Andy HolsteenEveryone looks for something different when choosing where to go on vacation. Some people travel to see the sights. Others prioritize fine dining. Your dad probably just wants to sit by the beach all day. But there are also travelers who aren’t looking for anything super specific—just an incredible experience. Fortunately, there are places that offer this without costing outrageous amounts of money.
These are a few of the best value vacation destinations in 2019.
Montreal, Canada
Flight: $
Accommodations: $$
Food & Entertainment: $$
Montreal is a great value right now for a few reasons. The city itself is full of life—boasting a strong art scene. Additionally, the exchange rate is highly favorable for people coming from the U.S. at the moment. The U.S. dollar has been very strong against the Canadian dollar since 2015. Take advantage of this while you have the opportunity. Montreal is the perfect destination for U.S. travelers who want to go somewhere with a foreign feel, without a long, expensive flight.
Paris, France
Flight: $
Accommodations: $$-$$$
Food & Entertainment: $$
Paris boasts some of the best museums and food in the world. The city has a long, rich history, full of one-of-a-kind sights and experiences—many of them free. The recent creation of the North America-Europe layover in Iceland has made getting to certain European cities much more affordable. Paris is a place that’s expensive if you want to have that kind of experience, but can also be done within a very reasonable budget. Few things beat eating baguettes and sipping wine on the banks of the Seine on a brilliant afternoon.
Berlin, Germany
Flight: $
Accommodations: $$
Food& Entertainment: $$
Berlin is another destination that has seen the prices of flights drop dramatically thanks to the Iceland layover hub. If you’re okay with the layover and do a bit of planning, you should be able to get a roundtrip ticket for under 400 dollars. That’s pretty incredible for such a long-distance flight. Berlin has one of the strongest art scenes anywhere right now. Music, dance, art—you name it. While Germany’s known for its beer and dense food, Berlin’s carving out a new path as one of the world’s preeminent locations for vegan and vegetarian food. No matter who you are, Berlin can offer one of the best value European vacations in 2019.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Flight: $$
Accommodations: $$
Food & Entertainment: $
It’s not typically cheap to fly to South America. However, things are reasonably priced once you arrive in Buenos Aires. The surrounding mountains are some of the most impressive in the world. Plus, the city itself has a lot to offer travelers. Its vibrant streets oscillate between colorful and rustic—and everything in between. You’ll get to enjoy some of the best meat and wine in the world; so make sure you’re ready for indulgence.
Houston, Texas
Flight: $
Accommodations: $$
Food & Entertainment: $
Houston offers inexpensive flights and accommodations. Plus, there’s a ton of free culture to experience once you arrive. This is a city where you can get a lot of bang for your buck when traveling domestically. Whether you’re catching a sporting event, visiting one of the city’s numerous museums, or just chowing on some bar-b-que, you’ll have plenty to do in Houston—making it one of the best value vacation cities in the U.S.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Flight: $$
Accommodations: $-$$
Food & Entertainment: $-$$
Glacier National Park is the perfect destination for a cross-country road trip. Not only will you get to see a vast array of sights along the way, but you’ll also save money if you bring the whole family, or travel with friends. This national park boasts some of the U.S.’s most breath-taking nature. Just imagine seeing some of these vistas in person. And you can really do it in a budget-friendly way if you camp and bring your own food and supplies.
Xi’an, China
Flight: $$-$$$
Accommodations: $$
Food & Entertainment: $-$$
Xi’an was formerly a dynastic capital city for over 1,000 years, and the end point of the famous Silk Road. The city’s home to unbelievable monuments such as the Terracotta Warriors, which offer travelers quite reasonable admission prices. With over 3,000 years of accumulated history, you’ll never run out of things to do in Xi’an. Getting there is a bit expensive, as is typically the case when flying to Asia. But once you arrive, it’s obvious why this is one of the best value vacations for 2019.
Cairo, Egypt
Flight: $$-$$
Accommodations: $-$$
Food & Entertainment: $-$$
Some travelers might be wary about going to Egypt. Tourism and the economy have both dipped significantly since the Arab Spring in 2011. However, the area is now generally safe for foreign travelers. Cairo is a completely different world from what’s familiar to most westerners. Yet, it’s the place where we can trace back to some of the earliest manifestations of civilization. History in Egypt operates on a different plane. You’ll be able to visit the pyramids—arguably the greatest architectural achievement ever—as well as countless other landmarks.
You don’t need to spend outrageously in order to have a memorable vacation. If you’re trying to go on a big trip in 2019, consider one of these locations, which will get you the most bang for your buck.
Image Credits (by order of appearance):
Featured image – “Embarking on an Adventure” by Mantas Hesthaven via Unsplash
Old Port of Montreal, Montreal, Canada by Walid Amghar via Unsplash
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris, France by Ilnur Kalimullin via Unsplash
“Berlin View” by Mariano Mantel via (CC BY-NC 2.0)
“Buenos Aires, la ciudad contada. / The city to be told.“ by Hernán Piñera via (CC BY-SA 2.0)
“A New Millennium” by Carlos Delgado via Unsplash
“I’ll spot you even in a crowd” by Yasmin Dangor via Unsplash
“Cracker Lake” by Troy Smith via (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
“View of Cairo (القاهرة) from the Saladin Citadel (قلعة صلاح الدين)” by Dan via (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Andy Holsteen
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