Budget travel tips for Asia

Stretch your budget without cutting the parts of the trip that matter.

Asia rewards travelers who spend selectively rather than uniformly.

Spend where it counts

Pay for a good bed and good transport. Save on everything else — street food is usually better than the restaurant version anyway.

Move overland where it makes sense

Night trains and long-distance buses save you a hotel night as well as the fare. In Vietnam, Thailand and Sri Lanka they are genuinely comfortable.

Time your bookings

• Book internal flights the moment your dates are fixed.
• Book accommodation late in low season, early in high season.
• Avoid Chinese New Year and local holiday weeks unless that is the point of the trip.

Carry the right money

Cards are widely accepted in cities and useless in villages. Keep small local notes on you and withdraw larger amounts less often to reduce ATM fees.