Backpacking on a budget
Apr 20th, 2017, 05:13 AM
#1
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Backpacking on a budget
Hi everyone,
I'm planing a backpack trip for last half of December 2017. It's going to be my first one and I will be doing it alone. Being a new at this (backpacking) I would need your advice into choosing either Sri Lanka or Vietnam. I'll be traveling from Pakistan. PFB, the details and i would really appreciate your advise from your experience.
- will be on tight budget. Around $500 for total traveling. Air fare to and from is separate. Above is the total budget I have to spend there.
- Total trip would be of 10 days including 2 days of flight (I know I know).
- At this stage, I'm not looking for braches. For me a country side (forest/hiking/culture)is more attractive.
- I have heard buying a used bike, using it and then selling it when leaving is a great way (economical). If that's true I am all up for it.
- food: Always up for local n cheap n delicious cousins.
So help me out. I know I don't have much at this time but at this stage that's what i have.
Looking forward to hearing from everyone n their advice.
Bye
I'm planing a backpack trip for last half of December 2017. It's going to be my first one and I will be doing it alone. Being a new at this (backpacking) I would need your advice into choosing either Sri Lanka or Vietnam. I'll be traveling from Pakistan. PFB, the details and i would really appreciate your advise from your experience.
- will be on tight budget. Around $500 for total traveling. Air fare to and from is separate. Above is the total budget I have to spend there.
- Total trip would be of 10 days including 2 days of flight (I know I know).
- At this stage, I'm not looking for braches. For me a country side (forest/hiking/culture)is more attractive.
- I have heard buying a used bike, using it and then selling it when leaving is a great way (economical). If that's true I am all up for it.
- food: Always up for local n cheap n delicious cousins.
So help me out. I know I don't have much at this time but at this stage that's what i have.
Looking forward to hearing from everyone n their advice.
Bye
Apr 20th, 2017, 10:13 AM
#4
Join Date: May 2004
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Vietnam will be far cheaper than Sri Lanka. $500, or $50 per day will be enough for you to have a great time. Food and accomodation are cheap. $10-20 per day for a decent room (cheaper if you want). A great meal in a market, food stall or non tourist reataurant, is around $2-3. Of course you can spend a lot more.
With ten days, I would stick to either the north or south centering on Hanoi or Saigon respectively.
Forget about buying a bike.
A. It is not financially viable for a 10 day trip
B. It is not legal and,
C. The traffic and driving standards are so bad you would be lucky to escape uninjurd ( or worse)
With ten days, I would stick to either the north or south centering on Hanoi or Saigon respectively.
Forget about buying a bike.
A. It is not financially viable for a 10 day trip
B. It is not legal and,
C. The traffic and driving standards are so bad you would be lucky to escape uninjurd ( or worse)
Apr 20th, 2017, 12:29 PM
#5
If you want to bike, you can just rent one for a few dollars a day.
I've never been to Sri Lanka, but Vietnam is very cheap, although their visas are expensive. I've done a bike tour though, and even way out in the country, I didn't really feel safe on a bike. In the cities, it was crazy.
If I was doing this, I'd visit either Cambodia or Laos. Both are very cheap, food is good, countryside beautiful, people are nice, and visas are less expensive. In addition, there are a lot less cars in both of these countries, so bicycling would be a lot safer. In addition, you could find a nice loop route in either country.
If you choose not to ride a bike, there is decent bus service in both places and in a pinch even taxis are pretty cheap for long rides.
A good source for cheap, but decent, lodgings is hostelworld.com
I've never been to Sri Lanka, but Vietnam is very cheap, although their visas are expensive. I've done a bike tour though, and even way out in the country, I didn't really feel safe on a bike. In the cities, it was crazy.
If I was doing this, I'd visit either Cambodia or Laos. Both are very cheap, food is good, countryside beautiful, people are nice, and visas are less expensive. In addition, there are a lot less cars in both of these countries, so bicycling would be a lot safer. In addition, you could find a nice loop route in either country.
If you choose not to ride a bike, there is decent bus service in both places and in a pinch even taxis are pretty cheap for long rides.
A good source for cheap, but decent, lodgings is hostelworld.com
Apr 20th, 2017, 12:31 PM
#6
Another country that is nice for people who like the countryside in Malaysia. They have an excellent bus system and prices are good. My daughter did some traveling there and loved the hill country and small islands.
Apr 21st, 2017, 02:22 AM
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Do check the visa requirement for each country for your nationality. You seem to be coming from Pakistan but not sure if you are Pakistani or not. Citizens of many countries can get an eVisa for Vietnam ($25) if not getting a visa approval letter online is possible for many nationalities which costs around $10 Agency fee and a $25 stamping fee on arrival.
As lcuy suggests, Cambodia and Laos are both wonderful alternatives, but Laos would be more expensive than either Vietnam and Cambodia. A visa on arrival for Cambodia cost $30 and Laos, if I recall correctly, $40 for most nationalities but do ch ck for your own nationality.
As lcuy suggests, Cambodia and Laos are both wonderful alternatives, but Laos would be more expensive than either Vietnam and Cambodia. A visa on arrival for Cambodia cost $30 and Laos, if I recall correctly, $40 for most nationalities but do ch ck for your own nationality.
