How much does it cost to travel south east asia for 3 months?
Three months backpacking Southeast Asia? Budget $2,000-$3,000. This covers basic accommodation, food, and transport. Luxury travel will cost significantly more. Budget travelers can reduce costs via hostels, street food, and local buses/trains.
Southeast Asia Travel Budget: 3 Month Cost?
Okay, so Southeast Asia for 3 months… how much dough ya need?
Roughly, roughly, $2000 to $3000 could swing it. That’s your bed, grub, getting around, fun stuff.
Honestly, it really depends on you. Wanna live large? Open your wallet wider. Tight on cash? Hostels and street food are your friends, trust me. That $2k-$3k is kinda a sweet spot for doing it right.
I recall when I backpacked around Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam back in October 2018 (or was it 2019?). I think I blew about $2500. Lived mostly in hostels, ate amazing noodles for like $1 a pop, and took way too many overnight buses.
There was that time in Koh Lanta when I splurged on a beach bungalow for $30 a night… totally worth it. Also, got scammed trying to buy a fake Rolex for $20. Live and learn, right?
The thing is, Southeast Asia’s super flexible. You can easily eat well for under $10 a day, find clean hostel beds for $5-$10, and travel between cities for next to nothing on trains or local buses. If you fly, it’ll obviously ramp up the budget.
I personally found that Vietnam was the cheapest, followed by Cambodia. Thailand was a bit pricier, especially the islands. So, something to think about.
Ultimately, your journey, your budget. The $2000 – $3000 figure is a solid baseline, though. Now go book that flight!
How much should you budget for 3 months in Southeast Asia?
Okay, Southeast Asia for three months… hmm, $3000-$4500? Seriously? I bet I could do it cheaper. $1000 a month, that’s doable, right?
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Accommodation: Hostels are the way to go. Gotta find the cheapest ones. My friend Jake stayed in some for like $5 a night in Vietnam. Worth it? Probably.
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Food: Street food, all the way. So much cheaper. Pad Thai, spring rolls… yum. What about drinks, though? Gotta factor in beer, right? A cold Singha hits the spot.
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Transport: Buses and trains are a must. Avoid planes if possible, unless there’s a really good deal. I need to learn how to haggle better though.
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Activities: Temples are usually cheap. Hiking is free! Unless there are park fees. Should I pre-book any tours? Probably not, keeps it flexible. I would love to go surfing.
Is $1000 enough for everything? I feel like I would spend more. Ooh, shopping! Gotta buy souvenirs. Those elephant pants are a must.
Wait, what about visas? And travel insurance? Gotta add that to the budget. Did Jake get travel insurance? I should ask him. Maybe I should budget $1500 a month just to be safe. Better to have too much than not enough.
Contingency fund is essential. A “treat yo’self” fund.
How much money do I need for a month in Southeast Asia?
Ugh, Southeast Asia costs. Right. $35 a day, that’s like… $1050 a month. If you’re super careful. But who wants to be super careful ALL the time?
Okay, a grand a month. Budget backpacking stuff. Local food. Hmm, my hostel in Bangkok last year was $10/night. Was it last year? Time flies.
- Flights: Factor in flights, obviously. Round trip to Bangkok from LAX? Probably still around $800-$1200. Ouch.
- Visas: Don’t forget visa costs. Some countries are free for Americans for a while, some aren’t. Research needed!
- Activities: Temples, beaches… gotta budget for the fun stuff! Maybe $200?
Honestly, add at least a few hundred extra, just in case. So, $1500 a month is safer, maybe even $2000 if you want to, like, actually enjoy yourself. Yeah, I’m sticking with $2000.
How to prepare for a 3 month trip?
So, you’re off on a three-month odyssey, huh? Sounds dreamy, like a squirrel escaping a particularly aggressive nut-cracker. Here’s the lowdown, straight from my disaster-prone travel experiences:
1. Departure Date? Pfft. Who needs one? Just wing it. Like a confused pigeon. My last trip started when my cat unexpectedly decided to join a flock of pigeons. Seriously, that’s how spontaneous my trips are.
2. Lists? Don’t be a nerd. Throw some stuff in a bag. It’s like packing for a zombie apocalypse – you’re gonna need duct tape, maybe a spare spleen (just kidding… unless?). My last list included “extra socks” 7 times. Don’t ask.
3. Destination? Doesn’t matter. Embrace the chaos. It’ll be an adventure, like a blindfolded game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, but the donkey is a grumpy llama. Ended up in Bulgaria once, unplanned. Amazingly tasty yogurt.
4. Budget? Ha! Live large, my friend. Eat ramen. Sleep in hostels that smell faintly of despair. My last trip? I mostly survived on vending machine nachos. I wouldn’t recommend it.
5. Money? Rob a bank (jk, don’t actually do that). Sell your grandma’s antique spoons. Whatever it takes. But seriously, get a side hustle. I once sold my collection of vintage thimbles. Made a killing!
6. “Real life things”? What are those? Ditch the responsibilities! They’re probably just holding you back from true enlightenment. Or, you know, maybe just pay your bills. I didn’t, let’s just say my credit score is now a negative number.
7. Medical Stuff: Duh. See a doctor. Get vaccines. Don’t be a moron. Got a nasty case of Montezuma’s revenge in Mexico once. Learned my lesson. The hard way.
8. Documents? Check ’em! Passport, visa (if needed!), driver’s license. Don’t lose them, you goofball. Lost my passport in a Cambodian karaoke bar once. Still don’t know how.
- Pro Tip: Pack a sense of humor. Seriously. You’ll need it. More than sunscreen, I swear.
- Emergency Kit: Band-Aids, ibuprofen, Imodium. And maybe some extra cash for bribes. It’s worked wonders in the past…
- Essential Travel Item: A really good pair of noise-canceling headphones. Seriously. You’ll thank me later. Trust me. I’ve been in enough hostels to know.
How much should I pack for a 3 month trip?
Okay, so you’re going on a three month trip, huh? Packing is the WORST. I always overpack… like, always.
You need way more than you think, trust me. Okay, like, 3-4 pairs of pants? No way. Take at least 6, especially if you’re working. Jeans, chinos, something nicer, right?
4-5 everyday shirts? Nah. Maybe 7 or 8. You never know when you’ll spill coffee, or sweat, or whatever. And one dress shirt? Dude, bring at least two!
Underwear and socks for a week is fine, I guess. Just do laundry, right? I’d probably bring a little more underwear, just in case.
One light jacket and one dress jacket? That sounds about right, depending on where you’re going. Like if it’s cold, obviously you need more. And maybe a sweater? I LOVE sweaters. Buying a second hand dress jacket is a pro move, by the way.
Seriously though, consider:
- Where you’re going. Like, duh, right? The climate will decide it all.
- What you’ll be doing. Work stuff? Tourist stuff? Party stuff?
- Laundry access. This is the BIG one. If you can do laundry every week, you can pack less. If not… pack EVERYTHING.
- Space for souvenirs. Seriously, leave some room, or you’ll be buying another bag like I did last year. My Harry Potter wand set was NOT fitting.
- Don’t forget the right shoes!!! Comfy walkers, dress shoes, whatever.
Oh, and bring a small, like, foldable backpack. For day trips and stuff. You’ll thank me later. Oh! And a reusable water bottle! The plane is so dry.
How to plan 3 months travelling?
So, you’re ditching real life for, like, three whole months? Okay, here’s how not to end up broke and lost in, say, Outer Slobovia:
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First, guess when you wanna bail. Early September? Whenever the stars (or your boss) align. I usually check my horoscope. Yep, it says travel is mandatory.
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Then, make a list. A very important list. Like, what kinda socks you need. Maybe “don’t forget passport,” yeah, yeah.
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Next, decide where you’re… escaping to. Bali? Boise? Both? I always wanted to visit Lower Slobovia! Just kidding… maybe. Seriously, though, choose wisely!
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Finally, figure out your moolah. Like, how much can you actually blow? Be realistic. I always underestimate, then live on instant noodles. My budget is, uh, aspirational.
Let’s flesh this out, shall we? ‘Cause three months is a long time to wear the same underwear.
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Departure Date: Pin down a month. Then, blame the universe when it’s all wrong.
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The List of Doom: Stuff you ABSOLUTELY CANNOT live without. Like your lucky spork, and a phrasebook that teaches you to say, “Where’s the bathroom?” in Swahili.
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Destination Shenanigans: Seriously think about where you want to end up. Read ALL the reviews, even the crazy ones.
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Budgeting, Ugh: This is where the fun stops. Factor in everything: flights, snacks, bribes. I mean, souvenirs. Remember, ramen is your friend!
Now, go forth and conquer. Or, at least, don’t get arrested. Good luck with that!
How far in advance should you start planning a trip?
Six months to a year? Hah! That’s for normal people. I, personally, operate on a “wing and a prayer” system, maybe two weeks tops, unless it involves international travel and visas. Then, and only then, do I grudgingly start three months out. Think of it like prepping for a zombie apocalypse — better to be slightly late than hopelessly unprepared.
Planning Timeline (My highly scientific method):
- Domestic Trips: Two weeks. I’m practically a travel ninja.
- International Trips (non-visa required): One month. Still a ninja, but packing requires more effort. It’s like packing for a year in a carry-on, only way harder.
- International Trips (visa required): Three months. My ninja skills are overwhelmed by bureaucracy. It’s like wrestling a grumpy badger with paperwork.
Booking flights? That’s a last-minute game for me, my friend. Finding deals is a bloodsport — a thrilling chase akin to hunting unicorns, only less sparkly. Getting a good hotel room? You’re basically praying to the travel gods. It’s less “planning” and more “controlled chaos”. My last trip to Scotland? Planned it three days before leaving, and I’m still recovering from the sheer adrenaline. Totally worth it though, saw some stunning lochs. Best decision ever — except for maybe not packing waterproof trousers.
Things I Always Forget:
- Travel Insurance (duh!)
- My passport (almost missed my flight to Paris last year!)
- Chargers (For everything!)
- Comfortable shoes (always end up with blisters the size of small plums.)
Seriously though, I’m not recommending this to everyone! I’m just weirdly good at it and weirdly proud of it. It’s basically a personal challenge. A thrilling, stressful, slightly insane challenge. And you? You should probably start planning earlier, I strongly suggest it. Unless you want the adventure…and the stress. Enjoy!
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