Thai temple

Travel Europe on a budget

Traveling to Europe can be expensive and many Asian countries can be overcrowded and expensive. Fortunately there are other great and cheap European vacations out there, so you can travel to Europe on a budget and enjoy everything Asia has to offer.

Malaysia

Compared to the overwhelming nature of many other Asian countries, Malaysia is laidback, relaxing and cheaper. Gorgeous beaches, exotic jungles, colorful temples, delicious cuisine and snorkeling can be yours for as little as $15 to $30 per person per day. Malaysia is also more westernized than other countries and many people speak English, making communication easier. Plus there are tons of attractions in a small area. From the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur to the calming and beautiful Cameron Highlands Hill Station, there is everything from big city attractions to wild jungle adventures.

Morocco

Morocco is located in northern Africa in close proximity to Europe - but couldn’t be more different. Tangier, Casablanca and Marrakesh offer exotic marketplaces and bazaars, ancient and medieval buildings, delicious Moroccan food, camel rides and tons of excitement. Once you’ve had enough of the bustling cities, head for the uncrowded beaches, amazing mountains, cedar forests and old Saharan towns. There are plenty of outdoor activities like trekking, skiing, windsurfing and hiking to do on this cheap exotic vacation. Depending on how many creature comforts you seek, you can get by on anywhere from $30-$80 a day.

Turkey

Turkey is a great vacation in itself, but also a great way to travel Europe on a budget. This nation is located between Europe and Asia and is known world-wide for its amazing sightseeing opportunities and great values. Even though the prices have crept up over the years as tourism has expanded, the country still is a great deal. Turkey has a historic past, with amazing and ancient cities to visit, Roman ruins to explore, mosques and ancient churches to visit, Byzantine art to admire and more. Turkey is also surrounded by four seas, making it a beach paradise with plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy and resorts for comfort. Although a bit more expensive than the other counties, travelers can get by on about $50 to $100 a day. Hostels start at around $25 a night and hotels a little bit more at about $45.

Prague, Czech Republic

Once the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, Prague offers amazing Roman architecture and all night partying - at budget prices. During the day, visit the city’s beautiful buildings, many of which were build more than a millennium ago. For an ancient feel visit Prague Old Town or Prague Lesser Town, two older areas of the city that are less modernized. In the evening, pub hopping and beer drinking seems to be the choice of most. In fact, a half-liter mug of world-famous Czech beer starts at round $0.30, which is often cheaper than a cup of coffee or soda. For food, there is everything from local dishes like dumplings and goulash, to Thai and Russian food and at reasonable prices too. For evening accommodations, hostels will start around $23 a night and a nice hotel room will cost around $50 a night. Prague is a cheap European vacation and a great way to travel Europe on a budget.

Thailand

Thailand is an attractive budget vacation for everyone from families to honeymooners to retirees. With stunning beaches, snorkeling, diving, sailing, hiking, elephant rides, floating fruit markets, inspiring temples, delicious cuisine, ancient kingdoms and historic sites - you’ll have plenty to keep yourself entertained with. Don’t forget about the famous shopping as well - custom tailored handmade suits cost only around $100-$150. Thailand is a country where you can visit on a low budget, spending $20 on a beachfront bungalow or you can splurge on amazing luxury five-star hotels like the Oriental for $200, a budget price in comparison to other countries. Thailand is renowned for its hospitality - so why not splurge?

Jillian scheeler makes it easy and provide ways to enjoy best budget travel destinations in Europe and Asia. To recieve free part mini course visit the Budget Travel Website

Tags: asia, Budget Travel, Cheap, Cheap hotel, Europe, Malaysia, Prague, thailand, travel, Turkeyasia, Budget Travel, Cheap, Cheap hotel, Europe, Malaysia, Prague, thailand, travel, Turkey

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Thailand was my first tourist destination outside Europe and North America. Based on the sage advice of my Thailand-experienced friends, I was sure that this paradise vacation would be carried out on ridiculous costs. However, back home, I have found out too late, that during my little Thailand adventure I have spent almost the same amount of money as one of my regular surges to Europe. If only I knew that carefully planning your trip to Thailand can manifest itself in huge savings. The following list includes some solid advice that can help those novice Thailand visitors to save significant amounts of cash and still enjoy their vacation:

1. Season choice. Traveling in Thailand Islands during the low season can save you up to 25% of the accommodation costs (up to 25$ per bungalow per night if you choose high standard - not luxury - accommodation). Similar to many other world locations that are based operate seasonally; there is a significant price fluctuation across seasons. Not less important is that fact that the weather in Thailand is quite pleasant even during the low season. The temperatures’ difference between the “hot season” and the “peak season” is miniscule, and during the “wet season” one can experience only a mild occasional rain. Therefore, in Thailand one can lower accommodation costs by avoiding the peak season without paying the price of suffering from unbearable cold or coping with endless monsoon.

2. Transportation. Getting from Bangkok to your final destination in one of the Southern Islands by train or bus instead of by plane can save you up to 80$ each way. You can save a bundle if you arrive to Bangkok International Airport in the evening. In this case you save, besides the gap between relatively expensive airfare and train or bus ticket, the first night’s accommodation cost as well (40$ - 100$ per bungalow per night in high standard - not luxury - accommodation).

3. Food. In Western style countries, the more you pay for your dinner the better it is, so everyone can make a personal decision about getting an appropriate cost - benefit balance. In Thailand, and especially in the Southern Islands it is much simpler: in most cases, the cheaper the better. Expensive restaurants in Thailand Islands usually specialize on Western food that is neither authentic nor of superior taste; a standard dinner will cost you 10$ - 30$ in a restaurant of this kind. Alternatively, the dinner in a cheap restaurant with plastic chairs will cost you 3$ - 8$ and it is usually both tasty and authentic. My most disappointing Thai dinner was served in a fancy restaurant in Bangkok and had cost 120$ for a couple, whereas my best dinner was served in a cheap family restaurant in Koh Phangan. The owner - young mom named Mam - prepared the meal for us exactly as we wished it would be and charged us with measly 5-6$ per person.

4. Air Conditioning. The presence of air conditioning in your room can make a huge difference in accommodation rates. For example, the same room rates in the same resort can vary from 15$-30$ for a bungalow with a fan to 40$ - 100$ for an air-conditioned bungalow. Although choosing an air-conditioned room during the hot season (such as March - April) is crucial, if you visit Southern Thailand during the rainy season - a bungalow with a fan can both satisfy your needs and cut your expenses in more than a half.

5. Location choice. Similar to the principle held in most places in the world, the accommodation rates in Thailand Islands depend on your location choice. The bungalow in the central beach, close to the airport or seaport full of thriving nightlife will probably be twice as expensive as the same bungalow in a remote quiet beach. However, accessibility is an issue in the Thailand Islands, and the taxi fares and taxi boat fares operate under the same principal as the accommodation rates. So there is a rule you may adopt: if you are looking for social activities and busy nightlife- stay close to the airport or seaport; otherwise make a little effort and move after your arrival to a remote beach. You will save up to 60% on the accommodation rates this way.

6. Communication. It will probably not come as a complete shock, but the use of cellular phone from outside of Thailand could be extremely expensive. To save on communication costs you can either buy a local cellular phone with prepaid SIM card or use the Telephone & Internet centers services. Mind you that the cost of these services may vary. As usual, if you’re calling overseas from your resort’s office - it will be more expensive than using a call center in the town. The cheapest solution is probably giving your phone number to your friends or relatives overseas since every call center has a phone number that can be used for calling back.

7. Price negotiation. In tourist locations in Thailand negotiation is a necessity or a way of life. Likewise, in the less touristy islands and areas price bargaining is accepted as well. Just try it - in Thailand price negotiation isn’t considered an embarrassing behavior, so you have nothing to lose.

8. Psychology. Although, in Thailand everything is perceived to be cheaper than in your home country, don’t be fooled by the seemingly low prices and control your expenses. Buying an enormous amount of inexpensive things can really add up to a surprisingly large sum of money.

During my last visit to Thailand, I followed these guidelines with persistence and I was happy to disclose, that budget travel in Thailand can be more than just an economical issue, it can also be enjoyable. Interestingly enough, in Thailand, the less you spend - the closer you get to the local authentic experience.

Independent researcher, MA in anthropology, and travel enthusiast Ella Evans has spend more than a decade exploring Thailand focusing on the Southern Islands. The fruits of her labor can be found in the Koh Phangan Experience Website: a comprehensive travel guide to Koh Phangan, Thailand, which includes information articles, tips, advice and a message board. To visit Koh Phangan Experience Guide, click here: http://www.kohphangan.eternaltravel.net/

Tags: Budget Travel, thailand, Thailand Islands, Travel to ThailandBudget Travel, thailand, Thailand Islands, Travel to Thailand

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