One of my favourite regions in the world to travel to is Southeast Asia. After all, it was a trip to Thailand in 2020 that inspired my journey around the world in 2022. Since 2020, I have returned to Southeast Asia four times, visiting Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. I have learned how to navigate the region the hard way, but I have become a pro. If only I had a guide that compiled all the Southeast Asia travel tips I’ve learned in one place, wouldn’t that be ideal? I didn’t, but I have compiled my best travel tips for a first-timer heading to Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. This blog will help you prepare for your trip to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia and applies to the rest of the region.
Read my blog, How My Trip to Thailand Inspired Me to Travel the World.
1. Beware of Southeast Asia Tourist Scams
A best practice I like to do before heading to a new country is to spend some time on YouTube and Google. Visiting YouTube and searching for tourist scams by country can help minimize the risk of a potentially bad experience. This is especially important for Thailand, as it has a few legendary scams that have been ongoing for years that can be easily avoided with a little research. The famous suit scam, the Grand Palace scam, the Muay Thai scam and a few others. Here is a YouTube video I made on Bangkok Scams.
To read about my personal experience and how to avoid scams in Bangkok, read my blog, How to Avoid These 3 Common Scams in Bangkok.
2. Download the Grab App for Food Delivery and Taxis Across Southeast Asia
The Grab app is region-specific and serves as Southeast Asia’s version of Uber; it’s quite impressive. For your taxi rides and take-out orders to your room, download the Grab app, and you’ll be good to go throughout the region. Grab is especially helpful in Thailand, where taxi prices have skyrocketed, with many drivers often refusing to turn on the meter. Grab also offers more safety than hailing taxis directly, as there’s a record of your journey when you book through an app like Grab. In Thailand, there’s another app called Bolt, but if you choose Grab, you only need to download one app, which is useful across the region. Downloading this app will be one of the most valuable travel tips for Southeast Asia during your trip. Thank me later.
3.Taking Taxis While You Travel Throughout Southeast Asia
If you decide to take a taxi the old-fashioned way, they usually offer you a much higher price than the locals. The first thing you should do is ask them to run the meter. If that doesn’t work, negotiate the best price you can.
4.Getting Around Southeast Asia via Tuk-Tuk
One of my favourite ways to get around Southeast Asia is by tuk-tuk. However, they can be costly and often start at a high price, so bring your best negotiating skills to the table. As a rule, don’t pay more than half of what they offer, especially in Thailand. Additionally, be wary of sales pitches from tuk-tuk drivers, particularly in Thailand. You know, tours of the city, a restaurant stop, an unplanned store visit, a temple you’ve never heard of, or a market where they receive a commission— all of which will be out of the way. If you allow them to take you, the experience won’t be as enjoyable as your original destination. Remember to negotiate and be clear about where you want to go, and you’ll have a great experience.
5. Walking Travel Tip – Use Google Maps
Let’s face it: you will walk a lot in Southeast Asia. You will be visiting chaotic cities packed with people like sardines. Cities like Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City are easy to get lost in, but thankfully, we have technology to save the day. Google Maps has never let me down, ensuring I reach my desired destination, although it can be slightly inaccurate at times. If you haven’t used Google Maps, type in your destination or address, and you’re on your way. I have never been without a cellular signal in Southeast Asia, so there’s no need to download city maps either.
If you want to learn more about how I navigate new cities while traveling read my blog, My Long-Term Solo Planning Methodology.
6. Accessing Local Currency in The Region
There are several options for accessing local currency. You can exchange money at your bank in your home country, at the airport, or one of the many currency exchange booths on the street. For me, using a local ATM is the best choice. You will find ATMs throughout the region, offering the best exchange rates. Withdraw a decent amount if the machine has a high user fee. ATM travel tip: always decline the conversion. By declining the conversion, you revert to your home bank’s interest rate rather than incurring the extra fees charged by the private ATM owner. You don’t need to accept the conversion to get your money; trust me on this one.
7.Booking Domestic Flights While Traveling in Southeast Asia
When booking domestic flights in Southeast Asia, I rely on one app: Skyscanner. Don’t worry about booking too early, as prices remain stable across the region. Thanks to the intense competition among airlines, domestic flights are very affordable, so there’s no need to book well in advance. I typically secure my flights one to three weeks before departing, and I’ve never encountered any issues. Skyscanner compares all airlines’ best prices, allowing you to choose your preferred option. Just download the app, and you’re all set.
Booking Accommodations Travel Tips in Southeast Asia
8.The Best App to Book Hotels in Southeast Asia
What are the best apps for booking accommodations in Southeast Asia? When I’m in Southeast Asia, I typically stay in hotels, as they are affordable with many options. You can often find a decent hotel for $15 to $30 CAD per night. Agoda is the leading hotel booking site in this region, and you can even find hostels and apartment stays on the app. This is my go-to.
9. Staying in Hostels is One of My Top Travel Tips
If you haven’t experienced hostel living, especially as a solo traveller, I highly recommend it. The region offers many authentic hostels that will surprise you with their exceptional quality. My go-to for booking hostels is Hostelworld. It’s easy, fast, and boasts a great selection of Southeast Asian hostels for $5 to $10 per night. You can even book a private room if that’s your thing.
If you haven’t stayed in hostels before or are unsure, check out my blog Hostels for Solo Travel at 49.
10. Vacation Apartment Rentals in Southeast Asia
If an apartment or vacation rental is more your speed, Airbnb is an excellent option. It provides a wonderful experience on the islands, allowing you to enjoy an authentic stay. I’ve used Airbnb while travelling in Koh Samui and Phuket, Thailand, as well as in a few other destinations throughout Southeast Asia. The Agoda app also offers vacation rentals, showcasing some fabulous finds to discover.
11. Tips for Doing Laundry in Southeast Asia
Chances are, if you’re heading to Southeast Asia from North America or Europe, you’re planning to stay for at least three weeks. One of my top travel tips for Southeast Asia is to pack light, as you will be on the move frequently throughout your trip. The easy access to laundry services throughout the region makes packing light a breeze. You can typically wash, dry, and fold your clothes at your hotel or hostel for around $3 to $4. If you want to cut that cost in half, consider finding one of the many street laundry services that offer the same service. Just remember it takes 24 hours, as they are very busy, and to hang dry your clothes.
If you are looking for some tips on packing light, read my blog, My Carry-On Packing List for Solo Travel: How to Pack Light.
12.e-SIM vs Physical SIM Cards in Southeast Asia
You’ll notice travel influencers on TikTok and Instagram promoting eSIMs, and while they do serve a purpose, for me, it’s physical SIM cards all the way. I pick up a physical SIM card when I arrive in a new country, as most stores sell them. Generally, you will pay $3-$20 for 4 weeks of service, which provides more than enough data. When comparing a physical SIM to an eSIM, the physical SIM is significantly less expensive. However, keep in mind that you won’t have your regular phone number, as you’re using a new SIM. What I do, just to be safe, is purchase an eSIM for the country I’m visiting, so I have service until I can get a SIM card. If you’re heading to Thailand, go to the first 7-Eleven you see, and you’re all set. (Don’t worry, they are everywhere)
13. Southeast Asia Dining Tips
I am familiar with street food in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. There’s something special about the vibe of enjoying one of the best meals of your life while seated on a plastic chair designed for someone under five feet tall. You can’t go wrong for two dollars, whether it’s Pho in Vietnam or Pad Thai in Thailand, paired with a beer. The street food is safe, and you’ll discover some of the best meals you will ever have on the cheap. Of course, there are more expensive restaurant options, but for me, street food wins, hands down. Find your inner Anthony Bourdain and try as many new foods on the street as possible. Your taste buds will love you for it.
Having Pho in Hanoi, Vietnam on the street. Pho and a Saigon beer set me back about $2.
To learn more about dining and street food tips for Southeast Asia, check out my itinerary blogs in the Asia section of my website.
Finding Tours Throughout Southeast Asia
Knowing the best travel tips for tours in Southeast Asia is vital for a great experience. There are a few apps and best practices that make finding the best tours seamless.
14. Booking Tours through Your Hotel or Hostel
Hotels and hostels are excellent resources for finding tours at fair prices throughout Southeast Asia. They offer all the top tours and excursions to ensure a fantastic experience. Hostels will be the more economical option and include tours that are more off the beaten path. In Hanoi, Vietnam, I booked my overnight hike in Sapa and a 2-day cruise through Ha Long Bay at my Hostel, which set me back about $200 total. I love taking city tours to get acquainted with a new city, which are often offered for free by hostels. For more information on booking tours through hostels, please read my blog Hostels for Solo Travel at 49.
15. Booking Tours via Tourism Kiosks on the Street
If you’re heading to Thailand, you’ll find kiosks where you can book tours at fair prices, especially on islands such as Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Phi Phi.
16. My Favourite Tour Booking Apps
My first go-to app for booking tours is the GuruWalk app. This is a free walking tour app where you tip the tour guide based on your satisfaction with the experience. It’s an excellent app for city tours, street food tours, bar tours, and much more. It’s the perfect way to get acquainted with a new city. I have used this app worldwide and love it. I find it’s hit and miss in Southeast Asia, but I recommend downloading it to see what’s available.
The second app I use in Southeast Asia is the GetYourGuide app. GetYourGuide offers paid tours that include transportation, hotel pickup, and meals—you get the idea. Whether it’s the floating markets in Bangkok or Ha Long Bay in Hanoi, you’ll find tours on GetYourGuide. When travelling in Southeast Asia, GetYourGuide offers many more tours than the Guru Walk app. I recommend starting with GetYourGuide.
17. Download WhatsApp Before Your Trip
If you haven’t done so already, I recommend downloading WhatsApp before heading to Southeast Asia. WhatsApp is a free communication tool for texting and making calls that uses your data. If you book tours through an app or even your hotel or hostel, they will often communicate via WhatsApp.
18. Shopping At Southeast Asia Markets
Shopping and dining at markets in Southeast Asia ranks among the top travel tips for an authentic experience. For a genuinely unique shopping adventure, visit the markets. This is especially true if you’re heading to Thailand or Vietnam, but it generally applies to the entire region. At the markets, you’ll find knockoffs, custom-made suits, and locally made merchandise. I often buy my kicks, suits, watches, T-shirts, hats, and various other items at the markets since everything is very affordable.
On the left are some authentic umbrellas at the famous Sunday night market in Chiang Mai. On the right is Malin Plaza in Phuket, which has both shopping and some incredible food.
The markets are also great for discovering some of the best food at local prices. After all, they are where the locals shop. Check out my blogs on Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia itineraries for some of my favourite markets.
Trying Quayle eggs at the Sunday Night market in Chiang Mai. On the right is the Nightly market in Luang Prabang, Laos.
19. Visiting Premium Shopping Malls in Southeast Asia
If shopping malls are your thing and you’re into premium brands, you’ll find them in the big cities. Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi boast incredible shopping malls. You will find the major brands, as well as high-quality replicas like Rolex, at these malls. Like the markets, the dining options in the food courts and restaurants at the malls are outstanding. One of my favourite malls in the region is the MBK Centre in Bangkok, but there are many other options available. If you are heading to Bangkok which you likely are here is a list of ten of the top shopping malls .
Next Stop: Southeast Asia
These travel tips for Southeast Asia will help ensure you are well-prepared for your trip. By following the best practices I shared, you will have a great experience that could be the trip of a lifetime. I’ve shared my cheat sheet of best practices that I’ve picked up over years of travel to the region, which I wish I had for my first experience in Southeast Asia.
If you are heading to Thailand, read my blog, 8 Thailand Tips For Your First Trip to Thailand
Check out my Southeast Asia photo galleries.
Listen to my Solo Travel Podcast on Spotify.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to see my regular travel videos.
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