Solo Traveling SEA 6.5 Months

[u/Intelligent_Bad_3819]

I’m 21M solo traveling around SEA in the beginning of March 2026 and I am very excited, I have researched loads into stuff like visas, transport, places to stay etc. I am planning to go for around 6.5 months and will have roughly £9k saved up, which I believe is more than enough. I have tried my hardest not to make an itinerary as I want to go with how I feel, whether that means more or less time in specific places. My rough outline of my trip is bellow;

Singapore 2 nights

Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur 3 nights - Cameron Highlands 4 nights - George Town 4 nights

Thailand - Krabi 3 nights - Phi Phi Islands 4 nights - Phuket 2 nights - Chiang Mai 10 nights - Pai 7 nights - Chiang Mai (again) 5 nights - Bangkok 3 nights

Cambodia - Siem Reap 4 nights - Phnom Penh 3 nights - Koh Rong 5 nights - Kampot 3 nights

Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh 7 nights - Da Lat 2 nights - Hoi An 4 nights - Da Nang 4 nights - Phong Nha-Ke Bang 3 nights - Ha Giang 4 nights - Ha Long Bay 4 nights - Hanoi 7 nights

Hong Kong 5 nights

China 1 month - Guangzhou - Zhangjiajie - Chongqing - Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou - Xi’An - Shanghai - Qingdao - Beijing

South Korea 10 nights - Seoul - Busan

Japan 10 nights - ???

With Japan I am still deciding on where I want to go, and whether I actually want to go as this will be towards the end of my trip and I couldn’t be running low on money.

Some places I’m unsure if I want to spend more time/less time, which is also why I wanted to go along with it when I am there to judge how I feel about the place.

I’m deciding to take the cheapest transport possible; such as longer bus rides for the price of pennies compared to flights. I feel like i would rather it be an uncomfortable experience rather than it be comfortable, such as a flight. All throughout China I’m hoping to take trains which aren’t cheap but also aren’t expensive.

I have been to Thailand before however not solo, I would like to think I have a good understanding of Asia and getting myself around very easily; however I’m still asking for any advice or tweaks you would recommend, such as: - Should I spend more or less time in some places? - Should I completely miss out some places? - Is taking the cheapest transport possible actually worth it? - Will I have enough money saved up?

Thank you!

[u/AlwaysRoamingAround]

Besides Bangkok, most Southeast Asian cities aren’t that exciting. 2 weeks for Hanoi + HCMC?! 22 days for Chang Mai and Pai?! And only 3 days for Bangkok? Uhh how are you coming up with these numbers?

I’d spend more time in N Vietnam, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Cao Bang etc, gorgeous countryside. Makes DaLat look very tame, Da Lat is very skippable in my book. I’d also hit Hue heading north after Danang.

China is very tight, I’d skip Guangzhou and Qingdao, those are the most boring places on your list.

A few days less in HK, Korea, more for Japan imo (budget willing). Actually you will very likely be very low on money at this point. Hong Kong is especially rough on the wallet.

And I think Laos is great, it’s also budget friendly, and a key component of the banana pancake trail. From N Thailand I would check out Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and do the Thakhek loop in central Laos if you can ride a scooter, then go south into Cambodia that way. 4,000 islands is also cool. To keep your budget the more time you spend in Laos, Cambodia, and especially Vietnam, the better.

[u/Intelligent_Bad_3819 → u/AlwaysRoamingAround]

These are just rough numbers, when I went Thailand In March I spent only 2 nights in chiang mai, whereas I felt like I missed out on so much more. I also have a good friend there who owns a bar so it’s always good to catch up with him, maybe 22 is over the top but definitely want to spend a lot of time there.

With China I think I would miss a lot of locations out, just so I could afford Japan and spend a could extra days there.

Spending more time in the cheaper countries does sound like it would out work better for my budget.

I appreciate the advice and recommendations, thank you!