How much does it really cost to travel in Southeast Asia?

Is it possible to do it very cheap?

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We tend to think that life in Asia is super cheap… until we start craving western food, luxury, comfort and too many trips to the 7/11.

I’ve been to Southeast Asia before. In fact, I was pretty broke last time I was there. I still managed to survive 5 months with very little money (thanks to the Australian tax return).

This year, I wish I could say I’m richer, but I guess that’d be a lie.

People always surprise me when they tell me how much they saved for their Asia adventures. Of course, they are probably smarter than me.

I’m stubborn, optimistic and crazy.

I always tell people that if they knew the amount of money left in my bank account they would wonder why I’m here. They would probably cry, offer me a pity meal and slowly run away.

The thing is I still earn money every month. I still eat every day. I still send money home to pay debts… and seriously I had insane doubts about this trip until 2 hours before boarding my flight from London to Singapore.

If I managed to survive last year with very little money, I think I should find a way to survive this year as well.


Planning your upcoming adventures? Travel by bus! (It's cheap!)

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Should I be wiser? Maybe, but I like being spontaneous, even if that means that I travel while I’m broke.

The truth is, I still have a membership at Helpx and this could always big a good option if I need to have a break and save some money.

So, for the next few months, I’ll be sharing with you my travel budget breakdown for every country I visited. Will I manage to earn enough money on the road to stay sane? As you guys all know, I own this blog and I’m also a freelancer. I do a lot of social media managing, virtual assistance work and freelance writing so I can still be on the road!

In October I left London for Singapore with less than CAD$400 to my name. (Insane? Yes.) To give you a rough idea here, the Canadian dollar sucks. It’s nothing compared to euros, to American dollars or even British pounds.

But I decided to pursue this trip as I had a few flights booked already in Asia which means I wouldn’t have many big expenses in the first few months.

And I can be quite optimistic. Of course, I also suffered from anxiety and insomnia prior to this trip.

Read more about Southeast Asia travel budget!

Southeast Asia Budget: Transportation

Let’s talk numbers – How much did it cost me for flights and buses this month?

Flight from London to Singapore: CAD$244

Bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur: SGD$20

Round-trip from Kuala Lumpur to Bali: CAD$125

Backpacking Singapore: less than 24h | Total spent: CAD$31.24 or SGD$33.30

Singapore Travel Budget

Singapore isn’t a budget destination. In fact, it’s quite expensive. To have a decent hostel you have to spend a bit more money. This is why I spent less than 24h in Singapore. I love Singapore. You can find decent dumplings everywhere, you can enjoy the cleanliness and it’s super safe… but this was totally out of my budget!

Budget Breakdown:

Transportation: SGD$2.50

Food & Drinks: SGD$10.80

Accommodation: SGD$20

Budget tips:

  • Eat in a food court instead of going to a “real” restaurant. You can create your own meal from different restaurants and sit at a table and simply enjoy.
  • Take the bus from the airport to the city.
  • Instead of paying for a taxi, use public transportation. Make sure you have the exact change to pay directly to the bus driver.
  • Alternatives for groups: Uber or taxi. On your own, it might be a bit too expensive.
  • Walk when you can. I saved a lot of money on transportation as I didn’t want to go to the ATM again. Public transportation is very efficient but it adds up quickly if you’re always hopping on the MRT or the bus.

Extreme Budget Tips:

  • If you’re only there for one night you could sleep at the airport and eat pot noodles (around SGD$2.50).
  • In the end, I still spent more money than I wanted to. But, I was expecting it. I’ve been there before and I know that it’s quite expensive to travel around Singapore.

Cheap Hostels in Singapore with Decent Rating:

Find a cheap room in Singapore!

Conclusion – Is Singapore Expensive?

If you’re visiting Singapore for the very first time you’ll be tempted by many attractions. You might want to be in denial and forget about looking at your bank account! It’s okay! Singapore has many cool things to offer, so you should make the most of it if you can afford it!

If you’re on a budget it might be hard to make the most of Singapore. As I said before, Singapore isn’t a budget destination.

Backpacking Malaysia: 7 days | CAD$88.46 or MYR299.75

Kuala Lumpur Travel Budget

Malaysia is a lot cheaper than Singapore but it still isn’t the cheapest country in Southeast Asia. Last year I was hitchhiking my way around to save every penny I could.

This year, broker than ever, I wanted to keep it cheap. I tried to walk when I could and eat as cheap as possible.

Budget Breakdown

Transportation: MYR27

Food & Drinks: MYR93.75

Accommodation: MYR150

Other expenses (Laundry, activities, optional expenses): MYR29

Average Daily Budget: CAD$12 or MYR42 per day

Budget Tips:

  • You can book your buses in advance or check for flights as it can be cheaper sometimes to fly directly to your next destination.
  • Eat local! There are many markets and local restaurants where you will find amazing meals that are super affordable.

Extreme Budget Tip:

Cheap Hostels in Kuala Lumpur with Decent Rating:

Find a room in Kuala Lumpur!

Conclusion – Is Malaysia Expensive?

Malaysia isn’t the cheapest place in Southeast Asia but if you’re staying in one place it can be super cheap! This year I spent all my time in Kuala Lumpur. I’ve been there before so I wasn’t in a touristy mood. You can also find a hostel that provides a kitchen and cook your own food. This month, Kuala Lumpur was definitely my cheapest destination!

Backpacking Bali (Indonesia): 25 days | CAD$426.02 or IDR4 260 200

Bali Travel Budget

By the time I arrived in Bali my money was pretty much gone. The challenge was actually starting and I had to find ways to make money ASAP. But I never felt alone as people could still find my website googling something like: “running out of money abroad”. What would I do this time? I knew I had money coming but my clients were late…Then I simply had to hope for the best. Last year, I survived for CAD$10 a day when I was in Bali. I don’t know what happened this year but I did manage to live over my budget even though I didn’t have a lot of money left.

Budget Breakdown

Transportation: IDR307 000

Food & Drinks: IDR3 050 000

Accommodation: IDR250 000

Other expenses (Laundry, activities, optional expenses): IDR653 200

Average Daily Budget: CAD$17 or IDR170 408 per day

How did I save money on accommodation in Bali?

I was in Bali 25 days this month and I only paid for 6 nights. One of the benefits of being a travel blogger is to learn new skills and get opportunities! I received 2 complimentary stays for a total of 6 nights and I received over two weeks of free accommodation in exchange for my skills on social media.

Budget Tips:

  • Eat local and try to forget about western food! There are many cool restaurants all over Bali and yes, you can find decent burgers and pizzas. Of course, international food can be quite expensive, and yet, it’s so tempting anyway!
  • Download apps such as Uber, GoJek and Grab when you need a ride! It’s a lot cheaper than taxis and it’s safe!
  • Find a friend and rent a motorbike. Sharing costs is always a good alternative! Otherwise, you can expect to pay around IDR50 000 per day for hiring a scooter. Note that if you’re staying for a few weeks, you can negotiate a better rate!

Extreme Budget Tips:

  • If you’re not super fussy, you can find accommodation for as low as USD$2 a night! You might not have the best location, but you will save money!  
  • Eat pot noodles when you need to! Some of them are super tasty and are dirt cheap!
  • Find a hostel that provides breakfast and you will save money on your first meal of the day!

Cheap Hostels in Bali with Decent Rating:

Find a room in Canggu!

Conclusion – Is Bali Expensive?

It can be cheap or it can be expensive! It all depends on what brings you to Bali! I saved a lot of money on accommodation this month but I did live over my budget anyway! I guess the fact I was saving money on hostels allowed me to think I could afford expensive restaurants. I stayed in Canggu for three weeks which is one of the cheapest places to stay in Bali. You can enjoy the chill vibes at the beach, go for a surf, or simply work with decent WiFi.

In fact, Indonesia is one of the cheapest places to travel in Asia.

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015 and has been living abroad since 2014. Originally from Canada, she has embraced a digital nomad lifestyle, working online from various destinations worldwide. Melissa is passionate about travel, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit. Her extensive travels have taken her across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Currently, she resides in Thailand.


☑ Book your flight: Who said you won’t be able to find cheap flights? My top saving tip is flexibility. If you're flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight. Check out Skyscanner or Google Flights for the hottest deals.

☑ Book your accommodation: Want the comfort of being at home or the luxury of a hotel? I love using Vrbo and Booking.com for those very reasons. If you're a solo traveler, Hostelworld offers a wide variety of hostels you should take a look at. Alternatively, if you're a budget traveler, sign up for Worldpackers to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work.

☑ Rent a car or an RV: Make your trip more comfortable by renting a car with DiscoverCars.com. This website allows you to compare car rentals around the world. If you're traveling in the United States, find an RV rental on RVshare.

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☑ Pack the essentials: Universal charger, check; power bank, check; passport, check! What else could you forget? I've put together this ultimate packing list just for you!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren't sure if you need a visa, it’s highly recommended for you to double-check. You can use iVisa - it's super useful and easy to use.

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