Planning the Ultimate Southeast Asia Itinerary 3 Weeks

Southeast Asia is one of the most amazing places on the planet for a Holiday. It’s relatively compact, safe, amazing, and very cheap. In fact, there is so much to see that it’s hard to know where to start planning your Southeast Asia Itinerary for 3 weeks. We’ll help you break it down into smaller chunks and get you on your way.

Why Choose Southeast Asia For Your Holiday?

This is an easy question for me because I’m an Aussie. For Australians, Southeast Asia is by far the cheapest and easiest place to go for a holiday. Airfares are cheap and plentiful. And good foreign exchange rates normally mean you will get bang for your buck.

As a matter of fact, Southeast Asia airfares are cheap and plentiful from both Europe and the USA as well. The main airport hub of this region is Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, and you can normally find return flights there for around $500. This is a great starting point for any Southeast Asia itinerary.

There is so much diversity to see in Southeast Asia. It’s a literal melting pot of culture, religion, natural beauty and history. You can spend a lifetime traveling through this region and only scratch the surface.

If you want to see Japan that’s fine. Japan is an awesome holiday destination full of amazing history and scenery. In fact, Japan is my favorite holiday destination. However, a holiday to Japan is likely to cost you 2 to 3 times more than a holiday to Southeast Asia. And I guarantee you will have just as good a holiday down south!

How expensive is Southeast Asia?

Here’s how the countries rank by GDP, which is generally a good measure of how expensive a country is to visit. Overall Southeast Asia is a very cheap region to visit, except for Singapore. If you head to the bottom of the list (cheapest countries) you can easily afford to stay in 5-star hotels, for the same price you would stay in a budget 2-star hotel in Singapore.

So here’s the list of the cheapest countries to visit, with the most expensive country at the top, and the cheapest countries at the bottom.

• Singapore
• Brunei
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• Philippines
• Indonesia
• East Timor
• Vietnam
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Cambodia

Where to Start Your Holiday

Bangkok is the best place to start your Southeast Asia holiday because it is the main hub of air travel in the region. So as you would expect, the airfares are usually cheaper, with many more options available.

Thailand is a popular country in Southeast Asia for Australians to visit, second only after Bali, Indonesia. Thailand has a great mix of stunning beaches, island life, ancient culture, and modern city convenience. There is something for everyone here, and it’s very tempting to spend 2 weeks in Thailand alone.

If you’ve never been to Thailand, then it’s probably the best place for your first holiday. In fact, there’s so much to see here that there’s no need to leave Thailand at all. This country has a great mix of stunning beaches, island life, ancient culture, and modern city convenience. There is something for everyone here.

Recommended Southeast Asia Itinerary for 3 Weeks

I suggest you purchase a return airfare from your home to Bangkok. Then decide if you want to travel North, South, East, or West. And how many countries do you want to visit?

You should stay for 3 to 6 nights at each destination. Any less and you may regret missing some of the best attractions. Any more and you may feel that you missed out on seeing some other destinations. It all depends on your tolerance for FOMO. That’s fear of missing out.

Itinerary 1: North From Thailand

Laos is one of the cheapest countries you could ever visit, and also one of the most culturally intact. You can get a cheap flight to Luang Prabang or to Vientianne. I’m talking well under $100. In fact, these destinations are close enough to go overland, either by private hire car or by bus.

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Bangkok, Thailand – 4 nights

Spend the first 4 nights in Bangkok, take a tour or 2. There are some great city tours to see the best temples, and also a wonderful tour of the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, just 90 minutes north of Bangkok.

Vientiane, Laos – 5 nights

You can fly, catch a bus, or take an overnight sleeper train to Vientiane. I recommend flying, it’s cheap, quick and very easy.

Vientiane is still an emerging tourist destination, with a very laid-back atmosphere. There is not a massive amount of things to see here, but enough to keep you busy for just a few days. Don’t miss Pha That Luang, a huge golden stupa built way back in 1566.

Luang Prabang, Laos – 6 nights

Time to go further into the Lao culture, and visit Luang Prabang in the north of the country. The entire town of Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and an ancient royal capital until the 16th century.

Explore Thailand – 6 nights

Time to explore more of Thailand. Fly back to Bangkok, then take a connecting flight to another part of Thailand. A great Thailand itinerary is to visit the northern city of Chiang Mai or a southern resort island like Phuket or Ko Samui.

Alternatively, you could travel 150km south to the beachside city of Pattaya. Here you will find countless beachside resorts and the bar life that Thailand is famous (or infamous) for.

When you’re done simply travel back to Bangkok for your connecting flight home.

Itinerary 2: South from Thailand

One of our favorite trips is Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, which has the cheapest flights you will ever find, about US $30. Kuala Lumpur is another very cheap city to visit, and similar to Bangkok you will find a modern city with all the modern conveniences.

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Bangkok, Thailand – 4 nights

4 nights in Bangkok is a great way to break the ice in Southeast Asia. Check out some of the amazing shopping malls like Siam Paragon. Visit the local temples on a cheap day tour. Or take a day-trip north to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 6 nights

Home of the famous Petronis Towers, KL is a wonderful choice to spend a few nights. This city is bursting with shopping malls and has it’s fair share of modern theme parks as well. Or you could check out the nearby Batu Caves for an easy culture trip.

Getting to KL is easy from Bangkok, you can take a plane, bus or train. And getting to Singapore is even easier, with the same options available. I recommend catching a bus for a convenient and comfortable trip to Singapore.

Singapore – 6 nights

In stark contrast to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore is an expensive city to visit. In fact, this is the most expensive city in Southeast Asia. Here you need to book your accommodation well in advance to secure a good rate.

Sightseeing is amazing in Singapore. Be sure to check out the amazing Gardens by the Bay, the Supertree Grove, and Marina Sands. Singapore also has one of the best zoos in the world. Our tip is to catch the light and water show at night beneath the Marina Sands complex.

Explore Thailand – 5 nights

From Singapore it’s very easy to catch a cheap flight back the starting point, Bangkok. Once again, you should pay well under $100 for a ticket, probably closer to $50.

Time to catch some more of Thailand. Your Thailand itinerary should take you out of the capital to see some of the natural beauty of Thailand. You can’t go wrong with one of the magnificent islands in the Gulf of Thailand, like Ko Samui.

Itinerary 3: East from Thailand

This is a tough one because Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines are all to the east of Thailand. There is so much to see in the Philippines that we feel that is better off left to a separate trip. In fact, for a good Philippines itinerary, 3 weeks is required in that country alone.

For this trip, we’ll focus on a Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia itinerary. This is a great Southeast Asia backpacking route because it can be done on a shoestring budget. It’s quite easy to see Vietnam and Cambodia in 2 weeks, as long as you just focus on the South and center of Vietnam.

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Bangkok, Thailand – 4 Nights

When you arrive in Bangkok, it’s time to acclimatize with Thailand. Check out the crazy modern shopping malls like Siam Paragon. Try some day tours through some of the city’s amazing temples. Take a day tour to the Bridge on the River Kwai, or the ancient city of Ayutthaya. It’s easy to fill in 4 days in Bangkok.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia – 2 Nights

Take a short flight of 7-hour bus trip from Bangkok to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. This is one of the finalists of the New 7 wonders of the World. Find your Indiana Jones at this incredible series of ancient temples.

There is literally nothing else to see or do at the nearby town of Siam Reap, so there’s no need to spend too long here.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – 4 nights

Time to get a little crazy in the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. You can catch another 7-hour bus trip from Angkor Wat, or simply fly. At Phnom Penh, you will find the true cultural essence of Southeast Asia.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – 5 nights

Next, you’re up for a 6-hour bus ride, or a short flight to the capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City. This is a little like Pnomh Penh but more developed. Stay in District 1 the tourist hub of the city, and take a couple of days tours to Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta.

Explore Vietnam – 6 nights

Make a choice to go north or south. In the north take a flight to Da Nang, then explore Hoi Anh the most beautiful part of the central Vietnam Coast.

Alternatively, travel to Hanoi in the north of Vietnam, the second largest city in Vietnam. Here you will have access to the magnificent Halong Bay.

If you prefer to head south then take a short flight to Phu Quoc Island on the southern coast of Vietnam. Here you will find dozens of gorgeous beach resorts, fine white sandy beaches, and great snorkeling/SCUBA diving. It is easy to spend 2 weeks in Vietnam, there’s so much to see. When you’re done, fly back to Bangkok for your flight home.

Itinerary 4: West from Thailand.

There is only one country to the west of Thailand in Southeast Asia., Myanmar has been off the tourist map thanks to the harsh military regime in that country for many years. But recently it has been opening up more and more to tourism such that now it is back on the tourist map.

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Bangkok, Thailand – 4 nights

Stay in Bangkok for your first 4 nights to get your first taste of Thailand. Explore the never-ending shopping malls, and try some authentic Thai cuisine. Take a day tour to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, or the Bridge on the River Kwai.

Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar – 5 nights

It’s remarkably cheap to fly to Myanmar, and here you will find a world of remarkable temples and beauty. This is the capital of Myanmar and is probably as adventurous as you need to get. There are great bars and loads of gorgeous temples to get your Myanmar fix.

Chiang Mai, Thailand – 7 nights

Chiang Mai is such a beautiful and fascinating city that you can happily devote a bit more time here. There is a great market scene here, but the old city is one of the main attractions. Plenty of magnificent temples to admire, and also lots of day tour options up into the nearby mountains.

Explore Thailand – 5 nights

Time to do some exploring in Thailand. After flying from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, you might like your Thailand itinerary to take you 150km to the beachside resort city of Pattaya. Or you might like to fly further south to the magnificent islands of Phuket or Ko Samui.

Thailand is so full of natural beauty that it would be easy to spend two weeks in Thailand alone. When you are done exploring Thailand, simply fly back to Bangkok to meet your connecting flight home.

Itinerary #5 – The Philippines

I would say that my personal favorite is the Philippines. It’s more fun in the Philippines, or so the national advertising campaign says. You could quite easily skip Bangkok, and fly straight to Manila instead.

There are flights from Manila to virtually every major province in the Philippines, so getting around is easy. The weather is perfect all year round, and some of the best beaches are found in the Philippines. Here are my recommended destinations, but keep in mind you have over 7,000 islands to choose from!

Palawan – 9 nights

Palawan is bigger than you might think, and it can take a long time to travel around. Think of perfect beaches and immaculate snorkeling, aka tropical paradise.

Bohol 8 nights

Bohol has some amazing attractions like Panglao Island, Chocolate Hills, and the amazing Tarsiers. You will not want to leave this island paradise, where life is a beach.

Cebu 4 nights

Cebu is a 2-hour ferry ride from Bohol and has the 2nd biggest city in the Philippines – Cebu City. Cebu Island has some amazing beaches and is home to the Oslob ‘Dive with the Whale Sharks’ experience.

How to Plan Your Trip to Southeast Asia

I recommend planning a return flight from your home to Bangkok, and using this as a starting point and a finish point. From here you can travel all over South East Asia remarkably cheaply by using budget airlines.

Just decide if you’d like to travel North, South, East or West, and how many countries you would like to see. It is a very compact region, most flights are about 1 to 1.5 hours in duration. Wherever you end up in your final destination, just grab a flight back to Bangkok for your trip home. If you have more time, simply spend 2 weeks in Thailand. You won’t regret it!

Step 1: Book Your Holidays at Work

Well it’s kind of obvious right, but you should definitely lock in those holiday dates at work. Make sure you can actually take your holidays on the chosen dates.

Step 2: Work Out Your Budget

Your budget is going to dictate which country you will go to. A big budget may allow you to go the most expensive country Singapore. Shoe string budget and you may be better off staying in the cheapest countries Cambodia and Vietnam.

Step 3: Book Your Return Airfares

Time to take the plunge and book your return airfares to Bangkok. This is very easy to do – just jump onto Skyscanner.com, and the cheapest fares available will magically appear for you. Skyscanner compares lots of different travel agents and usually saves you up to hundreds of dollars.

Don’t worry too much about a tourist visa in Bangkok, most countries are permitted to obtain a visa on arrival at the airport. These are normally valid for 1 month. By all means, check the rules for your country, but this is another good reason to start your itinerary in Bangkok.

Try to book your airfares 3-6 months out, you will generally get the best airfares.

Step 4: Decide Which Countries To Visit

I recommend limiting yourself to 2 or 3. Here are my suggested groups.

• North: Thailand and Laos should do it. Add Vietnam if you’d like to visit another.
• East: Thailand and Cambodia will make a great trip. Add Vietnam if you want to see more. Save the Philippines for a separate trip,
• West: Thailand and Myanmar should do it.
• South: Travel to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Include Singapore if you have the budget. You could even keep going south to see Jakarta or Bali in Indonesia.

Step 5: Check your Visa Requirements.

Although most countries in the region are simple to obtain visas, Vietnam and Laos are communist countries and have some rather strict rules for entry. They are generally easy, but you need to do your research and follow the rules.

Myanmar also has some fairly strict visa requirements, but as long as you follow the government website guidelines you should be able to obtain a visa before you go.

Step 6: Book Your Accommodation

We like to use Booking.com or Agoda.com, but it’s your own personal choice. You will get great deals on Airbnb however these will normally be away from the main tourist areas.

Step 7: Book Flights Between Cities

Actually, first decide if you’d like to fly or catch a bus. Either way, you can go online and purchase your tickets in advance. You probably only need to do this 1 – 2 month in advance to get a great deal,

Step 8: Get Insured and Go

Yes, you should definitely take out travel insurance before you go. We like World Nomads, however, there are so many options out there that it’s easy to pick up a good deal. Just don’t leave home without it.

Enjoy Southeast Asia

We absolutely love holidaying in Southeast Asia. It has more character than any other place we’ve been, and it’s so easy to have some fun. It’s also great to be able to afford to eat out every night.

Once you sample one of these itineraries, you will definitely want to go back and try another for your next holiday. And that’s the beauty of a well-thought SouthEast Asia travel itinerary, it’s so easy to go back again and again.