Backpacker travel revolves around cheap destinations. Visiting a country where you can survive on €20 a day makes sense. It means you can stay for longer and really enjoy living there as a local, rather that flinching at your hotel bill and wanting to leave as soon as possible. There are plenty of great destinations around the world that won’t break the bank; here are just three of them…

Shanghai

You’ll need to shop and eat wisely in Shanghai to make the most of your money, but it is possible to enjoy a backpacking holiday here on a budget. You might need to stay away from those souvenirs in Yu Gardens though! The best value and tastiest Shanghainese cuisine is found in the little shops and stall on the side of the streets – makes sure you try the famous xiaolongbao soup dumplings while you’re there. Many temples are free, just check first and you can always occupy yourself with the bars, clubs, boutiques and bookstores of Huai Hai Road – but stick to local foods and drinks to get the most for your money. Accommodation is cheap here too; especially Hostels Shangai has plenty starting at just €4.84pppn.

Thailand

Everybody knows what a great deal Thailand is. Once you’ve splashed out on your flight to get there all you have to think about is around €7 per night for accommodation and around the same again for your food. Your biggest expenditure will be living it up at the Full Moon Parties and joining excursions, although if you’re from the west of the world these will still seem incredibly cheap to you. Save money by eating the local food, avoiding expensive drinks and using local transportation to get around.

Guatemala

Guatemala is one of the cheapest places to travel to in Central America. You’ll pay from just €7.92pppn for accommodation in the capital and you can eat like a local for less than €3 a meal in the ‘comedores’ (cheap eateries). If you fancy going one step up in your restaurant choice, go for the “El menu del dia”, the dish of the day, which will always fill you up and save you a few euros. The ‘chicken buses’ are the best and cheapest way to get around locally and you’ll pay less than a euro for a 1-2 hour journey. Entrance fees to the main sites are all relatively cheap as they are natural attractions that don’t require much upkeep.

Budapest

The beautiful and historic city of Budapest is incredibly cheap. Hostels in Budapest start at as little as €3.55pppn, and that’s for a private room. Make the most of the food markets and kebab shops and you could pay as little as €2 for a hearty Hungarian meal. Budapest is also a great choice if you want to enjoy a spa holiday, as they have some of the most incredible spas in the world with entry starting at just €10pp – great value for a day’s entertainment. You can also visit the Opera House for less than €10 too – bargain!