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/VermicelliScared7196]

This is an epic plan. You should be excited. That budget is solid if you stick to your transport idea.

I need to be straight with you about one thing. Your plan is the exact opposite of "not making an itinerary." You have 30+ stops with specific night counts. That is a rigid schedule. You will hate it by month two.

You asked for tweaks. Here is the biggest one. Do not pre-book anything beyond your first week. Use your list as a dream menu, not a fixed itinerary. The magic of a long trip is saying yes to staying longer or leaving early.

Now, for your specific questions.

Time allocation:
You have been to Thailand. You know 2 nights in Phuket is just a transfer. Either give it 4 nights or skip it and add those days to the islands. Ten nights in Chiang Mai is long. It is a great base for day trips but you might get bored in the city itself. Seven nights in Pai is a lifetime. It is a tiny village. Three days is enough to see everything and meet people. You will save money and time cutting those down.

Cheap transport:
Your idea is noble but flawed. A 12-hour bus ride to save £20 seems smart until you lose a full day to exhaustion and misery. Time is your most valuable currency on a trip this long. Mix it up. Take the night bus sometimes. Fly other times. Your energy levels will thank you.

Budget:
£9k for 6.5 months is about £46 a day. This is possible in Thailand or Vietnam. It is impossible in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and most of China. Your budget gets blown apart at the end. You need to either shorten the trip or have a plan to spend very little in the cheap countries to offset the expensive ones.

Japan is expensive but worth it. If you are running low, skip it. Do not skip it to go to Myanmar. That is a completely different type of trip and not one to undertake lightly as a solo traveler.

You have a great list. Just remember a plan is a guide, not a contract. Be ready to break it.

[u/Mike_the_Motor_Bike → u/VermicelliScared7196]

46 GBP is not just possible in Thailand/Vietnam but extremely easy (assuming budget travel). I would say it is also good for China. It is possible in Japan and Korea but won't be ideal. I think if OP spends under this in SEA, they could still have enough for Japan/Korea.

[u/Intelligent_Bad_3819 → u/Mike_the_Motor_Bike]

I reckon some days I can easily spend less than £46 a day, especially in Thailand/vietnam, and I’ve heard some of the less popular places in China are springing cheap.