Summary
How much money to travel in Asia is enough? There isn’t an easy answer; however, by examining the variables, you can create a budget for Asia more easily.
The cost of traveling in Asia is highly subjective. There are luxurious options available (with plenty of budget-blowing temptations), while frugal backpacking travelers often manage to thrive in inexpensive countries like China, India, and much of Southeast Asia for less than US $30 per day!
Although flights to Asia can be expensive if you are not well-versed in finding affordable options, the benefits of traveling in Asia outweigh the hassle of getting there. Moreover, leveraging the currency differences between your home country and developing nations allows you to stretch your travel funds even further.
Initial Costs for Travel
Before considering daily expenses on the ground in Asia, it’s crucial to first evaluate start-up and trip preparation costs. While it may not be pleasant to spend money before arriving in Asia, many of these one-time investments will help ensure you are prepared for future trips.
- Make sure to secure budget travel insurance for your journey.
- You might incur occasional travel visa fees.
- Your largest expense will likely be purchasing a flight to Asia.
Take a Tour or Go Independent?
While there are advantages to booking a tour for your first trip to Asia, arranging one from home can significantly increase your overall costs. Tours can be appealing as they provide a total trip cost and eliminate the need to navigate the unknown.
If you’re willing to navigate independently, it’s best to avoid booking an expensive tour from home; companies that can afford hefty online advertising often charge higher prices. Instead, consider waiting until you arrive in Asia, and if you still believe a tour would enhance your experience, book through a local travel agency.
Booking on the ground often contributes positively to the local economy. This is especially important when selecting trekking agencies and arranging outdoor adventures.
When choosing a tour company, select a reputable, locally-owned establishment. Numerous large Western tour agencies exploit local destinations in Asia without giving back to the community.
Choosing a Destination That Fits Your Budget
Various countries in Asia have different costs associated with living; the expenses vary widely based on your travel style. Ultimately, how much you spend in Asia will depend largely on your travel preferences. Therefore, opt for a destination that aligns with your current budget to avoid financial stress during your adventure.
While budgets can vary widely, some destinations provide abundant opportunities to save on daily costs like food, transport, and accommodation.
Relatively expensive destinations include:
- South Korea
- Japan
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Taiwan
- Macau
- The Maldives
Relatively inexpensive destinations include:
- India
- China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau)
- Southeast Asia (excluding Singapore)
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Bangladesh
The Travel Learning Curve
New destinations often become more affordable the longer you stay. As a first-time traveler, you might overspend on food, transportation, and souvenirs until you grasp what constitutes a good deal. A handful of destinations are more beginner-friendly than others.
As you linger in a location, you’ll become adept at recognizing local price discrepancies and scams. Moreover, staying longer lends you the time to discover the best affordable dining spots.
Until you navigate through this initial learning curve, you can alleviate some expenses by familiarizing yourself with the most notorious scams in Asia and learning how to negotiate prices in Asia.
Accommodation Costs
Besides airfare, nightly accommodation expenses typically rank as a significant travel cost—unless you minimize exuberant nights out.
Bear in mind, you’ll mostly use your hotel room for sleeping and showering. No one wants to waste time watching TV with an exciting new environment waiting just outside!
Though many Americans find the concept of hostels and shared bathrooms unusual, you can discover great deals on private rooms in boutique hostels by staying in backpacker-friendly areas instead of lavish hotels.
Backpacking has gained immense popularity throughout Asia—especially in Southeast Asia. Many regions are catering to budget travelers with improved options for food and lodging. You can benefit from moving past full-service hotels in favor of budget guesthouses.
Regardless of dorm-style lodging, most hostels in Asia provide private rooms with en suite bathrooms. Guesthouse rooms are an option in some cost-effective destinations (like Pai in Thailand) for as low as US $10 per night!
Eating Costs
During your time in Asia, eating out for every meal is likely. You can reduce daily expenses by skipping hotel restaurants and opting for street food, which is not only cheaper but more authentic.
Unless you dine exclusively in high-priced tourist eateries, eating in Asia tends to be quite affordable. Take advantage of budget-friendly street food—and yes, it’s safe to consume—while enjoying food courts for both the culinary experience and delicious meals. A delightful dinner in Southeast Asia can be relished for under US $3.
The Cost of Partying
Even though the typical budget traveler in Asia may haggle for 20 minutes to save a dollar, they may easily spend US $20—or even more—on a single night out.
A major perk of traveling involves socializing with remarkable individuals; however, sitting in a hotel room won’t facilitate that. Travelers often find themselves spending a substantial portion of their budgets on alcoholic beverages for the sake of mingling. This comes down to self-discipline, but you can mitigate expenses by collecting your own drinks from local minimarts like 7-Eleven.
Additionally, a benefit of couch surfing for a few nights is that your host can introduce you to new local friends. At the very least, they will know the most budget-friendly nightlife spots.
Hidden Expenses
Small, unexpected costs can accumulate quickly. Here are several expenses many travelers tend to overlook:
- The tap water is unsafe to drink in many Asian countries; while usually inexpensive, you’ll have to buy bottled water daily.
- Alcohol costs more in Islamic nations.
- ATM and currency exchange fees can add up rapidly; Thailand imposes a US $6 fee per ATM transaction, in addition to whatever your bank charges!
- Taxes in specific countries like Singapore render tobacco and alcohol exorbitantly priced.
- If you’re planning to use your smartphone in Asia, you’ll need to acquire a SIM card and prepaid credit in each location.
However, there is a silver lining: tipping is generally not customary in Asia.
