10 Tips for Travelling to South East Asia

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Visiting South East Asia is like travelling several countries in one. It’s a melting pot of cultures, cuisines and wonders that you can’t find anywhere else. From the street food vendors and markets to the impressive temples and landmarks, there are so many things to see and do when it comes to exploring this part of the world. These nations are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, jaw-dropping natural landscapes, impressive museums, affordable cities and friendly locals. But what makes it even better is that they’re all within easy reach from each other as well as accessible from a number of locations worldwide making it one of the easiest regions to get around as a traveller. Here are our top 10 tips for travelling to South East Asia:

Research your trip

Before you book your trip, make sure to do some research. This will not only help you to understand the culture better, but will also help you to book better flights, hotels and tours. Also, if you’re travelling during a certain time of year, you’ll be able to avoid the busiest travel times and also save money on flights and hotels. The busiest travel times are usually during the summer months (June to September) and Chinese New Year, while the slowest travel times are usually in February, April and October.

Stay in a hostel or hotel near the airport

If you’re going to be leaving the city soon, it’s better to stay near the airport. While you can always get a taxi, it’s best to stay in a hotel or hostel nearby the airport so it’s much easier to book a ride. When you’re planning where to stay, it’s also advisable to book a hotel or hostel that’s near the train station as well. This will make it easier for you to book tours or day trips from the city, especially if you’re on a tight schedule.

Book your accommodation well in advance

If you’re going to be travelling during the high season of the year, book your hotels and hostels as soon as possible. This is especially true if you’re going to be staying in the big cities such as Bangkok, Hanoi and Phnom Penh. If you wait too long, you’ll be forced to stay in a hostel outside the city or book a last-minute hotel stay which will be much more expensive. If you’re going to be travelling in the low season, you might have to book your hotels and hostels far in advance. If you’re planning on visiting any of the islands such as Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Koh Lanta, it’s important to book your hotel stays at least a month in advance. This is especially true during the full moon parties held in Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Ask the locals where to eat and what to see

One of the best ways to get an authentic feel for a city is to ask the locals where to eat and what to see. If you’re staying in a hostel, most of the time the staff will be able to recommend the best places to eat and things to see. But if you’re staying in a hotel, you can always ask the locals as well. You can ask the taxi driver, the person that helps you with your bags or even the front desk staff.

Don’t be afraid of solo travelling

If you’re a bit nervous about travelling solo, take a deep breath and relax because it’s completely safe to travel solo in South East Asia. The locals are incredibly friendly and will be more than happy to show you around town. Solo travellers are common in this part of the world and will be able to make friends with other travellers quickly if you’re staying in a hostel. And if you’re staying in a hotel, you can always ask the staff to help you find other people to meet.

Download offline maps before you go

If you’re planning on exploring the cities, it’s a good idea to download offline maps before you go. Most of the time the internet connection will be poor or non-existent in the rural areas. This will make it impossible to download any maps or navigate through the app. When you’re downloading offline maps, make sure to download them before you arrive in the city so you have enough time to finish downloading the map before your data connection is cut off. This will help you to navigate the city more easily and find your way to places.

Be mindful of cultural differences when you travel

Before you begin exploring the cities and countries in South East Asia, it’s important to remember to be mindful of the cultural differences. This means understanding how the locals eat, socialise and celebrate. For example, in the Muslim countries, alcohol is illegal. You also want to be careful with how you present yourself in the Buddhist countries. It’s best to keep your hands above the table when eating and not wear shoes inside people’s homes.

Travel with a small suitcase only

When it comes to packing for your trip to South East Asia, there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, pack light. There are cheap flights to South East Asia from major cities around the world, so it’s best to pack light so you can fit everything into one suitcase. It’s also a good idea to bring a small day bag that you can use while exploring the cities and while on tours. This will make it easy to carry everything you need, such as your camera and water. This also makes it easy to hop on and off the buses and trains. If you’re only visiting one country, you can pack light and bring everything that you need for your trip. But if you’re travelling to several countries, it’s best to travel light and pack a small backpack so it’s easy to transport from one country to the next.