First I wanted to fly from Europe into Hanoi and back from Singapore, but this is quite expensive and somewhat difficult. And Im back! In your case though, I wouldnt worry about costs at all. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. But to say, for instance, that a two week trip couldnt combine both Thailand and Angkor Wat is a bit of an exaggeration. I want to spend 1-2 weeks in Norther Thailand, 1-2 weeks in Vietnam, 1 week in Cambodia, and end it with 1 week in the southern thai islands. Are you able to advise, roughly, how much money is required on a daily basis, please? If youre finding it impossible to fit in all the big bucket list items, dont beat yourself up about it. Backpacking can be super social if youre hoping for romance, you can let things come to you naturally. If we were to add Myanmar to your 2 month itinerary, where would you try to add it? Dont want to be rushing around, just taking it at a good pace, being able to explore off the beaten track in the non touristy parts at times. But there is only so much you can cover in a blog post! Dzieki Marek i gratuluje za piekny blog! Im traveling to Thailand for 2 weeks, 1 day in Cambodia ( I just want to see Siem Reaps Angkor Wat, and then back to Thailand) and then another 2 weeks in the Philippines, so 4 weeks in total. The national park is not so far from Huay Xai (the boat starting point) so its easier to backtrack there. Chiang Mai Yes I think we will take the Mai Chau route from my research, but will just have to wing it when were there! Hey Enza. and do the route as in the map. I plan to do the mainland block, including the northern mountains, i also intend of visiting Borneo for some nature hikes, the Philippines, Indonesia etc I also plan on diving whilst im there (qualified instructor already). Hey! Saying this, we would still like some R & R and to enjoy our time. In case you were wondering, the Banana Pancake trail was named after the guesthouses that were all starting to sell banana pancakes back when hippies were trailblazing around this region in the 1970s. Ive always wanted to do it on our own, but due to lack of time we are leaning more towards doing a tour. Buses are the cheapest option. what would you recommend for a 4 week trek through SE Asia? Now, these places are definitely worth visiting, but they are usually also rammed with tourists and drones, and selfie sticks. Do we need to book hostels and train tickets in advance, or are they easy to sort when you get there? The cheapest months is different per country.

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? I ideally wanted 4 months for my first long trip but chickened out to go alone and so found a friend to join for a 2 months trip: 28 th dec-27th feb Traveling Asia for a while? For budget airlines Air Asia, Tiger Air and the rest all offer dirt cheap fares. With that in mind, does this route make sense: Bangkok lynn. I was just wondering if you would be able to help me with this dilemma I have. 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. Reading your description Im counting 1 week northern Thailand, 1 week Laos, 1 week Cambodia, etc. But, dont want to do a trip to Vietnam an injustice if the weather is less than ideal w hat do you think about this? So its hard to say . Laos is quite remote and so few budget flights go there. If youre mostly after culture then the Thai islands arent a must I think. Then, I flew to Krabi for a few days at Ao Nang and Koh Phangan.

Ive also seen it near Chiang Mai, Vang Vieng or Nong Khiaw in Laos, or Kampot in Cambodia. I wouldnt worry about the airpods as they sell fake ones in Asia for like $1 that look almost identical, so a thief wouldnt know if hes getting anything of worth! Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. It is my first backpacking trip without a group so we have a lot of questions as we are trying to roughly plan! To do basically 3 countries in 2 weeks is a lot. You can get it while youre still at home, or you can apply for them during your trip (at an embassy in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur for instance). $3K will likely be at least 6X more than you need for 4 weeks of day to day expenses. Fly to Bangkok, work through Cambodia to southern Vietnam and work up to halong bay, cut through the top of Laos to Chiang Rai, train down to southern islands (beaches!!) Hey Barry, appreciate your nice words. I think youll be mostly OK following the route above. Hi Marek, great article and thanks for sharing your experience! The countries that are normally considered part of Southeast Asia include Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines. Its a full schedule for sure, and some of these places are quite far apart. Ill still need your help though. Was considering SEA as my first go, but Im open to other countries/routes as well. I am at the beginning of my planning for my first backpacking experience. Do you think we will have time to add a bit of Cambodia in? From Ho Chi Minh city, I took a boat trip via the Mekong into Cambodia which was very nice. Fantastic article and very helpful. I looking to avoid mass partying and overly commercialised areas. If you go for basic accommodation and eat the local food, 200 GBP each per week will definitely see you through. This party and beach haunt is a popular with Saigonites and backpackers. We would quite like to visit the touristy beaches like where The Beach was filmed and Phuket etc but only for a few nights, the rest we would prefer somewhere we can totally relax and get our hands on good food etc. Was thinking about travelling Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos in the one and a half months or so, No worries! I expect to have recovery in a few more days and then I should be able to head out to the islands and mountain you suggested. Great comment Larry. However, there is much more to see than you might be able to cover in one trip. I should probably do a post on cost of travel in SEA sometime! (* Edit: I have just done Sihaoukville > Koh Kong > Trat > Koh Chang > Bangkok and can highly recommend this route.).

How much do you think it would cost? Malaysian Borneo has some of the best wildlife experiences and the tallest mountain in the region. Any tips? We wouldnt mind taking domestic flights, as I understand that transportation can be a bit gruelling, and are ok with a bit of a faster pace. Hey Marek! My question is do you think i could do this with a 40L backpack? A stop around Tonle Sap lake, or a visit to Sihanoukville are also highly recommended. I would love to help you but its honestly hard for me to visualize your route. Hopefully, this article has helped you get some ideas for your Southeast Asia trip. Thanks so much! A good alternative to Sa Pa is Ha Giang, a completely unspoiled area with limited tourists but one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my 10+ years of travel..and I would disagree about vietnams beaches not being greatplaces like Quan Lan, Lang Co, Quy Nhon, and Con Dao are all islands or beaches with longgggggggggg white beaches that have completely no people on them for fear of getting a tan Vietnam is still a developing country but it is A LOT different than the buddhist countries of Thailand, Cambodia, or Laos, and personally my favorite out of the entire south east asian area, although the Philippines and Indonesia are also very good! Siem Riep (>> Fly to Bangkok) We plan on working in Australia. We are backpacking newbies. Ben. what if its a hike thats longer than one day and cant guarantee me cover from the rain; besides for getting a bit wet, is that dangerous? 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. If in doubt, Bangkok is always a great place to kick off your adventure. 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? For Laos and Cambodia its easy to just get a visa at the border. Sounds great! is there something Im missing here? You could even do some more holiday-type stuff every now and then (theres a great water park in Nha Trang, Vietnam). We want to see some of the more renowned temples but out focus is sort of coastal/activity based. I know, that might feel unambitious! I know that helps (even though I might get private rooms to start when I have the opportunity bc I feel more secure that way for now.) All other countries have visa on arrival for most passports, Nice article! Its quite a specific type of experience and its not all there is to travelling this part of the world. Hi Marek! If I were to go, it would be mid-July for around a month and a half. is there any tours you can recommend?

Im heading there in March for 2 months. All I can find are either long luxury cruises, touristy delta tours or the 2-day trip from Luang Prabang to the Thai border (which sounds nice, but not really practical as we are not travelling to Thailand!) Thank you so much for the great guide above. Hello! (You can see many more reviews at Amazon). Im not much of an active person (in terms of hiking and backpacking) but i LOVE to walk around all day in and out of shops and bars and resaurants. Have a great exciting day! My day t. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Hope to hear from you soon, many thanks! Glad my articles have proven so useful to you by the way. So the idea would be to fly into Singapore and work our way up into Thailand. Although this is subjective, to get that real feel for the countries I especially recommend making a stop in southern Laos, or spending time in northern Vietnam (the mountains). Hanoi, the capital, is more compact and traditional than its high rise sister in the south. Ive looked up the flights from many different capitals of SEA and it seems like the cheapest I can find is about $95 from Bangkok! Im very Love the article. Once I get to know people Im perfectly fine, but Ive just got an initial bit of anxiety about meeting new people. Hey Nicole. Like Thailand, there is a lot to do in Vietnam. We generally enjoy nature, street food, snorkeling, easy transportation, hiking, seeing animals in nature and connecting with friendly locals. Thank you Also, are you Czech? Ask people who are independent sources of information (for instance staff at a hostel, or other travellers) what the real prices are, so you know when youre being ripped off. If your budget allows, Id highly recommend jumping on a plane from Penang to Kuching on Borneo. Not really a problem but something to know. Such a whirlwind tour isnt going to capture whats so truly great about this region. The goal doesnt always have to be full immersion / advanced anthropological studies simplifying your itinerary can simply be a method for time optimization. Id still keep an eye on this page on the off chance they reopen properly in the next few weeks. My first stop is in Hong Kong as I could get a really cheap flight for that destination.

This is just working off the rough climate patterns though and your mileage may vary etc. I am spending 4 months travelling SE Asia and just wanted to know if we will be able to see all the countries listed in the first pic, including Borneo, Bali, Manila etc. This would require me to make my way to Vietnam. Starting to panic that might not be enough. I have sort of a unique situation that I could use a bit of advice on if youre able. I am concerned about the weather (I know it will be pretty hot/rainy) and I was wondering what the best places to visit vs avoid are for that time of year.

are better sources for timetables, or local guesthouse owners can give you info. Also, and this will sound like a plug, but my book is also a great resource if youre travelling Asia for the first time. Hi! Everything has pros and cons so theres never a perfect time. Comments are manually moderated. There should be flights from Bangkok to Manila. Part of the plan was to visit an uncle in Sihanoukville but we arent able to reach him lol. 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? I would like to see Malaysia, Thailand, parts of Cambodia and Vietnam along with Laos. Indonesia is very spread out so you can lose a lot of time in transit, but focusing on those islands keeps things compact. Just a simple question from me: We have 10 days to spend somewhere in South East Asia. So now Im thinking to buy a returnticket to Singapore, and take a local flight from Singapore to Hanoi to start my trip. I am asking for some advice (oh no not another one haha) So yeah, the first thing Id do is consider other places within Cambodia that you might like. We have flights already booked out of Bangkok at the end but still havent booked our flights in (from India). Seems a shame to write it off on the basis of PP and Sihanoukville (which in my opinion arent the best places anyway!). Instead, consider just picking one country, then make the most of your time there. I was thinking about going travelling this summer, whilst on summer holidays from university. Or are you planning a trip but feeling overwhelmed by the whole process? Thailand is quite lenient when it comes to overstaying, so if you are a couple of days over on your visa you typically just pay a fine for each day at the airport (which is about the same as normal visa costs but prorated). , Thank you so much this is really helpful advice and it will be put in good use . Based on your suggested itinerary Im thinking to include following stops in my itinerary: Bangkok Do you think our plan is too ambitious? A bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap will cost you a similar price, in the region of $20-40, depending on when you book and with who. Thanks a lot! Vietnam 10

Itll be rainy season in most places around this time though not sure theres a clever way to get around it! Sounds like an exciting trip! I have a flight in and out of Bangkok at the end of the year, with a month to play with. Thanks in advance, this is a great article btw. Near Ho Chi Minh City its worth going to the Mekong Delta and seeing the floating markets there. And, if you just want to put your feet up on the beach. Do you think trying to hit some major points in Thailand, Vietnam and Laos/Cambodia is too ambitious? By june/july youll be hitting the monsoon in places like Cambodia/Thailand though which makes the beaches not as great. The route is really just an example . I am flying to Myanmar from Sri Lanka and cant find anything below $250 at the moment through major booking sites. Ive had some difficulty over xmas / NYE in Asia, but you will be travelling after that period so not much to worry about. the through Malaysia to Singapore, fly to Philippines and go round the beaches, back to Indonesia (Medan) and work to Bali, then off to Australia from there. This is just a quick reply before my next bus departs, but considering your interests I would maybe recommend Koh Rong Sanloem or some of the smaller islands around Sihanoukville. Ive also heard they are a hard-working people and I find that attractive. Will this cause unwanted attention by those up to no good? Hey Charlie! Yeah definitely doable, as youve picked just a few spots in each country. thanks so much in advance. Hey Sammi. This suggested route stitches together various pieces from trips Ive done. Sadly, its been going through many political issues and its an unstable place right now, embroiled in a civil war. Thanks a lot. Ive been diving into all your guides; thank you! We have now been advised that travelling to Laos will be quite difficult so we are trying to re-plan a route. Its tricky cramming it all in, but if youve got 3 or 4 weeks, this is our recommended schedule, based on a return flight to Bangkok. Itinerary for Southeast Asia: 2 Weeks in Vietnam, Conclusions for Vietnam: Itinerary for Southeast Asia, Itinerary for Southeast Asia: 1 Week in Cambodia, Conclusions for Cambodia: Itinerary for Southeast Asia, Itinerary for Southeast Asia: 2 Weeks in Thailand, Conclusions for Thailand: Itinerary for Southeast Asia. Cambodia 7 as they dont take the scenic routes, especially between all these major cities or capitals. Its easy to find hostels/rooms. (Once a month, no ads or spam. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. One month is the perfect amount of time to travel, especially around SEA (as its commonly called). Why? The first two are easily (and often) combined, especially south Vietnam + Cambodia. I flew from Singapore at the time. Will i have to take some great British pounds with me for visas etc? But again, its very subjective stuff . Your email address will not be published. Youll want to stay longer. First time traveller. But if you can spend a week or just under in one place, and another, and top things off on a Thai island, youll be less rushed. Monsoon season is something to keep an eye on but if youve got some time (as you will have) then its not necesserily a bad time to travel. Using sites such as Viator you can easily book some of the most important things to see and do before you arrive often for a better price than youll pay there. It depends on where youre going you can get visa-on-arrival in most countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, etc.). And happy travels!! Do you have any recommendations on how to get the most out of our timeline with out cramming in too much? (and hopefully Myanmar) . That can be easier said than done. Youve been warned. Hi mark, love the blog, a really nice and informative read! Islands of Cambodia Here are a few reasons why: Not to mention, traveling long distances can be tiring! Hi Marek! Thanks. I have a question. Hi Marek, thanks for these nice tips! Improvisation is very easy in Southeast Asia, so you can always just wing it and see where adventure takes you! Two weeks is honestly not a whole lot to be thinking about an entire region, but I understand that not everyone has the luxury of time. You might be able to find some flights from Vietnam too, but not sure. It wont rain all the time; you just might get unlucky and get a very rainy couple of days. Are Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam best saved until later in the year, with lower temperatures but more rain? We are still yet to establish a route but your guides are proving to be very helpful, so thank you! Do you think the route is still too ambitious? Theres still plenty of wifi everywhere that lets you keep in touch (in cafes, hostels, etc.) Thats how Ive travelled most of Southeast Asia too (I knew almost nothing at the start). Or do you want to pick a more realistic number of places and then see them in a more meaningful way? Hanoi . It is true that prices can skyrocket, like a bowl of pho goes from 20,000 VND to 100,000 VND, ($1 to $5), but it can also be a very quiet time in the capital of Hanoi, which I find to be one of the most charming parts of Vietnam. I am wanting to do Cambodia, laos and Vietnam. Hotels and airfare are taken care of so basically Im just worried about transportation expenses and food. You dont want to get caught out when travelling around South Easy Asia. For visiting 5 countries, 8 weeks total will give you a lot more flexibility than 6 though. 6 months is plenty so no reason not to add the Philippines! At this point my plan is: Hanoi (3d + trip to Ha Long Bay 1 day) Da Nang + Hoi An (2d) HCMC (3d + 1d excursion to the war tunnels) Phnom Penh (2d) Siem Reap (2d + 1d Angkor Wat)- Bangkok (4d) Vientiane (2d) (back thru Bangkok) Phuket area (2d) Penang (2d) Kuala Lumpur (3d) Singapore (3d + 1d to Batam). Planning to travel in Southeast Asia? Hmm if given the choice between 1 month or 2+ months Id go for the latter, just because youll have more time to experience Asia! Me and my boyfriend are planning on traveling next year and are in the very early stages of planning. I wanted to ask what were you using for cell phone service? Vietnam alone could take you 2,5 or 3 weeks; keep at least one week free to dip into Cambodia to see the temples of Angkor Wat. I am planning a trip with one of my friends from late december to early february, around 45 days. Maybe you already know about the towering limestone islands of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, or the epic temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, or the famed beaches and islands around Krabi in Thailand. Im looking to do Thailand+Cambodia, but if I have Both Thailand and Singapore/Bali are great starting points in Southeast Asia, so I probably wouldnt worry too much about this choice. Do you think the sequence of countries is optimal regarding travel times? Hi Marek! In 2012 I quit the daily grind for a life of travel. 2 days or so ahead while you travel, that way you know you have a reservation but you still maintain some flexibility. Avoiding the high season could save you a little money on accommodation. Just a few quick thoughts, Hello Marek, Try to spend a lot of your time in Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam which are the cheapest countries. Theres great jungle trekking in Borneo (Malaysian side) as well as Mt. Vietnam normally requires pre-arranged visas it can be beneficial to get this sorted in advance at home if you know when youre going to be there. I think youve got a great attitude to planning. Vientiane (>> Fly to Phnom Penn) Its difficult comparing with Indonesia as its so large and there are differences even between Bali and other islands. and to you have any 5 month budget? Dont worry about bus/train tickets, you can get those locally when you need them. For example Ive been in Thailand in Oct/Nov, Jan/Feb and May and either way youre still in a tropical climate. Also, while our kids are pretty good travellers, weve never done anything like this before not sure if you have any specific advice? But its more of a preference than dont do it this way. [Im starting a volunteer program in October for the year so I dont think the time can be changed, only the destination. You could always earn some money in Australia/NZ, then go back to Southeast Asia for a second round of travel Good luck with the planning. 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. To fill the rest of my trip im planning to go to places people i meet recomends. Many of my favorite travel memories in Asia are not of grand or iconic locations. I dream of meeting a fellow traveler so we can take on the world together! while exploring. (This does make some assumptions about your nationality by the way. Its also nice to keep the beach time for last as it makes for a relaxing end to a trip! I assume you will be flying between some of these cities? Now, Ive been told that SEA is very good for planning stuff a few days beforehand as there would be plenty of buses and hostels available all year. Hi great article! Coincidentally Im in Cambodia as well at the moment. I am currently debating on what to do. Given 2 weeks, youll have some tough decisions to make. Hey Marek, flying into bankok and have about 6-7 weeks in the region. Keep an eye on current events to know if its a good time to go to Myanmar. Hey Samar. But, we are finding that some of the places we were wanting to go in northern Vietnam (Sapa/ Ha Long Bay) Wont be great in December. we want to go to the philippines ad heard the best season is january feb, we are leaving on the 17th for bangkok and will stay i SEA for 4 months, following the circular route bangkok, north thailand, laos,vietnam,cambodia, south thailand Just want to bounce some ideas with you. Hi Erin. If you want to explore Bangkok, check out these tours and experiences on Get Your Guide. This article was really helpful.It did help me build a skeleton of my itinerary. Hey Laura! Any advice for pairing the two in a time efficient way? With 6 weeks I recommend sticking to about 3 countries max so you can really get the most out of them. Luang Prabang Am i best off to withdraw a bit of money before heading out of the main cities? I am using it for guidance as I plan a trip! Im still unsure what to do, would you say to get the most out of the experience, you need to be much more of an outgoing person? In cities I like to see things outside, like buildings, rivers, markets and shopping streets, and not so much malls or museums. clothing or not. ), Copyright 2012-2022 - Indie Traveller | Privacy - Disclosure, Where To Travel (All My Favourite Destinations 75+ Travel Ideas), Podcast: Japan, Budget Travel & How To Conquer Your Travel Fears, How To Work-From-Home While (Shhh) Also Traveling, 10 Underrated Destinations You Must Have On Your Travel List, 25 Pro Tips For Backpacking Asia (Based On 1 Year+ Of Travel), Travel Checklist: 15 Things To Always Remember Before You Go, All You Need To Know About Travelling Solo As A Female - Itravellean, http://www.indietraveller.co/southeast-asia-cost-of-travel/, http://www.indietraveller.co/travelling-on-one-way-tickets/, https://www.indietraveller.co/myanmar-travel-guide/, A tighter route typically means more time to experience things, and, This route leaves out Vientiane in Laos, as I (humbly) think its one of the dullest capitals in the region, More stops in the mountainous central and north Vietnam instead of the south (but this can always be added back in), Added southern Laos for a gentler Mekong river experience, in favor of the busier Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam. The only issues would be is paying for a more expensive Vietnamese visa for 90 days (around 90GBP) but will it be worth it? There are several nature reserves around the city which are perfect for spotting these gorgeous and endangered apes. We dont want to be very touristic areas but because of the lack of time we can not travel too long to get there. I recommend booking e.g. That said, Ive narrowed it down between the two I first mentioned: Myanmar or Laos. We are currently trying to plan a 9-10 month trip starting in August. From what I understand, May is between dry and rainy season mostly.

You can have a great time in the Philippines in April at the end of your trip, for example. I have approx 3 months. Plan 2 also sounds good for a cultural focus/ I must admit its hard for me to think about 2-week itineraries as Ive usually had the luxury of more time. Thank you so much again, your blog is a huge help! Remember some people might only ever get that 2 week trip in their entire life to see some of Southeast Asia. In Japan, many travellers like to take the bullet trains. If youre new to Southeast Asia, then Thailand is always a safe bet. My partner and I are looking to travel S E Asia later this year and your blog is endlessly helpful! Fewer tourist go to Philippines? Malaysia 7 Intrigued? but just realized that its apparently the worst time in terms of weather. We have just about 16 days from there. One, a sedate place of traditional subsistence living and the other a booming resort town and party hotspot. Dude, this was an awesome read! SEA is a great region for doing this. Head to Khao Sok National Park for a couple of days trekking in the jungle. Why Should You Use Leisure Batteries For Camping Trips, La Nouvelle cole: Investing in Children and the Future, Les Deux Alpes Review: Glaciers and Epic Pistes, Top 10 Desinations To Visit With Your Motorhome in the UK, The islands (Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi etc), Genocide museums in Phnom Penh including the Killing Fields, Dalat for mountains and easy rider bike tours, Colonial architecture and street food in Penang, Some of the worlds cheapest Michelin Star meals. Im at tammy.salomon@gmail.com But can you make travelling here worthwhile in one month? My partner and I are thinking Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia with the most time spent in Indonesia of the three. My initial thought was to visit Bali, but I am super open to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodiawherever. Ive always been able to do a city in a short time, which is exhausting but thats not a problem for me. -I am a vintage collector and love to explore marketplaces and bizarres with unique goods for purchase. Since youll be focusing on cities I actually wouldnt worry too much about the rainy season. Thank you for sharing such helpful Southeast Asia Itinerary Suggestions. until August, and go for 2-3 months I am worried about the monsoon It made for a wonderful trip! I consider Vietnam a somewhat underrated destination, the reason for which I explain in these guides. https://meanderingsofawanderer.wordpress.com/2016/02/17/south-east-asia-itinerary/. And sorry in advance for asking for itinerary help as it seems like you get a lot of similar questions! Ive only got a rough itinerary planned and was intending to be flexible anyway so that sounds good Thanks again! 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.



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