Tag: Budget

Happy 2025 all!!

Had to start your year with a budget breakdown that will make your head spin, I know mine did writing it. There are so many details in this, but I do try to be thorough! Maybe someone will need this information for their upcoming travels.

I did five countries on this trip: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore with my boyfriend. Two of these are new for me (Vietnam and Thailand) and the other three I visited back in 2016, for my 30th birthday. I didn’t have a blog back then so I am super excited to share everything about this trip with you this time around.

Below is a photo of the budget breakdown I keep on my Excel spreadsheet:

** remember all the links for the hotels, excursions etc. are embedded in the names/amounts. You can always click those and go venture to see more about them or book them yourself

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Flights

Let me start with the flights. We booked those super duper early in the year – January 16th.

The main flight from Toronto to Singapore is with Air Canada.

The total cost of the flight was $1638.00 CAD.

I think when we booked this they had just released this route going from Toronto to Vancouver, and then Vancouver to Singapore. The flight from Vancouver to Singapore is 16.4hrs, long as heck. Thankfully we did book this so early, because by JUNE it was already at $5000.00 per person for the same flight and by December?

$9,500.00, economy, same damn flight as me. Ridiculous. That kind of price better have me flying to Mars.

Checked in luggage is included in the cost of the Singapore flight, but I don’t trust Air Canada with luggage, and with the country hopping? I rather just me and my carry-on bag.

The next flights were booked two days later (January 18th) and went as follows:

Singapore to Phuket, Thailand = $194.00 CAD one-way, direct with Singapore Airlines

Phuket to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam = $129.00 CAD one-way, direct with VietJet Air

Ho Chi Minh to Bali, Indonesia = $137.00 CAD one-way, direct with VietJet Air

Bali to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia = $148.00 CAD one-way, direct with Air AsiaX

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore = $43.00 CAD one-way, direct with Air Asia

Making your head spin right? I know. Lots of flights.

The total cost of all flights for this trip came to $2289.00 CAD.

I think this is a REALLY good amount for country-hopping during the most expensive time of year to travel anywhere. Hope when people read this, they see why booking very early is important!! It gets more and more expensive closer to the date.

The route has us landing in Singapore, but heading to Phuket like four hours later. I learned in my earlier travels to always END your trip in the country/city you fly home from. So the trip goes around and the last few days are spent in Singapore before we fly home. Less stress.

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Stays

Now, let me get to the stays.

Yes, FIVE different stays.

The first one is the Ibis Phuket Patong – December 22nd to December 26th, in Phuket.

I wanted something close to the beach, in the middle of the action and with a pool.

We got the ‘Superior Queen Room‘ and the total cost for three nights is $387.00, so $193.50 CAD per person.

The next stay is an AirBnB – December 26th to December 29th, in Ho Chi Minh.

We initially had a hotel booked here, but with us just traveling with carry-ons, I wanted somewhere we had access to our own laundry. This unit has that! It also has a pool, looked super cute and had awesome reviews.

Total cost for three nights is $159.00, so $79.50 CAD per person. Hell of a deal I think!

The next stay is at the Risata Bali Resort & Spa – December 29th to January 1st, in Bali.

I had booked an AirBnB I fell in LOVE with wayyyy back in January for Bali. Unfortunately, as the days lead up to the trip, I saw the weather (it is rainy season) and traffic situation in Bali on TikTok. It was at that moment, I had to choose being practical over fancy pants. The original AirBnB was all the way in the bush, and to get to destinations we want to go out to – it would take a WHILE in traffic.

Therefore, I opted to book something closer to the airport and also within walking distance of a beach so we can see the fireworks on NYE, without having to travel far.

We got the ‘Superior Double or Twin Room‘ and the total cost for three nights is $339.00, so $169.50 CAD per person aaand breakfast is included!

NOW TO MY FAVE STAY BOOKING FOR THIS TRIP!!!

The next stay is at Arte by Thomas Chan – January 1st to January 3rd, in Kuala Lumpur.

Last time I was in KL, I booked the cheapest possible hotel. That shit was dingy as hell. I was a brokey then, but this time, I am slightly less broke, and traveling with my boyfriend. Last time I was traveling solo for the low-low.

You can get very nice hotels and AirBnB’s in Kuala Lumpur, the choices are endless for not a lot of money. However, I saw this hotel online a couple of years ago and swore if I ever went back to my favourite food city, I would get a hotel room here.

Now, did this cost a lot? I think so. But, shitty hotels in Toronto cost the same, yolo. #GirlMath

Once you see how this hotel looks and our room, I think you’ll understand why it was necessary to be extra as hell.

We got the ‘Palatial Noire III‘ and the total cost for two nights is $604.00, so $302.00 CAD per person aaand breakfast is included!

The final stay of this trip is at the Ibis Budget Singapore Clarke Quay – January 3rd to January 5th, in Singapore.

During my time visiting Singapore in 2016, I stayed in a hostel. It was a private room in a hostel, but nonetheless, a hostel.

This time I have a real hotel and everything!

I chose this specific one because of its proximity to all the fun things in Singapore, aka, food and the Lion. Plus, the price was right.

We got the ‘Standard Double Room‘ and the total cost for two nights is $363.00, so $181.50 CAD per person aaand breakfast is included!

Total cost of all the stays: $962.00 CAD per person.

I think that’s pretty alright! It could have been cheaper, obviously.

But, I deserve this.

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Excursions & Events

Now, let us discuss the pre-booked shenanigans.

Once we arrive in Phuket, the first excursion we are doing is to the Phi Phi Islands. I do not care how busy it is, how many tourists there are – I saw the movie THE BEACH and will see that beach in my lifetime. We had booked a different tour before, but I saw this random one on TikTok that has the speed boat but once we arrive to the island-area, we have our own longboat for four hours. I rather that, I hate sharing and other people near me.

This was booked via Discover Phi Phi and it cost 11,200 THB total / $456.00 CAD / so $228.00 CAD per person for the day.

I love some beach clubs. LOVE.

I had been eyeing Yona Beach Club for sometime on Instagram.

It is the worlds first floating beach club, and I can’t think of a better way to spend Christmas, right?

You can go to this beach club and just pay an entrance fee to be there all day. But like, I can’t live with NOT having a booked space for myself. The idea of having to try and find seats, and then other people will want those seats too. No thank you.

My boyfriend and I chose to book a ‘sunset bed‘ which is on the second floor of the beach club. The lower part with the big swimming pool is the main party area, but I didn’t necessarily want to be amongst that either. I want to be able to leave the chaos and observe.

The cost was 15,000 THB / $636.00 CAD / so $318.00 CAD per person for the day.

Within this price we get the sofa bed to ourselves, shuttle boat transfer from the pier, entrance fee, towels, passenger insurance and 9,000 TBH ($378.00 CAD) to use towards food and beverage.

I’m freaking excited for this. NO LIE. I know this price is crazy for a day, don’t yell.

When we get to Vietnam, of course, we have a food tour booked!!

The tour is called, ‘Ho Chi Minh City: Walking Food Tour with 13 Tastings‘.

Yes, THIRTEEN. I cannot wait. I am going to devour everything. Also, the price was incredible at only $38.14 CAD per person.

Now, yes, another damn beach club.

Going from the worlds first floating beach club to a place that it is the world’s BEST beach club, aka, Finns Beach Club in Bali.

Last time I was in Bali, I went to Potato Head, so I am excited to see what Finns is like.

The cost was 4,000,000 IDR + transaction fees / $433.00 CAD (with fees included) / so $216.50 CAD per person for the day.

As you will see in the photo below, on December 30th the place is super booked up, we are one of those sold out beds in red.

We chose a bed at the ‘Finns VIP Oceanfront‘ – because there is a pool, and the area is only for 16+ patrons. I don’t want kids anywhere near me when I’m drinking, thanks.

The 4million IDR ($355.00 CAD) is 100% credited towards food and beverage for the day. This also includes escorted entry, valet service, welcome drink and afternoon spritz. I want it ALL. I will have it all.

FYI – you can actually go to Finns for free, there is no cover. You can go and pay as you drink and eat, just finding your own seat amongst the masses somewhere. Again, not for me, I like things paid for ahead and a space designated just for me.

I had mentioned before that Kuala Lumpur is my #1 food city on the planet, so of course, we have a food tour booked there as well.

This tour is called ‘Culture on a Plate – Kuala Lumpur Food Walk‘.

Can’t even begin to tell you how amazing the food in Malaysia is, so I know this will rock.

The tour is 2.5 hours and cost $70.87 CAD per person.

Finally, in Singapore, I just want to make sure my boyfriend sees Gardens by the Bay. This is a pretty magical experience if you’ve seen them before.

Total cost was $79.96 CAD per person for this.

We opted for this choice because it includes entry to various parts of the Gardens and there is no time limit, like there would be on a group tour.

Total cost of all shenanigans booked: $951.47 CAD

I plan on having an epic time. Trust me.

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Visas

I will try to make this as succinct as possible for EACH country! Also, note, all of these things are applying to me as a CANADIAN citizen at the time I traveled. I don’t know if it will change and I don’t know how it looks for people with different immigration status or different nationalities.

Thailand = no visa required or declaration

Vietnam = visa required

• Applied for this about three weeks before the trip, a lot of information about your trip is required. Make sure you have a photo of yourself, scan of your passport and all your stay + flight information prepared to upload.
• Received approval within three days.
• There is NO visa-on-arrival available for Vietnam, so you have to do this before you go on the trip.
• Link to Vietnam visa application site: click here
• Cost for Visa = $37.09 CAD

Indonesia = visa required, tourism tax for BALI required, customs declaration required, health declaration required

• Applied for the 30-day-tourism-visa about three weeks before the trip, a lot of information about your trip is required. Make sure you have a photo of yourself, scan of your passport and all your stay + flight information.
• Received approval as soon as submitted.
• There IS a visa-on-arrival option for when you arrive at the airport, but I don’t want to wait in line.
• Link to Indonesia visa application site: click here
• Cost for Visa = $47.20 CAD

• The tourism levy I think is JUST for people heading to Bali, because clearly we mess up the environment, so we should have to pay up for maintaining something so beautiful.
• Paid for this three weeks ahead.
• Also can be done on-arrival at the airport, but again, I don’t want to wait in line.
• Link to Bali tourism levy site: click here
• Cost of tourism levy = $14.17 CAD

• The Indonesian customs declaration has to be done a couple of days before you arrive,
• Also can be done on-arrival at the airport, but again, I don’t want to wait in line.
• Link to Indonesian customs declaration site: click here
• Cost: free

• The Indonesian health declaration has to be done a couple of days before you arrive.
• I think can be done on-arrival at the airport, but again, I don’t want to wait in line.
• Link to Indonesian health declaration site: click here
• Cost: free

Malaysia = no visa required, digital arrival card required

• The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card can be done on the website a couple of days before you arrive.
• I am not sure if this is available on-arrival at the airport, but figured have it done before arrival just in case.
• Link to MDAC site: click here
• Cost: free

Singapore = no visa required, arrival card required

• The Singapore Arrival Card can be done on the on the website a couple of days before you arrive.
• I am not sure if this is available on-arrival at the airport, but figured have it done before arrival just in case.
• Also, you will see on the site there is this new e-pass thing you get instead of a passport stamp? Going to see how that works out.
• Link to SGAC site: click here
• Cost: free

Now, I have never been to Thailand or Vietnam, but I was still surprised as Canadian we need a visa to enter? That’s cool though.

I do not remember ANY of these declarations for when I went to Bali, KL and Singapore back in 2016. I also don’t remember if I needed a visa to enter Bali then, definitely didn’t have the tourism levy.

Total cost of country-entry-requirements: $98.46 CAD

Given how much everything just to enter Nigeria cost me last year, this is nothing. Just was tedious trying to get everything done for each country, boohoo me. I know.

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E-Sim

I usually do the whole Rogers Roam Like Home option for my trips, but, trying to be a bit better with my cellular spending this trip.

On Airalo I found an e-sim that is valid for 136 countries!!

All five of these countries are on this list, so I won’t have to switch every time I land.

Will report on how this worked out when I return.

Total Cost: $100.00 CAD for 20GB data

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For spending money I budgeted $1000.00 CAD.

Aside from Singapore, our currency is decent in the other four countries, and we pretty much have so much stuff booked and paid for ahead of time.

I was smarter this time, buying PHYSICAL money for all five destinations before the trip!! I will not get caught with malfunctioning credit cards and debit cards this time. I mean, maybe I will, but I will have some cash on hand to help me out.

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The total budget for this trip is $5364.93 Canadian.

I’m very proud of this total price!!!

Were the beach clubs necessary? No.

Was the super pricy hotel in KL necessary? No.

Even the excursion from Phuket to Phi Phi could have been done for cheaper, but guess what? SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SPLURGE ON YOURSELF. (I realize I put this every time I make a fiscally unsound decision)

Regardless, very proud of this total for everything we are doing and again, during THIS time of year.

See you when I get back!

• Mirna

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