Eight of the cheapest Asian city break destinations
Unlike Malaysia's capital, Ipoh, a pocket-sized city in northwestern Malaysia, remains wonderfully affordable – double rooms in many of its quaint boutique hotels cost under $53 a night, and guided tours of the limestone caves surrounding the city start at around $33. We grilled Janice Young, co-founder of Explore Ipoh, about her favourite admission-free spots. 'Han Chin Pet Soo is a small heritage museum run by volunteers, and the Kong Fook Ngam cave temple has a massive tunnel system,' says Janice, who recommends fuelling up on her favourite snack. 'Ipoh is famous for taufu fa – a cheap, simple dessert comprising a block of tofu in sweet syrup,' she says.
In Ipoh, a heritage museum is run entirely by local volunteers. Photo / Unsplash
Bangkok, Thailand
Despite being Thailand's capital, Bangkok can be surprisingly cheap. We're huge fans of both its BTS Skytrain and MRT railway networks (fares start from around $0.71), and its river taxis offer great value, too – single fares on the Chao Phraya Express Boat start from $0.81. And while the city has numerous observatories from which to take in the view, they often charge hefty fees. Suzy at Co Van Kessel, which offers guided cycling tours of Chinatown, suggests an alternative approach. 'Head to the top floor of the ICONSIAM mall for stunning views over Chao Phraya River,' she says. 'It's free, and a great spot for photos, especially at sunset.' As for Suzy's go-to snack for travellers on a budget? 'Try khanom buang – crispy pancakes. These delicious little treats, often made with shredded coconut, cost just a few baht.'
Want a big city adventure on a shoestring? These Asian destinations have you covered. Photo / Unsplash
Hoi An, Vietnam
Cheaper and less crowded than Ho Chi Minh, canal-streaked Hoi An, on Vietnam's south-central coastline, is a Unesco-listed gem with a rich history and a beautifully preserved old town. Nothing beats a stroll along its cobbled laneways, illuminated by Chinese lanterns and lined with ancient buildings that date back to its heyday as a trading port. Food, accommodation and souvenirs here are incredibly cheap, and one of the best spots for retail therapy is the Nguyen Hoang Street night market, where you can feast on local snacks such as banh xoai (mango cake) and stock up on souvenirs – we recommend the beautiful ceramic teapots.
Hoi An. Photo / Unsplash
Busan, South Korea
This coastal city might not be on many travellers' radars – unlike Seoul – but that's precisely the reason it's so much cheaper. It's another place where public transport deserves a shout-out – a one-day pass for its fantastic metro system costs just $7. It's also packed with historic sites, many of which are free to visit. 'Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is one of Korea's few seaside temples, with serene Buddhist architecture and sweeping views of the East Sea,' says tour guide Dylan Kim from koreagotours.com. 'It's free to enter and it's especially picturesque at sunrise. Then there's Gamcheon Culture Village, a colourful hillside village famous for its murals and quaint alleyways. It's a great spot for photography.'
Hanoi, Vietnam
Full disclosure – as Vietnam's capital city, there are plenty of opportunities to splash the cash here, but sticking to a budget here is surprisingly easy. One reason is its size – this is one of Asia's most walkable capitals, much smaller and easier to navigate than Ho Chi Minh, and with a logical layout and numerous landmarks which make it easy to find your bearings. Two of our favourite areas include the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. 'Hoan Kiem Lake is a lively yet peaceful area in the heart of the city,' says Chloe from Hanoi Local Tours. 'There are lots of free local performances, and it's a great spot for people-watching. In the Old Quarter, you'll find dozens of food stalls serving food, which is delicious, authentic and incredibly affordable.
Hanoi in Vietnam. Photo / Frida Aguilar Estrada on Unsplash
Jakarta, Indonesia
One of the main reasons Jakarta makes the cut is its wonderfully cheap public transport. 'Hop on the MRT or on a TransJakarta bus – these buses are clean, cool, and ridiculously cheap,' says Wibi Hananto, a manager at our favourite boutique crash-pad, 25hours Hotel The Oddbird. 'They'll take you across the city without eating into your satay fund. There's simply no need to splurge on rideshares when Jakarta's public transport is this easy.' Its markets are another reason Jakarta is a hit with budget travellers. 'Blok M Square and Santa Modern Market are where the good stuff's at,' says Wibi. 'Think vintage finds and street food, and stalls that double as great Instagram backdrops.' As for the go-to snack? Kerak Telor – an old-school favourite made with sticky rice, egg, coconut, and a sprinkle of crispy shallots.
Singapore. Photo / Unsplash
Singapore
Finally, a wildcard entry, but one we feel is justified. Yes, Singapore is, in many ways, one of Asia's most expensive urban destinations, although it can also be much more affordable than many realise. Take its super cheap hawker centres, home to Michelin guide-listed street food vendors, or its great bike share scheme, Hello Ride. Single journeys on these sky-blue bikes start from $0.64. As for where to head for some free fun? Peck Lin, co-founder of Singaporean ice cream brand Udders, has some advice. 'Top on my list would be the Singapore Botanic Gardens,' says Peck. 'It's an admission-free, Unesco-listed oasis in downtown Singapore, metres from Orchard Rd. I also love the waterfront Esplanade area for the free performances, especially during weekends.' Finally, if you love sport, prepare to be shocked by the cost of tickets for the Singapore GP, in October. A three-day grandstand pass for the event starts from $678, and to put that into perspective, a three-day general entry ticket for Silverstone starts at $846.
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The popularity of the pedestrian mall means some of the weirder shops have been priced out by chain stores, but there are plenty of interesting independent retailers. Check out Graphic for comic books and graphic novels, Wellington Apothecary for oils, candles and skincare, and Abstract Design for an eclectic selection of wall art and hanging decorations. Cuba Mall is an increasingly popular nightlife destination, particularly among punters who prefer a lively chat rather than a raging boogie down Courtenay Place. JJ Murphy & Co and Hotel Bristol are longstanding favourites for a classic pint and some pool. Loosies Superette, with its downstairs Saloon Bar, is a popular new hotspot. The Spinoff's food columnist Nick Iles described The Ram as his ' dream pub ' and in-the-know locals flock to Dee's Place, a tucked-away whiskey bar with no sign on the door. Left Bank A tributary tucked off to the side of Cuba Mall, Left Bank is a wondrous secret world which The Spinoff ranked as Wellington's best laneway. Gritty but artsy, private but distinctly urban, Left Bank is my favourite part of Cuba Street. The real star of Left Bank is Pegasus Books, which topped yet another Spinoff ranking; Wellington's best second-hand book stores. Pegasus Books is a work of mystery and mayhem, with an enormous trove of literature that spills out onto the street, shelves stacked so high that you need ladders to access half the books on offer, and a maze of a layout that seems to go on forever like a Tardis made of wood and paper. I stop in at Pegasus Books every time I'm in the area and end up buying something about 50% of the time. While you're exploring Left Bank, it's also worth checking out The Oatery, a cafe specialising in porridge and muesli. Cuba Street Social is possibly the coolest barbershop in Wellington, and I am absolutely obsessed with the Ethiopian cuisine at Mother of Coffee. Dixon Street to Manners Street At Dixon Street, you'll find Wellington's rainbow crossing, installed in 2018 as a symbol of support to the city's queer community – the green pedestrian crossing signal depicts Carmen Rupe strutting her stuff. Adjacent to the crossing is the aluminium sculpture Umbrella by Peter Kundycki. First installed on lower Cuba Street in 1990 and moved to this spot in 1997, it is a colourful reference to the city's high rainfall that has taken on greater meaning to the queer community as a symbol of shelter and protection. This block is pretty short and the real action here is on Dixon Street, which has experienced a hospo resurgence thanks to a new boardwalk and parklets (on-street carparks that have been converted to outdoor seating with grass and trees). Swimsuit Coffee has a strong claim to the highly contested title of Wellington's best coffee spot. Manners Street to Wakefield Street The standout businesses of Lower Cuba Street are not on the street itself but underground. Ivy Bar & Cabaret is a fun and fabulous queer bar where you can catch a drag show, a comedy gig, or dance the night away. Next door is R Bar, a fascinating underground rum bar that feels like a secret pirate lair, complete with skeletons, buried treasure and sea shanties. As you reach the end of Cuba Street, there's an important but unmarked historical site. On the left side of the street, near the Philanthropist's Stone sculpture, you'll find Bond Street. Down this laneway was the original meeting house of the Dorian Society, New Zealand's first homosexual organisation. Primarily a social club, it later formed a legal subcommittee that laid the groundwork for homosexual law reform in New Zealand. It's a site that speaks to everything that makes Cuba Street special. This is a street that stands at the forefront of change, embraces differences, and encourages people to stand out.
