Budget Travel

10 Places That Are Surprisingly Cheap in 2016


Family at the airport terminal
Shannon McMahon

    If visions of glassy lakes in New Zealand or authentic vineyards in sunny Europe sound a little too pricey, you're in for a surprise. With the U.S. dollar on the upswing and cheap new air routes popping up everywhere, there's never been a better time to plan that dream trip you didn't think you could afford.

    From Colombia to Indonesia, here are this year's hot spots for travelers on a budget.

  • Australia and New Zealand

  • While New Zealand and Australia are typically sky-high expensive to get to in addition to the high cost of living in most of their cities, both are boasting surprisingly value lately thanks to the strong U.S. dollar, low fuel prices, and expanding air deals. It's no longer uncommon to see roundtrip U.S. flights to Australia for as low as $1100 or to New Zealand for as low as $900(!!), but they're also often swiped up as fast as they're dropped, so look often and stick to flexible travel dates. On top of cheap airfare, the U.S dollar is stronger than New Zealand or Aussie dollars these days. (Check currency rates at XE.com for an up-to-date comparison.)

    Once you're down under, there's no shortage of free and cheap activities. From ocean-fed pools and botanic gardens in Sydney to museums and hiking on the South Island, there's no price attached to having an unforgettable experience in either country.

  • Canada

  • Martinique

  • South Africa



  • MORE FROM ST

    BIO