There is no denying that a high percentage of backpackers are dreaming of putting Asia on their bucket list for their next voyage. Well, who wouldn’t? Asia is the largest continent and the most geographically diverse part of the planet.

The continent comes with vibrant culture and extraordinary landscapes that are aesthetically pleasing in various ways.

Vietnam, home of the famous Ha Long Bay. Here lies the island’s number one destination for tourist hubs wanting for a soothing picturesque scenery as they chill.

Across East Asia is the Great Wall of China, it escalated to have 20-23 feet above the ground, and still one of the most appealing sites that have 2,700 years of history.

Meanwhile, if you feel a bit more outgoing, consider heading out to the islands of the Philippines, they are famous for tourist who has a zest for snorkelling and scuba diving.

And if you are also a person obsessed with sunsets and sunrise, considering electric cycling in Bagan over the dawn has to be a good option for you.

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• Backpacking in Southeast Asia
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• Vaccinations to get for Southeast Asia travel
• Best time to go to Southeast Asia
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WHAT TO INCLUDE ON YOUR ASIA BUCKET LIST

Asia has multiple underlying countries travellers already distinguished as the best places to go now and then. Of course, you want to visit places worth the time and money. Reading up will give you more insights into the best Asia bucket list that can ease your wanderlust.

Motorbiking in Vietnam

You’ll be surprised by how many motorcyclists, whether foreigner or local who relies on a motorbike in Vietnam as a means of daily transportation in running errands and travelling.

Motorbiking has been part of the culture of Vietnamese since the 1960s. As the tourists find Vietnam as a great travel destination, the British show Top Gear made a discovery of how exciting it is to make a motorbike trip through the Hai Van pass.

The pass that goes from the old town of Hue, up the mountains, over the clouds with almost zero visibility, ride down to the beach town of Da Nang and then reaching the charming place called Hoi An.

Not recently that motorcyclists have been pouring popularity in a travel route connecting from Hanoi all the way to Ho Chi Minh City.

It was the exquisite terrain and majestic mountains that made motorbiking in Vietnam enjoyingly viable. But as a first-time traveller, how much does a motorbike, food, and accommodations will cost you?

REMEMBER: Check if you need a visa for Vietnam

Accommodations

You can find accommodations from $5-$7/dorm room or $10-$15/private room(double occupancy). You can read this list of best hostels in Vietnam

Motorbike cost

You can buy a motorbike for $280-$450 (buying in the south can be pricier) the repair costs between $1-$10 depending on the problem or even more.

How long will it take if riding through Sapa

It takes 2-4 days to experience the nature view of Sapa fully. It is located in the northern district of Vietnam. The terrain overlooks terraced golden rice fields and majestic mountains.

Passing through the Hai Van Pass

About 6-8 hours depending on how many stops you will do. You can also spend a night in Da Nang and continue the trip to Hoi An or to Hue (depending on where you’re coming from) the next day.

Food

Around $5-$8 for budget meals good for three times a day. Most hostels and hotels offer free breakfast. While there is a lot of convenience store in the big cities which offers a quick meal and snack.

Travel time in a motorbike

3 weeks, from north to south of Vietnam or vice versa. If you don’t have the time, you can also get to the central of Vietnam and take an international or domestic flight from there.

Gas expenses

You can buy $6 for full motorbike tanks that has the capacity of 7 litres. Average distance you can go to is about 150km/day or a maximum of 6 hours a day. 

Rickshaw Run India

One of the great travel adventures in India is the Rickshaw Run. Indians have been travelling across India three times a year with various routes driving a rickshaw – a vehicle with a very tiny engine.

The event began on December 2006; the first route travelled was Ernakulam Kochi to Darjeeling. Rickshaw run is commonly traversing with 3000 km with just a rickshaw. The rickshaw doesn’t have the capabilities to withstand the long distance.

Along the way, you’ll tremble in the ground, get stuck, breakdown, and overheat in multiple times. This is the part where Rickshaw Run gets exciting, and adventurous for such, getting lost midway has definite possibilities.

REMEMBER: You probably need to apply for an Indian visa

Cost of a Rickshaw

$2000 for buying a rickshaw vehicle. 

Accommodation​

You’ll have to find lodging every day, and that will cost you $15-$25 for cheap hotels with a double room and air conditioning.

Food

You can eat along the road, there are tons of family-owned restaurant, stalls, and stores which will cost you $ 1.5 for a meal in a family-owned restaurant. 

Gas Expenses

Consuming 10-15 litres per day. $11 each day for rickshaw petrol.

Travel time in a Rickshaw run

The travel time usually lasts for 14 days or more if you travel slower.

Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand

Elephants are scattering around places in Thailand. This huge majestic creature grows a big business for Tourism. In most cases, it is sad to encounter mistreatment to these creatures in Thailand.

Hence, if you want to see and play with the elephants, you have to do extensive research which sanctuaries and rescue centres you should visit to make sure that the place is putting the welfare of the elephant as the top priority.

Ethical elephant sanctuaries help to rescue and rehabilitate them after maltreatment the from the previous owner such as riding them, pushing the elephants to perform for hours under a drug, training them using cruel tactics. They are mostly located in the Northern part of Thailand.

Many retreats engage in saving animals lives and ending the mistreatment of wildlife in Thailand. Remember, elephants have fantastic memories; being mistreated will scar them forever.

Responsible tourism should be equally beneficial to you as a tourist, to the locals, and the animals and nature.

Estimated Cost

The Cost may vary on the length of stay. Travellers can stay for more than one day for $46-$142 a single day visit to up to $1,000 for 1 – 2 weeks of accommodation

How long will it take

One day to a full two weeks 

What to remember

If the place offers a ride or a performance from the elephant, you must avoid this place. Best to read reviews online or ask Thailand traveller forums to get some insights before signing up for this activity

Full Moon Party in Thailand

Partygoers are positive that the most beautiful place to experience a full moon was in Koh Phangan. 10,000 – 30,000 people were getting on party vibes as the moon shines bright in the crescent-shaped white sand beach of Thailand.

Mayhem is avoidable in this night, being the largest and most infamous party over the world. This late-night event is always fully booked and gets first-timers pumped up with a tremendous amount of booze and techno, house, trance, metal kinds of music.

Estimated Cost

You can buy $3 for an entrance fee, and $5-$7 for liquors. The cost now depends on how drunk you are planning to be in this extraordinary party.

How long will it take

It usually takes one night and one full day. 

Electric Cycling Through Bagan/Sunrise Over Bagan

E-bikes and motorcycles are extremely popular in Bagan, however, travellers or if you look like a foreigner, it is illegal for you to own and drive a motorbike in Bagan. Sure, it sounds disheartening, heads up because there is something much better for you, E-bikes.

Myanmar, home of more than 100 ethnic groups, in the region is an ancient city recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Expect temples and infrastructure which resemblance of old civilization in Bagan. A town built by kings in late 1050-1290.

There are about 2200 temples today, and getting over in feet is a fierce battle, locals suggest to rent up an E-bike instead as a means of travelling. One characteristic that keeps on attracting the most tourists in Bagan is the perfect geographical location in its view over sunrise.

TIP: Get your Myanmar evisa online

Estimated cost

​​​​$33 for daily travel expenses, including accommodation, food, water, local transportation, and entertainment.

How long will it take

Three and more days are good enough to enjoy around Bagan.

Best tip

Go in a group if you’re catching the sunrise because the map that your receptionist will hand is not accurate (there are no post lamps in Bagan), there is a big chance that you will get lost in the dark and miss the sunrise

Visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan

Memories will always hunt Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. The first-ever atomic bomb (little boy) was dropped and killed thousands of innocent people’s lives. Today, locals and tourists are always free and welcome to commemorate the death of its people in Peace Memorial Park. 

You can also walk around and learn more about the melancholic history in the solemn Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Like the City of Bagan, in 1996, Hiroshima was also declared as a UNESCO World Heritage.

After the bombings, Japanese starts converting its lands solely for parks and memorialize the aftermaths of this tragic bombings.

ALSO READ: Things to know before travelling to Japan

Estimated Cost

185$ for three days accommodations, destination entrance fee, and a complete itinerary trip that covers top destination in Hiroshima. Excluding airfare and food. Prices of foods vary each type.

How long will it take

Three days is a good amount of time.

Angkor Wat and the Killing Fields, Cambodia

It may be difficult to digest the information you’ll receive on a trip to Angkor Wat to Killing fields; it is important to spend at least three days in Phnom Penh (Killing Fields and Genocide Museum) and another three days in Siem Reap (Angkor Wat).

You can see stone temples across jungles and monuments of the fallen heroes that have been killed by a communist party that took power in the country in the year 1975. Khmer Rouge appeals to be responsible for the death of more than two million Cambodians.

Despite the tragedy, Cambodians have chosen to forget and reflect on this event by pouring its past horrors in its Museums and prayers on temples. Meanwhile on the side of Angkor War lies the most excellent 12th-century ancient university and Asia’s largest lake. 

ALSO READ: What you need to know before arriving in Cambodia

Estimated Cost

Visiting these two places will cost about $80-$150 including the tickets and transportation.

How long will it take

It should take about a week, which should be enough without hurrying to see the two places.

Good ‘ol Great Wall of China

In line with the Chinese defence, dynasties fortified a massive wall and high mountain watch towers in protecting them from raids following invasions. Throughout 475-221 BC, north Chinese men begin developing these walls and start joining it in various states that collectively known today as The Great Wall of China.

Today, the wall is a top-rated tourist site that gets too crowded on the top. The wall is 20-23 feet above the ground, and you could be overlooking a whole nation and experience moderate hiking.

Estimated Cost

It will cost you $30 for entering the wall, including minibus transportation.

How long will it take

The most famous and fully restored section of the wall is Mutianyu. Driving will take 2 hours reaching the entrance. You can spend a whole day walking, running and hiking 4000 stairs to the wall.

Snorkelling and Diving in the Philippines

Thanks to the Gods, the Philippines remains to be the top seductive places to visit when planning to take a dip in the bluest oceans and far-off white sand coastlines. The Visayas, one of the three Philippine islands are primitive in terms of bodies of water.

Wherever you are in the three islands Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao your always close to my home – the beach. Meanwhile, the Philippines are top-rated to divers and snorkelers. There is a myriad of places to visit when expecting to see marine life. Siquijor is one of the islands that attracts travellers the most. And always in the best Asia Bucket List in a travellers journal.

Estimated cost

$30 for one little dive per day, including gear. $28 for a snorkelling course with equipment.

How long will it take

1 – 2 days should be enough or long if you (just like me) can’t have enough of this activity.

Travelling through Borneo

Borneo is one of the most eco biodiverse regions on the planet. It has the oldest far-reaching rainforest and home to multiple kinds of chimps and exotic wildlife.

There over 1100 types of species living in the mountainous centre of Borneo. And interacting with them is possible, especially when you’re on a trip. Sabah is one of the provinces that are rich in ecosystems.

Tourist keeps on growing. Today, tourism in Borneo evolves in ways that they already offer bird tours, wildlife sanctuaries, and many more enjoyments that can leave you speechless with your jungle life experience.

Estimated cost

$8 – 15 for a dorm bed, $6 a day for food, and $7 for park admissions

How long will it take

1-2 weeks is enough in exploring the entire Sabah Region.

Train Travel Across Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka runs every railway across nations. A train trip is a spectacular, and sensational experience you can have when planning for Asia’s bucket list. This trip is popular for its scenic view but also for a chance to get the coolest photo from Asia.

You’ll have your ultimate me time and try reflecting on life while overlooking far-reaching fields of tea plantations. A scenic Sri Lanka train expedition is just like Before Sunrise, and the ride can be very romantic and personal.  

Estimated cost

$1.5 for a 4 hours ride on a train. 

How long will it take

A lot of travellers would travel the entire country of Sri Lanka on a train. You can either do this just once or multiple times.

These are some of my Asia’s bucket list, tell me yours. I’d also love to visit lovely places that can shake your whole world overview.

If you have comments, suggestions, insights or more outputs, leave a comment below! I’d be happy to hear something from a fellow traveller.

ARE YOU ON PINTEREST? SAVE THIS FOR LATER READ:

I hear you and I feel you! Our passport isn’t the strongest but that doesn’t mean we cannot travel the world. Because we CAN! Visa issues are surely not the only puzzle we have to solve if we want to travel. The money, work, and other personal reasons are joining the sinking boat of hope to travel.

But hey, at least we are one step closer to see the beauty of the world we live in. These visa-free countries for Philippines passport holder is a good way to start your around the world trip, even just one at a time.

So far, my Philippines Passport has taken me to 25 countries, from Asia to Europe, back in Asia, then back to Europe, South America, and Africa. Sounds fun isn’t it? It’s possible, that means you can too! >>Find out how I started travelling

RELATED POSTS: 

• How To Renew Your Philippines Passport
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There are over 60 countries that we can visit that Philippines passport is visa free. Most are in Asia, Africa, Carribean, Oceania and Pacific Islands, Central and South America. If you have questions regarding visa-free countries for Philippines passport holders, contact me here.

What’s on the list: Visa-Free, Visa-on-Arrival (VOA), eVisa, Use of your visa from another country

PHILIPPINES PASSPORT VISA FREE COUNTRIES:
​Understanding the types of visas

If it’s your first time to travel or have very limited experience, this section will help you understand the types of visas or terminologies that they use.

What is a visa

A visa is an international legal permit proving that the holder is allowed to enter, stay, and leave the country.

Some countries will require you to hold or apply for a visa before you enter their country, while there are countries that they don’t ask you to obtain one. All you need to do is arrive and leave in time to avoid any problems in the future.

What are the visa types

 These are the following visa types or tag used for visas:

VISA FREE – This means that you do not need to apply for a visa for a certain number of days. Make sure that you look up how many days you can only stay. The immigration officer will stamp your passport with the details of your entry and/or exit. Overstaying your visa can lead to a very serious problem. While some countries will require you to show a hotel booking and a flight ticket exiting their country. For Filipinos, many Southeast Asia, African, Central, and South American countries are visa-free.

VISA ON ARRIVAL (VOA) – Visa on arrival means that you can get the visa once you arrive. Now, visa on arrival can be a little tricky, some visa on arrival can only be received if you enter through a specific border point; via air, land, or sea. So, make sure you check this before you booked a ticket. Visa on arrival must be paid when you enter the immigration control after you land. Make sure that you have US Dollars with you all the time.

EVISA – This type of visa can be done online, they can be free or upon a fee. In some cases, you can apply for this in a matter of days before your arrival while others can take up to weeks. You will also be asked to pay through online and submit your data.

VISA REQUIRED – When a visa is required, you either need to apply on the embassy or through a third party depending on the embassy’s policy. A set of documents will be required to be submitted, this is also the visa that can take up from weeks to months to be processed. 

VISA GUIDE FOR FILIPINO FOR ASIA

Many countries in Asia can be visited by Filipinos without a visa. Just make sure that you have an onward ticket, hotel booking, and bank certificate ready in case you are asked by the immigration offer. I also shared my immigration experience leaving the Philippines on a tourist visa.

RELATED POST: Visa free countries for Canadian passport holders

Member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

FREE VISA:

• Brunei Darussalam – 14 Days 
• Cambodia – 21 Days – Complete Cambodia Visa Guide – Get your visa now if you want to stay longer 
• Indonesia – 30 Days
• Laos – 30 Days (Your Laos Complete Visa Guide)
• Malaysia – 30 Days (Complete: Malaysia Visa Guide) – Apply here if you need a visa)
• Myanmar – 14 Days (Your Complete Myanmar Visa Guide) – Apply here
• Singapore – 30 Days (Singapore Tourist Visa Guide)
• Thailand  – 30 Days (Your Complete Thailand Visa Guide)
• Timor-Leste (East Timor) – 30 Days, issues at the Dili Airport and Seaport
• Vietnam – 21 Days (Your Complete Vietnam Visa Guide) – Apply here if you want to stay longer

RELATED POST: Ultimate Southeast Asia Travel Budget & Backpacking in Southeast AsiaCHECK OUT WHERE I GET THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT

Non ASEAN Member

FREE VISA:

• Hong Kong – 14 days
• Israel – 90 days (here is how you can extend your Israel Tourist Visa)
• Iran – 15 days,  must arrive at these airports
• Macau – 30 days
• Mongolia – 21 days
• South Korea – 30 days if arriving on Jeju Island or after visiting South Korea 4 times with visa. (There’s been a speculation that starting 2020, you can enter through Seoul, Incheon, and Busan and stay for five days but your last destination has to be Jeju Island. However, apparently, this hasn’t been signed or implemented. Please don’t make travel plans based on this announcement)
• Taiwan – 14 days extended until July 2020 or you can apply for a longer visa

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA/TOURIST CARD:

• Armenia – visa on arrival for 120 days
• Georgia – evisa for 30 days, visa on arrival for 90 if you have valid visa or residence permit from EU/EFTA/GCC, Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, UK, US) – (Your Complete Georgia Visa Guide)
• India – evisa for 30 days or more, you must apply for an e-Visa – Apply here!
• Kyrgyzstan – visa on arrival for 30 days
• Maldives – visa on arrival for 30 days, must show (hotel bookings, proof of financial support and return flight
• Nepal – visa on arrival for 21 Days
• Saudi Arabia – if you hold a valid US, UK, CA, and Schengen visa
• Sri Lanka – evisa for 30 Days, must obtain an Electronic Visa Authorisation
• Tajikistan – visa on arrival for 45 days
• Turkey – evisa for 30 days  (only if you have valid visa or residence permit from Schengen Countries, Ireland, UK, and the US) – (Your Complete Turkey Visa Guide) – Apply here
• Uzbekistan – evisa for 30 days, free transit for 5 days in an international airport but must show an onward ticket – apply for an evisa

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VISA GUIDE FOR FILIPINO FOR AFRICA

FREE VISA:

• Cape Verde Islands – 21 days
• Cote d’Ivoire – 90 days
• Comoros – 21 days
• Morocco – 90 days
• Rwanda – 90 days
• Seychelles – 21 days, must show sufficient funds & hotel bookings

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Djibouti – visa on arrival for 30 days
• Gambia – visa on arrival, prior clearance from the Immigration is a must
• Guinea-Bissau – visa on arrival for 90 days
• Kenya – visa on arrival for 90 days
• Madagascar – visa on arrival for 30 days
• Malawi – visa on arrival for 21 days
• Mauritania – visa on arrival, only available at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport.
• Mozambique – visa on arrival for 30 days
  
• Senegal – visa on arrival for 30 days, must have an invitation letter
• Somalia –  visa on arrival for 30 days, an invitation letter from the sponsor must be submitted 2 days before arrival
• Tanzania – visa on arrival
• Togo – visa on arrival for 7 days, must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate
• Uganda – visa on arrival for 90 days at Entebbe Airport
• Zambia – evisa for 90 days – APPLY HERE

RELATED POST: If you also hold a passport from the USA, check this travel visa guide for USA passport holder

VISA GUIDE FOR FILIPINO FOR AMERICAS

In Central and South America, many there are many visa free countries for Philippines passport holders. The flight can be expensive but it’s definitely worth it.

Central America / Caribbean

VISA FREE:

• Colombia – 90 days, must show an exit ticket and yellow fever vaccination certificate if coming from Brazil, Dominica, Uganda
• Dominica – 21 days
• Haiti – 21 days
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – 30 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/EVISA:

• Antigua and Barbuda – evisa, apply online
• Costa Rica – visitor’s permit on arrival for 30 days
• Nicaragua – visa on arrival for 90 days
• Trinidad and Tobago – visa on arrival for TTD 400
• Saint Lucia – visa on arrival for 6 weeks – ECD 125
• Saint Kitts and Nevis – evisa $100 for 30 days

South America

FREE VISA

• Bolivia – 90 days
• Brazil – 90 days
• Ecuador – 90 days
• Peru – 183 days
• Suriname – 90 days

RELATED POSTS:

• Most Affordable Destinations Outside The Philippines
• Best Festivals in the Philippines All-Year Round

VISA GUIDE FOR FILIPINO FOR EUROPE

Unfortunately, there are no European countries without a visa for Filipino, there are a few small countries without visa regulations, however, since they are sandwiched between Schengen countries, they exercise the Schengen rules.

eVisa, FREE VISA, USE OF OTHER VISA:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina – must hold a valid visa from the Schengen States
• Croatia –  must hold a valid visa from the Schengen States
• Liechtenstein – 30 days visa free, must hold a valid visa from the Schengen States
• Kosovo – visa exempted  only if you hold a valid Schengen residence permit or multi-entry Schengen Visa
• Romania – must hold a valid visa from the Schengen States
• Serbia – Free visa ONLY if you hold a valid UK, US, and Schengen Visa

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS A MUST FOR EUROPE VISA

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Here’s a Schengen Visa Application Guide
• How to use your Schengen Visa after 90-Day rule

VISA GUIDE FOR OCEANIA & PACIFIC ISLANDS

These countries are basically our neighbour, there is a pretty good number of visa free countries for Filipinos in this part of the world. Make sure that you check the flight prices first because it can be expensive. Not many people go here, therefore, you can be sure that it’s not as a tourist as other parts of the world.

FREE VISA & VOA:

• Cook Islands – 31 days
• Fikji – 120 days
• Mirconesia – 30 days
• Nauru – 30 days
• Niue – 30 days
• Vanuatu – 30 days

VISA ON ARRIVAL/PERMIT ON ARRIVAL:

• Fiji –  visitor’s permit on arrival for 120 days
• Marshall Islands – visa on arrival for 90 Days, VOA
• Palau – visa on arrival for 30 days
• Papua New Guinea – visa on arrival for 60 days, must arrive at Port Moresby and Rabaul airport and must show an exit ticket
• Pitcairn Islands – visa on arrival for 14 days
• Samoa – visitor’s permit on arrival for 60 days, must show an onward ticket
• Tuvalu – visitor’s permit on arrival 30 days, must show an exit ticket

RELATED ARTICLE: Best Travel Bank Cards In The Philippines

TIPS: Onward flight ticket, hotel bookings, and questions about your purpose for travel will be asked. Just be honest and confident. Wear a big smile.

Note: Please check online or get in touch with the embassy to know if other specific requirements before making any booking of flight or hotel.

I hope you find this list of Philippines passport visa free countries for Filipinos useful and I hope that even there are limited countries that Filipino can don’t need a visa, you will still pursue travelling and seeing the world. if you have any questions regarding this article, let me know in the comment section below.

DISCLAIMER

A Mary Road is not responsible for any situation where the reader was denied admittance to the above-listed countries. Please refer to our Disclosure. We advise you to always double-check visa information as they change quite often to avoid any hassles.

It’s more fun in the Philippines. That’s the Department of Tourism’s slogan to promote the country’s world-class tourist destinations. There’s the now super clean Boracay for beach and party lovers.

The City of Baguio for people who appreciates a bit of cold weather and pine trees. And then there’s a wide variety of local delicacies that you should try, such as sisig and sinigang.

But before you start packing your things to a backpack, it is essential first to know when is the best time to travel the Philippines to make your vacation as smooth as it can be.

Of course, the “best time” is somewhat subjective because different people prefer different things, so we’ll certainly take that into consideration.

ALSO READ:

• ​Reasons to retire in the Philippines
• Best time to travel to Southeast Asia
• Philippines’ visa guide
• Philippines on a budget

SEASONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

The best time to visit the Philippines depends on your preferred weather. Because the Philippines is a tropical country, there are only two seasons here: the dry and the wet season. Let’s explore the pros and cons of the hot and cold seasons in the Philippines below.

When is summer in the Philippines

The period when it is the hottest in the Philippines is what’s considered as the country’s “summer” season. It is also the most touristy period in the country, thanks to its stunning beaches.

However, the peak season is also the season when the prices are high, and the crowd of people is overwhelming, which isn’t the best time to visit the Philippines, in my opinion. But if you want to experience the Philippines at its hottest and its busiest, then, I recommend you visit the country during summer.

• Months: March-May
• Average temperature: 38 °C (100.4 °F)

When is the rainy season/typhoon season in the Philippines

The rainy season in the Philippines is less popular with tourists because not so many people enjoy rain showers. This is also the “Typhoon season” for this country.

Of course, the rainy season has its own appeal, so if you are a pluviophile and you want to enjoy lower prices in general, then this may be the best time to travel to the Philippines.

But then it isn’t advisable to hike the Philippine mountains during this season as the trails can be muddy and slippery, therefore, messy at the very least, and very dangerous. While flights, bus schedules, and ferries can be cancelled at the peak of the typhoon season for safety issues.

• Months: June – October
• Average temperature: 27.7°C (82°F)

WHEN IS THE PEAK SEASON IN THE PHILIPPINES

Different places in the Philippines have their own peak and low season. For example, Baguio’s peak season is between the months of December to February, and Baler’s peak season is between March and June.

Generally speaking, when thinking of when to travel to the Philippines, the peak season is to be avoided. But then again, the important festivals are usually happening during the peak season, so the decision is up to you; do you want to experience the festive and extroverted side of the Philippines or its slower and introverted side?

December is generally the busiest month in the Philippines. Because the majority of Filipino people’s most celebrated holiday is the Christmas season, expect the volume of traffic to be heavier, and the crowd to be denser.

The accommodation prices and flights are also higher at this time of the year. The good thing about this season is that the temperature is much colder, the locals are in much happier spirit, and you get to enjoy the Christmas lights almost everywhere in the country!

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES

It is best to go to the Philippines when it isn’t too hot. And when the airfare and the cost of living, in general, are not that high.

That being said, I personally think that the best time to go to the Philippines is between the end of May until early of August then again from the end of October until mid of December.

When there aren’t that many tourists, and the weather is a bit more accommodating (however, can be unpredictable), which makes a tourist’s stay as comfortable as it can be.

But, then again, there are many exciting events between December until April that make braving through the country’s slight inconveniences worth it, such as the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City and the world-famous Penitence event during the Holy Week.

If you want to visit the islands

If you are after sunbathing, surfing, water activities, island hopping, and other trips that require a sunny day, you would want to come between December until the end of May.

During these months, there is a very little chance for any rain or typhoon while the temperature is at its best and the locals are also on their holiday spirit.

If you want to surf, make sure to read about the surfing spots before coming. Not all surfing places in the Philippines have the best waves at the same time.

Best time for hiking

For hikers, you want to come between November to March and then again from May until July. These times offer better temperature and drier weather. From April to May, it can be boiling and uncomfortable to hike while August until October is the high season for the typhoon.

Mountains are most likely to be closed for safety reasons. Many amazing mountains to hike are located in the north of the Philippines.

To visit during the Christmas holidays and New Years

If you ask any Filipino, Christmas is the best time to be in the Philippines. The temperature is more refreshing, and everyone is remarkably happier.

Filipinos celebrate Christmas and the New Year’s even like no one else in the world. The traditions come out, the streets are full of bright lights, while parties are non-stop wherever you go.

Just remember that during these times, the prices are higher and places to stay are often fully-booked a few months in advance.

Travel during the Holy Week

While Holy Week or Easter is another massive holiday in the Philippines. The students are on break from school while many offices and business are shut down. The locals go home to their provinces to visit their families.

The celebration takes four days, however, as a tourist, you will experience that the entire week is the busiest time for islands and provinces in the Philippines. At the same time, Metro Manila will be almost empty during this time.

Again this is a high season, meaning accommodations and transportation will be fully booked and the prices are higher.

Participate with the local festivals

A lot of local festivals in the Philippines which are really amazing to join and experiences are happening between December until May. 

FINAL CONCLUSION

At the end of the day, your personal preference matters most and the activities you want to do when deciding which season is the best for you to visit the country.

This article is more of a guide than an absolute answer. So, whether you’re the type of person who enjoys mingling with the crowd or you appreciate a less crowded place better, the Philippines and its citizens will welcome you with warmth!

I hope that this article will be of help should you decide when is the best time to travel to the Philippines. What are your thoughts about the Philippine seasons, and which season would you prefer to visit the country? Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings below!

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Since travelling is now very trendy especially backpacking in Southeast Asia, cheap ways to travel are getting more and more attention. If you are on a budget, Southeast Asia is a perfect destination for you and I’ll tell you later why.

Travelling is constantly developing, nowadays, this is something that other people see as a lifestyle. Companies in the tourism industry are everywhere and a lot of them are competing who can offer the cheapest flight tickets, accommodations, tours, and other services.

Even you are half the world away, travelling is very possible now without spending too much. Find out what are the top destinations in Southeast you should explore next.

RELATED ARTICLES: 

• ​Visa guide for Southeast Asia
• When to visit Southeast Asia
• ​Ultimate Southeast Asia travel budget
• Where to surf in Asia; best surfing spots, cost, tips
• Vaccinations for Southeast Asia
• Best books to read while travelling

NOTE: All prices are in US Dollars

HERE ARE THE TOP DESTINATIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA FOR YOU TO EXPLORE

Make sure you already have a passport, because after reading this article, you will not be able to stop looking at cheap flights, accommodations, food to try, and of course, blue beaches to swim.

VIETNAM TRAVEL COST

Forget about the Pho they offer to your favourite Vietnamese restaurant, get on the plane and try the tastiest, freshest and cheapest Pho you will ever have! Vietnam has a crazy number of tourist every day, and it keeps growing. Because of this, cheap hostels and affordable tours can be found in every corner of the streets.

Why Is This One Of The Most Affordable Destinations Outside The Philippines?

Daily Budget

Accommodation and food alone should not cost you more than $10-$15 a day, which means you can survive with $20 a day. There are tons of budget-friendly hostels around, while cheap and tasty food can be found almost everywhere. Even beers cost next to nothing!

Flight Tickets

$500 or less, I managed to fly from Denmark to Hanoi for $350 for one-way ticket most of the time, it’s cheaper if you get a return flight. Most affordable flights are leaving from Helsinki, London, Copenhagen, Warsaw. Turkey, Rome, Frankfurt, and Paris in Europe, make sure to check the flights from big cities or capital of the country to find the best flight. Check for cheap flights.

Hostels​

$4-$5 – Sharing a room with 2 or more bunk beds. If you are travelling with a friend or someone else, it’s cheaper to get a private room which starts at $10. Check these Best Vietnam Hostels or my recommended hostel in Vietnam that I personally stayed at

Meal​​​​

$1-3 from street food to a casual restaurant or fast-food chains. There is also convenient stores like VinMart, Family Mart, and Circle K that offers ready to eat meals for great prices.

Transportation

$12 for an 8-hour bus ride. Local buses around the city are around $0.20 but the traffic is pretty bad, you can take a motorbike taxi for as cheap as $.50. Maybe motorbiking in Vietnam sounds appealing to you as well.

Tours​

Tours start about US$25 up depending on what you are looking for to do. There are also free things to do like visiting Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum in Hanoi. I joined the Mekong Delta tour in Ho Chi Minh City for $12. Check the super cheap tours here. or here.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa​

Southeast Asian nationals and a few Europeans are free to enter between 14-30 days. If you want to stay longer than that or if you need a visa, you can do it check this Vietnam visa guide too or  Apply here

RELATED ARTICLES:

• A guide for the things you MUST do in Vietnam
• A border crossing between Vietnam and Laos
• 50 travel tips if you decide to go backpacking in Southeast Asia

CAMBODIA TRAVEL COST

The beautiful Angkor Wat, the markets in Battambang, the beach in Koh Rong, and not to mention the happy pizza (Oops!). Whatever your reason is, Cambodia is definitely worth a visit. With its affordable food, hostels, and beers, there is no excuse not to travel here anytime soon.

Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia? 

Daily Budget

You can easily survive with $15-$20, tours and visit to Angkor Wat are excluded. It’s very easy to find budget food and hostels. Transportation should not be expensive too and remember to always bargain when you use tuk-tuk. Check for cheap flights.

Flight Tickets

The flight are about $600 or more, it’s rare to find a direct cheap flight to Cambodia, the best is to fly to Bangkok and then take a bus for $12 to Cambodia. Check for cheap flights

Hostels

Dorm beds in a mixed room are about $4-$6. Again, sharing a private room is also cheaper. 
Check Hostels in Cambodia that I personally stayed at

Meal

You can find $1.5 or less for street food or $2 for side street restaurant that can leave you full. While the restaurant is about $3-$5.

Transportation​

A taxi should cost you around $1-$2 per 5 kilometres. For a short ride with tuk-tuks, it should not be more than a dollar. Buses are around $10-$12 for 9-10 hour bus ride. Local buses are $5-$6 or less.

Tours

You can find cheap tours in Phnom Penh for about $3, these are some tours that you only need to pay for transportation.  Find more information about affordable tours here or here.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa

Cambodia is only visa-free for Southeast Asian countries, however, Europeans and travellers from other parts of the world can get a visa on arrival or an evisa online – Cambodia Visa Guide: Apply here!

THAILAND BUDGET COST

Wait, what?! I thought Thailand is supposed to be expensive? Well, that’s quite accurate, unless you budget and plan well. Perhaps turn your focus up in the north instead of the islands? Both of us know that we have more than enough islands in the Philippines.

Thailand is one of the main destinations in Southeast Asia, because of the growing number of backpackers here, Thailand offers affordable hostels and food to its travellers. If you are going alone (because your friends are “puro drawing”) no need to worry, you will meet heaps of solo travellers here.

RELATED POST: But watch out for the lady in the Red Dress!

Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia? 

Daily Budget

If you stay out of the restaurants and private rooms, $20-$35 will be enough for your daily budget. To be honest, you could even spend less if you will look harder for cheaper food and accommodation. Consider putting your feet to use instead of taking a taxi or tuk-tuks. Chiang Mai should definitely be on your list because it’s somehow cheap than Bangkok and its nature is a must explore.

Flight Tickets

Flying from major airports in Europe to Bangkok, there are flights from $350. While from North America, flights is not so cheap, they start at $800 if you get lucky. Many travellers from this part of the world take a flight to Europe then flight to Southeast Asia.

If you are located either in Australia or New Zealand, there are flights starting at $600 from budget airlines. Every now and then, look out for a promo for cheap flights well.

Hostels​

For as cheap as $5-$8 for dorm beds and $10-12 for private rooms. Check Hostels in Thailand.

Meal

$1-$4 for street food and casual restaurants or fast-food chains. Look out for those local restaurants on the side streets, they are the affordable ones.

Transportation

Taking buses around Bangkok should be around $0.50 while taking taxis, the fair starts at $1.5. Motor taxis and tuk-tuks are around $1 as well for a short ride. Bangkok also has a metro, they are cheaper than taxis for sure, however, they don’t cover many areas of the city yet.

Tours

$12 can be found all-over Thailand. There are actually cheap but great tours in Thailand. or even Bangkok tours for $22 or here for less.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

$12 can be fond all-over Thailand. There are actually cheap but great tours in Thailand. or even Bangkok tours for $22 or here for less. CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU or CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa

Thailand offers free-visa for 30 days to a lot of nationalities – you can more information about Thailand visa here.

INDIA TRAVEL COST

Hello, Taj Mahal and Indian food, who can resist these two? Pack your bags and head to India to try the real curry, perhaps an epic shot of your Instagram on Taj Mahal? India is a huge country, most travellers need more than three months to have a good grip on this country. Most Indians also speak English, which made it a lot easier to travel around.

Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia?

Daily Budget

A backpacker could easily survive in India with $20-35 a day excluded the tours. While a backpacker with a great talent for budgeting can survive with $18.

Flight Tickets

You can find as cheap as $250 if you are smart enough to spot the cheap flights and coming from Europe. While again, North Americans and travellers from Oceania will have to spend a more. Remember to look for flights leaving the major cities from your home country and landing in a major city in India.

Hostels

You can book a mixed dorm room for $5-$7 Check Hostels in India

Meal

There are $1 or less for street food. India is very well-known for its amazing but affordable food. India is a good place for vegetarians as well, however, you can, of course, find places that offer meat dishes.

Transportation

$0.50 to $1 are the starting rate for rickshaws and taxis. Local buses around the country are from $10-$12, that is for 12-15 hour bus trip. Some travellers even say that you can get on a train for a lot cheaper if you don’t mind to be cramped with the locals on the lowest cabin of the train.

Tours

$5 or less, depending on the tour you want to do and where in India. Check out some tours for India while you can find the cheap ones here.

CHECK FOR SUITABLE TOURS FOR YOU and CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

$5 or less, depending on the tour you want to do and where in India. Check out some tours for India  while you can find the cheap ones here. CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE TOURS

Visa

You must apply for an e-visa before arriving –   Apply here! or find out how you can apply for India visa online

MALAYSIA TRAVEL COST

Always wanted to see the famous Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur? Or the vibrant city of Malacca? Even though Malaysia is not very cheap compared to other destinations below, it is possible to travel cheaply. Planning in advance, you can find cheap hostels and flight tickets.

Affordable meals can be found in the local eateries and street food stalls as well. You should also keep in mind that Kuala Lumpur can be pricey but doesn’t mean the entire country is.

​Why is it one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia? 

Daily Budget

Daily budget in Malaysia is around $25-$30, however, if you keep yourself away from restaurants and taxis, and dig down for cheap hostels, you can easily go for $20-$25 a day. Street stalls are everywhere, you can easily run into a good meal for $6, or an affordable one for $2-$3.

Flight Tickets

Malaysia is actually a popular transit hub to Southeast Asia, there are direct flights from Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and sometimes even from North America.

However, these direct flights are not the cheapest, which is about $1,000 and up. While flights with a connection can be as cheap as $700.

Hostels

In Kuala Lumpur, hostels are not very cheap, still affordable though but in Langkawi, you can find ones for $7 Check Hostels in Malaysia that I personally stayed at

Meal

You can score a $2  for cheap eats like street food, while casual restaurants are about $4. Some hostels have their own kitchen, which means, you can cook and save money.

Transportation

For transportation, prepare to spend about $2-$7. Buses are relatively cheap, if you take a bus from the airport to George Town that should cost $0.78, renting a bicycle is also affordable, it’s around $2.50 per day, while renting a motorbike is quite popular and should be around $7.50 per day.

You can also cross the border from Melaka to Singapore by bus.

Tours

There are free things to do around Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca, and Langkawi. There are actually very affordable tours in Malaysia, as low as $8!

CHECK FOR TOURS and CHECK FOR TOURS

Visa

Free visa for 30 days –  Apply here or find out if you need one on this Malaysia visa guide post.

WHERE ELSE

Laos – Free Visa for Southeast Asian (30 days). A bit less touristy compared to Thailand and Vietnam, you can find spots where it’s more laid back and chill. Most prices are like Vietnam and Cambodia, maybe a little bit higher. Daily Budget is around $20-$25. Here’s a Vietnam-Laos Border guide.

Indonesia– Free Visa for almost all nationalities (30 Days). If the mountains and beaches in the Philippines are not enough for you, why not enjoy Indonesia’s active volcanoes and badass beaches? Indonesia may be a bit more pricey than the others, however, it is still possible to enjoy the country with good budgeting. 

I hope this list of top destinations in Southeast Asia can help you feed your travel bug even just for a week or two. Travelling is not cheap, that’s for sure, but it is affordable!

RELATED POST:

• Things to Know Before Travelling to Asia

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Several things should be taken into consideration when picking a country to retire to, such as the cost of living, the weather, retirement visa, and the culture. These factors are what make it ideal to retire in the Philippines. Do you need more convincing? Read on and we’ll talk about more of why the Philippines is the ideal destination to be in the relaxation phase of your life.

This is part of our Retirement Guides series:
– Retire in Portugal
– Retire in New Zealand
– Retire in Costa Rica

REASONS TO RETIRE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

The Philippines is one of the countries in Asia that are heavily influenced by western culture. This country has long been associated with Spanish and American culture due to it being colonized by these countries in the past.

It has also been influenced by its neighbouring countries, such as Japan, China, and India, making it a welcoming place for people from all over the world. Of course, it isn’t just the culture that makes it such a great place to retire to. Let’s scroll down and learn more.

Tropical weather

If you’re from the colder parts of the planet, you’ll most certainly appreciate warm and sunny weather, free from the hassle of snow-covered roads.

The Philippines’ weather isn’t all that complicated; it’s either sunny or rainy. This is why many foreigners, especially from the west, think of retirement in the Philippines to be an attractive option.

English-speaking country 

There’s a reason why the Philippines is the BPO capital of the world, and that same reason can also be one of the main reasons why you should retire in the Philippines.

Generally speaking, foreigners won’t have a hard time communicating with the locals. Filipinos are taught to speak or at least understand English from preschool age up to their college days. Even when they are speaking in their native tongue, you’ll hear many English words mixed in their sentences!

Retirement visa is easy 

Getting a resident visa in the country is easy, and you can retire in the Philippines at the age of 35! You’re only required to submit the following documents to the Philippine Embassy or the Philippine Retirement Authority:

• Notarized PRA application form
• Authenticated copy of passport
• Medical Examination accomplished by a licensed physician abroad or a PRA Medical Certificate
• NBI Clearance
• Marriage Contract
• Birth Certificate
• Family Registry

In addition to these documents, retirees between the ages of 35 and 49 are required to deposit at least $50,000, and for ages 50 and above, a deposit of $20,000.

From the day of the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa or SRRV has been issued, the applicant has to enter the country within a year, and the Bureau of Immigration will then convert the single-entry SRRV into a multiple-entry and indefinite stay SRRV, with the endorsement from the PRA. You can find more information here.

RELATED: Philippine tourist visa guide

Affordability 

The Philippines is generally an affordable country to live in. Get this: an average worker’s Social Security benefit in the US is about $1400 per month. You only need about $700 to $800 to live a comfortable retirement in the Philippines. While this amount isn’t that much in the US or other developed countries, it will go a long way in the Philippines!

Westernized 

Most westerners will find themselves in a western setting when they settle in the Philippines. Many food establishments, especially in the big cities, serve western foods such as spaghetti, hamburgers, hotdogs, and the likes.

McDonald’s, Yellowcab, and other American fast-food chains and convenience stores can be found in almost every corner of the country, making its visitors feel closer to home than when they are in other Asian countries.

BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN THE PHILIPPINES

We’ve already discovered that the culture in the Philippines is a lot closer to the west than most Asian countries, but how about its destinations or perspective place to live?

Many of its destinations have awe-inspiring scenery, and the big cities have many establishments where you can get almost everything you need, from international and local food, relaxation and fitness centres, recreational activities, and more.

RELATED: North of the Philippines – What to see and do

Manila and Davao 

Manila and Davao are some of the places in the Philippines where many foreigners live. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet other foreign retirees in a Starbucks cafe’ or a mall and exchange stories.

Everything you might ever need to live a comfortable life can be found in these two big cities, from fresh food and convenience stores of all kinds and recreational facilities and everything else in between.

Cebu, Subic Bay, Boracay, Puerto Princesa, and Siargao 

Filled with foreign tourists and expats thanks to being home to beautiful beaches, and being near airports, these destinations are some of the best places to retire in the Philippines.

Also, these provinces are filled with places to explore and activities to enjoy. These places are far from being perfect, of course, but are beautiful enough to be considered retiring to.

Baguio 

Baguio, the Summer Capital of the Philippines is one of those places that are frequented by a lot of foreign tourists. It is probably one of the coldest places in the Philippines, hence, many who prefer a colder climate tend to retire here.

With all the comforts and convenience of city life and the relaxing atmosphere of a province, you’ll get to enjoy the best of both worlds here!.

COST OF LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES

The cost of living in the Philippines is about 50% lower than that in the US. The average cost per month in the country is about $300. A budget of $1000 per month will be more than enough in the big city and $600 a month will be comfortable in the provinces. Let’s have a closer look:

RELATED: Southeast Asia travel budget

Rent 

Renting instead of buying a condo will give you more flexibility and lesser commitment. If you see yourself jumping from one place to another in your retirement days, then renting is the ideal option for you. Here’s to give you an idea of the price of rentals in the Philippines:

• 1 bedroom standard Filipino style: $200 – $250 per month
• 1 studio standard Filipino style: $100 – $150 per month
• 1 bedroom western-style (maybe half furnished, with shower, toilet seat, tiled floors): $300 – $400 per month
• Entire house western style: $500 – $600 per month

Food 

Filipinos are well-adapted to western tastes when it comes to food. Many restaurants serve American food, such as burgers, fries, spaghetti, and so on. Also, the Philippines has a lot of fast-food restaurants that typically exists in the US, such as Burger King, Taco Bell, and it is much cheaper in terms of price.

• How much is per meal in a mid-range restaurant: $8 – $12 per meal; single person.
• How much is per meal in eatery: $1 – $2 per meal; single person.
• You can easily plan your daily budget if you buy groceries for the whole month and cook at home, and therefore, typically lowers your expenses.

Internet access 

Internet access in the Philippines typically costs around $25 to $60 depending on the package. Many establishments in the Philippines offer free access to Wi-Fi. You can also purchase a pocket Wi-Fi if you see yourself travelling a lot. It costs around $15 to $60 to get one, and the daily top-up costs around $1.00 per day.

• Companies to choose from for mobile sim card: Globe, Smart, PLDT. The quality of speed depends on which place you are, but the big cities in the country generally have the best speeds
• Cost/month: $25 – $60 depending on the package
• Companies to choose from LAN internet provider: PLDT, Globe, and Converge
• Cons: the internet speed has always been an issue in the Philippines and mostly the big cities and well-known tourists spots only have access to faster internet speed options

Transportation 

The price of transportation in the Philippines is relatively cheap in some places, and relatively pricey in some. A long-distance bus typically costs $5 – $10 depending on the distance. Then there’s the famous Filipino ride called the Jeepney which costs around $0.20 to $1.00 per ride, depending on the distance. Some cities in the Philippines have online ride-booking.

• Online booking (Grab) which cities available: Bacolod, Baguio, Bataan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao City, Iloilo, Manila, Naga, Pampanga 
• Motorbike: The price of buying your motorcycle in the Philippines ranges from $1200 to $5000 depending on the make and model.

Healthcare 

Healthcare in the Philippines is generally of a high standard, especially in its big cities, and most especially in Manila, where the latest and state-of-the-art facilities are available to its residents.

Though healthcare in the Philippines may be relatively expensive to many locals, foreign retirees will find it a lot cheaper than the healthcare in their own country.

However, if you possess the retirement visa or resident permit, you are allowed to subscribe to the government program for healthcare services called “PhilHealth”. You will pay annually and then enjoy the services of this program.

RENT VS BUYING A PROPERTY

Foreign retirees in the Philippines can buy a property but not own land. Therefore, it is much more practical to rent instead. However, if you have a local spouse, you may buy land provided that the title is under your spouse’s name. If your spouse passes away, you can either sell the property or transfer the ownership to your children or the spouse’s relatives.

FINAL THOUGHTS

With the Philippines’ highly-westernized culture, breath-taking destinations and affordable cost of living, it is an extremely viable country to live in. Whether you’re considering retiring early or you’re already past the retirement age, you might want to add the Philippines to the list of countries that you are considering to live in for the rest of your life.

Sure, the Philippines has its share of imperfections, like every other place in the world, but the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Considering its welcoming culture, its world-class tourist spots, and the warmth of its people, braving its high volume of traffic and weathering its storms during the rainy season is all worth it.

Which countries are you considering to be for the rest of your life? Would you consider to retire in the Philippines? As always, we’d love to know your thoughts! Leave your questions or comments below!

What many people don’t know is that visas in Southeast Asia are actually one of the easiest to get. They can be a little pricey sometimes or some accurate information is hard to find, but when you get used to the routine of what to prepare for your next trip, visas can just be a piece of cake.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

There are a few things that you need to know about visas in Southeast Asia. There are a lot of travellers who thought visas are easy and free and get surprised about the costs and worse, how long and expensive it can be sometimes especially when trying to extend a visa.

Here is some important information you should keep in mind.

NOTE: All prices are in US Dollars

Cost

Not because you carry a pretty strong passport doesn’t mean visas will come easy. Nowadays, the government of each Southeast Asia countries prefer to charge for a visa fee instead of giving it for free.

There are still visa-free possibilities but they are often limited (only a few days or with only single entry) which will require you to extend your stay – this one costs between $30-$80 or more.

Some visa extensions are not even possible at all, meaning you have to leave the country and enter with a new visa.

Processing Time

Getting a visa takes some time unless you are eligible for visa on arrival which should only take no longer than 15 minutes unless you run into problems or have missing documents.

Normally, going through the embassies or consulates are the cheapest and most secure way to get a visa, however, they are also known as the slowest way to do it.

Online sites are hard to predict, they often disclose or give you a time frame. Sometimes between 15-minutes to 7 working days are the standard processing time. You can also obtain a “rush service” for a fee.

Requirements

Either you are getting for a visa for the first time or extending your stay, these are the usual requirements:

• your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months upon arrival
• your passport must have at least one blank page
• a passport photo (white background)
• an address of your hotel or a friend (if you are staying with them)
• number of days you will be staying
• arrival and departure dates
• return or exit flight tickets, often, explaining that you will be taking the bus or train to the border of the next country is good enough
• some immigration will ask you to show the accommodation booking, exit flight ticket, bank statement, and even cash

Your Passport Validity and Empty Pages

As mentioned before, your passport must be valid for the next six (6) months upon arriving. However, when trying to extend a visa, this rule is strictly required too.

If you are running out of pages, it’s best either renew your passport before leaving your home country or to contact the nearest embassy (if you already left) and get extra pages or renew your passport.

A lot of travellers get in trouble because they often overlook the validity of their passport or remaining empty pages and are forced to fly home right away.

Best Way To Get The Visa For Southeast Asia

Personally, I like those visas or evisas that you can get online, they can be pricey sometimes but they are often the fastest and less hassle. There are also websites that process evisas which are operated by the official government, like Vietnam.

It’s best to check if this is possible for a safer and cheaper way to obtain a visa. If online is not something you prefer to do, the other option is travel agencies which also the same price as online websites but they often take your passport – which many people find really dodgy.

Remember to only go to respectable agencies to avoid losing your passport or get scammed.

The other and oldest way is to go to the embassy or consulate. They are safe and affordable amongst the other options but they are also known for being slow and a lot stricter than the other. You will also have to spend at least a full day and probably have to go back a few days later.

Check If You Need A Visa

VISAS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA

Travel visa is a document that gives you the right to enter and stay in a country legally. You will be allowed to travel, visit friends and family, and take a holiday without hassle as long as you stay within the validity or your visa.

Visa For Brunei

Brunei government offers pretty decent visa deals, however, there are still a handful of nations who need to get a visa on Bruneian Embassy or Consulate.

• Who is free: passport holders of Southeast Asia, East Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and some Middle East while others can receive a visa on arrival
• Who must apply: Africa, South and Central Asia, and Latin America
• Cost: $14 and up
• Requirements: a passport valid for six months, return ticket, and sometimes, accommodation booking
• Length of stay: between 14 and 90 days
• How long is the process of the application:  depending on how busy the embassy or consulate
• How to apply: visit the immigration office
• Entry refusal: Israel passport holders

Visa for Cambodia

A Cambodian tourist visa is a straightforward one. All you need to remember is only ASEAN (Southeast Asian apart from Myanmar and Timor Leste) and Seychelles passport holders are free of visa to enter and travel Cambodia.

The rest of the world are required to apply for a visa in advance or when you arrive at the airport or when you cross the border. You can read my Cambodia visa guide for more information.

• Who is free: nationals of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
• Who must apply: the rest of the world who are not on the list above
• Cost: $30-35
• Requirements: your passport details, passport photo, your fly out ticket (sometimes)
• Length of stay: 30 days, single entry
• How to apply: you can either apply online, get a visa on arrival, or from a Cambodian embassy or consulate
• How long is the process of the application: 
• Can you extend: yes, all you need to do is go to the immigration office or you can also exit the country and enter again with a new visa

Visa for Indonesia

Indonesia is popular not only because of the beautiful beaches, rice paddies, and mountains. It is also because their visa policy is very easy while extending your visa is straightforward as well. You can also read this Indonesia tourist visa article.

• Who is free: everyone apart from a few countries in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East
• Who must apply: the countries listed above, some countries also need to get a clearance from the government
• Cost: $30 and up
• Requirements: depends on each nationality and the Embassy
• Length of stay: 30 days
• How to apply: through the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate
• How long is the process of the application: depending on the Embassy
• Can you extend: Yes, for $61.50 via the immigration office or travel agency

Visa for Laos

Laos only let Southeast Asian, East Asia, two European countries visa-free, the rest can obtain a visa on arrival or evisa for $40, which lets you stay for 30 days, it is a single entry visa. Read Laos visa guide.

• Who is free: Southeast Asia, Mongolia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Luxembourg
• Who must apply: the rest of the world except some countries in Africa, Middle East, South Asia
• Cost: $40-$55
• Requirements: travel dates, passport
• Length of stay: 14-30 days
• How to apply: online for evisa or visa on arrival
• How long is the process of the application: right away to 3-5 business days
• Can you extend: yes, can be extended twice, not more than 90 days at the immigration office

Visa for Malaysia

Malaysia offers visa-free access however, they offer different days in various countries. It is important to know how many days you can only stay depending on the passport you hold. 

Read Also: Malaysia visa guide.

• Who is free: almost all countries in the world
• Who must apply: South Asian, China, some countries in Africa, South America, and Israel
• Cost: depending on your nationality / around $100
• Requirements: travel dates, possible interview, valid passport
• Length of stay: 7-30 days
• How to apply: contact the Malaysian Embassy or consulate
• How long is the process of the application: 1-3 working days
• Can you extend: depending on your nationality

Visa for Myanmar

Visa for Myanmar is pretty easy to understand. If you are not from any Southeast Asian country, it will only mean that you need will need a visa to enter and travel Myanmar.

Read Also: Myanmar visa guide.

• Who is free: Southeast Asia apart from Timor Leste and Malaysia
• Visa on arrival: Australia, Austria, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, Switzerland for 30 days, $50 fee
• Who must apply: the rest of the world, apart from some African and Central Asian countries also visa-free countries who need more days compared to their visa-free access – apply here
• Cost: $50 for tourist and $70 or business
• Requirements: passport (must be valid for at least six months from the day you enter Myanmar, travel dates, address for your first accommodation in Myanmar, a port of entry payment)
• Length of stay: maximum of 28 days, single entry
• How to apply: online or through the Embassy or consulate
• How long is the process of the application: 3 working days
• Can you extend: you have to leave the country and re-enter, apply for a new evisa if needed, overstay fee is $3 per day, overstaying for longer than a few days will be too risky

Visa for the Philippines

The Philippines is generous in granting visa-free to most countries in the world. Not to mention that the extension of visa is easy as well, it will cost a little but shouldn’t be a hassle to do. Visa on arrival is also possible for a fee.

Read Also:  Philippines visa guide.

• Who is free: most nationalities
• Who must apply: north and east African countries, some central and south Asia, and China
• Cost: depending on your nationality
• Requirements: often, the immigration ask for an exit flight ticket
• Length of stay: 59, 30, 14 days
• How to apply: through the Philippines Embassy or consulate
• How long is the process of the application:
• Can you extend: yes, need to wait for a week or two before you can apply for your first extension (extra 29 days), you can extend for up to six months after the first extension (must have ARC card)

Visa for Singapore

Singapore is pretty easy when it comes to visa but perhaps this is because their immigration officers are pretty strict, sometimes intimidating, and very good with their jobs. Read Singapore visa guide.

• Who is free: most nationalities from the Americas, Europe, Central and South Africa, Southeast Asia, and some Oceania
• Who must apply: North Africa, South Asia, Central Asia, and China
• Cost: $50-$90
• Requirements: passport must be valid for 6 months, nationalities from Africa must show a Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate
• Length of stay: 30 days
• How to apply: must contact Singapore embassy or consulate
• How long is the process of the application: 1-3 working days
• Can you extend: yes – more info here

Visa for Thailand

Thailand has turned into a gateway hub between Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. There are a lot of flights coming and leaving Thailand to anywhere in the world.

The past decade this country has been one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia resulting in millions of travellers coming every month. While this has been a great ride in their tourism economy, it also has taken a toll in knowing travellers between illegal workers who set foot in Thailand and never left without a valid visa to stay.

Today, Thailand is known as one of the countries in Southeast Asia with strict entry and visa extension policy. Read Thailand visa guide.

• Who is free: most EU citizens, Southeast Asians, Middle Easterns, East Asians, and a limited number of North and South Americans
• Who must apply: those who are not on the list can get a visa on arrival
• Cost: $29 or depending on your nationality
• Requirements: valid passport, passport photo, bank statement, cash amounts between $800 and $1500 (in Thai Baht or major currencies), exit ticket must be shown at the immigration, travel dates
• Length of stay: 14, 30, 90 days depending on your nationality
• How to apply: visa on arrival, embassy or consulate, and online
• How long is the process of the application: 30 minutes via online, at least 3 working days or more if via the embassy
• Can you extend: Yes, one time

Visa for Timor Lester (East Timor)

Timor Leste is one of the best places in Southeast Asia when it comes to visas regardless of what passport you carry. The only catch is most nationalities must enter through Dili Airport or Seaport through visa on arrival and must prove your financial capacity. While a big portion of European citizens can enter without a visa at any border points.

• Who is free: Europeans and Cape Verde citizens
• Who must apply: the rest of the world are eligible for a visa on arrival
• Cost: $30
• Requirements: must get visa application authorisation the moment you land, passport (6 months validity), return ticket, accommodation booking, can financially prove to stay ($150/day)
• Length of stay: 30 days for air arrival and90 days for land
• How to apply: at the immigration the time you land or arrive Dili
• How long is the process of the application: in minutes
• Can you extend: Yes, must go to the immigration office in Thailand, the fees are $35 for 30-days and $75 for 30-60 days

Visa for Vietnam

Vietnam has a very specific visa policy. It’s one of the countries that you really have to check if you need a visa or not. The government granted a free-visa to a very limited number of countries with very different number of days.

For example, not because one EU country doesn’t need a visa to enter Vietnam meaning all EU members are exempted. You should read this Vietnam visa guide.

• Who is free: all ASEAN countries except Timor Leste, Belarus, Chile, Denmark, Kyrgyzstan, Finland, Franc,e Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, UK – check this detailed how to apply for a Vietnam visa article to find out how long you can stay for free
• Who must apply: those who are not on the list – you can apply here
• Cost: between $25-$95 (depending on the type, length of stay, and number of entries, the invitation letter fee is different from visa stamp fee
• Requirements: a passport valid for the next six months upon entry, passport photo, arriving and departure date
• Length of stay: between 7 days to 1 year (depending on nationality)
• How to apply: through the embassy or consulate, travel agency in neighbouring countries and online
• How long is the process of the application: 3 days to 4 weeks or even more
• Can you extend:

MORE TIPS WHEN ACQUIRING VISA FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA

As a traveller who’s been exploring Southeast Asia for five years now, there are a lot of things I’ve learnt about visas around this region. I have a weak passport, hence, when I decide to go somewhere, this is the first thing I also look into.

When To Apply

As soon as you have decided to go to Southeast Asia, check the visa right away and apply if you need one. If you are a backpacker who probably doesn’t plan a lot, apply a week to 10-days before you arrive is a good amount of time.

If you are going through Embassy, always call them and ask how long it will take or read reviews online. While through online sites, they always tell you upfront how long it will take.

I’ve been to situations where I sit in the border of in the airport while anxiously waiting for the email confirmation of my visa – I would never wish that to happen to anyone!

Where To Apply

Depending on your budget and how much time you have will be the two factors to consider which option is best for you.

If doing an online service is something you will go for, always check reviews online – Google Maps, TripAdvisor, Facebook Page.

How Long Is It Valid

If you already know that you want to stay longer than your free visa, it’s best to know if you need to do an extension or if you have to cut down on your travel days. Knowing the validity will help you plan around better.

Can You Extend

In case the visa can’t be extended, you have to know that right away so you can plan your itinerary very well. While if the extension is possible, find out what is the best way to do it and the cheapest.

Visa runs are pretty easy in Southeast Asia way to extend your stay. It’s when you exit the border (either via air, land or sea), and entering again with a new visa.

However, you should do the math and calculate if it’s cheaper to extend the visa without leaving the country or if it’s best to take the bus to the border or fly out to avoid any hassles in dealing with visa extension shenanigans.

How Long Are You Going to Be Travelling

Last but not the least, it will really be helpful to know how long you will be travelling in each Southeast Asian country. Do your research and find out a decent amount of time to travel around each place. Because to be honest, visa extension is often a pain in the butt and expensive.

BACKPACKING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL TIPS

Here are some travelling around Southeast Asia tips that you might find useful:

• Backpacking in Southeast Asia: Literally everything you need to know
• Southeast Asia travel route and itineraries: Where to start your trip and how to make a good travel itinerary
• Travel budget guide for Southeast Asia: Here’s a detailed article on the cost of travelling in Southeast Asia
• When is the best time to travel to Southeast Asia: Which months to go, festivals, peak season
• Affordable destinations in Southeast Asia: Where can you go without breaking the bank
• Vaccinations for Southeast Asia: What shots you need depending on where you’re going
• Asia bucket list: fun and adventurous trips to add

I hope this post helps you sort out visas for Southeast Asia. If you have any questions, let me know in the comment section below.

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Travelling to a different country, whether it be solo or with your friends, is an exciting and life-changing experience. You’ll get exposed to different angles of life, the diverse ways of living, and you’ll also get to eat relatively exotic, but nevertheless, good food.

As part of your Southeast Asian adventure, you will have plenty of opportunities to do what the locals are doing. But before doing what the Romans do, you need to first ensure that you’ll be as healthy as you can be.

As cliche’ as it sounds, prevention is always better than cure. So, if you are headed in this part of the world, vaccinations for countries in Southeast Asia is recommended especially if you are doing activities that involve volunteering with the animals and going to rural areas. Definitely read the rest of this article for more information on the most important injections for Southeast Asia that you should get.

DISCLAIMER: We claim no expertise in the medical industry, this article is to merely inform you to keep you safe during your trip. We highly recommend you talk to your GP for a better understanding of vaccines. Getting the shots we mention in this post will be your own responsibility.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE DECIDING WHICH VACCINATIONS TO GET FOR YOUR SOUTHEAST ASIA TRIP

Getting the vaccines needed for Southeast Asia is very important not only because it prevents you from contracting potentially life-threatening diseases, but you are also preventing certain diseases to spread to other people.

There are several things that you need to consider before getting your vaccine shots for Southeast Asia. You may also want to check your insurances, some include travel vaccinations. 

Which countries are you going into 

One of the things that you need to take into consideration before getting your vaccine is the countries that you’re going to visit. It is important to be aware of which diseases are prevalent in each destination you’ll visit, so you’ll know exactly the immunizations for Southeast Asia to get. Some insurances also cover travel vaccinations.

For example, if you are going to Malaysia, the experts recommend getting Tetanus, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid fever vaccine, as these are the diseases that you’ll most likely to contract in the country.

ALSO READ: Travel vaccination for South America

The weather in your destination 

Being aware of the weather of the destination that you’ll visit helps you to decide whether to get vaccinated or not. The weather affects the risk of having an outbreak of a disease in Southeast Asia as well as transportation in different sites.

For example, typhoid fever cases are known to rise during the monsoon season due to the increase of mosquitoes breeding from stagnant water, hence, the risk of getting this disease from a mosquito bite also increases.

Costs 

Vaccines are generally cheaper in Southeast Asian countries, but at the same time, know that a language barrier can possibly hinder you in some countries. You also need to consider that the immunity you’ll get from vaccines does not immediately kick in, so you might still be at risk of contracting the disease that you’re avoiding even after getting vaccinated.

Experts recommend getting your shots needed for Southeast Asia at least 4 to 6 weeks before travelling to give time for the immunization to take effect.

The effects 

It is important to know the effects of a particular vaccine so you won’t panic unnecessarily when you suddenly feel ill after getting vaccinated. Some shots can have great effects on your body, for example, you can feel very sore after a few days of getting vaccinated for Yellow Fever, while the vaccine for Malaria may cause you to hallucinate.

You certainly don’t want to feel these effects while travelling, which is another reason why getting vaccinated before travelling is the more practical option.

Find out if you can take them either on shots or pills 

Some people are not comfortable with or have an irrational fear of needles. Some do not believe that pills work. Many types of vaccines come in two forms: one is administered through an injection, and the other is taken orally through the form of a pill.

If you prefer one over the other, you’ll need to find out where to get the method of vaccination that you like as early as possible.

VACCINATIONS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA

The awareness of the ailments that are prevalent in the country that you plan on visiting should be one of your priorities before actually visiting the country.

Out of awareness comes prevention of getting a disease that may hinder you from fully experiencing your fun-filled and meaningful vacation not to mention that some of these diseases can be fatal. That is the reason why you should consider getting yourself vaccinated.

Thankfully, there is a list of immunizations for Southeast Asia that our friends in the medical industry have developed to keep us as healthy as we can be during our Southeast Asia travels.

Cholera Vaccination 

Cholera is a disease that causes severe diarrhoea which may lead to dehydration and even death if left untreated. You can contract this disease if you have eaten food or drank a beverage that is contaminated with the bacteria called Vibrio Cholerae, this is common if your on tours in rural areas.

Getting a cholera vaccination makes you immune to contracting cholera, plus, it was discovered that this vaccine also protects you from traveller’s diarrhoea and E. Coli infection for approximately three months.

• must get if travelling during: June – December
• must get if going to: areas with poor sanitation such as refugee camps and impoverished areas
• range cost US: $30 – $50
• range cost Europe: €27 – €45
• range cost to get it in SEA: $15 – $30

Hepatitis A Vaccine 

Hepatitis A is a liver disease that can be acquired from food and beverages that have been contaminated with the faeces of, or by having sexual intercourse with someone with the disease.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A is similar to having flu, jaundice, nausea, and vomiting. There is no known cure at the moment, other than prevention through two hepatitis A vaccine shots over a period of 6 months, which will give you lifetime immunity.

• must get if travelling during: generally recommended any month of the year
• must get if going to: areas with poor sanitation
• range cost US: $85 – $150
• range cost Europe: €75 – €133
• range cost to get it in SEA: $50 – $70

Hepatitis B Vaccine 

Hepatitis B vaccine gives you immunity to Hepatitis B virus. This type of hepatitis can be transmitted through needles, so having a tattoo or body piercing puts you at risk. It can also be transmitted through sex.

The vaccine has to be administered three times over a period of six months to take effect, hence, you should get vaccinated 6 months before travelling to Southeast Asia.

• must get if travelling during: generally recommended any month of the year
• must get if going to: tattoo shops, hospitals, and areas with poor sanitation
• range cost US: $59 – $90
• range cost Europe: €70 – €90
• range cost to get it in SEA: $12 – $20

Rabies Vaccine 

Rabies vaccine protects you from the Rabies lyssavirus, which can be acquired from the bite of an infected mammal, such as dogs, rats, cats, and wild animals and a fatal virus. Experts recommend getting a pre-exposure shot before travelling so that you’ll only need 2 shots of post-exposure rabies shots instead of 4.

The vaccine will only grant a person immunity for a limited period of time, and persons with a high risk of getting bitten by infected animals may need to get a booster shot once every 6 to 24 months.

• must get if travelling during: generally recommended any month of the year
• must get if going to: forests, mountains, and rural areas
• range cost US: $280 – $3000 per shot
• range cost Europe: €32 – €50 per shot 
• range cost to get it in SEA: $11 – $20 per shot

Malaria Vaccine 

A malaria vaccine is used to prevent contracting malaria, a disease caused by a parasite transmitted to humans from mosquito bites. The vaccine will only lower your chance of getting malaria and is only effective for as long as you are taking the medication.

It is still recommended to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes even after getting vaccinated for this disease, by using insect repellent, and or staying in an air-conditioned room.

• must get if travelling during: October – December
• must get if going to: rural areas and during raining season
• range cost US: $25 – $200
• range cost Europe (in Euro): €22 – €55
• range cost to get it in SEA: $5 – $87

Typhoid Vaccine 

Typhoid vaccine gives you protection from Salmonella typhi, a bacterium that causes high fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, and can even lead to death. It can be acquired from contaminated food and drinks.

It can be taken either orally or through an injection. It is recommended to get vaccinated for typhoid fever at least a month before travelling.

• must get if travelling during: it’s best to take it a month before travelling to high-risk countries 
• must get if going to: rural areas, areas with poor sanitation
• range cost US: $70 – $100
• range cost Europe: €30 – €60
• range cost to get it in SEA: $10 – $40

Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap) 

You can get Tetanus from places with poor sanitation, Diphtheria and Pertussis from coughs and sneezes of people who are carriers of the bacteria. Tdap is a vaccine that prevents all three diseases. You will need to get a booster shot once every 10 years to ensure that you’re always protected from these ailments.

• must get if travelling during: it’s best to get when travelling to different countries
• must get if going to: rural areas, areas with poor sanitation, hiking
• range cost US: $25 – $60
• range cost Europe: €30 – €55
• range cost to get it in SEA: $10 – $30

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine 

Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is administered to people to prevent contracting the Japanese encephalitis virus. Though rare, you can get infected through mosquitoes carrying the Japanese Encephalitis virus. Symptoms include vomiting, confusion, fever, headache and swelling of the brain.

• must get if travelling during: June – December
• must get if going to: rural areas, hiking, camping
• range cost US: $450 – $1000
• range cost Europe: €120 – €200
• range cost to get it in SEA: $15 – $80

Polio Vaccine 

Polio vaccine is administered to people who want to be immune to the Poliovirus. Polio is a disease that causes paralysis and is spread through human contact, from contaminated food and water, as well as areas with poor sanitation. Polio vaccines can give you lifetime immunity to the virus if you have completed the series of shots needed.

• must get if travelling during: generally recommended regardless of the month
• must get if going to: rural areas, areas with poor sanitation
• range cost US: $80 – $200
• range cost Europe (in Euro): €20 – €50
• range cost to get it in SEA: $13 – $55

Yellow Fever Vaccine 

Yellow Fever vaccine gives you immunity to Yellow Fever, a disease that can be transmitted from a mosquito bite. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache, red eyes and face. The shot has lifetime validity unless you are living in a place where Yellow Fever is common like some countries in Africa and South America.

Although rare in Southeast Asia, it’s best to get the shot since the effectiveness can last a while.

• must get if going to: countries that require proof of Yellow Fever vaccine
• range cost US: $45 – $75
• range cost Europe: €50 – €70

RECOMMENDED SHOTS FOR EACH COUNTRY

No two countries are the same. Different countries have different cultures, problems, and even diseases. It is important to know the diseases you are at risk of getting, so you can get vaccinated before your travel date.

Below are the recommended immunization shots for each Southeast Asian country.

Shots for Brunei 

• Japanese Encephalitis: cost range is $15 – 80, available in most hospitals in Brunei
• Typhoid: cost range is between $10 – $40
• Hepatitis A & B: cost range is $30 – $50
• Rabies: cost range from $11 – $20

Shots for Cambodia

• Japanese Encephalitis: cost is around $100
• Typhoid: cost is around $10 – $40
• Hepatitis A & B: $60 – $90
• Rabies: the cost of rabies shot in Cambodia is around $10

Shots for Indonesia 

• Polio: cost may range from $13 – $55
• Japanese Encephalitis: The cost is about $37
• Typhoid: costs around $10 – $30
• Hepatitis A & B: price range around $60 – $90

Shots for Laos

• Polio: cost may range from $13 – $55
• Cholera: costs around $15 – $30
• Japanese Encephalitis: around $10 per shot​​​​
• Typhoid: price range is about $10 – $40
• Hepatitis A & B: range of cost is $30 – $50

Shots for Malaysia

• Rabies: a shot costs around $120
• Hepatitis A & B: around $100 – $150
• Typhoid: around $20

Shots for Myanmar

• Polio: around  $13 – $55
• Hepatitis A & B: around $30 – $50
• Typhoid: price range is $10 – $40
• Japanese Encephalitis: $15 – $80
• Rabies: $11 – $20 per shot

Shots for the Philippines

• Japanese Encephalitis: $40 – $80 per dose
• Typhoid: $10 – $15 per dose
• Hepatitis A & B: $15 – $20 per shot
• Rabies: $10 – $30 per shot. Available in most public and private hospitals and sometimes even for free

Shots for Singapore

• Japanese Encephalitis: around $300 per shot
• Typhoid: around $30 per shot
• Hepatitis A & B: $35 – $51 per shot
• Rabies: around $125 per shot
• Yellow Fever: $120 per shot

Shots for Thailand

• Cholera: around $25 per dose. Available in most hospitals
• Japanese Encephalitis: $15 – $16 per dose. Available in most hospitals
• Typhoid: around $10 per dose. Available in most hospitals
• Hepatitis A & B: around $35. Available in most hospitals
• Rabies: around $11 – $20/shot. Available in most hospitals
• Yellow Fever: around $40

Shots for Timor Leste/East Timor

• Japanese Encephalitis: around $15 – $80. Available in most hospitals
• Typhoid: $10 – $40 per dose. Available in most hospitals
• Hepatitis A & B: $50 – $70 per dose, available in most hospitals
• Rabies: $11 – $20 per shot. Available in most hospitals

Shots for Vietnam

• Japanese Encephalitis: around $600. Available in private hospitals
• Typhoid: around $10. Available in private hospitals
• Hepatitis A & B: around $25 – $30. Available in private hospitals
• Rabies: $11 – $15 per shot. Available in most hospitals

Travelling is a liberating experience. But, as with all other things in life, it comes with a risk. Knowing how to minimize or even totally eliminate those risks, especially of contracting serious diseases, will help you fully enjoy your journey in Southeast Asia.

SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL TIPS

Here are some posts about travelling in Southeast Asia that you might find helpful:

• Backpacking in Southeast Asia
• Southeast Asia travel itineraries
• Visa guide around Southeast Asia
• Southeast Asia travel budget
• Fun and adventurous trips to add on your Asia bucket list
• Best surfing spots in Asia

We hope that this article about vaccinations for Southeast Asia will help you take precautions for your next trip. It is important to enjoy but we also should know how to keep safe.

If you have any questions about travelling to Southeast Asia, feel free to get in touch with us. Which countries in Southeast Asia are you visiting? We’d love to hear your stories, too! Be sure to keep us in the loop through the comment section below! 

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Southeast Asia has been one of the favourite regions and becoming popular with every couple, family & backpackers because it’s not expensive. It has so much to offer to every kind of travellers. Another reason is that it’s easy to access.

Some of the Southeast Asian countries don’t require a visa for travellers to get in which lessen the hassle. While when is the best time to travel to Southeast Asia is one of the golden questions during the planning stage of a trip. This article will help you decide on that matter.

RELATED POSTS:

• Fun and adventurous trip to add on your Asia bucket list
• Visas for Southeast Asia
• Complete guide on backpacking in Southeast Asia
• Best Southeast Asia travel itineraries and routes 
• How much is the right travel budget for travelling through Southeast Asia
• Affordable places in Southeast Asia

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR VISIT TO SOUTHEAST ASIA

There are things that we should consider when we plan to travel to this region. We can only determine the best time to visit Southeast Asia when we look at the factors below:

Climate and Weather in Southeast Asia

Climate is the first thing to consider before visiting a place. Southeast Asia is predominantly tropical-hot and humid throughout the year with a lot of rainfall days. Northern Vietnam and​ Myanmar Himalayas are the only part in Southeast Asia that has a subtropical climate that has winter with snow.

Most of the countries in Southeast Asia have a wet and dry season. Yet it is also one of the most vulnerable regions when it comes to climate change in the world.

Holidays in Southeast Asia

Another thing we should know is the public holidays of each country. Because some of the tourist destinations become very busy and crowded during the holidays. This is also to guide you to know the local customs and traditions in each country.

Some events to observe is the festivals like Songkran in Thailand and Holy Week in the Philippines to avoid any hassles during your trip.

Peak Season in Southeast Asia

One of the most important things to consider is to know when is the peak season because it will affect your budget for travel. From transportation to accommodations become pricey and fully booked during this season.

Typhoon Season in Southeast Asia

​​​​​It is significant to know when is the typhoon season because we need to secure safe travel and not to mess up your travel itinerary. The southwest monsoon normally starts in May or June and stronger between August and October which slowly stops in November.

Rainy days in the Philippines and Vietnam starts in June while Bali experience rainfall during March and December.

Vaccinations for Southeast Asia

You should also be aware of the vaccinations for Southeast Asia that you will be needing especially if you are coming during typhoon season and most likely will be in rural areas, mountains, and around animals.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SOUTHEAST ASIA PER EACH country

One of the most fun and rewarding experiences is when your timing is right in visiting Southeast Asian countries. It will not fail your expectations and give you more memorable travel stories.

Brunei

Brunei is very known for its beautiful mosques, cultural, and wildlife exploration. Even though it is among the least visited countries, you will be amazed at its cleanliness.

• When is the summer: June to August when the weather is incredibly hot
• When is the typhoon season: the climate becomes cool due to rain starts from September to December
• When is the school holiday: March, May, June, September, December & January
• Important holidays to remember: Sultan’s birthday attracts many tourists
• When is the peak season: between June and August is the peak tourist season and the weather in Brunei is extremely hot.
• Best time to visit Brunei: between January and May because the weather is dry and warm

Cambodia

The rich culture and history add to the charm of Cambodia. The very famous Angkor Temple is one of the pieces of evidence that Cambodia has many things to reveal to the tourists.​​​​​​

The cool season (November to February) in Cambodia is the peak time for tourism where you can mildly explore temples. The pros of visiting Cambodia during the rainy season (June-October) is it is cheaper while the cons are it is not safer.

• When is the summer: between November and April
• When is the typhoon season: July to September
• When is the school holiday: Khmer New Year celebrated on April 13 or 14
• Important holidays to remember: Water Festival during early November; Pchum Ben is a 15-day holiday which runs from the end of September up to mid-October
• When is the peak season: most travellers visit Cambodia from November to March
• Best time to visit Cambodia: from early March to end of May then end of September to January

RELATED POSTS:

• Visa guide for Cambodia
• Things to know before going to Cambodia
• Best hostels in Cambodia – that Mary personally stayed
• How to get from Cambodia to Vietnam

Indonesia

Indonesia has beautiful and scenic natural landscapes, untouched beaches, mountains, and lakes. Some of the known places are Bali, Lombok, and Jakarta.

• When is the summer: between May and September 
• When is the typhoon season: November to March 
• When is the school holiday: June, July, December, and January
• Important holidays to remember: Idul Fitri or Eid, Independence Day, and Nyepi 
• When is the peak season: July and August are the peak tourist seasons because it’s Europeans summer vacations and Australian school holidays
• Best time to visit Indonesia: April to October

Laos

Laos is simply beautiful because it has a friendly population combined with the ‘back in old times’ vibe. It is one of the few countries that has exotic tourist spots. Check if you need a visa to Laos and how to get to Vietnam from Laos.

• When is the summer: March and April 
• When is the typhoon season: May to October 
• When is the school holiday: mostly in April and May 
• Important holidays to remember: Full Moon Festival 
• When is the peak season: between October and April
• Best time to go to Laos: November to May

Malaysia

Malaysia is a great place to complete your holiday vacation. It offers beautiful coastline, tropical islands, and coral reefs.

• When is the summer: the dry season in the west peninsula starts from November to February while the eastern peninsula starts from April to October 
• When is the typhoon season: the wet season in the west peninsula starts from April to October while the eastern peninsula starts from November to February
• When is the school holiday: March, May, and November 
• Important holidays to remember: Idul Fitri or Eid, Deepavali Holiday and Wesak Day 
• When is the peak season: the beginning of December to the end of January 
• Best time to go to Malaysia: March to July then again October to December

RELATED POSTS:

• Visa guide for Malaysia
• Hostels in Malaysia – that Mary personally stayed
• Melaka, Malaysia to Singapore border crossing

Myanmar

Myanmar is rich in iconic sights, very hospitable locals, and known for its unbeaten paths. One of the best sights is the Bagan sunrises where you can also see the hot air balloons in the sky.

• When is the summer: hottest period is between February and May 
• When is the typhoon season: the rainy season starts in May and ends in October 
• When is the school holiday: March and April 
• Important holidays to remember: Peasant’s Day and Full Moon Day 
• When is the peak season: May to September
• Best time to go to Myanmar: October to February

RELATED POSTS:

• Myanmar visa guide – how to get your evisa
• Must-see places in Myanmar
• What to know before travelling to Myanmar
• Hitchhiking in Myanmar

Philippines

The Philippines is very known for its beautiful beaches, an attractive culture, and great hospitality. Some of the great destinations are Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao which listed as the most beautiful islands in Asia.

• When is the summer: end of February to end of May 
• When is the typhoon season: June to October 
• When is the school holiday: March to May 
• Important holidays to remember: Holy Week and Christmas to New Years
• When is the peak season: February to May – it’s best to avoid going to the Philippines especially from April to May, everything is fully booked and crowded 
• Best time to go to the Philippines: October to February

RELATED POSTS:

• Philippines visa guide
• What to explore in the North of the Philippines
• Festivals in the Philippines – year-round

Singapore

Singapore is referred as to Lion’s city because it is filled with fascinated culinary experiences, full of art accommodations and exciting nightlife. It is also a great destination to bond family, loved ones and friends.

• When is the summer: March to August
• When is the typhoon season: September to February 
• When is the school holiday: National Holiday 
• Important holidays to remember: Chinese New Year, Vesak Holiday
• When is the peak season: between February and April 
• Best time to go to Singapore: June to September and December to March

RELATED POSTS:

• Singapore visa guide
• Recommended hostels in Singapore

Thailand

Thailand is the most favourite country of backpackers because it feels like home. Though it is inexpensive, everyone has a luxurious taste in visiting this country.

• When is the summer: March through to June, with April and May the hottest months of the year
• When is the typhoon season: May/June to October 
• When is the school holiday: Summer holiday 
• Important holidays to remember: Songkran Holiday, Western New Year 
• When is the peak season: between November and early April 
• Best time to go to Thailand: November to April

RELATED POSTS:

• Thailand visa guide
• How to get from Thailand to Cambodia: Border crossing

Timor Leste/East Timor

East Timor or Timor Leste is one of the world’s unacknowledged tourism destinations. But it offers spectacular diving spot, whale-watching, trekking, biking, great scenery, stunning mountain driving, and beautiful white-sand beaches.

• When is the summer: June to September 
• When is the typhoon season: December to March 
• When is the school holiday: November 
• Important holidays to remember: Easter Week, Youth National Holiday 
• When is the peak season: April to July
• Best time to go to Timor Leste: September to November and February to May

Vietnam

Vietnam is another favourite destination of backpackers because of its gorgeous landscapes, tasty food, and vibrant energy. But you have to remember that Vietnam is the only Southeast Asian country that has winter.

The north of Vietnam can even be covered in ice from December until January. The climate from the north, central, and south of Vietnam is very different from each other. Hence, planning your trip here should be carefully done if you want to all parts of the country.

• When is the summer: June-September
• When is the typhoon season: north is May-October, south is June to September
• When is the school holiday: June-August
• Important holidays to remember: Tet Holiday (Lunar New Year) which falls either end of February of the middle of March
• When is the peak season: from November to February and May to August
• Best time to go to Vietnam: in the north, August to November while in the south is November to February

RELATED POSTS:

• Best time to visit Vietnam – extensive guide
• How to apply for Vietnam visa
• Backpacking in Vietnam
• Motorbiking in Vietnam
• Vietnam to Laos border crossing

FESTIVALS YOU MUST NOT MISS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND ALSO BE AWARE OF

These festivals and holidays in Southeast Asia can bring so much joy, excitement, and adventure for travellers but at the same time they can also ruin your trip – expect that most accommodations are fully booked and on the high price at these times of the year.

These events will also determine the best time to go to Southeast Asia.

January to March

• Sinulog Festival – Philippines (January) – There are grand street parades that last in 12 hours and you will see a lot of people wearing costumes
• Thaipusam – Malaysia (January): People do piercing the skin with skewers or dragging a heavy chariot by metal hooks pierced into the flesh and walking starts at midnight.
• Tet – Vietnam (February): this is the Vietnamese New Year and everything will be closed for almost a week, buses, hotels, and tours will be fully booked
• Nyepi – Bali (March): People spend the days in silence and meditating. You will never hear anything at all.

April to June

• Songkran Festival – Thailand (April): People take to the streets armed with water pistols, super soakers, buckets of ice-cold water and industrial hoses
• Singapore Arts Festival – Singapore (June): This dynamic event showcase local and international talent.

July to September

• Mid-Autumn Festival – Vietnam (September): It symbolizes the harvest time which is very important to the families.

October to December

• Deepavali – Malaysia (October): Candles and lanterns are lit and it symbolizes the triumph of good over darkness
• Christmas and New Year – Philippines: Most places are fully booked while some shops, banks, and business will be closed for a few days

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO SOUTHEAST ASIA

During the dry season, which is from November to March, is the best time of the year to visit Southeast Asia because most of the countries are tropical. The diverse culture, good food, and amazing tourist spots are worth your penny.

I suggest you avoid peak seasons because it is quite expensive, crowded, and everything will be fully booked. You’ll have a lot of stress trying to get the last bed or ticket which are often overpriced in such bad quality.

However, at the end of the day, with the rapid worsening of global warming, the climate and weather in each place are very hard to determine. If you happen to arrive during a bad season, find a way to make the best out of it instead and to enjoy your trip. These situations are unpredictable.

I hope we helped you to decide when to visit these Southeast Asian countries. If you have any comments, suggestions or anything that I have not mentioned, feel free to write your thoughts and guides below.

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Famous for its 7,107 islands and very hospitable locals, the Philippines can easily jump on a traveller’s list of must-see countries. If you are not convinced yet if you should travel here, check these photos of the Philippines to inspire your trip.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Reasons to retire in the Philippines
• Visas for Southeast Asia
• Ultimate List of Festivals in the Philippines
• Visa guide for US travellers
• Travel the Philippines on a budget: Cheapest but best tours

VISA FREE NATIONALITIES TO ENTER THE PHILIPPINES

59 days

• Brazil – Brazil visa guide
• Israel – Things to know before entering Israel

30 days

Africa

• Benin
• Botswana
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Comoros
• Republic of Congo
• Cote d’Ivoire/Ivory Coast
• Djibouti
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Eswatini/Swaziland
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea Bissau
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Niger
• Rwanda
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tunisia
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Americas

• Argentina
• Bahamas
• Barbuda
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bolivia
• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Senegal
• Seychelles
• South Africa
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United States
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

Asia

• Bahrain
• Bhutan
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Tajikistan
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam

Europe

• Andorra
• Angola
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• San Marino
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City

Oceania

• Australia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia
• New Zealand
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

14 days

• Hong Kong
• Macau
• Portugal (strictly for passports issued with a valid permanent resident visa of Macau)

Passport Validity

Many countries require a six months validity left on a traveller’s passport to be able to enter a country. The Philippines immigration allow travellers to enter the country with less than six months. Here are the nationalities eligible to under Pursuant to Operations Order No. SBM-2015-026. More information here.

REPLACEMENTS VISAS

• China – 7 days (ONLY if the tourist holds a valid Australia, Canada, Japan, United States or Schengen Area)
• India – 14 days (ONLY if the tourist holds a valid Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States or Schengen Area: tourist, business, or resident)

VISA ON ARRIVAL

VISA EXTENSION IN THE PHILIPPINES

All visitors who wish to stay longer than their visa validity should apply for an extension of visa in any authorised Immigration Office in the country. Check out the steps and requirements you need to extend your visa in the Philippines.

Requirements to extend your Philippines visa

• Original Passport
• Application Form (TVS-CGAF-VE-2016)
• Sworn Statement for overstaying /updating of stay of more than six (6) months
• Cash

Procedure

When you get to the Immigration Office, follow these steps:

• Get a number and wait for your turn. Make sure you are on Public Information Assistance Unit Visa Extension Lane
• When your number is called, pass your documents to see how much do you have to pay
• Payment
• On the releasing window, you will be called to pick up your passport

NOTE: If you need to extend for another 29 days, you can either apply for it in advance in your home country or get on when you arrive for a fee of $50.  Simply go to any immigration office

More Information

• Check the nearest Immigration Office to you HERE
• Download the application form HERE
• Table of fees and more information HERE

I hope you found this Philippines visa guide useful. If you have more questions, let me know in the comment section below.

RELATED POSTS:

• Best 40L backpacks
• Eco-friendly travel accessories
• Long-haul flight essentials

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I’ve been living and travelling around Southeast Asia since 2015. I’ve witnessed so many changes over the years one of those is the significant change in the cost of travelling in Southeast Asia.

The ultimate question I constantly receive whilst travelling and on my email is “what is the right budget for Southeast Asia?” The truth is, there is no right Southeast Asia budget because it will be down to the way you will travel, however, hiking alone for 90 days without your survival kit is almost like a suicide. Let’s make sure you get the trip of your life by giving you an idea of how to prepare the ultimate Southeast Asia travel budget.

Before you hop on your backpacking in Southeast Asia, first off, let’s list down the possible countries you want to visit and how long is the ideal time to spend in every destination. In this way, we can figure out the daily budget for travelling Southeast Asia.

SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL TIPS

• Visas for Southeast Asia – don’t forget to check this to avoid hassle on your trip or worse, waste money
• How I travelled in Southeast Asia with $2000 for six months – travelling on a budget is not a problem in Southeast Asia; find out how I managed to do it
• Southeast Asia travel route and itineraries – here’s a guide to help you plan a suitable travel itinerary for you
• Crossing the border from Melaka to Singapore by bus – get to Singapore from Malaysia without spending too much
• When is the best time to go to Southeast Asia – find out when is the time of the year to travel in this region
• Vaccinations for Southeast Asia – get the shots you might need

HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY IN EACH SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES

• Brunei – 1-2 weeks ( this country is very small but have loads of attractions to offer)
• Cambodia 2-3 weeks is plenty to explore this fascinating destination
• Laos – 3 weeks (you can buy a motorbike and travel slowly)
• Indonesia – 1 month (or more) this country has 17.5K islands
• Malaysia – 3 weeks (you can easily spend more here, buy a motorbike and travel in your own way)
• Myanmar – 28 days (the maximum single entry visa is only for 28 days, you can always get another visa if you want to stay longer)
• Philippines – 1 month (or more) since this country has 7,000+ islands, mostly can be travelled by ferry or aeroplanes
• Singapore – 2 weeks (this will give you plenty of time to explore slowly)
• Thailand – 4 weeks (hopping on the islands takes time)
• Timor-Leste – 2 weeks
• Vietnam – 3 weeks on a motorbike | 2.5 weeks on public transportations

TIP: If your time permits, stay as long as you can to explore the small and unbeaten areas of each destination. You can never stay too long in places that you find fascinating.

RELATED POST: ​Best 40L backpacks for men and women

TRAVEL TOOLS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA

• ACCOMMODATIONS
• BUSES, FERRIES, FLIGHTS, AND TRAINS
• AFFORDABLE TOURS
• CHEAP FLIGHTS
• TRAVEL INSURANCE
• VISA ASSISTANCE

SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL BUDGET PER COUNTRY

This article of Southeast Asia backpacking budget is a roughly an estimation guide. People travel differently and in different styles. Even you prefer  private room, it doesn’t mean you can’t go backpacking in this region.

All you need to do is to know what your preference is. For example, you can spend more money on accommodation and cheap out of food. Personally, I always cheap out on accommodation and transportation and prefer to spend money on food and tours.

LEGEND: VOA (Visa On Arrival) | Prices are in US Dollars

Brunei Travel Budget

Even Brunei is such a small country, located right next to Malaysia, it has something to offer to its visitors. From its stunning landscape, the local food can surely find its way to every traveller’s heart. Since it’s a relatively small country, travelling around in Brunei is easy and surprisingly affordable.

Visa: Free visa & VOA – check out the list
Dorm: $10 – affordable accommodations in Brunei
Private room: $18
Food: $3-$5
Transportation: $1 for a short ride to go on the other side of the city
Tours: there are a lot of free things to do or check these things to do in Brunei

RELATED POST: Best walking shoes on concrete while travelling

Cambodia Travel Budget

Travelling around Southeast Asia can be cheap, but no one prepared me how affordable backpacking in Cambodia is! If you really want to travel Southeast Asia on a shoestring budget, head to Cambodia. Since Cambodia mainly uses US dollars, it feels like the prices are more expensive than the rest of Southeast Asia, but if you look closely and convert the prices in Thailand or Vietnam to US dollars, Cambodia is the cheapest on all of them.

Visa: 30 days VOA (check the visa guide for Cambodia) – Apply now!
Dorm: $2-$5 (check out the list of hostels where I stayed in Cambodia)
Private room: $5-$15
Food: $1 (side street food vendor) $2 (average small side street restaurants) $3-$4 (regular price on casual restaurants)
Sim Card: $4- Cellcard (this company offers cheap options but fast internet speed: 30 GB data for 30 days)
Transportation: $8 for a six-hour bus
Motorbike: $300-$400 (one of the few things that are more expensive in Cambodia compared to Vietnam)
Tours: $5 for short day tours (normally this is only for the transportation like in Phnom Penh) -There are great tours for only $15

RELATED POST: Important things to remember before you travel to Cambodia

Indonesia Travel Budget

Are you up for an adventure? Why not travel a country with 17,000 islands plus loads of active volcanoes? Indonesia attracts a lot of travellers not only because of these features but also for being such an affordable travel destination. Bali is one of the most visited cities in Indonesia, check this Bali on a budget guide.

Visa: Free-visa is offered to almost everyone in the world for 30-days (check if you need a visa)
Dorm: $5 – affordable accommodations in Indonesia or check these accommodations in Bali
Private room: $10
Food: $2 – you can easily find them from the street vendors, get away from where tourist hangout to find the cheap eats
Sim Card: $10 – XL or Telkomsel (you get 12 GB)
Transportation: $0.50 for the intercity public transportations, ferries are about $2-$3
Motorbike: $5-20 per day
Tours: $12 – check here the cool tours, for as low as $30

RELATED POST: Best quick dry towels for travelling and outdoor activities

Malaysia Travel Budget

I didn’t originally plan to visit Malaysia, but I’m glad I did. I find the locals very friendly and the food super tasty. Malaysia is also great for travellers on a budget, make sure you visit Langkawi for probably the most affordable destination in Southeast Asia since it’s a tax-free island. For more details, check this Malaysia travel cost guide.

Visa: Free visa – 90 days for EU (check the visa guide for Malaysia) – Apply now!
Dorm: $5-$8 (check hostels that I personally stayed in Malaysia)
Private room: $10-$15
Food: $2
Sim Card: $10 – Digi (this company offer high-speed internet that works from the North of Malaysia to the South: 10 GB for 30 days )
Transportation: $18 (domestic flight) $15 (9-hour bus)
Tours:  $15 tours can be found in Langkawi – Tours can be pretty pricey especially in Kuala Lumpur – but you can find affordable ones here

RELATED POST: How to book cheap flights to everywhere in the world

Myanmar Travel Budget

Myanmar is not as affordable as I thought, however, I managed to travel for 21 days and spent $750 including a one-way flight from Bangkok and a bus from the border of Myanmar to the city centre of Bangkok. I find the accommodation is the most expensive, so the best way is to travel with someone and share a private room instead of staying in dorm rooms. I also hitchhiked in Myanmar and slept in monasteries which I highly recommend.

Visa: Free visa – ASEAN countries (check the visa guide for Myanmar) – Apply now!
Dorm: $8-$10
Private room: $10-20
Food: $1.5-$2
Sim Card: $10 – Telenor (the internet in Myanmar, in general, is painfully slow, I was only able to use it on my online map)
Transportation: $10 (9-hour bus)
Tours: $20 (admission fee in archaeological areas; Bagan, Mandalay Hill) – it’s hard to find trustable tour agencies in Myanmar, you may check out my recommendations

RELATED POST: Important things to remember before you travel to Myanmar

Philippines Travel Budget

The Philippines is not bordered to any countries, therefore, if you decide to let this country show its charm to you, flights from the neighbouring countries can be as low as $50 for one-way. The Philipines also has 7,000+, the warm and hospitable locals speak English, and the scenery can easily capture your heart.

Visa: Free visa & VOA (check the visa guide for the Philipines)
Dorm: $5 (check the best hostels in the Philippines)
Private room: $8-$10
Food: $.50 (side street places) $1 fast food $1.5 casual restaurants
Sim Card: $10 – Globe (take note that the internet is not very good in the Philippines, personally I use the company Talk N’ Text. I can register on unlimited mobile data for $.50 valid for 24-hours, which I can use as a hotspot for my laptop)
Transportation: $5 (9-hour local non-AC bus)
Tours: $ 10-day tours – you can get an organised tour for cheap as $30

RELATED POST: Philippines on a budget: What to do in the Philippines

Singapore Travel Budget

Despite being such an expensive country to live and travel to, Singapore can easily be part of your itinerary. Why? Because this country has such a wealthy economy, great public transportation, and beautiful skyscrapers. A lot of travellers are curious about what Singapore is like.

Visa: Free visa for Europeans, Americans (North and South), and Southeast Asians (check here to see if you need a visa)
Dorm: $15 (affordable hostels in Singapore)
Private room: $30
Food: $2 – Look out for hawkers for cheap but awesome local food
Sim Card: $10 – Klook travel sim card (can be picked up at the Changi Airport- 100 GB mobile data)
Transportation: $1.50 – make sure to get yourself  either the regular train card (can be used up to 6 times) or EZ Link Card to get around using public transportations
Tours: $20 (entrance fees on popular amusement parks) – you can find less pricey tours around $20

Thailand Travel Budget

The land where the islands are made to charm you. Thailand can easily win your heart through its beautiful scenery and mouthwatering local food. Despite the huge number of travellers coming to Thailand every year, a lot of backpackers and holiday still include this country on their list.

Visa: Free visa and VOA (check my Thailand visa guide)
Dorm: $5 (check affordable hostels in Thailand)
Private room: $10
Food: $1-$2 for street food or light meals $4
Sim Card: $10 for tourist sim card (can be bought at the airport of any 7eleven stores)
Transportation: $1.50 for subway and $12 for 9-hour bus ride
Motorbike: $15 per day (make sure you have a driver’s license that is valid in Thailand)
Tours: $10-$20 for day tours, but only for transportation-based tours – affordable organised tours for as cheap as $22

Timor-Leste Travel Budget

Timor-Leste is probably not on your list, but why not explore here for a bit to find a little getaway from the heavy touristic destinations in Southeast Asia? The other country in Asia where is Catholicism is the main religion (the other is the Philippines) and US dollars are widely used.

Visa: Free visa for Europeans (check if you need a visa)
Dorm: $12 (backpacker’s favourite hostel in Timor Leste)
Private room: $30
Food: $2-$5 (street food or decent affordable restaurants)
Transportation: $2 for one-hour bus ride
Tours: $20 small day tours –find a tour that fits your need here

Vietnam Travel Budget

Vietnam is supposed to be cheap, although it looks like that is not the case anymore. After receiving millions of travellers every year, Vietnam managed to up its economy game which resulted in making this country a little more expensive than it used to. When I was travelling here two years ago, I can easily find hostels for $3 per bunk bed, nowadays, it’s still affordable to travel in Vietnam but it’s slowly changing.

Visa: Free visa – ASEAN (check the visa guide for Vietnam) – Apply now and get your visa in a few hours only
Dorm: $5-$8 – best Vietnam hostels
Private room: $10-$20
Food: $1.5-$2 (side street food) $3-$5 casual restaurants
Sim Card: $8 – Viettel (for $8, you get 5 GB mobile data valid for 30 days)
Transportation: $8 (4.5-hour bus)
Motorbike: $200-$350 (second-hand – it’s cheaper to buy a motorbike in Hanoi compared to Ho Chi Minh City) – find more information about motorbiking in Vietnam
Tours: $5 for a day tour (mostly transportation only tours) – there are tours for as low as $9

If you need suggestions for hostels in Vietnam check out this article, Best Hostels in Vietnam

WHAT IS THE DAILY BUDGET FOR TRAVELLING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 

You can divide the places in Southeast Asia into three categories.

First group; Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, and Myanmar, I would put it on $35 per day. In these countries, either the accommodation or food are on the pricey side, transportation and tours are falling on almost same price range.

While the second group; Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Indonesia, can easily be on $30 a day or even less. I personally find these places affordable on most aspects; accommodation, food, and transportation. Sometimes even the tours are really on the budget side. Accommodation can be as cheap as $5 except if you decide to stay around in the very touristy areas like Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia or Canggu – main tourist town in Bali, Indonesia.

The third group; Singapore, Timor Leste, and Brunei will be on the expensive side especially Singapore where dorm beds cost around $18/night, a beer is $5 a can, and food for $5 a meal. While Timor Leste and Brunei are expensive on tours and transportation (especially flying there). In this group, I would easily put it on $40-$50/day to really enjoy your time.

So in general, I’d calculate a $25-$40/day, you can save money from the second group and be ready to put more budget on the third group.

I hope this Southeast Asia budget guide gave you enough idea about travelling in this part of the world and point your planning in the right direction. Travelling is not always colourful but keep in mind that it’s something you will forever look back into, the stories you will get to share in the future are yours and forever yours.

So, are you ready to travel Southeast Asia on a budget?! If you have travelled in this part of the world, let us know what you think is the cheapest or mos  expensive destination or if you have a great tip to share!

RELATED POST: Packing Essentials for Southeast Asia

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Masasa Beach, Philippines

Which countries are in Southeast Asia? The answer is Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Lester, and Vietnam. There are 11 countries in Southeast Asia. Now, if you decide to travel in this part of the world, you don’t have to go to all of them in one trip especially if you have limited time. Even they are neighbouring countries, they are very different from each other and honestly takes so much to go around.

Some people will go for only two weeks since that’s the only time off they get from work. While others quit their jobs and start to travel the world. Either way, let me show you the best Southeast Asia travel route, I will always suggest some itineraries per country for you

NOTE: All prices are in USD ($). You may also use the table of contents to navigate faster.

RELATED POSTS: To help you map out and prepare for your trip, check these pots:

• Travel budget for backpacking in Southeast Asia
• Best time to travel to Southeast Asia
• Backpacking in Southeast Asia travel guide and tips
• Surfing in Asia; where to surf in Asia

TIP: Use the table of contents to navigate faster

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU SPEND IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Southeast Asia is massive, that’s not a secret. So, how much time do you need to explore the entire region? I personally travelled here for 8 months on my first trip then another 8 months on my second time. You can easily spend 2 weeks to a year depending on how much time you have. If you only have a few weeks, that’s no problem as well, have a taste of Southeast Asia and see if you want to come back later.

HOW MUCH IS A GOOD BUDGET FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA

You can easily spend $1,000 in a month or $2,000 for six months, like what I did. I know that’s not really hopeful. Let’s take a look at this ideal travel cost:

• Accommodation: $6 for a dorm room, $10 for a private room – these are the average prices, I found some dorm room for $3 and a private room for $8
• Transportation over land: $8 for a 5-6 hour bus
• Flying: $25 for a domestic flight, $35 (is the lowest I’ve taken) for a flight to another Southeast Asia country – the price differs A LOT because of the distance
• Food: $3 per meal or $1 for a street food
• Tours: from FREE to $10 for a day trip (covers transportation and/or bottle of water)
• Visa: $35 and up; a lot of European and North American countries need to pay for a visa in some Southeast Asian countries

Depending on WHERE you are going and HOW you are going to travel or what they call, your travel style and HOW LONG you are going to travel for is how you can figure out your budget. 

WHERE TO START IN YOUR SOUTHEAST ASIA ROUTE

A lot of backpackers start in Bangkok, Thailand. This is mostly because there are flights directly from Europe (UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Finland, and Poland. If your budget permits, fly to the country where you really want to start.

Another reason why backpackers start in Thailand is that, there are thousands of travellers here and they have been coming to Thailand for more than a decade now. This makes Thailand a great hub; meet travel companions, there are locals who speak English, there are parties everywhere, Thai food is almost everyone’s favourite, and it has beautiful and stunning beaches that even someone who doesn’t like the beach that much will say “wow!”.

Have you heard about the Banana Pancake Trail? This trail doesn’t really have a definite route, this is also known as the Southeast Asia trail. But most travellers will describe Banana Pancake Trail starts in Thailand, then Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, then back to Thailand – from here, you can decide if you want to go to cross the land border to Myanmar or Malaysia, or fly to the Philippines or Indonesia or Singapore.

I personally started in Vietnam, then to Thailand, then Myanmar, back to Vietnam, then Laos, then Vietnam again – I don’t really have a trail as you see.

SOUTHEAST ASIA IN 2 WEEKS OR LESS

Even 2 weeks is not a lot, you can still enjoy Southeast Asia. What you need to remember is to not try to see 4 countries in a span of 2 weeks. Doing this will result in you spending ALL your time in the bus or airports instead of actually enjoying or experiencing each place.

With only 2 weeks on your trip, focus on one country and 2 cities/towns/islands only. Having limited time, you may also want to consider the smaller countries or countries with fewer islands or else again, you will only spend time getting from point A to B.

If it’s your first time in Southeast Asia, think about which activity do you like most, is it going to the beach, history, party, or climbing mountains? Here are the countries I suggest you start and spend your 2 weeks:f

Sea Salt, Beaches, Sunnies

​​If you are looking for a quick beach getaway, a lazy day on the beach, reading a book, drinking cold cocktails, and snorkelling or surfing your day away, Southeast Asia have something for you.

Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia

These three are the best options for this type of trip and holiday.

Thailand‘s beaches are probably something you have seen on the movies or telly before, and those are not lying. Thailand is really a great place to do all the beach and water activities you want to do, not to mention the most interesting cuisine you’ll ever try.

While the Philippines have 7,000 islands – I think I don’t need to say more but if you want some information, the Philippines have the most diverse aquatic ecosystem in the world. You can snorkel, dive, surf, kayak, or simply go partying. One of the best features of this country is that more than 80% of the locals speak English.

If you want to get away from the crowd while still enjoying the beach, Malaysia is the place for you. Being a Muslim country, enjoying the beach shouldn’t be a big problem, however, you have to remember the dress code in most part of the country. Malaysia is popular to family travellers, so, if you have kids with you, you just found the right place for the next trip.

Mountain, Hiking, Sunrise

For some adventure, time with nature, and enjoying a sunrise over the mountain top, Southeast Asia will not disappoint.

Indonesia, Philippines, Borneo

Indonesia and the Philippines both have amazing and thousands of mountains to climb. One of the most known in Indonesia is Mount Bromo, Mount Rinjani, Semeru, Ijen to name a few.

In the Philippines mountain Apo, Sagada, Pulag, Pinatubo, Mayon, and Pinatubo. are the most beautiful you can see in this country. 

Borneo is undeniably one of the richest forests in the world. It’s beautiful with many various species of animals, trees, and not to mention traditional societies have lived and also known for historic warfare and headhunting.

REMEMBER: Not all mountains in Indonesia and the Philippines can be hiked because a lot of them are still active and are off-limits to the tourists.

Cultural and Historical Trip

If you are a traveller who loves to learn the history and culture of a place, one of the most suitable places you can explore are Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam

Myanmar only fully opened up to the tourist in 2010 (originally in 1992 but with very strict rules). Myanmar has been a mysterious destination and many people who travelled there have found the Burmese culture is very fascinating and raw, the locals are still getting used to tourists.

Cambodia had a very dark history; a genocide which happened in 1970s. Almost 2 million died which was carried by the Khmer Rouge. You can visit the Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum to learn more about this dark chapter of Cambodia.

I’m sure you are familiar with the Vietnam War, and if not, you should know about it. The Vietnam war is one of the biggest and darkest wars in the history of Southeast Asia. Many people have died many locals until today are still suffering to the result of this war which happened in 1970. A war between north of Vietnam and the south of Vietnam (slash the US.).

Land Travel Only

If you prefer the over the land travel only, Vietnam and Cambodia or Thailand and Myanmar are two great destinations to check out.

Vietnam and Cambodia

You can easily fly to Vietnam and cross the border to Cambodia or the other way around. For only about $12 bus fare on a 5-6 hour bus ride, you can explore two countries in a short period of time. Both countries have fascinating history and culture, both have beaches that you can enjoy as well.

Thailand and Cambodia

Enjoy the beach of Thailand and then explore the mountain and the interesting culture of Cambodia, you can easily cross the border to Cambodia (about 6-hour bus ride, and $12 ticket). Both have great beaches, while both are pretty affordable destinations.

TIP: Here is a great travel guide and information about travelling in Vietnam.

SOUTHEAST ASIA IN 4 WEEKS OR 2 MONTH

One month of travel is a great length of time while 2 months is even better. You can focus on one country and check out its off-beaten track or you can combine two countries depending on how you will get from one place to another or how much you want to see in each country. Here are the countries I suggest you focus for one month:

Vietnam

If I have my favourite place in Southeast Asia, it would be Vietnam. It’s crazy (in a good way). It’s super cheap, Vietnam is probably the most affordable in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, spending 4 weeks or 1 month will let you explore its popular destinations and the parts that are not very known to other backpackers.

• Motorbiking in Vietnam – this is one of the best ways to travel around Vietnam, you can go everywhere at your own pace
• North to south or vice versa – with 4 weeks in your hand, you can travel the entire country. Most backpackers will either go to the north or head down to the south. In this way, you know that you won’t miss anything along the way while you meet travellers who can give you their first-hand experience in the other locations that they have been. 

The top destinations in Vietnam are:

• North: Sa Pa, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Trang An, Phong Nha
• Central: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Da Lat
• South: Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc Island

Malaysia

Malaysia is another favourite destination because of its more quiet vibe, islands that are not full of tourist or parties, destinations that are cheaper and even a tax-free island like Langkawi.

A lot of travellers don’t spend a full month in Malaysia, which is great, this means there are places that are secluded and very relaxing. If you have a limited time, check this 2 weeks in Malaysia itinerary. Here are the popular destinations in Malaysia:

• Kuala Lumpur is a great capital city if you love skyscrapers. You can go around the city easily because they have such an amazing transportation system.
• Langkawi which I mentioned a while ago is a tax-free island. You can rent a motorbike for $5 for 24-hours.
• Penang is popular for the street arts that you cannot find anywhere else in Southeast Asia, you can also enjoy the beach from here if you head to Georgetown
• Peripheral Islands is the place you want to go for a really relaxing beach holiday. The water is unbelievably clear and blue, there are fewer parties, it’s a perfect place to enjoy nature, read a book, and drink coconut water
• Malacca is an old town that you won’t want to miss, from here you can head and cross the border to Singapore

Thailand

A month in Thailand will let you hike its mountains and enjoy its beautiful islands. From here you can easily cross the border to Malaysia or Cambodia. Although Thailand has become a little more expensive than other Southeast Asian countries, it is still cheaper than a holiday in south Europe.  Here are the top places you want to explore in Thailand.

• Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Lanta, Koh Chang, Koh Phangan, and Koh Phi Phi are the places for the party and to enjoy water activities for such affordable price
• Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for mountain adventure
• While there are motorbike rentals in Thailand that will let you rent a bike, it is illegal to do it and will cost a lot of money if you get caught.

Cambodia

In my opinion, you can spend 3 weeks in Cambodia and you will basically be able to cover the “must-sees” spending more than that will give you the chance to discover other parts of the country that not many backpackers are able to see. Cambodia is a known destination for the following reasons:

• Cambodian Genocide – if you like history, travelling in Cambodia will teach you about its genocide that is not very known. The dark history of Cambodia is a good way to educate yourself about this part of the world
• Angkor Wat – head to Siem Reap and learn more about Cambodian history
• Islands – there are islands in Cambodia that you can enjoy for such affordable price, I personally went on a 6-hour boat trip for $10 which includes food, boat fee, tour guides, snorkelling gears, and drinks
• Motorbiking in Cambodia – is a less known way of travelling compared to Vietnam but it is possible

Laos

Laos, the place you want to spend your 4 weeks if you want to get away from crazy parties in Thailand or you prefer to go hike the mountains than diving on the ocean. Fewer people are travelling in Laos, you will meet mostly those who love to lie on the hammock, enjoy nature, and relax. Laos is not known as a place to start a trip in Southeast Asia, which is a shame since you can reach 3 countries from here.  Top places you can visit in Laos:

• Vientiane – is the capital of Laos which are not well-visited but still offers great atmosphere especially if you like to interact with the locals
• Luang Prabang – here, you can visit Kuang Si Falls
• Vang Vieng – is the party hub for Laos, not as wild as Vietnam, but indeed a must-visit place
• From any of these places, you can get to either Vietnam, Cambodia, or Thailand.

Another country that you can spend 3-4 weeks but not less than 2 weeks would be the Philippines. You can check this 3-week itinerary for the Philippines.

COUNTRIES TO COMBINE IF YOU HAVE 4 WEEKS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Like what I mentioned before, I would either focus in one country if I have 4 weeks but you can also combine 2 countries as long as they are land bordered to each other or there are flights that are direct flights that are not too expensive. Here are the countries you can combine together:

• Vietnam and Cambodia – these two countries are land bordered in the south. You can get from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh is 6 hours on a bus.
• Vietnam and Laos – if you love mountains, stay in the north of Vietnam and do a border crossing to Laos for more nature and mountains. Although the bus takes about 20-30 hours. Flying is also an option.
• Thailand and Cambodia – This is already a popular choice and the bus journey is only less than 5 hours, not too long unless you get a hangover from partying in Bangkok like me when I crossed the border from Bangkok to Siem Reap.
• Thailand and Malaysia – crossing from the south of Thailand and entering Malaysia via Langkawi island is a great combination if you really love island hopping.

SOUTHEAST ASIA IN 3 MONTHS OR MORE

Now, 3 months is a lot of time. However, after you travelled and have used up all your time, it will feel like it was not enough because there is just so much to see. Either you have 3 months, 6 months or more, there is always a place that not many have travelled yet.

Some backpackers who headed to Southeast Asia have a lot of time in their hands but not enough budget to keep travelling which lead them in stopping or travelling slower in some places and work or volunteer which is not a problem either. It’s a great way to learn more about the new place you just discovered.

While if you have the time and budget, this is the route I would love you to consider.

• Thailand – land or arrive in Southeast Asia here, however, Bangkok is in the middle, therefore, you will be torn between the north and the south which is filled with islands, what I can suggest is, go up north and spend a month exploring the mountains like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and do volunteers. From here you can head to Myanmar.
• Myanmar – you can enter the land border between Thailand and Myanmar. You can explore the beautiful Bagan, trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake, visit Mandalay and other small towns in the North and finish up in Yangon, from here, you can head back to the north of Thailand and cross the border to Laos.
• Laos – which you can enter via slow boat. You can buy a motorbike and drive around Laos if you are feeling adventurous. If not, you can easily travel by buses. Visiting Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Vientiane (the capital) and many more places. From here you can take your motorbike, fly or take a bus to the north of Vietnam.
• Vietnam – If you are taking the bus, they will more likely to drop you off in Hanoi, if you have a motorbike, you can enter through the most north of Vietnam which is Lao Cai province near Sa Pa where you can hike the highest peak in Indochina called Fansipan. If you have a motorbike bike, you can head down south or take the best night buses in Southeast Asia. If you don’t have a motorbike or want to sell yours, you can do it in the popular cities in town throughout Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), it’s very easy to cross the border to Cambodia.
• Cambodia – You can also bring your motorbike with you to Cambodia or buy or rent one once you get there, explore the dark history of Phnom Penh, and the lively city of Siem Reap and Battambang, don’t forget to swim and party at Koh Rong Island and Koh Rong Samloem. You will more likely to end in Siem Reap where you can take a bus to Thailand

• Thailand – unfortunately, you cannot bring your motorbike here. From Bangkok, you can either fly down to the islands or take a bus. From Padang Besar, you can cross the border to Malaysia.
• Malaysia – and head to Langkawi, the tax-free island, where everything is much cheaper than Thailand. Malaysia can be tricky, it has north to south and west to east. If you have more time, there is no reason to rush, but if you have a limited one, choose which part you’d rather see. By reaching the south of Malaysia, you will have an easy time crossing Singapore by land.
• Singapore – an expensive but very fascinating country, make sure you know someone who lives in Singapore or have made enough Singaporean friends before you reach here. If you play your cards well, you can save money by couchsurfing or ask a friend if you can crash their place. One of the few affordable things in Singapore is flying out, Changi airport has many flights to everywhere in the world. The best is to fly to the Philippines or Indonesia.
• Philippines – you can easily spend more than a month here, however, due to its large number of islands, you will be needing to spend a lot of time using the boat or taking a flight. You can take a bus to the north and enjoy Banaue Rice Terraces and Vigan, then fly to Boracay to party or swim in Palawan or go surfing in Siargao. Leaving the Philippines, you can either fly out of Cebu or Manila to Indonesia, Brunei, or Timor-Leste.

WHAT ARE THE LESS TRAVELLED COUNTRIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore are the top destinations in Southeast Asia. While Laos is also popular, this is mainly because along with the way, many backpackers would hear about Laos and it’s basically on the way between Thailand and Vietnam.

Those who have unlimited time to travel are the ones who normally would consider Laos, which is personally, I think should not be missed. It’s less touristy and most backpackers are the ones who only go to Laos. It’s rich in beautiful nature than stunning cities, it’s a place where you want to go if you want to escape the loudspeakers on every street of a city, it’s a place where you want to spend more time on a hammock or hiking or simply just on a beach.

The Philippines is somehow popular, but because of the fact that it’s not land bordered to any countries, many backpackers will either skip the Philippines or visit it next time they are in Southeast Asia. If head here, you will notice that most couples on their honeymoon, retired Europeans and North Americans, South Koreans and Japanese, or backpackers in their late 20s are the ones travelling here.

If we will only talk about the “real” less travelled in Southeast, it must be Timor-Leste, Brunei, and Myanmar. Although Myanmar is already gaining massive attention, it’s starting to be more and more popular among backpackers.

Timor-Leste and Brunei are the two that are truly less popular. Many would argue because there is nothing very special in these two countries while others will say it’s because it’s too small or they are actually not budget-friendly, plus, like the Philippines, they are not really bordered to any other countries or areas that are touristy making the trip there will cost more money and time.

WHAT TO REMEMBER WHEN PLANNING YOUR SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL ROUTE AND ITINERARY

If you join backpacker and traveller’s forum on social media like Facebook or Reddit or forum sites like TripAdvisor, there are too many things that they will tell you what to remember and what is something that you should not be bothered about.

Let’s talk about all of them and you can decide for yourself which one are worthy a wrinkle on your face.

Vaccinations and Pills 

Of course, it’s always best to get them, but you are on a budget and want to keep things right at the margin. The thing is, accidents are unpredictable, I never expected or wished to get bitten by a dog in Thailand, but man, it happened and it was scary.

MUST-READ: Vaccinations for Southeast Asia – an in-depth article

Now, if you know that you will spend time around dogs, rural areas, and forests – get that vaccine-like rabies, tetanus, hepatitis A & B, and Yellow Fever. These are valid for a few years while others can last for life. I really think it’s worth the hassle.

If you are on a budget, head to Southeast Asia and get them here as soon as you can, they are super affordable and easy to get. Do the research and make a list of hospitals and clinics who can give these shots and can do the service in English.

I had my rabies shot in Thailand which was $12 per shot(total of 5 shots). Compared to Europe, North America, and Oceania, they are a lot cheaper here unless of course, you have public health in your country.

Malaria Pills are one of the most common concern, should you be taking them? I personally did not take any, but I spent most of my time in the city and only did a few very rural area travels.

However, remember to consult your GP as well to make sure which shots and pills you will be needing.

DISCLAIMER: A Mary Road does not claim any expertise in the field of medication, these suggestions are based on my experience and should not be considered as professional advice.

Is it cheap in Southeast Asia

It is but it can only be cheap if you are willing to be one. Avoid staying in private rooms or taking an organised tour. Take buses, train, and boats instead of flying everywhere. Buy food in the grocery store or eat street food outside. You can also check this Southeast Asia travel budget.

Free walking tours are getting more and more popular in Southeast Asia, however, this does not mean that it is completely free. The tour guide will be spending his/her time, sharing knowledge, and taking you around, a tip is encouraged and will be appreciated. Give a tip depending on the guide’s performance, length of the tour, and the information you received.

If you are having a hard time deciding how much you should give, count how many tour participants and do the Math, if everyone hands over $5 or $10 would it be enough? 

Hitchhiking in Southeast Asia

Many backpackers will not agree about this because Southeast is already affordable. Hitchhiking is also not as popular as in Europe, therefore, your chances to be picked up will be less.

The only place I hitchhike was in Myanmar and it was only about 300 kms of 2 rides and only did it for the experience.

Weather in Southeast Asia

This region is composed of islands, mountains, and farms. Do your research in each country because all of them poses different weather throughout the year. Who would have known that Vietnam experience cold (drop to zero Celsius) during winter? I surely did not know.

Busking in Southeast Asia

Apart from Singapore, where busking is illegal, I don’t know any other countries where you can actually be thrown in jail for doing this. However, many expats and travellers do not accept having western foreigners busking from the locals and I agree with it.

Many locals of Southeast Asia makes an average of $150 a month or even less, if one has the right to go busking, it’s the locals.

If you are in real trouble, get in touch with your Embassy or reach out to your friends and families.

Motorbiking in Southeast Asia

If you want to travel on a motorbike, you should know that not all Southeast Asian countries will allow this. Only Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia is where motorbiking is a “thing”, even so, you will more or less be driving without a legal permit. Between these three countries, there is a big chance that you can bring your motorbike between borders.

Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai, motorbiking is illegal unless you have an international driver’s license that has been converted into a Thai driving license. Singapore is definitely a no go, while the Philippines, Myanmar, and Malaysia, are sort of so-so.

Language Barrier in Southeast Asia

If you head to the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, you don’t have to worry about the language barrier. These four countries speak English and most of the road signs, airports, restaurants, and other public places will be in English.

Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia are all melting pots of ESL teachers, if you speak to young locals, there is a big chance that they speak English. You should also have an easy time communicating in English in Timor-Leste. While in Myanmar, young people are getting a grasp of English as well little by little.

SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL GEARS

Southeast Asia is actually very easy to travel, either by yourself or with friends or family. Getting a sim card with data is cheap and fast which basically will solve most of your mishaps on the road.

You will also meet tons of backpackers who will give you tips left and right, the locals are very warm and helpful. To make sure you will have a great time, here are some travel gears and packing tips for you:

• Maps.Me – if you are travelling for a while, get the app maps.me and download the maps for the places you are heading to. This is great if you don’t have or run out of data.
• Cash -always keep a stash of cash; US Dollars, British Pound, and Euro. Canadian and Australian Dollars can be hard to exchange especially in rural areas
• Translator – download an offline translator, it can be really handy
• Scarf and long trousers – bring a big but lightweight scarf, you will need it when visiting sacred places and can be used as a skirt or to cover your shoulders or you can also pack lightweight trousers or buy one of those elephant pants
• Photocopy of your passport – you will be surprised how many accommodations in Southeast Asia will ask if they can keep your passport, hand them a photocopy instead

For packing, you many want to check these cool travel items:

• Best quick dry towels for backpacking
• Wheeled backpack or rucksack with wheels
• Travel jacket with hidden pockets
• Long-haul flight essentials
• Eco-friendly travel accessories and product

SOUTHEAST ASIA VISA GUIDE

Visa in Southeast Asia is pretty easy actually. You either get a visa-free or have to apply beforehand but they are easy and quick to get unlike a Schengen Visa or other western countries.

You can find more information about visas in Southeast Asia here.

That’s all I have for this topic, I know it’s pretty long but I hope you found something useful. If you have any questions about Southeast Asia travel route, send me an email or message me on my social media platforms. You can also simply leave a comment below.

ARE YOU ON PINTEREST? SAVE THIS FOR LATER READ:

I’ve mentioned a lot of times how much I love and how much I recommend anyone who wants to travel or go on a holiday to check out Southeast Asia. It’s a perfect place to start; affordable, easy to get around, and a lot of backpackers begin their trip here.

When I started my backpacking in Southeast Asia, I didn’t have any idea what I was going into. I must have unnecessarily spent some of my budget on a few things and missed some places along the way. To help you not to do the same mistake as I’ve done, I’ll give you all the tips I’ve picked up along the way. I know how frustrating it can be to not have any idea how much should you save for your upcoming Southeast Asia adventure. If you are a novice backpacker, it’s also very important to be well prepared and familiar with all the essentials you should bring. Make sure yo check this extensive guide for beginner backpackers before starting to plan your trip.

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How Many Countries are in Southeast Asia?

There are 11 countries in Southeast Asia which are all member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and those are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor (aka Timor Leste), and Vietnam. It’s a lot of countries, and if you only have 2 weeks or even 1 month, it’s impossible to explore all of them in one go. The most popular destinations and are easier to begin your trip are Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. 

Why Should You Go Backpacking in Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asia is one of the best places to go backpacking. Why? It is very lively, affordable, easy to travel to, hundreds and hundreds of backpacker starts in Southeast Asia. Apart from that, it is rich in culture, history, it has the most amazing cuisines. This region offers such a great deal, from mountains, sea adventures, food tripping, road tripping, or even just lie on the beach, drink your night out, or simply make new friends.

How Long Should You Spend in Southeast Asia?

Of course, this depends on how much time you have. But, if you have an indefinite time or can squeeze to go for more than three months, there are more than enough things to see and explore. With a year in your hand, you can definitely explore the entire region. You can probably still do this with six months, however, you won’t be able to see and explore deeply.

You can spend two weeks and focus on one region of the country to have a taste of Southeast Asia. One month can easily be spent as well, with that, you can combine two countries or focus on one country and dig its unbeaten path. To give you an idea what’s the ideal time to spend in each country:

• Brunei – 1-2 weeks ( this country is very small but have loads of attractions to offer)
• Cambodia 2-3 weeks is plenty to explore this fascinating destination
• Laos – 3 weeks (you can buy a motorbike and travel slowly)
• Indonesia – 1 month (or more) this country has 17.5K islands
• Malaysia – 3 weeks (you can easily spend more here, get a motorbike and travel in your own way)
• Myanmar – 28 days (the maximum single entry visa is only for 28 days, you can always get another visa if you want to stay longer but you need to exit the country then re-enter)
• Philippines – 1 month (or more) since this country has 7,000+ islands, mostly can be travelled by ferry or aeroplanes
• Singapore – 2 weeks (this will give you plenty of time to explore slowly)
• Thailand – 4 weeks (hopping on different islands takes time)
• Timor-Leste – 2 weeks
• Vietnam – 4 weeks on a motorbike | 3 weeks on public transportation

TIP: If your time permits, stay as long as you can to explore the small and unbeaten areas of each destination. I personally don’t believe in “I stayed too long here”.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Southeast Asia?

What is a good budget for backpacking in Southeast Asia? That’s a very common question and very vague. You can easily spend $1,000 for a week’s trip or $1,000 for two month’s trip. The first question you need to answer is how long do you want to travel and how do you want to travel. I spent $2,000 for six months on my first trip, I stayed in dorms, I volunteered, taught and worked in hostels, hitchhiked. and even sleep in monasteries.

Are you willing to stay in hostels dorm rooms, deal with people who snore or possibly a roommate who will shag on the top bunk? Do you prefer to have your own private room to have peace and quiet? Are you okay eating street food or a casual restaurant is a must? Would you prefer to fly overtaking a bus? It also depends on which countries are going to be on your list. Because Vietnam is crazy affordable but Singapore will break your bank in just a week.

I would say between $500-$700 for a month’s trip is a good and safe budget. Just remember which countries are expensive and which are cheaper.

And now, to give you an idea of the costs of traveling in Southeast Asia:

Accommodation

You can find a $6 for a dorm room, $10 for a private room – these are the average prices, I found some dorm room for $3 and a private room for $8. Check out best hostels in Vietnam, hostels I stayed in Cambodia and hostels I recommend in Malaysia. Or you can check our favorite booking sites:

BOOKING.COM and HOSTELWORLD

Transportation over land

For a 5-6 hour bus, it should cost about $8, overnight buses are about $12, some of them have a toilet inside and offers a reclined seat up to 160-degrees. They also offer some snack and a bottle of water. You can also take a bus to cross the border. For example from Vietnam to Laos, Thailand to Cambodia, Malaysia to Singapore, and other land borders in Southeast Asia.

Using Grab (like Uber) is also popular in almost all major cities in Southeast Asia. In countries like Indonesia and Vietnam, you can even book for a motorbike. In Indonesia, you can also use GoJek (cheaper than Grab), while in the Philippines, you can use Angkas for motorbike.

TRAINS, BOATS, & BUSES and FLYING

Flying

There are $25 for a domestic flight, $35 (is the lowest I’ve taken) for a flight to another Southeast Asia country – the price differs A LOT because of the distance and the fact that even there are budget airlines in Southeast Asia, so far, there are no airlines that offer crazy cheap tickets like Ryanair or Wizz Air. I use this site to find cheap flights for Southeast Asia.

Food

You should be able to find $3 meal in a casual restaurant and fast food or $1 for a street food if you’re down for that. It is very rare that hostels in Southeast Asia have a kitchen.

Tours

From FREE tours to $10 for a day trip (covers transportation and/or bottle of water) are both can be found easily. Free walking tours exist in major cities (remember to tip the tour guide), while there are very cheap tours like in Cambodia, I managed to get on a boat tour for $10 with food and drinks, a $3 tour in Phnom Penh where you pay for the transportation only. I highly suggest this site for tours all over Southeast Asia, I’ve had a great experience with them, I even booked their tours in Europe.

My #1 Recommended Tour Company for Southeast Asia

Visa

For a visa, you can spend from $35 and up; a lot of European and North American countries need to pay for a visa in some Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. While Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore will let you enter their country without a visa.

These only estimated costs, it’s easy to spend more. If you want a deeper idea for budget and costing, check our in-depth article about Southeast Asia Travel Budget where I list down the expected cost per country. I also recommend this article about backpacking in Vietnam for more specific information about travelling here.

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What are the Best Southeast Asia Travel Routes?

If you are coming from Europe, direct and cheap flights are heading to Bangkok in Thailand, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Based on these, the best place to start is either Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.

TIP: I wrote a very detailed Southeast Asia travel route you should check out

Start in Singapore

You can also start in Singapore, cross the land border to Malaysia, another border to Thailand, then Laos, Vietnam, and through Cambodia. However, Singapore is quite expensive, probably cost like the UK or sometimes, even the Scandinavian countries.

Start in Thailand

Bangkok is where everyone starts their trip, from there, they will cross the border to Laos or Cambodia then hitting up Vietnam. From Vietnam or Cambodia, there are affordable flights to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Banana Pancake Trail

There is a well-known trail called Banana Pancake Trail, while there is no specific trail for this, most of the backpackers agree that it’s around Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, then off to Malaysia or Myanmar.

Or, Don’t Listen to Me

Or don’t listen to me, you can always make your own trail depending on what you want to see, do, and budget. You can check out our article about Southeast Asia Travel Route which I divided depending on how much time you have, from 2 weeks to 6 months.

Weather in Southeast Asia

Before you book an expensive or last-minute flight, you must know first the weather in your country of destination. If you are looking for a full-on summer holiday on the beach, you probably should not go to the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam between June to October.

Even the countries in Southeast Asia are not very far from each other, they possess different weather. Make sure you have the weather checked for the time you are going. You will be surprised how many backpackers forget to do research on this topic.

When is the Best Time to Go?

Take note of the climate of each country below, I highly suggest you read our best time to travel to Southeast Asia post for more information about the weather, peak season, and festivals in every country.

Brunei

• the best time to go to Brunei is between January to April with less rain
• the temperature in Brunei is almost the same all year round, the chance between 23-30 degrees Celsius. 
• there is rain at least 15 days a month all-year averaging 175mm, the month with least rain are February and March while the month with most rain are October to December

Cambodia

• the best time to go to Cambodia is between the end of October to the middle of January
• the rainy season starts in July and lasts until November, however, the average rainfall is only 60mm, not so much compared to other Southeast Asian countries
• the hottest time of the year in Cambodia is between February to August

East Timor

• the best time to go to East Timor is between April to August where it rains a lot less and the temperature will be bearable
• the average temperature of East Timor doesn’t change a lot all year which is between 23-28 degrees Celsius
• rain season starts at the end of November until mid-March with an average rainfall of 175mm

Indonesia

• the best time to go to Indonesia is aroundJuly to August
• due to the size of Indonesia (at least 17,000 islands) and the fact that there are hundreds of mountains and volcanoes, the country has very different weather per area
• the temperature dances between 25-29 degrees Celcius, the hottest months are April and May
• while rainy season starts in November and lasts until April with an average 90mm of rainfall

Laos

• the best time to go to Laos is October to May where there are less rain
• the temperature in Laos is not as hot as other Southeast Asia countries, it plays between 22-29 degrees Celcius
• the rainy or typhoon season starts in June and lasts until September with an average rainfall of 100mm for at least 11-17 days per month

Malaysia

• the best time to go to Malaysia is between February or June and July
• the average temperature in Malaysia is between 26-29 degrees Celcius
• it rains throughout the year with at least 13 days of rain in one month with an average rainfall of 200mm, the months with most rains are September to May except February

Myanmar

• the best time to go to Myanmar is around November and April
• May to October are the rainy months with an average of 75% chance of rain
• January to February will be very dry and dusty, while March to April will be a little more green and some rain to cool down the hot temperature

Philippines

• I’m from the Philippines and personally, I would say the best time to go will be November to March, the temperature will be a little cooler. If you head to the mountains, it can be as cold as 14 degrees Celsius while there is almost no rain in this time of the year
• you will want to avoid the rainy season and heavy typhoon which starts in June and ends in the middle of October where it rains 16-20 days out per month
• while the hottest months are April and May
• In December, many Filipinos love to celebrate the Christmas, if you do at this time of the year, you will experience and witness how happy and in such good mood the locals will be

Singapore

• the best time to go to Singapore is around February to March, the temperature won’t be too hot, however, you should remember that the humidity in Singapore is very high most time of the year
• it rains a lot in Singapore as well throughout the year with an average of 150mm at least 13 days per month

Thailand

• the best time to go to Thailand is November to March where the temperature is between 25-27 degrees Celcius
• the rainy season starts in May until October where it rains at least 16 days per month with an average of 175mm rainfall
• the hottest months are March to August

Vietnam

• the best time to go to Vietnam will be from November to March
• end of December to the middle of February: cold and wet in the north (can drop to zero degrees), chill and less humid in central (18 degrees), less hot with a little humid in the south (21 degrees)
• the hottest time of the year will be March to May (up to 32 degrees) and even during the rainy season because of the high humidity
• the rainy season starts at the end of May and lasts until the middle of October with an average of 150mm rainfall, making June, July, and August as the rainy/typhoon season
• you have to keep in mind that because of the geographical design of Vietnam, the weather from the north, central, and the south can differ massively

Is Southeast Asia Safe?

Southeast Asia is full of tourist from everywhere in the world which makes new backpackers and travellers feel a lot safer. Regardless, this region is safe and the locals are very friendly and warm.

However, just like everywhere in the world, other people take advantages of others. The poverty here is still a big problem (apart from Singapore) which is mostly the cause of crimes such as robberies.

Some safety tips for you:

• If you have a locker in your hotel or hostel, it is safer to leave your passport, bank cards, and other valuables. You can also ask your reception desk to keep these valuables for you.
• When walking on the street, keep your bags and valuables close to you, place your bag in front of you and hold it when entering a big crowd. Do not wave your phone everywhere or near the sidewalk.
• Always remember to keep in touch with your family and friends back home, tell them your plans and where you are going. When you meet new people during your travels, there will be a big chance that you will change your plans often, make sure to keep your family and friends updated with your whereabouts. If you use Google Maps, you can share your location with your parents or trusted guardians.
• Do not agree to meet strangers in a private place, always meet them in the public where there will be a crowd and you will be seen by many people
• Always trust your instinct, when you don’t feel like something is not right or you are not comfortable, get out of the situation as soon as you can and go back to your hotel or hostel
• You need to know that the police are not very helpful and should not frustrate yourself in case you don’t receive a must needed attendance, instead, reach out to your hotel for assistance or other travellers, locals, and expat groups. If the situation is really serious and you feel that your life is in danger, contact your Embassy immediately (also, save the number of your Embassy on your phone).
• Do not walk alone late at night. Some places in Southeast Asia are just not safe to walk alone at night especially for women.
• Bring a whistle and pocket flashlight.
• Do not do drugs especially in countries where using, selling, and buying drugs is a serious offence like in the Philippines

Diseases and Vaccines for Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has a different climate than your home country, insects and parasites exist here that doesn’t exist in other parts of the world. While the cooking practices and drinking the water from the tap can also result in some sickness. Here are some diseases that can be potentially acquired while in Southeast Asia:

• Dengue
• Malaria
• Chikungunya virus
• Diarrhoea
• Enteroviruses
• Zoonotic viruses
• Rabies

Personally, I have never been sick while travelling in Southeast Asia apart from when I got bitten by a stray dog, I took a set of the anti-rabies shot right away.

There are shots and medicines you must take especially if you know that you will be going to rural areas of the region or will be around animals a lot. If you are highly concern, you must consult your doctor and ask for their opinion. 

DISCLAIMER: I am no specialist in medicine or whatsoever that involves medical topic and I do not advise you to take everything I suggest in this section apart from talking to your doctor.

What are the Less-Traveled Countries in Southeast Asia?

The less travelled countries in Southeast Asia are East Timor and Brunei this is mostly because the flights to these countries are costly and they made a smaller impact than other Southeast Asian countries. However, if you like to explore the unbeaten paths, like to be the unusual traveller, and discover the hidden gems, these are the countries that you would want to go.

How do I Get Around in Southeast Asia?

There are 10 countries in Southeast Asia that are land bordered to each other and there are 2 countries that have thousands of islands. Only the Philippines is not bordered by land to any Southeast Asian country.

Bus

The land bordered countries are Myanmar to Thailand, Thailand to Laos and Cambodia, Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia, Malaysia to Thailand and Singapore and Brunei, and Indonesia to East Timor. This means that you can enter and travel to these countries through a bus, train, and even with a boat easily and cheaply. While within each country, you can easily take a bus to get from city to city and even across borders..

Flying

While you can take a flight to other neighbouring countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, East Timor, and Brunei. There are direct flights from budget airlines like AirAsia, JetStar, Scoot, and Cebu Pacific. The flights between Southeast Asia countries can be affordable, however, there are no crazy cheap flights like in Europe which are offered by Ryanair or Wizz Air.

Boats

There are also times that you can take a boat between countries or destinations. For example a slow boat between Thailand to Laos, Cambodia to Vietnam. While Indonesia and the Philippines have thousands of islands, there are boats that you can take to get from one island to another.

Motorbiking

Remember that not all countries will allow you to drive a motorbike. However, countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Indonesia are ones that are popular in this way of transportation or travelling. In Thailand, it is strictly illegal for a foreigner on a tourist visa to drive a motorbike regardless what your international driving license said so, unless of course, if you have a work permit or your visa lets you drive.

What are the Must-Do Tours in Southeast Asia?

Even you are not a fan of organised tours, there are some destinations and situations that you cannot avoid joining a tour. Either because there are some places that only organised tours can get to or the government only allows tours group to do such activity.

For example, the famous 3-day hike in Myanmar, which is between Kalaw to Inle Lake is a must tour that you should not miss but even if you are an experienced hiker, the government of Myanmar will only allow hikers to go with a local tour guide. I highly suggest this young lady who was our tour guide on this tour in Myanmar. She’s amazing, speaks great English, and this is her own business that she runs.

While in the Philippines, there are caves and mountains you can hike that is only accessible with local tour guides for safety reasons. Regardless of your own experience and expertise, if go to these places that required a tour guide, you are being irresponsible. If something happens to you, these areas will be shut down, which result in taking away the local’s livelihood and preventing other travellers to explore a destination.

In Vietnam, it’s not a secret that a lot of backpackers would jump on a motorbike and drive around the country by themselves. However, if you can’t afford to spend a month doing this or you prefer to go with a group or a guide, you can always join these affordable motorbike tours in Vietnam throughout the country.

My #1 Most Reliable Tour Provider

Are There Dress Codes in Southeast Asia?

No countries in Southeast Asia have a dress code that is written on their law. However, this does not mean that you should wear whatever you want. Take into account that every country is different and every country has different cultures. Dressing in some ways can be offensive to the locals. Afar Magazine has a good list of things that are offensive in Southeast Asia.

You can easily wear casual clothing but remember to cover up when visiting sacred buildings and destinations. You can also check out this article about the dress code in Vietnam.

SOUTHEAST ASIA VISA GUIDE

The visa requirements in Southeast Asian countries are very different from each other. Make sure to do your research before arriving or else you will be spending too much or worse will be denied of entry. Here are the visa guides and other information you need to know about ​visas in Southeast Asia (an in-depth guide):

Brunei

With a more flexible visa policy, Brunei let’s most tourists to enter the country without a visa. However, the entire continent of Africa, most south and central America, and Central Asia need to obtain a visa before arrival. Get more information.

Cambodia

Visa-free for ASEAN members, Africans, Europeans, North and South Americans, must apply one before arriving or pay for one on your arrival. Read this visa guide for Cambodia for more specific requirements – Get your e-Visa Online.

East Timor

Schengen State citizens and Cape Verde are free to enter East Timor without a visa, while the rest of the most can receive a visa on arrival at Dili Airpot or seaport only. Get more information.

Indonesia

Indonesia also lets any tourist enter the country without a visa while there are only less than 20 countries that need to get a visa beforehand. Get more information.

Malaysia

A lot of European, north and south Americans and Asian countries can travel in Malaysia without a visa they also offer a visa for those who need it. Check out our visa guide for Malaysia for more information.

Myanmar

This country probably has one of the most strict visa policy, only ASEAN members can enter without a visa while obtaining a visa is limited to only 28 days with a single entry and must enter via air to use – Apply for your e-Visa online or read our Myanmar visa guide.

Philippines

The Philippines has a really flexible visa policy, almost anyone can enter without a visa and extend it without leaving the country for a fee. Check out our Philippines visa guide.

Singapore

While most countries in the world can enter Singapore without a visa, central Asia, Eastern Europe, and some African countries need to apply for an evisa or a visa before travelling to Singapore. Here is our Singapore tourist visa guide.

Thailand

Most countries in the Americas, Asia, and Europe can travel to Thailand without a visa for someday while other countries can expect a visa on arrival or obtain a visa before flying. Check out our Thailand visa guide for more information.

Vietnam

All ASEAN members are free to enter Vietnam while some not all western countries can receive visa-free access too with limited time. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a visa easily. You can read more information on Vietnam visa guide and apply online here.

Get your visa to any Southeast Asian country in a few hours.

What are Some General Tips for Travelling in Southeast Asia?

There are only so much you can do to prepare for your adventure and stay safe during your trip. However, there are few small things that can save yourself and ease up your travel worries a little bit. Here are some general travel tips for Southeast Asia:

• Always carry emergency money in US Dollars, Euros, and British Pounds. Tuck them in a secure place in your backpack. In case you lose your wallet in the middle of nowhere or there are no ATMs near you, this a good thing to have. If at some point you have used up your emergency money, make sure to replace them immediately because accidents are unpredictable events.
• Make a photocopy and a digital copy of your passport. This is handy in the airports, hotels, renting a motorbike/bicycle, currency exchange shops or even when you lose your passport.
• Pack a long trouser, scarf, and a shirt with a long enough sleeve. Visiting Southeast Asia also means visiting praying buildings like pagodas, churches, or even a place that requires to cover your legs, shoulders, and head.
• Book at least the first night. Before arriving at your destination, make sure to book at least the first night of your arrival even you don’t like planning ahead of time. Shit happens and that can ruin your entire trip.
• Check the public holidays. Public holidays can mess up your plan big time. There is a 2-week holiday in Vietnam which resulted in hotels, hostels, and buses being fully booked.
• Check the weather. North of Vietnam actually has winter where the temperature can drop down to zero, while the rainy season in Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and other parts of the region is not ideal for your trip. The folks over at Selective Asia have an in-depth guide on what the weather is like in each country throughout the year.
• Be a responsible and ethical traveller. Make your trip not only fun but something you can be proud of in the future. Don’t ride the elephants, don’t patronise the photo ops with tigers even they say they are not drugged. Don’t throw your rubbish on the street even the locals are doing it, pack Eco-friendly travel accessories, buy the souvenirs to local shops instead of big shopping malls to support the locals who can barely bring food on their table. Respect the culture of your host country and understand that you cannot do everything you want here compared to your home country.
• Pack light. The most common mistake that a lot of backpackers make is packing too much that they can barely carry it and walk 100 metres. You can even travel in Southeast Asia with a carry-on bag only. The best thing to do is pack your bag, take a look at it, if it’s more than 25kgs in total, take out half of it. Check if you want a 40L backpack, a 50L backpack, or compare these waterproof backpacks at Globo Surf.
• Check your visa. Find out if you need a visa in each country that you will go to. Some visas take a few days to get. If you need one get it as soon as possible to avoid any hassles.
• Get travel insurance. A lot of travellers think that it’s a sign of overreacting when someone gets travel insurance but the truth is, you won’t believe how many backpackers get on accidents while travelling in Southeast Asia. Then they had to cut their trip short because of the lack of budget for hospitalisation. Secure your safety and get travel insurance even after you left your home country. I always get my travel insurance with this company, from Southeast to Europe and to the Middle East.

Southeast Asia Travel Resources

Even Southeast Asia is an easy region to explore, you cannot expect a smooth journey even it’s only 2 weeks or more or if it’s 6 months. To help you a little bit on your trip, here are some travel resources that I personally use through my backpacking in Southeast Asia.

• Accommodations: Booking.com, Hostel World
• Transportation: buses, boats, trains, and flying
• Tours: Get Your Guide (I booked tours with them for Southeast Asia and Europe), Klook
• Visa: iVisa
• Travel Insurance: IMG Global (I use them from Southeast Asia, Europe, to the Middle East)

Check out our resources page for more tips

Southeast Asia is massive with very beautiful places, if you consider backpacking in Southeast Asia, the main thing you need to remember is to have fun, be responsible, and stay safe.

I really hope you found this article useful, I know it’s a little bit longer as I’ve tried to add all the information you needed for your trip. If you have questions or suggestions, you can contact me or leave a comment below.

I returned to the Philippines for only one reason – to renew my Philippines passport. This passport got its front text almost removed and that for me is a win, which symbolised that I’ve used it more than I expected.

This passport s been to over 15 countries, from the hot islands of Southeast Asia to the cold mountains of North Europe. I really have maximised the five-year validity of my passport and now its time to renew it.

I personally waited until January 2018 to get my new Philippines passport, because starting January 2018, the validity of Philippines; passport will be for ten years, means, more time to travel and less hassle for renewing it. For this reason, I also managed to celebrate Christmas and New Year with my family after being away for four years!

Let’s cut the chitchat and let me show you the step by step guide in renewing your Philippines passport in the Philippines.

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• Free-visa countries for Philippines passport holder
• Eco-friendly travel accessories and products
• Visa guide for US passport holders
• Long-haul flight essentials
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Who Can Renew Their Philippines Passport

Anyone can renew their Philippines passport 8-9 months before its expiration, taking into account that you need to have 6 months remaining on the validity of your passport before you can travel. And of course, those who have an expired passport.

RELATED POST: How to book the cheapest flight to everywhere in the world

What are the DFA Passport Requirements for Renewing Philippines Passport

• Personal appearance – you cannot send a representative to renew your passport because your photo and fingerprints will be required
• Your Passport – most recent expiring or expired passport – get a photocopy too
• Confirmed Appointment
• Printed Application Form
• Valid ID – at least one (I have an ePassport, which means my expiring passport has an electronic gold chip in the front, therefore I was not asked for additional ID, to make sure, I still suggest you bring one extra ID and a photocopy of it as well)
• Fee – P1,200 for 7-10 working days for the processing time, P950 for 13-15 working days. P150 for the delivery fee which is optional, pick up is for free. They only accept cash.

CHANGES: It seems like DFA changed their mode of payment. Applicants must pay online/other over the counter options BEFORE their appointment date.

NOTE: For additional requirements, please direct here. Whilst you can check the acceptable IDs here.

RELATED POST: Southeast Asia Ultimate Travel Budget

Additional documents if your name has changed

If your name has changed, either through marriage or other circumstances, you must provide the following additional documents to support the change on the name. Remember that these documents must be PSA-authenticated.

• Your marriage contract
• Your Birth Certificate
• Annotated marriage contract to show annulment/divorce/court-ordered instruction
• Death certificate of spouse

Additional document for lost or damaged passports

While in case you lost or damaged your passport, you will have to apply for a new one and will be seen as a new application. Check the new application requirement here.

You must also submit the following if

A lost e-passport that is still valid:

• Police report (in English)
• Affidavit of loss (in English)
• A penalty fee of Php 350.00
• Additional 15 days of processing time

A lost e-passport that is expired:

• Affidavit of loss (English)
• A penalty fee of Php 350.00

A damaged e-passport:

• Your damaged passport must be submitted and surrendered
• Affidavit of explanation
• Penalty fee of Php 350.00

Required Documents For Minor

If you are a minor, apart from you have to bring your parent or legal guardian with you, you must have the following documents plus the documents that are listed above.

• Birth certificate – PSA-authenticated, original copy
• Valid ID of your parent or legal guardian
• For legal guardians, you must have present the Special Power of Attorney to prove that you are the legal guardian
• Personal appearance of the minor applicant and their parent or legal guardian

Steps in Renewing Your Philippines Passport

1. Get a schedule online

Everyone who wants to apply for a new passport or needs to renew their passport must get an appointment online. The schedule gets booked up quite easily, like what I did, I checked every single day if they have opened new slots for the coming months. I booked in the first week of December and managed to have a schedule on the 4th of January.

There are plenty of DFA offices you can choose from which are located all over the country. You can get an appointment here.

NOTE: If you have a child/children (7 years old below) with you or if you are a person with a disability, senior citizen or a pregnant woman, you can walk in directly to any DFA branches without booking for an appointment, your companion has to be renewing or applying for a new passport as well. Make sure you have all your requirements ready. All walk-ins will automatically be processed as a rush application. You can download the application form here.

2. Print your application form

You can download it from your account after you get yourself a confirmed appointment. Remember to photocopy your expiring or expired passport and ID/s. You can download the form from here too.

3.  Show up to your appointment in time

My schedule was in SM Megamall Ortigas at four in the afternoon. Like what I did, if you arrive early, try to ask the information desk what time you can go inside. Since it was not busy on the day I went there, they let me in right away – two hours before my schedule.

4. Inside the DFA branch

Once you are inside the office, hand your application form at the information desk, this is the Step A. They will stamp your application form.

NOTE: Pregnant women, senior citizens, an adult with children (7 years old below), and persons with disability has an express lane.

RELATED POST: Affordable Destinations in Southeast Asia

5. Head to Step B

Where you have to go in line until it’s your turn to submit all your requirements, if everything is complete, you may proceed to the next step. The person in charge in Step B will ask you if they should cancel your current passport. If you do not agree, then you have to come back and pick up your new passport so they can cancel your old one. They will also ask you here if you want a rush processing or regular.

NOTE: Pregnant women, senior citizens, an adult with children (7 years old below), and persons with disability has an express lane.

6. Step C is the payment

Fee – P1,200 for 7-10 working days for the processing time, P950 for 13-15 working days. P150 for the delivery fee which is optional, pick up is for free. They only accept cash.

CHANGES: It seems like DFA changed their mode of payment has changed. Applicants must pay online/other over the counter options BEFORE their appointment date to secure their schedule.

7. Last Step – Encoding

The last step is the encoding, get in line (or take a seat) and wait for your turn. In this part, your photo, fingerprints, and signature will be taken. Remember not to wear a turtleneck top, earrings, and necklace for this step. Light make-up is acceptable.

NOTE: Pregnant women, senior citizens, an adult with young children (below 7), and persons with disability have an express lane and don’t need to schedule an appointment.

8. Delivery or Pick-Up

The last part is optional, this is for applicants who want to have their passport delivered. An additional P150 peso is required. If you cannot be home during the day of the delivery, make sure to leave an authorisation letter to someone who will be at home at that time.

So, that’s it! I personally think it was an easy and smooth process, although I panicked about the requirements for additional ID as I only have my passport. It turned out it was not required anyway.

Pick-Up: If you decided to pick up your passport, you will be picking up at the same office where you did your application on the date that was given to you.

If you have any questions, feel free to let me know in the comment section below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING PHILIPPINES PASSPORT RENEWAL

How do I know if my current Philippines passport is an ePassport

If you current or expired passport was issued after 2009, it is an ePassport. You can also check if there is a gold chip just below the word “PASAPORTE”. See the photos of my passport above to check what a gold chip it looks like

Can I renew my passport outside the Philippines

It’s best to contact the nearest Philippines Embassy in your current location.

Can I renew if my valid passport runs out of pages?

Yes, complete the requirements and set an appointment. If you are outside the country, contact the nearest Philippines Embassy in your current location.

What if I lost my expired passport, can I renew it?

Yes, first check this requirement for replacement of lost Philippines passport.

Can I still use the valid visa in my passport after I renew it?

Yes, always bring your expired passport where your valid visa in place when travelling.

ARE YOU ON PINTEREST? SAVE THIS FOR LATER READ:

Before we get all the judgy comments to crawl up in your head, I’m writing this for the people who asked me how I did it. This is not for travellers who want to continuously backpack for six months in Southeast Asia. First, I’m telling you, this might not be for you. Though, who knows? If you are still curious, just keep reading and shoot me a comment, message or an email if you have questions about backpacking in Southeast Asia.

During my six months in Southeast Asia, I covered Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. I have to admit, I hope I had more budget so I could stay in some countries longer and explore it better. Nevertheless, I’m glad to have an overlook of Thailand and Laos. Now, I have more reasons to come back one day.

I left Denmark with $2000 in my pocket, I have no idea how long I will be out there, or how long that money will last me. Because of the lack of the budget, I made sure that I planned a little bit before I embark on my not so possible adventure. If you need a guide for packing list in Asia, check this out.

RELATED POSTS:

• ​Complete visa guide for Southeast Asia
• Here’s the story how I started travelling and funded this Southeast Asia Trip
• Visa guide for US passport holders
• Visa-free countries for British citizens
• Countries without visa required for Canadian travellers

Six Months in Southeast Asia with $2000

Remember that everyone travel differently, it’s your own journey and you should not feel bad if you miss something or you spent too much. At the end of the day, we all going to reflect on how travel affected us. Just do your own thing, stay safe, and enjoy.

TIP: Check my intensive article about Southeast Asia travel route

Timeline: Three Weeks Travelling + Three Weeks Living in Vietnam

I started in Vietnam wand travelled there for three weeks spending about $300. I was already blogging for another travel blog before I left. I travelled to Vietnam for three weeks, most of it was covered through a press trip whilst I represent another travel blog. Where accommodations, tours, and transportation are all covered. I didn’t spend a lot of money since my trip was well-covered. 

RELATED POST: Vietnam Visa Guide

After I finished Vietnam, I went back to Hanoi to catch up on pending works on the blog. I stayed there for almost three weeks, I was able to do a little volunteering as an English Teacher, in exchange for food and accommodation. I’m also a certified TEFL Teacher, which I highly suggest you to obtain, it comes really handy at times.

Related Post: Here’s my article about Tracing Vietnam – Must Not Miss!

Living cost in Vietnam is cheap, food, and accommodation are all affordable which makes it a great base for travellers who work and travel at the same time. If you like teaching, I suggest you give Vietnam a try, teachers are getting paid quite high and the demand is very well.

You may want to check my recommend hostels in Vietnam and these affordable motorbiking tours.

Timeline: Six Weeks in Vietnam + Ten Days  in Thailand

When I left Vietnam, I then headed to Thailand, though I was only able to visit Bangkok, Koh Chang, and Chiang Mai. I did a representation trip under the same travel blog I spent a total of 10 days covering those three places, I stayed mostly in hostels and ate local food. I have a Thailand visa guide if you are confused about how it works.

Whilst I was in Vietnam, I made a plan with one of the travellers, Morgan, who was backpacking in Vietnam, now turned into a great friend to go travel in Myanmar. Myanmar is something that never came into my mind to go. But, after hearing positive comments about it, I decided to give it a go.

RELATED POST: Cost, tips, and itinerary for backpacking in Vietnam

Timeline: Six Weeks (Vietnam) + Ten Days (Thailand) + Three Weeks in Myanmar

I flew from Bangkok to Yangon where Morgan and I started our trip. Myanmar is not very touristic yet, but it wasn’t cheap compared to Vietnam and Thailand. There aren’t a lot of dorm rooms, luckily, I was travelling with a friend. We were able to share a room in the guesthouses to make the accommodation cost cheaper. Check out these must not miss in Myanmar.

Extra tip: Travel to Myanmar with a friend or someone to share the accommodation costs

In my three weeks of travel in Myanmar, I spent between $600-700, excluded the flight and visa fee. I also hitchhiked for a few times and slept in a monastery for a few nights, which I highly suggest. >>Read my Myanmar Hitchhiker’s Guide.

Note: Philippine passport holder doesn’t need a visa to Myanmar if you are staying for only 14 days. Some Southeast Asian countries don’t need a visa as well.  North American, South American, and European are required to obtain a visa. >>Read Myanmar Visa Guide.

Timeline: Six Weeks (Vietnam) + Ten Days (Thailand) + Three Weeks (Myanmar) + Two Days (Thailand)

From Myanmar, I crossed the border to Thailand. I took a flight from Bangkok back to Vietnam to work in a hostel and to work as an English Teacher. In the hostel, I was in charge of digital marketing, reception desk, and as an assistant manager too, in exchange for free accommodation and food. I worked for five hours a day, four days a week. I also got paid a small amount as pocket money which was fair enough.

Extra tip: There are few hostels looking for travellers to work for them for a few months

Timeline: Six Weeks (Vietnam) + Ten Days (Thailand) + Three Weeks (Myanmar) + Two Days (Thailand) + Three Months (Vietnam)

Although my teaching job wasn’t full time, I got free accommodation and food covered. I decided to work out of the city, so the local student has a foreign teacher. The rate wasn’t as good as the one in the big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh.  However, I was still able to save some money.

RELATED POST: Southeast Asia Itinerary

Timeline: Six Weeks + Ten Days (Thailand) + Three Weeks (Myanmar) + Two Days (Thailand) + Three Months (Vietnam) + One Week (Laos)

From Hanoi, I went to Laos and spent a full week there. I only got the chance to explore the beautiful Luang Prabang. I’m hoping to be able to visit the other parts of Laos in the future.

Related Post:  Visa Free Countries For Philippines Passport Holder

What Helped Me Survive For Six Months In Southeast Asia?

• blogging
• volunteering
• hitchhiking and sleeping in a monastery
• hostel work
• paid teaching gig
• online gig

When I settled in Vietnam to work in a hostel and teach English, I also did online jobs, like content writing and as a virtual assistant. For beginners in this field, you might have to charge lower. Once you get your profile in a good shape, you will get paid better. Also, be sure to check this list travel jobs for even more great ideas.

So there you go, it’s not the ideal backpacking set up that I wish I could have. But I had a really good time and I met amazing travellers from everywhere in the world. Spending six months in Southeast Asia is definitely something I will never forget.

TIP: Check my resources page to see the main online platforms I use on my travels!

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