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Whether or not most Canadians travel or stay home is largely based on how expensive going away for a week or two will be. Since I am an avid traveller, I thought I would explore trips that cost less than $2,000 so that everyone can see how far their hard-earned money really can take them this year!
Dropping the vacation budget doesn’t mean cutting out lush beaches or thrilling cities, nor does it mean that you’ll spend less time on vacation and more time earning money to get there. Here are my top 3 budget friendly getaway options. Explore them, for the right price!
Explore Vietnam’s Cities And Coast
Vietnam is priced right for a two-week trip. If you travel during “off-peak” days, that is between Tuesday and Thursday and during the “off” season, a traveller can get a flight with Air Canada to Ho Chi Minh City for between $650 and $850. Flights are usually the big money eating element when it comes to a trip half a world away and you’ll be happy to hear that travel within Vietnam is small change.
Expect to spend about $7 to $20 a night for a place to sleep depending on how much luxury you need. If a fan, rather than air conditioning will suffice, you’ll be on the low end of the scale. If you want a bathtub, well you’ll find yourself spending a little more. As always, the best way to save money and stick to your budget is to spend around $20 for a comprehensive travel guide for the regions you’ll be visiting. They include all the information you’ll need to book (and find) the perfect budget lodgings and meals.
The handy calculator at Solotravel.org insists that with my preferences, I could spend 14 days in Vietnam (not including extra sightseeing) for around $130 Canadian dollars.
Buy A Famous Hat In Panama
Panama is still a relatively cheap place to enjoy some rest and relaxation! There’s certainly plenty to do in Panama, so you’re not exchanging a budget friendly vacation for a stale one. Visit the beautiful beaches of Bocas del Toro and enjoy the nightlife in Panama City in one trip! If you’re into adventure and want to explore one of the last frontiers, plan an excursion to the Darién Gap.
According to Central America on a Shoestring, travellers can get by reasonably well on a budget of $20 to $30 USD per day. While budget travel isn’t for everyone, at $30 per day for a two-week total of $420, the price sounds mighty nice! Add a flight and you should be just over $1,000, so that there’s plenty of room in your budget to pick up a Panama hat for all your friends. Remember to look around when scoping out your hat: prices (and quality) will depend highly on where you are.
Gap Adventures, my new favourite tour company, features the Panama Experience trip, which is slightly more expensive than if you go it on your own, but at $749, your budget will still come in at under $2,000.
See The Pyramids In Egypt
Egypt is home to the infamous pyramids and a history that has captivated many. It’s also a relatively inexpensive place to spend a few weeks (if you can’t see yourself kicking around Egypt for two weeks, head over to Jordan, which is also an inexpensive place to travel). Everyone, at one time in their life, should see the wonders of Egypt. Not to be missed is an excursion down the Nile by felucca.
Travel within Egypt is priced to go. While flights are quick and reasonably inexpensive compared to flights within Canada, the train is a great buy in Egypt and a way to see more of the landscape and interact with other travellers and locals. Travelling by bus is even cheaper.
Flight to Luxor: $220 USD return
Train to Luxor: around $10, second class, each way
Bus to Luxor: around $7 each way
To find a discount flight to Cairo, try to find a discount flight to one of Europe’s key cities, which tend to crop up, or keep searching for a seat sale direct to Cairo. They do exist. Remember, since tourism is rather inexpensive once you get there, you can afford to spend a little more on a flight, if you have to.
Under 2,000 Big Ones
Seeing the world is becoming more and more expensive, but that does not mean the want, the wish or the will to travel is waning. Instead of daydreaming of Paris or L.A., cities with huge appeal that are guaranteed to be a pricey experience, turn your mind to one of these options for travel at a price that won’t break the bank.
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