12 Best Asia destinations in June of 2024 from cheapest to most expensive

• June 1 – Pancasila Day (public holiday in Bali and throughout Indonesia)
• June 3 – Queen Suthida’s Birthday in Thailand (public holiday)
• June 3 – Agong’s Birthday in Malaysia (public holiday)
• June 9 to 10 – Dragon Boat Festival (Public holiday in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan)

Again in 2024, Price of Travel is ranking these destinations from cheapest to most expensive based on our Backpacker Index, which has been ranking global destinations by price since 2011. We also do region-specific lists and the rankings below are in more detail on our Asia Backpacker Index for 2024. The Index is based on the cost of a hostel dorm bed, 3 budget meals, 3 drinks, 1 popular attraction, and 2 public transportation rides each day. Even if you aren’t staying in hostels, the rankings are basically the same.

Luang Prabang, Laos

• June avg high: 91F/33C
• June avg low: 76F/24C
• June avg precip: 7.0″/17.5cm

Luang Prabang highlights

• Mekong cruises to waterfalls and caves
• Old Quarter historic district
• Luang Prabang Night Market
• Laid back feeling and riverfront restaurants
• Very cheap hotels, food, and drinks

While the eastern parts of southeast Asia can get very rainy in June, Laos and most of Thailand are still reasonably dry. Actually, it’s more that the rainstorms are very quick and are usually over in less than 30 minutes, and they can actually provide some welcome temporary relief from the heat in the process.

Luang Prabang is the most popular destination in Laos, and it’s a good transit hub for anyone who also wants to stop in at Vang Vieng and Vientiane as well. You can also take a slow boat on the Mekong as it heads towards northern Thailand, and then get transport to Chiang Mai, Thailand, which is also on this list.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $29 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $60 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $9 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Luang Prabang
>>>Luang Prabang prices and travel tips

Luang Prabang Backpacker Index for 2024: US$21.92

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Chiang Mai, Thailand

• June avg high: 90F/32C
• June avg low: 75F/24C
• June avg precip: 5.2″/13.0cm

Chiang Mai highlights

• Doi Suthep temple complex outside of town
• Famous night market
• City walls and moat
• Amazing, cheap food that is different from Bangkok’s
• Shockingly cheap hotels and rentals

You will get more June rainstorms on Thailand’s islands and beach towns of the south, so June is a good month to head north to its second city of Chiang Mai. It’s almost as hot as Bangkok during the summer, but it doesn’t rain much and most hotels here have swimming pools. Speaking of hotels, Chiang Mai is one of the world’s great bargain destinations, where a central 4-star hotel starts at at around US$40 per night for two people.

Chiang Mai is filled with interesting temples and cultural sights, but it’s also surrounded by hills and mountains, and there is great trekking and other outdoor activities available in the area. If you are just looking for a place to relax with a nice hotel and cheap drinks, it’s hard to do much better than Chiang Mai in Asia. The food here is also amazing and noticeably different from what you get in Bangkok. Many on longer trips arrive in Chiang Mai and then stay much longer than they had planned.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $18 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $31 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $7 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Chiang Mai
>>>Chiang Mai prices and travel tips

Chiang Mai Backpacker Index for 2024: US$23.19

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Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

• June avg high: 85F/29C
• June avg low: 77F/25C
• June avg precip: 2.8″/7.0cm

Bali highlights

• Great beaches and surfing in many areas of the island
• Stunning temples and monuments, including in tourist areas
• Amazingly cheap hotels that are usually nicer than you expect, and cheap food and drinks
• Fascinating Hindu culture and gamelan music
• Excellent resorts in secluded areas

Bali is actually the only major resort island in Asia that is in the Southern Hemisphere (by a bit), and June is actually one of the cooler and dryer months here as a result. This is good news because being nearly on the equator, Bali is hot and somewhat humid every day and every night of the year.

One downside is that June is also one of the busier months of the year in Bali, as it’s a very popular destination for Australians on a winter break. Still, the nicer weather is worth it, and it’s still pretty easy to avoid the crowds in Bali if you avoid the Kuta/Legian/Seminyak beach area in general. Those looking for a less crowded and more pleasant experience should look into staying in Lovina along the north coast, or on nearby Lombok island. Hotel prices in Bali are looking shockingly low in 2024 so there are great bargains to be had. It might be worthwhile to book well in advance as rates are probably going up as June approaches.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $15 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $28 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $7 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Bali
>>>Bali prices and travel tips

Bali Backpacker Index for 2024: US$27.97

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Bangkok, Thailand

• June avg high: 92F/33C
• June avg low: 78F/26C
• June avg precip: 5.9″/14.8cm

Bangkok highlights

• Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew, & Grand Palace
• Suan Lum Night Bazaar
• Cruise on the Chao Phraya River
• Street food and excellent cuisine in general
• Cheap hotels at great standards

It’s definitely very hot in June in Bangkok, but it’s actually nicer than it is in the hotter months of April and May, so this is still a good time to visit. Interestingly, it’s the quick rainstorms that happen a few afternoons each week that bring temperatures here down and into a more pleasant range. You’ll notice the skies getting gray in plenty of time to seek shelter, so avoiding them is surprisingly easy.

Even if it is hot and sometimes rainy outside, Bangkok is one of the world’s best shopping cities, featuring about a dozen large and posh malls all clustered together in the Siam Square area. Taxis here are cheap and so is the metro system, so you can get around in comfort no matter what is going on outside. The famous backpacker ghetto of Khoasan Road is actually a really fun area to stay in with well-priced hotels. Only a few hotels are in the noisy area and it can be a great option on your first visit to Bangkok because it’s also a short walk to a few of the major Buddhist sights.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $16 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $29 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $11 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Bangkok
>>>Bangkok prices and travel tips

Bangkok Backpacker Index for 2024: US$28.42

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Colombo, Sri Lanka

• June avg high: 87F/31C
• June avg low: 78F/26C
• June avg precip: 7.3″/18.3cm

Sri Lanka highlights

• Nuwara Eliya (fascinating hill town)
• Ceylon Tea Gardens
• Galle (Colonial beach town in the south)
• Kandy (scenic mountain town)
• Colombo itself

Unfortunately, Colombo is one of those large and crowded Asian capitals that is fairly expensive even though it lacks the charm of the rest of the country. But the good news is that Sri Lanka itself is ideal for a holiday of one to three weeks, with plenty of culture and nature to witness in every corner.

Unlike most of India to its north, the rains in Sri Lanka usually end in early June, so this begins one of the better times of year to visit. The beach towns along the southern coast are worth a look, but the national parks and nature sights of the interior hills are even better for a first visit.

Sri Lanka has shortages and political unrest in 2022 and it appears that things are pretty much back to normal and they can use the tourists. It’s definitely worth checking news reports and such before you book, but it does look like you can expect a good time if you go in 2024.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $31 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $68 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $10 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Colombo
>>>Colombo prices and travel tips

Colombo Backpacker Index for 2024: US$32.33

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• June avg high: 91F/33C
• June avg low: 75F/24C
• June avg precip: 4.9″/12.3cm

Kuala Lumpur highlights

• Interesting mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures
• Similar to Singapore at less than half the price
• Famously cheap 4-star hotels for a large Asian city
• Excellent food at very good prices
• Nearby temples and important sights are easy to reach

Kuala Lumpur and nearby Singapore (see below) are not far from the equator and thus hot every day of the year. Still, June through August is the driest period of the year, so it’s also a bit less humid and more pleasant in general. This is my personal favorite large city anywhere in Asia, as it provides a nice mix of exotic and modern, with excellent cuisine based on the intersection of Chinese, Indian, and Malay options.

Aside from alcohol in bars, which can be expensive, Kuala Lumpur is also a fabulous bargain city as well. The center is teaming with newer 4-star hotels that can go for way under US$100 per night for two people. It’s also a great base from which to explore peninsular Malaysia, with Penang, the Cameron Highlands, and Malacca not far away.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $21 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $39 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $8 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Kuala Lumpur
>>>Kuala Lumpur prices and travel tips

Kuala Lumpur Backpacker Index for 2024: US$36.83

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Shanghai, China

• June avg high: 82F/28C
• June avg low: 69F/21C
• June avg precip: 6.7″/16.8cm

Shanghai highlights

• Arguably the world’s coolest skyline
• The Bund (riverside walk)
• Skydecks at a few different towers and skyscapers
• Nanjing Road shopping district
• Traditional Chinatown area (seriously)

The second most popular Chinese city for tours is Shanghai, and even though June is quite warm, at least the June air quality is much better than in Beijing. This is a far more modern city with striking architecture and an extremely impressive infrastructure.

Along with the modern touches, Shanghai is also known among visitors for some interesting copy-cat neighborhoods that imitate great European and even American cities. The food here is also a main attraction, with a dizzying number of styles available, in addition to the traditional local fare. If you are going to do the main attractions then a Go Shanghai Card is worth looking at.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $50 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $65 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $17 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Shanghai
>>>Shanghai prices and travel tips

Shanghai Backpacker Index for 2024: US$45.75

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Seoul, South Korea

• June avg high: 80F/27C
• June avg low: 64F/18C
• June avg precip: 5.2″/13.0cm

Seoul highlights

• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• K-Star Road and pop culture sights
• Day trip to the DMZ
• Amazing food and trendy drinks
• Myeong-dong shopping district

Since Seoul is even farther north than Tokyo, its winters are pretty brutal and even the springs and autumns can be a bit chilly. Things get even more complicated by the fact that July and August are not only warm, but also by far the wettest months of the year. Long story short, May, June, September, and October are by far the best months to visit Korea.

Fans of electronics and technology in general are attracted to Korea to see what this futuristic society looks like in person. The food is another big draw, especially for those from the western United States, where Korean food is one of the biggest trends in the last decade or so. And needless to say, the rise of BTS and other K Pop acts have made visiting South Korea far more popular than it used to be. Still, Seoul is good value and it’s a very easy city to visit even if you only speak English.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $38 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $70 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $15 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Seoul
>>>Seoul prices and travel tips

Seoul Backpacker Index for 2024: US$52.53

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Beijing, China

• June avg high: 86F/30C
• June avg low: 66F/19C
• June avg precip: 3.0″/7.5cm

Beijing highlights

• Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
• Tours of nearby sections of the Great Wall
• Palace Museum
• Amazing food and drink culture
• Hutongs (ancient alleyways)

Most Westerners who visit China for the first time do it on a tour of some kind, to visit multiple cities on the trip. Beijing is obviously the starting point for most of these tours, and June is a very popular month for them. The main concern is the air quality in June in Beijing can be quite bad, so you really don’t want to linger here more than a few days to see the highlights.

Whether you are on a tour or visiting independently, you’ll find that Beijing is still quite a bargain. You might have to pay more for a hotel or for restaurants where English is understood, but it will still be cheap compared to Europe or Singapore or Tokyo. Here is why doing China on an organized tour is probably better than going independently for most people.

Word is that especially since COVID, international tourism into China has dropped to almost zero. The visas were already complicated and expensive, and now many people are worried about other issues, so it’s not an easy decision.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $72 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $88 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $17 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Beijing
>>>Beijing prices and travel tips

Beijing Backpacker Index for 2024: US$59.35

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Xi’an, China

• June avg high: 89F/32C
• June avg low: 67F/19C
• June avg precip: 2.5″/6.3cm

Xi’an highlights

• Terracotta Warriors tour
• City walls tour or walk
• Drum Tower and Bell Tower
• Great Mosque of Xi’an and street food in Muslim Quarter
• Very affordable hotels and food

If your tour of China includes a third city, it will almost certainly be Xi’an. This 3,000-year-old city has been home to many of China’s ruling emperors, and much of the history of the country as well. The main thing that most visitors come to see are the Terracotta Warriors, which are 20 km east of the city center.

Aside from admission to the Terracotta Warriors itself, most things here in Xi’an are cheaper than in Beijing and Shanghai, so it’s a good place to linger a bit if you are doing your own schedule. Finding locals who speak English outside of the international hotels and tourist restaurants isn’t easy, but at least all of the important signs are in English so it can be done by anyone who puts in a bit of effort.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $54 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $63 for two people

>>Check hotel deals for Xi’an
>>>Xi’an prices and travel tips

Xi’an Backpacker Index for 2024: US$61.74

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Tokyo, Japan

• June avg high: 77F/25C
• June avg low: 66F/19C
• June avg precip: 6.5″/16.3cm

Tokyo highlights

• Imperial Palace, shrines, and gardens
• Ginza shopping district
• Tokyo feels like visiting the future
• Harajuku District for fashion and trends
• Some of the best and most varied food on the planet

July and August are very hot and steamy in Tokyo, but June is still rather pleasant so it’s an ideal time to visit not only Tokyo but Japan in general. Anyone who hasn’t been following the news in recent decades might not realize that Japan isn’t nearly as expensive as it used to be, even if a few things remain expensive. You’ll notice that on our Global Backpacker Index, Tokyo ranks near Istanbul and Beijing, and is much cheaper than London or Amsterdam. In fact, the Japanese yen has dropped dramatically in the recent year and you could call this country a travel bargain now. Considering how clean, nice, and modern Japan is, it’s a very good deal and quite surprising when you are there.

Many first-time visitors to Japan will just focus on Tokyo, which is understandable because it’s a huge city with plenty to offer. But it’s easy to take high-speed trains to Kyoto and Osaka, which are also very interesting, not to mention a bit cheaper as well.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $45 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $63 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $14 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Tokyo
>>>Tokyo prices and travel tips

Tokyo Backpacker Index for 2024: US$63.25

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Singapore

• June avg high: 88F/31C
• June avg low: 78F/26C
• June avg precip: 6.8″/17.0cm

Singapore highlights

• Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino
• Orchard Road shopping district
• Singapore Flyer Ferris Wheel
• Raffles Hotel (home of the Singapore Sling)
• Hawker food centers for cheap and excellent food

If you want to visit the future it might be good to first have a look at Singapore. This extremely modern city feels utopian in some ways, with clean streets, gorgeous architecture, and affordable public transportation just to name a few things. While hotels are very expensive, meals from the famous (and spotless) hawker centers are fantastic bargains. The hit film Crazy Rich Asians showed all of this with both a visit to a hawker center and some of Singapore’s most expensive hotels.

Singapore is small enough to see in 3 days or so, and that’s good because hotels and alcohol are quite expensive, but it all feels worthwhile. June is one of the better months to visit because it rains less than the rest of the year. If you are coming all this way it’s probably wise to also visit Malaysia on the same trip, since they are separated by only a bridge. And again, the rain in Singapore tends to come in the afternoon and finish in 30 minutes or so. Finding a place to shelter is usually quite easy, and if you are in one of the malls or museums you might not even know it’s raining anyway.

• Good 3-star hotels in June from $110 for two people
• Good 4-star hotels in June from $124 for two people
• Hostel dorm beds in June from $19 per person

>>>Check hotel deals for Singapore
>>>Singapore prices and travel tips

Singapore Backpacker Index for 2024: US$73.15