TIPS & TRICKS
Everything you never thought about googling, because you didn't know you needed to know…
TIPS & TRICKS
Everything you never thought about googling, because you didn't know you needed to know…
Checklist
Ensure that all these IMPORTANT things are satisfied:
Bank cards have a long enough expiry date.
Passport has a long enough expiry date to cover your trip +6months.
Phone has enough storage, especially for pictures.
Recommend optimising your device storage and using iCloud or Google Photos
Checklist
Ensure that all these IMPORTANT things are satisfied:
Bank cards have a long enough expiry date.
Passport has a long enough expiry date to cover your trip +6months.
Phone has enough storage, especially for pictures.
Recommend optimising your device storage and using iCloud or Google Photos
Useful Apps
From booking flights, activities and acommodations, to getting around town, messaging locals or sending friends money. These are the apps we would recommend downloading.
Skyscanner
XE Converter
GetYourGuide
Airalo
Wise
Grab
HostelWorld
Google Maps
TripAdvisor
NordVPN
12Go
🧾 Existing Subscriptions
Check to see what you are currently payng monthly or annually for. There might be something that you have an active subscription for that isn't needed whilst you're away.
Whether it's streaming or music services, gym memberships, work related tools, or anything that is part of your daily life at home.
You will hopefully be able to save money by cancelling or freezing services.
💵 Student Loan
If you have a student loan and you or your employer has been previously making loan repayments, you may have to let them know that you are travelling. This was specifically my case in the U.K.
🧾 Existing Subscriptions
Check to see what you are currently payng monthly or annually for. There might be something that you have an active subscription for that isn't needed whilst you're away.
Whether it's streaming or music services, gym memberships, work related tools, or anything that is part of your daily life at home.
You will hopefully be able to save money by cancelling or freezing services.
💵 Student Loan
If you have a student loan and you or your employer has been previously making loan repayments, you may have to let them know that you are travelling. This was specifically my case in the U.K.
🛵 Renting Motorbikes & Scooters
Throughout all of Asia, locals and tourists get around by motorcycle, as it provides a cost-effective, flexible and fun way to explore.
🪖 Always wear a helmet.
For your safety, but also because it is illegal to ride without one in some places, and you may get fined - mainly in cities.
🪪 Do I need an International Driver Permit?
Locals and police say that this is required, especially if driving on the Ha Giang Loop.
🇬🇧
IDP for U.K. Residents
£5.50 at this link
🇺🇸
IDP for U.S. Residents
$20 at this link
📸 Take photos and videos before you set off.
If you have proof of the condition that the bike was in before you rented it, they can’t charge you for pre-existing damage.
Which side of the road each country drives on…
Left Side
Indonesia
Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
Brunei
Timor Leste
Right Side
Cambodia
Laos
Philippines
Vietnam
Myanmar
💰 Small savings go a long way
This tip will only be useful for a handful of excursions, but if you are willing to drive yourself there, you can make savings by removing transportation from the total activity price.
Saving $5 every day for 3 months gives you an extra $450+
🚩 Do your research
When renting a motorbike, it is usual that they will ask to a cash deposit or to keep your passport/ID. Be sure to check the reputation of the place by looking at Google Reviews, before handing anything over. You may wish to rent through your hostel/hotel if they have this service.
⛽️ Be sure to carry cash for filling up at gas stations.
…you can also find gasoline sold in bottles by locals on the roadside.
🛵 Renting Motorbikes & Scooters
Throughout all of Asia, locals and tourists get around by motorcycle, as it provides a cost-effective, flexible and fun way to explore.
🪖 Always wear a helmet.
For your safety, but also because it is illegal to ride without one in some places, and you may get fined - mainly in cities.
🪪 Do I need an International Driver Permit?
Locals and police say that this is required, especially if driving on the Ha Giang Loop.
🇬🇧
IDP for U.K. Residents
£5.50 at this link
🇺🇸
IDP for U.S. Residents
$20 at this link
📸 Take photos and videos before you set off.
If you have proof of the condition that the bike was in before you rented it, they can’t charge you for pre-existing damage.
Which side of the road each country drives on…
Left Side
Indonesia
Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
Brunei
Timor Leste
Right Side
Cambodia
Laos
Philippines
Vietnam
Myanmar
💰 Small savings go a long way
This tip will only be useful for a handful of excursions, but if you are willing to drive yourself there, you can make savings by removing transportation from the total activity price.
Saving $5 every day for 3 months gives you an extra $450+
🚩 Do your research
When renting a motorbike, it is usual that they will ask to a cash deposit or to keep your passport/ID. Be sure to check the reputation of the place by looking at Google Reviews, before handing anything over. You may wish to rent through your hostel/hotel if they have this service.
⛽️ Be sure to carry cash for filling up at gas stations.
…you can also find gasoline sold in bottles by locals on the roadside.
Sunset Chasers 🌅
A list of beautiful spots we enjoyed sunset at. Click for map locations.
🌅
Heart Sunset
Uluwatu
Don't Squeeze Everything In 🤷🏼
You may want to do EVERY single item on every itinerary that you see, but you have to be realistic about your time and budget.
Make sure that you take enough time to relax. If your trip is for longer than a few weeks, you want to avoid burn out, because it's not as much fun if you're too tired to enjoy everything.
Whether it's a beach day or just hanging out at your accommodation, take a second to enjoy where you are.
Don't Squeeze Everything In 🤷🏼
You may want to do EVERY single item on every itinerary that you see, but you have to be realistic about your time and budget.
Make sure that you take enough time to relax. If your trip is for longer than a few weeks, you want to avoid burn out, because it's not as much fun if you're too tired to enjoy everything.
Whether it's a beach day or just hanging out at your accommodation, take a second to enjoy where you are.
Choosing Accommodation 🏨
Sometimes it can be just as good value to get a private room than it is a shared dorm. Maybe it is a little more expensive sometimes, but for private facilities and nicer rooms, the extra cost might be worth it.
Choosing Accommodation 🏨
Sometimes it can be just as good value to get a private room than it is a shared dorm. Maybe it is a little more expensive sometimes, but for private facilities and nicer rooms, the extra cost might be worth it.
On The Move 🚌 ⛴️ ✈️
The Price of Comfort
We would always recommend choosing the AirConditioned/Comfort bus types, especially for the ones that take 3hours+ and are overnight. It may cost an extra few dollars, but its definitely worth it!
🚽 A lot of public restrooms don’t have toilet paper, especially when travelling on long distance bus journeys. Keep tissues handy for these situations.
Land vs Sea vs Air
📍 If you are trying to budget, its always good to check where you might be moving ahead of time. Avoid going back and forth in directions that could otherwise be more of a linear journey.
💸 Sometimes it may seem cheaper to take a $10 boat than a $14 boat to slightly different ports on the same island, but be sure to account for the entire travel duration/cost. Remember time is also your currency. Don't waste hours saving a couple of dollars when you could be exploring.
🧑🏼💼 Buying online can often be more expensive for the local run services. Ask In Person at your hostel or at a bus stations if you can to get the best prices. This may be the case for price but also availability.
For example, in Laos we asked the woman at reception about a train service that showed online as full. But as she is a local, she was able to get around the online availability and purchased tickets for us (at a better rate than online as well).
On The Move 🚌 ⛴️ ✈️
The Price of Comfort
We would always recommend choosing the AirConditioned/Comfort bus types, especially for the ones that take 3hours+ and are overnight. It may cost an extra few dollars, but its definitely worth it!
🚽 A lot of public restrooms don’t have toilet paper, especially when travelling on long distance bus journeys. Keep tissues handy for these situations.
Land vs Sea vs Air
📍 If you are trying to budget, its always good to check where you might be moving ahead of time. Avoid going back and forth in directions that could otherwise be more of a linear journey.
💸 Sometimes it may seem cheaper to take a $10 boat than a $14 boat to slightly different ports on the same island, but be sure to account for the entire travel duration/cost. Remember time is also your currency. Don't waste hours saving a couple of dollars when you could be exploring.
🧑🏼💼 Buying online can often be more expensive for the local run services. Ask In Person at your hostel or at a bus stations if you can to get the best prices. This may be the case for price but also availability.
For example, in Laos we asked the woman at reception about a train service that showed online as full. But as she is a local, she was able to get around the online availability and purchased tickets for us (at a better rate than online as well).
Evening & Journey Entertainment
If you’re away for a long period of time and/or travelling on a budget, some nights will be quieter than others. Additionally, you may be travelling through the night or day for long periods of time (7 hours+).
If you’re a reader, we'd recommend taking a Kindle. If you're a gamer or travelling as a party, you might want to take a Nintendo Switch. We played hours of Overcooked2 on bus journeys.
Evening & Journey Entertainment
If you’re away for a long period of time and/or travelling on a budget, some nights will be quieter than others. Additionally, you may be travelling through the night or day for long periods of time (7 hours+).
If you’re a reader, we'd recommend taking a Kindle. If you're a gamer or travelling as a party, you might want to take a Nintendo Switch. We played hours of Overcooked2 on bus journeys.
Useful Apps
From booking flights, activities and acommodations, to getting around town, messaging locals or sending friends money. These are the apps we would recommend downloading.
Skyscanner
XE Converter
GetYourGuide
Airalo
Wise
Grab
HostelWorld
Google Maps
TripAdvisor
NordVPN
Gojek
Checklist
Ensure that all these IMPORTANT things are satisfied:
Bank cards have a long enough expiry date.
Passport has a long enough expiry date to cover your trip +6months.
Phone has enough storage, especially for pictures.
Recommend optimising your device storage and using iCloud or Google Photos
Useful Apps
From booking flights, activities and acommodations, to getting around town, messaging locals or sending friends money. These are the apps we would recommend downloading.
Skyscanner
XE Converter
GetYourGuide
Airalo
Wise
Grab
HostelWorld
Google Maps
TripAdvisor
NordVPN
12Go
🧾 Existing Subscriptions
Check to see what you are currently payng monthly or annually for. There might be something that you have an active subscription for that isn't needed whilst you're away.
Whether it's streaming or music services, gym memberships, work related tools, or anything that is part of your daily life at home.
You will hopefully be able to save money by cancelling or freezing services.
💵 Student Loan
If you have a student loan and you or your employer has been previously making loan repayments, you may have to let them know that you are travelling. This was specifically my case in the U.K.
TIPS & TRICKS
Everything you never thought about googling, because you didn't know you needed to know…
Don't Squeeze Everything In 🤷🏼
You may want to do EVERY single item on every itinerary that you see, but you have to be realistic about your time and budget.
Make sure that you take enough time to relax. If your trip is for longer than a few weeks, you want to avoid burn out, because it's not as much fun if you're too tired to enjoy everything.
Whether it's a beach day or just hanging out at your accommodation, take a second to enjoy where you are.
Choosing Accommodation 🏨
Sometimes it can be just as good value to get a private room than it is a shared dorm. Maybe it is a little more expensive sometimes, but for private facilities and nicer rooms, the extra cost might be worth it.
On The Move 🚌 ⛴️ ✈️
The Price of Comfort
We would always recommend choosing the AirConditioned/Comfort bus types, especially for the ones that take 3hours+ and are overnight. It may cost an extra few dollars, but its definitely worth it!
🚽 A lot of public restrooms don’t have toilet paper, especially when travelling on long distance bus journeys. Keep tissues handy for these situations.
Land vs Sea vs Air
📍 If you are trying to budget, its always good to check where you might be moving ahead of time. Avoid going back and forth in directions that could otherwise be more of a linear journey.
💸 Sometimes it may seem cheaper to take a $10 boat than a $14 boat to slightly different ports on the same island, but be sure to account for the entire travel duration/cost. Remember time is also your currency. Don't waste hours saving a couple of dollars when you could be exploring.
🧑🏼💼 Buying online can often be more expensive for the local run services. Ask In Person at your hostel or at a bus stations if you can to get the best prices. This may be the case for price but also availability.
For example, in Laos we asked the woman at reception about a train service that showed online as full. But as she is a local, she was able to get around the online availability and purchased tickets for us (at a better rate than online as well).
Evening & Journey Entertainment
If you’re away for a long period of time and/or travelling on a budget, some nights will be quieter than others. Additionally, you may be travelling through the night or day for long periods of time (7 hours+).
If you’re a reader, we'd recommend taking a Kindle. If you're a gamer or travelling as a party, you might want to take a Nintendo Switch. We played hours of Overcooked2 on bus journeys.
🛵 Renting Motorbikes & Scooters
Throughout all of Asia, locals and tourists get around by motorcycle, as it provides a cost-effective, flexible and fun way to explore.
🪖 Always wear a helmet.
For your safety, but also because it is illegal to ride without one in some places, and you may get fined - mainly in cities.
🪪 Do I need an International Driver Permit?
Locals and police say that this is required, especially if driving on the Ha Giang Loop.
🇬🇧
IDP for U.K. Residents
£5.50 at this link
🇺🇸
IDP for U.S. Residents
$20 at this link
📸 Take photos and videos before you set off.
If you have proof of the condition that the bike was in before you rented it, they can’t charge you for pre-existing damage.
Which side of the road each country drives on…
Left Side
Indonesia
Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
Brunei
Timor Leste
Right Side
Cambodia
Laos
Philippines
Vietnam
Myanmar
💰 Small savings go a long way
This tip will only be useful for a handful of excursions, but if you are willing to drive yourself there, you can make savings by removing transportation from the total activity price.
Saving $5 every day for 3 months gives you an extra $450+
🚩 Do your research
When renting a motorbike, it is usual that they will ask to a cash deposit or to keep your passport/ID. Be sure to check the reputation of the place by looking at Google Reviews, before handing anything over. You may wish to rent through your hostel/hotel if they have this service.
⛽️ Be sure to carry cash for filling up at gas stations.
…you can also find gasoline sold in bottles by locals on the roadside.