If you’re planning a longer trip through Southeast Asia, chances are you’ve seen budgets ranging anywhere from £30 a day to £150+ a day, which isn’t exactly helpful when you’re trying to plan realistically.
This post breaks down what one month in Southeast Asia actually cost us, travelling through Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, based on real bookings, real activities, and a mid‑range travel style with a few intentional splurges.
No shoestring backpacking, but no luxury resorts every night either.
Quick Summary: Total Cost for 1 Month in Southeast Asia
Trip length: ~31 days
Countries: Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
Travel style: Mid‑range comfort with select splurges
Total spend per person
~£4,000–£4,500 per person
(excluding long‑haul flights to and from Asia)
That includes:
- All accommodation
- All internal flights
- Long‑distance transport
- Tours & experiences
- Food, drinks & activities
Below, I break this down category‑by‑category so you can easily adapt it to your own travel style.
Flights: International & Internal (~£1,000–£1,300)
Flights were one of the biggest fixed costs on this trip – largely due to covering multiple countries and limiting long overland journeys.
What we paid for flights
- Regional flights between countries (Singapore → Cambodia → Laos → Vietnam)
- Multiple internal flights within Vietnam
- Luggage included on most fares
Average cost:
➡️ £70–£150 per flight, depending on distance and airline
Tips to reduce flight costs
- Book regional flights early
- Avoid checking bags on budget airlines where possible
- Be flexible with travel days
Flights are one area where saving £20 per leg can add up quickly across a month.
Accommodation: Boutique Hotels & Splurges (~£1,500–£1,800)
Accommodation averaged higher than typical backpacker budgets, by choice. We stayed in boutique hotels, heritage properties, and stylish mid‑range stays, plus one luxury cruise.
Average accommodation cost
- £45–£90 per night, per person
- Shared rooms or private doubles
This included:
- City hotels in Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
- Resorts and boutique stays in Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam
- One ultra-luxurious Ha Long Bay cruise (the single most expensive night)
Where accommodation cost more
- Singapore
- Ha Long Bay cruise
- Central Vietnam beach stays
Where it was excellent value
- Cambodia (Phnom Penh & Siem Reap)
- Laos (Luang Prabang & Vang Vieng)
- Northern Vietnam
If you’re happy with guesthouses or hostels, you could halve this spend easily.
Tours & Experiences (~£700–£900)
This was the most rewarding part of the budget – and where we consciously didn’t cut corners.
What this included
- Angkor Wat sunrise + private tuk tuk
- Killing Fields & Genocide Museum tour
- Ha Giang Loop (3D/2N with easy rider, private rooms, and VIP overnight bus)
- Ha Long Bay cruise (2D/1N)
- Hot air ballooning & paramotoring in Laos
- Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta day trip
- Luxury Mekong river cruise in Laos
- Temple passes & national park fees
Many of these experiences simply aren’t skippable if you want depth and Southeast Asia is very good value for guided tours compared to elsewhere in the world.
Food & Drinks (~£600–£800)
Southeast Asia is one of the best food regions in the world, and thankfully, also one of the most affordable.
Average daily food spend
£20–£30 per day, per person
This included:
- Daily street food & local cafés
- Regular cocktails & rooftop bars
- Several fine‑dining meals (£30–£70pp)
Typical costs
- Street food meals: £1.50–£4
- Local restaurants: £5–£10
- Cocktails: £4–£8
- Fine dining tasting menus: £30–£70
Even with indulgences, food never felt expensive.
Transport Within Cities (~£150–£250)
Getting around was cheap and efficient, especially using local ride‑hailing apps.
Typical transport spend
- Taxis & tuk tuks: £1–£5 per ride
- Airport transfers: £5–£15
- Trains & buses: minimal
Cities like Hanoi, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City are incredibly affordable for short rides, even over long distances
Daily Cost Breakdown (Per Country)
Singapore
💸 £150–£200 per day
Accommodation & food are the main cost drivers
Cambodia
💸 £60–£80 per day
Excellent value for hotels, food & tours
Laos
💸 £60–£90 per day
- Activities add up slightly
- Accommodation is affordable
Vietnam
💸 £70–£110 per day
Depends heavily on region and activities
Vietnam offers the widest range. You can travel extremely cheaply or comfortably without much extra spend.
Where We Chose to Splurge (And It Was Worth It)
- Ha Long Bay cruise
- Angkor Wat sunrise tour
- Ha Giang Loop (easy rider)
- Rooftop bars & destination restaurants
- Boutique accommodation over hostels
These moments defined the trip — and are what we remember most.
Where You Could Save Easily
If you’re working to a tighter budget, you could reduce costs by:
- Choosing hostels or guesthouses
- Cutting internal flights
- Skipping premium tours
- Limiting high‑end dining
A more budget‑conscious version of this itinerary could realistically come in at £2,800–£3,200 per person.
Final Thoughts: Is Southeast Asia Still “Cheap”?
Yes, especially for the value you get.
While it’s no longer the £20‑a‑day destination it once was, Southeast Asia still offers:
- Incredible food value
- Affordable transport
- Good‑value accommodation
- Unique experiences at reasonable prices
For a month‑long, multi‑country trip with comfort, depth, and memorable experiences, this budget felt realistic, and worth every penny.
