Top 5 Affordable Cities: High-End Experiences Even on a Budget!

4
Minute Read
April 25, 2025
Travel Tips

Let’s face it—traveling the world can feel like an expensive dream. But with the right tools and a bit of clever planning, that dream becomes surprisingly affordable. Whether you're sketching out your next travel itinerary, looking for the best travel search engine, or just wondering how to plan a trip without breaking the bank, you’re in the right place.

Blog Main Image

At iMean, we believe you don’t need to splurge to enjoy five-star experiences. Our travel planner helps you discover unforgettable moments in cities that offer luxury-like vibes—without the luxury price tag. Let’s dive into five wallet-friendly cities where your dollar (or euro) stretches further, and show you how our smart travel planning app can help you make the most of it.

1.Lisbon, Portugal – The Charm of Old Europe Without the Price Tag

Why go: Cobblestone streets, colorful trams, ocean views, and pastries that cost less than your morning coffee back home.

Travel story: Jane, a graphic designer from Chicago, used iMean’s travel itinerary template to build a two-week trip around Portugal. Thanks to our flexible route planning app, she snagged an air ticket discount for a mid-week flight and booked a boutique hotel with a rooftop pool—all within budget.

iMean Tip: Use the AI travel planner to explore flight options across multiple dates. Sometimes, leaving just one day earlier can save you enough to cover an extra night’s stay!

2.Budapest, Hungary – Thermal Baths, Castles, and Grand Cafés

Why go: A dip in historic thermal baths, sunsets over the Danube, and opera tickets for less than dinner in New York.

Travel story: Alex and Mark, first-time Europe travelers, used iMean’s vacation planner to map out a multi-city adventure. They found round-trip flights into Budapest and out of Prague for less than $500, using our multi-destination travel planning feature.

iMean Tip: Search flights with flexible dates and multiple departure cities—our travel AI engine scans countless routes to help you find the most cost-effective and enjoyable plan.

3.Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Street Food & Sky Bars

Why go: Michelin-worthy meals for under $10, motorbike adventures, and vibrant local markets.

Travel story: Lena, a solo traveler from Berlin, used iMean to plan her trip across Southeast Asia. She filtered hotels by location and price using our accommodation planner, and even found a luxury hotel with a rooftop bar for just $40 a night.

iMean Tip: Save your travel list directly in the app and easily compare hotels by price, amenities, and location—no more bouncing between tabs or confusing spreadsheets!

4.Kraków, Poland – Europe’s Best-Kept Secret

Why go: Gothic architecture, buzzing nightlife, and hearty meals that won’t dent your wallet.

Travel story: Sam and Priya wanted a romantic getaway without the Paris price tag. Using iMean’s travel planning template, they discovered Kraków as a hidden gem. From finding the best time to buy tickets to securing a castle-view apartment, iMean handled the planning while they focused on packing.

iMean Tip: Use the hotel planner feature to sort by proximity to landmarks—great for walking tours and soaking in the local vibes.

5.Oaxaca, Mexico – Culture, Cuisine, and Colorful Streets

Why go: Mezcal tastings, artisanal markets, colonial architecture, and one of the best food scenes in North America.

Travel story: When food blogger Nina wanted to plan a culinary retreat, she used iMean’s Google Docs itinerary template feature to share plans with her friends. The AI travel planning tools helped her find the cheapest flights from three cities—and everyone arrived on time (and under budget).

iMean  Tip: Traveling with a group? Use iMean to compare airfares from different cities, and organize shared accommodations without the stress.

Your Budget-Friendly Travel Strategy

With iMean’s travel planner in your corner, high-end travel doesn’t need to come with a high-end price tag. From low-cost air ticket search and real-time flight planning to smart hotel login filters, you’re fully equipped to travel smarter, not pricier.

Don’t just dream it—plan your trip the right way. Whether you're building a full vacation itinerary template or just want a quick peek at the best travel planning website, iMean is your go-to travel website .

So next time someone says luxury travel is out of reach, just smile—and send them your itinerary.

Ready to go luxe without the expense? Try iMean—the best free route planner and AI travel planner that makes your dream trip a reality.

Subscribe to our email newsletter

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.