Warning: The following tips are meant only for budget-conscious cheapskate solo travelers like me. Rich tai-tais, tai-tai wannabes and those who can’t use anything but their own toilet and bed, please read somewhere else. Tips are mainly for Australia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Accommodation
- Always do your homework using sites such as Hostelworld or Tripadvisor. However do take note of who’s giving the review and rating. Try to scout out those who are similar in age, gender and preferences.
- Location, location, location. What’s the point of staying in a cool place when it’s a 20 minute walk away from the nearest point of public transport?
- If possible, email the hostel directly instead of booking through a third-party website. You are most likely to get a discount, especially if you are staying for more than 3 nights. In addition, change of dates are easily done through an email with the owner.
- Pack the following items – earplugs, eye mask and a multi-plug. Most dormitories have bad sound proofing and most allow light in at the slightest peek of the sun. But hey that’s what you get for the price!
- Remember to check if the dorms and shared bathrooms are unisex. You may be uncomfortable with the idea of sharing the room and bathroom with people of the opposite gender.
- Some hostels and guesthouses have single rooms available. I would recommend a 2 night stay in an affordable single room after a week’s stay in dorms. You will appreciate the solitude and extra space for packing.
My single room in a Hanok (South Korea) with free breakfast provided and a pet dog for company.
Travelling Around
- If you are just travelling around the city area, it would be great to download a subway map and understand the bus system. Most systems have a pre-paid card so you need not mull over how much to pay for each trip.
- Use Hyperdia for travelling across Japan and Korail for South Korea. Both websites provide the timing, prices and transfers needed. You might want to consider getting the JR Pass or the Korail Pass if you are going to travel from one city to another every other day. Both are only available to foreigners and you can make considerable savings if you utilize the passes well. For Taiwan, use Taiwan Railways to check out the timing.
- South Korea also has a centralised website for interstate buses – Kobus. Japan’s a bit more tricky with various companies having their own websites and most reservations are only accepted through a phone call. Some of the websites include Nohibus, Alpico and WillerExpress. Taiwan’s bus companies tend to have their websites only in Chinese. Best bet is to go to the bus terminals to purchase the tickets or get your guesthouse or hostel owner to help check the timetables online.
Packing
- Pack as light as possible.
- Make a list and put it away for a week. Revisit the list and strike off items that seem redundant.
- You don’t need to lug that hairdryer across the country. Most decent hostels provide them.
- You don’t have to refer to that thick Lonely Planet guide when everything is now available online. Local brochures are great resources too.
- You don’t need your entire wardrobe and shoe rack for the trip. You are on a holiday, not a fashion runway. Just pack enough clothes for about 5 days and wash along the way. Who cares if you are wearing the same t-shirt for every single picture?
- Hostels and guesthouses usually provide basic toiletries like body soap and 2-in-1 shampoo. Just pack your facial wash, moisturizer and sunscreen. Pack a towel though. Unlike hotels, hostels do not provide towels.
- I usually lay out what I want to pack on the floor and take away about a third of the items before stuffing my backpack. You need the extra space for souvenirs.
- Remember, unless you are going to Antarctica or the Sahara desert, it is highly possible to get whatever you need in most places (save for prescribed medication).
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