Backpacking Southeast Asia on $20 a Day
You can survive on $20 a day in Southeast Asia by prioritizing street food, staying in 10-bed hostel dorms, and taking local buses instead of tourist minivans. Success depends on moving slowly; avoid flights and keep your beer consumption to a minimum.
- Select your route carefully. Stick to Northern Vietnam, Laos, and parts of Northern Thailand. Avoid islands and major tourist hubs like Singapore or Southern Thailand, where the cost of daily life exceeds $20 instantly.
- Choose dorms over private rooms. Filter hostel search results by price and sort by 'lowest first'. Expect to pay $5 to $7 per night for a bed in a shared dorm. Always verify if the price includes a locker to avoid losing your gear.
- Master the street food economy. Eat where the locals eat. If there is a plastic stool and a menu in the local language, your meal will likely cost $1.50 to $2.50. Never eat at restaurants with English-heavy signage.
- Use public transit exclusively. Skip 'tourist' buses. Ask hostel staff where the local bus station is. A 6-hour local bus ride costs roughly $5 to $8, compared to $20 for a tourist van.
- Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol is the biggest budget killer. A single beer can cost $1.50 to $3, which is the price of an entire meal. Limit yourself to one 'happy hour' drink per day or skip it to keep your daily average low.
- Is $20 really enough?
- Yes, if you move slowly. If you change locations every two days, transport costs will destroy your budget. Stay in one place for a week to save money.
- How do I handle emergencies on this budget?
- Always have a 'do not touch' emergency fund of at least $500 in a separate bank account. $20/day is for daily survival, not for buying new gear or hospital bills.