So you have only two weeks to travel around Southeast Asia? Well, that’s definitely NOT enough, but you can still have a great time.
This topic — sample 2-week multi-country itineraries for Southeast Asia — is one of the most requested from us. And we get it. Travelers who have very limited time tend to squeeze everything into their itinerary in hopes of maximizing the rare opportunity they have. We’re not really fans of it, and we always advocate staying longer, but alas that’s easier said than done for full-time employees who have finite leave credits.
So here it is!
In this post, we’ll be focusing on Singapore and continental Southeast Asia that are best explored by land: Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. 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, so we’re not including them here.
These are sample 2-week itineraries. Emphasis on 2-week. If you have fewer days, you might want to check out this post: Sample Southeast Asian Itineraries (5-7 Days)
If you need help planning or budgeting your trip, this post might help: Southeast Asia Travel Guide
Important notes:
- The sample itineraries here are all multi-country, which means you will be crossing a border on at least two points during the trip. If you’re an ASEAN resident, no need for visa. If not, make sure you do the necessary paperwork.
- Every sample itinerary has an indicated Estimated Budget range. The lower end of the range assumes you’re staying at a dorm in a hostel, the higher end if you’re staying in a private double room and splitting the cost with a companion. It also allocates around US$30 per day for activities. The $30/day allowance has a big margin already and should only serve as a guideline. If you spend $50 on a tour today, then pull a DIY or adjust your activity spending the next day.
- Hotel Stop means the city where you will be spending the night. Even if most of your day is spent in Ayutthaya but you will be spending the night in Bangkok, it will be tagged Bangkok. If the day is tagged Transit, it means you will be spending the night on the road (overnight train or bus).
- 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, 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!
WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Route #1: Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam
Stops: Bangkok + Ayutthaya Day Tour, Siem Reap, Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City
Entry point: Bangkok
Exit point: Ho Chi Minh City
Estimated Budget: USD 500-700 (P25,000-35,000)
I’ve done this trip in 2014 as part of a longer journey. (Mine started in Phuket but continued this way.) What I liked about this is that it showcases the key attractions in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and they’re pretty diverse too. The Bangkok stop is more about people and food, Siem Reap about ancient history, Mui Ne about natural landscapes, and Ho Chi Minh City about modern history.
Bangkok-Siem Reap Bus: Reserve Here
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
Ho Chi Minh City Tours
- Full Day Excursion To Mekong Delta: Book This Tour
- Half Day Saigon Tour: Book This Tour
- Full Day Saigon Tour: Book This Tour
- Cu Chi Tunnels Experience: Book This Tour
- Saigon Street Food By Night: Book This Tour
- Saigon Cooking Class: Book a Class Here
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Top Budget Hotels in Siem Reap: Search Here
The Golden Gecko Villa Check Rates |
Visoth Boutique Hotel Check Rates |
Top Budget Hotels in Saigon: Search Here
 CCentral Hotel De Tham 216 De Tham Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Check Rates |
 Ava Saigon 3 Hotel 137 De Tham, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Check Rates |
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Route #2: Thailand-Laos
Stops: Bangkok + Ayutthaya Day Tour, Chiang Mai + Chiang Rai Day Tour, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientian
Entry point: Bangkok
Exit point: Bangkok
Estimated Budget: USD 600-800 (P30,000-40,000)
This route begins and ends in Bangkok. It starts in the Thailand capital and then takes you north to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. From here, you will have to fly from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang in Laos. There is another way — taking the boat — but it’s not something I recommend because it takes days. Flying is not that expensive and will get you there in an hour.
I’ve done a version of this route back in 2012, but instead of flying, I traveled from Chiang Mai to Vientiane by land and then proceeded to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang.
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 Bangkok: Search Here
 Aster 9 House 84/8 Sukhumvit 33, Klongtoeynua, Wattana, Bangkok Check Rates |
 Nap@Pan Bangkok 50/25 Pan Road, Silom Check Rates |
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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 |
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Route #3: Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand
Stops: Singapore, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Phuket, Bangkok
Entry point: Singapore
Exit point: Bangkok
Estimated Budget: USD 600-700 (P30,000-35,000)
This route has been done by many of my blogger friends. If you follow this, you’ll begin your journey in Singapore and make your way up north to Malaysia and further up mainland Southeast Asia to Thailand. It gives you a taste of three state capitals and has a pretty varied offerings, from Singapore’s urban treats to Malacca’s and KL’s heritage to Langkawi’s and Phuket’s beaches to Bangkok’s temples and food.
Singapore to Melaka Bus: Reserve a Seat Here
Stay Connected in Singapore: 4G SIM Card (Pickup at Changi Airport): Reserve Now
Singapore Attractions:
- Universal Studios Singapore: Get Your Ticket Here
- Gardens by the Bay: Get Your Tickets Here
- Sentosa FUN Pass: Get Your Tickets Here
- Singapore Cable Car Skypass (Mt. Faber): Get Your Tickets Here
- Marina Bay Sands Skypark: Get Your Tickets Here
Top Budget Hotels in Singapore: Search Here
 Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Chinatown 76, 78 Smith Street (2nd & 3rd Level), Chinatown, Singapore Check Rates |
 Dream Lodge 172 Tyrwhitt road, Kallang, Singapore Check Rates |
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Route #4: Malaysia-Thailand
Stops: Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands, Penang, Langkawi, Phuket, Bangkok
Entry point: Kuala Lumpur
Exit point: Bangkok
Estimated Budget: USD 500-700 (P25,000-35,000)
This route is similar to #3, except it begins in Kuala Lumpur (not Singapore) and makes extra stops in Cameron Highlands and Penang before moving on to Langkawi, Phuket, and Bangkok.
Kuala Lumpur Attractions:
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Kuala Lumpur Food Trip: Book This Tour
- Batu Caves and KL Suburbs Half-Day Tour: Book This Tour
- Malacca Day Tour with Lunch: Book This Tour
- Genting Highlands Day Trip: Book This Tour
- KL Tower: Get Your Tickets Here
Top Budget Hotels in Kuala Lumpur: Search Here
 Q Hotel Kuala Lumpur No 51 Jalan Tiong Nam, Off Jalan Raja Laut,, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Check Rates |
 Pacific Express Hotel Kuala Lumpur Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50050 Check Rates |
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Is this post helpful to you?
It’s great to check out your blog. Great way to visit multi countries.
Thanks for sharing!
Hello, I’m 18, Taiwanese, just graduated from high school. I am thinking about a trip to Southeast Asia. Since I have never travel abroad alone, which route do you suggest me to take? Thanks in advance!
I’m gonna do the Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand with the addition of Siem Reap but skipping Langkawi and Phuket. Wish me good luck on my travel this June 2018. Keep inspiring us to travel! All the best!