The 10 Cheapest Cities (That You’ll Actually Want to Go to) for Hotel Stays
Lauren Englisbe November 26, 2015
Get out of town without breaking the bank. Our list of cheap hotels helps you see the world on a budget that works for you.
Though airfare prices are lower in 2015 thanks to discounted oil prices, travel is certainly not cheap. Flights are just part of the equation. Once you get to your destination, you still have to pay for hotels, rental cars, dining, and more.
To give you a hand, we’ve put together a list of inspiring, dynamic cities with hotels that won’t bust your budget. The prices (at time of deadline) are based on lodgings with a three-star rating on Kayak.com for a sample week of travel (January 4-11). These hotels may not be centrally located or be full of amenities, but provide a clean bed and a decent base camp for a week of travel.
10. Thessaloniki, Greece
Hotel Price: $33
Hotel Example: Nea Metropolis
While Thessaloniki might not have as many historical sites as Athens, if you want to do as the Greeks do, it’s the place to be. This seaside port faces the Aegean and features stunning views, Byzantine culture and a walkable downtown. And since Greece’s financial troubles are no secret, vacation prices are much lower lately.
9. Lisbon, Portugal
Hotel Price: $30
Hotel Example: Wallis Rato
Though 20th-century political and economic turmoil stalled development for a time, Lisbon is enjoying renovation and restoration in a way that’s still affordable for travelers. There’s still a charming, old-world feel, yet the influx of new bars, restaurants and boutiques offers a decidedly modern counterpoint.
8. La Paz, Bolivia
Hotel Price: $23
Hotel Example: Hotel La Joya
If the staggering altitude (nearly 12,000 feet) doesn’t get you, La Paz’s quirky charm certainly will. Nestled in a canyon of the Andean Plateau, La Paz is known for bustling markets, a vibrant nightlife, and some of the best-value food and drink in South America. Walking can be a challenge due to the geography. Taxis make it easier to get around.
7. Marrakesh, Morocco
Hotel Price: $22
Hotel Example: Corail
With its maze-like old city and fascinating mix of cultures, Marrakesh rightly earns its spot as one of Fodor’s 20 places to see abroad before you die. Its main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, is filled with peddlers and snake charmers, offering some of the best free people-watching anywhere. For those seeking less touristy venues, small boutiques and galleries abound.
6. Quito, Ecuador
Hotel Price: $18
Hotel Example: Hotel Juana de Arco
The second Andean town on the list, Quito is a lively city with breathtaking vistas. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site with colonial architecture, which makes for fantastic sightseeing. And apart from trips to the Galapagos Islands, most activities and day trips are pretty easy on the pocketbook.
5. Antalya, Turkey
Hotel Price: $16
Hotel Example: Marka Hotel
Those looking for a relaxing holiday would do well to choose Antalya. It’s mostly known as a resort town, thanks to its turquoise waters and stylish hotels. Nonetheless, nearby archaeological sites provide off-the-beaten-path day trips, like Perge and Aspendos, that you can explore for a small fee.
4. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hotel Price: $16
Hotel Example: Ava Saigon 2 Hotel
Home to 8 million inhabitants, Ho Chi Minh City is a dizzying metropolis with a keen eye toward tradition: colonial architecture and centuries-old temples live alongside shopping malls and skyscrapers. Despite increased tourism, it still remains affordable: if you’re on a budget, you can get by on about $40 a day.
3. Mumbai, India
Hotel Price: $15
Hotel Example: Hotel New India
If Ho Chi Minh City isn’t lively enough, check out Mumbai. The economy is booming thanks to the Bombay Stock Exchange, but prices outside of designer shops remain low. Be sure to try the legendary (and cheap) street food: head to Chowpatty Beach for bhel puri (a mix of puffed rice and other ingredients), or Mohammed Ali Road for kebabs.
2. Budapest, Hungary
Hotel Price: $11
Hotel Example: Hotel Palota
Budapest has a captivating history that’s reflected in its gorgeous mix of baroque, neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture. What’s more, it features a host of affordable activities. Try a visit to one of the legendary thermal spas, such as the Széchenyi Bath (about $20/day), or a sightseeing cruise on the Danube (from $10).
1. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Hotel Price: $4
Hotel Example: Akyra Manor Chiang Mai
Thailand’s northern capital is a far cry from the hubbub of Bangkok. For those seeking incredible sights – pristine rainforests, glittering temples and more – Chiang Mai delivers. The region is known for its many elephant sanctuaries, which offer visits starting around $60. Other day trips are usually closer to $30.
[Photos: Getty]
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Nothing so draconian is required. You need 2 full-time stewards to solve this problem. 1) Everyone tags their carryons with their seat numbers. It's not onerous. You're standing around waiting anyway. 2) Economy passengers are loaded first starting from the BACK of the plane. OVERHEAD BINS CLOSED AND LOCKED. 3) First section of plane loads. Two stewards come with carts and tuck everyone's bags into the overheads in sequence according to seats. 4) Next set of passengers loads. Stewards have their bags loaded on carts as they seat and then load their bags. 5) Because no one is clogging up the aisle, dithering about where to put their crap, and not being an idiot putting their jacket in the bin, it's faster than just letting people do it themselves. 6) Upon exit, you reverse the order. First class BAGS get off first and then the passengers. They take their bags as second section bags are pulled off and then the people go. It's GOT to be faster having men who are strong enough, tall enough and have a cart to smoothly take the bags on and off. 7) I firmly STRESS, these are not ordinary baggage handlers! These are customer-facing special guys who are strong enough to do this all day for every flight. P.S. PUNCH the jackrabbit who said we should pay for carryons. I have critical meds that I cannot afford to have stolen or sent to another destination. Yes, I have had my vitamins opened in my luggage and flung all over by TSA or baggage handlers looking for anything they can steal.
If you are going to be eating bhel puri on Chowpatty Beach, make sure you have a hotel with a nice toilet, you are going to be spending a lot of time in here! Has the writer even been to India? Eating cold hand-prepared street food in India is like playing Russian Roulette.
I was surprised to see Budapest on the list, then i checked out your map. Boy, is that hotel out of the way if you mostly want to see stuff near the river (which is where most, but of course not all, of the main sights are). This is equivalent to staying in some random place in Brooklyn when visiting midtown Manhattan, staying in Compton when visiting downtown Los Angeles, etc. There's lots of cities where you can cheap hotels if you don't mind staying in the boonies or in not the best district. Just picking a random hotel somewhere, anywhere in the city doesn't make that the most affordable city. Some hotels are cheap for a reason!