Key Takeaways
- Tim Leffel is one of the original budget travel gurus. He’s the author of The World’s Cheapest Destinations, a book that helps travelers and expats st
- Nomadic Matt: You’ve been in the travel writing industry for a while. How has travel changed over the years? Tim Leffel: The good and bad tend to canc
- Now it’s all so simple that people can connect to whatever they need online from almost anywhere. The dark downside of that is many travelers stay waa
Updated: 10/28/19 | October 28th, 2019
Tim Leffel is one of the original budget travel experts. He’s the author of The World’s Cheapest Destinations, a guide that helps travelers and expats maximize their travel budgets. As someone passionate about value-focused travel, we sat down with Tim to discuss his latest edition, practical budget strategies, smart travel gear, and how families can explore affordably.
Route for Less: You’ve been in the travel writing industry for a while. How has travel changed over the years? Tim Leffel: The good and bad tend to balance out—and it often depends on your perspective. The first time I circled the globe as a backpacker, there was no Internet, no email, no online banking. ATMs were scarce in many countries, so accessing and exchanging money was a constant challenge.
Now, everything is streamlined: people can access maps, bookings, banking, and communication tools from nearly anywhere. But the downside is that many travelers remain overly tethered to home—physically abroad but mentally immersed in familiar social media feeds rather than engaging deeply with local people and experiences.
That’s the biggest shift I see: ease of logistics versus depth of connection. The upside? Planning and navigation are vastly simpler. If you can’t figure out transportation or accommodation today, it’s likely not a lack of resources—but of research effort.
Tell us about your book. Why did you write about this topic in particular? I recently released the fourth edition of The World’s Cheapest Destinations. I wrote the first edition over a decade ago because there was no reliable, consolidated resource for identifying high-value destinations without spending dozens of hours cross-referencing costs. So I created the guide I wished existed. It’s resonated widely—readers consistently tell us it saves them 20–40 hours of research for under $10, all while offering practical, enjoyable insights for dreamers and planners alike.
How do you select the 21 destinations? Why these—and not others? It’s strictly value-based—not tied to an arbitrary daily budget. My goal is to serve both frugal backpackers and mid-range travelers who want comfort without overspending. Prioritized countries combine solid infrastructure, rich cultural offerings, and pricing significantly lower than typical home-country expenses.
For instance, Cambodia wasn’t included in early editions—only extreme-budget backpackers or luxury fly-in tourists visited. Today, improved roads, accommodations, and services make it accessible and affordable for broader audiences. Myanmar may join future editions if democratic and economic reforms continue steadily.
Conversely, Turkey was removed from this edition due to rapid price inflation driven by strong economic growth. It remains reasonably priced—but no longer ranks ahead of places like Slovakia, which now offers better overall value.
You’re a family man. Can families travel on a budget? Many assume it’s impossible. Absolutely—and countless families prove it every year. Especially in destinations highlighted in the book, families regularly spend less abroad than they do at home. While per-person costs rise with group size, options like spacious budget hotels, apartment rentals, and local dining keep totals manageable.
Last summer, three of us traveled through Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam on $150/day (excluding airfare). That’s not shoestring—it covered restaurant meals daily and comfortable, family-friendly hotels. Friends were skeptical—until they saw receipts and photos. Perspective matters: what feels ‘too cheap’ to some is perfectly sustainable—and enriching—for others.
We’ve also traveled in Mexico and Guatemala on $60–$80/day as a family—proof that flexibility and smart destination choice open doors most assume are closed to parents and kids.
Do you travel frequently with your family? When I’m on intensive research trips, I usually go solo. But when the itinerary blends work with downtime, I bring my wife—or both her and our daughter. She got her first passport at age three and has already experienced diverse cultures. We’ve lived full-time in Mexico for a year—and plan to return for a two-year stay starting this August.
What are your top three tips for budget family travel? First: slow down. Avoid jam-packed, checklist-style itineraries. Choose a few meaningful bases and explore outward—limiting activities to one or two per day reduces stress and increases enjoyment.
Second: prioritize space and suitability in lodging. Shared walls, thin doors, and late-night comings-and-goings undermine rest—and patience. Seek apartments or family rooms where everyone has breathing room and predictable quiet hours.
Third: embrace compromise. Balance adult interests (museums, historic sites) with kid-centered needs (parks, interactive spaces, downtime). A playground isn’t ‘less travel’—it’s part of a sustainable, joyful rhythm.
What’s your essential travel gear? As editor of Practical Travel Gear, I test hundreds of apparel, luggage, and tech items annually. Yet I remain committed to minimalism—carrying only high-utility pieces that are lightweight and multi-functional.
As a writer, I can leave my base with just a camera, notebook, pen, and reusable water bottle. But the items I pack on nearly every international trip…
