How much did we spend in 8 months of backpacking through Southeast Asia?
- Lost Together
- Apr 14
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 19
“Are you crazy?”
“Did you win the Lottery?”
“Do you have a terminal illness?”
“Are you going on some sort of retreat?”
“You’re not rich enough to do something like this…”
These were some of the things we heard the most when we told people we were going to leave everything behind to travel for several months through Southeast Asia. But, after all… how much does an adventure like this really cost?
In this article, we’ll share with you how much we spent during 8 months of backpacking through Southeast Asia, with all the details and tips to help you plan your own trip.
Note: In this article you will find some links to different partners in the travel sector. They are all trusted and if you use any of them to book an experience or stay, for example, you are helping us monetize the work we have on this project.
The beginning of the adventure
f you've been following us for a while, you know that in 2023 we bought a one-way ticket to Asia. We said goodbye to our jobs, left our home, and set off towards a dream: to explore Southeast Asia with a backpack.
From the start, the goal was to take a low-cost trip, in the true backpacker style. That’s why we decided to follow the famous Banana Pancake Trail — a route very popular among backpackers, passing through several Asian countries, mostly by land. The name comes from the fact that many hostels serve banana pancakes for breakfast.
Initially, the plan was to travel for 6 months, but... everything was going so well that we extended it to 8 months!
The trip began in Thailand, then we moved on to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, southern Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and East Timor.
Since we were traveling for several months, we always chose more affordable ways to travel, such as public transportation, simple accommodations, and local meals. The focus was to live the experience to the fullest, without spending a fortune
See also: How to plan a backpacking trip |
See also: What to take on a backpacking trip |
Before the departure: pre-trip expenses
Before starting the trip, we had to prepare for several things, such as vaccinations, medication, one-way flights, travel insurance, and more.
Expense | Amount |
Flights Porto - Bangkok | 862€ |
Travel Insuranse (IATI Mochileiro) | 1.174€ |
Vaccinations (typhoid fever, hepatitis, Japanese encephalitis...) | 222€ |
Medications (basic kit) | 71€ |
Equipment (backpacks, microfiber towels, raincoats...) | 200€ |
International driving license | 30€ |
Total pre-trip | 2.559€ |
See also: 6-month Southeast Asia Itinerary |
How much time did we spend in each country?
Country | Days | Total Expense |
Thailand | 47 | 1.653€ |
Laos | 12 | 492€ |
Vietnam | 28 | 1.109€ |
Cambodia | 19 | 800€ |
Malasia | 14 | 621€ |
Singapore | 4 | 82€ |
Indonesia | 77 | 3.547€ |
East-Timor | 38 (volunteering) | 562€ |
Travel Costs by Category
Accommodation - 1.941€
We mostly stayed in homestays and guesthouses, simple and affordable accommodations, always with a private room and, in most cases, with a private bathroom.
The bookings were mostly made through Booking, although Agoda offers more options in Asia.
It is important to mention that 69 nights were spent in collaboration with hotels, and we spent 10 nights on night buses, which also helped reduce costs.
Additionally, 5 weeks of the trip were dedicated to volunteering in East Timor, during which we did not pay for accommodation.
Average by night: between 15€ and 16€
Food - 1.657€
Food was never a problem for us — in every country, we found options for all tastes and budgets.
We mainly focused on local restaurants and street markets, where it’s possible to have a full meal for less than 5€ for two people! The variety is huge, and street food, besides being affordable, is delicious.
Supermarkets also became part of our daily routine, where we bought snacks and sometimes ready-made meals with chicken, rice and eggs.
Tip to save: In the early weeks, we chose not to buy drinks during meals at markets — since we always had a bottle of water with us, we didn’t feel the need to buy anything else during dinner.
Flights – 1.138€ (excluding round trip to Portugal)
Since we decided to follow the Banana Pancake Trail, we managed to do most of the route by land, without needing flights — between Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
However, as the trip went on, we began exploring other, more distant destinations, such as Indonesia or East Timor, and for those, we needed to take some flights.
Transportation - 2.261€
During the 8 months of travel, we used nearly every available means of transportation: buses, local vans, boats, tuk-tuks, and apps like Grab and Gojek (the "Uber" of Asia).
In addition, in many destinations, we rented motorbikes to explore with more freedom. The total amount also includes what we spent on gasoline.
Tours and Activities – 887€
This amount includes the entrance fees to temples, waterfalls, museums, viewpoints, and other experiences we had during the trip.
It’s important to mention that some of the activities we did were in collaboration with local companies, such as the boat cruise in Ha Long Bay, the trekking in Sapa, a private boat tour in Krabi, a Phi Phi Islands tour, a cooking class in Chiang Mai, the hike up Mount Batur, among others.
The most expensive activity we did was probably the jungle trek in Sumatra to see orangutans in their natural habitat — and it was truly worth it!
Visas and Fees - 538€
In countries like Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, it’s necessary to obtain an entry visa. The average cost is around 30 to 40€ per person for stays of up to 30 days.
It’s always best to check the entry requirements in advance, as in certain cases, like Vietnam, it’s necessary to apply for the visa online a few days in advance.
This amount also includes entry fees to islands (like the Phi Phi Islands) and ATM withdrawal fees.
Important tip: Revolut card helps avoid exchange fees. Keep in mind that local banks may charge fixed fees for withdrawals. In Thailand, for example, the withdrawal fee was quite high, so it’s better to withdraw larger amounts at once.
Shopping – 236€
At this point, we admit we were quite restrained. Since we were traveling with two 50-liter backpacks and two smaller backpacks with computers and photography gear, space was quite limited.
We spent some money on clothes we wore throughout the trip, and we also bought a few souvenirs, like magnets and small pieces of local crafts.
Others – 206€
Here we include various everyday expenses, like SIM cards, personal hygiene products, insect repellent, laundry, and even Marcos' haircuts...
Unexpected Expenses
We always set aside part of the budget for unexpected expenses, such as potential health problems or emergencies. Fortunately, everything went well during the 8 months of travel!
Total Budget Spent
Category | Amount |
Pre-trip expenses | 2.559€ |
Accommodation | 1.941€ |
Transportation (lands) | 2.261€ |
Flights (internals) | 1.138€ |
Food | 1.657€ |
Ativities | 887€ |
Visas and fees | 538€ |
Extras (shopping and others) | 442€ |
Return flight (Singapore - Porto) | 944€ |
TOTAL for two people | 12.367€ |
Average cost per month (for two people): 1.546€
Tips for saving during travel
Is it worth going on a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia?
It’s worth every cent we spent! Southeast Asia is one of the most incredible and affordable regions for those wanting to travel independently, and it’s also super safe.
Our trip was intense and unforgettable. We experienced unique moments that, no matter how hard we try, we’ll never be able to put into words. The amount we spent doesn’t compare to what we lived.
If you’re unsure whether this experience is for you… Go for it! Step out of your comfort zone and take the risk – we’ve never met anyone who regretted traveling…
Is it hard to go back? Of course. But when we left, we knew that, sooner or later, we would have to look for work, a home, and routines. The objectives change and, although we still feel a little lost, we believe that we are heading in the right direction.
After all, in total, we spent 12,367€ as a couple in 2023. As we mentioned throughout the article, this amount refers to our expenses as content creators, since some of the experiences and stays were carried out in partnership.
And you, what do you think of this value? Affordable or over the top?
In our opinion, it was an excellent value. But don't forget: the budget can vary greatly depending on each person's travel style, the destinations chosen, and the pace at which they travel.
We hope this article helps you plan your next adventure! If you have any questions or want to know more about a destination, leave a comment or reach out to us on social media — we’d be happy to help.
And remember: the world is too big to stay in the same place.
How to stay connected
If you plan to visit Southeast Asia, don't forget that mobile data does not work outside the European Union!
The best solution to stay connected to the Internet is to buy an eSIM or a local SIM. This time we bought an eSIM at Holafly, and it always worked well. Just have a phone compatible with eSIM and buy the card through the Holafly app. It's very easy!
Get Travel Insurance
It is essential to be prepared for any trip you take, especially outside of Europe. Unexpected events happen, and no one wants to come back from vacation with a huge hospital bill to pay. That's where travel insurance comes in, an indispensable ally to ensure tranquility and safety for your holidays.
IATI offers numerous types of travel insurance depending on your type of trip and various coverages. Moreover, by purchasing insurance through our link, you get a special 5% discount.
Don't let unforeseen events ruin your adventure!
Click here to get your discount.
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