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Q: What's the cheapest SouthEast Asian country to travel to from China?
Considering flight prices, hotel, food, etc. balanced with the beauty, comfort of the place (and how easy it is to communicate with people in English there), which country is best:
Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam?
12 years 6 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - China
It would depend on which city are you located in China. For example, for me it will cost 6,000 Rmb for a round ticket to Thailand, and to Hanoi, Vietnam it would be only 2800 Rmb.
Then, you also need to consider your taste for hotels. I normally, when traveling alone, use hotels for basically two things, take a bath and sleep at night, so I am OK even in 2 star accomodations. But my GF has a totally different idea, she likes and enjoys "richer" surroundings, so if she is with me, we go to 4 or 5 star hotels, which are more expensive.
Then there is a question about your security too. In my opinion, I would not visit Laos or Cambodia alone. I was there as part of a group and worked fine, but I would not go back alone. Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia are OK alone in my book.
Taking averything said above into consideration, in my case Hanoi, Vietnam, will be my choice. Besides, there is one small island in Vietnam, and as long as you stay within that island you are welcomed without the need for a visa. If you like lovely beaches, a nice relaxed atmosphere, and not exhorbitant prices, please do give this place a look over.
MissA:
Hi Happy, can I ask which region you're living in that you can get such cheap tickets to Hanoi? I'd love to go back, but it costs a small fortune from where I'm living. Also, I can't agree with you assessment of Laos and Cambodia alone. I travelled through both by myself a few years ago with no problems at all. Of course, backpacking (as I do) through those countries is such a social thing that travelling 'alone' actually rarely meant completely alone :)
HappyExPat:
Hi Miss A, I am in Guangxi Province, about 140 Kms away from the Vietnam border. In regards to Laos and Cambodia, maybe you were lucky. As I said, I travel in a group, and saw and heard a lot of kidnapping and more than pickpockets in those two countries. I would not recommend them alone. But that was a few years ago, maybe now it is better.
For mainland south east Asia, which country is cheapest probably depends on how long you're planning to stay there. The reason for this is that Thailand and Malaysia both have major regional flight hubs (Bankgok and Kuala Lumpur respectively) and would probably be much cheaper to fly to from most Chinese cities. Also, travellers from western countries get visa free entry.
On the other hand, once you're there, then Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam are cheaper (in that order: Laos especially, once you're out of the NGO-soaked capital). So, for a longer trip, the day-to day cheapness would probably offset the intital extra cost in getting there.
There's one exception to this, though. If you're living in southern China, then jumping on a sleeper train to Hanoi and then travelling through Vietnam (Hanoi's a wonderful city by the way) would be the cheapest.
As far as beauty goes: they're all gobsmackingly beautiful in places. The food is uniformly good through SE Asia, but does vary a lot. Thailand does hot, salty, spicy food; Vietnam has very flavourful cuisines based on fresh herbs and seafood and Malaysia has a wonderful mix of cuisines which reflects the variety of its Chinese, Indian and Malay peoples.
For ease of getting around and high English levels, Malaysia totally takes the biscuit but it is also the most expensive option day-to-day and the hedonism of other SE Asian countries isn't there, if that's your thing. It's very easy to get around using English in any of the countries as long as you stick to the tourist trail. 
hard to generalize.
the cheapest flights you can probably get to:
A) Philippines with Cebu Pacific Airlines (from SHA, PEK, GZ, HK,...)
still affordable flights go to:
B) Malaysia with Air Asia (near PEK, SHA, GZ, SHZ,HK,...)
C) Thailand with Air Asia (unfortunately only from GZ, SHZ, HK,...)
BUT on the other hand, hotels are cheaper in Thailand, than Malaysia and Philippines. also the food...
English Level is higher in Philippines than Thailand...
Scenery is TOP in all the places.
So finally there is just no clear answer I believe. Probably if you take a more expensive flight to Cambodia or Laos, you end up spending less in total, as living there is just much cheaper. It is not just about the flight...
MissA:
Generalising is fun! Although, of course, people who generalise are idiots.
Last time I checked, there is a train from Beijing to Vietnam with many stops along the way. I bet you it's cheaper than flyiing.
LAR:
Hi xinyuren. Do you have any idea how much that train trip costs? Many thanks!
xinyuren:
http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#Hanoi - Beijing by train
welll giving you a good piece of advise,visit pakistan.its not only a country but a green land full of life,culture,traditions and some worthless values.
crimochina:
i dont think it would be a great idea for americans to visit pakistan we've killed too many of their people... sorry by the way
The cheapest to fly is AirAsia as others said...
I live in Xiamen. Spent 3 weeks in The Philippines and 3 in Thailand this winter. Flew to Manila with China Southern (2000 return)..
Shenzhen-Bangkok was 1300 return! If you buy on time, doubles after...
Spent 2000 RMB for 3 weeks in Northern Thailand (don't care about the beaches) and down to Bangkok. Have stayed in single rooms for 20 RMB...So if you do your search, both countries are dirt cheap.
Cambodia, Laos or Indonesia you can do also on AirAsia if you change in Kuala Lumpur...Hanoi is about 1700 RMB return from Guangzhou (China Southern)...Malaysia and Indonesia seem the most expensive of the bunch. Next is Cambodia for me, in the summer 
MissA:
Hi, manasyt. Would you mind me asking, how expensive or cheap is the Philippines once you're there? What's a reasonable daily budget?
Hey Miss.
Where do you live in China?
Philippines, depends on where you go and where you wanna stay.
I traveled alone so I stayed in hostels (check Hostelworld & Hostelbookers), most people go to Boracay & Palawan. I didn't go there... I like to see the real life and mix with the locals...I did a straight line from Manila down to Davao (thru Cebu, Bohol, Camiguin, Cagayan De Oro). What I paid was 200-300 peso for accommodation (1 RMB is about 7 peso). Camiguin & Bohol are my favorite, stayed in the middle of the jungle 
. You can eat for 200 peso a day...if you avoid fancy stuff & western food (which is tempting:) Transportation is very cheap...Anything else-hit me up. Cheers, Petar
HOW MUCH THE JAPANESE TRAVELING WILL COST ME FROM GUANGZHOU IF I WANT TO TRAVEL ...?
Scandinavian:
China Southern Airlines and Japan Airlines both have direct flights from Guanzhou to Tokyo.
If you plan ahead you can get tickets for downwards 4500CNY (one person return ticket)
These days Air Vietnam or whatever it's called and China Southern are offering some really, really cheap tickets return Beijing - Hanoi. Also there are cheap tickets Beijing - Bangkok. Try www.elong.net.
I've seen travel packages to Cambodia for 3000rmb. 5 day stay, airfare, hotel, tour group, visa is included. I'm considering taking the deal early next year.
beaufortninja:
no links. If you just walk around the various travel agencies you can find great deals. Some of them might be little holes in the wall though.
If you live in Guangxi it's got to be Vietnam, heck it's only a short bus ride away.
I'll be in Vietnam the whole January, return flight is 2500...even with one stopover
Yeah I'm like manasyt _ I'm a Philippines traveler. Been there 5 times and I avoid Manila like the plague. I also don't go to Palawan but stay in the Provinces - Davao, Surigao, Bataan, Subic, Ongolapo, Puerto Galera, Butuan, Cabadbaran....places like that. I stay with the locals and not in hotels if I can find a reasonable family to stay with. Like the other countries mentioned they all have beautiful scenery, beaches, diving / snorkeling, hiking - whatever you like. All cheap as chips.
Roll on Feb - Cebu and Demaguete, hot weather, beaches.
