Being recent college graduates without full-time jobs, money is clearly an obstacle for us. One of the first questions we get when we tell others about our plans is: How are you paying for this?? Neither of us have a lot of money, however, we have found various ways to make our travel plans affordable and realistic. We have begun to realize that many people simply do not embark on adventures like this because they think it is not financially viable. In hopes of showing those who want to travel, but are discouraged and doubtful, that travel can be affordable, we have included below a report of all our trip expenses thus far. We will continue to keep it updated as we travel!
Flights (per person)
Miscellaneous Pre-Trip Costs
Gear/Supplies
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Indonesia (costs per person)*
Length of stay: 30 days
Visa/ Departure Fee: $40.00
Food: $165.00 **
Ground Transportation: $140.70
TOTAL= $476.45 ÷ 30 days = $15.88 / day
*We were in Indonesia during the months of July and August, which is directly in the middle of Indonesia's high season. Please keep in mind that the prices listed reflect this and you may be able to get by on less money if you go during a different time of the year.
**We stayed with family friends in Bali for approximately two weeks and did not have to pay for food or lodging during those two weeks. This is reflected in our listed prices for food and lodging. Please make appropriate adjustments when estimating costs and planning for your own travels in Indonesia!
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Thailand (costs per person)
Length of stay: 31 days
Visa: $0
Hostels: $139.20*
Food: $157.25
Ground Transportation: $143.72
*We couch-surfed for the 3 days we spent in Phuket and therefore did not have to pay for lodging during that time. For more information on how to participate in couch surfing, visit couchsurfing.org.
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Cambodia (costs per person)*
Length of stay: 22 days
Visa: $22.00
Hostels: $22.00 **
Food: $154.00
Ground Transportation: $62.75
TOTAL= $336.00 ÷ 22 days = $15.27 / day
*We were in Cambodia during the month of September, which is low season for tourism (it's rainy season). Prices listed may be a little bit lower compared to other times of the year due to this, so please keep this in mind when you are making your own travel plans!
**We couch-surfed for the 6 days we spent in Phnom Penh and therefore did not have to pay for lodging during that time. For more information on how to participate in couch surfing, visit couchsurfing.org.
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Vietnam (costs per person)
Length of stay: 30 days
Visa/ Departure Fee: $41.00
Food: $154.25*
Ground Transportation: $101.40
TOTAL= $373.40 ÷ 30 days = $12.45 / day
*We couch-surfed for the 6 days we spent in Ho Chi Minh City, the 4 days we spent in Nha Trang, and the 6 days we spent in Hanoi and therefore did not have to pay for lodging (and a lot of our food) during that time. We are incredibly grateful for the great hospitality we were shown by our hosts in Vietnam! For more information on how to participate in couch surfing, visit couchsurfing.org.
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Laos (costs per person)
Length of stay: 23 days
Visa/ Departure Fee: $37.00
Food: $103.00
Ground Transportation: $85.05
TOTAL= $305.01 ÷ 23 days = $13.26 / day
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Nepal (costs per person)
Length of stay: 30 days
Visa/ Departure Fee: $40.00
Hostels: $51.40*
Food: $66.75*
Ground Transportation: $26.35
TOTAL= $200.60 ÷ 30 days = $6.69 / day
*We stayed with friends (and friends of friends) during our time in Pokhara and Biratnagar and therefore did not have to pay for lodging (and a lot of our food) during that time. This is reflected in our listed prices for food and lodging. Please make appropriate adjustments when estimating costs and planning for your own travels in Nepal!
Flights (per person)
- Kona, Hawai'i to Honolulu, Hawai'i: $76.00
- Honolulu, Hawai'i to Singapore: $98.00 (we used mileage from a credit card we signed up for*)
- Singapore to Bali, Indonesia: $68.50
- Bali to Phuket, Thailand: $77.00
- Bangkok to Kathmandu, Nepal: $365
- India to the USA (home!): $184.00 (we used mileage from a credit card we signed up for*)
- Mumbai to Bangkok: $110.00
- Bangkok to Honolulu, Hawai'i: $74.00 (taxes on ticket purchased with mileage)
Miscellaneous Pre-Trip Costs
Vaccinations
This is a list of the vaccinations recommended to us by a doctor for our specific trip to Southeast Asia. This list may vary depending on where you are traveling to.
- Adult diphtheria and tetanus
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- MMR
- Polio
- Typhoid
- Varicella
- Meningitis
- TB test
While Sarah had already obtained all necessary vaccinations from previous trips, I needed a tetanus booster, polio booster, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. In addition, I was prescribed Malaria pills (doxycycline, which is the lowest dosage and whose only potential side effect is sensitivity to the sun) and pills for Traveler's Diarrhea if Sarah or I need them at some point during our trip. After insurance, I paid approximately $50 for all of these vaccinations!
Gear/Supplies
- Backpack: $39.99 (Sarah already had one to use. I had a $100 gift card for REI and therefore only paid $39.99 for my backpack that was originally $139.99).
- Shower Kit: $23.00
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Indonesia (costs per person)*
Length of stay: 30 days
Visa/ Departure Fee: $40.00
- Visa: $25.00
- Departure Fee: $15.00
Food: $165.00 **
Ground Transportation: $140.70
- Ubud, Bali to Gili Air: $32.00
- Boat from Gili Air to Lombok: $0.80
- Shuttle from Bangsal to Mataram: $4.00
- Bus from Mataram to Senaru: $6.00
- Bus from Senaru to Labuan Lombok: $4.00
- Bus/Ferry from Labuan Lombok to Bima: $15.00
- Bus from Bima to Sape: $2.00
- Ferry from Sape to Labuan Bajo: $4.60
- Bus/Ferry combo from Labuan Bajo to Bali: $55.00
- Daily Public Transportation Costs: $17.30
- 1-Day Snorkeling Rental on Gili Air: $2.50
- Temple visits: $1.75
- Full Day Trip to Rinca Island/ Snorkeling: $27.00
- Full Day Cycling Trip on Bali: $28.00
TOTAL= $476.45 ÷ 30 days = $15.88 / day
*We were in Indonesia during the months of July and August, which is directly in the middle of Indonesia's high season. Please keep in mind that the prices listed reflect this and you may be able to get by on less money if you go during a different time of the year.
**We stayed with family friends in Bali for approximately two weeks and did not have to pay for food or lodging during those two weeks. This is reflected in our listed prices for food and lodging. Please make appropriate adjustments when estimating costs and planning for your own travels in Indonesia!
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Thailand (costs per person)
Length of stay: 31 days
Visa: $0
Hostels: $139.20*
Food: $157.25
Ground Transportation: $143.72
- Daily Public Transportation Costs: $65.77
- Bike Rentals: $1.00 (1 day)
- Phuket to Phang Nga (bus): $3.00
- Phang Nga to Suratthani (bus): $5.00
- Suratthani to Koh Phangan (bus/ferry): $13.50
- Koh Phangan to Bangkok (ferry/bus): $30.00
- Bangkok to Ayutthaya (train): $0.65
- Ayutthaya to Bankok (train): $0.50
- Bangkok to Cambodia/Thailand Border (train): $1.60
- Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (bus): $4.75
- Chiang Rai to Sukhothai (bus): $8.75
- Sukhothai to Bangkok (bus): $9.20
- Phang Nga Bay Tour: $16.00
- Temple of Dawn: $1.65
- Ayutthaya Temples: $3.25
- Sukhothai Historical Park: $7.35
- ATM Fees: $15.00
- Toiletries, Books, Misc. : $31.25
*We couch-surfed for the 3 days we spent in Phuket and therefore did not have to pay for lodging during that time. For more information on how to participate in couch surfing, visit couchsurfing.org.
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Cambodia (costs per person)*
Length of stay: 22 days
Visa: $22.00
Hostels: $22.00 **
Food: $154.00
Ground Transportation: $62.75
- Daily Public Transportation Costs: $8.50
- Bus from the Border to Battambang: $10.00
- Tuk-Tuk Rental for 1 Day in Battambang: $6.00
- Bus from Battambang to Siem Reap: $5.00
- Bike Rental (3 days): $4.00
- Tuk-Tuk Rental for 1 Day in Siem Reap: $4.00
- Bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: $6.00
- Bus from Phnom Pen to Kompong Cham: $5.00
- Bus from Kompong Cham to Phnom Penh: $4.25
- Bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: $10.00
- Riding on the Bamboo Train: $5.50
- Angkor Wat 3 Day Pass: $40.00
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: $2.00
- National Museum: $3.00
- Comedy Club performance (a friend was performing): $8.00
- Phnom Penh Killing Fields (admission + audio tour): $5.00
TOTAL= $336.00 ÷ 22 days = $15.27 / day
*We were in Cambodia during the month of September, which is low season for tourism (it's rainy season). Prices listed may be a little bit lower compared to other times of the year due to this, so please keep this in mind when you are making your own travel plans!
**We couch-surfed for the 6 days we spent in Phnom Penh and therefore did not have to pay for lodging during that time. For more information on how to participate in couch surfing, visit couchsurfing.org.
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Vietnam (costs per person)
Length of stay: 30 days
Visa/ Departure Fee: $41.00
- Visa: $40.00
- Departure Fee: $1.00
Food: $154.25*
Ground Transportation: $101.40
- Daily Public Transportation Costs: $30.40
- HCMC to Da Lat (bus): $9.50
- Da Lat to Nha Trang (bus): $7.00
- Nha Trang to Hoi An (bus): $11.00
- Hoi An to Hue (bus): $4.00
- Hue to Hanoi (bus): $14.50
- Hanoi to Vientiane, Laos (bus): $25.00
- Reunification Palace: $1.50
- War Remnants Museum: $0.75
- Dragon Palace: $0.50
- Crazy House: $1.75
- My Son Ruins Day Tour: $7.00
- Hanoi Temple: $1.00
- Hanoi Women’s Museum: $1.50
- Temple of Literature: $1.00
TOTAL= $373.40 ÷ 30 days = $12.45 / day
*We couch-surfed for the 6 days we spent in Ho Chi Minh City, the 4 days we spent in Nha Trang, and the 6 days we spent in Hanoi and therefore did not have to pay for lodging (and a lot of our food) during that time. We are incredibly grateful for the great hospitality we were shown by our hosts in Vietnam! For more information on how to participate in couch surfing, visit couchsurfing.org.
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Laos (costs per person)
Length of stay: 23 days
Visa/ Departure Fee: $37.00
- Visa: $36.00
- Weekend Departure Fee: $1.00
Food: $103.00
Ground Transportation: $85.05
- Daily Public Transportation Costs: $8.85
- Bike Rentals: $6.85 (3 days)
- Vientiane to Vang Vieng (bus): $4.35
- Vang Vieng to Phonsavan (minivan): $13.75
- Phonsavan to Luang Prabang (minivan): $13.75
- Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai (bus): $37.50
- Pha That Luang Temple (The Golden Stupa): $0.60
- Patuxai Arch (ticket to the top): $0.36
- Buddha Park: $0.80
- Tubing in Vang Vieng (transportation included): $6.85
- Vang Vieng Caves: $3.50
- Plain of Jars: $1.25
- Wat Xieng Thong: $2.50
TOTAL= $305.01 ÷ 23 days = $13.26 / day
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Nepal (costs per person)
Length of stay: 30 days
Visa/ Departure Fee: $40.00
Hostels: $51.40*
Food: $66.75*
Ground Transportation: $26.35
- Daily Public Transportation Costs: $8.50
- Kathmandu to Pokhara (bus): $6.85
- Pokhara to Biratnagar (bus): $11.00
- Monkey Temple: $2.35
TOTAL= $200.60 ÷ 30 days = $6.69 / day
*We stayed with friends (and friends of friends) during our time in Pokhara and Biratnagar and therefore did not have to pay for lodging (and a lot of our food) during that time. This is reflected in our listed prices for food and lodging. Please make appropriate adjustments when estimating costs and planning for your own travels in Nepal!
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