A number of reports have come out this year listing the most affordable destinations for travellers wanting to globe trot on a budget in 2024.

It's little surprise that it's a hot topic - with the cost of living crisis affecting many Australians, travellers are looking for more affordable holiday spots.

In those reports, they look at various factors that make up the cost of a holiday at individual destinations, from exchange rates to the cost of eating out and visiting each destination's most popular tourist attractions.

Asia has always been a focus for Australian travellers thanks to the short flying time. So we have honed in on the cheapest destinations in this region ...

Hội An, Vietnam

According to the latest report from Post Office Travel Money (which is the 18th one they have done), Vietnam, for the first time, is now the cheapest destination for travellers. Hội An takes out top spot thanks to lower food and booze charges and a big drop in the value of the Vietnamese dong.

The Post Office’s "Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer" combines the average local price of eight popular tourist items. Hội An leads the way on three of these – beer ($2.24), Coca-Cola ($1.39), and sunscreen ($7.15). Lower costs mean the city has leapfrogged from sixth place in 2023.

With low-cost airline Vietjet now running direct flights between Australia and Hanoi (often for well under $300), this makes Vietnam an increasingly attractive destination for Aussie travellers on a budget.

Goa, India

India in general remains one of the cheapest destinations for food and accomodation. While you might actually find a cheaper holiday in Mumbai or New Delhi (New Delhi was actually named the world's cheapest destination for 2024 by WeThrift), it's Goa that should be on your itinerary if you love a beach holiday.

According to Budget your Trip, one week in Goa for two people costs, on average, $683. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. Bargain.

The Philippines

When Hidden Beach in Palawan (pictured above) was named the third best beach in the world, all of a sudden travellers were taking notice of The Philippines.

Home to over 7,500 islands, it's a super cheap place for a holiday. You can land resort accommodation for less than $100 a night, and day tours cost around $30-$40.

It's just a little over 8 hours to fly there from Australia. With Cebu Pacific slinging regular direct flights from Australia to Manila for around $200, it's starting to pop up on many savvy travellers' radars. 

Sri Lanka 

Incredibly affordable curries, cheap beers, budget-friendly wildlife encounters and stunning beaches. Where do we sign?

The Aussie dollar is strong in relation to the Sri Lankan rupee, and that's just the beginning. Cheap transport via the local public transport system is a great way to see the country's beautiful landscape, and you can land unique, bargain accommodation: there are plenty of budget hotels to choose from and Sri Lanka has clean, comfortable local homestays for anywhere between $55 and $128 per night. 

Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand

Bangkok came in at #7 on WeThrift's global list of most affordable destinations in 2024. Wethrift analysed the following data points to give each destination an overall score: flight routes, number of passengers, average cost of tourist attractions and tours, average cost of public transport, average cost of meal, cost of a mini food shop, accommodation for a weekend for two people, looking at hotels, B&Bs and full apartments. Bangkok came in at #7 with a score of 52.6 and Phuket came in at #9 with a score of 45.8.

The fact that Jetstar does direct, cheap flights from Australia also helps the hip pocket.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo came in at number 4 on the Post Office report of the world's cheapest destinations. The combined average price of a local coffee, beer, cola, glass of wine, bottle of water, suncream, insect repellent, and a three-course meal? Just $114.13.

The Aussie Dollar has appreciated in value against the Yen, and inflation remains quite low there, making Japan a stable and relatively affordable destination for travellers.

Langkawi, Malaysia

Your dollar will go a long way in Malaysia, especially if you take advantage of their excellent cheap and cheerful street food offerings. You'll get bang for your buck when it comes to accommodation and public transport is a great way to get around. And fun fact? Langkawi a great place for shopping -  the Malaysian government awarded it duty-free status in 1987.

Cambodia 

According to Budget Your Trip, you can holiday comfortably in Cambodia for just $95.71 a day. This is based on the average daily price based on the expenses reported by visitors. That breaks down to around $24.40 on meals, $11.46 on local transportation and $69.50 on hotels.

A one week trip to Cambodia for two people costs, on average, $1,339 and that includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Sumba, Indonesia

Indonesia's other islands are having a moment, as travellers discover there are untapped gems beyond Bali which offer a similarly affordable holiday. Sumba - a few islands east of Bali in the East Nusa Tenggara province - has plenty of affordable accommodation options and as Sarah Bristow writes, it's "a more quiet alternative to its (at times) rowdy cousin, thanks to its mingling of pristine beaches populated by wild horses and buffalo, and enduring traditional culture".