Decide which Asian countries and cities you want to see. If you want to take a long holiday, you might be able to visit many of the most popular Asian countries. Shorter trips require limiting your itinerary to just a couple of must-see places, such as Japan, China, India or Thailand. If you're on a limited budget, consider visiting Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, recommends travel author Tim Leffel of Transitions Abroad. Southeast Asia is popular among backpackers and hosts plenty of budget airlines. (See reference 2) If you're worried about finding more affordable deals and fitting countries into a tight schedule, consider hiring a travel agent.
Decide when you want to travel. Lonely Planet website suggests avoiding Asia during monsoon season during years of heavy flooding, which typically occurs between June and September. Even if you like the idea of a monsoon adventure, keep in mind that the torrential downpours can delay flights and you can get stranded in the country for longer than expected. (See reference 1) To avoid large tourist crowds, plan trips for winter and spring months, when travel isn't as popular and the weather is slightly cooler. (See Ref. 6)
If booking yourself, track flight deals to get a good idea of what to pay. Flight prices often drop midweek. Avoid booking flights for weekend travel --- you usually will pay more.
Apply for a passport. If it is your first passport, the U.S. Department of States requires you to apply in person at a passport agency or other acceptance facility, such as an approved post office. Visit the government's "Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page" to find the nearest passport-issuing venue (see Resources).
Make sure you have all the supporting documents to attach to your application. These include a certified copy of your birth certificate or a naturalization certificate, a valid driver's license or other piece of identification, and two passport photos, which can be taken affordably at many photo shops. Include the application fees, which are typically between $150 and $200. (See reference 5)
If renewing a passport by mail, send in your application and old passport at least a month before you need your passport back. Make an appointment if you need it within two weeks, or have it expedited for an additional charge. (See Ref. 3)
Find out if the countries you plan to visit require travel visas. Popular Asian countries that require Americans to have visas include Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, India and Pakistan. Some countries, including Indonesia, Laos, Nepal and Sri Lanka, require tourists to obtain visas at the airport after arriving in the country. Visit the Project Visa website at projectvisa.com/regions/Asia to select your destination country from a map and check visa requirements (see Resources).
