Thought Asia was off your radar? When we heard that Air Asia had launched routes from London to Kuala Lumpur and Taiwan from as little as £99 each way, we had to spread the word. This budget airline works just like well-known carriers EasyJet and Ryanair – you pay budget fares and then extra for luggage, food and on-board entertainment – but on a long-haul flight.

Asian budget airlines like this can help make this amazing part of the world accessible to backpackers and holiday-makers looking for an exotic bargain! Popular destinations include Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Burma, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia – all of which have breathtaking scenery, ancient monuments, delicious cuisine and some of the friendliest locals in the world…

The rules of budget airlines still follow for long-haul destinations – you’ll be e-mailed an itinerary with a confirmation number, which you print out for checking in and getting through security. Purchases are usually non-refundable, and making route changes will probably lead to a hefty fine. But as long as you bear this in mind, you’re good to go – here’s our guide to getting there on the cheap to help you start planning that trip to Southeast Asia!

Guide to Getting There:

From the UK:

Who: Air Asia

Where: The London Stansted route to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has been going for a while, and after it’s success, Air Asia are offering flights to Taiwan from just £290 in July 2009. The airline also offers dirt-cheap domestic flights with AirAsia X all over the continent, from Cambodia to China, so once you get to ‘KL’ (as the Malaysian capital is known) the Orient is your oyster.

How to Save: Book very early or late – the seat prices work like EasyJet – the further in advance you book, the cheaper the flights, but there are some last minute bargains to be had if all the seats haven’t been sold. Pre-book your meals and baggage allowance online and it’s even cheaper.

Why Go? Beds at the best Kuala Lumpur hostels start from around £4 a night! Like much of Malaysia and Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur itself is an affordable, young and thriving metropolis. KL has it all – there’s modern skyscrapers, traditional neighbourhoods like Little India, a dash of colonial history and excellent museums, as well as some pretty cool bars and cafés to hang out at. Whether shopping at the night markets or grabbing a bite to eat from the Hawker food stalls, your holiday budget will go pretty far in this part of the world.

From Australia:

Who: Air Asia and Jetstar
 
Where: Air Asia fly to both Kuala Lumpur and Bali. Budget Aussie airline Jetstar fly to Thailand, Bali and Vietnam.

How to Save: As before – book far in advance with no carry-on luggage. We looked up flights to Bali in September, and prices start at AU$369.

Why Go? These destinations are the continent at its very best, with some of the best value Southeast hostels. Indonesian island Bali is a backpacker’s paradise of beach parties, jungle trekking and diving amongst coral reefs. Vietnam has shaken off a war-torn past to become a top cultural destination, brimming with architecture, bustling cities and a never-ending coastline. Thailand is everything you’d expect – hectic cities with a gloriously seedy nightlife, secluded beaches and hundreds of ancient temples.

From the USA:

Who: China Airlines fly to destinations such as Bangkok and Taipei from a range of US Airports.

Where:  Searching for flights to Bangkok, it’s around $650 for a round trip from Los Angeles in May, and $553 from New York to Bangkok with a stop off in Taipei (all including tax).

How to Save: If you want to go on elsewhere, your best bet is to get a flight to major cities such as Bangkok, and then another budget flight elsewhere. Check out Attitude Travel’s list of budget airlines, and purchase tickets direct by credit card from their sites.

Why Go: Taipei is a stop-off on many of China Airlines’ routes, but is a fascinating place to visit in its own right. Taiwan has all the tropical beaches, high-tech cities and mountain scenery of China, but feels relatively untouched and authentic. There are loads of guesthouses and hostels in Taipei, a bustling city brimming with sights. As a backpacking destination, the rest of the country still feels off the beaten track, and the Taroko Gorge and diving spot of Green Island are perfect for budding explorers.

Images – Thanks to our friends on Flickr – riza, umm and thomas pix.

News Just In: We’ve just discovered some more fantastic deals on flights to Asia- but you need to book by Friday the 15th of May! With Air Asia you could fly free between a range of destinations such Bangkok and Singapore and only pay taxes – with prices starting from £9! This is one travel deal that’s too good to miss, so check it out now!

LJS – Are you heading to Southeast Asia? Or have you just returned from a fantastic trip of your own? Share your tips for getting to Southeast Asia with other budget travelers here!