Cities in Asia: Travel Cost Rankings

What are the cheapest cities to visit in Asia?

The following travel cost rankings for cities in Asia are calculated based on the travel budgets of real travelers. Also referred to as a Travel Cost Index, or a Backpacker Index, the cities below are in order from least to most expensive by their average daily travel price, per person, per day

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  • 1
    $14.36
  • 2
    $14.66
  • 3
    Vientiane, Laos
    $15.30
  • 4
    Jaipur, India
    $18.80
  • 5
    Pokhara, Nepal
    $18.86
  • 6
    Mount Bromo, Indonesia
    $22.14
  • 7
    Karachi, Pakistan
    $25.48
  • 8
    Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
    $25.60
  • 9
    Srinagar, India
    $25.65
  • 10
    Pushkar, India
    $27.93
  • 11
    Chennai, India
    $29.43
  • 12
    Varanasi, India
    $30.07
  • 13
    Kampong Cham, Cambodia
    $31.31
  • 14
    Udaipur, India
    $33.38
  • 15
    $33.49
  • 16
    Darjiling, India
    $34.77
  • Darjiling Darjeeling, India
    What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
  • 17
    Jodhpur, India
    $34.90
  • 18
    $34.94
  • 19
    Dharamsala, India
    $35.36
  • 20
    Sapa, Vietnam
    $36.06
  • Sapa Rice Terraces near Sapa, Vietnam
    Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the...
  • 21
    Chumphon, Thailand
    $36.26
  • 22
    Cochin, India
    $36.38
  • 23
    Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
    $36.61
  • 24
    Jaisalmer, India
    $37.00
  • 25
    Koh Tao, Thailand
    $37.18
  • 26
    El Nido, Philippines
    $39.40
  • 27
    Chiang Rai, Thailand
    $39.48
  • 28
    Nha Trang, Vietnam
    $39.75
  • 29
    Phnom Penh, Cambodia
    $40.94
  • 30
    Lijiang, China
    $41.69
  • 31
    Kanchanaburi, Thailand
    $42.20
  • 32
    Bangalore, India
    $44.10
  • 33
    Agra, India
    $44.36
  • Agra Agra Fort
    In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal. While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the...
  • 34
    Delhi, India
    $44.55
  • 35
    Chiang Mai, Thailand
    $45.22
  • 36
    Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand
    $45.77
  • 37
    Da Nang, Vietnam
    $46.39
  • 38
    Shangri-La, China
    $46.65
  • 39
    Hoi An, Vietnam
    $46.68
  • 40
    Koh Lanta, Thailand
    $48.37
  • 41
    Dali, China
    $48.39
  • 42
    Koh Chang, Thailand
    $48.86
  • 43
    Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
    $48.89
  • 44
    Hue, Vietnam
    $48.97
  • 45
    Hanoi, Vietnam
    $49.06
  • Hanoi Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi, Vietnam
    Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos. Definitely allow yourself...
  • 46
    Chengdu, China
    $50.65
  • 47
    Sihanoukville, Cambodia
    $51.12
  • 48
    Bodh Gaya, India
    $51.93
  • 49
    Lombok, Indonesia
    $53.35
  • 50
    Pingyao, China
    $53.90
  • Pingyao Pingyao, China
    Pingyao is a small city in the Shanxi Province of China, dating back over 2700 years. The city is most famous for their old town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town is one of the best preserved ancient walled cities in the world dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The climate in Pingyao is influenced by monsoons, and therefore gets hot and...
  • 51
    Surat Thani, Thailand
    $53.90
  • 52
    Kathmandu, Nepal
    $54.19
  • Kathmandu Kathmandu, Nepal
    Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and...
  • 53
    Harbin, China
    $54.74
  • 54
    Krabi, Thailand
    $55.62
  • 55
    Koh Samui, Thailand
    $55.64
  • 56
    Boracay, Philippines
    $55.86
  • 57
    Lahore, Pakistan
    $56.94
  • 58
    Sandakan, Malaysia
    $58.14
  • 59
    Halong Bay, Vietnam
    $58.20
  • 60
    Nanchang, China
    $58.41
  • 61
    Jingdezhen, China
    $58.68
  • 62
    Yogyakarta, Indonesia
    $58.71
  • 63
    Sukhothai, Thailand
    $59.30
  • 64
    Xigatse, China
    $61.56
  • 65
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    $62.16
  • 66
    Yangon, Myanmar
    $62.52
  • 67
    $62.54
  • 68
    Jinghong, China
    $62.55
  • 69
    Sado, Japan
    $62.60
  • 70
    Ayutthaya, Thailand
    $63.14
  • 71
    Deqin, China
    $63.73
  • 72
    Surabaya, Indonesia
    $64.44
  • 73
    Mashiko, Japan
    $64.51
  • 74
    Pai, Thailand
    $64.59
  • 75
    Cebu, Philippines
    $64.78
  • 76
    Jakarta, Indonesia
    $65.18
  • 77
    Matsue, Japan
    $65.92
  • 78
    $66.04
  • 79
    Pattaya, Thailand
    $66.75
  • 80
    Guilin, China
    $67.16
  • 81
    Malang, Indonesia
    $67.40
  • 82
    Kunming, China
    $67.70
  • 83
    Mumbai, India
    $69.00
  • 84
    $70.30
  • 85
    Shenyang, China
    $70.81
  • 86
    Lhasa, China
    $71.06
  • 87
    $71.38
  • 88
    Yangshuo, China
    $72.07
  • 89
    Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
    $72.46
  • 90
    Puerto Princesa, Philippines
    $72.94
  • 91
    Cheju (Jeju), South Korea
    $74.03
  • 92
    Bali, Indonesia
    $74.42
  • 93
    $75.32
  • 94
    Tianjin, China
    $76.02
  • 95
    Bangkok, Thailand
    $76.73
  • 96
    Beijing, China
    $77.54
  • Beijing Beijing, China
    Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost...
  • 97
    Longsheng, China
    $78.53
  • 98
    Koyasan, Japan
    $79.01
  • 99
    Yamaguchi, Japan
    $80.90
  • 100
    Siem Reap, Cambodia
    $81.45
  • Siem Reap The temples of Angkor
    Located in northern Cambodia, Siem Reap is the closest town to Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat. It is a comfortable and laid back town and most visitors use it as a base to explore the country's most visited destination. Although Siem Reap was once a quaint village, it has continued to grow and change to meet the needs of the many tourists who visit every year. Siem Reap has become a...
  • 101
    $81.99
  • 102
    Nikko, Japan
    $83.09
  • 103
    Zhangye, China
    $85.67
  • 104
    Koh Lipe, Thailand
    $85.80
  • 105
    Chongqing, China
    $86.72
  • 106
    Wuhu, China
    $86.84
  • 107
    Nara, Japan
    $87.20
  • 108
    Atami, Japan
    $87.54
  • 109
    Busan (Pusan), South Korea
    $88.43
  • 110
    $88.55
  • 111
    Osaka, Japan
    $88.69
  • 112
    $88.74
  • 113
    Guangzhou, China
    $89.20
  • 114
    Nagoya, Japan
    $89.86
  • 115
    Ise, Japan
    $90.04
  • 116
    Taiyuan, China
    $90.54
  • 117
    Nagasaki, Japan
    $90.65
  • 118
    Manila, Philippines
    $93.88
  • 119
    $94.44
  • 120
    Xi'an, China
    $94.89
  • 121
    Benxi, China
    $95.13
  • 122
    Nanjing, China
    $96.22
  • 123
    Koh Samet, Thailand
    $96.60
  • 124
    Kyoto, Japan
    $97.35
  • 125
    Zhengzhou, China
    $98.23
  • 126
    Koh Tarutao, Thailand
    $99.34
  • 127
    Hiroshima, Japan
    $101.59
  • 128
    Suzhou, China
    $102.18
  • 129
    Dalian, China
    $103.37
  • 130
    Kao-hsiung, Taiwan
    $103.51
  • 131
    Penang, Malaysia
    $103.90
  • 132
    Kanazawa, Japan
    $104.41
  • 133
    Kobe, Japan
    $104.53
  • 134
    Okinawa, Japan
    $104.98
  • 135
    Kamakura, Japan
    $104.99
  • 136
    Phuket, Thailand
    $105.91
  • 137
    Railay Beach, Thailand
    $106.54
  • 138
    Sapporo, Japan
    $107.02
  • 139
    Ao Nang, Thailand
    $107.73
  • 140
    Seoul, South Korea
    $110.20
  • 141
    Khao Lak, Thailand
    $113.56
  • 142
    Shanghai, China
    $115.48
  • Shanghai Shanghai, China
    Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also...
  • 143
    Yakushima, Japan
    $117.55
  • 144
    Pyeongchang, South Korea
    $117.62
  • 145
    Tanah Rata, Malaysia
    $137.92
  • 146
    Ubud, Indonesia
    $153.23
  • 147
    Tokyo, Japan
    $158.49
  • 148
    Similan Islands, Thailand
    $165.89
  • 149
    Taipei, Taiwan
    $183.99
What are the cheapest cities to visit in Asia?

The most affordable cities for travel in Asia are currently Luang Prabang (Laos), Vang Vieng (Laos), Vientiane (Laos), Jaipur (India), and Pokhara (Nepal).


Affordable Travel in Asia
Asia has some of the most beautiful beaches and jungles in the world, so if you're into outdoor adventures then look no further. Break out of your comfort zone and come explore a country with a culture exotic to your own. Home to some of the world's oldest cultures, fascinating architecture, beautiful natural landscapes, delicious foods and friendly locals; colorful Asia ticks all the right boxes for a top holiday destination. Traveling on a budget is a huge factor for many travelers. You won't believe how much you can get for so little in Asia; in fact, you may never want to leave. In Thailand, for example, a typical meal including pad thai and a smoothie would cost you about USD$1.50 followed by an hour-long massage for USD$5. Hostels generally run from $3-15 depending on what you are looking for. From fast-paced, exciting Bangkok and Tokyo to the sensational beaches of Koh Phi Phi, each region is different in Asia; with its own cuisine, culture and history all just as fascinating as the next. Asia boasts some of the most incredible natural phenomena and in the world. Just west of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is the highest volcano in Japan and one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Asia. In Vietnam, drive through rice paddy fields to HaLong Bay to board a traditional sailing boat for a cruise among the hundreds of islets of Ha Long Bay. Asia is inhabited by many different peoples and unique wildlife, and rewards the traveller with a wide range of experiences, often at a low price.

Travelling through Asia can also be expensive, especially if you want to visit many countries and large cities. That said, if you know where to go it can be much more affordable. Popular budget travel destinations like Bangkok, widely regarded as the epicentre of the backpacking culture in Southeast Asia or Hanoi with its unique combination of French colonial and Asian post-communism, are great travel bargains. Most of the expensive cities are found in East Asia and in Japan. Kyoto is one of the only city in Asia which is overall more expensive to live in than New York. Tokyo, Japan's capital and the largest city on the planet as well as Osaka, Japan's second-largest metropolitan area are also very expensive. Singapore is no stranger to international recognition, however, with great economic success comes great cost of living. Seoul, South Korea's megacity capital of more than 25 million has a cost of living comparable to Helsinki or Boston. HongKong, along with the capital of the Republic of China, Taipei are also amongst the most expensive cities of Asia.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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