13 Countries Where Traveling on a Budget Ruins Your Experience

Traveling on a budget is the ultimate way to get the most out of every dollar, and it’s a badge of honor, but sometimes pinching pennies robs you of an experience. There are countries where you need to invest a little to really get a taste of their culture, their food, and their beauty.

The beauty of certain destinations are in the unique experiences that you just can’t skimp on because they aren’t so easy to replicate. These 13 countries are best visited when you’re willing to spend a little more.

Japan

Going cheap in Japan can hurt. Of course, the activities that make Japan the world’s most desirable destination involve the iconic experiences, such as staying in a traditional ryokan, eating sushi like it’s period, and riding the bullet train. Skimping can mean you’re eating convenience store meals and you miss out on cool stuff. Budget travel here can mean sacrificing the magical, serene beauty of a hot spring bath for a hostel with a vending machine meal.

Switzerland

There’s a price to pay for Switzerland’s stunning landscapes and charming cities. You can cut costs by staying in hostels or skipping cable car rides, but you’re missing out on the breathtaking views of the Alps, and the quintessential Swiss travel experience of riding the train through the countryside. If you are traveling on a tight budget, you may be looking at the mountains, instead of exploring them.

Iceland

Iceland is alluring because it’s rugged and wild, with volcanoes, glaciers and the Northern Lights. If you’re not prepared to spend, however, budget travelers may be missing out on some of the country’s best sights. Entrance fees to such natural wonders as the Blue Lagoon, or even the cost of renting a car to get about on your own can accumulate quickly. What you will only get is the surface of what Iceland has to offer and skipping these essentials.

Norway

Norway is a dream destination with its awe inspiring fjords and northern lights, but not for the frugal traveler. There are few public transportation options to remote areas and getting around can be expensive. Throw into that the cost of meals, accommodations, and entry to attractions, and you might find that a strict budget doesn’t allow you to fully experience this beautiful country.

Australia

Australia’s size and diversity mean that budget travel can be a bit lacking. There’s some serious spending involved in flying between cities, visiting the Great Barrier Reef, or Uluru. Public transportation can’t get you everywhere, and the must do experiences are pricey.

The Maldives

If you think of the Maldives, you probably imagine dreamy over water bungalows and pristine beaches. If you’re on a strict budget though, you’ll probably be staying on a less glamorous island or not even going to the iconic resort experience. That’s one place where you can go budget and feel like you’re not saving money as much as you’d like—because those private slices of paradise are just not something you can get when you’re trying to not spend money.

France

Paris on a budget sounds romantic, but in reality, it’s heartbreaking to cut corners in France. You can skip world class restaurants, skip museum passes, and skip day trips to regions like Provence or the Loire Valley and end up with a watered down experience. A baguette and cheese, in the park, is lovely, but Paris deserves a little more indulgence.

Italy

Indulgence is definitely Italy’s thing, from a perfect plate of pasta to all the best sightseeing, to a glass of wine in any Old World vineyard. Budget travel may miss Italy at its heart. Authentic Italian cuisine is cheaper than meals in touristy spots, and you don’t have to cut costs on guided tours or skip the Colosseum to feel like you’ve had a proper trip.

United Arab Emirates

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are synonymous with luxury. Yes, it is possible to visit on a budget, but many of the things that make these cities so exciting — dining at high end restaurants, shopping at mega malls, or visiting the Burj Khalifa, for example — are not budget friendly. Budget travel here often seems like skimming the surface of a much grander experience.

South Africa

Stunning wildlife and a wide range of experiences are available in South Africa, but budget travel can restrict your ability to truly see the best the country has to offer. Budget safaris may not let you see wildlife as much as you would at more exclusive, more expensive lodges. In a country where the main draws are natural beauty and adventure, cutting costs can mean you miss out on these once in a lifetime experiences.

New Zealand

But one of its biggest draws is its natural beauty; its rolling mountains, towering coastline and most places in between. However, if you’re on a budget, you might miss some of the best ways to see it. Transportation, outdoor adventures such as glacier hikes or bungee jumping, and sometimes even the high cost of a pricey ferry ride, can mount up quickly. If you travel on a shoestring budget, you may feel like you’re on the outside looking in.

Singapore

Singapore is a city of the finer things. While the hawker centers are still alive with budget travelers, the city’s top attractions — the infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands or shopping on Orchard Road — are not cheap. Singapore may be luxurious, but it doesn’t have to be expensive, and you can still have a great time.

Greece

Yes, Greece does have some affordable islands, but if you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll miss out on some iconic experiences. Staying in a budget hostel on a less popular island might be cheaper, but you won’t get the same breathtaking views of Santorini’s cliffs, or the luxury of a sunset dinner in Mykonos. If you’re traveling on a budget, you may miss out on the full beauty and romance of Greece.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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