The world’s largest continent, sorted region by region. Let us help you work out where to go, when to visit and how long you need.
Asia is the largest continent on Earth, home to 48 countries and just about every landscape and culture you can imagine, which is exactly why it pays to plan it region by region.
You could sleep under the stars in the Omani desert, search for elephants in Sri Lanka, follow the old Silk Road through Samarkand, walk the Great Wall of China, marvel at the Taj Mahal or hang out with orangutans in Borneo. From a Singapore Sling at Raffles to a plate of khachapuri in Tbilisi, this is a continent that rewards the curious. The good news is you do not have to see it all at once. Pick a region that suits the trip you want, then go deep.
Where the Middle East meets the Levant, the Caucasus and the edge of Europe. This is the corner of Asia we know best, all ancient wonders, desert nights and warm welcomes. Float in the Dead Sea, walk into Petra at dawn, or sip some of the world’s oldest wines beneath the Caucasus mountains.
Arabia at its most understated. Wild wadis, the dunes of the Wahiba Sands, forts and souks in Muscat, and hospitality that will floor you. A brilliant first desert trip without the crowds.
Far more than a stopover. Beyond Dubai’s skyline and Abu Dhabi’s mosques you will find old trading quarters, desert camps and quiet stretches of coast. Easy to reach and easy to love.
A transcontinental gem on the edge of Europe and Asia. Tbilisi's old town, the snowcapped Caucasus and a wine culture thousands of years in the making.
Everything you need to start planning a trip to Asia, from the best time to go to how long you need, how to get around and roughly what it costs. Written to help you cut a huge continent down to a trip that actually works.
Asia is so big that there is no single best time to go. It depends entirely on the region. As a rough guide, the dry season across much of South and Southeast Asia runs from November to April, which is when most people visit Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and India. East Asia is at its prettiest in spring, for the cherry blossom, and again in autumn, for cooler days and golden leaves.
West Asia and the Gulf are best from October to March, before the summer heat becomes fierce, while Central Asia opens up over the warmer months from May to September. If you have your heart set on a particular country, check its seasons first and build the trip around them.
| Region | Best time to go | Rough budget | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Asia | October to March | Mixed (Gulf pricier) | Deserts, ancient sites, dramatic landscapes |
| South Asia | November to April | Great value | Mountains, temples, beaches, wildlife |
| Southeast Asia | November to April | Great value | Beaches, island-hopping, street food |
| East Asia | Spring and autumn | Higher | Cities, culture, cherry blossom |
| Central Asia | May to September | Very good value | Silk Road, mountains, history |
| North Asia | June to September | Moderate | Rail journeys, wilderness |
Our honest advice is not to try to see all of Asia in one trip. A week is enough to get under the skin of a single country, say Sri Lanka or Vietnam. Two weeks lets you slow right down, or pair two neighbours. Three weeks or more and you can properly combine, perhaps Thailand with Cambodia, or Japan from end to end. The distances here are big, so the more you cram in, the more time you spend in transit rather than actually travelling.
Within a single region, getting around is easier than you might expect. Budget airlines connect the major cities cheaply, and the train journeys are often a highlight in their own right. Our one rule is to choose a region and explore outwards, rather than hopping between far-flung corners of the continent.
By train: Often the scenic highlight. Japan, Sri Lanka and India all reward the slow route.
By plane: Budget carriers make longer hops quick and affordable within a region.
Overland: Buses, boats and shared transport are cheap, and a great way to meet people.
Asia covers the full range. South and Southeast Asia are famously good value, where a comfortable trip can cost a fraction of what you would spend at home. Central Asia is still refreshingly cheap. At the other end, Japan, Singapore and the Gulf states of West Asia can rival Europe for price. Working out roughly where your region sits helps you set a realistic budget before you book.
Accommodation runs the full spectrum, from family-run guesthouses and hostels to boutique boltholes and full-blown luxury. In popular spots and during peak season, book well ahead. If you are travelling in the shoulder months, you will often find better rooms for less, and a bit more space to yourself.
For many people, the food is the whole reason to come. Every region has its own specialities, from Thai street food and Japanese ramen to Indian thalis and Georgian feasts. Street food is usually safe and delicious if you follow the crowds and eat where it is freshly cooked. Carry a refillable water bottle with a filter, as tap water is not drinkable in much of the continent.
However, for my son – travelling to Asia has been a no-go due to his severe peanut allergy, and the use of peanuts & ground-nut oil in the cuisine.
If you take one thing from us, it is this: pick one region and go deep rather than trying to cross the whole continent. You will spend less time in airports, see far more, and come home with the kind of trip you will actually remember.
It depends on the region. November to April is the dry season across much of South and Southeast Asia, spring and autumn suit East Asia, and October to March is best for West Asia and the Gulf. Always check your specific country’s seasons before booking.
Asia is made up of 48 countries, spread across regions from West Asia to the Far East. That variety is exactly why it helps to plan region by region rather than trying to see it all in one go.
It varies from country to country. Some offer visa-free entry or a visa on arrival for many nationalities, while others need arranging in advance. Check the latest rules for each country on your route before you travel.
It can be as cheap or as pricey as you like. South and Southeast Asia and Central Asia offer excellent value, while Japan, Singapore and the Gulf states sit closer to European prices. Your chosen region makes the biggest difference to your budget.
For a first trip, a single country you can explore over a week or two is usually more rewarding than a whistle-stop tour. Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Japan are all popular first-timers’ choices, each easy to get around and full of variety.