Why “Budget Travel” Is a Lie—And Where to Actually Go Cheap in Summer 2025

Booking a $49 Spirit flight won’t save you when the hotel costs $280 a night and a tourist burger goes for $23. “Cheap vacations” in 2025? They require more than Googling cheap places to go this summer. You’ve got to outsmart the system.

Luckily, we’ve done the digging.

In this post, we’re calling out the real travel gems—destinations that still offer beauty, adventure, and culture without murdering your wallet. Some are hiding in plain sight. Others? Total curveballs.

Ready to break free from the overhyped travel trap? Let’s go.

Portugal Is Over—Try Albania Instead

Wait… Albania?
Yep. You heard right. The same Adriatic coast. The same turquoise water. But instead of €18 cocktails in Lisbon, you’re paying $6 for seafood pasta in Sarandë.

The Riviera Nobody Talks About

• Ksamil Beach looks like the Maldives—minus the influencers.
• Budget guesthouses: $25–$45 a night.
• A full day’s meals? You’ll be lucky to hit $20.

And the best part? You’re not bumping into 400 cruise ship tourists every time you walk into a cafe.

Albania is the European beach vacation the algorithm forgot.

Why Everyone’s Sleeping on Oaxaca, Mexico (Again)

Sure, Cancun’s got parties and Cabo has TikTok clout—but neither has soul. Or affordability anymore.

Oaxaca? Totally different vibe.

Culture, Food, and Crazy Cheap Flights

• Roundtrip from most U.S. cities: Often under $300.
• Hostels and boutique hotels? $20 to $60 per night.
• Food scene: Michelin-level flavors at taco-truck prices.

And let’s not forget the mezcal. You can tour local distilleries, meet the makers, and sip smoky magic—for less than a round of drinks in Austin.

This city bleeds creativity. Murals, markets, art collectives. If you're even half creative, it’ll get under your skin—in a good way.

Skip Iceland. Go to the Azores.

Everyone and their Airbnb host went to Iceland in the 2010s. But now? It’s basically Disneyland with geysers—and prices to match.

Enter: The Azores. Portugal’s mysterious volcanic islands floating in the middle of the Atlantic.

Island Vibes, No Tourist Mobs

• Hot springs. Green cliffs. Black sand beaches.
• Direct flights from NYC and Boston (under $500 roundtrip).
• You can rent a car, stay in a cozy B&B, and eat fresh-caught fish—for a fraction of Iceland’s cost.

Want to hike into a crater before breakfast and soak in a natural thermal pool after dinner? Yeah, the Azores does that. Quietly.

The U.S. Secret: Boise, Idaho

Boise’s not trying to be Portland or Denver—but it might be better. It’s like someone took all the cool without the crowds or price hikes.

Urban Meets Wild Without Bleeding You Dry

• Trails, rivers, and mountains are all walkable from downtown.
• Craft beer scene? Legit.
• Hotels under $120 a night. Even less if you go Airbnb or camp.

Here’s the twist: Boise’s airport is tiny, but cheap flights keep popping up. And once you’re there, you’re paying local prices, not resort-town markups.

In 2025, Boise might be the most underrated U.S. summer city for broke-but-bold travelers.

South America’s Big Comeback: Medellín, Colombia

Let’s clear the air: No, Colombia is not what the outdated Netflix documentaries made it out to be. Medellín has become the digital nomad hotspot for people who hate overpriced cappuccinos and gray weather.

Eternal Spring, Eternal Deals

• Weather? Like San Diego, but all year.
• Local meals: $3–$6.
• Metro ride: Less than a buck. Safe. Clean. Fast.

And don’t even get me started on the nightlife. Rooftop bars, salsa clubs, sunset hikes—this city’s alive. And surprisingly affordable.

Just don’t tell everyone you know. Medellín still feels like a secret. For now.

Want Euro Vibes on a Dime? Hit Romania

Everyone’s raving about Croatia and Montenegro—but Romania’s sitting quietly in the corner, being awesome and underpriced.

Castles, Forests, and Actual Dracula Lore

• Trains are dirt cheap (and scenic).
• Bucharest’s cafes rival Paris—for half the price.
• Visit Transylvania (yup, the real one), hike the Carpathians, or just chill in a medieval village that feels like a fairy tale.

Wi-Fi’s strong. Food’s hearty. Beer is literally cheaper than bottled water. You can live like royalty without maxing your card.

Here's the Kicker: Budget Travel Isn’t About Pinching Pennies—It’s About Picking the Right Places

Too many people blow their “budget vacation” fund on cheap flights to expensive cities. Or they do it backward: save on hotels, then drop $100 a day just existing.

The trick? Go where the local economy supports your dollar.

That means ditching the hype zones and hunting for value cities. The ones that haven’t “gone viral” yet. The ones where locals still run things, not corporations.

And trust me—those places feel better, taste better, and cost less.

Bonus Tips to Actually Travel Cheap in 2025

Travel Off-Peak Days

Fly Tuesday or Wednesday. Always. Sundays? Highway robbery.

Pack Light, Avoid Fees

One bag. No checked luggage. Airlines are charging like it’s ransom.

Skip the Capital Cities

Regional towns = lower prices + more authentic experiences. Paris is great. So is Lyon—for half the cost.