Vibrant, charming, and perhaps most importantly, cheap, Southeast Asia has long been a backpacker favorite. From the temples of Cambodia to the parties of Bangkok to the tropical beaches of Bali, Indonesia, there’s plenty to see and do. So where do you start? It depends on how long you have to stay, and whether you’re comfortable spending money on extra flights after you’ve first landed.
If you can only afford a few weeks, basing yourself in one geographically diverse country, such as Thailand or Vietnam, is a good idea, but if you have the time, three to six months is a great way to see different places while staying on a budget.
The Golden Circle is by far the most popular route. Starting in Bangkok, you head north to Chiang Mai, crossing into Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng in Laos. Then you head to Hanoi in northern Vietnam, winding your way along the coast via Hue and Hoi An before entering Ho Chi Minh City. Finally, you return to Bangkok via Siem Reap in Cambodia, visiting Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh. An extended itinerary would see you heading south from the Thai capital to Malaysia and Singapore. You’ll need a flight to get to Indonesia and the Philippines.
Main photo: Tourists riding in a tuk-tuk in Bangkok, Thailand (Alamy)
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Backpackers set off from Koh Russey Island (also known as Bamboo Island), three miles off the coast of Cambodia (Getty Images)
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What should my budget be?
The amount you need will vary depending on where you go, due to differences in exchange rates and the cost of living. For example, Singapore is significantly more expensive than other Southeast Asian countries and cheap accommodation is hard to find, but you can still get affordable meals in its hawker markets. Meanwhile, Vietnam and Thailand continue to offer good value for money in both accommodation and food, even in their capital cities, and travel is cheap too. As a general guide, with exceptions like Singapore, £30 a day for food and accommodation is a realistic minimum. If you don’t mind staying in a hostel, you can easily stay for less than £20 a day, even after budgeting for food.
Accommodation will generally be your biggest expense. “You can expect to pay around £20-24 a night for very basic accommodation,” says Matthew Kramer, operations manager at KonTiki Holidays. “A standard three-star hotel will cost around £24-40.”
Hostel dorm beds cost significantly less (average between £5 and £15) and the more remote the area you go the cheaper it gets.
When it comes to food, it’s easy to stay on a budget if you eat like the locals. “Street food is the cheapest, costing around £1.50 to £2.50, but portions are smaller,” says Kramer. “If you eat local food in a restaurant, it will cost around £4 to £12. There are Western-style dishes available, but they tend to be more expensive, around £8 to £20.”
In terms of getting around, both public transport and taxis are cheap – budget around £12-16 for a one-hour taxi ride from the airport, but be careful as some drivers may try to overcharge tourists.
Nightlife in Hoi An, Vietnam (Getty Images)
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How can I save money?
Eating local food, especially from food stalls and food halls, drinking beer instead of spirits and wine, and staying in hostels can help you save a lot of money. In the latter case, if you plan on staying for a while or are traveling in a group, it’s a good idea to book directly with the accommodation to see if there are any discounts.
If not, it’s important to plan ahead and research each destination closely, including researching prices to avoid getting ripped off, looking for fake destinations off the main tourist route that offer a similar experience, and researching the cheapest time to travel.
Another obvious savings is in discomfort and inconvenience: for example, taking a bus or shared minivan from the airport is cheaper than a taxi, but it takes longer and you have to carry your own luggage.
“Air travel is fairly cheap, but if you have the time and guts, there are almost always overnight routes available over land or sea for a fraction of the cost,” Kramer says.
Buying street food in Battambang, Cambodia (Alamy)
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What vaccinations are required?
Most countries in Southeast Asia do not require vaccinations for people arriving from the UK, but it is recommended you visit your GP or a private travel clinic at least 6-8 weeks before your intended travel date to discuss optional vaccinations. Travel vaccines for polio, typhoid, hepatitis A and cholera are all available free of charge on the NHS from your GP practice. Other travel vaccines, such as rabies and Japanese encephalitis, require a fee if you choose to give them yourself.
If you are traveling from other parts of the world, it is a good idea to double-check whether you need vaccination certificates for diseases such as yellow fever or polio. Some of the requirements and recommendations are listed below:
Brunei: Yellow fever and polio vaccination certificates are required if arriving from a yellow fever and polio endemic country.
Cambodia: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if entering from a yellow fever-endemic country. There is little risk of malaria infection in the main tourist areas, but precautions are recommended in remote and forested areas.
Indonesia: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for those arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic. Malaria prevention measures are recommended.
Laos: Malaria prevention measures are recommended.
Malaysia: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for those arriving from malaria-endemic countries. Most of Malaysia is malaria-free, but precautions are recommended in Sabah, Sarawak and the central part of Peninsular Malaysia.
Myanmar: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for those entering from infected countries. Malaria is not prevalent in urban areas of Myanmar, but precautions are recommended in some rural areas.
Philippines: Yellow fever and polio vaccination certificates are required for those coming from infected countries. Malaria prevention measures are also required.
Singapore: If you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country, you will need a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Thailand: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for those entering from yellow fever endemic countries. Malaria prevention is recommended in rural areas and near the borders with Cambodia and Myanmar.
Timor-Leste: No vaccinations required. Malaria prevention measures are recommended.
Vietnam: No vaccinations are required. Malaria prevention measures are recommended.
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque (Alamy), Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
• Where can I travel without getting vaccinated?
• “Red list” countries that you should not visit
What type of visa do I need?
Most countries in Southeast Asia do not require British passport holders visiting as tourists to obtain a visa before travelling, although some have additional requirements regarding passport validity.
Brunei: British passport holders can enter for 90 days without a visa, but their passport must be valid for at least six months.
Cambodia: A tourist visa (valid for a single entry, maximum 30 days) is required before traveling, costing USD 36 (GBP 29). E-visas are available for tourists, but are not accepted at all land border crossings. Passports must be valid for at least six months.
Indonesia: A tourist visa can be obtained on arrival (valid for a single entry, maximum 30 days) for 500,000 IDR (£26) with a one-time 30-day extension. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Laos: Tourist visas (single entry only, valid for up to 30 days) can be obtained on arrival at Vientiane Wattay International Airport and Luang Prabang airport. They are also available at some land borders, but if not, you’ll need to apply for an e-visa at least three days before traveling. The visa costs US$50 (£40) and can be extended twice for up to 90 days at a cost of 20,000 LAO kip (77 pence) per day. Your passport must be valid for at least six months and have at least two free pages.
Malaysia: UK passport holders can enter for 90 days without a visa, but their passport must be valid for at least six months.
Myanmar: You’ll need a tourist visa (valid for a single entry, maximum 28 days) before traveling. The visa costs US$50 (£40). Your passport must be valid for at least six months. Most parts of Myanmar are currently under Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel warnings and some areas are closed to tourists.
Philippines: UK passport holders can enter for 30 days without a visa, but their passport must be valid for at least six months.
Singapore: UK passport holders can enter for 30 days without a visa, but their passport must be valid for at least six months.
Thailand: UK passport holders can enter for 30 days without a visa, but their passport must have at least six months remaining on its validity.
Timor-Leste: A tourist visa (single entry only, valid for up to 30 days) can be obtained on arrival for USD 30 (£24), which can be extended for free in Dili to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
Vietnam: UK passport holders can enter for 45 days without a visa, but their passport must have at least six months validity and at least two blank pages.
My Awesome Café (Alamy), a restaurant renovated from an old clinic in Singapore
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