Alpha Travel Insurance has revealed which cities in Asia are the most affordable for backpacking based on the cost, per day, of a hostel, transportation, meals, drinks and attractions. You can view the full piece here.
Backpacking is such an incredible way of travelling and gives you the opportunity to visit a number of locations and experience a whole host of different cuisines, attractions and scenery in the space of a few weeks. But the cost of staying in different locations and hopping from one city to another can add up and if you’re on a budget, it’s important to know which cities to prioritise.
Hanoi, Vietnam is the cheapest city in Asia
If budget is key, the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi is a must-visit location in Asia as it is the most affordable city overall, with a total daily spend of just £14.24 ($18.30) – that includes a full day’s food, drinks, attractions, transport as well as an overnight stay. Hanoi is famous for its rich historical heritage as well as its huge range of street food available to try and taste.
The cheapest country to travel in Asia is Vietnam
Three cities in Vietnam appear in the top five in the research, with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Hoi An coming in 1st, 2nd and 5th place. This makes Vietnam the cheapest country to travel around in Asia, with Ho Chi Minh having a total daily spend of £15.16 ($19.48), and Hoi An £16.51 ($21.22).
Foodies paradise
Bangkok, Thailand is mid-table when it comes to overall affordability in the index, but for food, it’s number one. At just £4.63 ($5.95) for meals per day, Bangkok is the cheapest city to eat in Asia. If you’re looking for authentic street food, Old Town, also known as Banglamphu is a treasure trove of old-style Thai street food which is hard to find anywhere else – and won’t break the bank.
The cost of attractions
If you like to immerse yourself in activities when travelling, Jakarta, Indonesia could be the perfect city for you with a cost of just £0.55 ($0.71) a day on attractions. Whether it’s a museum to learn something new and take in the culture, a tour around the city to explore your surroundings, or something a little more out of the ordinary, Jakarta offers activities at a budget cost meaning you’ll still have cash to spare.
The most expensive city in Asia
Tokyo, Japan is the most expensive city in Asia overall at £56.47 ($72.58) a day, as well as being the most expensive city for transport, meals and drinks. If you’re on a tight budget, you may need to plan your trip to Tokyo carefully, but don’t let that put you off a visit. Tokyo, although expensive, offers a huge number of attractions from Yayoi Kusama Museum to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and although it may be the most expensive, at £17.98 ($23.11) a day, the food in Tokyo is known to be some of the best in the world.
Where will your next backpacking adventure take you? Go to Alpha Travel Insurance to find out more.
Rachel Conaghan, Travel Expert at Alpha Travel Insurance, comments:
“When backpacking, budget is often something that people need to keep a close eye on, especially when travelling for a long period of time.
Asia is a popular continent for exploring and city hopping, whether you’re partying or looking for culture, so it’s great to see that some of its most exciting and cultural locations come out as some of the most affordable.”
