Asia Travel Budget and Traveler Age Attitudes

In general, how much money does it take? I went to Europe for 6 months a few years ago and spent less than $1,000 a month… my next excursion i want to go all over Asia. how hard is it to get visas to visit (been doing research and it seems some countries are pretty strict).

How hard would it be to find work in Asia or abroad in general?

Does travel get harder as you get older i.e. people treating you differently? better, worse? (i'm 29)

Maybe i'll see you out in the world someday…

thanks for the inspiration. safe travels

Cole

Craig's Response:

Hi there Cole,

Thanks for the e-mail.

That <$1,000/month you spent in Europe will make you feel like a king in Asia by comparison.

Naturally, it's easy for people to live up to the budget they set for themselves. Got a US$1,000 to spend every month? Sure, it's easy to spend it. The great thing about places like (SE) Asia, are that you can really live on anything above US$400/month quite comfortably, though your travel speed is the key. Transportation costs money, as does acclimating to a new city. The longer you stay in a place, the cheaper it gets. You find better places to live, better places to eat, and better sources of entertainment.

The phrasing "Asia" is quite broad — ranging from the Philippines to Turkey, depending on who's giving the definition. Travel throughout SE Asia is quite simple. Visa's can be obtained at borders or capitals cities without much fuss. Using a fake onward ticket is a quick way out of many immigration issues. I can't speak with any authority on travel in western- or inner-Asia (yet), and advise you continue to read the Internet forums about tips and tales of grief.

When confronted with a country that requires a lot of hoop jumping, really ask yourself why you're doing it. With so many countries out there, they should be fighting for your tourism dollars, not you fighting to give it to them. Don't agree with Burma's government or visa requirements? Skip it. It's that simple.

What all travelers ultimately have to accept is that they can't see it all — and I'm sure Europe (and the rest of your travels) taught you as much.

There is always work for people that want to work — it all depends how much you're willing to do something different, or sacrifice your ego. As an English speaker, you've already got a skill that others want. As a person who can probably labor, you've got a trait that others want. Washing things, picking things, and lifting things — the blue-collar employment of nomads.

Travel, as it pertains to age, is something that I've been observing closely. In Asia, it seems the young are grouped into the "traveling, partying drunks" category, whereas those above the age of 30 are labeled "sex tourists on business". Beards can really throw off a local Asian, as they're unaccustomed to growing them themselves — often adding 10 years to the age of people who have them; play with one and compare demeanor.

I think the hardest part about getting older while you travel is identifying with the younger, gap-year travelers around you. Ignore them, teach them, or party with them — these are your only options… as they're sure to be around you in many of the cities you visit.

Travel safe,

//craig in peru
Jan 7, 2008

• Latin America Travel Budget
• Brazil Travel Budget
• Pricing Out Flights and Budget Airlines in Latin America
• CouchSurfing
• How to Haggle
• Are You Secretly Independently Wealthy?
• Using Travel Agents Abroad and Local Transportation Tips
• Using a Travel Alias
• Hostel Sex Options
• The Dominican Republic Mugging Incident
• Paying for Travel Insurance
• Backpack Protocol for Cars
• Shoestring Travel with a Student ID