region). There are no words to tell you how much I recommend this country if you want to venture off the beaten path.
You can check out the 7 best destinations in Uzbekistan.
Teaser of accommodations in Uzbekistan
There are hotels in Samarkand for $25 per night, so $13 per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Samarkand for $17 per night per person.
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Summary
The 3 best cheap countries in Central Asia allow you to travel for much less, while offering extraordinary experiences. It’s certainly one of my favorite regions among all those represented in the list of 40 best affordable countries, where you can travel for as little as $29 (CAD 40) if you want.
What would you like to know about the best cheap countries in Central Asia? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: Infographic (image credit: Flytrippers)
