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Planning to travel for an extended period of time, can leave family and friends wondering, “how are you able to afford this lavish and expensive break from the real world?” The truth is, traveling does not actually have to be expensive. Most of the time, I find it to be even cheaper than being at home. Most expenses tend to fall into three categories. Accommodation, Transport, and Food. After these three, which are of course essential, everything else can, for the most part, be avoided. Asia is heaven for budget travelers. That being said, some people still find a way to spend a lot of money. It amazes me when I talk to people and they tell me their budget for the entire trip. I always wonder, why spend X amount of money on a two-month trip, when you can travel for six months with the same money? So here is my guide on how to travel to Asia on a budget, what expenses can arise, and how to limit them or avoid them altogether.
Planning
Saving money on the road all starts at home. Any booked trip leads to me at home on the laptop or phone scrolling through pictures of food or reading blogs on my destination. It is partly due to the excitement, but it also gives me an idea of how much I am going to spend there. For long-term travel, it can be slightly different. Having more destinations makes it harder to research each place in advance. The question is, do you know where you are going? If you do, then you need to start asking the following; how much I am going to pay per night there? How much is an average meal there? What will it cost me to get from one place to another? These are simple things to figure out. This gives you an idea of what sort of money you can expect to spend in each place. It doesn’t have to be a day-to-day plan. Just an overall, quick budget for each place.
Plans should also be open to change. One of the beautiful things of long-term travel is being able to move at will. Going where you want, when you want. Making a plan before you leave will give you an estimate, not an exact figure. But it’s the knowledge of this that leaves room for change. There is a section of the plan from a previous trip I took. Here you can see it is just a simple plan that allows me to know, at a quick glance, if I am overspending.
Accommodation
Hostels
Certainly the accommodation of choice for backpackers in Asia. For good reason too. Cheap and usually clean, hostels give you a good opportunity to meet like-minded travel folk whilst you are there. Hostels would always be my go-to when traveling in this region. Sharing a dorm room with strangers doesn’t appeal to everybody, but you get used to it. Making sure you pick a hostel in a good location in relation to food and what you wish to do whilst there is important for saving you money on transport. Free breakfast can be a rarity in this part of the world, but if on offer, it is an option you should certainly take up.
Couch-surfing
Not as popular here as it is in other parts of the world, usually because of the low costs of other forms of accommodation. Couch surfing gives you a great opportunity to experience a local’s way of life in any given place. Eating where they recommend can also save you money on food as well as free accommodation. Don’t forget to repay your host in some way for their generous hospitality. Anything you do to say “thank you” will still be cheaper than if you were paying for a room per night.
Private Rooms
This one is for couples. In certain countries and cities around Asia, I am thinking Vietnam and Sri Lanka in particular, double rooms in a hotel or a hostel can work out at the same price as two dorm beds. A bit of privacy for no extra money is excellent. These opportunities are sure to arise so it is best to wait for them to be an option, instead of paying extra for a private room in certain cities. If alone though, it would be sensible to avoid private rooms, they will always cost you more than a dorm room and also limit your opportunity to meet new people.
Food and Drink
Street Food
A must in any city, street food will always be the cheapest food on offer. Usually clean and hygienic, there is no need to worry about food poisoning once you use some common sense. Eat where the locals eat. Chances are if you see locals eating at a particular stall, they are doing so a couple of times a week. This means it must be well established, of good quality and safe. If a stall is in the middle of a tourist area with only westerners eating at it, then ask yourself, “why are locals avoiding here?” It is usually because there is better and cheaper food available elsewhere. Street food will get you some of the best food a city has to offer for a fraction of the price of a restaurant.
Local Restaurants
Second to street food is the small hole-in-the-wall restaurants. Still very cheap, with some of the best food you can find. Some small restaurants are legendary in certain cities and towns. Family run and with a heavy clientele of regulars, this is where I find the best food in cities. Some of the best meals of my life have been in small restaurants that are there on a permanent basis serving up their specialty dishes for a small price. The menu is usually small but everything they serve is of the highest quality. Hong Kong was full of these. In a very expensive country, eating at these types of places saved me from overspending.
Fast Food
A tricky one. Nobody has visions of traveling halfway around the world only to be sitting in a KFC or a Mcdonalds’. A reliance on fast food joints is foolish, but everybody misses a little bit of western food in their diet, and food from these establishments can, at times, satisfy these cravings. Fast Food chains are cheaper in this part of the world and won’t tear apart your budget. If you do feel the urge to eat here, try to save it for places that have a higher-than-average price for food. In China, for example, McDonald’s is one of the cheapest meals on offer. In Malaysia, however, this could equate to three times as much as some local fare. No one will judge you for indulging on fast food once in a while presuming that it is a rarity instead of the norm.
Special Eats
Everyone deserves a treat. You will likely want a change from the usual rice or noodles. But save it for when you can get something really special. On the road, you may run into western food that just can’t be missed. I would have never thought that the best burger I have had in years would be in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, or pizza I will always remember was from Luang Prabang in Laos. Saving your splurge for a place this good leads to real satisfaction for your craving, not just half doing the job. Treating yourself doesn’t need to be expensive either. The best food knows how good it is, the owners know they will get the business and don’t feel the need to overcharge to make money.
Restaurants
I am not a fan of restaurants. At home yes, on the road no. They lack any sort of redeeming qualities or atmosphere. They cost more, usually have a large menu and the food tends to be average at best. Also remember to ask yourself, “who is this food aimed at?” before entering. If they are not looking for returning customers, or are aiming solely for tourists, then the food is going to be poor. Another point, who would you rather have cook your food? A member of a family who has run this stall or shop for years passes recipes and skills down to the younger generations, or a chef who is hired to make an attempt at a hundred different dishes with average ingredients. Avoid restaurants, your budget and your taste buds will be thankful you did.
Snacks
It can be easy to snack on the road. Portion sizes don’t tend to be the biggest, so you may feel there is room for that bar of chocolate or that bag of crisps. These all add up though. Don’t let yourself get in the habit of picking up small treats at any opportunity. You won’t have planned for this, so it will slowly push you over budget without any real benefits. Fruit is an excellent alternative to sweet food on the road. Cheaper and a lot healthier, make sure you buy whole fruits instead of pre-cut to save you even more money. It can also be quite easy to fit fruit into daily meals, especially breakfast. In the long run, snacking on an orange or a banana will leave you considerably better off, health and financially wise.
Alcohol
The biggest threat to any budget, in my experience. One dollar for a beer? Incredible! Let’s have a few. This is why, if you are not careful, you will quickly find yourself spending more on regular nights out than you do on anything else. Everything is good in moderation but watch your wallet. Save the drinking for cheaper places. If you are in Singapore, it might be best to hang off on those few beers until you move north to Malaysia, where a drink could be as cheap as a quarter of the price. Spending a huge portion of your money on alcohol is a slippery slope that I have been on before and regretted. It is not worth it and besides with the heat in Asia, a hangover is best avoided.
Soft Drinks
A quick cold sugar fix makes soft drinks a tempting option on the road. I crave them when I am away from home, yet barely touch them back in Ireland. Again they add up. Like chocolate or any type of sweet, it is best to avoid them if you don’t want to gain a reliance on them. Water is a much more beneficial option. It keeps you hydrated, is healthy, and, at about half the price of a soft drink for a considerably larger amount, by far the most economical. It should go without saying that constantly carrying water with you is a necessity in the crazy Asian heat. In some countries, it is possible to fill your bottle up from public taps, reducing waste and saving you money all at the same time.
Attractions
Entrance Fees
I hate paying entrance fees. Sometimes though, you are left with little option and I have no problem with that. Angkor Wat or the Taj Mahal, I don’t think twice. Another temple that I have seen a similar version of before, no thank you. The price of entry could be similar to that of a meal, or even days worth of food. Decide what you really want to see and do it, apart from that stick to the free stuff, you won’t regret it.
Excursions
Similar to entrance fees, it is all about picking your battles. Do I really need to go to an elephant sanctuary? Of course, I do! But, do I need to do a day trip to see the Bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand? Not particularly. Again, decide what you want to do, factor it into your budget, and do it. This way it won’t be an unforeseen expense. Going here, there, and everywhere will cost you a fortune. To be honest, if you are not really interested, then how much are you going to really enjoy and remember anyway.
Transport
Buses
Usually the cheapest and most popular option on long-distance journeys. Bus journeys in Asia can be like a roller coaster at times. Insane driving and constant overtaking can leave you fearing for your life, but at the end of the day, they are cheap. Just strap in and enjoy the ride. Buses here also have a reoccurring habit of driving as fast as they can for an entire journey and still, somehow, arriving a couple of hours late. Certain countries will let you book your bus online, which can save money and hassle. For those without this service, the easiest option tends to be to book through your accommodation.
Trains
Depending on the country, train travel can either be a slow process as you bounce along the tracks or the smoothest journey in the world. The best thing about trains is that the information on prices is readily available online, the best source being www.seat61.com. This allows comparative studies between trains and buses to see which is better value for money. Paying for the lowest class available, especially during daytime travel, is a necessity for me. There’s no way I am paying double the price for the same journey if I don’t have to. Train travel can vary massively in different countries. In China, for example, a 7-hour journey could cost as much as $70 yet in Thailand, the same journey wouldn’t cost you $10.
Night Buses/Trains
I am terrible at sleeping on transport. Trains, buses, or planes, it does not matter, I barely get a wink. That doesn’t stop me from traveling overnight as much as possible. For close to the same price as traveling throughout the day, long-distance buses and trains travel through the night, usually arriving very early to your destination. That night of not having to pay for accommodation is hard for me to turn my nose up at, especially when I am going to have to pay for the train anyway.
Planes
Not usually the cheapest mode of transportation. Planes are quicker and more convenient. However, when you add in the cost of getting to and from the airport, checking in baggage and so on you could end up paying an absolute fortune. Of course, sometimes you are left with no choice, but if possible stick to the buses and trains.
Taxis
Taxis in Asia are a different breed to that of the western world. Although by law, they must use their meter, this is a rule that is rarely applied. This will always work in their benefit when they try and quote you a price three or four times higher than it should be. Play the waiting game, flag down every taxi that drives past and eventually you will find one that uses the meter. Of course, there is still a possibility that you might be taken on a tour of the city. My advice, use taxis as sparingly as possible.
Tuk Tuks
Almost a symbol of South East Asian travel, Tuk Tuks are fun and different. This leads to most travelers wanting to use them rather than a normal, boring taxi. The truth is, they are usually considerably higher in price. No meter means the driver can charge what they like. You will also meet your fair share of crooks driving them. If you want to be offered drugs then these are the guys you are looking for. Of course, this does not apply to all of them, but in busy areas, like Siem Reap in Cambodia, this is very common.
Boats
Asia is full of islands. Boats can, at times, be the only available mode of transport to get to where you wish to go. They can be reasonably priced and you shouldn’t be afraid to use them. Just get an idea of where your destination port will be, this could be quite a distance from the part of the island you wish to go to.
Public Transport
For getting around cities, public transport is a must. This can almost eradicate all use of taxis and Tuk Tuks. Any sort of working knowledge of the buses and metros will save you money. Ask your accommodation if you are unsure of how to get to where you need to go, they should be more than happy to help. It can still be a hit-or-miss experience but it is all part of the fun.
Technology
Some people may argue that technology is ruining travel. It can make everything easier and takes away the challenge and the unexpected discovery of something new. I am not one of these people. Technology is a huge part of our lives now. It can also save you considerable money on the road. Below are a few of the free apps and sites that I use to cut costs.
Maps.me
This app is by far the biggest money saver. Offline maps that track your location. Simply download the map for the country or city that you are going to when you have WiFi and you are good to go. You can bookmark/flag locations on it, for example, your accommodation or the nearest 7-Eleven. I use it a lot to know where the good cheap eats are wherever I am. Its biggest use though is when you first arrive in a new place. If you arrive by bus you will have no idea where exactly you are. Maps let me know if I am within walking distance of my hostel or not. More often than not, I am, and this eradicates the need for a taxi that is waiting for you to get off the bus and hoping to overcharge you.
Skyscanner
The ultimate app for cheap flights. Skyscanner gives you the option of comparing the dates of flights. If you leave your plans open to a small amount of change, this can save you money by flying a day or two before or after your intended date. If you are really adventurous and have no set plans, make use of the “everywhere” option. Choose your departure airport and Skyscanner will give you the cheapest flights out of that airport on any given day.
Hostelworld
The best app for booking hostels. Some people will happily turn up in a town or city with nothing booked. I disagree with this method totally. I like to have an idea of where I need to go when I arrive, and not end up walking around in the heat, with my heavy backpack, aimlessly looking for a place to stay. Not booking accommodation could lead to the cheapest places being booked out and then you end up overpaying for your night’s sleep. If you have an idea of where you want to stay, just book it.
Hopefully, this gives you an insight into some of the costs that can occur and how to avoid or the very least minimize them. Of course, all the advice in the world on how to travel to Asia on a budget cannot forecast certain costs. Medical bills, damage to electrical goods, these things can happen. No preparation can plan for these expenditures. Always expect to go over budget. It happens more often than not. It might be only by a small amount but it still happens. Travelling Asia is an amazing experience. One that should be experienced by everyone. I love it, the smell, the tastes and the sites all bonded together by how budget friendly the continent can be.
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