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Southeast Asia

One of the easiest regions in the world to hop around. Here is how to plan a trip across Southeast Asia.

Budget per couple$300-$600 a day
When to goPhilippines- Best to visit during dry season!
Getting aroundSouth East Asia is a large region but one of the easiest places to hop around.

See it before you go

Watch Southeast Asia

One of the easiest regions in the world to hop around. Here is how to plan a trip across Southeast Asia.

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Every Southeast Asia video

6 videos from Southeast Asia. Pick a place, or start at the top.

Travel tips

What to know before you go

Straight from our notes on Southeast Asia: costs, getting around, where to stay and what to skip.

Per day. Prices from our trips; check current rates before you book.

transportation
South East Asia is a large region but one of the easiest places to hop around. Because of the large amount of tourist activity, the region has ensured that there is a worry free system in place to make sure people can get from A to B without a hassle. Trains, boats, ferries, and cheap flights of all varieties are available to people can freely (and cheaply) travel around.
Once to your destination, city travel is also inexpensive and of great variety. Grab a taxi, tuktuk, or motorbike for efficient city travel.
when to visit
Philippines- Best to visit during dry season! Typically between May and September. Rainy season makes it difficult to travel around the less populated areas because of mud!
Thailand- Thailand is a very hot country! The best time to visit is during "high season" when it is dry and not unbearably hot yet. This season is between November through February, right before monsoon season.
Cambodia- Cambodia is another country where it is best to visit during high season, which is again November through February. This is the time where humidity is the lowest, but also the time that tourism is the highest.
Malaysia- The best time to visit Malaysia is either December-January or June-September. Both of these time periods offer the best weather and less disruptions due to religious holidays or large tourist crowds.
Singapore- Singapore weather is beautiful year round! Monsoon season is between November and January so do be aware of that when planning.
safety
South East Asia is a very safe place to travel. Besides occasional theft, you are not likely to experience safety concerns.
As like any place you travel to, be conscious of your surroundings! Don't put yourself in shady or uncertain situations.
In South East Asia, it is also important to be aware of public laws. In Singapore, for example, it is illegal to smoke in public. Brush up on laws before traveling to save yourself from fines (or even jail time!).
where to stay
South East Asia has a variety of accommodations based on your needs. From hostels to upscale bungalows, there's something for everyone's budget. Check out Airbnb and Agoda for great deals. Sometimes there are package deals with flights, too!
language
Philippines: English, Tagalog, Filipino
Thailand: Thai
Cambodia: Khmer
Malaysia: Malay
Singapore: English, Mandarin, Malay
trip resources
There are hostels, hotels, b&bs and Airbnbs all over Assia. We generally make our reservations on Agoda, Booking.com or Airbnb. They’re also great platforms to find cheap flights on.
what to pack
If you're planning on traveling South East Asia, we definitely recommend getting a universal power adapter. Any time you are traveling between a few countries, this is the best way to go.
Traveling between different countries also means plenty of different climates to pack for. Packing with compression cubes is the way to go to save room and stay organized! Check them out at trippedtravelgear.com.
what to eat
Philippines: Try the street food! Best way to get the best food for the best price. Their shaved ice or halo-halo is the perfect sweet treat to beat the heat.
Thailand: Shop for food at the floating markets! You can get the freshest, sweetest fruits on these floating, colorful markets.
Cambodia: Good food comes at a cheap price in Cambodia! Eat your way through the streets and even splurge a bit for less that $10 a day. In our opinion, street food is the way to go!
Malaysia: Malaysia is also no stranger to street food! Try the stuffed pancakes and the huge array of tropical fruits. You won't be disappointed!
Singapore: Seafood in Singapore is a must try! Singapore's food is more expensive than most of South East Asia, but there is a reason behind it. The food is AMAZING and is incredibly displayed. Very "Instagrammable".

Packing list

What to pack for Southeast Asia

Packing lists on video for this trip, plus the carry-on gear we designed after years on the road.

Shop Tripped
Packing for 6 months of travel
Packing cubes vs compression cubes

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Pick your dates, set a budget and book things in the right order, so you know what the trip costs before you pay for any of it.