Quick Summary
- Daily budget: $30–50 across Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos
- Accommodation: $6–15 hostel / guesthouse bed
- Food: $10–15 street + local eateries
- Transport: ground + selective low‑cost flights under $20 per hop
- Smarter planning? Use the 2025 AI Travel Workflow
Daily Budget Breakdown by Country
🇹🇭
Thailand
$35–45/day
Hostel bed$8–12
Meals (3x)$12–18
Local transport$3–5
Activities$10–15
Misc$2–5
🇻🇳
Vietnam
$30–40/day
Hostel bed$6–10
Meals (3x)$8–15
Local transport$2–4
Activities$10–12
Misc$4–8
🇰🇭
Cambodia
$25–35/day
Hostel bed$5–8
Meals (3x)$6–12
Local transport$2–3
Activities$8–10
Misc$4–6
🇱🇦
Laos
$25–35/day
Hostel bed$5–8
Meals (3x)$7–12
Local transport$2–4
Activities$8–10
Misc$3–5
Top Money-Saving Hacks
🍜Food & Dining
- Street food often 1/3 tourist restaurant pricing
- Happy hours (17–19h) = free snacks + cheaper drinks
- Local markets > convenience chains for fruit & snacks
- Cafés (Wi‑Fi + AC) double as planning hubs
🏨Accommodation
- Direct hostel emails for week+ stay discounts
- Shoulder months (Apr–May, Sep–Oct) save 30–50%
- Group dorm takeover lowers per‑bed cost
- Work exchange (Workaway/HelpX) for free lodging
🚌Transportation
- Overnight buses = transport + saved accommodation
- Book low‑cost carriers 4–6 weeks out (AirAsia, VietJet)
- Daily moto / bike rentals $2–5 for flexible exploring
- Slow ferries cheaper + scenic vs short flights
Recommended Booking Platforms
Hostelworld
Budget hostels
Largest verified hostel inventory with real backpacker reviews.
Book Hostels →Sample 30‑Day Itinerary ($1,200 Total)
1
Bangkok (5d) – $175
Temples • street food • night markets
2
Chiang Mai (6d) – $210
Mountains • cafés • cowork vibes
3
Hanoi (5d) – $150
Old Quarter • pho crawl
4
Ha Long Bay (3d) – $105
Karst cruise • kayaking
5
Ho Chi Minh City (4d) – $120
War history • coffee culture
6
Siem Reap (4d) – $100
Angkor • night markets
7
Luang Prabang (3d) – $90
UNESCO town • waterfalls
Total: $950 + ~$250 transport ≈ $1,200
Average ~$40/day including intercity movement
Get the Free Checklist
Download the Ultimate Budget Travel Checklist (50+ actionable money savers) plus weekly deals & region alerts.
- No spam or selling lists
- Fast scan one‑pager PDF
- Early access to fare drops
Join 50,000+ travelers. Unsubscribe anytime.
📄
Printable checklist
Optimized for mobile & A4
Next: Optimize planning & sustainability with the 2025 Mega Guide.