Wintering in Asia often works out comparable to living in Russia, and sometimes cheaper — but a lot depends on the country, the city and your habits. Below is an approximate cost breakdown to give you a sense of scale. This isn't a quote or an exact price list.
What the budget is made up of
- Housing — usually the biggest item, especially with monthly rentals.
- Food — depends heavily on whether you cook or eat out.
- Transport — a scooter, ride-hailing apps or public transport.
- Connectivity — a local SIM is usually inexpensive.
- Insurance — a mandatory item, not worth cutting corners on.
Ballpark figures by country
The figures below are very approximate guides in roubles per month per person, for a modest but comfortable lifestyle. The ranges are deliberately wide — the spread within any one country is huge. Check current prices before you travel.
Approximate expenses, ₽/month per person (ballpark figures, not a quote)
| Item | Thailand | Vietnam | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (monthly rental) | 40,000–90,000 | 25,000–60,000 | 25,000–55,000 |
| Food | 20,000–40,000 | 15,000–30,000 | 15,000–30,000 |
| Transport | 5,000–15,000 | 4,000–12,000 | 4,000–12,000 |
| Connectivity | 1,000–2,500 | 800–2,000 | 800–2,000 |
| Insurance | 3,000–6,000 | 3,000–6,000 | 3,000–6,000 |
The figures are given as a rough order of magnitude for planning and may differ noticeably from reality: they depend on the city, the season, the exchange rate and personal habits. This is a guideline, not a guarantee or a quote.
What affects the total
The budget is affected most by the choice of housing (centre or outskirts), eating out versus cooking, and the length of the rental — monthly and long-term contracts are usually better value than daily ones. The exchange rate can also shift the final total noticeably.
- Plan your rental in advance and for a fixed term — it's cheaper that way.
- Set aside a 15–20% buffer for the unexpected.
- Don't skimp on insurance or treat it as an "extra" expense.
To find a destination that matches your budget and priorities, browse the catalogue or use the matcher.
Wintering in Asia is about balance: a bit more planning up front almost always means noticeably lower costs on the ground.
