Summer is approaching quickly. Before you know it, it’ll be time to take that dream holiday. However, you’re on a budget. Where should you go to next? In this article, I’ll outline the best cheap travel destinations in June. The tips I’ll share have saved me nearly $1,000 a year – just on travel! From weekend getaways in a nearby state to vacations in Europe, South America and Asia, there’s a vacation to suit every travel style.
Read on to learn about the top cheap travel destinations in June.
Why Travel Cheap?
Why travel on a budget? After all, a vacation is the time to treat yourself. Even though that’s true, learning how to plan a vacation with a finite amount of funds:
- Frees up cash for other goals such as saving, investing and spending money on other non-essentials
- Makes you feel good about being able to plan a fun, exciting trip without overspending by hundreds or thousands of dollars
When you plan your life on a budget, you’ll reduce the amount of stress you’ll feel if you ever need to reduce your spending out of necessity in the future – for example, if you unexpectedly lose your job.
The Top List of Cheap Travel Destinations in June
Cheap American Travel Destinations in June
If you don’t want to travel too far or you’re on a very tight budget, don’t worry! There are many destinations at your doorstep. Read on to learn about the best US destinations in June.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a classic March Break destination but is also ideal for those looking to travel on a budget in June. Aside from nice beaches, there are outlet malls, golf courses and theme parks for families of all ages.
Top free activities to do in Myrtle Bech include:
- Franklin G. Burroughs Art Museum
- North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex
- The Market Common
- Murrells Inlet MarshWalk
- Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
- Broadway at the Beach
- Barefoot Landing
- Savannah’s Playground
- Farmer’s Markets (Various locations)
It’s possible to find good deals on accommodation! Book ahead of time and you’ll be able to find hotels for well under $100 a night. If you have the time, keep transportation costs down by driving instead of flying.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston can be pricey, but with some planning, it’s possible to visit here on a budget. This city is America’s oldest and largest and is named in honor of King Charles II of England. It has a rich history and many historical sites to visit.
Free activities to do include Sullivan’s Island, a public beach that has tons of delicious restaurants and Folly Beach, a strip full of cheap food spots and nice beaches.
There are many historical tours available where you’ll visit Colonial Lake, the Old Exchange Building, Fort Sumter, Patriot’s Point and other important and popular places in Charleston. Tours range from $30-40 and are well worth it.
When visiting Charleston, opt for a holiday rental on VRBO or AirBnB – rentals here are generally cheaper than hotels. If you book ahead of time, you’ll likely be able to find deals around the $60-70 mark!
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod is an ideal place for beach lovers looking to get away in June. Race Point Beach is a key beach in Cape Cod where you can enjoy swimming, watching birds and biking along the trails. There are also state parks to enjoy including Nickerson State Park where you can bike, enjoy a picnic and stroll around the scenic spots.
Bikers shouldn’t miss the Cape Cod Trail, a 25-mile stretch where you can also hike, rollerblade and simply walk. Other places to visit in Cape Cod include the Nauset Lighthouse, Scargo Tower and Chatham Lighthouse Beach.
Expect to spend $75-100 per day per person when traveling on a budget to Cape Cod.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville can be expensive, but like other destinations on this list, can be visited on a budget (with careful planning, of course!). There are free music events and cheap food options everywhere! Check out this guide on where to find free live music throughout the year.
Other free attractions in Nashville include checking out the Tennesse State Museum, visiting the Parthenon (a replica of the original one in Athens, Greece) and catching the skyline view at sunset from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.
Bend, Oregon
Bend is an ideal June budget travel destination for nature and outdoor adventure lovers. Key activities to do in Bend include biking at Pine Nursery Park and surfing, whitewater kayaking and tubing at the Bend Whitewater Park.
June is a great time to visit Bend as there are many outdoor concerts to check out at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater. You can watch them for free by floating by on a tube on the river.
Keep costs down in Bend by renting equipment and choosing hostels and holiday rentals on platforms such as VRBO or AirBnB over hotels.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is a great place to travel on a budget in June. There are many free museums and other attractions to visit such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, LOVE Sculpture and City Hall. Additionally, Philly is an incredibly walkable city – no need to rely on taxis to get everywhere! You can also try out the bike share program here or get on the PHLASH bus for $2 a ride or $5 for a one-day pass.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago isn’t a cheap city, but you can travel here on a budget thanks to many free attractions here! This city is made of 178 different neighborhoods, each with their own vibe – needless to say, there are many different city streets to wander down with a coffee.
Top free things to do in Chicago include the Garfield Park Conservatory, the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Chicago Cultural Center and visiting one (or more) of Chicago’s many parks. Chicago has 580 parks where you can bike, enjoy the gardens and take part in outdoor sports. Top parks to visit include Millennium Park and Grant Park.
June is a great time to visit Chicago as there are many music festivals you can check out. Read this guide to find out about the variety of free festivals Chicago has to offer.
Cheap Travel Destinations in June: International Getaways
If you have the time and money to travel outside of the country, consider an international getaway! There are tons of cheap travel destinations in June around the world. Life is short.. take advantage of the world out there!
Mexico
Mexico is a generally budget-friendly destination and is one of the best spots for nature, culture and beach holidays in June!
Beach-lovers should head to Tulum. When I visited, I stayed in the puebla (town) and saved over $50 a night on my accommodation. Beachfront hotel and hostel prices were over twice the price as those in the town. I rented a bike from my condo and used it to get to the beach, saving me tons of cash!
In Mexico, I enjoyed street tacos for $1-2 per meal and only around $3 or $4 for a margarita at happy hour. Other meals such as tortillas, beans and eggs will run you around $5-10 a meal.
Key places to visit in Mexico include Mexico City, Oaxaca, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Tulum.
Expect to spend $15-25 per night for a dorm bed in a shared hostel room or around $40-60 for a private hotel room.
Peru
Peru is best known for Machu Picchu, a place you shouldn’t miss! Aside from visiting this incredible place, Lima is a budget-friendly destination for travelers into history and culture. Visitors here can visit the Aliaga House and Larco Museum for a taste of history. The Plaza Mayor is a great place to stroll around and enjoy the architecture and the markets are a fun place to shop.
Other highlights in Peru include hiking the Colca Canyon, visiting the Floating Islands of the Uros and visiting Cusco, another major tourist spot in Peru known as a famous archeological spot. As the city is 10,500 feet above sea level, Cusco is a great spot for hikers.
Save money on food while in Peru by taking advantage of the menu ejecutivo – a set lunch meal that includes a soup, main course and drink.
As a budget traveler, expect to spend anywhere from $20-40 per day.
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Portugal
Portugal is one of my favorite destinations in Europe. Despite being in the Western part of Europe, it’s still very much a budget travel destination.
Start off by visiting Porto, the home of port wine. Key places to visit include the Bolhao Market and seeing the street art on Escadas do Codecal, Rue de Madeira and Rua de Miguel Bombarda. For some of the best views in the city, climb the Clérigos Tower.
From Porto, make your way to Coimbra, a historical medieval town. When visiting Coimbra, I enjoyed watching a traditional fado, an artistic performance with singers and a guitar who perform sad, lamenting songs.
After 1-2 days in Coimbra (which I recommend as the perfect amount of time to walk this small town), take a bus to Lisbon. Lisbon was my favorite place in Portugal. Popular neighbourhoods to walk around include Bairro Alto (Upper City), Chiado, Baixa and Alfama, home to the famous São Jorge Castle.
When visiting Lisbon, be sure to visit the Torre de Belém, a famous castle located around 40 minutes outside the city center. You can take a tram there and walk about 10 minutes. End your trip by hiking up a famous miradouro (viewpoint) at sunset!
When I traveled to Portugal, I visited Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon and Faro and took Flixbus between the cities. Tickets only cost me between $20-30 a ticket and the buses were reliable.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a top budget-friendly travel destination. I currently live here and can attest to the fact that it’s full of budget-friendly food and things to do!
Top things to do in Northern Vietnam include exploring the Old Quarter in Hanoi, doing a cruise on Ha Long Bay, biking around beautiful Ninh Binh, exploring the rice paddies of Sa Pa and riding on the back of a bike on the Ha Giang loop.
After you’ve had your fill of Northern Vietnam, take a sleeper bus or fly down to Central Vietnam for the historical sites in Hue, the beaches in Da Nang and the lantern-filled streets of Hoi An.
Finally, head down to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and explore nearby Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. If you have extra time, a fun place to visit is Mui Ne which is home to red and white sand dunes that feel like you’re on planet Mars while on them!
Be sure to try the regional specialities in each area of Vietnam: bun cha in Hanoi, mi quang in Da Nang and banh mi in Saigon. Coffee lovers, rejoice: Vietnam is the second-largest exporter of coffee in the world!
Expect to spend around $30-50 a day while in Vietnam.
Indonesia
Indonesia is a great place to explore for those who enjoy relaxing on beaches, climbing up volcanoes and surfing. Key activities to do in Indonesia include trekking Mount Batur and Mount Rinjani, doing surfing lessons in Kuta Lombok and relaxing on Bali’s beaches.
Just like other places in Southeast Asia, keep costs down by enjoying street food which will run you approximately $2-3 a meal.
Expect to budget around $30-40 a day for Indonesia.
Thailand
If you’re traveling Southeast Asia, you can’t miss Thailand! While it’s a little bit more expensive than other countries, you’ll be able to stay on budget with careful planning and intentionally choosing budget-friendly food, accommodation and excursions. From bustling Bangkok to the peaceful beaches of Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi and Chiang Mai in the North, you’ll get your fill of temples, culture, nature and street food.
Keep local transportation costs low by taking Grab instead of taxis. Grab is similar to Uber and is a lot cheaper than regular taxis! For longer trips between cities and regions, take trains around Thailand. Some trains have private berths and many carriages have seats which convert to beds for overnight trips.
Travel Tips for Frugal Travelers When Choosing Cheap Places to Travel in June
Accommodation and Cooking Options When Choosing Cheap Places to Travel in June
If you’re serious about traveling on a budget, take a hard look at what accommodation options you are pursuing and how to keep costs down. Generally, you should opt for hostels, 2-3 star motels and holiday rentals from private host over large chain hotels.
When choosing budget accommodation, you can keep food costs down as well by choosing lodging with a private or shared kitchen. Opting to cook 1-2 meals at your apartment can save you tons. When I traveled around Portugal and Spain, I saved nearly $50 a day just by cooking my own meals at my lodging!
When cooking, keep costs even lower by meal planning, buying in bulk and meal prepping. Just don’t take it too far – you are on vacation, after all… don’t spend half your time trying to save $5 here and there.
Tips for Dining Out
One of the main reasons I travel… the food! While it’s a good idea to cook some of your meals at your accommodation to keep costs down, don’t miss out on experiencing the local cuisine! Keep food costs low by:
- Choosing restaurants tucked away in alleys instead of on main roads
- Opting for street food over a sit-down meal as your default option – street dishes can be 50% cheaper or more than a proper meal in a restaurant. In many countries such as Thailand or Vietnam, the street food is just as tasty – or tastier – than the restaurant offerings!
Transportation Tips
Transportation is another way you can save big on your travels. The key? Live like a local. Instead of taking taxis everywhere, take the metro or bus. If you’re traveling in Thailand or Cambodia, opt for motorcycle taxis or tuk tuks, the preferred, local method of transportation. Keep costs down even further by investigating and using transit passes where available. In Southeast Asia, I’ve used the 12Go website to book sleeper bus and regular bus tickets for my trips in countries all over Southeast Asia including Cambodia and Vietnam. The website is convenient to use and reliable.
Free or Low-Cost Attractions
Many places around the world offer cheap or free things to do. Do some research on fun stuff to do in the place you’re traveling to. Some common free or cheap activities include:
- Participating in a walking tour or doing a self-guided tour
- Checking out local festivals – they are especially common in the spring and summer
- Going to a museum on free admission days
- Doing a park picnic instead of a sit-down restaurant meal
- Going to a local craft, food or art fair
- Visiting the farmer’s market on a weekend
Many cities and municipalities offer festivals and concerts for free, most of which are funded using taxpayer money and corporate sponsorships. When I traveled to Montreal, Canada, I took advantage of the Montreal JazzFest events – all of which were absolutely free!
Off-Season Travel Benefits
Travel in the off-season and save up to 50% on travel – or even more. When fewer people travel, businesses generally lower their prices to incentivize people to come and visit – and spend money. If traveling in the off-season doesn’t appeal to you – for example, you don’t want to bother traveling to Bali during rainy season – consider traveling in the shoulder season, the time between the peak and off-season. Prices will be lower than peak season, and you’ll enjoy decent weather.
When I traveled to Tulum, Mexico, I traveled in October – the end of rainy season. There were a few showers here and there, but the weather was sunny and hot for 90% of the day. A pretty good deal if you ask me!
Exchange Currency Ahead of Time
Exchanging currency ahead of time is an ideal way to save a little bit of money on your big trip. While it won’t make a life-changing impact on your travel budget, an extra $20 saved here and there really adds up!
Buy Extra Luggage Ahead of Time
Spending extra money on luggage may seem counter-intuitive, but hear me out. Many budget airlines make their money by charging extra to bring a larger carry-on bag and to check luggage. They charge an even higher fee if you pay at the airport! If you’re pretty sure you’re going to go over the luggage weight and height limits, be on the safe side and buy the extra storage. When I was traveling back from Da Nang, Vietnam, I was charged for overweight baggage and had to pay over double what I would have paid if I had pre-purchased heavier baggage allowance online when I checked in. Don’t make the same mistake I did!
Travel Insurance and Safety Tips
While this article is all about traveling on a budget, there are some areas you shouldn’t cut costs in. The most important one is travel insurance. When you’re abroad, it’s imperative you purchase insurance to protect yourself in case of illness, injury or the need to be hospitalized. Read this article by Forbes on the top travel insurance companies.
Further Resources to Help You Select a Budget-Friendly Vacation in June
- Budget Backpacking article by Frugal Fun Finance
- Cheap Places to Travel in Asia article by Frugal Fun Finance
- Cheap Places to Visit in June in the USA article by Wapiti Travel
- Top Budget-friendly Destinations for June and July article by Medium
- 14 Best Cheap Places to Travel in June article by Planetware
A Final Word on Cheap Travel Destinations in June
There you have it – my list of the top cheap travel destinations in June. I hope this article has been helpful in choosing a budget destination and finding some key ways to save additional cash during your travels. Have fun on your next getaway!
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Janita is a frugal living expert and owner of Frugal Fun Finance. With over five years of personal experience finding and trying out the best ways to make and save more money, she's eager to share her knowledge. Janita's strategies have helped her save thousands of dollars for funding investments and traveling to over 20 countries.
Janita completed training in personal finance at The University of Western Ontario and McGill University, two prestigious Canadian universities. Her expertise has been shared on GoBankingRates, Yahoo Finance, and NASDAQ.com.
