By Contributor,Kaitlyn McInnis

Copyright forbes

Marina and beach view fo the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai

Certain destinations are known for being prohibitively expensive for budget-conscious travelers—but backpackers have figured out the best hacks to make the most expensive cities surprisingly affordable with a little extra planning and creativity.

The following destinations have been backpacker-approved and provide unexpectedly affordable solutions for travelers on a budget. From hotel timesharing in Dubai to poke bowl picnics in Hawaii, here’s how to visit those bucket list cities and countries on a shoestring:

Switzerland

Aerial view of Train passing through famous mountain in Filisur, Switzerland. Landwasser Viaduct world heritage with train express in Swiss Alps snow winter scenery.

“One of the places that truly caught me off guard in the value department was Switzerland. Everyone tends to think luxury ski resorts and five-star accommodations when they hear Switzerland, but as a backpacker, I was able to see it without breaking the bank,” said Christian Petzold, travel & tourism expert at BCN Travel. “I stayed in Interlaken, a destination popularly known as an adventure capital, and instead of in costly hotels, I booked a hostel dormitory with a kitchen facility so that I could make my own meals.”

Petzold said that stores like Coop and Migros were his best friends, and that he got by on fresh bread, local cheese, and chocolate for a dollar fraction of dining prices. “For activities, I skipped the expensive guided tours and went with free or low-cost treks in Lauterbrunnen Valley and on Lake Brienz, which were just as breathtaking as the well-known spots,” he added.

Mt. Fuji and Tokyo skyline

“Another nation that I expected would break the bank was Japan. It does have a reputation for being an expensive place, but I discovered that it is actually very backpacker-friendly, provided you plan ahead financially,” explained Petzold. “Instead of hotels, I stayed in capsule hotels in Tokyo and traditional-style hostels in Kyoto, which not only were inexpensive but were also thoroughly Japanese experiences in themselves.”

“Instead of dining in sit-down restaurants, I subsisted on street food in Osaka, low-cost ramen bars, and even 7-Eleven and FamilyMart meals, which are surprisingly good quality and typically less than $5,” added Petzold. “To save money on transport, I never bought the expensive country-wide JR Pass but rather used city passes and local rail cards that fit my itinerary. That way, I could enter Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara cheaper than most other visitors would expect.”

Reykjavik the capital city of iceland in winter view from above

“I reside in Iceland, another shock being how affordable it can be with the right plan. The country is famous for exorbitant dining and hotel rates, yet I joined a group on Facebook that split the cost of car rentals and gas via ridesharing, which made expensive solo trips doable,” said Petzold. “For accommodation, I camped and slept in hostels, which not only was more affordable but gave me a chance to see the Northern Lights free of city lights.”

Petzold said that food was the hardest because restaurants are so expensive, but buying groceries in Bonus and cooking group meals with other travelers made it possible. “I still got to experience bucket-list sights like the Golden Circle, waterfalls, and black sand beaches without spending a fortune,” he added.

Drone Footage in the early morning hours of Makena Beach on Maui

Hawaii is a dream destination, but for many, it remains unattainable because they think they cannot afford it. However, Natasha Colkmire, founder of The Free Life Travel, said that on her family vacation to Maui and Oahu, she saved a ton of money by going to the local grocery stores and ordering from their deli instead of eating out every meal. “Instead of paying $100+ for meals, we would have a delicious lunch or dinner between $20 – $40 for the four of us,” she explained. “To make it even more of a win, the food was incredible! Those poke bowls from the grocery store rivaled the ones that we had at top restaurants!”

“Every time that we thought about doing a dream vacation to Hawaii, food was never what was driving us. Instead, it was the beaches, culture and beauty of the land that had us saving for the trip,” she added. “So to order a poke bowl or breakfast at the local Foodland and have a picnic on the beach not only helped the trip become more affordable, but it created incredible memories!”

“My next tip for Hawaii is to bring your own inflatable paddle boards,” said Colkmire. “Renting things like this can get expensive, so if you are willing to deal with the extra luggage, we suggest taking them with you. This ended up saving us hundreds of dollars because instead of booking a tour where a boat took us to a great snorkeling cove, we found the cove on our own and hiked a trail with our paddle boards and ended up in the same exact spot as that tour boat.”

Beuatiful sunrise in the morning at Singapore Marina Bay

“I’ve always enjoyed finding ways to experience destinations that seem out of reach for budget traveler and Singapore was one of the most rewarding places where I managed to do just that,” said Adrian Iorga, founder & president of Stairhopper Movers. “I avoided luxury hotels in the Marina Bay area and stayed in simple guesthouses in Little India and Kampong Glam. Rooms were modest but cost about 60–70% less, and I could walk to MRT stations within minutes. That convenience gave me the same access and city feel as staying in the luxury districts.”

“What amazed me was how Michelin-star quality meals are sold in hawker stalls,” added Iorga. “I tried dishes that, in another city, would belong on fine-dining menus but here cost a fraction. The atmosphere—crowded tables, sizzling woks, the mix of cultures—made it feel more vibrant than most high-end restaurants.”

Instead of paying rooftop bar entry fees, Iorga spent evenings at Gardens by the Bay watching the light shows. “The Marina Bay Sands infinity pool is famous, but walking the waterfront at night with the skyline sparkling gave me the same thrill at no cost. That blend of access and atmosphere made the city feel surprisingly attainable.”

Aerial view of Dubai Palm Jumeirah island, United Arab Emirates

“I enjoy determining whether the ‘world’s most expensive’ destinations can be visited on a budget. Dubai surprised me the most, as I discovered a few secrets that only experienced backpackers appear to know,” explained Conrad Wang, managing director of EnableU. “First, I found airport layover hotels in DXB that allow you to reserve daytime blocks. By dividing the expense with another traveler, I saved 60-70% on a single night in a downtown hotel while still having access to showers, gyms, and pools in between trips.”

Second, instead of expensive desert tours, Wong discovered that people camp for free on Al Qudra Lake. “Renting gear with a few other backpackers cost me approximately 20% of a packaged safari, and we spent the night under the stars, with wild oryx passing by our tents. It felt more genuine and daring than any planned excursion.”

Third, Wong scheduled major experiences around ‘free access’ windows. “Museums, as well as many luxury hotel lobbies, are open to the public at off-peak hours. I walked around the Atlantis aquarium for free on a Friday morning preview and saved the equivalent of an entire day’s budget.”

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