Southeast Asia: Budget Travel Guide
Southeast Asia remains the greatest backpacker circuit on earth. From the temples of Angkor to the rice terraces of Bali, the night markets of Chiang Mai to the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay — nowhere else on the planet delivers this density of life-changing experiences for under $35 a day. The region rewards the patient traveller: slow down, eat street food, take overnight buses, and your money stretches further than almost anywhere.
Destinations
Countries in Southeast Asia
Data
Country Comparison
| Country | From/day ↑ | Hostel from | Cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $10 | $5 | 16 |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | $12 | $5 | 23 |
| 🇲🇲 Myanmar | $13 | $5 | 3 |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | $13 | $6 | 15 |
| 🇰🇭 Cambodia | $14 | $4 | 7 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | $15 | $0 | 22 |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | $26 | $7 | 11 |
| 🇱🇦 Laos | $26 | $4 | 7 |
| 🌍 | $29 | $11 | 2 |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | $38 | $16 | 4 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $49 | $23 | 1 |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | $67 | $36 | 1 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $70 | $29 | 3 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | $81 | $41 | 1 |
Itineraries
Classic Routes
The Classic Banana Pancake Trail
Thailand → Cambodia → Vietnam → Laos
BKK → Siem Reap → HCMC → Hanoi → Luang Prabang. The most-travelled budget route in the world.
Island Hopper (Thailand–Indonesia)
Thailand → Malaysia → Indonesia
Koh Samui → Penang → Bali → Gili Islands → Lombok. Beach-focused with easy ferry connections.
Mainland Deep Dive
Vietnam → Laos → Cambodia → Thailand → Myanmar
Full mainland loop. Hanoi to Yangon via overnight trains and local buses.
1 Month Thailand Vietnam Cambodia
Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City → Phnom Penh → Siem Reap
3 Weeks Indonesia Itinerary backpackr
Bali → Yogyakarta → Jakarta → Lombok
Entry
Visa Snapshot
Most $25–50 USD. Indonesia & Malaysia often free.
$50 USD. 28-day stay. Apply 3 weeks ahead.
Extendable to 59 days at BID office.
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