There are 5 countries in South Asia that are very affordable and very likely to offer you quite the culture shock. While almost all travelers love neighboring Southeast Asia, this region is very distinct, and although many love it… some clearly appreciate it less.
We’ve shared with you the updated list of 40 best cheap countries to travel to in 2025 and the beginning of the feature with a bit more details, by region.
We continue this important feature to give you an idea of what each destination has to offer and to give you an idea of accommodation prices (which is often the biggest expense at the destination).
Here are the 5 best cheap countries in South Asia.
Details of the best cheap countries in South Asia
For each of the 5 countries, this article includes:
- 2 short paragraphs as an overview of the destination
- To give you a general idea of the country
- 2 price examples for well-rated accommodation
- To give you a general idea of prices
- For both solo travelers and duos
To be very clear, there are cheaper accommodations than the examples in this article if you want to save 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 for what is usually considered “good”).
There are also luxurious options and private accommodation rentals (Airbnb/Vrbo), of course, and we’ll give concrete examples of those in a guide for each cheap country. The price of well-rated, more basic options gives you an idea of prices for more luxurious options, even if the correlation isn’t always 100% perfect.
Infographic of the best cheap countries in South Asia
Here’s the infographic of the 5 best cheap countries among the 8 countries in South Asia.
It’s definitely a region that is almost all very affordable!!! 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. India 🇮🇳
Teaser of trips to India
Earning the title of the most populous country in the world since 2023, India is an iconic destination for many travelers. Like all of South Asia, this place will definitely take you out of your comfort zone. India is huge, with a lot of variety. But many say that India is also a mix of all eras.
The big cities of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata are well worth a visit, but the mountains of the north, the desert of the center, and the beaches of the south are just as interesting. It’s a country that really does have something for every traveler, and I enjoyed visiting it in 2023; that said, I love culture shocks. And in fact I didn’t find it as big a culture shock as other travelers because I’ve visited many regions of the world.
You’ll be able to check out our list of best destinations soon, but in the meantime, you can see some impressions from my visit to the Taj Mahal.
Teaser of accommodations in India
There are hotels in Goa for $10 (INR 894) per night, so $5 (INR 447) per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Goa for $4 (INR 379) per night per person.
2. Nepal 🇳🇵
Teaser of trips to Nepal
This small mountainous country is one of the most iconic destinations in this part of the world. Much more peaceful and zen than its large Indian neighbor, this very affordable country is very popular! It’s probably the easiest one to start with if you want to get a first taste of South Asia.
Trekking all over the country is usually well-loved by travelers, as are the temples you can find in some cities, including the capital, Kathmandu (which has been a backpacking hub for decades). Kevin spent some time there and highly recommends it.
You’ll be able to check out our list of best destinations soon.
Teaser of accommodations in Nepal
There are hotels in Kathmandu for $12 par nuit, so $6 per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Kathmandu for $3 per night per person.
3. Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
Teaser of trips to Sri Lanka
The small, beautiful island of Sri Lanka is one of Kevin’s highlights. It’s one of his favorites among the 80+ countries he’s visited! The country is definitely worth exploring if you love nature and authentic places.
There’s a lot of variety for such a small country, with sublime coastlines and beaches, lush green landscapes, and surprising safaris (elephants, leopards, etc.)! Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is known for its tea plantations, cuisine, welcoming people, and cultural heritage sites.
You’ll be able to check out our list of best destinations soon, but in the meantime, you can see the 10 must-see places in Sri Lanka.
Teaser of accommodations in Sri Lanka
There are hotels in Kandy for $12 per night, so $6 per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Kandy for $10 per night per person.
4. Pakistan 🇵🇰
Teaser of trips to Pakistan
Pakistan is certainly off the beaten path. Proof that many people have false beliefs about safety (as always), even the extremely alarmist Canadian government classifies the country at the same risk level as France (except for a few regions to avoid).
The country is known for its breathtaking nature and very warm hospitality. Yes, there are beautiful landscapes and popular hikes. Culture and food are also highlights! We both can’t wait to visit this country someday.
You’ll be able to check out our list of best destinations soon.
Teaser of accommodations in Pakistan
There are hotels in Islamabad for $37 per night, so $19 per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Islamabad for $9 per night per person.
5. Bangladesh 🇧🇩
Teaser of trips to Bangladesh
The 8th most populous country in the world, Bangladesh, is not as well known, so few travelers add it to their itinerary. It’s a unique, out-of-the-ordinary destination that certainly deserves to be explored further.
In addition to cities like Dhaka and Chittagong, Bangladesh boasts incredible temples, the world’s longest beach, and the largest mangrove forest. It is also one of the greenest countries in the region, thanks to many tea plantations. Some landscapes more closely resemble those in the popular neighboring region, as the southeast corner of the country is on the Southeast Asian peninsula after all!
You’ll be able to check out our list of best destinations soon.
Teaser of accommodations in Bangladesh
There are hotels in Dhaka for $30 per night, so $15 per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Dhaka for $25 per night per person (it’s one of those less popular countries where traveling solo is not as affordable due to a lack of hostels, unfortunately).
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Summary
The 5 best cheap countries in South Asia allow you to travel for much less, while offering extraordinary experiences. It’s certainly one of the regions with the biggest culture shock among all those represented in the list of 40 best cheap countries (for as little as $29 (CAD 40) if you want).
What would you like to know about the best cheap countries in South Asia? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: Infographic (photo credit: Flytrippers)
