Finance and money forum

kalasw5

I can't comment on India.

It's not a case of how much does it cost, (and hence, how much one
'needs'). That question depends on where you go, for how long, and what
you plan on doing.

Rather, its how much does it cost per day (on average) to travel around
SE Asia.

There is no set 'amount' that you must plan for, rather, an amount that
reflects the sort of lifestyle you want to live while travelling.

- - -

Cities are more expensive than (most) rural areas. The exception being high attraction tourist centres (for example, like southern Thailand).

I'll start with Thailand, then go other countries.

Aside from travel between cities/places, there is accommodation, food and sightseeing.

Bangkok
Accom - US$15
Food - US$5
Sightseeing - US$5

So, on average US$25 / day

In the rural areas, I suggest you can shave US$5-10 off that (depending on the place).

In some rural areas, you may want to rent your own wheels: for treadly add US$2, for motor + US$10.

In southern Thailand (& Chiang Mai), depending on where you stay and what you do, figure on about somewhere between US$20-25.

These 'costings' are not super scrimpy budget, rather, they assume a few incidentals each day - or at times when you have saved and want to splurge.

- - -

I suggest that while some aspects of budget items in Vietnam are cheaper than Thailand, because of the distance, and that most travellers tend to stay in Banana Pancake Trail cities, the overal budget is only about 10% cheaper than Thailand.

Malaysia is a little different. In the major cities Malaysia is about 10% more expensive (overall), but in the backblocks its probably a little cheaper than Thailand.

Laos is about 30% cheaper than Thailand, and Cambodia about 40% cheaper than Thailand (city Vs city, country Vs country).

Indonesian 'backblocks' can be cheaper than Thailand, though tourist places like Jakarta and Bali are not. But, the budget 'killer' in Indonesia are the travel costs between islands.

- - -

Travel itself is (relatively) expensive, staying in a town and renting a pushbike for a day to go visit, and eating at streetstalls, the market, etc., will be the sort of thing to do to limit expenditure.

- - -

There are websites that enable you to determine the sort of travel costs for wherever you want to go: depending on rail (www.seat61.com), bus, boat, air, etc.

- - -

Travelfish.org have also discussed this matter.

For general pointers to 'fashion' your travel expenses - go read each
post at:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/financemoney/4706_travelling-thailand-on-250b-a-day

http://www.travelfish.org/feature/money-finance

For actual daily travel costs, go to these posts:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/thailand/182_first-time-in-thailand

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/financemoney/4776_-3000-us-for-eight-weeks

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/financemoney/5926_2-people---us-3-500---3-months-

And, then look at some stories at:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/topic/financemoney

These threads are focussed on Thailand (mainly). That is why I focussed the budget on Thailand.

- - -

I've written in detail. I could have said 'budget for US$20 for sleeping/living and add US$5 for travel per day'. But, by explaining it, I think you may be a little more focussed.

So, the short answer to your query, try for (say) US$4500-5000 for 6 months. I'd also have a backup available of (say) half that 'just in case'.

Remember, this is not a scrimpy budget, so with US$5000, you may come home with money left over.

Cheers