Timor-Leste on a Budget: How to Travel Cheaply (2026)

What a budget day looks like

About USD 45 to 70 covers a dorm or simple room, three local meals, local transport and an activity. Island days on Atauro cost a little more because lodges charge per person with meals, but you will spend almost nothing else there.

Sleep cheaply

Dili's hostels are in Bebonuk, west of the centre: Casa Minha Backpackers and daTerra have dorms from about USD 11 to 15. In central Dili, Chong Ti Hotel has private rooms from about USD 28. If you want a pool, Hotel Dongshan (our partner) in Comoro has rooms from USD 40 with breakfast, laundry and cleaning included. See all best-value places to stay in Dili.

Outside Dili, family guesthouses cost USD 15 to 35, often with breakfast. On Atauro, homestays start at about USD 15.

Get around cheaply

• Mikrolets: numbered minibuses on 13 fixed routes around Dili, USD 0.25 a ride, from about 6 am to 6 pm.
• Buses: long-distance buses leave early in the morning from Becora (east), Taibessi (south) and Tasitolu (west) terminals. Dili to Baucau costs about USD 4 and Maubisse about USD 5. They leave when full.
• Ferry: the government ferry to Atauro costs USD 4, and MV Success USD 5. Fast boats cost about USD 70.

Eat cheaply

Warungs serve rice, noodles, vegetables and fish for USD 2 to 4. In the evening, the grills along Dili's Beach Road sell fresh fish by weight. Markets have tropical fruit and local coffee at local prices.

Where budget travel is hard

Some highlights are expensive without your own transport, especially Jaco Island and Mount Ramelau, because buses do not reach the trailhead or Valu Beach and the last stretch needs a 4WD or motorbike. Meeting other travellers in Dili's hostels to share a car is the best way to cut the cost.