Guides for Each Country
The Ultimate Southeast Asia Tip Guide
Price of Services
Accommodation – Hostel dorm rooms cost will range from 3-30€ ($3.50-35USD) per night, depending on the amount of beds in each room, what day of the week, what time of the year and if there is an event going on in the city. Each city is completely different in terms of pricing for each hostel. I have spent 3€ ($4USD) for a 8 dorm hostel in Boracay Island, Philippines. That same dorm room would have cost me 11€ ($12USD) in Hong Kong. A room in Boracay will be on the lower spectrum of pricing and a room in Hong Kong will be on the higher spectrum. If a hostel isn't your thing, try an AirBnB around 14€ ($15USD). Nepal's hotel price range starts at 4€ ($5USD). Hotels in Nepal come with free Wi-Fi, private bathroom, large beds and more often than not, a free breakfast. Stay away from hotels in Hong Kong. There won't be anything under 50€ ($55USD). There's another option that is the most affordable. Sleeping in your tent on the outskirts of town for free. I would only do this in Hong Kong if money was tight and with friends I could trust. Sleeping out in the open can be a really vulnerable and unsafe feeling in countries with little infrastructure like the Philippines.
Food – When it comes to eating on the cheap end, Southeast Asia is the place to be. Depending on which country you are in, the price of cheap good quality food will run you anywhere from .90-5€ ($1-6USD) for items such as beef ball rice noodle soup, Crispy Pata and Pinakbet with Shrimp. These types of cheap food can be found in any restaurant and food carts in Hong Kong or the Philippines. Going out to a restaurant is the cheapest way to eat in the Philippines. In Hong Kong, it's cheaper to make food from a grocery store.. For groceries, 40€ ($45USD) a week will suffice in Hong Kong. The less you eat per meal, the more money you save. I wouldn't recommend starving yourself at all. But, I would recommend taking in less food than you're used to. It is possible to eat three meals a day at a cost of 7€ ($8USD).
Transportation – Transportation in the form of train, buses and taxis in the inter-city will usually cost around .10-20€ ($.15-22USD) for one-way. Buses are cheaper than taxis in the Philippines and Hong Kong. The local buses from the airport to the city center in Hong Kong will cost you 3.50€ ($4USD) for a one way ticket. A taxi from the airport to the city center in Hong Kong will cost you 30-50€ ($33-55USD). Expect to pay 3.50€ ($4USD) per 3km. The local MTR train will cost .50-3€ ($.75-3.25USD) for a one-way ride. Negotiating for taxis is extremely common in the Philippines. Don't be afraid to knock down the price. A taxi form the main airport to the city center in Manila will cost around 3.50€ ($4USD). Expect to pay 1.50€ ($2USD) per 3km. An airport express bus from the airport to the city center in Manila will cost .30€ ($.35USD). A local bus in the city will cost .20€ ($.25USD). To get to Boracay Island from Clark Airport, you need to take a 3-hour van ride for 7€ ($8USD) to the boat terminal of Boracay. There you need to take a 20-minute boat ride for 2€ ($2.50USD) to Boracay Island. Negotiate a bicycle taxi to take you to the town center. Don't pay for tan .50€ ($.75USD) for a ride. Be sure to grab all your gear before the taxi leaves. They are known to steal baggage. Transportation in Southeast Asia is some of the cheapest ways to get around in the world.
Activities - Most museums and paid tours start at around 3€ ($4USD). Many historical sites are free in in Southeast Asia. The best way to find out pricing in each country is to scan the web. Each museum will have its own pricing online.
Food – When it comes to eating on the cheap end, Southeast Asia is the place to be. Depending on which country you are in, the price of cheap good quality food will run you anywhere from .90-5€ ($1-6USD) for items such as beef ball rice noodle soup, Crispy Pata and Pinakbet with Shrimp. These types of cheap food can be found in any restaurant and food carts in Hong Kong or the Philippines. Going out to a restaurant is the cheapest way to eat in the Philippines. In Hong Kong, it's cheaper to make food from a grocery store.. For groceries, 40€ ($45USD) a week will suffice in Hong Kong. The less you eat per meal, the more money you save. I wouldn't recommend starving yourself at all. But, I would recommend taking in less food than you're used to. It is possible to eat three meals a day at a cost of 7€ ($8USD).
Transportation – Transportation in the form of train, buses and taxis in the inter-city will usually cost around .10-20€ ($.15-22USD) for one-way. Buses are cheaper than taxis in the Philippines and Hong Kong. The local buses from the airport to the city center in Hong Kong will cost you 3.50€ ($4USD) for a one way ticket. A taxi from the airport to the city center in Hong Kong will cost you 30-50€ ($33-55USD). Expect to pay 3.50€ ($4USD) per 3km. The local MTR train will cost .50-3€ ($.75-3.25USD) for a one-way ride. Negotiating for taxis is extremely common in the Philippines. Don't be afraid to knock down the price. A taxi form the main airport to the city center in Manila will cost around 3.50€ ($4USD). Expect to pay 1.50€ ($2USD) per 3km. An airport express bus from the airport to the city center in Manila will cost .30€ ($.35USD). A local bus in the city will cost .20€ ($.25USD). To get to Boracay Island from Clark Airport, you need to take a 3-hour van ride for 7€ ($8USD) to the boat terminal of Boracay. There you need to take a 20-minute boat ride for 2€ ($2.50USD) to Boracay Island. Negotiate a bicycle taxi to take you to the town center. Don't pay for tan .50€ ($.75USD) for a ride. Be sure to grab all your gear before the taxi leaves. They are known to steal baggage. Transportation in Southeast Asia is some of the cheapest ways to get around in the world.
Activities - Most museums and paid tours start at around 3€ ($4USD). Many historical sites are free in in Southeast Asia. The best way to find out pricing in each country is to scan the web. Each museum will have its own pricing online.
Best Ways to Save Money
Eat local and cheap – The best way to eat cheaply is to find local small mom and pop shops that have authentic Filipino or Hong Kong food. There are plenty of street carts and small shops in every city. Sit-down restaurants are also extremely cheap, especially in the city centers. Eating this way will save you a ton of money in the long run. It's also a fun way to try local cuisines at a fraction of the cost.
Fly cheaply in off-peak season – Flying from Seattle or LA to Hong Kong will be the cheapest way to travel from the US. From Europe, any major city will be cheap. Getting to the Philippines will be the cheapest from Hong Kong. Be sure to use my tips for cheap flights when booking to the Philippines and Hong kong.
Take Advantage of Free Tours - Make sure to use the free tours in each city to get a better understanding of the culture and history. This is a no brainer in my book. Who doesn't like free stuff?!
Fly cheaply in off-peak season – Flying from Seattle or LA to Hong Kong will be the cheapest way to travel from the US. From Europe, any major city will be cheap. Getting to the Philippines will be the cheapest from Hong Kong. Be sure to use my tips for cheap flights when booking to the Philippines and Hong kong.
Take Advantage of Free Tours - Make sure to use the free tours in each city to get a better understanding of the culture and history. This is a no brainer in my book. Who doesn't like free stuff?!
