The Essential Travel Guide for Southeast Asia

First time in Southeast Asia? You’re going to love it. To make your trip a seamless experience, we wanted to share some essential travel advice to help you prepare for this adventure of a lifetime.

We recently hosted an exclusive livestream for booked travellers, led by our experienced travel coordinator team. They can help out with everything from the moment your trip is confirmed to when you get back home. 

The advice was too good not to share! So until we see you on the next one, here is everything you need to know before exploring Southeast Asia.

Budgeting

Key Takeaways:

• Both Cash and card are highly recommended for Southeast Asia
• Make your bank aware of when you’ll be out of the country
• International debit cards are a great money-saving hack
• £25 daily spending money is what we suggest

Cash or Card?

The short answer? Both.

Cash is king in Southeast Asia, especially when you’re travelling outside of major cities. We recommend visiting a currency exchange at least a few weeks in advance of your trip. This can also be done at the airport upon arrival.

Some countries in Southeast Asia have closed currencies. All this means is that its currency cannot be obtained outside of that country, so you will need to get cash out at the airport or at an ATM. On our Southeast Asia tours, your group leader will also make you aware of ATMs where you can withdraw cash.

Paying with card is becoming more common. Make sure to check if you need to inform your bank a few weeks before your trip starts that you will be outside of the country, so that you can use your card without worries. This can usually be done via your bank account’s mobile app or by logging into your account on a desktop.

Travel Hack: Did you know that you can register for an international debit card? This allows you to spend money abroad whilst saving on exchange rate fees. Gap 360 has partnered up with Wise. As part of our Customer Benefits, all booked travellers can get a fee-free transfer of up to £2,000 when you make your first Wise exchange.

Daily Spending Money

Southeast Asia is super budget-friendly. Prices are very affordable compared to the UK, although the exacts can vary depending on which countries you are visiting, plus your travel preferences and style. 

We recommend setting aside around £20 to £25 per day. Your group leader can assist you in finding the most affordable options. Eating local or trying the convenience store foods is a great way to make your money go far (and it’s tasty, too! 😍).

Wondering how much daily spending money you’ll need for a specific country? Get in touch with one of our friendly travel advisors, and they can provide a simple cost breakdown for your desired destinations.

Packing

Key Takeaways:

• Backpacks are best for ease of travel
• Lightweight layers are key
• Pack less than you think
• Stock up on sunscreen and mosquito repellent

Backpack or Suitcase?

Our most asked question! We recommend taking a backpack with you. Something in the range of 50L to 70L is best for first-time travellers, alongside a smaller day pack.

Hunting for the perfect backpack? Backpack vs Suitcase is our ultimate guide, breaking down everything to look out for before you buy. Plus, it also says how you can get a cheeky discount from one of our partnered brands.

If you’d prefer to take a suitcase, our travel experts can give you tips on how to make it work. Drop us a message on live chat, and they can help you out.

What to Wear

Southeast Asia is hot and humid, so lightweight layers are your new best friend. To respect the local cultures, we recommend bringing a shawl to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting temples. Swimwear is best saved for the beach.

Depending on the season or the destinations you are visiting, you may want to bring more layers to stay warm and dry in the evenings. This could be in places like the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia or the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam, both of which are famous for their cooler temperatures.

Need a packing checklist? What to Take Travelling is our detailed guide covering everything you may need, so you can tick off the essentials whilst reading along.

Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellent

The two non-negotiables. 

Stocking up on high SPF sunscreen and mosquito repellent is recommended for the tropical weather and high UV intensity. Backpackers may want to take their favourite brands of sunscreen with them to save money and for peace of mind.

Know Before You Go

Key Takeaways:

• Stick to bottled or filtered water
• Allow at least 8+ weeks to visit a GP or travel clinic
• Stay connected abroad with an eSIM
• Keep up-to-date on FCDO advice

Drinking Water

It’s best to drink bottled or filtered water in Southeast Asia. In most countries, the tap water is not suitable for drinking. Your group leader will make you aware of the local health and safety rules for each country you visit on a tour.

Although bottled water is typically cheap, one of our best budget travel hacks is purchasing a reusable water bottle that has a built-in filter. All Gap 360 travellers can save up to 15% off a Water-to-Go bottle; you can access this discount in your bookings portal or at checkout.

Vaccinations

Gap 360 has partnered with Masta and Nomad Clinics, which is one of the UK’s biggest networks of private travel clinics. Through Masta, you can arrange a phone or in-person consultation and book your vaccinations at your nearest clinic.

Please always allow at least 8+ weeks to visit a GP or travel clinic before your trip starts.

Stay Connected Abroad

Whether it’s being able to share funny messages with your group or keeping in touch with loved ones back home, staying connected is key. Choosing an eSIM is generally the easier option, as they work almost like a secondary data plan that is easy to switch on and off through phone settings.

You can also opt for a SIM card, which is a physical chip to replace your phone’s current data chip and gives you a temporary new phone number.

Visas and Entry Requirements

Entry requirements vary by country and are subject to change, so it’s always best to stay up to date on visa rules before visiting. The UK government provides Foreign Travel Advice online. FCDO is regularly updated with the latest information and safety guidance. You can access country-specific requirements there.

Always check the entry requirements for any countries you have a layover in, alongside your chosen destinations.

Fancy a Travel Chat?

Wishing you could talk to someone before you go travelling? We completely get how you may be feeling, whether you want to double-check your essentials with someone or would like some extra reassurance.

Free, 1-to-1 travel advice sessions are available to you at every stage of your journey with Gap 360. This includes after booking your trip! All you have to do is visit our Bookings page; then it’s just a few easy clicks to schedule a time for a phone or video call, or an in-person meeting at our Tunbridge Wells office.

One of the best parts about doing a Gap 360 tour (alongside all the friends you make!) has to be our group leaders. Their job is to keep everyone safe and happy, plus they always have the best local recommendations for any free time during your trip. You can take our word for it, or you can check out our Reviews page!

So there you have it! You can catch our next livestream, exclusively for booked travellers, by keeping an eye on our newsletter. Or if you’re still in the early days of planning your trip, check out the Best Places to Visit in Southeast Asia for First Timers to get inspired.✨