How to Plan a Trip to Southeast Asia: Ultimate Guide with 21 Essential Tips

Are you planning a trip to Southeast Asia? You’re in the right place.

After traveling through several countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and more, we put together everything we wish we’d known before our trip. This ultimate, comprehensive guide covers everything from planning your route and packing smart to managing your budget, what to do before your trip, how to book your accommodation, experiences and activities, and avoiding common mistakes.

Whether you’re backpacking long-term or just traveling for a few weeks, this post will give you practical tips, real insights, and personal advice from our own journey.

Yes, it’s a bit of a long read. But once you’re done, you’ll know exactly how to get your trip to Southeast Asia ready without stress. Honestly, I wish I had something like this when I planned my first trip.

You may also like reading: Two Months Traveling in Southeast Asia: Our Itinerary.

Table of Contents

Looking for something specific? Just click on the topic you’re interested in to jump straight to that section.

1) Know Your Purpose and Travel Style

If you’re reading this, you’re interest in planning a trip to Southeast Asia. It is a vast and diverse region with unique countries, cultures, and landscapes.

Each destination offers very different experiences, so understanding your own travel style is important so you don’t waste time on things that aren’t your thing just because they’re popular.

For example, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you more interested in relaxing on beautiful beaches, snorkeling, exploring ancient temples, tasting delicious local food, immersing yourself in the local culture, shopping in big cities, or seeking thrilling adventures? Or a little bit of everything?

• Do you prefer a fast-paced trip visiting many places, or a slower journey focusing on fewer destinations?

For example, in my case, I prefer active exploration and nature over cities. I enjoy beaches but not just lounging in the sun. I like to stay active, explore, and go snorkeling. I also love trying local food and visiting smaller towns and provinces, not just the big cities.

2) Which Countries Should You Visit (Based on Your Preferred Activities)

Answering the questions from the previous section will help you decide which countries to visit. Here we grouped countries by their popular activities:

Beaches and Islands:

• Thailand: Phuket, Krabi and Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Lipe
• Philippines: Palawan, Boracay
• Indonesia: Bali, Gili Islands
• Malaysia: Langkawi, Perhentian Islands
• Vietnam: Phu Quoc

Beaches and Islands (with great snorkeling):

• Thailand: Similan Islands, Koh Tao, Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta
• Philippines: Palawan, Cebu (Moalboal), Apo Island
• Indonesia: Bali, Gili Islands, Komodo
• Malaysia: Perhentian Islands, Tioman Island
• Vietnam: Phu Quoc

Temples and Culture:

• Cambodia: Angkor Wat
• Thailand: Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Bangkok
• Myanmar: Bagan, Yangon
• Laos: Luang Prabang
• Vietnam: Hanoi, Hue

Adventure and Nature:

• Vietnam: Sapa trekking, Ha Giang Loop, scenic mountains in Ninh Binh
• Indonesia: Mount Bromo, Komodo National Park
• Malaysia: Borneo rainforests
• Thailand: Chiang Mai jungle treks, Khao Sok National Park
• Philippines: mountain hikes, caves, waterfalls and canyoneering in Cebu

Food Lovers:

• Thailand: street food in Bangkok and night markets in Chiang Mai
• Vietnam: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
• Malaysia: Penang
• Indonesia: Jakarta and Bali
• Singapore: diverse food scene: mix of different cuisines from all over the world

Off-the-Beaten-Path & Smaller Towns:

• Laos: Vang Vieng, Pakse
• Myanmar: Inle Lake
• Philippines: Siargao, Siquijor
• Cambodia: Kampot
• Vietnam: Hoi An—it’s a small place, but not as out of the beaten path as others
• Thailand: Kanchanaburi

Another important factor is the visa requirements based on your passport. For example, with my Portuguese passport, I’m fortunate to have easy access to most countries, and when a visa is needed, the process is usually straightforward. However, that’s not the case for everyone, so it’s important to check visa rules early in your planning [check the visa section].

3) Most Popular Routes for Exploring Southeast Asia

When choosing which countries to visit, it’s also important to consider their proximity and how easy it is to travel between them. This way, you can spend less time and money in transportation and more time exploring.

Recommended reading: One-Month Thailand Itinerary.

Recommended reading: Two-Week Vietnam Itinerary – From North to South.

Some popular travel routes that many travelers follow:

• Thailand → Laos → Vietnam
• Singapore → Malaysia → Indonesia
• Thailand → Cambodia → Vietnam
• Philippines (on its own)*
• Banana Pancake Trail (perfect if you have lots of time and want to explore as many countries as you can)

*The Philippines is a bit different from mainland Southeast Asia since it’s an archipelago located further east, so it’s usually not combined in overland routes with countries like Thailand, Laos, or Vietnam. Travel there mostly involves flights. Many travelers include the Philippines as a separate part of their Southeast Asia trip, often flying in or out from major hubs like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok.

Because traveling around and exploring the Philippines takes more time due to its many islands and distances, it’s not the best choice to add if your overall trip is short. However, the Philippines is a fantastic destination to explore on its own trip, if you have plenty of time to spend in Southeast Asia, or alternatively, just focus on a small area of the archipelago.

Recommended reading: Three Weeks in the Philippines – Our Itinerary.

4) How Long Should You Travel Southeast Asia and How Many Countries Should You Visit

This is my personal recommendation based on our experience, and I think it’s a good starting point:

• 1–2 weeks: stick to one country only, or just one region within a larger country. For example, one to two weeks is perfect to explore the beaches and islands of Thailand.
• 3–4 weeks: explore two countries, or deep dive into one. A great combination is Thailand + Vietnam.
• 6–8+ weeks: three countries or more, or deep dive into two.

Of course, this depends a lot on your travel style, pace, and interests. Some people like to move fast and see as much as possible, while others prefer to take it slow and really get to know a place. There’s no right or wrong way, just the one that works for you. In my case, I think I’m a little bit between the two options.

If you have limited time, it’s often better to skip a few places and leave them for the future instead of rushing through everything.

5) Best Time to Travel to Southeast Asia

Just as important as your itinerary is choosing the right time to visit. Make sure to consider both the weather during the season you’re traveling and any major local holidays or festivals that might affect your plans.

Check the Weather and Monsoon Season

If you’re planning to enjoy the beaches or go snorkeling, you’ll want to avoid the rainy season. You also won’t want to be caught in the middle of the monsoon season. We recommend that you search for the country or region you want to visit. For example, “monsoon season in [country or region]”.

That said, it can be tricky to time your trip perfectly for every destination. A smart strategy is to plan your route around the best weather for most of the places on your list. Keep in mind that even within the same country, seasons can vary a lot by region—this is specially the case for Vietnam.

For example, we did our trip in October and November, and most of the places we visited were in their ideal season. The only exception was Da Nang and Hoi An, but we included them anyway because they were conveniently along our route. Everything turned out fine, but we did experience one day of flooding, which might have disrupted our travel plans.

Special Days and Holidays

You may want to avoid or experience certain local holidays and festivals during your trip. It’s important to be aware of these days because you may face inflated prices, closed business, busy transportation, few accommodation options, activities sold out, etc.

6) Sort Out Your Visas in Advance

After deciding which countries you want to visit, make sure to check the visa requirements for your passport early on. Visa rules can vary depending on your nationality and can change frequently, so always use official government or embassy websites for the most accurate information.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Types of visas: some countries offer visa-free entry, visa on arrival, e-visas, or require you to apply at an embassy beforehand. Know what applies to your destination.

• Documents needed: some countries require you to prepare documents like passport photos, proof of onward travel, accommodation details, and others…

• Processing time: some visas can take days or weeks to process, so apply well in advance to avoid last-minute stress. For example, we had to delay our entry in Vietnam because we didn’t prepare our pre-aproval letter in advance.

• Multiple entries: if you plan to enter and exit a country multiple times, check if you need a multiple-entry visa.

• Visa duration: keep in mind the duration of your visa an don’t overstay to avoid fines, and other problems.

7) Plan Your Budget and Money Management

Plan how much you’re willing to spend on your trip and divide that amount by the number of days you’ll be staying. This will give you a rough estimate of your daily spending limit.

Keep in mind that the cost of living varies significantly across Southeast Asia. For example, Thailand and Vietnam tend to be much cheaper than Singapore. The Philippines is generally affordable but can be more expensive than Thailand and Vietnam, especially in popular tourist spots.

Track all your expenses carefully so you know where your money is going. We recommend using an app like TravelSpend to help you monitor and categorize your spending, split costs, and more.

Additionally, its important to have something saved for unexpected expenses such as emergencies, transportation changes, or occasional splurges on activities or food.

8) Health and Vaccinations for Southeast Asia

After deciding which countries you want to visit, we highly recommend booking a consultation with a doctor specialized in travel and tropical medicine.

If you’re lucky like us, you might be able to access this service for free through your public healthcare system. These appointments are super helpful. They’ll make you aware of common diseases in the regions you’re heading to, how to prevent them, and what to do if you get sick while there.

They’ll also recommend vaccinations based on the countries you plan to visit, the areas you’ll be staying in, and how long you’ll be there. If you’re looking to do some initial research, the FitForTravel website is a great place to start. Still, don’t skip the consultation with a doctor.

9) Booking Your Flights

When booking flights to Southeast Asia, it’s usually best (and cheaper) to fly into one of the major airport hubs. These cities are well connected internationally and make great starting points for your trip:

• Bangkok (Thailand) – often the cheapest and most central hub (it’s where we started our adventure);
• Singapore – beautiful, modern, and efficient airport with many connections (it’s also a great place to end your trip and get your flight back home);
• Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia);
• Manila or Cebu (Philippines) – good entry points if you’re including the Philippines.

Tip: sometimes it’s cheaper to book a flight into a cheaper hub (like Bangkok or Singapore) and then a separate low-cost flight to your first real destination.

I usually use two different methods to book my flights, depending if it’s a long international flight, or a short regional or domestic flight.

Long International Flights

Depending on where you’re coming from, a flight to Southeast Asia can be quite expensive. In my case, I’m based in Portugal, so it’s a long way to get there, and a bit expensive.

I recommend starting your flight search well in advance and tracking price trends over time so you can spot a good deal when it appears. Tools like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kiwi.com are super helpful for this. I also use FlightConnections to explore route options between different countries—sometimes flying into or out of a different city can save you money or make your itinerary more convenient.

Personally, I like using Kiwi.com because it often includes budget airlines and flight combinations that other search engines don’t have. Additionally, it can combine flights from different airlines, even with layovers of one or more days or overnight stays, which can sometimes make the total journey cheaper and you’ll also visit another place. This can be useful if you’re flexible.

For long international flights, I recommend booking directly with the airline whenever possible. It’s usually more reliable, especially if there are delays or cancellations. However, if your route includes multiple layovers or combines different airlines, booking through a platform like Kiwi.com might give you more flexibility and better prices.

If you’re flying from Europe, here are a few top-rated airlines to consider:

• Etihad Airways – We’ve flown with them round-trip (twice) and had a great experience both times. The service, comfort, and in-flight entertainment were excellent. Also, they always had the best offers in terms of price when compared to the other companies.
• Qatar Airways
• Turkish Airlines
• Singapore Airlines

Regional and Domestic Flights Around Southeast Asia

There are several budget airlines in Southeast Asia with multiple flights a day, which is very convenient and affordable to fly between countries or cities. Sometimes a flight is cheaper than booking a train ride.

Some popular low-cost airlines include:

• AirAsia – flies almost everywhere in the region (we used this one several times)
• Scoot – Singapore-based, good for international and regional flights
• VietJet Air – affordable for Vietnam and nearby countries (we also flew with them already)
• Cebu Pacific – great for flying to/within the Philippines (we flew with them during our trip to the Philippines)

To book flights with these airlines, we usually use the Kiwi.com platform because it’s practical and easy to use, without the need to create accounts on multiple airline websites. Additionally, it has happened to us many times that the official websites were glitchy and difficult to use.

10) How to Book Your Accommodation in Southeast Asia

To book your accommodation in Southeast Asia, we recommend using Booking.com, or Agoda.

Agoda is very popular in Asia, and many times you’ll find more options and slightly better prices.

Booking your accommodation in Southeast Asia can be quite flexible, but there are some occasions when it’s better to book in advance. For example, here’s what we recommend that worked well for us.

Book the First Few Nights in Advance

It’s always a good idea to book at least your first few nights before arriving at your first country of the trip. This gives you peace of mind after a long flight and time to adjust before making other plans.

We recommend booking in advance when…

• Going to popular destinations in high season: places like the Phi Phi Islands get fully booked quickly. We booked just two days before and had very limited options.
• Smaller towns or remote areas: these may have fewer choices, so booking in advance you’ll ensure to get better places for lower prices.
• If going to the the Philippines: accommodation tends to be more limited compared to places like Thailand or Vietnam. We recommend booking a little bit ahead.

You can book as you go when..

• Going to popular areas with lots of options, especially big cities like Bangkok, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Ho Chi Minh. For example, in Thailand and Vietnam, there are plenty of accommodation options, and it’s often easy to book as you travel. This was the case for us in most of the situations.

11) What to Pack For Southeast Asia/ Packing Tips

Traveling light is key. If you’re backpacking, take the smallest backpack you can comfortably manage with just the minimal amount of clothes you need. Trust me, after a few days, you’ll wish you had brought a smaller backpack.

For our two-month trip, I used a 30L backpack, and my boyfriend carried a 40L one. We also had a 10L daypack to keep our valuables safe during travel days, and to carry essentials during activities and excursions. All our backpacks are from Decathlon. These are super affordable, durable, practical and high quality.

Even though a 30L backpack is considered small and I consider myself a bit of a minimalist, I still packed some clothes I didn’t end up using.

What to Pack For Southeast Asia

With this said, here are a few tips and packing list for Southeast Asia.

Clothing

Clothes: choose loose-fitting clothes made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen to stay cool in tropical weather.

Avoid heavy or tight clothes. If you’re going to places where the weather is cool, prepare accordingly. Pack a small cardigan or light jacket, public transportation and air conditioning in Thailand is really cool.

I also recommend packing at least one pair of light trousers or long skirt to cover your legs while visiting temples or other religious places—or you can buy some elephant pants.

Shoes: usually, two pairs are enough: comfortable sneakers for walking and flip flops or sandals for casual wear (unless you plan to do serious trekking, which requires proper hiking shoes).

Versatile sandals that can be used at the beach, city, and water like the ones I used are super practical. I really recommend the Sketchers sandals I used (these are the most comfortable sandals I’ve ever used—I’m already on my second pair). Some people also like the Teva sandals (also available for men).

Laundry: don’t pack too many clothes since laundry services are affordable and common in tourist areas. Avoid packing your favorite or delicate clothes, especially white items, as they might get damaged or stained. Additionally, there are also cases of some lost items on the laundry—however, we never had any problems.

You can always buy there: If you need more clothes, there are markets and shops selling affordable clothes.

Light rain jacket or poncho: tropical rain showers are common, so it’s a good idea to have a light rain protection, specially if you’re travelling in rainy season. We packed ours, but only used it once.

Health and Hygiene

Medical kit: pack a basic first aid kit including painkillers, antiseptic wipes, antihistamines, and any personal medications you may need [check this section for more details about it].

If you visit a travel or tropical medicine doctor before your trip (which we recommend), make sure to include any specific medications they suggest. It’s always better to have these things with you, especially if you’re going to remote areas where pharmacies might be limited or hard to find.

Insect repellent: mosquitoes can carry diseases like dengue or malaria in some areas. Bring a good insect repellent with DEET. Alternatively, you can buy on most convenience stores.

Personal hygiene: pack travel-sized toiletries, tissues, and a quick-dry travel towel. We found that good quality tissues were particularly difficult to find in Southeast Asia. If you, like me, suffer from allergies or rhinitis, bringing your own tissues is a must. For girls, if you use tampons, it’s also a good idea to pack some because in some areas it might be a bit difficult to find.

Electronics

Travel adapter and universal charger: Southeast Asia uses different plug types and voltages, so a universal travel adapter is essential. We use this one and it’s super practical as it can charge multiple electronics at once, and you just need one plug for all of them.

Power bank: keep a portable charger to ensure your devices stay powered when you’re on the move. We usually carry two power banks. One wireless power bank like this one, and something more powerful with cord.

Tip: bring a small backpack that you can use during the day and to carry your valuables when you’re on the move. You definitely don’t want to leave things like your computer or documents in the bigger backpack that goes in the trunk of a bus or at the top of a tuk-tuk. A 10L daypack and a small fannypack worked great for us.

I’m sure I’m missing many points, but I tried to include some of the fundamentals that we often forget about. I have a quick video showing the essentials that I packed for our trip. You can watch it below.

12) How to Get Around Southeast Asia

Usually, getting around Southeast Asia is quite simple and cheap, even though sometimes it can take a long time for a relatively short distance.

To check the routes and book tickets, we usually use:

• 12GoAsia: our go-to for checking and booking buses, trains, and ferries
• Kiwi.com: great for finding and booking cheap flights

Travelling Between Countries

There are different ways to travel between countries in Southeast Asia.

If the countries are connected by land, there’s usually a bus route available. For example, you can take a bus between Singapore and Malaysia, or between Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Overnight buses are common and often the cheaper option, though they’re not always the most comfortable and you might end up arriving at your destination at 4:30 in the morning.

When it comes to the Philippines and Indonesia, flying is usually the only practical way to get from one country to another.

To check routes and book your tickets between countries, we used 12GoAsia. It shows all the available options like buses, trains, and ferries and lets you book them online. We also check the Kiwi.com website to check for flights.

Travelling Within a Country

To travel between cities within the same country, buses and trains are usually the go-to options.

For longer distances or if you’re short on time, you can also fly. For example, if you’re going from Hanoi to Danang or from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, there are plenty of domestic flights that are affordable and quick (like 1hour flight vs 12hours night bus).

Domestic flights are usually quite affordable, so compare prices before deciding to go on a long overnight bus journey.

Getting Around Within Cities

Within cities, transportation options vary depending on the country and the city itself. In bigger cities, you can rely on public transport or use apps like Grab.

In smaller cities, provinces, or smaller islands, renting a motorbike is a great way to explore at your own pace. In some places like the Philippines, you’ll rely more on tricycles and tuk-tuks for getting around.

Getting Around Islands

To travel between islands, ferries are the most common option. Ferry routes are widely available in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In some cases, there are also domestic flights between islands, which can save you a lot of time. This is specially true for the Philippines where island distances can be quite long.

13) Money, Currency and Fees – Best Cards for Southeast Asia

Most places in Southeast Asia still rely heavily on cash, especially when it comes to street vendors, local restaurants, entrance fees, and other small daily expenses. Always carry some of the local currency with you. In many places, cash is king. This was especially true in the Philippines, where very few establishments accepted cards when we visited.

ATMs are widely available in cities and touristy areas, but in smaller towns or islands, they can be harder to find, or might even run out of money, or they can be out of service because there’s no internet service (this happened to us in the Philippines). So it’s a good idea to withdraw enough cash before heading to more remote areas and always having some cash with you.

Even with these cards, you’ll often still have to pay a local ATM withdrawal fee—this is charged by the ATM provider, not your card. But using Wise or Revolut helps you avoid the hidden currency conversion markups and international transaction fees that most traditional banks charge.

We usually withdrew larger amounts less frequently to minimize the number of ATM fees.

Tip 1: always keep some USD or EUR currency as a backup as these are easily accepted if you end up in a situation without some local money.

Tip 2: always decline the ATM’s “conversion offer” when withdrawing. Let your card do the conversion.

14) How to Get Internet in Southeast Asia: SIM and eSIM Cards

To get internet on your smartphone, you can either rely only on public Wi-Fi hotspots (which I don’t recommend) or use a local SIM or eSIM card to access mobile data.

Make sure your phone is unlocked to use eSIMs os foreign SIM cards.

Physical SIM Cards

You’ll find many SIM options at the airport when you arrive in a new country. These usually offer prepaid data packages that are tailored to travelers. However, this option requires physically swapping out your home SIM card, which can be inconvenient if you still need to receive text messages, like for two-factor authentication.

However, some companies already offer eSIM cards that you can install with them instead of getting a physical SIM card.

Why We Prefer eSIM Cards

An eSIM is like a virtual SIM that you install on your phone, so there’s no need to remove your current SIM card. This means you can still receive SMS on your number while using data from the eSIM, which can be required to authenticate in banking apps or other services that require verification.

In our case, when travelling to foreign countries, we always opt for an eSIM to get internet data. It’s more practical and easy to use. Additionally, you can install it on your smartphone beforehand and activate it at the airport as soon as you land.

Important: Not all eSIMs support hotspot tethering, so if you plan to use your laptop, make sure the provider includes it. This feature is essential for us, as we work while we travel and often need to share our phone’s connection with our laptops.

Regional eSIM Packages (for multiple countries)

Another advantage is that some eSIM providers, like Maya and Holafly, offer multi-country regional packages, which work across several Southeast Asian countries. This is super convenient if you’re traveling to multiple countries—you don’t have to buy a new SIM each time you cross a border.

Tripiwi

Even though, sometimes a bit more expensive, it’s totally worth not having to worry about it when you arrive at a new country.

We had good experiences with:

• airalo
• Maya
• Holafly

We recommend that you check several providers to see which one offers the best package for the countries you’re visiting.

If you decide to go with airalo, you can use the referral code below on your first purchase to get a a 3$ credit:

SARA0837

eSIM Card for Individual Countries

If you prefer to buy an eSIM card for each country, or you’re only going to one country, the Airalo app usually offers better options.

15) Travel Insurance

Unexpected things happen while traveling, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. We recommend getting travel insurance—especially one that covers medical expenses.

Fortunately, we’ve never had to use ours, but knowing it’s there gives us peace of mind. There were a few times we got sick while traveling, with fever and stomach aches. Luckily, it was nothing serious that required medical intervention.

Medical Coverage is Essential

When visiting new countries, your body might not react well to unfamiliar food or water—you could get food poisoning, or something more serious. Accidents can also happen: you might cut your feet on corals while snorkeling, get stung by a jellyfish, fall off a motorbike, inflammation from mosquito bites, or twist an ankle while hiking. Good travel insurance should cover medical treatment, hospital stays, and emergency evacuations.

Personally, we recommend Heymondo travel insurance. They are specialized in insurance for short and long trips. If you sign up with our link, you can get 5% discount (except for US residents). Click here to get a quote with out link, or click the button below.

Other Coverage Options

There are also different packages that not only cover medical expenses, they also cover:

• Lost or stolen luggage
• Flight cancellations or delays
• Trip interruptions due to emergencies
• Stolen electronics or valuables

Make sure you check all the available options, compare what’s included, and most importantly, read the policy carefully so you know exactly what’s covered and up to what amount. It might seem like an extra step, but it can save you a lot of stress and money later.

16) Local Customs and Etiquette

Before visiting each country, it’s a good idea to read a little about the local customs, social norms, and religious practices. This will help you understand what to expect and how to behave in certain situations.

For example, religion plays a different role across Southeast Asian countries. In Thailand and Cambodia, Buddhism is the most common; in Vietnam, there’s a strong focus on ancestor worship and traditional beliefs.

The Philippines is predominantly Catholic, while Malaysia is mostly Muslim. Indonesia is also a Muslim-majority country, but it has a mix of local traditions. Singapore is a multicultural mix of Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism, and Hinduism.

Research a bit and be aware of a few basics before you go. For example, always remove your shoes before entering temples, homes, and even some shops. When visiting temples, dress modestly—cover your shoulders and knees. If visiting mosques, you should also cover your hair.

17) Essential Travel Apps for Southeast Asia

There are some essential apps that can be super useful during your time in Southeast Asia. Here are the ones we used the most and definitely recommend installing.

• Booking.com / Agoda: to search and book accommodation. Agoda is most popular in Southeast Asia.
• GetYourGuide and Klook: to book experiences, activities, and buy tickets for attractions.
• Airalo: for buying and managing eSIMs with data packages for different countries or regions.
• Grab: the go-to ride-hailing app in many Southeast Asian countries—similar to Uber. Also useful for food delivery.
• Google Maps: for directions, searching restaurants, reviews of restaurants, attractions and accommodations, and to find directions for public transport. We recommend downloading offline maps of the regions you’ll be visiting in case you lose internet access, specially more remote areas.
• Google Translate: useful not only for translation, but for reading signs and menus. There’s an option that allows you to use your camera and take pictures of what you want to translate. We recommend downloading different languages for offline use.
• Skyscanner or Kiwi.com: good for searching and booking regional flights.
• Revolut and Wise: great for managing your money, transferring between currencies with low fees, and withdrawing cash at better rates [learn more about this in this section].
• TravelSpend: an all-round travel budget app. Supports multiple currencies and gives you a clear overview of where your money goes.

18) Search for Common Scams

Before arriving in a new country, especially if you’re visiting popular tourist destinations, it’s a good idea to learn about common travel scams. In many places, there are people who may try to take advantage of tourists. The likelihood of encountering scams varies widely depending on the country, and even within different cities or regions of the same country.

From our personal experience, tourist scams didn’t feel very common in Southeast Asia—at least in the countries we’ve visited so far: Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore.

That said, we did notice differences between the countries. Scams were more common in major cities in Vietnam, while in Thailand, we felt safer and more at ease overall. We heard that tourist scams are also more common in Indonesia, specially in Bali. However, in the Philippines, we never encountered any strange or uncomfortable situations, which isn’t always the case in some popular European cities, for example.

Still, it’s always good to be prepared and be aware of some common travel scams so that you don’t fall for them. For example, search “[place you want to visit] + common travel scams”. That way, you’ll recognize red flags easily and you’ll be able to ignore the situation and get out of it easily.

Most common scams include overpriced tuk-tuks, someone insisting a major attraction is “closed” so they can redirect you elsewhere, people giving you “free” things and then insisting you paying for them, etc.

19) Should You Plan Everything or Go With the Flow?

This really depends on the type of traveler you are and how long you’re spending in Southeast Asia. I think it’s always good to have a rough draft of your itinerary to give you some direction, but leave room to adjust as you go.

If you’re traveling for a month or less, it’s better to plan most things in advance. A month goes by fast, and having your accommodation, transport, and main activities booked helps you avoid wasting time figuring out what to do next.

If you’re traveling for longer, going with the flow can be great because it gives you more freedom to stay longer in places you like and move on if something isn’t your vibe.

Nonetheless, if you’re going to do popular activities that require a bit of planning and reservations in advance, it’s a good idea to plan well those activities and then adjust your itinerary around them. It’s also a good idea to book accommodation for very popular places in high season, like the Phi Phi islands a bit in advance.

Usually, a mix of planning and flexibility is what works best.

20) Be Ready for Culture Shock

No matter how many blog posts you read or how many videos you watch, nothing fully prepares you for the reality of arriving in a completely different culture. For us, coming from Portugal, the contrast with Southeast Asia is quite huge. The food, the smells, the chaos of the streets, the religious customs, even the way people interact, all of it was different.

And that’s okay. In fact, it’s part of the experience. Here’s a few examples, where you can feel culture shock:

• Language barriers that make it harder to communicate, especially outside the main tourist areas.
• Different hygiene standards or types of bathrooms (like squat toilets in some public places, even though it’s not a problem for me).
• Street traffic that feels totally chaotic, especially in cities like Hanoi or Bangkok. Crossing the street can be challenging at first.
• Unexpected flavors and ingredients in local food (like sugar in most of the dishes or rice without salt).
• Unbearable humid hot weather and mosquitoes after sunset.

However, this is part of the experience, and it’s better to embrace it and remind yourself that it may take some time to adjust to a new culture before you can fully appreciate it.

For example, the first time I arrived in Bangkok, I honestly hated it. The heat, the humidity, the smells… … it was all too much. I didn’t even enjoy the food at first. The flavors were so different from what we were used to: spicy, sweet, sometimes with very little salt, and it took us a while to get used to it.

Recommended reading: Bangkok Ultimate Travel Guide for First-Timers.

But a few weeks later, we had to return to Bangkok to catch another flight… and that time, something had changed. I loved it. I appreciated the food, the energy, the culture. We’ve now been to Bangkok three times, and it’s one of our favorite cities. Some Thai dishes are now among our favorite foods ever.

My boyfriend adjusted more easily, but for me, it took nearly two weeks to feel comfortable and truly start enjoying everything.

So, don’t worry if you don’t like or don’t adjust to the new things right away, and feel overwhelmed. That’s totally normal and all part of the experience. Give yourself some time and be patient.

21) Unique Experiences in Southeast Asia Worth Planning Around

When deciding where to go and what to include in your itinerary, it’s worth thinking about the unique experiences each country has to offer. Some activities are so special that they’re worth planning your route and timing around. Below are a few experiences that standout and are popular for good reason and that you might consider adding to your route if it’s something you’d like to do.

Thailand

• Phi Phi Islands Tour: even though one of the most popular places, it’s also absolutely stunning. The Maya Bay is really like paradise. You can read about our experience in the Phi Phi Islands Tour here.

• Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai: we personally didn’t visit any elephant sanctuaries, but it’s something many visitors look for.

Vietnam

• Halong Bay Cruise: this is considered one of the top experiences to do in Vietnam as Halong Bay is considered one of the new wonders of the natural world. You can read about our experience on the Halong Bay Cruise here.

• Motorbike multi-day adventure through the Ha Giang Loop: this route goes through stunning mountain passes, ethnic villages, and incredible landscapes. We didn’t do it while we were in Vietnam because it seemed a bit dangerous (even though you go with a guide) and pricey for what it offers, but everyone we met who did it absolutely raves about the experience.

Cambodia:

• Sunrise in Angkor Wat: Angkor Wat is one of the most incredible temple complexes in the world. Watching the sunrise over its ancient temples is on the bucket list of many travelers.

Singapore

• Gardens by the Bay & Supertree Grove Light Show: We visited Gardens by the Bay, and even though we had seen the Supertrees in many pictures and videos, they are even more impressive in real life. Don’t miss the magical light show at night! You can check out more about our experience in our blog post about Singapore.

Malaysia

• Rainforest trekking to see wild monkeys: you can spot monkeys and other wildlife while trekking through the lush rainforests in national parks like Taman Negara or Borneo.

Philippines

• Island hopping in El Nido or Coron: you’ll see incredible limestone cliffs, lagoons, and hidden beaches in some of the most beautiful island landscapes in the world. You can learn more about the different island-hopping tours in our guide.

• Swimming with turtles in Apo Island: one of the best snorkeling spots we visited in the Philippines, Apo Island gave us one of the most amazing experiences in the country. We swam alongside turtles in crystal-clear waters. We documented everything about this incredible experience in this Apo Island Guide.

Indonesia

• Komodo Island Tour: visit the home of the famous Komodo dragons and explore beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters in Komodo National Park with a multi-day boat trip.

• Sunrise hike at Mount Bromo: watching the sunrise over this volcanic landscape is one of the most popular experiences in Indonesia many people rave about.

Laos

• Slow boat ride on the Mekong River: a unique way to travel between Luang Prabang and the Thai border (or the other way around). Although we haven’t visited Laos yet, you can read more about this experience on the LostTogether blog by our friends.

• Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang: stunning tiered waterfalls with vibrant and unique turquoise water.

Myanmar

• Hot air balloon ride over Bagan: fly above thousands of ancient temples during sunrise is definitely a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ready to plan your adventure?

Let us know your questions in the comments and if there are other topics you would like to see covered here.

To start planning your trip, you can also check our detailed itineraries for inspiration.

You may also want to check all our travel guides by country:

• Thailand Travel Guides
• Vietnam Travel Guides
• Malaysia Travel Guides
• Singapore Travel Guide
• Philippines Travel Guides

Finally, you can use our links to book accommodation and activities and find cheap flights. You won’t pay more and you’ll be supporting our work.