I won't limit this question to Asia specifically, although I know some people will want to stay in the confines of this board... <BR><BR>BUT, in your experiences, where do you feel the least expensive places to visit are located? [And by that, I mean to actually BE there, not to Get there-- accommodations, food, goods, etc] ...Along the same line of thought-- and this may or may not be the same answer as before-- What places offer the best Value for their lower costs?<BR><BR>I ask this question because in planning a backpacking trip, I've been reading up on Nepal, where accommodations can be had for as little as a dollar or two, and a nicer place can cost just $10. Since I'll be spanning the globe, what other places may be like this, where one's US Dollar will go extrememly far...?

I have been to Nepal, and while it is cheap, you can't get good accomdations for $10. That is ridiculous. If you are paying $10 for a room it is probably a tent. A nice hotel room in Kathmandu will probably be about $80. Food is cheap and you can get a meal for about $5. Yes, prices are much cheaper when compared to the US or Europe, but you are not going to be spending $15 a day unless you really "rough it." <BR><BR>Just to let you in on something, a night at Tiger Tops at Chitwan will set you back $500. Trekking the Himalayas is also VERY expensive.

What a ridiculous, ignorant, and unhelpful reply. That's what backpackers do--they 'rough it'. And there are plenty of clean, simple rooms with private bath in Kathmandu at the prices suggested--even more now following the disturbances there.<BR><BR>To answer the query (to suggest cheap Asian destinations, that is, rather than say, wrongly, where's expensive), Laos and Cambodia are both very cheap--as cheap as Nepal in places. <BR><BR>Bangladesh is probably very cheap, but little visited. <BR><BR>Rural China (but not the cities so much) can be very cheap--a dorm bed for US$3 is common, and even a room with bath can be had for not much more away from the usual tourist routes. Parts of Indonesia and the Philippines are very cheap, and probably even cheaper since 9/11.<BR><BR>Basic noodle and rice dishes in most of these places cost as little as US$1.<BR><BR>Goods? Well, that's a rather elastic expression. Souvenirs for instance? Depends on what you want, of course.<BR><BR>Value for money? Nepal would be my choice, followed by Cambodia and Indonesia.

For high quality spots I would go with Thailand. A nice high rise hotel in Chiang Mai was $30.00 a night. Same room in lets say Atlanta- $90.00.

Stick to the point, you are the ridiculous and ignorant one. Most Americans would never stay in those cheap rooms you suggested. Yes, they are fine for 20-year-old backpackers with no money who don't mind not showering for days or taking a bath in a river. But, like I stated above, most Americans would never travel this way.<BR>And Im sorry, but, this is NOT a backpacker's forum. THIS IS FODOR'S, NOT THE ROUGH GUIDE OR THORN TREE. You, stick to it, are probably the type who would walk into Bloomingdale's and ask where the $2 shirts were.

Dan, Vietnam might fit your requirements. The cheapest room we stayed in, in Hanoi, was $8, and had air conditioning, a private bath and was clean. If you are less picky than us, you could find things that are cheaper; most of our places cost about $20 and were pretty nice, at least by our standards. (we are in our late 30s and past our backpacking days, but don't usually stay at top end places either. and yes, we're Americans.) <BR><BR>Meals there cost as little as $1. A beer, 50 cents. These are the little places on the street, but even at nice restaurants we found it hard to spend more than $25 or $30 for two.<BR><BR>

John G -- Your second post confirmed my thoughts of your first post. Although I wouldn't have jumped on you so harshly as sticktothepoint did, I felt that you were looking at the query through you own, quite limiting, blinders.<BR><BR>Perhaps you would never stoop so low as to find a place for $2.00 a night, but that's not to say most Americans would never do it. Not all travelers need to have luxuries when abroad-- in fact, I would prefer to live the way the native people live, and if that means sleeping on a 1 inch mat in an unheated hut, so be it. <BR><BR>Perhaps you enjoy traveling in greater luxury than that... [I'd be interested in hearing how you made your accommodations, and where and when you stayed] That's fine, but saying that most Americans would never want to stay in cheap places like that IS ignorant. The correct statement is that travelers who travel like you would not consider such travel. The part I do agree with, however is this: your quote of "THIS IS FODOR'S" is sadly accurate of the attitude of too many people on this web site. <BR><BR>I began occasionally posting here about a month ago, trying to help as many people as possible with my budget travel experiences and enjoying the help i received in return. But with the people who have an uppity, "I would never consider this or that, and anyone who suggests it is stupid" attitude, sometimes the site makes my blood boil.<BR><BR>Incidentally, [and here is where you really pushed my buttons] I have found NOTHING on the Fodor's web site than indicates these travel boards are for a certain TYPE of traveler... On the contrary, the intro to the travel talk page says this:<BR>&gt;&gt;&gt;"Talking Travel - Travel Talk is a place for travelers to converse with other travelers. Ask questions, get advice, or share great stories from your trips. But please keep to the topic -- travel)... A civil tone and no advertising or commercial promotion are also requested. "<BR><BR>Just because I carry my luggage on my back, and don't book through travel agents, am I not considered 'A Traveler'? Are my stories of hiking with a pack and a EURail pass not appropriate for upper-crust travelers of Fodor's? That's bull. Although I don't mind you sharing constructive info with me [and the $500 a night sidebar was an interesting comment-- must've been a jungle lodge in the Chitwan forests?], if you don't feel you would travel the way another poster travels, just don't bother responding, instead of cutting them down.<BR><BR>I AM a backpacker, and I will continue to post on Fodor's travel boards until I see something that indicates I should do otherwise.

Well said, Dan.<BR><BR>And another thing, John G: Neither this board, nor the rest of the Internet, is restricted to Americans either for reading or placing messages.<BR><BR> "Most Americans", by the way, never leave their own country--perhaps their viewpoint is just as insular as yours. But of those who do, just as many enjoy budget travel as those from other countries, and they still wash as frequently as you do.

Just got back from a month and a half in SE Asia. I used to think that Nepal was inexpensive, but prices in parts of southern China, Hanoi, Laos, and, even Cambodia, were astonishingly cheaper. Let me clarify that I did not go to 5-star places, just medium-budget, low frills establishments. One exception: took wife to Namphuong Restaurant for a fancy birthday treat: hor d'oeuvres, wine, green papaya salad, pigeon and curry. Also had two hours of live traditional music and court dancing. Final tab came out to...$15.00 USA. I'm still shocked over the experience! Scandinavian Bakery in Louang Prabang featured a breakfast consisting of good French coffee, baguette, a bowl of fresh fruit, and a good-sized omelette filled with bits of ham and peppers for $1.50USA. In my estimation it toppled Kathmandu's Mike's Breakfast from all-time breakfast bargain!

Nepal can be quite inexpensive, though the air and water in the Kathmandu valley is the worst I've experienced (be forewarned). And the point about high end accomodations being expensive there is certainly true. You can get lovely high end accomodations in Thailand, for instance, for less.<BR><BR>Cambodia is quite inexpensive, but I think Indonesia is even cheaper - especially central Java, which has some wonderful crafts. Borobudor and Prambanan are graeat places to experience, but not as extensive or complex as the temples at Angkor.

Thank you to everyone who has given info so far... Great stuff.<BR><BR>I hadn't thought much about going into 'deep' southeast Asia-- Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia; how easy is it to gain entry to these countries for a backpacker?<BR><BR>Anyone else? Asia or otherwise, keep 'em comin!

Hehehehehe. . . what a heted debate.<BR><BR>Being a people-pleaser, I can't resist posting my opinion. But, in case anybody has anything nasty to reply, let it be known that I probably won't read any subsequent responses anyway. Hehehehehe. . . so here' goes. . .<BR><BR>I have been living in Bali for over a year; and my husband (we are both Americans) has been here for six. One of the features I love most is just how f--a--r my US dollar s--t--r--e--t--c--h--e--s. <BR><BR>The least expensive private overnight accommodations I've seen were in Ubud for Rp. 12.500 per night (approximately US $1.25), including private room and bath with hot water shower and flush toilet. The most expensive, of course, can run as high as US $500+ per night at the posh resorts. Then absolutely every possible veriable in between is also available.<BR><BR>Food is similar as one can get a huge plate of rice and two kinds of veggies while eating "Padang" for as little as Rp. 3.000 (approximately US $.30); or else you can spend US prices (in dollars) of as much a $85 and $90 for two at the resorts. Alcoholic drinks, by the way, can cost the same as a full meal.<BR><BR>Long-term rental contracts on two-story, one bedroom houses start at under Rp. 2.000.000 (US $200) per month; and larger homes (like our 4-bedroom/4-bath villa) rent for as little as US $300 under a one- or two-year contract.<BR><BR>For other services, the minimum wage in Indonesia is now Rp. 375.000 a month. . . that's the equivalent of about US $37.50! So maids, cook, gardeners and the like go home happy for US $2-5 a day. A driver with a car will be at your beck and call for as little as US $10 a day; and petrol costs Rp. 1.000 (approximately US $.10) per litre.<BR><BR>In contrast to Thailand where the prices can also be inexpensive, I find more hot water, more flush toilets and more bath tubs in Bali. Cuisine, however, is better in Thailand. It's all a matter of priorities.<BR><BR>'Good question.

All of SE Asia is easily accessible for a backpacker. Indeed, you might want to take a look at Lonely Planet's website (their travel board is called the Thorne Tree).

Thanks Kathie, good to know. I've heard the opposite from a couple people, but they didn't seem very credible so I feel better knowing from someone who sounds like she knows what she's talking about. =)<BR><BR>BaliLama, I HOPE you do read this... your post was great, and if it's not too much trouble, I'd love to hear more from you and perhaps chat sometime; sounds like you'd have some good knowledge to share for a not-so-traditional traveler. Feel free to send an e-mail my way to the address listed above... thanks

Dan-<BR>I did a RTW trip in 98-99<BR>Thailand, Bali, and Nepal were among the least expensive places.In Nepal we stayed at the well-known Kathmandu Guest House which has rooms from $2-$60 a night. We had a nice room with private bath and TV on the courtyard for about $25 a night which is high for most backpackers. Trekking can be inexpensive if you plan it once you get there. In Pokhara we had a fabulous room with TV, bathtub, and view of the annapuras for $7 a night!<BR>See my website at<BR>http://www.wired2theworld.com<BR>It has journals, photos, and a complete budget for the trip.<BR>FYI, we were 30 at the time and not "budget backpackers". We spent anywhere from $1 a night to $250 a night on the trip (avg was probably closer to $25).<BR>Feel free to email me with questions after looking at the website.

Bali Lama is right. You can get cheap rooms in Bali. I once stayed in a US$20/nite Kuta chalet which is a bungalow with a/c and attahed bathroom. It had grounds and a pool and even massage service. The room quality was much much better than the US$200/nite motel we stayed in Cinque Terre Italy.Fried noodles costs 40cts.Steak in a r'rant costs $3. And Bali is considered expensive. Over in Java you can get half that price.A friend of mine and 5 friends had a seafood meal in Central Java and it cost the six of them US$40.Their lobsters cost them US$3 each.Because of the currency devaluation Indonesia is now one of the cheapest destinations in the world.<BR><BR>John G, not only are you arrogant but condescending as well.

ttt

Dan<BR>You said you wouldn't limit this question to Asia specificallly- so what about the Greek Islands?<BR>It is so cheap to eat and find accomodation. It is definitely a back-packers paradise. I'm afraid I haven't "roughed it" there myself but ahve been to many of the islands. ( At Athens airport if you arrive for a night flight you almost have to walk over the many backpackers who stay there for the night before catching ferries etc the next day)<BR>You won't get accomodations for the Nepal rates but there are countless camp sites. <BR>Anyway, hope this helps!

I am admittedly biased since I am of Indian origin, but for my money, India has the most to offer for the money. You can find very comfortable hotels for $30 or less in New Delhi, and then take bus trips to Agra to the see the Red Fort and of course the Taj Mahal, to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mothura, Brindabhan (Varanasi). The Hindu and Mogul architecture is very impressive, the culture and religion is very rich, and the food is outstanding and it's all very cheap for the Western traveler-- unless you plan to stay at the Oberoi Grand types hotels.<BR><BR>I see that a lot of people like to visit Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, etc. Why not visit the country that has been the strongest influence on these countries' culture, religion, and cuisine? India.