India

The country where a modest budget buys the most sheer variety, from Rajasthan's forts and Varanasi's ghats to Kerala's backwaters and the Himalayan foothills. US, UK and EU passport holders need a visa, and the simplest route for a vacation is the e-visa, applied for online before the trip. Indian Railways is the backbone of a budget journey: sleeper and air-conditioned berths cover huge distances overnight, saving a night's lodging each time, and thalis and street snacks make every meal cheap and memorable. It rewards a slower pace and some patience with crowds and haggling, and a first visit is easiest in the south, where Kerala and Tamil Nadu feel calmer than the northern circuit.