If you’re still planning your backpacking route, here are some sample DIY SOUTHEAST ASIA ITINERARIES for 5 DAYS, 6 DAYS, and 7 DAYS (1 WEEK), with cost estimates and tour recommendations. These cover only INDOCHINA, MALAYSIA, and SINGAPORE.
We always encourage people to stay longer at destinations, but we all know that’s not possible for everyone. When we were just starting out, when we were still juggling our corporate and travel careers, we were only able to travel on weekends. And the truth is, most of our readers are like that: full-time employees who can only afford to take a leave of absence for a week (or shorter) at a time.
Those who can only spare 7 days to travel tend to try to see as much as they can. It’s no surprise that the topic of this post is one of the most requested by our followers. Southeast Asia is a favorite region for vacationers because it’s cheap, exotic, tourist-friendly, and if you’re an ASEAN resident, close to home. Every day, we get messages asking for sample Vietnam-Cambodia or Cambodia-Thailand or Singapore-Malaysia itinerary. So here it is: a compilation of sample multi-country routes!
In this post, we’ll be focusing on countries in continental Southeast Asia that are best explored by land: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and even Singapore (it’s an island, we know, haha). Although it is possible to travel to Myanmar by land, the most convenient way of reaching it is still by plane. For Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, and Malaysian Borneo, we’ll be creating separate posts for them.
Related Read: Southeast Asia Backpacking Guide
Important notes:
- The sample itineraries here are all multi-country, which means you will be crossing a border at one point during the trip. If you’re an ASEAN resident, no need for visa. If not, make sure you do the necessary paperwork.
- There is an Estimated Budget per itinerary. These estimates assume that you are a group of two traveling in off-peak season, that you will be staying at a double room of a budget hotel or hostel, and that you will be splitting costs.
- Every budget estimate has a good allowance to give you a bit more flexibility.
- Hotel Stop means the city where you will be spending the night. Even if most of your day is spent in Malacca but you will be spending the night in Kuala Lumpur, it will be tagged Kuala Lumpur.
- Tours are done DIY-style. But if you want to join a group tour for comfort, we’ve provided links below so you can book in advance.
- If your hostel or hotel does not serve free breakfast, visit the supermarket on your first day to buy food (biscuits, drinks, bread).
- We’re using major airport hubs as entry and exit points — Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok — because tickets to these airports are usually the cheapest.
- Useful links are provided for each sample itinerary. This will allow you to book bus transfers or tours. Hotel recommendations are also provided towards the end of this post.
- Airfare is not included in the estimate.
To book bus or train seats in advance, Reserve Here!
Itinerary #1: Thailand-Cambodia for 6 Days
Stops: Bangkok + Ayutthaya Day Tour, Siem Reap
Entry point: Bangkok
Exit point: Siem Reap
Estimated Budget: USD 245 (P12,000)
I’ve done this itinerary twice (as part of a longer trip), and I am willing to do it again given the chance. This itinerary is easy, and it showcases two of the region’s most amazing destinations: Bangkok and Siem Reap.
Bangkok-Siem Reap Bus: Reserve Here
Bangkok Tours:
- Ayutthaya Day Tour with Sunset Boat Ride: Book This Tour
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Half-Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Thailand Floating Markets Full Day Trip: Book This Tour
- Muay Thai Live Show: Book This Tour
- Sompong Thai Cooking Class: Book This Tour
Siem Reap Tours:
- Angkor Group Tour: Book This Tour
- Siem Reap A Day in a Life Tour: Check Rates Here
- Siem Reap Cooking Class: Book a Class Here
Top Budget Hotels in Bangkok: Search Here
 Nap@Pan Bangkok 50/25 Pan Road, Silom Check Rates |
 Folk Poshtel Bangkok 2/2 Soi 19 Silom Bangrak Bangkok, Silom, Bangkok Check Rates |
Top Budget Hotels in Siem Reap: Search Here
The Golden Gecko Villa Check Rates |
Visoth Boutique Hotel Check Rates |
Itinerary #2: Thailand-Laos for 6 Days
Stops: Bangkok + Ayutthaya Day Tour, Vientiane
Entry point: Bangkok
Exit point: Bangkok
Estimated Budget: USD 245 (P12,000)
Bangkok-Vientiane Bus:
Reserve Here
Bangkok Tours:
- Ayutthaya Day Tour with Sunset Boat Ride: Book This Tour
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Half-Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Thailand Floating Markets Full Day Trip: Book This Tour
- Muay Thai Live Show: Book This Tour
- Sompong Thai Cooking Class: Book This Tour
Top Budget Hotels in Vientiane: Search Here
 S Park Design Hotel 40 Dongnasok Road, Ban Nakham, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane, Check Rates |
 PVO Hostel Rue Pangkham, Vientiane City Center Check Rates |
Itinerary #3: Vietnam-Cambodia for 7 Days
Stops: Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
Entry point: Ho Chi Minh City
Exit point: Siem Reap
Estimated Budget: USD 260 (P12,900)
Book a Bus!
- Ho Chi Minh City-Phnom Penh Bus: Reserve Here
- Phnom Penh-Siem Reap Bus: Reserve Here
Ho Chi Minh City Tours
- Full Day Excursion To Mekong Delta: Book This Tour
- Half Day Saigon Tour: Book This Tour
- Full Day Saigon Tour: Book This Tour
- Cu Chi Tunnels Experience: Book This Tour
- Saigon Street Food By Night: Book This Tour
- Saigon Cooking Class: Book a Class Here
Siem Reap Tours:
- Angkor Group Tour: Book This Tour
- Siem Reap A Day in a Life Tour: Check Rates Here
- Siem Reap Cooking Class: Book a Class Here
Top Budget Hotels in Saigon: Search Here
 CCentral Hotel De Tham 216 De Tham Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Check Rates |
 Ava Saigon 3 Hotel 137 De Tham, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Check Rates |
Itinerary #4: Singapore-Malacca (5 Days)
Stops: Singapore, Malacca
Entry point: Singapore
Exit point: Singapore
Estimated Budget: USD 260 (P12,900)
Singapore to Melaka Bus: Reserve a Seat Here
Stay Connected in Singapore
- 4G Mobile Wifi (Pickup at Changi Airport): Reserve Now
- 4G SIM Card (Pickup at Changi Airport): Reserve Now
Singapore Attractions:
- Universal Studios Singapore: Get Your Ticket Here
- Gardens by the Bay: Get Your Tickets Here
- Sentosa FUN Pass: Get Your Tickets Here
- Singapore Cable Car Skypass (Mt. Faber): Get Your Tickets Here
- Marina Bay Sands Skypark: Get Your Tickets Here
Top Budget Hotels in Singapore: Search Here
 Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Chinatown 76, 78 Smith Street (2nd & 3rd Level), Chinatown, Singapore Check Rates |
 Dream Lodge 172 Tyrwhitt road, Kallang, Singapore Check Rates |
Itinerary #5: Singapore-Kuala Lumpur (6 Days)
Stops: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur
Entry point: Singapore
Exit point: Kuala Lumpur
Estimated Budget: USD 280 (P13,800)
Universal Studios, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Chinatown, etc.
Singapore to Kuala Lumpur BUS: Reserve a Seat Here
Kuala Lumpur Attractions:
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Kuala Lumpur Food Trip: Book This Tour
- Batu Caves and KL Suburbs Half-Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Malacca Day Tour with Lunch: Book This Tour
- Genting Highlands Day Trip: Book This Tour
- KL Tower: Get Your Tickets Here
Singapore Attractions:
- Universal Studios Singapore: Get Your Ticket Here
- Gardens by the Bay: Get Your Tickets Here
- Sentosa FUN Pass: Get Your Tickets Here
- Singapore Cable Car Skypass (Mt. Faber): Get Your Tickets Here
- Marina Bay Sands Skypark: Get Your Tickets Here
Itinerary #6: Singapore-Malaysia (7 Days)
Stops: Singapore, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur
Entry point: Singapore
Exit point: Kuala Lumpur
Estimated Budget: USD 300 (P15,000)
Book a Bus!
- Singapore to Malacca (Melaka) BUS: Reserve a Seat Here
- Malacca (Melaka) to Kuala Lumpur BUS: Reserve a Seat Here
Kuala Lumpur Attractions:
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Kuala Lumpur Food Trip: Book This Tour
- Batu Caves and KL Suburbs Half-Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Genting Highlands Day Trip: Book This Tour
- KL Tower: Get Your Tickets Here
Singapore Attractions:
- Universal Studios Singapore: Get Your Ticket Here
- Gardens by the Bay: Get Your Tickets Here
- Sentosa FUN Pass: Get Your Tickets Here
- Singapore Cable Car Skypass (Mt. Faber): Get Your Tickets Here
- Marina Bay Sands Skypark: Get Your Tickets Here
Top Budget Hotels in Kuala Lumpur: Search Here
 Q Hotel Kuala Lumpur No 51 Jalan Tiong Nam, Off Jalan Raja Laut,, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Check Rates |
 Pacific Express Hotel Kuala Lumpur Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50050 Check Rates |
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Is this post helpful to you?
Hi Yoshke,
All the plans sound great. Loved the first one as I dig BKK and SR of course, and have yet to visit that Thai town although I have heard good things about it. The $ sounds about right too. Isn’t it fun to travel on the cheap in SE Asia?
Loving my time with fam and friends back in NJ now but goodness I never quite get used to seeing a $70 bill at a decent Italian restaurant in town and thinking me and my wife eat for that amount for a whole freaking month at the local Buddhist veggie haunt in Chiang Mai, for 2. Amazing. And that’d be 3 curries, big heaping serving of rice and cold water. For 30 plus days.
Thanks for sharing :)
Ryan
Hello!
Me and my girlfriend will have a 7 days vacation in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)-Thailand (Bangkok). What is a good itinerary that will fit within that short period of time?
Thank you so much!
Will you be flying from KL to Bangkok? Because 7 days might be too short if you want to transfer overland. It’s possible but physically demanding.
Hi, my friends and i (there are 6 of us) are planning to have a 6 days DIY trip to Cambodia and Thailand, any tips on where to stay, and itinerary tips perhaps? we already purchased a ticket and will be arriving at Siem Reap and departing from Bangkok. Your help will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Hi Raji, these posts might help:
Siem Reap Guide: http://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/05/siem-reap-cambodia-travel-guide/
Bangkok Guide: http://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/07/bangkok-travel-guide/
Crossing the border: http://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/05/bangkok-to-siem-reap-by-bus/
Hi, your blog is really helpful. May I ask if there are terminal fees if opt to travel by plane instead of land within southeast Asia. In the Philippines, we do have terminal fees if we leave the airport. Is it the same for other southeast Asian countries? Thanks in advance!
Hi Lizette! As far as I remember, usually nakasama na sya sa ticket na binayaran mo.
Hi! Should I bring USD or would it be better to withdraw from the ATM? I’ll be in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia for 12 days.
Kami, mas preferred namin magwithdraw sa ATM. Make sure your ATM card/account ay pwede Visa/Mastercard.
BUT we always have cash din in USD for emergency purposes.
I want Singapore Hong Kong Philippines Cambodia Vietnam Myanmar trip for all destination completed in 20 days
And I prefer hostels
Can u send me this destination personalise ITENARY
Please…..
My what’s app no. +917831860729
Hi! what’s the best place to visit in Vietnam? I might do Vietnam-Cambodia but under 7days. Is that too short of a visit?
If you only have 7 days and you’re also visiting Cambodia, I recommend Mui Ne + HCMC.
Hello po!
I am interested po sa Singapore Malaysia Tour, can you help me how can I avail?
We’re not a travel agency po.
Hello, my friend and I are planning on a tri-city or dual city trip for 7days around August 2019. Any suggestions for an itinerary that would best maximize our time? Thanks much
Bangkok-Siem Reap is always a good start!
Interesado ako and my friend sa tour ng Vietnam, Cambodia at Thailand ny mga 16 days or so and start date can be 12-31-18 hangang 1-14-19 kasi i have class reunion on 1-15-19 sa Manila. Mg magkano and tour na ito. Salamat
See Route #1 here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/06/southeast-asia-backpacking-routes
Hi am so interested sa cambodia at vietnam tour, merun ka po ng kasama na ang thailand?
Super nice ng itinerary niyo. Please give me a guide po sa cambodia,vietnam and thailand n travel. .babyahe po kami ng friends ko sana by late january
Hi Kim, see route #1 here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/06/southeast-asia-backpacking-routes/
Hello, Yoshke.
I’m planning to do Thailand-Cambodia late this year but instead of Bangkok, I’m planning to visit Chiang Mai. Have you been on this route? My worries is the transportation from Chiang Mai to Siem Reap, so I’m considering going back to Bangkok then depart with the bus going to Siem Reap.
Hi Vince,
I’ve done the Siem Reap – Bangkok – Chiang Mai route.
Your entry point is Bangkok and your exit is Siem Reap?
Hi Yoshke,
We booked Siem Reap (entry) to Thailand (exit) this coming August 1-6. Any suggestion for an itinerary including where to stay and eat?
Thank you.
Hi Sir.I would like to know about something. I am From Bangladesh and working in Malaysia. I have a vacation for 12 days ahead . so I would like to visit to Thailand, Indonesia Cambodia (Singapore if possible ) now my question is how can I make to easy or is it possible to get visa one after another? my visa is a single entry visa.
I want to travel to those mentioned countries within 12 days.
what are requirements?
Tq
Hi Rouf, unfortunately, I’m not familiar with the visa policy of these countries for Bangladesh nationals. My knowledge is limited to my personal experience but I can visit those countries visa-free. :(
Good day. I’m a Filipino citizen and a graduate student. I would like to ask what are the things I need to bring with me at the immigration if I am to travel Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia? My plan of entry point is Vietnam while my exit point is Thailand.
Hi Nicole,
Will this be your first international trip? If so, this might help: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/03/philippines-first-timer-international-flight-travel-guide-abroad/
Hello!
Kaya kaya 15 days, Vietnam-Thailand-Cambodia-Malaysia-Singapore na itinerary?
Planning na viet and entry point then singapore and departing point.
Or what ASEAN countries do you think is a must visit para i summarise nlng yung travel plan?
Although may nakakagawa naman na nyan, for me, baka too short ung 15 days for 5 countries.
Kung ako yung may 15 days tas first ASEAN backpacking trip ko, I’d probably focus on Bangkok-Siem Reap-Ho Chi Minh-Mui Ne.