Cheap Destinations South East Asia – Everyone has heard that some places in the world are “cheap” to travel to while others are “expensive,” but most people struggle to quantify these claims more accurately.
For this reason, in late 2010, Price of Travel released backpacker index data for several cities. Below, you’ll find a list of the world’s most popular travel locations, ranked by cost for backpackers, now fully updated for the year 2022.
Cheap Destinations South East Asia
Most of the world’s best travel deals are still found in Asia and Latin America, but there are a few European cities that are surprisingly close to the top of the list.
Accessible Destinations In Southeast Asia
It’s certainly not a good idea to visit a city just because it’s “cheap,” but each of the places in the list below, which includes nearly all of the world’s top vacation destinations, has something positive to offer.
Exchange rates update automatically daily and all prices shown here are based on information collected and estimated as of June 2022.
The Backpacker Index is explained in more detail on each of the regional pages, but the short version is that the platform determined the cost of a selection of items for each destination and converted them into US dollars on a daily basis, making sure the list is always updated after the exchange rates.
While this information is aimed at backpackers and budget travelers, people with more money to spend should also find it beneficial because the proportions will be pretty much the same.
Best Places To See In Southeast Asia Before You Die
PriceOfTravel.com has listed all of Asia’s top tourist spots from least expensive to most expensive, at least for those on modest budgets, for the tenth consecutive year.
Southeast Asia is still home to some of the most affordable travel locations. Even so, they’re usually all extremely reasonable once you get there. The more expensive ones also often tend to be the more contemporary ones.
Because hotel rooms in general tend to be so cheap, hostels with dorm beds aren’t as common in Asia as they are in Europe or Australia. A hotel seems even more affordable if you can afford a private room for the same price as two bunk beds in a large room. However, you can determine which cities are the cheapest and most expensive for hotel guests by looking at our Asia 3-Star Traveler Index.
Prices for most items are fixed and unchangeable, however, depending on who you ask, the cost of a “cheap lunch” or bottle of beer can vary. Our predictions, however, are backed up by extensive studies and should be highly accurate.
Perfectly Chilled Places To Visit In Southeast Asia
Half the cost of a double hotel room in places where there are no hostels for one night on the cheapest bunk in the least expensive hostel with good reviews.
One expensive or famous attraction per day (every city is full of free things to do for budget-conscious travellers, but here they take the average cost of a top attraction in each city for each day).
Three inexpensive dinners each day (they took our minimum meal price and added 20 percent to make it more realistic for a longer trip).
As an “entertainment fund”, three inexpensive local beers every day. This is a broad benchmark that should be proportionate for each city because non-drinkers may choose to eat dessert and coffee or go to a local concert instead. Southeast Asia is an incredibly diverse group of countries between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with a rich tapestry of diverse cultures and religions. A favorite corner of the world for many travellers, it is known for its perfect beaches, tasty cuisine and very affordable prices!
Best Time To Travel In Southeast Asia (and Avoid The Monsoons)
There’s truly something for everyone in this tropical paradise, whether it’s action-packed adventures, trekking through steamy jungles and diving some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, or relaxing days visiting temples and hanging out on the beach. But with so much on offer, it can be hard choosing where to go!
I’ve put together a list of my favorite Southeast Asian attractions that will make your trip a memorable experience and look great on your Insta feed!
Is there anything more exhilarating than seeing dolphins in the wild? Our Lovina Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling Adventure is just magical. Your private Bali tour guide will pick you up and take you to Lovina to see the dolphins playing at sunrise. This sunrise tour means you’ll spend time snorkelling in the beautiful clear waters without the crowds. Add in lunch and a visit to an awe-inspiring temple, and this Bali tour is perfect for any type of traveler.
Angkor Wat is the precious temple and showpiece of what is now known as the Angkor Archaeological Park. I’m sure you’ve already seen the many amazing photos of the temples floating around social media, they are truly stunning! Angkor Wat is an ancient city in Cambodia that was the center of the Khmer empire that once ruled most of Southeast Asia.
Most Beautiful Places In Southeast Asia
This civilization died out, but not before constructing amazing temples and buildings that were reclaimed from the jungle over hundreds of years and eventually converted into Buddhist temples that are still in use today.
Getting there: Your best bet is to take a day trip from the closest city, Siem Reap. The closest temples are only 15-20 minutes away from downtown, however, it’s a major attraction and there are many different temples to see, so bare that to mind! You can easily get a taxi or tuk tuk for around $20-30.
Fees: To visit the temples, a temple pass must be purchased. These are sold in 1, 3 or 7 day variants. A 3-day ticket costs $62.
How much time should I spend there: While you can see a lot in just one day, you won’t be able to see everything. Three days is a great way to get a taste of the famous temples close to Siem Reap, as well as some of the temples further afield.
How To Visit 15 Unforgettable Places In Southeast Asia In Two Weeks
Best Photo Opportunity: Set your morning alarm and arrive at sunrise to get the iconic sunrise photo of Angkor Wat in all its glory.
Ha Long Bay in northeastern Vietnam is known as one of the natural wonders of the world thanks to its emerald waters dotted with 1,600 limestone islands each topped by its own rainforest jungle. It’s truly amazing and waking up to that view is something I will never forget.
Explore the area by snorkelling and diving, jump into a canoe or simply admire the view from the top deck of your sightseeing boat, cocktail in hand.
How to get there: The most convenient way to visit Ha Long Bay is to join one of the many boat tours from Hanoi.
Cheapest Destinations In Southeast Asia To Travel This 2022
Expenses: Most boat tours will include everything: pick up from Hanoi, food, lodging (if you opt for a longer tour), and park tickets. Starting prices for a 2 day/1 night tour are around $155.
How much time should I spend there: I would recommend at least a 2 day/1 night tour because waking up on a boat in Ha Long Bay and drawing the curtains to one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen is priceless.
Best Photo Opportunity: The view from the top of Cat Ba National Park is sure to capture!
If you are in Bangkok, visiting the Grand Palace is a MUST. As the name suggests, it is one of the largest and most impressive temples in Thailand. Now, there are many temples you can visit in Thailand, but if you’re only going to visit one (to avoid temple burnout), then this should be it!
My Favorite Beaches In Southeast Asia
The palace holds a very significant place in the hearts of the Thai people and is widely considered Thailand’s holiest Buddhist site.
How to get there: The temples are easily accessible from anywhere in Bangkok. Simply hop on a train, boat, tuk tuk or taxi. Public transport is quite easy to use and affordable in Bangkok.
Charges: Entrance to the Palace costs 500 baht per person (about $15), and tickets can be purchased online or at ticket offices within the Palace grounds. The ticket offices are open from 8:30 to 15:30 and the ticket also includes entry to the Vimanmek Palace and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall within 7 days of visiting the Palace.
How much time should I spend there: the gardens are open from 8.30am and I would suggest getting there a little earlier than this to ensure you experience the gardens when they are a little less busy and a little cooler! It will take you at least a few hours to walk around all the temples.
Most Romantic Destinations In Southeast Asia To Visit This Valentine’s Day
Best Photo Opportunity: Take your photo outside Wat Phra Kaew, the home of the famous Emerald Buddha. Widely considered Thailand’s most important Buddhist temple, the building is absolutely beautiful!
Located 60 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnel Network is a vast labyrinth of underground tunnels that stretches all the way to the Cambodian border. They were built by the Viet Minh during the war