Quite a number of Nigerians have saved enough for their first or next international trip but the question most of them ask is, “How much will it cost me to visit this country?”, “Will what I have saved so far be sufficient for the trip?”, “Where will a N500,000 take me and my wife to?”
We know how hard it is trying to figure all these out and if a country is safe for a visit or not. Which is why we have put up this post, although not exhaustive, but will answer these questions.
7 Travel Destination on a Budget for 2020
1: Ghana
Ghana is one of the closest countries to Nigeria and also visa free for Nigerians. Little wonder it will always top the chart of a travel destination on a budget for 2020. Who would love a country they can visit without the hassle of a visa and still within a budget? A return ticket to Ghana will cost an average of N110,000 depending on the time you book your flight and where you are flying from.
Ghana is a West African country and it is rich in culture, food and tourism that you will love to explore. You can get a good hotel to stay in for N25,000 per night or less depending on your choice of hotel and amenities you look out for. Feeding also is relatively affordable depending on how much of a foodie you are. You can budget about N5,000 per day for feeding especially if your hotel comes with complimentary breakfast. And for transportation, you can pick an Uber or use the local taxis for ease of movement.
However, before you travel to Ghana as a Nigerian, you need to have an International passport and your yellow card. A yellow card typically costs N2,000 but if you decide to get it at the airport, it will cost you more and there are chances you’d be getting a fake one.
But if you are traveling by road, you would need a National ID Card for a road trip.
2: Kenya
Nairobi in Kenya is becoming a popular tourist attraction because of its wildlife, historical museums, and national parks. Kids especially love Nairobi majorly because of the wildlife attractions.
A return ticket to Nairobi, Kenya will cost an average of N290,000 depending on the time you book your flight, where you are flying from and preferred airline. Typically, you’d get cheaper deals on RwandAir than Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines.
You can apply for your visa via the Kenya Visa Website which costs $51 for single entry and you can print a copy you’d be traveling with. The visa processing takes 2-3 working days but it is advisable to apply 7 days or more before your travel date. Alternatively, you can also get your visa on arrival for $50 which is less stressful and time saving.
The requirements to process a Kenyan visa includes:
- Passport valid for at least six months, with at least one blank page for entry stamp and a yellow card
- A return tickets
- One scanned photograph – must follow the Kenyan government’s photo guideline
- Travel itinerary
- Hotel bookings
- Invitation letter – if visiting family
Alternatively, you can check here for your Kenyan Visa checklist to ensure you meet all requirements before packing your bags.
Accommodation are subjective based on your preference as you can share an Airbnb with friends if you are traveling in a group or you can get cheap hotels around. Feeding and transportation are also dependent on your traveling style as you can spend either less or more.
3: Abu Dhabi
Unlike Dubai that is quite popular and gradually becoming Paris, Abu Dhabi is a capital of United Arab Emirates and it’s a very beautiful city for tourists. There are a number of activities you will get to enjoy in Abu Dhabi and it is less crowded than Dubai.
A return ticket to Abu Dhabi costs an average of N200,000, this is subject to time & class of travel, time of booking and preferred airline. You can get an accommodation for as low as N20,000 depending on your preference, also, there are Uber within the city if you are a solo traveler. And you can as well use the city taxi to get around town if you are traveling as a group.
The catch about a UAE visa is that it can be done by proxy provided you have all the required documents which include:
- International passport valid for at least 6 months
- Passport photograph
Below are the visa types and fees:
- 96 Hours Visa: N19,500
- 14 Day Visa: N40,000
- 30 Day Visa: N40,000
- 30 Day Multi-Entry Short Term Visa: N110,000
- 90 Day Visa: N140,000
- 90 Day Multi-Entry Long Term Visa: N258,000
For more information, visit the Dubai Immigration website.
4: Kigali, Rwanda
For all Nigerians looking for a travel destination within a budget, the beautiful Kigali in Rwanda is a fabulous option. It is commonly known for its safari, lake and beach adventures, and visa is issued on arrival and costs $50 upon presentation of your international passport. You may be asked some questions like, ‘How long are you here for?’ ‘Why are you here?’ And you may also be required to present your hotel reservation or letter of invitation if you are staying with a family or friend. Otherwise, getting a Visa on Arrival is quite a seamless process to get to Kigali. You can read more on the Rwanda Immigration website.
The average cost of a meal is between $15- $20, and it is best to take local taxis as they are more affordable and between $8 and $10 while motos within the city is about $3 or less.
A return ticket to Kigali costs an average of N160,000 which is also subjected to travel date, class and preferred airline. It is advisable to travel with RwandAir as it the national carrier of Rwanda.
N.B: If you are traveling to any African country, it is very important to get your Yellow Card and take the vaccination too.
5: Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar is one of the lush countries that every honeymooner or group of friends look forward to for a vacation. It is quite picturesque, scenic with a view of exotic beaches, famous spice plantations, history (Stone Town being the capital) and diverse culture that it tops most bucket lists for travelers and the great news is that it can fit your next travel destination on a budget.
For a Nigerian, you need an e-visa before traveling to Zanzibar which costs $50 for a single entry and $100 for a multiple entry visa.
Also, you will require the following documents to add Zanzibar to your list of travel destination on a budget, which include:
- Completed application form
- Two recent passport photographs
- An international passport that is valid for at least 6 months from date of application
- Reservation details
- An invitation letter if you have been invited by someone
The application typically takes 2-3 working days but it is advisable to apply earlier. Once approved, the original copy of your Tanzania visa will be sent to the airport that you will be landing at, you will also be sent a soft copy via email which you must print and present at the point of entry.
A return ticket to Zanzibar typically costs an average of N250,000 and accommodation, feeding and transportation are subjective to your preferences depending on the number of days you wish to spend on the Island but with an average of N200,000, you are good to go.
6: Marrakech, Morocco
If you have seen pictures of the beautiful and colorful Marrakech on Instagram or Pinterest, then it is assumed you have included it in your bucket list. As a Nigerian tourist, you definitely will enjoy visiting Marrakech in Morocco. To enjoy a holiday in this city, it is advisable to go in group or with a friend.
A return ticket to Marrakech will cost you an average of N260,000 while a single-entry visa costs $480 and it can be done in proxy or in person at the nearest Moroccan Embassy to you.
However, you will need to submit a number of documents which are:
- Complete visa application form for Morocco
- Passport Photo: Photo must be no older than 6 months
- Passport: Original Passport or Travel document with at least 6 months remaining validity on the date of travel and have at least 2 visa pages clear of any markings.
- Hotel Bookings: Hotel reservation(s) for the duration of your visit. Or Introduction of a “Voucher”, attestation of invitation duly legalized, in case of family visit, including guarantee of covering medical and possible repatriation expenses
- Or request from an authorized travel agency or recommendation of the Ministry of Tourism or the representation of the Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Flight Bookings: Flight reservations(s) for the country of your visit and return ticket
- Travel Insurance
- Current Details: Employed: A letter from your employer on company letterhead, with contact details, stating that a leave of absence has been granted, purpose and duration of the trip, and that you will be returning to your current job.
- Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
An average cost of a nice hotel in Marrakech ranges from $25 and above per night.
7: Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the frequented cities in Turkey for tourists. It is quite easy to take a trip from Nigeria to Istanbul and also have a great holiday under a budget. The national carrier to Turkey is Turkish Airline, and an average return ticket will cost you N290,000 with no stop over. For a cheaper flight option, you can use EgyptAir which is lesser but a long layover/stopover.
For Nigerians, you will need a visa before you can travel to Istanbul. You can check their website for visa cost which is about $150 and application processes.
To apply for a Turkish Visa from Nigeria can be done online;
- Apply online
- Submit all of your relevant documents, including copies of your passport, itinerary, photographs, etc
- Book your appointment online
- Pay your application fee
- Go to the embassy for your appointment and submit any additional outstanding documents at the Turkish Embassy in Abuja
- Pay the processing fee
- Collect or have your completed visa with your passport couriered to you from Abuja
For accommodation, you can decide to go for Airbnb or stay at hotels within the city like Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu. Transportation is quite easy for ease of movements as there are diverse options like metro lines, trams, funiculars, cable cars, ferries, and buses. And you can choose to eat in your hotel or at restaurants within your lodge.
Turkish Lira is the national currency but Euros and US Dollars are widely accepted as well. However, you should only pay for things in Euro or USD when prices are quoted in Euro or USD. Otherwise, you could be losing money in the conversion.
Conclusion
Does any of these list of travel destination on a budget catches your fancy? If you have a preference of country you would like to visit outside of this post, feel free to leave a comment with your request. Alternatively, you can send us an email on tosin@vacationplaces.com.ng with your request. If you also prefer any of the cities mentioned in this post, kindly contact us so we can arrange a package for you within your travel budget.
