While it’s true that traveling can be pretty expensive, it can be made a lot more affordable if you keep certain things in mind. Traveling doesn’t always have to go super hard on your budget; you can easily make it more budget-friendly by using some money-saving tips to better your experience. And when it comes to traveling to Asia, the endless ways to cut your expenses can leave you surprised and shocked at the same time.
Asia is a vast continent and that can be established from the fact that it is the largest continent on earth with the largest population as well. The continent is home to about 48 countries, with each one differing in geographical features, customs, traditions, cultures, languages, and much more. Traveling to Asia can be a one-of-a-kind experience, but that also depends on the destination you’re planning to visit and according to that, your budget can also go up or down.
However, there are a few ways that can help you spend your vacation in Asia on a budget, without having to spend an extra penny. Listed below are a few budget travel tips that will help you save money on your trip to Asia.
Stick to local food
Asians are well known for their exemplary culinary skills, although the flavors and cuisines greatly vary from region to region, you will still find almost every food to be delectable and delicious. Instead of making your way to a fancy restaurant, stick to local food prepared by street vendors or small outlets. The food might not be as satisfying as your home, but it’s good enough to keep you filled. Southeast Asia is particularly known for its delicious food, which can meet every budget.
Choose the off beaten path
When it comes to choosing a hotel, restaurant, or guest house for yourself, being a tourist, we always prefer choosing the ones that are located in the main part of the tourist area. Picking these places may allow you to stay in the center of the action but the prices here can be relatively higher and that’s not something you should be doing when on budget. You can always find cheap accommodation or eating place a few streets away from the main area, where you may also find some great deals due to less tourist traffic.
Stay at hostels
One of the easiest ways to cut down your expenses is by choosing to stay at hostels instead of hotels or resorts. It’s no hidden fact that these hotels, guest houses can be pretty expensive, which can be a hard blow on your budget; therefore, staying at hostels is a smart option to go with, as they are much affordable and also provide all sorts of amenities. If you don’t want to share a room with another hosteler, then you can also choose to get a private room. In the process of staying at hostels, you may also befriend a few strangers who are on their backpacking expedition.
Give guided tours a pass
Even though guided tours can be pretty valuable and enriching, you should probably skip them if you consider yourself well capable of exploring the sites or new destinations on your own. This will allow you to do things at your own pace and not being rushed by your impatient guide. Some places do require a guided tour to understand and learn its history, like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and in such cases, you can opt for a guided tour, just make sure to go with a local organization instead of an expensive western company.
Bargain for everything
Bargaining is a very common thing in Asia. No matter what you’re purchasing, that particular item can be bought at a bargained price, only if you have some strong bargaining skills. This might not be the easiest thing to do for westerners, but it is a daily chore for locals, who make sure to grab the best deals. Try to buy things in bulk like souvenirs, trinkets, or other kinds of stuff to get more leverage for bargaining. This bargaining thing or we should say negotiation, can also work for accommodation, open-air markets, and even malls as well.