Figuring out how to get from A to B and anywhere in between can be a bit of a mine field. Each place has it’s own rules, modes of transport and pricing structures. Here’s how we did it and a few things we learned along the way, hopefully making getting around in Asia a bit easier for you.
Local transport options
You’ll find as you venture through Asia, that each place has a mode of transport, which is unique to them. It’s worth giving these a go for the experience, just note that because of the fun factor, you’ll probably pay a premium. Make sure you agree a price first if it’s a tuk tuk or similar. We took a ride on one of these and ended up getting taken for a ride!
Uber
Taxis are cheap, but Uber is cheaper. We’re not all about sticking to a budget, but Uber is definitely the way to go if you are. Because of the app, it also makes it super convenient (most of the time) and most of the drivers we’ve encountered are pleasant and willing to share local knowledge, depending on their knowledge of English.
Uber is relatively new to some Asian countries and we found out the hard way that many locals and the taxi drivers in particular, really don’t like it. We made the mistake in Bali of telling someone who asked us if we needed transport that we were waiting for an Uber, and when our driver arrived we unknowingly had subjected him to a rant from the local. From here we learnt, if someone questions who you’re waiting for, it’s best to say ‘a friend’ to keep everyone happy. There are also places where there is no Uber available, and if you want to rely solely on Uber alone, you might find yourself stuck in some precarious locations. Yes, local transport services will rip you off, but sometimes they are the only choice.
Many Uber drivers aren’t ‘local’ and may not know the streets in the same way that the taxi drivers do, so don’t be too annoyed if you find them relying heavily on Google maps, which believe it or not, can’t always be trusted. Sometimes it’s just easier to get out and walk the final few metres. Likewise, you’ll need to practice a little patience when it comes to ‘the pickup’.
Grab
Grab was new to us, but widely used in Asia, so we set about downloading the app. It works pretty much like Uber, but books taxis and registered vehicles, rather than private drivers. This means you’ll need to pay more than you would expect to on Uber, but gives you the option of checking rates and estimating fares before you travel, particularly on the treacherous airport to hotel stretch.
Grab is perfect for places where Uber has been outlawed, like some parts of Thailand, and means you don’t have to rely on the Tuk Tuk mafia in places like Phuket.
Taxis
In the cities like Kuala Lumpur you’ll find the taxis are pretty cheap and most of the time you’ll be offered meter rate, which is definitely the best. In Bali, stick with Blue Bird taxi for this very reason, otherwise be sure to agree a price before getting in.
You’re going to be hassled by taxi drivers pretty much wherever you go in Asia, but try and keep your manners, offering a polite ‘no thank-you’, as you never know when you might need one to get you out of a pickle. In some places taxis practice what we refer to as ‘daylight robbery’, but convenience sometimes comes at a cost. Price varies from county to country and city to city. You can always check our relevant blog post to see if we used taxis.
Ferries and boats
If you’re like us, you’re not going to stick to the mainland everywhere, and ferries are often the only way to get to certain places. In Bali and on the Gili’s, while many services are offered, it’s best to know that sometimes timetables and journey schedule are ‘serving suggestion only’. While in Malaysia, public transport is far more prompt and reliable and feels remarkably safer than those in Indonesia, where it’s best to know exactly where the life jackets are stowed.
As good as the ferries are for getting to from A to B, don’t make the rookie mistake we did and before booking do your research on prices and whether the boat is the only option. We booked a 2.5hr ferry from Penang to Langkawi, only to realise flying is often cheaper, and way quicker.
Walking and bicycle.
Because taxis are generally so cheap, it’s easy to fall into the trap of catching one instead of using your feet. Try not to. As much as walking in humid and hot conditions isn’t always fun, you’ll find you see way more and discover a few awesome things along the way.
Heaps of places also have the option of renting a bike, which is faster than walking and pretty cheap and convenient. We looked out for accommodation that offered bike rentals or bikes for free and despite being told in certain places that we were crazy biking due to the state of the local drivers, but we survived. Hoi An, Chiang Mai and the Gili Islands are perfect destinations for the bike.
Bus and Trains
Particularly in the big cities public transport is awesome and cheap. Usually the airport services are at a premium but sometimes easier than navigating the local taxi system. We like our Uber app, but sometimes, just sometimes the bus is waaay cheaper and well, you get to enjoy the scenic journey. In places like Phuket, the local bus is not quite a bus and worth the adventure. Meanwhile in Cambodia or Vietnam, driving in a bus will require your wits about you. Before booking intercity travel, feel free to check the company’s safety reviews, you’ll find they’re quite varying.
One of our favourite booking websites we used in Malaysia was Busonlineticket, where we easily and cheaply booked quite flash buses between KL, Cameron Highlands and Penang. Would recommend getting around by bus in Malaysia for sure.
In Hong Kong and Singapore the underground is super easy to navigate. In Hong Kong we got a Octopus Card for the three days and still felt like we spent a fortune, although I’m unsure if there would be a cheaper way to do this. It did prove to be useful on a couple of occasions as we were also able to get into the races and up the tram to Victoria Peak using this. You can also climb aboard the bus or the trams (ding dings), with great convenience.
Singapore’s three-day tourist pass, available at the airport train station was awesome and super cheap, at a grand total of $20 Singaporean dollars. You will need to pay $10 for the pass, but this is refundable. It’s pretty much unlimited across the transport system and we definitely got our money’s worth with this one. Well done Singapore.
Scooters
Yes they are fun, yes they are cheap to hire, but yes you will probably burn your leg on the exhaust pipe. Given most travel insurance policies don’t cover scooter hire, we have been pretty choosey about where we’ve hired scooters. We’ve stayed away from the lure of scooters in big or busy cities and kept to the islands for this. They’re fun and a great way to see more of a place, than you ever could walking. If you’ve never scootered before, fear not, it’s pretty easy to learn and you’ll have your best days exploring on one of these.
Shop around and see what the going rate is before renting a scooter, but make sure they come with a helmet (safety first). You’ll find buying petrol is a different experience in Asia, our last full tank cost just RM 3, or the equivalent of NZD $1.
There will be the odd occasion where you may get a flat tyre and rely a lift on the back of a ute to the nearest motorcycle mechanic. We were so happy to have an inner tube replaced quickly and politely in Krabi, for the grand total of 100 baht, just NZD $4. Not everyone in Asia wants to rip you off.
Planes
Plane travel is pretty cheap internally within Asia and it always pays to check if it’s the cheaper option compared to other forms of transport, such as ferry.
We generally use Skyscanner to compare pricing and it helps if you’re slightly flexible with dates. However, as much as we love skyscanner, not all flights are listed on here, and sometimes cheaper and more direct carriers may not be available through skyscanner, so don’t be afraid to google or check blogs for more convenient links. We flew Air Juan via Cessna in the Philippines, not listed on Skyscanner, but the most fun we had on a flight.
To see the pics we took from the air, check out our posts from the Philippines here.