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Best places to visit in asia.

From megacities to remote islands, Asia's top travel spots offer a hearty dose of adventure, ancient history and culture. And with most Asian destinations now fully open after years of pandemic restrictions, there has never been a better time to plan a trip. After considering local prices, accessibility and the variety of attractions in each destination, along with traveler feedback, U.S. News ranked the best places to visit in Asia. Contribute to next year's list by casting your vote below.

Sagarmatha National Park

Railay beach, guilin and lijiang river national park.

If your dream vacation involves posting up on a postcard-worthy beach, the Maldives is for you. This far-flung destination, which is located about 370 miles from civilization in the Indian Ocean, is made up of more than 1,100 idyllic islands (roughly 200 of which are inhabited). The Maldives feature lush tropical landscapes, unparalleled white sand beaches, crystal-clear ocean waters and coral reefs that prompt extensive exploration. The best way to experience this slice of paradise? Stay in one of many overwater bungalows , of course.

Tokyo is as fast-paced as cities come – it's the most populated city in the world, after all. Japan's capital features neon-lit skyscrapers and crowded streets that novice visitors may find dizzying, but its one-of-a-kind offerings can't be missed. Spend days touring quirky museums, exploring fascinating architecture or visiting Odaiba for its premier shopping scene. Or, take in some quieter, more peaceful moments at a holy site like the Meiji Shrine or Sensoji Temple. Tokyo's unrivaled gastronomic landscape (think: sushi, ramen, sky-high cocktail bars and more Michelin darlings than you could hope to visit) also makes it a bucket list destination for foodies.

Phuket, Thailand's elongated beaches and cerulean waters embody a paradise that few other Asian destinations can rival. Besides swimming and relaxing on the beach, visitors can take traditional, wooden longtail boat tours to James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay to see the surreal limestone rock formations that rise from the sea. The towering Big Buddha statue is also a top attraction, while Phuket's buzzing beach clubs and nightlife options hold appeal for those looking to let loose. What's more, like most destinations in Thailand, travelers can find relatively affordable lodging options here.

This Nepalese national park is famous for housing the behemoth that is Mount Everest, the highest point on earth, and promises a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. However, it is important to know that Sagarmatha is not just Everest. The UNESCO-listed park also offers several other sky-high Himalayan peaks, as well as sweeping valleys, scenic glaciers, deep gorges and incredible wildlife, including snow leopards and red pandas. Just note, seeing the park's top attractions typically requires at least two weeks of trekking, and due to Sagarmatha's high elevation and rocky, steep terrain, a trip here isn't for the faint of heart.

A British colony until 1997, Hong Kong's strong Western influence sets it apart from China's mainland metropolises. Beyond Hong Kong's sleek, towering skyscrapers (best admired from Victoria Peak), visitors can find natural and cultural gems on the more than 250 outlying islands, such as Lantau Island, or shop the city's bustling street markets. Dim sum is a must, but Hong Kong's robust dining scene also offers everything from street food to Michelin-starred fine dining. And when the sun goes down, watch the Symphony of Lights laser show dazzle the skyline along Victoria Harbor.

Tucked among lush mountains in northwest Thailand, Chiang Mai offers a sized-down version of Bangkok's buzz paired with a tranquil culture and natural beauty. Your urban itinerary should include tuk-tuk rides, tours of breathtaking temples like Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara and Wat Phra Singh, trips to night markets and a cooking class to try your hand at pad Thai. Then, step outside of the city walls to visit an ethical elephant sanctuary or two and a wander through beautiful Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

History lovers and Instagrammers alike will revel in the sites of Kyoto. The city, which used to be Japan's capital until imperial times, is awash with centuries-old shrines and temples, including the gilded Kinkakuji and Fushimi Inari Taisha, a shrine that dates back to A.D. 711. In addition to saving time for religious sites, be sure to visit the famous Philosopher's Path, preferably during cherry blossom season, and the mystical Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. When hunger strikes, treat yourself to kaiseki: a traditional multicourse meal native to Japan. For another essential Japanese experience, stay at one of the many ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) in Kyoto. 

From the moment you touchdown at Singapore Changi Airport (a tourist destination in itself), Singapore shows off its futuristic embellishment. But this Southeast Asia jewel is also unique for its amalgamation of cultures. This fusion takes form in the city's colorful neighborhoods, eclectic culinary scene and overall modern atmosphere. After shopping on flashy Orchard Road and chowing down in cultural enclaves like Little India or Chinatown, head downtown to take in the towering skyscrapers from Merlion Park, the Singapore Flyer or the sky-high Gardens by the Bay.

The island nation of Sri Lanka, located off the southern tip of India, boasts rainforests, beaches and ruins without the tourist crowds of other popular Asian destinations. Despite its small footprint, Sri Lanka features 26 national parks, many of which are ideal for a safari excursion to encounter elephants, leopards and sloth bears. Meanwhile, ancient sites like Sigiriya, a 600-foot-high fortress, and the temples of Polonnaruwa hold their own appeal, and the palm-fringed golden beaches that line the shores are never too far away for those seeking a more laid-back vacation.

Hanoi is perfect for first-time Vietnam visitors, with tranquil lakes offsetting its fast-paced bustle and darting motorbikes. The country's capital offers plenty in the way of history, culture, shopping, dining and natural splendor. Start your day off with a Vietnamese coffee, then head to Hanoi's central Old Quarter for a stroll through the many narrow, colorful streets and a taste of mouthwatering street food. After that, check out one of the city's many temples, including the ancient Temple of Literature, which dates back to the 11th century, or head to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a must-visit for history buffs.

Bali's natural beauty is so profound, travelers have been known to refer to the Indonesian destination as "heaven on Earth." Here, lush rainforests, picturesque mountains, sweeping valleys and scenic beaches all sit side by side. You'll also find a handful of serene temples in this Southeast Asia hot spot, including Uluwatu and Tanah Lot temples – both excellent places to catch a sunset. And no first-time trip to Bali would be complete without on a visit to Ubud, Bali's cultural capital and home of the region's famous rice terraces.

Whether you visit in spring (for cherry blossoms), summer (for climbing), autumn (for foliage) or winter (for nearby ski resorts), Japan's highest peak and imposing attraction is sure to capture your attention. Mount Fuji lies about 60 miles southwest of Tokyo, perfect for a daytrip from the city or a glimpse from a train ride, but this active volcano is also worthy of deeper exploration. Base yourself in the Fuji Five Lakes area to enjoy picture-perfect views at Arakurayama Sengen Park or from one of Lake Kawaguchiko's onsens (hot springs), and don't leave without sampling local hoto noodles.  

If you only have time to go to one beach in Thailand, make it Railay Beach, one of the world's most beautiful beaches . Located in the country's Krabi province, Railay Beach features glistening white sands and is surrounded by limestone rock formations (covered in leafy green vegetation) that jut out from the sea. If you're feeling adventurous, explore the area's natural wonders with a rock climbing excursion or go for a nighttime kayak trip to see bioluminescent plankton. As if this beach destination couldn't get more alluring, you're only able to reach it by boat. Daytrips from nearby Ao Nang are popular among travelers.

Siem Reap is the home of Angkor Wat, an ornate Buddhist temple built in the 12th century that is believed to be the largest religious monument in the world. The impressive landmark is just one of many must-sees within Cambodia's UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. The complex also includes the equally detailed Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm Temple. Because of the immense popularity of Angkor (the site receives millions of visitors per year), you may want to travel during a shoulder month like March or November to avoid bumping elbows with fellow travelers.

Travel to the capital of Indian state Rajasthan to marvel at the "Pink City's" incredible architecture. Hawa Mahal, a pink sandstone palace that was modeled after Hindu god Krishna's crown, is Jaipur's biggest claim to fame. The property's astounding 953 honeycomb-patterned windows allowed the original ladies of the royal family to view the comings and goings of the Indian city without being seen. Other structures worth seeing are the Jaigarh Fort, Panna Meena ka Kund and Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that displays larger-than-life astronomical instruments.

Thailand's capital city is filled to the brim with eye-catching Hindu sites, nonstop nightlife and incredible Thai cuisine. Sacred sites like Wat Arun and Wat Pho are pockets of calm amidst Bangkok's skyscrapers. Shoppers can enjoy the Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the world's largest street markets, or venture to one of the floating markets located outside the city. While in Bangkok, grab as much grub as possible from the street stalls, and at night, you won't want to miss the lofty views from one of the many rooftop bars.

This national park is so loved and respected, its image is featured on China's paper currency. Guilin and Lijiang River National Park is located in the Guangxi region in the southeastern part of China. The Lijiang River runs about 50 miles from Guilin to Yangshuo, passing stunning landscapes and towering green karsts (eroded limestone) along the way. The best way to take in the otherworldly scenery is by boat cruise, though you may want to splurge on a luxury option since the trip can take up to five hours. Tourists who prefer to travel on their own time can also hike or bike along the river.

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Luang Prabang

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From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of adventure, solace and spirituality that it has fixated and confounded travelers for centuries.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi

Wat Pho is our absolute favorite among Bangkok's biggest sights. In fact, the compound incorporates a host of superlatives: the city's largest reclining…

Fuji Five Lakes

Fuji-san is among Japan's most revered and timeless attractions, the inspiration for generations of poets and the focus of countless artworks. Hundreds of…

War Remnants Museum

Ho Chi Minh City

To understand the US invasion of Vietnam, and contextualize its devastating impact on the country's civilians, this remarkable and deeply moving museum is…

Tokyo National Museum

Ueno & Yanesen

If you visit only one museum in Tokyo, make it the Tokyo National Museum. Here you'll find the world's largest collection of Japanese art, including…

Polonnaruwa

Part of Parakramabahu I’s northern monastery, Gal Vihara is a group of beautiful Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sinhalese rock…

Po Lin Monastery & Big Buddha

Po Lin is a huge Buddhist monastery and temple complex that was built in 1924. Today it seems more of a tourist honeypot than a religious retreat,…

A still, serene and deeply moving place, Nagasaki's Peace Park commemorates the atomic bombing of the city on August 9, 1945, which reduced the…

This cable-hauled funicular railway has been scaling the 396m ascent to the highest point on Hong Kong Island since 1888. A ride on this clanking tram is…

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Asia and beyond

Ultimate SOUTHEAST ASIA Travel Guide

Southeast Asia  is a fascinating part of the world that offers beautiful islands, beaches, lush jungles, unique wildlife, tasty food and intriguing culture. This Southeast Asia travel guide is designed to uncover some of our favorite places and things about this region and help you plan your own trip to this unique part of the world.

Defining Southeast Asia can be referred to as the region that resides between  Asia  and  Oceania . It is made up of eleven countries including Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

These countries are bordered by China to the North,  Australia  to the South, the Andaman Sea to the West and the Pacific Ocean to the East.

We’ve spent more time in Southeast Asia than we care to admit, thinking hard on it we’ve spent no less than 9 months traveling the region over multiple trips at the time of publishing this guide.

We’ve visited across all seasons and while we haven’t been everywhere or to every country (yet!), we’ve done enough leg work to offer you some useful insight on travel to Southeast Asia.

Destinations

Southeast asia travel: quick tips, don’t visit southeast asia without:.

UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER

GET A GUIDEBOOK

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

SOUTHEAST ASIA BUCKET LIST

Philippines island hopping.

Hopping  islands in Coron  is one of the best  things to do in the Philippines  or even Southeast Asia for that matter. You’ll experience white-sand beaches and turquoise waters set against green island interiors. It’s idyllic and one of our favorite places in the world.

DISCOVER THE ANGKOR TEMPLES

One of the most impressive ruin sites we have ever seen is the  Angkor Temple Complex  in Cambodia. We’ve even been twice! Angkor Wat is the most impressive but we enjoy checking out the temples that have been reclaimed by the jungle too.

SEE WILD ORANGUTANS

Southeast Asia is the only place in the world where Orangutans still exist in the wild. It is possible to track  orangutans in Sumatra , Indonesia and  Sepilok Borneo . Both are off the beaten track but worth the effort. We’ve seen orangutans in both places!

MORE THINGS TO TRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

There is no shortage of great  things to do in Southeast Asia  during your visit and the biggest problem you’ll face is fitting them all into your itinerary.

Each country has its own offering and unique things to check out during a visit, so be sure to look at our country guides once you decide where you’re itinerary will take you.

SPEND SOME TIME IN BANGKOK: (Thailand)    Bangkok  is the first city in Southeast Asia that we ever set foot in and that was back in 2010 when we went on our honeymoon! We’ve been back to the city 7 times since then and always recommend it to people who want to visit the region. It’s a huge, sprawling megacity with as much modern convenience as you’d find in any major western city. Combine that with the amazing food, Thai culture and abundance of temples and you pretty much have the perfect city.

TOUR TEMPLES IN CHIANG MAI: (Thailand) Heading north is a popular part of most people’s Thailand itinerary and Chiang Mai is worth the effort. The heart of the city lies within a wall with a surrounding moat and touts a series of beautiful temples to explore.

GET A BAMBOO TATTOO: (Thailand)  This isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve thought about getting a  bamboo tattoo in Thailand , just do it! Both of us did and have nothing but positive things to say about the whole experience.

VISIT THE PHI PHI ISLANDS: (Thailand)  One of the most beautiful chain of islands in the Andaman Sea, the  Phi Phi Islands  are worth a visit despite the harsh backpacker vibe they portray. Yes, backpackers flock here, but there are also plenty of nice resorts to stay at and other islands to tour during the day that are nearby.

TEMPLE HOP IN BAGAN: (Myanmar)  (England) Alongside the Angkor Temples in Cambodia, Bagan is the most impressive temple complex in Southeast Asia. Covering 40 square miles, this complex offers up impressive temple structures from three distinct time periods. Our biggest piece of advice? Give yourself at least 3 days to see the best it has to offer.

UNWIND IN PENANG: (Malaysia)  The island of Penang, which sits off the western coast of Malaysia, may just be our favorite island in Southeast Asia. It’s a place that blends tropical jungles with white sand beaches and old-world history with Asian culture. It has a little bit of everything and we that is why we love it. From the street art and amazing good in Georgetown to the  Monkey beach trek in Penang National Park , we’d visit a hundred times over and never be bored.

TOUR KUALA LUMPUR: (Malaysia)  We won’t lie, we have a love, hate relationship with  Kuala Lumpur  but that doesn’t stop us from going back. The city has a lot of offer travelers, including a delicious food scene, great architecture and the famed  Batu Caves  just outside the city.

LEVEL WITH HISTORY IN PHNOM PENH: (Cambodia)  Travel is so much more than lying on beaches and touring sites, it’s a valuable window into the past too. If you find yourself in Phnom Penh it is worth your time to learn more about the Khmer Rouge genocide that happened in parallel with the Vietnam War. The  museums and killing field sites  are sobering but a necessary part of learning world history when you travel.

DO THE BUFFALO RUN IN VIETNAM:  Starting in Hanoi, the  Buffalo Run tour  takes you off the beaten track and deeply explores the very best of Vietnam, north of the demarcation line. This is not a well-traveled path, so you’ll feel like you’re the only one there. You’ll stop off in places like Cuc Phong National Park, Trang An, Phong Nha, the DMZ, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Hue and Hoi An.

CRUISE AROUND HALONG BAY: (Vietnam)  One of the best  things to do in Vietnam  is to  cruise Halong Bay  and for good reason, it’s gorgeous! Massive limestone karsts grow out of bright green seas paired with island accommodation and white sand beaches. It’s a great way to unwind, especially if you have jetlag from the flight to Southeast Asia.

WATCH WILDLIFE IN THE AMAZON OF THE EAST: (Borneo)  We are total suckers for a thick rainforest and Borneo delivers. The island is literally known as the Amazon of the East and features some of the most incredible primary rainforests you can find on the planet. With that comes some incredible wildlife viewing, it’s a  birders paradise  with more than 688 resident and migratory species. You can also see the endemic Proboscis Monkey, orangutans and if you’re really lucky some pygmy elephants.

GO SCUBA DIVING AT SIPADAN ISLAND: (Borneo)  If you’re a scuba diver then you likely already know about  Sipadan Island . It is arguably the best place in the world for diving and we do not disagree. Pair it with the incredible muck diving and manta cleaning stations around nearby islands like Siamil and Mabul to make the ultimate dive trip in Southeast Asia.

TRACK KOMODO DRAGONS: (Indonesia)  There is only one place in the entire world where the world’s largest reptile,  the Komodo Dragon , still lives in the wild. This is the Komodo Islands in eastern Indonesia. Not only are these islands absolutely stunning, seeing the dragons is a once in a lifetime experience too. It’s not possible to stay on the islands, so be sure to book yourself a  Sailing Komodo Island tour  when you arrive in-country.

GET OFF THE GRID IN RAJA AMPAT: (Indonesia)  Located off the coast of the remote island of Papua,  Raja Ampat  is part of Indonesia’s West Papua province. This place is a straight-up paradise. It offers insane jungle hiking through untouched forests, island views, rich culture and some of the most pristine coral reefs we have ever seen. It’s hard to get to and expensive but oh so worth the effort.

EXPLORE BALI: (Indonesia)  If you’ve never been to Indonesia before, we’d happily recommend Bali be added to your itinerary. It is one of those Southeast Asia classics that shouldn’t be overlooked. From the beaches in Kuta, the islands of Nusa and the rice terraces that surround  Ubud , there are plenty of  things to do in Bali  during a visit.

CATCH A SUNRISE AT BOROBUDUR TEMPLE: (Indonesia)  Another temple, I know, but this one is spectacular and worth the visit. Catching a  Borobudur sunrise  is almost otherworldly and worth the 3am wakeup call to see buddha silhouettes against volcanos erupting against the sunrise. The temple is located on Java island, not far from Yogyakarta.

FOODIE BUCKET LIST

Southeast Asia is a foodie’s paradise, and the region is an incredible palace to eat your way around. In fact, a big part of Southeast Asia travel is the food, so don’t be afraid to try the local stuff!

Thai cuisine  needs no introduction, and  Malaysian food  is possibly the most underrated in the world. There are lots of curries and noodle dishes, with a great mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisine to try.

Burmese food  involves more curry and noodles, while  Vietnam  is famous for  Bahn Mi and Pho . Indonesia has its fried rice and rendang. Singapore is home to some of the world’s only  Michelin-starred street food stalls !

SOUTHEAST ASIA FESTIVALS

Southeast Asia is packed with events and festivals throughout the year, and every country has unique celebrations to offer visitors.

In Vietnam, the biggest celebration is  Tet , the New Year in February. Chinatowns everywhere celebrate Chinese New Year around the same time.

In Thailand, you can visit the famed  Songkran , a water festival that brings in the Thai New Year in April.

In Bali, you can find processions and parades throughout the year, while in March, the  Day of Silence  is a unique local occasion to be part of.

The Philippines has more local festivals than anywhere else, a throwback to their Spanish ancestry. The major ones are  Sinulog  in January and  Holy Week  before Easter.

Pack like a pro on your trip to SOUTHEAST ASIA!

Popular regions in southeast asia, mainland west.

Thailand  is a Southeast Asia travel destination that needs little introduction. The Land of Smiles is home to beautiful islands in the south, rugged mountains in the north, and of course, the thrilling capital, Bangkok. There’s sun, there’s sand, there’s culture, and there’s great food.  Myanmar  is little visited compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors, but the county recently began to open up to tourism and saw a boom when it did. Myanmar is unlike anywhere else in the region. Explore ancient Buddhist pagodas, visit the cultural climes of Mandalay and see the fading colonial ruins in  Yangon .

Malaysia  and  Singapore  are home to the best food you could eat when you travel to Southeast Asia. Visit the foodie stalls and white sand beaches of  Penang , and the modern sights of  Kuala Lumpur  before heading south to  Singapore  – one of the most modern and exciting cities in the world.

MAINLAND EAST

The eastern mainland is made up of  Laos ,  Cambodia , and  Vietnam . Aside from their shared French-colonial history, these countries couldn’t be more different.  Vietnam  is the rising star of the region, offering an epic adventure if you travel between  Hanoi  and Ho Chi Minh City. See the scars of the  Vietnam War  and explore the magnificent nature, scenery, history, and delectable food that this modern nation offers. In  Cambodia , a trip is inseparable from the  harrowing past ; you’ll learn about the Khmer Rouge as soon as you land in the capital. You can visit the ruins of  Angkor Wat  or head to the beaches of Sihanoukville.  Laos  is untouched, but who knows how long it will stay that way. One of the poorest and most rural countries you could visit when you travel to Southeast Asia, Laos is also the most unexpected.

Borneo is one of the world’s largest islands and this unique destination is home to some of the best rainforests on the planet. Borneo offers hiking, mountain climbing, beaches, and  diving . The island is divided between three countries: there’s Malaysian Borneo in the north and tiny Brunei. The south is Kalimantan, an Indonesian province.

THE ISLANDS

If you’re looking for island hopping opportunities, snorkeling, diving, and diverse culture, then  Indonesia  or the  Philippines  are the best countries to include in your Southeast Asia travel itinerary.  Indonesia  has  Bali , one of the region’s most popular islands, but there’s also the culture and history of Java, relaxation, and slowness on  Lombok , the wild nature of Sumatra or  Komodo , or the beautiful marine life of  Raja Ampat . The  Philippines  is beautifully diverse, home to the highlands and rice terraces of the Cordilleras, but also the rugged islands of  Palawan , including the stunning and popular  Coron  and  El Nido . We will not lie, Indonesia and the Philippines are our two most beloved countries in Southeast Asia. We’ve been back to visit them both, multiple times, and it’s the first place we head each time we return to the area. 

SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL BUDGET

Setting a budget for travel to Southeast Asia is highly dependent on your travel style. It is possible to visit just about anywhere across the continent on any budget and still have a great trip. That said, you can make your trip as basic or as luxurious as you desire.

To help you set your budget, we’ve included some base range price estimations for Southeast Asia travel. Of course, keep in mind that prices can fluctuate based on seasons, availability and festivals.

If you’re looking to travel on a budget, be sure to check out the  12 Tips on How to Travel Cheap  before you start planning.

ACCOMMODATION:  Accommodation is good value when you travel to Southeast Asia.  Guesthouses, hostels, and homestays  will cost between USD 10 and USD 20 per night (less if you don’t care about the cleanliness).  Private rooms  can be between USD 20 and USD 50. Above this price range, you can find more  luxurious accommodation . Popular resort destinations in Thailand or Bali will charge USD 100 or more per night for fancier hotels.

FOOD:  Food is incredibly inexpensive in Southeast Asia; you can find  local eats  for as little as USD 1 per plate in most countries. Prices go up in touristy destinations (we’re looking at Thailand and Bali again) and western-style restaurants. You still  won’t often pay more than USD 10 per meal , however.

TRANSPORT:  Local transport is affordable across Southeast Asia, and international transport is equally cost-effective.  Buses and trains  vary in standards and prices.  Local transport  will be just a few dollars for day-long journeys, but you pay more for comfort.  Mopeds  can be hired for between USD 5 and USD 10 per day. Budget international  flights  can be as low as USD 30 if booked in advance for a two-hour flight.

ACTIVITIES:  Activities vary in cost from country to country but expect to pay between USD 30 and USD 70 for a day of  diving . You can enjoy a  boat tour  for around USD 30 a day, or hire  trekking  guides for a similar price. For the most part, activities are very cost-effective in comparison to western prices.

20 USD PER DAY

Living in hostels, lounging on beaches, and eating local food. If you’re looking to include many destinations in your Southeast Asia travel plans, or want to enjoy lots of day trips and activities, raise that budget to USD 50.

50-100 USD PER DAY

Midrange travelers will be able to enjoy the comforts of private rooms and guesthouses, taxi rides, and tourist buses. You can enjoy street food, restaurants, and plenty of activities. Your money will go far on this budget and you won’t miss much.

200 USD + PER DAY

Luxury travelers can get a lot for their money when they travel to Southeast Asia. Stay in premium resorts in Bali, Borneo, or the Thai Islands. Enjoy restaurant-quality food, private day tours and drivers, and plenty of spa treatments!

WHERE TO STAY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Below you will find some of the places we have stayed during our travels in Southeast Asia. These are individual properties that we enjoyed and would recommend to other travelers.

For more in-depth information, be sure to check out the following articles:

• Where to Stay in Bangkok: Best Districts & Hotels
• INAYA Putri Bali Nusa Dua: Resort Review

PLANNING TO BACKPACK SOUTHEAST ASIA?

Southeast Asia is an extremely popular destination for backpacking because you can do a lot throughout the region on a very small budget. We’ve experienced this region on both the high end and budget side, including spending 6 months backpacking during our  2 year RTW trip .

If you’re looking for some breakdowns on how we did this, check out the overviews below.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

If you’re traveling around mainland Southeast Asia, you can cross most borders overland. You could travel all the way from Hanoi to Singapore overland using buses and trains. The transport varies from cheap, slow local buses to faster, luxury sleeper buses and trains.

The same applies to the Philippines and Indonesia, although you’ll need to combine buses with boats. In the Philippines and Indonesia, you’re often better off flying, as destinations are spread over large areas. If you have time, you can take inter-island ferries.

If you’re visiting Borneo, you’ll need to fly in. You can travel by bus between major cities and destinations in Malaysian Borneo and Brunei, but Kalimanatan is much less developed and more challenging to travel around.

Most land borders into Myanmar are off-limits, so you need to fly into Yangon. From there, you have bus and train connections across the country.

BUS:  If time is on your side, there are many instances where taking the bus will be the best option for getting between places. There are usually two classes operating the popular routes, this includes tourist buses and local buses. Tourist buses are usually comfortable coaches with AC and WIFI. Local buses will be rough and not have AC. Both will get you where you need to go.

FLIGHTS:  Thanks to budget airlines like Air Asia, Southeast Asia is incredibly well served by low-cost carriers offering regular flights and cheap fares. Major cities, and increasingly, many more regional airports, have connections between one another. In most cases – particularly over longer distances – flying is cheaper than taking the train or bus.

TOP SOUTHEAST ASIA TOURS

Iconic thailand.

15 Days from Bangkok, Thailand Visits: Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Khao Sok, Ko Samui, Krabi & Bangkok

EXPLORE VIETNAM

13 Days Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City Visits: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Mai Chau, Hue, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City

DISCOVER SOUTHEAST ASIA

18 Days Bangkok to Siem Reap Visits: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh & Siem Reap

WHEN TO VISIT SOUTHEAST ASIA

Southeast Asia is a vast area that sprawls over both sides of the equator. For the most part, you can expect countries to be  hot, humid, and tropical  when you travel to Southeast Asia – but this isn’t always the case.

The north of Vietnam is much more temperate and has cold winters, while the same can be said of Myanmar’s northern mountains. However, most areas you will visit during your Southeast Asia travel itinerary will have distinct  wet and dry seasons .

North of the equator, the dry season is usually November to April. Most of Indonesia, however, has its dry season from May through to October. The dry season is the best time to explore Southeast Asia; there’s little chance of rain and thunderstorms, and the visibility if you’re snorkeling or diving is perfect.

Even in Indonesia, peak season is from November through to January, and tourist numbers and prices increase dramatically over the Christmas holidays. Try to travel in the shoulder seasons instead;, you might get a little rain, but you’ll escape the worst of the crowds.

For more in-depth information, check out:

Best Time to Visit Bali: Month by Month Breakdown

Best time to visit the philippines: month by month breakdown, inspiration for your next southeast asia trip, safety in southeast asia.

Southeast Asia travel is generally safe, even for first-time travelers (which is why it’s a popular backpacking destination). In touristy destinations, however, you do need to be super-careful of scams and low-level thievery.

This is especially so in places like Bali and Bangkok. On buses, try to keep your belongings close and safe, and on the party islands in Thailand, be careful! Take our advice and be sure you’re prepared. Check out  25 Essential Safety Tips for Travel

Each county has its own laws and customs, so read up before you cross the border. What goes in Thailand might not be so welcome in Malaysia. Some countries are Muslim, others Buddhist, and some Christian – it’s a diverse region!

For personal experiences, check out:

• 5 Reasons Why Bali Is Not the Paradise You Think It Is
• Culture Shock: Our First 24 Hours in Bali

SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL: BOOKING RESOURCES

Southeast asia travel guide: related articles.

Looking for more info? Check out all the articles we’ve written on travel to Southeast Asia and start planning your dream trip.

What To Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand (18 Amazing Attractions, Festivals & Food)

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50 Essential travel tips for first time backpackers visiting Southeast Asia

• July 27, 2023
• curious goose

This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a small commission if you use these links.

Make sure you read these essential tips for Southeast Asia to help plan your trip.

Southeast Asia is one of the most popular destinations for backpackers. It’s easy to see why – gorgeous sandy beaches, cultural temples, delicious food and bustling cities makes for an attractive mix. It’s also a safe and cheap place to travel, meaning that Southeast Asia is a great place for first time travellers getting to grips with backpacking and those on a budget.

Southeast Asia has been on my bucket list for years and in 2022, I spent 7 months travelling in Thailand , Vietnam , Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Based on my experience, I’ve put together 50 essential travel tips to help you plan your trip to Southeast Asia. These tips cover everything from what food and drink to avoid, to how to keep track of your budget while travelling and travel hacks to make life on the road easier.

These travel tips for Southeast Aisa will prepare you for a great trip and hopefully help to prevent you from getting into any tricky situations!

50 Essential travel tips for first-time backpackers visiting Southeast Asia

Practical information for travel in southeast asia, managing your budget and finances when travelling in southeast asia, top tips for getting around in southeast asia, food and drink in southeast asia, local cultures and traditions in southeast asia, travel health, packing tips.

• Lastly…things to remember when travelling

Travelling takes a lot of organisation and planning. Here’s a few hacks to help you have a smoother travel experience.

1. Get yourself a sim card as soon as you land

Often the best sim card deals can be found in the arrivals hall at the airport, with a ‘tourist sim’. I’d recommend getting a sim card as soon as you arrive in the country, especially if you are taking public transport from the airport / ferry / bus terminal to your accommodation. Most likely, you will be dropped off at a location in the centre of town (or at the side of the road as I experienced several times!) and having the internet to figure out where you are is very helpful.

2. Download an offline version of google maps before you arrive at a new place

Even if you have a sim card with data, you might not always have a signal to access the internet. Make sure that you download an offline version of google maps, covering the area you are travelling to. You might need to download several if the area you are travelling to is vast. Another handy tip is to ‘pin’ key locations onto your map, such as your accommodation, attractions, bus terminals and places to eat! That way, if you can’t access the internet you’ll still be able to find your way to key services and attractions.

3. Screenshot or note down your accommodation booking confirmation and address

Don’t rely on being able to access the internet to retrieve the information of your accommodation. You’d be surprised how many travellers get off a bus in a new town and don’t know the address or even the name of the place they are staying at and can’t access their emails as they don’t have internet! Take a quick screenshot of your accommodation and travel bookings, or write the important information down in a notebook or in the notes folder on your phone.

4. Print any important documents you need to enter a country

For entering many of the countries in Southeast Asia, you’ll need a visa (and may need other supporting documents too). It always helps to have a printed copy of any important documents as well as the electronic version on your phone. This way, if your phone gets lost / stolen / runs out of battery, you’ll have a backup copy. If you are travelling between countries, your hostel or hotel might be able to print documents for you, or they can usually point you in the direction of a printing shop.

5. Be aware of scams

Travelling in Southeast Asia is an amazing experience and most of the local people you meet will be welcoming, friendly and helpful. However, you will also encounter locals who will try to take advantage of travellers. The most common scams usually involve taxi or tuk-tuk drivers, or money exchange kiosks. When travelling around in Southeast Asia, always negotiate the price and be clear on what the price covers. Only change money in authorised exchange kiosks – your accommodation should be able to help you with this.

How do you know if something is a scam? Usually you can tell if something doesn’t feel right. If you don’t feel comfortable and are unsure, just say no and move on. It also helps if you do your own research and plan beforehand. For example, if you research how much a specific A to B journey should cost in a tuk-tuk and the price you are being quoted is over double, you know they are trying it on.

6. Don’t put tissue paper down the toilet

As a general rule, putting tissue paper down the toilet is a no-no in Southeast Asia. There are some exceptions to this rule, for example in more modern, and usually more upscale resorts. However, in most places, the pipes cannot cope with the paper and they will block, which is not nice for anyone. Use the bin provided or embrace the water gun!

7. Read reviews

Whilst it’s not a good idea to get hung up on one negative review out of 10’s of positive ones, reading reviews is definitely worth doing. Whether this is for accommodation, attractions or transport. Filter the reviews to ‘Newest first’ and make sure you know what to expect before you part with your money.

8. Check the weather when planning your trip to Southeast Asia

Generally speaking, October – March is the best time to travel in Southeast Asia as this is the dry season and the weather is cooler and more manageable. However, research the individual countries you want to visit to plan which month would be best for you to travel.

9. Plan your route but allow for flexibility

Whether you are visiting one country or several countries in Southeast Asia, plan your itinerary beforehand. Having a rough plan of your route is a good idea so that you have an idea of what you would like to see within your time frame. However, don’t be rigid with your plans. Be flexible and embrace opportunities to visit places you hadn’t included in your original itinerary. Having unexpected experiences is one of the best things about travelling!

Budgeting for your trip is one of the most important things you can do, both before and during your travels. Make sure that you read these top tips to help you manage your budget and keep track of your spending when travelling.

Need help saving for your dream trip? Check out my 12 super simple tips for how to save for full time travel

10. Have a couple of good debit cards

One of the most important things you will need when travelling is a safe way to access your money. Instead of using your normal bank debit card, which may have expensive fees for use overseas, get yourself a new debit card, purely for travelling. I use a Starling Bank debit card, but I’ve also heard good things from travellers about Revolut and Monzo too. Instead of having all your money on your travelling debit card, simply ‘top it up’ when you need and keep just a small amount on the card. That way, if you lose the card, or it gets stolen, you don’t risk losing a lot of money. For this same reason, having two debit cards you can use in this way is also a great idea (just make sure you keep them in different places!).

11. Pay for large items on a credit card

When booking things like accommodation, travel (especially flights) and activities, always use a credit card. Credit cards offer a much higher protection on spending and if something goes wrong with the supplier (for example, if the service provider goes out of business), your credit card company can help you to claim your money back. I have a Halifax Clarity credit card which is great for travelling and using abroad. Shop around and find a credit card with low or zero exchange fees or charges for using it overseas.

12. Always carry some cash

When travelling in Southeast Asia, it’s a good idea to always have a bit of cash on you. If you are travelling to more remote areas, or buying something from a local shop or stall, you will need to pay for it in cash. Just be aware that many of the ATM’s in Southeast Asia charge for withdrawing money and they have a limit for how much you can withdraw, which is annoying!

(Image: Windmill Viewpoint, Phuket, Thailand)

13. Make sure you can access your bank account if you lose your phone

Most of us manage our bank accounts via an app on our phones. However, what happens if your phone is lost or stolen? Make sure that you know how to access your bank account online or over the phone.

14. Set yourself a travel budget and track your daily spend

Possibly THE most important element of travelling is budget management! It doesn’t sound exciting (and it’s not!), but it’s vital if you don’t want your trip to end abruptly because you’ve run out of money.

When planning your trip, do your research and set a daily budget. This should be based on the prices of accommodation, food, transport and activities in your destination and also what kind of experience you want to have (on the scale of budget backpacker – luxury holiday). Read my step by step guide on How to budget for full time travel and create your own Travel Budget (you can also download my FREE Travel Budget Spreadsheet Template).

Make sure you record your daily spend to keep you on track. I use the free version of @travelspendapp . Managing your budget means that if you’re careful in some places, you can splurge on more expensive trips in others, such as an overnight luxury cruise to Halong Bay in Vietnam

15. Take advantage of travel rewards programs

There are plenty of rewards programs available to savvy travellers. One of my favourite reward programs is the Booking.com genius program. The more qualified bookings you make through your Booking.com account, the more genius points you can earn, which can get you discounts and upgrades on certain hotels, transport and experiences.

Another great rewards program, if you are from the UK, is Topcashback . Simply login to your Topcashback account and make your booking with one of the travel providers via the Topcashback site to earn cash back on your purchase.

Southeast Asia is a large, diverse continent and even the individual countries within Southeast Asia are massive, so you’re going to want to travel around and explore as much of it as possible. Getting around in Southeast Asia is not always the most straightforward, so here’s some tips to help you navigate public transport.

16. Shop around for the best deal on public transport

During the 7 months I spent in Southeast Asia, I booked a lot of my bus and ferry journeys online. One of the best booking platforms for transport in Southeast Asia is 12go . Camboticket in Cambodia is also another good option. (For booking tours, Viator , Get your Guide and Klook are all great platforms). But don’t just rely on websites. Speak to your hotel or hostel and get their advice. Sometimes they can tell you about transport routes or tour companies that don’t appear on the larger comparison websites. Whatever you are booking, shop around and get a couple of prices for the best deal.

If you are travelling a longer distance, or between countries, don’t assume that travelling by plane will always be more expensive. Sometimes a flight can be cheaper, or a similar price to a long distance train, especially if you have carry-on only bags. It’s also worth taking into consideration the journey time. If a flight is only £30 more but takes 14 hours less than the bus, it may be a better option for you.

17. Travelling from A to B is not as easy as it sounds!

Travelling from A to B sounds easy (and it should be!), however travelling from A to B in Southeast Asia usually ends up being a lot more complicated than it needs to be! Don’t be surprised if you are asked to change buses several times throughout your journey as different drivers and companies take over each section of the trip. I took a journey in Thailand from Railay in Krabi to Koh Samui which took 12 hours and consisted of 1 boat, 5 buses, 1 ferry and a taxi (which was 4 more buses than expected!) Try to stay patient and go with it, it won’t make you feel any better getting stressed about it.

18. Give yourself plenty of time for transfers

As I’ve mentioned, travel in Southeast Asia is usually not a simple process. Often journeys depart later than scheduled and will take a lot longer as the drivers make random stops along the way. If you are planning a journey that has transfers with different companies (for example, a bus journey followed by a ferry), make sure that you leave plenty of time between each leg of the journey, as you are most likely going to be late!

19. Prepare for delays or things to go wrong

You can see a theme emerging here! Most journeys in Southeast Asia are late, or delayed, or there’s been a miscommunication with your booking. Try to be patient and polite with the locals. Most local people I encountered in Southeast Asia were incredibly warm and friendly and willing to help. So, be respectful and don’t be rude if things don’t go to plan, it’s all part of the travelling experience!

20. Don’t expect formal booking confirmations for public transport

If you’re the kind of person who likes to have written confirmation of everything, then prepare to get out of your comfort zone! As someone who is super organised and over-prepared, I had to learn to accept that formal booking confirmations don’t always exist in Southeast Asia when booking transport. Instead, you’ll be given a flimsy paper slip as confirmation, which at some point will be taken off you and replaced with a coloured sticker (which may later be replaced with another sticker!) They do love a sticker, especially in Thailand! Just take photos of your paper slip or sticker in case you lose it and you’ll be fine.

21. ALWAYS negotiate when ordering a tuk-tuk or taxi!

Rule no.1 when travelling in Southeast Asia – always negotiate! In some of the larger cities you can use Grab, Uber or Gojek which is great as it gives you an idea of what the cost should be. Even if you are getting a ride with a local driver, use the price on Grab/Uber/Gojek to help you negotiate. If that is not available, ask your hostel or hotel how much the prices should be so you have an idea of what is a good price and what is a bad price.

22. Get an international driving licence

If you are considering hiring a car or scooter in Southeast Asia, get yourself an International driving licence. If you are from the UK, you can pick these up in the Post Office for £5. Make sure you keep your licence and your international licence with you at all times when driving. Occasionally local police may stop you and ask to see your licence and if you don’t have it (or the correct one), they may fine you.

23. Don’t feel pressured into riding a scooter

Travelling in Southeast Asia and riding a scooter seem to go hand in hand (if you believe everything you see on Instagram, or read in some blogs). However, don’t feel pressured to ride a scooter if you don’t feel comfortable. The roads in Southeast Asia are uneven and windy and the traffic can be crazy, with people cutting you up and zig-zagging down the road. It is absolutely possible to travel in Southeast Asia without riding a scooter if you don’t want to. If you do want to ride a scooter, make sure your travel insurance covers you and always wear a helmet.

24. Have motion sickness tablets with you on travel days

Even if you don’t normally feel travel sick, you may find yourself feeling queasy. Many of the roads in Southeast Asia are quite hilly and windy and the drivers can be fast and erratic. Also, if you are on a small minibus, it is usually hot and cramped, making you feel even worse. (If you are in the north of Thailand, the Chiang Mai – Pai bus is notorious for making people feel ill). Buses aside, you will likely be taking several boats and ferries during your time travelling in Southeast Asia and some of the boat crossings can be bumpy. Make sure that you have some motion sickness tablets with you for your journey. These can be picked up cheaply from 7/11 in Thailand and also most pharmacies or shops.

25. Pack warm clothing in your day bag on travel days

If you are travelling long distances on a coach or sleeper bus, make sure you keep a warm top or hoodie with you. The buses in Southeast Asia are renowned for having the coldest air conditioning!

Sampling the food and drink in a new country is all part of the travelling experience and one of the best parts of visiting Southeast Asia is to eat the local food. Here’s a few tips to keep you safe and avoid the dreaded traveller’s belly!

26. Don’t drink the tap water

Unless you want to spend a couple of days being ill, don’t drink the tap water! Bottled water is very cheap to buy, Unfortunately, this does often mean that you will be using a lot of single-use plastic, which is a big problem in Southeast Asia. Some larger cities such as Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand have filtered water machines where you can top up your refillable water bottle for a fraction of the cost.

27. Be careful of the fruit!

It can be hard to stay healthy when travelling and the fruit in Southeast Asia is delicious, however, just be careful where you buy it from. There’s plenty of street stalls selling pre-cut fruit. Most of it will be fine, however you don’t know how long it has been sitting there getting warm and also whether it has been washed in clean drinking water. Eating dodgy fruit can make you really sick and wipe you out for several days – believe me! Try to pick places where they cut the fruit fresh in front of you, or buy whole fruit which you can peel/cut yourself.

28. Eat the street food!

The street food scene in Southeast Asia is brilliant (plus its great for your budget too!) The street markets are a lively buzz of noise and smells, creating a great atmosphere. Make sure you go to as many street food markets as you can, it’s all part of the Southeast Asia experience! If you buy meat from a street vendor, make sure that they fry it / cook it in front of you. Eating meat that has been left out for a while is another thing that could leave you chained to the bathroom for a day or two.

29. Try local dishes

When you visit somewhere new, make sure you know what the local dishes are and try them. Ask the locals you meet what food you should eat whilst you are there. There’s often regional variations of national dishes too.

30. Don’t be put off by the interior (or lack of!) a place

Some of the best food I’ve eaten in Southeast Asia has been whilst sitting outside on a tiny plastic stool at a metal table! In my experience, the small, family-run local restaurants have the best food and even better, they are the most budget-friendly too!

31. Bring a reusable water bottle and bag

As I’ve mentioned, some of the larger cities and towns in Southeast Asia do have places where you can top up your reusable water bottle. There are also some cafes which will allow you to top up for a small charge. Reusable water bottles are also vital for taking on some of the amazing hikes Thailand has to offer. Tip – buy an insulated bottle to keep your water cool!

Take a reusable cotton tote bag too for your shopping, rather than asking for a plastic bag each time you go to the shop. This foldable tote bag is perfect as it has a zip to keep your valuables secure too.

32. Check the spice level!

Spicy food in Southeast Asia is on a different level! A ‘mild’ dish is comparable to a medium in the UK. Don’t be afraid to ask for no chilli or for a dish to not be spicy.

Experiencing a different culture and learning about the history and traditions of a place is one of the best bits about travelling. Read these four things you must do to make sure that you are respectful and get off to a great start with the locals when travelling in Southeast Asia.

33. Learn basic phrases

If you are travelling in another country, even just for a couple of weeks, it’s a great courtesy to know a couple of key phrases, such as Hello and Thank You. Even though English is widely spoken across Southeast Asia, locals love it when you try to speak a little of their own language and will be happy to teach you some new phrases.

34. Be respectful

Southeast Asian culture is very different to western culture and each country in Southeast Asia has their own traditions and cultural differences. Make sure that you know how to behave in certain situations and be respectful. For example, women should not approach, converse with or touch Monks. Women also cannot enter certain shrines or temples whilst menstruating.

Travelling to Bangkok? Make sure you visit these three temples

35. Dress appropriately

Whilst both men and women should make sure that they are respectfully dressed when entering a temple or government building, this mostly applies to women. Whether you’re exploring Ankor Wat , in Cambodia or the Grand Palace in Bangkok, women must always cover their knees and shoulders when visiting a temple.

When bathing in certain spots, it is respectful to cover up. Wearing a bikini is acceptable at most public beaches and in your hotel or hostel pool, however, if you are visiting a local bathing spot, you will notice that Southeast Asian women wear shorts and a t-shirt to bathe in. It is polite to do the same.

36. Take off your shoes

This is common practice in many places throughout Southeast Asia, but it is mostly associated with Thailand. Shoes should always be removed before entering a temple, but you will also need to remove shoes before entering other places too. If you are staying in a small guesthouse, or homestay, it is polite to leave your shoes outside. This is the same if you enter a small, local shop and even when you travel on certain boats and buses (especially the sleeper buses in Vietnam).

Prepare for your trip to Southeast Asia by making sure that your health requirements and needs are taken care of before you travel…

37. Check what vaccinations you need before you go

When planning a trip to any new country, it is important to make sure you have received all the relevant vaccinations beforehand. If you are in the UK, you can check the NHS website to see which vaccinations are recommended for the country you are visiting and which vaccinations you can get for free on the NHS.

38. Stock up on sunscreen

Suncream is not widely available in Southeast Asia, especially if you are travelling away from the main tourist holiday destinations. It is also very expensive. You will find lots of ‘sun serums’ or ‘daily lotions with spf’ – be careful with these, whilst they do offer some level of protection, they are not full sun creams and are not recommended for using while sunbathing. If you are only travelling for a short amount of time, take several bottles with you from home, if you have room.

39. Take any medication / feminine products with you

If you are travelling to some of the smaller islands, or more remote places in Southeast Asia, there is not always a large pharmacy available. So, if you need medication, make sure that you bring it with you and restock it before you run out. Feminine products can be expensive too, so if you can, bring these with you.

40. Always carry medication for ‘travellers belly’

It’s not nice to talk about but almost every traveller will experience an upset stomach at some point during their travels in Southeast Asia (no matter how careful you are). Although the best advice is to rest and let the bug ‘pass through’, that is not always possible, especially if you have a bus journey to get through. With that in mind, carrying some tablets for diarrhoea will be a lifesaver!

41. Always have a toilet roll with you on travel days!

This goes hand in hand with the above – most toilets in Southeast Asia don’t have toilet paper and there’s usually a small fee for using them, so carry some small change too.

Depending on how long you are travelling in Southeast Asia for, your packing list will vary. This is also true if you are planning a long trip and are visiting other places outside of Southeast Asia too. So, rather than include a full packing list in this post, here’s a couple of top tips to help you pack better.

42. Take a Scarf or sarong

A scarf or sarong is one of the most versatile items you can pack in your bag. It is great for covering your shoulders in a temple, laying on at the beach, throwing on over a bikini, using it as a pillow on travel days or keeping you warm on the buses! Plus it takes up virtually no space in your bag!

43. Pack layers

You definitely don’t need as many clothes as you think you do, and you will end up wearing the same things over and over! Pack light things that you can layer and roll up small in your bag. In terms of shoes, one pair of trainers, one pair of flip flops and one pair of Birkenstock or chunky walking sandals will be suitable for pretty much everything in Southeast Asia. I lived in my Birkenstocks for pretty much the whole year!

44. Leave room for new clothes!

Don’t go shopping for everything before you leave home. The clothes in Southeast Asia are so cheap and let’s face it, most of the clothes you will buy at home will most likely come from Southeast Asia anyway! If there’s anything you’ve forgotten or wished you had packed, you will more than likely be able to buy it in Southeast Asia.

45. Be savvy with your chargers

There’s nothing worse than having a bag full of cables and charging wires! A lot of devices will accept the same charger cable and this is a great way to reduce the number of wires you take. For example, my laptop wire will fit my phone and my Go pro, meaning I only need one wire for three devices. (I do also have a single USB cable that will plug into an adaptor so I can charge two things at one, but this takes up hardly any room). I’d also recommend putting your wires into a small organiser case , so they are easy to locate in your bag.

46. Embrace the packing cube!

Packing cubes are a lifesaver when it comes to packing for travelling. Even if you are sceptical about it at first, you will soon realise how handy they are. It’s a great way to separate (and easily locate!) your clothes in your bag. They also help to condense things down in your bag!

Making the decision to go travelling can be scary but it is also super exciting! Have the best time and remember that comparison is the devil!

47. Chat to others

One of the best parts of travelling is meeting other like-minded travellers. There’s a reason that Southeast Asia is one of the best places to travel solo. There’s so many great hostels and Facebook groups, where you can meet up with other people.

48. Everyone has bad days when travelling

You will have THE BEST time travelling, but there will also be some days that don’t quite go to plan and other days where you are tired or may feel homesick. The best advice I can give you is not to dwell on those days, it is completely normal and usually after a good night’s sleep and a comfy bed, you will feel much better.

49. Don’t compare your journey to others

Everyone’s travel experience is different and your trip will be unique to you. Don’t get caught up in comparing your journey to everyone else’s, just enjoy and embrace your own travel experience.

50. Have fun!

Travel is one of the best things you can do (in my totally biased opinion!). Whether you’re travelling in Southeast Asia for a few weeks or a few months, relax, go with the flow and HAVE FUN!

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The most amazing 3 month southeast asia itinerary.

If you’re thinking of going on a backpacking adventure, Southeast Asia is a great choice. In fact, this fascinating region is a very popular choice for first-time backpackers, as well as avid adventurers. Coupled with the low cost of travel, incredible activities, and sights to offer everyone, you can’t go wrong. This sub-region boasts out of this world scenery, unique cultures, mouth-watering food, buzzin’ metropolitan cities, and heavenly tropical beaches. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into this 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary. We cover a whopping 8 countries, recommend the best route to take, how long to spend in each place, the must-see attractions, and give recommendations of where to stay.

Disclosure: Untold Wanderlust contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can find our full disclosure policy and privacy policy here.

Northern Thailand (13 days)

Bangkok (3 days).

This Southeast Asia travel route starts in the heart of Thailand; Bangkok.

How to get to Bangkok: This itinerary kicks off in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Bangkok boasts a large international airport, making it super easy and convenient for tourists to find cheap flights from places such as Europe or the USA. We recommend checking Skyscanner for the best deals and prices.

Top attractions:

The Grand Palace Wat Arun Shopping at Chatuchak Market Party on Khao San Road Taling Chan Floating Market Wat Samphan Temple (Pink Dragon)

Where to stay in Bangkok: Comfy Bed Hostel for a dorm, or Amarin Inn for a budget private room.

Ayutthaya (2 days)

How to get to Ayutthaya: 2-hour minivan from Moh Chit BTS Station in Bangkok. The cost is 50 Baht ($1.65). Or take a tour from Bangkok .

Ancient town Cycle ride around the temple complex

Where to stay in Ayutthaya: A cute boathouse with cheap double rooms, Ayutthaya Riverside House.

Chiang Mai (3 days)

How to get to Chiang Mai: A comfy 9-hour VIP bus for $24.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple Take a Thai cooking class Doi Inthanon National Park Eat at the night markets or take a food course and tour Go water crazy at the Songkran festival (April)

Where to stay in Chiang Mai: Red Brick Guesthouse for a dorm room

Pai ( 3 days)

How to get to Pai: Take a 3 hours mini-van ride for $6

Explore on a scooter Pai Canyon Pam Bok Waterfall Love Strawberry Farm Land Split Bamboo Bridge

Where to stay in Pai: Pai Loess Resort for a private double room

Chiang Rai ( 2 days)

How to get to Chiang Rai: 7.5 hours mini-van journey , costing $18

White Temple Black House Tea plantations Golden Triangle House of opium

Where to stay in Chiang Rai: Busket Hostel for a cheap modern dorm

For a more detailed Thailand backpacking guide, don’t miss this post!

Laos (8 days)

Luang prabang (3 days).

How to get to Luang Prabang: 2-day slow boat from Chiang Rai

Kuang Si Waterfalls Watch the morning Tak Bat Phousi Hill & Temple Night market Late-night bowling alley

Where to stay in Luang Prabang: Sok Dee Guesthouse for a cheap cosy double room

Vang Vieng (3 days)

How to get to Vang Vieng: 5-hour mini-van ride for $16

Tubing on the Nam Song River Blue Lagoon Phu Kham Cave

Where to stay in Vang Vieng: Faraway Suites for either a dorm room or a private room

Vientiane (2 days)

How to get to Vientiane: 4-hour bus that costs $9

Explore the city by bicycle Buddha Park COPE Museum

Where to stay in Vientiane: My Box Hostel & Cafe , great value for money dorm rooms

Don’t forget to check out our ultimate 2-week Laos itinerary here!

Vietnam (20 days)

Hanoi (3 days).

How to get to Hanoi: 22-hour sleeper bus that costs $32. This is a super long journey so you may prefer to fly instead.

Hoan Kiem Lake St. Joseph’s Cathedral Hoa Lo Prison Train Street Take a food tour Bia Hoi Street Hanoi Night Market Drink egg coffee at the Note Coffee shop

Where to stay in Hanoi: Nexy Hostel for a super clean, modern dorm

For more things to do in Hanoi at night, don’t miss this post!

Ha Long Bay (2 days)

How to get to Ha Long Bay: Scheduled tour from Hanoi

Limestone islands Kayaking

Where to stay in Ha Long Bay: On the boat.

Sapa (3 days)

How to get to Sapa: 6-hour bus for $12

Ride the Fansipan cable car Go on a trek through the rice terraces Meet H’Mong tribes Drink at the H’Mong Sisters

Where to stay in Sapa: Sapa Village Hotel for a modern stay overlooking the mountains

Ninh Binh (2 days)

How to get to Ninh Binh: 9-hour bus for $17

Cycle through rice paddies Eat at Chookies Hang Mua Caves Tang An boat ride Bich Dong Pagoda

Where to stay in Ninh Binh: Amira Homestay for a cosy stay & free bicycle rental

Hue (2 days)

How to get to Hue: 11-hour bus for $14

Old Citadel Abandoned water park Thien Mu Pagoda

Where to stay in Hue: Bon Ami Hostel  for cheap private rooms in a central location

Hoi An (4 days)

How to get to Hoi An: Ride the Hai Van Pass

Cycle around the old town Take a boat ride Shop for lanterns Stroll around the rice paddies Go shopping for lanterns Take a day trip to Ba Na Hills Eat Cao Lao noodles

Where to stay in Hoi An: The Serendipity Hostel for a dorm bed, or Aroma Homestay & Spa for a budget private room.

For a more detailed Hoi An guide, click here!

Dalat (3 days)

How to get to Dalat: 14-hour sleeper bus for $17

Drive around the mountains on a scooter Sip coffee by the romantic lake Go canyoning Crazy House The Clay Tunnel Eat Dalat Pizza

Where to stay in Dalat: Dalat Backpackers Hostel for a social dorm or private room, or Original Kens Backpacker Hostel for a more relaxed vibe

Don’t miss this amazing detailed Dalat itinerary !

Ho Chi Minh City (3 days)

How to get to Ho Chi Minh City: 7-hour bus for $22

Bui Vien drinking street Ben Thanh Market Saigon Notre Dame & Post Office War Remnants Museum Bitexco Tower Half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels Day trip to the Mekong Delta

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City: Galaxy Capsule Hotel for a modern stay in the heart of the city

For a more detailed Vietnam itinerary, make sure to check out this awesome 3-week in Vietnam itinerary. Or, click here for a super detailed Vietnam travel guide .

Cambodia (9 days)

Phnom penh (2 days).

How to get to Phnom Penh: 6-hour bus for $12

The Killing Fields S21 Prison Royal Palace Silk tour at Angkor Artisans

Where to stay in Phnom Penh: Golden Boat 72 Guesthouse for a cheap, quiet retreat

Kampot (3 days)

How to get to Kampot: 3.5-hour mini-van for $9

Ride a scooter up Bokor Mountain Abandoned casino Kep fishing town Pepper farm Fireflies boat tour

Where to stay in Kampot: Marany Guesthouse for a private double room

Siem Reap (4 days)

How to get to Siem Reap: Take a bus back to Phnom Penh , which takes 3.5 hours and costs $9. You can either stay one night in Phnom Penh or if you leave early enough, take another direct minivan from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap . It takes 6 hours and costs $10.

Take a tuk-tuk tour of Angkor Wat and the other ancient temples Siem Reap Silk Farm Pub Street

Where to stay in Siem Reap: Pub Hostel for a social vibe with choices of dorms or private rooms

If you need a more in-depth itinerary for Cambodia, don’t forget to check out our backpacking Cambodia guide! Also, don’t forget to check if a Cambodia visa on arrival is available for your nationality or not.

Southern Thailand (10 days)

Bangkok (1 day).

How to get to Bangkok: 9-hour bus for $24

Koh Phangan (4 days)

How to get to Koh Phangan: From Bangkok, you will need to take an overnight bus and ferry. You can read in more detail about the trip here.

Thong Sala Night Market Phaeng Waterfall Paradise Waterfall Lazy beach days Explore by scooter

Where to stay in Koh Phangan: Backpackers Hacienda for a cheap stay with a pool overlooking the beach

Krabi (3 days)

How to get to Krabi: 6-hour high-speed ferry and bus that costs $18

Railay Beach Tonsai Beach Tiger Temple Emerald Pool

Where to stay in Krabi: J Hotel for a cheap double room with balconies overlooking the sea

Phuket (2 days)

How to get to Phuket: 3-hour mini-van costing $15

Beach days Bangala Road

Where to stay in Phuket: Bed Hostel for a social atmosphere and a choice of a dorm bed or private twin room

Malaysia (14 days)

Penang (5 days).

How to get to Penang: Take a direct flight from Phuket

Ride a bicycle around the street art Drink beer at the Elbow Corner Eat Wan Tan Mee Chew Jetty Kek Lo Si Temple Kapitan Keling Mosque

Where to stay in Penang: Rainbow House for a quiet stay, or Drippin’ Dragon Hostel for a social vibe & pool.

For a more detailed post on things to do in Penang at night , make sure to check out this awesome post!

Cameron Highlands (3 days)

How to get to Cameron Highlands: 4.5-hour bus for $10

Tea plantations Strawberry farm Parks

Where to stay in Cameron Highlands: Traveller Bunker Hostel for a range of dorms & a lively atmosphere

Kuala Lumpur (4 days)

How to get to Kuala Lumpur: 4.5-hour bus for $11

Petronas Towers KLCC Park China Town Little India Merdeka Square National Mosque Bukit Bintang

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur: Big M Hotel for affordable, modern private rooms, or Dorms KL 2 for cheap but super clean dorm beds.

If you only have 2 days spare for Kuala Lumpur, make sure to check out this ultimate Kuala Lumpur itinerary!

Melaka(2 days)

How to get to Melaka: 2-hour bus for $5

UNESCO town Dutch Square Ride a funky tri-shaw Hang out at the mall

Where to stay in Melaka: The Pillohouzzze for dorms and private rooms

For a more detailed itinerary, make sure to check out our backpacking Malaysia post!

Singapore (2 days)

How to get to Singapore: 4-hour bus for $8

Marina Bay Sands Gardens by the Bay Little India China Town Sentosa Island Universal Studios

Where to stay in Singapore: OSS Backpackers Hostel for a dorm bed, or Hotel Classic by Venue for a cheap double room

Click here for a more detailed Singapore itinerary!

Indonesia (9 days)

Yogyakarta (4 days).

How to get to Yogyakarta: Fly from either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. If you choose to fly from Kuala Lumpur, you can take a direct 5-hour bus for $17 from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.

Borobudur Temple Prambanan Temple Malioboro Market Taman Sari Rent a motorbike & ride in the mountains Eat gudeg

Where to stay in Yogyakarta: The Journey Hotel for budget stylish private rooms

You can read our full Yogyakarta itinerary here!

Bali (5 days)

How to get to Bali: Take a flight from Yogyakarta

Visit the rice terraces Relax on the beaches Explore waterfall after waterfall Go temple hopping Snorkelling on Gili T Party in Kuta

Where to stay in Bali: Grandmas Hotel for a cheap relaxing stay

Read a more detailed Indonesia itinerary here!

Myanmar (11 days)

Yangon( 2 days).

How to get to Yangon: Take a flight from Bali

Shwedagon Pagoda Ride the circular train Eat on 19th Street Watch a movie with the locals

Where to stay in Yangon: Agga Youth Hostel is one of the few properties that offer dorm beds. They also have private rooms too.

Bagan (3 days)

How to get to Bagan: Take a 10-hour night bus for $10

Watch sunrise and sunset over the thousands of ancient temples Get around by electric motorbike Jasmine Lacquer Ware Factory

Where to stay in Bagan: Shwe Na Di Guesthouse for a cheap homely guest house

Mandalay (2 days)

How to get to Mandalay: Take a 5.5-hour bus for $6

Mandalay Hill U Bein Bridge Hsinbyume Pagoda Old British Fort Watch the local football team, Yadanarbon

Where to stay in Mandalay: Hotel 82 for a cheap but heavenly stay

Inle Lake (4 days)

How to get to Inle Lake: 9-hour bus for $12

Take a tour of In le Lake Marvel at the floating villages Visit a silverware factory Visit a boat-making factory Explore the village by bicycle

Where to stay in Inle Lake: Silver Lake Hotel for a private double room

Don’t miss our ultimate Myanmar backpacking guide!

Your 3 month Southeast Asia travel route has come to an end

Phew! What an epic 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary . From Inle Lake, you can take a bus back to Yangon. From Yangon, you can either try to find cheap flights back home. However, we recommend heading back to Bangkok to fly from there, as international flights tend to be much cheaper.

How much does it cost to travel to Southeast Asia for 3 months?

This is a hotly debated topic among backpackers. One would proudly announce you can get by on as little as $15 a day, and one would argue that you would easily need $50. The truth is, is everyone is different, and so is their travel style. However, we won’t leave you hangin’. We will give you our recommendation on how much to budget for this 3-month Southeast Asia itinerary. Just remember, your travel style could be totally different from ours, so take this with a pinch of salt and judge your budget according to your preferences.

Our 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary budget

From our previous travels in Southeast Asia and living in Vietnam for 4 years, we would personally budget $50 per day for the two of us. Clean modern dorm rooms average $7 per night, whilst private double rooms average $12. Furthermore, local food in this region is super cheap and convenient, with almost every city and town serving up the most delicious meals from a cart on the market or the side of the road. You can easily eat three square meals a day for less than $10. In terms of activities, if you plan, you can do lots of exciting things for free. Most of the time, there is no need to pre-book tours! Getting around is made easy too, with plenty of scooter rentals, and motorbike taxi apps such as Grab.

Additional costs to consider

Further to your daily budget for your Southeast Asia trip, you will need to factor in the cost of flights and any visas you may need. Again, this is just our personal opinion of how much a reasonable budget for this itinerary is. If you want to go out partying every night, tuck into Western food, or sit back and relax in the comfort of air-conditioned taxis, you will, of course, need to increase your budget.

Looking for what to pack? Check out this essential Southeast Asia packing list !

Essential resources for this 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary

Travel Insurance – No matter whether you’re travelling around Asia for 3 months or just a week, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re covered for any accidents or losses. We spent days and weeks searching for insurance, but most insurers would not allow us to take out a policy as we were already abroad. Our personal choice is Safteywing . You can opt for automatic monthly payments, just like a subscription. More importantly, it is available in 180 countries and can be purchased whilst already travelling. There is no cap on the duration of travel.

Visa – Before you travel to any country, make sure to check if you need a visa. iVisa is a fantastic website that is super easy and quick to use. Just type in where you are from. and where you are going. to check if you need a visa. If you do, you can quickly make an application online.

Accommodation – Booking.com is our go-to when looking to pre-book accommodation online. Booking.com tend to almost always have the best rates and a FREE cancellation policy for most properties.

Overland transport – Our go-to website for overland transport is Bookaway . Bookaway offers multiple forms of transport, from buses, mini-vans, trains, and ferries. The routes on offer are extensive and certainly cover most of the backpacker trails. Bookaway works a little like Skyscanner but for overland transport. You will find plenty of transport options from a range of companies. All you simply need to do is book online and receive your ticket by email. The email will contain essential information, such as where the bus leaves from and departure and arrival times.

Tours & Activities – If you want to book tours and activities online, make sure to check out Get Your Guide . Get Your Guide takes the stress out of booking activities abroad. You will also find a range of benefits, such as skip-the-line passes, lunch included in your tours, and so much more.

Travel tips ebook -Before you head off on your adventure, make sure to download our free ebook. It has a whopping 109 budget travel tips to help you make your hard-earned cash go further. Click here to download your FREE ebook.

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2 thoughts on “ The Most Amazing 3 Month Southeast Asia Itinerary ”

That s a great summary of your trip! How long did it take by boat to get to Luang Prabang? and similarly how long did it take to get to Hoi An? I d love to know the time it took with public transportation ??

Hi, Thanks for the comment. The slow boat to Luang Prabang takes 2 days. We have an entire post on it 🙂 check it out.

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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

How to Get Around Southeast Asia on the Cheap

Southeast Asia may be a huge region — but it’s super easy to get around.

It’s well-traveled (backpackers have been following “the banana pancake trail” since the late ’60s), and there’s an extensive network designed to ensure that you can easily get from A to B.

In Hanoi and need to get to Bangkok ? In Vientiane and want to go Malaysia ? No problem. Someone can arrange that.

But what’s the best way to get around Southeast Asia on a budget?

How can you go from point A to point B in the most efficient and easiest manner?

Here’s how you can travel around Southeast Asia on the cheap, with example prices and estimated travel times.

Table of Contents

1. Get Around Southeast Asia By Flying

2. get around southeast asia by local or tourist bus, 3. get around southeast asia by train, 4. get around southeast asia by car/motorbike, 5. get around southeast asia by boat/ferry, 6. how long does it take to get around southeast asia.

Here are some sample prices for some of the biggest routes (in USD):

• Bangkok to Singapore – $55 (one way), $125 (round-trip)
• Phuket City to Vientiane – $80 (one way), $180 (round-trip)
• Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok – $55 (one way), $140 (round-trip)
• Bali (Denpasar) to Kuala Lumpur – $75 (one way), $140 (round-trip)
• Siem Reap to Hanoi – $120 (one way), $240 (round-trip)
• Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur – $45 (one way), $85 (round-trip)
• Manila to Ho Chi Minh City – $55 (one way), $110 (round-trip)
• Yangon to Manila – $185 (one way), $360 (round-trip)
• Yangon to Bangkok – $55 (one way), $95 (round-trip)

Keep in mind two things, though:

• First, budget airlines all fly from smaller, more out-of-the-way airports, so be prepared to take buses or taxis there (and plan for traffic).
• Second, all these airlines make their money by charging fees for everything, so expect baggage fees, credit card “convenience” fees, check-in fees, fees on fees, etc., etc.! If the fees add up, it can often be cheaper to fly one of the larger carriers, especially when you consider that the main airport might be more centrally located.

If you book early, you can save on fares, as most of the airlines offer deeply discounted fare sales all the time, especially Air Asia. The best place to find cheap flights is Skyscanner .

Buses are generally run by a plethora of small operators (there is no version of Greyhound here). You simply go with the operator that services the route you want to travel or with the company the tourist agency or guesthouse set you up with.

In Southeast Asia, you don’t have to plan ahead that much either. You simply show up at the bus station and buy your ticket! They use a first-come, first-serve basis but are rarely full. You don’t need to book them in advance or online — although, if I know where I’m going, I often book my bus the day before simply as a precaution. In all my years traveling this region, I’ve never shown up and been turned away.

12Go is the best platform for booking transportation in Asia.

Here are some sample fares and travel times for bus routes in Southeast Asia (in USD):

• Bangkok to Chiang Mai – $22 (10 hours)
• Bangkok to Pattaya – $4 (2.5 hours)
• Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai – $7 (3.5 hrs)
• Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – $17 (6 hrs)
• Kuala Lumpur to Singapore – $11 (4.5 hrs)
• Vientiane to Luang Prabang – $15 (6 hrs)
• Da Nang to Hanoi – $16 (17 hrs)
• Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh – $15 (3.5 hrs)
• Kuta Beach to Ubud – $6 (1.5 hr)
• Puerto Princesa to El Nido – $11 (5 hrs)
• Hanoi to Halong Bay – $12 (2.5 hrs)

Moreover, the backpacker trail in Southeast Asia is so well established that there is a very well-oiled “tourist bus” system here. (Usually, when you book buses from tourist agencies or guesthouses, they put you on these tourist buses.) These buses (often called “VIP” buses) will pick you up at your accommodation or have a set meetup point in the tourist area and take you directly to your next destination.

For example, if you need to go from Bangkok to Chiang Mai , you’d buy a ticket, meet the bus (probably on Khao San Road), and enjoy the night ride up to Chiang Mai with other travelers. No stops at other bus stations — just a straight shot to Chiang Mai.

Tourist/VIP buses are very convenient, though they are also usually quite a bit more expensive than the buses locals use. They generally cost $5-7 USD for a 2-3-hour journey, $10-15 USD for a 5-6-hour trip, and $20-35 USD or more for overnight buses depending on distance.

Train prices are determined by distance and class, so the farther you go, the more you pay. Night trains with sleeper cars are more expensive than day trains: the night train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok takes 12 hours and costs $29 USD for a sleeper seat, but that same train during the day is $7 USD.

You can travel by train between Singapore, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Bangkok as well, though it’s a long journey that will take you at least 2 days to get there. If you’re a train enthusiast, it’s one of the most classic rides out there, although there is no direct train, so you will have to book all your tickets separately unless you travel on the luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express (which starts at $3,100 USD per person). If you have the time, I highly recommend the experience.

In Indonesia, the main cities of Java (Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo), and Ketapang (Bali’s ferry terminal) are well linked by train. Sample fares include:

• Jakarta to Surabaya – 12 hours/$7 USD (economy) or $35 USD (executive class)
• Surabaya to Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo) – 2 hours/$2 USD (economy) or $8 USD (executive class)
• Surabaya to Ketapang (for Bali) – 6 hours/$4 USD (economy) or $20 USD (executive class)

You can book tickets at the Indonesian website en.tiket.com/kereta-api.

Myanmar has train service but it’s very limited. There is no website for Myanmar Railways, and the direct train line between Yangon and Mandalay has been suspended due to ongoing renovations.

However, a lot of people motorbike around the area. I don’t know much about this, but Travelfish does. He’s the guru on this. Check out his guide here.

If you do decide you want a car, for best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

It’s worth noting that ferries in Southeast Asia don’t often adhere to Western safety standards and lack of life jackets is an issue. Some people recommend staying on the top deck so it’s easier to quickly leave the boat if necessary.

While it’s not necessary to book in advance, it’s a good idea during peak season or on more popular routes to book your tickets the day before you plan to travel to make sure you have a spot. You can buy tickets on the ferry company’s website or via a ticket agent like 12go.asia. However, every agent or hostel or hotel can get you a ferry ticket too. It’s really simple!

Here are a few sample routes and prices to help you plan (USD):

• Bali (Padang Bai) to Lombok – $15 (1.5 hours)
• Bali to the Gili Islands – $15 (1.5 hours)
• Koh Tao to Koh Samui – $20 (2 hours)
• Sihanoukville to Koh Rong – $15 (45 minutes)

You might also consider doing a multi-day cruise on popular waterways like the Mekong River or Halong Bay. On the Mekong River in Laos, slow boats from Huay-Xai will drop you off in Luang Prabang. Slow boats take 2-3 days, stopping at guesthouses for nightly accommodation. Prices vary depending on the quality of the company, but you can expect to pay around $50-80 USD for the entire journey.

Halong Bay tours from Hanoi start around $140 USD for two-day, one night trips and increase exponentially from there.

In short, Southeast Asia is pretty easy to get around: take the train as often as you can in Thailand, take the train in Vietnam if you have the time, and take buses everywhere else. If you’re pressed for time, take the night trains or fly. And if you find a good flight deal, definitely fly!

Simple and easy.

As long as you do that you’ll be able to get around Southeast Asia on a budget and make the most efficient use of your time and money!

Book Your Trip to Southeast Asia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Southeast Asia? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Southeast Asia for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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How to Travel to Southeast Asia Well: 30 Travel Tips

Planning a trip to Southeast Asia? Southeast Asia is a fascinating region but it's very different. Before you depart, be sure to read these 30 essential Southeast Asia travel tips that will help you travel around the region like a pro!

1. Pack Light

Pack light, especially if you'll be traveling around Southeast Asia and taking public transportation. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to haul heavy luggage around.

Pack light cotton clothing as it is hot and humid in Southeast Asia. In most Southeast Asian countries, you can get your clothes washed and dried in hotels or laundries for just a couple of dollars. Also, it is easy to buy clothes at the street markets for very reasonable prices.

2. Pack Clothes for Temple Visits

If you are planning to visit temples in Southeast Asia, you need to know the dress code. The basic rule is to cover your shoulders and knees .

Therefore, make sure to pack an outfit that will cover your shoulders and knees — a scarf or shawl is very useful when you stumble across a temple that was not included in your plan.

3. Get Travel Insurance

It's always a good idea to have travel insurance when you travel to Southeast Asia. You might have prepared well but your body may not be prepared for the Asian spices, high temperature, or way of life.

Southeast Asia trips also often include some adventurous activities, such as trekking and scuba diving, so it's a good idea to have a policy in place.

4. Get Vaccinated

It is vital to get vaccinated against diseases and take necessary precautions for your Southeast Asia trip. Mosquito bites, upset stomachs, and malaria are common maladies affecting people residing in the tropics.

Many countries in Southeast Asia require specific vaccinations before you can enter them. Make sure to check their vaccine requirements and get the recommended vaccinations in advance.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

5. Be Smart about Currency Exchange

It is recommended to change your money in airports or banks where you can get a decent exchange rate even though you might need to pay excessive fees. You can also use local ATMs to withdraw the local currency as they will use the banks' exchange rates.

Be aware that many hotels offer a currency exchange service but they generally offer terrible exchange rates.

Every country in Southeast Asia has a different currency. Calculate how much local money you need so as to avoid having too much money left over that is not accepted in your next destination.

6. Take Some Cash with You

Visa and Mastercard branded credit cards, debit cards, and travel cards are widely accepted in major tourist destinations in Southeast Asia but you will still need some local money. You will need to have cash for street market vendors, taxi drivers, and smaller restaurants.

In rural areas, cards will not be accepted and ATM availability is not guaranteed so make sure you have enough cash to cover your planned expenses.

It is also necessary to carry some US dollars in cash too, as this might be required at the port of entry to pay the fee for your Visa on Arrival.

7. Don't Be Afraid to Bargain

It is normal to bargain in Southeast Asia. It is a way to engage with the local people and try to get a fair price. You can try to bargain with local street vendors or at the markets. Just remember to barter reasonably and always with a smile on your face.

8. Don't Drink the Tap Water

Tap water in Southeast Asia is undrinkable so you should buy bottled water, which is cheap. You can always find cold bottles of water available.

9. Expect Squat Toilets in Most Places

Squat toilets are common in Southeast Asian countries. Expect to find these toilets in most places, such as restaurants, tourist attractions, and other public places.

These toilets require a bit of getting used to but don't worry as most hotels have normal Western-style toilets. 

10. Take Your Own Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is rarely found in public restrooms in Southeast Asia. Carry toilet paper or tissues with you wherever you go.

11. Buy a Local SIM Card

If your current cell phone carrier doesn't offer an affordable service overseas, you can buy a local SIM card that will keep you covered. This could be very helpful for your long trip in Southeast Asia. SIM cards are cheap and the coverage is incredible, even in some remote places.

12. Respect the Local Culture

Southeast Asia is the perfect place for leisure and vacations but be aware that there is a very different culture. It is advisable to learn about the culture before you travel. Here are several common things you should know:

• Cover your arms and legs when you visit temples.
• Don't stare at people praying.
• Avoid taking pictures of monks unless you have permission.
• Don't touch anybody on the head. The head is considered to be sacred in some religions.
• Avoid displaying your soles and take your shoes off at temples.

13. Be Wary of Scams

Travel scams exist all over the world and Southeast Asia is no exception. Here are some common scams in Southeast Asia:

• Beggars, monks, or kids walk around and ask you for money. 
• Fares are overpriced when taking taxis or renting motorbikes. Agree on a taxi price before you get in.
• Scams occur when exchanging money with individuals on the street. Always exchange your currency in legal establishments. 
• Scams occur when you're offered cheap and VIP bus tickets.
• You might be told that an attraction or temple is closed when it actually isn't. Check it in person.

14. Try Street Food

If you want to taste authentic local food, find places where the locals eat. It is easy to find food streets and food stalls in each country in Southeast Asia.

Most of the restaurants won't look very safe but try to choose restaurants where the local people eat — the more people at a restaurant or food stall the better.

15. Don't Overplan

It is necessary to have a planned itinerary before your trip but an unexpected challenge is often thrown in midway through the plan, such as a flight delay, a visit to an unplanned attraction, or overstaying at a beach you have particularly enjoyed.

Be sure to leave some unscheduled time in your itinerary for downtime and also for wandering around.

16. Try Local Transportation at Least Once

Trying the local transportation is a great way to experience the local culture. Tuk tuks, motorbike taxis, or tricycles are a great way to get around. They are cheap and they always make for an adventure while traveling in Southeast Asia.

17. Watch Out on the Sidewalk

You might think of it as an adventure as you weave your way across the lanes of motorbikes in some Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam.

Sometimes, motorbikes drive on the sidewalks and rarely stop for traffic lights. One trick is to be careful and follow the crowds to get across the roads.

18. Learn Some Phrases in the Local Language

There are different languages in different Southeast Asian countries. Most locals don't speak English.

Learning a few phrases of the local language would further enhance your experience in Southeast Asia. Learning how to say 'hello' and 'thank you' are a good start and the local people will really appreciate it. Everyone loves a foreigner who speaks the local language.

19. Don't Worry Too Much about the Weather

The best time to visit Southeast Asia is from November to April (the dry and cool season) if you care about the weather. Even if you are traveling in the wet season, you don't need to worry too much about the weather as the rain often only lasts for several hours in the afternoon or at night.

You can still enjoy a good time as long as you plan well and make the most of your time when it doesn't rain.

See our detailed information about the Best Time to Visit Southeast Asia and Tips for Traveling in the Monsoon Season .

20. Check Southeast Asia's Travel Visa Requirements

Most Southeast Asian countries allow visa-free entry or a Visa on Arrival for stays ranging from 2 weeks to 3 months for certain nationalities.

See all things about  Visas for Southeast Asian Countries . 

21. Don't Worry — Southeast Asia Is Safe

Generally speaking, Southeast Asia is a very safe place for travelers. It's rare to get robbed or mugged.

People are nice, respectful, and friendly. In fact, it's one of the safest regions in the world for female travelers, solo travelers, and families.

22. Always Carry Your Passport

If anything should happen to you, it would be essential for you to have your passport, especially if you are unable to get back to your hotel. You never know what could happen and it's always better to be prepared for anything.

23. Get Off the Beaten Path

The top cities and attractions will definitely be on your must-see list but don't be afraid to get off the beaten path a bit and explore some alternative destinations and sites around Southeast Asia.

The famous attractions are usually crowded, especially during the peak season. Don't be afraid to leave the usual tourist routes and try something new and different.

24. Learn about Tipping in Southeast Asia

In most Southeast Asian countries, there is no tipping culture . It is not customary to tip in most situations.

Tips are rarely expected in restaurants and bars but porters or housekeepers in hotels and tourism providers, such as tour guides, are likely to be used to receiving tips.

25. Be a Responsible Traveler

With so many tourists visiting each year, cities are getting more and more crowded but much of Southeast Asia is inherently mired in poverty. You can help the local people when you make the right choices on your trip.

Don't give money to beggar children near tourist attractions as the money they make is often turned over to a boss or family member. If the children get money continuously, they will never be given a chance at a normal life.

It's best to avoid orphanage tourism, hill tribe visits, or any activity that exploits children, ethnic groups, or animals. When participating in elephant tourism, make sure to carefully vet the organization and make sure they're protecting the animals rather than harming them.

26. Book Your Flights Early

You can usually get the best deals for international flights to Southeast Asia and flights between countries in Southeast Asia by booking early. Start keeping an eye out for cheap flights as early as possible.

27. Don't Underestimate the Jet Lag

Sleeping in a new bed is hard enough but when you add over 10 hours' time difference once you're in Southeast Asia, it's all over! Leave yourself some time to rest and relax on your first or second day when you arrive in Southeast Asia.

28. Don't Try to See It All

Traveling to Southeast Asia for the first time is very exciting and you're going to want to see as much as you can. You need to know that Southeast Asia is a huge region filled with many bucket list destinations screaming to be visited.

Unless you're staying in the region for a year, don't try to see it all in one trip. See our detailed recommendations about How to spend your time in Southeast Asia: from 2 weeks to 3 months .

29. Get Used to Selfies with the Locals

In some places in Southeast Asia, the locals are not used to seeing foreigners on a daily basis. Do not be taken aback if they stare or ask to take photos with you.

30. Don't Expect Anything to Be On Time

People in Southeast Asia are a lot more relaxed and don't care about time as Westerners do.

Travel in Southeast Asia with Us

Traveling in Southeast Asia is a treat. Plan in advance and keep an open mind and heart. To make your first trip to Southeast Asia a great one, contact us. We're here to help you tour Southeast Asia your way.

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Our guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs!

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She was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us,

Our tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great.

He picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics.

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Three Awesome Southeast Asia Travel Routes For An Unforgettable Trip

Ready for an epic southeast Asia road trip? Here are three unmissable itineraries for the trip of a lifetime.

Southeast Asia. The land of majestic views, awesome beaches and unimaginable adventures. 

So… You’ve decided on your dream trip and now you’re wondering what’s the best Southeast Asia travel route to take. 

From Angkor Wat and Siem Reap to Krabi and Vang Vieng, we don’t want to hype ourselves up too much, but boyyyy we have put together a killer trio of itineraries. You’ll struggle to decide which Asia trip itinerary to choose (sorry, not sorry).

Whether you’re a beach lover, a culture addict, an adventurer or someone who’s just keen to see a little bit of everything, here are three one-month Southeast Asia travelling routes to help you rock your trip.

Ready? Pack your bags and book those flights, let’s get going…

South East Asia Travelling Routes: At A Glance

• The Beach Lover’s Dream: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia
• The Cultural Odyssey: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar
• Adventure and Adrenaline: Vietnam, Laos, Thailand

Travelling Southeast Asia Route 1: The Beach Lovers’ Dream

Southeast Asia has more beaches than you could ever visit, even if you were travelling for a year. It’s a beach bum’s paradise. 

But which beaches do you choose? Here’s a Southeast Asia 1 month itinerary with the best beaches on the subcontinent. 

Day 1-3: Ho Coc Beach, Vietnam

Why go to Ho Coc?

*Checks watch* How long have we got? Ho Coc is a haven for rest and relaxation. We’d wager a bet that Ho Coc Beach is the most beautiful beach on the southern coast of Vietnam, with golden sands and crystal clear blue waters. 

Tip: Try to visit in the middle of the week when it’s much quieter and you will have the beach to yourself.

How to get to Ho Coc from Ho Chi Minh City?

Fly into Ho Chi Minh City, and make your way to Ho Coc Beach Resort. The cheapest way of doing this is to hire a car, which will take around 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Suggested Stay: Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort

Day 4-6: Phú Quốc

Why go to Phú Quốc?

Alright, I know we hyped up Ho Coc, but you should go to Phú Quốc as the island has some of the best beaches that Vietnam has to offer. Including its most popular beaches, Long Beach and Star Beach. 

Sink down into the golden sand and admire the swaying coconut palms (maybe accompanied by the delectable martinis from the beach bar). 

Make sure that you stay on the beach for sunset at least one day- Phú Quốc is famous for the dazzling light show it puts on every evening.

Suggested Stay: The Shells Resort & Spa

How to get to Phú Quốc from Ho Coc

It’s an early start today and drive your car back up to Ho Chi Minh City. You then need to take a bus or taxi to Ho Chi Minh Mien Tay, and then jump on the Kumho Samco Bus to Rach Gia. 

Once there, take the ferry to Phú Quốc and head onwards to your hotel. This route will take you a little over 9 hours, if you time things right. 

Day 7-10: Koh Rong Samolem and Pineapple Island, Cambodia

Why go to Koh Rong Samloem?

Koh Rong Samolem, only 9km long and 4km wide, is one of the main beach destinations in Cambodia . This spot is part of a tiny cluster of islands and, don’t tell the others, but this one is our fave.

There are great places to snorkel, kayak, mountain bike and even jungle-trek all over the island. Not to mention sun-bathing on the island’s beautiful beaches. 

They also hold Full Moon parties at Good Vibz Camp on the island during the high season. If you have more time, spend at least a few more days exploring the cool things to do in Cambodia.

Suggested Stay: Sok San Beach Resort

How to get from Phú Quốc to Koh Rong Samolem

Catch the ferry from Phú Quốc to Hà Tiên, and then take a taxi to Kampot. From Kampot, take a bus to Sihanoukville, and then a ferry to Koh Rong Samloem. This route should take about 9 and a half hours.

Day 11-14: Ko Samui and Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand

Why go to Koh Samui?

This Southeast Asia travel route is all about the beaches – and there’s no way we could miss Koh Samui off the list.

It’s been a long day of travelling, we’ll give you that. But Koh Samui is more than ready to reward you for your efforts with some spectacular beaches.

Our favourites are Choeng Mon, Taling Ngam (which is the best for the sunset), and Bang Po. The latter has a reputation for being the most laid-back beach in Northern Samui – and I don’t disagree.

By now, after spending pretty much two weeks travelling Southeast Asia on a quest for the best beaches, you should be pretty relaxed. While there’s plenty of scope for more of the same in Koh Samui, take one of your three days to catch the 20 minute ferry ride to Koh PhaNgan. 

Pha Ngan doesn’t really need an introduction: the beautiful island is renowned for its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and of course its huge full-moon party .

If you have more time, take a detour to Koh Tao, the diver’s mecca and one of the cheapest places to get your PADI qualification in the world. 

Is this the best south east Asia travel route? Hells yeah.

Suggested Stay: Moon Cottage, Choeng Mon Beach

How to get from Koh Rong Samolem to Koh Samui

First things first, get up early – you’ve got a long day of travelling to do! Although the distances when you are travelling Southeast Asia are relatively small, this is one that involves a lot of connections.

Catch the ferry back to Sihanoukville and get a taxi to the airport, and then get a flight from Sihanoukville Airport to Bangkok Airport. From there, then take a flight to Koh Samui Airport, and then a taxi to your hotel. 

This could take up to 12 hours, after waiting for your connecting flight.

Day 15-16: Railay Beach, Thailand

Why go to Railay?

You are NOT ready for Railay. Though it’s increasingly on the tourist radar, Railay has lost none of the chilled-out vibe and friendly atmosphere that attracted travellers in the first place. 

This paradise is surrounded by warm blue sea, golden sand and lush jungle – not to mention all of the karst rocks rising from the sea and in the surrounding areas. 

The area is a rock-climber’s dream and a great place to test your vertical skills if you can peel yourself off of your beach towel.

Suggested Stay: Sand Sea Resort

How to get from Koh Samui to Railay

From Koh Samui, take a ferry to Don Sak Pier. Grab a taxi to the Lomprayah Donsak Pier, and then get a bus to Krabi. Walk 9 minutes to the Krabi Town Pier, and then get a ferry to Railay Beach. 

This journey should take about 6 and a half hours. Once there, if you’re not too tired, head straight to the beach!

Day 17-19: Ko Phi Phi, Thailand

Why go to Koh Phi Phi?

You didn’t really think we could make a beach lover’s South East Asia travel route without including THE Beach did you?! 

The Phi Phi island group is made up of 6 islands, but the two main ones are Phi Phi Don and the uninhabited Phi Phi Leh. Not heard of Phi Phi Leh? How about Maya Bay, where Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘ The Beach ’ was filmed? Thought so.

These picture-perfect islands, with their tropical beaches, amazing rock formations and colourful marine life are pretty close to paradise on earth. Just don’t blame us if you don’t want to leave.

Suggested Stay: P.P. Blue Sky Resort

How to get from Railay to Koh Phi Phi?

Take the ferry from Ao Nang Pier to Phi Phi Island, which takes about an hour and a half.

Day 20-21: Ko Lanta, Thailand

Why go to Koh Lanta?

For the beaches, DUH. There are plenty of beaches on Koh Lanta (which is actually several islands), but we recommend checking out Long Beach and Klong Dao Beach, on the north of Ko Lanta Yai.  

Both have huge stretches of beautiful white sand with clear water, which make them perfect for swimming. Koh Lanta’s got a really cool vibe overall, just one of the reasons we’ve named it one of the top places to go in Thailand.

Long Beach has got something of a reputation as the island’s trendiest beach: head there for a (slightly) more upmarket vibe and lots of people spotting.  

Suggested Stay: Lanta Pearl Beach Resort

How to get from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta

Take the ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta, and then take a taxi to your hotel. This journey should take around 2 and a half hours. Now it’s time for you to explore…

Day 22-23: Ko Lipe, Thailand

Why go to Koh Lipe?

Koh Lipe is what everyone thinks of when they think of travelling Southeast Asia.

The island has 3 beaches: Sunrise Beach (our personal favourite with great views of the sunrise of course). There’s also Sunset Beach, a quieter beach with views of the sunset, and Pattaya Beach, the liveliest beach on the island, with great bars, restaurants and nightlife to entertain you. 

Guess where we spent most of our time? Answer: Pattaya.

That said, we recommend staying at Sunrise Beach, because it has got all the best bits of Pattaya without the crowds! And a tip – if you go to the top of Sunrise Beach, you can see the sunrise and also the sunset from the same spot – it’s out of this world.

Suggested Stay: Salisa Resort

How to get from Ko Lanta to Koh Lipe?

Take a taxi to the Ko Lanta Port, and then jump on a ferry to Koh Lipe, which should roughly take around 3 and a half hours.

Looking for more inspiration for a beach holiday? Our beach destination guides and tips are filled with ideas galore.

Day 24-26: Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

Why go to the Perhentian Islands?

After a few days in more popular spots, head to these islands to simply get away from it all. 

There are 2 main Perhentian Islands, Kecil, which is popular among the backpacking crowd, and Besar, which is more relaxed, full of blindingly white sand and crystal clear water.

While not as party-orientated as their Thai neighbours, you can usually find a beach party on the Perhentian Islands, and there’s always a bonfire. They’re like the Thai islands 20 years ago – all beauty and chill.

Suggested Stay: Perhentian Island Resort

How to get from Koh Lipe to the Perhentian Islands

You’ll spend most of the day travelling but it will be worth it. First take a ferry to the Pakbara Pier from Koh Lipe, and then take a taxi to Padang Besar. 

From there, get the train down to Sungai Kolok. Take a taxi or rent a car to Kota Bharu, and then take a bus to Kuala Besut. From there get the ferry to Malaysia’s stunning Perhentian Islands. 

Although this route is long, taking about 12 hours, it is by far the cheapest.

Day 27-29: Tioman Island, Malaysia

Why go to Tioman Island?

Shhhh… Tioman Island is still something of a hidden gem and you should put it onto your Southeast Asia travel route before everyone else does. It’s only 20km long by 11km wide, and the surrounding emerald sea is a perfect place to swim, snorkel and even dive. 

And it doesn’t stop there – there are cascading waterfalls, thrilling jungle hikes and laid-back island villages to bring out your adventurous side. You’ll never want to leave… Unfortunately though, your Southeast Asia travel adventure is almost over. 

On Day 30, head to Singapore Changi Airport to depart for home.

Suggested Stay: Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort

How to get from the Perhentian Islands to Tioman Island

From the Perhentian Besar, take a ferry back to Kuala Besut. From there, take a bus to Mersing, change at Kota Bharu, and then take a ferry from Mersing Jetty to Tioman Island. 

This route will take about 13 hours, so make sure you get up early.

Want more Southeast Asia travel ideas? Check out my collection of Southeast Asia travel guides to help you plan your trip.

Travelling Southeast Asia Route 2: A Cultural Odyssey

Southeast Asia has incredible architecture, ruins and monuments, all oozing with culture (not to mention the perfect Instagram opportunity or two). 

Love culture and looking for the best Southeast Asia route for your trip? This backpacking Southeast Asia route will take you to the best of them. You can thank me later.

Day 1-3: Hué Monuments, Vietnam

Why go to Hué?

If the impressive visuals alone don’t convince you, the fact that the complex of Hué Monuments is a UNESCO world heritage site and it is located in and around the city of Hué, really should. 

History buffs will adore Hué. Designated as the capital of unified Vietnam in 1802, the huge complex features a number of monuments and ruins, such as the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City, and royal tombs, pagodas and temples. 

Rich in architecture and with a beautiful landscape surrounding, a visit to the Hué Monuments is definitely worth a visit if you’re on the lookout for some of the best cultural sites in Southeast Asia.

Suggested Stay: Cherish Hué Hotel

How to get to Hué from Hanoi?

Start your Southeast Asia 1 month itinerary by flying into Hanoi (if you have time – spend a day or two here checking out the best things to do in Hanoi, which has more than a few cultural sites of its own), and then get a 1 hour flight to Hué. 

Alternatively, you can take the (much slower but more panoramic) train from Hanoi to Hué. It’s one of the classic Southeast Asia travel experiences and worth it if you have the time.

Day 4-5: Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, Vietnam

Why go to Mỹ Sơn?

The Mỹ Sơn Hindu Sanctuary is a cluster of more than 70 partially ruined Hindu temples, devoted to Hindu Gods and Goddesses, especially the God Shiva.

The intricate temples contain grand stone sculptures and towers in lush, tropical jungle settings. 

Learn from our mistakes, people. We recommend getting there in the morning, before it gets too hot and before the crowds arrive, and then returning to Hoi An in the afternoon/evening, so you can explore its Ancient Town. 

An increasing number of those travelling Southeast Asia visit the temples, but they’re still a relatively quiet spot.

Suggested Stay: Mỹ Sơn Hội An Resort and Spa

How to get from Hue to Mỹ Sơn

From Hué, take a bus to Da Nang, and then take a taxi to Mỹ Sơn. This should take about an hour and 40 minutes, but it’s best to stay in Hội An, as it is the closest big town to Mỹ Sơn.

Day 6-7: Temple of Preah Vihear, Cambodia

Why go to Preah Vihear?

This is where history nerds will really come into their own – bring your A-Level History knowledge with you. Dating back to 11BC, the site’s architecture and carved stone ornamentation is very high quality, and so well preserved for its remote location. 

Stay in a hotel in Preah Vihear for the night and then carry on exploring in the morning, before heading back to Siem Reap for night seven.

Suggested Stay in Preah Vihear: Sokha Home

How to get from Mỹ Sơn to Preah Vihear?

Take a taxi to Danang Airport and then take a flight to Siem Reap, which should take around 2 hours in total. 

In order to get to Preah Vihear, the easiest method is to rent a car, which should take about 3 hours. Preah Vihear is a temple situated on the top of a 525m cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, dedicated to the God Shiva.

Day 8-10: Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, Cambodia

Having spent the night in Siem Reap, head into Angkor Wat, a 5 minute taxi ride away. We recommend hiring a tuk tuk or bike to get around between the temples as some of the distances between the less visited ones are quite far.

Why go to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom?

Because it’s one of the most fascinating architectural complexes on the planet – ‘nuff said.

But seriously, Angkor Wat is a complex of temples which also happens to be the largest religious monument in the world. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, this huge and incredibly detailed temple is awe-inspiring.

Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Khmer Empire, and was a city with the residences of palace officials, military and priests inside, enclosed by a 12km high wall and a moat. 

Some of the best attractions and most important monuments in Angkor Thom to check out are the Royal Enclosure, Baphuon, Bayon and the Terrace of Elephants. 

We recommend spending about 3 days in the Angkor complex to see everything in depth.

Suggested Stay: Lotus Blanc Resort

Day 11-13: Grand Palace Bangkok, Thailand

Why go to the Grand Palace in Bangkok?

Seriously… just look at that photo! The Grand Palace is a huge complex of ornate buildings that have been the official residence of the Kings of Thailand since it was built in 1782.

There are 35 sights to see in the Grand Palace Complex, including the Phra Maha Monthian and Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, the two oldest, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which contains a Buddha Statue over 2000 years old. 

The beautiful complex of buildings is a must-see on your cultural sites itinerary.

The Grand Palace also features in our pick of the best things to do in Thailand – here’s why .

Suggested Stay: Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok

How to get from Siem Reap to Bangkok?

From Siem Reap, get a bus to the Bangkok Mochit Bus Terminal. This will take about 7 hours, so after arriving, head to your hotel and then explore Bangkok for the evening.

The next morning, take a short taxi ride to the Grand Palace Bangkok, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in the old city.

Day 14-15: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Why go to Ayutthaya?

Who doesn’t want to walk among these beautiful ruins? Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom, after Sukhothai, and is an island at the meeting of the Lopburi River, the Chao Phraya River, and the Pa Sak River.

The ancient city continued to flourish until it was attacked in 1767 by the Burmese Army, and today the site boasts incredible ruins, such as the Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the largest temple in Ayutthaya, and the Phra Chedi Suriyothai, a white and gold chedi built in memory of a past queen.

Suggested Stay: iuDia Hotel

How to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya?

Get the train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya Station, taking only about 1 hour, and then get a short taxi ride to Ayutthaya.

Day 16-18: Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand

Why go to Sukhothai?

Sukhothai Historical Park contains 193 ruins of Sukhothai, the capital of the Kingdom in the 13th-14th century. The entire area smacks you in the face with impressive temples and ruins.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, inside the park sits the remains of the Noen Prasad (the Royal Palace), Wat Mahathat (the most impressive and important temple in the park), and our favourite, Wat Sa Si, which is beautifully situated in the middle of the Traphang-Trakuan Lake.

Suggested Stay: Sawasdee Sukhothai Resort

How to get from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai?

From Ayutthaya, get a 6 hour bus journey to Sukhothai, and then get a short taxi ride to the Sukhothai Historical Park.

Day 19-21: Luang Prabang, Laos

Why go to Luang Prabang?

We could ramble on about our love of Laos for hours, but Luang Prabang might just be our fave spot. This is an ancient town in Northern Laos , which lies between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. 

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town is well known for its beautiful and ornate Buddhist temples and monasteries, including the Wat Xiang Kong Temple, and also for its natural sites, such as Mount Phou Si and the Kuang Si Falls.

Suggested Stay: Indigo House Hotel

How to get from Sukhothai to Luang Prabang?

Get up early because you’ve got a whole day of travelling to do! Get a bus from Sukhothai to Phitsanulok, and then a bus to Loei. 

All in all this should take about 15 hours, so we recommend heading straight to your hotel and resting before you start exploring tomorrow.

Laos is also one of the cheapest countries in the world and the perfect destination to help your cash go further. Check out the full list of affordable holiday destinations for a luxury trip .

Day 22-24: Chiang Rai, Thailand

Why go to Chiang Rai?

Views, views, and more views. This south east Asia route is a killer.

Chiang Rai is a big city in Northern Thailand, and it is home to some of the best sights in the country, such as Wat Ming Meuang, Wat Phra Singh and White Temple. 

But one of our favourite things was going up to the top of Buffalo Horn Hill – the views over the city were incredible. 

Suggested Stay: Maryo Resort

How to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai?

From Luang Prabang, get a bus to Chiang Kong, and then another bus to Chiang Rai. This in total will take about 13 hours, so head to your hotel when you get there. 

The other option is to take a two-day slowboat from Luang Prabang up the Mekong river to the Thai border, cross into Thailand and then get another bus to Chiang Rai from there.

Day 25-27: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Why go to Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is the largest city in Northern Thailand – it’s comparable to Bangkok, but with far fewer people. Which makes for a far more pleasant experience, if you ask us. 

There’s a vast array of things to see in the city, including Wat Phra That Doi Kham, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. If you want a more relaxed day, it’s also the kind of place where you can just leisurely walk and take in the Thai atmosphere, sampling scoffing some of the local cuisine. 

And if nature is more your thing, take a short scooter or Tuk Tuk ride out of the town into the rain-forested countryside, which is interspersed with beautiful waterfalls.

Suggested Stay: Anantara Chiang Mai

How to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?

Get a bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, which takes about 3 hours.

Day 28-30: Bagan, Myanmar

Why go to Bagan?

It’s a hidden gem! Bagan is an ancient city in Myanmar, known as the temple town, and home to 2,229 temples and pagodas. Trust us, Bagan is guaranteed to be one of the highlights on your cultural Southeast Asia travel route.

We recommend seeing the Ananda Temple and the Shwesandaw Temple, also known as the ‘sunset temple’ – head here in the evening to see the fantastic Bagan sunset.

On your last day, head to Mandalay Airport to get a connecting flight home.

Suggested Stay: Royal Bagan Hotel

How to get from Chiang Mai to Bagan?

Fly from Chiang Mai to Yangon, the Myanmar capital where you will connect onto another flight to Nyaung-U and get a taxi from there to Bagan.

Travelling Southeast Asia Route 3: Adrenaline + Adventure

Adventure opportunities abound when you travel Southeast Asia, so if you’re an adrenaline-seeker, this is the place to go. 

Whether you’re into diving, hiking or climbing, this continent’s got it all. This is your backpacking Southeast Asia route for ultimate thrills.

Day 1-2: Sandboarding at Mũi Né, Vietnam

Why go to Mũi Né?

Not that you’ll ever be bored on this trip, but this is the place where thrillseekers will thrive.

Mũi Né is a beach resort town in Southern Vietnam, famous for its Saharan-like white and red sand dunes, which are perfect for sandboarding down. And if you want something even more upbeat, try the quad bikes or the dune buggies.

Suggested Stay: The Cliff Resort and Residences

How to get to Mũi Né

Start your Southeast Asia 1 month itinerary by flying into Ho Chi Minh City, and then from there take a bus to Phan Thiet, and then a bus from there to Mũi Né. This all in all should take around 4 hours. 

On your first day, I suggest heading to your hotel for an early night before your month of adventure begins. Of course, it’s completely up to you whether you take that advice or not and you could start your Southeast Asia travel itinerary with a bang.

Day 3-5: Spelunking (Caving) at Hang Sơn Đoòng, Vietnam

Why Visit Hang Sơn Đoòng?

Nature lovers will adore this beautiful Vietnamese spot.

Located in the middle of the Vietnamese jungle in the Quang Binh Province, Hang Sơn Đoòng is the world’s largest cave – it’s 3 sizes of Wembley Stadium! And inside there is even a fast-flowing subterranean river. 

One of nature’s most incredible natural marvels, you can’t miss this on your Southeast Asia travel route.

Suggested Stay: Riverside Hotel – Quang Binh

How to get from Mũi Né to Hang Sơn Đoòng

Get up early, as you have a long travel day ahead. From Mũi Né, take a bus back to Phan Thiet, and then take another bus to Nha Trang Dien Thuan. 

Take one more bus from there to Dong Hoi Quang Binh, and then take a taxi to your hotel.

Day 6-8: Rock Climbing in Vang Vieng, Laos

Why go to Vang Vieng?

Vang Vieng is a tourist-oriented town in Laos. Originally, it’s known for its bars, partying and tubing, it’s a cool destination in itself. 

Rock-climbing is Vang Vieng’s hidden gem. The small town is surrounded by beautiful cliffs overlooking idyllic greenery and rice paddies. So clip on your gear and hold on to your ropes – there are cliffs for you to climb!

Check out our guide to rock climbing in Vang Vieng.

Suggested stay: Silver Naga Hotel

How to get from Hang Son Dong to Vang Vieng

Get the bus to Dong Hoi airport, fly to Luang Prabang and then get the bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng.

Day 9-11: Hiking from Luang Prabang to Ban Hadkhor, Laos

Why hike from luang prabang to ban hadkor.

This two day hike starts at Luang Prabang, passing through Ban Hadkhang, Pha Theung, and finishing in Ban Had Khor. We love this route because you get to see a massive area of jungle landscape, as well as walk through local villages and trek across rice paddies. 

Camp on the riverbank overnight and then kayak to the Holy Pak Ou Cave on the second day, before heading back to Luang Prabang. It’s fabulous.

Green Discovery Tour from Luang Prabang to Ban Hadkhor

How to get to Luang Prabang from Vang Vieng?

Catch a direct bus from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, which takes around 6 hours. Then it’s time to get your hiking boots on.

Day 12-17: Hiking, Ziplining and Waterfall Abseiling in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is filled with an abundance of things to do.

First off, head into the jungle for a three-day hike. This trek allows visitors to hike all over the landscapes of Chiang Mai, swim in waterfalls and walk in the jungle. 

We’ll level with you – we don’t recommend taking a tour that visits the Karen Hill tribes, thanks to the questions of exploitation and ethics that surround these, nor do we advocate any treks that involve elephant riding. 

We think that hiking through the Chiang Mai jungle is an adventure enough though, so you should definitely do it.

Next up is ziplining. Nothing says adventure like zipping through the sky at fast speed. Chiang Mai’s ‘Flight of the Gibbon’ zip-line is not only the first in Chiang Mai, but the first in all of Asia! It features 5km of zip lines with 33 platforms, as well as abseiling and sky bridges.

If you’re not exhausted from your days of thrills, it’s time to go waterfall abseiling . After trekking in the forest and jungle, you can abseil down a 100m rocky waterfall in the middle of the jungle. 

If you want an adrenaline rush paired with some beautiful scenery, this is the one for you.

Suggested Stay: Wing Bed

How to get from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai?

The easiest way to travel from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai is to take a direct flight. The much slower and more scenic way is to take a two-day slow boat from Luang Prabang to Chiang Khong and then get the bus from Chiang Khong to Chiang Mai.

Day 18-20: Scuba Diving in Koh Tao

Why go to Koh Tao?

We’re sure you’ve heard plenty of tales about Koh Tao – but mainly, Koh Tao is a fabulous place to scuba dive. With over 20 different dive sites, and we recommend using Crystal Dive as your guides. 

If you’ve ever thought about getting your PADI diving qualification, Koh Tao is the place to do it. 

There aren’t many places where your first dives will be in such spectacular sites. Crystal Dive offers normal dives and also wreck dives for the more adventurous among you, with all sites boasting stunning reefs.

Suggested Stay: Mango Bay Boutique Resort

How to get from Chiang Mai to Koh Tao?

From Chiang Mai Airport, fly to Koh Samui. From there, take the ferry to Koh Tao. All in all, this should take around 6 hours.

Day 21-23: Rock Climbing at Railay Beach, Thailand

Why go to railay beach.

Around Railay Beach is a rock climber’s paradise – all of the rock is limestone and part of the world’s largest coral reef. With over 700 routes around Railay Beach, ranging from beginner to extreme, there’s something for everyone. 

And if that’s not enticing enough, the views of the beautiful beaches should have you hooked. We recommend climbing with Real Rocks Climbing School .

How to get from Koh Tao to Railay?

From Koh Tao, take a 2 hour ferry to Koh Samui, and then take a bus to Krabi. Take a short walk to the Krabi Town Pier, and then get a ferry to Railay Beach. This journey should take about 6 and a half hours.

Day 24-26: Scuba Diving in Andaman Islands

Why go to the Andaman Islands?

Because who doesn’t dream of spending a couple of days on what feels like a private island? The islands are very remote and so have excellent areas for diving with stunning turquoise waters. 

In fact, diving in the Andaman Islands is some of the best in the world. That’s why it deserves its place on this epic southeast Asia itinerary.

There are hundreds of deserted islands to explore, a chance to snorkel with swimming elephants, and a dive site at a live volcano with beautiful marine life, near Barren Island. What more could you want?! 

We recommend diving with Original Diving . After you’ve finished your scuba diving, fly to Delhi, where you will make your trip home, until next time.

Suggested Stay: Advhasaha Resort

How to get from Railay to the Andaman Islands?

The last stop on your adventurous trip is probably the longest to get to, but it is probably also the best – so don’t stop now! Go to Krabi Airport and then get a flight to Port Blair, stopping at Bangkok and Madras, taking a total of about 17 hours.

Useful Resources

Travel currency.

UK travellers can take advantage of the fee-free Monzo prepaid card. Spend your money on cocktails and hotels, not on bank charges.

The Lonely Planet and Rough Guides are go-to reliable books for your Southeast Asia trip.

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Sophie Ritchie is a writer for The Discoveries Of. She’s had a passion for travelling since a young age, and loves to visit new places every year. If she had to pick a favourite place it would be Cuba. Her ultimate dream? To travel to every country in South America.

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If you have more time you could add Da Nang at the beginning of the trip and then to Nha Trang to go to Cam Ranh Bay. At the other end of the trip you could add the Mentawai islands and then the Gili Islands.

Thanks for the suggestions – totally agree. Although there’s a lot you can add in if you are going to Indonesia as well as SE Asia.

Thailand looks insane!! It has been on my mind for a while and after reading this, I know its my next destination!! Great guide and options for different types of travelers!

Hey Aaren – it’s really cool and I love it. In fact, heading back later this year. I hope you have a brilliant time!

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12 tips for your first trip to Southeast Asia

Editor's note: The team at The Points Guy loves to travel, but now is not the time for unnecessary trips. Health officials note that the fastest way to return to normalcy is to stop coming in contact with others. That includes ceasing travel. We are publishing travel deals and destination content because we should all use this time to think about and plan our next adventures. TPG doesn't advise booking trips for travel until summer or fall — and even then be mindful of cancellation policies. This story has been updated with new information.

Southeast Asia is one of the most magical regions on earth. Filled with stunning beaches , historic temples, verdant jungles and bustling cities, there's something for every traveler there. But staying healthy and safe is something to consider when visiting a region so different from your own, especially for the first time. Things like visa requirements , best times to visit, currency exchange and what to bring may be at the top of your mind, as well as the most obvious question -- which country should you visit?

After a number of long-term visits over the years to varying countries in Southeast Asia, I've learned a thing or two. Beginner travelers should check out these travel tips and follow this Southeast Asia travel advice when considering a visit to the region for the first time.

1. Pick your countries wisely

While it's tempting to visit many countries and cities on a single trip to Southeast Asia, it's worth taking it slow and digging into the culture of a single country and/or just a handful of places, rather than exhausting yourself with a travel itinerary that has you hopping all over what amounts to an enormous territory.

For example, Bali , Indonesia and Hanoi, Vietnam , are both set within Southeast Asia, but beware -- they're a seven-hour flight away from each other. Before you commit to flights and accommodation , pull out the map and choose countries/cities that are relatively close together or are easily accessible by nonstop flights or direct trains.

When deciding on the best country to visit in Southeast Asia, you should also take into account whether you want to explore cities, relax on beaches, see the outdoors or embrace culture, cuisine and history.

The best country to visit for beginner travelers could be Thailand. First-time visitors to the region may also enjoy Bali, Indonesia. Both of these spots are used to an influx of tourists and have plenty of amenities. They're both relatively easy to navigate and have friendly locals that speak English.

More experienced travelers or those wanting an adventure may prefer spots like Myanmar, Malaysia or Laos. While almost all Southeast Asia destinations welcome backpackers with open arms, Cambodia is very backpacker-friendly -- and is extremely affordable, especially outside of tourist destination Angkor Wat. Those wanting to lap a country from top to bottom should head to Vietnam. For unexplored beaches, visit more off-the-beaten-path islands in Indonesia (that aren't Bali) or the Philippines .

Related: 9 of the best sustainable backpacks for travelers

2. Check visa requirements

Several Southeast Asian countries require your passport to have at least six months' worth of validity left or a specific number of empty pages -- and visa requirements seem to be constantly changing. For example, a few years ago, e-visas weren't available online for several entrance points in Myanmar, but now they are. Meanwhile, Vietnam has changed its visa requirements in past years and now citizens from several European countries no longer need a visa to enter.

Check visa requirements ahead of time and apply online if possible. For example, U.K. nationals will find that applying for a visa to enter Laos online is relatively straightforward and can ease hassle upon arrival, especially when you're jet-lagged in a new and unfamiliar country.

If you do end up needing a visa upon arrival at your chosen destination(s), be prepared with the proper currency and passport-size photos of yourself. Many airport visa offices have ATMs/exchange services (albeit with terrible rates) and photo booths, but if you arrive with these items in hand, as well as any forms you might need printed and filled out ahead of time, the visa experience will be quicker and easier.

Also, be sure to grab a couple of extra entrance and exit forms each time you enter a country -- if you end up leaving and reentering that country by bus, boat or train, having the correct forms handy will enable you to save time you'd otherwise spend in a line.

3. Pack light and right

Deciding what to bring to Southeast Asia is a common conundrum. Try to pack as light as possible and do laundry wherever you go rather than trekking around with an overweight backpack or heavy trolley bag. In most Southeast Asian countries, you can get your clothes washed, dried and ironed in under 24 hours for the equivalent of a couple of dollars, and at street markets, you can shop inexpensively for any extra clothes and toiletries you may need.

These are the things you should make sure to pack:

• raincoat/umbrella (especially during rainy season)
• modest clothing covering knees/shoulders for temple visits
• first aid kit (including all kinds of stomach medicines)
• small flashlight
• earplugs/ sleepmask
• hand sanitizer
• travel packs of tissues (note that squat toilets usually aren't equipped with toilet paper)
• adaptor/multi-port plug that allows you to charge a few of your electronics at once

Related reading: 14 packing hacks for traveling with just a carry-on

4. Best times to visit Southeast Asia: rainy or dry season?

You can organize your trip in one of two ways: picking a destination(s) first and then selecting the best time to go, or picking your destination(s) based on what will have the best weather during the time you're able to visit. Most countries in Southeast Asia have two main seasons: wet and dry.

Even certain regions within countries can have separate rainy seasons . For example, if you want to have a beach holiday in Thailand over Christmas, it's better to choose islands in the Andaman Sea, which are sunny, like Koh Lanta or Koh Yao Yai and skip the Gulf of Thailand islands, such as Koh Samui or Koh Tao, where it's rainy season.

If you're visiting larger cities, rainy season may not be so bad. You'll experience a downpour or two for sure, but you may get cheaper hotel deals or better value on airfare. But, it may be best to avoid smaller towns or villages during the wet season where lack of infrastructure during floods may complicate your stay.

It's also important to consider additional seasonal situations -- like burning season, where many Southeast Asian regions burn brush and old crops to prepare for planting. Air quality is bad during this time and may affect tourists, especially those with respiratory problems.

5. Safeguard your health

Before you travel to individual countries, check their vaccine requirements and recommendations -- and then actually get those vaccinations. If you're worried about the expense, be aware that you can opt to get your vaccinations upon arrival in Bangkok , where they're often affordable at local health centers. When traveling to any Southeast Asian country, getting tetanus shots and typhoid vaccines are generally a good idea. In addition to any necessary vaccines, seek out strong mosquito repellent, as this can help protect you from dengue fever and malaria.

6. Get travel insurance

Plan to get travel insurance when visiting the region, because health risks in Southeast Asia don't entirely diminish even if you've had your vaccines. As Southeast Asia trips often include adventures like indulging in street food, zip-lining, scuba diving , jungle treks and motorcycle rentals, it's wise to have a policy in place.

During a previous trip to Thailand, I developed an ear infection from snorkeling . Thanks to my travel insurance, I was in and out of a doctor's office within an hour, complete with medicine and a special souvenir bag (see above) -- all covered by my policy. Years ago in Malaysia, my husband cut his foot on coral while diving and required antibiotics. Having travel insurance made the situation an easy (and free) fix. Insurance policies can also cover non-health-related problems such as lost luggage or issues with flights and hotels, so look into getting the best travel insurance policy for you.

7. Consider alternate travel methods

While we love a good points and miles deal, using trains, low-cost airlines and ferries is a great way to save money while moving from place to place. Buses are generally the cheapest method of transport in Southeast Asian countries, but be aware of travel scams and know that you might be in for dirt, dust, unpleasant (or simply strange) smells, crowds, bumpy roads and more.

Ferries can sometimes be crowded, but are a quick, cheap and a direct form of travel between islands, and though often slow, trains are a fun way to explore and see the lay of the land(s). Low-cost carriers such as AirAsia, Bangkok Airways , Nok Air, Tiger Air and more offer cheap flights to a variety of destinations -- and some even have frequent flyer programs . Though often a splurge in comparison to bare-bones taxi-boat journeys, river cruises are luxurious, scenic adventures and a great mode of transportation.

8. Rent a scooter at your own risk

If I had a dollar for every 20-something I saw with a bandaged knee, chin or foot in Thailand, I would easily be rich. Renting scooters can be a great way to get around, but in some Southeast Asian countries you'll need to drive on a different side of the road you're accustomed to and you may have to battle intense traffic, hills, curves, stray dogs, dirt or sand roads, crazy taxi drivers -- and worst of all, other foreigners driving scooters who are unfamiliar with these conditions. Even though many locals and tourists don't wear helmets, you still should.

Before you head off with a rental scooter, be sure that your rental agent sees you taking detailed photos and/or videos of the bike, and actively point out any scratches or concerns to them. Though scooter rentals are often just a few dollars per day upfront, scooter scams are common, where a rental agent will insist that you've scratched or otherwise damaged their motorbike, charging you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in damages before they'll return your passport to you.

9. Be smart about currency exchange

Airports and banks often charge excessive fees to exchange money, but you'll usually get a decent exchange rate if you wait to change money once you're in Southeast Asia. However, know that Southeast Asian hotels generally offer terrible exchange rates, so stick to banks or other spots that advertise "Money Exchange." Make sure to change plenty of cash, as street market vendors, taxi drivers and smaller restaurants may not take credit/debit cards.

Many hotels and larger restaurants will take credit/debit cards though, so make sure to use ones that hold no foreign transaction fees.

10. Avoid "temple burnout"

"Temple burnout" happens when you see so many ornate and beautiful temples that they all begin to look the same -- and you lose interest in seeing any more, ever. To avoid this malady, arrange some non-temple-oriented activities on your Southeast Asia travel itinerary, or simply take a day (or two) off to relax and rest your eyes. After a bit of visual reboot, you'll have a whole new appreciation for a region of the globe that has more amazing temples than you could possibly imagine.

11. Don't be afraid to bargain

You should absolutely bargain with local street vendors or at markets -- it's a cultural norm to do so. I've had some great times bargaining and laughing with street vendors and even made friends with a few locals along the way, coming home with memorable souvenirs for my efforts. Just make sure to barter reasonably and always with a smile on your face. The point of bargaining is to engage with locals and agree on a fair price, not to cheat them or get scammed yourself.

12. Be a responsible tourist

It's best to avoid orphanage tourism, hill tribe visits or any activity that exploits children, ethnic groups or animals. When participating in elephant tourism, make sure to carefully vet your organization and make sure they're protecting the animals in lieu of harming them.

While begging children may tug at your heartstrings, the more money they earn from tourists, the more their parents see them as a source of monetary gain and the less inclined they are to send them to school -- where they'd have a shot at a better future.

When diving/snorkeling or out in nature, make sure to adhere to the no trace policy , not littering or taking anything from delicate natural environments.

If you want to lend real support to locals in Southeast Asia, dine at Tree Alliance restaurants . Located in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, these eateries train disadvantaged young adults as chefs and waiters and also donate money to programs that assist low-income locals to get jobs. Offering traditional cuisine, these restaurants provide a delicious way to help.

Related: 5 tourism-supported charities that need your help now more than ever

Or, visit an organization like Big Brother Mouse in Luang Prabang, where tourists can read books, play games or chat with kids and teens eager to practice their English.

Related: How to be a better traveler

Bottom line

Armed with these useful travel tips for Southeast Asia, you'll have a safe, smooth and successful first trip to this beautiful region. Happy travels!

How to plan a perfect trip to Asia – tips for your first Asia vacation & how to choose the best travel itinerary

One of the cheapest and the most colourful destinations for travellers – Southeast Asia is a dream come true. Make sure that you plan a trip to Asia properly, choose the backpacking route well and craft the best travel itinerary, avoiding any problems. How? Check below!

If you follow my social media platforms ( and if you don’t, better start now 😉 Facebook , Instagram , Twitter ), you probably know, that I just came back from an epic trip to Asia. It wasn’t my first trip to that region – I’ve previously been to the Philippines, India, Malaysia and Russia, but this time I’ve visited two new countries – Indonesia and Singapore . My trip began with a traditional wedding in India near Bangalore, followed by visiting stunning Singapore skyscrapers, travelling through the Bali jungle, swimming with turtles in Gili islands and climbing volcanoes of East Java .

Independent travel is what I love the most and what gives me the biggest satisfaction from my trips. But how to make it right? How to plan a dream trip to Asia and make sure that everything works out well?

If you’re travelling soon, check my travel resources page , where I share my favourite travel websites and companies to book trips on a budget.

How to plan a perfect trip to Asia?

#1 pick the best time.

If you work full time, as I do, you probably need to book time off in advance. Check when you can take it and based on that choose your destination. Not having enough vacation days? Have a look here for some tips on how to travel more, even with a full-time job!

For me, the time was already decided, as I was going for my friend’s wedding in India. Based on that, I chose my further destinations.

#2 Choose the travel itinerary

Some parts of the world are simply impossible or very inconvenient to be visited at particular times of the year. Might it be a monsoon season, hurricanes, freezing cold or dreadful heat. You want to avoid that, so choose wisely and do the research!

For travelling on a budget, you need to make sure that you can get to the specific location at a reasonable price. This might get more complicated if you’re combining several countries and flying between the destinations. However, research pays off. For my trip to Asia, I searched through several flight booking sites, to find the cheapest prices for the best destinations. Kiwi.com is a very helpful one, as it allows you to search based on the radius around the location and the departure airport. Make sure to check at least a few flight search engines. Some other helpful ones are Expedia  and Kayak.  For the full list  click here .

Based on that, I looked at different vacation destinations in Asia. Alex and I wanted to find the best places to visit in Southeast Asia, but not overly crowded and with a (cheap!) flight connection from India. We checked places like Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, Malaysia or less known the Andaman Islands. Taking everything into consideration, we finally decided on Indonesia – a country, that I’ve always wanted to visit. Since the flights from India to Indonesia usually go through Singapore, I added it to my itinerary and made my layover longer, by fitting a day to walk around the city.

#3 Do the research or just wing it

I’m a “planner” and always want to know what is worth visiting in a particular location. I don’t want to miss out and I also prefer to avoid crowded or overly touristy places. This, together with some reading about the history of the country gives me a good background for deciding on which places I want to visit and which to skip. I base my research on the destination travel blogs, where the bloggers are always helpful to answer questions or I use the good travel guidebooks .

However, I often leave the plan open for changes to be able to adjust it if needed. I normally don’t even book accommodation, as I know that it’s very easy to find cheap and good hostels in Southeast Asia on the go. This gives me the flexibility in case my plans change. The more you travel, the easier it will be for you to act spontaneously on your trip.

For your first Asia vacation: 

• make a plan with the travel itinerary based on your research
• book the first hotel night after arrival
• add some more places to the list, in case you change your mind or can’t get to the ones from the original plan and then make final decisions while you are there
• talk to locals and talk to other travellers – they are a great source of information and have it all updated, which is much more helpful than scrolling through the old posts on the Internet

#4 Plan the travel route

• Less is more – cut out

Many of us, I included, have a FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) syndrome. We want to be everywhere, see and do everything. Unfortunately, with a limited time it’s not possible, so you need to rule some things out. Focus on what you really want to see when planning your Asia travel route and keep other places as a possibility in case of change of plans.

• Add an extra day

Travelling in Asia can be unpredictable. There are massive delays on the local airlines, buses leave only when full, which involves several hours of waiting. There can be floods, earthquakes or volcano eruptions (almost happened to us!), that can slow you down. Therefore, add one or two days, just in case. This will also allow you to take things a bit slower and enjoy it more, not stressing out if you’re going to make it for the flight.

• Don’t double back

Plan your Asia travel route in a way, that you don’t come back to the same location. Take different paths, which allows you to see more. In some cases, this might be difficult, but try to avoid it as much as you can.

#5 Be flexible

It’s good to plan a trip to Asia properly, with a scheduled plan and treat it as a base and a direction to follow. However, at the same time, leave yourself space for changes. Maybe you’ll fall in love with one particular place and would want to stay there longer? Or you meet great people and follow their travel plans, instead of yours? Or get invited to the traditional ceremony by the locals, that you just can’t miss? The world is full of opportunities and missing one stop on your itinerary doesn’t mean that you’re missing out – just often the opposite!

#6 Get ready for the unexpected

As often as we like to think that “those things only happen to others, not me”, life is unpredictable and everything can happen.

When we were planning our trip to Indonesia, days before the departure the media boomed with the news of  the high risk of the volcano eruption . The volcano happened to be in Bali , which was our first stop. The whole area around the mountain, that we planned to go to, was closed and we needed to change our plans last minute. We also had to be prepared in case of an eruption and know what to do for the emergency. Luckily, nothing happened (and hopefully won’t happen), but better be safe than sorry!

Last, but not least – it’s your holidays, that you worked hard for, so don’t worry too much about ticking places off the list, just go with a flow and enjoy yourself. The more you travel, the easier it will be to let it go, learn about the places from the locals and other travellers. Remember – enjoy every minute of it!

Where is your next trip to Asia to? What are your tips to plan a perfect trip to Asia? Let me know in the comments!

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22 thoughts on “ How to plan a perfect trip to Asia – tips for your first Asia vacation & how to choose the best travel itinerary ”

I’m Vietnamese, but have not been back to visit. Will have to refer to this when we plan our trip.

I hope you’ll manage to visit soon 🙂

Great post, I’m currently living in Thailand and love it! I remember how crazy and scary my first solo visit was, your tips are really good and I wish I had them back then! Lovely pictures!

Thanks! Wow, this must be amazing to live there 🙂 You’re definitely an Asia expert now then! 🙂

Can not wait for another trip to Asia <3 It was such a wonderful thing to explore it!

I just came back and can’t wait to go again!

I completely agree that traveling in Asia, and anywhere for that matter, can be completely unpredictable. I’m currently on my third long term backpacking trip in Asia and despite planning there are always bumps in the road – although it does add to the adventure of course. I was actually in Bali myself when the volcano was set to erupt, however luckily it didn’t affect my plans. Thanks for sharing!

That’s very true! We’ll see what happens with the volcano, hopefully, it’s all fine. Thanks for your comment 🙂

These are very useful travel tips for travelling anywhere in the world! We are backpacking now through central America and I am really learning to just go with the flow and finding joy in all the crazy, unpredictable things that happen. Thanks for your share!

You are very right 🙂 It’s important to remember about those things during travels in any place in the world. Enjoy your trip!

I’ve only been to big cities in Asia so far; Shanghai and Tokyo. Yet to venture into the South-East. I’ve travelled a fair bit over the world but I’m still a bit of a control freak and like an itinerary lol.

A good itinerary is a great help, but it’s also nice sometimes to go with a flow:) Good luck in your future travels!

From your post, i learn that,with good planning, you achieve better result and always make the plan flexible. Nice post.

Thanks! I hope it was helpful!

I agree with all you wrote here, and even though I sometimes still have a little FOMO, I`ve been trying to embrace slow travel and my last trips were really good! I think what you wrote is useful not only when planning a trip to Asia, your recommendations can be applied to other trips as well. Didn`t know kiwi, definitely going to try it!

Thanks for your comment, Vick! Slow travel would be amazing, but I’m still in need of more time 😉 Hopefully, one day! Good luck in your travels!

I broadly agree with the points that you raise. In fact, I think that they could be applied to vacation planning in general. In particular, I thinks it’s a good idea to do a lot of research, but then to leave the itinerary open to change. Local advice often beats the guidebook. Hands down!

Thank you, Gearoid! I couldn’t agree more, that the local advise often beats the guidebooks, however, sometimes you also need to take it with a pinch of salt and filter through 😀

I’m planning a three week trip to Asia in 2022 to celebrate my 70th birthday. Not planning to backpack but would like to a week in three locations via intra flights from one to the next. Would love suggestions on three great places to visit. Considering China, Thailand, Vietnam.

Hi! That sounds great, but only a week split in 3 countries is a bit short, unless you mean a week in each of them, then it makes more sense 🙂 There is a lot to see in all of them – so it depends on how much sight-seeing you want to do and what exactly you’re interested in – nature, cities, culture, food. I’d say Thailand is more touristy than Vietnam and China is obviously huge, so you would need to decide on a small part of it. You would also need to check the visas needed for each of the countries. Good luck!

Asia has a wide range of tour spot when it comes to Asia, India is one of the best countries one can visit and explore some many histories with a lots of amazing facts India is a budgeted country you can spend money and satisfy your needs you can visit India just to see how colorful it is and it is the country of joy!thanks for the tips the article is helpful.

Glad you like it! I also have some more articles about India: Bangalore Belur and Halebid temples

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Cash In Japan: Everything You Need To Know

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Palestine SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

Visiting Palestine soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Palestine SIM card. Fortunately, Asia is one of the places where you can buy a SIM card easily. You should be able to find an affordable SIM card pretty much anywhere in Palestine....

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The Most Underrated Country In Asia: 10 Incredible Things To Do In Laos That Will Make You Want To Book A Flight

• Don't miss the Vat Phou Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning architecture and panoramic views in Champasak Province, Laos.
• Explore the Bolaven Plateau for beautiful waterfalls, lush forests, and traditional villages. The best way to experience it is by hiking or biking the Big Loop of the Bolaven Trail.
• Taste the local food in Laos, including sticky rice, minced meat salad, and green papaya salad. Check out the sophisticated variants of Asian dishes in the capital, Vientiane, for a culinary experience.

Laos is one of the most underrated countries in the world to visit - and even when it comes into the picture, it is always overshadowed by many of the most popular destinations in Asia like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Nepal, and India. However, this country is a stunning, touristy destination for travel and tours, with hidden natural gems waiting to be explored.

From magnificent waterfalls and lush forests to unbelievable caves, mountains, and charming rivers, there are many reasons to visit Laos . Visiting this hidden paradise tucked away in Asia soon? First of all, check out some things to know about Laos before visiting , and then proceed to engage in these exciting activities for an unforgettable trip exploring what is perhaps the most underrated place in Asia.

Related: 10 Places That Became Top Tourist Destinations In 2023

Visit The Vat Phou Temple Complex

If there's one temple to visit amid the myriad of fun things to do in Laos, then it is the Vat Phou Temple Complex in Champasak Province. The magnificent temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Khmer Hindu Temple Complex, with buildings dating back to the second century.

Visitors can stroll around the six terraces of the temple that link to a stairway rising to the mountain where the main shrine is located. Iconic ruined palaces of Champasak kings are spread all over the complex, and the shaped mountain that frames the complex makes the scene more spectacular.

• Location: Champasak Province, Laos

Hike And Bike Around The Bolaven Plateau

The Bolaven Plateau is one of the most beautiful places in Laos to visit. It is home to some of the most stunning waterfalls in Laos, such as Tad Fane and Dong Hua Sao. The region also boasts lush forests, coffee plantations, and quaint traditional villages, where century-old customs are still revered.

Visitors can explore this plateau on foot, motorbike, or bicycle to capture its picturesque rural settings and stunning landscapes.

The best thing to do here is to explore the Big Loop of the Bolaven Trail with a motorbike, as it is easier and faster.

Taste Lao Food

A visit to Laos is not complete without tasting the local food. The country boasts an assortment of Asian palatable cuisines with distinct flavors from Laos. Sticky rice is the country's staple food and should not be missed, while Laap or minced meat and green papaya salad are popular alternatives.

There are many incredible restaurants in Laos to indulge in these meals. However, the capital Vientiane has some of the most sophisticated variants of Asian dishes and top-tier restaurants to taste them. Some of these include Lao Kitchen, Kong View, Khop Chai Deu, and Kualao restaurants.

• Top food to try in Laos: Sticky rice, minced meat salad, green papaya salad

Related: 10 Underrated Destinations In Asia Worthy Of Your Attention

Explore The Plain Of Jars

The plain of jars, near Phonsavan in Xiengkhouang province, is among the top attractions in Laos for history lovers, as it immerses visitors into an arena of mystery and marvels. This archeological site on the plains of the Xiengkhouang plateau is filled with thousands of jars carved out of limestone and granite.

The jars were, according to researchers, placed in the plain between 1240 BC and 660 BC. But what's more interesting about this UNESCO World Heritage Site is that the civilization that created these jars remains a mystery to researchers. Local legend says the jars were created by a race of giants. Today, the Plain of Jars is among the best historic sites in Laos to visit for those who enjoy ancient history.

• Location: Xiangkhoang Plateau, Laos

Witness Or Partake In Alms-giving In Luang Prabang

One of the most humane things to observe and do in Laos is the alms-giving ritual. Monks rise very early each morning to give alms to the poor in the historic and enchanting city of Luang Prabang. It is an adorable sight to behold, and visitors can either watch or join the hundreds of monks who line up the streets to give alms.

Items used for the ritual are donated by locals, but visitors can also purchase some goods and join in, regardless of their religion or beliefs. It is truly a humbling experience, and very often, unforgettable.

Visit the Laos Travel website for more information about this ceremony.

Tour The Park Ou Caves In Luang Prabang

The caves of Laos are truly spectacular, but there is something more exceptional about the two Park Ou Caves - Than Ting and Than Theung in Luang Prabang, which are some of the most incredible natural wonders in Laos to see. Visitors will be stunned by the hundreds of Buddha statues inside the caves, starting from their steps.

Interestingly, visiting this place is another exciting excursion in itself. Visitors will have to travel through the Mekong River, capturing views of dramatic cliffs and quaint riverside towns. Plus, the tour may include stopovers at local town attractions and hotspots like a whiskey village to taste local brews or a handicraft village to shop for local textiles.

• Location: Near Luang Prabang
• Tour cost: From $139

See Pha That Luang

Pha That Luang, or Golden Stupa, is the most magnificent, sacred, and recognizable monument in Laos. Located in the capital, Vientiane, this monument is a national symbol and even appears on the country's seal. The monument is colored in gold, but its 147-foot pinnacle is built with pure gold, making it more stunning.

High walls surround the gold leaf pinnacle or stupa, giving it a fortress appearance. Visitors can capture the glory of this national monument from its exterior and wonder at its architectural beauty. It is among the top landmarks in Laos that is instantly recognizable.

• Location: Vientiane, Laos

While in Vientiane, also be sure to check out the massive Laos Bhuda Park , which is home to some of the most impressive Buddhist sculptures in the world.

Explore The Charming Mountain Town Of Van Vieng

The mountain town of Van Vieng is one of the most beautiful small towns in Laos to visit and is nestled between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. While serving as a convenient, yet stunning destination to observe a break when touring both cities, the town offers so much rugged beauty and exciting activities to visitors.

In addition, the town sits by the banks of the Nam Song River - one of the popular destinations in Laos for tubing. This fun activity involves riding tubes on the river, and visitors will find it very thrilling to do. Otherwise, grab a bike or trek to explore the breathtaking landscape of karst limestones, caves, rice fields, and lush forests.

• Top attractions in Van Vieng: Blue Lagoon 1, Tham Chang Cave, Nam Song

Related: 10 Cheapest Countries That You Can Travel To Affordably In Asia

Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls

Luang Prabang is one of the best tourist destinations in Laos due to its natural gems, like the scenic Kuang Si waterfalls, which visitors can swim in . These scenic waterfalls are located about 30km south of Luang Prabang, and once here, visitors will drop their jaws at its natural beauty.

The waters cascade down limestone formations surrounded by greenery to form a clear turquoise pool on the floor of the rocks where visitors can bathe and swim. There's a small trail that leads to another waterfall on the left side of the first cascade for more sightseeing and swimming.

• Entrance fee: 20,000 Kip ($2.5)

Go Sightseeing On A Laos Mekong River Cruise

Exploring the Luang Prabang caves and the Mekong River in Laos is a popular tour . The river courses through most of the country's gorgeous natural landscapes, and a cruise along it is one of the best activities in Laos overall.

The slow boat cruise starts from Houayxay town, towards the border with Thailand, down to the iconic and touristy city of Luang Prabang. As the boat sails on the river, be ready to capture views of picturesque natural gems like caves, beaches, towering cliffs, and dense forests.

The cruise may also include stopovers at quaint riverside villages and temples for tours, or scenic beaches for swimming and picnicking. This experience is a must for all travelers to Laos, as it is the ideal way to see the country's breathtaking landscape while engaging in exciting adventures along the way.

• Cost: From $300

I've traveled to 9 out of 10 countries in Southeast Asia. Here are the 5 biggest mistakes I made along the way.

• I've traveled solo to nine countries in Southeast Asia.
• I've made many mistakes, from traveling during monsoon season to forgetting to bring enough cash.
• Travelers should make sure they plan ahead and research each country's culture.

Over the last two years, my journey as a travel enthusiast and Business Insider's travel reporter in Singapore has brought me to almost every country in Southeast Asia.

In total, there are 10 countries in Southeast Asia , and I've traveled to nine of them — Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei. Myanmar remains the only country in the region I have not visited, and while I am keen to explore it, I have held off on visiting because of the country's ongoing civil war.

I've watched the sun rise in Angkor Wat in Cambodia and cared for elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I've explored the Bornean jungle in Brunei and crawled the Cu Chi Tunnels in southern Vietnam.

But it hasn't always been easy. I've made several mistakes traveling across the region , especially as a solo traveler. Here are five mistakes I made and how to avoid them.

1. Going during monsoon season and not planning for the weather.

In July, I traveled to Thailand on a reporting trip to cover the budding cannabis industry . There, I was met with heavy rain nearly every day. In Bangkok, I was staying in a hostel in Chakkrawat , a district with narrow, meandering streets, which made it difficult to walk anywhere in the pouring rain.

I didn't plan for the weather, so I didn't have an umbrella or poncho with me and had to rush to get one at the last minute. I also had a packed itinerary with a lot of travel between meetings, which was a hassle in the constant downpour.

Before traveling to Southeast Asia, make sure to avoid two seasons — the monsoon season, which often comes with strong typhoons in countries like the Philippines, and the burning season, where farmers burn land for fertile soil. This is a common occurrence in countries like Laos, Thailand, and the island of Borneo, which is shared between Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

When I traveled to Laos in April last year during the burning season , most of my plans — including a hot air balloon ride — were canceled because of the thick smog. I also didn't have an N95 mask with me, and I ended up with a sore throat.

If you do plan to come during these seasons, make sure to pack accordingly and plan a flexible schedule.

2. Traveling during Ramadan and expecting the same practices everywhere.

Having grown up in Singapore, I'm familiar with the practices during Ramadan , the holy month for Muslims, where they fast for most of the day. I studied Malay for seven years, and in school, I often fasted with my Muslim classmates and ate only in private.

Still, in many cities in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia , non-Muslims are free to dine in public, so long as they do so respectfully. But on my trip to Brunei in April — at the height of the burning season and in the middle of Ramadan — there were more practices I needed to observe.

Most restaurants were closed, and diners weren't allowed to eat there even if they were open — only take-out was allowed. Eating in public was a major faux pas even for non-Muslims, and if you want to drink some water, you can only do so when nobody is around.

It wasn't easy, especially as Brunei was sweltering at 100 degrees Fahrenheit on some days. I made do by returning to the hotel for lunch and grabbing a big dinner with the locals at the night market after they had broken their fast.

3. Not packing enough modest outfits when visiting temples and mosques.

Southeast Asia is pretty liberal, and you can wear whatever you want in many places. In popular destinations like Phuket, Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia, lots of tourists walk around in bikini tops and shorts, and locals mostly tolerate it.

But there are certain places you do need to cover up, like places of worship, which include temples and mosques. When I visited Angkor Wat — the famed temple complex in Cambodia — in February last year, I found some tourists being told off by the local tour guides for wearing shorts and tank tops — "Tomb Raider" style.

I've learned to err on the right side of caution and bring a sarong wherever I go. It's an easy way to cover up and make an outfit more modest when you need to.

4. Forgetting to pack medication, especially when I plan to eat street food.

Southeast Asia has some of the world's most flavorful food. In every country, you can find food that is cheap and delicious, and that includes Singapore , the world's most expensive city. In countries like Malaysia and Vietnam, street food dishes can cost as little as a dollar.

I eat mostly street food when I travel in Southeast Asia, so medicine for tummy-related illnesses is a must. I've only gotten sick twice from eating street food — and it was the same dish both times— and unfortunately, those were the few times I didn't have medicine with me.

I'm a pretty adventurous eater. I've eaten everything from pufferfish stew to frog porridge and dishes made with intestines off the street. I've learned to wash the utensils provided before digging in and make sure the food is cooked to order and heated up before being served.

5. Relying on my card and not bringing enough cash with me.

In Singapore, I don't really use cash and often use Apple Pay, mobile payments, and cards. But I've found that many stores in other countries in Southeast Asia only accept cash.

For example, on my third trip to Vietnam, I spent an hour trying to make payment via bank transfer after the staff at a luxury perfume shop — which was selling items priced upwards of $200 — informed me at the last minute that they didn't accept card or contactless payment.

I've also found the majority of street vendors in the region only accept mobile payment — which is limited to local banks — or cash. I've learned to change a considerable amount of money before leaving the airport and keep whatever I didn't use for my next trip.

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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I like visiting places, and will be exploring the whole city whilst I am there.

Would people recommend a car hire ? what would experts suggest the best way to trave around Moscow will be?

take the metro. each station is a site not to be missed. easily navigated. faster than a taxi during rush hour.

I would suggest map and bicycle if the weather is fine.

Marassa pretty much sums it up.

I've never taken a metered cab either ! However, for gypsy cabs,

one does need to agree the price beforehand - it really helps to speak

some Russian and to have some idea of what prices should be. Gypsy cabs do have the advantage of not taking you for a ride, since the price is agreed in advance.

Dear kiddah_1, You can use not an official cab in city without any risks.

There are some exceptions:

Only a gypsy are present in airports = solution = use only official cab in airports.

I'm loving it ;)

What Alex meant was you have a better chance of getting a fair price if you hail a moving car going more or less your direction rather than come up to those lazy types who prefer to stand still all day waiting for an idiot that would pay triple the going price.

Thanks so much

> What would a taxi cost approximately

Around 400-500 rubles for someone who can haggle in Russian. Can be very tricky for someone who can't.

> and how long would it take?

From 15 minutes by night to more than an an hour if you hit really bad traffic.

Mastering the metro might turn out easier and less stressful than mastering Moscow taxis and traffic.

Our experience: Taxi driver booked by organization picked us up from DME to hotel for 1450 rubles approximately (we signed voucher). I think 2000 or less on your own probably acceptable.

Fare on a sunday from hotel at the edge of metro ring circling Red Square a couple of times was about 500, but on way back was 1000, and friend said we were lucky to just find one available. You don't flag taxis down in Moscow I guess. We were lucky to have friend to negotiate.

Subway is a very good choice for getting around. Easy to buy ticket at window agent and you scan ticket at tunstile. Don't need to scan to exit. Some stations are phenomenal; one (Revolutionary Stop ?) has all these bronze statues and you feel like you are in the Louvre ;) Statues of ballerinas, hunters, soldiers, other types of workers; rub the nose of a dog/wolf ? for good luck, touch the slipper of the dancer if you aspire to be a ballerina, etc... You can tell these spots where people's hands have polished them to a golden shine. And there is another metro station that has very gilded yellow/white walls, mosaics on ceiling, halls laden with fancy multi tiered chandeliers.

The subway is much deeper than in the US and the escalators go fast ! Do hold on. I do think it would be difficult to maneuver Metro with luggage even with carry on size ones.

Marassa is right about traffic. On a sunday it only took us 10-15 min to get to center, but nearly one hour to get to the International House of Music across the river on weekday at 6 PM. Interesting ways of merging and passing traffic in Moscow. Everyone pushes and gives just before the point of annihilation. The locals themselves describe drivers as "undisciplined" and "not very nice to each other, but that is cultural". End quotes :) Government is easy target to blame (Top officials would have traffic stop while they are out and about and everything is thrown into chaos).

But I really don't think it's any different than traffic jams in Wash DC, Beltway, LA highways. We just line up our cars a bit better. The one thing I see is that Moscow people are their own toughest critics.)

A bit off topic but : We happened to catch a TV show talking about the revival of beloved ? Russian made Lada car . Soviet made, I gather it was not too reliable in years past. Now the jokes go (again from the locals) like this:

What do you call a Lada on top of Sparrow Hill?

What do you call a Lada driver who got a speeding ticket?

How do you double the value of a Lada?

Fill it up with gas.

LOL. We spent the rest of the visit Lada spotting in traffic. Unmistakable boxy little sedan.

http://www.google.com/search?q=lada+ car &hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=dN3GT67wE4Gf-Qa88P2-Cg&ved=0CGwQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=643

A Lada can do 150 kmh or around 100 mph

I know its off topic, but Lada has several models and the newer ones are good and comparable to their better known International counterparts. They are also easy to maintain and seem well suited to Russian roads. (the view of my sales team, who had a do a lot of driving across Russia).

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When is Eid al-Fitr 2024 and how is it celebrated?

The three-day festival celebrates the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan by Muslims across the world.

As a new moon was not sighted on Monday evening after Maghrib prayers, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries will fast one more day, completing 30 days of Ramadan. The first day of Eid will then be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10.

The first day of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

Keep reading

A ramadan no palestinian will ever forget, the cost of a ramadan iftar meal around the world, ramadan 2024: where do your dates come from, in washington, dc: celebrating ramadan, protesting israel’s siege of gaza.

Lunar months last between 29 and 30 days so Muslims usually have to wait until the night before Eid to verify its date.

Other countries follow independent sightings.

When the sighting has been verified, Eid is declared on television, radio stations and at mosques.

How do Muslims celebrate Eid?

Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.

Muslims begin Eid day celebrations by partaking in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon.

On their way to the prayer, which is traditionally held in an open area, Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”.

It is customary to eat something sweet before the prayer, such as date -filled biscuits known as maamoul in the Middle East. This particular festival is known as the “sweet” Eid – and the distribution of sweets is common across the Muslim world.

Muslims usually spend the day visiting relatives and neighbours and accepting sweets as they move around from house to house.

Each country has traditional desserts and sweets that are prepared before Eid or on the morning of the first day.

Children, dressed in new clothes, are offered gifts and money to celebrate the joyous occasion.

Girls and women in many countries decorate their hands with henna. The celebration for Eid begins the night before as women gather in neighbourhoods and large family gatherings for the application of henna.

In some countries, families visit graveyards to offer their respects to departed family members right after the morning prayers.

It is common for Muslim-majority countries to decorate their cities with lights and hold festivities to commemorate the end of the fasting month.

Eid amid the onslaught in Gaza

For some 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza this Eid, this will be the first Muslim religious holiday after more than 33,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks. With little food aid, and very limited water, Gaza’s Eid al-Fitr will be mired in destruction amid the continuing attacks.

What are common Eid greetings?

The most popular greeting is “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid sa’id” (Happy Eid). Eid greetings also vary depending on the country and language.

The video below shows how people say Eid Mubarak in different languages around the world.