Asia is the world’s largest and most populous continent, with an area of 44,579,000 square kilometres, that is about 30% of Earth’s total land area, it houses more than 4.4 billion people. Given its size and diversity, Asia varies greatly across and within its regions with regard to ethnic groups, cultures, environments, economics, historical ties and government systems.
#1 Pokhara, Nepal
Visit the Phewa Lake, Pokhara in Nepal. Image Credit: Wikipedia
Pokhara is considered as the most beautiful tourist destination in Nepal. It is less hectic than Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. April, May, October and November are considered the peak season. The non-peak season could get you the rates that are half or even less. Mountain hiking and trekking could add significantly to the cost.
Daily Estimated Cost: NPR1,688 = US$15.75/day or SG$21.60/day
#2 Hanoi, Vietnam
St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi Vietnam
Hanoi is a very picturesque city, since 2014, Hanoi has been voted the top 10 world’s destination on Tripadvisor. Most of the cheaper hotels are located in the old city. Peak season usually starts from October to April, but the difference between peak and non-peak is about 10%.
Daily Estimated Cost: VND381,800 = US$17.20/day or SG$23.40/day
#3 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Saigon City Hall, HCMC Vietnam
Prices are pretty similar to Hanoi, Vietnam. Backpacking travellers most often frequent the Phạm Ngũ Lão Street and Bùi Viện Street, District 1. Food and Drinks are relatively cheap in Vietnam. Peak season usually starts in December. Check out their Free Walking Tours managed by university tourism students.
Daily Estimated Cost: VND408,000 = US$18.30/day or SG$25.00/day
#4 Goa, India
Goa is located at Southwest of India, it is one of India’s richest states. The state of Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, churches, and temples. High season is from November through March, with a major spike during the weeks around Christmas and New Years. During this peak season Goa hotels will often double or even triple their rates, and still most things get booked up, so if you are coming then it’s best to book early. During April and May it’s mostly domestic tourists, and from June through August the area is mostly empty due to the dramatic monsoon season.
Daily Estimated Cost: INR1,238 = US$18.50/day or SG$25.25/day
#5 Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Phra, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest and second most popular cultural city, after the capital of Bangkok. Most of the attractions are free or quite cheap. Peak season runs from November through March, while April through October you can often find excellent bargains at the fancy places. Check out the 7 wonders of Chiang Mai
Daily Estimated Cost: THB668 = US$19.15/day or SG$26.20/day
#6 Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. Many Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world visit Kathmandu’s religious sites such as Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Budhanilkantha. Peak season starts from April through November. Hotels usually offer bargain rates, sometimes half their peak season prices during the non-peak period.
Daily Estimated Cost: NPR2,106 = US$19.71/day or SG$27.00/day
#7 Vientiane, Laos
Vientiane is yet another great bargain for travellers to Southeast Asia, with nearly everything cheaper than Bangkok. Peak season starts from October through February. Local dishes based on rice and noodles are cheapest, while sandwiches, pasta dishes, and pizza are slightly more expensive. Check out the 7 wonders of Laos
Daily Estimated Cost: LAK161,600 = US$20.00/day or SG$27.38/day
#8 Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang has both natural and historical sites. The Town of Luang Prabang is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every morning, hundreds of monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms.
Daily Estimated Cost: LAK184,200 = US$22.80/day or SG$31.20/day
#9 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Colombo is the capital and the largest city in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is quite cheap overall and it’s good value even compared to neighbouring countries, but it does lack a real budget traveller infrastructure. Food can be incredibly inexpensive if you eat rice and curry like most locals. Peak season starts from Christmas to March with most of the rest of the year being the off season.
Daily Estimated Cost: LKR3,360 = US$23.08/day or SG$31.60/day
#10 Delhi, India
India Gate, New Delhi
A fine blend of old and new, ancient and modern, Delhi is a melting pot of cultures and religions. Most of the city’s attractions are free or cheap, but Delhi is still a relatively more expensive city compared to the rest of India. Peak season lasts generally from October through March, while non-peak season runs from April through September.
Daily Estimated Cost: INR1,576 = US$23.50/day or SG$32.15/day
#11 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The beauty that made it a ‘Paris of the East’ before 1970 is hidden beneath the reality of modern day Cambodia. Understand the Khmer Rouge and the Cambodia Genocide. Peak season is definitely December through February, plus a spike in visitors during the July and August holidays.
Daily Estimated Cost: US$23.75/day or SG$32.50/day
#12 Manila, Philippines
Rizal Monument, Manila
Manila is the main gateway to the Philippines’ many destinations, it is a blend between UNESCO World Heritage Site and modern architecture. Most of the tourist attractions are free or cheap, the transportation and food tend to be a bargain as well.
Daily Estimated Cost: PHP1,162 = US$24.24/day or SG$33.16/day
Hey, beautiful post. I’m actually preparing for a trip to SE Asia.
I will be staying in Bangkok for 3 months and travel afterwards.
Do you have any tips for cheap, but safe transportation within SE Asia?
Would love to hear from you.
Greetings from Canada
Have you tried Grab and Uber in Bangkok, Vietnam?
I’m not there yet. Currently I’m in Montreal 😉
I’m looking for cheap ways to travel from Bangkok to Vietnam or elsehwere. So not within a city but within South East Asia… Thought, maybe you have some advice for that as you seem to have traveled in SE Asia already.
The cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Vietnam and to experience Cambodia is to take a bus to
1. http://bernardthetraveller.com/bangkok-siem-reap
2. http://bernardthetraveller.com/saigon-phnom-penh/
Or you could fly from Bangkok to Vietnam with any of the budget airlines
From Bangkok, go to Mo Chit Bus Terminal. Take the morning (only) bus to Sieam Reap as night buses are until the border only. From Siem Reap, there is a night bus (Giant Ibis around 16 USD – sleeper bus) going to Phnom Penh and from Phnom Penh, there is a bus (Mekong Bus around 15 USD) going to Ho Chi Minh City.
Hi Mitch not sou ding to bossy but THREE MONTHS in Bangkok wayyyyy to long
Regards Michael UK
Hello I plan to Hanoi ina february but I really blank to this place , I am solo traveller , coule you suggesting me to cheap hostel, transportation ? thank you
Warm Regard Nettia from West Sumatera Indonesia.
Hi you should visit the philippines
I want to visit Nepal but want to wander the mountains instead of only sightseeing in Pokhara or Katmandu. How much budget should I expect? What other activities can I do in Nepal? Thank you
Depends which mountainous sight you want to visit. The whole range of Mountains can be viewed even while landing on Kathmandu airport. If you want to hike up, first briefly study where you would like to go in Nepal. If you go to Annapurna Base Camp hiking, the cost will be not much. If you go to Mustang, the permit cost is little bit high for foreigners.
In Nepal, you can do everything except snorkeling in the ocean.
Come with a good budget to be confident.
You can take back what you don’t spend.
It’s time now to go nearest to the mountain, Winter is just over.
Nice article Bernard but I just wanted to tell you that the picture of Goa you used definitely isn’t Goa – I live in Goa and nowhere do we have water that clear or any jetties like that. I wish we did….
Just some feedback for you
You have two on here that for us were not cheap. Laos as a whole was much more expensive than other cities especially Luang Prabang. Pokhara was twice to three times the cost of Katmandu. Very curious as to why you do not have any of the Myanmar cities they were very cheap.
I would like some information about Pyin Oo Lwin ( Maymyo ) near Mandalay.Burma (Myanmar )
Of course I would like to know the reasonable cost per day in local hotels and guest houses.
No Indonesia sir?
Hi,
Thanks a lot for sharing thee best Cheapest Asian Cities that should never miss. I’m from India & I never been at some of these Asian Cities but I been Goa so many times & I really love to Goa. This is my best Asian city.
I wish to travel to these Asisn cities next year particularly to Camboadia, Laos, and Vietnam.
Only one correction that GOA is not a city but State of India. While Panjim, Mapusa and Madgaon are cities/town of state of Goa.
What Asian countries that don’t require visa for travelers? I am interested in visiting Nepal. Thank you.
here you can get visa on arrival up to 150 days. and your welcome 😉 :).
No i think u dont need Visa…. Its very very very cool country.
You definately need a visa , but can get it on arrival
Have been to 9 of the 12 Asia places you mention , amazing places with rich and diverse cultures , the most fantastic people and the best cultural heritage sites !
Obviously Nepal and only nepal
Totally agree jill??
actually after i spent 2 monthes in nepal, and lived good in ktm/pokhara i can say that 1500 rs for a day is if u r realy going out to good resturants and not booking a dorm room.
think of it, just 1500 rs a day including the cost of a room and 3 meals in a nice resturants, and the aint bad at all.
i love nepal.
thanks dear Samuel for loving Nepal. in my experience too, Nepal is one of the cheapest countries in the world.
I would rate Jaipur higher than Delhi in this particular list, with richer and well preserved heritage sites and cheaper cost of living.
There are not many times I could read a credible case on which cities or countries you may travel to. This I can confidently recommend. My definite favorite city in Asia Hanoi. To explore it on your own is very exciting. And the people of North Vietnam are incredibly hospitable and sympathetic.
lovely
I think your assessment of Goa is out dated. It was like that.But has totally changed and is nomore the charming easygoing State that it was. The crime rate has gone up and the wrong tyoe of oeople have poured in.It is no “in season” all year round.
I prefer Cebu CIty than Manila and it is even cheaper in Cebu City
dont forget Cebu, Philippines.Central to beautiful beaches and home of the Sinolog festival held in January where 1 million fiesta goers meet to celebrate Santa Nino.
You can also try El Nido or Coron Palawan. It’s the Best! 👍👌
good list of recommendation, but as an expat working in laos, i’d have to disagree on the expenses. USD20 is barely enough for one day’s ‘tuk tuk’ ride. A 3 star hotel in tourist locations of both Vientiane and Luang Prabang would easily cost above USD30 for non peak season. If want to maintain the expenses below, I’d suggest a USD10/night stay at the backpacker hostels and renting a bicycle at about USD2/day.
I’ve been to Vientiane, Phnom Penh and Hanoi, they are very cheap for beer and cigarettes, all three places have good cheap food too. Bia Hoi corner in Hanoi has some of the cheapest beer in the world and Phnom Penh river front is a pretty cool place to hang out.
for me still Cheapes in Philippines we went to Thailand expensive im here in Laos is very Expensive i give Example Why still Cheap in Philippines. BEER LAO is 1 Dollar. Beer in Philippines like red horse same size of Beer lao its only 26 or 30 pesos how much 1 dollar in peso change 49pesos… same in thailand 1 beer is 1 dollar….. so what do you think? Philippines still cheap for me…
Cebu is definitely cheaper than Manila.
Great list indeed for some one travel on Shoestring budget, Thanks a lot for the info.
I would like to visit Nepal.
Hi, you SHOULD visit the Philippines. If you love beaches and nature, go to any province of the Philippines especially in…
– CEBU (so much beaches to explore including Bantayan island, Oslob whaleshark watching, Camotes canyoneering, Kawasan Falls canyoneering, etc./Party wild in Mango Avenue city proper/Try eating Tuslob Buwa and Pungko Pungko/food so cheap),
– SIQUIJOR (Majestic Island, and some Filipino tourist is afraid going here alone/food so cheap)
– BOHOL (Panglao Island is the popular white sand beach, outdoor sports/Go see Tarsier, Bee Farm and Chocolate Hills)
– CAMIGUIN (I have little to no idea about Camiguin but they said this is a very good place)
– DUMAGUETE (Manjuyod Sanbar in Bais/DIVE IN APO ISLAND/Best Silvanas in the Philippines found in the city proper/food so cheap)
– BICOL
– LA UNION (surfing/chill place/food so cheap)
– SIARGAO ISLAND (cloud 9 surfing contest usually 2nd week of September/chill place/food so cheap)
– BORACAY (party wild place, water sports, recommended for singles)
– PUERTO GALERA (mini boracay style island recommended for both singles and couples but when it’s peak season summer, the place too crowded do not go)
– BATAAN (recommended for singles, so expensive airline ticket fare and you have to go in Manila City to book a flight to Batanes via Philippines Airlines or Skyjet/Visit Stoned Houses/Rainy weather/Cellphone site signal is not pretty stable here and that’s why it is good for solo travellers who want to breathe out alone)
– PALAWAN EL NIDO/CORON (recommended for couples). If you want a special and exclusive date with your love one, take a trip to HUMA PRIVATE ISLAND. So expensive but it’s really worth it!
But if you want to go in modernized lifestyle, malls, have a party in superclubs and go on a food tripping, it’s all in Metro Manila City (mainland of the Philippines in which I currently living right now). Thus, one of the best experience in the Philippines is the people are hospitable and friendly especially in province locals.
I love nature, I love food, I am a Filipino.
What is the best way to travel from Hanoi to Laos by land? And how long does it take?
Hi! You might want to check out travelling by bus. https://www.baolau.com/ But it is going to be a gruesome 20 hours ride to Vientiane, Laos.
Thiruvananthapuram, India, should also be included in the list. It is the cheapest city in India; also with the least pollution. There are a number of historical monuments, a beautiful zoo & museum, etc. Also one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Kovalam is also in the vicinity.
I’m interested in touring Nepal and Laos. Could you please furnish me info re these tours e.g. visa requirements, if direct flights from Manila to port of entry, etc.
Thanks…
travelling to HCMC next week with fam. Any advise of a decent clean and non pricy apt Hotel there?
Check out http://www.bernardthetraveller.com/ono-saigon-hotel/ one of the most affordable hotel that is clean and centrally located.
When would be the best month tao visit colombo, srilanka.
Check out this article where I collaborate with other travel bloggers on where to travel in which month. http://www.bernardthetraveller.com/travel-asia/
Excellent post! These ideas are awesome for a budget travel!
Hi,
Pretty nice information. I’ve traveled to Southeast Asia and all of the city have similar living cost which is awesome for us. I love most Vientiane and Ho Chi Minh. Great food and people!
this list is amazing & quite helpful in planning the next trip. I had four of these cities in Nepal & India.
this is the new travel bucket list for me.
thank you & keep sharing.