Europe’s train system makes it one of the easiest and most convenient places on the planet to get around, but other places are pretty easy too. Your air ticket to SE Asia might cost more than to Europe, but your day to day cost will be significantly lower.

I’ve been to various places in SE Asia and found it pretty easy to get around. There are plenty of public busses and other sorts of public transport as well as a good backpacker culture. Sometimes roads can be pretty rough, so do ask around before you book. (BTW, we took an overnight train from Vientiane to BKK and I seriously regret the advice to take the fan cooled sleeper—next time, I’m going Air-Con Sleeper!!!!)

I think the biggest change you’ll see is accomodations. You’ll probably have more private rooms and less shared hostel-type rooms. I think this makes it slightly harder to meet people, but not really a big deal. Backpackers tend to travel along the same trails.

The food situation is different as well. I was so used to traveling around Europe with a big chunk of cheese, a chunk of bread, and a chocolate bar in my daypack at all times. This simply doesn’t happen in SE Asia. Not only is the weather inhospitable to such things, but cheese can be hard to find and expensive in some places. I will fully admit to getting burned out on Asian food, as much as I like it, but I’m pretty sick of rice and noodles by the time I get home.

Dining tip: When looking for Western food, look for places run by Westerners. They have a much better idea of what western food is. I’ve had some rather interesting pizzas while traveling… At home, you prefer a Chinese restaurant run by, and frequented by Chinese people, don’t you? Definitely eat as much local food as you can, though.

I actually feel safer in many Asian destinations than I do in Europe. Oddly enough, of all the places I’ve been, I probably felt the safest in Syria and Myanmar, both of which are viewed as "scary" destinations by alot of folks.

go for it, and have a safe, fun trip.

I love SE Asia.

Thank you for all of your advise! I think an AC cooled train would be the way to go too! I about died in Greece with no AC! My friends called it American Conditioning.

Canada.

Like America, but so, SO different.

quote:
Canada.

Like America, but so, SO different.

yet basically the same

It is the small things that are really noticeable IMHO.

For instance, I live in Asia, which I expected to be really different and it is. When I am in the States, things are a LITTLE bit different, but usually in an interesting way.

I think the subtle differences can be as profound as the huge ones.

Seriously, the non a/c sleeper was untolerably dirty (and I’m pretty tolerant) and we were so hot, sticky, and tired from sightweeing and such all day. Maybe during other times of the year it’s diferent, but I would’ve been much happier in the AC sleeper.