How Long Should I Backpack Through Southeast Asia?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Southeast Asia is one of the most popular backpacking spots in the world. With its low cost of travel, diversity and unique cultures, all within close proximity, Southeast Asia is the perfect destination for travelers to spend

3 months

traveling around without getting bored and blowing a hole in your wallet.

How long do you need to travel Southeast Asia?


2 months

is the perfect minimum time to enjoy all four countries in mainland South-East Asia without having to rush.

How much do you need to backpack Southeast Asia?

Average costs for Southeast Asia

On a longer trip, plan on spending about

$35/day for one person on average, or about $1000/month

. That's traveling as a backpacker, using budget accommodation and eating mainly local food. This number does not count pre-trip .

How much money do you need for 2 months in Southeast Asia?

Assuming a cost per day of between 25-100 USD per person, per day, you can expect the cost of your Southeast Asia itinerary (2 months, in this case) to be about

1,500-6,000 USD per person

, not including your flights to Southeast Asia.

How long should I spend in Asia?

We recommend spending

at least nine days

on the ground in Southeast Asia if you're travelling direct from Europe. This sort of duration gives you an instant and exciting sense of culture shock, as well as time to relax and take it all in.

What do I need to pack for 3 months in Asia?

  • Nike Free Run Shoes. …
  • Reef HT, Men's Flip Flop. …
  • 4 x T-Shirts. …
  • 3 x Shorts. …
  • Swimming Shorts.
  • Kathmandu Men's Federate Trousers. …
  • Long-Sleeved T-Shirt.

How do you backpack across Asia?

  1. Plan around the weather. …
  2. Get off the beaten track. …
  3. Try the street food. …
  4. Budget carefully – but have the odd splurge. …
  5. Learn from the locals. …
  6. Embrace the great outdoors. …
  7. Make time for temples. …
  8. Get high.

Is Southeast Asia safe?


Generally speaking, Southeast Asia is incredibly safe

. In fact, it's one of the safest regions in the world. You aren't going to really face any physical danger, and it's rare to even get robbed or mugged. People are nice, respectful, and friendly.

How much does it cost to travel Southeast Asia for 6 months?

On a Budget

I personally spent

$7,958 USD (without SCUBA diving – $6,095)

for six months in Southeast Asia, with a month each in Cambodia, Laos, northern Thailand, southern Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. With flights and pre-trip expenses, it added up to $11,000.

Is it safe to backpack 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 attacks are rare. Petty theft (including bag snatching) is the most common type of crime in Southeast Asia, especially around popular tourist landmarks.

Is Southeast Asia cheap?

Southeast Asia is home to many different cultures, making it ideal for a wide range of experiences. Not only is it

one of the cheapest regions in the world

, but its friendly people, great nightlife, delicious foods and diverse landscapes means there's no reason for you to not want to visit.

How much money do you need for 3 months in Southeast Asia?

Note: To make a relatively accurate budget calculation for your South East Asia trip, plan for $50 – $60 per day for a couple, which equals

$1,500 – $1,800/month

. Plan on $35 – $40 per day for one person travelling, which equals $1,050 – $1,200/month.

How much does it cost to backpack in Thailand?

If you're backpacking Thailand, plan to budget

between 825–1150 BHT ($25–35 USD) per day

. This range will get you your own room (fan only) with a shared bathroom (or a dorm room on the lower end), food from the street stalls, a couple of drinks per day, a few tours here and there, and local transportation.

How expensive is Southeast Asia?

Estimated cost Transportation and Activities $800 Food and drink $450 ($15 per day) Random Spending $200 Total $2,590 USD

How much do I need to backpack for a year?

Generally,

$20,000 is the baseline cost for a trip around the world for one person for one year

. This estimation falls in line with popular recommendations that budget travelers can spend an average of $50 a day on the road, and allows additional budget for flights and vaccines.

How long do you need to backpack South America?

If you want to explore more than one country in South America, you're gonna need

more than 3 weeks

. For surf bums, you could easily spend a month heading beach to beach from Southern Peru all the way to Colombia, in 1 month. Or you could do 2 weeks in Argentina followed by 2 weeks of hiking in Chilean Patagonia.

How do I plan a trip to Southeast Asia?

  1. Choose Where to Go.
  2. The Best Time to Travel.
  3. Consider Where to Start.
  4. Check Visa and Vaccine Requirements.
  5. Buy Your Travel Insurance.
  6. Make Your Packing List.
  7. Beware of Taboos and Etiquette.

How long should you spend in Thailand?

On average, most people spend about

10 days to two weeks

in Thailand and if you want to experience the best of what the country can offer, this should give you enough time to visit the must-see sites and to even discover a few hidden gems. And there is much more to Thailand than just Bangkok.

How do Southeast Asians dress?

Jeans are stylish in Southeast Asia, but they are also hot, heavy, and dry slowly. Opt for thinner materials instead. Tourists usually default to wearing shorts because of the temperatures, although most locals prefer to wear long pants.

What men should pack for Southeast Asia?

  • 3 shirts.
  • 3 tank tops.
  • 5 pairs of boxers.
  • 2 pairs of shorts.
  • 2 swimming trunks.
  • 1 pair of jeans.
  • 2 hats.
  • 1 light jacket.

What should I buy in Southeast Asia?

  1. Coffee. Reaching Out coffee shop, Hoi An. …
  2. Rice. Rice terraces in Sapa, Vietnam. …
  3. Coconut shell bowls. Easy to find and colourful to look at, coconut shell bowls bring a splash of colour to your home. …
  4. Lanterns. Hoi An Lanterns. …
  5. Kampot pepper. …
  6. Handmade Crafts. …
  7. Tailored Clothing.

What is the best time of year to go to Southeast Asia?

The time period from

November through February

is generally the best one to visit Southeast Asia when drier, cooler weather prevails. Generally speaking, hot, humid weather characterizes Southeast Asia, which lies within the Tropics close to the equator, says Frommer's.

When should I travel to Southeast Asia?

The best time to visit Southeast Asia is

between November and February

. There's drier, less humid and slightly cooler weather in most of the region, with average temperatures around 30°C.

How long does it take to travel South America?

Here, we present to you three popular itineraries through South America that take

at least 3-6 months

to complete. This could easily be extended to a year or more if you fit more places in between.

What is the friendliest country in Southeast Asia?


Cambodia

was by far the top answer in our poll and a popular choice among staff members and Rough Guides Twitter followers alike. The poll was dominated by Southeast Asian countries proving that friendly people reside in this part of the world.

What is the strongest country in Southeast Asia?

Strongest and Weakest militaries in Southeast Asia –

Indonesia

lead the way. The Indonesian armed forces, officially known as Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), boast of the most powerful military in the region.

Who is the most educated country in Asia?


Singapore

was the country with the highest youth literacy rate across the Asia-Pacific region in 2018 and 2019. The country demonstrated a youth literacy rate of 99.93 percent, beating the likes of China and Brunei to the top spot.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.