1. Research low-cost airlines (as well as land routes)
1a. Check out local travel websites
A group buying site from Singapore or Malaysia like Reebonz or Groupon would also be a good place to start looking at flight and hotel packages (the price can be really low – just check out the hotel reviews on an independent site like Tripadvisor!) Also start researching in country websites for a location in that country. E.g. Metrodeal.com and cashcashpinoy.com were recommended to us when searching for deals to El Nido/Palawan (one of the best beaches in the world!) and we will be using this when we plan our trip there! Just check that you can register your foreign credit card on that site!
2. Pick a hub.
It is good to pick one central place and then plan your travels from that hub. When you pick your starting point, think about the proximity of it to the countries that you really want to visit and the ease of transportation from that location. E.g. if you want to stay in Cambodia, but also want to visit Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, it may be easier to actually stay in Malaysia or Singapore because their airports are well developed and more people in those countries speak English.
3. Research hotels and negotiate the rate
Is the advertised rate the lowest advertised rate? Well it doesn’t hurt to ask the hotel and confirm their lowest rates. Let them know if you are going for a special event and it doesn’t hurt to tell them about your blog either (especially if you will write about the hotel like I have). You may get a lower rate and even if you don’t, you may get extra services thrown in. Who doesn’t like a free massage right (yes my husband and I both got them in Cambodia when we visited for our anniversary!)
Otherwise, I try to book through hotels.com or agoda.combecause they have loyalty programs that span across diverse hotel chains (I am a Hilton Honors member as well and if the price is the same, will book directly on the website). You can get one free night for every ten nights even though some of those hotels may have been boutique hotels and the others ones are multinational hotel chains.
4. Carry USD
Hmm you’re in Vietnam but are asked for US Dollars (USD)? Does this make sense? Well to some people in SE Asian countries, it does make a lot of sense, especially if they want to get away from their own currency. I’ve also paid for Cambodian and Indonesian on-site visas, as well as Philippines exit tax with USD. I would actually suggest you carry a decent amount of small change ($5, $20 bills) for both entry fees and tips. You may also be negotiate a lower rate if you offer USD vs. the local currency (calculate the exchange first of course to make sure it works out for you!)
I need to get my act together and make it one day to that part of the world!
lucky u. I dream to visit Thailand and Singapore. Love your tips!:)
thanks for the tips! i really want to head back to asia soon.
AWESOME suggestions. Thank you. I never thought about picking a hub, but what a good idea!
Cheap Makeup Reviews
Beauty and Fashion Blog Seattle
wow I’ve been there.
BARGAIN is the magic word 😉
xoxo
http://www.kumara-lifestyle.blogspot.com/
Book marked the post! Cannot wait to travel to that side of the globe! 🙂
∞ © tanvii.com ∞
Great suggestions, especially the one about staying at a “hub” with good infrastructure to reach other countries. I have never been to Southeast Asia, but would love to visit one day. I’m not sure if I missed your travel entry about Bali, but I’d love to read it if you send me the link!
Darling! I’ll tresure this post! Amazing tips! Can’t wait to use them on a trip! xoxo
Could not agree more with these tips. Some I learned the hard way like carrying USD but so true!
Looks like such a lovely place…definitely want to add it to my must-see list!
I’d like to go to Asia! Someday…I’ve only been to Taiwan and that was in 1989. It has been over 20 years. These are great tips and I’ll be sure to keep this in mind if I get to go again.
Great tips! You’re so fortunate that you’ve gotten the opportunity to travel so much. The experience one gets from learning bits of other cultures is invaluable. I hope to get to Asia one day. I’m sure that I’ll get to China one day in the near future for work but I’d love to tag on some time to explore. 🙂 xoxo
Amazing work. The pics are perfect and the post is fantastic. Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog!!
Best Regards
Miss Margaret Cruzemark
http://margaretcruzemark.blogspot.com/
Great advice. On my bucket list.
i’m putting this in my travel bookmarks for real!
Great tips. Need to bookmark this one. 🙂
Great tips! I can’t wait to explore this part of the world someday!
I didn’t know they had their own currency…total blond moment.
love the second photo.. great tips! especially the one to get a hub
xo
MOSAMUSE
http://www.MOSAMUSE.com
SE Asia has so many beautiful places to see. You should come and visit more than once (:
natzcracker
Oooh, thanks for the heads up and travel tips!
That’s one of the things we’re most excited about here in Hong Kong, can’t wait to start exploring the area!
Elly @ Caribbean Living