If you’re a beginner traveler, you’re probably trying to decide between Europe and Southeast Asia for your first big trip abroad. Both regions offer something unique to travelers. If you travel to Europe, you can visit world-class cities such as Paris, Rome, London, Berlin, and Amsterdam. The region offers history, culture, and old-world charm. In Southeast Asia, you’ll enjoy beautiful beaches, tropical weather, and an exotic atmosphere. In this guide, I outline the pros and cons of Europe Vs Southeast Asia travel. This guide covers travel costs, food, things to do, natural beauty, safety, culture, nightlife, weather, accommodation, ease of travel, and much more.
Over the past 12 years, I’ve visited both of these regions multiple times. I’ve spent over a year traveling in each. In this guide, I’ll share my experience.
Southeast Asia consists of 11 countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and Brunei. Many southeast Asia travelers also include Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, China, or Hong Kong in their Southeast Asia adventure as these countries are all easily accessible from Southeast Asia.
Europe consists of 44 countries. The continent is full of diverse cultures and destinations, making it difficult to decide where to go. Popular tourist countries like France, Italy, Spain, Greece, and the U.K. often top lists of favorite European destinations. There are many other wonderful places to explore as well including Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Norway, the Czech Republic, Austria, Ireland, Iceland, and more. If you feel like visiting someplace a bit more exotic or less well-known, you could head to Eastern Europe to visit Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, or Montenegro. From Europe, it’s also easy to take a side trip to Turkey or Morocco.
Travel Cost
Southeast Asia is the best travel destination for those on a tight budget. You can backpack Southeast Asia on a budget of around $1200-$1500 per month. If you travel slowly and stay in hostels, you can get by on as little as $800-$1000 per month. For the average backpacker, $1200 per month is a good budget. Check out the Asia Backpacker Index for an idea of daily travel costs in the region.
In Europe, a budget traveler will have to spend closer to $2000-$2500 per month. In most large Western European cities, you’ll spend an average of $50-$80 per day. It’s possible to get by on less if you cook your own food and stay in cheap hostels. If you want to stay in private accommodation and eat out, you’ll spend around $100-$150 per day. Check out the Europe Backpacker Index to get an idea of your daily costs in various cities around the continent.
Pretty much everything is cheaper in Southeast Asia including accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment. Accommodation is particularly affordable in Southeast Asia. You can find a bed in a hostel dorm for $8-$15 per night in most cities in the region. Sometimes even less. Budget hotel rooms go for $25-$30 in most cities.
Food is incredibly affordable in Southeast Asia as well. If you eat street food, you can enjoy a tasty and healthy meal for just $2-$5. A decent meal in a restaurant can be had for $10-$15. The real bargain is the street food. For just a couple of bucks, you can feast on world class cuisine. Long distance buses and budget flights are also affordable. YOu can travel between countries for $25-$30 by bus or take a budget flight for less than $100. Southeast Asia offers some of the best value for your money of anywhere in the world.
In Europe, everything is significantly more expensive. You’re lucky to find a bed in a hostel for less than $25-$30 per night these days. In some expensive Western and Northern European cities, hostel dorm bed start at $40-$50. Even camping in Europe is getting expensive. Many European campgrounds are charging over $20 per night these days. A hotel room in most cities will cost $80-$100 per night. In expensive cities, you’ll spend closer to $150 for a basic hotel room. A basic meal in a restaurant costs $20-$30.
In Europe, prices vary greatly by region. Western and Northern Europe are the most expensive regions. If you want to visit Europe on a budget, head east. Eastern Europe is still affordable. You can find a dorm in a hostel for $10-$15 per night in the region. Food and transport in Eastern Europe are also far cheaper than in Western and Northern Europe. You can eat well on a budget in Europe if you buy food at the grocery store and cook for yourself in a hostel kitchen. Check out my guide to cooking in a hotel room for some money-saving tips.
The lower prices in Southeast Asia allow you to travel longer. You could travel for 2-3 months in Southeast Asia for the price of a month of travel in Europe. You can also travel more slowly without feeling bad about wasting money. If you stay in for a day and spend $30 it’s no big deal. If you stay in for a day in Europe, you might spend over $100 just on accommodation and food.
Some of the cheapest cities in Southeast Asia include Hanoi, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Vientiane, Laos, Luang Prabang, Laos, Chaing Mai, Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand, Yangon, Myanmar, and Jakarta, Indonesia. In these cities, you can get by on $25-$30 per day. Some of the more expensive cities in Southeast Asia include Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Phuket, Thailand. In these cities, you’ll spend $40-$50 per day.
Some of the cheapest cities in Europe to visit include Budapest, Hungary, Bucharest, Romania, Krakow, Poland, Belgrade, Serbia, and Sofia, Bulgaria. In these cities, you can get by on less than $50 per day. Some of the more expensive cities in Europe include London, U.K., Oslo, Norway, Paris, France, Zurich, Switzerland, Venice, Italy, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Dublin, Ireland, and Reykjavik, Iceland. In these expensive cities, you’ll spend $100-$150 per day.
For help budgeting, check out my guide: How to Create an Accurate Budget for Long-Term Travel
Winner- Southeast Asia is much cheaper than Europe.
Weather
The weather in Southeast Asia is hard to beat. It’s a tropical paradise. Temperatures are always comfortable. You can walk around in a t-shirt and shorts year-round. you can visit whenever you like.
Southeast Asia has two seasons, the dry season and the wet season. The dry season runs from November through May. During these months, the weather is slightly cooler and rain is rare. This is the best time of year to visit Southeast Asia.
The wet season usually runs from June through October. During the wet season, expect an hour or two of rain per day in the late afternoon or during the night. Temperatures are slightly warmer during the rainy season as well. In some regions, flooding is an issue during the monsoon season. This rarely affects tourists. The wet season is also known as the rainy season or the monsoon season.
I have visited Southeast Asia during both seasons. The weather is always great. Some travelers don’t like having to deal with the rain during the wet season. season but I kind of like it. The rain is only a slight inconvenience. I just carry an umbrella in my day pack and use it for the hour or so that it rains per day. Sometimes, I pop into a restaurant for a drink when it starts raining.
In Europe, the weather is pretty lousy for half of the year. Between late October and March, the skies are gray and the weather is chilly. During the winter months, you’ll experience freezing weather across most of the continent. Rain and snow are common. The one exception is the Mediterranean coast which stays warm and pleasant for most of the year.
The best time to visit Europe is the summer. Between late May and early September, the weather is comfortable and dry across most of the continent. Unfortunately, summer in Europe is the busy season. During the months of July and August, touristy cities are packed. Prices are higher during the summer season as well.
A great time to visit Europe is the shoulder seasons during early fall and late spring. During these seasons, the weather is still decent and crowds are a bit thinner. Prices are lower as well.
Winter travel in Europe can be nice as well if you don’t mind packing a heavy jacket, gloves, and boots. One benefit of traveling Europe in the winter is that prices are lower and crowds are thin.
Winner- Southeast Asia has better weather than Europe.
Food
Both regions offer world-class food. In Europe, you can enjoy three of the world’s most popular cuisines including Italian and French. Mediterranean cuisines such as Greek and Spanish are phenomenal as well. Every European country also has its own specialties. Cuisine varies from country to country.
Southeast Asia also offers excellent cuisine. Both Thai and Vietnamese foods are loved around the world. Everyone enjoys spicy Thai curry, a hot bowl of Vietnamese Pho, or a Bánh mì sandwich. In Malaysia and Singapore, you’ll find a unique mix of Malay, Indian, and Chinese flavors. Indonesia offers excellent curries. The Philippines and Cambodia aren’t known for their food but also offer some excellent dishes.
Probably my favorite part of traveling in Southeast Asia is the street food. Street food is fast, tasty, and cheap. It’s also available everywhere. You can sample a wide variety of dishes for just a couple of dollars. Southeast Asia is probably the best place in the world to eat street food. The variety and quality is insane.
A few of my favorite street food dishes in Southeast Asia are pad thai in Thailand, Bánh mì sandwiches in Vietnam, and fried tempeh in Indonesia. Delicious barbecued chicken, shrimp, and beef skewers are also served throughout the region. Street food can be a snack or a whole meal. Freshly cut tropical fruits and smoothies are also sold on the street. Southeast Asia is a great place to sample tropical fruits.
If you enjoy eating in restaurants, Europe is the better choice. Some of the finest restaurants on earth are located in large European cities like London, Paris, and Rome. You can find fantastic restaurants all over the continent.
In Europe, you will have to go to sit-down restaurants in order to enjoy the cuisine because street food isn’t as common. This means you’ll be spending a lot more money. A decent meal will cost $20-$40 depending on where you are.
There are street food stands in Europe. On the street, you’ll find Sausage and pretzel stands in Germany, fries and waffle stands in Belgium, pizza in Italy, and kebab stands and hot dog stands across the continent. In some cities, you can also find food trucks or pop-up restaurants.
Personally, I prefer eating street food to eating at sit-down restaurants. It’s faster. This leaves me more time for sightseeing. Sometimes I don’t have time to sit down and wait for food. It’s also cheap. This is good for the budget. As a solo traveler, I also prefer being able to sit at a street food stand rather than having to sit down alone at a restaurant. It’s less awkward. I don’t really like eating in restaurants alone.
Europe offers a greater variety of food. In a large European city, you can find excellent Indian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican food, and local food as well as classics like burgers, pizza, and more. In Southeast Asia, you can usually only find local food. International options are less common. I made the mistake of ordering a pizza in Vietnam. It was the worst pizza I ever ate.
Winner- If you’re a foodie, Europe wins. Which region has the best food depends on your taste.
History
For history buffs, Europe is the better choice. An incredible amount of major historical events took place on the continent. There are ruins, museums, battlegrounds, monuments, and all kinds of historic points of interest to explore.
For example, if you’re interested in World War I history, you can spend your trip visiting famous battlegrounds such as Verdun, Ypres, and Somme. If you’re interested in World War II history, you can visit sites like the D-day landing beaches in Normandy and other World War II battlegrounds, the Warsaw Ghetto, the Anne Frank house, and Oscar Schindler’s factory.
For those interested in the medieval period, you can spend your trip visiting the iconic castles scattered throughout the continent. There may be more than 25,000 castles in Germany alone. A few of the most spectacular castles Heidelberg castle, Neuschwanstein castle, and Hohenschwangau castle.
If you’re interested in ancient history, you can spend your trip visiting ruins of the Roman empire. Points of interest include the Coliseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, and Pont du Gard. The Greek empire is equally as interesting. Visit sites such as the Acropolis, Delphi, and Olympia.
Southeast Asia has plenty of historic sites as well including Bagan in Myanmar, the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, and Hue in Vietnam, Wat Rong Khun in Thailand, as well as thousands of other temples and historic cities throughout the region.
While the Southeast Asian historic sites are beautiful and fascinating, they are more limited. These sites are also less relevant to westerners, like myself. Many of us had parents or grandparents involved in WWII, for example so the history just feels more relatable. The history we learn in school focuses more on the West. This makes European history a bit more significant.
Winner- Europe offers more historical sites than Southeast Asia.
Natural Beauty
The natural landscape of each region is completely different. Europe lies in a temperate climate zone while Southeast Asia is a tropical region. Both regions have varied geographies. Southeast Asia offers tropical islands and beaches. There are lots of bays, inlets, and gulfs. Inland, you’ll find mountains, plateaus, and plains. Europe has more mountainous terrain. Europe also has a lot of coastlines. The continent is sometimes described as a peninsula of peninsulas. On the Mediterranean coast, you’ll find some of the planet’s most spectacular islands.
There are a number of mountain ranges in Europe including the Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites, Urals, Caucasus, Carpathians, and more. These areas are great for hiking, skiing, snowboarding, climbing, and mountain biking.
Natural wonders of Europe include the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, the fjords of Norway, The Matterhorn in Switzerland, and Mont Blanc on the border of France, Italy, and Switzerland. Along Europe’s southern coast, you’ll find spectacular Mediterranean beaches and islands in Spain, Italy, France, Croatia, and Greece. In the north of the continent, you can visit the arctic tundra in Norway. The natural landscape of Europe is stunning.
Southeast Asia is naturally beautiful but much less varied. Natural wonders include Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, the limestone cliffs of Krabi, Thailand, the Mekong River in Laos, and Inle Lake, in Myanmar. There is some great climbing and hiking in Southeast Asia.
Throughout the entire region, you’ll find incredible tropical beaches. One of the best beaches I’ve ever experienced was Long Beach on Koh Rong island, Cambodia. Thailand and the Philippines also have some spectacular beaches. There are also thousands of beautiful tropical islands to visit in the region.
This choice comes down to your landscape preference. If you prefer mountain scenery, Europe is the better choice. If you prefer tropical beach destinations, Southeast Asia is the better choice. I’m giving this win to Europe because of the more varied landscape.
Winner- Europe offers more natural beauty than Southeast Asia.
Islands
Europe and Southeast Asia are two of the best destinations for island lovers. You can island-hop across the Mediterranean, Southern Thailand, the Philippines, or Indonesia.
Southeast Asia is also an excellent destination for island lovers. Indonesia and the Philippines have more islands than you could visit in multiple lifetimes. For example, Indonesia has over 18,000 islands and the Philippines has over 7500 islands. Thailand is also known for its islands. Some of the most popular Thai islands to visit include Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Lipe.
Europe also has some spectacular islands as well. The Greek islands, in particular, are some of the most beautiful islands on earth. Some of the most popular European island destinations include Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes in Greece, Ibiza and Majorca in Spain, Capri and Sicily in Italy, and Corsica in France.
Winner- It’s a tie. Both destinations have spectacular islands.
Safety
Both Europe and Southeast Asia are perfectly safe places to travel. Having said this, a few dangers exist in Southeast Asia that you don’t really have to worry about in Europe.
One of the biggest dangers in Southeast Asia is traffic. Statistically, the region has one of the world’s highest rates of injury related to auto accidents. According to this Wikipedia article, Southeast Asia sees 20.7 road fatalities per 100,000 per year. This is the second highest rate in the world after Africa. To compare, Europe sees just 9.3 road fatalities per 100,000 per year. That’s less than half the rate of fatalities.
You can see why traffic fatalities are so high in Southeast Asia while you’re out walking around. In large cities like Bangkok, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh, people zip through traffic on motorcycles without a care in the world. Pedestrians walk wherever they want. Riding a motorcycle through Hanoi was one of the most stressful experiences I’ve ever endured.
You have to be careful while crossing the street and traveling around. If you hire a tuk-tuk and the driver isn’t safe, get out and look for a safer driver. Traveling around Europe is safer.
Food safety is another issue. Food hygiene standards in Southeast Asia are lower than in Europe. If you travel in the region long enough, you’ll probably end up catching a case of traveler’s diarrhea. There’s really no avoiding it. You’re less likely to get food poisoning in Europe.
If you do happen to get sick or injured during your trip, your treatment options may be less limited in Southeast Asia than in Europe depending on where you are. In large developed cities like Bangkok and Singapore, healthcare is world-class. In rural areas of Cambodia and Laos, you may be out of luck if you require treatment. The closest hospital could be hours away. Hospitals in smaller towns may not have the technology to treat some injuries and sicknesses.
I crashed a motorcycle in rural Vietnam and got some serious road rash on my leg and arm. There were no hospitals nearby. Luckily, a kind man and his son who lived nearby had some first aid supplies. They helped me wrap up my wounds.
In Europe, emergency services exist pretty much everywhere. Medical care offered in the region is some of the best in the world. In Europe, you’re also less likely to get sick or injured due to the higher health and safety standards.
Winner- Europe is safer than Southeast Asia.
Crime and Scams
Europe and Southeast Asia are both safe regions to travel to. Both regions are stable. Violent crime is rare.
The most common crimes that you’re likely to encounter in Europe are pickpocketing, petty theft, or scams. Large European cities such as Paris, Rome, and Barcelona are notorious for pickpockets and scammers. Check out my list of common travel scams for more info. Violent crimes like robbery and terrorism exist in Europe but they are pretty rare these days.
Southeast Asia also has relatively low crime rates. In big cities, you have to look out for petty thieves. Always keep an eye on your belongings. Violent crimes such as robbery or assault are pretty rare in Southeast Asia.
I don’t feel that safety needs to be given much consideration when deciding between these two destinations. Both Europe and Southeast Asia are perfectly safe places to travel. After all, they are two of the most visited regions in the world. As long as you take some basic precautions, you will be safe.
Of course, Europe and Southeast Asia are both big regions. There are places in Southeast Asia that are less safe to visit. For example, Mindanao in the Philippines, the Southern Provinces of Thailand, Papua New Guinea, and Parts of Myanmar are dangerous for various reasons. These areas are easily avoided by tourists.
Europe also has some cities that are less safe. Bradford, United Kingdom, Belgrade, Serbia, Nantes, France, and Minsk, Belarus are some European cities with higher-than-average crime rates by European standards. By international standards, these cities are still relatively safe.
Before you travel, it’s a good idea to read the travel advisories for each country you plan to visit. You can read travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State here. They cover pretty much every region.
Winner- Europe is slightly safer than Southeast Asia. Both regions are safe to travel.
Nightlife and Parties
Both Europe and Southeast Asia offer excellent nightlife. The party scene in each region is pretty different.
If you’re into clubbing, Europe is the top destination. In large European cities, you can see the world’s top music artists and DJs perform. You’ll hear the newest music. The venues are clean, organized, and high-class. The clubs are open all night long. Some of the best European destinations for nightlife include Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Ibiza, and Mykonos.
There are several drawbacks to clubbing in Europe. The biggest drawback is the cost. Cover charges and expensive drinks eat up your budget quickly. You could easily burn through a couple of hundred euros during a night out clubbing in an expensive European city. A drink in a large European club can cost 10-20 euros. Cover charges can cost 20-50 euros. If you’re a backpacker on a tight budget, you might not be able to afford to go out much.
You have to dress up to fit in while going out in Europe. You can’t just show up in a t-shirt and shorts. Some European clubs are picky as to who they let in. This is particularly true in Berlin. If the doorman doesn’t like the way you look, you could get turned away for no reason, even if you’re dressed according to the code.
OF course, Europe also offers plenty of laid-back nightlife options for those who don’t like clubbing. From cozy pubs, beer gardens, and street cafes to traditional music performances, outdoor concerts, and movie nights, there’s something for everyone in Europe.
Southeast Asia offers a much more relaxed nightlife. You don’t have to deal with ridiculous cover charges, long lines, and high drink prices. One of the biggest parties in Europe, Thailand’s famous Full Moon Party, takes place on the beach. You just show up and buy a drink at one of the little stands and enjoy the night. Some beach parties offer activities and shows. You’ll see people jumping flaming jump ropes and playing drinking games. Of course, there will be music and dancing all night.
Another nice thing about the Southeast Asia beach party scene is that it’s less formal and structured. You don’t have to dress up. Because the party takes place on the beach, normal attire is board shorts and a t-shirt.
The drawback to parties in Southeast Asia is safety. It’s kind of the wild west. There is security but it’s not as tight. The flaming jump ropes have injured many travelers as well. I still have a burn scar on my leg from getting caught up in a flaming rope in 2013.
You can get the clubbing experience in Southeast Asia as well. Large cities like Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong have high-end nightclubs that rival European clubs. If you don’t want to party, you’ll find plenty of laid-back beach bars and restaurants throughout the region.
Some travelers argue that partying is not a good reason to go traveling. I disagree. The goal of travel is to have fun. You’re on vacation after all. If you’re into partying, by all means, travel to a party destination. Going out abroad is a valid cultural experience. At the same time, you don’t want to party too much and miss out on sightseeing.
Winner- Europe is the better choice for those who enjoy clubbing. Southeast is the better choice for those who enjoy more casual nightlife. Both regions offer a wide range of nightlife options.
Culture
Both Europe and Southeast Asia contain many different nations, each with its own unique culture. Both regions offer fascinating cultures with great histories, cuisines, music, architecture, holidays, art, and religions. Which cultural experience is better really depends on where you’re from and what you’re looking for.
Most people reading this come from western counties. If you come from a western country, European culture is probably pretty familiar to you. After all, it’s where western civilization began. If you’re from Europe, you’re not going to experience too much culture while traveling your own continent. You will be somewhat familiar with the culture that you experience.
If this is the case for you, traveling in Europe probably won’t offer you as great of a cultural experience as traveling to Southeast Asia. For those of us from the west, Southeast Asian culture feels much more exotic than European culture. Everything is different. The food contains different seasonings and spices. Common religions in Southeast Asia are Islam and Buddhism while Europe is mostly Catholic and Christian. Different holidays are celebrated. You’ll see unique art and architectural styles that you may not be familiar with. People speak different languages and even behave differently.
If you prefer to travel somewhere with a similar culture to yours, you may enjoy traveling in Europe more. The local customs will feel more familiar. You probably won’t experience culture shock in Europe. You may experience a bit of culture shock in Southeast Asia. Particularly if you travel someplace a bit less developed, like rural Cambodia or Myanmar.
Winner- If you’re from the west, Southeast Asian culture feels more exotic. European culture feels familiar. Both regions offer plenty of culture.
Transportation Infrastructure
Both Europe and Southeast Asia offer excellent transportation options. An extensive network of buses, trains, and ferries can take you wherever you want to go. Both regions are served by multiple budget airlines, making long-distance travel affordable. Having said this, the transportation network in Europe is vastly superior.
The European rail network connects pretty much every city on the continent. The trains are efficient, fast, frequent, and comfortable. They usually run on time. Consider purchasing a Eurail pass or Interrail pass if you plan to travel around by train often during your trip.
