How we traveled to 3 countries for less than £1000
It all begins with an idea.
Have you ever wondered how far a trip can take you with just 2 weeks and £1000. Setting my partner and I a challenge, we took this wondering thought very literally and turned it into how I define travel today. I’ve always wanted to find the right balance between adventure and affordability, so when we found the route between the UAE, Japan, and Vietnam, we knew with the right tools, mindset, and spontaneity, it could be possible anywhere you go.
Our view from our Airbnb in Ho Chi Minh.
Our route looked like this:
London - Dubai (£90, layover in Budapest) 3 nights.
Dubai - Tokyo (£150, layover in Manila) 4 nights.
Tokyo - Ho Chi Minh (£70) 4 nights.
Ho Chi Minh - London (£243, layover in Guangzhou)
(£553 flights total per person)
Flights tend to be the burden when booking trips away, but by using tools like Kiwi, Skyscanner, Booking.com, we were amazed by what we found. Skyscanner offers “multi-city” trip options when booking flights, so you can visit more than just one destination for the same cost. For example, a typical London to Tokyo return would cost upwards of £1000 for the flight alone, but when you expand your horizons and explore other parts of the world (Vietnam, UAE, China, South Korea, and much more), it can be done for half the price.
The absolute cheapest option when booking flights is to focus on hand luggage only or pay a little extra for a cabin bag; we did this, and it only cost £70 extra when booking through Kiwi as opposed to booking directly with the airline, as it would have been about £40 per flight!
Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya, Tokyo.
As for our accommodation, we primarily focus on Airbnbs when booking our trips, but on this occasion, we had a mix. We used Booking.com for our hotel in the UAE, which was about £130 per person for 3 nights. It marked up on about the same price for Airbnbs, but you got more for your money in hotels. As for Japan, we paid about £160 per person for 4 nights. Tokyo, where we were staying, is typically known for being a more expensive place to stay due to its high volume of tourism, so we massively expected that. You can easily stay in Tokyo for as little as £25 per person, per night, if you are willing to stay in their hostels or capsule hotels and immerse yourself in the futuristic feel, which is highly recommended for solo travelers. Finally, Vietnam. You can pay as little as £50 per person for a stunning Airbnb; however, due to our budget, we wanted to be a little more bougie than normal. We paid £113 per person for 4 nights for a Luxury escape out in the forests of Ho Chi Minh City. It overlooked the city skyline with natural beauty all around us. Obviously, we didn’t have to do this, but it being the cheapest accommodation we paid for the whole trip and it being the most stunning, it would be rude not to.
(£403 per person for all accommodation)
The biggest secret when it comes to trips like this is thinking outside the box. If you’re someone who wants to have a taste of every part of the world on a budget, then this strategy will work perfectly for you. Switching from the grand skyscrapers of Dubai to the neon lights of Tokyo, and ending our adventure in the urban jungle of Ho Chi Minh, proved to me that there really is no limit when it comes to travel, as long as you’re spontaneous enough.
The best way to save money when you arrive at your destinations would be to stick to local businesses and avoid the tourist trap areas. For us, that looked like: not eating out in areas close to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai - skyrocketing prices combined with mass salespeople was not a good mix. Similarly, in Tokyo, avoiding the overcrowded parts of Shibuya and Shinjuku - good for a wander round, but not for spending money - was a philosophy that likely saved us hundreds. In contrast, it would be quite difficult to overspend in Ho Chi Minh as everything is kept to a reasonable price, while the food remains exceptional. However, I will note, it’s always good to carry cash with you in Ho Chi Minh as if you’re driver doesn't accept card payments, he may ask for payment in “food” by which he means a £15 bottle of whisky. 500% the price of what we could have paid originally.
First re-opening of the Fountain show since April 2025, Dubai.
During our trip, I always wondered who these places are for? Who is Dubai/ Tokyo/ Ho Chi Minh for? And I think since coming back, I have a rough idea. Dubai isn’t your typical city; it isn’t a city you can stroll around in and immerse yourself in the outdoors, the scorching heat will drown you in sweat before you even acknowledge the true size of the Burj. If you are a shopaholic and love spending a bit of money, while being treated like the richest person on earth, then this is the city for you. Dubai has some of the most impressive architecture I have ever seen - the true scale of the buildings there truly doesn’t go unnoticed; if you want to bear witness to such great architecture, Dubai will not disappoint. In contrast, Tokyo is certainly a city that never sleeps; the locals are full of life, day and night, you simply couldn’t get bored here. If you’re someone who likes to be on the go always and be towered by bright lights, enjoys a little splurge in the shops, and think you can keep up with Japanese drinking culture, Tokyo delivers it all. Tokyo being known as the biggest city on earth truly shows that when you get there, you could spend months here and still feel like you “didn’t see enough”, yet you will always feel more than satisfied when you leave. I believe Tokyo can be for everyone; however, if you don't enjoy large crowds and heaps of tourists, I would avoid places like Shinjuku and Shibuya. Finally, Ho Chi Minh. This city effortlessly braids into its natural jungle; it intertwines its urban city with its greenery and life so well. This city offers almost everything. If you want to be a part of the hustle and bustle, then head down to Bui Vien Street, where you’re met with a variety of food and drink options, bright lights, and loud music. If you’re looking for something more relaxed and low-key, stop by Thao Dien (where we stayed), as it too is filled with many bars, restaurants, and hidden retreats. Thao Dien is where I met with some of the most delicious food I have ever tried whilst traveling. If you can handle humidity and a few thunderstorms here and there (especially in their wet season), then I truly don't see who Ho Chi Minh isn’t for. The city stands proud in its patriotism, whilst preserving its natural paradise.