The 10 BEST Budget Travel Destinations

3. Egypt

Towering pyramids, larger-than-life sphinxes, and ancient tombs abound – Egypt is the stuff of globetrotters' dreams. Better yet, many of its spectacular historic sites cost just a few dollars for entry. Whether you fancy watching a neon sunset over the pyramids, or bobbing peacefully down the nile in the afternoon heat, this thrifty hotspot is sure to please.

Food: $4 for street food, $8+ for simple meal. Beer $2+.
Accommodation: Hostels $15+ USD/night, hotels $36+/night. AirBNB offers competitive pricing and good value for clean, well-located accommodation. Compare all hotel and hostel options with HotelsCombined.
Getting around: Within cities there are taxis and buses. Between cities there are bus and train connections (VIP class recommended).
Top attractions: Be sure to visit Luxor, Cairo, cruise down the Nile River, and of course explore the spectacular pyramids (Giza, Saqqara and Dashur). Add in a visit to one of Egypt's oldest flea markets, Khan El Khalili in Cairo.
Getting there: Cairo is the most popular airport to fly into. Most involve a layover, though EgyptAir offers direct flights from New York City. Search Skyscanner and choose “entire month” for your dates to see the cheapest days to fly from your city.