8 Places You Didn't Know You Could Afford (2025)

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

These eight destinations seem expensive at first glance, but this year are more economical than ever. Whether it's thanks to new air routes, favorable exchange rates or affordable tours, here are the budget travel destinations you didn't choose. I don't know you could afford it in 2025.

Sicily

Slow down and taste the Italian lifestyle with a surprisingly affordable Sicilian getaway. This island off the southern tip of Italy ranks eighth on the Dollar Flight Club rankings. list of the cheapest destinations to fly to in 2025. Cruise to Catania or Palermo for just $500 round trip from East Coast airports or just $630 from the West Coast. Although the current exchange rate favors the Euro, the difference is slight – 1:1.05 (EU:USD) – with most reasonable daily expenses only affected by a margin of US$5. Save even more by traveling off-season, from late fall to late winter, for cheaper hotel rates and fewer crowds.

New Orleans

When it comes to affordable getaways in the US, New Orleans itself is packed with 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 less than $150 round-trip 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 between $100 and $170 round trip. If you want to experience Mardi Gras in the city, low-budget carrier Spirit adds four temporary routes to meet demand for the 2025 season, departing from Columbus (OH), Indianapolis (IN), Memphis (TN) and San Antonio (TX).

China

China seems to be on the bucket list – as it should be – for its big wonders like the Great Wall and its little pleasures like Shanghai's street food carts. Flights to China from the US West Coast for around $750 are not uncommon, and booking with tour operators can reduce the price of a long stay even further, while still allowing you to get the lay of the land thanks to an experienced local guide. For example, G AdventuresIt is Express tour of China will fly you from Beijing to Shanghai for eight nights for just $1,199, covering accommodation, transportation and activities for around $150 per day.

Costa Rica

Flights to San Jose, Costa Rica's capital, can be found for less than $300 round-trip from the US East Coast, with prices on the West Coast remaining under $400. San José has a central location, making it the main jumping off point for travelers looking to visit iconic sites such as Tortuguero National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Arenal Volcano National Park. Flights to Costa Rica's other international airport, Liberia, are available from the east and west coasts for less than $400. This airport brings you close to the province of Guanacaste, home to the laid-back surf town of Tamarindo and the black sand beach Playa Carbon.

With G Adventures' Quest for Costa Rica, Adventure seekers can spend nine days in Costa Rica running rapids, tasting coffee, and exploring the rainforest, all for an average of around $116 per night.

Iceland

After WOW Air disappeared from the scene in 2019, the Icelandic channel new budget carrier PLAY stepped in to fill the void by offering very affordable fares to Reykjavik. Flights to Iceland's glaciers and hot springs on PLAY air are particularly cheap, with prices as low as $70 one-way. Although PLAY only operates from East Coast airports, West Coast travelers wishing to participate in the deals can book with Icelandic airlinewhich offers fares as low as $430 round trip. While not as good a deal as East Coast departures, even Icelandair's higher fares, like Los Angeles to Reykjavik for $460 round-trip, are a bargain considering their value. Subscribe to airline ticket deal sites like our sister site Airfare watchdog be notified when rates are the cheapest.

Saint Lucia

According to Skyscannerflights to Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia fell 25% in the last year. Flights are cheapest from January to March 2025, with one-way fares from the US East Coast as low as $127. Although flights from the West Coast are more expensive, those with flexible dates can find fares as low as $200 one way. St. Lucia is a relatively small island: Travelers can drive from Vieux Fort at one end to Gros Islet at the other in less than two hours. Savvy planners can easily fit in volcanic mud baths at Soufriere ($10), a visit to Pigeon Island National Park ($10), and a quick jaunt to the Pitons with plenty of free time to lounge on the island. public beaches.

Galapagos

Like many of the world's most biodiverse places, the islands of the Galapagos archipelago are protected and only qualified naturalist guides can take visitors to see the wildlife. But seeing plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth doesn't have to cost a fortune, thanks to support from Ecuador. official use of the US dollar and tour offers on sale.

The Intrepid Travel Galapagos Experience is simply $1,500 for a seven-day Galapagos itinerary including accommodation, transportation, and nature activities including bird watching, snorkeling, volcano tours, and more. Flights to Quito for less than $400 from the East Coast and around $500 from the West Coast are not uncommon. The Darwin Outdoor Laboratory offers many benefits to the dedicated adventure traveler.

South Africa

Our summer (that's the Southern Hemisphere's winter) is the best time to treat yourself to a South African getaway – and it's probably more affordable than you think. Not only is the weather still mild in winter, but you'll get a break from summer flight prices in the northern hemisphere's peak season. It will still be an investment, but during the summer you can easily find flights to South Africa from East Coast cities like Boston for as little as $850 round trip in July and August. In fact, South Africa also landed a place in Dollar Flight Club list of cheap flights for the new year.

South Africa's exchange rate is also now in favor of Americans, with luxury hotel prices hovering around the average price of a standard hotel in the United States. If a guided safari isn't in your budget after airfare, don't worry: Cape Town also offers affordable arts and culture experiences, like local artisan shops and wineries, as well as sights hiking trails like Table Mountain and Helderberg Nature Reserve.

Prices are accurate at the time of publication.