Travel brings so much value to a person’s life. And yet, sadly, one of the most common phrases you hear when you work is travel in “I can’t afford to travel there.” We totally get it. Travel can be expensive. It takes planning. It requires free time. And even when that time becomes available, the money doesn’t always come with it. Luckily, some vacations provide a lot of value, in both senses of the word.
Now, you might wonder what I mean by “value.” Do I mean value as in “These tires are good value” or value as in “This is the most valuable experience of my life?” The answer is both. Some destinations are great value for their money. They are more affordable than you might think due to exchange rates, costs of local services, and the economics of travelling at the current moment. Trips to these same destinations can be incredibly valuable, providing the memories that stay with you for the rest of your life. They provide the sort of emotional impact, exclusive experiences, and access to the rest of the world where you’re truly getting value for your money.
To help you think about the value that comes with travel in 2025, we’re highlighting some of the top destinations for value-based travel. What are destinations where you get top value? What are destinations that give you a valuable experience that you will cherish long into the future? Let’s find out.
Egypt
Egypt provides exceptional value in its travel experiences: it’s home to the pyramids, the Nile River, and one of the world’s oldest civilizations. It shows up on people’s bucket lists, so there are few trips more valuable than exploring ancient Egypt for yourself, spending your time touring opulent tombs from thousands of years ago and cruising the world’s longest river. It’s also affordable for a bucket list destination. The Egyptian pound has been devalued, making for a favourable exchange rate, so you get more for your money.
India
When you visit India, it changes you. It’s a world unto itself, so finally getting the chance to see the Taj Mahal at dawn, spot tigers in the wilds of Ranthambore National Park, and drift along the waters of the Ganges yields benefits that last far beyond when you touch down back home. Trips here are also good value in that you can do a lot on a single itinerary, really stretching your dollar to take advantage of affordable food and a robust tourism infrastructure for visitors.
New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, and one of the most welcoming. Exploring the mountains of the Southern Alps, dining at farm-to-table restaurants in the cities of Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, and visiting the filming locations of The Lord of the Rings reframes how you value a vacation. It’s also surprisingly affordable once you get there. The Canadian and US dollars have favourable exchange rates against the New Zealand dollar, stretching the value of the money you spend on a trip that truly captures the magic of nature.
Peru
Peru is home to the greatest ruin in the western hemisphere (Machu Picchu), the world’s largest rainforest (the Amazon), a canyon twice as deep as the Grand Canyon (Colca), and the world’s most celebrated food capital (Lima). Talk about the value of visiting here. Peruvian vacations also offer reasonable price points, outstanding natural and manmade wonders, incredibly friendly people, and some of the best food on the planet. Inca Discovery is an ideal starting point.
Philippines
Philippines is ready for its time on the world stage as the next big sun and city destination in Southeast Asia. The nation comprises 7,641 islands across the archipelago, so there’s a lot of sand to go round, especially on the islands of El Nido and Boracay. Manila is one of the world’s largest cities and a hotbed for culinary innovation. And the Philippines is shockingly affordable, giving every Asian destination a run for its money when it comes to great prices on food, accommodation, and touring.
Poland
Poland is one of Europe’s most affordable destinations. It’s also one of its most beautiful, although many people don’t bother to venture east and experience the beauty of the nation for themselves. Krakow is the centre of the nation’s tourism industry, with an appealing medieval old town, great food scene, and easy access to nearby historical sites, including Auschwitz. Warsaw is a dynamic and constantly reinventing capital. And Gdansk is perhaps the loveliest city on the Baltic Sea. Poland is also substantially more affordable than Germany, Czechia, and Austria, with great prices on food, accommodations, transport, and dining.
Portugal
People might be finally learning that Portugal is one of Europe’s best value destinations. A trip to Portugal is easy on the wallet, but packs a cultural punch, with interesting cultural differences between Porto in the north and the Algarve in the south, not to mention the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. Since the cost of food, transportation, and accommodation is typically half that of other Western European countries, it’s also a great destination to upgrade your experience to enjoy 5-star properties and private-guide touring. Romantic Portugal is a great way to get started and an especially appealing option for European honeymoons.
Samoa
In some ways, Samoa is the new kid on the block in the South Pacific since it doesn’t have the same name recognition as French Polynesia or Fiji. However, people are starting to catch on that Samoa offers gorgeous, sandy beaches, year-round warm weather, and famously friendly Polynesian hosts for a very appealing price point. Tours and accommodations are less than competing islands in the South Pacific and various airlines, including Qantas and Virgin Australia, have exceptional deals on flights to Samoa, driving down the cost of international airfare. If you’re looking for the unbeatable value of spending time in a South Pacific paradise, put Samoa on your radar.
South Africa
South Africa has a low cost of living, a strong tourism infrastructure, and a favourable exchange rate. This makes it especially appealing when you consider how many attractions appear within its borders. You can eat your way through Cape Town, follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, go on safari in game parks across the country, including famous Kruger, search for great white sharks off the western cape, learn about Zulu culture in KwaZulu-Natal, or simply kick back on the coastline and enjoy the sandy beaches. South Africa is an ideal bucket list destination that offers great value.
Vietnam
Perhaps nothing will ever compare to the outrageous affordability of Vietnam when it first opened to western tourism in the late 1990s, but it remains exceptionally good value in 2025. Vietnam is a place where you can stretch your dollar to tour for weeks at a time. It’s an especially appealing place to upgrade your accommodations and opt for private guided touring. That will give you a good value but intimate way to explore its many natural and cultural landmarks, from the colonial streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the natural wonders of Halong Bay and Ninh Binh.
Get Inspired
Travel Stories to Inspire You.
Newsletter
Unlock Even More
Sign up to our newsletter to unlock travel Specials, Inspiration, and Expert Guides right to your inbox.
