10 Cheapest Countries to travel from India (under 50k) - Couple of Journeys

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Photo of 10 Cheapest Countries to travel from India (under 50k) - Couple of Journeys 1/11 by Vrushali Ketkar

We love heading out of the country for a vacation. It just adds a whole lot of excitement to our already high travel frenzy. However, international travel involves heavy expenditure. The cost of airfare, India's weak currency and hefty visa expenses quickly increase the total expense of a trip. All of this gives rise to one obvious question - what are the cheapest countries to travel from India? Thankfully, there are plenty.

Below is a list of the cheapest countries to travel from India with a rough estimate of the total expenses involved including I promise, that you can easily take an end-to-end trip in the budget mentioned below! Therefore, it's one list that will blow your mind. You will definitely want to save it for quick referencing anytime you are planning a trip abroad!

1. Bhutan

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How to enter:

By air:

Enter Bhutan by air to Paro. Bhutan's Druk Air operates flights from Kolkata and Gaya. However, the flights only operate on certain days of the week and only for a few months of the year.

By road:

Take a flight to Bagdogra. (approx. INR 10k return from Mumbai and INR 7k return from New Delhi) and then take a taxi to Phuentsholing (Entry point on Bhutan border) The distance between Bagdogra and Phuentsholing is 150 km and takes about 4 hours. From here, take a bus to Thimpu. The total one-way cost from Bagdogra to Thimpu by this route is approx. INR 3k

Alternatively, take a train to Hasimara from Kolkata and then a rickshaw to Phuentsholing from Hasimara. Train from Kolkata to Hasimara costs about INR 500 and rickshaw from Hasimara to Phuentsholing costs about INR 30. Total one-way cost from Kolkata to Phuentsholing by this route is be approx. INR 800.

Visa

No Visa required.

Currency

Bhutanese Ngultrum whose value is pegged to INR and hence 1 Bhutanese Ngultrum = 1 INR. Do note that Indian rupee is widely accepted all over Bhutan.

Best time to go

March through May and September through November are peak months.

Accommodation

Approx. INR 500 onwards at Phuentsholing, Thimpu and Paro

Overview of things to do

Thimpu, Paro and Punakha are the key towns that must be explored in Bhutan. They are all connected by buses making sightseeing points easily accessible and affordable. Apart from admiring the breath-taking natural beauty of Bhutan, Bhutan is decorated by some of the most stunning monasteries and dzongs (fortresses turned into administrative buildings.)

Total expenditure including airfare for a week-long holiday

Ex Kolkata – INR 7k – 8k

Ex Mumbai/Delhi via Bagdogra - INR 20k - 25k

2. Nepal

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Airfare

Approx. INR 14k from Mumbai and INR 9k from Delhi to Kathmandu

Visa

No visa required

Currency

Nepalese Rupee ( 1 INR = approx 1.6 Nepalese rupees)

Best time to go

October to December. January and February will be cooler but still quite favourable from a touristic point of view.

Accommodation

INR 350 onwards at hostels. INR 500 onwards at hotels.

Overview of things to do

Kathmandu and Pokhara are the favourites among tourists. Nepal is particularly known as the trekkers' paradise. Visitors could enthral themselves by viewing the Mount Everest from a helicopter ride or take mini-treks around it. Additionally, the cities feature interesting sanctuaries, national parks and monasteries.

Total expenditure including airfare for a week-long holiday

INR 20k-25k

3. Indonesia

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Airfare:

INR 15k onwards from Tiruchirapalli, INR 16k onwards from Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi.

Visa:

No visa required for up to 30 days.

Currency:

Balinese Rupaiya (1 INR = 200 Balinese Rupaiya )

Best time to go:

Jakarta - June to September

Bali - Year-round destination

Accommodation:

INR 400 onwards in Bali, INR 600 onwards in Jakarta

Overview of things to do

The capital city Jakarta is a traveller's delight with great museums, zoos, amusement parks, picturesque old towns and heritage villages. Bali, on the other hand, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Asia, is a stunning blend of beach-life delights and countryside calm.

Total expenditure including airfare for a week-long holiday

INR 25k-30k

4. Sri Lanka

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Airfare:

Mumbai / New Delhi to Colombo - approx. INR 12k

Visa

USD 20 or approx. INR 1,500

Currency:

Sri Lankan Rupee (1 INR = approx. 2.5 Sri Lankan Rupees)

Best time to go:

January to March

Accommodation:

INR 800 - 1K per night onwards in Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya

Overview of things to do

Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya are the favourite destinations among tourists. They are all connected by train and by bus, thus offering budget-friendly travel options, provided you plan well in advance. Sri Lanka is known for its lush green landscapes, beautiful coastlines and temples.

Total expenditure including airfare for a week-long holiday

INR 30k

5. Malaysia

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Airfare:

INR 13K-14K from New Delhi / Mumbai to Kuala Lumpur

Visa:

35$ or approx. INR 2500

Currency:

Ringgit (1 Ringgit = INR 17.5)

Best time to go:

November to March

Accommodation:

INR 500 onwards

Overview of things to do

Kuala Lumpur and Penang are among the popular destinations amongst budget travellers visiting Malaysia for the first time. Kuala Lumpur being the capital of Malaysia is a vast city and is home to many mosques, parks, administrative buildings and monuments. Penang, on the other hand, is the food capital of Asia and the architectural beauty of the old town of Penang impresses its visitors.

Total expenditure including airfare for a week-long holiday

INR 30k

6. Cambodia

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Airfare:

INR 18k onwards from Mumbai and New Delhi to Siem Reap and 13k onwards from Kolkata and Kochi

Visa:

40 USD or approx INR 3k

Currency:

Cambodian Riel (1 INR = approx 56 riel)

Best time to go:

November to March

Accommodation:

INR 500 onwards in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh

Overview of things to do

Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are the cities in Cambodia that are flocked by tourists.

Phnom Penh is located on the confluence of Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake. It offers its tourists a fabulous walkable waterfront with a great hang-out vibe. This capital city also possesses some fine French architectural buildings, Pagodas, temples and museums.

Siem Reap is greatly famous as being the seat of the Khmer dynasty and the world-renowned temple of Angkor i.e. Angkor Wat.

Total expenditure including airfare for a week-long holiday

INR 30k

7. Vietnam

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Airfare:

INR 20k onwards from Mumbai to Ho Chi Minh and approx 15k onwards from Kolkata and Chennai

Visa:

INR 4k 

Currency:

Vietnamese Dong (1 INR = Vietnamese 325 Dong)

Best time to go:

February to May and August to October

Accommodation:

INR 350 onwards in Ho Chi Minh and INR 250 onwards Hanoi

Overview of things to do

Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are the most popular destinations among tourists visiting Vietnam.

At Ho Chi Minh, you can experience the famous Cu Chi Tunnel, admire the war museum and also enjoy typical touristic pleasures like visiting spas, cafes, shopping at local markets and tasting queer street food.

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and carries on its shoulders a rich heritage of over 1000 years. It has beautiful lakes, some fine museums and an old quarter showcasing some terrific colonial architecture.

Additionally, Halong Bay is a stunning beach destination in Vietnam which is also extremely popular among tourists. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site from where you can visit numerous small islands and explore interesting caves.

Total expenditure including airfare for a week-long holiday

INR 30k

8. Thailand

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Airfare:

Mumbai / New Delhi to Bangkok - INR 14k onwards

Visa:

INR 2500

Currency:

Baht ( 1 Baht = approx 2 INR)

Best time to go:

November to March

Accommodation:

INR 800 onwards at Bangkok and Pattaya

Overview of things to do

The popular destinations amongst budget travellers to Thailand are Bangkok and Pattaya. Bangkok, being the capital city offers zoos, bird parks, museums, temples and shopping areas while Pattaya is a great beach destination.

If you stretch your budget a bit, you could also visit other destinations in Thailand such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, etc.

Total expenditure including airfare for a week-long holiday

INR 30k - 40k

9. Seychelles

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Airfare:

INR 24k onwards to Mahé from Mumbai

Visa:

No Visa for 30 days

Currency:

Seychelles Rupee (1 Seychelles Rupee = INR 5) Do note that the euro is also widely accepted here.

Best time to go:

Year-round destination

Accommodation:

INR 1k onwards

Overview of things to do

Mahé, the capital and Praslin are the two islands that tourists prefer.

Seychelles has pristine beaches. The sixth best beach in the world is situated in Seychelles. Additionally, Seychelles is home to UNESCO sites. The capital city of Seychelles is the smallest capital city in the world. Plus, Seychelles being a year-round destination exhibits some beautiful tropical flora and fauna.

Total expenditure including airfare for a week-long holiday 

INR 40k-50k

10. UAE

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Airfare:

INR 13k onwards from Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai.

Visa:

INR 5690 for 14 days

Currency:

Dirham (1 Dirham = approx INR 20 )

Accommodation:

INR 2500 per night onwards (Stay here is expensive unlike other countries)

Best time to go:

October to April

Overview of things to do

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are one of the most developed cities in the world offering world-class touristic avenues such as zoos, aquariums, amusement parks, adventure sports, desert safari and more. The renowned Burj-Khalifa and Burj-Arab reside in this country.

Total expenditure for a 5-day holiday including airfare

INR 40k-50k

The above list should give you a fair idea of the minimum expenditure involved when travelling to any of the above places. While it is true that if you stick to the above-mentioned budget range, you will not be able to spend freely on shopping or live in lavish accommodations; you will, nevertheless, get to experience the beauty of these countries. In fact, my travel experiences from the past, have taught me, that the essence of a place does not lie in living at five-star properties (They are great for comfort & luxury and sometimes, definitely what you must splurge on!) The real essence of a place can be experienced by interacting as much as possible with the locals of that place. And for that, you must eat the food they eat, commute between places the way they do and spend as much time possible being out and about!

This article was originally posted on Couple of Journeys