For those who love to travel alone

[beanstalk6]

Saionji,

I agree on Taiwan. At least the language barrier will not be a problem, assuming that you speak and read Mandarin. The culture shock will not be overwhelming, seeing that you are young and a first-timer. Manageable also from the aspect of planning.

 

[butterbarter]

Sure, by all means. I have been travelling for many years, and these are the things I do as I refine my travel procedures and incorporate and improve on advice found on the internet.

For example, some sites suggest bringing 1 weeks' worth of clothes. That's too much. Just bring 2-3 sets and wash them each nite. It's faster and easier to wash 1 set of clothes than 7 sets at the end of the week.

wow this is really a valuable first hand detailed experience from you. Thank you for your kind advices, pls allow me to quote your advice (with credits) if someone is asking the same questions as i am.

 

[butterbarter]

This year I'm only 20 years old . Do they accept ?

As long as your licence is not a temporary licence, there should be no problem. But check that they don't require an international licence, or apply for one. Normally, international licence is only needed in non-English speaking countries, but some (but rare) rental agencies in English-speaking countries may require them.

I've encountered a renter in Canada that required a international licence and I didn't have one. Eventually, the manager (who happened to be an Asian - he's a immigrant from Phillipines) came to me, saw my licence and went "Ah, Singapore. OK, no problem" and gave me the car.

Also, check that you have adequate insurance. I can't quite recall the details since I rented a car in Melbourne more than 2 years ago, but I think I had to add on some additional insurance.

 

[black_wing_diaz]

This year I'm only 20 years old . Do they accept ?

Yea, age below 25 years old need to pay more car rental fees which is for insurance purpose.

Looks like you need to wait 1 more year or get someone aged 21 or above to go with you. The minimum age for renting cars in Australia is essentially 21 years old.

Source: Driving in Australia - Backpackers Frequently Asked Questions

Also, always lock your doors when driving and never leave stuffs like bags in the passenger seats, instead put them in the car boot to avoid car theft.

 

[excalibur324]

Hi guys I am having block leave from 16-22feb where would u guys recomend where to go?

First time traveling alone
Budget below 1k preferred

1 week do cambodia lor.

 

[butterbarter]

There are so many choices. Basically any ASEAN country will fit the bill.

1. Vietnam - Hanoi + Halung Bay + Sapa
2. Vietnam - Saigon + Mekong Delta + Dalat
3. Vietnam - Danang + Hoi Ann + Hue
4. Cambodia - Phnom Penh + Siem Reap/Angkor Wat
5. Thailand - Bangkok + Ayuthaya + Pattaya
6. Indonesia - Jakarta + Bandung
7. Indonesia - Yogyakarta + Borobudhur + Prambanam
8. Myanmar - Yangon + Bagan + Inle Lake( but I think this will likely be more than 1k ).
9. Laos - Vientiane + Luang Prabang.
10. Malaysia - KL + Penang
11. Taiwan - Taipei + surrounding small towns (this will probably exceed 1k, but Taiwan is still surprisingly affordable)

Some of the above might be abit rushed for 7 days, so better you add a couple more days, or drop one of the places.

You'll have to do your sums and see which fit below 1K, since only you know what kind of accommodation and transportation options are acceptable to you. But none of these are expensive destinations.

With the exception of Bandung and Dalat, I've been to everyone of these locations, so you can ask me questions about them if you need.

Hi guys I am having block leave from 16-22feb where would u guys recomend where to go?

First time traveling alone
Budget below 1k preferred

 

[dilphinus]

Actually one week 7 days isnt really sufficient for a good backpacking trip. Take first and last day out, left with 5 days.

Dalat can be done in a day. But factor in travel time. 6 hours from hcm to dalat. So 2 days for travelling.

I find pattaya boring.

Unless you stay in taipei only, if not i wont recommend taiwan. Can do 2 cities, taipei and hualien.

Else hk is a good option too. Cheap flights. Can go to the islands too.

 

[BlurKillerEX]

Hey guys, I'm a poly student graduating soon, I want to try my first solo backpacking trip before enlistment. Travelling around april/may for probably 10-14 days, budget is 2k. Any good place to recommend a first-timer like me?

I have no driving license yet btw, so its probably best if the place has good(easily accessible) public transportation.

 

[~大.芒.果~]

Hey guys, I'm a poly student graduating soon, I want to try my first solo backpacking trip before enlistment. Travelling around april/may for probably 10-14 days, budget is 2k. Any good place to recommend a first-timer like me?

I have no driving license yet btw, so its probably best if the place has good(easily accessible) public transportation.

cant go wrong with Taiwan

 

[BlurKillerEX]

cant go wrong with Taiwan

Haha, forgot to mention my dad is Taiwanese, been to taiwan more than a dozen times liao

 

[Saionji]

ok i had booked my plane ticket to taiwan

packing 2-3 sets of clothes enough for the trip? (washing when necessary)
during this period is it very cold? one cotton jacket enough to keep warm?
shd i book the hostels in advance or just walk around and try my luck? more fun i guess?

 

[butterbarter]

Depends on when you go. According to the weather reports on the net, the temperature is around 20 degrees in the day, but can drop to 6 degrees celcius on some nights. Combined with wind, this is pretty cold for someone from the tropics.

I suggest bringing 2 jackets - a lighter fleece for the day when it's chilly, and a thicker jacket ( a light down jacket is a good choice ) for colder nights. You can combine them both for even greater warmth. You can get away with just 1 thick jacket instead of 2, but you may find it uncomfortably warm in the day when walking around, as your body will generate heat.

Since it's winter, it will likely rain a fair bit, so bring an small umbrella or rain jacket too. Depending on the thickness of your pants, you may need to bring some leggings or thermal underwear for your legs if you are sensitive to cold. Don't bring too much though, as you can always buy them in Taiwan.

2-3 sets of clothes should be fine if you wash nightly. Make sure they are made from quick drying material (eg polyester) since you don't have many extra sets of clothes to fall back on.

To book hotels, just use the Agoda app on your iPhone/Android and book your hotels 1 day in advance. Get a prepaid data SIM for a few Sing dollars and you're good to go.

ok i had booked my plane ticket to taiwan

packing 2-3 sets of clothes enough for the trip? (washing when necessary)
during this period is it very cold? one cotton jacket enough to keep warm?
shd i book the hostels in advance or just walk around and try my luck? more fun i guess?

 

[Saionji]

16/2 Singapore > Taiwan
SG Changi Airport(0830HR) > Taoyuan Airport(1310HR) > Taipei Main Station(1500) > Hualien Train Station > Hostel(???)

Reach taoyuan airport buy 3g sim card from Chunghwa telecom 500NTD 1 week
From taoyuan airport take Kuo Kuang(國光) bus to taipei main station cost 125NTD 50-70min

17/2 Hualien
Taroko Gorge

18/2 Hualien > Jiufen

19/2 Jiufen > Taipei

20/2 Taipei > Beitou
go beitou for hotspring, afternoon dansui then evening shilin night market

21/2 Taipei

22/2 Taipei > Singapore

currently plan something like this will this be alright?

 

[dilphinus]

16/2 Singapore > Taiwan
SG Changi Airport(0830HR) > Taoyuan Airport(1310HR) > Taipei Main Station(1500) > Hualien Train Station > Hostel(???)

Reach taoyuan airport buy 3g sim card from Chunghwa telecom 500NTD 1 week
From taoyuan airport take Kuo Kuang(國光) bus to taipei main station cost 125NTD 50-70min

17/2 Hualien
Taroko Gorge

18/2 Hualien > Jiufen

19/2 Jiufen > Taipei

20/2 Taipei > Beitou
go beitou for hotspring, afternoon dansui then evening shilin night market

21/2 Taipei

22/2 Taipei > Singapore

currently plan something like this will this be alright?

Taipei; On My Way Hostel. It's really good. But it's in Beitou.

Hualien; Sleeping Boot Backpacker Hostel is really good as well.

 

[butterbarter]

Looks OK.

Many people just make Jiufen a daytrip, so unless you are really into this place, there's no necessity to stay overnight. At least I didn't, but maybe someone can advise on the advantages of staying overnight in Jiufen.

You might want to hang around Danshui till late evening to check out their night market, which is on the way back to the train station.

16/2 Singapore > Taiwan
SG Changi Airport(0830HR) > Taoyuan Airport(1310HR) > Taipei Main Station(1500) > Hualien Train Station > Hostel(???)

Reach taoyuan airport buy 3g sim card from Chunghwa telecom 500NTD 1 week
From taoyuan airport take Kuo Kuang(國光) bus to taipei main station cost 125NTD 50-70min

17/2 Hualien
Taroko Gorge

18/2 Hualien > Jiufen

19/2 Jiufen > Taipei

20/2 Taipei > Beitou
go beitou for hotspring, afternoon dansui then evening shilin night market

21/2 Taipei

22/2 Taipei > Singapore

currently plan something like this will this be alright?

 

[Saionji]

Taipei; On My Way Hostel. It's really good. But it's in Beitou.

Hualien; Sleeping Boot Backpacker Hostel is really good as well.

does sleeping boot backpacker hostel have washing facilities? did not see any on agoda. or can i just hand wash and air dry my clothes?

 

[Saionji]

Taiwan Itinerary

16/2 Singapore > Taiwan
SG Changi Airport(0830HR) > Taoyuan Airport(1310HR) > Taipei Main Station(1500) > Hualien Train Station > Hostel(???)

Reach taoyuan airport buy 3g sim card from Chunghwa telecom 500NTD 1 week
From taoyuan airport take Kuo Kuang(國光) bus to taipei main station cost 125NTD 50-70min

17/2 Hualien
Taroko Gorge

18/2 Hualien > YingYangSea > Golden Waterfall >Yehliu > Jiufen> Taipei

19/2 Taipei > Thermal Valley > Hot Spring >Danshui > Taipei

20/2 Taipei > Yangmingshan > ???

21/2 Taipei > ???

22/2 Taipei > Singapore

Did some editing will day 18/2 be very pack?
For day 19/2 any private hot springs to recommend? bring along backpack will it be troublesome?
Please advise on the ???

 

[butterbarter]

Yes, I think 18/2 is too rushed. Just pick 2 places, and see them at your leisure. Unless you are the type to take a quick look and then rush off, I think you'll get more out of the visits if you take time to look around. You can see the rest the next day.

I would not consider YMS a must-see, although it makes a nice break from the city. I also see you are not spending much time in Taipei itself. You can easily spend 2-3 full days in Taipei to see the sights.

For Beitou, I went to the public hot spring, which was cheap, and rather spartan, but filled with Taiwanese uncles and aunties. Not glamourous, but I think that's the real Taiwan.

Taiwan Itinerary

16/2 Singapore > Taiwan
SG Changi Airport(0830HR) > Taoyuan Airport(1310HR) > Taipei Main Station(1500) > Hualien Train Station > Hostel(???)

Reach taoyuan airport buy 3g sim card from Chunghwa telecom 500NTD 1 week
From taoyuan airport take Kuo Kuang(國光) bus to taipei main station cost 125NTD 50-70min

17/2 Hualien
Taroko Gorge

18/2 Hualien > YingYangSea > Golden Waterfall >Yehliu > Jiufen> Taipei

19/2 Taipei > Thermal Valley > Hot Spring >Danshui > Taipei

20/2 Taipei > Yangmingshan > ???

21/2 Taipei > ???

22/2 Taipei > Singapore

Did some editing will day 18/2 be very pack?
For day 19/2 any private hot springs to recommend? bring along backpack will it be troublesome?
Please advise on the ???

 

[Saionji]

Yes, I think 18/2 is too rushed. Just pick 2 places, and see them at your leisure. Unless you are the type to take a quick look and then rush off, I think you'll get more out of the visits if you take time to look around. You can see the rest the next day.

I would not consider YMS a must-see, although it makes a nice break from the city. I also see you are not spending much time in Taipei itself. You can easily spend 2-3 full days in Taipei to see the sights.

For Beitou, I went to the public hot spring, which was cheap, and rather spartan, but filled with Taiwanese uncles and aunties. Not glamourous, but I think that's the real Taiwan.

16/2 Singapore > Taiwan
SG Changi Airport(0830HR) > Taoyuan Airport(1310HR) > Taipei Main Station(1500) > Hualien Train Station > Hostel(???)

Reach taoyuan airport buy 3g sim card from Chunghwa telecom 500NTD 1 week
From taoyuan airport take Kuo Kuang(國光) bus to taipei main station cost 125NTD 50-70min

17/2 Hualien
Taroko Gorge

18/2 Hualien > Yehliu > Jiufen> Taipei

19/2 Taipei > Thermal Valley > Hot Spring >Danshui > Taipei

20/2 Taipei > ???

21/2 Taipei > Taipei City Mall

22/2 Taipei > Singapore

so will be like this for the time being, need to book in liao

any suggestions for 20 or 21 would be great

 

[butterbarter]

We can advise you better if you tell us if this is your first time to Taipei, and if your interests lie in shopping, cultural/historical sights, nightmarkets, etc.

16/2 Singapore > Taiwan
SG Changi Airport(0830HR) > Taoyuan Airport(1310HR) > Taipei Main Station(1500) > Hualien Train Station > Hostel(???)

Reach taoyuan airport buy 3g sim card from Chunghwa telecom 500NTD 1 week
From taoyuan airport take Kuo Kuang(國光) bus to taipei main station cost 125NTD 50-70min

17/2 Hualien
Taroko Gorge

18/2 Hualien > Yehliu > Jiufen> Taipei

19/2 Taipei > Thermal Valley > Hot Spring >Danshui > Taipei

20/2 Taipei > ???

21/2 Taipei > Taipei City Mall

22/2 Taipei > Singapore

so will be like this for the time being, need to book in liao

any suggestions for 20 or 21 would be great