Southeast Asia on a budget: how to stretch your money

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Southeast Asia is one of the best-value regions in the world for Indian travellers. These tips help you make your budget go further.

Choose good-value destinations

Thailand, Vietnam, Bali (South Coast) and Cambodia offer comfortable hotels, great food and cheap local transport. Singapore costs more.

Travel off-peak

Avoid Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. See Shoulder-season travel: better prices, fewer crowds.

Accommodation

• Three-star hotels and boutique guesthouses are comfortable and good value.
• Stay in central areas to save on transport.
• Book breakfast-included rates.

Food

• Eat at local restaurants, food courts and hawker centres.
• Night markets offer cheap, delicious food.
• Indian restaurants can be pricier in tourist areas.

Transport

• Use ride-hailing apps and public transport in cities.
• Book domestic flights early.
• Overnight trains and buses save a night's accommodation.

Activities

• Shared tours instead of private ones for island trips.
• Free activities: beaches, temples (some charge small fees), markets and parks.
• Combination tickets for attractions.

Money

Use a forex card or low-fee card and avoid paying in rupees at card machines. See Money abroad: forex cards, credit cards and cash for Indian travellers.

Avoid scams

Agree prices for tuk-tuks and boats in advance. See Safety tips for travelling abroad: scams, documents and emergencies.

See our Budget holidays page.

Sample budget-friendly routes

• Bangkok and Pattaya for four or five nights.
• Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Hoi An for a week.
• Bali with a split between Ubud and Kuta.
• Siem Reap for Angkor, combined with Bangkok.

All of these keep internal flights to a minimum.