Basics - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 28

Getting around
Local transport across Southeast Asia
is uniformly good value compared to
public transport in the West, and is often
one of the highlights of a trip, not least
because of the chance to fraternize with
local travellers. Overland transport
between neighbouring Southeast Asian
countries is also fairly straightforward
so long as you have the right paperwork
and are patient; full details on cross-
border transport options are given
throughout the Guide. Travelling
between countries by bus, train or boat
is obviously more time-consuming than
flying, but it's also cheaper and can be
more satisfying.

you set off. In many riverine towns and regions, it's
also common to travel by taxi boat.
Regular ferries connect all major tourist islands
with the mainland, and often depart several times
a day, though some islands become inaccessible
during the monsoon. In some areas, flying may be
the only practical way to get around. Tickets are
usually reasonably priced, especially if the route is
covered by one of the region's growing number of
low-cost airlines (see below).
In most countries, timetables for any transport
other than trains and planes are vague or non-
existent; the vehicle simply leaves when there are
enough passengers to make the journey profitable
for the driver. The best strategy is to turn up early in
the morning when most local people begin their
journeys. For an idea of frequency and duration of
transport services between the main towns, check
the “Arrival and departure” details in each chapter.
Security is an important consideration on public
transport (see p.43).
Throughout Southeast Asia it's possible to rent
your own transport, though in Vietnam you can't
rent self-drive cars. Cars are available in all major
tourist centres, and range from flimsy Jimnys to a/c
4WDs; you will need your international driver's
licence. If you can't face the tra c yourself, you can
often hire a car with driver for a small extra fee.
One of the best ways to explore the countryside is
to rent a motorbike . They vary from small 100cc
Yamahas to more robust trail bikes and can be
rented from guesthouses, shops or tour agencies.
Check the small print on your insurance policy and
if you're renting a bigger bike (125cc and above),
make sure your licence covers it. Bicycles are also a
good way to travel, and are readily available to rent.
Don't forget to check that the bicycle's in working
order before you set off.

Local transport
Not surprisingly, the ultra-modern enclaves of
Singapore and Hong Kong boast the fastest,
sleekest and most e cient transport systems in
the region. Elsewhere, long-distance buses are
the chief mode of travel in Southeast Asia, which,
though often frequent, can be fairly nerve-
wracking. Standards vary across the region, and
often between different companies that cover the
same route. At the bottom end seats are usually
cramped and the whole experience is often
uncomfortable, so wherever possible, try to book a
pricier but more comfortable a/c bus for overnight
journeys - or take the train. Shorter bus journeys
can be very enjoyable, however, and are often the
only way to get between places. Buses come in
various shapes and sizes; full details of all these
idiosyncrasies are given in each chapter.
Trains are generally the most comfortable way to
travel any distance. Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia
both have decent train networks and rolling stock,
while Indonesia's is a notch below them, but still a
better option than buses on Java. Vietnam's train
system is also good for some journeys, and again
it's often worth paying extra for more comfort on
longer routes.
Taxis come in many forms, including the
infamous tuk-tuk (three-wheeled buggies with
deafening two-stroke engines), rickshaws powered
by a man on a bicycle, or simply a bloke on a
motorbike (usually wearing a numbered vest); only
conventional taxis in the major cities have meters,
so all prices must be bargained for and fixed before

Low-cost regional airlines
The airlines listed below are some of the best-known
options for getting from country to country.
AirAsia Kuala Lumpur T 600 85 9999, W airasia.com. AirAsia flies
extensively to many places throughout the region and even to India,
Japan and Australia. Frequent daily flights leave from their Kuala Lumpur
hub to popular destinations such as Bali, Bangkok, Brunei, Ho Chi Minh
City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Manila, Phnom Penh, Phuket,
Vientiane and Yangon; while a number of flights also leave from Bangkok
to places including Bali, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Krabi
and Singapore.
Bangkok Airways Bangkok T 02 270 6699, W bangkokair.com.
Regular flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Phnom
Penh, Phuket, Siam Reap and Singapore.