Before every trip to Southeast Asia, most backpackers can’t help filling every waking second researching where to go, how to behave, activities to try, what to pack, food to taste the list goes on and on. 

But in this never-ending surge of information, it is difficult to figure out which are the most important travel tips for backpacking Southeast Asia and which are pretty much useless.

These South East Asian backpacking tips will save you money, time, and most importantly hassle on your next backpacking trip. 

Double Check entry requirements and visas two weeks before travelling 

Visa policies can and do change – so don’t assume a country’s entry requirements won’t shift in the time between you booking your flights and actually leaving the UK. Double check gov.uk country page for the latest information a couple of weeks before departure. 

Hotel Rooms aren’t always secure 

Sadly it’s not wise to leave any money or valuables out in even the nicest of hotel rooms.  I’ve even had money stolen from a hotel safe. The best bet is to padlock and properly hide your money away in your bag, it’s a hassle doing this every day but it’s worth it. 

Never go travelling without carabiners 

Dirty shoes? Attach it to your backpack’s carabiner

No anti-theft locks ? carabiner is better than nothing 

Swimwear soaking your bag? A waterproof bag and a carabiner 

No room for a Water bottle? You guessed it 

In fact, pretty much anything can be clipped onto your bag using this marvelous metal contraption. They cost nothing, and you WILL use them. 

Problems are easier when shared 

Whether you are a solo backpacker with an issue or completely lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood the best solutions often come from the support of others. Talk to the local people and fellow backpackers and explain as simply as possible the challenges you are facing and you’ll be surprised how willing most strangers are to drop everything and help you. You don’t necessarily have to act upon their advice but at least you can weigh up all of your options. 

Don’t drink the cocktail buckets 

Not the advice you wanted to hear I know. The infamous cocktail buckets of Southeast Asia are beloved by fresh off-the-plane backpackers and hated by seasoned travellers. Often the branded spirit bottles are refilled with homemade alternatives and sold to unsuspecting tourists who quickly become seriously ill very quickly. The best advice would be to stick to the main bars rather than side street liquor spots. You may spend an extra few quid but downing moonshine will end up with a far heftier hospital fee. 

Bring Imodium and Diarolyte 

I was hospitalised with severe food poisoning in the Phi Phi islands in Thailand. After I became stable Imodium and Diarolyte were my absolute saviour.

You can get them in most pharmacy’s once you arrive but its far easier to have a small medical bag that’s ready to save the day.

Eat Local 

Find where the locals eat out and sample it. Touristy, Western restaurants are pretty much double the cost of local warungs, food vendors and market stalls. A familiar tasting meal here and there is worth it but you are missing out big time if you aren’t eating fresh local produce. It’s deliciously prepped, unique and always a fraction of the price.

Use 12go Asia, grab/Gojek/bolt to book or compare the prices of your travel plans 

If you book through a Hostel reception or a tourism board they will usually use 12goasia to organise your booking and then take a 10-20% commission on top. 

Be sure to download these apps to see if you are being ripped off by local taxis, tours and hostel staff. 

If you are using a Scooter don’t go straight on the roads

Getting a Scooter in Southeast Asia is a right of passage and I’m not here to scare you off the idea, it’s one of the best ways to get around and relatively easy ONCE you’ve learned the basics. After hearing countless moped horror stories, most accidents happen within the first hours of renting the bike. To prevent this try riding the scooter around your hostel car park a few times. Yes, you’ll get some looks and maybe a couple of laughs but you’ll find your balance, learn the mopeds torque and perfect the basics of turning before you get on the busy road. 

Go to a bank over an ATM

For better rates try and get your money out or money exchanges at a bank rather an ATM. You’ll have to bring your passport along but you don’t have to pay extortionate amounts for withdrawals like many of the ATMs across Southeast Asia

Plan days doing nothing 

Backpacker burnout is a very real thing. Travelling constantly with little sleep and in intense heat can really tire you out. If you are travelling for more than a week and planning an activity or a change of destination every single day it may be best to reconsider. If your energy levels are running low. A day doing nothing on the beach or by a pool even in bed watching a film or two is not a water day but a chance for your body to settle and start again with a refill of energy. 

Bring packing cubes or compression bags 

Rather than dumping all your belongings in your Backpack and having 0 clue how to reach any of them, it’s best to opt for packing cubes or compression bags. 

These save so much space and also make the backpack far easier to carry than if it is packed randomly. Plus you can label each bag to quickly navigate what items you need instead of just dumping the entire contents of your bag out onto the Hostel floor. 

Download an offline maps app

Apps like maps.me and Google’s offline maps feature will keep you headed in the right direction no matter how remote you are. 

Bring a thermos water bottle 

Having cold water readily available throughout your travels is a true blessing and with a thermos water bottle you will never have to settle for loop warm melted plastic water again.

Keep the long haul flight eyes mask and earplugs 

The intense sunlight was always an early alarm clock on my travels around South East Asia so I made it a habit to keep the long haul eyemask as a spare guarantee of a sound night’s sleep. 

If the sunlight didn’t wake me then the beautiful crackling murmur of morning prayer often would. Once again I started making use of those long-haul freebies by stashing away the free earbuds.  

Eat plain and simple before long journeys 

The most embarrassing day of my life was a 13-hour trip to Koh Tao where both ends were firing at all cylinders on x3 buses and one overnight boat. 

The moral of the story eat a little safer before a long journey and if tummy troubles do pop up be sure to have a trusty imoduim to hand or failing that a sick bag and adult nappies.

You’ll need a day bag 

Most Backpackers use both a main 40L+ backpack and a smaller day rucksack. As the name suggests the day bag holds everything you need for the day, suncream, towels, water, camera, etc whereas your main bag has the bulk of your clothing and toiletries. You’ll wear your big bag on your back and your little one on your front. 

Brush your teeth without the tap water

Avoid tap water at all costs, otherwise, an explosive toilet experience is headed your way. 99% of the time it’s likely to be drinkable but is it really worth losing a few days on your trip of a lifetime? Most people no this rule but get caught out on instinct when brushing their teeth.

Pack your Backpack light and leave a little room 

Nobody returns home without a few trinkets, clothes and a tonne of shells. So be sure to leave a fair amount of space for unexpected treasures you may find on the way. You can afford to take one or two fewer items of clothes and use them as an excuse to find something unique while you’re out there! 

Contact the hotels and hostels directly 

If you have found an accommodation option you love you might just be able to get it slightly cheaper with this travel hack. Get in touch with the accommodation directly and ask if they can beat the price of the accommodation compassion websites. Usually, these websites charge 10-20% commission so going direct can save you a little money throughout your travels 

Bring a fake wallet 

There are two reasons for this. First up if you get mugged you can simply give this instead of your real wallet. And secondly, corrupt police can often request a bribe and directly showing the lack of funds in your wallet will often make them realise you aren’t worth it. 

Make sure the wallet looks legit and is full of a little loose change, real notes, and old cards. If they suspect it’s fake you could land yourself in even more trouble. 

For the record, most crime in Southeast Asia is petty theft rather than robbery, but it’s good to be prepared just in case. 

Don’t get your sim card at the airport 

Instead, head to a 711 or nearby telephone shop to get a local SIM. You’ll get twice the amount of data and minutes for your money.