Planning Your First-Ever Trip To Asia: 5 Things To Know

For many people, a trip to Asia is one of those bucket-list holidays that you hope to enjoy at some point in life. This exotic destination has so much to offer travelers, but for first-time visitors, it can also be overwhelming. What are the best destinations to visit in Asia? How long should you go for? Will a language barrier be an issue? These are just some of the many questions that first-time visitors often ask.

We’re here to clear the air, so to speak, and provide you with five things to know when planning your first-ever trip to Asia. This information can make trip planning much smoother, leading to a fabulous and enjoyable holiday.

Book Flights Like a Travel Pro

While you may not be overly concerned about flight pricing, connections and length when you’re just traveling to the state next to you, traveling across the globe to Asia is a whole other story. You will likely want to arrive at your destination in a short time, with the least connections possible and at the best rate.

An online flight search engine tool like Google Flights allows you to track prices across multiple days, comparing flights and making sure you get the best option. You can even do a multiple airport search, which is perfect if you plan on visiting a variety of Asian destinations.

Language Barriers Aren’t Usually a Worry

A lot of travelers find themselves apprehensive about holidaying in Asia simply because of the language barrier. The good news is that this will rarely be an issue, especially in popular tourist areas. Sure, it can cause some minor problems here and there, but generally speaking, you should be able to get around and function just fine.

If you want to make things even less stressful, try using a language learning app or translator app to master the basics, and as a translating tool while at the destination.

This Is a Trip Worth Dedicating Extra Time To

If you’re used to booking one-week holidays, a trip to Asia should make you re-think your trip duration. When you factor in the long flight(s) and the significant time difference, a week simply isn’t enough. Ideally, you should plan on spending at least two weeks in Asia, as this will make the trip less hurried and more enjoyable overall.

Remember, Asia is huge in terms of land mass, so that’s a lot of ground to potentially cover. There’s also a lesson in terms of expectations. Don’t expect to do and see it all in one trip. Instead, look at this as your introduction to Asia, a chance to learn more, and then you can plan to return to specific areas of interest later on.

Plan to Get Off the Beaten Track

Travelers often fall into the habit of visiting all the popular attractions and sights, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it may not offer you the most authentic look at the destination. When in Asia, plan to get off the beaten track and visit less-known cities, towns, sights, attractions, restaurants, markets, beaches and so forth. If you’re unsure of how to find this information, speak to the locals, ask your hotel concierge desk for recommendations and get out there and explore.

Visit at the Right Time of the Year

Finally, be sure you’re planning your vacation for the ideal time. Just like any other destination, Asia has peak and non-peak months of travel. Peak season is November to February, when the weather is the best, but it also means the crowds will be thick. If you’re not a fan of the crowds, off-peak will be much quieter but it’s also very hot, humid and wet throughout a good part of Asia – in particular Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

All of these tips will help you to organize and book the trip of a lifetime to Asia.