Diving the Silfra Fissure in Iceland. The Best Luxury Honeymoon Destinations. How to Travel the World for Free. Unique Ways to Volunteer Abroad. How to Avoid Overpacking. Winter Travel Packing Guide. Getting Around the Region Outside of some major cities like Bangkok, most countries have fairly limited public transport, so most overland journeys will be carried out with private bus companies. Visa Requirements in Southeast Asia Most countries in Southeast Asia will issue a visa on arrival for American travelers, usually for thirty days, with the main two countries that do require a visa in advance being Vietnam and Myanmar.
Go with the Flow and Enjoy! Related Posts Bangkok Travel Tips. The Best Time to Travel to Vietnam. How to Connect with Locals in Southeast Asia. Join over 1 million people and get exclusive travel tips, giveaways and more! Hence I have a question: If we are two people visiting Cambodia and Vietnam,does it make much sense in booking dorm beds Since we will have to pay for 2 beds?
It looks like booking a private basic room is a better option. Are 2 people allowed in one single private room? Not sure if I expressed myself well. Marek Reply August 9, at 4: Sharing a room between 2 people will unusuall be equal or cheaper to getting dorms, so that certainly makes sense. Nicola Royle Reply June 19, at However, I heard the multi-entry visa is very expensive? Are backpackers who usually take this route happy to pay this extra cost? Is it just me being tight with my money?
Marek Reply June 19, at Lauren Reply June 10, at 6: My boyfriend and I are traveling to Southeast Asia this September and I am in the process of figuring out our budget. This article is very helpful so thank you for posting! I do have a question for you regarding accommodation; if it is a couple, would you say that the price would be the same for each individual or would you say it would be slightly cheaper?
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Marek Reply June 10, at 1: Yes as a couple, travel costs will be slightly cheaper. Anna Reply April 18, at 8: Hey, really useful post here! Loved the way you broke down and explained all the prices in the different countries. Juraj Reply April 1, at 1: You demand respect for other cultures and yet your vitriolic post is full of hatred and disrespect towards English and Australian tourists. I understand that you may have had some negative experience but that gives you no right to throw everyone in the same category.
Maddie Reply March 27, at 5: I love this post! My boyfriend and I are finding it extremely helpful as we plan for our trip to Southeast Asia this summer. Thanks for taking the time to share all of this info. Marek Reply March 27, at 6: That per-day figure is meant to include all your daily expenses, e. Gabi Reply March 20, at 6: Now I feel my nerd research before travelling is not at all alone! Lots of work for me to process all this info though!
So thanks a lot for saving me heaps of time. Tham WL Reply March 18, at Superb article, in fact your comprehensive reviews and helpful tips have inspired to to undertake a backpacking trip around my own backyard of Southeast Asia at the end of the year. Just a very minor point to note after reading your article, when I was reading this part on Singapore:. Singapore IS part of the developed world, in fact the most recent survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit EIU continues to place Singapore as the most expensive city in the world to live in.
Nevertheless, it was a excellent article! Marek Reply March 18, at 6: Oh dear, I must not have had my coffee before writing that sentence. Leslie Reply January 14, at Love this post, the comparative numbers are really helpful. Do you include travel insurance or getting TO the country in your numbers? Marek Reply January 14, at 9: Oliver Mortimer Reply January 13, at 1: Great article, Myself and my girlfriend are travelling on the 10th of February for days.
We will be taking with us just over euro and have our flights booked travel insurance bought and vaccinations done. We would like to see and do as much as we can and will be mostly eating street food but will be staying in our own rooms and not in dorms. Marek Reply January 14, at If you watch your spending you will probably be OK though. Keep an eye on your budget in southern Thailand or the touristy parts of Bali as the euros can flow more quickly here — maybe go elsewhere for beaches e.
Christian Vielma Reply December 29, at 6: We really thought the costs were pretty similar. If someone is interested in another cost opinion from our trip , can check them here: Marek Reply December 29, at 9: Georgijus Reply October 27, at 7: Adi Reply October 12, at Surf Me Geek Reply July 8, at Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Cost of Travel Overview January 28, Your next trip is to Why not share it About 10 days in Myanmar and only about days on Thai coast. Would this be a sufficient amount to last us?
This site is about independent travel making your own plans not tour packages. Hi Marek First of thanks for your quick response. I guess Bali is traditionally thought of as being quite romantic. Cheers for the update on Angkor Wat. Do you remember how much hiring the tuk-tuk cost? Hi Marek, Do you have any info on getting visas? That budget takes into account local overland travel e. Amazing amount of info — thanks for sharing your experience!
Hey Marek, Fantastic article! Hi yuyazz, You demand respect for other cultures and yet your vitriolic post is full of hatred and disrespect towards English and Australian tourists.
Also, I am not sure what problem you have with swimwear or young people enjoying themselves. Also, are you Czech? Marek Reply November 21, at Rich Reply November 15, at Are Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam best saved until later in the year, with lower temperatures but more rain? Or, would it be possible to spend January-February there, before moving on to other countries in the region? Marek Reply November 15, at 7: Rich Reply November 16, at 4: Thanks for the helpful, prompt response and keep up the good work. Samar Misra Reply November 9, at 4: Thank you so much Marek!!
Truly appreciate this and so interesting how your advice resonates with what my cousin advised earlier of best to spend 2 countries per month to get the most of it and not feel rushed as I prefer. Also, I like staying on a budget in a simple, yet safe way and never have really been into luxury and more into dissecting local culture. My plan was to visit Thailand,Cambodia and Vietnam as the minimum leaving a 35 days for them 3 and possibly squeezing in Laos. Nice how you suggested 1st to leave out is Laos due to time factor and I have usually been more into seeing Thailand, Cambodia and especially Vietnam as I have many cool Vietnamese acquaintances back in USA whom I really like and really always wanted to visit Vietnam.
According to my plan, I am thinking of travelling from December 28th, to February 2nd, and heading to Singapore on Feb 3rd from one of those countries spend weekend with relatives and see Singapore for a day before heading to USA. Did you ever book a tour package or have a tour guide? On a budget, what do you recommend doing when looking into hostels as well as the best way for doing site-seeing and tours on your own?
What do you advise for a Vegan like me who wants to visit Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and possibly Laos? How do you deal with the horrific dilemmas of not being ripped off or demanded to pay a fee as a foreigner to see certain tour sites? Marek Reply November 9, at Not everything is always completely easy to do independently. Yeah those estimates do include sightseeing and transportation and such. It also assumes you mostly eat local food and use accommodation that is basic. Always haggle a bit if you can. Ruthie Reply May 4, at 4: Hi Samar, how is the availability of vegan food? When I was in Thailand about 4 years ago it was very hard to eat.
Shawn Walters Reply September 29, at 3: The best way to get around each country? Marek Reply October 2, at 6: For instance, if you have a week in Vietnam you might want to focus specifically on Saigon and the south. For visiting 5 countries, 8 weeks total will give you a lot more flexibility than 6 though.
You could have a look around for open jaw options but buying two singles can often be quite a bit more expensive, though it does save you some flight time. I am asking for some advice oh no not another one haha I have 12 weeks 3 months in SEA and landing in Bangkok this October eek. I am wanting to do Cambodia, laos and Vietnam. I was thinking of doing a month in each but now am unsure if I should spend more time in Vietnam and less in Laos?
The only issues would be is paying for a more expensive Vietnamese visa for 90 days around 90GBP but will it be worth it? So maybe around 3. Sorry for all the questions! Marek Reply September 29, at 4: I can definitely see arguments in favor of spending a bit more time in Vietnam, as Laos and Cambodia are both a bit smaller and have somewhat fewer sights.
That said I spent a month in Vietnam maxing out the normal visa and felt this was enough to get all the main highlights from north to south. Kaeleb Reply September 22, at Me and my girlfriend are planning on doing the 2 month route. We are leaving from Bali and are wondering if we can start in Cambodia and go this way around. Would there be any issues with travel? Also is the season too rainy to start in Cambodia this time of year?
Would you recommend starting in Bangkok and up to Chiang mai instead? Marek Reply September 25, at J Reply September 11, at 5: I wanted to ask what were you using for cell phone service? Did you have a SIM card for each country? Or did you find yourself not needing it as much? Would love to get your opinion on that. Marek Reply September 11, at 6: If you install MAPS. J Reply September 11, at Gina Reply August 4, at 7: Thanks for all of the great info.
Again, we were prioritizing culture over beaches and liked the idea of Vietnam being relatively less popular. Either place we also want to tag in Cambodia at the end. Marek Reply August 5, at I was in north Vietnam in December and it was indeed a little cold. Hanoi is still really amazing to visit but Ha Long Bay is quite misty and drab this time of year. Both plans are certainly doable but with plan 1 you will only be able to fit a limited number of stops Vietnam is a big country!
You might end up just seeing a lot of cities. I might be inclined to focus on a particular part of Vietnam so you can do more side excursions and see the countryside. I am planning a trip with one of my friends from late december to early february, around 45 days. And I would really like to visit Myanmar. Marek Reply July 29, at There are no crowds at all at the beaches in Myanmar.
Some great beaches in Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia outside of Bali as well. Joe Reply May 25, at 5: Can you buy a flight from Vientiane to Hanoi last minute? Marek Reply May 26, at 7: Understand the desire to stay flexible! I managed to get a ticket a few days before. Chiara de Andrade Reply May 20, at 2: My sister and I want to travel Asia from 17 July to 2Aug. We would start from Taiwan. Frankly, we have 0 ideas what to do. What would you do? Marek Reply May 20, at 9: For islands, maybe have a look at Indonesia. Its rainy season is different from the mainland, and July is actually peak season there.
Monsoon rains are intense but they can also stop very quickly, so you could try to work your way around the weather and visit places like Ho Chi Minh City, the temples of Angkor, etc. Charlie Reply April 11, at 9: Two of my friends and i were hoping to travel SEA from late april to late august. This is due to the very humid and hot seasons that take place at that time of year. However as these rainy seasons are at different times all across SEA i think with some clever planning we should be able to see everything we want to see and still successfully avoid the monsoon.
I was hoping you could give me some advice as to a route to take that takes the weather in to account but still allows us to visit all the places in the rough route you have shown above considering we will be there for nearly 4 months. Marek Reply April 12, at 1: So maybe do the east coast beaches first in Thailand instead of last like my suggestion in the article , then go up to Chiang Mai etc.
Laos is in shoulder season in May so still OK. Charlie Reply April 12, at 2: Cassidy Reply April 2, at 6: My friend and I just booked round trip flights to Bangkok starting in mid July and ending in early August exactly 3 weeks. It is my first backpacking trip without a group so we have a lot of questions as we are trying to roughly plan! So we are young and active and like to be moving. Two things I really want to do while we are there is rock climb and learn to surf maybe spend a couple days surfing.
I was just wondering if you had any suggestions of where we should definitely go for the more adventurous things to do? One more question is that I know fall is Monsoon season and our trip is a bit close July-August so I just wanted to know if we would have to be weary of weather during this time or if it should still get mostly sunny days? Marek Reply April 10, at Krabi in Thailand is one of the best places for rock climbing.
Southeast Asia Backpacking: Costs & How to Budget • Indie Traveller
You could fly from Bangkok to Phuket, spend time there at the beaches and do rock climbing in Krabi, then fly straight to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat, then onward to southern Vietnam. It would take another domestic flight in Vietnam to see things in both the north and south. Marek Reply October 4, at The cheapest months is different per country.
Avoiding the high season could save you a little money on accommodation. More on budgeting here: Jared Reply September 9, at I think this is a great site from what I can see. Remember some people might only ever get that 2 week trip in their entire life to see some of Southeast Asia. If you put it in that way it would be a complete waste to spend the entire time in one place.
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Marek Reply September 10, at 2: It does take some discipline in choosing your route and locations. I do also go on 1- or 2- week trips and understand the desire to see as many highlights as you can. Though I also believe that even on a shorter trip, staying longer in fewer places can get you more rewards. Less time spent in transit is more time spent sightseeing or going on activities. Gemma Reply May 16, at I am looking for doing something similar as you did and I was wondering if you could tell me where you were and how many days…so I can have an idea. Could you please give me some advise and tips?
Diana Reply September 6, at 2: Hi Marek, thank you very much for such of wonderful article. You just inspired me to go for that South East Asia route. Can I ask you a maybe silly but important question for me, which can determines the best time for me to depart. I wil be starting an online master degree that would requires me to have projects done every week. Is it possible to do this route and be able to have internet connection enough to handle school? Yes, you can basically keep doing your online stuff while traveling through SE Asia.
Though the more remote you go the more difficult it gets. Clinton Cuzzort Reply August 31, at I was wondering what your thoughts were on kind of just wonderlusting SEA for 4 weeks. I going with my significant other in mid December. Should we plan a little or is it okay to just wing it?
I do realize we need to have an end point in which we are taken back to Bangkok by flight or end up there along the trail. Your thoughts and advice would be amazing. Marek Reply August 31, at 9: You can maybe do a bit of research on things you might enjoy seeing, but then just go off and sail with the wind, so to speak.
SEA is a great region for doing this. Mike Reply August 15, at 6: The information this site and your book has given me is brilliant. Next month, September the 13th to be precisely, my first backpack journey will begin. My first stop is in Hong Kong as I could get a really cheap flight for that destination. I have 2 question regarding my plan: Do you think 5 months is enough to cover this? Do you think the sequence of countries is optimal regarding travel times? Marek Reply August 15, at 7: Not really a problem but something to know. David Reply August 14, at 7: Hi Marek, great article and thanks for sharing your experience!
I have few questions on Visa. I am US citizenship, and are there any countries that I must Visa prior leaving? Marek Reply August 15, at With Myanmar and Vietnam however, a visa in advance is required. Myanmar also has an e-visa program. GoldieGirl Reply August 11, at Hello, This was so informative and has really helped me. We have 6 months to do as much as we can! I love your route and would like to expand it down to Myanmar and Singapore then over to the Phillipeans.
Don’t bite off too much!
Neither of us have ever backpacked before. So i have some probably silly, novice questions for you! How much do we need to plan or is it better to improvise and see what happens? Do we need to book hostels and train tickets in advance, or are they easy to sort when you get there? Marek Reply August 12, at 6: You might want to book accommodation just 1 or 2 days ahead of time as you travel. BTW, I have a great chapter in my book with more info on what to plan vs.
Ching Reply July 19, at Reading this article made me missed Thailand much lol. I had only 10 days coz i have to go back to my work in Dubai. Do you think i can make 3 weeks if i start my travel to Thailand then Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam? How much do you think it would cost? Davey C Reply July 11, at 2: Your articles are really very good. I visited Thailand and Cambodia for 2 weeks earlier this year. It was my first time and it took my breath away.
It really lit me up. I have a question if you or anyone can help ….. Would it be foolish of me to travel with a small laptop whilst backpacking around the far east? Erick John Reply July 1, at 7: Fewer tourist go to Philippines? Marek Reply July 3, at 4: Jane Reply June 27, at 9: My sister and I will be traveling through Thailand and Cambodia together for three weeks. Marek Reply June 29, at There are fortunately lots of small travel agencies in Sihanouksville that would be able to help you with your onward transportation.
Enza Reply June 26, at 3: Thank you for giving so much of your time to help novice travelers. Since I will be that far away from home I live in los angeles I want to try to hit one other country. I will only be able to give up one extra week. I know virtually nothing about most of south east Asia. I just want to live like a local for a week in one kick ass place.
Marek Reply June 26, at Distances between places on the island are very manageable, so that means you can do a lot of things in one week. There is plenty of characterful accommodation as well. In Ubud you can find a lot of art and other goods for purchase. Kieren Reply June 12, at 2: Hi Marek, Fantastic article and very helpful. However i could really use your help and opinion on something. A few friends and myself are taking some time out from Dec 12th — Jan 15th so we have just over 2 weeks apart from one guy who can only take 2 weeks off.
The idea — for the long stayers at least — is to visit Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodis and if possible, Philippines. Thailand — The most important one for the group, we land in bangkok, and would like to visit phuket and koh samui, and plan on doing the full moon party on NYE. Laos — literally the only thing i really want to do here is the tubing bar crawl at Vang Vieng which is pretty close to northern thailand, so i dont see the need to stay here any longer than two to three days. Philippines — this is sort of the bonus baby, I have a friend living out in Princess puerto and would be nice to see him plus free accomodation if its not plausible or will lesson the experience of the rest of my trip im happy to cross it off.
Is this a plausible trip and how much would be a good amount of money to take with us not including accomodation.
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Sorry to bombard you but im really not the best when it comes to planning, and the other guys are even worse, so any help you can give would be fantastic! Marek Reply June 12, at 6: Okay, just a bit of tough love: Abhishek Lath Reply June 9, at This article was really helpful. It did help me build a skeleton of my itinerary. I plan to visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangkok for about 16 days. I plan to start from Ho chi minh city. Does this sound feasible? Any other tips you would like to share? Marek Reply June 10, at Solo travel is easy in this part of the world — the logistics are fairly easy and there are always other travellers to meet if you want to.
Alex Bond Reply May 10, at I have a couple questions , I love the route you have planned out here and may look into doing it myself , I have a flight booked to Bangkok in august. I was just wondering if it will work the same going the other way around?
Marek Reply May 10, at 6: Nick Reply April 14, at 8: We plan on working in Australia. We have al the time in the world to do this trip so the plan is to just take an outward flight and go with the flow. The dilemma I am facing is the proof of onward travel you need for Bangkok. Can I just book a train or bus out of the country will that be good enough proof? It would be great to hear your thoughts on this. What did you do about this or what would you recommend?
Marek Reply April 14, at A bit more info here: Dawn Punter Reply April 5, at 5: Ben Pages Reply April 5, at 4: I am meeting a friend in Myanmar, and from there we have two months to wander around. Three questions for you and the community: Any areas to avoid? I believe the monsoon is kicking in at this time of the year in most places. Which would be realistic given our time? Dzieki Marek i gratuluje za piekny blog! Laura Reply February 24, at 8: Thank you soooo much for this article. I am going for 2 months and am having a hard time deciding between Myanmar or Laos.
I want to spend weeks in Norther Thailand, weeks in Vietnam, 1 week in Cambodia, and end it with 1 week in the southern thai islands. That leaves me with weeks left. I could rush each location and minimize each visit to 1 week, but I want to explore and not be rushed. Do you have a strong suggestion for either? Let me know what you think if you can.
I will be traveling alone, if that influences your opinion at all. Marek Reply February 24, at 9: Choosing between Laos and Myanmar is difficult, and giving a recommendation is too. Mia Reply February 24, at 7: Since you tend to often reply back — what would you recommend for a 4 week trek through SE Asia?
My partner and I are thinking Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia — with the most time spent in Indonesia of the three.
Think we can do all 3? Both those countries are quite poorly connected to Indonesia with flights though, but you can probably find an indirect flight going via Singapore or Bangkok. Indonesia is very spread out so you can lose a lot of time in transit, but focusing on those islands keeps things compact.
Matthew Reply February 24, at 6: I have been researching visa options and was wondering what you think about about getting advance visas for Laos and Cambodia. Vietnam I plan on doing advance but from what I can tell Laos and Cambodia have border crossing visa options that seem to make more sense. I plan on doing the slow boat into Laos and overland from Vietnam to Cambodia, Will I be able to get visas at border crossings like this or should I see about getting visas while in Bangkok? Thanks a bunch, your blog is an inspiration and super useful.
Marek Reply February 24, at 8: Hey Matt, great to hear your positive feedback! I have some more details on Vietnam visas here. Conor Brooke-Tyrrell Reply February 17, at 3: If anybody is interested I threw together a similar one for around 6 week trip around Vietnam and Cambodia. Alex Reply February 9, at 3: My friend and I are booking a trip to south east Asia and are hoping to see Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Unfortunately due to work and study we can only go for just over a month.
Marek Reply February 12, at 2: Heard good things about group tours by Intrepid or G Adventures. Rickshaw Travel does great tours that are individualised not with a group. Danny Reply February 6, at 1: My Girlfriend and I are currently planning our next round of travelling just a month after finishing our first trip, we just cant stay away!
We are planning on doing the whole trail so as much information in regards to this would be amazing!