Sample SOUTHEAST ASIA Itineraries: 5, 6, 7 Days

Yosh Dimen

8 years ago

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.

This itinerary will take you to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and the Great Palace, Wat Arun, and Khao San in Bangkok, among others.

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
Street 20, Siem Reap Central Area

Check Rates

Visoth Boutique Hotel
Sok San Road, Siem Reap Central Area

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)

Notice that this itinerary uses Bangkok as BOTH entry and exit points.

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)