How to Plan a Multi-Country Southeast Asia Trip

Why Use Our Tools?

Planning a multi-country Southeast Asia trip can be overwhelming. Our suite of tools helps you calculate costs, plan routes, compare destinations, and build the perfect itinerary - all in one place.

Step-by-Step Planning Process

Choose Your Countries

Start by deciding which countries you want to visit. Use our comparison tool to evaluate options based on your preferences.

Compare Destinations

Pro Tip:

Popular combinations: Thailand + Vietnam + Cambodia, Indonesia + Malaysia + Singapore, or Thailand + Laos + Vietnam

Calculate Your Budget

Determine how much your trip will cost using our cost calculators for each country.

Cost Calculator SE Asia Tools

Budget Breakdown:

• Budget: $30-50/day per country
• Mid-range: $50-100/day per country
• Luxury: $150+/day per country
• Add 20% buffer for flights between countries

Plan Your Route

Calculate distances and travel times between cities to optimize your route.

Distance Calculator Flight Time Calculator

Popular Routes:

• Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Luang Prabang → Hanoi → Siem Reap
• Singapore → Kuala Lumpur → Penang → Bangkok → Phuket
• Bali → Lombok → Flores → Jakarta → Singapore

Check Visa Requirements

Verify visa requirements for each country and plan accordingly.

Visa Overview:

Thailand: 30-day visa exemption for most nationalities
Vietnam: E-visa available (30 days)
Cambodia: Visa on arrival or e-visa (30 days)
Laos: Visa on arrival (30 days)
Indonesia: 30-day visa exemption for most nationalities
Malaysia: 90-day visa exemption for most nationalities
Singapore: 30-90 day visa exemption

Book Flights & Transportation

Use our flight calculator to find the best connections and book inter-country flights.

Flight Calculator

Budget Airlines:

• AirAsia - Extensive SE Asia network
• VietJet - Vietnam and regional flights
• Lion Air - Indonesia flights
• Nok Air - Thailand domestic
• Scoot - Singapore-based budget carrier

Find Accommodation

Search for hotels and hostels near your planned destinations.

Find Hotels

Accommodation Tips:

• Book first 2-3 nights in advance, rest as you go
• Hostels: $5-15/night (great for meeting travelers)
• Budget hotels: $15-30/night
• Mid-range: $30-60/night
• Use Booking.com, Agoda, or Hostelworld

Build Your Itinerary

Create a day-by-day plan for each country using our itinerary tools.

Plan Your Trip

Sample Timeline (3 weeks):

• Thailand: 7 days (Bangkok 2, Chiang Mai 3, Islands 2)
• Vietnam: 7 days (Hanoi 2, Ha Long Bay 1, Hoi An 2, Ho Chi Minh 2)
• Cambodia: 5 days (Siem Reap 3, Phnom Penh 2)
• Buffer: 2 days for travel between countries

Check Safety & Health

Review travel safety information and health requirements for each country.

Safety Information

Health Checklist:

• Vaccinations: Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Tetanus
• Malaria prophylaxis (for rural areas)
• Travel insurance with medical coverage
• Bring basic medications and first aid
• Drink bottled water only

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overpacking Your Itinerary

Don't try to see everything. Allow 3-5 days per major city and factor in travel days.

Underestimating Travel Time

Border crossings and connections take longer than expected. Add buffer time.

Not Checking Visa Requirements

Some visas need advance application. Check requirements 2-3 months before travel.

Traveling During Monsoon

Research weather patterns. Monsoon season varies by country and can ruin plans.

Essential Packing List

Documents

Passport (6+ months validity)
Visa documents/confirmations
Travel insurance papers
Flight confirmations
Accommodation bookings

Essentials

Lightweight backpack (40-50L)
Quick-dry clothing
Universal power adapter
Portable charger
First aid kit & medications

How to Plan a Southeast Asia Multi-Country Trip Using Our Tools