Cheap Muslim Countries to Visit: 10 Budget Destinations with Daily Costs

Cheap Muslim Countries to Visit on a Budget

Indonesia, Egypt, and Uzbekistan are the cheapest Muslim-majority countries to visit in 2026, with daily budgets starting at $20 to $25. All three offer halal food as the default dining standard, affordable accommodation under $15 per night, and visa-free or visa-on-arrival access for US and UK passport holders. This guide covers 10 budget Muslim countries ranked by daily travel cost, with specific prices for hotels, meals, transport, and attractions. Every destination on this list keeps total daily spending under $55 for a comfortable mid-range experience.

Muslim travelers face a specific challenge when budgeting for international trips. Halal food availability determines whether you can eat freely at local restaurants or need to seek out specialty options at higher prices. In Muslim-majority countries, that problem disappears. Street food, restaurants, and grocery stores all follow Islamic dietary standards by default.

Indonesia: $25 to $40 Per Day

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). 1 USD = approximately 15,800 IDR.

Indonesia is home to 242 million Muslims, the largest Muslim population of any country. Budget travelers can spend as little as $25 per day outside Bali and Jakarta.

Accommodation: Guesthouses and hostels in Yogyakarta cost $5 to $12 per night. Budget hotels in Jakarta start at $15. Bali ranges from $8 (hostels) to $25 (private rooms in guesthouses).

Meals: Street food meals cost $0.60 to $1.50. Nasi goreng (fried rice) and mie ayam (chicken noodles) are standard budget options. A full meal at a local warung (food stall) runs $1 to $3. Restaurant meals cost $3 to $8.

Top attractions: Borobudur Temple near Yogyakarta (entry $25 for foreigners). Prambanan Temple ($25). Mount Bromo sunrise trek ($30 to $50 with guide). Komodo National Park boat tours ($50 to $80 for a day trip). Raja Ampat in West Papua offers some of the best diving in the world ($30 to $50 per dive).

Halal food: Halal is the national standard. The MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia) certification is mandatory for all packaged food products under the 2024 Halal Product Assurance Law. Bali has Hindu-majority areas where pork is common, but halal restaurants are clearly marked.

Visa: US and UK passport holders receive visa-free entry for 30 days or can purchase a visa on arrival for 500,000 IDR ($32) extendable to 60 days.

Best time to visit: April through October (dry season). Humidity remains high year-round, but rainfall drops significantly during these months.

Egypt: $20 to $35 Per Day

Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP). 1 USD = approximately 50 EGP.

Egypt offers some of the lowest travel costs in the world. Budget travelers can manage $20 per day in cities like Luxor and Aswan, where accommodation and food prices sit well below Cairo levels.

Accommodation: Hostels in Cairo start at $5 per night. Budget hotels near the Pyramids of Giza cost $10 to $20. Luxor guesthouses run $6 to $12. Dahab on the Red Sea coast offers beachside hostels from $8.

Meals: Koshari, Egypt’s national dish of rice, lentils, and pasta, costs $0.50 to $1.00 at street vendors. Ful medames (fava bean stew) sells for $0.30 to $0.60. A full restaurant meal costs $2 to $5. Fresh juice stands charge $0.40 to $0.80 per glass.

Top attractions: Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx (entry 540 EGP / $11). Valley of the Kings in Luxor (400 EGP / $8). Egyptian Museum in Cairo (450 EGP / $9). Abu Simbel temples (400 EGP / $8, plus transport). Snorkeling in Sharm el-Sheikh ($15 to $25 per trip).

Halal food: Egypt is 90% Muslim. Halal food is the default at all local restaurants. Pork is only found at select international hotels and a small number of restaurants catering to foreign tourists.

Visa: US passport holders can purchase a visa on arrival for $25 (single entry). UK passport holders also qualify for visa on arrival at $25. The e-visa system is available for both nationalities.

Best time to visit: October through April. Summer temperatures in Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan) exceed 40°C (104°F). Cairo stays hot from June through September.

Morocco: $30 to $45 Per Day

Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD). 1 USD = approximately 10 MAD.

Morocco blends African, Arab, Berber, and Mediterranean influences at prices that stay low for budget travelers. Marrakech and Fez are the most popular destinations, with smaller cities like Chefchaouen and Essaouira offering even lower costs.

Accommodation: Riads (traditional guesthouses) in Marrakech start at $15 per night for basic rooms. Fez riads cost $10 to $25. Hostels run $5 to $10 across most cities. Chefchaouen guesthouses average $12 to $20.

Meals: Tagine (slow-cooked stew) costs $2 to $5 at local restaurants. Couscous Friday specials run $1.50 to $3. Moroccan mint tea is served everywhere for $0.30 to $0.60. Street food like msemen (flatbread) and harira (soup) costs $0.50 to $1.50. A full sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant costs $5 to $10.

Top attractions: Jemaa el-Fnaa square in Marrakech (free). Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca (entry 130 MAD / $13). Sahara Desert camel trek from Merzouga ($30 to $60 for an overnight tour). Fez medina, the world’s largest car-free urban area (free to explore). Atlas Mountains day hike ($15 to $30 with guide).

Halal food: Morocco is 99% Muslim. All local food is halal. Alcohol is available in licensed restaurants, bars, and supermarkets, but non-alcoholic options are standard at traditional establishments.

Visa: US and UK passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days. No advance application needed.

Best time to visit: March through May and September through November. Summer temperatures in Marrakech and the desert reach 45°C (113°F).

Turkey: $35 to $50 Per Day

Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY). 1 USD = approximately 36 TRY.

Turkey straddles Europe and Asia. Few countries match its density of historical sites per square kilometer. Istanbul alone has over 3,000 mosques. The Turkish lira’s depreciation against the dollar has made Turkey significantly cheaper for foreign visitors since 2020.

Accommodation: Hostels in Istanbul start at $8 per night. Budget hotels in Sultanahmet (the historic district) cost $20 to $35. Cappadocia cave hotels run $25 to $45. Antalya beach hotels start at $15 in shoulder season.

Meals: Kebab meals cost $2 to $5 at local restaurants. Pide (Turkish flatbread pizza) runs $1.50 to $3. Simit (sesame bread ring) from street vendors costs $0.30. A full breakfast spread (kahvalti) at a hotel or cafe costs $3 to $7. Baklava sells for $3 to $5 per kilogram.

Top attractions: Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (free entry). Blue Mosque (free). Topkapi Palace (750 TRY / $21). Cappadocia hot air balloon rides ($150 to $250). Pamukkale thermal pools (400 TRY / $11). Ephesus ancient city (700 TRY / $19).

Halal food: Turkey is 98% Muslim. Nearly all restaurants serve halal food. Pork dishes are hard to find outside areas with high foreign tourist traffic. Alcohol is available but clearly separated from food-only establishments.

Visa: US passport holders need an e-visa ($50, valid for 90 days within 180 days). UK passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days.

Best time to visit: April through June and September through November. Istanbul winters are cold and rainy. Eastern Turkey gets heavy snow from November through March.

Jordan: $40 to $55 Per Day

Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD). 1 USD = approximately 0.71 JOD.

Jordan packs major Islamic and biblical historical sites into a small country. Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum draw visitors year-round. The Jordan Pass bundles visa fees and attraction entries into a single purchase, saving budget travelers real money.

Accommodation: Hostels in Amman cost $8 to $15 per night. Budget hotels in Wadi Musa (near Petra) start at $15. Wadi Rum desert camps charge $20 to $40 including dinner and breakfast. Aqaba beachside hotels start at $25.

Meals: Falafel sandwiches cost $0.50 to $1.00. Mansaf (Jordan’s national rice and lamb dish) runs $3 to $6 at local restaurants. Hummus plates cost $1 to $2. A full restaurant meal in Amman costs $5 to $10. Shawarma wraps sell for $1 to $2.

Top attractions: Petra (Jordan Pass includes entry, starting at 70 JOD / $99 for the pass). Wadi Rum jeep tour ($30 to $50 for a half day). Dead Sea public beach access ($3 to $5 at Amman Beach). Roman ruins at Jerash (included in Jordan Pass). Mount Nebo viewpoint (included in Jordan Pass).

Halal food: Jordan is 95% Muslim. All local food is halal. International hotel restaurants may serve alcohol, but pork is almost nonexistent in the food supply.

Visa: US passport holders receive visa on arrival for free (single entry) or should purchase the Jordan Pass online before arrival to bundle the visa fee. UK passport holders also qualify for visa on arrival.

Best time to visit: March through May and September through November. Summer temperatures in Wadi Rum and the Jordan Valley exceed 40°C (104°F). Amman stays cooler due to its elevation (800+ meters).

Malaysia: $30 to $45 Per Day

Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). 1 USD = approximately 4.70 MYR.

Malaysia has Southeast Asia’s most developed halal infrastructure. JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) operates a halal certification program recognized as among the most rigorous globally. Budget travelers benefit from cheap street food, efficient public transport, and plentiful hostels across every major city.

Accommodation: Hostels in Kuala Lumpur start at $6 per night. Budget hotels near KLCC (Petronas Towers area) cost $15 to $25. Penang guesthouses run $10 to $18. Langkawi island hotels start at $15.

Meals: Nasi lemak (coconut rice with sambal) costs $1 to $2 at street stalls. Roti canai (flatbread with curry) sells for $0.50 to $1.00. Char kway teow (stir-fried noodles) runs $1.50 to $3. A full meal at a hawker center costs $2 to $4. Mid-range restaurant meals cost $5 to $10.

Top attractions: Petronas Twin Towers observation deck (98 MYR / $21). Batu Caves (free entry). George Town UNESCO heritage area in Penang (free to explore). Cameron Highlands tea plantations ($5 to $10 for tours). Taman Negara National Park ($1 entry, guided jungle treks $20 to $40).

Halal food: JAKIM halal certification is displayed at the majority of restaurants across the country. Street food stalls in Malay and Indian Muslim areas are halal by default. Chinese-run food stalls may or may not be halal, but certification status is always posted visibly.

Visa: US and UK passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days. No advance application required.

Best time to visit: December through February for the west coast (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi). June through August for the east coast (Perhentian Islands, Terengganu). Malaysia has a tropical climate with rain possible year-round.

Bosnia: $35 to $50 Per Day

Currency: Convertible Mark (BAM). 1 USD = approximately 1.85 BAM.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most affordable Muslim-heritage country in Europe. Sarajevo, the capital, has been a center of Islamic culture in the Balkans since the Ottoman period. The city has over 200 mosques within its metro area.

Accommodation: Hostels in Sarajevo cost $8 to $15 per night. Guesthouses and pensions run $15 to $30. Mostar accommodation starts at $10 for hostels and $20 for private apartments. Airbnb options are plentiful and affordable across both cities.

Meals: Cevapi (grilled meat sausages with flatbread) costs $2 to $4 at traditional restaurants. Burek (filled pastry) sells for $1 to $2. Bosnian coffee service costs $1 to $1.50. A full restaurant meal runs $5 to $10. Pita (savory pie) costs $1.50 to $3.

Top attractions: Stari Most (Old Bridge) in Mostar (free to view). Bascarsija, Sarajevo’s Ottoman-era bazaar (free to explore). Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum (10 BAM / $5.40). Vrelo Bosne nature park (free entry). Kravice Waterfalls near Mostar (entry 10 BAM / $5.40). Blagaj Tekke (Dervish monastery, entry 6 BAM / $3.25).

Halal food: Bosnia has a significant Muslim population (51% of 3.2 million). Halal restaurants are common in Sarajevo and Mostar. Cevapi and burek are halal at traditional Bosnian eateries. International fast food chains may not be halal-certified. Look for restaurants displaying halal signage or those in the Bascarsija district.

Visa: US and UK passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days. No advance application required.

Best time to visit: May through September. Winters bring heavy snowfall, which suits skiing at Jahorina and Bjelasnica (both under $30/day for lift passes). Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds.

Albania: $25 to $40 Per Day

Currency: Albanian Lek (ALL). 1 USD = approximately 95 ALL.

Albania is one of Europe’s least expensive countries. Tourism infrastructure has expanded rapidly since 2019, but prices remain well below neighboring Greece, Montenegro, and Croatia.

Accommodation: Hostels in Tirana cost $6 to $12 per night. Budget hotels run $15 to $25. Saranda and Ksamil (Albanian Riviera) offer rooms from $10 to $20 in shoulder season. Berat guesthouses start at $12.

Meals: Byrek (Albanian pastry) costs $0.50 to $1.00. Grilled meat dishes at local restaurants run $2 to $5. Fresh seafood on the coast costs $4 to $8. A full restaurant meal costs $3 to $7. Espresso at a cafe is $0.50 to $0.80.

Top attractions: Berat, the “City of a Thousand Windows” (UNESCO World Heritage site, free to explore). Butrint National Park near Saranda (1,000 ALL / $10.50). Blue Eye natural spring near Saranda (free entry). Gjirokastra castle and Old Town (400 ALL / $4.20). Ksamil beaches (free).

Halal food: Albania is nominally 58% Muslim, though practice levels vary. Halal restaurants exist in Tirana, Berat, and Shkodra. Lamb, chicken, and seafood are widely available. Pork is common in Albanian cuisine, so Muslim travelers should confirm preparation methods at restaurants. Look for explicitly halal-labeled establishments in larger cities.

Visa: US and UK passport holders enter visa-free for one year (365 days). This is one of the most generous visa policies in Europe.

Best time to visit: June through September for beaches. April through June and September through October for cultural sites and hiking. Winter is cold inland but mild on the coast.

Uzbekistan: $20 to $35 Per Day

Currency: Uzbekistani Som (UZS). 1 USD = approximately 12,800 UZS.

Uzbekistan sits on the ancient Silk Road. Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are UNESCO World Heritage cities with intact medieval mosques, madrasas, and minarets dating from the Timurid dynasty.

Accommodation: Hostels in Tashkent cost $5 to $10 per night. Guesthouses in Samarkand and Bukhara run $10 to $20. Traditional courtyard guesthouses in Khiva start at $8. Budget hotels across the country cost $12 to $25.

Meals: Plov (Uzbek rice pilaf with meat and carrots) costs $1 to $2 at local restaurants. Non (traditional bread) sells for $0.15 to $0.30 per loaf. Samsa (baked meat pastry) costs $0.30 to $0.60. Shashlik (grilled meat skewers) runs $1 to $3. A full restaurant meal costs $2 to $5.

Top attractions: Registan Square in Samarkand (40,000 UZS / $3.10). Shah-i-Zinda necropolis (40,000 UZS / $3.10). Bukhara’s Ark Fortress (40,000 UZS / $3.10). Ichan Kala inner city in Khiva (100,000 UZS / $7.80). Tashkent metro system features ornate Soviet-era stations (1,400 UZS / $0.11 per ride).

Halal food: Uzbekistan is 96% Muslim. Local cuisine is halal by default. Plov, shashlik, and lagman (noodle soup) are staple dishes served at every restaurant. Alcohol is available at some establishments, but food preparation follows Islamic standards.

Visa: US passport holders enter visa-free for 30 days. UK passport holders also qualify for visa-free entry for 30 days. No advance application needed.

Best time to visit: April through June and September through October. Summer temperatures in Bukhara and Khiva exceed 40°C (104°F). Winters are cold, especially in Samarkand (temperatures drop below -5°C / 23°F in January).

Tunisia: $25 to $40 Per Day

Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND). 1 USD = approximately 3.15 TND.

Tunisia is the smallest country in North Africa. It packs Roman ruins, Mediterranean beaches, Sahara Desert oases, and Islamic heritage sites into a compact geography. Costs remain lower than Morocco because fewer international tourists visit.

Accommodation: Hostels in Tunis cost $6 to $12 per night. Budget hotels in Sousse and Hammamet run $12 to $25. Djerba island guesthouses start at $10. Saharan oasis hotels in Tozeur cost $15 to $30.

Meals: Brik (fried pastry with egg filling) costs $0.50 to $1.00. Couscous dishes run $2 to $4 at local restaurants. Lablabi (chickpea soup) sells for $0.60 to $1.00. A full restaurant meal costs $3 to $7. Fresh-squeezed orange juice from street stalls costs $0.30 to $0.50.

Top attractions: Carthage archaeological site near Tunis (12 TND / $3.80). Bardo Museum in Tunis (13 TND / $4.10, largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world). Medina of Tunis (UNESCO World Heritage site, free to explore). Saharan town of Tozeur and Chebika oasis (free). El Jem amphitheater (12 TND / $3.80, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters).

Halal food: Tunisia is 99% Muslim. All local food is halal. Alcohol is produced domestically (Celtia beer, Tunisian wine) and available in licensed establishments, but food at traditional restaurants follows Islamic standards.

Visa: US passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days. UK passport holders also enter visa-free for 90 days. No advance application required.

Best time to visit: March through May and September through November. Coastal areas stay pleasant through June. Desert regions are extremely hot from June through August (temperatures above 45°C / 113°F).

Daily Budget Comparison Table

Notes: Daily budgets assume budget-to-mid-range travel. Accommodation costs are per person for dorm beds (hostels) or shared rooms. Meal costs reflect local restaurant and street food prices. VOA = Visa on Arrival.

Tips for Budget Travel in Muslim Countries

Book accommodation through local platforms. Booking.com and Hostelworld work well, but local guesthouse networks in Morocco, Egypt, and Uzbekistan often offer better rates when you book directly or show up in person.

Eat where locals eat. Street food and market stalls offer the lowest prices and the most authentic halal food. Tourist-area restaurants in Marrakech, Istanbul, and Bali charge two to five times more than establishments a few blocks away from the main attractions.

Travel overland between cities. Intercity buses in Turkey, Morocco, and Egypt cost $5 to $15 for journeys of four to eight hours. Uzbekistan’s high-speed Afrosiyob train connects Tashkent to Samarkand in 2 hours for $8 to $15. Domestic flights are rarely necessary except in Indonesia (island hopping).

Use the Jordan Pass. The 70 JOD ($99) Jordan Pass includes the visa fee (normally 40 JOD), entry to Petra (50 JOD), and access to 40+ archaeological sites. It pays for itself immediately if you plan to visit Petra.

Visit during shoulder season. Prices drop 20 to 40% outside peak tourist months. Morocco in November, Turkey in October, and Indonesia in April all offer good weather at lower prices.

Frequently Asked Questions