Although there are some variations throughout the region, it is generally a popular destination because it is relatively safe and inexpensive to visit. There are tons of activities to enjoy and some stunning natural and historic attractions.
If you are thinking of taking your first trip to the region, here are travel tips for first-timers interested in backpacking Southeast Asia!
Planning Destinations & Key Destinations
When it comes to arranging flights to the region, most people will book one flight into one part of the country and then a second flight home from another part of Southeast Asia.
It is certainly worth checking to make sure your ticket can be amended, as many people will find that their trip becomes longer the more time they spend in the region.
There are plenty of amazing sights in the region, so make sure you have done your research and have planned a route that takes in these attractions, such as Angkor Wat, Ha Long Bay and Bali to name just a few.
Budgeting for Your Trip
One of the great attractions for many people is that backpacking in Southeast Asia is relatively cheap, and if you are very budget conscious you can manage on budgets as low as $20 a day.
However, in order to give yourself a few luxuries and activities, if you budget around $40 a day this will give you plenty of activities and comfortable rooms in most parts of the region.
Some countries are more expensive than others. As a rule of thumb, Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia (outside Kuala Lumpur) are among the cheapest places to explore, while Singapore and Brunei are generally the more expensive countries in the region.
Research Events and Climate for the Year
One thing worth considering is trying to tie in your itinerary with some of the biggest events in the calendar. Whether it’s Thailand for Songkran in April or Laos for the Boun Bang Fai Rocket Festival in May, you’re bound to have an amazing experience.
These can help to provide focus points for your trip and can also be relatively inexpensive highlights as they are large community events when all of the locals tend to get involved.
Most people who are traveling in the region will plan their trip to avoid the monsoon season in the region, which usually begins in May where the storms and rainfall intensify until they peak in the period from August to October before moving back into the dry season in November.
Getting Around the Region
Outside of some major cities like Bangkok, most countries have fairly limited public transport, so most overland journeys will be carried out with private bus companies. Island hopping in the Philippines and Thailand can be done inexpensively by ferry.
Look to use the more modern and safer buses where possible, and research the local companies to find out which ones have the safest drivers and which companies don’t pack too many people on to each bus.
The roads in most of Southeast Asia are perilous at best, although it is possible to rent motorcycles and cars fairly inexpensively. If you do plan to rent a motorbike, be prepared to drive defensively, and make sure you have the right level of insurance in place.
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