Budget-friendly holiday destinations in 2024

For decades, Thailand has offered the warmest welcomes and some of the best value long-haul holidays to guests from all over the world. From street food, nightlife, shopping, and temples in the dynamic city of Bangkok to golden beaches on picturesque islands where life slows to a blissful pace, Thailand holidays are as extraordinary as they are diverse. Exploring further finds laidback culture and fine dining in the smaller cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai or captivating experiences among the nature and wildlife of Northern Thailand and Khao Sok National Park.

All this, and a low cost of living, means everything from food and drink to tours and cruises costs far less than in destinations closer to home. In the recently released Post Office Travel Money Long-Haul Holiday Report 2023, the average price of a Thai beer was found to be just £2.40, while a three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine came in at just over £60. If you opt for some of the delicious and aromatic street food sizzling on stalls in every location, you’ll pay even less. Travel at the right time of year, and you can even stay in five-star beachfront hotels for similar costs to a mid-range city hotel in the UK. All in all, Thailand is one of the best all-round budget-friendly destinations you can choose.

When the Post Office published its 2023 report, it was no surprise to see one destination at the top of the budget-friendly list for the second year running. Vietnam’s charming and historic seaside town of Hoi An stood head and shoulders above the rest with coffee at an average price of £1.36, beer at £1.60, wine at £2.85, and a three-course meal for two with a bottle totalling just £34. Year on year, with exchange rates and local costs factored in, Hoi An was also 19% better value in 2023 than in 2022.

Where Hoi An leads, the rest of Vietnam follows. From Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, with a series of stunning shoreline resorts between, Vietnam can be visited for a city break, beach holiday, or both. Even better, with great connections and an easy route from one end of the country to the other, touring holidays to Vietnam are one of the best ways to see this enchanting and compelling nation. Sail overnight on the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, delve into history among the Cu Chi Tunnels, cycle around the tombs and pergolas of Hue, or stretch out on the soft palm-lined sands of Phu Quoc Island. Do it all knowing every pound goes twice as far in Vietnam as it would at home.

The Seychelles, the Maldives, and Mauritius are some of the planet’s most aspirational destinations and have enticed millions to bask on Indian Ocean beach holidays where the only thing on the mind is whether the sky or the sea is the best blue. A little north, just off the southern tip of India, another nation offers an equally incredible but very different sort of holiday. The teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka is one of the world’s most affordable touring destinations and offers some of the best value luxury in the Indian Ocean, with the average price of a delicious cocktail less than £3.50.

A typical Sri Lanka touring holiday experience begins by meeting your personal driver at Colombo airport for an air-conditioned transfer to your first hotel. After a quick chat to iron out the details of your bespoke tour, planned in advance with our Travel Specialists, your holiday begins. Unique attractions include the towering rock fortress of Sigiriya, the cave temples of Dambulla, the lakeside city of Kandy, the rural countryside of Nuwara Eliya, and the cascading waterfalls between hillside plantations in Sri Lanka’s tea country. Wildlife lovers can stop for safaris in Yala and Udawalawe National Parks while a choice of beach destinations line the east and southwest coasts. Or, if you want to splash out, a post-tour stay in the Maldives is just a short hop away.

Kenya and Tanzania are best known as two of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Scouting for majestic animals on the Masai Mara or Serengeti plains is a bucket-list adventure. When the dust settles, and it’s time to relax, the perfect dessert for a safari is a luxurious beach stay. The common temptation is to head straight to Mauritius or the smaller islands of the Indian Ocean or perhaps pause for a little luxury in the Middle East on the journey home, but East Africa has its own spectacular beaches, just a short hop from the animal encounters of the wilderness.

Mombasa, on the Kenya Coast, and Zanzibar, at the edge of Tanzania, both have sweeping sands beside the warm blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Exclusive five-star resorts are perfect for great value all-inclusive holidays with restaurants serving exquisite African and international cuisines between watersports, snorkelling, diving, swimming with dolphins, or simply lazing on the beach. Both destinations provide vibrant entertainment for night owls, while early birds can enjoy sunrise breakfasts by the sand. Why see only one side of East Africa when there’s so much more on offer?