A cheap honeymoon rests on three levers: a destination where daily life costs little (Thailand, Bali, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Portugal, Greece outside summer), a shoulder-season departure rather than peak season, and early flight booking. The most sought-after islands (Maldives, Polynesia) stay expensive whatever the period.
This guide gives no « from » prices, which change constantly: it helps you spot where the real savings are, then choose a destination consistent with your wedding date.
At a glance
- The long-haul flight and the accommodation make up most of the budget.
- In Southeast Asia, a good hotel often costs far less than on the Mediterranean in summer.
- Shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October depending on the country) combine decent weather and lower prices.
- A nearby destination for a week can cost less than a « cheap » long-haul trip once you are there.
- Be wary of very low packages: read what is included (transfers, meals, taxes).
The most affordable destinations, and when to go
| Destination | Why it is affordable | Best period |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Inexpensive accommodation and meals, many domestic transport options | November to February (details) |
| Bali | Villas and charming hotels at moderate prices | April to October (details) |
| Vietnam | Low cost of living, easy north-to-south tour | February to April for a full tour (details) |
| Sri Lanka | Short distances, varied accommodation | December to March on the south-west coast (details) |
| Portugal | Hotels cheaper than in other European capitals | May-June, September-October (details) |
| Greece | Lesser-known islands and the off-season are affordable | Mid-April to June, September (details) |
| Canary Islands | Sun all year round | April to June, September to November (details) |
| Cape Verde | Dry season is long | November to June (details) |
By contrast, the Maldives, French Polynesia and the Seychelles remain expensive: mostly high-end accommodation, boat or seaplane transfers, hotel meals. If you have your heart set on them, shoulder seasons and simpler accommodation (guesthouses in the Seychelles, family-run pensions in Polynesia) cut the bill.
Saving on flights
- Compare several departure and arrival airports, and dates shifted by a few days.
- Avoid school-holiday periods where possible, as they push prices up.
- A flight with a stopover often costs less than a nonstop; check the total duration and connection time.
- Look at the real cost: checked baggage, seat selection and meals may be extra.
Saving on accommodation
- Alternate: two or three nights in a favourite hotel, the rest in simple, well-located accommodation.
- Compare half board with eating out: in countries where eating well is cheap, going out often costs less.
- All-inclusive makes sense where you rarely leave the hotel (Maldives, some Caribbean resorts); elsewhere it limits discovery.
- Read the cancellation terms before choosing the lowest rate.
Other ways to cut the budget
- A honeymoon registry: your guests fund part of the stay (nights, activities). Check the fees the platform takes.
- A delayed departure: leaving a few months after the wedding, in the shoulder season, often lets you choose a more distant destination for the same budget.
- Fewer stops: each domestic flight or transfer adds a cost; two well-chosen stops beat five.
- A cruise in the Mediterranean outside summer bundles transport, accommodation and meals in one price, provided you check what is not included (taxes, drinks, excursions).
Affordable honeymoon destinations by season
A destination’s price varies as much with the season as with the country. The trick is to pick a country where life is inexpensive, at the time it is in good season, and if possible just before or just after its busiest period. Here are the options by departure date.
Spring wedding (March to May)
Portugal, Greece (from mid-April), Morocco and Jordan are in good season and a few hours’ flight from Europe. Further afield, Bali enters its dry season in April, and Malaysia is favourable from January to March, then from May. In April-May, the Seychelles are in shoulder season, often cheaper than year end.
Summer wedding (June to August)
Summer is high season on the Mediterranean: prices rise, especially in July-August. On a tight budget, look instead at Bali, Malaysia or the east coast of Sri Lanka, all in good season. Madeira and Albania (in June) remain European alternatives, often cheaper than the best-known Greek islands.
Autumn wedding (September to November)
September and October are among the best months to save in Europe: Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Portugal and the Canary Islands are in good season, after the summer crowds. In November, Thailand and Cambodia enter their dry season, and Egypt becomes pleasant again.
Winter wedding (December to February)
Thailand, Cambodia, south-west Sri Lanka and Egypt are in favourable season and stay affordable once there. The Canary Islands and Cape Verde offer sun a few hours’ flight from Europe. Watch out for the Christmas and February holiday periods: flights are more expensive then.
| Departure season | Affordable long-haul | Closer to home |
|---|---|---|
| March-May | Bali (April-May), Malaysia | Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Jordan |
| June-August | Bali, Malaysia, Sri Lanka east coast | Madeira, Albania (June) |
| September-November | Thailand and Cambodia (November) | Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Portugal, Canary Islands |
| December-February | Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka south-west | Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Egypt |
Spending items, one by one
| Item | What makes the cost vary | Saving tip |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | Season, school holidays, nonstop or stopover, baggage | Flexible dates, acceptable stopover, comparing several airports |
| Accommodation | Season, category, location, board | Alternate a « treat » hotel with a simple address; avoid high season |
| Transfers and transport | Seaplane, boat, domestic flights, taxis | Fewer stops; public transport where reliable |
| Meals | Hotel meals or eating out | Eat out in countries where local food is cheap |
| Activities | Private or group excursions | Choose two or three standout activities rather than many |
| Entry requirements and health | Visa, vaccines, insurance | Plan ahead to avoid emergency fees |
In practice, flights and accommodation make up the largest share of a honeymoon budget. A nearby destination mainly saves on the first; a destination where life is inexpensive, on the second.
Before booking, list what really matters to you both (a beautiful room, a beach, one particular experience) and concentrate the budget there. The rest can be simpler without spoiling the stay.
Currency and payments
Outside your home currency area, bank fees can add up: ask your bank about foreign payment and withdrawal fees, and decline the conversion offered by the card terminal (pay in the local currency). Our currency converter helps you estimate your budget. A local eSIM avoids roaming charges abroad.
Four budget-friendly honeymoon formulas
The European road trip
A rental car, a few nights in simple lodgings and one or two more comfortable addresses: Portugal from Lisbon to the Algarve, the Croatian coast from Split to Dubrovnik, or Andalusia suit this format in May-June or September. Flights are short for travellers based in Europe and you pay only for what you choose.
The Southeast Asia tour
The flight costs more, but the rest of the stay far less: in Thailand, Cambodia or Bali, a charming hotel and good meals remain accessible. Two weeks allow a cultural leg and a few beach days, in good season.
The nearby island in the sun
The Canary Islands, Madeira or Cape Verde offer warmth a few hours’ flight from Europe, without a large time difference. It is the simplest solution for a one-week honeymoon in winter or spring. For the preparation timeline and newlywed offers, see our guide to preparing your honeymoon.
The two-stage honeymoon
A short getaway right after the wedding, then the big trip a few months later, in the shoulder season. You benefit from a more favourable period and from the savings for a more distant destination.
Do not skimp on insurance
A honeymoon is often booked long in advance. Check what your bank card covers (cancellation, medical costs abroad, repatriation) before buying extra insurance, and compare limits and exclusions rather than price alone.
Building your honeymoon budget
Rather than a « from » price, fill in this table with the real prices for your dates: it is the only way to compare two destinations.
| Item | What lowers it | Do not forget |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | Flexible dates, shoulder season, early booking | Baggage, seats, transfers |
| Accommodation | Alternate simple hotels with one or two exceptional nights | Local tourist tax, breakfast |
| Meals | Local cuisine, half board if advantageous | Drinks, tipping customs |
| Activities | Choose two or three highlights | Park entrance fees, excursions |
| Local transport | Public transport, shared rental | Car insurance, fuel |
| Insurance and entry requirements | Check what your card already covers | Visa, any vaccines |
Cheap honeymoon in Europe: ideas
To limit the flight, Southern Europe offers more controlled-budget alternatives, especially outside July-August: Portugal, Greece (lesser-known islands rather than the busiest), Croatia, Malta or the Canary Islands in winter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest honeymoon destination?
Among exotic destinations, Thailand, Bali, Vietnam and Sri Lanka have the lowest cost of living on site. In Europe, Portugal and Greece outside July-August are among the most affordable.
Can you go to the Maldives on a small budget?
It is difficult. Resort islands and transfers stay expensive. Inhabited islands with guesthouses cut the cost, with a setting and rules different from the resorts.
When should I book to pay less?
Several months ahead for a long-haul trip in high season. The clearest saving often comes from the choice of dates: travelling in shoulder season rather than peak season.
Which cheap honeymoon destination in summer?
In July-August, Bali, Malaysia and the east coast of Sri Lanka are in good season and remain affordable on site. In Europe, Madeira or Albania in June often cost less than the best-known Greek islands.
Where to go cheaply on honeymoon in winter?
Thailand, Cambodia and south-west Sri Lanka are in dry season and inexpensive on site. Closer to Europe, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde and Egypt offer sun without a long flight. Avoid the Christmas and February holiday periods for flights.
Is all-inclusive cheaper?
Not always. It is where you rarely leave the hotel and where meals on site are expensive. In countries where local food is cheap, eating out generally costs less and lets you discover more.
Is a honeymoon registry a good idea?
Yes, if you want to fund the stay rather than receive objects. Compare the fees taken and the payout conditions across platforms.
What is the average price of a honeymoon?
There is no reliable average price: it varies with the destination, season, length and accommodation level. Build your budget item by item from real quotes for your dates.
Which cheap honeymoon destination in Europe?
Portugal, Greece outside high season, Croatia, Malta or the Canary Islands in winter keep the flight cost down. Avoid July-August, the most expensive period.
Our sources
- Our « when to go » pages for each destination (normals of national weather services, see our methodology).
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.