It’s no secret that Southeast Asia is one of the most budget-friendly regions for backpackers. In fact, it’s possible to travel comfortably for $20 USD a day. However, for $20 per day, you will be limited on the activities you can do. In order to avoid these limitations, I recommend a daily budget of $30.
Over 7 months backpacking Southeast Asia, my daily budget was $30, and I never felt restricted in what I could do & see. Keep in mind, this is an average budget per day. If you plan on doing things like scuba diving, visiting Angkor Wat temple or taking a boat tour through Ha Long Bay, those kinds of activities will put you over $30 on their own. Luckily, on a normal day, it’s very easy to operate below budget, which makes $30/day realistic.
For more tips on how to travel on a budget, check out: 10 ways to save money as a solo backpacker.
Here’s what my spending looked like during a typical day ($24):
- Accommodation – $10
- Usually a hostel dorm bed, but in some countries (Vietnam, Philippines & Malaysia), a single room is often cheaper than a dorm.
- Food – $6
- If you stick to local food, staying under $6 per day on food is fairly easy. A lot of hostels serve free breakfast, and you can realistically find lunch & dinner for $2 each.
- Drinks – $4
- You will need to spend money on bottled water everywhere in Southeast Asia. Generally you can expect to spend ~$0.50 per 1.5 liter bottle. Beer is also very inexpensive, running from $1-2 per bottle.
- Activities – $4
- Many activities throughout Southeast Asia have a small entry fee of $1-2. Waterfalls, caves, temples and other tourists attractions will usually charge these small fees. While it’s not uncommon to go a day without paying these fees, it’s reasonable to budget at least a few dollars a day in this area.
Non-daily costs:
As a good rule of thumb, the longer your time in Southeast Asia, the lower your daily budget. If you are trying to pack as much as possible in a month, you will need to spend more per day than you would if you were traveling over a multi-month period. Here’s the kind of spending you can expect at less regular intervals:
- Transport to new location – $10 per bus
- The easiest method of transportation throughout Southeast Asia is via bus. The cheapest option is to take the public transportation buses, but for a slightly higher price you can opt for marginally more comfortable private companies.
- SIM card – $20/month
- You will likely want to purchase a new SIM card in each country you travel throughout Southeast Asia. Monthly data plans usually run ~$20/month, and they are great to have for peace of mind as insurance against getting lost or stranded.
- Motorbike/Scooter – $5 per day
- Renting a motorbike is by far the most common way to get around town. Bikes typically run for ~$5/day, but make sure to take photos of the bike when you rent, especially if it isn’t from your hostel. Bike shops are known to scam tourists by falsely blaming them for damage to old bikes.
Where to stay
In most areas of Southeast Asia, you can easily find a dorm bed in a good hostel for ~$10/night. If your extra thrifty, you can even get away with $5/night in some locations. As we mentioned above, in certain circumstances, it can be cheaper to book your own room at a hotel/homestay vs. a dorm bed in a hostel.
Hostels are the preferred accommodation for most backpackers as they offer a social atmosphere along with cheap prices.
What to eat
Eat local food! You should eat local food regardless of your budget, but it also helps you save money. As a budget backpacker, that cheeseburger is not your friend. For example, in Thailand a serving of Pad Thai is typically about $2, while a burger or a plate of spaghetti would easily cost upwards of $5.
If you’re really looking to stretch your money, street food is easily the best option. It’s not uncommon to find a meal for under a dollar in a street market.
What to do
On a budget of $30/day, you should be able to do most anything you want in Southeast Asia. The whole idea of traveling is to get outside of your comfort zone and experience new cultures and things, so this is not an area you should skimp on spending. Save money wherever else you can, and put it towards the experiences of your trip.
Many of the most popular experiences throughout Southeast Asia will be offered by multiple companies. Be sure to shop around and consult other backpackers to find an option that fits your budget.
