4 Ways to See Southeast Asia on a Budget

by Gino Evangelista

Are you thinking about taking a trip to Southeast Asia at some point this year? This part of the world offers wonders which are unrivalled by other regions. With nations like Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand all lying in this corner of the world, you’re in for a treat with every visit.
 
But with the cost of travel itself often racking up, you’ll naturally be wary of spending more money on your holiday than you feel comfortable with. Today, let’s look at four ways you can budget for a successful vacation to this part of the world.

​1. Eat street food  ​

Street food is a cheap, quick and easy way of getting your necessary daily dosage of nutrition. You’ll find vendors throughout the country lined up along roadsides in busy areas. Aside from being inexpensive and tasty, these spots are also very handy – as they don’t force you to go out of your way to find somewhere for dinner.
 
While it’s a natural concern to worry about food poisoning, stalls are often safer than some of the smaller restaurants you’ll find. As this TripAdvisor forum points out, the nature of the on-the-spot prepping, cooking and serving means food doesn’t sit around for a long time.
 

2. Avoid tourist traps  ​

You’ll find places like this dotted throughout the world. Once a location gains some notoriety, tourists begin flocking there in a desperate attempt to feel like they’re not missing out. Unfortunately, cunning locals are ready and waiting to make the most of what is, for them, a golden opportunity.
 
Some of the biggest tourist traps in Southeast Asia include the likes of Vang Vieng (Laos), Kuta Beach (Bali) and most of Phuket in Thailand. Prices are being hyped up in these regions to account for the influx of visitors.
 

3. Save and budget ahead of time   ​

Make sure you’ve got the funds before you go. If you know you’re heading off on a holiday which is going to prove costly, you’ll need to have money set aside which you can draw from. If the trip is a way off, you can move a certain amount of money aside every month and keep it in a dedicated savings account.
 
From there, work out roughly how much you want to spend every day. Times this by the number of days you’ll be away, and you should have a total for how much you’ll need for the trip.
 

4. Think about how you’re going to manage money  ​

As 1Cover wisely point out, you’ll need to have a rough idea in mind when it comes to how you’re going to manage your money when you’re actually abroad. For example, you can avoid currency exchange rates by putting all your cash onto a travel money card. These work in much the same way as your actual bank card, minus the fees for conversion.
 
If you’re worried about your expenses, make sure to keep these top tips in mind. They could make all the difference when it comes to your next trip to Southeast Asia.