Budget-Friendly Vacation in Southeast Asia for Beginners, Check Out These Tips!

Traveling to countries in Southeast Asia is perfect for those looking to travel abroad. But, will it be expensive to tour around Southeast Asia? The cost of your vacation around Southeast Asia depends on the traveling style you choose once you are in your destination country. 
If you travel lavishly, no matter how large your budget is, it will feel inadequate and run out quickly. To make your trip around Southeast Asia more budget-friendly, here are some tips you can follow:  

Choose Your Travel Route Wisely
Choose your travel route carefully, as it affects your transportation cost. To save on this, you can start your trip from Jakarta to Singapore and then to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and return to Jakarta. 
Here is a more detailed route:
● Jakarta to Singapore. Book your flight to Singapore in advance, choosing the earliest flight to maximize your time there. For cheaper tickets, book well ahead of your departure. 
● Singapore to Malaysia. After exploring Singapore, you can take a bus to Malaysia, choosing to depart at night. The trip to Malaysia usually takes about 5-6 hours. 
● Malaysia to Thailand. To cross to Thailand, you can take a local bus or train from Malaysia to the Thailand border. The journey from Malaysia to Thailand takes about 5.5 hours. 
● Thailand to Cambodia. If you are interested in visiting Cambodia, take a bus from Mochit in Thailand to Aranyaprathet. The journey there usually takes about 6 hours. 
● Cambodia to Vietnam. From Cambodia, you can head directly to Vietnam by taking a bus from Moc Bai to Ho Chi Minh. The trip takes around 6 hours, and some buses offer snacks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities. 
● Vietnam to Jakarta. After touring several Southeast Asian countries, your next route will be back to Jakarta or home. Look for budget flights from Vietnam or promotional tickets. 

Choose Affordable Accommodations
When traveling to Southeast Asian countries, you have a wide variety of accommodation options available. However, to get better rates, it is best to choose affordable accommodations. You can check the official accommodations websites. 
Alternatively, you can also search through Online Travel Agents (OTAs). To be safer, read reviews from previous guests before booking an accommodation. If the reviews look great and the price is right, you can proceed with the booking. 

Look for Free Tourist Attractions
No vacation is complete without visiting local attractions, right? When traveling around Southeast Asia, make sure to visit tourist destinations in the countries you go to. To save more, look for free attractions. 
For example, when in Malaysia, you can visit the Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves, KL Forest Eco Park, and more; in Singapore, check out attractions such as Gardens By The Bay, Merlion Park, Orchard Road, and others; in Thailand, visit places such as Khlong Bang Luang Artist Village, Bangkok Art and Culture Center, and more. 

Exchange Money Before Traveling and Bargain
Before traveling, it is advisable to exchange money at your local money changer to get better rates. While there will be currency exchange services in the countries you are visiting, they might offer higher rates compared to exchanging money in Indonesia. 
Additionally, when buying souvenirs or other items, it is always a good idea to bargain for better prices. For instance, start by offering half of the original price, and if the seller refuses, increase your offer little by little until you reach an agreement. To reach a win-win deal, first, find out the market price of the items you would like to buy.
Those were some tips to follow for a budget-friendly vacation around Southeast Asia. To always ensure a safe trip, protect yourself with Online Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia. This insurance will cover you from the moment you depart until you arrive back home. 
Get your insurance, now!