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How to Budget for Your Family Trip to Asia

How to Budget for Your Family Trip to Asia

By CindyUpdated Sep. 11, 2023

Annual family vacation is definitely a big expense, which varies according to destination, type of vacation and trip duration. How to budget for your family trip to Asia is more about understanding where every penny is going than about cutting corners.

Certainly, a smartly budgeted trip can save. How should you obtain a clear-cut budget for your family trip to Asia? Here are some tips.

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Plan as Early as Possible

Planning ahead gives you peace of mind, not just about the cost. Last-minute deals might sound simultaneously alluring and financially smart. But the truth is that so many things are unpredictable. Planning and paying at the last minute might, regrettably, mean you end up with the last-choice options. Adjacent seats on planes may not be available, hotels may only offer no-window rooms, and whale-watching boats may be sold-out. You don't want this kind of disappointment for a family vacation.

Early planning grants you the initiative. Since Asia is so far away, you already know that a big budget needs to be set aside for this trip. Destination research, which might take place even before your mind is set on one or two destinations, will help you a lot: understanding peak- and off-seasons, possibilities and prices for how to get there, what should be included in the budget, and setting price alerts for flights.

Keep Your Fixed Budget in Mind

Oftentimes, budget decides where you are going. Keeping your budget in mind helps you eliminate destinations that might be more ideal for next time. About 40% to 70% of your fixed budget should be set aside for things that are essential for the trip, including flights, visas and accommodation.

Budget also defines how you are traveling. Should you take a direct flight to Bangkok or transit in Hong Kong? The answer lies in how much you can afford on transportation. Children's prices for flights and activities should be considered. If possible, make sure everybody in your family understands how you are going to travel and why such a travel-style suits you just fine.

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Understand What the Big Expenses Are

The free spirit of "anything goes" doesn't always apply for family trips, if you don't want to be caught frowning upon the bills when you return home. The cost of an overseas trip to Asia can be divided into four main elements. Estimating the cost of each will launch you on the right path.

Transportation

International flights are one of the main expenses. The optimal plan would be to fly directly. If impossible, you should count an extra overnight stay for transit flights, so you and your kids don't get worn out. When purchasing air tickets, you need to budget for 1) children's prices; 2) baggage prices; 3) additional services such as special in-flight meals, advance boarding, seats together and VIP lounges.

As for internal flights within Asia, there are lots of airlines to choose from, and most are budget-friendly. That makes air travel the number 1 choice, ahead of land travel, especially when you are traveling with small kids.

Accommodation

Choice of accommodation is totally contingent on your taste, from guesthouse to beach villa. Aim for the basics: safe location, clean rooms and breakfast-included. In Asia, accommodation that meets these three simple standards shouldn't cost too much, but you should be aware that price fluctuates drastically in different seasons. Refer to the following chart for a rough idea.

Country Peak Tourism Seasons Price of a 4-Star Hotel/Night/Room Price in Shoulder Seasons
Japan January to May, September to early December USD 200 to 300 USD 180 to 260
Chinese mainland February to April, September to November USD 100 to 150 USD 80 to 120
Mongolia May to early August USD 80 to 120 USD 50 to 90
Vietnam October to May USD 100 to 220 USD 70 to 120
Cambodia Late September to early April USD 80 to 120 USD 40 to 100
Laos October to May USD 100 to 220 USD 70 to 120
Myanmar Late September to April USD120 to 180 USD 80 to 120
Thailand Late September to May USD100 to 280 USD 50 to 180
India October to March USD120 to 200 USD 100 to 160
Singapore All year USD 200 to 300 USD 200 to 300
Malaysia November to March USD 130 to 180 USD 70 to 120
Indonesia May to December USD 120 to 200 USD 70 to 180
The Philippines January to May USD 100 to 160 USD 80 to 120
Sri Lanka November to April USD 120 to 180 USD 90 to 130
Nepal October to November, June to September USD 120 to 180 USD 70 to 140
Bhutan December to Februaryt USD 200 on average USD 200 on average
Brunei January to May USD 100 to 200 USD 80 to 140

Meals

Meals are pretty much the same story as accommodation; they can cost you $100 per person or nearly nothing. You can choose to have pizza by the pool for dinner in Siem Reap or go up the Tokyo Tower for a fancy meal. Living costs are relatively lower in Asia, but it is still necessary to budget around USD 15 per meal per adult and half that price for children. Don't forget to add snacks in.

Activities

Asia offers a wide range of child-friendly activities and most are cheaper than what you may be familiar with, for example, back in the States. It is almost impossible to calculate accurately how much a diving class will cost when you run into a bunch of agents on the street. The key is to include some major sites and activities (think about the "must-dos" on TripAdvisor, TripSavvy or Lonely Planet) and be flexible.

Besides the four elements above, there is another important expense that you shouldn't forget: travel insurance. This is part of the pre-vacation cost and it helps you to set your mind at rest. See How to Choose Travel Insurance for Your Family Trip to Asia.

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Important Tips for Family Trip Budgets

Don't be dazzled by last-minute deals

This is especially true in respect of flights. Most last-minute deals come with restrictions, which are not a good idea when traveling with kids. Seats together might not be available, only seats in the back row left, for example. Make sure to book in advance.

Be smart on exchange rates

If you are using a travel agent, keep an eye on the exchange rate and make your payment when the rate seems good. For daily cash, exchange rates will be better at your destination country than in your own country.

Set a daily budget

When you are clear about how much you are going to spend, it is critical to set up a daily budget as distinct from the pre-paid costs (e.g. for flights, tours, hotels and reserved activities). Keep a record of how much you spend on a daily basis, for this will be helpful for your next trip.

Choose your hotels wisely

If your destination country is packed with a lot of sightseeing and activity opportunities, a fancy up-market hotel seems less necessary. Check out our choice of hotels at Top Hotels for Family Trips in Asia.

Eat like the locals

Street food, local noodle shops and neighborhood cafés are great and inexpensive options. Furthermore, they offer you a chance to blend with the locals.

Consider some low-cost airlines

Nominated as one of the best airlines in the world, Singapore Airlines offers great service, with punctual and safe flights at relatively good prices. Other good options include Vietnam Airlines, Bangkok Airways and Peach Aviation (Japan). Remember when booking to include family baggage fees (normally 60KG for a family of 4).

Rational shopping

You may set a goal for your kids when it comes to shopping; say shop for a collection of fridge magnets and make them stick to it (no pun intended). This draws you back to some extent from impulsive shopping.

All that being said, it would be easier if somebody designed a travel plan for you within your fixed budget. Talk to us and see how we can work around a travel fund of, say, USD 10,000 for two weeks in Thailand. Contact us now (tailor-made button).

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