First trip to Southeast Asia from the UK: routes, budgets and the best time to go

E By Emma · Updated 20 October 2026 · 5 min read · Inspiration

Southeast Asia is where a lot of UK travellers take their first big long-haul trip, and it is easy to see why. The food is extraordinary, the scenery ranges from limestone bays to volcanoes, your money goes a long way and the tourist trail is well established, so getting around is far easier than it looks from home.

The hard part is choosing. Thailand, Vietnam and Bali are the three most popular first trips, and each suits a different kind of traveller. Here is how they compare, with routes that work, honest budgets and the best months to go. For the wider region, see our Asia guides.

Which country first?

• Thailand is the easiest introduction. There are direct flights from London, tourism is slick and you can combine a big city, mountains and islands in two weeks.
• Vietnam is the best value and has arguably the best food. Its long, narrow shape makes it a natural journey from one end to the other. It feels a little more adventurous, but is very safe.
• Bali in Indonesia is the choice for a slower trip: rice terraces, temples, yoga and pool villas that cost a fraction of what they would in Europe. It has no direct flights from the UK, so build in recovery time.

If you have three weeks, combine Thailand with Vietnam, or Bali with a few days in Thailand or a stopover in Singapore. Don't try to see everything at once.

Route 1: Thailand in two weeks

• Days 1-3: Bangkok. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, a river boat to Wat Arun and street food in Chinatown.
• Days 4-7: Chiang Mai. Fly or take the overnight sleeper train north for temples, a cooking class, night markets and an ethical elephant sanctuary.
• Days 8-14: the islands. Fly south to Phuket or Krabi from November to April, with a boat trip into Phang Nga Bay, or to Koh Samui from February to August.

Flying into Bangkok and home from Phuket, often with one stop in the Gulf, saves you a day of backtracking.

Route 2: Vietnam north to south in two to three weeks

• Days 1-3: Hanoi. The Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature and a street-food tour.
• Days 4-5: Ha Long Bay. An overnight cruise, ideally into quieter Lan Ha Bay.
• Days 6-7: Ninh Binh. Boat trips through rice fields and river caves, and cycling between limestone peaks.
• Days 8-12: Hue and Hoi An. Fly to Da Nang or Hue, explore the imperial citadel, then slow down in lantern-lit Hoi An, with a tailor fitting and a day at the beach.
• Days 13-15: Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Markets, war history and a boat trip in the delta.

With a third week, add Sapa in the north, or finish on the beaches of Phu Quoc. Book an open-jaw flight into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City.

Route 3: Bali in 10-14 days

• Days 1-5: Ubud. Rice terraces, the Sacred Monkey Forest, temples, a sunrise trek up Mount Batur and a Balinese cooking class.
• Days 6-8: Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan. Cliffs, snorkelling with manta rays and quieter beaches.
• Days 9-14: the south coast. Uluwatu for clifftop sunsets and the kecak dance, Seminyak for beach clubs or Sanur for families.

With a few more days, fly to Yogyakarta to see Borobudur, or hop across to Lombok and the Gili Islands.

How much does it cost?

These are rough daily budgets per person, excluding international flights, in 2026:

Return flights from London often cost around £550-900 in economy, depending on season, but can be far higher at Christmas and in the summer holidays. Our guide to the cheapest time to fly from the UK has more on timing. Booking a package or a tailor-made trip can make sense for Vietnam's internal logistics or a Bali villa stay; see package holiday vs DIY to weigh it up.

Big extras are domestic flights, island boat trips, cruises on Ha Long Bay and visas or levies: Bali charges both a visa on arrival and a tourist levy.

When to go

The UK school summer holidays are great for Bali, while February half-term and Easter suit Thailand and Vietnam.

Before you go

• Entry rules: British passport holders currently get visa-free entry to Thailand and Vietnam for tourism, and need a visa on arrival for Indonesia. Thailand also requires a free online arrival card. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before you book.
• Health: see a travel nurse or your GP at least six to eight weeks before you go to discuss vaccinations and malaria. The NHS fitfortravel and NaTHNaC websites are good starting points. Dengue fever is common, so use insect repellent.
• Insurance: buy travel insurance as soon as you book, and read the small print on scooters, which is where many claims are refused. See our travel insurance explainer; the GHIC does not cover you outside Europe.
• Breaking the journey: a stopover helps with the long flight to Bali. Our Dubai stopover guide shows how to make a night or two of it.
• Respect: dress modestly at temples and take your shoes off where asked.

Prices and timetables are a guide and can change. This article contains affiliate links; if you book through one we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How we work.