Before your travels

• • Check the visa requirements for your country in the countries you are traveling to.

• Start your travels in big cities.

• Check if an AirAsia ASEAN Pass fits your travels (This allows you to take 10/20 flights for 160/290 USD  within 30/60 days).
• South East Asia on a Shoestring from Lonely Planet is worth its price.
• Check in advance which vaccines you need.
• Take a small medicine kit with you.
• Hostels and guesthouses offer washing services everywhere. Take clothes for a week and travel light.
• Get a credit card without foreign fee.
• Have some cash (EUR or USD) with you for emergencies.
• Take a couple of locks with you.
• Don´t bring toiletries. Instead, get them at a local supermarket on your first day.
• Carry a copy of your passport with you.
• Have a copy of your passport, ID´s, credit cards and other important documents in a cloud.
• Book a multi-stop flight or travel in circles to make the most of your trip.
• Get some information at WikiTravel on how to get from the airport to the center. They have complete guides about this matter.
• Take a small backpack for day trips.

During your travels

• If you are traveling in low season, don´t book accommodation in advance. Simply write down a couple of addresses beforehand and check them out once you are there.
• Draft a sketch of the route you want to travel.
• Start at the most expensive destinations (Singapore or Malaysia). This will help you balancing your budget better.
• Don´t spend much time in big cities. –  2 or 3 nights in Bangkok or Singapore should be enough.

• Avoid drinking every day. South East Asia is full of travelers drinking the whole time; try not to be one of them.
• Get a PADI certificate in Koh Tao or Koh Phi Phi or El Nido.
• Don´t worry too much about street food.
• In cities like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur you should act like a local when you are getting a cab. Simply get in the car and don´t ask “how much”. If the taxi does not start the taximeter, just tell the driver that you will take another cab.
• Drink at least two bottles of water a day.
• Drink the tap water in Singapore. It´s free and clean.
• Wanna go partying in Singapore? Go on Wednesdays, many clubs have free entrance and even free drinks for the girls.
• Drink natural juices every day. You will miss that back home!.
• Book your bus tickets at least a couple of days in advance. Especially if you are traveling in high season.
• Compare tour prices. It will help you save some money after a couple of months.

• South East Asia is extremely safe! However, avoid being alone and under alcohol influence in dark places.
• Respect the culture! Don´t go to temples in tank tops and short skirts, save those for the beach parties.

• Hostels in big cities are great places to meet people if you are traveling alone.
• Save money and time by taking overnight buses.
• Use the slow boat to travel from Thailand to Laos by land. It is worth the long journey.
• Book your accommodation based on two aspects: Cleanness and location.
• Leave your passport and credit cards in the safe back at the hotel ALL the time.
• DON’T get a motorbike if you have never driven one before. There is a stupidly big chance that you will have at least a small accident and pay money you will need later.
• Be careful if you are taking drugs. Most South East Asian countries have very severe sentences for drug traffickers and consumers. (Especially young uninformed travelers)
• Get an underwater camera.
• Bring a travel adapter.
• Don´t abuse the power of bargain. What for you is simply a latte in the morning is for them a meal for their families.
• Watch the sunrise in Bagan, Angkor Wat or Borobudur. It will be worth the early wake up.
• Go to at least one big party at the beach. (The Full Moon Party is very crowded and well liked).
• Try new food. It´s the only way to know if you like it or not.
• Take local transportation instead of pre organized trips. You will support the local economy.
• It´s not a crime to eat Western food during your travels.
• Do many outdoor activities – Climb, swim, wander more.

  

• And again… Report home continuously! You don’t want your mom posting your photo on Facebook claiming that her son has been missing for a couple of weeks.

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