Top 10 Best Places To Travel in May on a Budget

Planning a trip can feel like a bank-breaking nightmare. You want adventure, relaxation, or both, but your budget says otherwise. It’s even harder in May when everyone is chasing sunny skies and good vibes. Flights soar, hotels book up, and that dream escape feels out of reach.

Frustrating, isn’t it? But here’s the good news: the best places to travel in May on a budget do exist. And I’m about to show you how to find them without cutting corners or emptying your wallet. Let’s dive in.

Why Travel in May?

If you make a trip in May, you will get various benefits. In May, you can see the great natural scenery. You can explore many festivals and events in this month. Also, many affordable May travel destinations offer fun activities. You can enjoy them individually or with your family.

Benefits of Off-Peak Season Travel

The month of May is considered an off-peak season for travelers. You will find that most of the tourist areas have fewer crowds of visitors. You can take different advantages at this time. For example,

1. You can find affordable accommodations and cheap flights in May.
2. Tourist area tickets are available with fewer crowds.
3. You will get discounts on any products and services.
4. Get inexpensive May holiday spots and you can do outdoor activities.
5. Make budget-friendly May vacations with your family.

Ideal Weather Conditions

Traveling in May is a nice choice due to ideal weather conditions. The weather generally stays between the spring and summer. It’s mild and pleasant and a little warm. You can do different outdoor activities in May.

May offers relatively longer days than the winter season. So, you have a long time for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Top 10 Budget-Friendly Destinations to Visit in May

There are many places where you can make your trip in May. But every place is not budget-friendly for travelers. Here, I will present the top 10 budget-friendly destinations to visit in May. Such as,

1. Lisbon, Portugal

Temperature:  Lowest 14°C (57°F) – Highest 22°C (72°F)

Weather Conditions: Mild To Warm

Lisbon offers you both nature and adventure activities. It will be your cost-effective destinations in May. Lisbon is the most popular city in Portugal. Because there are some historic palaces like Jerónimos Monastery, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Seteais Palace.

In Lisbon, you can do some outdoor activities like Cycling Tours and climbing Mountains, Cliffs, and Caves. You can also participate in Surfing and Windsurfing, which are the best water sports in Lisbon.

Tips: Must try local cuisine, and visit free attractions to make wallet-friendly trips to Lisbon in  May.

Daily Meal Cost: $20 To $35 Per Person

Daily Accommodation Cost: $20 To $80 (Lowest To Average) 

2. Budapest, Hungary

Temperature:  Lowest 10°C (50°F) – Highest 21°C (71°F)

Weather Conditions: Mildly Cool and Breezy 

Budapest is one of the best economical travel options to visit in May. You will get some historic places and you can also do some enchanting outdoor activities. Such as the Hungarian Parliament Building, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, and Thermal Bath.

You can Visit City Highlights Cruise with Welcome Drink Entrance. There you can enjoy the river and great sightseeing views of Budapest city.

Budget travel tips: You can use public transport in Budapest like the Metro, Tram, and Buses. And choose free tourist attractions to visit. It helps to make budget-friendly May vacations.

Daily Meal Cost: $15 To $25 Per Person

Daily Accommodation Cost: $20 To $70 (Lowest To Average) 

3. Bali, Indonesia

Temperature:  Lowest 26°C (79°F) – Highest 30°C (86°F)

Weather Conditions: Warm and Breezy

Bali is a popular destination in Indonesia. In low-cost May getaways, you can enjoy its diverse culture, history, and mountains. There are many cheap places to visit in May, such as Bali Safari and Marine Park, Uluwatu Temple, and Waterbom Bali.

If you like to go on adventures and climb mountains, You can explore-

Bali: Swim with Manta Rays in Nusa Penida

And

Bali: Visit Mount Batur Sunrise Hike and Natural Hot Spring

To make budget-friendly May vacations, you can stay in cheap hotels. You can eat their local or street foods which are cheap of cost.

Daily Meal Cost: $10 To $20 Per Person

Daily Accommodation Cost: $15 To $50 (Lowest To Average) 

4. Mexico City, Mexico

Temperature:  Lowest 10°C (51°F) – Highest 27°C (80°F)

Weather Conditions: Summer and Little Rainy

May is a great time to visit Mexico City. There are many historical places and outdoor activities you can do during in rainy season. Mexico City offers some cheap places to visit in May. Such as-

Palacio de Bellas Artes, Constitution Plaza, Templo Mayor Museum, and Museo Soumaya, etc.

You can do different types of outdoor activities in Mexico City. Such as Balloon Flight, Teotihuacan Tour, Cave Restaurant. It attracts more than 200,000 tourists annually. There are some street and local markets that are also popular tourist attractions in May.

Daily Meal Cost: $20 To $30 Per Person

Daily Accommodation Cost: $15 To $70 (Lowest To Average) 

5. Prague, Czech Republic

Temperature:  Lowest 7°C (45°F) – Highest 19°C (66°F)

Weather Conditions: Moderately Chilly and Breezy

Europe’s most renowned city is Prague, in the Czech Republic. It has a rich cultural heritage. The city has produced numerous stunning examples of historical architecture. There some places are inexpensive May holiday spots for travelers.

The most famous attractions are Prague Castle, Old Town Square, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Prague Astronomical Clock. You can also take a river cruise and taste the local food.

Budget Travel Tips: To get a better experience book in advance the tickets of your destinations.

Daily Meal Cost: $20 To $35 Per Person

Daily Accommodation Cost: $20 To $60 (Lowest To Average) 

6. Marrakech, Morocco

Temperature:  Lowest 18°C (64°F) – Highest 30°C (86°F)

Weather Conditions: Pleasantly Warm and Breezy

The Marrakesh in Morocco is a very beautiful place. There are some cheap places to visit in May. Where you can do adventure activities. The Famous activity is the Agafay Desert Sunset Tour, Camel Ride. You can also explore the Balloon Flight. Especially in the early morning start of the Balloon Flight. 

Escape Marrakech’s bustle on a guided quad bike adventure in the Jbilets Desert. Enjoy scenic rides, Atlas Mountain views, and Berber tea. Custom routes, tailored to your thrill level, await you—just 30 minutes away.

Book Now: Marrakech Quad Bike Experience: Desert and Palmeraie

Daily Meal Cost: $15 To $30 Per Person

Daily Accommodation Cost: $20 To $70 (Lowest To Average) 

Budget Travel Tips: You can visit their local souks (marketplace). There you get cheap prices for products and gifts. You can purchase your necessary things at a cheap rate from the market.

7. Sofia, Bulgaria

Temperature:  Lowest 8°C (47°F) – Highest 20°C (67°F)

Weather Conditions: Mildly Cool and Humid

Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. Many historical sites present more than 2000 years of history. It is one of the affordable May travel destinations. You can visit cheap places in May. 

The Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, Cathedral of Saint Nedelya, Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, National Palace of Culture (NDK), and Regional History Museum of Sofia are the top historical places in Sofia.

Tips: If you want to visit these places book the ticket in advance. You can experience a hassle-free trip by advance booking.

Daily Meal Cost: $10 To $15 Per Person

Daily Accommodation Cost: $20 To $50 (Lowest To Average) 

8. Hanoi, Vietnam

Temperature:  Lowest 24°C (76°F) – Highest 32°C (90°F)

Weather Conditions: Hot and Breezy

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. Many places in Hanoi have centuries-old architectural beauty and rich cultures. You can explore Hanoi’s cheap places to visit in May. Their Street Food and street market give you a unique experience of travel.  The local people are friendly and welcome tourists. The top tourist attractions in Hanoi are,

The Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Hanoi Old Quarter, Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, Ha Long Bay,  Street Train, and Lacquer Village Hanoi.

You can book in advance to get the best prices for your destination’s tickets.

Daily Meal Cost: $10 To $20 Per Person

Daily Accommodation Cost: $10 To $45 (Lowest To Average) 

9. Cape Town, South Africa

Temperature:  Lowest 16°C (61°F) – Highest 21°C (70°F)

Weather Conditions: Pleasant Warm

Cape Town is a port city in South Africa. Cape Town is popular for its natural beauty. It will be your affordable May travel destination. You find there sea beaches and mountains. You can explore many historical famous sites there.  Furthermore, you can do different outdoor activities in Cape Town.  Such as,

The V&A Waterfront, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape of Good Hope, and Boulders Beach.

There are most interesting outdoor activity is Paragliding, where you can see the panoramic views of the mountain and the Atlantic.

Daily Meal Cost: $15 To $30 Per Person

Daily Accommodation Cost: $15 To $65 (Lowest To Average) 

10. Athens, Greece

Temperature:  Lowest 22°C (72°F) – Highest 28°C (82°F)

Weather Conditions: Warm but not overly hot

Athens is a very old city in the world. Human civilization was started in Athens. So, you will find many historical sites and archeological beauties, which are carry more than a thousand years of history. If you want to visit Athens, You must see- 

The Acropolis of Athens, Parthenon, Acropolis Museum, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Temple of Hephaestus, Mount Lycabettus.

You can also explore the Hidden Caves & Meteora Monasteries in Athens. Athens has a rich culture and its food habits are also different. You can take their local cuisine and get a unique experience.

If you want to visit Athens more willingly, you can take a guided tour and buy tickets to the Acropolis of Athens in advance.

Daily Meal Cost: $10 To $20 Per Person

Daily Accommodation Cost: $20 To $80 (Lowest To Average) 

Tips for Budget Travel in May

There are many options to reduce your travel costs. But most of the travelers don’t know how to make budget-friendly May vacations. Here I will share some valuable 100% authentic tips, which must reduce your travel costs by 30% to 50%.

Booking Affordable Flights

You can follow some strategies for finding cheap flights in May. Such as,

• You can book your international flight tickets a minimum of months ago. You will find large differences in prices from on-time tickets.
• Avoid highly demanding times, like Summer vacations and other holidays.
• Buy flight tickets from Monday to Wednesday, you will get 12% to 20% cheaper than on other days
• You can peak your flight time early in the day or late in the night.

Choosing Budget Accommodations

If you want to reduce your travel costs, you must focus on your accommodation budget. To get affordable accommodations, my suggestion is-

• You can stay in a hostel. It is much cheaper than hotels.
• You can use the Booking.com website to book a hotel in advance. You will get discounts and different types of offers there.
• Choose your hotels a little away from the tourist area.
• Free wifi and breakfast options can reduce your costs.
• Contacting the hotel directly is much better than using a third-party reseller.

Saving on Food and Activities

If you eat local food at local markets, you get cheaper prices from restaurants. Then you can buy food or other products and gifts from the local markets. You will find many differences in price between the shopping malls. Furthermore, You can take a walking tour and utilize free or low-cost attractions.

Utilizing Public Transportation

You always find that public transportation is cheap. It ensures your low-cost travel. So if you want to reduce your travel costs, the cost-savings method is using the Metro, Buses, Trains, and other public transit options.

FAQ About Best Places To Travel in May on a Budget

What are the advantages of traveling in May? 

May travel is best for budget travelers. It has low costs, few crowds, and nice weather.

How can I find cheap flights for my May vacation? 

Use flight comparison websites, set fare alerts, and consider flying mid-week to secure the best deals.

Are there budget-friendly accommodations in popular destinations? 

Yes, many popular destinations have hostels, guesthouses, and budget hotels.

What are some tips for saving money on food while traveling? 

Eat at local markets, try street food, and avoid touristy restaurants to save on dining expenses.

Is public transportation a good option for budget travelers? 

Absolutely, using buses, trains, and other public transit can significantly reduce travel costs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, May is perfect for budget travelers. It offers adventure, culture, and relaxation at low costs. Choose your destinations with cheap stays, low-cost meals, and fewer crowds. You can make your trip to these cities, which I mentioned above. They boast stunning views, a rich history, and cheap activities. You’ll have a great time in there. 

If you do smart planning, you can have a cheap, fun vacation. Book flights and hotels in advance. Use public transport. Explore local markets. This can reduce your travel costs. So, pack your bags and make the most of May’s budget-friendly opportunities!