Solo travel is something that can vary significantly in terms of cost, and there is a good reason that Southeast Asia is a key part of 'The Backpacker Trail', as most parts of the continent are among the least expensive places to travel in the world. Living costs here are particularly low for the vast majority of the indigenous population, which means that if you follow their lead in terms of eating and getting around, you can travel here for very little.


The biggest expense for the vast majority of people will be flights in and out, so if you are planning a trip make sure you get the best deals on your long haul flights too.

 

Which Countries Are The Cheapest To Visit And Explore?

Preparing a budget for long term travel is one of the most difficult things to do, and will vary from person to person, depending on whether you like to relax on the beach or whether you'll be looking to try several adventure activities each week. When it comes to the least expensive countries to explore, Indonesia and Malaysia, apart from Kuala Lumpur, are very good for solo travelers, with inexpensive accommodation and competitively priced activities. It is still possible to spend a lot of money in these destinations, but if you are willing to live quite simply and not go out partying every night, you can easily explore the region for under $40 a day.

 

Saving Money On Food And Drink

When it comes to food, Southeast Asia is one of the most interesting and varied destinations to visit, and from ingredients common to people around the world such as chicken and pork, there are also plenty of things you will have never tasted before.

The key with all food purchases is to make sure you know the price before buying, while the cheapest places to eat will often be at the local night market or from a street stall. When it comes to drinking water in the region, the tap water isn't always safe, so you can either stock up on the cheap bottled water in the stores, or for longer term trips purchasing a water filter might be the cheaper option.

 

Make The Most Of Free Activities

This option is really self explanatory, as many of the big ticket activities in Southeast Asia can be quite expensive. This means that if you are hoping to go scuba diving or attend a full moon party, it is best to keep those as special events, and enjoy some of the less expensive options such as hiking, visiting historic sites or even swimming on the beach.

 

Getting Around South East Asia

Although renting a motorbike is very cheap in the region, it is usually best to stick to the public transport options, as they are usually a little bit safer, and you will have somebody who knows the roads or rails of the region in charge. Some countries will have good cheap train networks, which are very useful if you are traveling long distances, while bus services become more important where there are limited train services available. One useful way to save money if you are traveling from one destination to the next is to take a sleeper or overnight bus or train, and then to sleep as you travel, saving a night's accommodation cost.

 

Tours And Activities

There are certain things that you won't be able to avoid as you travel, and when it comes to the big activities such as scuba diving, they are likely to be quite expensive if you are on a tight budget. This certainly shouldn't mean that you go for the cheapest operators, as these will often be less safe than the most professional companies. When it comes to booking tours and activities, negotiation is vital, so be ready to to haggle to get the cheapest activities possible.