Traveling to Middle Eastern countries is a great experience for travelers who want to explore the region’s beautiful landscapes and immerse themselves in rich, thousands-year-old culture. If you can’t afford the standard airfare or the cost of traveling to Middle East cities, you can save hundreds of dollars or more with this Middle East travel guide. I’ll cover what countries are in the Middle East and the cheapest Middle Eastern country to visit.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
What Countries Are in the Middle East?
The Middle East is a region encompassing portions of Asia and Africa. There’s no official list of countries in the Middle East, but the area includes countries like:
Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.
Best Middle East Tours: Click here to check out the top Middle East tours
Best Middle East Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Middle East
Best Middle East Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Middle East
Budget-Friendly Middle East Travel Guide and Tips
1. The Cheapest Middle Eastern Country to Visit
When traveling to Middle East destinations as a tourist, you must pay for a visa, which typically costs at least $165. In Jordan, you can expect to pay up to $170. Thankfully, this isn’t the case for several Middle Eastern countries that offer visa-free tourist entry. The cheapest Middle Eastern country to visit as a U.S. passport holder is Qatar or Israel since you can travel there without a visa. Oman, meanwhile, has a standard visa policy with Dubai and Qatar—if you arrive in Muscat directly from Doha, your visa from Qatar will be honored.
2. Look for Air Travel Promo Codes
Another way to save money during your trip to the Middle East is to look for promo codes from the region’s airline carriers. If you plan to start your journey in Doha, look for a Qatar Airways promo code for a discount of up to 30% on your flight booking.
3. Book an Airbnb
One of my top tips in this Middle East travel guide is to book an Airbnb rather than a hotel. If you stay in cities like Dubai, Beirut, and Abu Dhabi, expect hotel rates to cost a fortune. Luckily, Airbnb is always there to save the day. I recommend booking an Airbnb if you don’t want to risk paying for a vacation rental. Ensure you check the Airbnb host‘s reviews and policies before booking. You should also check if there are travel advisories you must consider when traveling to Middle East areas.
4. Bring a Friend
Sightseeing places like Tel Aviv or Dubai can cost a lot, but you can cut your expenses by dividing the price with others. Traveling with a group is convenient for saving money in the Middle East. Traveling with a friend means you won’t have to pay for everything out of pocket. They can help pay for taxi fares, accommodations, shopping, and more.
5. Visit During the Off Season
The easiest way to save money traveling to Middle East places is to avoid peak seasons. Tourists often pick spring to view the region in all its glory, so there’s high demand for airline tickets. This makes airfare significantly more expensive. I suggest taking your trip in December or January when there are fewer tourists, and you’ll find better rates for lodging and transportation.
Middle East Travel Guide Planning
🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m traveling?
I strongly recommend using Bookaway. You can book almost all transport in the major tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.
I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Middle East Travel Guide: Final Thoughts
What’s the cheapest Middle Eastern country to visit? Destinations like Qatar are affordable destinations for budget travelers. With this Middle East travel guide, you’ll save considerable cash traveling to Middle East destinations. Now that you know what countries are in the Middle East and how to save money, you’re ready for an unforgettable vacation that won’t break the bank.
