What budget should I plan for 10 days in Southeast Asia?
A mid-range 10-day trip in Southeast Asia is often around $840-$990 before flights.
25 cities · 9 countries
Travel Budget for Southeast Asia
Compare daily travel costs across 25 cities in 9 countries throughout Southeast Asia.
Daily travel budgets across Southeast Asia
Most Affordable
$71/day
Hanoi
Average
$84–$99
mid-range/day
Most Expensive
$176/day
Singapore
Based on 25 cities. Shoulder season estimates.
Southeast Asia Facts for Quick Answers
- Region
- Southeast Asia
- Cities Covered
- 25
- Countries Covered
- 9
- Cheapest Mid-Range City
- Hanoi ($71/day)
- Most Expensive Mid-Range City
- Singapore ($176/day)
- Average Mid-Range (USD/day)
- $84-$99
About Traveling in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is the world's most popular backpacker circuit, and for good reason: the combination of tropical beauty, vibrant street food culture, ancient temples, and rock-bottom prices is hard to beat. Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Indonesia form the classic overland route, with daily budgets that can dip below $30 in cheaper countries. The region's well-established tourism infrastructure makes it easy to travel independently even for first-time international visitors.
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All Cities in Southeast Asia
Bali
Indonesia
$89–$104
mid-range/day
Bangkok
Thailand
$89–$104
mid-range/day
Hanoi
Vietnam
$71–$86
mid-range/day
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
$71–$86
mid-range/day
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
$89–$104
mid-range/day
Phuket
Thailand
$98–$113
mid-range/day
Singapore
Singapore
$161–$176
mid-range/day
Boracay
Philippines
$89–$104
mid-range/day
Cebu
Philippines
$80–$95
mid-range/day
Chiang Mai
Thailand
$80–$95
mid-range/day
Da Nang
Vietnam
$71–$86
mid-range/day
Hoi An
Vietnam
$71–$86
mid-range/day
Jakarta
Indonesia
$89–$104
mid-range/day
Koh Samui
Thailand
$98–$113
mid-range/day
Manila
Philippines
$80–$95
mid-range/day
Penang
Malaysia
$80–$95
mid-range/day
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
$71–$86
mid-range/day
Siem Reap
Cambodia
$71–$86
mid-range/day
Krabi
Thailand
$89–$104
mid-range/day
Langkawi
Malaysia
$89–$104
mid-range/day
Luang Prabang
Laos
$80–$95
mid-range/day
Pattaya
Thailand
$80–$95
mid-range/day
Vientiane
Laos
$71–$86
mid-range/day
Yangon
Myanmar
$71–$86
mid-range/day
Yogyakarta
Indonesia
$71–$86
mid-range/day
Budget Styles Across Southeast Asia
| Style | Cheapest (USD/day) | Average (USD/day) | Most Expensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $23 | $27–$33 | $57 |
| Mid-Range | $71 | $84–$99 | $176 |
| Luxury | $220 | $256–$306 | $520 |
Countries in Southeast Asia
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Travel Tips for Southeast Asia
- Eat at street food stalls and local markets rather than tourist-facing restaurants — a bowl of pho in Vietnam, pad thai in Thailand, or nasi goreng in Indonesia costs $1–2 at street stalls versus $5–8 in tourist restaurants.
- Book domestic flights on AirAsia, VietJet, and Lion Air well in advance for fares as low as $15–30 between major cities — these budget carriers connect the entire region and beat overland travel times.
- Negotiate tuk-tuk and taxi prices before getting in, or use Grab (the region's dominant ride-hailing app) for metered, transparent pricing in major cities across Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
- Travel slowly and stay longer in each place; many guesthouses and hostels in Southeast Asia offer substantial weekly or monthly discounts, and visa-free stays of 30–60 days are standard for most nationalities.
Follow-up Questions About Southeast Asia
Which city is best for lower daily costs in Southeast Asia?
Hanoi currently has the lowest mid-range baseline at about $71/day.
How large is the price gap across Southeast Asia?
Mid-range daily costs run from about $71 up to $176 depending on city.
Is Southeast Asia better for budget or luxury trips?
Southeast Asia supports both: budget starts around $23/day, while luxury can reach about $520/day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to travel in Southeast Asia?
Daily travel costs in Southeast Asia range from about $71/day (mid-range in Hanoi) to $176/day (in Singapore). The regional average is around $84–$99 per person per day at mid-range level.
What is the cheapest city to visit in Southeast Asia?
Hanoi in Vietnam is the most affordable city in Southeast Asia, with mid-range daily costs starting at around $71 per person. Budget travelers can spend as little as $23/day.
What is the most expensive city in Southeast Asia?
Singapore in Singapore is the most expensive destination in Southeast Asia, with mid-range daily costs up to $176 per person. Luxury travel there can reach $520/day.
How much does it cost to travel Southeast Asia per day?
Budget travelers in Southeast Asia typically spend $25–45 per day in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Indonesia. Malaysia and the Philippines fall in a similar range. Singapore is the major outlier, requiring $60–100 per day. These budgets cover basic accommodation, street food, local transport, and some activities.
What is the cheapest country in Southeast Asia?
Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam consistently rank as the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia, with rock-bottom daily budgets of $20–30 achievable. Indonesia (outside Bali) is similarly affordable. Myanmar, where accessible, also offers very low costs for food and accommodation.
Is Thailand still cheap for tourists?
Thailand remains excellent value despite price increases in popular tourist areas. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and less-visited provinces offer budget daily costs of $30–45. Islands like Koh Phi Phi and Phuket are pricier, but even there, costs are well below Western equivalents. The Thai baht's stability makes budgeting straightforward.
How long can I stay in Southeast Asia without a visa?
Most Western passport holders receive 30-day visa-free entry to Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, and 15–30 days in Vietnam (check e-visa options for longer stays). Cambodia and Laos offer inexpensive visas on arrival. Singapore grants 90 days. Visa extensions and border runs are common strategies for longer stays.
Assumptions, Sources & Updates
- All figures are estimates based on a synthetic cost model — not exact prices.
- Regional pages aggregate city-level values. Averages are arithmetic means across covered cities.
- Daily budgets are per person and include: lodging, food, local transport, activities, and miscellaneous.
- International flights and intercity transport are not included.
- Season multipliers reflect typical demand patterns — actual seasonal variation depends on events and weather.
- Currency conversions use approximate fixed rates. Check current rates before traveling.
- Source types used in modeling include city baseline ranges, category allocation shares, and seasonality multipliers maintained in our internal dataset.
- Budget a 10–20% buffer above these estimates for unexpected expenses.
Model version: v1.0 · Last updated: 2026-02-26 · Dataset generated at build time
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