12 International Trips Under 1 Lakh from India: Real Budgets for Vietnam, Bali, Thailand, Georgia and More

International trips under 1 lakh are not a myth. Picture it: you are sitting on the top deck of a boat, gliding between thousands of limestone islands rising from emerald water in Vietnam's Ha Long Bay. You flew here, you are staying in a comfortable hotel, you ate well every day, and when you add it all up, flights included, you have spent less than many people spend on a week in Goa during peak season.

For Indian travellers, the world has become far more affordable. Low-cost airlines connect Indian cities with Southeast Asia, Central Asia and the Gulf, several countries have made entry visa-free or very easy, and in many destinations hotels and food cost the same as, or less than, at home. The trick is choosing the right destination, travelling at the right time, and knowing where the money actually goes.

This guide lists 12 international trips under ₹1 lakh per person, with realistic sample budgets for a 5 to 7-day trip including return flights, mid-range hotels, food, local transport and sightseeing, followed by the money-saving strategies that make the numbers work. Budgets assume two people sharing a room and booking a few weeks to a few months ahead. Prices vary with season and exchange rates, so treat them as a guide.

How we calculated these budgets

• Per person, sharing: hotel costs split between two travellers.
• Return economy flights from a major Indian metro, booked in advance, outside peak festival dates.
• Comfortable three-star or good boutique hotels, not hostels.
• Food, local transport, entry fees and a few tours, but not shopping.
• Visa or entry fees where applicable.

1. Vietnam: about ₹60,000 to ₹85,000

Vietnam offers extraordinary value. Fly into Hanoi, cruise Ha Long Bay, and continue to Da Nang and the lantern-lit old town of Hoi An, or head south to Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. The e-visa is easy to obtain online. Street food costs very little, and good hotels are inexpensive. Vegetarians will find Buddhist vegetarian restaurants, called com chay, in every city. Our Vietnam Group Tour covers the highlights.

2. Bali, Indonesia: about ₹65,000 to ₹95,000

Bali combines temples, rice terraces, beaches and villas at prices that can surprise first-timers. Stay in Ubud for culture and Seminyak or Nusa Dua for beaches, and visit the Tegallalang rice terraces, Uluwatu temple and the lake temple of Ulun Danu Bratan. Private pool villas can be surprisingly affordable. Indians get a visa on arrival or e-VOA. See our Bali Honeymoon package.

3. Thailand: about ₹55,000 to ₹85,000

Thailand remains the classic budget international trip: short flights, visa-free entry, cheap domestic flights and a huge choice of hotels. Combine Bangkok with Phuket, Krabi or Pattaya. Read our Thailand trip from India guide.

4. Sri Lanka: about ₹50,000 to ₹80,000

Sri Lanka is just an hour from Chennai, with easy entry for Indians. Visit Sigiriya, Kandy, the tea country around Ella, and the southern beaches. A private car and driver for a week is good value when split between two or more people. See our Sri Lanka trip guide.

5. Nepal: about ₹30,000 to ₹60,000

The cheapest option on this list: no visa, short flights or road access, and very affordable hotels and food. Kathmandu's temples, Pokhara's lakes and the jungles of Chitwan make a superb week. Read our Nepal trip guide.

6. Bhutan: about ₹45,000 to ₹80,000

No visa, and Indians pay a much lower Sustainable Development Fee of ₹1,200 per night than most other nationalities. Taking the road route via Phuentsholing saves money on flights. See our Bhutan trip guide.

7. Malaysia: about ₹55,000 to ₹90,000

Visa-free for Indians until the end of 2026, with low-cost flights, great food and a mix of city, islands and hills. Kuala Lumpur with Langkawi or Penang fits comfortably within budget. Read our Malaysia trip guide.

8. Almaty, Kazakhstan: about ₹60,000 to ₹95,000

Visa-free for up to 14 days, around four hours from Delhi, with snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes and canyons. Hotels and food are affordable compared with Europe. Read our Almaty trip guide.

9. Baku, Azerbaijan: about ₹55,000 to ₹90,000

A simple e-visa, direct flights from Delhi, European architecture and unique sights like the fire temple built by Indian traders. See our Baku trip guide.

10. Dubai: about ₹60,000 to ₹1,00,000

Dubai can be done on a budget if you stay in Bur Dubai or Deira, use the metro, eat at Indian restaurants and choose a few paid attractions carefully. Summer deals bring hotel prices down sharply. Read our Dubai trip guide.

11. Cambodia: about ₹60,000 to ₹90,000

The temples of Angkor, including Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, originally built as a Hindu temple to Vishnu, are unforgettable at sunrise. Siem Reap has inexpensive hotels, food and tuk-tuks. Combine with Phnom Penh or add Vietnam. Indians can get an e-visa or visa on arrival.

12. Georgia: about ₹75,000 to ₹1,00,000

Slightly more expensive because of flight costs, but hotels, food and tours are cheap, and the mountains, monasteries and cheese breads are spectacular. Travel in spring or autumn for the best value. See our Georgia trip guide.

A sample budget: 6 days in Vietnam

To show how the numbers work, here is a realistic per-person breakdown for a 6-day Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Hoi An trip for two people sharing, booked about two months ahead outside peak festival dates:

• Return flights from a major Indian city: about ₹25,000 to ₹35,000.
• e-Visa: about ₹2,000.
• Domestic flight Hanoi to Da Nang: about ₹4,000.
• Hotels (5 nights, half of a double room): about ₹10,000 to ₹15,000.
• Overnight Ha Long Bay cruise (shared cabin): about ₹8,000 to ₹12,000.
• Food: about ₹6,000 to ₹9,000.
• Local transport, entry fees and tours: about ₹5,000 to ₹8,000.
• SIM card and travel insurance: about ₹1,500 to ₹2,500.

Total: roughly ₹61,500 to ₹87,500 per person, comfortably inside the ₹1 lakh mark, with room for shopping and a spa treatment or two.

Travelling solo on a budget

Solo travellers pay more because they cannot share a room. To keep costs down, choose well-reviewed guesthouses and boutique hostels with private rooms, join group day tours instead of hiring private cars, and pick destinations with good public transport such as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Where the money actually goes

For most trips under ₹1 lakh, the budget breaks down roughly like this:

• Flights: 30 to 45 percent. The single biggest variable.
• Hotels: 25 to 35 percent.
• Food: 10 to 15 percent.
• Tours and entry fees: 10 to 15 percent.
• Local transport, SIM, visa and insurance: 5 to 10 percent.

So the most important decisions are when you fly and where you stay.

Money-saving strategies that really work

Book flights smartly

• Book international flights six to ten weeks ahead for most short-haul trips, and earlier for festival dates.
• Be flexible by a day or two; midweek flights are often cheaper.
• Compare low-cost carriers with full-service airlines once baggage and meals are added.
• Consider flying from a nearby city: fares from Chennai, Kochi or Tiruchirappalli to Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka are often lower.
• Set fare alerts and avoid Diwali, Christmas, New Year and the peak summer holidays if possible.

Travel in the shoulder season

The weeks just before or after peak season often combine decent weather with much lower prices. For example, Thailand in late October, Bali in May or September, and Georgia in May or October.

Choose accommodation wisely

• Stay in well-reviewed three-star hotels or boutique guesthouses rather than big-brand resorts.
• Choose locations near public transport to save on taxis.
• For groups and families, serviced apartments with kitchens can cut food costs.

Eat like a local

Street food, hawker centres and local restaurants are cheaper and often tastier than hotel restaurants. Many destinations on this list have Indian restaurants at reasonable prices for when you want familiar food.

Use public transport and ride apps

Metro systems in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai and Singapore, and ride-hailing apps like Grab, Bolt and Yandex, are much cheaper than tourist taxis.

Mix paid and free experiences

Balance a few big-ticket tours with free experiences such as temples, markets, beaches, parks, city walks and sunset viewpoints.

Use a forex card

Multi-currency forex cards usually offer better rates and lower fees than credit cards or airport money changers.

When to book for the best prices

• Diwali, Christmas and New Year: book three to four months ahead, or avoid these dates for budget trips.
• Summer school holidays (May and June): book two to three months ahead; consider Nepal, Bhutan or Almaty, where it is pleasant.
• Monsoon months (July to September): often the cheapest time for Southeast Asia, with short showers and fewer tourists.
• Long weekends: add one or two days of leave to a long weekend for a 5-day trip without using much leave.

Budget traps to avoid

Cheap flights with expensive extras. Low fares can double once checked bags, seats and meals are added.

Airport money exchange. Rates are usually poor; exchange a small amount and use ATMs or forex cards.

Roaming charges. Buy a local SIM or eSIM instead.

Overpacked itineraries. Too many internal flights push the cost up quickly. Two bases are better than four.

Skipping travel insurance. A single medical emergency abroad can cost far more than the whole trip.

Group tours can save money too. Escorted group tours bundle flights, hotels, transfers, sightseeing and many meals at group rates, and often cost less than booking the same trip independently, especially for first-time travellers who would otherwise pay for private transfers and guides.

Which trip is right for you?

• Cheapest overall: Nepal, then Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
• Best beaches on a budget: Thailand, Bali, Sri Lanka.
• Snow and mountains: Almaty, Georgia (in winter), Nepal.
• Culture and history: Vietnam, Cambodia, Baku, Georgia.
• Easiest for families: Malaysia, Thailand, Dubai.
• Best for honeymoons: Bali, Thailand's islands, Sri Lanka.

Plan international trips under 1 lakh with The Vacation Code

International trips under 1 lakh are easier than ever with the right planning. Our team can help you choose a destination, time your booking and build an itinerary that fits your budget. Explore our Vietnam Group Tour and Bali Honeymoon packages, read our guide to visa free countries for Indians, or browse all our tours.

Frequently asked questions

Which international trips can I do under 1 lakh from India?

Popular international trips under 1 lakh per person include Vietnam, Bali, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, Almaty, Baku, Dubai, Cambodia and, with careful planning, Georgia, including flights, hotels and food.

Which is the cheapest foreign country to visit from India?

Nepal is usually the cheapest because no visa is needed, flights are short or you can travel by road, and hotels and food are inexpensive. Sri Lanka and Bhutan are also very affordable.

Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand for Indians?

On the ground, Vietnam is often slightly cheaper for hotels and food, while Thailand can have cheaper flights and visa-free entry. Both fit easily within 1 lakh per person.

How far in advance should I book international flights?

For short-haul international trips, booking six to ten weeks ahead usually gives good fares. Book earlier for festival dates and school holidays.

Do these budgets include visas?

Yes, the sample budgets include visa or entry fees where they apply, along with return flights, mid-range hotels, food, local transport and some sightseeing.

Is travel insurance necessary for a budget trip?

Yes. It costs relatively little, and medical emergencies abroad can be extremely expensive. Some countries also require it.

Can a family of four travel abroad under 4 lakh?

Yes. Destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Vietnam can fit within about 1 lakh per person for a family of four, especially outside peak holidays.