Winter Travel Bargain: Visit Asia

Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are among this winter’s top-rated, budget-stretcher destinations in Asia, according to TripAdvisor's recently released TripIndex Asia. If you have put off seeing the sites in Chiang Mai, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as Jakarta and some dozen other destinations, then now through April 2016 is the time to travel. Not only is the weather optimal but accommodations in and airfare to many popular destinations in Asia have dropped significantly, making Asia a good deal this season.

“Asia has always piqued the interest of Americans for its rich history and exotic appeal, and now with the cost of travel down 12% to popular destinations, it’s a great time to book,” says Brooke Ferencsik, director of communications for TripAdvisor. “Asia consistently provides outstanding accommodation value and this year US travelers can also take advantage of significantly lower airfares, so winter is a great time for Americans to explore the Far East, with both the weather and the prices more moderate.”

Compared with November 2014 to April 2015 when the average hotel room in Asia booked on TripAdvisor cost $102 per night, this season’s average daily room rate is $94. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, known for affordable lodging, now offers even lower rates averaging $49 a night instead of 2014’s $67, a decrease of 26%. Even though the highest-priced rooms are found in Seminyak in Bali, Indonesia, where lodging averages $173, those fees represent a 26% drop from 2014 rates.

In addition, airline tickets have fallen 14% to $1,287. As a result, TripAdvisor calculates that the typical cost of a one-week trip this winter has dropped an average of 12% compared with the same period last year in 18 of 20 Asian destinations. Thailand features three of the top 10 best value destinations. The average costs for a week in Thailand’s Chiang Mai, including airfare, dropped 21% to $1, 577; a week in Kathu dropped 20% to $1,902; and a week in Bangkok dropped 9% to $1,680.

The most affordable destination: Jakarta, Indonesia, where one-week costs with airfare dropped 32% since last season to $1,343. Hong Kong, China, rates as the most expensive of the 20 destinations studied. Although lodging rates declined 8% to about $153 per night, airline tickets rose 6% to $1,523, making a one-week trip cost $2,590.

Below is TripAdvisor’s chart for costs in 20 popular destinations in Asia:

What are your favorite Asian destinations? Do you have Asian travel spots on your bucket list? Comment below or connect with me on Twitter, @familyitrips.