Southeast Asia on a Budget: Where to Go and What to Spend

Why Southeast Asia is still the best value in travel

Despite rising prices and growing tourism, Southeast Asia remains the most affordable region for international travel. You can eat well, sleep comfortably, and see incredible things for $30-50 per day in most countries.

Daily budgets by country (2026)

These are realistic budgets for comfortable budget travel — not bare-minimum survival, but not luxury either. Private room, good street food, one or two activities per day.

Thailand: $35-55/day

• Accommodation: $10-20 (guesthouse/budget hotel)
• Food: $8-12 (street food + one restaurant meal)
• Transport: $3-8 (local buses, BTS in Bangkok)
• Activities: $5-15 (temples free or $5, national parks $10)

Thailand is more expensive than its neighbors but offers the best infrastructure. Bangkok is pricier than the rest — budget $50+/day there, $30-40 in the north or islands.

Vietnam: $25-40/day

• Accommodation: $8-15
• Food: $5-10 (pho for $1.50, bun cha for $2)
• Transport: $3-7 (Grab bikes, sleeper buses)
• Activities: $5-10

Vietnam might be the best food-to-cost ratio on Earth. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are cheap, and the countryside is cheaper still. The Reunification Express train from Hanoi to HCMC is a classic experience for about $35.

Cambodia: $20-35/day

• Accommodation: $5-12
• Food: $4-8
• Transport: $3-8
• Activities: $5-15 (Angkor Wat pass: $37/day or $62/3 days)

Cambodia is the cheapest country on this list outside of Angkor Wat. Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are very affordable. The Angkor temple pass is a big expense but absolutely worth multiple days.

Indonesia (Bali): $30-50/day

• Accommodation: $10-20
• Food: $5-12 (warungs are $2-4, Western restaurants $8+)
• Transport: $5-10 (scooter rental $4/day)
• $5-15