southeast asia travel plan

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Southeast Asia Travel Guide

Last Updated: November 27, 2023

Backpackers have been traveling through Southeast Asia since the late 1960s and early 1970s, leaving a well-worn trail around the region.

Starting in beautiful Thailand, the trail makes its way to up-and-coming Laos, through Vietnam, and to the temples of Angkor Wat. It then winds back into Thailand, where people head south to party in the Thai islands before moving down to Malaysia and Singapore.

There are a few variations to the trail, but this is what it mostly covers.

I’ve been visiting this region since 2004 and spent years living in Thailand . I love backpacking Southeast Asia and have written extensively about it as I know it like the back of my hand.

It’s an especially great region for new travelers because it’s easy to travel around, it’s safe, and there are lots of other travelers you can meet. But it’s also perfect for veteran travelers too as there are tons of off-the-beaten-path destinations that the standard backpacker trail doesn’t cover.

In short, Southeast Asia has something for every traveler — and every budget.

This Southeast Asia travel guide will help you travel the region like a pro, ensuring you save money and make the most of your time in this fun, gorgeous, and lively corner of the world.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Southeast Asia

Click Here for Country Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in southeast asia.

1. Admire Angkor Wat

One of the greatest human creations in history, the Angkor Wat temple complex is best explored over the course of a few days. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site created by the Khmer Empire and absolutely enormous. Temples to visit include Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple which has 216 gigantic stone face carvings, and Ta Prohm. I spent three days here and that simply wasn’t enough. A one-day pass is $37 USD, while a 1-week pass is $72 USD. If you’re here for multiple days, be sure to hire a driver and see some of the more out of the way ruins away from the main temple complex (and the crowds).

2. Explore Bangkok

Bangkok is the hub of travel activity in Southeast Asia. You can get anywhere you want from here. Though I hated it at first, the more I’ve spent time here the more I love it. Bangkok is like an onion whose many layers need to be peeled back. Some things not to miss include the spectacular Bangkok Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chatuchak Market and Asiatique, and a canal trip on the Chao Phraya River. This is a city for foodies and wild nightlife.

3. Relax on some tropical islands

No visit to Southeast Asia would be complete without a visit to at least one of the thousands of tropical islands in the region. My top five include the Perhentian Islands (Malaysia), Rabbit Island (Cambodia), Ko Lanta (Thailand), and Boracay (Philippines). Lombok Island (Indonesia) has a chill vibe with unspoiled, perfect “desert island” beaches. There’s so many islands to visit. Be sure to add at least one to your trip. The country guides will have more information for you.

4. See Ha Long Bay

Sailing trips to this island-filled bay with stunning emerald waters, limestone formations, and marine life give you an appreciation for the natural beauty in Vietnam. Tours from Hanoi start at around $110 USD for two-day trips and increase from there. I love the colorful grottoes, hanging stalactites, and stalagmites of Surprise Cave (Sung Sot), Fairy Cave (Tien Ong), and Heaven Palace (Thien Cung). Make sure you go with a reputable company though as some of the cheaper boats are less than ideal. If you’d rather just visit for one day, day trips from Hanoi cost $55 USD.

5. Wander Kuala Lumpur

Other things to see and do in southeast asia, 1. go jungle trekking.

This region of the world is covered in amazing jungles with diverse wildlife, plentiful camping opportunities, and cool waterfalls. The best jungle treks are found in northern Thailand, Western Laos, and Malaysian Borneo (the latter are also the hardest and most intense). Some of my favorites include Danum Valley (Borneo) for its incredible wildlife; Ratanakiri (Cambodia) for its pristine wilderness and thousand-year-old trees; and Pu Luong Nature Reserve (Vietnam). Costs vary but jungle trekking generally costs $30-50 USD per day.

2. Attend the Full Moon Party

The biggest one-night party in the world welcomes up to 30,000 people with a party that stretches until dawn. Cover yourself in glow paint, grab a bucket of booze, and dance the night away with new friends on the island of Ko Phangan in Thailand. As the name would suggest, the party is on the night of the full moon. If you miss it, there’s always the half-moon party, quarter-moon party, and black-moon party. Really, every night is a party on Ko Phangan . Just avoid the flaming jump rope that occurs — I’ve seen people get burned badly!

3. Learn to dive

There are many great dive sites around the region for those interested in underwater exploration. You can learn to dive here at a fraction of what it would cost back home too. Some of the best places are Ko Tao (Thailand), Sipadan (Malaysia), as well as Gili Islands (Indonesia) and Coron, Palawan (The Philippines). A typical diving course is completed in three days. A PADI course typically runs $275 USD in Thailand, including three nights’ accommodation, though at smaller schools you can often negotiate down to $250 USD. Day trips for certified divers start at $165 USD. For information on Ko Tao, check out this blog post .

4. Eat street food in Singapore

Singapore is a foodie’s heaven. Try the hawker stalls of Singapore as well as Little India and Chinatown for some of the best and cheapest food in Asia. If you’re looking for a nice place to sit down and eat, eat at Singapore’s famed restaurants during lunch when restaurants offer discounts, making them a great deal. You’ll also find the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurants here (Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice and Hawker Chan), offering world-class meals for just a couple of bucks!

5. Overload on temples

You can’t turn a corner without seeing a Buddhist temple in this part of the world. You’ll get temple overload at some point but visit as many as you can as each is unique to the country and region of the temple. There are so many places with high concentrations of ornate and beautiful temples. Check out Chiang Mai’s Wat Doi Suthep Temple and hike up the 300 steps to the golden Chedi that’s 600 years old!; Bagan’s Shwesandaw Pagoda from the 11th century with its stunning golden dome; Angkor Wat’s Ta Prohm is covered in iconic vines and enveloped in ancient jungle roots; Hue’s colorful Thien Mu Pagoda is perched atop a lush green embankment; Hoi An’s Quan Cong Temple with incredible Chinese architecture with hand-carved beauty and skill, and Luang Prabang’s Vat Xieng Thong with its golden, canopied roof. Most are free to enter, however, dress codes are enforced (you need to have your shoulders and legs covered).

6. Dive Sipadan

Located off Malaysian Borneo, Sipadan is one of the best dive sites in the world. If you have your dive certificate, make sure you venture out here. I absolutely love this area because it’s teeming with live turtles, diverse cave systems, sharks, dolphins, colorful coral, bright fish, and everything in between. Not a lot of people make it to this part of Malaysia, but it’s worth it to go the extra mile and make your way off the tourist trail a bit. Don’t miss Barracuda Point and The Drop-Off. Keep in mind that only 176 permits to dive at the island are issued each day, costing 140 MYR per person. The resorts on the neighboring islands each get a specific number of permits per day and require divers to stay with them for a few days. So you’ll need to stay at those resorts and dive into the surrounding areas before they can get you a Sipadan permit.

7. Fall in love with Bali

Bali is the most popular destination in Indonesia, and its famous Kuta beach is known for its wild parties and surfing ( though I think it’s overrated ). However, there is much more to Bali than just wild nights and sun-soaked days. If you’re a thrill seeker, hike up to the top of Mount Batur, an active volcano, for a breathtaking sunrise. Paragliding and white water rafting are also super popular here, as is surfing (it’s an affordable place to learn if you’ve never done it). There are also lots of hot springs to enjoy, the Ubud Monkey Forest (a popular temple and nature reserve home to hundreds of monkeys), and numerous places to scuba dive, including the Liberty wreck and Manta Point.

8. Take in Ho Chi Minh City

Frantic, chaotic, and crazy, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is the embodiment of the controlled chaos that rules Southeast Asia. You can’t quite figure out how this teeming mass of people and cars work together, but it does. Highlights here include touring the tunnels used by the Viet Cong in the 1960s, taking in the view from the Saigon Skydeck, eating your way through the street food scene, and seeing the city’s numerous temples.

9. Admire the sunrise over an Indonesian Volcano

One of the most popular tourist attractions on Java is Mount Bromo and its National Park. Don’t miss out on getting a photo of the smoldering Bromo volcano as it lies surrounded by the almost lunar landscape of the Sea of Sand. Get up early to catch one of the most memorable sunrises of your life. If you’re there in mid-August, you’ll be just in time to see Upacara Kasada, the traditional Hindu ritual of the Tenggerese, a Javanese tribe of the region.

10. Hike in Khao Sok National Park

Located in southern Thailand, Khao Sok National Park is constantly rated as one of the best parks in Thailand, with incredible trekking, camping, limestone karsts, cooling rivers, and a glistening lake. Visit for semi-challenging hikes, tons of wildlife, walking paths, and breathtaking sunsets. Park entrance costs around $6 USD while full-day guided tours are $95 USD. I highly recommend spending at least one night here to get the full experience.

11. Visit Kampot

Most people come to Kampot to enjoy the scenic riverside views, as well as the rolling hills that surround the city. Since you can explore easily enough on foot or by bicycle, Kampot is a great place to slow down and relax. There’s not much to do here but have lazy days by the river, chill, and eat (don’t miss the famous Rusty Keyhole for BBQ!). Don’t miss the pepper farms, as this region of Cambodia is filled with pepper farms where you can learn about the history of the spice, see how it is grown, and pick up what is considered some of the finest pepper in the world. Tours are usually free.

12. Take a cooking class

Food from this region is as varied as the countries themselves and learning how to cook a few dishes is a great souvenir of your time here. Even if you don’t plan to cook back home, you can still spend a day making and eating scrumptious food. Most big cities have cooking schools offering classes of 2-6 hours, often including a trip to the local market beforehand to select ingredients. I absolutely love cooking classes and urge you to take one at least once. They are a fun experience!

13. Take a food tour

If you’d rather eat instead of cook, taking a food tour is a fun way to gain insight into the region’s amazing noodle dishes, fresh seafood, sweets, and street food while learning about the history and culture behind the cuisine. Most major cities in Southeast Asia offer food tours. These include tours around local markets, street stalls, and tours to locally-owned restaurants and cafes where you can sample the local cuisine and connect with a local chef. If you’re nervous about street food, this is a great way to try some in a controlled setting. Tours usually last 2-4 hours and include multiple stops and several different dishes, with prices costing $40-75 USD per person.

14. Visit an elephant sanctuary

While riding an elephant is on many a Southeast Asia bucket list, once you know how much the animals suffer from abuse in order to provide these rides, you might think twice about taking one. An even better way to interact with elephants is to volunteer at or visit the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai in Thailand. It’s a phenomenal place, allowing you to give back to the community and these magnificent animals all at once. After coming here, you will understand why you should NEVER ride an elephant. A one-day visit costs $70 USD.

15. See The Killing Fields

A visit to Choeung Ek, also known as the Killing Fields, may not be the most cheerful way to spend an afternoon, but it makes for an educational and memorable experience. Over 3 million people were killed by Pol Pot’s regime, including countless women and children. I recommend getting a guide so you can really understand what you’re seeing as you explore the area. Also, this horrific tragedy took place less than 50 years ago and is still very present so please be respectful as a visitor.  The site is located 10 miles from Phnom Penh. Half-day guided tours start at $66 USD.

16. Swim with Whale Sharks in Donsol

If you’re in the Philippines, check out the Donsol Whale Shark Interactive Ecosystem Project because there are not many experiences quite as adrenaline-inducing as swimming with a whale shark for the first time in crystal waters. These incredible creatures are around 45 feet (14 meters) long and yet incredibly gentle and curious. I loved floating at the surface being able to look below and see them slowly swim below me. Get some people together and rent a boat for a half day, explore the area, and go ‘shark-seeing’ for a good cause.  

  For a ton more information, visit my country specific travel guides for more detailed information on each place:

• Cambodia Travel Guide
• Indonesia Travel Guide
• Laos Travel Guide
• Malaysia Travel Guide
• Singapore Travel Guide
• Thailand Travel Guide
• Vietnam Travel Guide

Southeast Asia Travel Costs

Accommodation – Accommodation in Southeast Asia is really cheap, making it the perfect place to travel if you are on a budget. Hostels are plentiful, as are budget guesthouses and hotels. It’s also very cheap to splash out here if you’re in need of some luxury.

Generally, you can find hostel dorm rooms for as little as $6-8 USD in Cambodia and $3-6 USD in Laos. In Thailand, 4-6-bed dorm rooms are $8-12 USD, while in Vietnam you can expect to pay $5-7 USD. In Indonesia, prices range between $5-10 USD for a 4-6-bed dorm room. Expect to pay at least $15-20 per night for a private room with air conditioning. Free Wi-Fi is standard in most hostels, free breakfast is common, and many hostels even have pools. In more remote areas, hot water isn’t common so make sure to check in advance if that’s an issue for you.

Simple guesthouses or bungalows throughout Southeast Asia generally cost $12-20 USD per night for a basic room with a fan (sometimes air conditioning) and hot water. If you want something nicer that includes a more comfortable bed and a TV, expect to pay $25-35 USD per night.

For backpackers, budgeting around $10 USD per night for accommodation is pretty safe no matter where you go in Southeast Asia. If you’re looking for a higher-end hotel room with more amenities, expect to pay $20-50 USD per night for a room. Anything over that is luxury territory.

Camping is available in certain areas, usually for just a few dollars per night for a basic tent plot without electricity. However, this is about the same price as hostels so it’s not really any cheaper.

Food – While each country’s cuisine varies, overall, Southeast Asian food is aromatic, spicy, and flavorful. Typical spices and herbs include garlic, basil, galangal, cilantro, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, and fish sauce. No matter what region you’re in, you can expect to find a variety of curries, salads, soups, noodle dishes, and stir-fries.

Rice and noodles are central to Southeast Asian food, while the meat is usually pork, chicken, fish, or seafood, which is everywhere on the islands and coastal areas.

While traveling Southeast Asia, street food is the most popular food and cheapest option. On average, these meals cost $1-5 USD. You find these stalls throughout this region lining most streets and every market. They are ubiquitous in the region. In Singapore, street food (from “hawker stands” as they’re known there) costs around $4-5 USD for a meal. Even if you go into small local restaurants, the price doesn’t increase that much.

Food that costs $2 USD at a street stall generally only costs $4-6 USD at a local restaurant. If you went into a restaurant in Thailand, you’d pay around $3-4 USD for a pad Thai that would have cost $1-2 USD on the street.

In Cambodia, street food is around $1-2 USD, while restaurants charge around $3-5 USD for a dish like amok (a coconut milk dish) or luc lac (pepper gravy beef).

Western meals, including burgers, pizza, and sandwiches usually cost around $7-10 USD. But these generally aren’t that great. If you want something that actually tastes as it does back home, expect to spend at least $10-12 USD for your meal.

While cheap, alcohol can take a bite out of your budget if you’re not careful. Those $1-2 USD beers add up! Wine and cocktails are more expensive, generally around $3-5 USD. A cappuccino is typically around $2 USD. Bottled water is plentiful and costs less than $1 USD.

There’s a growing cutting-edge foodie scene in the region and, if you want to splurge, you can do so on some really good meals. Big cities like Bangkok, KL, and Singapore, all have world-class Michelin star restaurants as well some incredible fusion restaurants.

Since dining out is so cheap in the region, there’s no point in grocery shopping unless you’re looking to get some pre-made salads or fruits. Additionally, a general lack of kitchens in most hostels and hotels makes it difficult to cook even if you wanted to. If you do purchase your own groceries, expect to spend around $25 USD per week for basic groceries like local produce, rice, and some meat (while avoiding expensive imported items like cheese and wine).

Backpacking Southeast Asia Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of $45 USD per day, you can stay in hostel dorms, eat out at local markets and street stalls, limit your drinking, do mostly free activities, minimize paid activities, and use public transportation to get around. You’re not going to be able to splash out but you’ll be able to live the typical backpacker experience without really stressing over expenses.

On a mid-range budget of $85 USD per day, you can stay in budget hotels or private hostel rooms, eat more restaurant meals, do more paid activities like cooking classes, take some taxis, and enjoy a few more drinks. You won’t live large, but you won’t be missing out either.

On an upscale budget of $150 USD or more per day, you can stay in nicer hotels with more amenities, eat out as much as you want, do more paid tours including private tours, hire a driver, fly between destinations, and basically do whatever you want. The sky is the limit with this kind of budget!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Southeast Asia Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Backpacking Southeast Asia is cheap. There’s little opportunity to spend a lot of money since everything is already so inexpensive unless you intentionally are trying to splash out on fancy meals and high end hotels. The two reasons why most travelers end up overspending is that they eat a lot of Western food and drink way too much. If you want to save money while traveling in this part of the world, cut down on your drinking and skip the Western food. While country guides have more specific ways to save money, here are some general ways to save money in Southeast Asia:

• Stay with a local – Accommodation is cheap in Southeast Asia but nothing’s cheaper than free! Use Couchsurfing to stay with locals who have extra beds and couches for free. You’ll also meet great people who can show you around and share their insider tips and advice.
• Book tours and day trips as a group – You have more negotiation power when you’re with a group of people buying multiple spots or tickets. Traveling alone? Meet a friend at a hostel and see if they want to join the same tour as you. I’ve met some great friends over the years doing this and highly recommend it.
• Don’t book in advance – Don’t book any tours or activities before you get to your destination. They’ll be much cheaper when you arrive as you’ll be able to negotiate a lower price as you’ll find companies are often offering the same tour and competing. Anything you see online is more expensive than you need to pay!
• Eat on the street – The street food is the best food. The food is the best and cheapest you’ll find. It’s a great way to try new foods and get to chat with locals as well. This is where locals eat so if you want insight into local culture, good food, and savings, eat the street food. Look for where locals are eating to ensure that it’s safe to eat.
• Bargain hard – Nothing is ever at face value here. Bargain with sellers as most of the time, the price they’ve quoted is way higher. There’s a haggling culture in the region so play the game and save some money. It’s important not to convert it in your head to your own currency because it will usually sound cheap even though you might still be getting ripped off. You’ll never get the local price, but you might come close!
• Minimize your drinking – Drinks really add up. Even with cheap drinks, if you’re not aware, you’ll end up spending more money on beer than on food and accommodation. If you want to drink, head to the supermarkets, drink at the hostel, or check out the local happy hours.
• Pack a water bottle – A water bottle with a purifier comes particularly in handy in Southeast Asia since you can’t usually drink the tap water. Save money and thousands of plastic bottles and get a bottle that can purify the tap water for you. My preferred bottle is LifeStraw as it has a built-in filter that ensures your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Southeast Asia

I’ve been traveling Southeast Asia since 2005 and have stayed in hundreds of places. Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Southeast Asia:

• The Siem Reap Pub Hostel (Siem Reap)
• Onederz Siem Reap (Siem Reap)
• Mad Monkey Siem Reap (Siem Reap)
• Onederz Sihanoukville (Sihanoukville)
• Monkey Republic (Sihanoukville)
• Onederz Phnom Penh (Phnom Penh)
• Sla Boutique Hostel (Phnom Penh)
• The Magic Sponge (Kampot)
• Indigo House Hotel (Luang Prabang)
• Sa Sa Lao (Luang Prabang)
• Sanga Hostel (Pakse)
• Nana Backpackers Hostel (Vang Vieng)
• Dream Home Hostel (Vientiane)
• Traveller Bunker Hostel (Cameron Highlands)
• De’Native Guest House (Cameron Highlands)
• Kitez Hotel & Bunks (Kuala Lumpur)
• Sunshine Bedz Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur)
• Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel (Penang)
• Mad Monkey Hostel (Bangkok)
• D&D Inn (Bangkok)
• Kodchasri B&B (Chiang Mai)
• The Royal Guest House (Chiang Mai)
• Green Leaf (Khao Yai)
• Lonely Beach Resort (Ko Chang)
• The Sanctuary (Koh Phangan)
• Na-Tub Hostel (Koh Phangan)
• Pineapple Guesthouse (Phuket)
• Dream Lodge
• The Pod Capsule Hostel
• The Scarlet
• Under the Coconut Tree Guesthouse (Hoi An)
• Fuse Beachside (Hoi An)
• Pretty Backpackers House (Da Lat)
• Hanoi Old Quarter Hostel (Hanoi)
• Luxury Backpackers Hostel (Hanoi)
• The Hideout (HCMC)
• City Backpackers Hostel (HCMC)

How to Get Around Southeast Asia

Public transportation – Public transportation costs from a few pennies to a few dollars, with Singapore and Malaysia offering the most comprehensive public transportation systems. In Thailand, local buses cost around $0.25 USD per trip, while the Metro and Skytrain in Bangkok cost $0.50-1.50 USD per trip. In Cambodia, a bus ticket in Phnom Penh costs just $0.40 USD per ride.

Major cities generally have subway systems but mostly you’ll be using the bus or shared taxis to get around.

Tuk-tuks (small, shared taxis with no meter) are available around much of the region and require a bit of haggling. They usually have 3-6 seats and generally cost more than public transportation but are faster. To find a reputable driver, ask your accommodation as they usually know someone. Tuk-tuk drivers can often be hired for the day for a discounted rate (this is what a lot of people do to visit the Killing Fields and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, for example).

Taxi – Taxis in the region are generally safe, though it’s not uncommon to have to haggle. Scams to rip you off aren’t uncommon either, so always ask your accommodation to call you a taxi whenever possible so you know you’ll get a reputable company.

In Singapore and Indonesia, taxi drivers do put on the meter. In Bangkok, you can get taxi drivers to use the meter, but if you’re hailing one in a tourist area, he might try to avoid using it. In Vietnam, the meter is sometimes rigged, but if you can get a reputable company like Mai Linh, you won’t have any problems.

Ridesharing – Grab, DiDi, and Gojek are Asia’s answer to Uber. They work the same way: you hire a driver to take you somewhere via the app, and you can pay via the app or in cash. It’s often more affordable than a regular taxi, though drivers are a bit unreliable as the practice is not as widespread here as in other parts of the world.

Just keep in mind that some drivers are driving motorcycles so be sure to double check what kind of vehicle is picking you up if you don’t want to ride on the back of one.

Bus – The easiest and cheapest way to travel around Southeast Asia is by bus. The backpacker trail is so worn that there is a very well-established tourist bus system to take you anywhere. Buses costs vary between $5-25 USD for a 5-6 hour journey. Overnight buses cost $20-35 USD depending on distance (they often have reclining seats so you can get a decent sleep).

You can check ticket prices and book tickets for all the different bus companies across Southeast Asia at 12go.asia.

Train – Train service is limited in the region and not something to really consider when you travel Southeast Asia. You can take a train up and down the coast of Vietnam and there’s some limited scenic rails in Malaysia. Thailand is the only country that has an extensive train system that lets you travel all its regions (and onward to Singapore) from Bangkok.

The train prices in Southeast Asia are determined by distance and class. Night trains with sleeper cars are more expensive than day trains. The night train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok takes twelve hours and costs $27 USD for a sleeper seat. However, that same train during the day is $8-9 USD. In Vietnam, trains run up and down the coast and cost $60 USD from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

Flying – The cost of flying around Southeast Asia has come down in recent years due to the rise of low-cost airlines. Scoot, Jetstar, and AirAsia are the biggest. Nok Air has a lot of flights within Thailand , and VietJet Air is popular in Vietnam . Lion Air serves Indonesia , but its safety record is really spotty and I personally would not fly them. 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.

Just make sure that the airport these budget airlines fly into isn’t too far out of your way (transportation from the secondary airport sometimes negates the savings from using the budget airline itself).

Also, keep in mind that you usually must pay to check your baggage on these cheap flights. If you wait to pay for your luggage at the gate, you end up paying almost double. Travel carry-on only to avoid this added cost.

All in all, I only recommend flying if you are pressed for time or find a super cheap deal. Otherwise, stick to the bus.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Southeast Asia is safe, though popularity of the practice varies by country (it’s more common in Malaysia, but not so much in Cambodia). Dress respectably, smile while making eye contact with drivers, and use a cardboard sign to tell people where you’re headed. Be prepared for long bouts of no pick-ups, especially if you’re traveling through more rural areas. Pack plenty of water and food. Also, make sure the people picking you up understand you’re hitchhiking and not flagging down a taxi.

Hitchwiki is a great resource for hitchhiking tips.

Car rental I don’t recommend renting a car in Southeast Asia. Rental cars are expensive ($40 USD per day or more) and the roads here are in poor shape. I would never drive around the region.

When to Go to Southeast Asia

The best time of year to visit Southeast Asia is from November to April when temperatures are milder (though temperatures vary drastically by region). It may be mild in Thailand in January and hot in Malaysia but in Northern Vietnam, it’s cold! Also, one of the biggest mistakes people make is not taking into account the rainy season. In some cases it won’t make a big difference but definitely does if it’s a beach trip.

In Indonesia, the best time to visit is April to October. Temperatures average 24-30ºC (75-86ºF), and the weather is mostly dry. July to September is the peak holiday season and when you can expect to pay the highest rates. December to February is the rainy season.

In Malaysia, January-March and June-September are the best time to visit, as these months have the lowest average rainfall. It is still hot and humid during this time though. The rainy season is from October to December. Singapore’s climate/weather is much like Malaysia’s.

In Vietnam, the weather varies by region. In Central Vietnam (including Hoi An and Nha Trang), January-May is the best time to visit because it is dry and the temperatures average 21-30°C (70-86°F). June to August is also a decent time to visit. If you want to stick around Hanoi, March to April is great, or October to December (for mildest temperatures). The rainy season is May-September.

Thailand has three seasons: hot, hotter, and hottest. It’s always warm, though the weather is nicest between November and February (which is also peak tourist season). Bangkok is “coolest” and driest during this time (but still averaging a hot 29°C/85°F each day). April and May are the hottest months, and the rainy season is June-October. The gulf islands get pretty rainy from August to December.

The dry season in Cambodia is from November-May and the cool season is from November-February (and when most people visit). Temperatures during this time are still high, but humidity is lower. Laos has the same cool season as Cambodia, with the dry season running from November-April.

In the Philippines, it’s mostly warm all year long with an average daily high of 26°C (80°F). There are rainy and dry seasons and temperatures are hot and dry from March-May and cooler December-February. The best time to visit is between January-April when it’s less humid. Monsoon Season is July-October.

For more information on when to go to places, visit the specific country guides.

How to Stay Safe in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re traveling solo and even as a solo female traveler. Violent crime is super, duper rare. Petty theft (including bag snatching) is the most common type of crime in Southeast Asia, especially around popular tourist landmarks. Always keep your valuables out of reach on public transportation and in crowds just to be safe. Never leave your valuables unattended while at the beach and always keep a hold of your purse/bag when out and about as bag snatching is common.

That said, outside touristy areas, theft is really rare. Heck, it’s pretty rare in touristy areas too! But a little vigilance goes a long way and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

There are some common scams around that you’ll want to be aware of, such as the motorbike scam. This involves a bike rental company trying to charge you for damage to the bike that you didn’t cause. To avoid this, always take photos of your rental before you leave so you can protect yourself from baseless claims.

Another common scam involves a tuk-tuk driver taking you somewhere you didn’t want to go in hopes you’ll buy something from the shop/restaurant he dropped you off at (he gets a commission if you do). Simply refuse to buy anything and demand to go back to where you were — or find another driver.

For other common travel scams, read this post about major travel scams to avoid in the region .

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, though it’s generally a good idea to avoid walking around alone at night just to be safe. It’s always a good idea to carry some extra cash to get home in a taxi if you need to. Additionally, always keep an eye on your drink at the bar and never accept drinks from strangers. Be sensible when it comes to dating while traveling and meeting people in public places. As I’m not a woman, please check out some solo female travel blogs to get the best insight.

Overall, the people who get in trouble here tend to be involved with drugs or sex tourism. Avoid those two things and you should be fine. Keep in mind that it’s not always obvious how old someone is or if they’re a sex worker so be mindful when getting involved in romantic interactions. Also, penalties for drug use in this region are stiff so even if you’re here to party, skip the drugs.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

For more in-depth coverage of how to stay safe in Southeast Asia, check out this post that answers some frequently asked questions and concerns.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good 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. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Southeast Asia Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Thailand!

My detailed 350+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Thailand. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.

Southeast Asia Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Southeast Asia travel and continue planning your trip:

The 4 Best Hostels in Singapore

The 6 Best Hostels in Bali

The 22 Best Things to Do in Bangkok

5 LGBTQ Travel Tips for Asia

Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?

Backpacking Cambodia: 3 Suggested Itineraries for Your Trip

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

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)

24 amazing malaysia attractions you cannot miss, essential el nido palawan guide: what you need to know, ultimate philippines itinerary for 10 days, 2 weeks or 3 weeks, 21 incredible things to do in the philippines, 15 essential things to do in boracay, 15 stunning things to do in palawan, philippines, ultimate puerto galera, philippines guide: diving & beaches, busuanga island palawan: ultimate guide to the last frontier, culion island palawan: is this the next philippines hot spot, kayangan lake in coron: the philippines most famous photo spot, 15 incredible islands in coron you must visit in the philippines, 20 beautiful places in the philippines for your bucket list, what to wear in bali: the ultimate packing list, 15 awesome things to do in manila (itinerary for first time visitors), 15 best things to do in yangon, myanmar, 35 amazing things to do in southeast asia (across 7 countries), 25 epic & best places to visit in southeast asia, 21 epic things to do in bali.

One Month in Southeast Asia: Itinerary + Planning Insights

• August 22, 2019
• Affordable Travel , Art & Culture , Asia , Cambodia , China , City Escapes , Itinerary Inspiration , Laos , Luxury Travel , Road Warriors , Thailand , Travel Tips + Planning , Vietnam , Wildlife & Nature
• 10 Comments

Inspiration for a Luxurious Month in Southeast Asia’s Hotspots

UPDATE (July 2020): We are back from an incredible trip exploring some of Southeast Asia’s most famous cities, towns, and natural wonders. Below you’ll find links to our completed adventures as well, with some highlights and takeaways! 

I typically begin sharing about our fall adventure earlier in the year but this season got away from me. The countdown is officially on and we’re departing in two weeks for a bucket list trip that I’ve been dreaming about for over a decade. Southeast Asia has made our shortlist conversation every year when we debate how to spend our month away in the fall. It’s an area that really requires enough dedicated time to make any sort of dent and with the luxury of a bit of time on our side, we’ve always brainstormed what a month in this magnetic region would look like. After months – well, years, in some ways! – of giving thought to our perfect itinerary, we’re there. Below, I’m sharing our itinerary for one month in Southeast Asia, plus some planning insights and booked tours and experiences. Many of the itineraries that I’ve found online for a trip this length skew towards the backpacking/hosteling bunch so if you’re looking for a more luxe take on a similar itinerary (which, by the way, is still a great value in the scope of global travel), I hope this is helpful!

Shanghai, China {3 Nights}

HOTEL:  Shanghai EDITION  {Bookable through Marriott Bonvoy points}

My sister just moved to Shanghai so we’ll be kick-starting our adventure with three nights in Shanghai to visit her in her new home town while we acclimate to our new time zone. For beginning your trip in the region, major airports include Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore as well, with many direct flights from the US. Singapore Air recently announced its Newark – Singapore direct flight, and there are direct flights to Hong Kong available from many major US cities including LA, Dallas, New York, and San Francisco.

During our three nights in Shanghai, we’ve booked a couple of swanky dinners, rooftop lounges for drinks with a view, and a breakfast tour through Shanghai with Untour Food Tours . More details on our three days in Shanghai forthcoming – after we depart! – plus I’ll be sharing a full post on our food tour as well.

TIP 👉🏼 Traditionally American citizens require a visa to enter China. There are a few exceptions to this though for shorter stays. Recently, China has changed the policy to allow 72 hours visa-free in a selection of cities and up to 144 hours in some other major cities. If you’re going this route, plan on having your exit flight details printed to show upon entry.

READ MORE ON OUR ADVENTURES IN SHANGHAI ✧ A Breakfast Tour Through Shanghai •  Visiting Shanghai through China’s Visa Free Transit Program

Chiang Mai + Golden Triangle, Northern Thailand {6 nights}

HOTELS:  137 Pillars House (Chiang Mai) + Anantara Golden Triangle (Chiang Rai/Border Region)

From Shanghai, we begin the core of our adventure in Southeast Asia, starting in Northern Thailand. One of the major pieces in decision-making in terms of mapping out this itinerary was the way in which flights would work to be most sensible. When possible, I wanted one flight – no connections – between cities so we wouldn’t be wasting too much time in transit. We’ll be flying China Eastern from Shanghai to Chiang Mai direct (booked on AirFrance points, which is a great value if you have a Chase Sapphire card). We’ll have three nights in Chiang Mai including one day with a private guide (I’ll share more about that in forthcoming specific posts). Our time in Chiang Mai is followed by three nights at Anantara’s Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort where we’ll be touring the three countries (Laos, Thailand and Myanmar), enjoying a bit of pampering, and delving into some elephant learning experiences.

NOTE:  We have the luxury of time during our one month in Southeast Asia. If your time is more limited, you could combine Chiang Mai + Chiang Rai into a more condensed window. Many people do a day trip to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai for a brush with the elephants. Also note that we exclusively opted to focus on Northern Thailand during our time in the region. We live in a beach destination so the beach scene further south wasn’t as compelling for us. Your itinerary and time in Thailand may look different from this if you prefer the Thai beach scene to the jungles and temples in the north.

TIP 👉🏼 Tourist visas for Thailand are granted upon arrival for a 30-day period for US citizens. A number of visa points require a passport-sized photograph for entry. We each have 4 photos prepared for entries just in case! Again, in this instance, I’m keeping physical printouts of all ongoing flights to show departure information in case required.

READ MORE ON OUR ADVENTURES IN CHIANG MAI ✧ Three Days in Chiang Mai •  HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at 137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai

READ MORE ON OUR ADVENTURES IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE ✧  HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort • Delving into Anantara’s Elephant Encounters • A Three Country Tour with Anantara

READ MORE ON OUR ADVENTURES IN MYANMAR ✧  A Three Country Tour with Anantara

Luang Prabang, Laos {4 nights}

HOTELS: Luang Say Cruise (1 Night, Downriver),  Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao  (Luang Prabang)

From Vietnam, we head downriver to Laos. Getting to Luang Prabang was one of our biggest question marks in this process but we knew that if possible, we’d prefer to skip the airport scene and opt for a more peaceful route. Flying from Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai would involve a layover in Bangkok and kill too much precious time with layovers and in airports. Instead, we opted to cruise downriver from the Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang on a 2 day/1 night cruise with Luang Say  (they also have a hotel in Luang Prabang if you want to combine those offerings). The cruise includes a stop in a traditional Laotian village, an overnight in Pakbeng at their accommodation, and then a stop at the Pak Ou Caves. Some of our interest in Laos generally was in visiting some smaller villages so this cruise is acting as transport, lodging, and sightseeing for us on this overnight.

From there, we’ll spend three nights in Luang Prabang at  Belmond’s La Résidence Phou Vao.  Our days include the morning Alms Giving Ceremony, a trip to Kuang Si Waterfalls and Bear Sanctuary, plus some sightseeing and temple visits in town.

TIP 👉🏼 Coordinating the cruise from the Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang was the biggest difficulty of the entire planning process. As you’d imagine, many of the cruises depart on specific days depending on whether you’re going upriver or downriver and depending on the season. Even after planning our schedule to accommodate for this we found that many of the boat operators wouldn’t take our booking as we were just two people and no one else had yet booked for our required day. A minimum of 4 people is generally required for the boat to go. I asked about paying more to compensate for being a lighter load but that wasn’t a viable option. I also asked about putting my name on a list so if other queries were to come through we could join forces to get a boat moving. Again, no luck with any operators. We were turned down flatly in almost every instance. As time drew closer and I began investigating flights I reached out to Luang Say yet again in my last-ditch attempts to finagle my way on to a cruise. As luck would have it, it was operating and we were able to get on board. All that to say that this requires coordination and you shouldn’t bank on being on a cruise until you are actually confirmed by the company. Also don’t be afraid to continue reaching out to verify options. If you’re a group (4+ people) this should be an easier proposition.

As far as visas are concerned, the Lao government issues visas on arrival for 30-day stays. A passport-sized photo is required and $30 – $42 for the visa fee is due upon arrival.

READ MORE ON OUR ADVENTURES IN LAOS ✧ Cruising to Laos Aboard the Luang Say •  Exploring Luang Prabang with Orange Robe Tours • ITINERARY INSPIRATION: Three Days in Luang Prabang

 Vietnam – North to South {13 nights}

HOTELS: O’Gallery Premier Hotel & Spa  (Hanoi), Indochina Junk (Halong + Bai Tu Long Bay), Little Riverside (Hoi An), Le Meridien Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

In some ways Vietnam is the core of our trip. It was the anchor when we started our planning and it’s also where we’ll end up spending the most time over the course of our month in Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s makeup, being long and skinny, means that travel times between cities can require flights as going overland can take days to make a given journey.

We’re starting our time in Vietnam in Hanoi where we’ll have three nights, allowing us to enjoy a walking tour, the night market, a vegetarian street food tour  and more. From there, we’ll be transferred to the starting point of our Indochina Junk cruise which provides us 2 days and 2 nights touring Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Halong Bay is undoubtedly the most famous trip for visitors to the region but many friends who’ve visited encouraged us to add-on the additional night to get out to Bai Tu Long Bay where it’s more peaceful and clean, and where fewer tourists go on traditional trips. There are a range of operators for boating near Halong Bay, but we chose Indochina Junk because their boutique voyages appealed to us immediately with offerings like morning Tai Chi on the deck and plush staterooms.

We’ve pre-arranged transfers from our boat completion point to Cat Bi Airport (HPH) where we will catch a flight to Hoi An (Da Nang Airport) where we have 3 nights based at Little Riverside. We’re slated to spend two days in Hoi An exploring and have pre-booked a cycling adventure to My Son with Grasshopper Adventures for one of our days.

After three nights in Hoi An, we catch our final flight within Vietnam to Ho Chi Minh City where we’ll complete our time with three nights based at Le Meridien Saigon (bookable through Marriott Bonvoy points at a decent value). We’ll be doing some requisite tours in HCMC like the Cu Chi Tunnel Tour, but I’m most excited for our evening excursion with XO Tours where we’ll be jumping on motorbikes with a female-led team to eat our way through Saigon!

Click here for the Beginner’s Guide to Vietnam .

HOMEWORK:  If your knowledge of Vietnamese history is a bit muddled, I’d highly recommend the docuseries that we’ve been watching on Netflix simply titled,  The Vietnam War .  It’s an 18-hour documentary done over 10 episodes and it’s incredibly dense and super informative; an amazing primer before your trip!

TIP FOR VIETNAM VISAS 👉🏼 Vietnam is the one country that we needed to apply for visas in advance. Starting in Hanoi, we’re eligible for visas on arrival as US citizens as we’re coming in by air to a designated port. Those coming in by sea (on a cruise for example) would need to apply for visas in advance of arrival. A Visa on Arrival still requires a visa approval letter .  The process is simple enough: you’ll send in your details, pay a processing fee, and receive a document to print and show at the border when you arrive. The Vietnam visa costs $25 payable at the border if you go this route (the visa approval letter fee is additional).

READ MORE ON OUR ADVENTURES IN VIETNAM ✧  Exploring Halong and Bai Tu Long Bay with Indochina Junk • Cycling the Hoi An Countryside with Grasshopper Adventures • A First-Timer’s Guide to Tailor-Made Clothing in Hoi An   • Exploring Saigon’s Food Scene by Motorbike with XO Tours • ITINERARY INSPIRATION: Two Weeks in Vietnam

You can do this easily through iVisa – the cost is $20 per person (10% off through September 15th with this link ). See if you’re required to obtain a visa:

Siem Reap + Angkor Temples {4 nights}

HOTEL:  Jaya House River Park (Siem Reap)

We’re ending our month in Southeast Asia with a bang by visiting Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the world and the largest religious monument on the planet. Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap are readily available. We’ll be flying on Cambodia Angkor Air, which we booked directly through their site. When we began brainstorming our trip, Vietnam and Cambodia were the core of what we wanted to experience. A visit to Siem Reap has been on my wish list for what seems like eons and I think it’ll be a special ending to a whirlwind experience in the region. We’ve carved out four nights for Siem Reap and in addition to visiting the temples a couple of days, we’ve shortlisted a visit to the APOPO Center (to see the HeroRATs in action) and the Phare Circus (a Cirque du Soleil type offering).

There are many great hotels to choose from in Siem Reap, but we wanted something boutique-y and unique and opted for Jaya House River Park, which has an associated NGO supported through the property.

TIP 👉🏼  Cambodia also offers a visa-on-arrival program if you’re arriving into Siem Reap (or Phnom Penh) and as with the other visa processes, you’ll want to have a passport-sized photograph ready upon arrival to expedite the process.

READ MORE ON OUR ADVENTURES IN CAMBODIA ✧  Exploring Temples in Siem Reap  • Siem Reap ⏤ A Taste of Jaya Discovery • ITINERARY INSPIRATION: 4 Days in Siem Reap

If you’re planning one month in Southeast Asia, this itinerary could take many forms and much of how you edit down your itinerary will be a reflection of what you prioritize personally when you travel. A month seems like a lot of time but you’ll find that the days slip away quickly when you’re trying to incorporate all of your highlights in a region this large. Transit time is something to consider as well, and that reality helped shape this itinerary in part. Where we could cut out time in airports or limit time on planes, we worked on planning to make that happen. With time constraints, we had to skip southern Thailand entirely, had to cut out Sapa in Northern Vietnam, and had to opt out of visiting the town of Pai, a hippie enclave in Northern Thailand that visitors rave about. Across the board, we opted for around three nights per city, which we hope will at least give us a taste of each area. For anyone else working on a more luxe take on a month in Southeast Asia, I hope this is useful for planning! Please feel free to drop any recommendations, questions, or insights in the comments below!

More about Shannon Kircher

Shannon Kircher is the founder and editor of The Wanderlust Effect. Founded in 2009, she has continued to document her international escapes as an expat in Europe and the Caribbean. Additionally, Shannon is the founder of Compass & Vine, a luxury boutique travel design firm, and is the Director of Marketing for the Frangipani Beach Resort. Shannon holds an MSc in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics and is a current candidate for WSET Level 3 in Wines & Spirits.

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3 Weeks in Southeast Asia: 9 itineraries

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

A perfect itinerary doesn’t exist, but an epic one can be experienced . There’s no such thing as a perfect itinerary when you’re immersed in a culture very new to you. There are places and things you wish to visit and try, but there are bumps on the road to consider.

Do you have the budget? How good are you with directions? What language do they speak? Are the locals, and will they show you the way? An epic trip starts the moment you realize that sometimes your perfect itinerary can go unexpectedly wrong.

I’ve travelled Southeast Asia in so many different ways in the last 8 years . On my first trip, I visited Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar for three months. On my second trip, I was in Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia for one month.

On the most recent trip, I was in Vietnam and Indonesia for three weeks. There’s no “correct way” to explore Southeast Asia. Only good planning, thirst for adventure, and willingness to accept mishaps.

Coursing through top spots in Southeast Asia can fill up your exploration bubble, and all the best places can’t fit in a single article. And many times, you may want to travel to all destinations in a single day. But that’s not possible .

So, I made an excellent way to chop up your 3 weeks in Southeast Asia itinerary in a smart way of planning to not overwhelm you. Perhaps after this trip, just like me, you won’t be able to stop coming back for more.

IMPORTANT TIP : This is a long-form article, and there are 9 itineraries. I recommend you click the “Table of Contents” to make navigating easier. That will help you determine which part of the article is most interesting and helpful for your planning.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO SOUTHEAST ASIA

There is so much information I could give for travelling around Southeast Asia. But then this will be a book! Here are a few must-know and vital information for exploring this magnificent and diverse region.

When is the best time to go to Southeast Asia

It varies a lot. Although the countries around Southeast Asia are located close to one another, the seasons are still very different for each . For example, the typhoon season in the Philippines is between June and October, but in Thailand, it starts earlier, around April.

For Vietnam, it varies from north, central, to south . The best time to visit Indonesia is between July and August, but for surfing, it’s April all the way through October.

December to January is the safest bet when it comes to visiting Southeast Asia , but it’s the busiest. So, the prices are high, and everything must be booked in advance due to the Christmas and New Year crowd.

What is the average cost of 3 weeks in Southeast Asia

I personally would say around $1,000 is a good budget if you plan to visit 1-2 countries . You can stay in private rooms and eat at nicer restaurants. If you’re a backpacker , you might be able to do it at $800 , but that excludes flights between countries and tickets from and to home.

It’s safe to say around $1,500 is a great budget for 20 days in Southeast Asia , and you can count on staying at better hotels and booking premium tours.

For a luxury trip such as a honeymoon, plan to spend around $3,000 or more for two people . This will allow you to stay in luxury resorts, join culinary classes, and private tours, and dine at fantastic restaurants.

Visas to Southeast Asia

Each countries in Southeast Asia has its own visa policies, although most of them offer visa-free or you can apply for an evisa online. I always use this site when I personally process my evisa or visa-on-arrival.

Other travel tips

When travelling around Southeast Asia, I use these sites and tools to book my hotel, flights, tours, and travel insurance. I like how many of these allow me to cancel at the last minute in case my travel plan changes.

CREATING 3 WEEKS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ITINERARY

There are about 11 countries in Southeast Asia, and each differs in geography, culture, and cuisine.

• Philippines
• Timor Leste

The Philippines, for example, is the gateway to gems of white-sand beaches. Laos has been named The Land of Serenity and Bountiful Nature. That’s just two countries. I’ve listed some of the wondrous combinations of places to be in Southeast Asia.

Package tours

A package tour is when you book a multi-day trip, and hand all the planning and booking to a tour company. They arrange the hotel, activities, food, transport, guide, and porters. The first time I did this was in Nepal as I was doing the 14-day trek to Everest Base Camp – it was worth it!

So, if you’re a person who prefers to simply pay a company, book your own flight to Southeast Asia, and show up at the airport, booking a package tour might be more suitable for you .

Let’s say you have 3 weeks in Southeast Asia . You can book an entire 18 to 20-day tour. But you can also do two tours; a 10-day trip to Thailand and Cambodia and then a 10-day trip to Indonesia. Or you can book a 15-day tour and leave yourself with 5 days of doing what you want either at the beginning or end of the tour.

If this is not something for you, below is a list of various travel itineraries for 20 days in Southeast Asia.

Itinerary #1: Vietnam + Cambodia

Vietnam and Cambodia are neighbours and ideal for 3 weeks in Southeast Asia , and they border each other. However, they differ almost entirely. Stepping into Cambodia from Vietnam almost feels like you’ve been warped to the other side of the planet.

It’s advisable for travellers to visit Vietnam and Cambodia together , given that both countries offer a wealth of natural and historic sites. Both countries are very touristy, but you can still see sites established way back in the 9th-15th century.

Khmer Empire sites and Angkor temples attract tourists to Cambodia, considering it’s one of the world’s wonders and offers bricks and layers of the country’s stories. At the same time, Vietnam is the land of caves and, simultaneously, the country in Southeast Asia with the most cable cars.

Aside from the vast history, the enormous maze of rivers or the Mekong River is famously known between the two countries.

MUST-READ: 3 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary and this specific 3 weeks in Cambodia itinerary

North of Vietnam (Hanoi, Sa Pa, Halong) for 1 Week

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, draws its complex cultural background from the French Inquisition. You can still witness French infrastructures like century-old Gothic churches and opera houses.

What makes them unique is through time, French perceptions have gradually been infused with the rich culture of Southeast Asia. 

Sa Pa, not far from the borders of China, is a sight that lies in the beautiful mountains of the northwest. It is a great spot for tourists wanting to experience naturally preserved golden and green fields of rice terraces. You must spend at least 1 night in Sa Pa and do a rice field trek. You can also hike the highest point of Indochina – the Fansipan.

It’s also a must to experience the popularity of Halong Bay on your weekly journey. It surrounds the bay with fine sand beaches and emerald colours of water, perfect for overnight cruises.  

MOVING AROUND : Arrive in Hanoi (Noi Ba International Airport) which is 1 hour from downtown Hanoi. It’s recommended to book an airport pickup instead of using a local taxi to avoid any taxi scam. You can also book a ride or taxi through the Grab app). You can take a night bus, minivan, or train from Hanoi to Sa Pa . But you have to go back to Hanoi and take a bus to Halong Bay

Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An, and Da Nang) for 5 days

Central Vietnam stands as the heart of Vietnam. It is packed with fantastic beaches and stunning national parks. If you still have the energy, consider walking around the streets of this well-preserved Ancient Town along the central coast. 

On the other hand, Hue, Vietnam, is the house of tombs of ancient emperors. You can walk around the perfume pagoda, one of the waterways locals cherish. Exploring Princess Temple, Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Alba Thanh Tan, and Royal Theatre has got to your itinerary when planning to visit Vietnam and Cambodia together. 

Da Nang is a valuable trading port in Vietnam. Here rests the dragon bridge with its unique design and the best place to experience light shows, and as the lights turn out, the dragon breathes actual fire. It’s also a more metropolitan city with towering skyscrapers than Hoi An and Hue.

MOVING AROUND : Book a flight from Hanoi to Da Nang , the travel time is about 2 hours. You can take a bus from the airport to Da Nang or Hoi An or also arrange an airport pickup . Choose between these Da Nang and Hoi An as your base. These two places are very close to one another. From either city, you can reach Hue by bus or a private car.

Cambodia (Phnom Penh) for 2 Days

Phnom Penh is a hub for both the Khmer empire and French inquisitors. It is also one of the busiest capitals of Cambodia. The place is considered a Gem of Indochina because three rivers merge and pass through Phnom Penh. The city still receives a lot of commendations from tourists for its charm of numerous places to see.

You can stay for a while and mesmerize by the Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng, Wat Phnom, National Museums, Theatre Shows, and many more. Around the market are vendors selling hand-made and locally created crafts of carvings, paintings, silks, silver, gems, and antiques — a perfect spot to buy personal collections, key chains, souvenirs, and gifts.

MOVING AROUND : You can get to Phnom Penh by taking a flight from Da Nang . You can also travel on land by taking a train from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City then taking a 6-hour bus to Phnom Penh . But this will easily take 1-2 day travel time.

Siem Reap and Battambang for 5 Days 

Siem Reap is the gateway to the magical and mesmerizing Angkor Wat of Cambodia, easily one of the most popular temples in Southeast Asia . Angkor Wat is one of the most massive religious monuments in the world. The site has around 162 hectares, which can be tiring as you walk, duck, temple hop, and learn more about the ancient temple ruins.

Aside from Angkor Wat, Siem Reap extends its myriad cultures to its night market, floating village, landmine museum, old market, Cambodian circus, and many more. You have enough time to cover Angkor temples and other attraction sites in three days.

MOVING AROUND : The travel time between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is about 5-6 hours by bus for $10-$15.

Itinerary #2: Thailand + Cambodia

Thailand and Cambodia are also the right combinations of destinations for staying 3 weeks in Southeast Asia. They are both Buddhist kingdoms with extraordinary wonders. Thailand is in northern Cambodia and can easily be traversed by air or crossed by land. Tourists may want to consider heading first to Thailand and end the trip on Cambodia’s cheaper and solid beach party vibes. 

Thailand may be wealthier and more well-developed than Cambodia. Still, there is so much to experience, like the hidden culture of the Khmer Rouge and its dark ruling of the country. It’s also where you will see the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat.

MOVING AROUND : You will mostlikely arrive in Bangkok, however, I recommend you take a flight right away to Krabi/Phuket. You can explore Bangkok later before you go to Cambodia.

CHECK-OUT: How to spend 3 weeks covering Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia

Krabi/Phuket for 4 Days

Krabi is a place perfect for making the 4th day out of 3 weeks in Southeast Asia. Krabi is also close to Phuket, which means you can pretty much explore both areas during your trip. It sprawls on a resort town near Andaman Coast.

Imagine a place crowded not by people but by limestone karsts, islands, white sand, and mangrove forests, and it will make time fly.

Beach bumming, island hopping and snorkelling are some of the best things to do because Krabi offers countless islands. Rent a motorbike to move around the islands and do your own sightseeing.

You can instantly visit four islands named Tup Island, Chicken Island, Poda Island, and Railay Phra Nang Cave and Beach, on a single boat trip. There are also underrated destinations in Krabi: Emerald pool, Pa Phru Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam (Mangrove Reserve), and Khorana National Park. 

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for 4 Days

Chiang Mai is a city on the high side of northern Thailand. Being at the top of the mountains emerged the independent kingdom of Lanna until 1558. Here you can witness the Doi Suthep, a hill with an incredible view of the city. Surrounding the area is the 13th-century temples and the birthplace of the elephant shrine.

You can also visit Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand’s highest mountain. The Mae Ping River is also where tourists can enjoy a boat trip that heads to traditional teak houses, rural greeneries, and a meadow of jasmine rice. You can also stop and swim in their own Grand Canyon.

Moving around : There are direct flights from Phuket/Krabi to Chiang Mai . The flight time is about 2 hours. You can take a bus as well, but that will nearly be around 24 hours.

Bangkok for 3 Days

Bangkok attracts millions of tourists each year and garners the reputation of being a city with a culture that meets modernity. Lively nightlife is what usually comes to our minds when Bangkok is in question.

Tourists also come and go to experience their large floating and night markets. They are also proud of the architecture of the Temple of Dawn and The Grand Palace. Plus, cruise your night on the Chao Phraya River – the city’s lifeline.

MOVING AROUND : The bus between Chiang Mai and Bangkok will take around 9-10 hours. Plan to travel overnight to save time. You can also take a direct flight instead, which is affordable and more convinient. Another option is by train, but it’s no cheaper than flying.

Siem Reap (Cambodia) for 3 Days

Three days is good enough to drench yourself with the wonders of Angkor Watt and bizarre places like the Bayon and its smiling faces. You can also visit the 10th-century Cambodian temple made for the God Shiva. It is also good to make a side trip to the temples overgrown with trees (Ta Prohm Temple).

If you want more adventure, consider renting a bike and making your way to the Tomb Raider temple. Some also suggest going around 4 pm to witness the sunset from Phnom Bakheng.

MOVING AROUND : You can take a 6 to 7-hour sleeper bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap for $40. A direct flight is only an hour trip and usually costs $100-$140.

Phnom Penh for 2 Days

Phnom Penh will take you to the Royal Palace, the landmark of the hustling capital city of Cambodia. The city is glorious for its harrowing tourist sites, such as the killing fields of Choeung Ek, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and Throne Hall. 

Phnom Penh is also famous for travellers with a touch of artisans. Many galleries include Kbach Arts, Long After Dark, House of Scott, Ambre, Artisans Angkor, and Ramayana Mural.

MOVING AROUND : The bus travel time between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is a 5-6 hours. There are also direct flights which will only take an hour.

Sihanoukville and Koh Rong for 4 Days

After Phnom Penh, you can head over the coasts of Sihanoukville. They are known for tourists wanting to have the perfect ending to a trip. Here you can chill and rest on numerous beach resorts and island hopping. Sihanoukville is also known as the jumping point for the island of Koh Rong.

Koh Rong is an island with a dense jungle with all the definitions of perfect island life. The island itself has a tremendous amount of palm trees and a decent number of waterfalls. Long are the days that you get bored in Koh Rong.

Many outdoor activities are emerging today, including adventure parks, beach parties, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and many more.

INFO: You can honestly skip out on Sihanoukville unless you like casinos. The beach here is not the best, although you have to get here to take a ferry to Koh Rong.

MOVING AROUND : Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville is only 4-5 hours on a bus . You will have to take a boat to get to Koh Rong. When you finish your trip, you will either have to make your way back to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap to take your flight to the next destination/back home.

ALSO CHECK: Our itinerary for 3 weeks in Thailand only

Itinerary #3: Thailand + Myanmar

There are thousands of reasons to explore Thailand, but adding Myanmar to your Southeast Asia destination can be as thrilling as ever. Myanmar is sheltering one of the most abundant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. And when you’re coming from Thailand, you can take advantage of the border crossing with more relaxed visa restrictions.  

Backpackers always trust Thailand to be a place that doesn’t falter when it comes to admiring and shocking tourists worldwide. Undoubtedly, once you’ve cruised on the River of Kings, haggle with the locals in the famous floating market and immerse yourself in cultural and Buddhist experiences. 

Thailand Southern Island for 4 Days

You can choose between Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao. and Koh Samui. All of these southern islands will bring your sandy white beaches, spectacular diving and snorkelling spots, and of course, fantastic parties.

Bangkok for 3 Days, Applying for a Visa to Myanmar

They say that Bangkok is a city where you never get tired of visiting. There are so many activities to do, and the city never sleeps! You can always find something new to do. It was one of the world’s most visited cities in 2018. 

Bangkok dominates these recreational activities if you’re into shopping, street food tasting, embracing the culture, sightseeing, and nightlife. Bangkok’s highlights include its floating market, the Reclining Buddha, Grand Palace, Chatuchak Market, Baiyoke Tower, and Wat Arun. 

Before you start exploring this city, collect your documents and apply for a visa to Myanmar. Some nationalities may not need to do this, but it’s easy and pretty affordable if you do.

It takes a few days to process; hence, you should start your application before heading to Myanmar, especially if you are planning to cross the land border. For those flying in, you can apply for the visa online.

Chiang Mai for 3 Days

If you’ve been exposed to the cities of Thailand for quite a while, you may want to consider heading to Chiang Mai, located on the steep side of the country. It’s a place of countless mountains and hill tribes with endless sceneries fantastic for travellers who love outdoor trekking, sightseeing, and embracing Thailand’s urbanity. 

Through time, the evolution of Chiang Mai paved the way for such incredible architecture inspired by ancient temples and Buddhist culture. You can also visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Sing (Gold Temple), Doi Suthep, Pui National Park, Chiang Mai Zoo, Night Safari and Bazaar, and a lot more. 

MOVING AROUND : You can book a 9-10 hours bus for $25 , but it’s better to fly for $40 . You have to pay an extra fee for your check-in bag if you book a budget airline tho. The travel time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. You can also take the train which is slower than the bus, but more comfortable.

Cross the border to Myanmar and Head to Yangon for 2 Days

From Chiang Mai, you should make your way to the Mae Sot border. Get your Thailand exit stamp, walk to the Myawaddy border, show your visa, fly out of Myanmar ticket, and get your entry stamp. Walk a little further until you reach the town/market. You should be able to find a bus that will take you to Yangon.

Yangon or Rangoon was Myanmar’s former capital. Today the capital city is called Naypyitaw, which is North of Yangon.

There are many things to do in Yangon, but first, get yourself a local sim card if you don’t have data for roaming. This will help you get around Myanmar a little easier.

While in Yangon, visit the Shwe Dagon Pagoda and experience Yangon Circular Railway, a train system that goes around the city. After a long day, head down to the market and try out some unique Burmese dishes. 

MOVING AROUND : From Chiang Mai, head to either Mae Sai Border or Mae Sot (closer to Yangong) – both are 5 hours from Chiang Mai. You should be able to find a bus from city centre or ask your accommodation receptionist. These buses cannot be booked online and only goes a few times a day. From the border, of Myawaddy, there should be a bus or minivan to Yangon, or you can take the minivan to Mawlamyine, then get on another van/bus to Yangon. Most accommodations/transporation for Myanmar cannot be booked online. It’s an old school style of travel where you simply arrive and look for a place to stay.

Bagan for 2-3 Days

Bagan has this magnificent view that many travellers dream of exploring. Being one of the most preserved archaeological sites and a class of thousands of temples. Bagan is a protected site and requires entrance fees for non-citizens.

The tangerine sunset over Bagan has gone to bring more peace and love to each other. It’s maybe why crimes in Bagan are never unheard of and rare. Aside from marvellous temples and the remarkable sunset. You can also set off to Nan Paya, a shrine that was once used as a prison. 

MOVING AROUND : There are plenty of buses from Yangong to Bagan. One thing to remember though, you might be asked to pay for your entrance fee while in the bus as it enters the protected area of Bagan. Keep your ticket, as this will be asked a few times whenever you enter a pagoda or temple around Bagan.

Kalaw for 1 Night

Personally, I didn’t have time to explore Kalaw. For many, this is the gateway to a great hike to Inle Lake. The famous trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake lasts about 3-4 days. I recommend you spend one night here to find the best-guided hike for you and prepare for a long trek ahead.

Your tour guide will manage the rest of your luggage, but before that, pack a piece of luggage that will be enough for you during the hike since you won’t see the rest of your stuff until you reach Inle Lake.

MOVING AROUND : from Bagan to Kalaw, you can take a bus or minivan, the travel time is around 6 hours.

Hike from Kalaw to Inle Lake and Explore Inle Lake for 3-4 Days

The hike from Kalaw to Inle Lake can be reached within 3-4 days of transiting on foot. And it’s not that far, just kidding, it’s 61 km away! You may think that it’s not possible or only soldiers can make the trail, but trust me, it’s one of the unique culture enlightening multi-trek you’ve been longing for.

However, the good news is that the trek doesn’t have extreme altitude or extreme high-end trails to tackle. It’s a trek to the hilly countryside on a mud trail that takes you to bamboo forests, orange plantations, tea bushes, and hill tribes, where you can spend the night with fellow hikers. You’ll also get to enjoy and embrace the vibes of the village people and the simplicity of their lives and enjoy local dishes.

MOVING AROUND : Take a bus back to Yangon from Inle Lake if you need to catch an internatinal flight out of Myanmar. You can also take a bus back to the border if you want to cross back to Thailand by bus.

Itinerary #4: Philippines

3 weeks in Southeast Asia itinerary is not complete without visiting the magnificent islands that make up the Philippines. With 7,000+ islands and mountainous regions, you can enjoy high mountains and sunny beaches. >> Related post : 3 weeks in the Philippines itinerary

Manila for 1 night

For foreign travellers wishing to travel to the Philippines, you should make Manila a transit hub. Manila may strike you with disappointments; it’s crowded, hot, and doesn’t have that much to offer to the tourist. Although it’s a bizarre journey, airports in Manila can take you to almost all of the places in the Philippines. This is also where you can get local currency and purchase a local sim card with mobile data.

As awful as it sounds, the Philippines doesn’t have the best design for transportation. If you plan to get from A to B, you will most likely connect in Manila if you don’t plan properly. This is why you should carefully write your 3 weeks in the Southeast Asia itinerary when exploring the Philippines.

MUST-READ : The first thing you should do is to choose between exploring the country’s mountains where you can hike or head down to the south where you can soak up to its beaches and do some diving and boat tours. Below, you can see which one is more suitable for you.

Baguio, La Union, Sagada, Mount Pulag for 1 week

Baguio, La Union, Sagada, and Mount Pulag are the only place in the Philippines where you can experience cold temperatures throughout the day and are located in the northern part of the country. Baguio is an independent city prosperous with traditional arts.

You can spend one day touring around Mines View, BenCab, Botanical Garden, Burnham Park, Diplomat Hotel, and The Mansion. 

Mt. Pulag is the highest mountain in Luzon, and the summit can be reached in 4-7 hours. You’ll be mesmerized by the sea of clouds once on top. And if you are craving more tropical, going to La Union is the beachside of Luzon. If you’re not into hiking, you can skip Mt. Pulag, and if you’re not into surfing, you can cut off La Union.

Sagada, however, is a must destination to be when you’re already in the northern part of Luzon. If you’re the kind of traveller who loves traditional tattoos, lead yourself to Whang-Od, a 100-year-old headhunter, a famous traditional tattoo artist amongst local and international tourists.

MOVING AROUND : From Manila, you will be travelling by road most of the time to visit the northern part of the country. You will then make your way back to Manila to catch your flight to Indonesia which will cost around $70 for one-way.

The Visayas Trail (Cebu, Oslob Dumaguete, Siquijor, Panglao, Bohol) – 10 Days

The Visayas is a region that consists of seven large islands and hundreds of islets. This is a place where the gems of the Philippines are settled. From Manila, fly over to Cebu and be charmed by the Magellan’s Cross and Fort San Pedro. Once you’re in Cebu, direct flights to Oslob, Dumaguete, Siquijor, and Bohol.

Oslob is a perfect getaway for tourists wanting to swim with underwater creatures. From here, go to Bohol and admire the famous Chocolate Hills, Panglao Island, Hinagdanan Cave, and Alona Beach. And also, from Bohol, you can take a ferry heading to Siquijor. It’s one of the best islands of Visayas with barely touched natural attractions, waterfalls, beaches, caves, cave pools, butterfly sanctuaries, and beautiful white-sand beaches.

You can also fly to the province of Dumaguete and rush over and check out one of the active volcanoes of the Philippines, Mt. Kanlaon. Dumaguete is also famous for Siliman University- the oldest university in Asia, founded by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mission of the USA.

MOVING AROUND : You can take a direct flight from Manila to either Cebu, Panglao, or Dumaguete and start your trip theere. You can also finish your trip in either of those cities and take a flight back to Manila to catch your plan to Indonesia.

Palawan or Siargao for 4 Days

You can also fly to Palawan or Siargao from Cebu and experience a world-class island beach on Kayangan Lake, Coron, El Nido, Port Barton, and tons more. Palawan is an island in the Philippines famous for its crystal-clear water and the underground river in Puerto Princesa. In 2012, the global community cast a vote and made Palawan the first place in the Philippines that garners the title of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

If you’re into surfing, Siargao can offer you Cloud 9 and Quicksilver, a tropical island paradise home for surfers. Meanwhile, you can always chill on this bizarre Naked Island, which got its name because there’s no shade once you get there, except only the exceptional white sand and crystalline water. You can’t escape from the bliss and extreme euphoria once you experience the numerous attractions in Siargao.

MOVING AROUND : There are direct flights from Manila to Palawan (either to Coron, El Nido, or Puerto Princesa) and Siargao. The travel time is between $100-$200 one-way.

Itinerary #5: Indonesia

Three weeks is never enough to take a trip and delve into all the 17,000 islands of Indonesia. However, I’ve listed places that demand to be travelled when planning to fulfil your vacation in this beautiful country. One should visit Indonesia, which includes its vast culture, exotic animals, and a bulk load of exciting experiences to offer. >> We have a specific 3 weeks in Indonesia itinerary

MUST-READ : Just like the Philippines, when visiting Indonesia, it’s best to focus your time to one region and make the most out of it. You should be able to find a flight out of Manila to Jakarta or Bali (Depansar).

Focus on Java Only for 10 days

Java is the heart of Indonesia, and three weeks itinerary will feel like just a couple of days. You’ll enjoy everything from the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the city of Surabaya, Borobudur Temple, Anyer, Candi Prambanan, Batu Karas, Bogor, and the seaside of Pangadaran.

And if you want more activities besides seeing antiquity, hike on Mount Bromo, Mount t Ljen, and visit waterfalls such as Baturaden.

Java is known to combine Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, and the Dutch East Indies. So, expect to see different characteristics of temples and diverse cultures. It’s also one of the most populated islands in Indonesia, but worry not, and there are plenty of places to crash. 

From Surabaya, you can make your way to Mount Bromo, an active volcano. From here, you should be able to hike Mount Ijen as well.

MOVING AROUND : If you end up in East Java near Mount Ijen, you can take a bus to Bali Island, but also requires a boat transfer. If not, it’s best to take a domestic flight to Bali (Ngurah Rai International Airport DPS), the ticket will costs $40 or more depending on your luggage.

Bali Island and Lombok Island for 10 days

Meanwhile, Bali is an Island with underlying volcanic mountains, beaches, and coral reefs. They also have the best cliffside infinity pools overlooking the Indian Ocean.

And also, these are the places you may want to visit on your 3-week itinerary; Gili Islands, Mrs Sippy, or the largest saltwater pool in Bali, Tanah Lot Temple, Kelly’s Warung, Tegenungan Waterfall, Bali Swing, Bingin Beach, and Nusa Penida.

Are 3 weeks Southeast Asia itinerary even justified without a visit to the famous island of Bali? And one of the most efficient ways to get to each corner of Bali is by renting a scooter. It is common transportation used by tourists to go wherever their heart desires.

Apart from heading to top destinations, you may also want to witness their culture naming a few; the Kecak Fire Dance, Canggu Foodie, Ubud Art Culture, and Puru Ulun Danu Bratan. You should check out our 3 weeks in Bali itinerary .

MOVING AROUND : There are a lot of boat tours and day trips from Bali to Lombok Island, but you can also get on a boat and stay in Lombok for a few days.

Itinerary #6: Malaysia + Singapore

These two countries are perfect for 3 weeks in Southeast Asia. They share a land border, and the capital cities fly to Europe and North America directly. This means that you can fly into and leave the region back home much easier with fewer connecting flights to take.

Firstly, it’s always better to head first to Singapore and stay here for a while. You can visit Chinatown, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Islands, Sentosa Island, and the Orchards. Once you’ve got enough of Singapore, take your journey to northern Malaysia (Langkawi) and eventually end up in Thailand if you still have more time.

It may take 5-7 hours of transit, and a train company runs between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. However, there is no point-to-point from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. So, expect train and bus hopping when crossing the borders. 

>> CHECK OUT : 3 weeks in Malaysia and/or 2 weeks in Malaysia and Singapore

Singapore for 5 days

Singapore is a small country, yet it doesn’t stop visitors from anywhere in the world from visiting this place at least once in their lifetime. Most of Singapore’s top attractions rely on modern and futuristic architecture. The country also has one of the best public transportation in the region, making it so much easier to explore, and the locals communicate in English very well.

Spending 5 days in Singapore out of 3 weeks in Southeast Asia is much more than you need. But it will allow you to travel slowly and meet locals. If you would rather cut it down to 3 or 4 days, that works too, and you can add that extra day somewhere in Malaysia.

MOVING AROUND : You can get to Melaka (Malaysia) by crossing the land border between the two countries. The journey time is abour 3-4 hours on a bus .

Melaka (Malaysia) for 2 days

Melaka is a coastal town north of Singapore. It’s a city with well-preserved colonial architecture and spectacular places of worship for Christians, Catholics, and Muslims. The best way to travel around Melaka is by renting a push bike.

If you want to skip this city, you can simply book your bus directly to Kuala Lumpur or take a direct flight. You can instead switch Melaka with a visit to Cameron Highlands if you like coffee, hiking, and tea.

Kuala Lumpur for 3 days

Kuala Lumpur (KL) is the capital of Malaysia. Famous for its skyscraper twin towers and fantastic shopping malls. It’s also home to the colourful stairs that lead to Batu Caves. KL has a great mini forest in the heart of the city, offering a nice spot if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

MOVING AROUND: From Melaka, you can get to KL via bus that travels for 2-3 hours. You can also rent a private car with a driver, the journey is only 2 hours. Geting around Kuala Lumpur, you can either take the reliable train and buses. You can also use ride-hailing apps such as Grab, inDriver, and MyCar.

Penang for 3 days

Penang is the food capital of Malaysia. Its diverse culture comes with incredibly diverse cuisine. You’ll see and taste dishes from China, Malay, South Asia, and other parts of East and Southeast Asia. Apart from mouthwatering dishes, Penang is also famous for its street art, which is in 3D.

The local government of Penang wanted to showcase its diversity through its food, architecture, and people and through art. These paintings replicate the daily life in Penang and share it with its visitors.

MOVING AROUND: You can hop on a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Penang for $15-$25. You can also opt for taking the bus which is a 4-5 hours drive. But if you choose to visit Cameron Highlands, it’s 5-6 hours on a bus.

Langkawi for 3 days

You have seen the tall buildings and tasted the best dishes in Malaysia. It’s not time to see its beautiful beaches with affordable chocolate, alcohol, and accommodation.

Langkawi is a duty-free island in the north of Malaysia near the border with Thailand. Duty-free means all the international products sold here are much more affordable. Compared to other parts of the country, alcohol is much cheaper here as well, and accommodation costs are more affordable.

MOVING AROUND: Getting to Langkaw from Penang is quite fun. You will have to take the ferry for 3 hours. You can also take a direct flight between these two islands. Once you arei n Langkawi, it’s best to rent a motorbike to chauffer yourself around.

Perhentian Islands for 4 days

Perhentian Islands is the main pride of Malaysia’s mainland regarding pristine beaches. This paradise has been famous amongst local and foreign visitors for decades now but has managed to stay “rural” in many ways.

This destination is perfect if you’re looking for a low-key spot to enjoy the beach and water activities.

MOVING AROUND: Reaching Perhantian Islands is a bit more complicated. The easiest way to take a flight Kota Bharu or Terengganu from Langkawi (which connects either in Penang or KL). Then, you must take a minibus or minivan from the airpor to Besut. And finally, take a ferry to Perhentian Islands.

Itinerary #7: Vietnam + Laos

Vietnam with Laos itinerary is an excellent Indochina trip and 3 weeks in Southeast Asia destinations since they share a land border. Vietnam to Laos and vice versa can be travelled via land. Travelling through these two countries means you will do lots of fantastic hikes, visit pagodas, and learn about the culture and differences between the two places.

Vietnam is much more touristy than Laos. Many people go to Laos to enjoy its serenity. It’s the ideal destination if you want to be around nature but will find places to meet other travellers and share stories with them.

If you’re checking the Indochina map right now, Vietnam and Laos are near each other, but it can get exhausting once you make the trip. It’s either you fly or make it by bus. The drive takes around 27 hours, so prepare yourself physically and keep your patience intact. You can also cross the border with your motorbike (read below).

At the present moment, there are six border points, and each route has its unique policies. The chances of getting bored on the bus journey are high. It is advisable to bring something you’re comfortable doing just to pass the time. Roads can be bumpy, and most buses don’t have cushions, so bring your commuting gear with you.

MOVING AROUND: If you are travelling with a motorbike (let’s say you bought one in Vietnam for this trip), you can bring that to Laos. The borders you can check are Cha Lo Bordergate (near Dong Ha), La Lay Check Point (near Hue), and Bo Y Border Gate (near Pleiku). Not all borders will allow you to bring your motorbike, but the hotel you’re staying or people who work at hostels will know the most updated information). The border in the northern part of Vietnam can be more confusing to cross and the journey is often longer due to crossing through the moutains.

Choose between North + Central Vietnam or Central + South Vietnam for 10 days

Take a look at our Itinerary #1. It has an intensive description of Vietnam that will help you decide which part you want to visit.

To give you a quick idea, the north of Vietnam is more traditional than the south. If you want to see Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sa Pa, and Ninh Binh, you definitely want to go to that region.

On the other hand, the south of Vietnam is known as the business region of the country, and the culture is a little more liberated compared to the north. The top destinations in the south are Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Mekong Delta, and Phu Quoc Island.

The Vietnam central region is an excellent choice for its hiking trails. Go to Phong Nha or explore the most extensive cave system in the world – Son Doong. The cities of Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, and the famous Hai Van Pass are the must-see spots in this region.

MOVING AROUND: You will likely land in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. If you finish your Vietnam trip around the central region, you can either cross the border to Laos by bus or motorbike. You can check if there are flights from Da Nang to Vientiane or Pakse .

Vientiane (Laos) for 2 days

Vientiane is the capital of Laos, however, compared to its neighbouring capital city, it offers a more rural and scenic view. As you wander through Vientiane, you’ll notice how many buildings are designed with traditional architecture.

Of course, you will see modern buildings, but this Laotian city has no towering skyscrapers. Most buildings are low-rise which is usually developed as luxury hotels or shopping malls.

The city crawls with Buddhist temples, French colonial architecture, matched with slow-paced life. Laos generally doesn’t get as many tourists as the other Southeast Asian neighbours. Due to the lack of tourism presence, it’s the perfect place to go if you want to be close to nature, learn more about this quiet city, and find tranquillity.

Vang Vieng for 3 days

Love thrilling adventure? Vang Vieng is the place for you. Book a trip with tubing, zip lining, rock climbing, rapelling, and kayaking. This little town also has many caves, so you must have a caring experience where you can explore different caves with a knowledgeable tour guide.

Spend your last day relaxing. Vang Vieng is a laid-back destination where most people simply enjoy the scenery, good food, and quiet atmosphere that is now a rarity in Southeast Asia tourist trails.

MOVING AROUND: There are minivans you can take from Vientiane to Vang Vieng for only $11-$15. The travel time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Luang Prabang for 3 days

Luang Prabang is a city in the north of Laos which is also the first major city you’ll see if you are crossing the land borders from Vietnam and Thailand. Luang Prabang is known for its lively night markets, dazzled by unique and affordable handicraft products and traditional Laotian snacks and dishes.

If you’re a morning person, you’ll notice a daily routine of monks walking the streets to receive offerings and alms from the locals (although you are more than welcome to give as well). This is called alms giving ceremony, which the monks will take to the temple, offer a prayer to their ancestors, and give thanks for the blessings they received.

MOVING AROUND: There’s a train that you can take from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, the travel time will take abuot 2 hours nd costs $15 to $20 per preson. There’s also an option for a minivan, but it will over 6 hours.

Itinerary #8: Thailand + Laos – Hiking itinerary

Thailand and Laos are actually quite popular destinations to combine for 3 weeks in Southeast Asia. This trail is suitable if you love hiking because you can travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and then to Chiang Rai. From there, you can cross the border to Laos by land and boat.

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are great hiking regions in Thailand, while Laos generally has many national biodiverse conservation areas and parks open for hiking.

Bangkok for 4 days

Four days in Bangkok is ideal. You can visit the must-see temples and pagodas, explore the floating market, and go on a food adventure. If you love parties, Khao San Road is just around the corner. You can also use it to plan how you want to get to your next destination.

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for 5 days

Chaing Mai and Chiang Rai are both great locations for hiking. But both also offer incredible cultural and historical sites for you to explore. Spending five days between these two amazing cities will be filled with exploring nature and learning more about Thai culture.

The most popular hiking trails in Chiang Mai are Doi Inthanon, Mae Sa Valley, Mae Sa Valley, Mon Cham, and Doi Suthep (an easy hike). For Chiang Rai, you can check out Phu Chi Fa, Mae Salong, Doi Chang, Khun Korn Waterfall, Chiang Dao.

Most of these hikes can be done in just a day, so you can choose between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai as your base in northern Thailand. The tour agencies will also offer pick up and drop off from your accommodation.

MOVING AROUND: You can reach Chiang Mai in three different ways; by bus, train, and by air. The bus will take a bit over 9 hours, and the train journey is about 10 hours. Flying will be fastest and most convinient.

Cross the border to Laos (Huay Xai)

Now that you are ready to say goodbye to Thailand, it’s time to cross the border between Thailand and Laos. This is a famous border crossing, so you should not have difficulty finding a bus that will take you to the border.

Although there is a bridge between the two countries, you cannot cross it on foot. You can take a slow boat or book a car or bus to take you through the border gate. Taking the slow boat means you need a service from Huay Xai (Laos) to take you to Luang Prabang or other destinations you have in mind.

The visa for Laos is easy. Everyone can pretty much get a visa on arrival, which means all you need to do is show your passport, pay, and get on your trip. If you have a Thai driver, they get a free visa to cross back and forth without trouble.

TIP: Change all your Thai Baht on this border since it will be useless (or hard to convert) once you cross the border to Laos.

Luang Prabang for 4 days

Luang Prabang is also known for its stunning scenery. There are dense forests surrounding the city highlighted with magnificent waterfalls. This is a fantastic destination for hiking, wild swimming, or anything related to outdoor activities and nature.

When it comes to hiking, the popular areas are Kuang Si Waterfall, Pak Ou Caves, Mount Phousi, Tad Sae Waterfall, Nam Khan River.

Apart from that, you’ll also enjoy some French colonial architecture influenced by French colonialism. The Royal Palace is a great example which is now open to the public as a museum where you can learn about the story of Laos while under the colony.

If you have 3 weeks in Southeast Asia and enjoy exciting activities, then Vang Vieng is the place for you. Vang Vieng is a small town surrounded by towering karst mountains and lush jungles.

This is a destination known as “adventure tourism” because you can do plenty of exciting excursions such as tubing, rock climbing, kayaking, caving, and zip-lining through the forest.

For hikers out there, make sure to explore Pha Ngeun Viewpoint, Blue Lagoon 3, Tham Jang Cave, Pha Poak Viewpoint, and Pha Thao Viewpoint.

Due to its affordability, it’s also right along the backpacker’s trail. when you get here, you’d be surprised at how many people simply come here to lie on the hammock, read a book, sleep while surrounded by chirping birds and trees.

MOVING AROUND: The best way to get to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang is by train. It’s only a 1 hour and 30 min to 2-hour trip. It’s the same cost as taking a 6-hour minivan which is around $20 per person.

Vientiane for 2 days

Spend your 2 days discovering hiking spots in Vientiante, which includes Chao Anouvong Park, Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area, Nam Ngum Reservoir, Buddha Park, and Pha That Luang.

If you’re not tired of visiting temples and pagodas yet, Vientiane has many of them, making Pha That Luang the most popular and must-be visited. For those looking to buy souvenirs, head to the night markets to find vibrant options such as handicrafts and textiles at affordable prices.

You should also not miss your last chance to enjoy traditional Laotian dishes with a hint of French influence. There are cooking classes that you can sign up for, or simply join a food tour to learn more about Laotian cuisine.

Finish your trip to Vientiane, where an international airport is located. Although you can also cross the border to Thailand and head to Bangkok for more international flight options.

MOVING AROUND: You can take the train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane, the journey time is 2 hours for $15 or take a minivan for 2 hours and 30 minutes for $10.

Itinerary #9: Timor Leste + Brunei + Borneo

If you really want to max out your 3 weeks in Southeast Asia itinerary, Timor Leste, Brunei, and Borneo trio are the one for you. Timor Leste and Brunei are some of the most overlooked destinations in Southeast Asia. One of the reasons is that Timor Leste just gained independence in 2002.

Its geographical location is spread over four different seas. However, it begins to show tourism potential. And the remnants of the resistance to the Indonesian occupation have also attracted many travellers.

Borneo is a big island in the heart of Southeast Asia. It’s divided into three countries; Malaysia (northern region, Brunei, and Indonesia (southern region. It contains the oldest rainforest in the world, with 140 million years of existence.

It’s a home for much-endangered wildlife, which appeals to many conservationists. It also opens the doors of interest in travelling to Brunei, with some of the best Islamic infrastructure and architecture. 

Make sure to go to Sandakan, where you can see the unique proboscis monkeys. Northern Borneo is also where the national flower of Malaysia, called “rafflesia”, can be found. Go to Turtle Island in September/October, which is the hatching/freeing season of turtles.

MOVING AROUND: When it comes to Borneo, taking the bus is the main mode of transportation. There are also options to take a ferry such as between Labuan and Brunei. There are also flights you can take. Most are not direct flights and requires long connection though.

TOP THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA (by country)

This list of travel itineraries for 3 weeks in Southeast Asia is long enough that adding a mountainous list of must-do activities will be just too much. So below, I linked the separate itineraries per country to help you plan your trip better depending on the destination/s you have chosen.

• Brunei/Borneo

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Southeast Asia consists of 11 countries, three weeks will never be enough to visit all its magnificent corners. However, it doesn’t mean you should not go and travel here just because you have a limited time. You can start by choosing two countries and splitting your time. Perhaps you’ll like it, and next time you come back, you will visit two different countries.

I hope you found this 3 weeks in Southeast Asia itinerary helpful. I know it’s a long article, but I really just want to give a few samples of how you can create your own itinerary and max out your visit.

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Destinations

Experiences.

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Plan Your Trip

Southeast asia starts here.

Coming up with a 2 month Southeast Asia itinerary is hard, no matter how well you know the region. For starters, it’s as much about choosing where you don’t want to go as it is deciding the places you will visit. Then, there’s sequencing and timing, and all the rest of the practical matters that planning any trip entails.

Although I have nearly 15 years of experience traveling in Southeast Asia, I’ve decided not to construct a post that dictates or preaches to you. Rather than telling you where to go, for example, or how long (necessarily) you should spend there, I want to inform and inspire you to create the trip that’s right for you.

Even if you’re feeling anxious now—trust me, I’ve been there—you’ll soon have a plan your can easily execute. Can’t you almost smell the Pad Thai noodles sizzling through the streets?

Practical Matters

When to visit southeast asia.

In most of Southeast Asia, the dry season takes place between about December and March. As a general rule, this is when you should plan this trip, although there are a couple exceptions. First, if you plan to travel heavily or primarily in Indonesia (where the dry and rainy seasons are “flipped” compared to the rest of Southeast Asia), you’ll actually want to visit between about June and September. Secondly, you should be aware that northern parts of Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam can be relatively cold at this time of year, in spite of also being dry.

Where to stay in Southeast Asia

As you plan your Southeast Asia itinerary (2 months or longer), you’ll be delighted to learn that accommodation in most of the region is extremely affordable. There are some notable exceptions to this—Singapore is outrageously expensively; Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are not nearly as cheap as they used to be—but as a general rule, your money goes farther here than it will anywhere else in the world.

• Traveling in Thailand ? While no longer as cheap as it used to be, this is still an affordable place to get a fancy hotel, particularly in Bangkok with high-end properties like Sofitel SO/Bangkok and the Eastin Grande Sathorn . In the islands, accommodations run the gamut from luxurious Rayavadee in Krabi ‘s gorgeous Railay , to simpler digs such as Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel in Phuket Town . Headed up north? I absolutely love the Riverside Guest House in Lampang .
• In my opinion, Vietnam (at least when it comes to hotels) is how Thailand was 10-15 years ago. From Hotel des Arts in Saigon to Hanoi ‘s chic Meritel , and from resort-style properties like Sin Chai Ecolodge in Sapa and Ancient House Resort & Spa in Hoi An , your money goes farther in Vietnam than it does in almost any other Southeast Asian country, in spite of Vietnam’s rapidly increasing popularity.
• As you explore underrated Malaysia , make sure to avail this country’s impressive selection of impressive hotels. From the five-star Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur , to boutique properties like Cheong Fatt Tze in Penang and Ranee Boutique Suites in Kuching , Malaysia tends to be somewhere between Vietnam and Thailand in terms of price, although (if I’m honest) the subtler elegance of its hotels is often preferable, at least for me.
• I’ll be frank: Singapore is simply not a budget travel destination. You can make it into one— Atelier Chinatown is great if you don’t mind sharing your sleeping and bathing space; the Hotel 1888 Collection is bare-bones, but has private facilities—but you really need some cash to enjoy Singapore to the fullest. Not necessarily the sheer opulence of the Fullerton Hotel , mind you, but if you can splurge on (for example) the The Scarlet , your experience will be much more pleasant.

How to get around in Southeast Asia

Infrastructure in Southeast Asia has vastly improved over the time I’ve been traveling there, especially within cities. Still, the easiest (and often cheapest) way to navigate this region is by plane, usually (but not exclusively) using low-cost carriers such as AirAsia. If you’re unsure of how to get from place to place, I personally find that 12Go is a great tool for both research and booking.

Money, costs and communication

Another thing that’s vasty improved in Southeast Asia over the years? Money and payments. Specifically, being able to use credit cards (even though, as time passes, QR payments are definitely the most common ways to pay here). At the same time, you’ll likely need a bit of cash on you in most places—and unfortunately, every country uses different currency, which can complicate things. The good news is that airport exchange counters tend to offer competitive conversion rates, and low commissions, so you can change money either before you depart one place, or after you arrive in another.

Cost-wise, Southeast Asia is cheap, albeit not as cheap as it used to be. You can expect to pay around 50-100 USD per person, per day in most countries for modest private rooms, 2-3 meals per day and all your local transportation. While there’s technically no limit to how much you can spend, I find it difficult to go much beyond 200 USD per person, per day in most places, unless you’re simply trying to be extravagant.

Communication-wise, in a literal sense, English is all you need in most places, and certainly in countries like Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia, where it’s an official language. In terms of communicating figuratively, WiFi is plentiful in Southeast Asia, though I do recommend staying connected via your mobile—either buy buying local SIM cards, or using a global travel plan like Google Fi —to make your life easier.

Visas for Southeast Asia

If you’re reading this page in English, you probably come from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or somewhere in Europe. If this is the case, congratulations: You can access most of Southeast Asia visa-free! I say “most” because there are notable exceptions: Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia require e-visas or visas on arrival, while Vietnam still requires you to apply for a visa in advance. If you’re unsure as to whether you require a visa to enter any country, contact the embassy or consulate of that nation in your place of citizenship.

Where to Go With 2 Months in Southeast Asia

No matter how extensive your Southeast Asia travel route—2 months, or something much shorter—you absolutely have to visit Thailand . Bangkok , in addition to being the de-facto hub of Southeast Asia, is one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Beyond this, you can divide your time between the Kingdom’s lush north (focus on the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai , plus Lampang ) and the various islands and archipelagoes that define its south, from Samui , Tao and Pha Ngan islands in the Gulf of Thailand , to Phuket , Krabi and Trang in the Andaman Sea .

Another giant you can’t avoid during your 2 month Southeast Asia itinerary is Vietnam . I sort of consider Vietnam a wilder and more unruly Thailand, somewhat resembling an older version—maybe 10, 15 years—of the Kingdom. I usually like to go south-to-north, but you can reverse this order if you prefer. Begin in Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City ) and the Mekong Delta , heading northward to Da Nang (via coastal Mui Ne or Nha Trang , or hilly Da Lat ). Explore ancient Hoi An and imperial Hue , before heading north to the capital of Hanoi , scenic Ha Long Bay and finally to Sa Pa , which is rich with waterfalls and rice terraces.

Malaysia might just be the most underrated country you visit during your 2 months in Southeast Asia. While I go back and forth on the capital city of Kuala Lumpur , it’s impossible to deny the charm of Penang and its historical shophouses, or of Kuching , which sits on the edge of the rainforest. Visit tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands , scale Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo ‘s Sabah state or visit crystal mosques and some of Asia’s best islands in Terengganu on the east coast.

I’ll admit: It’s been controversial even to discuss visiting Myanmar for a hot minute. At the same time, if you can look past the politics, this country is one of the most unique in Southeast Asia. While not as ramshackle as it was when I first visited in 2010, today’s Myanmar remains captivating. Start in the cities of Yangon and Mandalay , before expanding outward. Do you prefer getting lost amid the temples of Bagan , relaxing on Inle Lake or having your mind blown amid the perfect beauty of the Mergui Archipelago ?

The bad news? In my opinion, the island of Bali is one of the worst places you can visit during your Southeast Asia 2 month itinerary. The good news? Indonesia is home to literally thousands of other islands. From hectic Java (home to manic Jakarta , charming Yogyakarta and the otherworldly Kawah Ijen volcano), to lush Borneo and its wild orangutans, to the paradisiacal Kawah Ijen archipelago, Indonesia is so much more than Bali.

In the past, I mostly saw Singapore as serving a functional role within a 2 month Asia itinerary: A respite from the craziness of the rest of the region. However, as time has passed and “the rest” of Southeast Asia has become less manic, I’ve started to appreciate Singapore for what it is: A city that’s also a country that’s also a microcosm of a continent. Organize your time in Singapore (it will likely be just a few days) around its ethnic neighborhoods— Little India , Chinatown and Malay-Muslim Kampong Glam —as well as around both the natural Singapore Botanic Garden and the delightfully artificial Gardens by the Bay.

Another small country whose borders you may cross during 2 months Southeast Asia is Cambodia . For most travelers, Cambodia requires a week or even less. Many will split their time between the oft-overlooked capital of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (home of Angkor Wat ); others will also choose to overlook PP. If you have longer or are more curious, you might also opt to hit the beaches of Koh Rong in the Gulf of Thailand , or travel overland to Laos—more on that in a minute.

As I explained earlier during this post, Laos is not a must-see if you have a 2 month itinerary Southeast Asia—I usually recommend it or Cambodia, but not both. If you do spend time in Laos, however, context matters. If you can, for example, you might take the “slow boat” from Chiang Rai, Thailand to Laos’ charming Luang Prabang , via off-the-beaten path Pak Beng . Another exciting way is up from Cambodia, via Don Det and the 4,000 Islands . Alternatively, you can fly to Vientiane or Luang Prabang if you’re pressed for time or simply can’t be bothered to travel overland.

The Philippines, Brunei and East Timor

I’m not including The Philippines last on my Southeast Asia 2 month itinerary because I don’t like it—that’s far from the truth. Rather, I haven’t been back there in a while, and so I don’t feel as comfortable recommending destinations and experience as I do for other countries on this list. However, if you have a couple of weeks to spare, make sure to follow up a long weekend in underrated Manila with some time on the country’s award-winning beaches, whether in mainstream Boracay , lush Palawan or off-the-beaten-path Siargao .

As far as Brunei is concerned? Well, it’s unique, I’ll say that. It’s a place I’m glad I went , but don’t necessarily care to visit again. I haven’t yet been to East Timor , and as of this moment have no plans to visit.

Is 2 Months Enough for Southeast Asia?

As you browse Southeast Asia backpacking routes, 2 months is typically the minimum recommended amount of time—this is not a coincidence. The region is huge, and although the infrastructure has improved massively in the 15 years I’ve been exploring it, can still be a place where the going is pretty slow. If you’re a backpacker who plans to rely primarily on land transport, in fact, I might actually suggest you devote 3-4 months (or even longer!) to Southeast Asia!

Indeed, this 2 month Southeast Asia itinerary is really optimized toward travelers seeking a slightly elevated travel experience. Some overland travel—the slow boat between Thailand and Laos; a couple of trains in Vietnam—but is primarily getting around using places. Select rural areas—Indonesia’s Blue Fire Volcano; the Chocolate Hills of the Philippines—but mostly staying in cities and enjoying day trips from there.

Other FAQ About Spending 2 Months in Southeast Asia

How much do you need to travel southeast asia for 2 months.

I usually count on spending an average of about 100 USD per person, per day when traveling in Southeast Asia. That translates to about 700 USD per person, per week and about 2,800 USD per person per month. This means that you can plan to spend between 5,000-6,000 USD per person to travel in Southeast Asia for 2 months, not including international flights (but including all your internal transport).

How long do you need in Thailand and Vietnam?

Thailand and Vietnam are two of the largest and most interesting countries in Southeast Asia—I usually recommend spending a minimum of three weeks in each. With this being said, you could divide a month between Vietnam and Thailand, if you’re very judicious about where you visit in each country. Hiring me as your Travel Coach would be very advisable in this situation.

How long to spend in Laos and Cambodia?

Laos and Cambodia are beautiful countries, but it’s not a coincidence that they sit geographically between the titans of Thailand and Vietnam: They’re simply neither are large nor as interesting as their more famous neighbors. Often times, I recommend that people with a shorter amount of time choose one of these two; in any case, even if you’ve got two months to explore Southeast Asia, don’t split more than two weeks between Cambodia and Laos.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve made it this far, then congratulations: You’ve got all the information you need to assemble the perfect 2 month Southeast Asia itinerary! Some of you will take a straightforward path—a couple weeks in Thailand; one split between Laos and Cambodia; three weeks in Vietnam or Indonesia, and then two in either Malaysia, Myanmar or the Philippines. For others, things might be a bit less structured, if they’re even set in stone at all. You might even end up staying in the region for a lot longer than two months! Still feeling stressed out at the thought of planning your trip? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!

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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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My 6-month Southeast Asia Itinerary

Southeast Asia is one of the most popular destinations when it comes to taking a gap year, with it’s vibrant variety of cultures, tasty cuisines, history, temples and beautiful beaches – it’s not surprising why. Not to mention the fact that it’s super inexpensive! 

A lot of travellers like to plan things as they go, but for me, I like to have a pretty good idea of what my travels will entail – not only so I can come prepared but also so that I have a better idea of a budget. 

Disclosure: This post may contain some affiliate links, meaning that if you click one and purchase/book something, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a little commission. Read more here . 

First things first, I’d recommend checking out my gap year category where you’ll find posts including some packing posts and  how to plan a gap year . If you’re looking for advice on where to go, how to budget, best time to visit SEA, some more specific packing tips as well as more information like how to get around Southeast Asia, visas and culture sock – check out my post ‘ The Beginners Guide To Travelling Southeast Asia ‘. 

In this blog post I’ll be talking to you about where I went and what I did on my gap year in more detail as well as some extra tips.

So let’s get started… 

My 6 month South East Asia itinerary

Day 1 – 23: indonesia .

We started our adventure in Kuta, Bali on a group tour with INTRO Travel . Back in 2017, I embarked on my first group tour ( 25 days around China ) and so was expecting this 9 day tour with 4 different locations to be quite intense and fast paced. I felt like Intro Travel definitely had more of an easy-going pace and covered all of the classic activities and stops that one would typically experience in Indonesia. I felt that although we could’ve easily spent longer in each place, that we weren’t really missing out.

Intro Travel is an award winning travel company that have “been providing life changing travel experiences to 18-40 year olds in some of the world’s most incredible destinations” since 2005. They offer 19 trips across 7 different countries, with a variety of trip length.

INTRO Travel Bali 9 Day Tour – REVIEW

Day 1 – 3: kuta, bali.

Our first few days were spent in Kuta; exploring the beaches, watching the sunset at Sky Garden Lounge, and checking out the night life.

I really don’t think there is that much to do in Kuta so I felt that 3 days was more than enough here and it gave us time to adjust from rainy depressing UK weather to the Indonesian sunshine.

Where we stayed in Kuta:  Bendesa Accommodation 

Day 3 – 5: Canggu, Bali

Brit & I absolutely loved Canggu. So much that after our tour with Intro Travel had finished, we returned as we had some spare time.

Whilst on the tour, we had a surf lesson on the incredible ‘black beach’ – one of the world’s most iconic surf destinations. We also visited Tanah Lot Temple, went on a bar crawl and hung out at Old Man’s.

Where we stayed in Canggu: Frii Bali Echo Beach

Day 5 – 6: Lovina, Bali

On our way to Lovina, we stopped off at Git Git waterfall and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.

Lovina is usually a day-trip kinda thing but Intro Travel have their own private villa up there so we were able to get some group time which was great. Whilst in Lovina, we searched for Dolphins on a traditional outrigger boat as well as visiting a local family to learn about basket weaving and see their farm.

Day 6 – 8: Nusa Lembongan, Bali

Usually on this tour, Intro Travel would’ve taken us to Gili T instead of Nusa Lembongan but due to the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami, it was deemed as too ‘unsafe’ for us to visit as apart of Intro Travel.

So we caught a ferry from Bali to Nusa Lembongan (make sure to research this journey if you’re planning on doing it as there’s lots of different options), and spent a couple of days chilling at our hotel, laying around on the beach as well as visiting Cafe Pandan, watching the sunset at Devil’s Tears and lots of snorkelling.

Where we stayed in Nusa Lembongan:  Mahagiri Resort  &  Walet’s Paradise

Day 8 – 11: Gili T, Lombok & the end of our group tour 

Even though we were unable to visit Gili T with Intro Travel, we still managed to visit solo. Our tour guide Morgan helped us to sort a ferry from Nusa Lembongan to Gili T and we stayed there for a few days.

Due to the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami, it was much less hectic and busy than we’d heard and this made our time here a little different to what we had expected, but just as, if not better, than expected.

We spent our time relaxing on the beach, exploring the island by bicycle as well as watching some of the most beautiful sets and taking those iconic swing photos.

Where we stayed in Gili T: My Mates Place

Day 11 – 12: Sengiggi, Lombok 

We didn’t really spend much time in Sengiggi but it was a stop available to us via our ferry transport so we took it. We loved our hotel here, it was one of the places where we really felt like we were welcomed into someone’s home.

Popular things to do in Sengiggi, Lombok is to go scuba diving, check out the amazing views from the top of Malimbu Hill and go surfing.

Where we stayed in Sengiggi: Mama Bella’s Retreat

Day 12 – 16: Kuta, Lombok

Kuta, Lombok is a lot different to Kuta, Bali – so don’t get the two mixed up. Kuta in Lombok is a small surfer’s town and often used as a base for backpackers wanting to explore Lombok’s beautiful beaches. I’d really recommend hiring a scooter here.

As we didn’t have a scooter and there wasn’t that many taxis around when we visited, we found it hard to explore but loved the location of our hotel so spent a lot of our time wandering around there.

Where we stayed in Kuta: Kuta Baru 

Day 16 – 19:  Ubud, Bali

Ubud is one of my favourite places on my whole gap year. There was so much culture as well as an art vibe within this town which I loved. In Ubud, we spent ages looking at the markets and shopping but we did also visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, visit the Tegallalang rice terraces (and get that swing pic) as well as visiting Goa Gajah, Tukad Pejeng and finding a café with a great view of Mount Batur.

We also stayed at the cutest little place called Kailash Bali Homestay  – they had the most adorable dogs and the staff here were so cute and friendly.

Day 19 – 22: Canggu, Bali (again) 

Yes, we loved Canggu so much that we returned. The second time we visited we spent a lot of our time exploring the town itself and checking out all of the cool markets (like Love Anchor), checking out the street art and chilling on the beach.

Where we stayed in Canggu (second time round): Waterborn

Day 22: Back to Denpasar, Bali

Our last day in Indonesia was spent making our way back to the island’s capital, ready to board our plane for our next adventure.

INDONESIA ROUND UP:

Although I loved my time in Indonesia, I really wish we’d have had more time to explore more of the islands such as Java, Flores and Komodo island. I would’ve especially like to have seen Pink Beach and Borobudur Temple. Bali is extremely Western and very touristy but there is still a lot of culture to explore there. All in all, I think it would’ve been much cheaper and more convenient if we’d have done the whole Indonesia section solo but for our first destination on our gap year, I think doing a group tour was a great way to get things started and we met so many great people.

Day 23 – 54: The Philippines

Day 23 – 24: manila.

Our Philippines adventure started in the hustle and bustle capital – Manila. We didn’t have much time to spare and through our research we decided to skip Manila. We only spent 1 night there and thanks to our early 1:25am flight from Bali, we spent the majority of our time sleeping. The next morning we caught a flight out. 

Where we stayed in Manila: Lub D Makati

Day 24 – 28: Bohol 

If you have the money to spare, I’d recommend getting a flight straight to Bohol’s airport. But we flew to Cebu and then hopped on a ferry to Bohol as this was the cheapest option at the time. 

Our time in Bohol was short and sweet. We spent our first day relaxing and exploring. We did tour ‘tours’ in Bohol; one where we saw fireflies and then a day tour where we visited the butterfly park, rode a buggy to the chocolate hills, visited the Tarsier sanctuary, walked along the twin bridges and we also went on the loboc river cruise.

Where we stayed in Bohol: Moon Fools Hostel

Day 28 – 32: Oslob, Cebu 

Getting to Oslob from Bohol should be pretty easy as long as you get the right ferry (and don’t do what we did). Get the ferry from Bohol to Argao. We spent most of our time in Oslob relaxing in our hotel which was right on top of the beach (lush). We also went to swim with the whale sharks but I would not recommend this activity. 

Where we stayed in Oslob: Down South 118 Beach Resort

Day 32 – 36: Moalboal, Cebu

Getting to Moalboal from Oslob was relatively easy. We asked our hotel receptionist where the bus stop was, to which followed up with her waiting for the bus with us for 20 mins. She told the driver that we wanted to go to Moalboal and she made sure that we were ok. We got off of the bus at Bato, to catch a different one heading for Cebu. Just ask the bus driver if it stops in Moalboal before you get on the bus to make sure and you’ll be fine. It took about 2 hours or so all round. 

Moalboal was one of my favourite locations on our trip. I loved exploring the town and the beach, the banana pancakes were some of my favourite here. We also visited the famous Kawasan Falls whilst here, which is one of my all time favourite days. We didn’t have the budget to do the official canyoneering so we did our own DIY version of it which was pretty fun! 

Where we stayed in Moalboal: Moho Hostel  

Day 36 – 37: Cebu City, Cebu

We spent a night in Cebu city as we were flying out early the next day, unless you plan on exploring the city then I’d recommend skipping it like we did. Most people only stay in the city to then take day trips to Moalboal and Oslob. 

You can get a bus to Cebu city from Moalboal for like £1-4 but we managed to grab a good bargain to catch a taxi for like £3 each so we went for that. It took about 3 hours to get there. 

Where we stayed in Cebu city: Naps X Adventures  

Day 37 – 40: Boracay 

We only had one full day in Boracay, which we spent beach hopping. Where I found my all time favourite beach:  Ilig – Iligan. 

Boracay had only re-opened to the public a week before we’d arrived, it was closed for 6 months to tourists due to overtourism. The 3.98 square mile island went from being called “the best island in the world” by Travel+Leisure magazine in 2012 to the current president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a “cesspool” earlier in 2018 which led to the temporary closure. 

Although it had re-opened no more than 8 days before we’d arrived, the island was very busy. White beach is the main area of the island where everyone socialises and there’s lots of quirky shops, bars and henna stalls. Our hostel was on the other side of the island and a 5 minute walk to a super quiet, white sandy beach. 

One of my all time favourite things throughout our time in the Philippines was watching the sunset on White Beach. All of the boats sail past the sun and it is so beautiful.

Day 40 – 47: El Nido, Palawan

Our time in El Nido was definitely one filled with some crazy memories. We spent the majority of our time catching rays, snorkelling and drinking alcohol. We explored Corong Corong, Las Cabanas and Nacpan beaches as well as embarking on the famous A+C tour where we visited the secret beach, big lagoon, small lagoon, helicopter island, 7 commandos beach, secret lagoon, Shimizu island, Matinloc island, hidden beach and Tapiutan island. 

Where we stayed in El Nido: Outpost Beach Hostel  & The Cavern

Day 47 – 50: Port Barton,  Palaw an

To get from El Nido to Port Barton, just get a mini bus ticket at one of the tour agency stalls in El Nido town. 

When we visited Port Barton (Nov 2018), there were no ATMs, banks or wifi. So make sure you have cash before you head down there and if wifi is essential, maybe look into a sim card. 

There isn’t too much to explore in Port Barton, but the sea life is awesome. We spent one day exploring the beaches and the other on a tour ran by our guesthouse where we visited fantastic reef, lagoon reef, wide reef, German island, twin reef & starfish island. Twin reef was absolutely beautiful, and one of my all time favourite snorkelling places. 

Where we stayed in Port Barton: Tribal Xperience

Day 50 – 54: Puerto Princesa

The bus station you arrive at in Port Barton, you can also get bus tickets to Puerto Princesa which is what we did. 

There’s quite a lot to do in Puerto Princesa, but we only had 2 days there, and a tight budget. So we spent the first day chilling at our hotel and checking out the mall. The 2nd day we did a trip to the underground river. The river is 1 of six World Heritage Sites in the Philippines and a natural wonder.

Where we stayed in Puerto Princesa:   4C’s Tourist Lodge

PHILIPPINES ROUND UP: 

I loved the Philippines so much. We travelled around by public transport a lot as well as befriending a lot of the locals we met so I really felt like we were able to embrace the Philippine lifestyle! 

The only thing I regret about my time in the Philippines, is that we weren’t there long enough. I would’ve loved to have had the chance to visit Coron and Siquijor! But I’ve got my whole life ahead of me to return. 

Day 54 – 91: Singapore & Malaysia

A lot of you may know that we actually took a break from South East Asia and headed over to Oceania for a while, where we explored New Zealand , Australia ,   Fiji  and we also visited India at the end of our trip. But this itinerary concentrates on just SEA so I have cut those bits out. 

From Singapore all the way through Malaysia and up to Thailand, we got coaches and mini buses via our Bamba pass which you can read about here .

Day 60 – 61: Singapore 

We made a small stop in Singapore before flying to Borneo as for some reason it made our flights cheaper. On this day, we didn’t really get to explore much as we arrived quite late and flew out quite early. 

Day 61 – 68: Sepilok, Borneo, Malaysia 

We made a mistake when booking our flights to Borneo, and actually flew into Kota Kinabalu rather than Sepilok. This meant that we then had to get an internal flight to Sepilok instead of just flying straight there. But on the bright side, this meant that we had a day either side to explore the capital of the state of Sabah. 

We spent four nights in Sepilok, and loved every second of it. Sepilok is of course famous for the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, founded in 1964, and is the world’s most famous place to spot and see Orangutans in their natural habitat. Not only did we manage to spot some Orangutans in the wild, but we also made a visit to the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, as well as taking a trip down Kinabatangan river to spot even more wildlife. 

Where we stayed in Sabah:  JK capsule hostel  in Kota Kinabalu & Sepilok Jungle Resort  in Sepilok. 

Day 68 – 75: Singapore 

Once spending a week surrounded by jungle and wildlife, it was a little bit of a culture shock returning to the hustle and bustle city of Singapore. 

The 5 days we spent in the one and only city-island-nation in the world, were magical. Some of my highlights were simply just exploring the city and checking out some cool spots, visiting Gardens by the Bay and spending all day at Adventure Cove on Sentosa Island.

Where we stayed in Singapore:  Atlantis pods @ Bugis  & Bond Boutique . 

Day 75 – 78: Melaka 

From Singapore, we got a coach through the border to Malaysia and stopped for a few days in Melaka. Although we only stayed a little while in this UNESCO world heritage coastal town, it’s definitely one of my favourite places I’ve visited. From the street markets to the history, to finding out why it’s known as ‘the food capital of Malaysia’ – there is so much to explore. 

Day 78 – 81: Kuala Lumpur 

One of my favourite things that we did in Kuala Lumpur was a ‘foodie experience’ – where we went on a little group tour of the food markets and tried lots of different foods. We spent a lot of our time exploring Kuala Lumpur by rail, and this meant that we had the opportunity to explore so much more. 

We visited the Petronas Towers, explored Little India & Chinatown as well as all the markets and of course, visited the Batu Caves – well-known for the rainbow stairs and monkeys. 

Where we stayed in Kuala Lumpur: Iron inn

Day 81 – 84: Cameron Highlands

We spent as little as possible in the Cameron Highlands, as we heard that there really wasn’t much to do there unless you’re a big walker. So we hopped on the most popular thing to do; get a tour that explores the tea plantations, strawberry farms, a butterfly park, the mossy forest and some other stops along the way. 

Where we stayed in the Cameron Highlands: Sleepbox Hotel

Day 84 – 87: George Town, Penang 

We LOVED George Town! It is very westernised but still filled with so much culture, art and vibrance! We loved the food, exploring the little funky bars and cafés around the lanes and especially loved finding the street art. 

Where we stayed in George Town: Heritage Sixteen

Day 87 – 91: Langkawi 

We caught a flight from Penang to Langkawi and really enjoyed spending a few days on this little slice of paradise. There is much to explore here such as the museums, skybridge and one of our favourites – the Art in Paradise 3D Museum. This is also where I did my first ever scuba dive! Langkawi will always have a special place in my heart. 

Where we stayed in Langkawi: Rembulan  

MALAYSIA ROUND UP: 

Malaysia really surprised me and I genuinely fell in love with it. We had a lot of experiences that we wouldn’t have necessary planned on or were typical ‘backpacker’ things to do and I loved that. We took part in a local school’s project in Melaka. I loved the wildlife and jungle style of Borneo, the history behind Melaka, the art and culture of Georgetown and the chill vibes that Langkawi offers.

I regret not visiting the 130 million year old tropical rainforest; Taman Negara as well as more of Borneo.  

Day 115 – 139: Thailand 

We started our Thailand adventure down on the southern west coast. Our Bamba pass took us from Penang through the Thai border to Krabi. The journey took about 10 hours but made the land border crossing much nicer. It was a lot easier than the land crossing from Singapore into Malaysia. 

Day  115 – 1 18: Krabi 

We didn’t spend long in Krabi and arrived quite late as well as leaving quite early on day 118. So really we only had one day there, which we spent on a boat tour exploring the bluest of seas and most beautiful beaches. In the evening we headed to Ao Nang beach with some pals we met on the boat tour and spent all night partying with them! 

Where we stayed in Krabi: Nomads

Day 118 – 121: Koh Phi Phi 

We hopped on a boat to Koh Phi Phi and as we pulled up, I fell in love. I loved Phi Phi as you could walk the whole island in a couple of hours and yet still find funky cafés and bars every time you wandered. 

In Phi Phi, we did one of my favourite boat tours as well as spending a lot of our time exploring; oh and we also got a bamboo tattoo! 

Where we stayed in Koh Phi Phi: Dormsin

Day 121 – 123: Phuket 

We only really spent one day in Phuket, similarly to Krabi, we arrived late and left early. But what we saw of Phuket we loved. We spent our one night here exploring and came across a huge night market with some awesome food as well as clothes, accessories and other bits and bobs for sale. 

Day 123 – 128: Koh Phangan 

Our first few days in Koh Phangan were absolutely incredible. We partied every night and snorkelled a lot. And to be honest, we just loved it. 

Where we stayed in Koh Phangan: Phanganist

Day 128 – 131: Koh Tao 

We caught a ferry to Koh Tao from Koh Phangan and within a few hours we decided that we wanted to go back to the party island. 

Koh Tao is very popular for diving, which unfortunately, we didn’t have the budget for at the time. We spent our couple of days here relaxing on the beach and exploring the main strip. 

Where we stayed in Koh Tao:  Prik Thai Resort

Day 131 – 138: Back to Koh Phangan 

So, we returned to Koh Phangan and spent just over a week partying here again. This time attending the full moon festival at Haad Rin beach!! The full moon has always been something that I have wanted to attend so when Brit & I found out we were just a few days short, we changed up our itinerary to fit some extra partying in! This resulted in a lot of hangovers and Brit needing 4 stitches… sidenote – always wear shoes. 

Where we stayed in Koh Phangan the second time: ​ My Palace Inn

Day 138 – 139: Bangkok 

Before starting our SEA Adventure with the Dragon Trip , we spent one night in Bangkok as we were flying from Bangkok to Laos the next morning. We spent all of day 138 travelling all the way from Koh Phangan to Bangkok, which was around 12 hours and consisted of both ferries and bus.

Day 139 – 145: Laos

Laos was our first destination of our 31 Day Southeast Asia tour with the Dragon Trip!

The Dragon Trip: 31 Day South East Asia Adventure Tour – REVIEW

Day 139 – 142: luang prabang.

We flew into Luang Prabang from Bangkok and at the visa control, we spent about 40 minutes trying to look for/borrow a pen to write out our arrival card so, little tip – bring a pen. Once we cleared that, we got a mini-van type taxi to our hostel, ready to meet the other dragons tomorrow!

One of my all time favourite places is located in Luang Prabang, and that’s Kuang Si Falls. We loved exploring Luang Prabang! We visited Wat Xieng Thong, popped by the night market and also ate some of the best food ever!

Where we stayed in Luang Prabang: Vongprachan Backpackers Hostel

Day 142 – 145: Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is most famous amongst backpackers for what is pictured below… Tubing down Nam Song river and stopping off at bars along the way! When we visited it was absolutely chucking it down but we still had the bestest time. We also headed to the blue lagoons and spent the day jumping off of the platforms and relaxing.

Where we stayed in Vang Vieng: Vangvieng Rock Backpacker Hostel

LAOS ROUND UP:

Although we only spent just under a week in Laos, it was great. A lot of people suggest to do Laos in 2 weeks but I really think that our time here was just about right. The only thing I really regret about our time in Laos is that we didn’t visit the capital, Vientiane. Vientiane is on nearly every backpacker’s route in Laos, and it must be for good reason, so I’m kinda sad we didn’t get to visit but again – got my whole life ahead of me for that.

Day 145 – 166: Vietnam 

We then flew from Vang Vieng as a group to Hanoi where we were then picked up by our Vietnam tour guide! 

Day 145 – 150: Hanoi 

Most of our time in Hanoi was spent partying and then recovering from that. We visited the Hoa Lo Prison which was very interesting as well as checking out the iconic “train street”. 

Where we stayed in Hanoi: Hanoi Central Backpackers Hostel

Day 150 – 154: Sa Pa

From Hanoi we got our first sleeper bus in Vietnam – very strange. We spent our first day in Sa Pa hiking around and checking out the beautiful views. 

After this monstrous trek, we then stayed with a local family in a small village. Whilst here, we explored the tiny village and enjoyed trying out the local food and lifestyle.

Where we stayed in Sa Pa: Whilst in Sa Pa, we stayed in a homestay in a tiny little village. 

Day 154 – 155: Ha Long Bay

From Sa Pa, we got a mini bus and then hopped onto our booze cruise. We spent all day cruising, stopping off a lot to jump in from the boat or snorkel. 

We then spent the night in a small beach party hostel! 

I can’t remember where we stayed in Ha Long Bay! 

Day 155 – 159: Phong Nha 

Phong Nha isn’t your ‘typical’ backpacker spot in Vietnam, but I really enjoyed our time there! We rented scooters and rode to ‘Pub with cold beer’ as well as singing our hearts out at karaoke and enjoying local nightlife. 

Where we stayed in Phong Nha: Phong Nha Gecko Hostel

Day 159 – 162: Hội An 

Hội An is my favourite place in Vietnam (typical backpacker, I know). I loved exploring all the funky shops, cafés, markets and bars so much. Hội An is also where we got to do and see so much, like ride in a lantern boat, go cycling and take an educational bucket boat ride. 

Where we stayed in Hoi An: Backhome Hostel & Bar

Day 162 – 166: Ho Chi Minh City 

We spent a lot of our time in Ho Chi Minh learning about the history and exploring the nightlife. Whilst here, we also checked out the floating market and the Tra Su Forest.

Where we stayed in Ho Chi Minh: VBH Saigon

VIETNAM ROUND UP: 

Honestly, Vietnam is one of my favourite countries. There was so much for us to see and do, including it’s rich history and culture, beautiful scenery, the crazy nightlife, as well as some of the best food I’ve had. I think I loved Vietnam so much because it really is a mix of everything. My biggest regret with Vietnam is trying to rush it. Speaking to all the backpackers we met there, there was so much we had missed and I wished we had taken things at our own pace rather than tour group fast. When I return (which I definitely will), I want to visit Huế, Trang An & Cuc Phuong National Park, and Da Lat. 

Day 166 – 174: Cambodia 

From Ho Chi Minh, we spent the day at the floating market and then onto the Tra Su Forest, where we then spent the night in Ha Tien (at Ha Tien Happy Hotel) before making our way to Cambodia. 

Our Vietnam tour guide took us to the border crossing at Ha Tien. When crossing the border into Cambodia, we had a little issue where the officials tried to get more money off of us, and I think if it were not for being in a group of backpackers, we would’ve fell for it. On the other side we met our Cambodia tour guide and took a bus to Sihanoukville before catching a boat to Koh Rong island. 

Day 166 – 169: Koh Rong 

We spent 3 nights on Koh Rong island. The first at a small campsite on a private section of the island. We spent the day on a boat snorkelling and also catching the fish that we would then eat later. There are multiple bioluminescent bays across the world , and that evening, we were able to swim with the  bioluminescent plankton – which was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced. We then spent the night sleeping in hammocks under the stars on the edge of the beach. It was absolutely insane. 

The next 2 nights we spent at another part of the island, nearer to the main part. We spent our time here relaxing on the beach, sleeping in hammocks, and heading to Police Beach to rave. 

Where we stayed in Koh Rong: Malibu Hostel

Day 169 – 171: Phnom Penh

We got a boat back to Sihanoukville and then a bus to Phnom Penh. Our first day in Phnom Penh was spent mostly travelling and as soon as we arrived we hit the bar. 

The next day we visited the S21 prison and then the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.

Where we stayed in Phnom Penh: Mad Monkey  

Day 171 – 174: Siem Reap

I loved our time in Siem Reap. Coincidentally, it was Songkran for the entirety of our stay. This definitely spiced things up! On our first day in Siem Reap we tried some bugs and met a local family, and then spent the afternoon having fun at the hostel. We actually also bumped into a friend that we’d made in Thailand at the hostel so we had a good catch up with him. 

The next morning we were up at 4:30am to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. After watching the sunrise, we then stopped off at a few of the other temples of Angkor.

The Ultimate Angkor Wat Guide

Then some pals and I spent all night having fun at the main strip of Cambodia and enjoying Songkran. People were throwing flour and there were water guns, water balloons and also huge hoses involved. It was a once in a life time opportunity and I’m so glad I got to experience it. 

On our last day in Cambodia, we spent all day partying at the hostel, not ready for the long journey back to Bangkok in the morning. 

Where we stayed in Siem Reap: Funky Flashpacker  

CAMBODIA ROUND UP:

I feel like I’ve said this for every country now, but I loved Cambodia. I wish we could’ve stayed longer in Siem Reap to experience more of Songkran but also to see it in day-to-day life and check out the markets. 

Day 174 – 187: Back to Thailand

Day 174 – 179: bangkok .

We caught a 10 hour bus to Bangkok from Siem Reap. This was the longest bus journey EVER. We then also had to queue for 5 hours at the land border crossing, in the 37 °C heat with no air con or fans. Honestly this was the worst part of my whole Dragon Trip 31 day adventure, and it’s obvious why. 

We finally arrived at our hostel in Bangkok at 11pm, and we all fell straight to sleep. The rest of our time in Bangkok was spent exploring. We checked out Khao San road, and also tried to see the Grand Palace and Wat Pho Temple but the queues were huge and it was way too hot to stand outside in them all day. 

My favourite thing we did was spending the day at Chatuchak market – the largest market in Thailand, with over 15,000 stalls!!! Make sure you do your research and get a map, it’s so easy to get lost inside.

Where we stayed in Bangkok: Yaks House Hostel

Day 179 – 180: Chiang Mai 

We only stayed one night in Chiang Mai itself, and this is one of the biggest things I regret about my time in Thailand. But unfortunately, we were on a very tight schedule as we started our volunteering week the morning after and then flew out to India the night it finished, so really, we just didn’t have the time. 

Whilst in Chiang Mai, we wondered around the town and explored the street market which was awesome. 

Where we stayed in Chiang Mai: Rainforest ChiangMai Hotel

Day 180 – 187: Elephant Nature Park 

We then spent just under a week living and working at Elephant Nature Park , just north of Chiang Mai. Although a lot of this week consisted of picking up shit, it’s one of the best weeks of my life. I absolutely loved working alongside Elephants and getting to see these beautiful beings up close in an ethical way, was incredible. 

My Time Volunteering At Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand

THAILAND ROUND UP:

My time in Thailand was longer than I’d planned, but not long enough. I’m grateful that we got to visit a lot of the islands as well as some of the North but my biggest regret with Thailand is not seeing more of North Thailand. 

End notes...

So there we have it. That’s my 6 month Southeast Asia itinerary! As you probably can tell, I loved every bit of this trip and the only things I regret are not spending more time in places, and not visiting more. But obviously in 6 months you can’t do everything. 

This trip really changed who I am and if you wanted to check out the rest of my time away, you can by looking through my Gap Year category and also by searching via destinations . 

If you have any thoughts or questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

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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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Malaysia , Thailand , The Philippines , Vietnam

3 month southeast asia itinerary & backpacking route.

Table of Contents

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Looking for the perfect Southeast Asia itinerary for 3 months? You found it! There are so many fascinating destinations and beautiful sights to see in this region. If you have no idea where to start or how to get around, fret not as I’m sharing my tried and tested Southeast Asia backpacking route.

Read next: 101 Southeast Asia travel tips

Where to go during 3 months in Southeast Asia

The countries I’ll be talking about in this blog are Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. If you’ve yet to decide which countries to visit, you might be best off reading my guide to the best things to do in Southeast Asia ordered by country. If you know where you want to go, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, I’ll share 3 travel itineraries for spending 3 months in Southeast Asia. The first is for the big four: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam . This Asia backpacking route can be explored entirely by land with no flights needed. The second two Southeast Asia itineraries include Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines although, a word to the wise, I don’t recommend trying to see all eight countries in three months. It would be insanely busy!

3 MONTHS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ESSENTIALS Copy of Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a shoestring Book buses and trains: 12GoAsia Book flights on Skyscanner Accommodation: Browse Hostels (Hostelworld) // Browse hotels (Booking.com) Tours: GetYourGuide For foodies: A Chef’s Tour Stay connected: an Airalo e-SIM for 18 Asian countries Travel insurance:  True Traveller  (European travellers) /  Hey Mundo  (other nationalities) /  Safety Wing  (digital nomads) Essential reading: Things to do Southeast Asia / Vietnam travel guide / Backpacking the Philippines / Malaysia itinerary / Bali itinerary

Before we get stuck into my Southeast Asia backpacking itinerary, I want to share…

The perfect Southeast Asia backpacking route

I believe I’ve hacked the perfect route around Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It was trial and error because I definitely did it ‘wrong’ during my first trip. My first attempt at a Southeast Asia backpacking route was from northern to southern Laos to visit Four Thousand Islands on the border of Cambodia only to travel back up (which took almost two days!) for my flight to Vietnam. Then I ended up in Cambodia two months later. In retrospect, there’s a more sensible route…

Perfect Southeast Asia backpack route:

• After seeing Thailand, take the slow boat from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang, Laos
• Travel down Laos by bus to the Four Thousand Islands
• Cross the border to Cambodia
• After seeing Cambodia, cross the border to Vietnam (by boat or bus) and arrive in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh)
• Travel up Vietnam and finish in Hanoi.

I believe this is the perfect Southeast Asia backpacking route. You won’t pay for any flights (which is great for Planet Earth) and you’ll take the more adventurous, scenic route. This 3 month Southeast Asia backpacking route doesn’t include Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines or Indonesia so keep reading as I’ll include an itinerary for these later.

How to get around Southeast Asia

One of the best things about backpacking Southeast Asia is how easy and affordable it is to get about. Here are the main options: Flights – there are numerous budget airlines in Asia including Nok Air, Lion Air, Scoot and Air Asia. Book them on AirAsia or Skyscanner . Buses – this is a popular way to travel in Asia and usually my preferred option. Many of the Southeast Asia backpacker buses are comfortable with reclining seats, aircon, and snacks included with the ticket. Use 12GoAsia to book and compare prices. Trains – you can travel by train in various parts of Southeast Asia. These are a scenic way to travel and usually very comfortable. Trains can also be booked on 12GoAsia . Boat – don’t overlook boat as a way to get around. The slow boat from Northern Thailand to Laos and the bus and boat along the Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam are adventures in their own right.

My top tip for backpacking Southeast Asia – travel early in the morning for short journeys and throughout the night for longer ones. Yes, it feels a bit rough but it saves you so much valuable time.

How long to spend in Southeast Asia

How long is a piece of string? I spent almost a year in Southeast Asia from 2015-16 and another year from 2018-19. But I’m aware most people probably don’t have that much time on their hands, especially if they don’t work online. I would suggest spending 3 months in Southeast Asia at a minimum. The following 3 month Southeast Asia backpacking itinerary will help you see the best of the region. Note – these itineraries are busy and fast-paced to incorporate as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to stay longer in places you love and miss a few stops!

Want to stay connected while travelling? Download an Airalo e-SIM and connect as soon as you land in Asia. Browse packages for individual countries or get the Asialink card for 18 countries.

#1 – Southeast Asia 3 month itinerary (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam)

This Southeast Asia backpacking itinerary is a classic. This popular section of what’s often called the ‘Banana Pancake trail’ is the perfect place for beginner travellers, solo travellers and those who’ve never backpacked before. It’s safe, affordable and you’ll meet plenty of other travellers. There are beaches, adrenaline adventures and bucket list experiences aplenty…

Overview: 1 month Thailand , 2 weeks Laos, 2 weeks Cambodia and 1 month Vietnam .

Weeks 1-2: Southern Thailand

After flying into Bangkok, make your way down to the islands by night bus or flight. There are two main clusters of Thai islands : – Koh Tao (famous for diving), Koh Samui and Koh Phanang (famous for the Full Moon Party) off the east coast – Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Koh Yao Yai further south off Krabi on the west coast. If you have 2 weeks in Thailand, include these stops in your 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary…

Days 1-2: Bangkok. A two-day Bangkok itinerary is enough time to see highlights including the Grand Palace , Wat Pho , Wat Arun and Chinatown. Catch a flight to… Days 3-4: Koh Samui . Visit the Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai Temple and explore beaches and waterfalls – you can also join this tour to explore. Swap this stop for Koh Phangan if it times with a Full Moon Party. Read about the differences between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan . Days 5-7: Koh Tao. Try diving and spend longer if you wish to complete your Open Water diving qualification. Catch a ferry to Surat Thani and a bus to… Days 8-10: Krabi. Explore Railay Beach and its caves, hike to Wat Tham Sua temple, and visit Krabi Hot Springs. Days 11-12: Koh Lanta . My favourite Thai island has loads to do from boat trips, kayaking, volunteering at Lanta Animal Welfare and visiting caves, beaches and national parks. Days 13-14: Koh Phi Phi or, if you’re not a fan of parties, visit quieter Koh Yao Yai .

Read next: the ultimate guide to solo female travel in Thailand

Weeks 3-4: Bangkok and Northern Thailand

After two weeks of island paradise, get your culture fix by travelling back to Bangkok and making your way towards Northern Thailand. The mountains, countryside and temples are a total contract to the south. Here’s my itinerary for 2 weeks in Northern Thailand : Days 15-16: Return to Bangkok. Take a trip to Ayutthaya , Thailand’s ancient temple site.

Days 17:18 : Take a bus or train to Sukhothai , a UNESCO site populated from 1238 until 1438. Days 19-21: Chiang Mai. This small city in Northern Thailand is one of my favourites in Asia. Take a bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai or catch a flight. Check out my Chiang Mai itinerary . Days 22-24: Pai. This hippie town in the mountains is a lovely spot for a couple of days exploring hot springs and Pai Canyon.

Days 25-26: Head back to Chiang Mai and take a trip to Doi Inthanon National Park with GetYourGuide . Alternatively, take longer overnight hikes from Chiang Mai . Days 27-29: Chiang Rai. Not only is this town a fantastic place for temple-hopping but it’s an essential stop if you’re heading to Laos. Tour companies will take you to Huay Xai to begin the boat ride. Check out my 2 day Chiang Rai itinerary . Day 30: Slow boat to Laos. Follow my Southeast Asia backpacking route by taking a 2-day slow boat from Thailand to Laos and soaking up some amazing scenery along the way.

Weeks 5-6: Laos

The small, landlocked country of Laos may be lesser-visited but it’s well worth including in your 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary. Here’s how to spend 2 weeks…

Days 33-36: Luang Prabang. The slow boat from Thailand arrives in Luang Prabang. Things to do in Luang Prabang include temple-hopping, shopping and eating at the night market, watching sunset from Mount Phusi and swimming in Kuang Si Waterfall. Days 37-38: Vang Vieng: Spend a couple of days in eco-adventure paradise, kayaking, canoeing, abseiling and trekking.

The most popular tours in Vang Vieng:

• 🛶 Experience adventure in Vang Vieng by kayaking on the Nam Song River and tubing inside Tham Nam None Cave with this tour
• 🏞️ Enjoy an easy half-day zip lining experience surrounded by green beautiful forests and mountains
• ⛰️ Discover some of the most beautiful caves and trails available in Vang Vieng with this full day trekking tour

Days 39-40: Vientiane : The capital of Laos has a few cool attractions including Pha That Luang temple and Buddha Park . It’s also a good place to try tasty Vientiane food . Days 40-41: Kong Lor Caves. These huge limestone caves in central Laos can be explored by boat. Days 42-44: Pakse . Travel from Kong Lor to Pakse. Visit Wat Luang Temple and learn about the region’s culture at Champasak Historical Heritage Museum. Days 45-47: Don Det, Four Thousand Islands. Three months in Southeast Asia can be busy so take some time to relax. The Four Thousand Islands are scattered in the Mekong connecting Laos and Cambodia. Bag yourself a $5 beach hut on Don Det and book a kayaking tour to spot river dolphins.

When you’re done, continue my Southeast Asia backpacking route by booking your transportation from Don Det to Siem Reap, Cambodia .

Weeks 7-8: Cambodia

Days 48-51: Siem Reap . It wouldn’t be a trip to Cambodia without marvelling at Angkor Wat , a Hindu temple site dating back to the 12th century. Stay in Siem Reap town and hire a tuk-tuk driver who will bring you to the temples for sunrise.

Days 53-53: Kep . Once an elite French seaside town, Kep is now a popular stop for travellers. Hike in Kep National Park, soak up the sunset and sample fresh seafood. Days 54-55: Kampot. This is favourite stop for foodie travellers who come from far and wide to sample famous Kampot crab seasoned with Kampot pepper. Days 56-57: Koh Rong . Travel from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong island known for its diving, snorkelling and lively beach bars. Days 58-59: Koh Rong Samloem . Take a trip to the smaller and more peaceful Koh Rong Samloem. There are fewer busy beach bars and more empty beaches.

Days 60-62: Phnom Penh. Explore Cambodia’s capital and visit tragic but important locations, the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide . Book activities on GetYourGuide . Afterwards, catch a 3-day boat and bus combo ticket from Phnom Penh to Saigon .

Weeks 9-12: Vietnam

I adore Vietnam! It’s well placed on the Southeast Asia backing route and home to cities, beaches, mountains and more. Spend four weeks here to finish up your Southeast Asia itinerary.

Read next: The ultimate Vietnam itinerary

Days 65-68: Saigon . Explore the War Remnants Museum, Chu Chi Tunnels, Walking Street and Ben Thanh Market. Follow my Saigon itinerary .

Days 69-70: Mui Ne . Try your hand at sandboarding. Days 71-72: Da Lat . This cool, mountainous part of Vietnam is known for coffee, canyoning and countryside tours . Day 73-74: Nha Trang . I don’t love Nha Trang but you’ll need to stop over to break up the journey up the coast. Take a trip to the nearby hot spas. Days 75-78: Hoi An . This quaint city is a must for any Southeast Asia backpack itinerary. Include the Ancient Town and My Son Temples in your Hoi An itinerary . Day 79: the Hai Van Pass . Cruise the coastline by scooter or Jeep to soak up some of Vietnam’s best scenery. Days 80-81: Hue . Spend 2 days in Hue to explore Vietnam’s ancient capital and explore the temples.

Read next: guide to travelling solo in Vietnam as a woman

Days 82-83: Phong Nha National Park . The largest caves in the worlds are found in Phong Nha . Take day trips from the town at the centre of the national park. Board a night bus to… Days 84-85: Ninh Binh.  Spend 2 days in Ninh Binh . Explore mountains and countryside temples. Days 86-87: Hanoi. Vietnam’s atmospheric capital is one of my favourite places. Spend 3 days in Hanoi to catch the highlights. Days 88-90: Sapa.  A few days hiking in Sapa is a must for nature lovers. Days 91-93: Ha Long Bay.  Spend a couple of nights cruising between islands in Ha Long Bay. Book a 2-day Hanoi cruise to finish your 3 month trip!

3 month Southeast Asia itinerary – more than the big 4!

Want to do more than Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia? I don’t blame you. The next two Southeast Asia itineraries include some of my other favourite countries. Add to your Southeast Asia backpacking route:

Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore , Indonesia and the Philippines

#2 – Southeast Asia itinerary (inc Myanmar and Malaysia)

This 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary is similar to the one above but it spends a little less time in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos to allow for a month exploring Myanmar and Malaysia .

Overview: 2 weeks in Malaysia, 3 weeks in Thailand, 2 weeks in Myanmar, 10 days in Laos, 10 days in Cambodia, 2 weeks in Vietnam

Weeks 1-2: Malaysia

Malaysia is truly one of my favourite countries which is why I recommend visiting during your 3 months in Southeast Asia. In my 2 week Malaysia itinerary , I share three different itineraries suited to city, beach and nature lovers. Here’s a quick overview:

Days 1-2: Kuala Lumpur. Explore highlights in the Malaysian capital like the Petronas Towers, Chinatown, the Batu Caves and Little India. Use my 2 day KL itinerary to plan your trip. Days 3-5: Taman Negara . This ancient rainforest and national park in central Malaysia makes a great escape from the big city. You can stay overnight (I spent 3 days trekking and spotting wildlife on guided nature walks) or if you’re short on time, take a day tour from KL . Days 6-8: Cameron Highlands. Drink tea in the cool, lofty climate of this ex-British hill station. Days 9-11: Penang. Stay in Georgetown and explore the vibrant capital of Penang Island. Once you’re done with street art , street food , cool cafes and culture, you can take a day trip to Kek Lok Si Temple .

Days 12-14: Langkawi . Spend a few days snorkelling, beach-basking, taking boat trips and other activities in Langkawi , Malaysia’s most beautiful island.

How to get from Malaysia to Thailand: Of course you can fly from KL or Penang airports but this Southeast Asia backpacking route is all about overlanding! You can travel by bus and boat from Langkawi to the Thai islands without catching a flight. The Langkawi ferry arrives into Koh Lipe from where you can catch another ferry to Koh Lanta.

Week 3-6: Thailand

Spend 2-3 weeks in Southern Thailand depending how much you like beaches and nightlife. An itinerary could look like this (for descriptions about these places, see my #1 itinerary above). Days 16-19: Koh Lanta . Relax in island paradise. Days 20-21: Koh Phi Phi . Party and snorkel. Days 22-23: Krabi . Visit beaches and rock climb. Days 24-26: Koh Tao . Try your hand at diving or check out Koh Samui or Phangan instead. Days 27-30: Bangkok . Explore the Grand Palace and eat street food. Days 31-34: Chiang Mai . Visit temples and night markets. Head from Chiang Mai to Myanmar by bus or flight.

Week 6-7: Myanmar

Note – in 2022, Myanmar is not safe for travel due to the political situation. I will update this post if this changes. One of the most captivating and culturally rich countries I’ve been to is Myanmar, a must for your 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary. Tourism is still fresh compared to Thailand and it’s the perfect place to get off-the-beaten-track and see how locals live. Here’s how to spend 2 weeks… Days 35-36: Yangon. Explore the vibrant and busy city of Yangon. Visit 99-metre Shwedagon Pagoda, eat barbecued seafood on 19th Street, walk around Kandawgyi Lake and take a trip to pilgrimage site, the Golden Rock. Days 37-40: Bagan. With 1,000 years of history and hundreds of ancient temples to explore, there’s nowhere quite like Old Bagan. Stay within the temple site and explore the countryside by e-bike or day tour , finding shrines and pagodas as you go.

Days 41-43: Kalaw to Inle Lake trek. Arrive by bus into Kalaw and locate Sam’s Family restaurant and trekking company. They’ll take you on a multi-day adventure through the countryside destined for Inle Lake. Days 44-45: Inle Lake. Spend a few days exploring Inle Lake by boat, watching local fishermen row with their feet and visiting floating markets. Finish your day with a sunset Inle Lake tour . Days 46-48: Mandalay. Visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, travel to U Bein Bridge and watch sunset from the top of Mandalay Hill.

From Myanmar, fly back to Northern Thailand. When you arrive back in Chiang Mai, you can continue your Southeast Asia backpacking trip by taking a bus to Chiang Rai and boarding the slow boat to Laos. Alternatively, fly into Luang Prabang.

Week 8-9: Laos

Spend 2 weeks exploring the highlights of Laos. For descriptions about these stops, see my #1 itinerary above. Days 50-52: Luang Prabang. Visit temples and swim in Kuang Si Falls. Days 53-54: Vang Vieng. Try adrenaline activities and explore the countryside. Days 55-56: Vientiane . Visit the Laos capital. Days 57-58: Kong Lor . Cruise through this enormous cave complex by boat. Days 59-60: Pakse. Stop overnight. Days 61-63: Don Det, Four Thousand Islands. Relax and kayak to see river dolphins.

Week 9-10: Cambodia

Spend 2 weeks exploring the highlights of Laos. For descriptions about these stops, see my #1 Southeast Asia itinerary above. Days 65-67: Siem Reap . Explore Angkor Wat. Days 68-69: Kep . Relax and hike. Days 70-71: Kampot . Eat Kambot crab. Days 72-73: Koh Rong . Party and snorkel. Days 74-75: Koh Rong Samloem . Chill in paradise. Days 76-78: Phnom Penh. Catch a boat and bus combo ticket towards Saigon or for a quicker journey, a bus from Phnom Penh to Saigon.

Weeks 10-12: Vietnam

With two weeks in Vietnam, following this itinerary. Check out my 2 week Vietnam itinerary for more details. Days 80-81: Saigon. Explore War history and eat street food. Days 82-85: Hoi An. Soak up Hoi An Ancient Town and take day trips. Catch a night train from Da Nang to Hanoi. Days 86-87: Hanoi. Shop and eat in Hanoi Old Quater. Days 88-90: Ha Long Bay. Take a 1 or 2-night boat cruise. Days 91-93: Sapa. Hike in the mountains to finish this Asia itinerary.

#3 – Southeast Asia itinerary (inc Indonesia and the Philippines) 

For this final Southeast Asia backpacking itinerary, I’ll include two of my favourite countries: Indonesia and the Philippines. If you’re keen for beaches, diving and island-hopping, this is the Asia itinerary for you!

Overview: 2 weeks in Thailand, 1 week in Laos, 1 week in Cambodia, 2 weeks in Vietnam, 3 weeks in Indonesia, 3 weeks in the Philippines

Weeks 1-2: Thailand

Spend a week in the Southern Islands and a week in the North. For descriptions about these places, see my #1 Southeast Asia itinerary for 3 months (above). Days 1-2: Bangkok . Visit temples, museums, eat and party. Days 3-4: Krabi . Hike and rock climb. Days 5-7: Koh Lanta . Relax, snorkel and hike. Days 8-10: Koh Phi Phi . Enjoy the nightlife. Catch a ferry to Phuket and flight to… Days 11-13: Chiang Mai . Take cooking courses and visit temples. Days 13-14: Chiang Rai. Board the slow boat to Laos from Huay Xai.

Week 3: Laos

For a flying trip to Laos, stick to three locations. For descriptions about these places, see my #1 itinerary above. Days 16-17: Luang Prabang . Eat, temple-hop and chase waterfalls. Days 18-19: Vang Vieng. Take eco tours. Days 20-23: Don Det, Four Thousand Islands . Relax, unwind and spot dolphins.

Week 4: Cambodia

For a flying trip to Cambodia, stick to three locations. For descriptions about these places, see my #1 itinerary above. Days 25-26: Siem Reap . Marvel at Angkor Wat. Days 27-28: Kampot. Beaches and seafood. Days 29-30: Phnom Penh. Museums and history.

Weeks 5-6: Vietnam

Spend a glorious two weeks catching the highlights of Vietnam. Follow my 2 week Vietnam itinerary mentioned above. Days 33-34: Saigon. History and street food. Days 35-37: Hoi An. Wander lantern-lined streets and visit Hoi An cafes . Days 38-40: Hanoi. Explore the vibrant capital. Days 41-43: Ha Long Bay . Take a boat cruise . Days 44-45: Sapa. Hiker’s paradise!

Weeks 7-9: Indonesia

The captivating country of Indonesia is comprised of 17,000 islands, of which Bali, Lombok, the Gili trio and the Nusa islands are the most popular and accessible on the Southeast Asia backpacking route. While there are countless lesser-visited islands to explore, with just 3 weeks in Indonesia , I would suggest exploring both Java and Bali. Follow my Asia backpacking itinerary…

Week 7 (days 46-53): Java . Fly into Yogyakarta (you may need to transfer in Jakarta), the culture capital of Java island. Spend up to four days in Yogyakarta to explore the city’s highlights, sample Javanese food and take a day trip to Borobudur and Prambanan temple sites. Head overland towards Mount Bromo, an active volcano that you can hike for sunrise. Fly from Juanda Airport into Denpasar, Bali. Alternatively, take an overland tour (usually lasting 9 days) from Yogyakarta to Bali visiting Malang and Mount Bromo en route. This arrives in Bali by ferry. Weeks 8-9 (days 54-68) Bali : Spend two weeks in Bali to get the best of the island, from rich Hindu culture, unique Balinese architecture and fresh, veggie-friendly Balinese cuisine . Be sure to get off-the-beaten-track and find the Bali hidden gems especially in North Bali !

2 weeks in Bali

– 3 days in Ubud . Visit temples, rice fields, do yoga and indulge in the Ubud food scene. – 3 days in Canggu . Relax, eat, surf, repeat! – 3 days in Uluwatu . Visit Uluwatu Temple for sunset. – 4 days on Nusa Penida island. Swim with manta rays!

Weeks 9-12: The Philippines

I spent two whole months in the Philippines and can safely say it’s one of the most beautiful countries on earth. If you don’t have that long, no worries – just follow this Southeast Asia itinerary for 3 months. This condensed version whizzes around the Philippines’ highlights in just 3 weeks. There are countless Filipino islands to visit so do your research and pick the ones best suited to you. This 3 week Philippines itinerary includes Coron, Palawan, Cebu and Siargao. Day 69: Manilla. I didn’t love this city so I would recommend moving on fairly quickly to… Days 70-73: Coron . On this picture-perfect island, you can dive a shipwreck and explore beaches aplenty. Day 74: Ferry to El Nido , Palawan .

Days 75-77: Island hop in El Nido . Spend a couple of days taking boat trips, hiking to Taraw Peak and visiting Nacpan Beach. Days 78-79: Port Barton . Take more boat trips in Port Barton and find hidden gems in this less touristic version of El Nido. Days 80-82: Puerto Princesa . Visit the Underground River and watch prisoners perform hip hop dance shows to aid their rehabilitation at Iwahig Jail . Day 83: Fly to Cebu . This busy city isn’t the greatest so I’d suggest boarding a bus to… Days 84-86: Moalboal . Here you can snorkel with turtles and sardine shoals, hike to Osmena Peak and swim in Kawasan Falls. Days 87-90: Siargao. Finish your Southeast Asia itinerary in paradise! Things to do in Siargao include learning to surf and taking boat trips to nearby islands. To spend more time here, consider skipping Cebu and Moalboal.

Essentials for 3 months in Southeast Asia

• A power bank to keep your devices alive
• Copy of Lonely Planet Southeast Asia
• A GoPro if you’re into making videos – I use the HERO8 Black
• Sustainability: stainless steel reusable water bottle to reduce the use of plastic bottles
• Alternatively, a filtering water bottle that allows you to safely drink tap water
• Travel luggage: Osprey Farpoint backpack ( men’s ) ( women’s )
• Microfibre quick-drying towel
• Security: A handy bum bag with secure zip .

Southeast Asia bucket list

Check out my ultimate Asia bucket list including 101 experiences to tick off during your Southeast Asia itinerary for 3 months. For a quick rundown, here are my top 15… – Go temple-hopping in Chiang Mai – Take a Muay Thai boxing class – Celebrate Songkran Festival in Bangkok – Cruise through Ha Long Bay by boat in Vietnam – Watch sunset over Angkor Wat – Trek through misty mountains and earn about minority groups during a Sapa tour in Vietnam – Eat famous Penang street food in Malaysia – Climb the rainbow staircase at the Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur – Visit the world’s largest Buddhist temple site, Borobudur on Java Island, Indonesia – Dive with manta rays around the Nusa Islands, Indonesia – Dive a shipwreck in Coron, the Philippines – Take a cooking class in Hoi An, Vietnam (or anywhere else!) – Stay in a hostel and explore the nightlife with new friends – Learn a few words of a new language – Learn a new skill like kayaking, surfing or boxing.

Thanks for reading my Southeast Asia backpacking itinerary!

I hope you find it easy to follow my Southeast Asia backpacking route and have countless fantastic experiences along the way! Let me know how you get on.

If you liked it, please share it!

See you next time for more adventures,

Ps. Liked my 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary? Pin it for later! 

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

41 thoughts on “ 3 Month Southeast Asia Itinerary & Backpacking Route ”

What was your daily budget in SO Asia?

Probably about £30 per day!

The last plan is insane! i genuinely think i wanna follow it and do it! one thing tho, how do you commute between all these spots? it will be my first time travelling solo, so a bit nervous as you can imagine

Hello! Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam can all be done by land (mainly bus), Bali you usually need taxis to get around, and Philippines is about flights and boats! Most things can be booked there: just ask at your accom! 🙂 enjoy your trip!

Suuuuch a great website – thank you so much for the insanely helpful info ✌️

Thanks Raph! Enjoy your trip

Hi such great itineraries! i would like to follow the last plan but im a bit unsure how to get from sapa to Indonesia ive tried googling flights but cant find any. Any help would be great thank you!

Hi Elle! Glad you liked them. I would suggest bussing it back to Hanoi to get a flight 🙂

Hi, I’m looking to do the same route for 3 months, do you know how much money you left more or less between everything, to have an idea of the budget to take, thanks.

Hi Mark! On a backpackers budget, I’d say you could do it for as little as $1000 a month 🙂

Hi, thank you for these itineraries they’re amazing! I’m thinking of doing the last one including the phillipines/indonesia – in terms of budgeting does the above budget of approx 1000 dollars a month include flights between countries etc? I can see for some of these they’re super cheap but some a bit pricier so just wanted to triple check. Thank you!

Hi Lara! Great question, I would say my budget of 1000 did not include flights as I mainly took buses where possible. Best add a bit to the budget for them!

Hi, your blog has been so useful for me in planning my backpacking trip next year, they’re great itineraries! I’m probably going to follow your 3 month itinerary for the big 4 to start with, as then have another 3 months to spend in Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. I was wondering if you had a map or link to map of your 3 month itinerary with all the locations you visited? As would be great to see how all the locations look on a map to plan travel between those. Thanks

Hi B! I just made and added a map for each itinerary so check back:)

Hey Rose, I love your plans!! Just a quick one about the big 4 how did you get between them without flights and how much did it cost you. Thankyou so much!

Hello! Cambodia to Thailand can be done by bus; Northern Thailand to Laos can be done by bus and boat; Laos to Cambodia can be done by land too and so can Southern Vietnam to Cambodia by bus and boat. The only place you’ll want to fly is Laos to Northern Vietnam as the bus is hellish.

Check 12go for prices!

Hey Rose, really enjoyed reading through your guide as i am preparing my trip to the south at the end of this year. I will do slight the opposite, as i will start in Hanói and make my way down these countries as i plan to end my trip in Australia!

My question is related to Visas! do you have a guide or any advice how i can easily manage to get visas between the different countries? I am slightly worried about this. Apologies if you have this information in your guide but could’t find it.

Hi Jay, glad you liked the guide and hope you have an amazing trip!

All the visas vary per country and depending on what your passport is, and they change from time to time. So I don’t like to give advice and it be wrong – so I would recommend researching them individually 🙂

Hi Rose! This post has been super helpful learning the must see spots and some suggestions with routes. I am planning to go to South East Asia starting Oct/Nov until end of April. Do you have any suggestion on where to start so the weather works in the countries along the way. (Wanting to hit the 6 countries you listed)

Hi Sophia, sounds like a great trip! To my knowledge, they are all pretty good in that season… Apart from Northern Vietna which is cold in winter so maybe you want to save that region until like March!

Hi Rose! How far would you book accomodation and flights in advance?

Hello – accommodation you can do last minute, but flights between Asian countries I’d do a month in advance. For your flights out to Asia, try and do a few months before!

Hi Rose Very helpful post! Would you say that May-July might be too hot/humid/rainy for doing Thailand (including the gulf-side islands), Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam? Ideally would be a better trip Jan- April but timing means I’m likely to travel in May/ June from the UK. I know Malaysia and Indonesia are fine/great May- Sept but seems less so for Thailand/Indochina. Any thoughts?

Hello! I have only been in Vietnam in that season and it’s pretty hot but you can work around it. Not too sure about the others, sorry!

Hey Rose, awesome itineraries thank you 🙂 How far in advance would you recommend booking cross-border trains, boats and buses between South East Asian countries?

Hello, just a day or so before is fine!

Really great article. Thanks for taking the time to explain things in such great detail in a way that is easy to understand.

Absolutely Brilliant Rose Old fart going solo and planning 9-10mths. It’s given me the heads up ive been looking for to look into. Its either 1 or 3 Tks

Hey David! Have a amazing time!

Hey! I love this itinerary. I want to travel to SOA beginning of next year and want to take a very similar route to this one. I initially planned Feb – Apr, but someone warned me about burning season in north Thailand & Laos. Do you have any experience with this issue & how bad is it? If I start in January, are my chances of avoiding this better? Anyway, thanks for this post, it’s helped me tons with planning!

Hello, yes it’s pretty bad! I would avoid the region in Feb and March. Hope you can work around it and have a fab trip!

Hi Rose, this is super helpful – thank you! My wife and I will be spending 6 months in SE Asia next year and want too also include Borneo to go and try and see the orangutans. Would you recommend going from Bali or after the Philippines (potentially on the way back to KL or Bangkok)

Hi Laura, thanks for reading! I think you’ll find it easier and cheaper to get a return flight from KL so maybe do it as a side trip from there? That’s what I did anyway!

Incredible post thank you! Saved for our trip in a year’s time!

Woah, I got tired and anxious whilst reading? Btw, how did you manage accomodations? Did you book them in advance or book them as you arrive to the place? There’s a lot of jumping.

Lol, yes a lot of travel can be tiring and I’m sure anxiety-inducing for some. I usually just book on Hostelworld on my phone the day before arriving!

Hi! Thank you for such detailed itineraries. I’m thinking of doing the last one but only Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Philippines (leaving out Laos and Vietnam). But I only have 6-8 weeks. Do you think this would be possible?

Hi Emma, yes I think so, I would spend the most time in Thailand and Malaysia… Maybe just pick 1-2 places in the Philippines as moving around islands is time consuming!

Hi Rose, Thank you so much for this itinerary! I was wondering (in terms of the 3-month big four trail) if it could work better to fly from the UK to Phuket and start there then work our way up to Bangkok so that we don’t have to double-back on ourselves? Then follow the rest of the trail from there. We are yet to book our flights and thought this could be a good option?

Hello yes great idea! Enjoy!

Thanks Paula!

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10 Days in Southeast Asia: Top 5 Itineraries (with Maps & Prices)

Southeast Asia is a fascinating and diverse region that offers a wealth of travel experiences. 10 days are enough to get a good general view of a single country or sample the top highlights of two countries.

In this article, we have carefully selected 5 itineraries for a 10-day trip in Southeast Asia for your inspiration.

• Which Southeast Asia Countries to See in 10 Days
• Itinerary 1: Thailand and Cambodia Itinerary (Most Chosen)
• Itinerary 2: Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary (More Rustic)
• Itinerary 3: Singapore and Bali Itinerary (Most Relaxing)
• Itinerary 4: Thailand Itinerary for Couples
• Itinerary 5: Vietnam Itinerary for Families

Costs for a 10-Day Southeast Asia Tour

Which countries to visit in southeast asia in 10 days.

For a 10-day trip to Southeast Asia, you're suggested to focus on one country or two neighboring countries to have an in-depth experience instead of rushing through multiple destinations. In addition, you would reduce travel fatigue and save money on transportation costs.

Thailand and Vietnam themselves are rich in various experiences, whether you're interested in beaches, mountains, historical sites, or cultural attractions. It is worth spending ten days or even longer in either country.

For more varied experiences, you could also combine Thailand and Vietnam in one tour .

While, if you are looking for a leisurely island tour or a romantic celebration, Singapore and Indonesia (mainly Bali) or tranquil Koh Samui are the best places to go for 10 days.

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

1. A Classic 10-Day Thailand and Cambodia Itinerary: Most Chosen

Thailand and Cambodia are the most popular showcases of Southeast Asia a wide variety of experiences: beautiful islands, majestic relics, diverse cultures, food adventures...

For a quick taste of SE Asia, you could stay 7 days in Thailand and 3 days in Cambodia. See the suggested itinerary below:

• Days 1–2: Bangkok
• Days 3–5: Siem Reap
• Days 6–7: Chiang Mai
• Days 8–10: Phuket

During your 10 days, your travel pace will transition from energetic to relaxed, from engaging Siem Reap and Bangkok to relaxing Chiang Mai and Phuket.

In Thailand, you're suggested to spend a week on its iconic highlights. Get close to the local city life in Bangkok. An elephant sanctuary, Thai cuisine cooking class, and a flower market would feature in your trip to Chiang Mai. Some free days on the beaches of Phuket are saved until last to refresh you before your journey home.

In Cambodia, Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat, is the key attraction that most people come to visit in Cambodia. You could explore it well in 3 days, as well as go to see life on Tonle Sap Lake.

If you're traveling as a family, our exclusive experiences , including a longtail boat ride, food hunting, and an ox cart ride through the countryside, would keep kids engaged.

If you're traveling as a couple , to create romantic moments, don't miss a sunset cocktail on Tonle Sap Lake and a sunset balloon ride over Angkor Wat. If your time allows, join in the mass lantern festivals in Chiang Mai (usually in November).

2. A 10-Day Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary: More Rustic

Compared with Thailand, Vietnam is more rustic and affordable. If you prefer countryside scenery and the laid-back vibe of SE Asia, 5 days in each country is advisable. Here is a well-planned itinerary for inspiration:

• Days 1–2: Phnom Penh
• Days 6–7: Hoi An
• Days 8–10: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay

During your 5 days in Cambodia, you'll discover its capital Phnom Penh and Cambodia's most famous attraction — Angkor Wat. You would get an in-depth experience with a scholar guide during our special walking tour of Angkor Wat .

For the other 5 days in Vietnam, relax in ancient Hoi An, the capital Hanoi, and breathtaking Ha Long Bay.

Apart from history-filled buildings, you could bike on picturesque country roads , paddle basket boats at a fishing village , and make your own lanterns in Hoi An.

In Hanoi, a foodie tour in the Old Quarter and a traditional water puppet show are highlights, especially for families with kids.

For a couple's trip, a 2-day Ha Long Bay cruise is a must. Travel with us for a private cruise to explore the unspoiled areas of Ha Long Bay in a more private and intimate setting.

Want a personalized itinerary? Simply contact us to see what we can do for you .

3. A 10-Day Singapore and Bali Itinerary: Most Relaxing

Singapore and Bali are excellent destinations for couples and families seeking a leisurely vacation in Southeast Asia.

Since Singapore is smaller than Bali, more travel time is suggested in Bali: 3 days in Singapore and 7 days in Bali. The following itinerary schedule is suggested: fast paced city to relaxed vibe island.

• Days 1–3: Singapore
• Days 4–6: Ubud, Bali
• Days 7–10: Beach time, Bali

In Singapore, food, culture, and cityscape views stand out as attractions. Its Night Safari is a unique and unforgettable night-time experience, especially suited for families with kids.

In Bali, we recommend dedicating three days to exploring Ubud and its cultural-town activities, jungle adventures, and rice terraces.

Thereafter, you could allocate four or more days to unwind and relax on Bali's beautiful beaches. Nusa Dua is a more family-friendly beach area with abundant water activities, while Uluwatu has a more serene and romantic atmosphere, which is ideal for couples .

If you have more time, you could extend your itinerary to nearby Indonesian islands, like Lembongan Island (an extra 2+ days) or Java (5+ days suggested), discovering more undisturbed tropical views and enjoying more peaceful island hours.

4. A 10-Day Thailand Itinerary for Couples

For a milestone romantic celebration, Thailand is the best choice with its fine resorts on tropical islands, abundant adult-only hotels, and exotic cultural celebrations.

Get some inspiration from the itinerary below:

• Days 3–7: Chiang Mai
• Days 8–10: Koh Samui

After exploring the city highlights in Bangkok, you would have the chance to experience the chaotic local life at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market.

In this 10-day itinerary, a highlight at Chiang Mai could be walking with elephants , which would bring you closer to this endearing species.

If you travel around November, the mass sky lantern release during the Yi Peng Festival would be an excellent opportunity for a romantic memory-maker for couples, in particular. Travel with us to have a premium experience: release your own lanterns into the sky, and capture enchanting moments with thousands of floating lanterns.

This itinerary also includes the island of Koh Samui. It offers tranquil private hours, luxury resorts, and fine dining that are ideal for a couple's big celebration. Contact us for swim-up pool rooms or hotels with infinity pools. Read more about planning a couple's trip to Southeast Asia >>>

If you're traveling with your family, you can also discover the family-friendly activities we offer in our well-organized Thailand family tour >>>

5. A Classic 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary for Families with Teenagers

Vietnam offers diverse experiences for families with teenagers, particularly if you want some interesting outdoor adventures.

The itinerary includes a mix of city tours, cultural experiences, and outdoor activities, making it a great way to keep teenagers engaged and interested throughout the trip.

Check the following hand-picked itinerary:

• Days 1–2: Arrival, Hanoi city tour
• Day 3: Ninh Binh day tour
• Days 4–5: Ha Long Bay cruise
• Day 6: Hoi An
• Days 7–8: Ho Chi Minh City
• Days 9–10: The Mekong Delta

A representative Vietnam trip would not be complete without charismatic capital Hanoi, picturesque Ha Long Bay, relaxing Hoi An, bustling Ho Chi Minh City, and vibrant floating markets in the Mekong Delta.

Besides these landmarks, you could explore off-the-beaten-path Ninh Binh . Your kids could get something thrilling to do when rowing a boat through a tunnel-like karst cave.

Our special farming experience and fishing tour would allow your children to see authentic local life. The Cu Chi Tunnels could be educational as well.

A water puppet show, the A O culture and art show, and an evening food tour would add more fun into your family trip.

Southeast Asia offers great value for money. A private tour in Southeast Asia is actually an affordable luxury, which would add exclusivity and convenience to your trip.

A 10-day Southeast Asia tour costs around US$200–250 per day per person, when offering quality 4/5-star hotels, nice meals, and private tailored touring. Kids below 10 would get around 30% to 50% discounts.

So, beyond the international flights from/to your country, you would need to spend around US$6,500–8,500 on a 10-day private trip for a family with 2 adults and 2 kids. For a couple, the cost would be around US$4,000–5,000.

Plan Your Trip to Southeast Asia

You are warmly welcomed to have us customize your trip based on your group size, interests, and other needs.

Read more 10-day itineraries in Southeast Asia:

• 5 Top Thailand Itineraries for 10 Days
• 10 Days in Vietnam: 5 Best Itineraries for First-Timers
• 5 Top Bali Itineraries for 10 Days

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2 Week Southeast Asia Itinerary – 4 Itineraries and Routes

If you have only 2 weeks in Southeast Asia, check out these 4 different Southeast Asia itineraries for your perfect trip to see a combination of different places in SEA.

Southeast Asia is a vast and diverse region located in the south eastern region of Asia. Countries such as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are in Southeast Asia.

Although these countries are collectively called Southeast Asia, you will find vastly different history, culture, climates, terrain, religion, customs and food in each country, and even within each country!

It is impossible to have one itinerary for Southeast Asia especially if you are just there for two weeks. Therefore this blog will give you 4 different Southeast Asia itineraries and routes depending on what type of things you want to do and see.

This blog contains occasional affiliate links, where I receive a small commission on sales of the products/hotels that are linked at no additional cost to you. In addition, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases .

Why Should I Travel to Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asia is probably one of the most diverse and interesting regions in the world.

Southeast Asia has about 680m people in the region, about 8.5% of the world’s population. There are about 1000 languages spoken in Southeast Asia and a number of different religions being practiced in Southeast Asia (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and others).

Since each country in Southeast Asia has its own history, religion, culture and lifestyle, you can expect to have a vastly unique experience in every country that you visit.

In terms of terrain, you will find lush rainforest, golden rice terrace, powerful waterfalls, awe-inspiring mountains and volcanoes, world renowned beaches and diving sites in Southeast Asia.

If you like food, you will have the opportunity to try different regional food in Southeast Asia. Rice is still the staple food in Asia, but that’s where similarity between each Southeast Asian country’s cuisine ends. Every country (and even provinces within the same country) has their own dishes, ingredients, cooking style and flavor.

If you like history and religion, then you are in luck. You will find ruins of ancient civilizations such as the Pyu civilization in Myanmar, the Khmer kingdoms in Cambodia, the ancient kingdoms in Thailand and Vietnam.

Therefore regardless of what you like to do and want to experience, you will find them in Southeast Asia.

How do I get to Southeast Asia?

Major cities in each of the Southeast Asia country has domestic and/or international airports.

Depending on where you are located, your travel time to Southeast Asia could be as short as two hours or as long as 30+ hours.

If you are traveling from within Asia, then chances are there are many direct flights to places you want to go in Southeast Asia.

But if you are located in North America like US and Canada, you are generally looking at 20+ hour travel time.

For the most part you will need to transit somewhere in Asia or the Middle East (like Tokyo, Taipei, Seoul, Beijing (prior to the pandemic), and Dubai) before reaching your final destination in Southeast Asia. There are a few direct flights to Singapore but most likely not directly to other cities in Southeast Asia.

If you are traveling from South America, oh boy you are looking at a long travel time and will most likely transit in Europe once or twice before reaching Southeast Asia.

How Do I Get Around Southeast Asia?

Since Southeast Asia is huge and there are so many countries, how you get around really depends on the country itself.

But in general, you can fly between the countries and take train, buses, taxis (and ride share services) and rent a motorcycle to travel between cities in the same country.

Flying in Southeast Asia

If you are planning to travel between a different countries in Southeast Asia, you will need to fly. There are certain exceptions like between Singapore and Malaysia where you can cross the border by bus or even a ferry.

The good news is there are so many airlines that fly within Southeast Asia. Some are the national flag carriers like Singapore Airline , Vietnam Airline , Thai Airways , etc.

There are also popular budget airlines that can take you everywhere in Southeast Asia, such as Air Asia , Jetstar , Scoot , etc.

Taking the Train in Southeast Asia

Train travel is popular in Southeast Asia since it is cheap, safe and convenient. You will find both day time trains (with seats) and overnight sleeper trains (with beds).

In fact many tourists and backpackers such as myself prefer taking sleeper trains to travel within each country in Southeast Asia. These overnight trains can be luxury and can save you a lot of time and money since you won’t need one night hotel.

You can read about my overnight train experience in Vietnam .

Train tickets can be booked at the train station in person, or online websites such as 12Go , which is my go to site to book transportation in Southeast Asia.

Taking the bus in Southeast Asia

Long distance buses are another popular mode of transportation in Southeast Asia. In fact buses might be even more popular than trains because it can cover more routes.

There are day time buses as well as overnight sleeper buses in Southeast Asia, including some very luxury overnight buses.

Again, buses are cheap and convenient so many tourist and locals use them to travel long distance within one country. Again, you can book them online on 12Go , go to the bus station, or even ask your hotel to help you book.

Traveling by taxi and luxury van in Southeast Asia

Taxi, especially private ones, are something you can book in Southeast Asia if you prefer not to take bus or train and you simply want customize your trip and not be restricted by the bus or train time.

For the most park you can ask your hotels to help you book taxis in advance. There are also websites like 12Go and Viator that you can use to book private transfers.

We took a lot of private transfers when we were in Southeast Asia; it just made things a lot easier and we could leave whenever we wanted.

Ride share apps in Southeast Asia

With the rise of ride sharing apps globally you can bet they are in Southeast Asia also.

The most popular ride sharing app in Southeast Asia is Grab , which works similarly to Uber and Lyft. You will need to download and set up the app ahead of time and you can use it immediately upon landing (if you have data). You may also find Go-Jek in Indonesia.

There is no Uber or Lyft in Southeast Asia, they exited the market number of years ago.

Certain countries and places in Southeast Asia banned Grab in order to protect local drivers, so be sure to check before you travel. Sometimes it is the best to book a taxi or private transfer with your hotel especially in places like Bali.

Renting a Motorbikes in Southeast Asia

If you are just doing short distance travel like a day trip, you can do it the local way and rent a motorbike in Southeast Asia.

There are many motorbike rental agencies throughout Southeast Asia in major cities and towns. You can also ask your hotel where to rent them.

This is probably the cheapest and easiest way to get around Southeast Asia and offers you plenty of flexibility on where to go. But you need to be careful as many foreign tourists do get into accidents riding Motorbikes in Southeast Asia.

When is the Best Time to Go To Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asia generally has 2 seasons: dry season and rainy season. However this also depends on where exactly you are going in Southeast Asia.

Dry season typically is between December to April and rainy season runs between May to November , where you can experience downpour rains and flooding (again, depends on where you go). Sometimes even during rainy season there is only a couple of hours of heavy rain then you are good to go.

Since Southeast Asia is a large region, there are a lot of plenty of microclimates. Although most of Southeast Asia is near the Equator, there are regions that are more north, near the border of China that experience colder winters than regions south of the equator.

You should also aim to avoid burning season in Southeast Asia, during which local farmers burn crops to prepare for the upcoming cultivation. The burning season is usually during the colder dry season in February and March, but it could vary by region and year.

During burning season, you will experience bad air quality, haze and unclear sky.

Another time to avoid visiting Southeast Asia is to avoid large national or religious holidays , although this also varies by country.

But during certain holidays the stores and restaurants are closed and some holidays don’t even allow people to step outside of their residence. Be sure to research the particular country and region you are visiting to avoid these holidays.

Is Southeast Asia Safe, Especially For Female Solo Travelers?

In general, Southeast Asia is quite safe, even for female solo travelers. In fact many backpackers and solo travelers rave about how safe and nice it is to visit Southeast Asia for an extended period of time.

Of course as anywhere else in the world, you should always follow local etiquette, laws and customs. There is definitely petty crime in Southeast Asia but violent crimes are rare.

Keep in mind that Southeast Asia in general is quite conservative, and there are many religious sites that require you to dress moderately, covering knees and shoulders. You may want to think twice before wearing skimpy and revealing clothing as you may get some stares and disapproving looks from the locals.

One issue you may face in Southeast Asia is taxi scams or parking scams, so try to use Grab or use public transportation or ask your hotel/ hostel to book taxi for you to avoid being scammed.

Another concern in Southeast Asia is food safety; many foreign tourists do get food poisoning at least once when visiting Southeast Asia (I have gotten food poisoning once but I have been to Southeast Asia many times). Just try to eat at well established restaurants and popular spots. If something doesn’t look fresh, don’t eat it.

Where to go with two weeks in Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asia Itinerary #1 : First time in Southeast Asia (Thailand & Singapore) Southeast Asia Itinerary #2 : Explore Malaysia & Singapore Southeast Asia Itinerary #3 : Off the Beaten Path (Laos & Northern Vietnam) Southeast Asia Itinerary #4 : Flavor of Everything (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam)

Since Southeast Asia is a huge region, you cannot see everything in Southeast Asia because that would mean 1-2 days per country!

It is best to spend time in 1-2 countries during 14 days in Southeast Asia so you can get the most out of it (and not spend all your time flying around).

Southeast Asia is a region that you can keep coming back to since there are so much to see and do.

I will highly 4 different Southeast Asia itineraries to best fit your need. Keep in mind that these 4 itineraries mostly cover the part of Southeast Asia that’s on the Mainland.

Southeast Asia Itinerary #1 First time in Southeast Asia itinerary (Thailand & Singapore)

Day 1 – 3 : Bangkok, Thailand Day 4 – 8 : Chiang Mai, Thailand Day 9 – 12 : Thai Islands Day 13 – 14 : Singapore

If you are planning to visit Southeast Asia for the first time, then I would recommend going to the most popular Southeast Asian countries: Singapore and Thailand.

The reason I recommend Singapore is because the population speaks English, everything is very easy to navigate and it is extremely safe.

I also recommend going to Thailand if it’s your first time in Southeast Asia because Thailand has a very well established tourist infrastructure and there are many foreigner visitors and backpackers. Thailand also has a variety of things for you to do, including modern cities, beautiful temples and mountain areas as well as incredible beaches. It is very easy to travel around in Thailand so it’s a great first-time-in-SEA destination.

Day 1 – 3: Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and it is one of the most visited cities in Southeast Asia.

Bangkok is a very exciting city, it is a city where you will find historical sites, religious monuments, vibrant night life, interesting street markets, and much much more. It is also a great base for day trips to nearby towns and historical sites.

During your 3 days in Bangkok, there are plenty you can do! Also, just in case you are curious on how to save money on attractions, the Bangkok Explorer Pass covers most of the things you’d be interested in doing in Bangkok.

Start off exploring the most famous sites in Bangkok, including the beautiful golden Grand Palace , walk to the nearby Wat Pho (golden leaning buddha), enjoy a river cruise down Chao Phraya River and explore Wat Arun for sunet.

Read Next : 2 Day Bangkok Itinerary and Travel Guide

You need to be dressed conservatively to visit Grand Palace and the religious sites, so your knees and shoulder must be covered. There are places to rent traditional clothing if you don’t have long pants or dress (I get it, it’s hot there!).

You can always book this tour to explore the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha Temple, Wat Pho, markets and Wat Arun together and save yourself the trouble of having to find ways to get to Wat Arun by yourself.

For evening activities, you can check out Chinatown and the famous pedestrian street Khaosan Road , You can find tons of street food vendors, shops, bars and restaurant in both areas.

Watching Muay Thai match is also something to do at night, or you can simply get a Thai massage and relax (or get a massage everything!).

You can also check out fancy rooftop bars in Bangkok, such as Sky Bar at Lebua Hotel where they filmed Hangover 2 . Other nice rooftop bars include Moon Bar , Red Sky restaurant, Octave , SEEN , etc.

There are wonderful day trips from Bangkok to the world renowned Floating Market , or to visit temples in Ayutthaya or explore Samut Prakan Ancient City . The great thing is all of these day trips are covered by the Bangkok Explorer Pass !

Other exciting things to do in Bangkok including doing a food tour to try all the street food as well as going to a cooking class to learn how to cook Thai food.

Most tours and cooking classes are included on the Bangkok Explorer Pass .

Day 4 – 8: Chiang Mai, Thailand

You can either take an 1 hour flight or a 13 hour train (or sleeper train) from Bangkok to Chiangmai, one of travelers’ favorite regions in Thailand.

Located in the mountainous region in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand. It was the capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, which is why you will find moats and city walls in Chiang Mai even today.

Chiang Mai may not be as modern and vibrant like Bangkok, but its slower pace, beautiful temples and its proximity to nature actually make it very unique and appealing for visitors.

With 3 to 4 days in Chiang Mai, you can do a lot both in Chiang Mai and nearby places.

You can start by visiting the old city, that is where you will find temples, museums, and interesting sites within the ancient city walls.

Since there are over 3000 temples in Chiang Mai, you can’t see them all. But you can see the best ones such as Wat Chiang Man , Wat Chedi Luang , Wat Lok Moli , Wat Sri Suphan , Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan , etc.

Continue your evening adventure to check out the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar , the night market at Wua Lai Walking Street , or even the Chang Phuak Gate Night Market for authentic street food or if you just want to buy clothing and souvenirs. Just be sure to use a lot of bug spray as the mosquitoes can be aggressive.

Outside of Chiang Mai city center, there are even more things to see. You can take the Monk’s trail to the famous Wat Pha Lat , visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep , see the city from the observation deck, continue up to visit Doi Suthep , Hmong Doi Pui Village . Or take a taxi or a tour if you do not want to hike up or ride a scooter up yourself.

If you like nature, you can do visit Doi Inthanon National Park or hike and bike in Doi Suthep Pui National Park .

If you enjoy adventure, then be sure to not miss zip lining adventure and white water rafting .

If you like animals, you can visit Tiger Kingdom , elephant sanctuary where you can bathe and feed elephants or a night safari in Chiang Mai. You can even stay at Chai Lai Orchid Eco Lodge where you can have elephant visit your room.

Lastly, if you really want to visit the iconic white temple in Chiang Rai, you can do a day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.

Day 9 – 12: Thai Islands

When you think of white sand beach, crystal clear water, wonderful snorkeling and vibrant night life, islands in Thailand check all the boxes.

From Chiang Mai, fly down to Phuket, the gateway to the islands in Thailand.

If you want, you can spend all 3 days in Phuket and do day trips to Phi Phi Island, the famous “ the Beach ” and James Bond Island or do a snorkeling tour to Similan Islands .

Phuket is where most people stay, since it is cheaper than staying on some of the islands, easy to get to from the airport, has a ton of hotels, restaurants, bars and night time entertainment.

But I actually would advise you to stay on some of the islands for a nicer and quieter experience. Islands like Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Lanta offer a different experience and there are budget to 5 star hotels on these islands.

These islands are also not far from Phuket by boat, so you can easily travel there from Phuket. I particularly loved Phi Phi island and its view point hike, where you can get a postcard perfect view from above.

If you want both beach and nature, then Krabi is a wonderful choice, where you can enjoy the beautiful beach and hike the famous Monkey Trail and Dragon’s Crest. Of course you can also take boat tours from Krabi to visit other beautiful islands, sand bars, islets, etc.

Day 13 – 14 : Singapore

Last but not least, Singapore! Singapore is only a short flight away from Phuket, and it is well connected to large international airports around the world, making it the perfect last stop of your 2 week Southeast Asia itinerary.

Singapore is a small city-state at the tip of Southeast Asia mainland. Although it’s very small in size, it is the third most dense in population in the world (after Macau and Monaco).

Some people say Singapore is an adult’s Disneyland; it is beautiful, modern, clean, safe and just amazing in general. It gives you a very different vibe than what you get in Thailand and any other Southeast Asian country.

Although Singapore is small, there is a lot to do. If you have watched the movie Crazy Rich Asians , you may be familiar with some of the iconic places in Singapore. But if you haven’t, don’t worry, you will find out the famous places in the next few paragraphs.

With only 2 days in Singapore, you will have to prioritize what you want to see and experience.

The most famous sites in Singapore include the Merlion Statue (the symbol of Singapore), Marina Bay Sands (casino + famous Infinity Pool for guests), Gardens by the Bay , Singapore Botanic Gardens , Singapore Flyer (Giant ferris wheel), Singapore Zoo , Cable Car and Sentosa (Island resort with beach, waterpark, Universal Studios), Chinese Garden .

If you are into Museums, Singapore has the National Museum of Singapore, National Gallery Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum.

Important religious sites include the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Thian Hock Keng Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Sultan Mosque

Of course don’t forget the Instagram spots in Singapore such as Fort Canning Park, Lory Loft at Jurong Birdpark, the colorful Little India, the Peranakan Houses, and the Jewel Changi Airport itself!

You also cannot leave Singapore without having eaten at a hawker center, open-air complexes with food stalls and don’t forget to grab a beer at Clarke Quay and enjoy the night scene there. Overwhelmed by all the food choices or simply not sure what to eat? Don’t worry, this food tour will take you to the best spots in Singapore!

There are also many fun tours you can take in Singapore, like biking tours , kayaking tour, Singapore River Cruise , hop on hop off bus, and the round trip cable car experience.

The great news is that many attractions and tours in Singapore are Covered by the Singapore attraction pass so you can save a lot of money!

Southeast Asia Itinerary #2: Explore Malaysia & Singapore

Day 1 – 2 : Singapore Day 3 – 5 : Kuala Lumpur Day 6 – 7: Cameron Highlands Day 8 – 10 : Penang Day 11 – 14 : Redang Island or Langkawi

If you have already been to Thailand before or you prefer somewhere different, then I would highly recommend exploring Malaysia.

Malaysia is a large country with a lot of history, culture and different landscape. In Malaysia you will find delicious food, white sand beaches, beautiful tea terraces and mountains as well as modern cities.

Day 1 – 2: Singapore

Start your 2 week Southeast Asia adventure in Singapore and follow Itinerary #1 to explore the highlights of Singapore.

Day 3 – 5: Kuala Lumpur

It is quite easy to get to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore. You can either take a 5 hour bus or take an 1 hour flight. Buses are more frequent and cheaper if you are on a budget, but note that sometimes bus arrives 1-2 hours later than expected, which could cut into your travel time.

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. It is where you will find a mixture of tradition and modernity. Kuala Lumpur has some of the most famous sights in Malaysia, such as Petronas Towers , which was featured in the blockbuster movie Entrapment.

In addition, KL is culturally rich with multiple religions. Although the official religion of Malaysia is Islam, but you will find Buddhist, Christian and Hindu communities in KL.

With 2-3 days in KL (depending on when you arrive if you are taking the bus), you can see a lot. Explore the beautiful central KLCC area , where you will find upscale shopping malls, restaurants, gardens, Aquaria KLCC (Aquarium) and the famous Petronas Towers. You can also go up Menara Kuala Lumpur observation deck to have a sweeping view of the city.

Be sure to check out Merdeka Square , where the first Malaysia Flag raising took place on August 31, 1957. Then move onto Central Market and Chinatown and Petaling Street Market for local shopping and food.

One of the best things you can do if you like food is to take a street food tour . This tour lets you sample over 15 dishes and snacks in KL so you don’t have to wonder what’s the best thing to eat!

Other important landmarks in Kuala Lumpur include the National Mosque , Perdana Botanical Garden, Thean Hou Temple, Bukit Bintang (and Jalan Alor street for food), and various museums . You can easily explore KL with a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus .

You may also be interested in day trips to the famous Batu Caves that is all over social media.

Day 6 – 7: Cameron Highlands

If you want to get away from the busy (and often times hot) KL, then Cameron Highlands would be the perfect escape.

Located only about 3-4 hours by bus, Cameron Highlands is located in the mountainous region in central Malaysia. Cameron Highlands was “discovered” by British geologist William Cameron during the British rule and became an agricultural area. Nowadays, Cameron Highlands is one of the most popular tourist spots in Malaysia.

Given its location in the mountains, Cameron Highlands experience cooler weather and is known for its tea plantations, hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes, mossy forests, etc.

The main town in Cameron Highlands is Tanah Rata, your bus will drop you off here and you will find a ton of hotels and restaurant in Tanah Rata.

Some of the best things in Cameron Highlands include hiking the Jungle Trails , visiting Boh Tea Estate and strawberry farms , walking through the Mossy Forest , visiting local tribe villages , butterfly farms and lavender gardens .

You can ask your hotel to book you a taxi, hike around, or take a tour (and explore other parts by taxi or walking) to explore Cameron Highlands. I really loved the tea plantation and Cameron Highlands is probably my favorite area in Malaysia.

Day 8 – 10: Penang

From Cameron Highlands, you can take a 4-5 hour bus ride to the food capital of Malaysia, Penang.

Penang is the birthplace of Malaysian Street Food and is one of the best places to eat in Malaysia. Therefore you can bet there will be a lot of eating, cooking classes and food tours you can do in Penang.

But food is not the only thing you will find in Penang, you will also find arts, temples, historical houses, national park and beach.

Start your Panang journey exploring the UNESCO old town of George Town . You may have seen beautiful murals of George Town all over Instagram, and here is where you will find them. Wander around the old town of George Town is one of the best ways to discover beautiful street arts and murals.

As you explore George Town, don’t forget to check out Chew Jetty , the colorful Penang Little India , Pinang Peranakan Mansion , Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower , Fort Cornwallis , and Chulia St , known for its street food and hawker stalls.

If you have time, go up the TOP Penang to enjoy a bird’s eye view of Penang Island.

Another popular destination in Penang is Penang Hill , where you can enjoy some hiking (or taking the funicular) up to the 360 degree observation deck for an amazing view of Penang and the surrounding sceneries.

There are restaurants, a gallery, eco-tourism discovery center, temple and other attractions to check out at Penang Hill.

Near Penang Hill is Kek Lok Si Temple , a colorful hilltop Buddhist temple. It is one of the most important temples to visit in Penang. You also get beautiful view of the city from this temple. You can also visit Penang Botanic Gardens if you have time.

Other things to do in Penang include visiting Fruit Farms or spend a day in Penang National Park for some hiking, canopy walk and beach.

Day 11 – 14: Redang Island or Langkawi

When you are done with urban and forest and nature, it is time to move to the beach.

Malaysia has really amazing beach and I dare say the best beach I have ever been to was in Malaysia.

For beach you have two options. If you want to minimize travel time then you can visit the famous Langkawi , an archipelago off Malaysia’s northwest coast.

If you want to avoid the crowd and go somewhere different (and perhaps more pristine), then make your way across Malaysia to the west side of the country to go to Redang Island .

Langkawi is easy to reach from Penang, you can take an one hour flight or 3 hour ferry from Georgetown.

Redang Island requires either a flight (via KL) or a long distance bus and ferry which pretty much takes the entire day.

You can’t really go wrong with either option but I really do think Redang Island has a much more pristine beach . Redang Island is a lot smaller than Langkawi so Langkawi has more variety in terms of accommodations, restaurants and things to do. But if you just want to relax on an amazing beach and do some snorkeling then Redang Island is the obvious winner.

Southeast Asia Itinerary #3: Off the Beaten Path (Laos & Northern Vietnam)

Day 1 – 3 : Luang Prabang Day 4 : Vientiane Day 5 : Hanoi Day 6- 7 : Halong Bay Day 8 – 10 : Ha Giang or Sapa Day 11 – 13 : Cao Bang Day 14 : Hanoi

If you want to explore places that are not as frequented by visitors, then Laos and Northern Vietnam would be a good choice.

You will be able to to enjoy some unspoiled nature and have a more authentic experience.

Day 1 – 3: Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is the ancient capital of Laos and later became a French colony. In Luang Prabang you will find a mixture of traditional Lao and French influenced architecture.

Ever since its opening up for tourism in 1989, Luang Prabang has become an unique destination in Southeast Asia. It is not as famous or popular as many other Southeast Asian cities but you will find an even more interesting experience.

Luang Prabang is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the old town, you will find beautiful temples such as Wat Xiengthong , Wat Mai , Wat Sensoukharam , visit the Royal Palace museum , participate in an Alms Giving Ceremony (starting at 5:30am), chill at a cafe by the Mekong River, check out food in the Night Market , and ride a Mekong River cruise to enjoy the sunset.

Without leaving Luang Prabang, you should also pay a visit to Mount Phousi . You can climb up for sunset or simply just to enjoy the view from the top.

One of the most famous sites near Luang Prabang is the 3 tiered waterfall, Kuang Si Waterfalls . It is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists and you can take a dip in the turquoise pool.

Other places to visit near Luang Prabang include Tad Sae Waterfall (+ Kayaking tour ), Pak Ou Caves (over 4000 Buddha statues), Nahm Dong Park (nature reserve with zip line and cooking class).

Day 4: Vientiane

Vientiane is the capital city of Laos and similar to Luang Prabang, you will find a mix of French colonial architecture with traditional Laos architecture and temples.

I only suggest one day in Vientiane as a transit center before you go to Vietnam and see some of the best sights.

Since you only have one day in Vientiane, I would suggest checking out the famous gold-covered Buddhist stupa Pha That Luang , followed by a visit to Patuxai Victory Monument , the arc de triomphe of Vientiane.

Other things to check out in Vientiane include the Talat Sao Morning Market , Wat Sisaket , Ho Phrakeo Museum , Wat Si Muang , Chao Anouvong Park and end the night in Vientiane Night Market .

You can take a short evening flight from Vientiane to Hanoi to start your Vietnam adventure next.

Day 5: Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and it is probably one of the most charming cities in Vietnam.

You will most likely stay at and explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi. You can certainly spend longer than a day in Hanoi if you decide to skip on some of the other items on the itinerary.

I do find that although there is a lot to see in Hanoi, I personally prefer to simply walk around Old Quarter, find a cute cafe to try Vietnamese coffee, people watch and try local food.

However, if you do want to take advantage of your first full day in Hanoi, you can certainly check out some of the most famous sites, such as the Train Street , Temple of Literature , Hoan Kiem Lake (and Ngoc Son Temple ), the night market , Ta Hien Beer Street (super lively at night).

Again, I think the charm of Hanoi is really to relax, enjoy coffee and food and people watch!

Best Tours to Take in Hanoi Given your limited time in Hanoi, if you want to experience Hanoi in an authentic way, there are a few tours you should take! Food Tour is something you simply cannot miss when visiting Hanoi! Want to try all the local food and fruits? This is the best tour for foodies. If you want to see the major sites in Hanoi and don’t want to bother with taking a Grab, then you would really enjoy this half day tour of Hanoi to visit all the famous sites I mentioned above.

Day 6- 7: Halong Bay

If this is your time in Vietnam, then one of the must-do activities near Hanoi is to do a Halong Bay cruise.

There are day cruises, 2 day 1 night cruises as well as 3 day 2 night cruises. If you just want a taste of Halong Bay while enjoying a relaxing holiday after the hustling and bustling of Hanoi, then 2 day 1 night Halong Bay cruise is the perfect choice.

There are cruises for every budget, some can be as cheap as $100 and some are as expensive as $1000+ a room per night.

Some of the most luxurious Halong Bay cruises now include  Emperor Cruise ,  Orchid Cruise ,  Stellar of the Sea Cruise ,  Heritage Cruise . These cruises have spacious rooms, balconies, beautiful bathtub with floor to ceiling windows, and incredible service and food.

A typical 2 day 1 night Halong Bay Cruise itinerary include the following:

Day 1 of Halong Bay Cruise

• 8am: pick up from Hanoi
• 12pm: boarding the cruise
• 1-2pm: lunch
• 2-4pm: activities (kayaking, cave, small hike, swimming, etc – every cruise is slightly different)
• 4-6pm: happy hours
• 6pm: Dinner
• 7-9pm: Squid fishing

Day 2 of Halong Bay Cruise

• 6-7am: Tai Chi & Cooking class
• 8am: Breakfast
• 9am: Kayaking
• 10:30am: back on shore to check out
• 3pm: Back in Hanoi

Once you are back in Hanoi, you can continue your sightseeing before taking a sleeper bus to Ha Giang.

See my complete Halong Bay Cruise Guide to decide if it’s worth taking a Halong Bay cruise.

Day 8 – 10: Ha Giang or Sapa

You may have seen photos of beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam, in fact they are the main reason why I decided to go to Northern Vietnam!

Most people may have heard of Sapa, known for its rice terrace, but did you know that there are other places in Northern Vietnam that have beautiful rice terrace without the crowd? Ha Giang is one of the off the beaten track places in Northern Vietnam that is known for its dramatic landscape and rice terrace.

If you prefer to go to a place that has a more established tourist infrastructure , then you probably will like Sapa . But if you prefer a more quiet, less touristy but still beautiful place to see rice terrace, then I would highly recommend Ha Giang .

Both Sapa and Ha Giang require you to depart from Hanoi. For Sapa you can take an overnight train or sleeper bus from Hanoi. To get to Ha Giang you will need to take a bus (day time or overnight). You can book transportation from Hanoi to Sapa or Ha Giang on 12go .

If you decide to go to Ha Giang, the most famous thing to do there is the Ha Giang Loop (best done on the back of a motorbike) , which requires 3 days minimum.

During the 3-5 days you spend on the Ha Giang Loop, you will come across many different villages, rice paddies, tea fields, waterfalls, caves and view points. You will most likely be staying at homestay at different villages during your Ha Giang Loop ride.

If this does not sound appealing to you or you cannot ride a motorbike or just don’t have the time, then Sapa may be a better option for you than Ha Giang.

Sapa has gained its popularity among tourists in the recent years. It has developed so fast that you will find many tour groups (and individual tourists) everywhere in Sapa.

3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Sapa if you are thinking about trekking.

If you are taking an overnight train or sleeper bus from Hanoi, you will arrive early in the morning in Lao Cai (train station) or Sapa town. You can spend the first day visiting Cat Cat Village and Fansipan , the highest peak Vietnam. I recommend visiting Fansipan later in the day as it is more likely to become clear but check the weather forecast before you go.

On the 2nd day of your Sapa trip, you can do two day one night trekking with a guide . During trekking you will have an opportunity to trek in the rice terrace, visit Hmong villages, do an overnight stay at a homestay, visit bamboo forest and waterfalls before coming back to Sapa on the third day.

Or alternatively you can do a one day trekking and spend day 3 explore the various photo spots in Sapa Town .

Take an afternoon bus back to Hanoi on the third day.

Day 11 – 13: Cao Bang

Cao Bang is located in northern Vietnam, on the border of Vietnam and China. It is most famous for the Ban Gioc Waterfall, a tiered waterfall that is located within both Vietnam and China.

If you visited Ha Giang, you can travel from Ha Giang directly to Cao Bang by motorcycle albeit it is a long ride.

If you went to Sapa, then you will have to return to Hanoi first and then travel by bus or taxi from Hanoi to Cao Bang. It is about a 6-8 hour drive from Hanoi to Cao Bang and best done on an overnight sleeper bus (this means you can explore Hanoi during the day!).

Some of the best things to do in Cao Bang include Ban Gioc Waterfall , Nguom Ngao Cave (Tiger Cave), drive or hike to see the Me Pia Pass , check out Cao Bang city center , go to other smaller waterfalls and visit Mat Than Mountain .

If you prefer the convenience of having a tour instead of taking sleeper buses, you can book a 2 day one night tour to Cao Bang from Hanoi and not have to worry about transportation.

Day 14: Hanoi or Ninh Binh

Depending on how long you spend in Cao Bang, on your last day of this 14 day Southeast Asia itinerary, you can either spend the day in Hanoi or do a day trip to Ninh Binh (assuming you do not have a flight to catch).

If you decide to stay and explore Hanoi, you can check out the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum , Quan Thanh Temple , Imperial Citadel , One Pillar Pagoda and Hanoi Opera House .

If you are really ambitious, you can do a day trip to Ninh Binh, one of the most beautiful places in Northern Vietnam in my opinion.

Ninh Binh is known as Ha Long Bay on land and it is not hard to see why people have Ninh Binh high on their list. You will find limestone peaks, rice paddies, river valleys and ancient pagodas in Ninh Binh.

Like this dress? You can purchase it on Etsy .

Some of the best places to see in Ninh Binh in one day include Mua Cave , Bich Dong Pagoda , Tam Coc Boat Ride . If you have more time, you can check out Bai Dinh Pagoda and the 3 hour Trang An Boat Ride but you won’t be able to do everything I mentioned here in one day.

If you decide to go to Ninh Binh without a tour, you can take an early morning bus or luxury van and rent a scooter or a private taxi to get around Ninh Binh.

Alternatively, you can take this tour to see Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Mua Cave, Bich Dong Pagoda and take the Tam Coc boat ride.

Or if you want something different, this tour  will take you to Bai Dinh Pagoda, Mua Cave and Trang An Boat Ride.

No matter what you choose, you will be blown away by the beauty of Northern Vietnam.

Southeast Asia Itinerary #4: Flavor of Everything (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam)

Day 1 – 3 : Bangkok Day 4 – 6 : Phuket & Islands Day 7 – 9 : Angkor Wat Day 10 – 12 : Hoi An Day 12 – 14 : Hue

If you really cannot decide where to go in Southeast Asia for 2 weeks, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. We will do everything.

Day 1 – 3: Bangkok

Fly into Thailand and start your 14 day Southeast Asia adventure in Bangkok.

Some of the best temples to check out in Bangkok include Wat Pho , the Temple of Emerald Buddha , Golden Mount Temple (Wat Saket), Wat Traimit , Wat Arun and Wat Paknam (featuring a towering stupa).

Other sites not to be missed in Bangkok is the Grand Palace , river cruise , China Town , Lhong 1919 , Khao San Road . Checking out fancy shopping centers like ICON Siam and Siam Paragon , grabbing a drink at rooftop bars and getting a Thai Massage are all unforgettable experiences to have in Bangkok.

You can also do day trips outside of Bangkok to the floating market (or combine with Maeklong Railway Market ), Ancient City , Bubble in the Forest Cafe if you want the instagram shot, and visit temples in Ayutthaya .

Most tours and day trips from Bangkok are included in the Bangkok Explorer Pass .

Day 4 – 6: Phuket & Islands

After visiting the lively Bangkok, it is time to fly to the islands and relax.

Whether you spend all 3 days in Phuket and do day trips to Maya Bay and James Bond Island or stay on Phi Phi or Krabi, you will have a good time.

Day 7-9: Angkor Wat

You really cannot go to Southeast Asia without stopping by Angkor Wat, one of the most famous archaeological remains in Southeast Asia.

Angkor Wat is a large temple complex built by King Suryavarman II in the 12th Century. In fact it is the largest religious monument in the world as it occupies more than 400 acres.

It is the top tourist attraction in Cambodia and it’s not hard to see why. Its historical and religious significance, beautiful architecture and the intricate stone carving are all reasons to visit.

You will need to fly into Siem Reap in order to access Angkor Wat.

Although Angkor Wat is the main attraction in Siem Reap, there are other things to do before your big day in Angkor Wat. The day before you can do a cooking class , stop by Angkor National Museum , visit one of the temples for sunsets (I recommend Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng ) and grab a drink on Pub Street and get a masage.

You will need entrance ticket for Angkor Wat , and they are either 1 day ($37), 3 days ($62) or 7 days ticket ($72). Unless you plan to see Angkor Wat 3 days in a row, I think 1 day ticket is enough. You can even visit Phnom Bakheng for sunset the day before without having to buy another Angkor Wat ticket.

Angkor Wat will take the whole day to visit and sunrise at Angkor Wat is spectacular. You will need to go super early to get the best spot. Be sure to buy the Angkor Wat ticket ahead of time before your visit if you want to go for sunrise.

You can visit Angkor Wat by yourself or get a guide . We got a guide and it was very useful to hear the stories and histories of the various spots in Angkor Wat and we saw other temples in the complex as well.

Besides Angkor Wat, other things you can do in and near Siem Reap include visiting a floating village , Kulen Mountain National Park , Kok Ker & Beng Mealea temple , and watch a Cambodian circus.

Day 10 – 12: Hoi An

After visiting Angkor Wat, you will head to Da Nang, Vietnam.

Da Nang is the gateway to Central Vietnam and given the time restraint, you will visit two of the most famous cities in Central Vietnam.

First stop is Hoi An, an UNESCO World Heritage Old Town about an hour by car from Da Nang.

Hoi An is a well preserved ancient town and in the old town, you will find streets lined with lanterns, historical monuments, museums, shops, restaurants and most importantly, tailors!

With only 2 days in Hoi An, you will have plenty of time to explore the old town center; some of the best things to do and see in Hoi An ancient town include Japanese Covered Bridge , Old Houses of Tan Ky , Ba Mu Temple , Cantoneses Assembly Hall , Phac Hat Pagoda , Hoi Quan Phuoc Kien , Hoi An night market.

Hoi An is known for their tailors , so you can literally get a dress custom made for you within 24 hours. At night it is also really nice to walk around to see all the lanterns lit up or take a 20 minute boat ride on Thu Bon River.

If you do end up with more time in Hoi An, you can visit the beach, do a coconut boat tour , visit historical monument in My Son , do a day trip to Ba Na Hills for the Golden Bridge or take a day trip to Cham Islands .

Read Next : My complete Hoi An Itinerary and Travel Guide

Day 12 – 14: Hue

Another important city to visit in central Vietnam is Huế, the ancient Imperial City of Vietnam. So you can expect to find imperial palaces and emperors’ tombs in Hue.

You can take a bus or private taxi from Hoi An to Hue.

With 1.5 to 2 days in Hue, you can actually see all the best Hue tourist attractions.

Start your Hue adventure at the Imperial Citadel , the former residence of the imperial family. If there is time, stop by Thien Mu Pagoda and check out Dong Ba Market by Perfume River.

The next day you can start early to first visit the Thuy Tien Lake Abandoned Water Park if you want to grab a quick Instagram worthy photo.

Then you can go tomb hopping as there are numerous tombs all around Hue. The 3 best ones that I’d recommend visiting are tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh , Emperor Minh Mang , and Emperor Tu Duc . If you have time, you can also see the tomb of Emperor Gia Long .

If you want to save money on entrance fee, there are combo tickets you can buy at each of the location instead of buying individual tickets.

It’s best to rent a scooter to ride around Hue or hire a private taxi. Most of the tombs are located outside of the city itself so it would be difficult to try to use Grab to get a car when you are out there.

See my detailed 2 day Hue itinerary on what to do and eat in Hue , Vietnam.

Useful Resources to Plan Southeast Asia Itinerary

For transportation within Southeast Asia

• 12go for train and bus booking
• Grab app for getting taxis

For hotel booking within Southeast Asia

• Booking.com or Agoda are the best resources for booking hotels
• Hostelworld is great for booking hostels

For booking tours within Southeast Asia

• Klook : Singapore based tour booking website with the most number of tours and budget prices
• Getyourguide and Viator are also good websites to book tours

Other Practical Things to Know Before You Go to Southeast Asia

• Be sure to check visa requirements for the different countries in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam (read my guide on how to get a Vietnam E-Visa )
• It is best to take a no-fee ATM card (like the ones from Charles Schwab if you are American or Wise Card or Revolut no fee ATM cards for non-Americans) and take out cash from local ATMs to get the best exchange rate
• Cash is king; even though most hotels take credit cards, many restaurants, vendors and attractions only take cash
• Download and set up Grab app before you leave, it is the Uber of Southeast Asia
• Download Whatsapp, it is the primary way to communicate with hotels, train/ cruise companies in Southeast Asia
• You can buy sim cards at the airports for very cheap, but most may have a daily limit of how much data you can use
• Be sure to have Plug Adapter when you go to Southeast Asia
• You can buy most necessities in Southeast Asia (like toiletry, clothes, bug spray, etc) to save luggage space
• You should definitely get an external battery for your phone especially if you take photos and videos on your phone.
• Food poisoning could happen so be sure to eat at clean and legit restaurants and well cooked food; avoid ice if possible and buy bottled water (no tap water!)
• Have bug spray with you at all times, the mosquitoes can be vicious if you go outside of winter months
• Even though Southeast Asia is generally hot, if you are going to mountainous region, be sure to have layers with you

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eSIM Research

The Best eSIM Cards for Southeast Asia Travel in 2024

Benefits of using esim cards in southeast asia, cost-effectiveness.

• No Roaming Charges : With eSIMs, I can choose local plans in each country I visit. This way, I avoid the sky-high roaming charges that used to dent my wallet.
• Flexible Plans : I love the freedom to select plans that match my needs. Whether I’m in Thailand for a week or exploring Vietnam for a month, there’s always an option that fits my budget.

Convenience

• Easy Setup : Activating an eSIM is a breeze. I can do it right from my smartphone without visiting a local store or fumbling with tiny SIM cards and tools.
• Seamless Transition : Moving from one country to another is smoother. I can switch plans or carriers without changing SIM cards, making my travel transitions seamless.

Popular eSIM for Southeast Asia Travel

Factors to consider when choosing an esim card, compatibility with devices, frequently asked questions, what is an esim card, why is coverage important for an esim in southeast asia, how do data plans for esims in southeast asia vary, why is device compatibility important when choosing an esim, how can travelers make an informed decision on esims for southeast asia, leave a comment cancel reply.

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