RTW expected expenses!?

Hello everyone,

I'm planning a trip beginning in January, and was hoping for some advice on cost.
I understand that cost is affected only by what you do, where you stay etc, but i need a general overview and any information you have would be great!

My trip goes like this:
Uk - Singapore
Singapore - Bangkok (overland)
Bangkok - Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam
Vietnam - Hong Kong - China
China - Australia
Aus - NZ
NZ - Chile
Chile - Argentina - Brazil (overland)
Brazil - Ecuador
Ecuador - Peru
Peru - UK

My plan is to use around 11 months to complete this trip, spending approx 3 months in each Continent, leaving 2 months for slippage.
I will be on a budget (aren't we all!?) and would like to know how much to take as living money.
When i'm in Hong Kong, i plan to take a 28 day trip with Intrepid (or somebody!?) to China, costing 1,200pounds ish!

Has anyone got an idea of how much this (or any individual part of the trip) might cost?
Thanks
HB

Sounds like an amazing trip!!

I can't vouch for South America, but I spent 4 months in SE Asia this past summer, and living decently (eating mostly street food, staying in hostels, not getting drunk more than twice a week-ish, but still taking tours every now and then, buying a few souvenirs), not depriving myself of anything serious, I spent between $900 and $1100 USD per month.. I'm sure you can do it cheaper, but unless you go nuts, it's hard to spend a ton of money in most SE Asian countries. Singapore is quite expensive, and I've been there 4 times (relatives) and I can vouch that there isn't really anything super spectacular in the country, so I'd say a week would be MORE than enough time there.

But... aren't you doing it a little bit backwards? It'd work out much cheaper to start in China, then do SE Asia (all of which you can do overland quite easily), overland to Singapore, and then fly to Australia? Kind of work your way through it?

A few years ago we went from Hong Kong to Singapore overland. It took 3 months. We didn't go to Laos, but we spent about 3 weeks in southern China. I would recommend more time for China, once you get there you'll find it is really amazing. And you don't need a tour either, the bus and train system is good. As far as budget goes, I think we spent about $40 (US) a day through the region, varying depending on country.

And I agree with emilyemily about the direction. There are cheap flights from Singapore to Australia and Bangkok to Australia.

Hi,
My wife and I are currently on a round the world trip (9 months). we started in Cuba and are moving around South America. We have worked out a budget of about $100 USD a day for food accomodation and extras for the two of us.
If you like you can have a look at our blog, we have created a page for each country listing our overall expenses (we have only done Cuba and Bolivia so far)
We are currently in Chile and I can tell you Chile is the most expensive country in S.America followed probably by Brazil and Argentina. We've had to work hard in saving money in Chile by cooking our own meals everyday and staying in hostels but still enjoying several tours or trips.

I hope this help?

Thanks very much for the tips, everyone!
I had long forgotten that i asked this question, so its a nice surprise that you've been so helpful with such a difficult, open-ended question.
It's only a week until i go now, but i've taken your advice in that i'm taking longer in China (and not taking an organised tour).

The reason i'm going to Thai first is merely that it will be nice and warm at this time of year. Then i travel North to China for the beginning of their summer (May-Jun). I wanted to choose hotter times in these places before going south to NZ for winter skiing!
It is a little bit of a backwards way to do it, but also i wanted to ease myself into travelling by going to SE Asia, then take on China a little later (i've heard it's more challenging by far!).

Thanks for the assistance, and i'll read the blog about SA too.
H