As of November 12, 2026, the cheapest country to travel in South Asia at advisory Level 2 or better is Nepal, at about $48 per person per day mid-range. The biggest real price drop for US-dollar travelers over the past year is Sri Lanka (+9.4% after inflation). The best overall value on the Trip Arbitrage Index is Nepal, with a score of 76 out of 100.
| # | Country | Mid-range day | Lean / comfort | Real 12 mo | Index | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Nepal The Himalaya at teahouse prices. | $48 | $21 / $114 | +6.3% | 76 | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| 02 | India The highest ceiling and the lowest floor in travel: nothing is cheaper, nothing is more demanding. | $53 | $21 / $135 | +4.6% | 75 | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| 03 | Sri Lanka Beaches, tea country, safari and ruins inside one small island. | $59 | $26 / $137 | +9.4% | 73 | Level 2 · Increased caution |
Daily costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights. Real 12 mo is the change in what a US dollar buys there after inflation in both countries. Switch currency on any country page. See the method.