A travel blog about adventure and culture

Traveler´s Buddy

  • HOME
  • TRAVEL 101
  • TRAVEL JOURNAL
  • DESTINATIONS
    • Africa
    • America
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • TRAVELBUZZ
  • MORE
    • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
    • Work with me
      • Media content
      • Video Content
      • Photography and Video content
    • Contact me
    • About me
    • MediaKit
Danakil depression camel caravan
Avatar
Juan Martinez
Sunday, 29 May 2016 / Published in Travel 101

48 tips you should know before backpacking in South East Asia

Before your travels

    • Check the visa requirements for your country in the countries you are traveling to.
  • Start your travels in big cities.
travel quotes

Marina Bay Sands in Singapore

  • Check if an AirAsia ASEAN Pass fits your travels (This allows you to take 10/20 flights for 160/290 USD  within 30/60 days).
  • South East Asia on a Shoestring from Lonely Planet is worth its price.
  • Check in advance which vaccines you need.
  • Take a small medicine kit with you.
  • Hostels and guesthouses offer washing services everywhere. Take clothes for a week and travel light.
  • Get a credit card without foreign fee.
  • Have some cash (EUR or USD) with you for emergencies.
  • Take a couple of locks with you.
  • Don´t bring toiletries. Instead, get them at a local supermarket on your first day.
  • Carry a copy of your passport with you.
  • Have a copy of your passport, ID´s, credit cards and other important documents in a cloud.
  • Book a multi-stop flight or travel in circles to make the most of your trip.
  • Get some information at WikiTravel on how to get from the airport to the center. They have complete guides about this matter.
  • Take a small backpack for day trips.

IMG_3702

During your travels

  • If you are traveling in low season, don´t book accommodation in advance. Simply write down a couple of addresses beforehand and check them out once you are there.
  • Draft a sketch of the route you want to travel.
  • Start at the most expensive destinations (Singapore or Malaysia). This will help you balancing your budget better.
  • Don´t spend much time in big cities. –  2 or 3 nights in Bangkok or Singapore should be enough.
Singapore gardens by the bay

Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

  • Avoid drinking every day. South East Asia is full of travelers drinking the whole time; try not to be one of them.
  • Get a PADI certificate in Koh Tao or Koh Phi Phi or El Nido.
  • Don´t worry too much about street food.
  • In cities like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur you should act like a local when you are getting a cab. Simply get in the car and don´t ask “how much”. If the taxi does not start the taximeter, just tell the driver that you will take another cab.
  • Drink at least two bottles of water a day.
  • Drink the tap water in Singapore. It´s free and clean.
  • Wanna go partying in Singapore? Go on Wednesdays, many clubs have free entrance and even free drinks for the girls.
  • Drink natural juices every day. You will miss that back home!.
  • Book your bus tickets at least a couple of days in advance. Especially if you are traveling in high season.
  • Compare tour prices. It will help you save some money after a couple of months.
DCIM111GOPRO

Kuang Si in Luang Prabang, Laos

  • South East Asia is extremely safe! However, avoid being alone and under alcohol influence in dark places.
  • Respect the culture! Don´t go to temples in tank tops and short skirts, save those for the beach parties.

Luang Prabang, Laos

  • Hostels in big cities are great places to meet people if you are traveling alone.
  • Save money and time by taking overnight buses.
  • Use the slow boat to travel from Thailand to Laos by land. It is worth the long journey.
  • Book your accommodation based on two aspects: Cleanness and location.
  • Leave your passport and credit cards in the safe back at the hotel ALL the time.
  • DON’T get a motorbike if you have never driven one before. There is a stupidly big chance that you will have at least a small accident and pay money you will need later.
  • Be careful if you are taking drugs. Most South East Asian countries have very severe sentences for drug traffickers and consumers. (Especially young uninformed travelers)
  • Get an underwater camera.
  • Bring a travel adapter.
  • Don´t abuse the power of bargain. What for you is simply a latte in the morning is for them a meal for their families.
  • Watch the sunrise in Bagan, Angkor Wat or Borobudur. It will be worth the early wake up.
  • Go to at least one big party at the beach. (The Full Moon Party is very crowded and well liked).
  • Try new food. It´s the only way to know if you like it or not.
  • Take local transportation instead of pre organized trips. You will support the local economy.
  • It´s not a crime to eat Western food during your travels.
  • Do many outdoor activities – Climb, swim, wander more.
    IMG_4526

    Morning Yoga in Luang Prabang, Laos

  • And again… Report home continuously! You don’t want your mom posting your photo on Facebook claiming that her son has been missing for a couple of weeks.

[fbcomments]

  • Tweet
Tagged under: accomodation, activities, backpacking tips, before travel, information south East Asia, preparation backpacking, preparation tips, saving money, South East Asia, Transportation, travel info, travel tips, traveler, useful information, useful tips, while traveling

What you can read next

10 ways to save money for your travels
How to meet people while traveling alone
Sticking to Your Travel Budget – It’s easy but requires some self-control

See my work for Lonely Planet

Juan Martinez - Lonely Planet Berlin

See more of my work

Juan Martinez BBC Travel - Deutsche Welle

Follow me on Instagram

Instagram Juan Martinez Travelers Buddy

Follow me on facebook

facebook banner travelersbuddy

See my videos on YouTube

youtube channel Travelersbuddy

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • Finland: How Kuopio is transforming itself into a food capitalFinland: How Kuopio is transforming itself into a food capital
  • 10 ways to save money for your travels10 ways to save money for your travels
  • Planning a winter road trip in Swedish LaplandPlanning a winter road trip in Swedish Lapland
  • Eating in Athens: Is there anything feta than that?Eating in Athens: Is there anything feta than that?
  • Everything you need to know about the wildebeest migrationEverything you need to know about the wildebeest migration
  • How to make the best of your next stopoverHow to make the best of your next stopover
  • Finland is doubtfully the happiest country in the world and here is whyFinland is doubtfully the happiest country in the world and here is why
  • 10 crazy laws in Singapore10 crazy laws in Singapore
  • Meet the Guatemalan god living in a wooden bodyMeet the Guatemalan god living in a wooden body
  • In search for Ethiopia’s atypical rock-hewn churchesIn search for Ethiopia’s atypical rock-hewn churches

RECENT POSTS

  • Castle in Germany

    What is the 9-Euro Ticket – A perfect pass for traveling across Germany this Summer

    One transport ticket that is valid for an entir...
  • How many blank passport pages do you need to travel to each country

    How many blank passport pages do you need to travel to each country

    Every country has different regulations on how ...
  • Best things to do in Nouakchott

    Best things to do in Nouakchott

    Far off the bucket list of many travelers, Noua...
  • Which are the best national parks in Uganda

    Which are the best national parks in Uganda

    From dense forests hiding mountain gorillas to ...
  • climbing lions at Queen Elizabeth National Park - How to plan a trip

    How to plan a trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda

    Grasslands, savannah, forests, wetlands, and la...
  • These are the best things to do in Windhoek

    Best things to do in Windhoek

    From great culinary and cultural experiences to...
  • Tracking chimpanzees in Uganda‘s Kibale National Park

    Tracking chimpanzees in Uganda‘s Kibale National Park

    Whether you go tracking or for a habituation to...
  • All you need to know before visiting the Devil’s Pool in Victoria Falls

    All you need to know before visiting the Devil’s Pool in Victoria Falls

    Located at the edge of Africa’s greatest natura...

WRITE YOUR STORY

We accept guest posts from bloggers, journalists or travel enthusiast about anything what motivated you to travel and experience new things

CONTACT ME HERE

WORK WITH ME

Last year we worked with over 10 different tourism boards from all over the globe. Learn more how we can work together and present how awesome your destination is

CONTACT ME HERE

COME AND SAY HI

Don't be shy and just drop us an email. It´s free

CONTACT ME HERE
Travelers Buddy Mountains Footer
  • Home
  • Travel journal
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Imprint
  • More about Traveler´s Buddy
  • Travel journal
  • Home
  • About me
  • Work with me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Contact me
  • GET SOCIAL

www.thetravelersbuddy.com© 2021. All rights reserved

TOP