Backpacking Southeast Asia on $30 a day
To stay under $30 a day, stick to hostels, prioritize street food, and use overnight buses to save on accommodation. You must avoid domestic flights and heavy alcohol consumption to keep your budget intact.
- Choose the right countries. Focus your route on Vietnam, Laos, and Northern Thailand. These countries offer the best value for money regarding beds and food. Avoid Singapore or Southern Thailand islands if you want to keep your average daily spend low.
- Master the street food habit. Sit on the plastic stools. A bowl of pho or pad thai from a street cart costs $1.50–$2.50. Restaurant meals with menus will easily double your daily food spend.
- Move by bus and train. Use apps like 12Go Asia to book buses. Whenever possible, take a sleeper bus for long distances; it saves you the price of one night in a hostel.
- Skip the 'tour' trap. Don't pay for organized tours to temples or waterfalls. Rent a bicycle for $2 per day or walk. Everything is accessible if you research the public transport routes yourself.
- Can I really drink alcohol on this budget?
- Only if you stick to local beers like Bia Hoi in Vietnam. Cocktails and imported spirits will destroy your $30 daily limit instantly.
- How do I handle money?
- Use a travel-friendly debit card that refunds ATM fees. If you have to pay fees, withdraw the maximum amount allowed at once to minimize the percentage lost.