2 Weeks, 4 Countries, 6 Flights: My Central Asia to Europe Solo Backpacking Trip

My 2-week solo backpacking trip across Central Asia and part of Europe was absolutely incredible! Honestly, it’s hard to put into words the whirlwind of emotions I felt—thrill, awe, a little chaos—but one thing’s for sure: it was an adventure I’ll never forget.

Two weeks flew by in a blink, and I definitely wish I had more time to explore every corner. Still, I’m now back home safe, my heart full of memories, and my camera bursting with thousands of photos from the journey.

Over the past few posts, I’ve shared the highlights from each stop on this trip, but today, I’m breaking down the entire cost—covering 4 countries, 6 flights, and everything in between so you can get a clear idea of how to plan a similar journey and what to expect.

🌍 The Original Plans

This whole trip came together rather abruptly, and honestly, I still can’t believe it actually worked out the way it did and that I managed to explore 4 incredible countries in just 2 weeks.

Original plan:

Kazakhstan → Kyrgyzstan → Uzbekistan → Türkiye → Oman (layover)

But about a week before departure, I ended up changing the route. The flight from Uzbekistan to Türkiye was way more expensive than I expected, and it turned out to be much cheaper to reroute through Georgia from Kazakhstan instead. So, I cancelled my train to Uzbekistan and adjusted the itinerary.

Final route:

Kazakhstan → Georgia → Türkiye → Oman (layover)

✅ Total Flight Cost

✈️ Air Asia X

Airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) – Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Duration: 7h 40m
Website: Agoda.com
Ticket price: RM1,148.49
(+ add on 7kg Extra Baggage and meals) RM123.00

✈️ Azerbaijan Airlines

Airport: Almaty International Airport (ALA) – Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Azerbaijan (GYD)
Duration: 3h 50m (with 4h 5m transit)
Meals: Included
Free cabin baggage: 7 kg
Website: Agoda.com

Airport: Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Azerbaijan (GYD) – Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
Duration: 1h 10m
Snacks: Included
Free cabin baggage: 7 kg

Ticket price: RM1,081.00

✈️ Turkish Airlines

Airport: Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) – Istanbul International Airport (IST)
Duration: 3h 35m
Meals & Snacks: Included
Cabin baggage: 8 kg
Website: Agoda.com
Ticket price: RM356.51
(+ add on window seat) RM66.21

✈️ Oman Air

Airport: Istanbul International Airport (IST) – Muscat International Airport (MCT)
Duration: 4h 55m (with 21h layover)
Meals & Snacks: Included
Cabin baggage: 7 kg
Baggage allowance: 20 kg
Website: Omanair.com

Airport: Muscat International Airport (MCT) – Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Duration: 6h 50m
Meals & Snacks: Included
Cabin baggage: 7 kg

Ticket price: RM1,097.86

Total flight cost: RM3,683.86 + add on RM189.21
=RM3,873.07

✅ Transportation and Airport Transfer

For getting around during my trip, I mostly relied on these 2 apps:

Yandex Go (Kazakhstan)
Bolt (Georgia)

Both apps were super convenient and budget-friendly for short rides and city transfers.

I also booked airport transfers through Agoda for some destinations. Sure, skipping airport transfers might save you a bit of cash, but since most of my flights were red-eyes, I knew I’d be too exhausted to deal with finding a ride after landing. The last thing I wanted was to drag my tired self around an unfamiliar airport looking for transport! So, I made sure someone was waiting to pick me up and take me straight to my accommodation

🚘 Almaty, Kazakhstan

Before heading to Almaty, I did a bit of research on transportation options and decided to use Yandex Go the moment I landed. There’s no need to book an airport transfer in advance since it’s super easy to get a ride through the Yandex Go app.

The only downside? Most drivers don’t speak English. When I was at the airport, I had to ask a police officer to help me explain to my driver my location.

Pro tip: Connect your payment method to a card in the app—don’t pay with cash.

Arrivals, Almaty Airport to Center Capsule Hostel: 4,260 KZT (≈ RM33.47)
Center Capsule Hostel to Almaty Airport departure: 3,360 KZT (≈ RM26.40)

Other rides using Yandex Go

Almaty City Administrative District to Ascension Cathedral: 1,050 KZT (≈ RM8.25)
Green Bazaar to Zhibek Zholy Avenue: 490 KZT (≈ RM3.85)
Center Capsule Hostel to Dostyk Avenue Cable Car Station (Kok Tobe): 1,780 KZT (≈ RM13.99)
Dostyk Avenue to Center Capsule Hostel: 1,210 KZT (≈ RM9.51)

🚘 Tbilisi, Georgia

You can also use Yandex Go in Tbilisi, but Bolt is definitely the more popular and widely used app here. Unlike in Kazakhstan, most drivers in Georgia understand English, and it’s super easy to get a ride through the app. Just walk out of the airport exit, open Bolt, and you’ll usually get a driver within minutes.

After my experience in Almaty, I learned my lesson—always pay by card through the app. It’s faster, easier, and you don’t have to deal with cash or exchange rates.

Arrivals, Tbilisi Airport to Hotel Mariam R, Old Tbilisi: 26.10 GEL (≈ RM39.79)
Mazniashvili St, Aghmashenebeli Ave to Tbilisi Airport departure: 27.80 GEL (≈ RM42.39)

Other rides using Bolt

Hotel Mariam R, Old Tbilisi to Mazniashvili St, Aghmashenebeli Ave: 9 GEL (≈ RM13.72)
Guram Sagharadze Street, Tbilisi to Mazniashvili St, Aghmashenebeli Ave: 5.70 GEL (≈ RM8.69)

🚘 Istanbul, Turkiye

During my time in Istanbul, I mostly got around on foot. While I could’ve taken the tram, I found that most places were walkable—and honestly, exploring on foot was the best way to soak in the city’s energy and hidden corners.

I booked my airport transfers through Agoda, since the airport is about 40 minutes away from where I stayed in the Fatih area, and booking in advance was much more convenient.

Istanbul Airport to Antique Hostel, Fatih: 1,365.73 Lira (≈ RM133.22)
Antique Hostel to Istanbul Airport (Hostel Shuttle): 734.25 Lira (≈ RM71.62)

🚘 Muscat, Oman

The moment I found out I’d be arriving in Muscat late at night, I knew I had to book an airport transfer. I’d never been to the Middle East before, and honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. I found out online that I could use the Otaxi app in Oman, but I wasn’t confident about trying it on my first night. So instead, I searched for an airport transfer on Agoda and booked it through there

Arrivals, Muscat International Airport to Al Hail Wave Hotel, Oman: RM108.13

Total cost: RM513.03

✅ Accommodation

All of my accommodations for this trip were booked through Agoda.com. It’s my go-to platform because it’s super easy to use and offers great deals.

🏡 Almaty (Kazakhstan)

📍 Center Capsule Hostel
Room type: Single room with shared toilet (breakfast included)
Duration: 5D 4N
RM206.97

I specifically picked this hostel because it’s located right in the city center and close to everything. The mall was just a short walk away, and I could easily get around on foot from there.

The only downside was that the staff didn’t speak English, and although the listing mentioned that breakfast was included, none was actually served. Since the toilet was shared, the cleanliness wasn’t the best either.

But on the bright side, they had a washing machine, which was super handy! For a small fee, I could wash my clothes—a total lifesaver during a long trip like this.

🏡 Tbilisi, Georgia

I decided to stay in different locations depending on the areas I wanted to explore.

📍 Mariam R Hotel
Room type: Single large room (breakfast included)
Duration: 2D 1N
RM162.00

My first hotel was right in the middle of Old Tbilisi. I only stayed one night, which gave me enough time to explore the area on the day I checked in and the next day before moving to my next hotel.

📍 Tbilicity Hotel
Room type: Standard single room
Duration: 3D 2N
RM268.69

The second hotel was in the city center, in an area locals call “Arab Street.” The location was fantastic, and I could get everywhere on foot. The only downside was that my ride couldn’t enter the street, so the driver dropped me off at the closest point, and I had to walk a bit to reach the hotel.

📍 Bonito Hotel
Room type: Double room with balcony
Duration: 1N
RM68.00

The third hotel was a last-minute booking. Just a 3-minute walk from my second hotel. I hadn’t originally planned to stay another night, but I didn’t want to head to the airport all sweaty from exploring, so I booked it to freshen up before my flight.

🏡 Istanbul, Türkiye

📍 Antique Hostel
Room type: Double room (breakfast included)
Duration: 3D 2N
RM314.62

With only 3 days in Istanbul, I chose this hostel because it’s close to all the main tourist attractions. I wanted to spend as much time as possible exploring the city, and staying here made that really easy.

🏡 Muscat, Oman

📍 Al Hail Wave Hotel Managed By Centara
Room type: Standard city view king
Duration: 1N (last-minute booking)
RM90.54

I booked this hotel while waiting for my flight in Istanbul. Honestly, I didn’t think too much about where to stay since I only needed it for one night—my layover flight landed at 12:55 a.m., and I just wanted a place to rest before the next day’s journey. So, I went with the cheapest option I could find, and it did the job!

Total cost: RM1,110.82

✅ Tour Guide

Traveling solo meant I could explore most places freely on my own—but there were a few experiences that were easier (and safer!) to do with a tour. So, here’s a list of the tours I joined during my trip:

Tour Name: Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour, Kazakhstan
Included: Pickup and drop-off via Yandex Go + Lunch
Website: Agoda.com
Price: RM212.43
Optional Extra: Horse ride – 7,000 KZT (≈ RM55.00)

It was such an amazing experience! The guide spoke great English, the group was small, and everything was well organized. I even tried horse riding for the first time here, and it was totally worth it! It’s beginner-friendly and such a fun way to enjoy the scenery. Lunch was included, served at a cozy homestay with simple Kazakh dishes like fried rice with meat or chicken, salad, and vegetarian options. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Kazakhstan!

Read about my full trip here: Almaty, Kazakhstan

Tour Name: From Tbilisi to Kazbegi, Gudauri & Zhinvali Guided Group Tour, Georgia
Website: Klook.com
Price: RM98.19
Extra for Admission to Gergeti Church Jeep: 20 GEL (≈ RM 30.49)

I also had fun with this tour. The group was small and everyone was friendly. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the lunch—I ordered Khinkali (Georgian dumplings), but they were slimy and I didn’t like the taste. The guide, Mariam, was friendly and spoke good English. The tour doesn’t include pickup, but they wait at the location for everyone to gather, which took me about 25 minutes to walk from my hotel.

Read about my full trip here: Tbilisi, Georgia

Tour Name: Bosphorus Sunset Ferry Tour
Ticket: At the Counter, Istanbul, Turkey
Price (with discount): 200 TL (≈ RM20.00)

I actually got this ticket by chance! A seller stopped me while I was walking, and he was so friendly and genuine that I ended up taking the tour—especially after he offered a nice discount. And thank goodness I did, because the sunset ferry ride was magical. Watching Istanbul glow under the evening sky gave me a whole new appreciation for the city.

Read about my full trip here: Istanbul, Turkiye

Tour Name: Muscat City Day Tour
Included: Airport transfer back to the airport
Website: Agoda.com
Al-Mirani Fort ticket 50% off: 5.500 OMR (≈ RM60.67)
Price: 150 USD (≈ RM618.46)

I hadn’t planned to take a day tour in Oman—at least, not until I met Mohammed, my airport transfer driver. I ended up hiring him the next day for a city tour, and it was amazing! He’s very friendly, and I felt completely safe the entire time. If you’re looking for a tour, feel free to contact me for his number.

Read about my full trip here: Muscat, Oman

Total cost: RM1,095.24

✅ Dining at Restaurants & Snacks

In every country I went to, I made sure to hit at least one restaurant to try the local food. It’s such a simple way to dive into the culture, and honestly, some of the dishes I tried were unforgettable!

Almaty Kazakhstan

📍 Navat restaurant

Menu: Pelmeni Soup (dumpling soup) with bread
Drinks: Lemon Tea
Price: 4,290 KZT (≈ RM33.71)

📍 Zebra Forte

Drinks: Mochalatte
Price: 1,190 KZT (≈ RM9.35)

📍 City Market Convenience store

Snacks: Yogurt drinks and cookies
Price: 1,540 KZT (≈ RM12.10)

📍 Mega Mall Supermarket

Snacks: Bread, Oreo and Mineral Water
Price: 2,545.37 (≈ RM20.00)

Tbilisi, Georgia

📍 Salve Restaurant

Menu: Ostri (Beed stew) with bread
Drinks: Lemonade
Price: 50 GEL (≈ RM78.77)

📍 Orbi Restaurant, Panausari (went to this restaurant during the tour)

Menu: Beef Khinkali (Dumpling)
Drinks: Lemonade
Price: ≈ 25 GEL (≈ RM 40.00)

📍 Spar Convenience store
Snacks: Bread, Cookies, Crisp, Mineral Water
Price: ≈ 30 GEL (≈ RM45.74)

📍 Wish For a Dish Indian and Arabic Halal Restaurant
Menu: Special chicken pasta
Drinks: Fanta Orange
Price: ≈ 31 GEL (≈ RM47.30)

Istanbul, Turkiye

📍 Köşk 1981 fish meat restaurant
Menu: Caesar Salad
Drinks: Turkish tea & Turkish coffee
Price: 700 TL (≈ RM68.09)

📍 Sehzade Cag Kebap
Menu: Cag Kebab, Ezme (hot spicy tomato dip)460
Drinks: Fanta Orange
Price: 548 TL (≈ RM53.31)

📍 Seyit Market
Snacks: Turkish Bread and Mineral Water
Price: ≈ 205 TL (≈ RM20.00)

📍 Street vendor
Snacks: Nutella Simit
Price: total of ≈ 100 TL (≈ RM9.73)

Muscat, Oman

📍 Rozna restaurant
Menu: Chicken Qabuli
Drinks: Red cinnamon tea x 2
Price: 5.670 OMR (≈ RM62.58)

Total cost: RM500.68

✅ Other Expenses

Etiqa Tripcare 360 Travel Insurance
Price: RM173.12

Oman Tourist Visa
Price: 5 OMR (≈ RM55.23)

💡You can easily apply for the tourist visa online here: evisa.rop.gov.om

Hotlink Multi-Country 30-Day Data Pass 40GB
Price: RM100.00

💡If you’re using Hotlink, I highly recommend using the Maxis roaming plan. It makes everything so much easier when you’re hopping from one country to another because you won’t have to waste time looking for a local SIM card. It’s super convenient. The moment you land, you’re instantly connected to the internet.

Grabcar
Home → Putrajaya Sentral
Price: RM11.00

KLIA Transit
Putrajaya Sentral → KLIA2
Price: RM8.50

KLIA Transit
KLIA1 → Putrajaya Sentral
Price: RM8.50

Grabcar
Putrajaya Sentral → Home
Price: RM12.00

Laundry
Fee: 400 KZT (≈ RM3.15)

Total cost: RM371.15

✅ Souvenir

Kazakh tea 250g: 9,500 KZT (≈ RM74.85)
Magnet fridges & Key Chain: 12,500 KZT (≈ RM98.49)
Magnet fridges: ≈ 40 GEL (≈ RM61.03)
Magnet fridges & women’s accessories: 1,028 TL (≈ RM100)
Turkish Lokum & Peanut: 300 TL (≈ RM29.18)
Magnet fridges: 5 OMR (≈ RM55.23)

Total cost: RM417.11

✅ Final thoughts

The total cost of my 2-week backpacking trip came to roughly RM8,000—give or take—since some expenses were approximated based on currency rates during my travels. I brought USD 700 in cash, but to be honest, I ended up using my Wise card for most payments and withdrawals.

Looking back, I wish I had just loaded the entire amount into my Wise account from the start and carried less cash. I still brought home USD 150, which I’ll happily save for my next trip!

You can definitely do this trip for much cheaper if you skip the airport transfers, stay in a hostel or choose more budget-friendly hotels, or cook your own meals. But for me, this trip wasn’t just about saving money—it was about creating memories I’ll carry with me forever. So, I don’t regret a single thing. Every little “extra” made my journey smoother, safer, and more enjoyable—and when you’re traveling solo, comfort and peace of mind are worth every ringgit.

So to every woman reading this:
Book that flight. Take that trip. Choose yourself.
The world is waiting for you…

Hope this helps.
Xx, Auri Duham ❤