Tips on budget traveling within the region

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

1. The first rule in budget traveling is to determine how the trip can be as inexpensive as possible. This means seeing as many places as you can and coming home happy without having to worry about a mounting debt.

One of the perks of being an Indonesian budget traveler is that you have an innate -- and sometimes acute, in more developed countries -- sense of prices, which is very useful for haggling.

2. To limit expenses, travelers are advised to go during the low season and information about timing can be easily found in guide books or travel websites.

3. Advanced preparation is essential. Because you travel independently without a guide or travel agent's set itinerary, you have to obtain as much information as you can about a place.

Lonely Planet's famous Southeast Asia On A Shoe-string guide series is very useful but you should check all the prices included.

It's also wise to consult fellow travelers in indobackpacker@yahoogroups.com or check their website www.indobackpacker.com. Mailing list jalan_jalan@yahoogroups.com can also provide plenty of information.

Advanced preparation is also important for those who want to fly budget airlines. Fares on Air Asia and Tiger Airways websites vary from extremely cheap (less pricey than a bus or train) to quite expensive, depending on the available class. Advanced booking will provide you with a wider range of options.

4. Traveling with friends will reduce expenses, particularly for accommodation and hired transportation.

5. Pack a light backpack because budget traveling involves lots of walking. While a few travelers are have been seen happily hauling a wheeled case up jungle tracks, a rucksack is recommended.

6. To avoid the hefty Rp 1 million departure tax for Indonesian passport holders, embark from seaports on Batam to Singapore and Malaysia or from Medan to Malaysia.

7. Budget, clean and comfortable accommodation is easy to find in cities throughout Southeast Asian countries, except in Singapore, where a dorm bed with three other people could cost you about US$6 each. During the low season in Luang Prabang, Laos, for example, comfortable accommodation for two or more people could be as low as US$4 to US$6.