I am from Indonesia, and I have been solo traveling for almost 10 years now. I still remember the very first country I traveled to alone; it was Denmark. I spent 3 days solo in Copenhagen, and I’ve been solo traveling ever since.
Fast forward to this year: I’m now based in Jakarta, living with my parents, and have been traveling around Asia. I’ve been to all Southeast Asian countries except for four: Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines. That means I’ve been to 7 out of the 11 Southeast Asian countries so far.
Most Southeast Asian countries are considered a paradise for solo travelers. They’re not expensive, people are mostly friendly, nature is amazing, and there are a lot of great activities to do. I want to share my top 7 countries for solo travel in Southeast Asia, along with some quick tips for each one.
The best way to travel around Southeast Asia is to visit several countries in one trip. There are plenty of budget airlines like JetStar, AirAsia, and VietJet Air, and they’re really affordable. I think it’s a waste if you don’t hop between countries, especially if you’re a budget solo traveler like me.
Indonesia
Starting with my own country, Indonesia. It consists of more than 17,000 islands and is a tropical paradise. I personally haven’t been to all five of the big islands, and I really need to start exploring more of my own country. But I did spend almost a year in Bali, and I’m very grateful to have considered it my home base. Again, I may be biased, but Indonesians are friendly, and we have the best food.
Ever since I started scuba diving, I’ve been asking people where the best dive sites are, and most of them say Indonesia. Places like Raja Ampat, Wakatobi, Nusa Penida, and Labuan Bajo are considered diving heavens. The tropical climate also makes it one of the best places to dive. Indonesia also has a lot of mountains to hike and explore—Mount Rinjani, Mount Bromo, Mount Batur, and Mount Ijen, to name a few.
Accommodation options can be limited in rural areas, but if it’s your first time in Indonesia, I recommend starting with the popular spots: Jakarta, Bali, Labuan Bajo, Lake Toba, and Lombok. Infrastructure isn’t great here, but you can always hire a driver or rent a motorbike. Most locals use motorbikes to get around. To hop between islands, you can take flights, buses, or boats. My tips: download local apps like Grab/Gojek and Traveloka to make things easier.
Vietnam
If you want to experience amazing local food, Vietnam is the place for it. I remember a local friend from Hanoi taking me to a Bun Cha spot that later became famous when Anthony Bourdain took Barack Obama there. There’s so much flavor in Vietnamese cuisine, and I still haven’t explored all the cities—like Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Sapa, and Hoi An.
The last time I was in Vietnam was this year, but only for a few hours during transit, so I can’t say much about the infrastructure. But from what I know, it’s definitely better than Laos and Cambodia. You can use apps like Grab or Gojek, and you’ll find buses and trains online.
A lot of people also rent motorbikes to travel from north to south Vietnam. I wouldn’t recommend this unless you’re experienced with motorbikes. Roads in Southeast Asia can be unpredictable, and developing countries are… well, still developing. Expect big trucks and chaotic traffic. Be extra careful if you choose this way of traveling.
Malaysia
If you’re looking for diverse food and culture, you definitely have to visit Malaysia. In terms of infrastructure and public transport, Malaysia ranks second after Singapore. Penang was one of the first places I solo-traveled to in Southeast Asia. Just like Singapore, you can find all kinds of cuisine: Indian, Malaysian, Chinese—you name it.
Malaysia is also home to AirAsia, and I recently started a Southeast Asia trip from Kuala Lumpur. It’s just easier (and cheaper) to start there because AirAsia has so many routes. I suggest you do the same—start in Kuala Lumpur if you’re planning to explore other countries.
Singapore
Small but mighty, Singapore is the most developed country in Southeast Asia. It’s also sandwiched between Malaysia and Indonesia.
I wouldn’t pick Singapore as my first solo travel destination because it would set the bar too high. I’d choose Singapore as my last stop to relax and recover. Another reason is that Singapore has one of the best airports in the world and more international flight routes than any other Southeast Asian country. So, if you’re flying in from far away, Singapore is a great start or end point.
It’s also known as a “15-minute city,” meaning most people can access daily necessities within a 15-minute radius. Public transport here is top-notch—organized, clean, and efficient. You’ll also find a lot of big international brands here. I wouldn’t spend more than 3 days in Singapore. It’s small and, to me, a bit boring after a while. I’ve visited most of the main attractions, and aside from the food (which is similar to Malaysia and Indonesia), I’m not sure what else I’d do there. Also, Singapore is by far the most expensive Southeast Asian country, so budget accordingly.
Laos
Laos might be the least developed country on this list, but it gave me one of the best travel experiences. I only visited Luang Prabang, and it truly is a hidden gem in Asia. Tucked between mountains and the Mekong River, the city (and the country) still carries the influence of French colonization. You can feel it when you’re there—and you’ll also notice there are a lot of French tourists.
There’s no Grab/Uber/Gojek in Luang Prabang, and the main form of public transport is the tuk-tuk. You can rent a bike or a car, but I recommend doing that only if you have experience. I actually learned how to ride a motorbike in Bali.
Accommodation in Luang Prabang is pretty limited. I stayed at a chain hostel called Mad Monkey, which was a safe and decent option. There are activities in Laos, but it can be hard to do things on your own because of the limited infrastructure and language barriers. A good option is joining group tours. Food was great—though quite similar to Cambodia and Vietnam. And it’s really nice to just explore Luang Prabang on a motorbike.
Cambodia
After visiting Cambodia this year, it was an easy decision to add it to my favorite Southeast Asian countries list. I visited Phnom Penh and Siem Reap over 6 days, and I loved every moment.
Cambodia has some of the best temples in the world—Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Bayon Temple, and more. You’ll need at least 3 days in Siem Reap alone to do them justice.
Like Laos, public transport isn’t great, but you can use the Grab app to call a tuk-tuk. Buses between cities are available and easy to book either online or through your hostel.
Cambodia is also gaining popularity among travelers, so there are more accommodation options now, ranging from low-budget hostels to nicer hotels.
Thailand
Other than Singapore and Malaysia, Thailand has some of the best infrastructure and public transport in Southeast Asia. Okay, maybe that’s mostly true for Bangkok—but still. It’s relatively easy to get around as a solo traveler.
Thailand is a hotspot for parties, island hopping, shopping, and of course, food. Many Indonesians even go to Bangkok just to shop—or to become personal shoppers for others back home—because it’s so cheap.
My first time in Thailand, I brought a big empty suitcase and filled it up with clothes, skincare, snacks, and accessories by the end of my 6-day trip.
But if shopping’s not your thing, there are plenty of other places to explore, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, and more. Thailand is super tourist-friendly, so you’ll find everything from budget hostels to luxurious resorts. Activities range from diving and snorkeling to cooking classes and hiking. The options are endless—you just have to pick what suits you best.
Solo Travel in Southeast Asia
Overall, I highly recommend solo traveling in Southeast Asia—no matter where you’re from. Whether you’re drawn to the peace of Laos, the ancient history of Cambodia, or the buzzing energy of Thailand, these seven countries offer something special for every kind of solo traveler.
As for me, I just can’t get enough of Southeast Asia. I’m already planning my next trip for next year!
Let me know in the comments if you’ve been to any of these countries—or if you’re planning to!
