Travel tips for while you’re backpacking Southeast Asia and Australia, or some travel inspiration if you’re sat at a desk wishing you were here. Written by backpackers living or traveling around this side of the world. We’ve got travel advice for Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Southeast Asia, May 2026 — Solo travel is still one of the biggest stories in youth travel, but we are seeing the meaning of “solo” change. At Mad Monkey Hostels, more guests are arriving independently, but they are not necessarily looking to experience everything alone. They want the freedom of a solo trip, with the option to plug into community when they want it. We call this the rise of the social itinerary. For today’s backpackers, a great trip is not always built around a fixed schedule or a formal group tour. It often starts with a hostel common room, a group dinner, a walking tour, a beach clean, a night out, or a conversation with someone who has just arrived from the same bus route. The plan is still flexible, but the social layer is built in. Recent travel data supports this shift. Explore Worldwide has reported a 33% increase in solo travel customers over the past 12 months and a 200% rise in searches for “tour groups for solo travelers,” suggesting that travelers want independence but are also actively searching for ways to connect. That is exactly what we are seeing across our hostels in Southeast Asia and Australia. Guests are not choosing social hostels only because they are affordable. They are choosing them because they make a destination feel easier to enter. A hostel gives solo travelers a place to meet people without overthinking it, join an experience without planning every detail, and feel part of something within hours of arriving. “We’ve seen a shift in solo travel. It’s no longer about being ‘alone’—it’s about having the option to connect. Our guests want the autonomy to do their own thing, but they also want built-in social opportunities, from local experiences to low-pressure hangouts in our common areas. At the end of the day, we’re providing a social ecosystem, not just a bed,” says Lexie Hadley, Head of Marketing. The appeal is especially clear for first-time solo travelers. A hotel room can offer privacy, but it does not always offer a first friend in a new city. A short-term rental can offer space, but it rarely comes with a ready-made plan for the evening. A social hostel gives travelers the best of both worlds: the independence to travel on their own terms, and the chance to say yes to shared experiences when they feel like it. This shift also says something bigger about the way young people want to travel. The “lonely nomad” story no longer captures the full picture. Many Gen Z and millennial travelers are not choosing between solo travel and group travel. They are creating something in between: independent trips with built-in community. At Mad Monkey, that can look different from destination to destination. In one hostel, it might be a shared meal before a night out. In another, it might be a local tour, a poolside event, a volunteer activity, or a community-led experience. The common thread is connection. Our guests may arrive solo, but they often leave with new friends, new plans, and a stronger sense of place. For us, the modern hostel is becoming one of the clearest answers to what young travelers are looking for right now. They want freedom, but not isolation. They want affordability, but not a boring stay. They want local experiences, but not a trip that feels overproduced. They want travel to feel spontaneous, human, and easy to join. The solo trip is not going away. It is just getting a group chat. About Mad Monkey Hostels Mad Monkey is a leading hostel operator…
Let’s be honest. Finding decent second-hand shops near Mad Monkey hostels is sometimes the difference between a fresh night-out fit and wearing the same sweaty shirt for the third day straight. Maybe your clean shirt has vanished into the dorm void. Maybe your beach shorts did not survive the last boat trip. Maybe tonight is looking like absolute scenes, and your outfit still says “14-hour bus ride.” Good news, you do not need to panic-buy some overpriced mall top or become the 400th person wearing elephant pants. There are plenty of second-hand shops near Mad Monkey hostels, from vintage gems to chaotic little rack-digging side quests. All of them are better than blowing your beer budget on fast fashion. Quick Answer: Best Thrift Finds Near Mad Monkey Hostels The best second-hand shops near Mad Monkey hostels include vintage spots around Khao San Road in Bangkok, Go2hand in Hoi An, Vinnies Coogee in Sydney, thrift finds around Kampot, and What’s Good Store in Uluwatu. If your backpack is starting to smell like bad decisions, these are the places to hunt for fresh garms without destroying the night-out fund. Destination Second-hand spot What is it good for What is it good for Bangkok, Thailand Vintage spots around Khao San Road Vintage bits before a Khao San night out The Khao San area is packed with backpackers, markets, and small vintage finds, so it is an easy place to hunt for a last-minute fit before the chaos starts. Hoi An, Vietnam Go2hand Pre-loved clothes between beach days and lantern walks A handy second-hand stop when you need a fresh fit without doing the full tailor-shop saga. Coogee Beach, Australia Vinnies Coogee Op-shop basics, books, accessories and random gold Op-shop basics, books, accessories, and random gold Kampot, Cambodia Thrift spots around Kampot Op-shop basics, books, accessories, and random gold Hidden gem rummaging and proper backpacker treasure hunting Uluwatu, Indonesia What’s Good Store Curated thrift, denim, coffee, and matcha A good stop if you want cleaner thrift pieces and a coffee before heading back into the Uluwatu madness. You are not trying to build a capsule wardrobe. You just need something clean, cheap, and decent enough for tonight. Why Thrifting Works When You’re Backpacking Backpacking is sweaty. That is not a complaint; it is just the deal. You are dragging your bag through heat, beach sand, night buses, dorm rooms, scooter dust, and the occasional bucket-fuelled disaster. At some point, your clothes will give up before you do. That is where second-hand shopping comes in. It is cheap, useful, and makes your travel wardrobe less boring. You can find a clean tee, a beach cover-up, a jacket, a party shirt, a spare pair of shorts, or something so ridiculous it becomes your personality for the next week. Bangkok, Thailand: DUM DUM Vintage Near Khao San Road If you are staying around Khao San Road, you already know the vibe. Street food, tattoo shops, buckets, backpackers making very confident decisions, and enough noise to keep your jet lag confused. DUM DUM Vintage is a handy little stop around the Khao San Road area if you want to rummage for a fresh fit before the night properly kicks off. Price Range: ฿150–฿800+ ($4–22+ USD) depending on the findLocation: Khao San Road Area, Bangkok – VIEW MAPOpening Hours: 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM Best Finds Before a Khao San Night Out Go here when you want something with more personality than a panic-bought singlet. Think denim, graphic tees, jackets, shirts, and the kind of piece someone at the hostel bar will ask about later. Do the normal backpacker…
The Clean Water Project: Impact Across the Loop Access to clean water remains a top priority. This year, we achieved a major milestone in Northern Vietnam: Supporting Students & Education: Building Brighter Futures Education is the cornerstone of sustainable change. In 2025, our properties focused on everything from infrastructure to nutrition and sports: Protecting the Environment: Preserving Our Paradise We are committed to ensuring that the natural beauty of our destinations is preserved for future generations: Community Support Initiatives: The Spirit of Giving Back When our communities face challenges, the Mad Monkey family steps up with heart and action: Sustainability Milestones: Climbing the Staircase We are focused on minimizing our footprint and leading the way in responsible hospitality: As we close the chapter on 2025, we are proud to share that we collectively raised over $14,300 for various charities and organizations. While this figure represents our shared commitment to giving back, the true measure of our efforts lies beyond monetary value. It’s in the countless smiles, strengthened communities, and opportunities we’ve helped create in the places we call home. Together, we’ve shown that meaningful change is possible when we combine purpose with passion. We look forward to continuing this incredible journey in the years to come See the full 2025 Community Impact Report Here
Know What You Can Spend Each Day Before you even leave, figure out roughly how much you can spend daily. Include food, rooms, transport, and some fun money for nights out or tours. You don’t need to track every cent, but having a loose number keeps you from blowing your budget on day three. There are great apps for this stuff, but honestly? Notes on your phone works fine if you actually check it. Stay in Hostels That Save You Money The right hostel can save you way more than a “cheap hotel.” Look for free breakfast, group dinners, or social nights that don’t cost much. Find a social hostel that fits your vibe — you get cheap meals, happy hour deals, and free events. You’ll spend less and still meet people every night. Check out more hostel hacks every traveler needs to know. Eat Like a Local Street food is your wallet’s best friend. Markets and local joints are where you’ll find the best meals anyway. In Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, you can eat well for just a few dollars. Pro tip: follow the locals or the longest queue, it usually means the food’s legit. Walk More, Ride Smart You don’t have to pay for a Grab every time. Walk when you can — it’s free and the best way to actually see a city. For longer trips, use buses or trains. They’re slower, sure, but they keep your budget happy. Mix Paid Tours with Free Adventures You don’t need to spend every day doing something big. Do the paid tour you’ve been eyeing, then balance it with a chill beach day or local market wander. Some hostels post free or cheap activities on their boards. Just ask the staff what’s happening. They usually know the best deals in town. Keep a Backup Fund Stuff happens. Flights get canceled, cards stop working, phones fall in pools. Have a little money set aside that you don’t touch unless it’s a real emergency. Keep a small bit of cash hidden too, just in case. Stay Smart About ATMs and Fees Watch the ATM fees. Try to take out more money less often instead of a bunch of small withdrawals. Look for some travel cards that can save you a few bucks each time. And always use ATMs at banks, not random street corners. Final Thoughts Traveling solo on a budget doesn’t mean saying no to fun. It’s just about being smart with where your money goes. Save on the boring stuff so you can splurge on the memories that matter — the island tours, the night markets, the sunsets that turn into stories. Because traveling alone isn’t about how much you spend — it’s about how well you spend it. Pin Now. Read Later.
