Many Russian tourists go abroad, hoping to significantly save on costs associated with renting a house, buying food and using basic city services. How justified can such expectations be considered? In which countries are prices significantly lower than in Russia?
Cheapness criteria
If we are interested in the cheapest country to live in, it is important in which context we can examine this economic characteristic. The fact is that a single state can have inexpensive real estate, goods and services relative to the purchasing power of its own citizens, but be too expensive for foreigners, and vice versa.
Tourism or immigration?
That is, looking at the “cheapness” of the state stands in two aspects: if there is a source of income within it (it can be employment or, for example, renting out real estate) or provided that a person has a financial resource of external origin. The first aspect will probably correspond to immigration, and the second to a person’s temporary visit to the country: to visit or as a tourist.
Thus, if we find out that the country that is the cheapest to live in is such and such (when comparing the prices inside it with the Russian salary), then having moved there and got a local job, we can feel that local income allows us to feel like we don’t too comfortable. And vice versa: a state with unbearable prices with a Russian salary may be quite acceptable for living, provided that a person finds work in a local company.
Purchasing Power Aspect
In the article we will characterize the cheapest countries for living in relation to the Russian salary. That is, we will carry out a study of the corresponding economic characteristics of states, implying expenses on behalf of a tourist or a person who has arrived to visit, and not for the purpose of immigration.
Consider the cheapest countries to live in - in relation to the income of a Russian tourist - in different parts of the world. The main thing that we will pay attention to is the prices for real estate, basic goods and services supplied by local companies. We agree that the dollar will correspond to 50 rubles. Based on this, we indicate prices immediately in Russian currency.
Asia
Both economically developed and developing countries are located in this region. From the point of view of the cheapness of real estate, goods and services, we will be interested in the latter.
Among the cheap countries of Southeast Asia - Cambodia. It should be noted that this picturesque, rich in cultural attractions and hospitable state is becoming increasingly popular among tourists. Therefore, with its current classification as cheap, we note that the prices in it still tend to gradually rise in price.
Rental housing in large, well-developed settlements of Cambodia will cost about 10 thousand rubles. per month. In principle, it can be noted that for such money you can rent a small apartment in the average size of a Russian city, including some settlements in the Moscow region.
The monthly cost of food in Cambodia will be about 2 thousand rubles. per person. In Russia, of course, it takes a lot more. And in this sense, a tourist from the Russian Federation can significantly save on the corresponding expense item. According to many experts in the tourism industry, Cambodia is the cheapest country for living in the region in terms of food costs.
Comparable prices are typical for the neighboring state - Thailand. Nearby are the Philippines. Rental housing here is a little more expensive - about 15 thousand rubles. per month, but the service is very cheap. For example, a taxi ride will cost about 10 rubles, and a hairdresser will cost about 40 rubles.
In Indonesia, which is also located in Southeast Asia, prices for the Russian budget are more than comfortable. Rental housing will cost about 5 thousand rubles. per month. The price of a good hotel room is about 1000 rubles. per day. The cost of food will also be about 1000 rubles. per month.
In Southeast Asia, Laos is located. Prices for renting an apartment here are probably among the lowest in the macroregion - about 3 thousand rubles. per month. But the cost of food will be a little more than in Indonesia - about 1, 500 rubles. per month.
If we talk about another macro-region - South Asia, then we can note that here, perhaps, the cheapest countries for Russians are located. Among these are India. A monthly rental in this beautiful country will cost about 1, 500 rubles. The cost of food and basic services will be approximately 2 thousand rubles.
South America
Among the inexpensive, when compared with the Russian salary, countries for living in this region are Costa Rica. Rental housing in this small state will cost about 20 thousand rubles. In principle, for the same price you can rent an apartment on the outskirts of Moscow or in St. Petersburg. But the cost of food will be minimal - about 30 rubles. in a day. But this is subject to cooking at home. Prices for lunch in a restaurant are comparable to Russian - about 200 rubles.
In Guatemala, another Latin American state, rental housing will cost about 10 thousand rubles. per month. The cost of food will be comparable to Russian - about 7 thousand rubles. per month.
Among the most economically developed states of South America, but accessible from the point of view of financial opportunities for Russians, is Argentina. Renting a house here will cost about 7 thousand rubles. per month. The cost of food, however, will amount to about 10 thousand rubles, which is even higher than in many Russian cities.
Many Russians in the above Latin American states are attracted not only by low prices, but also by the fact that they do not need a visa to visit.
The South American state, requiring a corresponding entry permit, but noteworthy in terms of low living expenses, is Belize. The rates for accommodation and food are generally comparable to those observed in Costa Rica.
Oceania
Among the exotic for Russian tourists, but very attractive economically, is Nauru, located in Oceania. In general, the cost of living, food and basic services here will be about 10 thousand rubles. per month. Note that for a short visit to Nauru - within 2 weeks - a Russian tourist does not need a visa.
Caribbean
Many Russians are attracted to Cuba located in this macro-region. In this state, prices are quite comfortable for the Russian budget. Moreover, the country has developed infrastructure - most of the services familiar to tourists from the Russian Federation will be available. Low prices in Cuba are largely due to the special structure of the economy with a strong socialist bias.
Probably, it cannot be said that this is the cheapest country to stay among the available for Russians. A monthly apartment rental in Cuba will cost about 7 thousand rubles, about 10 thousand rubles will be spent on food. per month. However, the availability of a large amount of entertainment and the development of infrastructure stimulate many travelers who want to save money to come here. Also, an additional factor in the attractiveness of Cuba for tourists from the Russian Federation - you do not need to get a visa.
Europe
Now let's try to determine the cheapest countries in Europe for a Russian traveler. Among these are Romania. You can rent an apartment here for about 7 thousand rubles, which is much cheaper than in Russia. But food prices are generally comparable to those that Russians observe at home.
If we consider the cheapest countries in Europe, it should be noted Albania. A tourist who came here will be able to rent a good hotel room for about 1000 rubles. per day. Relatively inexpensive can be called public transport - about 15 rubles. for the trip. Taxi is comparable with Russian prices - about 150 rubles. per call, usually more expensive at night. Lunch at a budget restaurant will cost about 200 rubles, food costs per month - about 7 thousand rubles.
Perhaps the cheapest EU country for Russian tourists is Bulgaria. Renting a hotel room will cost about 700 rubles. per day. The cost of public transport is comparable to Russian - about 30 rubles. per trip (by the way, this is more than in many medium-sized cities of the Russian Federation). Taxi rates - about 30 rubles. per kilometer. Lunch at the restaurant will cost about 200 rubles. The cost of food will be about 7 thousand rubles. per month.
Quite comfortable prices for Russian tourists in Lithuania. To rent a hotel room will cost about 700 rubles. per day. Taxi rates - about 30 rubles. per kilometer, a trip by intracity public transport - about 40 rubles. Lunch in a good restaurant will cost about 500 rubles.
Cheap - in the West
The cheapest European country in the western part of the continent is probably Portugal. Prices here, of course, are higher than in Eastern Europe, but nevertheless, for a Russian tourist, they are quite acceptable. So, a good hotel room here will cost about 2 thousand rubles. A trip by public transport - about 70 rubles. A taxi will cost about 200 rubles. for the trip. Lunch at a budget Portuguese restaurant will cost about 500 rubles.
What is the cheapest European country ready to welcome Russians without a visa? Perhaps, among those - Serbia. The prices here are, in principle, similar to those observed in neighboring Bulgaria. It can be noted that in the Slavic states located in the Balkans, prices are comparable. Unless in Montenegro, expenses are likely to be slightly higher, since the main currency here is the euro, and the local tourism market is at a stage of active growth, which leads to a rise in the cost of a number of goods and services.
Balkan specifics
It can also be noted that Slovenia cannot be considered cheap from the states of the former Yugoslavia. This is largely due to the relatively high salary of local residents - about 1000 euros, which is about two times higher than, for example, in Bulgaria and Serbia.
It can be noted that the middle economic position between the expensive Slovenia and the budgetary Balkan countries - Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia - is occupied by Croatia. This, as in the case of Montenegro, is largely due to a steady tourist flow, as well as proximity to one of the most developed countries in Europe - Italy.
Benefit from neighbors
Somewhat similar to the Yugoslav model, the ratio of economic characteristics can be observed on the example of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In the first, the salary is higher, respectively, and the rates also. Slovakia, in turn, can easily be classified as comfortable for the Russian tourist from an economic point of view. For example, you can rent a good hotel room for 1, 500 rubles. A trip by public transport costs about 40 rubles. Taxi rates - about 70 rubles. per kilometer. Lunch at a budget restaurant will cost about 300 rubles.
In Poland, prices are comparable to those observed in Slovakia. You can rent a room in a budget hotel for about 1000 rubles. The cost of travel by public transport and taxi is about the same as in Slovakia. But the prices in restaurants are slightly higher - lunch will cost about 500 rubles.
European standard of salary
In general, it can be noted that in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, a Russian tourist can afford about the same as at home. Thus, moving here to save money is probably not a very reasonable decision. But for tourists with such aspirations, for example, some states of Southeast Asia are quite suitable.
Where to go and save?
If we try to determine the cheapest countries for tourists from Russia, then - without strict ranking - we will be able to create approximately the following list:
- Thailand.
- Cambodia.
- Laos;.
- Philippines.
- India.
- Indonesia.
- Nauru.
- Cuba.
What can be said about Europe, whose rates are higher than in the noted states?
European benefit
The following countries can be considered the most attractive in terms of finance for Russians:
- Albania.
- Bulgaria.
- Serbia.
- Romania …
- Slovakia.
Note that from this list only in Serbia at the moment you can go without a visa.
Of course, it is difficult to single out, for example, the 5 cheapest countries. It is much more useful to consider them in groups in the context of one macro-region - for example, Southeast Asia.
