Planning a budget trip to Japan/Thailand. Would like some advice

A friend and I are planning to hit up Japan and Thailand next summer. We want to go to Tokyo, Kyoto and Bangkok for a total of 2-3 weeks. However, our budget is limited to about $2500.

Would such a trip be doable with $2500? Here is some preliminary conservative budgeting for daily costs. Total is $800 for Japan and $400 for Thailand

Japan (8 days)
------
$35 hostel
$25 food
$40 entertainment

Thailand (8 days)
------
$15 hostel
$15 food
$20 entertainment

That leaves $1300 for plane ticket from NYC to Tokyo, Japan to Bangkok and everything in between. Would it be cheaper to do Thailand and then Japan? How much is it to get from Tokyo to Bangkok? Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks

Tokyo can be quite expensive, but I think your budget is doable. You can get relatively cheap food from noodle shops and stay within budget but nicer restaurants will probably blow your budget. Thailand is much cheaper for travelers in general.

Japan is expensive, I won't lie. I have only been to Tokyo and the surrounding cities (as far as Nagano and Nikko). Your budget for bangkok and Thailand (assuming you will spend one week there) is absolutely doable. You can find accommodation for under $20 a night. I paid I think 16 dollars a night at D & D Inn on KSR, AC and rooftop pool.

Japan - tokyo i paid 30 dollars a night for a hostel
Tokyo International hostel.

I ate a lot at local noodle shops, but the amount of salt and msg was overwhelming at times that my fingers swelled right up, but it is damn good.

Flights - From New York you can get deals to Narita (tokyo international airport), look at JAL, Air Nippon and other asian airlines because Narita is a big hub for several airlines...

I think your biggest problem is transportation throughout Japan. Japan has a very confusing train system where the lines are owned by private companies, even in Tokyo itself...Getting around people look in to the JR Rail pass...I got the JR East rail pass, and depending on where you are traveling i.e. tokyo and kyoto you can get the pass that satisfies your needs. They are similar to a eurorail pass, and you get to take the shikansen (bullet trains) which are really cool. The issue: the rail passes are absurdly expensive...Just google JR Rail pass and check them out.

So I think your biggest concerns are flights, and I am assuming that 1300 is for each of you and 2500 is for each of you, if that is total, then I don't think both of you can do it with flight...

If all you want is Tokyo and Kyoto take the overnight bus there and back. That will save you 2 nights accommodation as well. But, you'll want to book in advance. Your hostel rates should work out to around what you listed. Everything else in Japan, well you get what you pay for. You can scrimp by but some of the really cool experiences in Japan are just going to cost you.

I think the Japan part of the trip is going to kill your budget. Kyoto is an amazing city with a lot to do and see, but it seems as if every time you walk in anywher they want 500 yen from you -- it adds up fast. I also did a quick search on flights and the cheapest I could find is $1575. I'm not sure what it costs to get to an from the airport in Tokyo, but if it's anything like the rest of the country, it'll probably add up to $50 or so. Also, you need to keep in mind that in Japan, rooms are charged per person, not per room. I'm not saying this trips undoable, but if I was working with your budget, I'd forego Japan and spend the whole time in Thailand and get out of Bangkok for a while -- Thailand is a big, wonderful country with a lot ot offer for budget travelers. On the other hand, you'll be living like paupers in Japan.

I just did a bit more research on the Kyoto-Tokyo bus -- here's a link. It seems to be 8180 yen each way, but as halfnine said, it could serve as your night's lodging.

Actually you can do the bus for about 8800 yen round trip. A little more during holidays and weekends. Here

And the cheapest way to get to/from the airport in Narita to Tokyo, you'd be at least looking at around 1500 yen one way. Although, if you're not already familiar with the local train setup, it's probably not the best way to get into Tokyo after a long flight.

Anyway, I agree with Haci, better to spend your time in Thailand. Japan is as much about sushi, ryokans, shinkansens, onsens, sumo, izakayas, as it is about budget travel. Best to go there when you have the budget to enjoy it all.

I have to agree with halfnine. 2-3 weeks is about right for Thailand and perhaps a neighbouring country. Japan will kill your budget.

Having said that, it's doable. On the way to Tokyo, get a NEX&Suica package for 3500 yen. The link is currently not working, but check here. The SUICA card is worth 2000 yen (1500 yen pre-charged, rest refundable) and works on all buses, trains and even some vending machines. On the way back, the Keisei line, which runs the skytain from Ueno, also runs a (cheaper) commuter service to the airport.

Make sure that you book ahead for hostels. They fill up quickly!

I'm going to Tokyo for four days after spending two weeks in the Philippines. My wife has cousins in Tokyo we can stay with, but everyone keeps telling us if we're only going to be there a few days then we should skip Tokyo, and take the bullet train to Kyoto. Any advice??? My the way, it will be me, my wife, and our seven-year-old son.

in response to the post not directly above...skip japan and have a great time in thailand and another country...it is cheap to live in and around SEA for a few weeks...Japan is a whole other ballgame when you have more money and more time to really enjoy it

I only spent 5 days in Japan and definitely rushed/felt cheated and did the best I could to do everything...

In terms of getting from the airport to tokyo...I used my jR east rail pass, and even with the quick train it took me over 2.5 hours to get to my hostel, including the really long walk from the rail station to the local commuter subway station, then 12 blocks to my hostel...it is not cheap getting to and from the airport, it is far away, i think the fast train took like an hour and a half...

I think Japan and Thailand might be cheaper.
You can control cost when staying in thailand.

Anyway what kind of traveling you looking for ?
( Although quite expensive for Japan but you
can cost down double exp. find some area can
traveling by walk, not too much carefully about
hotel or eating.