With the rand in a not-so-great state at the moment, we totally understand why you might feel like a holiday overseas is out of reach. But the truth is, there actually are some foreign shores well within your grasp! To help you out, we’ve done some careful research, kept our eyes on the exchange rates, and found these 10 affordable international holiday destinations!
1 Russia
From rich cultural heritage sites to emerald green forests of Siberia to subtropical desert plains, Russia has so much to offer.
Flight costs: From R6 808
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 4.51 Russian Ruble
Average hotel room: R800 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Russia is 34% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: St Petersburg, a Volga cruise with onboard music and Kazan – the ‘third capital of Russia’.
Visa info: Visa required
2 Serbia
An ideal spot for travellers who want to steer clear of tourists, Serbia’s attractions include its beautiful mountains and pampering spas.
Flight costs: From R6 314
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 7.57 Serbian Dinar
Average hotel room: R800 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Serbia is 27% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: Djavolja Varos (or Devil’s Town), the Nikola Tesla Museum and the Nis Fortress – an 18th-century fort that was built on a medieval foundation.
Visa info: Visa required
3 Lithuania
Head to Lithuania for breathtaking views, hectares of greenery and a gorgeous mix of medieval, gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture.
Flight costs: From R9 354
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 0.21 Lithuanian Litas
Average hotel room: R700 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Lithuania is 23% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: The St Anne and Bernardine Churches, The Devil’s Museum – a one-of-a-kind exhibition, and the open air museum of Lithuanian ethnic culture in Rumšiškės.
Visa info: Visa required
4 Brazil
Apart from the Amazon, Brazil is also known for its magnificent mountains and oceanic archipelagos, as well as its vibrant music and tasty cuisine.
Flight costs: From R8 286
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 0.24 Brazilian Real
Average hotel room: R800 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Brazil is 22% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: The Teatro Amazonas opera house, the Fernando de Noronha archipelago off the northeastern coast and the Rio Carnival which attracts two million people per day.
Visa info: No visa required if your stay does not exceed 90 days
5 Colombia
From the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean coast to the lush Amazonian rainforests, Colombia is full of architectural marvels ready to be explored.
Flight costs: From R10 539
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 201.70 Colombian Peso
Average hotel room: R700 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Colombia is 36% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: The ‘natural aquarium’ in the archipelago of San Andreés and Providence, Popayan – the City of Gastronomy and the chapel of Bethlehem.
Visa info: No visa required if your stay does not exceed 90 days
6 China
One of the four ancient civilisations, China has a vast tourist offering including historical tours of antique sites and relics and a number of natural wonders.
Flight costs: From R5 904
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 0.45 Chinese Yuan
Average hotel room: R700 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in China is 11% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: The Terracotta Army of warriors and horses – a significant and ongoing archaeological excavation, The Forbidden City and the Yangtze River.
7 India
To travel to India is to indulge in a sensory experience – vibrant colours, beautiful fragrances, rich history, lively culture, and, of course, epic cuisine.
Flight costs: From R4 437
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 4.65 Indian Rupee
Average hotel room: R800 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in India is 40 % cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: Kashmir – fondly referred to as ‘The Paradise on Earth’, the sparkling lakes in Udaipur and the Jain Temple in Ranakpur.
8 Indonesia
The islands in Indonesia are real tropical paradises – spend lazy days soaking up the sun on the beach, and spend lively nights enjoying drinks in al fresco beach bars.
Flight costs: From R6 852
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 923.55 Indonesian Rupiah
Average hotel room: R450 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Indonesia is 48% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: Wayang Kulit – the enchanting shadow puppet theatre, and the Museum of Borobudur which is filled with artefacts from the ancient and world-renowned Borobudur temple.
9 The Philippines
Fast becoming a tourist hotspot, the Philippines’ natural attractions include sandy white beaches, mountains, rainforests, islands and world-famous diving spots.
Flight costs: From R6 314
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 3.29 Philippine Peso
Average hotel room: R700 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in the Philippines is 45% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: The Pasiyo sa Kabilin – a heritage tour of Cebu City, the Southern Cebu Trail with its collection of centuries-old religious sites and the Boracay beach.
Visa info: No visa required if your stay does not exceed 21 days
10 Thailand
You’ll be lured to Thailand year after year by its famous Bangkok nightlife, vibrant night markets, glistening temples, exotic islands, national parks and world-famous cuisine.
Flight costs: From R6 168
Exchange rate:1.00 ZAR = 2.45 Thai Baht
Average hotel room: R500 per day
Eating costs: Eating out in Thailand is 35% cheaper than in SA
Top attractions: Railay Beach, Koh Phi Phi – where you can interact with monkeys on Monkey Beach, and the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
Visa info: No visa required if your stay does not exceed 30 days
No visa? No problems! Check out these 10 amazing visa-free travel destinations. And if you’d prefer to stay local, check out these 6 spectacular winter adventures you can have in South Africa.
