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Southeast Asia is one of the most beautiful, characterful, and magical parts of the world. Home to idyllic beaches, wild rainforests, smouldering volcanoes, ancient ruins, and chaotically intoxicating cities, this region is as diverse as it is dazzling. It’s also one of the cheapest places in the world to visit and, once you’ve bought flights, it’s easy to keep your daily costs low.
So, if you’ve been dreaming about a tropical escape but aren’t looking to spend a fortune, Southeast Asia might be the destination for you. To get you inspired, here are six of the cheapest countries to add to your travel bucket list.
And, if you’d like to plan your trip, check out our holiday itinerary helper or find thousands of holiday deals using the button below.
Note: It’s always worth checking the latest FCDO travel advice on GOV.UK before planning your trip.
1. Vietnam
Vietnam has long been a popular travel destination, and thanks to its stunning landscapes, fascinating history, and mouthwatering street food, it’s ideal for anyone travelling on a shoestring budget.
While it’s getting more expensive, Vietnam is still cheaper than other, more developed Southeast Asian destinations, like Singapore or Malaysia.
With its breathtaking natural scenery, vibrant cities, and blissful beaches, there’s so much to do here that doesn’t cost a penny – whether hiking in the rolling rice fields or people-watching from lively riversides.
Accommodation is fairly cheap, too: dorm rooms cost around £5, simple private rooms cost between £10 and £25, and mid-range accommodation is usually over £30 a night.
Another perk of travelling to Vietnam on a budget is that you’ll get to take advantage of its street food, which will likely be some of the best you’ll try. You can feast on bánh mì baguettes, steaming bowls of pho noodle soup, fresh seafood rolls, and fried fish, all of which usually cost between £1 and £2. Alcohol is very cheap, too, and local bottled beer costs around 80p.
Attractions are a bit more pricey: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is around £5 to enter, tickets to Hoi An Ancient Town are around £4, and a cruise along the spectacular Ha Long Bay is about £10 per person.
Buses are cheap and reliable, but many people hire scooters to get around, which costs around £5 per day. The roads are very busy, but they can be a fun and flexible way to travel.
2. Thailand
When thinking about Southeast Asia, Thailand is usually the first country to come to mind – and for good reason.
Home to dreamy white sand beaches, warm turquoise waters, jungle-swathed mountains, and truly tantalising food, Thailand’s popularity has caused costs to rise over the years, but it’s still a very affordable destination for travellers.
If you’re on a tight budget, it’s best to stick to the north, which is much cheaper than central and southern Thailand. The north also offers a more authentic experience; instead of luxury resorts and overdeveloped beach towns, you can enjoy visiting lively night markets, exploring towns, and discovering the local culture.
Accommodation is cheap, especially in the north: private rooms in budget hotels are around £20, whereas dorms are under £10. Then there’s the food! Thai cuisine is some of the best in the world, and you can enjoy delicious dishes like pad thai or panang curry for around £1 from a street vendor. Restaurants are more expensive, but most are still pretty cheap.
Getting around is, for the most part, cheap, easy, and efficient – even if it’s not always that fast – and buses can be surprisingly luxurious for the low price.
Many of the attractions, especially in the north, are inexpensive, too: parks and museums usually cost between £1–4, whereas more adventurous day trips cost £12–30.
3. Cambodia
Cambodia isn’t only one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful and fascinating countries, but it’s also one of the cheapest. Boasting pristine beaches, ancient monuments, dense forests, winding rivers, and lively cities, much of Cambodia remains refreshingly untouristy – and, as a result, prices remain low.
The top attraction is the legendary temples of Angkor in the neighbouring town of Siem Reap, where prices are highest. However, accommodation is so cheap overall that you can upgrade to a fancy hotel for a fraction of the price you’d pay in the West. Budget hotels are as cheap as £4 per night, and daily budgets sit around £20 for a backpacker and £40 for mid-range travel.
Food and drink here are cheap, too – and usually delicious. Influenced by Thai, Vietnamese, and French cuisine, you can pick up cheap meals from street food stalls and fill up on noodle dishes, stir-fries, and stuffed baguettes. Traditional meals usually cost under £1, as do bottles of local Angkor beer.
Getting around is much easier nowadays, thanks to major road improvements. Buses are the cheapest way to travel, and usually the most convenient, with routes between all major towns. A bus ticket from the capital, Phnom Penh, to Siem Reap costs around £10, and for shorter trips, you can rent a motorbike or tuk-tuk for the day.
For more information and to begin planning your trip to Cambodia, check out our quick guide to the perfect Cambodia getaway.
4. Indonesia
Indonesia is breathtaking in its diversity. It’s home to volcanic slopes, shimmering reefs, sweeping beaches, mysterious forests, and a culture that’s an intriguing mix of Buddhist and Muslim influence.
While Indonesia is certainly one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia, popular destinations like Bali are far pricier.
But Indonesia has over 17,000 islands, so if you’re travelling on a tight budget, there are plenty of lesser-known islands where you’ll get much more bang for your buck. Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and Flores are all very cheap and well worth visiting – and in Flores, you’ll get the chance to see ancient Komodo dragons in their natural habitat!
If you’re after some luxury, Lombok is a great option. Budget hotels cost around £10+, and dorms are under £5. Buses are the cheapest mode of transport, but often unreliable, so it’s best to have a flexible schedule when using them. Renting a scooter is popular, too.
Street food is cheap and delicious, and includes dishes like nasi goreng, gado-gado, and sate skewers, which can be bought for around £1. If you’d like to eat out and keep costs down, it’s best to visit warungs – small, local eateries – as these are far cheaper (and more authentic) than mid-range restaurants.
In Indonesia, a backpacker’s budget can sit at around £25 a day (except in Bali), and mid-range budgets are around £45 a day.
5. Laos
As beautiful and beguiling as Laos is, it’s often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Thanks to its relative lack of mass tourism, it’s even cheaper than all three of its neighbours – and this Southeast Asian country has just as much going for it.
Laos features mountainous countryside, emerald rice fields, beautiful forests, and thundering waterfalls, as well as Buddhist temples, ancient hill settlements, and French colonial architecture. So, if you’re looking for a culture and adventure holiday that doesn’t break the bank, you’re in the right place.
Hotels cost upwards of £7 per night. Or, if you’re happy to share dorms with other travellers, prices are as low as £5. Eating out is very cheap, too. Similar to Thai food, Lao cuisine is fresh, fragrant, and fiery, and you can eat a day’s worth of meals for under £7. A three-course meal in a more upmarket restaurant costs around £9. Laos is also one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia to buy alcohol.
Local buses only cost around 50p each way. And, attractions like parks, temples, and waterfalls cost £1–6 to enter – and activities like kayaking, trekking, and cycling are all pretty inexpensive, too. Pricier excursions include Mekong River boat trips (which cost upwards of £20 per person) and hot air balloon rides (which cost around £100 per person).
Thrifty backpackers can get by on around £15 per day, whereas mid-range travellers are looking at £30+.
6. The Philippines
An island-hopping beach break may not sound like the cheapest holiday, but it can be if you go to the Philippines!
Home to over 7,000 islands, dense jungles, active volcanoes, and buzzing cities, you could spend months travelling and barely scratch the surface. Luckily, the Philippines is another cheap country in Southeast Asia, so your money goes a long way here.
Although accommodation is a bit pricier than in other Southeast Asian countries (hostels can be around £10–20 per night, though dorms are around £4), food is much cheaper. Street food is around £1.50 per meal, while a three-course meal for one at a mid-range restaurant is about £8. Beer is between £1 and £2, and a bottle of water is around 20p!
If you’re looking to do some island-hopping, ferry fares are very low, around £11, and if it’s a longer journey and you’d like to be able to sleep, you can book a private cabin for an extra £35. However, air travel is pretty cheap here, too, so it’s worth looking into flights. The islands of Palawan, Coron, and Siargao are stupendously beautiful, and once you’re there, the costs are low.
One of the most popular activities in the Philippines is diving, and thanks to the prevalence of crystal clear waters, sugar-white beaches, and tranquil lagoons, it’s one of the best dive destinations in the world. Most dives cost around £25, which includes boat and equipment rental. And if you’d like to stay above the waves, island-hopping boat trips cost around £12–20.
Final thoughts…
Travel is one of the most exciting, rewarding, and memorable things we can do, but many of us find it difficult to fit it into our budgets.
However, it’s worth remembering that aside from being one of the world’s most beautiful and diverse regions, Southeast Asia is also one of the cheapest. So if you’re dreaming of a blissful beach break or an exotic adventure, it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Staying in cheap hotels, guesthouses, or hostels and relying on local transport is an excellent way to keep costs down. Plus, with so much delicious street food, you can eat like a king for just a few pounds.
Flights are the main expense, but travelling during the off-season makes a huge difference here – and there are many ways you can find discounts and deals.
For more holiday inspiration, head over to our travel section. Here, you’ll find more ideas for affordable travel in articles like 8 ways to travel on a shoestring budget and 11 of the cheapest countries to visit. Or browse the latest Southeast Asia travel deals using the button below.
Have you visited any of these Southeast Asian countries? Or maybe you have your own suggestions for budget-friendly destinations in this part of the world? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences in the comments below.
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