8 Places You Didn’t Know You Could Afford

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Ready to cross a fantasy destination off your bucket list, but not sure you have the money? It could be cheaper than you think, if you know where to look.

These eight destinations seem pricey at first glance, but this year are more budget-friendly than ever.  Whether it’s thanks to new air routes, favorable exchange rates, or affordable tours, here are the budget travel places you didn’t know you could afford in 2025.

Sicily

Slow down and enjoy a taste of the Italian lifestyle with a surprisingly affordable Sicilian getaway. This island off the southern tip of Italy ranks eighth on Dollar Flight Club’s list of the cheapest destinations to fly to in 2025. Cruise into Catania or Palermo for only $500 roundtrip from East Coast airports or just $630 from the West Coast. Although the current exchange rate favors the euro, the difference it slight—the 1:1.05 (EU:USD)—with most reasonable daily expenses only impacted by a margin of $5 USD. Save even more by traveling during off season, late autumn through late winter, for cheaper rates on hotels and fewer crowds.

New Orleans

As affordable U.S. getaways go, New Orleans itself packs plenty of culture and value—as long as you avoid booking during the city’s big festivals like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. Flights to the Big Easy start at under $150 roundtrip from the East Coast, with fares from Boston and New York as low as $70 and $100 respectively. Flights from the West Coast are comparable, with fares from major airports like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Portland all between $100 and $170 roundtrip. If you are set on experiencing Mardi Gras in the city, budget carrier Spirit is adding four temporary routes to meet the demand of the 2025 season, departing from Columbus (OH), Indianapolis (IN), Memphis (TN), and San Antonio (TX).

China

China seems to be on everyone’s bucket list—as it should be—for its big wonders like the Great Wall and its smaller pleasures like Shanghai street food carts. Flights to China from the West Coast U.S. for around $750 aren’t uncommon, and booking with tour operators can lower the price of a lengthy stay even further, all while letting you get the lay of the land from a seasoned local guide. For example, G Adventures’s China Express Tour will ferry you from from Beijing to Shanghai over eight nights for just $1,199—covering lodging, transportation, and activities for roughly $150 per day. 

Costa Rica

Flights to San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city, can be found for under $300 roundtrip departing from the East Coast U.S., with West Coast prices remaining below $400. San Jose is centrally located, making it the main starting point for travelers looking to visit iconic spots like Tortuguero National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Arenal Volcano National Park. Flights to Costa Rica’s other international airport, Liberia, are available from both the East and West Coasts for under $400. This airport lands you in close proximity to Guanacaste Province, home to the laidback surf town of Tamarindo and black sand beach Playa Carbon.

With G Adventures’ Costa Rica Quest, adventure seekers can spend nine days in Costa Rica riding rapids, sampling coffee, and exploring the rainforest, all for an average of around $116 per night.

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Iceland

After WOW Air faded from the scene in 2019, Iceland’s new budget carrier PLAY swooped in to fill the void by offering super affordable fares to Reykjavik. Flights to Iceland’s glaciers and hot springs on PLAY air are especially cheap, with prices as low as $70 one-way. While PLAY only operates out of East Coast airports, West Coasters wanting to get in on the deals can book with Icelandair, which offers fares as low as $430 roundtrip. While not as much of a steal as East Coast departures, even Icelandair’s higher fares like L.A. to Reykjavik for $460 round-trip are a deal considering the value. Subscribe to airfare deal sites like our sister site Airfarewatchdog to be notified when fares are cheapest.

Saint Lucia

According to Skyscanner, flights to Saint Lucia’s capital city Castries fell by 25% over the past year. Flights are cheapest January through March of 2025, with one way fares from the East Coast U.S. as low as $127. While flights from the West Coast are more expensive, those with flexible dates can find fares as low as $200 one way. Saint Lucia is a relatively small island—travelers can drive from Vieux Fort at one end to Gros Islet at the other in under two hours. Savvy planners can easily fit in volcanic mud baths in Soufriere ($10 USD), a visit to Pigeon Island National Park ($10 USD), and a quick jaunt to the Pitons with plenty of time to spare to lounge on the island’s free public beaches.

Galapagos

Like many of the world’s most biodiverse places, the Galapagos archipelago islands are protected and allow only trained nature guides to take visitors to experience the wildlife. But seeing plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth doesn’t have to cost a fortune, thanks to Ecuador’s official use of the U.S. dollar and on-sale tour offerings.

Intrepid Travel’s Galapagos Experience is just  $1,500 for a seven-day Galapagos itinerary including accommodations, transport, and nature activities including bird watching, snorkeling, a visit to a volcano, and more. Flights to Quito for under $400 from the East Coast, and around $500 from the West Coast aren’t uncommon. Darwin’s outdoor laboratory packs plenty of value for devoted adventure travelers.

South Africa

Our summer (i.e. the Southern Hemisphere’s winter) is the best time to indulge in a South African escape—and it’s probably more affordable than you’d think. Not only is the weather still mild in winter, but you’ll get a break from all the high-season summer flight prices of the Northern Hemisphere. It’ll still be an investment, but during summer you can easily find South Africa flights from East Coast cities like Boston for as low as $850 round-trip in July and August. In fact, South Africa also snagged a spot on Dollar Flight Club’s cheap flights list for the new year.

South Africa’s exchange rate is also now in Americans’ favor, with luxury hotel prices sitting around the average price of a standard hotel in the States. If a guide-led safari isn’t in your budget after airfare, don’t sweat it: Cape Town also has affordable arts and culture experiences like artisan shops and local wineries, and hiking spots like Table Mountain and Helderberg Nature Reserve.

Fares are accurate as of time of publication.

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