How to get to some of the most remote places on earth

Sometimes you just want to get off the beaten track and explore the more isolated places of the world. However, getting to these places can often be both challenging and expensive. We've put together a guide on how to get to some of the most remote places on earth for cheap.

This list is not an exhaustive guide and we'd highly recommend doing your own research before making your way to the places below.

1. Gurbantunggut Desert, China

The Gurbantunggut Desert is China’s second largest desert behind Taklamakan Desert and occupies 50,000 square kilometers of Northern Xinjiang. It’s one of the most arid areas of the world but it is nearby to the glacial mountains of Tian Shan which is a major water source for the province.

How to get there

To get to the Gurbantunggut Desert, you can take a flight from London to Ürümqi (URC), the capital city of Xinjiang province, with your choice of several Chinese airlines.

Once at Ürümqi, take a one hour bus/train  to the city of Shihezi, than take another bus to Group 150 (Yes, this is a place, named by the military) for another hour.

After arrival at Group 150, take a taxi or a coach for the last 10 km.

2. Supai, Arizona

The village of Supai, the capital of the Havusupai Reservation, has mail delivery service for its 43 households carried out by a team of mules. 

That's because there's no roads going into Supai! Unlike most rural destinations in the United States, this town is a full eight miles from the nearest drivable street and requires you to travel by foot (or hoof), or book a helicopter ride to reach the town.

How to get there

Start by flying into Las Vegas. From there you’re going to want to rent a car for the 3-4 hour drive to the Hualapai Hilltop, which is essentially a car park. From there, you'll either hike the 8-mile trail, or rent a mule to carry through. You could also splurge on a helicopter, but with surroundings this beautiful, why not take your time?

3. Kolsai Lakes, Kazakhstan

Around 75 miles southeast of Almaty and near the north slope of the Tian Shan Mountains sits the breathtaking Kolsai Lakes National Park. At its centre are the Kolsai Lakes, often referred to as ‘The Pearls of Tien Shan’, an untouched, scenic area of Kazakhstan.

How to get there

The first part of the journey involves flying into Almaty airport. You should be able to get a taxi from there to Saty.

The first lake is fairly easy to get to by taxi or hitchhiking, thanks to a new asphalt road from Saty. You are then able to hike to the second, but make sure you take your passport as there is a border patrol due to the proximity of the Kyrgyzstan border.

4. Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands is a little easier to reach than some of the other locations on this list due to an increase in flights over the past several years, but don't be fooled — you're still visiting an isolated archipelago with a population less than half the size of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It's remote travel, made easy!

How to get there

Six of the islands are connected by road, so you can soak up the vast amount of snow-capped scenery from a rental car once you have arrived at the pocket-sized Vagar Airport.

5. Chang Tang, Tibet

Chang Tang is located to the west of the Tibetan Plateau and sits at an altitude of over 4000m. It’s a truly wild and untouched 700,000 km² area of largely uninhabited land which possesses harsh, arctic-like winters.

How to get there

First fly to Leh, India, likely with a long layover in Delhi. From here, you’ll need to rent a car, as its a four hour bumpy ride towards the Tibetan Plateau.

6. Kungsleden, Sweden

Northern Sweden is perfect for the more ambitious, wilderness-loving travellers. Kungleden, also know as the Kings Path, is 270 mile-long hiking trail between Abisko (North) and Hemavan (South Sweden). The trail passes through the Game of Thrones-esque Vindelfjallen Nature Reserve, which has to be seen to be believed.

A series of huts located 6-14 miles apart are open during the summer, but the weather is usually unpredictable and potentially treacherous all year round.

How to get there

Fly into Kiruna. From there, it’s a 1.5 hour bus ride to Abisko, and then you're on your way.

7. Andaman Islands

The beautiful (and largely untouched) Andaman Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, between India and Myanmar. The islands are home to a number of tribes, including the Sentinelese, known for their hostility towards visitors. Many of the inhabitants have had little contact with the outside world. Only a dozen or so of the 300 islands are even open to visitors, so this is a must-visit for those looking to tick off a major place on their remote location bucket list.

How to get there

Start by flying into Chennai, India. Then it's onto Veer Savarkar airport, also known as Port Blair, which is the main airport for the Andaman Islands.

8. Rila National Park, Bulgaria

Rila National Park is the largest nature reserve in Bulgaria, stretching across more than 800 square kilometers. Rila is perfect for blue lake and hiking enthusiasts, and it’s only 100km away from the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. This makes it even cheaper and easier to visit!

How to get there

Flights into Sofia, then bus from Sofia to Rila National Park.

9. Siwa Oasis, Egypt

Siwa is the ideal location for those desert daydreamers. Despite its arid appearance, Siwa is home to both olive and palm trees, with crystal clear springs dotted throughout.

How to get there

First things first, fly to Cairo. From here you have a rather long drive of around 740km which could take 10 or more hours. There's also a night bus option that departs Cairo at 11pm.

10. Guam, Micronesia

If "remote" for you means "crystal clear lagoons and white sandy beaches," then the Micronesian island of Guam is what you need. The whole island is only 210 square miles, and surrounded by a massive coral reef that makes it the perfect place for avid scuba divers and snorkelers. Located in Typhoon Alley, the higher risk months of a tropical storm are between August and October, so if you’re looking to stay dry then visit in the dry season between December and June.

How to get there

Arriving is simple, if time-consuming. Connecting flights to Guam are available through Honolulu, as well as a few major Asian hubs like Taipei and Tokyo. 

11. Utqiagvik, Alaska

Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, is one of those unique areas of the world that basks in 24 hour sunlight for over 80 days in the summer, and then the locals endure a complete blackout for over 60 days in the winter. Based at the tip of Alaska, you’ll struggle to find more remote surroundings without driving for days through the mountains.

How to get there

Fortunately, the town has its own airport, meaning you only need to travel by plane to reach this little town. Alaska Airlines runs daily flights between Utqiagvik and Anchorage in the $300s/£200s. Find your flight to ANC, then take a quick hop upstate.

12. Cape York Peninsula, Australia

The Cape York Peninsula runs parallel to the Great Barrier Reef and is located north of Cairns. It’s nearest city however is in Papua New Guinea and not Australia, that’s how remote this place is. Tackling Cape York means spending a few weeks in the bush, in near complete isolation with just your travel partner, your jeep and the scattered fuel roadhouses located every few hundred km for company. The juice is worth the squeeze if you like having your breakfast near pristine waterfalls, spending your days walking through rainforests and your evenings camping on deserted beaches. 

How to get there

First, fly into the city of Cairns. From there, your cheapest (and most exciting!) option is to rent a 4x4 and head out on your off-road adventure.

13. Galapagos Islands

Known for its rare wildlife, The Galapagos are a pristinely preserved set of islands off the coast of Ecuador. The islands and their surroundings are home to flamingos, sea lions, whales, rare birds, and of course, the Galapagos Giant Tortoise.

How to get there

In order to get to the islands, you first have to fly into Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador. From there, simply book a quick flight to the Galapagos.