"Budgets for South East Asia" Asia by aqazi

I just wanted to let you know what to budget for if you are planning a trip to SE Asia. My partner and I are in our late 20's so we're past the slumming it stage and rather enjoy the delights of AC. Nonethell less we did end up staying in dorms and did without AC for much of our journey but essentially everywhere we went was at least clean and nearly always have a private bathroom.

The budgets are for 2 people and include an avereage of one beer each a day and three meals. It also includes all transport inclduding internal flights to Borneo. This was largly possible because for much of our trip we were well under budget which meant we could count on a similar standard when we reached Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore which are a bit more expensive.

All excursions were included as well as cooking lessons, PADI diving courses tailor made clothes and gifts.

Our route was London - Instanbul - Bangkok - Siem Reap - Phomh Penh - Sihanoukville - Phomh Penh - HCMC (Saigon) - Nha Trang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - (train) Sapa (train) - Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Vientienne (by bus) - Vien Vieng - Luang Pra Bang - Chang Rai (Speed boat then taxi) - Chanh Mai - Bangkok (train) - Koi Samui - Ko Tau - Phuket - Phi Phi Island (boat) - Krabi boat/bus - Langkawi (boat) - Penang - Cameron Highlands - Kuala Lumpur (fly) - Kota Kinabalu - Mt Kinabalu - Sandakan (fly) - Kuala Lumpur (bus/boat) - Perinthian Island - Singapore (boat/train) - London

Budgets are per person per day and reflects actual expenditure. If you're leaving from the UK then it is easy to do as I did which is to allow 20GBP per person, per day which will more than cover everything and leave enough over for the unexpected.

Turkey $29
Thailand $28
(Inc PADI & cooking courses, treking and mostly 3 star accom on the beach)
Cambodia $30
(Cost for entering Angkor and hiring transport greatly inflated the cost of visiting the country)
Vietnam $21
Malaysia $26
(Includes return flights to Borneo)
Singapore $40
Laos $15

We spent one month in Vietnanm, Thailand and Malaysia. 1.5 weeks in Laos and Cambodia. 4 days in Singapore and Istanbul making approx 4 months in total.