Asia is a fascinating and diverse continent to visit. With many different countries all with their own histories, stunning landscapes, and different cuisines to try, in just a few hours you can be somewhere else entirely. Not only this but all of this is relatively affordable, with Asia as a whole, offering cheaper travel, accommodation, and food options. But it doesn’t have to be. There are also luxury and boutique options as well. All this serves to make Asia a great travel destination for all types of travelers.
However, there are some essential steps that US citizens need to consider and plan for when preparing for a trip to this continent. For one, it’s essential to check the validity of your passport and check all visa requirements for any country you’re planning on visiting. Entry regulations should be checked well in advance to ensure there’s no disappointment, and also make sure that you’ve got time to get any visas should they be necessary.
It’s also essential that you have good travel insurance in place. This should include medical and trip protection to cover everything you may encounter. Finally, you should also set a budget and begin planning. Setting aside some extra is a must though, despite the lower cost of living in Asia.
Choosing the Right Destination and Booking Smart
As Asia is so large, it’s a good idea to look in detail at the different countries in the area. Some countries are better than others for specific types of travel as well as for different travel needs and requirements. For those traveling for the first time to Asia, both Thailand and Bali in Indonesia are great options. Both of them are easy to navigate around, have plenty of beaches, historic temples and more to discover. They’re also both generally very tourist friendly, with locals helping out and offering a range of budget-travel and accommodation options.
Those who are on more of a budget should look at some of the other south east Asian countries such as Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia. These countries offer much more budget options. But they still have a wide array of different sightseeing opportunities, especially for those looking to enjoy a different cultural experience.
For more adventurous travelers, those seeking something a little off the beaten path, both India and Indonesia offer great options. These countries are very large which means there’s a lot of diversity when it comes to where to visit. India and Indonesia have varied cultural sites and cuisines to enjoy. Better still, this changes in just a few islands or states.
Of course, choosing where to go and travel is hard. For some of the best booking options, Trip.com is a great place to start. It’s actually located in Asia, which makes it the ideal platform for booking trips in the area. Not only that, but is has a huge amount of choice as well as being incredibly convenient. One of the standout features though, is its truly competitive offers. These offers can often be found on the Trip.com dedicated page on Discoup, which can really help to make travel in Asia more affordable. Many of the features on Trip.com including seasonal promotions, flight deals, and hotel discounts. There is also the option to collect Trip Coins on purchases, which further helps to make the process cheaper and more affordable. Better still, once you book flights or hotels here, you unlock further discounts on excursions and travel as well. All of this helps you to save money on the travel part, allowing you to spend more on tours and cultural activities.
Key Tips for a Successful Trip
If you want your trip to Asia to be a successful one, there are some practical tips to consider as well. For instance, you should check when’s the best time to travel. Seasons are typically determined by the weather in Asia, so look to see if its wet or dry seasons when you plan to visit.
You should also make sure you understand some cultural etiquette and common customs in the countries you’re visiting so as not to cause offense. Pack appropriately for the weather you’re going to encounter including lightweight clothes, rain gear, adapters and long-sleeved clothing for entering places of worship.
Finally, make sure you’ve changed some currency before you travel. But, if you need more, then use exchange services in major cities, or opt for using a card instead of cash.
Overall, simply travel responsibly and make sure you respect the cultural norms and environments of each country you visit.