14 best southeast asia travel guides

Southeast Asia travel guides are books or resources that provide information and recommendations for travelers exploring the diverse and culturally rich region of Southeast Asia. These guides cover a wide range of topics related to travel, culture, history, and practical advice for visitors to make the most of their trips. Here's what you should know about Southeast Asia travel guides:

  1. Coverage:

    • Countries: Southeast Asia consists of several countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, and East Timor.Travel guides often cover one or more of these countries or the entire region.
    • Diversity: Southeast Asia is known for its incredible diversity, from bustling cities like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur to serene beaches, lush jungles, and historic temples. Travel guides aim to capture this diversity in their content.
  2. Information:

    • Attractions: Travel guides provide details about must-visit attractions, including iconic landmarks, natural wonders, historical sites, and cultural experiences unique to each destination.
    • Accommodations: They offer recommendations for various accommodation options, such as hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts, to suit different budgets and preferences.
    • Dining: Guides often list popular local dishes and dining establishments, helping travelers explore the region's diverse culinary traditions.
    • Transportation: Information about transportation options, including local buses, trains, ferries, and domestic flights, is typically included to assist travelers in navigating the region.
  3. Culture and History:

    • Cultural Insights: Travel guides often delve into the cultural aspects of Southeast Asian countries, including traditions, festivals, and local customs.
    • Historical Context: They may provide historical background on the region, helping travelers understand the significance of historical sites and events.
  4. Practical Tips:

    • Visa and Entry Requirements: Guides offer information on visa requirements for each country, as well as entry and exit procedures.
    • Health and Safety: Travelers can find advice on health precautions, safety tips, and emergency contact information.
    • Language: Basic language phrases and local etiquette are often included to facilitate communication and cultural respect.
  5. Maps and Itineraries:

    • Maps: Many travel guides include maps of cities and regions, making it easier for travelers to navigate unfamiliar areas.
    • Itineraries: Sample itineraries and suggested routes help travelers plan their trips efficiently, especially if they have limited time.
  6. Photography and Inspiration:

    • Photography Tips: Some guides provide photography tips and highlight photogenic spots.
    • Inspiration: Travelers can find stories, anecdotes, and travel narratives that inspire them to explore Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia travel guides serve as valuable companions for individuals planning their trips to this captivating region. They offer a wealth of information and insights to help travelers make informed decisions and create memorable experiences during their journeys.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best southeast asia travel guides on the market
  

Insight Guides Southeast Asia (Travel Guide with Free eBook)

Insight Guides

Based on 40 reviews Check latest price

Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a shoestring (Multi Country Guide)

Lonely Planet

Based on 166 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Welcome to Southeast Asia!

Lush landscapes, urban jungles, blissful beaches, brooding volcanoes, ancient temples, modernist architecture, creative cuisine: Southeast Asia seamlessly delivers the accessible, affordable exotic.

This guide includes:

Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand (Multi Country Guide)

Lonely Planet

Based on 348 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Welcome to the Mekong Region!

The Mekong – it’s an exotic name guaranteed to fire up the imagination, with such iconic sights as Angkor Wat, Halong Bay and Luang Prabang.

Travelling in the Mekong region is as much about the journey as the destination. Whether you’re venturing into a distant minority village or plunging into the backstreets of a seething megalopolis, your senses will be bombarded as never before.

The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia On A Budget (Travel Guide) (Rough Guides)

Rough Guides

Based on 54 reviews Check latest price

Bali: The Solo Girl's Travel Guide

Based on 88 reviews Check latest price

Fodor's Essential Vietnam (Travel Guide)

Fodor's Travel

Based on 50 reviews Check latest price

Lonely Planet Southeast Asia Planning Map (Planning Maps)

Lonely Planet

Based on 57 reviews Check latest price

Drives of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Road Trips

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Based on 73 reviews Check latest price

Product features

The Amalfi Coast

With numerous switchbacks and plunging drops to the sea, the drive along the Amalfi coast is as hair- raising as it is stunning, with sublime views of towns and villages perched on top of rugged mountains, and tiny inlets and harbors where fishing boats bob at anchor.

Arches and Canyon

Southern Utah’s canyons, chasms, arches, and spires, finely crafted over millions of years, are among the most dramatic landscapes in the U.S. This route travels through geological wonderlands, passing prehistoric and Native American sites.

Vermont 100

Vermont 100 divides the state of Vermont in two, north to south, paralleling the rugged Green Mountains as it passes through beautiful, peaceful scenery and classic New England villages, with spectacular mountain views all the way.

DRIVING BIG SUR

An abundance of state parks, rugged coastlines lined with sandy beaches, majestic redwood forests, soaring waterfalls, and wildlife such as sea otters, grey foxes, and peregrine falcons await you on this drive through the sparsely populated Big Sur region of central California.

HIGHLIGHTS

Monterey Bay Aquarium is well worth the pricey entrance fee—it houses a diverse range of marine life, including sea otters, sharks, penguins, numerous fish species, jellyfish, turtles, and octopuses.

Keep an eye out for wild sea otters feeding in kelp forests just offshore— they are protected along this stretch of coast. A good place to see them is at Soberanes Point near Garrapata State Park

Hearst Castle in San Simeon is a 165-room mansion mixing classical and Mediterranean styles. Perched on a 127-acre (51 ha) estate in the Santa Lucia Range, it has striking views of Big Sur and the Pacific.

Wanderlust: A Traveler's Guide to the Globe

Moon Travel

Based on 382 reviews Check latest price

Lonely Planet Vietnam (Country Guide)

Lonely Planet

Based on 443 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Welcome to Vietnam!

A land of staggering natural beauty and cultural complexities, of dynamic magacities and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is both exotic and compelling.

Self-confident and fast-developing, Vietnam is a country going places. Here, ancient labyrinthine trading quarters of still-thriving craft industries are juxtaposed with grand colossal mansions from the French era, all overseen from the sky bars of 21st century glass-and-steel high-rises.

This guide includes:

Lonely Planet Southeast Asia (Multi Country Guide)

DK Eyewitness Thailand (Travel Guide)

Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff

Based on 145 reviews Check latest price

DK Eyewitness Thailand (Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness Travel

Based on 60 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Welcome to Thailand

Explore Thailand’s serene Buddhist temples, pristine ancient forests, legendary nightlife, bustling markets, and so much more with the help of your DK Eyewitness guide. Whether you’re here for a quick visit or a grand tour, we’ll help you to navigate the very best the country has to offer.

In-depth area-by-area guides

Our in-depth area guides make traveling across Thailand easy, whether you want to cruise the Mekong on a long-tail boat; discover the crumbling ruins of Ayutthaya; learn the art of the Thai massage at Wat Pho; pick up Lao handicrafts in Nong Khai; or try street food classics in Bangkok’s floating markets—we’ve got you covered. And our selection of itineraries suggest several realistic ways to make the most of your time—whether you’re staying for two weeks or just a few days.

Be inspired

With so much to see, we’ve created expert-led special features that investigate how to travel around Thailand your way. Across detailed page spreads, we take a look at how to adventure in the outdoors, encounter fantastic wildlife, experience the vibrant festivals, enjoy the best islands and beaches, sample the local flavors and enjoy a little rest and relaxation.

Off Track Planet's Southeast Asia Travel Guide for the Young, Sexy, and Broke

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Latest Reviews

View all