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Budget for Ex-Soviet Republics(US $)

 
This budget is not shoestring. The average daily cost includes accommodation, food, transportation, site entries and all miscellaneous expenses for two people. Accommodation consisted of inexpensive hotels, hostels or campsites. We averaged one restaurant meal per day (the rest bought in grocery stores, deli shops, street vendors). We traveled by bus, train, shared taxi, or hitch hiking. Other travelers could save an additional 10-20% by staying outside of town, staying longer in one location, or eating and sleeping at the cheapest places.
Belarus $60 per day
No tourism infrastructure, only business rates available at hotels ($50 for double occupancy).
     
Ukraine $50 per day Kept costs down by taking overnight trains.
     
Moldova $40 per day
Average room cost $20 per double.
     
Russia $66 per day
Moscow is expensive. Elsewhere in Russia is similar to Ukraine.
     
Kazakhstan $40 per day
This is high for Kazakstan - we dined at expensive 'western' restaurants.
       
Kyrgyzstan $40 per day
If you are an independent traveler you can keep costs low.
     
Tajikistan $43 per day Hotels are expensive in Dushanbe. Tajikistan is not set up for the independent tourist. Shared taxi costs about $12 per person between major cities (Khojand-Penjikent, Penjikent-Dushanbe, etc).
     
Ukbekistan

$27 per day for Ferghana/Tashkent

$43 per day for tourist towns (Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva)
Eat and sleep inexpensively but not well. Tashkent - cheap taxis, internet, ballet, and theater.
     
Turkmenistan $38 per day
Turkmenistan is the cheapest of the "-stans." Fuel is subsidized so taxis and air flights are inexpensive. You can fly from one city to another for less than $3 or take a 9 hour taxi ride for $10. Hotels are set at a tourist rate but sometimes negotiable. Food is cheap and in Ashgabat you can eat first class for $4.
     
Azerbaijan $30 per day Azerbaijan is very inexpensive. You can sleep in center city Baku for $6 per person. Most expensive meal - McDonalds.
     
Georgia $35 per day Georgia is inexpensive with the exception of hotels. The food is inexpensive and delicious.
       
Armenia $30-$50 Cheap accommodation prices depend on whether or not you want hot water.