Budget Getaways: 10 Cheap Destinations for Any Group Size

Solo budget travel and group budget travel are different animals. Solo, you optimize for flexibility and cheap hostels. With a group, you optimize for splitting costs: private apartments instead of hotel rooms, shared taxis instead of public transit, buying groceries and cooking together.

A $75/day solo budget becomes $50/day per person when you're splitting a two-bedroom apartment and cooking half your meals. That's the math that makes group travel cheaper, even at destinations that aren't traditionally "budget."

The catch: groups are slower. More opinions about where to eat, where to go, when to leave. Budget extra for the comfort tax, the slightly nicer restaurant everyone agrees on, the Uber because nobody wants to figure out the bus.

These 10 destinations work at every group size. We've included costs for solo travelers, couples, and groups of 4+ so you can see how the math changes.

Southeast Asia dominates budget travel for a reason. Even with a group that wants some comfort, you're spending less per day than a lunch in Manhattan.

Bali is where the group discount hits hardest. A private villa with a pool in Canggu costs $60-100/night. Split four ways, that's $15-25/person for a place that looks like a resort brochure. Compare that to $15/night for a solo hostel bed.

Couples: $50-60/day total. A private room or small villa, scooter rental, and eating at warungs.

Group of 4: $35-45/person/day. Villa with pool, private chef for dinner ($15/person including food), day trips to temples and rice terraces.

The villa situation is what makes Bali special for groups. Nowhere else in the world gets you a pool, tropical garden, and open-air kitchen for under $100/night.

Use our budget calculator for Bali-specific daily cost breakdowns. Full Bali guide here.

Bangkok is more of a city trip than a beach trip, but the food alone justifies bringing friends. A table of shared dishes at a local restaurant costs $4-6/person and you'll eat better than most $50 meals back home.

Couples: $45-55/day total. A private room in a guesthouse, street food, BTS for transport.

Group of 4: $30-40/person/day. Two double rooms at a mid-range hotel, shared tuk-tuks, family-style meals at restaurants.

Bangkok is also a good group destination because there's something for everyone. Temples for the culture people, Khao San Road for the party people, Chatuchak Market for the shoppers. You can split up during the day and reconvene for dinner. Bangkok guide.

Beach destinations get cheaper in groups because you can split boat tours, villa rentals, and airport transfers. Phuket's island-hopping tours drop from $40/person to $25/person when you book as a group of 6+.

Couples: $55-70/day total. Beachfront guesthouse, Thai food, one boat trip during the stay.

Group of 4: $40-50/person/day. Shared beach house, group rate on Phi Phi Islands tour, cooking Thai food at the house half the time.

Phuket guide with beach recommendations and timing tips.

Latin America is easier for groups than Asia because Airbnbs are everywhere, the food is shareable by nature, and you're already in a similar time zone. Less jet lag means fewer grumpy travel companions.

Mexico City is possibly the best group destination on this list. The food scene is staggering at any budget, the neighborhoods have distinct personalities, and you can rent an entire apartment in Roma Norte for what a mediocre hotel room costs in most US cities.

Couples: $50-60/day total. Airbnb in Roma or Condesa, tacos and market food, museum Sundays.

Group of 4: $30-40/person/day. Two-bedroom apartment, family-style meals at fondas, Uber everywhere.

The mercados (markets) are where groups eat best. Mercado Roma, Mercado de Coyoacan, and Mercado de San Juan let everyone pick what they want. Tacos al pastor, tlacoyos, esquites, all under $3/plate.

Mexico City guide with neighborhood breakdowns. Use the budget calculator for personalized estimates.

Medellin's year-round spring weather means no bad time to visit and no seasonal price spikes. Apartments in El Poblado or Laureles rent for $40-80/night on Airbnb, with multiple bedrooms, kitchens, and sometimes pools.

Couples: $50-60/day total. Private apartment, almuerzo lunches, metro transport, salsa class.

Group of 4: $30-40/person/day. Large apartment, cooking at home, group day trip to Guatape ($8/person by bus).

Groups do well here because the activities are social: salsa classes, coffee farm tours, Comuna 13 street art walking tours, paragliding. Everything's better with people to share it. Medellin guide.

Cartagena is the beach counterpart to Medellin. The walled Old City is photogenic enough to justify the trip, and the Rosario Islands are a cheap boat ride away. Pricier than Medellin but still affordable by beach destination standards.

Couples: $70-85/day total. Boutique guesthouse in Getsemani, seafood lunches, sunset drinks on the wall.

Group of 4: $45-55/person/day. Apartment in Getsemani, group boat to Playa Blanca ($15/person including lunch), cooking seafood at home.

Pro tip: Getsemani is the neighborhood for budget travelers. It's just outside the walled city, half the price, and where the actual nightlife is.

Europe gets more affordable in groups because accommodation is the biggest expense, and splitting an apartment cuts it dramatically. A studio in Lisbon is $60/night. A two-bedroom apartment is $80. The math favors groups.

Lisbon is the European capital where budget travel doesn't feel like a compromise. Wine is $3/glass at neighborhood tascas. Pasteis de nata are $1.50. The miradouros (viewpoints) are free and more impressive than most paid attractions.

Couples: $80-100/day total. Airbnb in Alfama, seafood lunches, wine with dinner, day trip to Sintra ($5 train).

Group of 4: $50-65/person/day. Two-bedroom apartment, cooking Portuguese seafood at home, splitting the Lisboa Card for transit and museums.

Lisbon guide with shoulder season recommendations.

Istanbul is the best value in Europe by a wide margin. The food alone puts it on this list: kebabs, mezes, baklava, Turkish breakfast spreads, all for pocket change. With a group, you can order the entire meze menu at a restaurant and still pay less than $10/person.

Couples: $55-70/day total. Boutique hotel near Sultanahmet, kebabs and street food, Bosphorus ferry, one big attraction per day.

Group of 4: $35-50/person/day. Apartment in Kadikoy, group hamam (Turkish bath) visit, shared Museum Pass, evening mezes on the waterfront.

Istanbul guide. Check the best time to visit tool for when to avoid the crowds.

Athens is the gateway to the Greek islands, and a group makes the island-hopping math work much better. Split a ferry and a rental car on Naxos or Paros and you're paying less than a hostel would cost back in the city.

Couples: $75-90/day total. Hotel in Plaka, gyros and taverna meals, Acropolis combined ticket.

Group of 4: $50-65/person/day. Apartment near Monastiraki, cooking Greek salads at home, day trip to Aegina by ferry ($15/person round trip).

Athens guide with island hopping tips.

San Juan deserves a spot on this list because it's US territory: no passport needed, no currency exchange, your phone plan works. For Americans who want a "foreign" getaway without the logistics, it's the easiest option.

Old San Juan is walkable and colorful. The beaches are free. Mofongo (mashed plantains with meat) at a local spot costs $8-12. Rum is cheap because it's made here.

Couples: $80-100/day total. Guesthouse in Old San Juan, local food, beach days, rum tasting.

Group of 4: $55-70/person/day. Airbnb, cooking at home, splitting a rental car for beach-hopping along the coast.

Best for: groups who want a beach getaway without needing passports. Check our safety tool for current conditions.

Rent apartments, not hotel rooms. A 2-bedroom Airbnb is almost always cheaper per person than two hotel rooms. Plus you get a kitchen.

Cook breakfast, eat out for dinner. Grocery shopping together is cheap and takes 20 minutes. Save the restaurant budget for the meal that matters.

Book group activities directly. Skip the booking platforms and contact tour operators directly for groups of 4+. You'll often get 15-30% off.

Assign a trip treasurer. One person pays, everyone settles up at the end using Splitwise or Venmo. Eliminates the "who owes what" arguments.

Be flexible on dates. Use our best time to visit tool to find shoulder season windows where everyone can make it work. A week's flexibility can save 30% on flights and accommodation.

Pack carry-on only. If the whole group does it, you save on baggage fees and avoid waiting at the carousel. Our packing list tool generates weather-appropriate lists for your destination.