How To Save Money in Southeast Asia

For Westerners, travelling in South East Asia can be a dream for your wallet. Many people choose these destinations because of their value, with some even staying for months on end because of the low cost of living. However, it’s very easy to get overexcited, and you could see your weekly budget gone in mere hours. It’s easy to forget how much an extra few pounds a day becomes when you’re travelling for a long time! After spending two months in the region, here are my top tips to help you save money in Southeast Asia.

Be aware of scams and how to avoid them

Getting scammed is one of the easiest ways to lose money, fast. There are countless scams to be aware of in Southeast Asia but they’re easy to avoid if you’re sensible. Be extra cautious with your possessions, know how much things are worth and take any unsolicited advice or offer with a pinch of salt. You can read more about popular scams here.

Keep an eye out for happy hours and promotions

Fancy bars are popular with tourists in Asia and I find it very hard to resist the lure of a cocktail on a rooftop. However, these places are EXPENSIVE. And I don’t mean expensive for Asia, I mean “I wouldn’t even pay this in London” expensive. However, there is hope for those of us who like champagne on a box wine budget. Most of these places do great happy hour deals during the early evening, allowing you enjoy the views for half the price!

Use Grab

Grab is the Southeast Asian version of Uber and is gaining popularity fast. It has car options for multiple people or scooter options if you’re travelling alone. You can pay with cash or card and it gets rid of the risk of taxi scams and being overcharged. In some areas, such as Bali, there has been significant backlash from locals so try to make sure you know which areas are Grab-free to avoid conflict.

Book activities locally

This is something I really struggle with because I love having a plan, but it really pays to book locally. I usually book ahead online just to make sure I’m not disappointed but in SE Asia there are just so many tourist companies competing for business that the prices are significantly lower than you’d find online. Hold out on your booking and it’ll be worth it!

Try not to convert things into your home currency.

Yes that fancy hotel may only be £20 which is crazy cheap but that perfectly good hostel down the road is 1/5th of the price. Spending that extra few pounds a day really adds up fast, so try to get in the habit of thinking in the local currency rather than comparing things to what they cost at home. This also a good way to avoid buying an insane about of stuff you don’t need at all the beautiful markets, because, do you really need ANOTHER cushion cover? Even if it is only £1? Probably not.

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Enjoy exploring and just walking around

One of my favourite ways to save money in southeast Asia is just to explore! Whether you’re in the city or the countryside, some of the best experiences can be had just by wandering around. Take in the atmosphere of the bustling city and discover hidden side streets, or climb that mountain and be rewarded with incredible views. Some of the best things in life (and South East Asia) are free!

Avoid Western food

We all need a bit of home comfort sometimes, but as a whole, try to avoid western food. It is often 5 or 6 times the price of local dishes and is often pretty poor quality. You can easily get an amazing local meal for £1 so try and make the most of it!

What are your favourite tips to save money in southeast Asia? Let me know below!